We chat with author Celeste Dador about Stars, Stripes and Summer Nights, which is a swoony, patriotic romance with Gilmore Girls charm—follow First Daughter Abby as she dives into a summer of surprises, small-town magic, and sparks with the boy who shakes up her world.
How does the timing of America’s 250th birthday feel important and special to you for this release?
I didn’t initially realize the book’s release would coincide with the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence—publishing timelines are so long that those alignments are often out of our hands—but it now feels wonderfully serendipitous. As Americans reflect on our history, the moment we’re in now, and the possibilities ahead, I hope this book offers a joyful, inclusive story. One that gives readers a breather from the current moment, and invites teenagers, especially, to imagine futures where they feel seen, hopeful, and full of possibility.
How did the image of First Daughters Malia and Sasha Obama at a state dinner shape your idea for this book?
I came across an article one day about the First Daughters attending a state dinner, and the headline immediately caught my attention. It framed them almost like “American princesses,” dressed in these gorgeous gowns in the White House—it felt glamorous and intriguing, like watching the red carpet at the Oscars.
But it was one of the article’s candid photos that really stayed with me. It showed Sasha Obama talking to Ryan Reynolds, looking completely starstruck, while Malia Obama stood in the background giving her a double thumbs-up. It was such a joyful, human moment.
Seeing that photo made me start wondering what it must be like to grow up in the White House—I started researching the “sisterhood” of First Daughters, the Obama girls, Barbara and Jenna Bush, Chelsea Clinton, all who lived such high-profile lives while still being teenagers and figuring things out. That question became the spark for my book, and for Abby and her little sister Elle, who are the same ages as the Obama sisters were at the time when they were fangirling Ryan Reynolds – because what teenager (or adult) wouldn’t?
Why was it important to you to feature a female Filipino American President?
It came from a mix of “write what you know” and “write the book you wish existed when you were a kid.” As a Filipino American, I grew up hearing about my family’s history, their service during WWII, and their sacrifices, and those stories shaped how I see this country and my place in it. I believe deeply in the idea that loving where your family comes from and loving America don’t have to be separate things. Writing a Filipino American woman as President was a way of imagining a future where kids—especially kids from immigrant families—can see themselves not just belonging here, but leading.
What do you hope readers take away from Abby and Gabriel’s love story?
At its heart, the book is a love letter to summer and to that rare stretch of time when there’s no school, fewer rules, and every day feels full of possibility—including the possibility of a first kiss.
I hope teen readers see Abby and Gabriel’s love story as a reminder that first love can be exciting, scary, and totally life-changing all at once. Abby has always tried to be the responsible one, so falling for Gabe—someone unexpected—helps her see that it’s okay to want more for herself.
Through their relationship, she learns to take chances, follow her feelings, and trust her own heart. I hope readers get swept up in their summer romance and finish the book feeling hopeful, a little dreamy, and excited about the possibilities ahead.
What is next for you as an author?
More cozy, festive-filled romance rooted in escapism, big laughs, and joy. While my debut is YA, my upcoming projects live in the adult space, where I write as C.C. Dador. I’m especially excited about my adult debut, “Merry Ex-Mas,” a time-loop holiday romance about a woman who keeps reliving Christmas Eve with different exes until she figures out who’s the one, which will be out in September. I’m also thrilled to be part of “Love at the Fiesta,” an anthology with fellow Filipino American romance authors set during a beauty pageant. No matter the age category, I’m drawn to writing joyful, diverse love stories that offer hope, self-discovery, and happily-ever-afters.
