Ali Bryan Livres

In the near future, a group of girls survive on their own on a reclaimed garbage dump they call home.

Claudia, single mother of two young children, pines for her past independent life. Her ex, after all, has moved on to a new wardrobe, a new penchant for lattes, new adult friends. But in Claudia's house she's still finding bananas in the sock drawer, cigarettes taped to wrestling figures, and doodles on her MasterCard bills. Then Claudia receives the unexpected news that her mother has died.

A prison escape, a bear on the loose, botched lyrics. What more could go wrong with Crow Valley’s most anticipated night of the year?A year after forest fires ravaged the town of Crow Valley and claimed the life of Dale Jepson—karaoke legend, local prison guard, and all-around good guy—the community hosts a high-stakes karaoke competition. But when a convicted murderer escapes from nearby Crow Valley Correctional, residents discover there’s more on the line than local, perhaps even national, karaoke fame. In this darkly comedic, fast-paced ride through an unforgettable small town, five residents with intimate connections to Dale and drastically different goals for the night will collide into, conspire with, and aid one another as they scramble to make it successfully through the evening under the scrutinizing watch of neighbors. To the soundtrack of classics belted out with abandon, voices will crack, cars will be stolen, marriages will falter, and kids will slip away in search of trouble. And maybe, just maybe, lives will be transformed for the better.

Shortlisted for the Leacock Award for Humour, this book offers a witty exploration of everyday life, blending sharp observations with relatable anecdotes. The author masterfully crafts humorous narratives that resonate with readers, providing both laughter and insight into the human experience. With a unique voice and a keen eye for the absurdities of daily situations, this work stands out as a delightful read for anyone seeking a light-hearted yet thought-provoking escape.

The story follows high school wrestler Rowan Harper as she navigates the dangerous underground cage fighting scene to secure an expensive ALS treatment for her father. This risky decision puts her college wrestling scholarship and personal relationships at stake, highlighting themes of sacrifice and determination in the face of adversity. Rowan's journey reveals the lengths one will go to for family, as well as the challenges of balancing ambition with the consequences of one's choices.