The Jills

by Karen Parkman

In this propulsive debut, a Buffalo Bills cheerleader will stop at nothing to solve the disappearance of her best friend and teammate, navigating the dark underbelly of a hardscrabble city, the grime and glamour of professional cheerleading, and her own tangled family history.

Virginia is a Jill—a professional Buffalo Bills cheerleader—living the life she’s always dreamed of. She spends her weekdays practicing, her weekends cheering, and her nights hopping between events and bars and clubs with her close-knit band of teammates, especially her best friend, Jeanine, whose dynamic friendship has given Virginia confidence in spades and allowed her to put aside her troubled past with her sister, Laura. But one Sunday, Jeanine fails to show up for a game, and all her calls and texts go unanswered. Aided by a worried network of Jills, ex-boyfriends, and seedy fixtures of Buffalo’s criminal underground, Virginia embarks on an investigation into Jeanine’s disappearance. But as her search grows increasingly dangerous and spirals into obsession, disturbing questions about who Jeanine really is begin to emerge. Soon, Virginia finds herself wondering how well she knows her friend, if she can trust the people and institutions she thought were protecting her, and whether—when trying to save the people she cares about most—she’s capable of saving herself, too.
Part bingeable mystery, part character-driven tale of a woman claiming her own power in systems built by and for men, The Jills is a sharply observed, witty, and poignant novel about the stories that constrain us and the healing power of sisterhood.

Genres: Mystery, Thriller, Fiction, Mystery Thriller, Suspense

384 pages, Hardcover

Expected publication February 10, 2026

About the author

Karen Parkman holds an MFA from the Iowa Writers' Workshop. Her work has been supported by MacDowell, Yaddo, the Sozopol Fiction Seminars, and the Vermont Studio Center. Her short fiction appears in Michigan Quarterly Review, Witness, Joyland, and other outlets. Her debut novel THE JILLS is forthcoming from Ballantine in February 2026.

Reviews

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC for review. To be published January 6, 2026.

3.5 stars

Virginia is a Jill, a cheerleader for the Buffalo Bills (yep, that is really what they were called before they went defunct. They have an interesting real life story. They tried to unionize, got slapped down, then were disbanded when they had the nerve to speak up about pay and working conditions….those women always mouthy!). She does it because she loves to dance, but it sounds like a pretty crap part-time job that you pretty much have to pay to do. Oh, and weigh-ins!

Her best friend and fellow Jill, Jeanine fails to show up for a game and appears to have disappeared…into a world of drugs, disturbing people (some from Virginia’s past) and many, many questions.

This was quite good for a debut, part mystery, part character study and a soupçon of a look a the city of Buffalo, a rust belt town that never quite reinvented itself, all hung on the frame of life as an NFL cheerleader, which was a great set up. I really liked Virginia and I kept turning the pages. I’ll definitely look for more from this author.

[Bethany]

I mean I OBVIOUSLY have to read this.

[Heather~ Nature.books.and.coffee · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5⭐ I obviously HAD to grab this debut. I'm from Buffalo and love the Buffalo Bills. This being about Virginia, a Buffalo Bills JILLS Cheerleader, on a mission to solve the disappearance of her teammate and best friend, Jeanine, it sounded right up my alley. This was a really good mystery and I loved the look into the world of professional sports and the Buffalo setting. I thought the mystery of the story was suspenseful and entertaining. This is definitely a worthy read and I'll be interested in Parkman's future books.

Thank you to the publisher and netgalley for the gifted copy. All opinions are my own.

[Sheri · Rating 4 out of 5]

“The Jills” by Karen Parkman is a debut that’s premise intrigued me immediately. It centers around two best friends from the NFL Buffalo Bills defunct cheerleading/dance squad called the Jills. It speaks to the unique camaraderie and solidarity this team of women had and the very strong bond created by being part of a system that took tremendous advantage of them.
The story is part drug culture mystery, part family drama, and part self realization of one’s self worth. A complex read that could have been a bit tighter but still very enjoyable. I am looking forward to reading this authors next book!

Thank you NetGalley and Ballentine for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

[Courtney · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 🌟. Who knew the life of a cheerleader could be this dangerous? That’s what happens when you add elite cheerleading with connections to the dark underbelly of drugs and money. This book also surprised me by throwing in a lot of talk about grief, which I thought Parkman did nicely.

Thank you to NetGalley for this arc.

[Leslie - Shobizreads · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

I read an arc of this novel. I was anticipating a thriller but it’s more of a slow burn mystery/crime book. It’s a fascinating premise of being set against the NFL cheerleader scene in Buffalo in the 90s.

It has a lot of content around addiction, parting, crime/mob life. That being said it’s not overly graphic on the violence. The first half dragged a bit but when I discovered where this was headed, I was more invested for the second half. Be sure to read the author’s note about the inspiration.

Solid debut. This won’t be for everyone given its grittiness and slower pacing. But fans of SA Cosby style novels and mob adjacent stories will enjoy it.

[Sacha · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

So I'm reading the synopsis of this book, and I hear something faintly rising in the background. It's an unmistakable intro. It's a little whisper of "Thunder." Am I...performing the "Thunderstruck" dance in blue and white fringe while racing down the field in Dallas? I sure am. And that never stopped the whole time I read this book. An added bonus!

Virginia is a Jill, a Buffalo Bills cheerleader, and if you, too, started watching _Making the Team_ on CMT about 100 years ago and are now equally obsessed with _America's Sweethearts_, you also will have a tough time separating Virginia's experiences from what you've seen Kelly and Judy produce over the decades. But there's more to Virginia than just cheering, getting approached by creeps, fearing weigh ins, and being asked to do way more work than she is paid for. There's also...a missing fellow cheerleader, a strained relationship with an addict sister, and a deceased father who was maybe taken out by the mob? Virginia is struggling with more than the kick line.

I really enjoyed many aspects of this book, though at times I felt like I was operating in two different narratives that I wanted to come together more cleanly: cheer life and the external exploration of the mystery. Alternatively, I almost wanted these paths to split cleanly into two entirely different books. I also feel like the Jills would be a great backdrop for a cozy series if taken in a fluffier vs. darker direction. There's just a lot of fodder and possibility on this front.

This was a good time, a solid debut, and a promising start to my encounters with this author. I look forward to more!

*Special thanks to NetGalley and Rachel Taylor at Ballantine, Bantam, Dell for this arc, which I received in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed here are my own.

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this one! The Jills are professional dancer/cheerleaders for the Buffalo Bills and Virginia loves the spotlight. Then suddenly one of them--Jeanine--goes missing, and no one knows what happened to her. Virginia is of course concerned but figures the police will do their jobs and find her. But she has no idea what craziness is involved in this industry or what those at the top will do to keep the "girls" under their thumb to perform and give the fans what they want!
Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC!

[Lyon.Brit.andthebookshelf · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 (3.5–4 stars)

Book Report: The Jills by Karen Parkman

The premise alone grabbed me…a mystery centered around the Buffalo Bills cheerleaders? Yes please! As someone currently in a bit of a sister/mystery era…this one fit right in. The story follows Virginia…a Jill living her dream life on the sidelines until her best friend Jeanine suddenly goes missing…sending Virginia down a dangerous rabbit hole of secrets…obsession and self-discovery.

I found it enjoyable and compelling…though at times it felt like a lot was happening all at once. I’ll admit…I was frustrated by several character choices and almost set it aside a few times but I’m glad I didn’t. The final stretch and the author’s note really bumped this up for me. I was fascinated by what Karen Parkman shared there and almost wished that had been the story itself! Where as the story itself touched more on drugs, addictions and crime.

I believe this is her debut…and I’ll definitely be keeping an eye out for her next novel 💙

Thank you Ballantine Books for the ecopy.

Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/Lyon.brit.A...

[Christine M in Texas (stamperlady50) · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Jills
By: Karen Parkman
Pub date: Feb 10, 2026
Publisher: Ballantine

4⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

An impressive debut! This author will be one to look out for!

The Jills are cheerleaders for the Buffalo Bills. When one of them goes missing, her friend will stop at nothing to find her. She has tried calling, showing up at her apartment and things seem amiss.

Virginia gets Jeanine’s cat and starts following the clues. This story is told in several parts. Danger, drugs, drama and more makes this binge worthy, cat and mouse, and fast-paced as Virginia hopes to find her friend alive!

I will be looking for Parkman’s next novel.

[Yvonne · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a fellow Buffalonian I ate this book up! The Jills was such a wild ride from start to finish. I loved how it captured the energy of Buffalo and the Bills culture while weaving in mystery, sisterhood, and empowerment. Virginia’s story pulled me in right away, and the tension kept me turning pages late into the night. It’s sharp, emotional, and full of heart. Easily one of my top reads of the year!

[Alix]

As a die-hard buffalo bills fan, I’m definitely picking this one up

[Julie Rimkus · Rating 3 out of 5]

First of all thanks to NetGalley and Ballantine books for the advance copy.
This is a story of a 20-something woman named Virginia who is a bit adrift in her own life. Her sister is a drug addict, and so her family is not really there for her. She is currently living her ‘dream’ by performing on the Buffalo Bills’ dance team, called The Jills. She spends all her time either practicing, performing for attending events related to the Jills- even though she earns very little money. Virginia also tries to work with others as a trainer and still isn’t earning enough. She has newly discovered her strength and ‘bravery’ through her Jills teammate, Jeanine. However, when her best friend Jeanine goes missing, she will stop at nothing to figure out what happens. In this, Virginia finds herself mixed up with the seedier side of Buffalo and the crime families/factions.

I was surprised a bit by the ending and the way the mystery was resolved, but overall did not find it particularly compelling. I was surprised to learn how little the dancers for pro football teams make while at the same time having their life and choices dictated by that entity. It just reinforces that in many ways it still is a man’s world.

[Rachel · Rating 2 out of 5]

The Jills follows Virginia, a cheerleader for the Buffalo Bills who cheers with "The Jills". Through practices and appearances, she has formed tight bonds with her fellow Jills. When her squad mate and best friend Janine goes missing, Virginia is thrust into a world of secrets, drugs, and murder. While walking through her complicated relationship with her sister, Laura, Virginia becomes more and more desperate in her search for Janine and for the truth.
While I found this book to be entertaining at times, it missed the mark for me. It felt drawn out, especially in the middle, and the large number of characters and relationships felt difficult to keep track of.

Thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine for the ARC!

[Kaitlyn Cox · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sports and Mystery! As an athlete and lover of suspense and thriller, this book was a must read when I read the description! Even though the Buffalo bills are not my favorite team, I enjoyed how realistic this book was and the authors writing style had me flipping the pages seamlessly searching for clues!

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this piece of work
Thank you Net Galley, Karen Parkman and Random House Publishing Group for allowing me to review this advanced copy of The Jills. I was not influenced or paid in exchange for this honest review.

[Megan F · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book took me longer to read than any book I can recall in my recent reading history. It felt interminable, honestly. Objectively, the story is a good one, involving the cheer squad of the Buffalo bills, the Buffalo Jills. It’s a thriller with some ok twists and turns, but the rising action felt like it took 75 percent of the book to go anywhere. I feel that the protagonist could not decide whether the story was about her family, or her purportedly missing friend. Folks, I hate to say it, but the whole thing bored the heck out of me. Perhaps if it had been shortened by half and had benefitted from some prodigious editing, I would’ve enjoyed it more. It truly hurts my heart to give any book a two star rating, because authors and books are so important. I am grateful to netgalley and the publisher for giving me the opportunity to read this arc. Perhaps some editing can happen before pub date, and this will turn into a snappy little thriller. The bones are there!

[amber · Rating 4 out of 5]

Suspenseful and thought provoking, this was a really interesting perspective on what goes on inside professional sports organizations. I had no idea how intense! I couldn’t stop reading. As someone who spent a lot of time in Western NY, I also liked all of the Buffalo city mentions. Thanks to Net Galley for this digital arc!

[Rhonda · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 out of 5 stars
I’m genuinely impressed by The Jills as a debut. It’s ambitious: balancing a personal story with crime, tension, secrets, and the inner life of a woman whose role is often judged by surface. The novel is not flawless, but it shows Parkman has a strong voice and a lot to say, delivering a chilling mystery set behind the glittery veil of professional cheerleading. When Virginia’s best friend and fellow Jill (a Buffalo Bills cheerleader) disappears without a trace, the polished perfection of the squad gives way to a world of secrets, lies, and hidden pain. As Virginia digs deeper—into her friend’s life, her own family history, and the dark edges of Buffalo’s underbelly—what she uncovers threatens far more than reputations. This is a thriller laced with sisterhood, trauma, and the question of how well we really know the women we stand beside.

The Jills is part suspense, part emotional excavation, with a fresh setting that explores identity, visibility, and performance. Parkman peels back the rhinestones and smiles to show us the weight of what’s carried beneath the surface. While the plot gets twisty and occasionally tangled, the emotional core is powerful—especially in its exploration of female friendship, sibling tension, and the consequences of silence. A sharp, thought-provoking debut that will resonate with anyone who’s ever felt pressure to smile through the storm.

Using the world of NFL cheerleading, particularly the Buffalo Bills’ Jills gives Parkman a fresh frame. It’s not a setting you see often in thrillers, and it opens up tensions around performance, visibility, image, sacrifice, and team loyalty.
The relationship between Virginia and Jeanine, plus Virginia’s complicated ties with her sister Laura, add weight. The mystery isn’t just what happened—it’s what do we not know about the people we think we love? Had a lot of fun with this one. Looking forward to more from this author. :)

[Regina De Los Reyes · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 STARS- The Jills by Karen Parkman tells the tale of a few of the Buffalo Bills Cheer Team, throw in some mob ties, murder, and a missing Jill and you have a mystery that reals you in. I was excited to read this story as it featured a place I have not visited yet in New York. We meet Virginia, an Aerobics Instructor by day and a Jill's Cheerleader by hobby. Her best friend on the squad Jeanine goes missing and she is determined to find out what happened to her. She becomes reckless and not only puts herself in danger but everyone she cares about in danger as well. For the first time in a long while I completely disliked the main character. She kept putting so many people in danger as well as annoyingly allowing so many people to treat her terribly and she kept going as if she could change the very people she was trying to help. I felt as if Virginia needed someone to take her by her shoulders and shake her into realizing she was only making matters worse, and that the people she was 'helping' didn't really care about her or her help. The story about the Jills as an organization was interesting to me and brought out respect in me for all NFL Cheer Teams. To know that they really don't make much money and the way they have to live their lives takes a lot of discipline. The author did a good job of telling the story and throwing in the twists and turns, and the fact that I can't stand the main character also raises my view of the author in her way of eliciting emotion of like or dislike out of someone. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys mysteries with twists and mob ties to add an element of dark dealings. Thank you NetGalley and Ballantine Books for allowing me to share my fair and honest opinion on this book.

[Joan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review of Advance Reader’s Copy

Buffalo Bill’s cheerleader Virginia, proud to be a Jill, is happily living a life of dance that has always been her dream. But when she tries to contact a fellow Jill . . . her friend, Jeanine . . . she cannot find her anywhere. And when Jeanine doesn’t show up for the game, Virginia’s concerns grow although she believes Jeanine has simply gone away with her boyfriend, Bobby Paladino.

But Jeanine remains absent and Virginia decides to track her down, to find out what happened to her.

Virginia soon discovers that nothing is quite as she believed. Where is Jeanine and what happened to her?

=========

This sometimes-troubling look into the world of professional cheerleading is eye-opening and, at the same time, startling. What one might assume about being a “Jill” is often less than accurate and rather scary.

In this unfolding mystery, readers are likely to find themselves annoyed with Virginia who often makes questionable decisions as she searches for her friend and is drawn into difficult situations. At times, the narrative seems more of a exploitation of the professional cheerleading “business” than a mystery, but it does help to explain Virginia’s feelings.

Readers who enjoy mysteries, unexpected turns of events, and a flawed, determined protagonist are likely to appreciate this story of friendship.

Recommended.

I received a free copy of this eBook from Ballantine / Ballantine Books and NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving this review.
#TheJills #NetGalley

[Anne · Rating 3 out of 5]

"In this propulsive debut, a Buffalo Bills cheerleader will stop at nothing to solve the disappearance of her best friend and teammate, navigating the dark underbelly of a hardscrabble city, the grime and glamour of professional cheerleading, and her own tangled family history."

I was sent an advance copy of this book by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review, and in the pitch there was a comparison to Long Bright River - an instant in for me. Unfortunately, while I can see the similarities with the sister relationship, with one trying to rescue/protect the other from an addiction, I didn't feel The Jills to be as moving or as satisfying of a reading experience, partly because I just felt stressed out by Virginia's poor decisions and felt confused as to why she seemed to be handling her anxiety/difficulties with so much alcohol and even drugs when her whole M.O. was trying to get her sister off of drugs, and partly because it felt like The Jills was trying to cover too much - thriller plot with a missing person, mob connections, drug dealers, and murder PLUS exploring sister relationships, addiction, and the dark side of NFL cheerleading. I would say the cheerleading part - detailing the difficult labor conditions, low compensation, and strong bonds among the women - was the most interesting (and fresh) topic, especially when I read the author note that discussed how much of this was based on reality. That part was fascinating and had tons of plot/themes/etc. to mine, so I wish she had leaned more into making this the book, rather than trying to do so much in addition.

[Rachelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thought-provoking and compelling, The Jills (thank you #gifted @ballantinebooks ) is a literary mystery about a missing NFL cheerleader that is so much more than it seems.

Virginia is a member of the Buffalo Bills cheerleading squad, a Jill. When her best friend and fellow cheerleader Jeanine goes missing, her protective instincts pull her into a twisted web of drugs, mobs, and secrets. Her feelings about Jeanine's involvement made even more complicated by her estranged sister's own struggle with addiction.

If you judged a book solely based on how many times I bookmarked quotes I loved, you could tell this is a winner.

Parkman spends the beginning of the book laying the groundwork for these characters. Not just the cheerleaders, but the paternal mafia boss, strict manager, loyal ex-boyfriend. But that means when I started to realize how all the pieces fit together, I was fully invested.

The cheerleaders are in it for the dancing, the chance to perform in front of thousands. And though they may look bright and bouncy, there's a hidden power in them too, especially in their camaraderie and the ways they save each other. As well as a darkness, as they struggle with the lack of fair payment and the over-attentive men.

I love literary mysteries for the deeper themes they investigate, and this one is no different. Addiction and loss, friendship and trust. The ways we save each other, and the ways we have to let go. You should definitely pick this one up . 4.5 stars

[Jamie Cha]

I received this ebook from Netgalley in exchange for a fair and unbiased review. I am from Buffalo. I was excited to read this book that takes place in Buffalo. I really like good fiction.

This book was very complicated. I really liked the book in the beginning. I got bored with the book in the middle. I warmed back up with the book in the 40 percent of the book. Near the end of the book I was seeing what the book meant.

I think the book was too long. The middle of the book took too long. The ending was too quick. Near the end, I wanted to reread the book.

The characters were multifaceted which I like. The characters were all flawed. Aren't we all flawed? I thought the book was about friendship and family. However later I wasn't sure.

The book makes you think about life, choices, ambition, success, friendship, money, etc. It makes you think if something bad changes the good that already happened.

I am thankful to the author and Netgalley for the opportunity to have read this book. It's a book that really makes you think about life and your choices.

[Amber Boos · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this insider look at NFL cheerleading. The day to day crap these women go through to do something they love is insane! They would lose me at weigh-ins! Plus, most have to work a full-time job just to stay afloat! But that is not the main part of the story. We have Virginia and Jeanine, besties and Jills, a.k.a. Buffalo Bills cheerleaders. One day Jeanine fails to show up for a game. Virginia does not feel the police are doing enough so she goes in search of Jeanine herself. The search takes her into the Buffalo underbelly and the drug world. While not quite the exciting thriller I had hoped for, this is still a suspenseful story and the insights into female friendships and the need to be perfect was spot-on, I felt. Also, read the notes at the end. Great piece on the actual Jills!

Thank you to #NetGalley, Karen Parkman and Ballantine Books for this ARC. All opinions are my own.

[Kim McGee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Karen Parkman takes us into the world of the Buffalo Bills NFL cheerleaders. These young women who are the epitome of halftime perfection- always smiling with never a hair out of place. But behind the pompoms and glitter are hours of hard work practicing, working another job to pay the other bills and dodging the sponsor's grabby hands at events. All this for a chance in the spotlight and the glow of the Jills sisterhood. Virginia goes searching for her missing Jill friend only to find herself on the seedier side of the game. The deeper she dives into her friend's hangouts and big sponsor boyfriend, the more she fears Jeanine isn't coming back. Virginia is also battling her own demons with her family and addicted younger sister. A stark look behind the scenes to Buffalo's underbelly and one gritty debut. This is to pro cheerleaders what THE FAVORITES was to pro ice skating. My thanks to the publisher for the advance copy.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Jills is a thought-provoking read that balances intrigue with social commentary. Its exploration of team unity and the inner workings of NFL cheerleading offers a fresh perspective.

The depiction of the team's camaraderie and the unspoken bonds formed amidst the pressures of performance and public scrutiny adds depth to the narrative. This exploration offers a glimpse into the overlooked aspects of cheerleading, highlighting themes of resilience and solidarity.

The mystery element is engaging, with a plot that maintains suspense without resorting to sensationalism. Virginia's journey is not just about uncovering the truth behind her friend's disappearance but also about confronting personal and systemic challenges.

Overall, this was 4 stars for me. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

[Tiffany Greenwood · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Jills offers a glimpse into the high-stakes world of professional cheerleading, following an NFL cheerleader for the Buffalo Bills as she tries to find a fellow cheerleader who has gone missing. While the thriller elements are present, the story doesn’t break much new ground in terms of plot or structure. That said, the book remains a solid read—engaging enough to keep the pages turning, even if it doesn’t quite redefine the genre.
What stood out most to me was the ending. Without giving too much away, the conclusion doesn’t tie everything up neatly, and that ambiguity works in the story’s favor. It mirrors the protagonist’s own journey of grappling with uncertainty and unresolved emotions, adding a layer of realism that lingers after the final page.
Overall, The Jills may not be groundbreaking, but it’s a decent thriller with a memorable final note that invites reflection.

[Danna · Rating 4 out of 5]

“There’s no collection service to come pick up your memories.”

The Jills are the Buffalo Bills’s cheerleaders. Virginia is a diehard Jill. She breathes, eats and sleeps Jills. All of Virginia’s friends are Jills, including her best friend, Jeanine.

Jeanine goes missing and Virginia is determined to find her. The Jills follows Virginia’s reckless and singleminded search for Jeanine.

Overall, for the type of book this is, I was impressed with the quality of the writing. It is readable and gripping, with poignant prose throughout. And then, it got long for me and a bit tiring… Virginia becomes less and less likable as her commitment to Jeanine becomes—from my perspective—insane. I was tempted to skim to the end, but stuck with it. Nonetheless, recommended.

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

[Andrea · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars rounded up to 4.

This is the first book by Karen Parkman that I've read and I thought the premise was interesting and I enjoyed the quirky characters.

The Jills tells the story of professional NFL cheerleaders for the fictional Buffalo Jills (based on the real cheerleaders who were linked to organized crime and illegal activity.

In this novel, one of The Jills goes missing and her roommate and fellow Jill attempts to untangle the events that led to her disappearance as well as discovering the links between her, her father figure with ties to the mob and drug deals.

I enjoyed the twists and the personal relationships.

*with thanks to NetGalley for the digital ARC in exchange for this honest review.

[Kristie Kieffer · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Jills is a sharp, witty, and engaging novel that explores friendship, love, and the complexities of modern womanhood. Karen Parkman has a knack for creating lively, relatable characters whose humor and heart draw you in from the first page.

The story balances lighthearted moments with deeper themes, including personal growth, relationships, and the challenges of navigating life’s unexpected twists. The dialogue is clever and natural, keeping the pace brisk and the interactions authentic.

This is a fun, thoughtful read for fans of contemporary fiction who enjoy stories about friendship, resilience, and the messy, beautiful realities of life.