In Bloom

An Observer Best Debut Novelist 2026


'Electric. Bubbling with rage and yearning' GUARDIAN
'A propulsive coming-of-age story' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ READER REVIEW
'Raw, grungy and frenetic' ALICE SLATER
'Full of heart, anger and grunge' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ READER REVIEW

The Bastards aren't afraid of anything.

It's the mid-nineties, and in the small, shitty coastal town of Vincent, four girls - each hailing from single-mother, multi-sibling families, form a band: The Bastards. Friends since they were children, they consider themselves 'forgettable girls' - distracted, disillusioned, and desperate to escape the fates of their mothers.

Winning the Battle of the Bands is their ticket out - they might not have talent, but they can play three chords and scream until their vocal folds burst out of their throats - and nobody wants it more than them.

But when lead singer Lily Lucid quits, and accuses their idolized music teacher of sexual assault, the three remaining girls are left with nothing. They'll do anything to keep their dream alive, even if it means sacrificing school, Lily and their mothers. But how far out of control can they spin before there's no turning back?