With a title that contains a quote from one of my favourite stories ever (The Picture of Dorian Gray), I had a sneaky suspicion that this would be a book I’d enjoy. Sometimes it’s good to get what you wish for.
The story focuses on Nanette O’Hara, an introverted student who has toed the expected line all her life. A good student and a star soccer player, she is popular and comes from a comfortable background. Yet she always feels something of a misfit, and struggles to feel comfortable in her own skin.
This coming of age novel begins with Nanette being given a copy of The Bubblegum Reaper, a cult novel, with which she identifies heavily. When she learns that the author lives in her town she arranges to meet with him, and so begins an unusual friendship.
Booker helps Nanette start to question who she is and the place she will take in society. Her relationship with Booker, but also Alex and Oliver, focuses on them each finding their way.
It’s hard to sum up precisely what made this book work for me. I think the sense of self-doubt is something that many will identify with, and the pages crackle with humour (though sometimes of the dark sort). There are one or two moments that really throw the reader off-kilter, but it was touching and it certainly got me thinking.
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.