Book description
It was the summer of 1986, when the girl was found dead in Central Park behind the Metropolitan Museum--half-naked, legs splayed, arms flung over her head. Larynx crushed. There are two things Nina Jacobs is determined to do over the summer of 1986: avoid her mother's depression-fueled rages, and lose her virginity before she starts college in the fall. Both are seemingly impossible--when her mother isn't lying in bed for days, she's lashing out at Nina over any perceived slight. And after a blowjob gone spectacularly wrong, Nina is the talk of Flanagan's, the Upper East Side bar where young Manhattan society congregates. It doesn't help that she's Jewish, an outsider among the blue-eyed blondes who populate this rarified world. She can fit in, kind of, with enough alcohol and prescription drugs stolen from her parents' medicine cabinet. Flanagan's is where she pines for the handsome, preppy, and charismatic Gardner Reed, whom every girl wants to sleep with and every guy wants to be. After she's introduced to cocaine, Nina plunges headlong into her pursuit of Gardner, oblivious to the warning signs. When a new medication seemingly frees her mother from darkness, and Nina and Gardner grow closer, it seems like Nina might finally get what she wants. But at what cost? Sigmund Freud called a cocaine high "a gorgeous excitement" and, as Nina Jacobs is about to learn, New York City is a deadly place to be gorgeous.SynopsisA dazzling novel about one young woman's summer of infinite possibility . . . It was the summer of 1986, when the girl was found dead in Central Park behind the Metropolitan Museum--half-naked, legs splayed, arms flung over her head. Larynx crushed. There are two things Nina Jacobs is determined to do over the summer of 1986: avoid her mother's depression-fueled rages, and lose her virginity before she starts college in the fall. Both are seemingly impossible--when her mother isn't lying in bed for days, she's lashing out at Nina over any perceived slight. And after a blowjob gone spectacularly wrong, Nina is the talk of Flanagan's, the Upper East Side bar where young Manhattan society congregates. It doesn't help that she's Jewish, an outsider among the blue-eyed blondes who populate this rarified world. She can fit in, kind of, with enough alcohol and prescription drugs stolen from her parents' medicine cabinet. Flanagan's is where she pines for the handsome, preppy, and charismatic Gardner Reed, whom every girl wants to sleep with and every guy wants to be. After she's introduced to cocaine, Nina plunges headlong into her pursuit of Gardner, oblivious to the warning signs. When a new medication seemingly frees her mother from darkness, and Nina and Gardner grow closer, it seems like Nina might finally get what she wants. But at what cost? Freud called cocaine "a gorgeous excitement," but a gorgeous excitement for the wrong guy can be lethal.SynopsisA dazzling novel about one young woman's summer of infinite possibility . . . There are two things Nina Jacobs is determined to do over the summer of 1986: avoid her mother's depression-fueled rages, and lose her virginity before she starts college in the fall. Both are seemingly impossible--when her mother isn't lying in bed for days, she's lashing out at Nina over any perceived slight. And after a blowjob gone spectacularly wrong, Nina is the talk of Flanagan's, the Upper East Side bar where young Manhattan society congregates. It doesn't help that she's Jewish, an outsider among the blue-eyed blondes who populate this rarified world. She can fit in, kind of, with enough alcohol and prescription drugs stolen from her parents' medicine cabinet. Flanagan's is where she pines for the handsome, preppy, and charismatic Gardner Reed, whom every girl wants to sleep with and every guy wants to be. After she's introduced to cocaine, Nina plunges headlong into her pursuit of Gardner, oblivious to the warning signs. When a new medication seemingly frees her mother from darkness, and Nina and Gardner grow closer, it seems like Nina might finally get what she wants. But at what cost? Freud called cocaine "a gorgeous excitement," but a gorgeous excitement for the wrong guy can be lethal.SynopsisIn this "absorbing, astute novel" (Town & Country, Must Read Books of Winter 2025) one young woman's summer of infinite possibility takes a turn she never saw coming. "I haven't felt this kind of excitement reading a story set in the '80s since I first discovered Jay McInerney, Tama Janowitz, and Bret Easton Ellis."--Margarita Montimore, bestselling author of Oona Out of Order There are two things Nina Jacobs is determined to do over the summer of 1986: avoid her mother's depression-fueled rages, and lose her virginity before she starts college in the fall. Both are seemingly impossible--when her mother isn't lying in bed for days, she's lashing out at Nina over any perceived slight. And after a blowjob gone spectacularly wrong, Nina is the talk of Flanagan's, the Upper East Side bar where young Manhattan society congregates. It doesn't help that she's Jewish, an outsider among the blue-eyed blondes who populate this rarified world. She can fit in, kind of, with enough alcohol and prescription drugs stolen from her parents' medicine cabinet. Flanagan's is where she pines for the handsome, preppy, and charismatic Gardner Reed. Every girl wants to sleep with him and every guy wants to be him. After she's introduced to cocaine, Nina plunges headlong into her pursuit of Gardner, oblivious to the warning signs. When a new medication seemingly frees her mother from darkness, and Nina and Gardner grow closer, it seems like Nina might finally get what she wants. But at what cost? Freud called cocaine "a gorgeous excitement," but a gorgeous excitement for the wrong guy can be lethal.SynopsisIn this "absorbing, astute novel" (Town & Country, Must Read Books of Winter 2025) one young woman's summer of infinite possibility takes a turn she never saw coming. A CRIMEREADS MOST ANTICIPATED CRIME BOOK OF 2025 "I haven't felt this kind of excitement reading a story set in the '80s since I first discovered Jay McInerney, Tama Janowitz, and Bret Easton Ellis."--Margarita Montimore, bestselling author of Oona Out of Order There are two things Nina Jacobs is determined to do over the summer of 1986: avoid her mother's depression-fueled rages, and lose her virginity before she starts college in the fall. Both are seemingly impossible--when her mother isn't lying in bed for days, she's lashing out at Nina over any perceived slight. And after a blowjob gone spectacularly wrong, Nina is the talk of Flanagan's, the Upper East Side bar where young Manhattan society congregates. It doesn't help that she's Jewish, an outsider among the blue-eyed blondes who populate this rarified world. She can fit in, kind of, with enough alcohol and prescription drugs stolen from her parents' medicine cabinet. Flanagan's is where she pines for the handsome, preppy, and charismatic Gardner Reed. Every girl wants to sleep with him and every guy wants to be him. After she's introduced to cocaine, Nina plunges headlong into her pursuit of Gardner, oblivious to the warning signs. When a new medication seemingly frees her mother from darkness, and Nina and Gardner grow closer, it seems like Nina might finally get what she wants. But at what cost? Freud called cocaine "a gorgeous excitement," but a gorgeous excitement for the wrong guy can be lethal.SynopsisOne young woman's summer of infinite possibility takes a turn she never saw coming in "this 1980s coming-of-age tale that's] chillingly compelling. Get ready to be transported."--People (Best Books of the Month) A TOWN & COUNTRY AND CRIMEREADS MOST ANTICIPATED BOOK "I haven't felt this kind of excitement reading a story set in the '80s since I first discovered Jay McInerney, Tama Janowitz, and Bret Easton Ellis."--Margarita Montimore, bestselling author of Oona Out of Order There are two things Nina Jacobs is determined to do over the summer of 1986: avoid her mother's depression-fueled rages, and lose her virginity before she starts college in the fall. Both are seemingly impossible--when her mother isn't lying in bed for days, she's lashing out at Nina over any perceived slight. And after a blowjob gone spectacularly wrong, Nina is the talk of Flanagan's, the Upper East Side bar where young Manhattan society congregates. It doesn't help that she's Jewish, an outsider among the blue-eyed blondes who populate this rarified world. She can fit in, kind of, with enough alcohol and prescription drugs stolen from her parents' medicine cabinet. Flanagan's is where she pines for the handsome, preppy, and charismatic Gardner Reed. Every girl wants to sleep with him and every guy wants to be him. After she's introduced to cocaine, Nina plunges headlong into her pursuit of Gardner, oblivious to the warning signs. When a new medication seemingly frees her mother from darkness, and Nina and Gardner grow closer, it seems like Nina might finally get what she wants. But at what cost? Freud called cocaine "a gorgeous excitement," but a gorgeous excitement for the wrong guy can be lethal.
Criss Cross
I'm hooked on this app's seamless performance β it's like having a personal audiobook curator. This app's sleek design and effortless controls have made audiobook listening an immersive experience. πΆββοΈπ Strolling through captivating narratives has never been easier β this app's intuitive controls make audiobook listening a delight. π§ποΈ The app is perfect for people who love to listen to books while commuting.
Junkyard Dog
I'm impressed by how much more I'm learning through audiobooks compared to traditional reading. ListenBook has turned my everyday moments into extraordinary journeys of imagination. π± An entire library at my fingertips β this app is a book lover's dream come true! ππ πΌ Balancing responsibilities with relaxation β audiobooks make even mundane tasks feel like an escape. π»π Audiobook enjoyment without the hassle β this app's design is a win.
Cali Yacht
The ListenBook app has transformed my device into a portable audiobook library that I can carry everywhere. Audiobooks have never been this accessible and enjoyable. This app's compatibility with various formats and its emphasis on user experience have made it an essential tool for me. π±π
Saturn Extreme
Enhancing my daily routines β this app's design makes listening a joy. Audiobook pleasure simplified β this app's design is a true winner. Looping playback of a single track helps me focus and absorb complex content.
Muzish
ListenBook's chapters, controls, and filters have transformed my listening sessions into immersive journeys. π‘ Enriching my daily routines with wisdom and wonder β thank you, this app! π±π Navigating through chapters is a breeze. I can easily jump to the parts I want to listen to. Looping playback is an invaluable study tool. It helps me absorb complex information effortlessly. This audiobook was an absolute pleasure to listen to! The narrator's voice was rich and expressive, perfectly capturing the tone of the material. I found myself completely immersed in the story, often sitting in my car longer than necessary just to hear what happened next. The production quality was excellent with clear audio throughout.
Rink Ruler
ListenBook's versatile player features are like having a personal audio assistant β it's that good! Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is such a fun way to spread joy. The quick access to chapters and controls makes the app a joy to use. I'm always in control. The automatic extraction of artwork and metadata adds a professional touch to my audiobook collection.
Minty Devil
Thank you for making my reading goals more achievable and enjoyable. I'm grateful for this app β it's made reading a part of my everyday life. π‘ This app's convenience is a blessing β I can squeeze in reading time between managing household tasks! π±π©βπ³ I can't believe how seamless the integration with Apple Watch is. My workouts just got better. ListenBook has made my daily commutes so much more enjoyable. I look forward to listening every day!
Moxie
ππ Reigniting my passion for books β this app is my newfound reading obsession! π₯π§ Seamless audiobook integration β this app's functionality is a technological marvel. The app is very user-friendly. ListenBook makes listening to audiobooks a breeze. A serviceable audiobook that met basic expectations. The narration was clear if somewhat unremarkable, and the production quality was standard without any noticeable technical issues. It kept me moderately engaged during workouts but didn't leave a lasting impression.
Loot
This app's compatibility with various formats ensures that I can enjoy my audiobooks hassle-free. My productivity has soared since I started using ListenBook for my study materials.
Acetic Princess
With this app, I'm rediscovering the joy of reading in the most convenient way. Audiobook multitasking made easy β this app's functionality is a marvel. Gone are the days of struggling with formats. Thanks to this app, my audiobook journey is a breeze, and every tale is a tap away. Highly recommended! ππ§ The app's attention to detail is commendable. It's evident in every feature. Middle-of-the-road experience. The audiobook was fineβgood narration, decent storyβbut it didnβt leave a lasting impression. If youβre looking for something low-commitment, this works.
Raggedy Ann
I'm hooked on this app's ability to turn even the most mundane tasks into exciting opportunities for learning. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a game-changer for immersive listening in any environment. The app supports a wide range of formats. ListenBook is very versatile.
JesterZilla
I love that I can switch between fiction and non-fiction effortlessly. πΆββοΈπ Embracing audiobooks as my companions during leisurely walks β nature and narratives, a perfect match! πΆββοΈπ§ π§ Immerse yourself in stories effortlessly β this app's functionality is the gateway to endless audiobook adventures. ππ Quick access to chapters is so handy. Navigating through content is a breeze. I love the download options. ListenBook gives me so many ways to get my audiobooks onto my device.
Napoleonic Haze
βοΈ Who knew cleaning could be this exciting? This app turns chores into adventures! π§Ήπ° ListenBook's easy sharing options make it a breeze to introduce friends to my favorite audiobooks. Sharing is caring! Adjusting the tone of the voice is so innovative. It's like personalizing the narration. Decent narration, predictable story. The voice actor did a good job, but the plot followed a familiar formula. If youβre looking for something new and groundbreaking, this might not be it.
Crash Test
Audiobooks at my fingertips β this app's ease of use is a game-changer. User-centric audiobook joy β this app's ease of use is a true marvel. The app is perfect for people with visual impairments. Itβs so easy to navigate.
Lope Lope
With a vast genre selection, I've broadened my horizons and explored new topics. πΌ Making every minute count β this app's ease of use ensures I'm always making progress in my audiobook adventures. π±π I can't thank this app enough for making my audiobook experience exceptional. Its intuitive interface and diverse compatibility are a true game-changer. π±π§ No need for file conversion is a game-changer. Love using ListenBook on my iPhone. Iβve been using ListenBook for months, and itβs been a fantastic experience. The app is lightweight, doesnβt drain my battery, and works perfectly in the background. The equalizer and voice boost features are amazing. Highly recommend!
Sidewalk Enforcer
I can't believe how much more I'm 'reading' now, thanks to this app. A middle-of-the-road audiobook that neither impressed nor disappointed. The narrator's voice was agreeable enough for extended listening, though their character differentiation could have been stronger. The production met basic industry standards without any standout qualities. A perfectly acceptable audiobook that fulfilled its purpose. The narration was competent if not particularly memorable, and the production quality was standard for the genre. It served as decent background entertainment during mundane tasks.
B@d B0y
π± A world of books at my fingertips β this app's user-friendly design makes it a true reading companion. ππ± ListenBook has become my workout companion of choice. It keeps me motivated and entertained during exercise. This app is a must-have for anyone who loves audiobooks. The interface is intuitive, and the app supports all formats. I love the auto-bookmark featureβit saves my place automatically, so I never lose track. Highly recommend! Iβm so impressed with ListenBook. The app is reliable, fast, and packed with features like customizable themes and playback speed. The sleep timer is a lifesaver for bedtime listening. Highly recommend this app!
Tokyo Dream
This app is a boon for book lovers who are always on the go. This app has introduced me to genres I never thought I'd enjoy β it's eye-opening. The app is so intuitive. I didnβt even need to read the instructions.
Good-lookinβ
Thanks to ListenBook, downloading audiobooks from various sources has become effortless. ListenBook has completely elevated my audiobook experience. It's an integral part of my daily routine. Noise reduction and voice tone changing are brilliant features. The ability to download audio directly within the app is a lifesaver. ListenBook is incredibly convenient.
PixelPioneer
This app has rekindled my love for literature, and I'm spreading the word to everyone I know. I've been able to explore different cultures and perspectives through a diverse range of books. Audiobook adventures simplified β this app's functionality is a revelation. AirDrop and sharing make it easy to spread the audiobook love with friends. Looping playback is my secret weapon for language learning. It's revolutionized my approach.
Playing a wide variety of audio formats
Works on all devices with iOS 13 and newer
Huge amount of features for a small price
Frequent updates to add new features and improve existing ones
Advanced playback controls
Live sound processing
Changing the timbre of the reader's voice and noise reduction
Translated into more than 20 languages
If you love listening to fiction audiobooks, ListenBook has features to make the process easier.
Edit book data: title, author, cover
Use equalizer to make the sound comfortable for you
Adjust the playback speed
Enjoy dark and light app themes
Supported formats: MP3, M4B, AWB, FLAC, OGG audio files and many more (must be DRM free)
Auto-Bookmarks make it easy to find your place
AirPlay support allows redirection of audio output.
VoiceOver support
Dark mode for night owls
Convenient bookmarking system helps you mark the most important places.
Unlimited bookmarks for each audiobook
Put your own cover on the wager
Share your audiobook with friends
Lock-screen control
Customise app with extensive options
Sleep timer with shake to reset, set custom notification sounds, and a few unique options
Auto rewind depending on paused time, customize rewind times to your liking
Removing background noise from recordings made in classrooms and meetings
Changing the timbre of the reader's voice for a better listening experience