How It All Blew Up

by Arvin Ahmadi

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Pub Date 22 Sep 2020 | Archive Date 10 Dec 2020

Bonnier Books UK | Hot Key Books

LGBTQIA | Teens & YA

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Description

"Arvin Ahmadi has written a novel that is authentic, hilarious and heart-wrenching all at once. A unique point of view combined with riveting storytelling, How It All Blew Up will grab you from the first the page and won't let go" - Angie Thomas, #1 New York Times bestselling author of THE HATE U GIVE and ON THE COME UP

UK & COMMONWEALTH RIGHTS AVAILABLE ONLY

Eighteen-year-old Amir Azadi always knew that coming out to his Muslim family would be messy, but he wasn't expecting it to end in an airport interrogation room. Now, he's telling his side of the story to the stern-faced officer.

Amir has to explain why he ran away to Rome (boys, bullies, blackmail) and what he was doing there for a month (dates in the Sistine Chapel, friends who helped him accept who he is, and, of course, drama) . . . all while his mum, dad and little sister are being interrogated in the room next door.

A nuanced take on growing up brown, Muslim and gay in today's America, HOW IT ALL BLEW UP is the story of one boy's struggle to come out to his family, and how that painful process exists right alongside his silly, sexy romp through Italy.

"Arvin Ahmadi has written a novel that is authentic, hilarious and heart-wrenching all at once. A unique point of view combined with riveting storytelling, How It All Blew Up will grab you from the...

Advance Praise

“Arvin Ahmadi has written a novel that is authentic, hilarious, and heart-wrenching all at once. A unique point of view combined with riveting storytelling, How It All Blew Up will grab you from the first page and won’t let go.” —ANGIE THOMAS, #1 New York Times bestselling author of THE HATE U GIVE and ON THE COME UP

“I was so stunned and moved and absolutely gobsmacked by this masterpiece of a story. Every single beat was perfect, and oh, how it blew me away. I truly believe we’ll be talking about this book decades from now as a classic.” —BECKY ALBERTALLI, New York Times bestselling author of SIMON VS. THE HOMO SAPIENS AGENDA

“Arvin Ahmadi’s dazzling and ingenious new novel crackles with the terrifying exhilaration of facing up to who you are—and who you want to be. Amir’s journey leads him from the confines of the closet to the bacchanal of Rome, to an airport interrogation room, and, ultimately, to his true self.” —GAYLE FORMAN, #1 New York Times bestselling author of IF I STAY

“Arvin Ahmadi’s finest hour is here with How It All Blew Up. The compelling cast, heart-in-your-throat tension, eye-opening joy, and epic discoveries count down to a dramatic ticking time bomb of a finale that will leave readers astonished.” —ADAM SILVERA, New York Times bestselling author of THEY BOTH DIE AT THE END

“Filled to the brim with heart, wit, tenderness, and hope, How It All Blew Up had me savoring every page. Like a fine Italian meal, it left me so utterly satisfied, I don’t know how anything can compare. This book is perfect.” —ADIB KHORRAM, award-winning author of DARIUS THE GREAT IS NOT OKAY

“A story brimming with honesty, passion, and strength.”—SARA FARIZAN, award-winning author of IF YOU COULD BE MINE