Grit: A Novel

Raw and moving, this contemporary realistic debut novel will leave readers of E. Lockhart and Gayle Forman breathless as it unflinchingly unfolds the tragic secrets being kept in a small, deceptively idyllic town.

“Gorgeously written and helmed by a protagonist with an indelibly fierce heart." (starred review from Kirkus)

“Keen plotting, evocative writing, and dynamic characterization make French a writer to watch.” (starred review from Booklist)

Seventeen-year-old Darcy Prentiss has long held the title of “town slut.” She knows how to have a good time, sure, but she isn’t doing anything all the guys haven’t done. But when you’re a girl with a reputation, every little thing that happens seems to keep people whispering—especially when your ex-best friend goes missing.

But if anyone were to look closer at Darcy, they’d realize there’s a lot more going on beneath the surface. Staying out late, hooking up, and telling lies is what Darcy does to forget. Forget about the mysterious disappearance of her friend. Forget about the dark secret she and her cousin Nell share.

Forget about that hazy Fourth of July night. So when someone in town anonymously nominates Darcy to be in the running for Bay Festival Princess—a cruel act only someone with a score to settle would make—all of the things that Darcy wants to keep hidden threaten to erupt in ways she wasn’t prepared to handle…and isn’t sure if she can.

She’s been hiding from the truth for a year. What happens when it comes looking for her?

• A Gripping Young Adult Mystery: A year after her ex-best friend Rhiannon vanished, the town’s secrets refuse to stay buried—and Darcy knows more than she’s letting on.
• Unforgettable Coming of Age Story: Labeled the "town slut," Darcy Prentiss uses her reputation as armor. But a cruel nomination for Bay Festival Princess threatens to expose the vulnerable girl she’s hiding.
• Atmospheric Rural Maine Setting: From the sun-scorched blueberry barrens to the dark quarry, the landscape of Sasanoa, Maine holds as many secrets as its people.
• Complicated Friendships and Family Secrets: Darcy is desperate to forget what happened on the Fourth of July, and the dark secret she shares with her cousin Nell is a weight she can barely carry.