Beautiful and Terrible Things
by S.M. Stevens
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Pub Date 18 Jul 2024 | Archive Date 29 Jul 2025
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Description
“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
A Note From the Publisher
Advance Praise
2024 Literary Titan Silver Book Award Winner
"Beautiful and Terrible Things by S.M. Stevens is a compelling literary novel with resonant themes and characters that stay with readers after the last page is turned." -Readers' Favorite
"S.M. Stevens creates a fine juxtaposition of beautiful and terrible moments in a life already frayed by self-destructive tendencies, depression, and isolation. It's highly recommended for diverse audiences interested in how social and political consciousness evolves and how self-analysis influences that process." -Midwest Book Reviews
"Beautiful and Terrible Things is not just a story about overcoming adversity but also a reflection on the intrinsic beauty that can be found in life's most formidable moments." -Literary Titan
"The six protagonists have the type of friendship that makes the reader think, I want to live in that city and be a part of that group. They are almost like the Friends gang, only more diverse and set in the 2020's." -Julie Sara Porter, Reedsy Discovery
"A potent juxtaposition of things painful to bear and inspiring to behold, Beautiful and Terrible Things is an eloquent novel that fully lives up to its name." -Indies Today
"A poignant, whirlwind read that grabs you. A story so relevant it vibrates." -Tina O'Hailey, author of Dark Drink
Available Editions
| EDITION | Ebook |
| ISBN | 9781685134471 |
| PRICE | US$6.99 (USD) |
| PAGES | 392 |
Available on NetGalley
Featured Reviews
Rally R, Reviewer
This felt like watching a movie drama. I could picture all the well written characters and envision the settings. It takes you through the ups and downs as they experience it. I wish I could have read it a little slower to take it all in. I will be re reading this again but I feel everyone should give this story a chance. It is so real and the situations complex and diverse. I am glad I was given the chance to try this one.
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