Publication Date: July 18, 2024
“Brilliantly relatable…a compelling exploration of friendship, individuality, and the shared struggles that make us who we are.” –Booklife Editor’s Pick
“Much like finding love when you’re least expecting it, sometimes a book comes along and literally takes your breath away.” –Reader Views
Charley Byrne isn’t really living. At age 29, she hunkers down in her apartment above the bookstore she manages, afraid of a 7-year curse. Then quirky activist Xander Wallace lures her out of social exile with the prospect of friendship and romance. Charley joins Xander’s circle of friends diverse in their heritage, race, gender and sexual orientation. She thrives, even leaving her comfort zone to join protests in a city struggling with social justice ills.
But the new friendships bring back-to-back betrayals that threaten the bookstore-Charley’s haven-and propel her into a dangerous depression. Can her friends save the store? And Charley?
Beautiful and Terrible Things offers a compelling portrait of modern American life in a major city with its vibrant culture and rampant social issues. At once enlightening and entertaining, it reminds us that friendship has the power to validate, destroy, transform, and save lives.
- 2024 Indies Today Best Literary Book of the Year Winner
- 2024 Gold Winner, Reader Views Reviewer’s Choice Awards – LGBTQIA+
- 2024 Shelf Unbound Best Indie Book Finalist
- 2024 Sarton Award Finalist
- 2024 American Fiction Awards Finalist – General Fiction
- 2024 American Writing Awards Finalist – LGBTQ
- 2024 Readers’ Favorite Awards Honorable Mention – Fiction-Social Issues
Beautiful and Terrible Things by S.M. Stevens touches on many topics that are relevant to most of our lives and are always in the news today—racism, immigration, mental health, women’s rights, sexual orientation, gender identity, and social justice— all topics that are woven throughout the story in a caring and engaging manner. The novel is not preachy, and oftentimes emotional and not pretty, but there are also beautiful and caring moments.
Charlie is a woman who has had bad luck since she was young, and her parents perished in a plane crash. Her maternal grandparents stepped in to raise her, and they tragically died seven years later in a house fire. These events and others have resulted in mental health issues, including depression, which has colored her view of her life, her actions, how she sees herself, and also her perception of how others see her.
Enter Xander, who strikes up a friendship with her when he often visits the local, independently owned bookstore where she works. He’s a social activist who works for a nonprofit and draws her into his friend’s circle. Sunny, Jess, Terrance, and Bu round out his friend’s group. All have their own stories and problems they have had to deal with. They all come from different backgrounds and cultures, which added new dimensions.
I was engaged from the beginning of the story to its conclusion, even when it took me out of my comfort zone. The story is broken into multiple parts, and the chapter titles give a glimpse of what’s to come. The numerous stories keep things fresh and moving forward. We get to know each of the characters a little at a time, which enriches the story. As their friendships develop, grow, and evolve, new layers and challenges emerge.
There is closure with the epilogue and some happily ever afters in the offing. While most storylines were wrapped up and given closure, a few loose ends were overlooked. The discussion questions at the back of the book were thought-provoking and pertinent.
Beautiful and Terrible Things is an emotionally charged story with many layers that address various social, emotional, and even political issues relevant today. Throughout the story, friendship and caring get Charley and the others to a better place in their lives.
S.M. Stevens began writing fiction during back-to-back health crises: a shattered pelvis and ovarian cancer. She writes contemporary novels designed to make readers laugh, cry and think. Her most recent novel, Beautiful and Terrible Things (Black Rose Writing) has won numerous awards including Indies Today’s Best Literary Book of 2024. Her novelette The Wallace House of Pain won a 2023 American Fiction Award and a First Place CIBA prize in the Shorts category. She has also written books for Middle Graders and Young Adult readers. A lifelong New Englander other than stints in England and Italy, she lives in Washington, N.H.
