Blurb

An unflinchingly honest, wickedly funny, and heartfelt debut about a down-on-his-luck gay man working out how he fits into the world, making up for lost time, and opening himself up to life’s possibilities

Danny Scudd is absolutely fine. He always dreamed of escaping the small-town life of his parents’ fish-and-chip shop, moving to London, and becoming a journalist. And, after five years in the city, his career isn’t exactly awful, and his relationship with pretentious Tobbs isn’t exactly unfulfilling. Certainly his limited-edition Dolly Parton vinyls and many (maybe too many) house plants are hitting the spot. But his world is flipped upside down when a visit to the local clinic reveals that Tobbs might not have been exactly faithful. In fact, Tobbs claims they were never operating under the “heteronormative paradigm” of monogamy to begin with. Oh, and Danny’s flatmates are unceremoniously evicting him because they want to start a family. It’s all going quite well.

Newly single and with nowhere to live, Danny is forced to move in with his best friend, Jacob, a flamboyant nonbinary artist whom he’s known since childhood, and their eccentric group of friends living in an East London “commune.” What follows is a colorful voyage of discovery through modern queer life, dating, work, and lots of therapy–all places Danny has always been too afraid to fully explore. Upon realizing just how little he knows about himself and his sexuality, he careens from one questionable decision (and man) to another, relying on his inscrutable new therapist and housemates to help him face the demons he’s spent his entire life trying to repress. Is he really fine, after all?

Review

At first, I thought this story was going to be a quirky book full of wild and zany characters. While there certainly was that aspect to it, it also ended up being a fascinating journey of self-discovery and healing for a young man named Danny Scudd. This book could have been easily titled “The unraveling of Danny Scudd” because that’s what has to happen before our main character can pull himself together: he must totally fall apart.

Through his unraveling, Danny has to deal with internalized homophobia and learn how to live his life without hiding in the background. Up until now, he seemed to prefer being “invisible” and wasn’t one to engage in any confrontation, letting others trample all over him in the process. So in this way, parts of the story were a tad cringey. But though Danny’s journey is undoubtedly bumpy and a bit dark in places, the author portrays it in a heartfelt and humorous way that makes Danny ultimately likable and relatable. Danny’s story is layered with complexities of identity, loss, mental illness, rage, and toxic relationships that were expertly articulated in the voice of our narrator.

Throughout the pages of the book, I enjoyed seeing Danny confront his issues and slowly come to accept his identity and accept his true self. Though he does have a tough time of it — and even transforms into a major jerk at one point — his friends stand by him and guide him back to himself. Speaking of friends, the secondary characters were phenomenal, with my favorite being the larger-than-life Jacob. The clever, witty banter between the characters caused me to cackle out loud on more than one occasion, and they all added an essential element to the narrative.

All in all, I loved this complete whirlwind of a novel. It was a strange, wonderfully weird, immersive book that explores some dark themes but in a unique and fun way. Thus, it’s messy and dark but without ever falling over the edge. First Time for Everything is a poignant portrait of a journey of self-discovery and self-acceptance that really resonated with me, and I’m glad this story caught my attention.

This book is scheduled to be released on May 10, 2022 but is available now for Preorder.

Blurb:

We can’t choose what we inherit. But can we choose who we become?

In present-day California, Eleanor Bennett’s death leaves behind a puzzling inheritance for her two children, Byron and Benny: a traditional Caribbean black cake, made from a family recipe with a long history, and a voice recording. In her message, Eleanor shares a tumultuous story about a headstrong young swimmer who escapes her island home under suspicion of murder. The heartbreaking tale Eleanor unfolds, the secrets she still holds back, and the mystery of a long-lost child, challenge everything the siblings thought they knew about their lineage, and themselves.

Can Byron and Benny reclaim their once-close relationship, piece together Eleanor’s true history, and fulfill her final request to “share the black cake when the time is right”? Will their mother’s revelations bring them back together or leave them feeling more lost than ever?

Charmaine Wilkerson’s debut novel is a story of how the inheritance of betrayals, secrets, memories, and even names, can shape relationships and history. Deeply evocative and beautifully written, Black Cake is an extraordinary journey through the life of a family changed forever by the choices of its matriarch.

Review

Eleanor Bennet has died, and her two estranged children, Benny and Byron, come together to the office of Eleanor’s attorney. Eleanor has left an audio recording for her children to listen to in the presence of the attorney. She also instructs that after her children have heard the recording, they are to share the Black Cake (a Caribbean specialty served for special occasions) stored in the freezer but only at the right moment, when the time is right.

In the recording, Eleanor tells the story of her life, and in so doing, reveals her hidden past. She begins in the 1960s with her life on an unnamed Caribbean island until she is forced to flee to Great Britain and finally flee once again to settle in America. As we progress through the recording and their mother’s shocking and oftentimes heartbreaking secrets are revealed, Benny and Byron, in shock, realize that they didn’t know their mother at all. They didn’t even know her real name.

I loved how this multigenerational story was revealed in two timelines: Eleanor’s tragic story in the past and the intrigue in the present revolving around Eleanor’s children — and their relationship to each other and to their mother. I was utterly fascinated (and, at times, horrified) by Eleanor’s gripping history. Once Eleanor’s revelations (and misfortunes) began to unfold, I had difficulty putting down the book.

I enjoyed how the various side characters who were introduced ended playing a much more significant role than we’d initially thought, and they were cleverly integrated into both of the timelines. Each character’s story is essential to the overall plot and they were weaved together seamlessly. The author does an exquisite job of bringing the characters to rich life, adding additional depth and feeling to the novel. These are vivid characters who touch us deeply.

Also intriguing was the intricate look at Byron and Benny’s relationship to their mysterious mother as well as to each other. What we end up with, then, is an intense, multi-layered, and complex emotional journey. It also contains a gripping mystery to solve as we move through a plethora of family secrets and betrayals. This is a highly crafted saga written by someone who clearly understands broad, sweeping stories. Each character touched my soul in ways that I simply couldn’t have fathomed when I first picked up this book.

With themes of identity, family history, misogyny, racial prejudice, culture, tradition, loyalty, sexual orientation, and longing, Black Cake is one of the most original and beautiful stories I’ve read, and the perfectly resolved ending was the cherry on top. This is a sweeping epic that enchanted me from beginning to end. Breathtakingly creative, Black Cake is an evocative and unforgettable book, and I am so glad it crossed my path.

A huge thank you to Netgalley for providing a review copy of this book. Expected publication is February 1, 2022.

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Blurb:

When newly-divorced Ivy Perkins buys an old farmhouse sight unseen, she is definitely looking for a change in her life. The Four Roses, as the farmhouse is called, is a labor of love–but Ivy didn’t bargain on just how much labor. The previous family left so much furniture and so much junk, that it’s a full-time job sorting through all of it.

At the top of a closet, Ivy finds an old Santa suit–beautifully made and decades old. In the pocket of a suit she finds a note written in a childish hand: it’s from a little girl who has one Christmas wish, and that is for her father to return home from the war. This discovery sets Ivy off on a mission. Who wrote the note? Did the man ever come home? What mysteries did the Rose family hold?

Ivy’s quest brings her into the community, at a time when all she wanted to do was be left alone and nurse her wounds. But the magic of Christmas makes miracles happen, and Ivy just might find more than she ever thought possible: a welcoming town, a family reunited, a mystery solved, and a second chance at love.

Review:

Some might considered it weird to read a Christmas story in August, but I was in the mood for something light and heart-warming, and this one fit the bill perfectly. I love stories about leaving everything behind and starting over — especially in a small town — and The Santa Suit did not disappoint. Though this is a short story, it’s also a magical one, with a touch of romance and even an intriguing mystery to solve.

I really adored the small-town vibe of this story, and the quirky secondary characters were a delight. The author also does a fantastic job of capturing the magic of the season in this heartwarming tale, and the ending definitely brought a tear or two of joy to my eyes — and the surprise ending was the cherry on top.

The Santa Suit is about love, friendship, community, and chocolates! And in the couple of hours it took me to read it, it led me through a myriad of emotions: I laughed out loud, had tears streaming down my face, and felt a sense of joy and satisfaction when it all came to an end. This is the kind of whimsical story that drips with tenderness and makes you believe in the goodness of people again.

All in all, The Santa Suit is a lovely feel-good holiday novel with a huge heart that would be perfect to read while curling up before a fireplace with a cup of hot chocolate in hand.

A huge thank you to Netgalley for providing a review copy of this book.  This title will be released on September 28, 2021

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This story follows a young boy named Ollie Buckmeyer who lives on a cattle ranch with his parents, Bob and Cathy, and his older brother Cody. His life is perfect until the day that he suffers an accident on the ball field, resulting in a severe brain injury. Afterward, he is no longer the same. His bubbly personality is gone. His family and his girlfriend no longer recognize him as the person he was prior to the accident.

But though the accident did take away his personality, it left something remarkable in its place: an incredible new ability. Once his family discovers Ollie’s unique talent, they work with him to help him rebuild his life into something different….something new. There is, however, someone who does not have Ollie’s best interests at heart resulting in a devastating betrayal to the family.

In addition to the main plotline following Ollie and his recovery, there are also several tantalizing subplots:

• his brother’s professional baseball journey
• the mysterious buried treasure that was supposedly hidden somewhere on the farm by notorious robber Jubal Wainwright back in 1887
• the appearance of Ralph Durbin, Bob’s friend from Vietnam who has just been released from prison
• the possibility of losing the ranch
• the appearance of long lost family members

I loved how the hidden secrets unfold as the story progresses.

I thought this was such a beautiful and moving family journey that explores jealousy, redemption, heartbreak, loss, tragedy, love, and betrayal. Though there are several serious topics (including murder), the story ends up being tender, optimistic, and poignant.

The plot is so beautifully written that even the most difficult parts to read kept the spark of hope and light, which made the whole story so emotional and enjoyable. This was a sweet, comforting story with just the right amount of angst and a whole lot of love that examines: what it means to live a life and what it means to love.

Alongside this engaging and unconventional story, the author also gives us an incredible cast of characters, and I enjoyed getting to know each of them. The author creates characters who are complex, compelling, and three-dimensional and made me care about every single one of them.

All in all, Ollie Come Free is a lovely, moving story brimming with personality that really packs a punch.

Ollie Come Free will be released on June 7th but is available now for preorder.

Purchase Ollie Come Free from The Book Depository

Blurb:

From the New York Times bestselling author of Daisy Jones & The Six . . . Four famous siblings throw an epic party to celebrate the end of the summer. But over the course of twenty-four hours, their lives will change forever.

Malibu: August 1983. It’s the day of Nina Riva’s annual end-of-summer party, and anticipation is at a fever pitch. Everyone wants to be around the famous Rivas: Nina, the talented surfer, and supermodel; brothers Jay and Hud, one a championship surfer, the other a renowned photographer; and their adored baby sister, Kit. Together the siblings are a source of fascination in Malibu and the world over–especially as the offspring of the legendary singer Mick Riva.

The only person not looking forward to the party of the year is Nina herself, who never wanted to be the center of attention, and who has also just been very publicly abandoned by her pro tennis player husband. Oh, and maybe Hud–because it is long past time for him to confess something to the brother from whom he’s been inseparable since birth.

Jay, on the other hand, is counting the minutes until nightfall, when the girl he can’t stop thinking about promised she’ll be there.

And Kit has a couple of secrets of her own–including a guest she invited without consulting anyone.

By midnight the party will be completely out of control. By morning, the Riva mansion will have gone up in flames. But before that first spark in the early hours before dawn, the alcohol will flow, the music will play, and the loves and secrets that shaped this family’s generations will all come bubbling to the surface.

Malibu Rising is a story about one unforgettable night in the life of a family: the night they each have to choose what they will keep from the people who made them . . . and what they will leave behind.

Review:

Malibu Rising offers a tantalizing glimpse into the lives of the famous Riva family and delves into each member’s fascinating life story.

The story opens the day of Nina Riva’s annual summer beach party — an epic event that’s become quite legendary. It’s known to be a drug & alcohol-fueled gathering frequented by celebrities, film directors, famous authors, musicians, and whoever else knows the address of the party. Though the four Riva siblings live in the shadow of their rockstar father Mick Riva, they themselves are pretty famous in their own right:

• Nina, the eldest, is a famous surfer and supermodel.
• Jay is a well-known award-winning surfer.
• Hud’s a renowned photographer
• their younger sister Kit is also a talented surfer.

The storyline alternates between preparations for the party and the heart-wrenching and complicated backstory of Mick and June, their parents. Mick is an iconic rock star who didn’t succeed very well at being a faithful husband. He is also estranged from his four children and barely knows them. Through the narrative, the author delves deeply into Mick and June’s compelling yet tragic story: how they met, Mick’s rise to fame, and the inevitable shattering of their family. If the name Mick Riva rings a bell, it’s because he was married to Evelyn Hugo in one of the author’s previous books, “The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo.”

This year’s party, however, is unlike those of the previous years, as each of the secrets that the siblings have been hiding comes to light. Additionally, a few unexpected guests manage to further fuel the fire that’s been brewing. As the party gets insanely out of control (kind of like a freight train running off the rails!) due to excessive drugs, copious amounts of alcohol, and disappearing inhibitions, the underlying drama escalates — resulting in quite an explosive conclusion, so much so that none of the Riva’s lives will ever be the same afterward.

Though the party is the main event of the book, at its core, the story is a character study of each member of the Riva family, which is told through various flashbacks through alternating perspectives. Their stories are utterly compelling, and the author quickly sucked me right into them. I especially loved siblings’ stories, through which we learn how flawed and wounded in different ways each of them is, yet there is an intense bond that binds them tightly together. Like a bright light, the characters’ souls really shined through in this story.

All in all, this was a fun, fast-paced, and at times poignant story. Topics such as grief, loneliness, family, love, loss, trust, identity, legacy, and the effects that our actions have on others are explored through the multiplicity of characters the author has created. Malibu Rising an emotional and thought-provoking read about self-bewilderment and self-discovery and of mental blocks and breakthroughs. I was absolutely enamored with the entire thing, and I cannot do anything except highly recommend this delightful novel.

A huge thank you to Random House Publishing Group – Ballantine Books for providing an ARC via Netgalley.

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