by Lex Croucher
First published 2023
Eddie Miller throws grapes at boys and practices kissing with her best friend Rose. They climb trees together and steal wine bottles. Everything changes after their debutante ball when Rose starts talking about marriage. Eddie recoils at the thought. She meets Nash Nicholson, a celebrated poet who invites her to his crumbling Gothic estate in the countryside. Eddie sees this as her chance to escape Rose's marriage plans and finally finish writing her novel. The estate overflows with eccentric artists who live for pure pleasure and indulgence. Eddie throws herself into this world of literary celebrities, hoping to forget Rose entirely. She discovers that life among famous writers involves more than beautiful poetry and endless parties. The reality behind the glamorous literary world threatens to shatter Eddie's romantic notions about art and friendship.
Genres: literary-fiction, 20th-century, coming-of-age, contemporary, adult-fiction, 19th-century
Vibes: atmospheric, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: enemies-to-lovers, fish-out-of-water
Setting: Gothic Estate, Countryside
Period: 19th Century, 20th Century
336 pages · Paperback · Griffin