Underneath Everything

Underneath Everything is a seductive, gorgeously written debut about two girls bound by an obsessive and toxic friendship, perfect for fans of Lauren Oliver and Courtney Summers.

Mattie shouldn't be at the bonfire. She should be finding new maps for her collection, hanging out with Kris, and steering clear of almost everyone else, especially Jolene. After all, Mattie and Kris dropped off the social scene the summer after sophomore year for a reason. But now Mattie is a senior, and she's sick of missing things. So here she is. And there's Jolene: Beautiful. Captivating. Just like the stories she wove. Mattie would know—she used to star in them. She and Jolene were best friends. Mattie has the scar on her palm to prove it, and Jolene has everything else, including Hudson.

But when Mattie runs into Hudson and gets a glimpse of what could have been, she decides to take it all back: the boyfriend, the friends, the life she was supposed to live. Problem is, Mattie can't figure out where Jolene's life ends and hers begins. Because there's something Mattie hasn't told anyone: She walked away from Jolene over a year ago, but she never really left.

• Toxic Friendship: One has the scar on her palm to prove their bond; the other has everything else. When Mattie and Jolene's obsessive relationship implodes, the fallout is just beginning.
• Romantic Suspense: She decides to win back the life she thinks Jolene stole, including her boyfriend, Hudson. But reclaiming the past is more dangerous than she ever imagined.
• Best Friends to Enemies: They used to be inseparable, weaving stories and sharing secrets. Now, one year after their falling out, Mattie is determined to rewrite the ending.
• Senior Year: Set against the backdrop of bonfires and an uncertain future, Mattie must untangle herself from Jolene's web before she loses her own identity for good.

Mattie shouldn't be at the bonfire. She should be finding new maps for her collection, hanging out with Kris, and steering clear of almost everyone else, especially Jolene. After all, Mattie and Kris dropped off the social scene the summer after sophomore year for a reason.

But now Mattie is a senior, and she's sick of missing things. So here she is.

And there's Jolene: Beautiful. Captivating. Just like the stories she wove.

Mattie would know; she used to star in them. She and Jolene were best friends. Mattie has the scar on her palm to prove it, and Jolene has everything else, including Hudson.

But when Mattie runs into Hudson and gets a glimpse of what could have been, she decides to take it all back: the boyfriend, the friends, the life she was supposed to live. Problem is, Mattie can't figure out where Jolene's life ends and hers begins.

Because there's something Mattie hasn't told anyone: She walked away from Jolene over a year ago, but she never really left.

Poignant and provocative, Marcy Beller Paul's debut novel tells the story of an intoxicating—and toxic—relationship that blurs the boundary between reality and fantasy, love and loyalty, friendship and obsession.

“Lyrical, nuanced, and achingly real, Marcy Beller Paul’s debut explores the unmappable territory that is female friendship with honesty and heart. This is a book for every girl who’s ever gotten lost trying to find where she ends and her best friends begin—which, let’s face it, is every girl.” - Amanda Maciel, author of Tease

“Marcy Beller Paul’s Underneath Everything is a lyrical and haunting debut novel. The story of Mattie and Jolene digs right into the heart of a poisonous friendship between two teenage girls, and I found myself holding my breath during the book’s final pages.” - Jennifer Mathieu, author of The Truth About Alice

“Strong characters, an intense plot, and relatable situations make this debut novel a worthwhile read.” - School Library Journal

“Paul’s writing has a dreamlike quality that will keep readers wondering how much is imagined and how much is real.” - Publishers Weekly