Neveah is fifteen, a schoolgirl who is neglected in different ways by both her parents. She lives with her mum, Marie, who works nights and isn't too bothered what Neveah gets up to, as long as it doesn't affect her. Neveah's dad is the lead singer of a band and is often on the road, maintaining sporadic contact with his daughter.

Neveah is a good student and is ambitious for herself. She also has a secret life. She's earning good money by moonlighting as a digital freelancer. Neveah is also having an affair with her biggest client, Giles, who is married with a troubled home life. Neveah lies to him about her age, telling him she's twenty-two and he believes her. Neveah will do just about anything to stop him from finding out her true age. Not only does she need the money, but she has developed strong feelings for Giles. But a secret this big can't stay under wraps forever. When it all comes out, the consequences are devastating. Not only for Neveah and Giles, but for Giles's family.

The novel examines toxic masculinity and the early sexualisation of young girls and society's collective collusion in this process, including by the girls themselves. Why do some young girls become sexually active way sooner than is good for them, and if a man has sex with a girl who lies about her age, is he still culpable?

Welcome to the murky world of contemporary sex, where everyone has something to hide.

About the Author

Catherine Evans was born in South Africa, and grew up in a family of bookworms in Swaziland and Malawi. She and her siblings were among a band of feral children growing up in the heart of the African bushland, in tiny communities populated by the good, the bad and the ugly.

After a degree in English Literature and Psychology with UNISA (the University of South Africa), she worked in the City for twenty years. She is currently a Non-Executive Director for Phoenix Copper Limited, which focuses on the exploration of green metals in Idaho, USA.

She lives in Oxfordshire with her husband and daughter. She also has three grown-up stepdaughters. She is also the author of The Wrong'un.

Reviews

Giles loves his wife Christine, but they haven't had sex for seven years, since she was violently attacked. He has no intention of leaving her, but is sleeping with Neavah, the young digital freelancer he employed to design his website.

As well as all the usual things a man risks by having an affair, Giles is also dicing with Christine's recovery. Neveah told Giles she is 22 when she's actually 15, so he's got no idea he's also flirting with a prison sentence.

The narrative is split between the perspectives of these three, and also people connected to them, including Neavah's nightclub hostess mother, Marie, and Giles and Christine's daughter, Serena, who is the victim of an online porn scandal.

It's brilliant on consent and underage sex - if a man has sex with a girl who lies about her age, is he still culpable? Compelling.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/home/books/article-12546357/DEBUTS.html

-- Sara Lawrence * Debuts *



Book Information
ISBN 9781739630553
Author Catherine Evans
Format Paperback
Page Count 240
Imprint Inkspot Publishing
Publisher Inkspot Publishing
Weight(grams) 210g
Dimensions(mm) 198mm * 129mm * 18mm