Grenade

by Coco Mellors

The New York Times bestselling author of Blue Sisters and Cleopatra and Frankenstein returns with an extraordinary novel about a woman grappling with a life-changing decision during three days in Paris.

When filmmaker Zuzu arrives in Paris for the premiere of her first feature, she has only three days before she must return to Los Angeles to try, once again, to conceive a child. At thirty-four, she is reeling from multiple miscarriages just as she begins to taste the first real success of her career, and this trip is only meant to be a brief detour before the next attempt. But Paris in July—hot, crowded, and full of temptations—has other plans.

There is her brilliant, unruly best friend, Anouk, who wants everything and fears nothing. There is the possibility of a reunion with Paloma, her world-famous ex-girlfriend, whose attention Zuzu still craves. Finally, there is her husband back home, and a love both threatened and deepened by their shared longing for a child. As the sweltering days unfold and the past presses in, Zuzu makes a series of decisions that threaten to explode the life she has built so carefully.

Enthralling and emotionally charged, Grenade confronts a contradiction that’s never felt more the longing for motherhood, marriage, and stability—and the longing to be free.

Genres: Fiction, Literary Fiction, Contemporary, Adult Fiction, Adult

538 pages, Paperback

Expected publication April 20, 2027

About the author

Coco Mellors is the New York Times and Sunday Times bestselling author of Cleopatra and Frankenstein, Blue Sisters and Grenade. Her novels have been translated into over thirty languages and are currently being adapted for the screen. Originally from London, she lives in New York with her husband and children.

Reviews

[꒰ა laila s.ia]

im so incredibly sat
and god the cover is gorgeous

[angelinabvby ۶ৎ]

COCOOO GIVE HERE NOWWW 🤗🥰🥹😍🥥💣💥

[tessa (remus’ version)]

anything coco mellors writes i read it is as simple as that

[Lavinia]

thanku coco mellors for sticking with an authentic artist (the same every time, may i add) for ur covers amidst an era of ai generated ones!!

[caleigh]

i would sell my left kidney to have this book in my hands like ... now

[denise]

i'm seated. the bookstore employees are scared and asking me to leave because 'it isn't april yet' but i'm simply too seated.

[Kailey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fucking brilliant. No one does it like Coco Mellors. Devoured through the course of one day.

[Genevieve]

I think this book will make me feel horrible (in a good way)

[B K178 · Rating 5 out of 5]

*Grenade* is the latest novel by Coco Mellors, of *Blue Sisters* and *Cleopatra and Frankenstein* fame. It centers on relationships and fertility struggles. I would urge readers to check out the CW beforehand, as this novel details miscarriages and infertility issues.

In this story, we follow 35-year-old filmmaker Zuzu as she leaves her husband in LA to go to Paris, where she meets up with her good friend and actress Anouk. The trip is expected to last a handful of days for a film festival. As Zuzu and Anouk catch up, readers are taken back through Zuzu's past five years. We learn about her passionate yet unstable relationship with famous musician Paloma, her relationship with her future husband, and their struggles with infertility, all while they try to determine what they want out of life, careers, and partners.

Fans of Mellors will enjoy this novel, which is about more than pregnancy. It is about womanhood. Whether you are trans or cisgender, womanhood is complicated, and the pressures come from everywhere. It is about choices, strength, coming to know oneself, and finding one's family. It is emotional and reflects pressure often compounded by time.

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

[Kristi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you Netgalley and Coco Mellors for the ARC! I absolutely loved Grenade! This book felt completely different than Coco’s other books, but in a good way.
I grew attached to every character; even Paloma, despite hating her. The real stars however, were Anouk and Fede. They were incredible supporting characters. There were times I was shouting at my Kindle. “You’re too good for Zuzu!”
I was genuinely expecting a sad ending. However I was pleasantly surprised. I ended the book feel hopeful
. 5⭐️! I will definitely be purchasing a physical copy upon its release.

Side note. I don’t know how to link my Goodreads with my Netgalley account. So I have to paste my Netgalley review here. 😂😂

[MaryKate Gallagher · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks for NetGalley for the ARC of this book. Coco Mellors is back doing what she does best: writing wonderfully messy, magnetic, and deeply flawed people.
Set over 3 chaotic days in Paris, Grenade follows Zuzu as her quiet life begins to unravel. Torn between her marriage, a deep longing for motherhood, and the sudden re-emergence of an ex, she has to decide whether to play it safe or pull the pin.

[Chiara Toniolo]

I would kill for an ARC, I am so excited to read this and it might just make me change up my whole life.

[chloe]

OOOHHHHH MYYYY GODDDDDD