June Hayward is an aspiring author who will do anything to make it big in the publishing world. Even stealing her frenemy’s unpublished manuscript in the moments following her traumatic death. 

 

After editing and rewriting the manuscript, June passes it off as her own and soon climbs the ladder of success when it’s published. Everything she does to protect her little secret from the world shines a light on just how far June is willing to go. 

 

Whew, there was a lot to unpack. Kuang does a great job demonstrating every side of the story, forcing readers to question who’s “side” they’re on. This book was a rollercoaster of deceit, racism, and plagiarism alongside a (mostly?!) satirical look at the skeletons hiding in the publishing industry’s closet.