Excellent reminds me of saltburn and just as good. Social status, hedonism, friendship, deceit and sex, this ticks all the boxes and more. A throughly entertaining read.

This is going to be perhaps the most gushing review you will read this year but I make no apologies. This deserved to be the winner of the Merky books 2022 new writers prize.
Hunter’s voice is undeniably credible and his experiences are those experienced by many people of colour who simply want to be recognised in their own right. Yet the constant snipes and finger pointing forces them to become out spoken and take a stand in their search for simple equality.
The novel opens when “White boy’” takes up the offer of a summer away at Lily’s family chateau in France. Immediately he is drawn towards her brother Felix. There are uncomfortable scenes when he is described as beautiful and his hair is tugged as he emerges from the pool. While this is triggering it is the obvious class difference that stands out.
The plot fast-forwards to their relationship in London where the racism becomes more overt and the relationship more toxic. ‘White boy ‘ is treated as a secret or Lily’s friend who will just not go away. David, Felix’s father, hands him a job but this comes at a cost. He must tow the line and keep the family’s dysfunctional secrets. Things come to a head at the Notting Hill Carnival when he witnesses police brutality delivered to his friend J and he is treated differently as he attempts to go back to the House until Felix comes.
Kemi, I mean Caroline is the sinister black MP who wishes to bury the story of J reminding “White boy” that there is always a place for him within Parliament, as long as he backs her beliefs that there is no such thing as institutional racism.
As the relationship breaks down the narrator begins to realise just how unjust his life is and how Annie, Felix’s mother will do everything within her power to protect her son. The final lines of this novel are brilliant and our hearts cry mostly because we recognise the truth in it.
Throughout we are given snippets of “White boy’s” childhood, how his grandmother took him in at an early age because of his mother’s hospitalisation due to mental breakdowns. He describes the effects it had on him while still managing to depict her with sensitivity. It is clear he has a strong bond with his grandmother and her voice is warm and soothing. Hunter has such skill in his ability to develop his characters. You feel that you know them all, perhaps because we all know a Caleb and Jazz. I really can’t praise this book enough and eagerly wait for his next.

Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ahead of publication.