Briarcliff Prep

Briarcliff Prep is a historically Black boarding school in Georgia, and the setting for this debut novel is loosely drawn from the author's own alma mater, Spelman College. The school is polished and aspirational, and its atmosphere shapes the story from the first page.

Fourteen-year-old Avi LeBeau, whose full name is Avielle, is about to follow her relatives to Briarcliff. Saying goodbye to her parents is hard, but she takes comfort in knowing her older sister Belle will be on campus to guide her. Avi soon learns the rhythms of school life: new friendships and rivalries, coursework that can be punishing, and a tutor who might become something more, though her brothers have a way of interfering. Belle, meanwhile, is at the center of the campus social scene. She is now dating Logan, a standout student at Preston Academy, the brother school across the way.

Avi feels uneasy about Logan, however often Belle insists he is a decent guy. When Avi uncovers something troubling, the bond between the sisters is suddenly under strain. Speaking up could damage their relationship beyond repair, while staying silent could cost her Belle entirely. The novel celebrates sisterhood, self-discovery, and Black joy while examining teen dating violence with empathy. Peppins has written it as a tribute to Black girls.