From Craig Silvey comes a powerful, emotional coming-of-age story about identity, survival, and finding hope in the darkest moments.

Fourteen-year-old Sam Watson is struggling—lost, alone, and unsure where they belong in a world that hasn’t been kind. One night, standing on a bridge and contemplating ending everything, Sam encounters Vic, an elderly man facing his own despair.

That moment changes everything.

What follows is an unlikely friendship that becomes a lifeline. As Sam navigates a painful past marked by trauma, abuse, and confusion around identity, they slowly begin a journey toward self-acceptance and healing.

Through the people they meet along the way, Sam begins to discover that family isn’t always the one you’re born into—and that there is still a place in the world for them.

Raw, confronting, and deeply compassionate, this novel explores themes of gender identity, belonging, and the courage it takes to keep going.

✨ Genre: Contemporary Fiction / Coming-of-Age / Literary Fiction
🌶️ Spice Level: None

📚 Series: Standalone

Heartbreaking, hopeful, and unforgettable—perfect for readers who love emotional journeys, found family, and stories about discovering who you truly are 💛✨