Grit: A Novel

Edgar Award Nominee for Best Young Adult Mystery * A Kirkus Best Book

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.

What happens when the girl everyone whispers about is the only one who knows the truth?

• Young Adult Mystery: A raw, atmospheric thriller about what happens when Darcy’s ex-best friend vanishes, leaving a trail of clues only she can piece together.
• Small Town Secrets: In a deceptively idyllic Maine town, everyone has something to hide. But Darcy’s secret from a hazy Fourth of July is the most dangerous of all.
• Complex Heroine: Labeled the “town slut,” Darcy Prentiss uses her reputation as armor. But a cruel nomination for Bay Festival Princess threatens to expose the girl she’s desperately trying to protect.
• YA Thriller: Perfect for fans of E. Lockhart and Courtney Summers who love character-driven suspense and a mystery that will keep them guessing until the final page.

His presence beside me is like heat, like weight, something I’ve carried around on my back too long.

It’s summer in rural Maine; when seventeen-year-old Darcy Prentiss isn’t raking berries with her sister, Mags, and cousin, Nell, during the day, she’s drinking and swimming with the boys in the quarry by night. She knows how to have a good time, just like anyone else, but when you’ve been designated the town slut, every move you make seems to further solidify your “trashy girl” reputation.

But the fun is what’s been keeping Darcy’s mind off the things she can’t forget: a disturbing secret she shares with Nell, the mysterious disappearance of her ex–best friend, and that hazy Fourth of July party that ended with Darcy drunk, on her back, wondering how she let it get this far.

Then someone in town anonymously nominates Darcy to be in the running for Bay Festival Princess—a cruel, almost laughable gesture that can only be the work of someone with a score to settle. Everything Darcy has been trying to keep down comes bubbling to the surface in ways she wasn’t prepared to handle . . . and isn’t sure if she can.

Gorgeously written and powerfully raw, this novel from debut author Gillian French will appeal to readers of Laurie Halse Anderson and Gayle Forman.

“Gripping. Complex but patient plotting and evocative prose elevate this moody coming-of-age novel.” - The Horn Book

“Plenty of people might think they’ve got Darcy Prentiss figured out, but they’d be wrong. Under her tough-as-nails exterior, she’s hiding all kinds of heartache—and she might or might not know more than she’s telling about the mysterious disappearance of her former best friend. Touching, funny, and wise, Grit takes you on a journey you’ll remember long after turning the last page.” - Christina Baker Kline, New York Times bestselling author of Orphan Train

“Touching, funny, and wise, Grit takes you on a journey you’ll remember long after turning the last page.” - Christina Baker Kline, New York Times bestselling author of Orphan Train

“Much like Summer’s All the Rage and Smith’s The Way I Used to Be, this [story] explores the damage of a culture that sees women only in regards to their sexual history and not who they are.” - Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books

“Excellent teen drama. This page-turner will hold the interest of mystery fans. A strong choice for most collections.” - School Library Journal

“Lands an effective punch.” - Publishers Weekly

★ “Gorgeously written and helmed by a protagonist with an indelibly fierce heart.” - Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

“Tough yet tender, Grit explores new things about the girl everyone thinks they know.” - Mindy McGinnis, award-winning author of The Female of the Species

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