I enjoyed this novel which looks at what might happen if a an undiscovered black female playwright were to allow a white male friend to pretend he was the author. Eddie feels that her black sounding surname and her being a woman is standing in her way of making it on the British stage with her new play . Hugo is white and charismatic and when he takes over the play predictably it does extremely well
I found the novel very exciting, quite gripping oh what a tangled web we weave when once we practice to deceive. You read the novel as if from behind the sofa disgusted by what’s happening but unable to look away. The novel moves in the fast paced fashion and kept my attention throughout. I read it in one sitting unable to put it down

The book is very modern and very British The author has a clear easily read prose style making the novel an enjoyable fun read.
The setting in the world of British theatre seems entirely plausible having family members myself involved in this industry. Some of the behaviours recorded I can recognise immediately.

I read an early copy of the novel on NetGalley UK. The book is published on the 12th of September 20 24 by Bonnier books .
Review on NetGalley UK, Goodreads and my book blog bionicSarahSbooks.WordPress.com. After publication it will also appear on Amazon UK.

This book takes the reader on an incredible journey. The story, plot, and writing style were thoroughly enjoyable. I found the discussion around publishing to be particularly interesting, especially the way the book addresses themes such as racism, misogyny, and representation from Eddie's point of view. The plan she devises with a stranger in a cafe and how she successfully uses the stranger, Hugo, was a well-elaborated story. The novel illustrates the reality faced by many non-white women as they strive for recognition in a classist and privileged industry that openly exploits nepotism and race.

An insightful look into the business of publishing when a young talented Eddie, her english name to make it easier for others to pronounce, is overlooked by all the top publishers. Despite her original play script and obvious talent she is unable to get past the first hurdle. That is until she hatches a plot with a stranger she meets in a coffee shop. Using his name as the author, Hugo and Eddie set out to prove just how racist,misogynistic and closed getting representation is.
Needless to say the door flies open for him and his/her play is assigned a budget, director and full on premier. The play is a huge success and all that's left is for the pair to reveal who the real talent is behind it. If only things would be that simple. Hugo, the talentless law student falls in love with the director, putting the big reveal in jeopardy. How will they navigate the system to recognise Eddie.
The novel presents the dilemma faced by many women in particularly women of colour as they attempt to gain credibility in a classist and privileged industry which openly exploits nepotism and race. Hugo,the young white student doesn't seem to grasp the internal politics until the very end, while his naivety is endearing you want to shake him at times.

A well written novel and I highly recommend.
Thank you NetGalley and ARC for the opportunity to read this.

I'm a reader and a writer. I love books about reading and writing and especially publishing. Publishing is such a closed world that it is wonderful to get a glimpse of how another writer views it.

This book is written from the points of view of Eddie (real name Naledi) and Hugo. They meet in a cafe where Eddie is writing her play. Hugo catches a glimpse of it and is intrigued. He would rather be an actor than be heading for the law career his family expect him to follow. In spite of her talent Eddie is getting nowhere with submissions. Only when she submits under an assumed name which hides the fact that she is female and black does she finally get a meeting with a top agent. Despite her hopes the agent is dismissive. Hugo and Eddie became friends and they resubmit the play under his name. This time the result is quite different.

I loved this book. It has so many interesting things to say about publishing, about how unequal and unfair it is, about white privilege and male privilege and nepotism. There are similarities to Yellowface but in my opinion this is much better. Highly recommended. Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the ARC.

Eddie Morua first meets Hugo Lawrence Smith in a cafe. While Eddie is outside smoking Hugo looks at her laptop and sees that she's writing a play. After their brief encounter they befreiend each other on Facebook. Her play finished Eddie sends it to agents with no success. Thinking that her full name,Relebogile Naledi Mpho Moruakgomo, which indicates her ethnicity is a barrier she sends it to an agent using a pseudonym suggesting that she's a white male and sure enough the agent is interested and asks to see her.............that interest suddenly dissolving when Eddie meets the agent in person,

When Hugo makes contact out of the blue,they hit on a "cunning plan" to subvert what Eddie sees as blatant racism and the play is resubmitted under the name of the good-looking,urbane ....and white, young man's name.................and it's a roaring success.As the saying goes,"what could possibly go wrong?".
Plenty as it happens and this is an entertaining story with a message,several messages in fact,about racism,loyalty ,friendship,relationships and much more. It's very funny,frequently moving and Eddie and Hugo are great characters.
I picked this up expecting something like "Yellowface" but in my opinion at least it's much better,there's a stronger message but it doesn't beat the reader over the head with it.
An excellent book by a very talented young author.