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

Expected publication February 3, 2026

About the author

P.A. Cornell is a Chilean-Canadian speculative fiction writer. A graduate of the Odyssey workshop, her stories have been published in over fifty magazines and anthologies, including Lightspeed, Apex, and three “Best of” anthologies. In addition to becoming the first Chilean Nebula finalist in 2024, Cornell has been a finalist for the Aurora and World Fantasy Awards, was longlisted for the BSFA Awards, and 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.

[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.

[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.

[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.

[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.

[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 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.

[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.

[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.

[prettysureannereads · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book has such a big heart for a short read! As a big fan of novellas, this one hit the right spot. It’s fun, and full of heart. Shoeshine Boy and Cigarette Girl deserves the moon and and stars! This quick, fun novella would send you to a universe of dog eat dog alternate world, where the moon is so close yet so far, dreams are harder to reach, but with determination and a kind heart, you’d definitely get to where you want to be. I love the writing on this one, it’s straightforward, the characters are built well, and the plot was light yet packed with a punch. I love the ending too!! Looking forward to more from this world.

Giving this one four shining stars. Thank you author PA Cornell and Netgalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review. Look out for this one! It’s a worthy read!

[Beth Cato · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an advance copy via NetGalley.

Cornell's new novelette is a breezy bit of joy, a tale with a mid-20th-century-retrofuture-feel, set in Toronto. There, good-hearted, innocent Shoeshine Boy meets savvy pickpocket Cigarette Girl. The two hit it off, and are soon living together with an eye to a future together--maybe up on the moon. But when Shoeshine Boy encounters a nefarious figure known as The Man, readers know something bad is about to happen... and oh, it does. The two leads are so sweet and wonderful, you can't help but want the best for them, which makes for a very fraught story up through the end!

I loved the voice of this work. It is so cozy, both familiar and unique. I was a bit sad when it ended, as I wanted more time with this delightful couple.

[Myna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to Stars and Sabers Publishing for the ARC. This novelette is delightful, wrapping young love and high hopes in the most gorgeous retro-futuristic package. The endearing protagonists are scrappy and street-smart, adorable in their daily work to reach their elusive dreams. Tension ratchets up when a stranger with ill-fitting shoes enters the picture.

This is a story of true love—and trust, honesty, and self-confidence. The backdrop of an alternate Toronto comes through, with airship docks and lunar launch pads sprinkled through the familiar landscape. The book has a distinctive cover featuring gorgeous art, as well as some fun interior illustrations. You won’t want to miss “The Story Behind the Story” at the end of the book.

[Sam · 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.

[Derrick Boden · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shoeshine Boy & Cigarette Girl is a fun, nostalgic romp through an alternate Toronto with a laser-focused message: love conquers all. Cornell's prose is as clear and crisp as a mountain spring, and you'll be rooting for her characters from page one. With plenty of action and a bold sincerity that pervades so much of Cornell's work, this book will leave you smiling, eager for Shoeshine Boy & Cigarette Girl's next grand adventure.

[Ash Raymond James · Rating 3 out of 5]

[ARC review] A cozy, quick read about being in love that doesn't always utilize the world it exists in. The pacing feels jumbled and there are times I wished they'd slow down and build the world around them a little more. The character building also has a sense of rush to it. Still, a lovely message behind it all and a great palette cleanser, or a read to get you out of a slump

Thank you Netgalley and the team for this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Harvey Hamer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shoeshine Boy & Cigarette Girl is a charming tale of love and dreams, and how they fare against the dangers of the world. A retrofuture fable that endears and inspires in equal measure, highlighted by its detailed prose and heartfelt characters. A perfect love letter of a story for Valentines Day!

[Stewart Baker · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a review copy of this book, an illustrated novelette, from the publisher.

Shoeshine Boy & Cigarette Girl is utterly engrossing and imbued with charm. A delight to read, it's bound to put a smile on your face!

[Kay West · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was hoping PA Cornell would subvert the genre with overt feminism, but was let down and men sexualize and infantalize Cigarette Girl. I was hoping she'd give them both the finger and live her best life on the moon with a butch named Remy.

[Angela Liu · Rating 5 out of 5]

With a tenderness reminiscent of The Little Prince, Shoeshine Boy & Cigarette Girl is a comforting retrofuture love story that is brimming with optimism.