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I Might Be in Trouble
A suspenseful dark comedy about a struggling writer who wakes up to find his date from the night before dead—and must then decide how far he’s willing to go to spin the event into his next big "Prepare to gasp out loud, cringe, cackle, and cry" (Jesse Q. Sutanto, bestselling author of Vera Wong's Unsolicited Advice for Murderers). A few years ago, David Alvarez had it a six-figure book deal, a loving boyfriend, and an exciting writing career. His debut novel was a resounding success, which made the publication of his second book—a total flop—all the more devastating. Now, David is single, lonely, and desperately trying to come up with the next great idea for his third manuscript, one that will redeem him in the eyes of readers, reviewers, the entire publishing world…and maybe even his ex-boyfriend. But good ideas are hard to come by, and the mounting pressure of a near-empty bank account isn’t helping. When David connects with a sexy stranger on a dating app, he figures a wild night out in New York City may be just what he needs to find inspiration. Lucky for him, his date turns out to be handsome, confident, and wealthy, not to mention the perfect distraction from yet another evening staring at a blank screen. After one of the best nights of his life, David wakes up hungover but giddy—only to find prince charming dead next to him in bed. Horrified, completely confused, and suddenly faced with the implausible-but-somehow-plausible idea that he may have actually killed his date, David calls the only person he can trust in a moment of his literary agent, Stacey. Together, David and Stacey must untangle the events of the previous night, cover their tracks, and spin the entire misadventure into David’s career-defining novel—if only they can figure out what to do with the body first.
332 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 3, 2024
333 people are currently reading
50472 people want to read
About the author
Daniel Aleman
3 books353 followersDaniel Aleman is the award-winning author of INDIVISIBLE. Born and raised in Mexico City, he currently lives in Toronto. His second novel, BRIGHTER THAN THE SUN, is out now, and his adult debut, I MIGHT BE IN TROUBLE, is coming in late 2024.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,260 reviews
December 27, 2024
In a Nutshell: A dark, almost satirical comedy about a writer who finds himself “in trouble”, a clue of which is present in the cover art. Humorous, serious, bizarre, suspenseful, entertaining! Though this wasn’t exactly my cup of tea, and some of the content was way too forward for me, I still liked this ride. Recommended, but not to all. Works better if you go in prepared for a whole load of absurdities and with your logic kept aside.
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Plot Preview:
Just as any satirical dark comedy, this gets quite absurd and unbelievable. But I went in promising myself not to overanalyse any situation nor to evaluate the morality and ethics of the actions. Thus, I yeeted all disbelief while reading and just relaxed through this wild ride. This worked well for both the book and me.
Bookish Yays:
📕 The dark comedy elements: wacky yet hilarious.
📕 Stacey – deserves a separate yay. What a woman! Loved the connection between David and her.
📕 The characters other than David and Stacey: Mostly cookie-cutter, but they are exactly what the book required.
📕 The depiction of the uncertainties of author life, including the struggles of a writing block. Very well handled.
📕 The use of the location and the people: I’m not sure if the depiction of New York was geographically accurate, but it felt believable – a crowded metropolis where people are so busy that they don’t even notice a dead body among them!
📕 The tempo is somewhat fluid, going high and low as per the need of the story. But even when slow, it never slackens. I enjoyed the dynamic pacing.
📕 Though comic in a horrifying kind of way, the story also offers some food for thought. Most important lesson – lies always beget more lies.
📕 The cover – perfect for the book.
Bookish Mixed Bags:
🖋️ The prologue – A great start to the book, but also details David’s quandary about waking up with a dead body in the room. This doesn’t occur until many chapters ahead, but as both the blurb and the prologue reveal that David’s date ends up dead, it takes away some of the suspense.
🖋️ David. A master of getting himself into trouble by taking one self-centred and self-destructive decision after another, he also tends to be a bit self-pitying. As such, though twenty-eight, David sounds YA-ish in tone, especially as he loves to play the poor-ol’-me victim card often. But hey, likeable characters have no place in dark comedy, and if you keep this in mind, David suits the bill quite well.
🖋️ The ending. It is good but somehow, it isn’t satisfying. I felt like it brushes away a lot of the responsibility of some characters’ misdeeds. But as the story is from David’s first-person perspective and it is supposed to be somewhat ironic, the choice of ending does make some sense.
Bookish Nays:
☠️ The main reason for the dip in my rating is this feedback point: I found it ridiculous that the first thing David did on seeing the dead body was to call up his agent. Moreover, even when she turned up, her decision was not what a typical character would do. I know this is what made the book a comedy but even comedies have to be partially convincing. This scene felt more preposterous than farcical.
☠️ The handling of Jeremy’s arc, especially at the end – a tad too forced. I wish there had been more punch to this relationship. Even a literal punch would have been welcome than this bland depiction.
☠️ Personal preference: The adult content was way too high for my comfort level. Granted, the book deals with darker situations, but did we really need the extended anatomical descriptions?
All in all, the story is certainly unusual but its handling is even more so. It can be a fun ride if you read it sheerly for entertainment than for moral analyses.
Recommended to those looking for an atypical adult comedy. Not for those who want their characters to get their just desserts, and not for those who want their lead characters to be sensible or likeable.
3.75 stars.
My thanks to Grand Central Publishing for providing the DRC of “I Might Be in Trouble” via NetGalley. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Connect with me through:
My Blog || The StoryGraph || Instagram || X/Twitter || Facebook ||
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Plot Preview:
Until a couple of years ago, David Alvarez was a success in every way. He had an acclaimed debut novel, a loving partner in Jeremy, and a fabulous book deal for his next writing attempt. But times do change, and now, Alvarez is all alone, with a poorly-received second book, no feasible plot idea for his third manuscript, and on the verge of financial bankruptcy. Stressed out, he often uses an online dating app to relieve his mental and sexual tension.
After one such helluva night with a hot stranger, who could potentially be the next love of his life, David wakes up with a huge hangover, no memory of the previous night, and his date dead next to him in bed. He has no idea what happened, and worse, if he himself might have killed his date somehow. Horrified, David calls up the only person who has always rooted for him: his literary agent Stacey. Can Stacey help David sort out the mess, and maybe even figure out a potential story idea along the way?
The story comes to us in David’s first-person perspective.
Just as any satirical dark comedy, this gets quite absurd and unbelievable. But I went in promising myself not to overanalyse any situation nor to evaluate the morality and ethics of the actions. Thus, I yeeted all disbelief while reading and just relaxed through this wild ride. This worked well for both the book and me.
Bookish Yays:
📕 The dark comedy elements: wacky yet hilarious.
📕 Stacey – deserves a separate yay. What a woman! Loved the connection between David and her.
📕 The characters other than David and Stacey: Mostly cookie-cutter, but they are exactly what the book required.
📕 The depiction of the uncertainties of author life, including the struggles of a writing block. Very well handled.
📕 The use of the location and the people: I’m not sure if the depiction of New York was geographically accurate, but it felt believable – a crowded metropolis where people are so busy that they don’t even notice a dead body among them!
📕 The tempo is somewhat fluid, going high and low as per the need of the story. But even when slow, it never slackens. I enjoyed the dynamic pacing.
📕 Though comic in a horrifying kind of way, the story also offers some food for thought. Most important lesson – lies always beget more lies.
📕 The cover – perfect for the book.
Bookish Mixed Bags:
🖋️ The prologue – A great start to the book, but also details David’s quandary about waking up with a dead body in the room. This doesn’t occur until many chapters ahead, but as both the blurb and the prologue reveal that David’s date ends up dead, it takes away some of the suspense.
🖋️ David. A master of getting himself into trouble by taking one self-centred and self-destructive decision after another, he also tends to be a bit self-pitying. As such, though twenty-eight, David sounds YA-ish in tone, especially as he loves to play the poor-ol’-me victim card often. But hey, likeable characters have no place in dark comedy, and if you keep this in mind, David suits the bill quite well.
🖋️ The ending. It is good but somehow, it isn’t satisfying. I felt like it brushes away a lot of the responsibility of some characters’ misdeeds. But as the story is from David’s first-person perspective and it is supposed to be somewhat ironic, the choice of ending does make some sense.
Bookish Nays:
☠️ The main reason for the dip in my rating is this feedback point: I found it ridiculous that the first thing David did on seeing the dead body was to call up his agent. Moreover, even when she turned up, her decision was not what a typical character would do. I know this is what made the book a comedy but even comedies have to be partially convincing. This scene felt more preposterous than farcical.
☠️ The handling of Jeremy’s arc, especially at the end – a tad too forced. I wish there had been more punch to this relationship. Even a literal punch would have been welcome than this bland depiction.
☠️ Personal preference: The adult content was way too high for my comfort level. Granted, the book deals with darker situations, but did we really need the extended anatomical descriptions?
All in all, the story is certainly unusual but its handling is even more so. It can be a fun ride if you read it sheerly for entertainment than for moral analyses.
Recommended to those looking for an atypical adult comedy. Not for those who want their characters to get their just desserts, and not for those who want their lead characters to be sensible or likeable.
3.75 stars.
My thanks to Grand Central Publishing for providing the DRC of “I Might Be in Trouble” via NetGalley. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Connect with me through:
My Blog || The StoryGraph || Instagram || X/Twitter || Facebook ||
December 3, 2024
I guess...one of the things I’ve realized is that people are...well, like houses, almost. We need foundations. We need...a solid platform, on top of which we can build.
David is a bestselling author at twenty-eight. But instead of writing another fabulous book, his career is down the drain, his relationship with his dad is more or less nonexistent, and his boyfriend Jeremy is now his ex. He’s a guy who had everything but now has nothing, and loneliness, anxiety, and maybe even self-pity are luring around the corner. But then David meets Robert and finally thinks things are going to work out fine. Until he finds Robert dead in his bed.
This story hit close to home and crawled under my skin. Slowly. I didn’t feel it at first, until halfway through the book, my whole body started to itch.
I was home alone for the first time in years and thought I’d love it, but I felt lonely instead and read:
I had the strangest realization: my word count had gone way down.
I was writing and petrified to share with others what I had written and read:
There’s something about the thought of other people reading my words that terrifies me.
I can have these intrusive thoughts that I’m not good enough and read:
I’d try to be less afraid. Less hard on myself. Happier.
This story is about foundations. The foundations you need to function in life. Passions. Desires. Family. Friends. David’s only foundation is his writing. And losing it would mean he no longer has meaning in life. It’s about doubt and insecurities. About believing in yourself. About letting other people in and letting them be your foundation. About being okay and sometimes not. And that it’s okay to be not okay sometimes.
In my last review, I asked myself why so many YA authors want to write adult books. To be honest, I’m not always a fan. But Daniel’s first adult novel struck a cord. It’s so different from all the others and cannot be grasped in one genre. I Might Be in Trouble is literary, contemporary, dark at times, and at the same time humorous, even ridiculous in a few moments. But above all, it’s deeply human and personal.
Daniel, you touched my whole being with your story! Thank you so much for writing it. You definitely didn’t disappoint!
Thank you, Grand Central Publishing and NetGalley, for an ARC of one of my favorite authors!
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David is a bestselling author at twenty-eight. But instead of writing another fabulous book, his career is down the drain, his relationship with his dad is more or less nonexistent, and his boyfriend Jeremy is now his ex. He’s a guy who had everything but now has nothing, and loneliness, anxiety, and maybe even self-pity are luring around the corner. But then David meets Robert and finally thinks things are going to work out fine. Until he finds Robert dead in his bed.
This story hit close to home and crawled under my skin. Slowly. I didn’t feel it at first, until halfway through the book, my whole body started to itch.
I was home alone for the first time in years and thought I’d love it, but I felt lonely instead and read:
I had the strangest realization: my word count had gone way down.
I was writing and petrified to share with others what I had written and read:
There’s something about the thought of other people reading my words that terrifies me.
I can have these intrusive thoughts that I’m not good enough and read:
I’d try to be less afraid. Less hard on myself. Happier.
This story is about foundations. The foundations you need to function in life. Passions. Desires. Family. Friends. David’s only foundation is his writing. And losing it would mean he no longer has meaning in life. It’s about doubt and insecurities. About believing in yourself. About letting other people in and letting them be your foundation. About being okay and sometimes not. And that it’s okay to be not okay sometimes.
In my last review, I asked myself why so many YA authors want to write adult books. To be honest, I’m not always a fan. But Daniel’s first adult novel struck a cord. It’s so different from all the others and cannot be grasped in one genre. I Might Be in Trouble is literary, contemporary, dark at times, and at the same time humorous, even ridiculous in a few moments. But above all, it’s deeply human and personal.
Daniel, you touched my whole being with your story! Thank you so much for writing it. You definitely didn’t disappoint!
Thank you, Grand Central Publishing and NetGalley, for an ARC of one of my favorite authors!
Follow me on Instagram
January 30, 2025
When I originally picked up I Might Be in Trouble, I didn’t know quite what to expect. After all, the synopsis was gripping and I couldn’t wait for a book slightly different from my normal go-to genres, but, other than that, I went in mostly blind. As soon as I read that first thrilling chapter, however, I knew I was in for quite the ride. What I didn’t expect, though, was that on top of the dark humor, witty insights, and dynamite characterizations, I fell in love with not only David, but Daniel Aleman as well. Addictive, compulsively bingeable, and ultimately a quick, easy read, I raced through the book despite the somewhat slow burn beginning.
The two home run pieces to this captivating drama/mystery novel were easily David’s impressive character arc and the thought-provoking critique of self-worth, love, and what it means to succeed. Much deeper than I was anticipating, the laugh-out-loud moments definitely gave it some levity, but didn’t get in the way of David’s realistic journey throughout this thoroughly over-the-top novel. Don’t take that last bit wrong, however. I mean, I definitely needed to suspend all disbelief, but the entire plot somehow still felt both authentic and wholly relatable in spite of it all.
All said and done, from the built-in dysfunctional family dynamic to the satirical take on the publishing world, there wasn’t much missing from this ultimate home run. I especially loved the original narrative voice, which had me feeling as though David—or Daniel—was talking directly to me through his skillfully poignant dialogue and prose. And while it was somewhat less suspenseful than I had expected, the riveting climax and mildly open-ended conclusion filled out a plot that hit all the right chords. So if any of this sounds even remotely like your cup of tea, I highly recommend grabbing a copy ASAP. After all, David—and Daniel—provided one heck of a ride. Rating of 4.5 stars.
SYNOPSIS:
A few years ago, David Alvarez had it all: a six-figure book deal, a loving boyfriend, and an exciting writing career. His debut novel was a resounding success, which made the publication of his second book—a total flop—all the more devastating. Now, David is single, lonely, and desperately trying to come up with the next great idea for his third manuscript, one that will redeem him in the eyes of readers, reviewers, the entire publishing world…and maybe even his ex-boyfriend.
But good ideas are hard to come by, and the mounting pressure of a near-empty bank account isn’t helping. When David connects with a sexy stranger on a dating app, he figures a wild night out in New York City may be just what he needs to find inspiration. Lucky for him, his date turns out to be handsome, confident, and wealthy, not to mention the perfect distraction from yet another evening staring at a blank screen.
After one of the best nights of his life, David wakes up hungover but giddy—only to find prince charming dead next to him in bed. Horrified, completely confused, and suddenly faced with the implausible-but-somehow-plausible idea that he may have actually killed his date, David calls the only person he can trust in a moment of crisis: his literary agent, Stacey.
Together, David and Stacey must untangle the events of the previous night, cover their tracks, and spin the entire misadventure into David’s career-defining novel—if only they can figure out what to do with the body first.
Thank you to Daniel Aleman and Grand Central Publishing for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
PUB DATE: December 3, 2024 (out now)
Content warning: infidelity
The two home run pieces to this captivating drama/mystery novel were easily David’s impressive character arc and the thought-provoking critique of self-worth, love, and what it means to succeed. Much deeper than I was anticipating, the laugh-out-loud moments definitely gave it some levity, but didn’t get in the way of David’s realistic journey throughout this thoroughly over-the-top novel. Don’t take that last bit wrong, however. I mean, I definitely needed to suspend all disbelief, but the entire plot somehow still felt both authentic and wholly relatable in spite of it all.
All said and done, from the built-in dysfunctional family dynamic to the satirical take on the publishing world, there wasn’t much missing from this ultimate home run. I especially loved the original narrative voice, which had me feeling as though David—or Daniel—was talking directly to me through his skillfully poignant dialogue and prose. And while it was somewhat less suspenseful than I had expected, the riveting climax and mildly open-ended conclusion filled out a plot that hit all the right chords. So if any of this sounds even remotely like your cup of tea, I highly recommend grabbing a copy ASAP. After all, David—and Daniel—provided one heck of a ride. Rating of 4.5 stars.
SYNOPSIS:
A few years ago, David Alvarez had it all: a six-figure book deal, a loving boyfriend, and an exciting writing career. His debut novel was a resounding success, which made the publication of his second book—a total flop—all the more devastating. Now, David is single, lonely, and desperately trying to come up with the next great idea for his third manuscript, one that will redeem him in the eyes of readers, reviewers, the entire publishing world…and maybe even his ex-boyfriend.
But good ideas are hard to come by, and the mounting pressure of a near-empty bank account isn’t helping. When David connects with a sexy stranger on a dating app, he figures a wild night out in New York City may be just what he needs to find inspiration. Lucky for him, his date turns out to be handsome, confident, and wealthy, not to mention the perfect distraction from yet another evening staring at a blank screen.
After one of the best nights of his life, David wakes up hungover but giddy—only to find prince charming dead next to him in bed. Horrified, completely confused, and suddenly faced with the implausible-but-somehow-plausible idea that he may have actually killed his date, David calls the only person he can trust in a moment of crisis: his literary agent, Stacey.
Together, David and Stacey must untangle the events of the previous night, cover their tracks, and spin the entire misadventure into David’s career-defining novel—if only they can figure out what to do with the body first.
Thank you to Daniel Aleman and Grand Central Publishing for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
PUB DATE: December 3, 2024 (out now)
Content warning: infidelity
February 15, 2025
3.5 stars
One of the most interestingly genre-defying books I’ve read in a while. In I Might Be in Trouble, we follow David Alvarez, a struggling writer whose lost both the glory of his first book’s success and the love of his ex-boyfriend. He spends one magical night with a handsome stranger, only to find this beautiful man literally dead in the bed they shared together the following morning. David and his literary agent strive to cover up the circumstances of this man’s death; stress, chaos, and maybe even self-discovery ensue.
I liked the themes of artistic/professional struggle and the journey to find oneself in this novel. Appreciated Aleman’s portrayal of a writer who is having a hard time personally and professionally. He made the writing industry intriguing to read about while portraying David three-dimensionally outside of his job as a writer too. I enjoyed the meta component of how David, our protagonist, is writing a novel about a man named Daniel (the author’s name).
Why I round this book down to three stars is that I felt like it struggled to commit to either being a full on satire or a more straight-up literary fiction novel? On one hand, it’s impressive that Aleman maintained a balance between the two – and the plot does pick up by page 100 – though for some reason not committing more fully to one genre lowered my satisfaction with the novel overall. The first 100 pages, in particular, read as a little tame – I felt that the prose could have been more electric.
Still, there’s a sincerity in Aleman’s writing that I enjoy (and enjoyed in his first book Indivisible, which I read several years ago). I’m open to seeing and maybe reading what he publishes next even if I Might Be in Trouble wasn’t a smash for me.
One of the most interestingly genre-defying books I’ve read in a while. In I Might Be in Trouble, we follow David Alvarez, a struggling writer whose lost both the glory of his first book’s success and the love of his ex-boyfriend. He spends one magical night with a handsome stranger, only to find this beautiful man literally dead in the bed they shared together the following morning. David and his literary agent strive to cover up the circumstances of this man’s death; stress, chaos, and maybe even self-discovery ensue.
I liked the themes of artistic/professional struggle and the journey to find oneself in this novel. Appreciated Aleman’s portrayal of a writer who is having a hard time personally and professionally. He made the writing industry intriguing to read about while portraying David three-dimensionally outside of his job as a writer too. I enjoyed the meta component of how David, our protagonist, is writing a novel about a man named Daniel (the author’s name).
Why I round this book down to three stars is that I felt like it struggled to commit to either being a full on satire or a more straight-up literary fiction novel? On one hand, it’s impressive that Aleman maintained a balance between the two – and the plot does pick up by page 100 – though for some reason not committing more fully to one genre lowered my satisfaction with the novel overall. The first 100 pages, in particular, read as a little tame – I felt that the prose could have been more electric.
Still, there’s a sincerity in Aleman’s writing that I enjoy (and enjoyed in his first book Indivisible, which I read several years ago). I’m open to seeing and maybe reading what he publishes next even if I Might Be in Trouble wasn’t a smash for me.
April 27, 2024
I am going to shout about this book to the rooftops! It contains so many different themes, all surrounding protagonist David Alvarez and the fierce loneliness that encompasses his life. There's also lost love, fairy-tale romance, the meaning of friendship, and grief--not to mention all-out panic. David becomes a literary wunderkind when his first book reaches the bestseller lists. But his second book tanks, and his agent, Stacey, is on his heels for another one. Trying to drown his sorrows, David swipes on Grindr until he finds Robert, a guy looking for a fun time. They spend a whirlwind night together and end up in David's apartment... where in the morning, Robert is dead. With no idea what to do, David calls Stacey, and the two of them begin a Weekend at Bernie's farce as they figure out how to dispense with Robert's body. The story seems to wrap at the midpoint, but a different season of David's life begins after that, and the reader is unsure of where things are headed. David himself is so complex, and I really identified with him and his struggles (despite never having a dead body in my bed... so far).
May 21, 2025
Sometimes I try to remember why I ordered a book from my local library. Especially when, like in this circumstance, I ordered the book on December 2, 2024, and finally received it on May 14, 2025. Please know that I am not complaining. I recognize that when I made the decision to focus on reading books that are available from my local library, I always feel fortunate when they are available to me. It is just, that when it takes so much time to get here, I can’t help but forget why I requested them. Until they come. And then, I can read the book blurb about them, and go, “oh yea, that is what you are about!”
On to the review…
So, what happens when your one-night stand turns out to be dead as a doornail the next morning? Well, for gay writer David who is suffering from writer’s block, will he see this as a book idea? Seriously, that is the place David decides to go?
Well maybe he should first figure out how to get rid of the body. Granted, David, our main protagonist, didn’t kill the guy, but the situation does pose a rather comic scenario. Or, does it?
Readers will soon determine whether they will like David or not and his antics at figuring out how he is going to get out of this mess and find a way to resume his life.
With other characters who make their entrances and exits, readers may not be sure whether they care about David’s self-reflections or not. Or, what happens to him and the body, in this unusual quirky dark comedy that focuses on loneliness and the misadventures of relationships.
On to the review…
So, what happens when your one-night stand turns out to be dead as a doornail the next morning? Well, for gay writer David who is suffering from writer’s block, will he see this as a book idea? Seriously, that is the place David decides to go?
Well maybe he should first figure out how to get rid of the body. Granted, David, our main protagonist, didn’t kill the guy, but the situation does pose a rather comic scenario. Or, does it?
Readers will soon determine whether they will like David or not and his antics at figuring out how he is going to get out of this mess and find a way to resume his life.
With other characters who make their entrances and exits, readers may not be sure whether they care about David’s self-reflections or not. Or, what happens to him and the body, in this unusual quirky dark comedy that focuses on loneliness and the misadventures of relationships.
May 17, 2024
I would first like to thank net galley and Hachette book group for giving me the opportunity to read this book. When we first meet David he has just woken up to a dead body next to him in bed. The book follows how far he will go to jump start his flailing writing career by spinning this event.
I hope you have tissues handy because this book handles everything. Aleman was able to write about insecurity, anxiety, loneliness, sadness, want, and joy so brilliantly that I wish I could go back and read this all over again for the first time. Not only did I audibly laugh out loud with some of the scenes and the narration but I was crying in the next chapter at how beautiful the moments were playing out. You can not put one genre to this book because it has everything. David is not happy with his current life, his first book a success, his second flopped. His ex has a new boyfriend and he has no money in his account. Trying to take his mind off of things he goes on a date, the only problem is he wakes up to his date dead. After wondering what to do, he spirals. He realizes so many things at once that finally when his life calms down a bit he manages to write his feelings down, which is what he always did when he had a low point. Through the book we follow the highs and lows of David's life with his Ex, his father and his new wife and his agent. This book is a journey of self discover, self acceptance, love, and mystery thrown in. If I could give this book more than 5 stars I would I loved it that much.
I hope you have tissues handy because this book handles everything. Aleman was able to write about insecurity, anxiety, loneliness, sadness, want, and joy so brilliantly that I wish I could go back and read this all over again for the first time. Not only did I audibly laugh out loud with some of the scenes and the narration but I was crying in the next chapter at how beautiful the moments were playing out. You can not put one genre to this book because it has everything. David is not happy with his current life, his first book a success, his second flopped. His ex has a new boyfriend and he has no money in his account. Trying to take his mind off of things he goes on a date, the only problem is he wakes up to his date dead. After wondering what to do, he spirals. He realizes so many things at once that finally when his life calms down a bit he manages to write his feelings down, which is what he always did when he had a low point. Through the book we follow the highs and lows of David's life with his Ex, his father and his new wife and his agent. This book is a journey of self discover, self acceptance, love, and mystery thrown in. If I could give this book more than 5 stars I would I loved it that much.
October 4, 2024
Thank you to @grandcentralpub for an advance physical copy of this beautiful novel.
"It's 6:47am, and there's a dead body on my bed."
My first mistake was going into this thinking it was going to be a thriller. Instead what I got was a darkly funny, and emotional story about love, loss, family, growth, and so much more. The ending made me tear up a bit, I'll admit.
I honestly can't say too much without giving it away, but I highly recommend this beautiful read.
"It's 6:47am, and there's a dead body on my bed."
My first mistake was going into this thinking it was going to be a thriller. Instead what I got was a darkly funny, and emotional story about love, loss, family, growth, and so much more. The ending made me tear up a bit, I'll admit.
I honestly can't say too much without giving it away, but I highly recommend this beautiful read.
December 11, 2024
comically bad
October 28, 2024
This dark comedy is a meta-exploration about the relationship success and loneliness that is a quick, fun romp that still leaves you with something to think about. The main character is a desperate mess of emotions and feels genuine and relatable. The secondary characters, be it the MC’s dates or his agent, all feel a little bit like caricatures, yet this actually works for the story. They are all foils for different aspects of the MC’s neuroses to play off of, and so they embody their particular roles with a type of glee that still makes fun and interesting. The world-building is done really well, giving us the claustrophobic experience of success at a young age that doesn’t always feel entirely earned, coupled with a family that isn’t supportive and an inner life that feels like a constant performance instead of an actual identity. So much of this story is about pretense, and the anxieties that come from not showing others who you are, either because you are afraid of how they will react or because you don’t know yourself or a combination of the two, and the world-building and tone embodies that sentiment well. The writing is strong throughout, with convincing dialogue and a compelling style that pulls you through, not overly saccharine or emotional but still really letting the reader feel connected to the main character’s despair. The pacing was great for me until the third act, which dragged a little. On one hand the characters themselves are in a type of limbo, a holding pattern, and that unknowing, which can feel interminable, is reflected in the writing, so the resonance between pacing and character experience works… but it feels like the whole third act simply happens to the character and he has given up any pretense at agency, which feels like being dragged along. I like the twists and turns and the places the story eventually ended up, but there is a little disconnect, for me, between where the emotional journey ultimately lands and the character’s seeming stagnation in the third act. Everything is believable, and as I said I do really appreciate where it ended up, but it I would have liked to see a more active role in that outcome. Especially as, during that third act, there are some potentially self-sabotaging behaviors that suggested the character may have bene traveling in emotional loops, and the way he emerged from that spiral felt a little sudden.
Overall, this was a lot of fun. The mystery and story were a little predictable but never felt bland. The inner journey felt rich and relatable, overall, and offered an engaging exploration of loneliness and what it means to discover who you are and what you depend on when everything else is in chaos.
(Rounded up from 3.5)
I want to thank the author, the publisher Grand Central Publishing, and NetGalley, who provided a complimentary eARC for review. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Overall, this was a lot of fun. The mystery and story were a little predictable but never felt bland. The inner journey felt rich and relatable, overall, and offered an engaging exploration of loneliness and what it means to discover who you are and what you depend on when everything else is in chaos.
(Rounded up from 3.5)
I want to thank the author, the publisher Grand Central Publishing, and NetGalley, who provided a complimentary eARC for review. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
November 9, 2024
I Might Be in Trouble by Daniel Aleman. Thanks to @grandcentral for the gifted Arc ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Daniel is struggling after his second book bombs and his boyfriend left him. When he wakes up with a dead body next to him, it only gets worse.
I liked this one a lot for its dark humor. Despite the plot being solidly built on death and loneliness, it is humorous and light at times. There’s a lot of growth with the main character as we sit with his anxiety and missteps throughout the story. If you enjoy unique books about books, and the writing process, definitely check this one out.
“It makes you wonder, doesn’t it? How much an author chooses the story they want to tell, and how much the story chooses them.”
I Might Be in Trouble comes out 12/3.
Daniel is struggling after his second book bombs and his boyfriend left him. When he wakes up with a dead body next to him, it only gets worse.
I liked this one a lot for its dark humor. Despite the plot being solidly built on death and loneliness, it is humorous and light at times. There’s a lot of growth with the main character as we sit with his anxiety and missteps throughout the story. If you enjoy unique books about books, and the writing process, definitely check this one out.
“It makes you wonder, doesn’t it? How much an author chooses the story they want to tell, and how much the story chooses them.”
I Might Be in Trouble comes out 12/3.
September 23, 2024
Here’s the recipe for this book’s magic: start with a late-twenties writer struggling to get his next book deal and pay the bills (readers will root for him!), add a dash of writers’ life and publishing industry satire, then top it off with a sprinkle of Weekend at Bernie’s hilarity. I devoured this story and enjoyed every page. The humor is balanced with heart and I enjoyed the main character’s journey toward finding the love and connection he deserved. Don’t miss this propulsive read everyone will be talking about by the end of the year.
I’m grateful to have received an ARC of this book from Reverie Books to review for Indie Next. Thank you to the publisher and congrats to the author!
I’m grateful to have received an ARC of this book from Reverie Books to review for Indie Next. Thank you to the publisher and congrats to the author!
June 17, 2024
David Alvarez they could never make me hate you
thank you netgalley and the publisher for this beautiful arc.
stunning from beginning to end
want to give 5 stars because it resonated with me and probably will if i ever reread it but so far it’s 4.5 rounded down
anyway david’s crisis and writer’s block I GET YOU so bad
thank you netgalley and the publisher for this beautiful arc.
stunning from beginning to end
want to give 5 stars because it resonated with me and probably will if i ever reread it but so far it’s 4.5 rounded down
anyway david’s crisis and writer’s block I GET YOU so bad
November 5, 2024
The tone felt all over the place to me, and I couldn't decide whether I was supposed to take it seriously or not. I thought there would be some twist, but this isn't a mystery or thriller at all. I tore through it, but that was because I thought the ending would tie things together, and it didn't.
January 11, 2025
David Alvarez is an author living in NYC and he’s struggling. After a successful first book and a loving relationship with his handsome boyfriend, his second book was a flop and he’s no longer together with his boyfriend. Now, David is out of ideas and his family isn’t willing to help while he tries to get back on his feet.
David goes on a random date one night, hoping it’ll spark some inspiration. He’s pleasantly surprised to have such a great time, until he wakes up the next morning to find his date dead in the bed. David can’t believe it and turns to the one person he can call for help, his agent, Stacey.
Together the two set off on a journey to cover their tracks and put the previous night behind them but it’s risky. Stacey encourages David to use the events as a starting point for his next book, which annoys him. Then, someone new enters the picture with a big professional opportunity for David. Can he and Stacey stay calm and keep things moving forward or will the pressure get to them?
At times, I Might Be in Trouble reminded me of Victim by Andrew Boryga, another book about a writer that I really enjoyed. This is a fun, entertaining story, with good tension building and I stayed engaged, curious to see how things would play out.
David goes on a random date one night, hoping it’ll spark some inspiration. He’s pleasantly surprised to have such a great time, until he wakes up the next morning to find his date dead in the bed. David can’t believe it and turns to the one person he can call for help, his agent, Stacey.
Together the two set off on a journey to cover their tracks and put the previous night behind them but it’s risky. Stacey encourages David to use the events as a starting point for his next book, which annoys him. Then, someone new enters the picture with a big professional opportunity for David. Can he and Stacey stay calm and keep things moving forward or will the pressure get to them?
At times, I Might Be in Trouble reminded me of Victim by Andrew Boryga, another book about a writer that I really enjoyed. This is a fun, entertaining story, with good tension building and I stayed engaged, curious to see how things would play out.
June 20, 2024
This book is witty, charming, hilarious, and impossible to put down. Despite the humor, the story finds a way to remind us that there is grief in having your dreams come true and realizing there’s an ‘after’ that isn’t always what we expect. I loved every page of this book!
November 16, 2024
This novel was incredibly funny and relatable, with such a wild premise that it was almost impossible to put down!
The dark humor and tension of the situation kept me fully invested in this story. I loved David's unlikely friendship with his literary agent, Stacey, and her response to his dilemma was so much fun. I loved the self referential nature of the story and how effortlessly it captured the loneliness of adulthood. I could have happily read this in one sitting had work not gotten in the way, and I found myself taking every spare moment to get in a few pages, a chapter, because I couldn't stop thinking about this book. Fully recommended and an easy five stars!
I received an advanced copy of this book for review.
The dark humor and tension of the situation kept me fully invested in this story. I loved David's unlikely friendship with his literary agent, Stacey, and her response to his dilemma was so much fun. I loved the self referential nature of the story and how effortlessly it captured the loneliness of adulthood. I could have happily read this in one sitting had work not gotten in the way, and I found myself taking every spare moment to get in a few pages, a chapter, because I couldn't stop thinking about this book. Fully recommended and an easy five stars!
I received an advanced copy of this book for review.
July 19, 2024
I loved this book from the beginning! It felt like each part had a whole new vibe or trope to it and it was almost like 3 books in one!
A young gay writer is struggling with his love life, family life and career. He decides to blow off steam by dabbling in Grindr for a night to take his mind off things. And boy does it! A handsome wealthy man messages him and invites him to the Plaza. They have a night gallivanting about New York City but everything takes a turn for the worst in the morning.
I loved the description of the night of torrid romance. I loved the friendship between two unlikely characters.
I loved how 50% into the book I was like how can I only be half way through? Isn't this storyline pretty much wrapped up? But nope! We get thrown into what felt like a sequel and it never lost it's depth, pace or intrigue.
I loved Aleman's writing style and will definitely be looking to read more of his books in the future.
Thank you Netgalley, Daniel Aleman and Grand Central Publishing for the ARC!
A young gay writer is struggling with his love life, family life and career. He decides to blow off steam by dabbling in Grindr for a night to take his mind off things. And boy does it! A handsome wealthy man messages him and invites him to the Plaza. They have a night gallivanting about New York City but everything takes a turn for the worst in the morning.
I loved the description of the night of torrid romance. I loved the friendship between two unlikely characters.
I loved how 50% into the book I was like how can I only be half way through? Isn't this storyline pretty much wrapped up? But nope! We get thrown into what felt like a sequel and it never lost it's depth, pace or intrigue.
I loved Aleman's writing style and will definitely be looking to read more of his books in the future.
Thank you Netgalley, Daniel Aleman and Grand Central Publishing for the ARC!
May 25, 2024
This book, Wow!! I already knew I was a fan of Aleman's writing, but his adult debut took me to places I did not expect. Aleman puts so much heart into everything he writes, and I Might Be In Trouble is no exception. I could not put this book down and devoured it in less than a day. I laughed, I cried, I was thrilled. I can't recommend this book enough.
March 25, 2025
Struggling writer David wakes to find his latest Grindr paramour lying dead beside him. He calls, not the police, but his literary agent, a woman in her sixties, for help. What results is a Weekend at Bernie's scheme of those two lugging a "drunken" corpse around Manhattan, attempting to get him back to his room at the Plaza. This implausible scenario went on WAY too long, and bugged the hell out of me. And, then . . .well, let's just say that the rest of the book DID NOT make up for this early gaffe.
This is billed as a mystery, but the only thing I found mystifying is why this was ever published.
Thanks to NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for the ARC.
This is billed as a mystery, but the only thing I found mystifying is why this was ever published.
Thanks to NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for the ARC.
November 14, 2024
I am obsessed with this book. It’s my first by this author and it won’t be my last! Dare I say this is my favorite book I have read in a while? It really got me out of a reading slump!
I won’t rehash the plot, but I love how unique this story is. I love how flawed, yet rootable the main character is in the book. I love the message behind this book. I just loved it all. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC of this wonderful story!
I won’t rehash the plot, but I love how unique this story is. I love how flawed, yet rootable the main character is in the book. I love the message behind this book. I just loved it all. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC of this wonderful story!
December 4, 2024
I Might Be in Trouble by Daniel Aleman was so much fun to read. I haven't been able to read much all year, but this one was good it reinvigorated me. I thought it was going to be a queer thriller that I would just breeze through but the captivating writing and endearing protagonist had me hooked and locked in until the end. There were so many moments I laughed at the ridiculous things that kept happening but by the end I was in literal tears. I couldnt help but fall in love with David and hes a character I won't easily forget.
I really vibed with Aleman's writing style and found myself pausing at some really beautiful and introspective prose. Wrapped up in the fast-paced mystery were some interesting themes of queer, dating/hook up culture, grief, parental death, father-son relationships, racist stepparents, imposter syndrome and behind the scenes of the publishing world. My heart broke every time David had to interact with his father and stepmother. I really just wanted him to win because people treated him so poorly at times. Aleman did a great job balancing the laugh out loud moments with pulling at the heartstrings emotional scenes. Overall, this was such a great read and left me wanting to read more from Aleman.
Here are some of my favorite quotes:
▪︎ "Fiction is fiction, David....."Except that it isn’t. Fiction contains truth and everyone knows that."
▪︎ "Isn't it a privilege, really? To want and be wanted back? To have loved and lost—not once, not twice, but five times?"
▪︎ "Different people draw the line at different places."
▪︎ "I'll never understand why everyone is so quick to judge people with daddy issues but not the fathers who are responsible for causing those issues in the first place."
▪︎ "What I find funny, though, is that people talk about dreams coming true as if it were a point of arrival—a final destination, and once you've reached it, there should be no going back."
▪︎ "I guess grief can do that to you—it erases your memory, erases parts of you that you never even knew you were losing until one day you look back and realize that they're gone."
Thank you to @grandcentralpub @hearourvoicesbt for the gifted copy and tour opportunity.
I really vibed with Aleman's writing style and found myself pausing at some really beautiful and introspective prose. Wrapped up in the fast-paced mystery were some interesting themes of queer, dating/hook up culture, grief, parental death, father-son relationships, racist stepparents, imposter syndrome and behind the scenes of the publishing world. My heart broke every time David had to interact with his father and stepmother. I really just wanted him to win because people treated him so poorly at times. Aleman did a great job balancing the laugh out loud moments with pulling at the heartstrings emotional scenes. Overall, this was such a great read and left me wanting to read more from Aleman.
Here are some of my favorite quotes:
▪︎ "Fiction is fiction, David....."Except that it isn’t. Fiction contains truth and everyone knows that."
▪︎ "Isn't it a privilege, really? To want and be wanted back? To have loved and lost—not once, not twice, but five times?"
▪︎ "Different people draw the line at different places."
▪︎ "I'll never understand why everyone is so quick to judge people with daddy issues but not the fathers who are responsible for causing those issues in the first place."
▪︎ "What I find funny, though, is that people talk about dreams coming true as if it were a point of arrival—a final destination, and once you've reached it, there should be no going back."
▪︎ "I guess grief can do that to you—it erases your memory, erases parts of you that you never even knew you were losing until one day you look back and realize that they're gone."
Thank you to @grandcentralpub @hearourvoicesbt for the gifted copy and tour opportunity.
November 26, 2024
What a FANTASTICALLY hilarious dark comedy adult fiction debut featuring David Alvarez, a struggling NYC gay author in his late twenties who needs to find an idea for his third book proposal. When he wakes up to find his one night stand dead in bed beside him things take a turn for the ridiculous. Calling in his agent, the two drag the dead body all over the city trying to find a way to dispose of it without implicating David. Filled with Weekend with Bernie/Dial A for Aunties antics and implausible lucky coincidences, the two manage to pull things off without going to jail.
The second half of the story sees David's agent encouraging him to turn the incident into the plot of his next book but things turn deadly when a game of cat and mouse with the dead man's husband threatens to derail everything. Great on audio, this book is layered and the author does a wonderful job balancing the humor with more relatable anxieties and struggles of living up to family expectations, finding love and dealing with the challenge of finding success in the publishing industry.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital and finished copy in exchange for my honest review. This was Canadian author, Daniel Aleman at his best and I can't wait to see what he writes next!
The second half of the story sees David's agent encouraging him to turn the incident into the plot of his next book but things turn deadly when a game of cat and mouse with the dead man's husband threatens to derail everything. Great on audio, this book is layered and the author does a wonderful job balancing the humor with more relatable anxieties and struggles of living up to family expectations, finding love and dealing with the challenge of finding success in the publishing industry.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital and finished copy in exchange for my honest review. This was Canadian author, Daniel Aleman at his best and I can't wait to see what he writes next!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 21, 2024
I didn't expect to inhale I Might Be In Trouble in two sittings.
It's one that can't easily be described. But do know it's completely addictive!
Thank you to Grand Central Publishing for my gifted ARC for review.
David Alvarez is a best-selling author - well, his debut novel was a best seller, not his second. He's a single gay man in New York City, struggling financially until he can get another book contract. His family is dense and unsupportive, and he longs for a relationship like the one he had with Jeremy.
In the meantime, dates will do. And one goes entirely sideways when he wakes up in the elegant Plaza hotel next to a dead man.
What ensues alongside his literary agent Stacey is darkly humorous and tense. Choices are made, and they're not necessarily wise ones.
It's truly the characters that made this one for me. Author Daniel Aleman made David, Stacey et al. absolutely pop off the page, despite the craziest of situations.
I Might Be In Trouble is not farce - we get to know David and his struggles, learn of his heartbreak of loss, creative ruminating, and feeling that a gay man is never truly accepted in society.
Absolutely recommended!
For release on Dec. 3.
It's one that can't easily be described. But do know it's completely addictive!
Thank you to Grand Central Publishing for my gifted ARC for review.
David Alvarez is a best-selling author - well, his debut novel was a best seller, not his second. He's a single gay man in New York City, struggling financially until he can get another book contract. His family is dense and unsupportive, and he longs for a relationship like the one he had with Jeremy.
In the meantime, dates will do. And one goes entirely sideways when he wakes up in the elegant Plaza hotel next to a dead man.
What ensues alongside his literary agent Stacey is darkly humorous and tense. Choices are made, and they're not necessarily wise ones.
It's truly the characters that made this one for me. Author Daniel Aleman made David, Stacey et al. absolutely pop off the page, despite the craziest of situations.
I Might Be In Trouble is not farce - we get to know David and his struggles, learn of his heartbreak of loss, creative ruminating, and feeling that a gay man is never truly accepted in society.
Absolutely recommended!
For release on Dec. 3.
January 21, 2025
This was fucking phenomenal. To say I had a blast is an understatement and I think gays doing crime is going to be a favourite genre of 2025. Beyond being fun, I think this was a poignant take on success, notoriety and how that takes a toll on a person beyond what is displayed on the surface.
Also I could only picture Stacey as Catherine O'Hara and if she isn't cast in the movie/tv adaptation I will be furious.
(Also if you are reading a piece of adult fiction, written by an adult, for other adults and you are "disgruntled" by adult content - stick to children's books, contemporary Christian fiction, or simply grow up - and whatever you do, stay AWAY from the Bible if adult anatomical descriptions disturb you!)
Also I could only picture Stacey as Catherine O'Hara and if she isn't cast in the movie/tv adaptation I will be furious.
(Also if you are reading a piece of adult fiction, written by an adult, for other adults and you are "disgruntled" by adult content - stick to children's books, contemporary Christian fiction, or simply grow up - and whatever you do, stay AWAY from the Bible if adult anatomical descriptions disturb you!)
December 6, 2024
This book in my most humble opinion is NOT worth reading.
David, the mc, is the epitome of an unlikeable character. He makes bad decision after bad decision that when he SPOILER ALERT reaches success it feels like the whole book was for nothing. Don’t even get me started on Stacey, his publisher, or any other characters that swim in and out of the novel.
To me the blurb was much more interesting than the actual novel and ultimately this book did not live up to my expectations (maybe I should not have had any to begin with).
David, the mc, is the epitome of an unlikeable character. He makes bad decision after bad decision that when he SPOILER ALERT reaches success it feels like the whole book was for nothing. Don’t even get me started on Stacey, his publisher, or any other characters that swim in and out of the novel.
To me the blurb was much more interesting than the actual novel and ultimately this book did not live up to my expectations (maybe I should not have had any to begin with).
December 9, 2024
This has to be one of my absolute favorite books of 2024. It was SO addicting and delightful; funny even when digging through tough themes. I’m just going to need everyone to go read this book right now.
Seriously, stop reading reviews and go read it!!!
Seriously, stop reading reviews and go read it!!!
December 25, 2024
✰ 3.25 stars ✰
“I might be in trouble.... I wouldn’t ask if it wasn’t really important—a life-and-death situation.”
Well that certainly is putting it lightly. 😢 I Might Be in Trouble is the cry for help to his agent, when twenty-eight-year-old published novelist David Alvarez finds himself in a precarious situation. Sad truth is his life was pretty much that way before he wakes up with a corpse next to him, when a particularly perfect Grindr date takes a deadly turn. A one-hit wonder author on the down low, a bank account that is notably vacant, not sure whether or not his third book will be his saving grace, on the fritz with his own family, and longing for the intimacy of a previous relationship that his own emotional shortcomings ended, he's not living the best life. Getting a quick night of pleasure to soothe the soul definitely sounds like the only thing in life to look forward to.
“Where do you draw the line between guilt and innocence? Between being complicit… or being a victim yourself?”
When that doesn't quite end with breakfast in bed, but rather a dead body in bed, Part 1 sets off a compulsively gripping page-turner of drastic choices and hasty decisions that David has to follow through in order to save his own skin and not have him anywhere near suspicion of handsome debonair Robert, a man who exuded charm and mystique, a man who made David feel seen - feel special. There were definitely instances where I could not particularly fathom that he could have escaped unscathed. 🙋🏻♀️ But, with those gripes and those fears, I also have to remind myself that this is a dark comedy - one where there has to be another agenda at play. No one with a good sense of conscience would treat with such a cavalier and spirited bravado the circumstances David found himself in. And while his frantic composure was believable, Stacey's level headed attitude was forgiven for that matter. It also is the catalyst that leads up to the events of Part 2. 😟
Part 2 takes the reader on a trip akin to the tell-tale heart. His adventure becomes fodder for his next book, a book that wins the heart of publishers, but one laced with the immediate fear that someone out there would connect the dots and paint him as the killer -'life must have a sick sense of humor.' 😧 Wracked with guilt, but also with the frenetic need to feel it plausible if not possible that luck may be in his favor and no one has quite caught on to the correlation of his involvement with the mysterious death, David is befuddled and muddle about how long he can stay unscathed, until he finally cracks. 😥 It only worsens when a dangerous cat-and-mouse game begins with an unlikely if not unsuspecting someone who may have an ulterior motive to seek out his help.
“We’ve found ourselves in an interesting dilemma,” she says.
“What are two unlikely best friends to do with a dead body?”
David and Stacey's strong friendship is the heart of the story. To honor and protect is her creed and she follows through on it diligently and pointedly, a sacred bond between agent and author that knows no boundaries. Her quick thinking of saving face through the streets of New York and her comedic timing is laced with a dark sense of humor, but, ultimately, is also a calming blessing to David's nerves, which was nicely handled. 🥺 I admit, it was a bit odd at how flippant she was about it all, but there was a silver lining to their rather morbid agenda, which she took full advantage of, and shepherd David even through the most traumatic of moments.
It is a credit to the writing for how readable, if not compulsible it was that made it easy to follow through. As much as I had to don my suspenders of disbelief many a moment, I was intrigued, if not entertained by David's well-meaning intentions, along with his disheartening and self-deprecating motivation that led him on this spiral of challenges. ❤️🩹❤️🩹 His dreams, his anxieties, and his hopes are his driving force to find a way out of an unfortunate situation that could also be his very ruin if things don't go accordingly. The tension is palpable throughout, and the stakes steadily rise higher until it reaches, well - a rather anticlimactic conclusion, disappointingly enough. 😔
“It’s the fear of going back to my same old life once all this is over—”
I do think authors have every right to write about what they know; even if it is something that is relatable to them on a personal level. But, the divide between self-insert and fiction is something I have difficulty drawing. I don't necessarily mind that it seems somewhat cathartic in a way, but it also makes it harder for me to empathize with said character. 🤷🏻♀️ Because I am left wondering how much is fiction and how much is meant to be a self-help validation, and how it seems fair to believe that only through failure or even hitting rock-bottom is when we actually see the light.
The conclusion wrapped a bit too neatly and conveniently for me, leaving with a message that is both bittersweet and rather conflicting, too. David may have walked away with a more assured composure, but it did not bring any change to certain relationships, which I found odd. 😕 If what only really was affected was his success as an author, it makes me wonder. If things had turned out differently and not entirely in David's favor, then would his lease on life still be the same? Is financial stability and sense of security the only means to happiness? 🤔
“I might be in trouble.... I wouldn’t ask if it wasn’t really important—a life-and-death situation.”
Well that certainly is putting it lightly. 😢 I Might Be in Trouble is the cry for help to his agent, when twenty-eight-year-old published novelist David Alvarez finds himself in a precarious situation. Sad truth is his life was pretty much that way before he wakes up with a corpse next to him, when a particularly perfect Grindr date takes a deadly turn. A one-hit wonder author on the down low, a bank account that is notably vacant, not sure whether or not his third book will be his saving grace, on the fritz with his own family, and longing for the intimacy of a previous relationship that his own emotional shortcomings ended, he's not living the best life. Getting a quick night of pleasure to soothe the soul definitely sounds like the only thing in life to look forward to.
“Where do you draw the line between guilt and innocence? Between being complicit… or being a victim yourself?”
When that doesn't quite end with breakfast in bed, but rather a dead body in bed, Part 1 sets off a compulsively gripping page-turner of drastic choices and hasty decisions that David has to follow through in order to save his own skin and not have him anywhere near suspicion of handsome debonair Robert, a man who exuded charm and mystique, a man who made David feel seen - feel special. There were definitely instances where I could not particularly fathom that he could have escaped unscathed. 🙋🏻♀️ But, with those gripes and those fears, I also have to remind myself that this is a dark comedy - one where there has to be another agenda at play. No one with a good sense of conscience would treat with such a cavalier and spirited bravado the circumstances David found himself in. And while his frantic composure was believable, Stacey's level headed attitude was forgiven for that matter. It also is the catalyst that leads up to the events of Part 2. 😟
Part 2 takes the reader on a trip akin to the tell-tale heart. His adventure becomes fodder for his next book, a book that wins the heart of publishers, but one laced with the immediate fear that someone out there would connect the dots and paint him as the killer -'life must have a sick sense of humor.' 😧 Wracked with guilt, but also with the frenetic need to feel it plausible if not possible that luck may be in his favor and no one has quite caught on to the correlation of his involvement with the mysterious death, David is befuddled and muddle about how long he can stay unscathed, until he finally cracks. 😥 It only worsens when a dangerous cat-and-mouse game begins with an unlikely if not unsuspecting someone who may have an ulterior motive to seek out his help.
“We’ve found ourselves in an interesting dilemma,” she says.
“What are two unlikely best friends to do with a dead body?”
David and Stacey's strong friendship is the heart of the story. To honor and protect is her creed and she follows through on it diligently and pointedly, a sacred bond between agent and author that knows no boundaries. Her quick thinking of saving face through the streets of New York and her comedic timing is laced with a dark sense of humor, but, ultimately, is also a calming blessing to David's nerves, which was nicely handled. 🥺 I admit, it was a bit odd at how flippant she was about it all, but there was a silver lining to their rather morbid agenda, which she took full advantage of, and shepherd David even through the most traumatic of moments.
It is a credit to the writing for how readable, if not compulsible it was that made it easy to follow through. As much as I had to don my suspenders of disbelief many a moment, I was intrigued, if not entertained by David's well-meaning intentions, along with his disheartening and self-deprecating motivation that led him on this spiral of challenges. ❤️🩹❤️🩹 His dreams, his anxieties, and his hopes are his driving force to find a way out of an unfortunate situation that could also be his very ruin if things don't go accordingly. The tension is palpable throughout, and the stakes steadily rise higher until it reaches, well - a rather anticlimactic conclusion, disappointingly enough. 😔
“It’s the fear of going back to my same old life once all this is over—”
I do think authors have every right to write about what they know; even if it is something that is relatable to them on a personal level. But, the divide between self-insert and fiction is something I have difficulty drawing. I don't necessarily mind that it seems somewhat cathartic in a way, but it also makes it harder for me to empathize with said character. 🤷🏻♀️ Because I am left wondering how much is fiction and how much is meant to be a self-help validation, and how it seems fair to believe that only through failure or even hitting rock-bottom is when we actually see the light.
The conclusion wrapped a bit too neatly and conveniently for me, leaving with a message that is both bittersweet and rather conflicting, too. David may have walked away with a more assured composure, but it did not bring any change to certain relationships, which I found odd. 😕 If what only really was affected was his success as an author, it makes me wonder. If things had turned out differently and not entirely in David's favor, then would his lease on life still be the same? Is financial stability and sense of security the only means to happiness? 🤔
February 16, 2025
Apparently this is Alsman's debut novel, but his third book to be released. The narrative follows David, an author looking for something to write for his third novel following one success and one flop. When he wakes to find a dead body in his bed after a night of heavy drinking, is there a book idea there?
Between David and his literary agent, Stacey, a wild,unbelievable adventure follows, as they try to prevent any press getting even a hint at a dead man in David's apartment. Their antics are both fun and ridiculous so I needed to suspend my disbelief and simply shout my thoughts at the narrator on my phone.
The narrator is absolutely great. I couldn't believe all those voices came from one guy, Vikas Adam!
Between David and his literary agent, Stacey, a wild,unbelievable adventure follows, as they try to prevent any press getting even a hint at a dead man in David's apartment. Their antics are both fun and ridiculous so I needed to suspend my disbelief and simply shout my thoughts at the narrator on my phone.
The narrator is absolutely great. I couldn't believe all those voices came from one guy, Vikas Adam!
December 28, 2024
Reading some of these reviews, it shocks me how little grace some people give to less-than-perfect gay characters. But Daniel Aleman has written not just the book we deserve, but the book we need in this moment.
In a world inundated with inauthentic and fluffy representation of gay characters, David Alvarez breaks through all barriers by being imperfect, vulnerable, and deeply human. From the first pages, I could sympathize with his anxiety as he got ready for a date. I loved going with him on this wild ride of ups and downs, of winning and losing, and I held my breath for him, desperately wanting him to win. I loved how he started off being a mess, and slowly but surely regained control over his own life and decisions. A 10/10 character arc.
This book’s strengths lie not only in this brilliant characterization of the protagonist, but in the expert sense of pace, the laugh-out-loud humor, and the beautiful writing. The relationship between David and Jeremy is unlike any I’ve ever read–the longing, the pining, and the deep love that these two people have for each other despite their own imperfections is the perfect portrait of the complexities of queer relationships. Stacey is the friend we all want and the most scene-stealing character I’ve gotten the pleasure to know in a long time (MOTHER and a true ally). Even David’s family, which under appreciates and patronizes him, served as a meaningful image of the complicated relationships queer people have with their families.
Some people around here need to check their homophobia and biases against gay men. But that’s a conversation y’all are not ready to have.
I can’t wait for Daniel Aleman’s next book. In the meantime, I’ll stay tuned for movie news because this DESERVES to be on the screen. If you’re gay looking for authentic characters, or just HUMAN looking for a brilliant read, pick this up. You won’t regret it.
In a world inundated with inauthentic and fluffy representation of gay characters, David Alvarez breaks through all barriers by being imperfect, vulnerable, and deeply human. From the first pages, I could sympathize with his anxiety as he got ready for a date. I loved going with him on this wild ride of ups and downs, of winning and losing, and I held my breath for him, desperately wanting him to win. I loved how he started off being a mess, and slowly but surely regained control over his own life and decisions. A 10/10 character arc.
This book’s strengths lie not only in this brilliant characterization of the protagonist, but in the expert sense of pace, the laugh-out-loud humor, and the beautiful writing. The relationship between David and Jeremy is unlike any I’ve ever read–the longing, the pining, and the deep love that these two people have for each other despite their own imperfections is the perfect portrait of the complexities of queer relationships. Stacey is the friend we all want and the most scene-stealing character I’ve gotten the pleasure to know in a long time (MOTHER and a true ally). Even David’s family, which under appreciates and patronizes him, served as a meaningful image of the complicated relationships queer people have with their families.
Some people around here need to check their homophobia and biases against gay men. But that’s a conversation y’all are not ready to have.
I can’t wait for Daniel Aleman’s next book. In the meantime, I’ll stay tuned for movie news because this DESERVES to be on the screen. If you’re gay looking for authentic characters, or just HUMAN looking for a brilliant read, pick this up. You won’t regret it.
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