Calvin "Cal" McShane should have the world by the balls. He's just been accepted into his dream college, and his parents have won the lottery. But instead of celebrating, he finds himself drifting further from the people he loves and the future he imagined.

Cal's story is one about the burdens we place on each other and on ourselves; about the responsibility that comes with loving somebody and the cost of daring to be loved.

Set in a time before smartphones, when connection meant looking across the table instead of into a screen, The Wake of Expectations is a funny, heartfelt, and deeply human exploration of dreams deferred and dreams derailed, the courage to choose your own path, and the transformative power of love, friendship and self-discovery.

A raunchy, Gen X coming-of-age story brimming with 1990s nostalgia, The Wake of Expectations follows Calvin on an unflinching, deeply immersive journey that blends edgy humor with serious introspection, offering a biting look at the messiness of growing up. Through Calvin’s sharp, often self-deprecating lens, the novel presents a cast of richly drawn, complex characters and relationships worthy of deep literary analysis. For those who enjoy sinking into a long, richly layered novel, the story rewards patience with satisfying payoffs. Fans of Kevin Smith’s raw dialogue, Bukowski’s unfiltered introspection, Palahniuk's dark wit and Salinger’s piercing disillusionment may find much to love. Mature themes and adult humor are woven throughout, so reader discretion is advised.