The Great Dempseys

Dark family secrets. Class differences. First love. Dive into the first entry of this critically acclaimed, multi-award-winning series!

Thanks to a generous scholarship, fifteen-year-old Audrey Nielsen is able to attend Great Gray, a prestigious private high school on the Upper East Side, as a member of the Class of 1981. Though uncomfortable in this new environment, Audrey adapts. At Great Gray, she meets Bobby Dempsey, the sole heir to his family’s fortune. Everyone knows about the Dempsey family; the patriarch, Robert Dempsey, is the CEO of Dempsey Corp, one of the largest, most influential conglomerates in the United States. Bobby is expected to someday follow in his father's footsteps, but perhaps he has his own aspirations...

Instantly, sparks fly between Bobby and Audrey. Their relationship piques their peers'—and their families'—interest. Together, they do their best to navigate class differences, family drama, and the difficulties of teenage romance. Nevertheless, near the end of their senior year, something happens that shatters the euphoric bubble they had been living in. In the aftermath, dark family secrets resurface, threatening to topple the great Dempsey dynasty.

Bobby and Audrey are thus forced to make a a decision that will change the trajectory of their entire lives...

The Great Dempseys is the ideal book for readers who enjoy young adult fiction, romance, family sagas, and coming-of-age stories. Critics have called the book "compelling," "engaging," "heartfelt," "swoon-worthy," "poignant," "thought-provoking," "empathetic," "multi-layered," and "powerful." Check out the Editorial Reviews for excerpts!

The series will ultimately span 45+ years, and readers will get to watch the characters evolve over the decades. Brianna MacMahon is a multi-award-winning author known for her vivid storytelling, multifaceted characters, realistic dialogue, and thoughtful social commentary. Don't miss out on this emotional, thought-provoking read!

Check out the 10 awards the book has won below!

WINNER of the 2025 Literary Titan Gold Book Award!

WINNER of the 2025 Readers' Favorite Gold Medal for Young Adult Romance!

WINNER of the 2025 NYC Big Book Awards for Romance!

WINNER of the 2025 NYC Big Book Awards for New Adult Fiction!

1st PLACE WINNER in Fiction for Firebird Book Awards and Speak Up Talk Radio!

1st PLACE WINNER in Coming-of-Age Fiction for Firebird Book Awards and Speak Up Talk Radio!

1st PLACE WINNER in Young Adult Fiction for Firebird Book Awards and Speak Up Talk Radio!

1st PLACE WINNER in New Adult Fiction for Firebird Book Awards and Speak Up Talk Radio!

WINNER of the 2025 Reader Views Bronze Medal for Young Adult (16+) Fiction!

FINALIST in the 19th Annual National Indie Excellence Awards for the Romance Genre!