A group of young, Black British friends navigate their way through the ups and downs of modern London life, in this richly imagined collection of linked stories. 

'Heartachingly beautiful.' Lizzie Damilola Blackburn, author of Yinka, Where is Your Huzband?

'Devoured this in one daysuffused with love and warmth.' Jendella Benson, author of Hope & Glory

From the tingling excitement of a new relationship to the challenges  and humour  of online dating, from workplace racism to isolation and loneliness, Niah and her friends are there for each other. They're young, they're smart, and they're part of a tight friendship group determined to make the most of everyday. The world is full of possibilities when the pandemic hits, and snatches away everything they take for granted. 

Shani Akilah's spectacular collection of stories bursts with romance, friendship and warmth. For Such a Time as This offers a powerful snapshot of a moment, a city and a group of friends who sustain each other through bad times and good. 

From the New York Times bestselling author of The Summer of Broken Rules comes a high school romance that flips the switch on the will they or won't they trope.

If Charlie and Sage are meant to be, why cant Sage stop kissing Charlies brother?

And why cant Charlie stop thinking about kissing the new boy at school?

Everyone at the Bexley School believes that Sage Morgan and Charlie Carmichael are meant to be. Even though Charlie seems to have a new girlfriend every month, and Sage has never had a real relationship, their friends and family all know its just a matter of time until they realize that they are actually in love.

When Luke Morrissey shows up on campus his presence immediately shakes things up. Charlie and Luke are drawn to each other the moment they meet, giving Sage the opportunity to spend time with Charlies twin brother, Nick.

But Charlie is afraid of what others will think if he accepts that he has much more than a friendship with Luke. And Sage fears that if she lets things with Nick get too serious too quickly, they wont be able to last as a couple outside of high school and miss their chance at forever. The duo will need to rely on each other and their lifelong friendship to figure things out with the boys they love.

SHORTLISTED FOR THE JHALAK PRIZE 2024
SHORTLISTED FOR THE WOMENS PRIZE FOR FICTION 2023
SHORTLISTED FOR THE WATERSTONES DEBUT FICTION PRIZE 2023
AN OBSERVER BEST DEBUT NOVEL OF THE YEAR

Its time to dance, to love, to be free

Mesmerising BERNARDINE EVARISTO, author of Girl, Woman, Other
Fabulous MAGGIE O'FARRELL, author of Hamnet
Beautiful CALEB AZUMAH NELSON, author of Open Water

Yamaye lives for the weekend, when she can go raving with her friends at The Crypt, an underground club on the outskirts of London. Then everything changes. Yamaye meets Moose, who she falls deeply in love with, and who offers her the chance of freedom and escape.

After their relationship is brutally cut short, Yamaye goes on a dramatic journey of transformation that leads her to Jamaica, where past and present collide with explosive consequences.

***A SUNDAY TIMES BEST NOVEL AND GUARDIAN BEST FICTION BOOK OF 2023***

A wonderfully literary, musical and original novel about a culture and era that rarely makes the pages of fiction TIMES LITERARY SUPPLEMENT

Scorching We follow Yamaye through love, loss and peril, as she chases her dreams and connects with her heritage GUARDIAN

Ambitious, atmospheric A novel of passion and anger SUNDAY TIMES

A rich and rhythmic story about love and music I