32 Candles: A Novel

“32 cheers for Ernessa T. Carter! She’s created one of the freshest, funniest characters I’ve ever read….32 Candles is a charmer.”
—Carleen Brice, author of Orange Mint and Honey

32 Candles by exciting newcomer Ernessa T. Carter is the slightly twisted, utterly romantic, and deftly wry story of Davie Jones, who, if she doesn’t stand in her own way, just might get the man of her dreams.  For fans of John Hughes’s “Sixteen Candles”, 32 Candles is a fresh and fun fiction debut for every fan of romantic comedy.

32 Candles is the slightly twisted, utterly romantic, and deftly wry story of Davie Jones, who, if she doesn’t stand in her own way, just might get the man of her dreams.

Davie—an ugly duckling growing up in small-town Mississippi—is positive her life couldn’t be any worse. She has the meanest mother in the South, possibly the world, and on top of that, she’s pretty sure she’s ugly. Just when she’s resigned herself to her fate, she sees a movie that will change her life—Sixteen Candles. But in her case, life doesn’t imitate art. Tormented endlessly in school with the nickname "Monkey Night," and hopelessly in unrequited love with a handsome football player, James Farrell, Davie finds that it is bittersweet to dream of Molly Ringwald endings. When a cruel school prank goes too far, Davie leaves the life she knows and reinvents herself in the glittery world of Hollywood—as a beautiful and successful lounge singer in a swanky nightclub.

Davie is finally a million miles from where she started—until she bumps into her former obsession, James Farrell. To Davie’s astonishment, James doesn’t recognize her, and she can’t bring herself to end the fantasy. She lets him fall as deeply in love with her as she once was with him. But is life ever that simple? Just as they’re about to ride off into the sunset, the past comes back with a vengeance, threatening to crush Davie’s dreams—and break her heart again.

With wholly original characters and a cinematic storyline, 32 Candles introduces Ernessa T. Carter, a new voice in fiction with smarts, attitude, and sassiness to spare.

“First there was Stella and she got her groove back, then there was Bridget Jones and she managed to find love despite her own lovable neuroses. Now there is Davie Jones. 32 Candles, at last, is the answer to the question ‘What should I read next?’” - Erica Kennedy, author of Feminista and Bling

“First-time novelist Ernessa T. Carter has created a quirky and likable character in Davidia ‘Davie’ Jones.” - Network Journal

“The author creates a heroine that is multifaceted, quirky, humorous and above all, endearing. . . . 32 Candles [is] a laugh-out-loud read. . . . Hang on for the ride.” - The Afro-American Newspapers (DC/Baltimore)

“32 cheers for Ernessa T. Carter! She’s created one of the freshest, funniest characters I’ve ever read: a Strokes-t-shirt-wearing, Mississippi-accented, dark-skinned girl named after a 60s pop star and the pirate’s locker. No matter your age, you’ll get a kick out of Davie Jones’ journey from ugly duckling to semi-demented swan, but if you came of age in the 80s or 90s you will especially love this book. 32 Candles is a charmer.” - Carleen Brice, author of Orange Mint and Honey

“A debut tragicomic romance. . . . Potent and well rendered.” - Kirkus Reviews

“[A] captivating debut. . . . With all the charm of a clever romantic comedy and peopled by appealing, memorable characters, Carter’s first novel is a winner on all fronts.” - Booklist (starred review)

“Ernessa T. Carter is a fresh new voice. In Davie Jones, she has created a wicked yet empathetic character. I can’t wait to see what’s next.” - Terry McMillan, author of Waiting to Exhale and Getting to Happy

“32 cheers for Ernessa T. Carter! She’s created one of the freshest, funniest characters I’ve ever read about. . . . 32 Candles is a charmer.” - Carleen Brice, author of Orange Mint and Honey

“I super heart Davie Jones. . . . She’s perfectly imperfect, and you won’t want her lively, hysterical, what-looks-like-crazy-on-an-ordinary-day story to end. A thoroughly, totally, ridiculously addictive read!” - Denene Millner, coauthor of The Vow

“This summer’s juiciest beach read. . . . Carter winds up this disarmingly moving tale with not one but many surprises, in which both Davie and you will win.” - Essence

“[Davie’s] need for sweet revenge adds a welcome dark edge.” - Publishers Weekly

“This is an easy 5 out of 5 stars and one of my top five favorite fiction novels I’ve ever read in my entire adulthood.” - Associated Content Review