THE NIGHT WE SAID YES

This contemporary Young Adult debut takes place in one giddy, magical night -- in both past and present. Told from Ella’s point of view, Then and Now chapters chronicle the night Ella and Matt first meet and spark to one another, and the night they reunite one year after their break-up, questioning if second chances are possible.

Before Matt, Ella had a plan. A really solid plan. Get over a no good ex-boyfriend. Graduate high school without any more distractions. Move away from Orlando, Florida where she’s lived her entire life. But Matt – the cute, shy bespectacled bass player who just moved to town -- was not part of the plan. Neither was attending a party that was crashed by cops within moments of their arrival. Or spending an entire night saying yes to every crazy, fun thing they could come up with, including sneaking onto the roof of the school, going skinny dipping, and playing the most awesome rock show ever. Thing is, sensitive was anything but when he abruptly picked up and left town, breaking not only Ella's heart but those of their best friends too. When he shows up a year later with a plan of his own -- to reenact the night that brought them together -- Ella isn't sure whether Matt's worth a second chance, and if recreating the past can help them create a different future. Lauren Gibaldi is a librarian at Orange County Public Library, where she hosts youth programs. She has a colorful history as a former magazine editor, freelance writer, high school English teacher, bookseller and circus aerialist (seriously). Lauren has a BA in English Literature and a Master’s in Library and Information Studies, both from Florida State University. She lives in Orlando, Florida with her husband and ever-expanding collection of books. The Night We Said Yes is her first novel.