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Cherry
After having spent her whole life in the dusty, dull town of Cattles Creek, Cherry Daily is ready to pack her bags and head to Sydney to partake in the prestigious pageant, Miss Chevrolet Pin-Up.
Together with her childhood best friend, Andy, she travels through unknown territory, blind and unaware of the dangers of trusting those who promise it all within the showbiz industry.
Shortly after being accepted into the pageant, Cherry gets on the wrong side of Gina and her wolf pack - an accomplished gang of rival models with multiple titles between them. On top of this, Cherry finds herself falling for her dancing teacher, Johnny.
With a troubled home life, a sister behind bars, and her parents' failing marriage, Cherry's got more than enough on her plate without romantic drama thrown into the mix.
Can the underdog triumph against all odds and take the crown? Is Cherry truly ready to show the world what she has to offer, and can her and Johnny's taboo romance beat the pressures of a secret relationship in a world full of backstabbing, sabotage and gossip?
Together with her childhood best friend, Andy, she travels through unknown territory, blind and unaware of the dangers of trusting those who promise it all within the showbiz industry.
Shortly after being accepted into the pageant, Cherry gets on the wrong side of Gina and her wolf pack - an accomplished gang of rival models with multiple titles between them. On top of this, Cherry finds herself falling for her dancing teacher, Johnny.
With a troubled home life, a sister behind bars, and her parents' failing marriage, Cherry's got more than enough on her plate without romantic drama thrown into the mix.
Can the underdog triumph against all odds and take the crown? Is Cherry truly ready to show the world what she has to offer, and can her and Johnny's taboo romance beat the pressures of a secret relationship in a world full of backstabbing, sabotage and gossip?
320 pages, Paperback
First published September 14, 2017
1 person is currently reading
12 people want to read
About the author
Stephanie May
4 books50 followersStephanie Louise May is the #1 bestselling author of Rumours and Repercussions. Her other novels include Cherry, Memories of Then, and Fool's Game. She has been an active member of the NSW Writers' Centre since 2016, as well as a member of Inkers Con over in the U.S.
Other upcoming titles by Stephanie May are Mr Hangman, Fenella, Unearthed, and Benjamin.
When Stephanie isn't writing or acting, you'll find her nose-first in the latest Stephen King novel, snorkelling in the turquoise waters around Southeast Asia, or cooking Italian cuisine while crooning to hits from the '60s and '70s.
You can find her books via Amazon, Kobo, Barnes & Noble, Fish Pond, Booktopia, and selected Dymocks bookstores. Stephanie is currently working on her fifteenth novel, as well as a cookbook.
She lives in Sydney, Australia, with her cheeky two-year-old black labrador named Ebony.
Other upcoming titles by Stephanie May are Mr Hangman, Fenella, Unearthed, and Benjamin.
When Stephanie isn't writing or acting, you'll find her nose-first in the latest Stephen King novel, snorkelling in the turquoise waters around Southeast Asia, or cooking Italian cuisine while crooning to hits from the '60s and '70s.
You can find her books via Amazon, Kobo, Barnes & Noble, Fish Pond, Booktopia, and selected Dymocks bookstores. Stephanie is currently working on her fifteenth novel, as well as a cookbook.
She lives in Sydney, Australia, with her cheeky two-year-old black labrador named Ebony.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
September 8, 2017
Cherry Daily is a 22-year old single from Cattles Creek, a non-descript place in the boondocks, off the beaten track but in driving distance to the glamour city on the harbour: Sydney, Australia. She is desperate to change her life “in a hurry”, so she enters a beauty pageant contest that promises an escape route out of the town she calls “Boring-Ville”: if she wins – that is. Her lack of self-esteem and confidence make this an unlikely prospect, however. No wonder she is soon set upon by some of the other contestants, notably a clique of super-chic, affluent city girls who think of themselves as sophisticated fashionistas with all the accessoires to prove it, and as undisputed favourites for the title. They turn out to be merciless bullies who try everything to sabotage Cherry’s chances to reach the final.
The pageant is the Miss Pin-up Chevrolet, a thinly disguised take on beauty pageants everywhere with the same routines culminating in a final round with swimsuit, evening wear and interview competition, presented on live TV. What makes this contest different is that it features a theme, the 50s. The novel vividly evokes the American popular culture of the era, notably its Hollywood stars (from Marilyn Monroe to Audrey Hepburn and Grace Kelly), the period’s designs and fashions. The author has a keen sense of style and a good eye for details, and she envisions the 50s as the golden era of over-sized extravagant cars and of a new brand of popular music (Elvis and a host of others) that is constantly referred to. Indeed, Cherry is a story that begs to be turned into a film script with the soundtrack already in place.
Cherry is a story of discovery: of the importance of family, of the meaning of friendship, and finally of true love. It also describes a journey of self-discovery: from Ugly Duckling to Sleeping Beauty ready to wake up to her Prince Charming. Our heroine learns to stand up for herself against the girls who bully her, and she becomes a confident performer, on stage as much as in her real world. When Cherry falls in love, head over heels, the story becomes an emotional roller-coaster that keeps the reader guessing till the very end.
Will Cherry win the title of Miss Pin-up Chevrolet? Will she find true love and happiness? This is a romance, of course, so there is going to be a wedding at the end – but who will be the groom?
You’ll need to read the book to find out. This is a brisk romantic novel, breezily written by an accomplished and stylish author. It is often funny and highly entertaining, and highly recommended.
G. Fischer
The pageant is the Miss Pin-up Chevrolet, a thinly disguised take on beauty pageants everywhere with the same routines culminating in a final round with swimsuit, evening wear and interview competition, presented on live TV. What makes this contest different is that it features a theme, the 50s. The novel vividly evokes the American popular culture of the era, notably its Hollywood stars (from Marilyn Monroe to Audrey Hepburn and Grace Kelly), the period’s designs and fashions. The author has a keen sense of style and a good eye for details, and she envisions the 50s as the golden era of over-sized extravagant cars and of a new brand of popular music (Elvis and a host of others) that is constantly referred to. Indeed, Cherry is a story that begs to be turned into a film script with the soundtrack already in place.
Cherry is a story of discovery: of the importance of family, of the meaning of friendship, and finally of true love. It also describes a journey of self-discovery: from Ugly Duckling to Sleeping Beauty ready to wake up to her Prince Charming. Our heroine learns to stand up for herself against the girls who bully her, and she becomes a confident performer, on stage as much as in her real world. When Cherry falls in love, head over heels, the story becomes an emotional roller-coaster that keeps the reader guessing till the very end.
Will Cherry win the title of Miss Pin-up Chevrolet? Will she find true love and happiness? This is a romance, of course, so there is going to be a wedding at the end – but who will be the groom?
You’ll need to read the book to find out. This is a brisk romantic novel, breezily written by an accomplished and stylish author. It is often funny and highly entertaining, and highly recommended.
G. Fischer
September 7, 2017
Cherry, 20, loves 1950’s glamour, and everything about the era. Her mother was Miss Cadillac Pin-Up, her sister was a serious contender – before she got incarcerated, and now Cherry herself wants the title. “World peace,” she writes on the application, when asked “WHAT DO YOU WISH FOR THE MOST?” She also wants peace at home in Cattles Creek, where Mum and Dad are fighting, mostly about Cherry herself. Cherry is hoping her address will change soon.
Her best friend is Andy, at Ed’s Diner where they both work. “When Andy and I were younger we made a pact that if we hadn’t moved out of Cattles Creek, or even found a partner, by the time we were thirty we’d marry each other and move to New York.” Their relationship is tested by Cherry’s striving for the title, and the adventures that come with that. Cherry is tested also by the Wolf Pack, the vicious vixens who use every dirty trick to undermine her bid for the title.
I was engaged from the start with Cherry, her plight, her loves and her wardrobe. Personally I like the 50’s, I like Elvis and I like Marilyn. Cherry identifies with both. They both came from somewhere and wanted to go somewhere else. On the journey they made the 50’s. Cherry has their innocence, and their determination.
I did not necessarily expect, as a relatively mature man, to be engaged with Cherry. Yet I cared about her self-belief, and I wanted her to overcome obstacles and really get somewhere. Where she actually gets is a little surprising and not necessarily what she herself expected.
As readers we have the benefit of Cherry’s inner thoughts and feelings, including her sense of humour. I laughed out loud with her.
Her best friend is Andy, at Ed’s Diner where they both work. “When Andy and I were younger we made a pact that if we hadn’t moved out of Cattles Creek, or even found a partner, by the time we were thirty we’d marry each other and move to New York.” Their relationship is tested by Cherry’s striving for the title, and the adventures that come with that. Cherry is tested also by the Wolf Pack, the vicious vixens who use every dirty trick to undermine her bid for the title.
I was engaged from the start with Cherry, her plight, her loves and her wardrobe. Personally I like the 50’s, I like Elvis and I like Marilyn. Cherry identifies with both. They both came from somewhere and wanted to go somewhere else. On the journey they made the 50’s. Cherry has their innocence, and their determination.
I did not necessarily expect, as a relatively mature man, to be engaged with Cherry. Yet I cared about her self-belief, and I wanted her to overcome obstacles and really get somewhere. Where she actually gets is a little surprising and not necessarily what she herself expected.
As readers we have the benefit of Cherry’s inner thoughts and feelings, including her sense of humour. I laughed out loud with her.
October 24, 2017
Wow this book is such a great find !!! Cherry was hilarious and provocative. It is rare that an author keeps your engaged throughout the entire novel but Miss May seems to have gotten this down to an art. Cherry is sure to entertain the reader from beginning to end and is absolutely brillant. Would definitely recommend to fellow readers.
The story follows a young woman from "Boring-ville" who enters a pageant (which I suspect is partly to escape her home life). She is soon faced with the troubles many young adults face today such as fitting in, a forbidden crush and her own self - esteem. Whilst many readers will relate to the novel, I can say that readers of Cherry will have no idea where the novel finishes and I applaud Miss May for keeping us on our toes right till the very end.
The story follows a young woman from "Boring-ville" who enters a pageant (which I suspect is partly to escape her home life). She is soon faced with the troubles many young adults face today such as fitting in, a forbidden crush and her own self - esteem. Whilst many readers will relate to the novel, I can say that readers of Cherry will have no idea where the novel finishes and I applaud Miss May for keeping us on our toes right till the very end.
September 6, 2017
There's a lot to like in this debut novel, a modern-day bush to city fairy tale told through the lens of a young girl with dreams of big-city beauty pageant stardom. May's descriptions of fashion and culture (especially the 50's film and pinup references), as well as food, show an undeniable love for the material. Her background as an actor also shines through - the ambition and disappointments, not to mention the schoolyard competitiveness of the pageant competitors, will be very familiar to anyone who's spent time in the performing arts. There's drama, romance and plenty of action to keep things moving along for the YA fans, managing to be both nostalgic in the small-town setting yet contemporary as well. Great fun for fans of fashion & fame.
April 11, 2020
A heartfelt coming of age story, while inside the usual motifs has its own unique flair that has you laughing, shaking your and exclaiming loudly on the train "Oh Cherry!"
Not my usual style but found myself unable to put it down!
Not my usual style but found myself unable to put it down!
January 28, 2023
Such a great read. She story is wonderful and entertaining.
I read this in one sitting as I couldn't put it down.
Definitely recommend for anyone!
I read this in one sitting as I couldn't put it down.
Definitely recommend for anyone!
January 28, 2023
this book is such a great find! I look forward to more of her books
January 29, 2023
What a wonderful read! This is a great addition to the YA genre. Can't wait to see more from this author!
July 15, 2024
What a fun read. Thoroughly enjoyed the characters and the plot. The message was so strong and relevant. I think I have found my new favourite author
July 31, 2025
A thoroughly enjoyable read! 5/5!
Loved the characters.
I laughed, and I cried.
Well done, Miss May. I highly recommend this book.
Loved the characters.
I laughed, and I cried.
Well done, Miss May. I highly recommend this book.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews