Everything's Fine
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3.9 • 52 Ratings
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- $14.99
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- $14.99
Publisher Description
An “extraordinarily brave…funny as hell” (Zakiya Dalila Harris, author of The Other Black Girl) debut and a “subtle, ironic, wise, state-of-the-nation novel” (Nick Hornby) that doesn’t just ask will they, but…should they?
On Jess’s first day at Goldman Sachs, she’s less than thrilled to learn she’ll be on the same team as Josh, her white, conservative sparring partner from college. Josh loves playing the devil’s advocate and is just…the worst.
But when Jess finds herself the sole Black woman on the floor, overlooked and underestimated, it’s Josh who shows up for her in surprising—if imperfect—ways. Before long, an unlikely friendship—one tinged with undeniable chemistry—forms between the two. A friendship that gradually, and then suddenly, turns into an electrifying romance that shocks them both.
Despite their differences, the force of their attraction propels the relationship forward, and Jess begins to question whether it’s more important to be happy than right. But then, it’s 2016, and the cultural and political landscape shifts underneath them. And Jess, who is just beginning to discover who she is and who she has the right to be, is forced to ask herself what she’s willing to compromise for love and whether, in fact, everything’s fine.
A stunning debut about “a love affair that turns inferno” (People), Everything’s Fine is a poignant and sharp novel that you won’t soon forget.
APPLE BOOKS REVIEW
In this state-of-the-nation romance, an unexpected relationship blossoms between old college rivals. The world is growing ever more polarized as Jess, a Black, liberal financial analyst at Goldman Sachs, begins inexplicably falling for her old friend and co-worker, Josh—who happens to be a Republican. Cecilia Rabess’ heartfelt debut shows how messy and difficult relationships can be, and we loved her unconventional, nuanced characters and the fiery jabs they exchange. This poignant enemies-to-lovers story will give you plenty to discuss after reading.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Rabess delivers a breezy yet unsettling debut about a liberal Black financial analyst who falls in love with a white Republican coworker. It's the middle of the Obama years and Jess Jones, newly hired at Goldman Sachs, runs into Josh Hillyer, an old college classmate with whom she used to argue over politics. To her surprise, they slowly become friends despite his conservative views as he mentors her and helps her navigate office politics as the only Black woman in the firm. Eventually, Josh leaves Goldman to work at a big-time trader's AI-powered firm, and he brings Jess along with him. Sparks inevitably fly between Jess and Josh as they try to work out their drastically different outlooks and backgrounds. Secrets are revealed, Jess gets in trouble with the boss, and everything comes to a head as the 2016 election approaches, building to a conclusion that lands as either shallowly romantic or an incendiary critique of capitalism, depending on the reader's interpretation. Rabess's humor is on-point, and the chemistry between the leads is electric; each scene involving them is fraught with a double-edged sword—after they hook up, Josh starts talking dirty and Jess responds, "Way to ruin the moment, you creepy loser," before they have sex again. This is sure to spark conversation.
Customer Reviews
Great
Very enjoyable read.
Excellent Read!
This book was a great read that dealt with the nuances of maintaining a relationship when you disagree about politics, but agree about everything else. So relevant for today’s current dating world.
Super readable, thought-provoking romantic comedy
I finished this in a week on the Subway and it was so interesting and engaging I didn’t want to put it down. Interesting, realistic dialogue and great plotting- hard to believe this is a debut novel! Reads like a modern-day Jane Austen & great for fans of Nora Roberts or Emily Henry.