Lush: 'The one scratching that Sally Rooney itch' Stylist Best Books of 2025

(Hardback, Main)

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Description

Four people, each at a crucial point in their lives, arrive at a French vineyard estate for an unforgettable experience - but not the kind they expected. Avery gave up her hardwon but exploitative sommelier job to come, while wine prodigy Cosmo is trying to disguise that his life is in freefall. The chemistry between the pair is unmistakable, but so are the signs of danger. Millionaire Sonny owns a tacky wine brand and can't help aggravating Cosmo, while caustic magazine writer Malys hovers with her pen poised. For fans of The Bear, Such a Fun Age or Cleopatra and Frankenstein, this effervescent debut introduces a British writer who tackles class, race and ambition with delicious wit and insight.

Reviews

'Rochelle Dowden-Lord writes like an angel with whisky on her breath ... beautiful' - Alice Slater, author of Death of a Bookseller

'Lush is a breathtaking novel - dare I say, intoxicating. This book grabbed me from the very first page and didn't let me go. Dowden-Lord has an incredible eye for detail, for nuance, for human relationships, for flaws and humour. Her voice is so masterful, so precise, so spellbinding that you know instantly that you will follow it wherever it leads.'' - Okechukwu Nzelu, author of Here Again Now

Author Bio

Rochelle Dowden-Lord is a publishing professional from south London. She has worked at Pan Macmillan, Hachette and Harper Collins. She was a co-host of the popular publishing podcast Main Characters. Lush is her debut novel.. @rochelledowdenlordy