Katie Rose Guest Pryal & her new release “Fallout Girl”

“A dangerous, sexy, motorcycle ride of a story, which pulls off the feat of being both humorous and heartbreaking at the same time.” —Sandra Block, author of the Zoe Goldman series.

The day she buries her mother, Miranda George jumps on a plane from North Carolina, telling no one where she’s heading. She wants to disappear and start over. She arrives on the Los Angeles doorstep of college friend Daphne Saito, and even though Miranda hasn’t seen Daphne in years, Daphne welcomes Miranda into her home and her makeshift L.A. family.

The problem is, Miranda is on the run from family. All family. Family, in Miranda’s experience, can get you killed. Miranda takes off again, but this time her plan is much more sinister. She certainly doesn’t expect her friends to track her down. When they bring her back from the edge, the question remains: will Miranda be able to save herself and her newfound friendships? Or will she remain strangled by the past?

Camille Pagán, bestselling author of Woman Last Seen in Her Thirties, says this about ENTANGLEMENT: “Equal parts heartbreaking and heartening, Entanglement shines a light on the interior lives of two flawed and fascinating women.”

Sonja Yoerg, author of All the Best People, says this about FALLOUT GIRL: “Modern, fresh, and entirely credible, Fallout Girl is a love story wrapped inside a heart-rending struggle for personal freedom.”

Where can I get a copy?

Available now through Amazon: bit.ly/falloutgirl (or search for “Fallout Girl”)

My Review: ****

Miranda George is on the run. On the run from her life, her past, her family, and herself. Following the death of her mother, Miranda takes off to Los Angeles in search of a place to hide. She seeks out former acquaintance Daphne Saito, an unreliable college friend, in the hopes of finding someone more messed up, vain and selfish than herself. After all, who’s going to notice another damaged person hanging out with the ‘beautiful people’ of LA? Much to her surprise, old friends Daphne and Greta, are settled, working through their personal issues, and making new lives for themselves. They welcome Miranda with open arms, offering her a new ‘family’ to be a part of. Will Miranda make the most of the opportunities on offer, and come to terms with her unhappy past, and make peace with her self-doubt? You need to read it to find out.I am not usually one for “Chick Lit” books, but I really enjoy Katie Rose Guest Pryal’s style of writing. The characters are easy to relate to. The book makes for a great read and would be a wonderful addition to any holiday reading library.

A quick interview with the author:

What was your inspiration to write Fallout Girl?

After Miranda first made her appearance in CHASING CHAOS, I knew that she deserved her own story. In CHASING CHAOS, Daphne, the main character, needed someone to take care of, but also, at the same time, someone to push her when she started making some bad decisions. Miranda appeared as a side character who was both vulnerable but also full of sharp edges. I really liked figuring out what made her that way.

Can we expect more offerings in the series, and will they feature other characters from the group of friends?

Yes! I’m working on the sixth and final book in the series now. This one features Charlie George, Miranda’s brother, as the main character. As for Charlie’s love interest—since you’ve read FALLOUT GIRL, you’ll probably be able to guess who that is. For those who haven’t read the book, I don’t want to spoil the surprise.

Should I read the other books in the Hollywood Lights series first?

I like to call the Hollywood Lights books “linked novels” rather than a series because, although the feature the same group of friends, they definitely stand alone. Each book features a different main character facing a new challenge. Although you might enjoy reading them in order, it’s not a requirement for understanding the story.

What are you reading at the moment?

I’m always reading lots of books. I just finished FIREFLY LANE by Kristin Hannah, and I’m starting THE PROMISE BETWEEN US by Barbara Claypole White. I’m also reading the YA trilogy UNDER THE NEVER SKY by Veronica Rossi—I’m about to finish book 2 and move on to book 3. They’re great!

About the Author: Katie Rose Guest Pryal

Katie is a novelist, essayist, and erstwhile law professor in Chapel Hill, NC. She is the author of the Hollywood Lights Series, which includes ENTANGLEMENT, LOVE AND ENTROPY, CHASING CHAOS, HOW TO STAY, and FALLOUT GIRL(2018). She also writes nonfiction, including LIFE OF THE MIND INTERRUPTED: MENTAL HEALTH AND DISABILITY IN HIGHER EDUCATION.

As a journalist, Katie has contributed to QUARTZ, THE CHRONICLE OF HIGHER EDUCATION, THE (late, great) TOAST, DAME MAGAZINE, PASTE MAGAZINE, and more. She earned her master’s degree in creative writing from the Writing Seminars at Johns Hopkins, where she attended on a fellowship. She lives in Chapel Hill where she works as an editor and teaches creative writing. She is a member of the Tall Poppy Writers (tallpoppies.org). You can connect with Katie on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitterall at @krgpryal, on her blog at katieroseguestpryal.com, and through her e-letter at pryalnews.com.

Links: