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Fruit Fly
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Expected 23 Apr 26Win a free print copy of this book!
7 days and 13:08:27
5 copies available
U.S. only
It’s not her story to tell. Or is it?
Anyone can write a bestseller. Here’s
GO GAY
It’s been seven years since Mallory shot to fame as a literary sensation. But after years of struggling with writer’s block, she’s desperate to resurrect her career before it spirals into obscurity. She needs inspiration to strike – and fast.
GO SAD
Enter a young struggling addict sleeping under bridges and trading sex for survival. He’s vulnerable. He’s enigmatic. He’s exactly what Mallory has been looking for.
GO DARK
Mallory needs Leo if she wants another bestseller. Authenticity sells, and there’s nothing more authentic than real life. She’s the perfect person to tell Leo’s story. Gay, sad, dark – just what the world needs right now. But as dark secrets come to light that threaten to unravel more than just her career, Mallory must just how far will she go to pen the perfect story?
Anyone can write a bestseller. Here’s
GO GAY
It’s been seven years since Mallory shot to fame as a literary sensation. But after years of struggling with writer’s block, she’s desperate to resurrect her career before it spirals into obscurity. She needs inspiration to strike – and fast.
GO SAD
Enter a young struggling addict sleeping under bridges and trading sex for survival. He’s vulnerable. He’s enigmatic. He’s exactly what Mallory has been looking for.
GO DARK
Mallory needs Leo if she wants another bestseller. Authenticity sells, and there’s nothing more authentic than real life. She’s the perfect person to tell Leo’s story. Gay, sad, dark – just what the world needs right now. But as dark secrets come to light that threaten to unravel more than just her career, Mallory must just how far will she go to pen the perfect story?
352 pages, Hardcover
Expected publication April 23, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 64 reviews
March 24, 2026
#bookrecommendations #bookreview #bookreviews #ilovebooks #lovebooks #bookworm #bookaholic
Damn.. this is one of those books that you know that nothing you can write in a review will give this book the praise or recognition it deserves and I will attempt it:
Fruit Fly is the debut adult novel by Josh Silver. It’s described as a sharp, unsettling and darkly funny novel that delves into the ethics of storytelling and the hunger for relevance, but what they don’t tell you is how brutally raw, uncomfortable and tough this book is.
Mallory Maddox is the main character and narrator. She wrote a best-selling book seven years ago and has since been struggling with writer’s block. She’s desperate and determined to review her career at any cost and decides she needs a new angle. According to Mallory’s mind writing a best seller about a being a young gay man is what she needs to do. She just needs to experience it to be able to write authentically. The fact she’s a married heterosexual women doesn’t seem to faze her and so the story begins.
Leo is a young homeless addict who trades sex for drugs and when he inadvertently crosses paths with Mallory, both their lives are turned upside down for completely different reasons.
I’ve mentioned car-crash literature before, but this really takes it up to a new level. Mallory’s behaviour and actions border on insanity. She’s obsessed and unable to differentiate between reality and danger. She’s not a character you can easily warm to and hopefully not one you can relate to either, but she’s absolutely fascinating. At times I wanted to stop reading as her behaviour spiralled and I just couldn’t stomach what she was about to do next.
Leo’s character made me want to cry and grab him tight. His addictions and self-destructive behaviour was heart-breaking. As a mother I just wanted to reach into the pages and tell him he was worth so much more and he was loved.
Just to wrap this up: It’s BOLD, it’s DARK, it’s ORIGINAL, it’s HEART-BREAKING, it’s BRUTALLY RAW and absolutely unputdownable.,
Blimey, for someone who said she didn’t have much to say, I obviously did.
Damn.. this is one of those books that you know that nothing you can write in a review will give this book the praise or recognition it deserves and I will attempt it:
Fruit Fly is the debut adult novel by Josh Silver. It’s described as a sharp, unsettling and darkly funny novel that delves into the ethics of storytelling and the hunger for relevance, but what they don’t tell you is how brutally raw, uncomfortable and tough this book is.
Mallory Maddox is the main character and narrator. She wrote a best-selling book seven years ago and has since been struggling with writer’s block. She’s desperate and determined to review her career at any cost and decides she needs a new angle. According to Mallory’s mind writing a best seller about a being a young gay man is what she needs to do. She just needs to experience it to be able to write authentically. The fact she’s a married heterosexual women doesn’t seem to faze her and so the story begins.
Leo is a young homeless addict who trades sex for drugs and when he inadvertently crosses paths with Mallory, both their lives are turned upside down for completely different reasons.
I’ve mentioned car-crash literature before, but this really takes it up to a new level. Mallory’s behaviour and actions border on insanity. She’s obsessed and unable to differentiate between reality and danger. She’s not a character you can easily warm to and hopefully not one you can relate to either, but she’s absolutely fascinating. At times I wanted to stop reading as her behaviour spiralled and I just couldn’t stomach what she was about to do next.
Leo’s character made me want to cry and grab him tight. His addictions and self-destructive behaviour was heart-breaking. As a mother I just wanted to reach into the pages and tell him he was worth so much more and he was loved.
Just to wrap this up: It’s BOLD, it’s DARK, it’s ORIGINAL, it’s HEART-BREAKING, it’s BRUTALLY RAW and absolutely unputdownable.,
Blimey, for someone who said she didn’t have much to say, I obviously did.
January 25, 2026
This has completely and utterly blown me away. I’ve been a fan of Josh since his debut, HappyHead was released a few years ago and have read everything he’s written with fevered excitement. Ever since Fruit Fly was announced I’ve been dying to read it so much so that the moment I was approved for an earc I started reading it straight away.
Quite frankly, it’s a stunning book. It flips between comical, to creepy, to sad, to hopeful, to totally bonkers and back again. The plot is handled with such care and skill, I could not stop reading, desperate to find out what would happen next.
I really enjoyed Mal and the unravelling of her life. I loved Leo and his struggle to try and sort his life out.
Honestly this book has to be read and appreciated. My words just do not cut it but Josh Silver’s most certainly do. I wish I could scoop this book out of my brain so that I could read it again for the first time!
Thank you to NetGalley and Magpie for my earc!
Quite frankly, it’s a stunning book. It flips between comical, to creepy, to sad, to hopeful, to totally bonkers and back again. The plot is handled with such care and skill, I could not stop reading, desperate to find out what would happen next.
I really enjoyed Mal and the unravelling of her life. I loved Leo and his struggle to try and sort his life out.
Honestly this book has to be read and appreciated. My words just do not cut it but Josh Silver’s most certainly do. I wish I could scoop this book out of my brain so that I could read it again for the first time!
Thank you to NetGalley and Magpie for my earc!
December 10, 2025
I loved this book, I am so grateful that I had a chance to read it before it is officially released! Definitely one to grab when it is published!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
What a fantastic read. I've read all of Josh Silver's other books and loved them all; I wasn't sure how i was going to enjoy this one given that it's his first adult book and the subject matter isn't something I would normally be drawn to. But it's Josh Silver so I had to.
I loved this book; the obsession, the sickness, the gaslighting. And honestly, Mal blasting through her novel made me want to start writing again.
Spoilers Below
What a fantastic read. I've read all of Josh Silver's other books and loved them all; I wasn't sure how i was going to enjoy this one given that it's his first adult book and the subject matter isn't something I would normally be drawn to. But it's Josh Silver so I had to.
I loved this book; the obsession, the sickness, the gaslighting. And honestly, Mal blasting through her novel made me want to start writing again.
Spoilers Below
February 22, 2026
I’ve loved every YA book Josh has written and his adult novel was just as incredible as his other books ❤️
Josh is still the king of writing the best endings to any book
I absolutely loved Fruit Fly
The characters were so interesting that I couldn’t put the book down because I needed to know what they were going to do next
This is the best book I’ve read all year and everyone should go read it when it’s out 23rd April
Josh is still the king of writing the best endings to any book
I absolutely loved Fruit Fly
The characters were so interesting that I couldn’t put the book down because I needed to know what they were going to do next
This is the best book I’ve read all year and everyone should go read it when it’s out 23rd April
March 27, 2026
Yellowface but make it for the gays!
My first Josh Silver book but not my last because I was blown away. Fruit Fly treads so many juxtaposing fine lines and never falters. Comical, unhinged, sad, hyper aware and that’s just scratching the surface. The ending is pitch perfect in my opinion, and I would love a sequel, because that’s how attached I got to the characters. The wonderful thing about Fruit Fly is just how sympathetic you feel to both Mal and Leo (or Mandy and Liam!!), especially Mal by the end. And wonderfully satirical about how the publishing industry uses and discards those under it and how that seeps into the characters dynamics. An easy 5 stars!!!!
My first Josh Silver book but not my last because I was blown away. Fruit Fly treads so many juxtaposing fine lines and never falters. Comical, unhinged, sad, hyper aware and that’s just scratching the surface. The ending is pitch perfect in my opinion, and I would love a sequel, because that’s how attached I got to the characters. The wonderful thing about Fruit Fly is just how sympathetic you feel to both Mal and Leo (or Mandy and Liam!!), especially Mal by the end. And wonderfully satirical about how the publishing industry uses and discards those under it and how that seeps into the characters dynamics. An easy 5 stars!!!!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I don't know if this one hit too close to home for me or what, but I didn't enjoy it as much as I absolutely adored Josh's previous works. The subject matter is obviously very different and the setting is supposed to be much more realistic, but I didn't find myself really believing either of these characters.
I found the way he peeled off the layers of Mal being emotionally abused by her husband (the bit that triggered me the most, next to Leo's rape scene) very very clever, but I didn't really find myself ever rooting for her simply because she reads as quite unlikable as a person through and through, to the very end of the novel. It isn't even about the fact that she's a woman written by a man, she's just not the kind of person I would ever look at twice after exchanging a couple of words with her.
As for Leo, he didn't feel like he could or wanted to be helped. In so many ways, he made himself look irredeemable, with only a few glimpses of hope here and there — but not enough to make me actively believe he could be a decent person underneath all the trauma. I know that Josh has experience as a mental health specialist and I don't, but as a simple reader with only superficial knowledge of psychology and the cycles of addiction this didn't feel ~right, somehow.
Still very happy I've read this, though, and thank you so much to Oneworld Publications for the ARC via NetGalley ❤️
I found the way he peeled off the layers of Mal being emotionally abused by her husband (the bit that triggered me the most, next to Leo's rape scene) very very clever, but I didn't really find myself ever rooting for her simply because she reads as quite unlikable as a person through and through, to the very end of the novel. It isn't even about the fact that she's a woman written by a man, she's just not the kind of person I would ever look at twice after exchanging a couple of words with her.
As for Leo, he didn't feel like he could or wanted to be helped. In so many ways, he made himself look irredeemable, with only a few glimpses of hope here and there — but not enough to make me actively believe he could be a decent person underneath all the trauma. I know that Josh has experience as a mental health specialist and I don't, but as a simple reader with only superficial knowledge of psychology and the cycles of addiction this didn't feel ~right, somehow.
Still very happy I've read this, though, and thank you so much to Oneworld Publications for the ARC via NetGalley ❤️
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 21, 2026
4.5 🌟 Fruit Fly was a book I simply couldn’t put down. From the start, I was very curious about Leo and Mal and eager to learn more about them and their stories.
The characters are incredibly complex, layered, and rich in personality. They felt very real to me, which made the story even more emotional. Despite the heavy themes, the book is still full of humour, creating a great balance.
Early on, I already disliked the relationship between Mal and Ronan, but this added tension and unease and made me root for Mal even more.
The ending was absolutely perfect, I don’t think it could have ended better. This was such a great story and an entertaining read. I loved it.
I want to thank NetGalley and the publisher for this digital ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
The characters are incredibly complex, layered, and rich in personality. They felt very real to me, which made the story even more emotional. Despite the heavy themes, the book is still full of humour, creating a great balance.
Early on, I already disliked the relationship between Mal and Ronan, but this added tension and unease and made me root for Mal even more.
The ending was absolutely perfect, I don’t think it could have ended better. This was such a great story and an entertaining read. I loved it.
I want to thank NetGalley and the publisher for this digital ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The first thing I will say about this novel is that it was totally addictive. At one point while listening I went to the supermarket, and spent maybe half an hour longer than I usually would in there, all because I was lingering in the aisles distracted by the book. The pace was fast and the atmosphere tense, making it something of a thriller, though not like any other I’ve read. Other reviewers compare it to Yellowface, which I’ve not read myself but I definitely want to now. Some parts, especially the title of Mallory’s book, made me think of the movie American Fiction (based on the novel Erasure), so I would recommend to anyone interested in fiction about authors testing the boundaries of what is acceptable and ethical in their art.
I suppose I was hesitant going in, considering that this is a novel written by a man with a female lead character. As the plot revolves around Mallory using Leo’s trauma to the point of exploitation, I did worry she might be more of a two-dimensional antagonist. However, that wasn’t the case at all. Mallory was complex, I both liked her and didn’t, but I understood her motivations even when I wholly disagreed with them. The novel’s satirical aspect is biting, yet without being at Mallory’s expense necessarily—she is let down by the system of literary capitalism just as much as she uses it for her own gain. Mallory is not cunning, nor aiming towards exploitation necessarily: we are encouraged not to hate or laugh at her, but to sympathise, to understand what drives her even when she is very, very wrong. I really appreciated this nuance.
The audio aspects were excellent: as this is a first-person narrative, having the two different narrators worked very well to distinguish Mallory and Leo’s voices. Additionally, I liked their emotiveness, which made it feel like the characters were really speaking, as opposed to a monotonous voice reading their words. It’s this that can make or break an audiobook for me. The voice of Leo was maybe the best audiobook narration I’ve ever heard, really capturing moments of stress and emotion, while also having a cheeky tone which made him feel rounded and real. One detail I especially liked was the voice he did when reading Mallory’s dialogue from his perspective. The judgy-ness fitted with his personality, while at the same time drawing attention to the subjectivity of his first-person narration, something the author did well to balance in the prose, and it was good to see it brought into the audio.
The hiccups I encountered were that I found it a bit overly referential in places: even if it suited the characters to constantly be mentioning movies or books they compared themselves to, it got a bit overwhelming at times. I also found there was a massive leap in time between the penultimate and final parts of the novel—while it worked to keep the reader guessing about what had happened in the gap, I wanted to know more about the results of that confrontation—did Ronan see any consequences for assaulting Leo? Or did Leo see any consequences for trespassing in their home? And what actually happened to Moe??? Another thing I wondered about was the characters’ strange obliviousness to certain things: I’m surprised that Mallory didn’t suspect Ronan of cheating as soon as she saw the message on his phone, considering how insecure she was about everything else. Similarly, I’m not sure how Leo didn’t put two and two together about Mallory’s book. He is clever enough to find out that she is an author, but doesn’t even consider that she might be using him for content? Interesting.
Regardless, though, none of this was enough to prohibit my thorough enjoyment of this book. I hope Josh Silver continues writing in the adult category, as I’d love to see more like this.
Thank you to NetGalley and Bolinda Audio for providing me with an audiobook ARC in exchange for a review.
I suppose I was hesitant going in, considering that this is a novel written by a man with a female lead character. As the plot revolves around Mallory using Leo’s trauma to the point of exploitation, I did worry she might be more of a two-dimensional antagonist. However, that wasn’t the case at all. Mallory was complex, I both liked her and didn’t, but I understood her motivations even when I wholly disagreed with them. The novel’s satirical aspect is biting, yet without being at Mallory’s expense necessarily—she is let down by the system of literary capitalism just as much as she uses it for her own gain. Mallory is not cunning, nor aiming towards exploitation necessarily: we are encouraged not to hate or laugh at her, but to sympathise, to understand what drives her even when she is very, very wrong. I really appreciated this nuance.
The audio aspects were excellent: as this is a first-person narrative, having the two different narrators worked very well to distinguish Mallory and Leo’s voices. Additionally, I liked their emotiveness, which made it feel like the characters were really speaking, as opposed to a monotonous voice reading their words. It’s this that can make or break an audiobook for me. The voice of Leo was maybe the best audiobook narration I’ve ever heard, really capturing moments of stress and emotion, while also having a cheeky tone which made him feel rounded and real. One detail I especially liked was the voice he did when reading Mallory’s dialogue from his perspective. The judgy-ness fitted with his personality, while at the same time drawing attention to the subjectivity of his first-person narration, something the author did well to balance in the prose, and it was good to see it brought into the audio.
The hiccups I encountered were that I found it a bit overly referential in places: even if it suited the characters to constantly be mentioning movies or books they compared themselves to, it got a bit overwhelming at times. I also found there was a massive leap in time between the penultimate and final parts of the novel—while it worked to keep the reader guessing about what had happened in the gap, I wanted to know more about the results of that confrontation—did Ronan see any consequences for assaulting Leo? Or did Leo see any consequences for trespassing in their home? And what actually happened to Moe??? Another thing I wondered about was the characters’ strange obliviousness to certain things: I’m surprised that Mallory didn’t suspect Ronan of cheating as soon as she saw the message on his phone, considering how insecure she was about everything else. Similarly, I’m not sure how Leo didn’t put two and two together about Mallory’s book. He is clever enough to find out that she is an author, but doesn’t even consider that she might be using him for content? Interesting.
Regardless, though, none of this was enough to prohibit my thorough enjoyment of this book. I hope Josh Silver continues writing in the adult category, as I’d love to see more like this.
Thank you to NetGalley and Bolinda Audio for providing me with an audiobook ARC in exchange for a review.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 26, 2026
Review of an advance copy received from Netgalley
Very intriguing and poignant read that delivered in the most unexpected moments.
Mallory is stuck in her life. Literally. All she wants, is to write another book that would follow her debut of "Shallow embers", which was 7 years ago. But it’s easier said than done. After consulting the Internet for some tips for her "next masterpiece", Mallory finds herself tumbling down the "rabbit hole", disregarding any thought of potential consequences to her actions. Enter Leo, by a completely chaotic and unpredictable sequence of events, and both of their lives are inevitably altered. Question stays- will they get out before they lose it all? How far can your desperation lead you?
I wouldn’t say that the initial story is completely revolutionary( various similarities to “The Housemaid" pop up f.ex. externally flawless and devoted husband, white picket fence house and privileged life of FMC that shouldn’t be taken for granted, or "Yellowface" because Mallory too is struggling and stuck as a writer, grappling with existential crisis) but it drifted into an exciting territory that steadily became impossible to overlook.
The cast of characters is also something to mention- Mallory as the FMC oftentimes fluctuated between unlikable, sheltered and even self-centered, yet there’s undeniable edge of darkness through it all that makes you feel sorry for her and wonder why did it take her so long to realize the truth about her life. Meanwhile MMC Leo is there to help Mallory finally come to terms with all her buried emotions while he himself is still stuck in the constant loop of drug overdose and offering his body in exchange for money.
In spite of the dark themes of this book, there’s also full-bodied wit and humor that actually makes you really feel for both main characters. It constantly left me wanting to know more. The two-faced, sometimes confusing inner monologue of Mallory’s view on her husband Ronan, was disorienting but purposefully suspicious, cautioning the reader to pay attention while giving an early impression of the first warning signs.
There’s actually a lot of relatable content discussed like abusive relationship, dysfunctional family, grieving a family member, addiction, depression and seeking mental help. But tread lightly because it’s not a light read- it’s thought-provoking and razor sharp. However, I definitely recommend the book to those of you who want something edgy, dark, that leaves you questioning the world and opens the space for a debate with your fellow humans.
Very intriguing and poignant read that delivered in the most unexpected moments.
Mallory is stuck in her life. Literally. All she wants, is to write another book that would follow her debut of "Shallow embers", which was 7 years ago. But it’s easier said than done. After consulting the Internet for some tips for her "next masterpiece", Mallory finds herself tumbling down the "rabbit hole", disregarding any thought of potential consequences to her actions. Enter Leo, by a completely chaotic and unpredictable sequence of events, and both of their lives are inevitably altered. Question stays- will they get out before they lose it all? How far can your desperation lead you?
I wouldn’t say that the initial story is completely revolutionary( various similarities to “The Housemaid" pop up f.ex. externally flawless and devoted husband, white picket fence house and privileged life of FMC that shouldn’t be taken for granted, or "Yellowface" because Mallory too is struggling and stuck as a writer, grappling with existential crisis) but it drifted into an exciting territory that steadily became impossible to overlook.
The cast of characters is also something to mention- Mallory as the FMC oftentimes fluctuated between unlikable, sheltered and even self-centered, yet there’s undeniable edge of darkness through it all that makes you feel sorry for her and wonder why did it take her so long to realize the truth about her life. Meanwhile MMC Leo is there to help Mallory finally come to terms with all her buried emotions while he himself is still stuck in the constant loop of drug overdose and offering his body in exchange for money.
In spite of the dark themes of this book, there’s also full-bodied wit and humor that actually makes you really feel for both main characters. It constantly left me wanting to know more. The two-faced, sometimes confusing inner monologue of Mallory’s view on her husband Ronan, was disorienting but purposefully suspicious, cautioning the reader to pay attention while giving an early impression of the first warning signs.
There’s actually a lot of relatable content discussed like abusive relationship, dysfunctional family, grieving a family member, addiction, depression and seeking mental help. But tread lightly because it’s not a light read- it’s thought-provoking and razor sharp. However, I definitely recommend the book to those of you who want something edgy, dark, that leaves you questioning the world and opens the space for a debate with your fellow humans.
January 24, 2026
A Novel About Who Owns a Story
Fruit Fly is a dark, uneven novel about authorship, power and what happens when pain is turned into material. It is interested less in healing than in exposure, and it rarely lets the reader settle.
The novel centres on Mallory, a writer stalled by writer's block and fixation, and Leo, a volatile and magnetic figure whose presence destabilises everyone around him. Their connection is intense and unsafe, driven by need and projection rather than trust. Mallory’s marriage to Ronan appears steady at first, yet gradually reveals itself as something more restrictive and quietly coercive. The story traces how these relationships tighten, fracture and eventually spill beyond private control.
What works especially well is the contrast in voice. Leo’s sections are sharp, propulsive and darkly funny, carrying urgency and threat. His chapters give the book momentum and edge. The novel also handles addiction, desire and queerness without sanitising them, refusing easy redemption or moral clarity.
Where the book falters is pacing. Mallory’s sections sometimes linger too long inside anxiety and self-scrutiny, slowing the narrative at moments that call for pressure and movement. These stretches feel over-indulged rather than deepened, creating imbalance against the novel’s otherwise strong forward drive.
The final section shifts into the aftermath of publication, where private damage becomes public narrative. This turn is one of the book’s most interesting moves, exploring how control changes once a story no longer belongs to the person who lived it.
Fruit Fly is uneven but ambitious, unsettling rather than satisfying, and likely to divide readers. Those drawn to dark literary fiction that interrogates power, authorship and emotional exploitation will find much to engage with here.
Thank you NetGalley and Oneworld Publications, Magpie publishers for the ARC.
Fruit Fly is a dark, uneven novel about authorship, power and what happens when pain is turned into material. It is interested less in healing than in exposure, and it rarely lets the reader settle.
The novel centres on Mallory, a writer stalled by writer's block and fixation, and Leo, a volatile and magnetic figure whose presence destabilises everyone around him. Their connection is intense and unsafe, driven by need and projection rather than trust. Mallory’s marriage to Ronan appears steady at first, yet gradually reveals itself as something more restrictive and quietly coercive. The story traces how these relationships tighten, fracture and eventually spill beyond private control.
What works especially well is the contrast in voice. Leo’s sections are sharp, propulsive and darkly funny, carrying urgency and threat. His chapters give the book momentum and edge. The novel also handles addiction, desire and queerness without sanitising them, refusing easy redemption or moral clarity.
Where the book falters is pacing. Mallory’s sections sometimes linger too long inside anxiety and self-scrutiny, slowing the narrative at moments that call for pressure and movement. These stretches feel over-indulged rather than deepened, creating imbalance against the novel’s otherwise strong forward drive.
The final section shifts into the aftermath of publication, where private damage becomes public narrative. This turn is one of the book’s most interesting moves, exploring how control changes once a story no longer belongs to the person who lived it.
Fruit Fly is uneven but ambitious, unsettling rather than satisfying, and likely to divide readers. Those drawn to dark literary fiction that interrogates power, authorship and emotional exploitation will find much to engage with here.
Thank you NetGalley and Oneworld Publications, Magpie publishers for the ARC.
March 4, 2026
Another fantastic read from one of my all-time favourite authors. This story offers a much deeper and more mature exploration of a struggling gay man’s life than Silver’s previous YA novels, yet it still carries the same intensity and fast-paced energy that makes his books so gripping.
I absolutely loved Leo’s character development, watching him grow and unravel felt raw and authentic. At the same time, seeing Ronan and Mal’s relationship form and evolve added such a compelling emotional layer to the story. Silver has a real talent for building relationships that feel genuine and earned.
One of my favourite things about his writing is how he always knows exactly how to end a book, with a cliffhanger or powerful final statement that leaves you desperate for more. His stories linger long after the final page, sparking your imagination as if you’re already writing the sequel in your head.
I absolutely loved Leo’s character development, watching him grow and unravel felt raw and authentic. At the same time, seeing Ronan and Mal’s relationship form and evolve added such a compelling emotional layer to the story. Silver has a real talent for building relationships that feel genuine and earned.
One of my favourite things about his writing is how he always knows exactly how to end a book, with a cliffhanger or powerful final statement that leaves you desperate for more. His stories linger long after the final page, sparking your imagination as if you’re already writing the sequel in your head.
January 24, 2026
Highlights:
I was lucky to get an advanced reader copy, and this book has not left my head. Every character matters, no matter how small their role. Mallory is unforgettable. From an aspiring author’s point of view, her drive and the lengths she goes to be creative hit deep. Josh Silver’s voice shines in his first adult novel, darker and seedier than before, showing the underbelly of life when people are in crisis. It is gut‑wrenching, inspiring and disturbing in the best way.
Shadows:
Very little to fault. The only thing worth noting is that it stays heavy and confronting, which is part of its power, but not a light read you rush through.
Final Word:
A bold, unsettling, unforgettable novel that proves Josh Silver is just as powerful in adult fiction as in YA, and one of the best books I have ever read.
Rating:
5 out of 5 stars plus
I was lucky to get an advanced reader copy, and this book has not left my head. Every character matters, no matter how small their role. Mallory is unforgettable. From an aspiring author’s point of view, her drive and the lengths she goes to be creative hit deep. Josh Silver’s voice shines in his first adult novel, darker and seedier than before, showing the underbelly of life when people are in crisis. It is gut‑wrenching, inspiring and disturbing in the best way.
Shadows:
Very little to fault. The only thing worth noting is that it stays heavy and confronting, which is part of its power, but not a light read you rush through.
Final Word:
A bold, unsettling, unforgettable novel that proves Josh Silver is just as powerful in adult fiction as in YA, and one of the best books I have ever read.
Rating:
5 out of 5 stars plus
September 14, 2025
Omg this was INSANE. Funny, very dark and so so moving. The twist at the end is to die for - cannot WAIT to read everything else Josh Silver’s written. BRILLIANT!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Fruit Fly is a novel about a writer struggling for a plot, who meets a young gay addict and realises his story will sell. Mallory's debut novel brought her literary fame, but since then she's struggled. She now works as barely-a-therapist after being encouraged by her husband to do a course and feels trapped. When she realises that maybe something gay and edgy will bring inspiration, she sets out on a path that leads her to Leo, a young man struggling with addiction. He's perfect for Mallory's next novel, but Leo is a real person, and neither of their stories are simple.
I've read one of Josh Silver's previous YA novels and I was intrigued by the cover and description of this one, the latter fitting into a trend for delving into ideas of authenticity versus trends in art. However, I found Fruit Fly difficult to get into as I started it, with the story beginning with a lot of Mallory's perspective as she tries to navigate Grindr and gay chemsex culture for book ideas. The satire felt silly (yes, many people not involved in that world don't know all of the drug slang) and I couldn't quite tell what the literary trend it was satirising was, as someone who reads a lot of queer literary fiction who wasn't aware there was a big issue with straight women lying on Grindr for plots.
As the book goes on, it actually diverges from the satire into something darker and with some more nuance. You get far more of Leo's perspective, making it clear that any simple depiction of him as Mallory is looking for will be missing the complexity of a real person, and you also see that Mallory's plotline isn't just a straightforward satire of a straight woman looking for literary fame. There is one particularly dark point for Leo that almost feels jarring given the tone of the rest of the book, but is also one of the only moments that acknowledges the actual danger he finds himself in. Though this part isn't very graphic (as the book generally shies away from anything graphic in relation to drugs and sex in favour of telling you things rather than showing them), the final book probably needs a warning that it contains sexual assault.
Mallory's plot becomes more nuanced as the book goes on and, without wanting to ruin the narrative for anyone, doesn't just paint her as the 'bad guy' profiting off Leo, though that side is still explored throughout. I found the literary world side of the book perhaps the most frustrating part as it didn't feel very fleshed out (for example, I could never tell how much Mallory's debut novel was meant to be a literary darling and how much it was a YA novel loved by teens) and maybe it is one for the insiders in the book world to appreciate than readers who don't tend to see that side of things. The ending really returns to the book world side of things, and whilst it is quite neat, it felt like a return to the simple satire of the start.
Overall, I found that there's some really great ideas in the book, but I wasn't always a fan of the execution. At times I felt like the book was more aimed at someone like Mallory, i.e. someone in the literary publishing world who doesn't read gritty LGBTQ books written by queer authors, but just thinks they might be popular. That said, I'm sure a lot of people will gel with this book, which combines a kind of literary fiction satire with some more tense, thriller aspects. It just wasn't entirely for me.
I've read one of Josh Silver's previous YA novels and I was intrigued by the cover and description of this one, the latter fitting into a trend for delving into ideas of authenticity versus trends in art. However, I found Fruit Fly difficult to get into as I started it, with the story beginning with a lot of Mallory's perspective as she tries to navigate Grindr and gay chemsex culture for book ideas. The satire felt silly (yes, many people not involved in that world don't know all of the drug slang) and I couldn't quite tell what the literary trend it was satirising was, as someone who reads a lot of queer literary fiction who wasn't aware there was a big issue with straight women lying on Grindr for plots.
As the book goes on, it actually diverges from the satire into something darker and with some more nuance. You get far more of Leo's perspective, making it clear that any simple depiction of him as Mallory is looking for will be missing the complexity of a real person, and you also see that Mallory's plotline isn't just a straightforward satire of a straight woman looking for literary fame. There is one particularly dark point for Leo that almost feels jarring given the tone of the rest of the book, but is also one of the only moments that acknowledges the actual danger he finds himself in. Though this part isn't very graphic (as the book generally shies away from anything graphic in relation to drugs and sex in favour of telling you things rather than showing them), the final book probably needs a warning that it contains sexual assault.
Mallory's plot becomes more nuanced as the book goes on and, without wanting to ruin the narrative for anyone, doesn't just paint her as the 'bad guy' profiting off Leo, though that side is still explored throughout. I found the literary world side of the book perhaps the most frustrating part as it didn't feel very fleshed out (for example, I could never tell how much Mallory's debut novel was meant to be a literary darling and how much it was a YA novel loved by teens) and maybe it is one for the insiders in the book world to appreciate than readers who don't tend to see that side of things. The ending really returns to the book world side of things, and whilst it is quite neat, it felt like a return to the simple satire of the start.
Overall, I found that there's some really great ideas in the book, but I wasn't always a fan of the execution. At times I felt like the book was more aimed at someone like Mallory, i.e. someone in the literary publishing world who doesn't read gritty LGBTQ books written by queer authors, but just thinks they might be popular. That said, I'm sure a lot of people will gel with this book, which combines a kind of literary fiction satire with some more tense, thriller aspects. It just wasn't entirely for me.
Review of advance copy received from Author
*Thank you so much to the publisher for sending me an early copy of this to review!!*
An absolute banger. Very gay, very sad, very dark. And an absolutely fascinating look at the way the current media market pushes for these vulnerable and raw stories, and who profits/suffers as a consequence.
One thing about Josh Silver - whether he’s writing YA or adult - he’s going straight for the throat. I absolutely love the direction he took with this one, and I think he’s going to absolutely thrive in the litfic world. He’s got such an amazing voice and breadth of perspective, I’m in love with the way he weaves the most creative and engaging narratives. So current and cutthroat, his emotional and social intelligence is plain to see. I ended up devouring this book in two sittings and didn’t want to put it down.
Another thing about Josh Silver, he’s going to traumatise you in one paragraph, and then make you actually laugh out loud with the next. I struggle with the use of humour in books, but he’s got this dry, self deprecating, ridiculously warm voice that comes out with the most outrageous one liners. He’s so effortlessly funny, and I think he really utilises satire and dark humour so well in his stories. His narratives have such personality to them, and his writing style feels totally unique. It’s so full of suspense and shocking twists, and the fact that he’s able to upkeep the ridiculously snappy pacing is so impressive.
Don’t be fooled by the vibrant cover and tongue in cheek tagline though, this is still a very bleak narrative at times. It’s a very real and raw look at mental health and substance abuse, and what that looks like when you’re a person who has been a cog in the system for a long time and doesn’t have a home or safe space to go to, or a support network to lean on. There are also themes of domestic violence, sexual violence, and extremely controlling and manipulative behaviours. It’s a wild ride.
I think Silver balances these so well in the story, and I always appreciate how gritty he allows himself to write and how dark his characters are allowed to go. He doesn’t sugarcoat or romanticise anything, it’s a very uncomfortable and upsetting experience for the most part. The characters of Mallory and Leo work so well to push this story forward, and watching everything unfold through two completely different perspectives was unputdownable.The last 150 pages of this book were insane and I was locked in. His endings are always jaw dropping and leave me craving more, I both love and loathe the ‘THATS THE LAST PAGE?!’ feeling. He gets me with it every single time.
It felt fresh and original and exciting, and I loved it. Creative and fun whilst also posing some really interesting and important questions about the commercialisation of tragedy, particularly when it comes to vulnerable and marginalised groups. I know this one isn’t even out yet and I’m being greedy, but I cannot wait to see what Josh Silver does next. This book is a must read for 2026.
An absolute banger. Very gay, very sad, very dark. And an absolutely fascinating look at the way the current media market pushes for these vulnerable and raw stories, and who profits/suffers as a consequence.
One thing about Josh Silver - whether he’s writing YA or adult - he’s going straight for the throat. I absolutely love the direction he took with this one, and I think he’s going to absolutely thrive in the litfic world. He’s got such an amazing voice and breadth of perspective, I’m in love with the way he weaves the most creative and engaging narratives. So current and cutthroat, his emotional and social intelligence is plain to see. I ended up devouring this book in two sittings and didn’t want to put it down.
Another thing about Josh Silver, he’s going to traumatise you in one paragraph, and then make you actually laugh out loud with the next. I struggle with the use of humour in books, but he’s got this dry, self deprecating, ridiculously warm voice that comes out with the most outrageous one liners. He’s so effortlessly funny, and I think he really utilises satire and dark humour so well in his stories. His narratives have such personality to them, and his writing style feels totally unique. It’s so full of suspense and shocking twists, and the fact that he’s able to upkeep the ridiculously snappy pacing is so impressive.
Don’t be fooled by the vibrant cover and tongue in cheek tagline though, this is still a very bleak narrative at times. It’s a very real and raw look at mental health and substance abuse, and what that looks like when you’re a person who has been a cog in the system for a long time and doesn’t have a home or safe space to go to, or a support network to lean on. There are also themes of domestic violence, sexual violence, and extremely controlling and manipulative behaviours. It’s a wild ride.
I think Silver balances these so well in the story, and I always appreciate how gritty he allows himself to write and how dark his characters are allowed to go. He doesn’t sugarcoat or romanticise anything, it’s a very uncomfortable and upsetting experience for the most part. The characters of Mallory and Leo work so well to push this story forward, and watching everything unfold through two completely different perspectives was unputdownable.The last 150 pages of this book were insane and I was locked in. His endings are always jaw dropping and leave me craving more, I both love and loathe the ‘THATS THE LAST PAGE?!’ feeling. He gets me with it every single time.
It felt fresh and original and exciting, and I loved it. Creative and fun whilst also posing some really interesting and important questions about the commercialisation of tragedy, particularly when it comes to vulnerable and marginalised groups. I know this one isn’t even out yet and I’m being greedy, but I cannot wait to see what Josh Silver does next. This book is a must read for 2026.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
A dark, intriguing story about storytelling, morality, and obsession. With messy, unlikeable characters, Fruit Fly kept me engaged and left me thinking long after the final page.
Fruit Fly follows two central characters: Mallory and Leo. Mallory, a once successful author struggling to find the hook for her next book, while Leo is a gay drug addict whose chaotic life may provide exactly the kind of story she’s been searching for.
Their connection quickly becomes the driving force of the narrative, as Mallory becomes increasingly invested in Leo and the material his life might offer for her writing.
I really enjoyed this book and found the premise incredibly interesting. It feels quite different from other books I have read, particularly in the way we see both characters point of views and how different they navigate through their issues. I found this element especially engaging, as it brings the reader directly into the characters mindsets and their process of shaping a story.
The pacing worked well for me overall. There were a few moments where things slowed slightly, but the narrative quickly picked up again, often through Leo’s sections, which added a lot of energy and unpredictability to the plot. I also found myself fascinated by how far Mallory was willing to go in order to uncover the next chapter of her novel.
The characters themselves are largely unlikeable, but that actually made them more compelling to read. Their flaws and questionable decisions make them feel messy and complicated, and there’s a dark humour running through the book that I really enjoyed.
I did find myself slightly confused by the inclusion of Stacey, Mallory’s mum, as her role felt a little underdeveloped compared to the rest of the story. I feel this energy could have been put elsewhere, for example, I would have loved to see more exploration of Mallory’s relationship with her husband, Ronan, particularly the hints of infidelity that appear near the end of the book. The darker aspects of their marriage are incredibly intriguing, and I found myself wanting more insight into that dynamic.
In many ways, the thing that frustrated me most is how much is left unresolved. We’re given hints and clues, but I still had plenty of questions by the end. What happens in the days after Ronan discovers Mallory’s secret? What really occurred between Mo and Leo? And what ultimately happens to Ronan?
Normally I’m not a huge fan of cliffhangers, but the ambiguity of the ending really worked here. It adds a final sense of tension and unease that fits well with the tone of the story, much like the unpredictability of Leo’s life.
Overall, Fruit Fly is an intriguing and unusual read with morally complex characters and a narrative style that keeps you engaged. It’s the kind of book that leaves you thinking about its unanswered questions long after finishing the final page, and it certainly made me wonder whether there might be room for a sequel
Overall, 4 stars.
Fruit Fly follows two central characters: Mallory and Leo. Mallory, a once successful author struggling to find the hook for her next book, while Leo is a gay drug addict whose chaotic life may provide exactly the kind of story she’s been searching for.
Their connection quickly becomes the driving force of the narrative, as Mallory becomes increasingly invested in Leo and the material his life might offer for her writing.
I really enjoyed this book and found the premise incredibly interesting. It feels quite different from other books I have read, particularly in the way we see both characters point of views and how different they navigate through their issues. I found this element especially engaging, as it brings the reader directly into the characters mindsets and their process of shaping a story.
The pacing worked well for me overall. There were a few moments where things slowed slightly, but the narrative quickly picked up again, often through Leo’s sections, which added a lot of energy and unpredictability to the plot. I also found myself fascinated by how far Mallory was willing to go in order to uncover the next chapter of her novel.
The characters themselves are largely unlikeable, but that actually made them more compelling to read. Their flaws and questionable decisions make them feel messy and complicated, and there’s a dark humour running through the book that I really enjoyed.
I did find myself slightly confused by the inclusion of Stacey, Mallory’s mum, as her role felt a little underdeveloped compared to the rest of the story. I feel this energy could have been put elsewhere, for example, I would have loved to see more exploration of Mallory’s relationship with her husband, Ronan, particularly the hints of infidelity that appear near the end of the book. The darker aspects of their marriage are incredibly intriguing, and I found myself wanting more insight into that dynamic.
In many ways, the thing that frustrated me most is how much is left unresolved. We’re given hints and clues, but I still had plenty of questions by the end. What happens in the days after Ronan discovers Mallory’s secret? What really occurred between Mo and Leo? And what ultimately happens to Ronan?
Normally I’m not a huge fan of cliffhangers, but the ambiguity of the ending really worked here. It adds a final sense of tension and unease that fits well with the tone of the story, much like the unpredictability of Leo’s life.
Overall, Fruit Fly is an intriguing and unusual read with morally complex characters and a narrative style that keeps you engaged. It’s the kind of book that leaves you thinking about its unanswered questions long after finishing the final page, and it certainly made me wonder whether there might be room for a sequel
Overall, 4 stars.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This book is just so good on so many levels. I listened to the audiobook and I would spend a whole afternoon just sitting and listening, completely obsessed and desperate to know what happened next.
The premise is a brilliant one. Mallory is struggling with writer’s block, and decides to write the next great tragic gay novel. She immediately downloads Grindr and one thing leads to another, until she meets Leo, a young gay man struggling with homelessness and addiction. She mines his life for material, but he soon realises she’s not all she claims to be, and has his own ulterior motives for playing along.
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Both characters were incredibly compelling from the start. In the first few chapters Mallory is laughably, painfully naive, in a way that would be farcical if we didn’t all know someone like her. (“I’m not homophobic! I’m an ally!”) Leo is the opposite: worldly and cynical, and capable of playing Mallory like a fiddle.
As the book progresses though, we get to know both characters much more deeply. It’s obvious early on that Leo isn’t being honest with Mallory, but it’s still shocking and heartbreaking when the extent of it is revealed. We also know from early on that Mallory lacks self-awareness and is potentially not the most reliable of narrators, and the journey we go on with her is a brilliant and fascinating one. We understand long before she does the extent to which she is being manipulated by other people, but just as we (and she) start to think that this is all someone else’s fault, we’re reminded again that what she sees and hears may not reflect reality.
I was kept on our toes the whole way through, ready to gasp or – more likely – put my head in my hands. The book is told from both Mallory and Leo’s perspective, and Silver is an expert at knowing when to switch from one to the other. We often got to see their most vulnerable moments through each other’s eyes, with enough being left up to interpretation to leave some questions unanswered.
The narration from both narrators, Camilla Rockley and Jack Ayres, was absolutely brilliant. They both captured their characters perfectly, and also created a cohesive story between the two of them, matching each other’s accents and voices for the other characters incredibly well.
This is a brilliant, exciting adult debut from Josh Silver, that keeps you guessing right up until the end.
I received a free copy for an honest review.
The premise is a brilliant one. Mallory is struggling with writer’s block, and decides to write the next great tragic gay novel. She immediately downloads Grindr and one thing leads to another, until she meets Leo, a young gay man struggling with homelessness and addiction. She mines his life for material, but he soon realises she’s not all she claims to be, and has his own ulterior motives for playing along.
📚Blog📖YouTube📖Instagram📚
Both characters were incredibly compelling from the start. In the first few chapters Mallory is laughably, painfully naive, in a way that would be farcical if we didn’t all know someone like her. (“I’m not homophobic! I’m an ally!”) Leo is the opposite: worldly and cynical, and capable of playing Mallory like a fiddle.
As the book progresses though, we get to know both characters much more deeply. It’s obvious early on that Leo isn’t being honest with Mallory, but it’s still shocking and heartbreaking when the extent of it is revealed. We also know from early on that Mallory lacks self-awareness and is potentially not the most reliable of narrators, and the journey we go on with her is a brilliant and fascinating one. We understand long before she does the extent to which she is being manipulated by other people, but just as we (and she) start to think that this is all someone else’s fault, we’re reminded again that what she sees and hears may not reflect reality.
I was kept on our toes the whole way through, ready to gasp or – more likely – put my head in my hands. The book is told from both Mallory and Leo’s perspective, and Silver is an expert at knowing when to switch from one to the other. We often got to see their most vulnerable moments through each other’s eyes, with enough being left up to interpretation to leave some questions unanswered.
The narration from both narrators, Camilla Rockley and Jack Ayres, was absolutely brilliant. They both captured their characters perfectly, and also created a cohesive story between the two of them, matching each other’s accents and voices for the other characters incredibly well.
This is a brilliant, exciting adult debut from Josh Silver, that keeps you guessing right up until the end.
I received a free copy for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This is my first book by this author, who is publishing his debut adult book, but, on the back of what I read herein, I have added all his other books to my TBR!
So.. in this book we meet author Mallory who, years ago, shot to stardom with her debut book. But it's been seven years since then and she hasn't managed a follow up. Suffering from crippling writer's block, as well as suffering a breakdown, she needs inspiration.. something to ignite the spark that she knows still lies within her. And soon, cos she really can't keep lying to everyone... So, looking at what is hot at the moment in the world of fiction, she decides that "going gay" is the way forward... Problem is, she knows nothing about that, being a married, cis-gender, heterosexual woman and all! But there are dating apps to download and investigate and, long story short, dipping her toe in that water, introduces her to Leo, a young, gay, homeless, addict, who swiftly, inadvertently, unbeknownst to him (initially anyway) becomes her muse. And a successful one at that.
And so begins a car crash, bonkers, ride of your life, as Mallory crosses every boundary, takes every advantage, in the name of a good story. And it is so much fun to read. She really has no sense of anything, danger, ethics, and the lies... Oh my days, so delicious! I bloody loved her - from a distance, you understand! And then we learn more about her relationship with husband Ronan... Oh My Days...
And Leo, he's a tortured soul with many demons who really doesn't do himself any favours. But even though there's rock bottom and that's where he nearly is himself, he still wants more from life. He's still fighting. He is so real and I just wanted to hug him. But then he does that...
Although it contains quite a few dark topics, and it pulls no punches on these, there are some great funny moments, both light and dark humour which do manage to keep it from going too dark, and also allow the reader a bit of respite along the way.
I'm also a bit unsure how I feel about the ending. I can't spoil it here but, and here's the rub. I'm not totally keen about how the book ended for Mal or Leo, yet I can't actually find the ending I wanted more for either of them. I guess it's a question of accepting what is, and finding solace in that.
My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.
So.. in this book we meet author Mallory who, years ago, shot to stardom with her debut book. But it's been seven years since then and she hasn't managed a follow up. Suffering from crippling writer's block, as well as suffering a breakdown, she needs inspiration.. something to ignite the spark that she knows still lies within her. And soon, cos she really can't keep lying to everyone... So, looking at what is hot at the moment in the world of fiction, she decides that "going gay" is the way forward... Problem is, she knows nothing about that, being a married, cis-gender, heterosexual woman and all! But there are dating apps to download and investigate and, long story short, dipping her toe in that water, introduces her to Leo, a young, gay, homeless, addict, who swiftly, inadvertently, unbeknownst to him (initially anyway) becomes her muse. And a successful one at that.
And so begins a car crash, bonkers, ride of your life, as Mallory crosses every boundary, takes every advantage, in the name of a good story. And it is so much fun to read. She really has no sense of anything, danger, ethics, and the lies... Oh my days, so delicious! I bloody loved her - from a distance, you understand! And then we learn more about her relationship with husband Ronan... Oh My Days...
And Leo, he's a tortured soul with many demons who really doesn't do himself any favours. But even though there's rock bottom and that's where he nearly is himself, he still wants more from life. He's still fighting. He is so real and I just wanted to hug him. But then he does that...
Although it contains quite a few dark topics, and it pulls no punches on these, there are some great funny moments, both light and dark humour which do manage to keep it from going too dark, and also allow the reader a bit of respite along the way.
I'm also a bit unsure how I feel about the ending. I can't spoil it here but, and here's the rub. I'm not totally keen about how the book ended for Mal or Leo, yet I can't actually find the ending I wanted more for either of them. I guess it's a question of accepting what is, and finding solace in that.
My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Seven years after rising to literary fame, Mallory is crippled by writer’s block and desperate for a comeback. When she meets Leo, a vulnerable young addict surviving on the streets, she sees the opportunity for her next story. But her chaotic decisions quickly begin to blurs the line between truth and exploitation and might even put her in grave danger. Just how far will she go for success.
John Marrs quoted that this ‘echoes modern classics like Trainspotting, Young Mungo and A Little Life’ and I couldn’t agree more. The story explores some hard-hitting themes that are a harsh reality amungst some groups. I never once felt that this was ‘trauma-porn’ - It’s an exploration of real struggles, real events and the brutalities of life with addiction. This side of the story is fantastically researched and portrayed so well.
It’s really story driven over a book with many twists, and it’s another reason I enjoyed the flow of the story. I felt it enabled Josh to tell Leo’s side of the story with authenticity and care over sensationalism.
There are moments that made gasp in horror and even wince at the brutalities. As I mentioned before; it looks at the sad realities of life within addiction with many uncomfortable truths. Exploitation - Sex-Work - Lies - Chem-Sex - Dangerous Liaisons.
I absolutely must point out that this is not misery-literature at all. Beyond those hard hitting themes, there is a brilliantly balanced humour - mostly through Mallory’s inner-monologue. I chuckled so many times at her sarcasm and her chaotic choices. Mallory provided light-relief and gave a great balance. Whilst she gave me moments of laughter, her side of the story allowed progression within the novel and another personality to explore.
It’s fantastically written and is sure to be a huge hit. Josh manages to switch between dark, humorous, uncomfortable, engaging, chaotic yet intriguing multiple times throughout and I absolutely loved this.
The ending lingered far beyond that final page for me. No spoilers - but I loved the choice of ending and enjoyed how it felt a little open-ended allowing the reader pause for thought and for their own imagination to take over.
I want to smash through Josh’s back catalogue now because I was left so impressed with this one. Highly recommend!!
John Marrs quoted that this ‘echoes modern classics like Trainspotting, Young Mungo and A Little Life’ and I couldn’t agree more. The story explores some hard-hitting themes that are a harsh reality amungst some groups. I never once felt that this was ‘trauma-porn’ - It’s an exploration of real struggles, real events and the brutalities of life with addiction. This side of the story is fantastically researched and portrayed so well.
It’s really story driven over a book with many twists, and it’s another reason I enjoyed the flow of the story. I felt it enabled Josh to tell Leo’s side of the story with authenticity and care over sensationalism.
There are moments that made gasp in horror and even wince at the brutalities. As I mentioned before; it looks at the sad realities of life within addiction with many uncomfortable truths. Exploitation - Sex-Work - Lies - Chem-Sex - Dangerous Liaisons.
I absolutely must point out that this is not misery-literature at all. Beyond those hard hitting themes, there is a brilliantly balanced humour - mostly through Mallory’s inner-monologue. I chuckled so many times at her sarcasm and her chaotic choices. Mallory provided light-relief and gave a great balance. Whilst she gave me moments of laughter, her side of the story allowed progression within the novel and another personality to explore.
It’s fantastically written and is sure to be a huge hit. Josh manages to switch between dark, humorous, uncomfortable, engaging, chaotic yet intriguing multiple times throughout and I absolutely loved this.
The ending lingered far beyond that final page for me. No spoilers - but I loved the choice of ending and enjoyed how it felt a little open-ended allowing the reader pause for thought and for their own imagination to take over.
I want to smash through Josh’s back catalogue now because I was left so impressed with this one. Highly recommend!!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
‘Fruit Fly’ by Josh Silver is a story of a blocked author exploiting a young man's trauma that makes for an intense and compulsive read. From the description, I wasn’t expecting it to be quite so dark and heavy, dealing as it does—in a high level of detail—with topics such as addiction, rape, and domestic abuse (including controlling behaviour, psychological abuse, and financial abuse). It’s hard for me to describe a book that is so painful as enjoyable, and yet I couldn’t tear myself away from it, and when I did have to put it down, I couldn’t wait to get back to it. It’s like a scab that you can’t not pick.
The novel says a lot about the way people use each other—and the way the publishing industry uses everyone—but does so in a way that is more illustrative and encourages the reader to draw their own conclusions rather than being overt or preachy, as is the case with books like R.F. Kuang’s ‘Yellowface’. This makes for a more nuanced and engaging read.
The author also refuses to cast any one character as ‘good’ or ‘bad’, but instead shows them as a sum of their experiences and traits, which feels more true to life and refreshing, and although I did not like any of the characters, I felt I could understand them and see them as real human beings.
I particularly like the parallels drawn between Mallory and Leo—though, this did feel a touch too heavy and overt at times, for example, when in back-to-back chapters they each encounter their mothers after a period of estrangement. Still, it functions fantastically to provoke thought and discussion, particularly around issues such as class and how that impacts a way a person is treated and perceived.
The only issue I have with the novel, which stops it from being a five-star read for me, is the depiction of Mallory’s mental state towards the end—when the hallucinations kick in, it feels like the author’s tight control of the story slips and it loses its way for a moment. But the ending itself is brilliant. This is a novel that really goes out with bang and leaves you reeling.
Many thanks to NetGalley, Josh Silver and Magpie for the ARC.
⚠️ Drug use, addiction, alcoholism, violence, vomiting, forced institutionalisation, mental illness, domestic abuse, rape, suicide
The novel says a lot about the way people use each other—and the way the publishing industry uses everyone—but does so in a way that is more illustrative and encourages the reader to draw their own conclusions rather than being overt or preachy, as is the case with books like R.F. Kuang’s ‘Yellowface’. This makes for a more nuanced and engaging read.
The author also refuses to cast any one character as ‘good’ or ‘bad’, but instead shows them as a sum of their experiences and traits, which feels more true to life and refreshing, and although I did not like any of the characters, I felt I could understand them and see them as real human beings.
I particularly like the parallels drawn between Mallory and Leo—though, this did feel a touch too heavy and overt at times, for example, when in back-to-back chapters they each encounter their mothers after a period of estrangement. Still, it functions fantastically to provoke thought and discussion, particularly around issues such as class and how that impacts a way a person is treated and perceived.
The only issue I have with the novel, which stops it from being a five-star read for me, is the depiction of Mallory’s mental state towards the end—when the hallucinations kick in, it feels like the author’s tight control of the story slips and it loses its way for a moment. But the ending itself is brilliant. This is a novel that really goes out with bang and leaves you reeling.
Many thanks to NetGalley, Josh Silver and Magpie for the ARC.
⚠️ Drug use, addiction, alcoholism, violence, vomiting, forced institutionalisation, mental illness, domestic abuse, rape, suicide
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
It’s been seven years since Mallory shot to fame as a literary sensation, but after years struggling from writers block, she is desperate to resurrect her career. She needs inspiration fast and that is when she sees Leo, a young struggling addict who is vulnerable. He is exactly what she needs for another bestseller, so sets about telling his story. Only as secrets unravel, she must decide how far she will go for the perfect story.
I have been interested in reading books by this author since being intrigued by his young adult books, however with YA not being my usual genre, I had yet to pick one up. Because of this I was excited to see he had written an adult book, especially seeing all the hype behind it. After finishing, I can safely say this has got the recognition it deserves! This ended up being a hugely compelling, multi layered and absolutely fantastic story - one of the best books I have read for a while and certainly so far this year.
The author did a brilliant job at developing the characters, especially that of Mallory and Leo. I was completely enthralled by them and they felt authentic and fresh with their many flaws and the actions they took. The story did not shy away from very dark, hard hitting moments, exploring provocative and disturbing scenes, however managing to do this in a thought provoking way. I liked that through the bleak moments, there was also an emotional depth, while also having an undercurrent of dark humour. The writing style was interesting, where you could really get a feel of the characters and their inner turmoil. I enjoyed the exploration of the creative world and the shadowy side to the industry, while also finding the ending cleverly constructed, bringing the story together well.
Overall a chaotic, creepy and at times crazy read and one I will highly recommend. I will definitely be seeking out more from this author now and look forward to seeing what else he comes up with. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this copy in return for an honest review.
I have been interested in reading books by this author since being intrigued by his young adult books, however with YA not being my usual genre, I had yet to pick one up. Because of this I was excited to see he had written an adult book, especially seeing all the hype behind it. After finishing, I can safely say this has got the recognition it deserves! This ended up being a hugely compelling, multi layered and absolutely fantastic story - one of the best books I have read for a while and certainly so far this year.
The author did a brilliant job at developing the characters, especially that of Mallory and Leo. I was completely enthralled by them and they felt authentic and fresh with their many flaws and the actions they took. The story did not shy away from very dark, hard hitting moments, exploring provocative and disturbing scenes, however managing to do this in a thought provoking way. I liked that through the bleak moments, there was also an emotional depth, while also having an undercurrent of dark humour. The writing style was interesting, where you could really get a feel of the characters and their inner turmoil. I enjoyed the exploration of the creative world and the shadowy side to the industry, while also finding the ending cleverly constructed, bringing the story together well.
Overall a chaotic, creepy and at times crazy read and one I will highly recommend. I will definitely be seeking out more from this author now and look forward to seeing what else he comes up with. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this copy in return for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
ARC review
NOTE: I rated this book 4.75 stars and it probably would have been 5 stars but a HP reference early on left a bad taste in my mouth. Dear authors and publishers everywhere, WE DON’T WANT THIS!!
I think this is marketed under the thriller genre and it definitely is, but it read more like literary or contemporary fiction in my opinion, it’s a good mix. There’s also a great sense of humour and a healthy dose of satirical criticism of the publishing industry thrown in.
Fruit Fly follows two characters:
Mallory - an author with one hit to her name and no ideas for the next one
Leo - a young man struggling with addiction and trading sex for his next hit
Reddit tells Mallory the ingredients for a bestseller today are sad, gay, dark. So naturally she decides to make a Grindr account to seek out some inspiration, leading her to a party and more importantly Leo. Leo’s tragic backstory and life on the margins of society is just what Mallory needs to return to the limelight, so she goes undercover as his therapist while adapting his story for her new novel.
I love Fruit Fly because it kept me on my toes!! I could not have guessed where the story would go, largely because Mallory and Leo are both unpredictable for different reasons but both out of their own kind of desperation. Leo is living under a bridge with a crippling addiction and no savoury way to fund it, so he goes through waves of withdrawal and using that trigger erratic behaviour. Mallory feels her career slipping through her fingers and takes risks to follow this new pursuit secretly from under the thumb of her controlling husband. They are both victims of circumstance and it’s like a car crash you can’t look away from because they KEEP doing awful things! These characters are not even in the same orbit until Mallory starts living a double life and I loved watching them think they were both playing the other (is that a micro trope?? If so it’s a fave).
This book is a phenomenal deep-dive into addiction, family violence and cycles of abuse - the central theme being exploitation vs inspiration. In one word: binge-able! I have never struggled with substance abuse so I can’t comment on whether the experience Leo portrays is accurate, but it felt raw and unfiltered and didn’t shy away from the harsh reality. I think fans of any genre will enjoy and take value from this story.
NOTE: I rated this book 4.75 stars and it probably would have been 5 stars but a HP reference early on left a bad taste in my mouth. Dear authors and publishers everywhere, WE DON’T WANT THIS!!
I think this is marketed under the thriller genre and it definitely is, but it read more like literary or contemporary fiction in my opinion, it’s a good mix. There’s also a great sense of humour and a healthy dose of satirical criticism of the publishing industry thrown in.
Fruit Fly follows two characters:
Mallory - an author with one hit to her name and no ideas for the next one
Leo - a young man struggling with addiction and trading sex for his next hit
Reddit tells Mallory the ingredients for a bestseller today are sad, gay, dark. So naturally she decides to make a Grindr account to seek out some inspiration, leading her to a party and more importantly Leo. Leo’s tragic backstory and life on the margins of society is just what Mallory needs to return to the limelight, so she goes undercover as his therapist while adapting his story for her new novel.
I love Fruit Fly because it kept me on my toes!! I could not have guessed where the story would go, largely because Mallory and Leo are both unpredictable for different reasons but both out of their own kind of desperation. Leo is living under a bridge with a crippling addiction and no savoury way to fund it, so he goes through waves of withdrawal and using that trigger erratic behaviour. Mallory feels her career slipping through her fingers and takes risks to follow this new pursuit secretly from under the thumb of her controlling husband. They are both victims of circumstance and it’s like a car crash you can’t look away from because they KEEP doing awful things! These characters are not even in the same orbit until Mallory starts living a double life and I loved watching them think they were both playing the other (is that a micro trope?? If so it’s a fave).
This book is a phenomenal deep-dive into addiction, family violence and cycles of abuse - the central theme being exploitation vs inspiration. In one word: binge-able! I have never struggled with substance abuse so I can’t comment on whether the experience Leo portrays is accurate, but it felt raw and unfiltered and didn’t shy away from the harsh reality. I think fans of any genre will enjoy and take value from this story.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Wow - this book is a must read.
There’s something quietly extraordinary about Fruit Fly—the kind of book that sneaks up on you rather than announcing its brilliance outright. What struck me most was how vividly the author brings Mallory and Leo to life, not through grand gestures or dramatic exposition, but through small, precise details that make them feel painfully real.
Mallory, in particular, lingers in the mind. She’s not easy to pin down—at times guarded, at others disarmingly open—and that tension gives her a kind of emotional gravity. You get the sense that she’s constantly negotiating with her own past, even in moments that seem ordinary on the surface. Leo, by contrast, feels like someone who carries his contradictions more visibly. There’s a fragility to him, but also a stubbornness that makes his decisions both frustrating and deeply human.
What makes their relationship so compelling is how the novel resists simplifying either of them. Their lives are shaped by quiet tragedies—missed chances, unspoken truths, the kind of emotional inheritance that’s hard to shake. None of it feels forced. Instead, the weight of their experiences builds gradually, almost imperceptibly, until you realize how much they’ve been carrying all along.
The writing itself mirrors this restraint. It doesn’t overreach or try to impress; it trusts the reader to sit with discomfort and ambiguity. And that’s where the book really shines—in its willingness to leave space for complexity. Mallory and Leo aren’t there to be understood all at once. They unfold, layer by layer, in a way that feels honest rather than constructed.
By the end, what stays with you isn’t just what happens to them, but how deeply you’ve come to understand the shape of their lives—their quiet resilience, their flaws, and the fragile ways they try to connect. It’s the kind of novel that feels intimate without ever being intrusive, and that balance is what makes it so remarkable.
There’s something quietly extraordinary about Fruit Fly—the kind of book that sneaks up on you rather than announcing its brilliance outright. What struck me most was how vividly the author brings Mallory and Leo to life, not through grand gestures or dramatic exposition, but through small, precise details that make them feel painfully real.
Mallory, in particular, lingers in the mind. She’s not easy to pin down—at times guarded, at others disarmingly open—and that tension gives her a kind of emotional gravity. You get the sense that she’s constantly negotiating with her own past, even in moments that seem ordinary on the surface. Leo, by contrast, feels like someone who carries his contradictions more visibly. There’s a fragility to him, but also a stubbornness that makes his decisions both frustrating and deeply human.
What makes their relationship so compelling is how the novel resists simplifying either of them. Their lives are shaped by quiet tragedies—missed chances, unspoken truths, the kind of emotional inheritance that’s hard to shake. None of it feels forced. Instead, the weight of their experiences builds gradually, almost imperceptibly, until you realize how much they’ve been carrying all along.
The writing itself mirrors this restraint. It doesn’t overreach or try to impress; it trusts the reader to sit with discomfort and ambiguity. And that’s where the book really shines—in its willingness to leave space for complexity. Mallory and Leo aren’t there to be understood all at once. They unfold, layer by layer, in a way that feels honest rather than constructed.
By the end, what stays with you isn’t just what happens to them, but how deeply you’ve come to understand the shape of their lives—their quiet resilience, their flaws, and the fragile ways they try to connect. It’s the kind of novel that feels intimate without ever being intrusive, and that balance is what makes it so remarkable.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
I really loved the concept of this book and truly didn’t expect to love it as much as I did. The writing style is literally one of my favourite kinds. It balanced dark humour and then sadder aspect of this plot so well. Do I think this book is for everyone? No. But that’s ok. It deep dives into the lives of people who are suffering in many ways but also contrasted against people who seemingly have it all.
This novel follows two main characters Mallory and Leo. Mallory is struggling for inspiration and is suffering from writers block and decides to follow and base her novel off of Leo, a struggling addict sleeping on the street and trading sex for money. The background we got into both characters was chefs kiss,” fruit fly” really explored both POVs so well.
This book has an incredible way of making you feel on edge. It’s like I knew something bad was going to happen and the lead up was intense. It covers deep and dark topics and is heavy in the right places. I would recommend checking triggers, it is not a light read by any means. The layers that were within this novel really blew me away. It wasn’t one dimensional, it had so much depth and kept me hooked and intrigued throughout.
I genuinely HATED Ronan (Mallory’s husband) with my whole heart, I felt his relationship with Mallory early on was so rough it had my guard up and progressively got worse. The things that man would come out with made me gasp. I had pity for Mallory often but would loved to have seen more from her mother and her childhood. I felt like her mother came in pretty late and I would have liked more character background but it wasn’t a huge issue.
Safe to say I’ll be thinking about this one for a long while.
Thank you so much Novel Tour for this copy of “fruit fly” all reviews and comments are my own.
This novel follows two main characters Mallory and Leo. Mallory is struggling for inspiration and is suffering from writers block and decides to follow and base her novel off of Leo, a struggling addict sleeping on the street and trading sex for money. The background we got into both characters was chefs kiss,” fruit fly” really explored both POVs so well.
This book has an incredible way of making you feel on edge. It’s like I knew something bad was going to happen and the lead up was intense. It covers deep and dark topics and is heavy in the right places. I would recommend checking triggers, it is not a light read by any means. The layers that were within this novel really blew me away. It wasn’t one dimensional, it had so much depth and kept me hooked and intrigued throughout.
I genuinely HATED Ronan (Mallory’s husband) with my whole heart, I felt his relationship with Mallory early on was so rough it had my guard up and progressively got worse. The things that man would come out with made me gasp. I had pity for Mallory often but would loved to have seen more from her mother and her childhood. I felt like her mother came in pretty late and I would have liked more character background but it wasn’t a huge issue.
Safe to say I’ll be thinking about this one for a long while.
Thank you so much Novel Tour for this copy of “fruit fly” all reviews and comments are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Josh Silver’s Fruit Fly is a brilliantly uncomfortable, descent into the moral rot of the modern creative world. It moves away from the dystopian themes of his previous work to deliver a razor-sharp adult satire that feels dangerously grounded in reality. The story follows Mallory Maddox, a failing author desperate for a comeback, who decides to "rescue" Leo, a young man struggling with homelessness and addiction. However, Mallory isn’t interested in saving Leo’s life; she’s interested in mining his trauma to write a bestselling novel.
The narrative is fueled by the jarring contrast between its two leads. Mallory is a chillingly relatable "villain-protagonist" whose ambition has completely swallowed her empathy, making her see Leo’s suffering as mere "content" to be polished for a middle-class audience. Leo, meanwhile, is the tragic heart of the book—a vulnerable soul in freefall whose desperation makes him an easy target for Mallory’s predatory "help." Silver’s background as a mental health nurse shines through here, as the depiction of addiction is visceral, unglamorized, and deeply empathetic.
The darkness of Fruit Fly doesn't come from jump scares, but from the clinical way it explores human exploitation. It is a savage critique of the "trauma porn" industry, questioning the ethics of who gets to tell whose story and at what cost. The book is often physically difficult to read because it forces you to witness a slow-motion car crash of moral bankruptcy, where "giving someone a voice" is actually just a polite term for theft. It’s a haunting, cynical, and necessary look at how society turns real-life tragedy into a clickable commodity.
Thank you to NetGalley and Oneworld Publications for the ARC in return for an honest review.
The narrative is fueled by the jarring contrast between its two leads. Mallory is a chillingly relatable "villain-protagonist" whose ambition has completely swallowed her empathy, making her see Leo’s suffering as mere "content" to be polished for a middle-class audience. Leo, meanwhile, is the tragic heart of the book—a vulnerable soul in freefall whose desperation makes him an easy target for Mallory’s predatory "help." Silver’s background as a mental health nurse shines through here, as the depiction of addiction is visceral, unglamorized, and deeply empathetic.
The darkness of Fruit Fly doesn't come from jump scares, but from the clinical way it explores human exploitation. It is a savage critique of the "trauma porn" industry, questioning the ethics of who gets to tell whose story and at what cost. The book is often physically difficult to read because it forces you to witness a slow-motion car crash of moral bankruptcy, where "giving someone a voice" is actually just a polite term for theft. It’s a haunting, cynical, and necessary look at how society turns real-life tragedy into a clickable commodity.
Thank you to NetGalley and Oneworld Publications for the ARC in return for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to NetGalley and Bolinda Audio for this ALC!
Rating: 4.5 Stars rounded up.
“Fruit Fly” tells the story of Mallory, a previously successful writer dealing with writer’s block. When chance has Mallory meeting Leo, a young, gay, homeless addict and occasional sex worker, Mallory becomes obsessed. Because if there’s one thing that sells right now, it is dark, sad, gay books. And what makes for better inspiration than real life?
This book was brilliant. Things keep getting more and more intense, darker and darker, and I loved to come along for the ride.
The characters are this book’s strongest point. They are both decidedly morally grey, and decidedly tragic. You just can’t help but feel equally exasperated by them and empathetic towards them. Every time I felt some type of disdain towards one of them, something tragic would happen that would remind me to have some more empathy.
The story is told both from Mallory’s POV and from Leo’s, two very different characters, which really gave the story some dimension and showed off both sides of the dynamic.
I also really liked the commentary this book had about the publishing industry, and the discourse surrounding who gets to tell which stories.
The narrators were also wonderful. I really like when books which have different POVs also have different narrators for each character, so this worked out wonderfully here. I also think they were brilliantly chosen, with both the voices themselves and the accents especially fitting the characters perfectly.
This book is quite tragic and heartbreaking, but also so very intriguing and honestly, pretty funny at times. I highly recommend giving it a shot, and recommend going in as blind as possible.
Rating: 4.5 Stars rounded up.
“Fruit Fly” tells the story of Mallory, a previously successful writer dealing with writer’s block. When chance has Mallory meeting Leo, a young, gay, homeless addict and occasional sex worker, Mallory becomes obsessed. Because if there’s one thing that sells right now, it is dark, sad, gay books. And what makes for better inspiration than real life?
This book was brilliant. Things keep getting more and more intense, darker and darker, and I loved to come along for the ride.
The characters are this book’s strongest point. They are both decidedly morally grey, and decidedly tragic. You just can’t help but feel equally exasperated by them and empathetic towards them. Every time I felt some type of disdain towards one of them, something tragic would happen that would remind me to have some more empathy.
The story is told both from Mallory’s POV and from Leo’s, two very different characters, which really gave the story some dimension and showed off both sides of the dynamic.
I also really liked the commentary this book had about the publishing industry, and the discourse surrounding who gets to tell which stories.
The narrators were also wonderful. I really like when books which have different POVs also have different narrators for each character, so this worked out wonderfully here. I also think they were brilliantly chosen, with both the voices themselves and the accents especially fitting the characters perfectly.
This book is quite tragic and heartbreaking, but also so very intriguing and honestly, pretty funny at times. I highly recommend giving it a shot, and recommend going in as blind as possible.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I think I’m still absorbing this one! I was absolutely invested in this book but found the plot incredibly uncomfortable (by design). Initially, I found it reminiscent of Yellow Face. An author taking on someone else’s diversity to increase book sales. But found it was a very different story with themes on therapeutic boundaries and unstable relationships
I would say the plot is very interesting but the characters are hard to like. Particularly Mallory. Again this is not a flaw of the writing but a feature. But it meant her personal struggles in the book felt a little distant, I found myself not overly concerned with her circumstances resolving.
I very much enjoyed Leo’s input on how others wanted his own story to look - the tragedy of an academic overachiever in his position rather than simply an average student etc. It added a touch of dark humour to some serious moments. However, some of Leo's distressing moments often felt very graphic in a book otherwise filled with hints at the past rather than clear recollections. And it felt as though these moments were often weighted against some much less concerning moments in other character plots.
I left this book a couple of days to review after reading, as I do feel as though there is a lot to process here, and I may return with further thoughts. Despite some elements not being quite for me, this book has stuck with me and I would be interesting in looking into other works by Josh Silver!
Received as an ARC through Net Galley to review.
I would say the plot is very interesting but the characters are hard to like. Particularly Mallory. Again this is not a flaw of the writing but a feature. But it meant her personal struggles in the book felt a little distant, I found myself not overly concerned with her circumstances resolving.
I very much enjoyed Leo’s input on how others wanted his own story to look - the tragedy of an academic overachiever in his position rather than simply an average student etc. It added a touch of dark humour to some serious moments. However, some of Leo's distressing moments often felt very graphic in a book otherwise filled with hints at the past rather than clear recollections. And it felt as though these moments were often weighted against some much less concerning moments in other character plots.
I left this book a couple of days to review after reading, as I do feel as though there is a lot to process here, and I may return with further thoughts. Despite some elements not being quite for me, this book has stuck with me and I would be interesting in looking into other works by Josh Silver!
Received as an ARC through Net Galley to review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
4.5 ⭐️ Thank you to NetGalley and One World publications for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
TW- On page substance and sexual abuse, themes of domestic abuse.
This is one of the most unique stories I’ve read in a long time and is the most page-turning, bingeable, gripping Literary Fiction book I’ve ever come across.
If you enjoy deeply sad queer stories like Young Mungo, books about writers doing shady things like Yellowface and darkly funny commentaries on society - this could be the perfect book for you.
I could talk about the intricacies of what make this book so clever for days. The sharp contrast between Mallory and Leo’s lives running alongside their shared feeling of living the same day over and over again being trapped by circumstance is absolutely fascinating to read.
Mallory shouldn’t be jealous of a young gay homeless addict who is being horrifically abused for money to get his next fix, but the freedom of his lifestyle releases something within her. Leo is immediately jealous of Mallory’s picture perfect rich home, with the “perfect” husband and everything she could ever want- but he doesn’t know how trapped and controlled she is making her world so small.
When Mallory fictionalises Leo’s life for her own chance at freedom, this book turns from a darkly funny novel to a truly heartbreaking account of addiction, homelessness and loss of identity. As a reader you’re pulled back and forth from seeing both of our main characters as heroes and villains, but really it runs deeper than that. This is an incredible account of the dark parts of all of us, where they come from and how they manifest in real life when the cards are not in your favour.
The ending of this book was perfect. I loved how there were some things left ambiguous, but everything came together perfectly and continued to turn the narrative on its head. Honestly I could not put Fruit Fly down I’m so grateful I got to read this work early.
TW- On page substance and sexual abuse, themes of domestic abuse.
This is one of the most unique stories I’ve read in a long time and is the most page-turning, bingeable, gripping Literary Fiction book I’ve ever come across.
If you enjoy deeply sad queer stories like Young Mungo, books about writers doing shady things like Yellowface and darkly funny commentaries on society - this could be the perfect book for you.
I could talk about the intricacies of what make this book so clever for days. The sharp contrast between Mallory and Leo’s lives running alongside their shared feeling of living the same day over and over again being trapped by circumstance is absolutely fascinating to read.
Mallory shouldn’t be jealous of a young gay homeless addict who is being horrifically abused for money to get his next fix, but the freedom of his lifestyle releases something within her. Leo is immediately jealous of Mallory’s picture perfect rich home, with the “perfect” husband and everything she could ever want- but he doesn’t know how trapped and controlled she is making her world so small.
When Mallory fictionalises Leo’s life for her own chance at freedom, this book turns from a darkly funny novel to a truly heartbreaking account of addiction, homelessness and loss of identity. As a reader you’re pulled back and forth from seeing both of our main characters as heroes and villains, but really it runs deeper than that. This is an incredible account of the dark parts of all of us, where they come from and how they manifest in real life when the cards are not in your favour.
The ending of this book was perfect. I loved how there were some things left ambiguous, but everything came together perfectly and continued to turn the narrative on its head. Honestly I could not put Fruit Fly down I’m so grateful I got to read this work early.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
ARC Review -
Mallory needs to write a best-selling novel and in comes Leo, to inspire her to do this.
This opening scenes had be laughing out loud. Mallory’s inner dialogue whilst making a Grindr account and connecting with gay men was giving Georgia Nicholson in the Angus, Thongs and Full Frontal Snogging universe (this is the highest of compliments). This set the initial tone for the book however, the story developed into something deeper, more thought provoking and completely anxiety inducing.
Mallory and Leo were complex and often at times completely unlikeable in both their personalities and their decisions. However, I couldn’t help but feel a complete sense of empathy toward both of them and their experiences. I might have been giving in to them as unreliable narrators but I wanted to like Mallory and Leo and wanted better for them.
I had so many thoughts racing through my mind regarding the ending and I was not unsatisfied.
I will be picking up other books by Josh Silver after finishing this one. Also the cover?? obsessed.
Thank you to NetGally and all for the ARC!
Mallory needs to write a best-selling novel and in comes Leo, to inspire her to do this.
This opening scenes had be laughing out loud. Mallory’s inner dialogue whilst making a Grindr account and connecting with gay men was giving Georgia Nicholson in the Angus, Thongs and Full Frontal Snogging universe (this is the highest of compliments). This set the initial tone for the book however, the story developed into something deeper, more thought provoking and completely anxiety inducing.
Mallory and Leo were complex and often at times completely unlikeable in both their personalities and their decisions. However, I couldn’t help but feel a complete sense of empathy toward both of them and their experiences. I might have been giving in to them as unreliable narrators but I wanted to like Mallory and Leo and wanted better for them.
I had so many thoughts racing through my mind regarding the ending and I was not unsatisfied.
I will be picking up other books by Josh Silver after finishing this one. Also the cover?? obsessed.
Thank you to NetGally and all for the ARC!
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