Sneaker Wave

A NEW YORK CITY BIG BOOK AWARD 2026 WINNER FOR NEW ADULT FICTION
Four mismatched teens. One act of violence. One nod by each of them to agree it never happened. Sneaker Wave is a haunting coming-of-age novel about the fragile borders between accident and intent, love and loyalty —and how a single moment can ripple through a lifetime.
In the final days of high school in a Pacific Northwest town, a beloved resident is critically injured while confronting seventeen-year-old Brady Joseph and three friends who have broken into an abandoned house to party. Luke, a seething runaway, is suspected of attacking the man, while Sam, a gentle, imperilling opportunist, and Sarah, Brady's wildly irrepressible girlfriend, are accused of helping Brady cover up the crime. The teens' code of silence keeps them out of jail, yet for Brady their duplicity is not so easily accepted, especially as their lives quickly unravel, leaving him with two choices, each one tragic. This is a story about teens doggedly pursued into adulthood by suspicion that lingers long after the media moves on. It's an unforgettable journey into the gaps between right and wrong, between harmless half-truths and disastrous self-deception.
“A powerful and stunning read…” – Literary Hoarders
“Brilliant, absorbing… Readers who enjoy literary fiction about guilt, friendship, and family damage will adore this.” – Readers’ Favorite Five-Star Review