Shoeshine Boy & Cigarette Girl

by P.A. Cornell

Just beneath the hovercar lanes, in a Toronto very much like ours, sits an unassuming diner called Rocket Ray’s. There, Shoeshine Boy spots the girl of his dreams—if his dreams ever got that good. No stranger to men, Cigarette Girl isn’t easily impressed, but something about Shoeshine Boy tells her this one just might be worth her time.
 
Over steaming cups of coffee, they dream of a life just out of reach. Goodhearted Shoeshine Boy just wants to give his girl the moon, even if that means risking everything. Cigarette Girl, a grifter used to looking out for number one, finds her priorities shifting as her heart soars like the rockets in the sky.
 
When a well-dressed stranger enters the picture, he presents them with opportunities that put their love to the test. Will Shoeshine Boy & Cigarette Girl make each other’s dreams come true, or lose each other in the process?

Genres: Science Fiction, Novella

Paperback

First published February 3, 2026

About the author

P.A. Cornell is a Chilean-Canadian speculative fiction writer. A two-time finalist for the Nebula Award, her stories have been published in over seventy magazines and anthologies, including Lightspeed, Apex, and eight “Best of the Year” anthologies. In addition to becoming the first Chilean Nebula finalist in 2024, Cornell has been a finalist for the Aurora and World Fantasy Awards, and in 2022 won Canada’s Short Works Prize. When not writing, she can be found assembling intricate LEGO builds or drinking ridiculous quantities of tea. Sometimes both. For more on the author and her work, visit her website pacornell.com.

Reviews

[Ai Jiang]

SHOESHINE BOY & CIGARETTE GIRL is a contemporary fairy tale that weaves perfectly the cautionary and the heartfelt, exploring themes of new love, idealism, desperation, deception, sacrifice, forgiveness, and understanding.

[Ashley Rivera · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had the pleasure of receiving the ARC and I can say I am not disappointed! I generally do not like to read books that are in a third person pov but this one did not bother me at all. With that being said before I get into the book and my review id like to take the time to state some things about the ARC.

Shoeshine Boy and Cigarette Girl is a third person POV book. A retro futuristic book that follows both main characters as they fall in love and try to follow their dreams. It features deception sacrifice and forgiveness as some of the main plot devices.

Shoeshine Boy is a lover boy through and through. He fell for her at first sight and was down bad ever since. He worked hard to follow his dreams but also help Cigarette Girl get to hers as well.
Cigarette Girl she was slow to fall for her mans but eventually she did. At times it seemed as if her goals were more important than her man but at the end she came to her senses and that’s all that mattered.

The ups and downs they went through together and apart were important to their character development and I thoroughly enjoyed every plot twist.

Overall it was a quick and easy read and I’ll be adding the author to my read again list!

[Lyndsey Croal · Rating 5 out of 5]

A pacy and engaging retrofutiristic romp of love, deception, and the power of following your dreams. All the way through, I was hooked by the smooth writing, killer concepts, twists and turns, and the uniquely compelling characters. Highly recommend it!

[Nathaniel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shoeshine Boy & Cigarette Girl is a clever modern parable that imagines an alternative Toronto and the dreamers who reside within. Full of deception and resilience, this short tale will leave its readers aching for more.

[KMart Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

Set in an alternate, retro-futuristic Toronto with hovercars overhead and a cozy little smoking diner, this is a short, fast read, but it honestly left my soul a little lighter. This novella follows two nameless dreamers who fall in love over shared hopes and kind hearts. One has a soft, generous heart and wants to give his girl everything. The other is more street-smart, shaped by survival and fiercely protective. Their lack of names made the whole thing feel like a modern fable. It's less about who they are and more about what they represent.

There’s a strong noir vibe layered over light sci-fi elements, and the result feels like a fairy tale crossed with a cautionary parable. It’s sweet, but also entertaining. The relationship itself is surprisingly healthy and tender, even when it’s tested when Shoeshine Boy makes a well-intentioned but disastrous choice because of a smooth-talking stranger. I do agree that the vibes and setting stand out more than the characters themselves. Shoeshine Boy and Cigarette Girl are more archetypes than deeply layered people, but I didn’t mind that; it fits the parable structure of the story. It’s about love, but also about how easily dreamers can be manipulated, and how hope can be both beautiful and dangerous.

What I loved most, honestly, was how personal this story felt. Knowing it was inspired by something meaningful to the author made the themes hit harder. And I really appreciated the “story behind the story” at the end almost as much as the novella itself.

Overall, this is a sweet little tale with noir aesthetics and a retro-future backdrop. A fairy tale for grown-ups.

Thanks to MTMC tours, the author, and Stars and Sabers for the complimentary copy. This review is voluntary and all opinions are my own.

[gladness · Rating 3 out of 5]

[ARC review] this was a good palate cleanser and something totally new for me. a short, cozy read with retro vibes and a light sci-fi touch, set in an alternate toronto that felt really atmospheric. the romance was earnest and sweet, rooted in loyalty and shared dreams. at times the pacing felt over the place, but overall it’s a hopeful, gentle story with a clear ‘love over greed’ message. comforting, accessible, and a very easy read

*thank you netgalley, the author, and the publishing team for the arc in exchange for an honest review.

[Michaela · Rating 4 out of 5]

Retro futuristic setting. Film noir vibes. Cynical bombshell and her optimistic admirer. So many things about this book just worked so well. I loved how the story broke down into different acts, almost like comic issues playing out a storyline. And it was a quick read that had me pulled in from start to finish!

[Madyson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and publishers for an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review!

A short, fast paced novella with retro-futuristic and noir vibes. The settings and vibes felt more stand out than the actual characters but I did like the characters, and I appreciated the story behind the story at the end; Cornell's explanation and analysis was great to read afterwards.

[Sun Rae · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oops I was late on an arc again. This was super cute though and bummed with myself for dragging my feet on such a quick short read about dreams and love! Would totally recommend to anyone who wants to add to their tbr.

[Lynne · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very sweet, heartwarming retro-futurist fable. I loved the aesthetic and the fairytale-like quality of it. Also, what a satisfying happy ending!

[Renan Bernardo · Rating 5 out of 5]

PA Cornell gives us a fun romantic tale set in a retrofuturistic
Toronto. A story not only about fulfilled love but also of trust and
care for each other. Shoeshine Boy and Cigarette Girl will leave you
smiling and wishing for more happy endings.

[Layla Hallett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Shoeshine Boy & Cigarette Girl was a really pleasant surprise and an easy, cosy read. The pacing is pretty spot-on for a novella. Fast without feeling rushed. The writing is clear and accessible, and I never felt like it waffled or dragged. That said, I would have loved a little more depth or expansion in places, as the shorter format meant some elements felt slightly underexplored.

The title characters were likeable, and while the story is fairly predictable, that worked in its favour and made it a comforting, wholesome experience.

The 1920s-inspired setting blended with sci-fi elements gave the book a unique atmosphere. The ending was tight and satisfying, with no loose threads left behind.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Philip Moscovitch · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love the retro-future setting and the dynamic between the lead characters. A fun romp that stays with you.

(ARC provided by Stars and Sabers through NetGalley.)

[Erika Ankeny · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had such a fun time reading this book, I devoured it in one sitting! I’ve read very few sci-fi books in my life but that will be changing now, I’ve discovered a newfound love!

The world building in this was so eccentric in the best way possible. I absolutely loved the space-esque vibes, the diners, and even the dialogue being so different than modern day reads!!!🙌🏼

If you love novella’s with great plots, love interests, and a dash of mystery then you’re going to eat this up the way I did! Definitely go check it out & show some love to the lovely author in the meantime!🤍

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
Spice: 🫑 (none)

[Vibha · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a refreshing read, I really enjoyed how no one was named and was referred by their jobs or characteristics. The fact that people are able to live on moon, and still require shoe polishing services was a cute little detail. This was a really good read.

[Shannon's Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

thank you to netgalley for the opportunity to read this book.

this was a cosy, warming little read. it was a perfect palate cleanser, the story didn't need much character arcs and was a quick read. would definitely recommend.

[librariSAM · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thanks NetGalley and the publisher for access to the digital ARC for review.

This short story was really fun. The setting was really interesting and really well thought out for such a short novel. The mixing of the past with future technology that we don’t even have now was interesting to read about. While reading I felt like I was in an old black and white movie where 2 dreamers were just trying to make it in the world. The ending was satisfying and sweet. Rooting for the main characters really had a great payoff.

[Emma Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

❤️ Blurb -
Just beneath the hovercar lanes, in a Toronto very much like ours, sits an unassuming diner called Rocket Ray’s. There, Shoeshine Boy spots the girl of his dreams—if his dreams ever got that good. No stranger to men, Cigarette Girl isn’t easily impressed, but something about Shoeshine Boy tells her this one just might be worth her time.
 . Over steaming cups of coffee, they dream of a life just out of reach. Goodhearted Shoeshine Boy just wants to give his girl the moon, even if that means risking everything. Cigarette Girl, a grifter used to looking out for number one, finds her priorities shifting as her heart soars like the rockets in the sky.
 . When a well-dressed stranger enters the picture, he presents them with opportunities that put their love to the test. Will Shoeshine Boy & Cigarette Girl make each other’s dreams come true, or lose each other in the process?
💙 Review -
I really enjoyed this novel. This was such an interesting and entertaining read. From the very first page the author's writing had me hooked, and there was plenty of content and twists and turns to keep me interested and reading until the end. I loved the author's writing style and there was a great cast of characters. Plus the pacing was just right. I highly recommend it and I look forward to reading more by the author.
💝 Thank you to the author, P.A Cornell for my arc ebook copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

[Annika Barranti Klein · Rating 5 out of 5]

loved it! review to follow in interstellar flight magazine.

[Jesse · Rating 5 out of 5]

A charming story full of atmosphere. It combines retro charm with a splash of sci-fi.

[Alan K. Dell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had the chance recently to read and review P.A. Cornell’s newest release, The Astronaut Among the Flowers and Other Stories and was very impressed with the storytelling, character work, and writing style. So of course I couldn’t just leave Shoeshine Boy & Cigarette Girl on the table, could I? I mean, just look at that cover! The artwork is sublime and captures the mood of the story perfectly. I knew it was a novelette, which was interesting because I wondered whether it would be too short for a print version. The technique this book employs to pad out the page count to make it just thick enough for print really works well, though. That means internal artwork, and a very interesting section at the back about the “story behind the story”. It’s a great idea! I’ll have to keep it in mind.

Shoeshine Boy & Cigarette Girl was a joy to read and a remarkable exercise in interesting character work. All the characters are nameless, only being referred to by nicknames given by the narrator—Shoeshine Boy, Cigarette Girl, and The Man—but those names convey so much about their personalities and help maintain a clear picture in the reader’s mind of what they look like and what they’re all about. It’s a very effective technique. Cornell describes them in her “story behind the story” segment as archetypes, and that’s pretty much how I was feeling about them as I was reading them. They come across wonderfully, from Shoeshine Boy’s optimism and golden heart, to Cigarette Girl’s streetwise savvy.

The story itself is classic and simple: Two down-on-their-luck dreamers falling in love and each working to give the other a life beyond their means, only for a stranger to enter the mix and complicate matters. I loved how the story progressed and came to a really satisfying conclusion. There’s not much more I can say about that in an effort to avoid spoilers. It is a short book, after all, that gets you to the end very quickly. But nothing is wasted in the story and I loved how things referenced in passing at the start came back around by the end. The omniscient point of view works very well here, too. We know more than the characters do but it never feels frustrating or awkward. The shifts are clear. The prose in that sense is unusual in its detachment if you’ve gotten used to the close-third POV in other books but I quickly adjusted.

Overall, this is a great story and I would really recommend it for anybody who likes retro-futuristic settings with an idealised, hopeful vibe, and classic love stories.

[Chelsea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shoeshine Boy & Cigarette Girl was one of the most captivating, cosy, and delightful stories that I have read in a while!

Set in a retro-futuristic Toronto, the novelette follows two dreamy lovebirds who find themselves the target of a sleazy conman. Cigarette Girl dreams of going to live on the moon, while Shoeshine Boy wants nothing more than to start his own line of leather goods. These two are in love, and P.A. Cornell does a beautiful job of writing a relationship that flourishes, rather than suffers, as a result of the protagonist's aspirations (which, admittedly, I was fully expecting the second Cigarette Girl starts talking about going to the moon).

Since this is a shorter story, I don’t want to give away too much. But I found Cigarette Girl’s streetwise and tender take on morally grey protagonists refreshing and charming. Shoeshine Boy is an adorable counterweight to Cigarette Girl’s pragmatism, and despite his naivety and trust being a core part of the conflict, I loved the way that it is handled within the relationship and the bond between these two.

If you are a fan of worldbuilding, this is also an incredible example of how much can be done with only a little space. This could have been told in the normal historical period (I would argue that the moon as a possible home, however, adds to the stakes). The introduction of airships, hover cars, and lunar restaurants was so damn satisfying and whimsical in a way that fit the tone so perfectly. I was completely immersed, imagining these places, with what are, realistically, very brief descriptions. Just…chef’s kiss.

I honestly cannot think of a single reason NOT to read this. It is very quick (perfect palette cleanser), the story is rich and layered, and it just made me feel so good! You don’t have to be a fan of sci-fi, historical fiction, or any of the genres that this could be labelled with, because it really is a simple and very human story.

Thank you, NetGalley and P.A. Cornell, for giving me a chance to read this!

[Caitlyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.75 stars
ARC review

Shoeshine Boy & Cigarette Girl is a short sci-fi fable-like novella set in an retro-futuristic alternative Toronto. Shoeshine Boy and Cigarette Girl are a classic boy meets girl love story, Now living together, CG (we're abbreviating from here on) dreams of moving to the moon and SB dreams of making CG's dreams come true, and pursuing his own leather goods business as a step-up from his current gig shining shoes of the wealthy. The two share a perfectly good life together, going to work and coming together in the evenings to watch rockets take off from their balcony and ponder about their future. That is until The Man, a new shoeshine client who sees SB's aspirations as an opportunity, and who has his eye on CG, sets in motion a wave that might tear them apart.

This story is a cautionary tale full of heart and if you're a dreamer, you'll connect deeply with these characters. I really loved SB & CG, both individually and as a couple. SB is warm-hearted and sees the best in everyone, while CG has had a rougher life before they met and is more street-smart and wary. They have a safe space in one another and I would love to read a prequel/companion story that elaborates on their courting and early days, purely for the serotonin boost. The author is able to create really palpable tension in just a few pages and I was stressing hard!! It was really technically fantastic and riveting. I love how the story allows the reader's mind to fall back onto classic character archetypes without the villain feeling "cartoony" or over the top, he's just a regular asshole.

I read this in less than an hour so I highly recommend to anyone looking for a one-sitting immersive experience and a little bit of hope. Perfect pacing, beautiful message, and I will be looking forward to more from P.A. Cornell!

[Helen Whistberry · Rating 5 out of 5]

This novelette was a quick read but no less satisfying for that. It reminded me of the famous O. Henry story "The Gift of the Magi" since the titular couple seem to be working at cross purposes much of the time, although always from a place of deep love and the desire to help their partner achieve their dreams even at the cost of their own. The author effectively evokes a kind of modern fairy tale mood through the use of descriptors rather than proper names for the characters and the introduction of a properly hissable villain to despise.

I'm a fan of the overall aesthetic which combines elements of retro-futurism, 1950s optimism about technology, and classic noir movies into a reimagining of an alternate reality version of the city of Toronto where cigarette girls and shoeshine boys exist alongside rocket ships carrying passengers to new lives on the moon. I was attracted to the cover art by Kim Herbst and delighted to discover interior illustrations in a fun vintage style drawn by Ahmed Raafat. Always a pleasure these days to see real, human art being celebrated.

The novelette is also accompanied by an extended afterword by the author that discusses the inspiration and influences behind the story that will be of interest to readers who enjoy getting insight into the creative process. Overall, a fun and ultimately uplifting story for anyone looking for a sweet romantic fable with characters you root for in a charming space age/nostalgic setting.

(note: this review is of the ARC provided by the publisher through Netgalley)

[M.E. Garber · Rating 5 out of 5]

This novelette is the total package: short, beautifully written, voicy, hopeful, gritty, and real. Set in an alternate retro=futuristic Toronto, Shoeshine Boy & Cigarette Girl is a gem of hope in a world gone dark. Told in an omniscient voice, the tale feels like a fairytale from some future we somehow missed out on. By pulling in hovercars and airships and a settlement on the moon, the setting is equal parts The Jetsons and urban noir. None of the characters have names, yet somehow that works well here, letting us fill in the details from their titles, the setting, and their actions.

Cigarette Girl is a smart cookie: streetwise and canny, yet good at heart. Shoeshine Boy is also poor, but he's more of a dreamer and less wise in the ways and cruelties of his fellow humans. Their relationship makes so much sense, yet it's also what gives rise to the plot: Shoeshine Boy wants to give his girl more than he knows he'll ever be able to, knows she deserves it, too.

The con is simple yet devastating, since the reader can plainly see it coming while the protagonists don't have a clue. And the wrap-up is a soft bow on the beautiful package of this short book, and keeps to what readers familiar with the author's other works have come to cherish: logic, heart, and hope. A bonus is the lengthy "The Story Behind Shoeshine Boy & Cigarette Girl," which gives added depth and meaning to an already gorgeous work of prose.

[Raquel ☆ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for granting me an e-ARC copy of this book.

Rating: 3.75 ⭐

Shoeshine Boy & Cigarette Girl is the perfect example of a novelette. It's short and concise but full of emotions and teachings.

I loved the setting and the characters were fully fleshed out and I don't say that easily. I loved Shoeshine Boy especially because Cornell doesn't portray him as naive or stupid by any means, however they show one of the other teachings with compassion. Cigarette Girl, on the contrary, didn't feel as human as Shoeshine Boy, but that could be my own perception. Still, I liked the decisions she took and how she behaved.

The moral of the story was very clear and it's a great tribute to fables many of us have heard and experienced during our formative years. It feels like a bed story my parents used to tell me when I was a kid, and that nostalgic feeling adds to the incredible futuristic set-up the author creates.

In fact, I would recommend it to every adult that gets nostalgic about said bed stories, it feels like a warm hug in a cold night.

Even though all of this is true, the punctuation in this book threw me off some times. It felt a little too chunky with how long the some sentences were. It wasn't a regular occurance by any means, although it happen once or twice. Perhaps it has nothing to do with the writing style, and it is just me that I am not an English native speaker.

Nevertheless, it was a great piece.

[Ed Robins · Rating 4 out of 5]

Shoeshine Boy and Cigarette Girl is a simple, sweet story about two young people who fall in love as they're trying to make their way in the world. I appreciated the archaic employment of the two in a future world where Cigarette Girl's aspiration is to leave Earth for the lunar colonies. The two of them will need money, though, to achieve this dream, and in an effort to speed things along, Shoeshine Boy gets them into a heap of trouble.

There's an awful lot to like about this novella. The characters are likable and it moves at a nice pace. The plot is engaging without being excessive and the romance is never cloying. In fact, the romance may be a little too absent. We're told they are in love, but we rarely get an opportunity to see it. They meet and that's that, and they're rarely in the same scene together again until the end. For a short work, such as this, a reader probably wouldn't expect much more, but a simple Lloyd-Dobler-kicking-glass-out-of-the-way incident would have helped ground the romance.

A non-critical note: the science fiction elements are just special flavoring for the icing on the cake. The story could just as easily have been told in its proper historical era without losing any plot points or characterization. Still, for me, the mix of throwback with future was a delicious blend.

[Ritwika M · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book pre-release! All opinions are my own.

3.8 / 5

I wanted to get into novellas after absolutely loving Edith Wharton's New Year's Day. This novella hooked me with its beautiful cover and delicious combo of a sci-fi world with some retro noir. The story's plot points were entertaining, I enjoyed hearing how the couple fell in love, and I hoped for their happy ending. The earnestness of Shoeshine Boy's love, how Cigarette Girl handles some very bad news taught me how to love better myself.

The overall plot was inventive too. If anything I wish the story was longer because I liked the sci-fi world the author dreamed up quite a lot, along with the main characters. I breezed through this in less than an hour (the Author's note, Acknowledgements, other stories from the publisher make up more than half of the page count). Given that the "Story behind Shoeshine Boy & Cigarette Girl' is almost half as long as the story itself, I wonder what a version of this story would look like where the narrator is the omniscient author, bridging both parts together. I enjoyed learning more about the Author's background, experience as an immigrant and would be curious to see maybe more of that story reflected here.

All in all, it was a quick breezy read with a few fun illustrations set in a world I'd love to visit again.

[Raj · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a contemporary fairy tale, telling how the eponymous Cigarette Girl and Shoeshine Boy met (while the former was engaged in some light pickpocketing of a mark) and fell in love. They have to deal with a conman who takes advantage of Shoeshine Boy's trusting nature and overcome adversity.

It's a very short book, just a novelette, that tells a straightforward story, but in a delightful way. Well, I got very stressed as Shoeshine Boy got continually taken advantage of by the Man, but it's the sort of story where you're fairly sure things will turn out okay in the end. It had a retro-future feel to it that made me think of a more grungy Jetsons. There are robots, hovercars and a moon colony, but also everyone smoking, street corner shoe shining, and men-only gentlemen's clubs.

I enjoyed the fairy-tale feel of the omniscient narration, and, like all good fairy tales, everyone learned a lesson by the end.

Note: thanks to the publisher for a free ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Margaret Adelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Right off the bat, I got Hadestown vibes. Not Orpheus and Eurydice in general, specifically the Hadestown retelling. We have the naive, gullible boy who wants to make art (in this case, leatherwork) and a much more hardened, street-tough girl who wants the moon... literally. It's by pure coincidence that they catch the eye of The Man and get caught up in schemes they weren't prepared for.

I called it a fable because it definitely feels that way. Like I mentioned, this doesn't have Orpheus and Eurydice vibes specifically (much happier ending, thankfully) but you could easily convince me this is a retelling of some other ancient myth. We have a tricksters and the dangers of trusting people, like Aesop was always talking about. And the stylistic choices are reminiscent of fables, like literally calling the protagonists Shoeshine Boy and Cigarette Girl. You know, on top of the more literal aesthetic choices of the 1950s-imaged future. It's a very voicey fable and incredibly short. Fables never did run long.

Overall, a great read.