Author: Rosie Waterland
Publisher: HarperCollins Australia
ISBN: 1460705238
Category : Biography & Autobiography
Languages : en
Pages : 174
Book Description
'I'm okay!' The bestselling author of The Anti-Cool Girl returns with a devastating, heartbreaking, brilliant, brave and laugh-out-loud funny memoir of telling lies and being on the brink... 'I had made it! All my dreams had come true. I had an operating fridge, I was doing brilliantly, and I had written the memoir to prove it. I even had online haters. I had conquered life at 30 and nothing was ever going to go wrong again!' It was all going so well for Rosie Waterland. Until it wasn't. Until, shockingly, something awful happened and Rosie went into agonising free fall. Until late one evening she found herself in a hospital emergency bed, trembling and hooked to a drip. Over the course of that long, painful night, she kept thinking about how ironic it was, that right in the middle of writing a book about lies, she'd ended up telling the most significant lie of all. A raw, beautiful, sad, shocking - and very, very funny - memoir of all the lies we tell others and the lies we tell ourselves. Praise for The Anti-Cool Girl: 'Hilarious, wise, gutsy, clear-eyed, devastating and uplifting. It's a marvel.' Richard Glover 'Waterland's writing is ... individual, wounded, brilliant and hilarious' Sydney Morning Herald 'If Augusten Burroughs and Lena Dunham abandoned their child in an Australian housing estate, she'd write this heartbreaking, hilarious book.' Dominic Knight, The Chaser The Anti-Cool Girl was shortlisted for the 2016 Indie Book Awards and for the 2016 ABIA Awards for Biography of the Year, and in addition was the Winner of the 2016 ABIA Awards People's Choice for the Matt Richell Award for New Writer of the Year
The Anti-Cool Girl
Author: Rosie Waterland
Publisher: HarperCollins Australia
ISBN: 146070522X
Category : Biography & Autobiography
Languages : en
Pages : 181
Book Description
Brutal, brave, hilarious -- a full-frontal memoir about surviving the very worst that life can throw at you. Rosie Waterland has never been cool. Growing up in housing commission, Rosie was cursed with a near perfect, beautiful older sister who dressed like Mariah Carey on a Best & Less budget while Rosie was still struggling with various toilet mishaps. She soon realised that she was the Doug Pitt to her sister's Brad, and that cool was not going to be her currency in this life. But that was only one of the problems Rosie faced. With two addicts for parents, she grew up amidst rehab stays, AA meetings, overdoses, narrow escapes from drug dealers and a merry-go-round of dodgy boyfriends in her mother's life. Rosie watched as her dad passed out/was arrested/vomited, and had to talk her mum out of killing herself. As an adult, trying to come to grips with her less than conventional childhood, Rosie navigated her way through eating disorders, nude acting roles, mental health issues and awkward Tinder dates. Then she had an epiphany: to stop pretending to be who she wasn't and embrace her true self -- a girl who loved drinking wine in her underpants on Sunday nights -- and become an Anti-Cool Girl. An irrepressible, blackly comic memoir, Rosie Waterland's story is a clarion call for Anti-Cool Girls everywhere. 'Individual, wounded, brilliant and hilarious' Sydney Morning Herald 'If Augusten Burroughs and Lena Dunham abandoned their child in an Australian housing estate, she'd write this heartbreaking, hilarious book. It made me laugh uproariously, then feel terrible for her, then laugh all over again. Sorry, Rosie.' Dominic Knight, The Chaser 'Hilarious, wise, gutsy, clear-eyed, devastating and uplifting. It's a marvel.' Richard Glover The Anti Cool Girl was shortlisted for the 2016 Indie Book Awards and for the 2016 ABIA Awards for Biography of the Year, and in addition was the Winner of the 2016 ABIA Awards People's Choice for the Matt Richell Award for New Writer of the Year
Publisher: HarperCollins Australia
ISBN: 146070522X
Category : Biography & Autobiography
Languages : en
Pages : 181
Book Description
Brutal, brave, hilarious -- a full-frontal memoir about surviving the very worst that life can throw at you. Rosie Waterland has never been cool. Growing up in housing commission, Rosie was cursed with a near perfect, beautiful older sister who dressed like Mariah Carey on a Best & Less budget while Rosie was still struggling with various toilet mishaps. She soon realised that she was the Doug Pitt to her sister's Brad, and that cool was not going to be her currency in this life. But that was only one of the problems Rosie faced. With two addicts for parents, she grew up amidst rehab stays, AA meetings, overdoses, narrow escapes from drug dealers and a merry-go-round of dodgy boyfriends in her mother's life. Rosie watched as her dad passed out/was arrested/vomited, and had to talk her mum out of killing herself. As an adult, trying to come to grips with her less than conventional childhood, Rosie navigated her way through eating disorders, nude acting roles, mental health issues and awkward Tinder dates. Then she had an epiphany: to stop pretending to be who she wasn't and embrace her true self -- a girl who loved drinking wine in her underpants on Sunday nights -- and become an Anti-Cool Girl. An irrepressible, blackly comic memoir, Rosie Waterland's story is a clarion call for Anti-Cool Girls everywhere. 'Individual, wounded, brilliant and hilarious' Sydney Morning Herald 'If Augusten Burroughs and Lena Dunham abandoned their child in an Australian housing estate, she'd write this heartbreaking, hilarious book. It made me laugh uproariously, then feel terrible for her, then laugh all over again. Sorry, Rosie.' Dominic Knight, The Chaser 'Hilarious, wise, gutsy, clear-eyed, devastating and uplifting. It's a marvel.' Richard Glover The Anti Cool Girl was shortlisted for the 2016 Indie Book Awards and for the 2016 ABIA Awards for Biography of the Year, and in addition was the Winner of the 2016 ABIA Awards People's Choice for the Matt Richell Award for New Writer of the Year
Lies I Told
Author: Michelle Zink
Publisher: Harper Collins
ISBN: 0062327143
Category : Young Adult Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 216
Book Description
Grace Fontaine has everything: beauty, money, confidence, and the perfect family. But it's all a lie. Grace has been adopted into a family of thieves who con affluent people out of money, jewelry, art, and anything else of value. Grace has never had any difficulty pulling off a job, but when things start to go wrong on the Fontaines' biggest heist yet, Grace finds herself breaking more and more of the rules designed to keep her from getting caught . . . including the most important one of all: never fall for your mark. Perfect for fans of Ally Carter and Robin Benway, this thrilling, high-stakes novel deftly explores the roles of identity and loyalty while offering a window into the world of the rich and fabulous.
Publisher: Harper Collins
ISBN: 0062327143
Category : Young Adult Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 216
Book Description
Grace Fontaine has everything: beauty, money, confidence, and the perfect family. But it's all a lie. Grace has been adopted into a family of thieves who con affluent people out of money, jewelry, art, and anything else of value. Grace has never had any difficulty pulling off a job, but when things start to go wrong on the Fontaines' biggest heist yet, Grace finds herself breaking more and more of the rules designed to keep her from getting caught . . . including the most important one of all: never fall for your mark. Perfect for fans of Ally Carter and Robin Benway, this thrilling, high-stakes novel deftly explores the roles of identity and loyalty while offering a window into the world of the rich and fabulous.
Every Little Lie
Author: Lesley Sanderson
Publisher: Bookouture
ISBN: 1800199945
Category : Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 277
Book Description
Lie #1 was to my new friends, about why I moved here. Lie #2 was to my husband, about who I was before I met him. Lie #3 was to myself, that I would get away with what I’ve done. When I met Seb, it was like everything fell into place. My daughter Evie finally had a proper dad, and I had found the husband of my dreams – and what Seb didn’t know about my past wouldn’t hurt him. But lately he’s been acting strangely. He won’t look me in the eye, he keeps coming home late and the other day at the school fair I saw him arguing with an unknown woman – the same woman I’ve seen hanging around outside our house. And just as I start wondering whether I’m not the only one with a secret, Evie goes missing… An edge-of-your-seat psychological thriller with a jaw-dropping twist, perfect for fans of K.L. Slater, T.M. Logan and Lisa Jewell. Readers are loving Every Little Lie: ‘Wow, wow, wow, what a jaw dropping read… I loved every minute of it… This book had it all. It had secrets, lies, drama and an unforgettable ending. What more can you ask for?… Took me on a rollercoaster ride I never wanted to get off from. Loved it..’ Blue Moon Blogger ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ ‘O.M.G!!… So thrilling, mind blowing, twisted, and so intense you are sitting on the edge of your seat… A very fast paced book that you should clear your schedule for… You won’t be able to stop reading it. Trust me I know!… The secrets these characters are hiding are huge and when they come out OH BOY!!’ Heidi Lynn’s Book Reviews ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ ‘Holy moly, this is one edge of your seat, nail biting ride that had me strapped in my seat, unable to move… Addictive… Jaw dropping.’ Once Upon a Book Blog ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ ‘Massively addictive… You will devour in a single sitting, biting your nails to the quick as you race through the pages, trying to discover the truth.’ Goodreads reviewer ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ ‘This book had everything… surprises that you don’t see coming, secrets and lies and lots of intrigue to hook your attention! Loved everything about this book and can’t wait to read more by this author!’ Goodreads reviewer ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ ‘Absolutely brilliant… I couldn’t put the book down… a fantastic page turner, full of twists and turns. I just cannot speak highly enough… brilliantly addictive.’ NetGalley reviewer ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ ‘Such a good book… It was twisty, mysterious and suspenseful and I couldn’t get enough. I was on the edge of my seat and at times felt like I couldn’t breathe… So vivid. A rollercoaster that I didn’t want to stop.’ Goodreads reviewer ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ ‘Absolutely amazing… gripping, unputdownable… Will leave you on the edge of your seat with a pounding heart!!!’ Bookworm86 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ ‘Kept me on the edge of my seat until the last page. I couldn’t wait to find out what would happen.’ Washington Post Mag ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ ‘A page turner… I devoured it in one sitting.’ Goodreads reviewer ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Publisher: Bookouture
ISBN: 1800199945
Category : Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 277
Book Description
Lie #1 was to my new friends, about why I moved here. Lie #2 was to my husband, about who I was before I met him. Lie #3 was to myself, that I would get away with what I’ve done. When I met Seb, it was like everything fell into place. My daughter Evie finally had a proper dad, and I had found the husband of my dreams – and what Seb didn’t know about my past wouldn’t hurt him. But lately he’s been acting strangely. He won’t look me in the eye, he keeps coming home late and the other day at the school fair I saw him arguing with an unknown woman – the same woman I’ve seen hanging around outside our house. And just as I start wondering whether I’m not the only one with a secret, Evie goes missing… An edge-of-your-seat psychological thriller with a jaw-dropping twist, perfect for fans of K.L. Slater, T.M. Logan and Lisa Jewell. Readers are loving Every Little Lie: ‘Wow, wow, wow, what a jaw dropping read… I loved every minute of it… This book had it all. It had secrets, lies, drama and an unforgettable ending. What more can you ask for?… Took me on a rollercoaster ride I never wanted to get off from. Loved it..’ Blue Moon Blogger ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ ‘O.M.G!!… So thrilling, mind blowing, twisted, and so intense you are sitting on the edge of your seat… A very fast paced book that you should clear your schedule for… You won’t be able to stop reading it. Trust me I know!… The secrets these characters are hiding are huge and when they come out OH BOY!!’ Heidi Lynn’s Book Reviews ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ ‘Holy moly, this is one edge of your seat, nail biting ride that had me strapped in my seat, unable to move… Addictive… Jaw dropping.’ Once Upon a Book Blog ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ ‘Massively addictive… You will devour in a single sitting, biting your nails to the quick as you race through the pages, trying to discover the truth.’ Goodreads reviewer ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ ‘This book had everything… surprises that you don’t see coming, secrets and lies and lots of intrigue to hook your attention! Loved everything about this book and can’t wait to read more by this author!’ Goodreads reviewer ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ ‘Absolutely brilliant… I couldn’t put the book down… a fantastic page turner, full of twists and turns. I just cannot speak highly enough… brilliantly addictive.’ NetGalley reviewer ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ ‘Such a good book… It was twisty, mysterious and suspenseful and I couldn’t get enough. I was on the edge of my seat and at times felt like I couldn’t breathe… So vivid. A rollercoaster that I didn’t want to stop.’ Goodreads reviewer ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ ‘Absolutely amazing… gripping, unputdownable… Will leave you on the edge of your seat with a pounding heart!!!’ Bookworm86 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ ‘Kept me on the edge of my seat until the last page. I couldn’t wait to find out what would happen.’ Washington Post Mag ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ ‘A page turner… I devoured it in one sitting.’ Goodreads reviewer ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Sometimes I Lie
Author: Alice Feeney
Publisher: Flatiron Books
ISBN: 1250144833
Category : Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 272
Book Description
ALICE FEENEYS NEW YORK TIMES AND INTERNATIONAL BESTSELLER “Boldly plotted, tightly knotted—a provocative true-or-false thriller that deepens and darkens to its ink-black finale. Marvelous.” —AJ Finn, author of The Woman in the Window My name is Amber Reynolds. There are three things you should know about me: 1. I’m in a coma. 2. My husband doesn’t love me anymore. 3. Sometimes I lie. Amber wakes up in a hospital. She can’t move. She can’t speak. She can’t open her eyes. She can hear everyone around her, but they have no idea. Amber doesn’t remember what happened, but she has a suspicion her husband had something to do with it. Alternating between her paralyzed present, the week before her accident, and a series of childhood diaries from twenty years ago, this brilliant psychological thriller asks: Is something really a lie if you believe it's the truth?
Publisher: Flatiron Books
ISBN: 1250144833
Category : Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 272
Book Description
ALICE FEENEYS NEW YORK TIMES AND INTERNATIONAL BESTSELLER “Boldly plotted, tightly knotted—a provocative true-or-false thriller that deepens and darkens to its ink-black finale. Marvelous.” —AJ Finn, author of The Woman in the Window My name is Amber Reynolds. There are three things you should know about me: 1. I’m in a coma. 2. My husband doesn’t love me anymore. 3. Sometimes I lie. Amber wakes up in a hospital. She can’t move. She can’t speak. She can’t open her eyes. She can hear everyone around her, but they have no idea. Amber doesn’t remember what happened, but she has a suspicion her husband had something to do with it. Alternating between her paralyzed present, the week before her accident, and a series of childhood diaries from twenty years ago, this brilliant psychological thriller asks: Is something really a lie if you believe it's the truth?
Behind Every Lie
Author: Christina McDonald
Publisher: Simon and Schuster
ISBN: 1501184040
Category : Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 336
Book Description
From the USA TODAY bestselling author of Do No Harm and The Night Olivia Fell—an “emotionally charged mystery” (Mary Kubica, New York Times bestselling author)—comes a thrilling new suspense novel about the insidious nature of family secrets…and their deadly potential. If you can’t remember it, how do you prove you didn’t do it? Eva Hansen wakes in the hospital after being struck by lightning and discovers her mother, Kat, has been murdered. Eva was found unconscious down the street. She can’t remember what happened but the police are highly suspicious of her. Determined to clear her name, Eva heads from Seattle to London—Kat’s former home—for answers. But as she unravels her mother’s carefully held secrets, Eva soon realizes that someone doesn’t want her to know the truth. And with violent memories beginning to emerge, Eva doesn’t know who to trust. Least of all herself. Told in alternating perspectives from Eva’s search for answers and Kat’s mysterious past, Christina McDonald has crafted another “complex, emotionally intense” (Publishers Weekly) domestic thriller. Perfect for fans of Lisa Jewell’s I Found You and Karin Slaughter’s Pieces of Her, Behind Every Lie explores the complicated nature of mother-daughter relationships, family trauma, and the danger behind long-held secrets.
Publisher: Simon and Schuster
ISBN: 1501184040
Category : Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 336
Book Description
From the USA TODAY bestselling author of Do No Harm and The Night Olivia Fell—an “emotionally charged mystery” (Mary Kubica, New York Times bestselling author)—comes a thrilling new suspense novel about the insidious nature of family secrets…and their deadly potential. If you can’t remember it, how do you prove you didn’t do it? Eva Hansen wakes in the hospital after being struck by lightning and discovers her mother, Kat, has been murdered. Eva was found unconscious down the street. She can’t remember what happened but the police are highly suspicious of her. Determined to clear her name, Eva heads from Seattle to London—Kat’s former home—for answers. But as she unravels her mother’s carefully held secrets, Eva soon realizes that someone doesn’t want her to know the truth. And with violent memories beginning to emerge, Eva doesn’t know who to trust. Least of all herself. Told in alternating perspectives from Eva’s search for answers and Kat’s mysterious past, Christina McDonald has crafted another “complex, emotionally intense” (Publishers Weekly) domestic thriller. Perfect for fans of Lisa Jewell’s I Found You and Karin Slaughter’s Pieces of Her, Behind Every Lie explores the complicated nature of mother-daughter relationships, family trauma, and the danger behind long-held secrets.
Lies You Never Told Me
Author: Jennifer Donaldson
Publisher: Penguin
ISBN: 0698408497
Category : Young Adult Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 296
Book Description
For fans of Colleen Hoover, Laura Nowlin, and Sloan Harlow. "A compulsive page-turner with a shocking twist—get ready to stay up all night!" —Sara Shepard, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Pretty Little Liars Gabe and Elyse have never met. But they both have something to hide. Quiet, shy Elyse can't believe it when she's cast as the lead in her Portland high school's production of Romeo and Juliet. Her best friend, Brynn, is usually the star, and Elyse isn't sure she's up to the task. But when someone at rehearsals starts to catch her eye--someone she knows she absolutely shouldn't be with--she can't help but be pulled into the spotlight. Austin native Gabe is contemplating the unthinkable--breaking up with Sasha, his headstrong, popular girlfriend. She's not going to let him slip through her fingers, though, and when rumors start to circulate around school, he knows she has the power to change his life forever. Gabe and Elyse both make the mistake of falling for the wrong person, and falling hard. Told in parallel narratives, this twisty, shocking story shows how one bad choice can lead to a spiral of unforeseen consequences that not everyone will survive.
Publisher: Penguin
ISBN: 0698408497
Category : Young Adult Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 296
Book Description
For fans of Colleen Hoover, Laura Nowlin, and Sloan Harlow. "A compulsive page-turner with a shocking twist—get ready to stay up all night!" —Sara Shepard, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Pretty Little Liars Gabe and Elyse have never met. But they both have something to hide. Quiet, shy Elyse can't believe it when she's cast as the lead in her Portland high school's production of Romeo and Juliet. Her best friend, Brynn, is usually the star, and Elyse isn't sure she's up to the task. But when someone at rehearsals starts to catch her eye--someone she knows she absolutely shouldn't be with--she can't help but be pulled into the spotlight. Austin native Gabe is contemplating the unthinkable--breaking up with Sasha, his headstrong, popular girlfriend. She's not going to let him slip through her fingers, though, and when rumors start to circulate around school, he knows she has the power to change his life forever. Gabe and Elyse both make the mistake of falling for the wrong person, and falling hard. Told in parallel narratives, this twisty, shocking story shows how one bad choice can lead to a spiral of unforeseen consequences that not everyone will survive.
Evvie Drake Starts Over
Author: Linda Holmes
Publisher: Ballantine Books
ISBN: 0593496663
Category : Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 401
Book Description
NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • Read with Jenna Book Club Pick as Featured on Today • “Everything a romantic comedy should be: witty, relatable, and a little complicated.”—People A heartfelt debut about the unlikely relationship between a young woman who’s lost her husband and a major league pitcher who’s lost his game. NAMED ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR BY NPR In a sleepy seaside town in Maine, recently widowed Eveleth “Evvie” Drake rarely leaves her large, painfully empty house nearly a year after her husband’s death in a car crash. Everyone in town, even her best friend, Andy, thinks grief keeps her locked inside, and Evvie doesn’t correct them. Meanwhile, in New York City, Dean Tenney, former Major League pitcher and Andy’s childhood best friend, is wrestling with what miserable athletes living out their worst nightmares call the “yips”: he can’t throw straight anymore, and, even worse, he can’t figure out why. As the media storm heats up, an invitation from Andy to stay in Maine seems like the perfect chance to hit the reset button on Dean’s future. When he moves into an apartment at the back of Evvie’s house, the two make a deal: Dean won’t ask about Evvie’s late husband, and Evvie won’t ask about Dean’s baseball career. Rules, though, have a funny way of being broken—and what starts as an unexpected friendship soon turns into something more. To move forward, Evvie and Dean will have to reckon with their pasts—the friendships they’ve damaged, the secrets they’ve kept—but in life, as in baseball, there’s always a chance—up until the last out. A joyful, hilarious, and hope-filled debut, Evvie Drake Starts Over will have you cheering for the two most unlikely comebacks of the year—and will leave you wanting more from Linda Holmes. Praise for Evvie Drake Starts Over “A quirky, sweet, and splendid story of a woman coming into her own.”—Taylor Jenkins Reid, New York Times bestselling author of Daisy Jones & The Six “Effortlessly enjoyable . . . [a] pitch-perfect . . . adult love story that is as romantic as it is real.”–USA Today “Charming, hopeful, and gently romantic . . . Evvie Drake is great company.”—Rainbow Rowell, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Eleanor & Park
Publisher: Ballantine Books
ISBN: 0593496663
Category : Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 401
Book Description
NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • Read with Jenna Book Club Pick as Featured on Today • “Everything a romantic comedy should be: witty, relatable, and a little complicated.”—People A heartfelt debut about the unlikely relationship between a young woman who’s lost her husband and a major league pitcher who’s lost his game. NAMED ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR BY NPR In a sleepy seaside town in Maine, recently widowed Eveleth “Evvie” Drake rarely leaves her large, painfully empty house nearly a year after her husband’s death in a car crash. Everyone in town, even her best friend, Andy, thinks grief keeps her locked inside, and Evvie doesn’t correct them. Meanwhile, in New York City, Dean Tenney, former Major League pitcher and Andy’s childhood best friend, is wrestling with what miserable athletes living out their worst nightmares call the “yips”: he can’t throw straight anymore, and, even worse, he can’t figure out why. As the media storm heats up, an invitation from Andy to stay in Maine seems like the perfect chance to hit the reset button on Dean’s future. When he moves into an apartment at the back of Evvie’s house, the two make a deal: Dean won’t ask about Evvie’s late husband, and Evvie won’t ask about Dean’s baseball career. Rules, though, have a funny way of being broken—and what starts as an unexpected friendship soon turns into something more. To move forward, Evvie and Dean will have to reckon with their pasts—the friendships they’ve damaged, the secrets they’ve kept—but in life, as in baseball, there’s always a chance—up until the last out. A joyful, hilarious, and hope-filled debut, Evvie Drake Starts Over will have you cheering for the two most unlikely comebacks of the year—and will leave you wanting more from Linda Holmes. Praise for Evvie Drake Starts Over “A quirky, sweet, and splendid story of a woman coming into her own.”—Taylor Jenkins Reid, New York Times bestselling author of Daisy Jones & The Six “Effortlessly enjoyable . . . [a] pitch-perfect . . . adult love story that is as romantic as it is real.”–USA Today “Charming, hopeful, and gently romantic . . . Evvie Drake is great company.”—Rainbow Rowell, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Eleanor & Park
Ella in Bloom
Author: Shelby Hearon
Publisher: Knopf
ISBN: 0307800288
Category : Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 240
Book Description
Shelby Hearon has been widely praised for the insight, wit, and subtlety with which her novels limn the complexities of marriage and family ("What Jane Austen is to courtship, Shelby Hearon is to marriage" --New York Newsday), and the ways in which place can profoundly affect us all. Now, with Ella in Bloom, Hearon gives us her sharpest, funniest, most telling novel yet. It is the story of Ella, who has always lived in the shadow of her "perfect" older sister. A gutsy single parent eking out a living for herself and her intrepid teenage daughter Birdie, Ella invents a genteel life, writing to her mother in drought-baked Texas about her heirloom roses, her linen dresses, and other amenities of a respectable life in Old Metairie, Louisiana. Little does her mother know about the run-down, scruffy house Ella really lives in, or that she makes ends meet by watering rich people's houseplants when they flee the coastal summer heat. But when Ella's beautiful sister Terrell, on the way to meet her lover, is suddenly killed in a chartered plane crash, old family patterns are shattered. And Ella, confronting the reality of her life (and of the man she had relegated to the past) comes, finally and fully, into bloom. Wise, wicked, and moving, in Shelby Hearon's hands this portrait of a woman--a woman we all know--is guaranteed to give extraordinary pleasure.
Publisher: Knopf
ISBN: 0307800288
Category : Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 240
Book Description
Shelby Hearon has been widely praised for the insight, wit, and subtlety with which her novels limn the complexities of marriage and family ("What Jane Austen is to courtship, Shelby Hearon is to marriage" --New York Newsday), and the ways in which place can profoundly affect us all. Now, with Ella in Bloom, Hearon gives us her sharpest, funniest, most telling novel yet. It is the story of Ella, who has always lived in the shadow of her "perfect" older sister. A gutsy single parent eking out a living for herself and her intrepid teenage daughter Birdie, Ella invents a genteel life, writing to her mother in drought-baked Texas about her heirloom roses, her linen dresses, and other amenities of a respectable life in Old Metairie, Louisiana. Little does her mother know about the run-down, scruffy house Ella really lives in, or that she makes ends meet by watering rich people's houseplants when they flee the coastal summer heat. But when Ella's beautiful sister Terrell, on the way to meet her lover, is suddenly killed in a chartered plane crash, old family patterns are shattered. And Ella, confronting the reality of her life (and of the man she had relegated to the past) comes, finally and fully, into bloom. Wise, wicked, and moving, in Shelby Hearon's hands this portrait of a woman--a woman we all know--is guaranteed to give extraordinary pleasure.