Description

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From Jas Hammonds, award-winning author of We Deserve Monuments, comes a gripping read about a queer teen risking it all to pledge an underground sorority with her best friends the summer before college—perfect for fans of Euphoria and Girl in Pieces.

It’s the summer before college and eighteen-year-old Blake Brenner and her girlfriend, Ella, have one goal: join the mysterious and exclusive Serena Society. The sorority promises status and lifelong connections to a network of powerful, trailblazing women of color. Ella’s acceptance is a sure thing—she’s the daughter of a Serena alum. Blake, however, has a lot more to prove.

As a former loner from a working-class background, Blake lacks Ella’s pedigree and confidence. Luckily, she finds courage at the bottom of a liquor bottle. When she drinks, she’s bold, funny, and unstoppable—and the Serenas love it. But as pledging intensifies, so does Blake’s drinking, until it’s seeping into every corner of her life. Ella assures Blake that she’s fine; partying hard is what it takes to make the cut . . .

But success has never felt so much like drowning. With her future hanging in the balance and her past dragging her down, Blake must decide how far she’s willing to go to achieve her glittering dreams of success—and how much of herself she’s willing to lose in the process.

About the Author

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Jas Hammonds was raised in many cities and between the pages of many books. They have received support for their writing from Lambda Literary, Baldwin for the Arts, and the Highlights Foundation. They are also a grateful recipient of the MacDowell James Baldwin Fellowship. Their debut novel, We Deserve Monuments, won the 2023 Coretta Scott King John Steptoe Award for New Talent, among many other accolades.

Praise For…

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“A sensitively wrought and gorgeously written exploration of a young woman's hard-won journey back to herself. Hammonds is a formidable talent whose unflinching vulnerability and empathy will inspire the same of their readers.”—Courtney Summers, New York Times bestselling author of Sadie and I’m the Girl

"Jas Hammonds remains one of literature's most electric voices. Breathtaking and courageous, Thirsty will change lives. Blake Brenner's story challenges our social norms, perception of addiction, and expectations for all kinds of love. I was dazzled and devastated by every page, and ultimately left profoundly moved." —Jen St. Jude, author of If Tomorrow Doesn't Come

"Thirsty is the first lungful of air when you’re drowning. An astonishing, compassionate, and deeply complicated novel about addiction, friendship, and loyalty that will leave your heart singing. Don’t miss this!" —Mark Oshiro, New York Times bestselling author of Into the Light

"A vibrant, affirming look at addiction, resilience, and what it means to take charge of your own life.” —Rebecca Barrow, author of And Don't Look Back and This Is What It Feels Like

"A brilliant display of electric dread, Jas Hammonds's Thirsty perfectly balances the dizzy joys of youth with a stark understanding of the complexities of addiction. A riveting addition to any collection built with care for our indispensable community of children." —K. Ancrum, award-winning author of The Weight of the Stars and Darling

"Vulnerable, tender, heartbreaking, and so full of hope. Thirsty is a compelling exploration of interiority that feels universal by a profound and incredible author." —Sara Farizan, award-winning author of If You Could Be Mine and Dead Flip

“Thirsty is an undeniable force. A knockout with nuance. This stunningly crafted story tugs at the reader with breathless pace and sharp insights that ultimately delivers the hope of recovery.” —Cory McCarthy, bestselling author of the Stonewall Honor-winner Man o’ War

"A revelation. In this stunning, messy-hearted, soul-soothing novel, Hammonds gives readers a means to examine, confront, and be curious about what alcohol can mask and destroy within us. This book will save lives, I have no doubt." —Mariama J. Lockington, Stonewall Honor Author of In the Key of Us and Forever is Now

"A story of love, longing and belonging, Jas expertly tackles addiction through showing not only abuse of the body, but of relationships, self-inflicting wounds and the lengths you'll go to feel accepted. But most important, Thirsty ends in hope and wholeness. A must read." —Ebony LaDelle, author of Love Radio

“Utterly consuming and tenderly poignant, Thirsty is a fearless exploration of toxicity, addiction, rage, and healing. A transformative novel that readers will cling to long after the final page.”
—Julian Winters, award-winning author of Right Where I Left You

"Poignant and gutsy. Thirsty is a brilliant exploration of girlhood and desire and what it means when we haven’t been taught to love ourselves. With the promise of hope and hard-fought insight, Blake’s journey is both compelling and confronting. A must read.” —Stephanie Kuehn, award-winning author of We Weren't Looking to Be Found

"Visceral and engrossing, Thirsty by Jas Hammonds plunges readers into the glittering world of country clubs and luxury boats–a world Blake is desperate to be part of as she battles crippling anxiety and self-doubt with one more round. This book is astounding in its searing authenticity and tenderness." —Alexandra Villasante, award-winning author of The Grief Keeper

"Readers will be gripped from the very beginning. A gut-wrenching story"—Kirkus Reviews, starred review

"Hammonds expertly weaves explorations of class, family, queer identity, race, and substance reliance into a glittering, harrowing narrative that is compulsively readable, gorgeously written, and intricately crafted." —Publishers Weekly, starred review