Trending Hearts by Jessi Hansen

Elowen Donovan is on the verge of building a social media empire, her name a buzzword in the glamorous, cutthroat world of Los Angeles influencers. With her star rising higher than ever, Elowen’s life seems like it’s finally hitting its stride, though the pressure to stay relevant looms over her every move. But when a family emergency drags her away from the limelight to the secluded Ozark mountains—where Wi-Fi is nonexistent and cell service is a distant dream—her perfectly filtered world begins to unravel.

Thrust into the chaos of her eccentric family, Elowen quickly finds herself clashing with the realities of rural life, and with her younger brother’s infuriating best friend, Brooks, who’s been nothing but a thorn in her side. He’s blunt, unimpressed by her fame, and always seems to challenge her in ways she’s not used to. As Elowen longs to escape back to LA, she begins to realize that the mountains offer more than just rustic charm.

In the quiet stillness of the Ozarks, she’s forced to confront what—and who—really matters. It’s a place where the heart finds its true followers, and sometimes the journey home becomes the most trending story of all.

Content Note: This story thoughtfully explores grief, the loss of a parent, and agoraphobia. Readers who may be sensitive to these themes are encouraged to proceed with care.