Synopses & Reviews
32 Candles is the slightly twisted, utterly romantic, and deftly wry story of Davie Jones, who, if she doesnt stand in her own way, just might get the man of her dreams.
Davie—an ugly duckling growing up in small-town Mississippi—is positive her life couldnt be any worse. She has the meanest mother in the South, possibly the world, and on top of that, shes pretty sure shes ugly. Just when shes resigned herself to her fate, she sees a movie that will change her life—Sixteen Candles. But in her case, life doesnt imitate art. Tormented endlessly in school with the nickname "Monkey Night," and hopelessly in unrequited love with a handsome football player, James Farrell, Davie finds that it is bittersweet to dream of Molly Ringwald endings. When a cruel school prank goes too far, Davie leaves the life she knows and reinvents herself in the glittery world of Hollywood—as a beautiful and successful lounge singer in a swanky nightclub.
Davie is finally a million miles from where she started—until she bumps into her former obsession, James Farrell. To Davies astonishment, James doesnt recognize her, and she cant bring herself to end the fantasy. She lets him fall as deeply in love with her as she once was with him. But is life ever that simple? Just as theyre about to ride off into the sunset, the past comes back with a vengeance, threatening to crush Davies dreams—and break her heart again.
With wholly original characters and a cinematic storyline, 32 Candles introduces Ernessa T. Carter, a new voice in fiction with smarts, attitude, and sassiness to spare.
Review
“First there was Stella and she got her groove back, then there was Bridget Jones and she managed to find love despite her own lovable neuroses. Now there is Davie Jones. 32 Candles, at last, is the answer to the question ‘What should I read next?” Erica Kennedy, author of < i=""> Feminista <> and < i=""> Bling <>
Review
“32 cheers for Ernessa T. Carter! Shes created one of the freshest, funniest characters Ive ever read about. . . . 32 Candles is a charmer.” Carleen Brice, author of < i=""> Orange Mint and Honey <>
Review
“A debut tragicomic romance. . . . Potent and well rendered.” Kirkus Reviews
Review
“Ernessa T. Carter is a fresh new voice. In Davie Jones, she has created a wicked yet empathetic character. I cant wait to see whats next.” Terry McMillan, author of < i=""> Waiting to Exhale <> and < i=""> Getting to Happy <>
Review
“This summers juiciest beach read. . . . Carter winds up this disarmingly moving tale with not one but many surprises, in which both Davie and you will win.” Essence
Review
“[A] captivating debut. . . . With all the charm of a clever romantic comedy and peopled by appealing, memorable characters, Carters first novel is a winner on all fronts.” Booklist (starred review)
Review
“First-time novelist Ernessa T. Carter has created a quirky and likable character in Davidia ‘Davie Jones.” Network Journal
Review
“[Davies] need for sweet revenge adds a welcome dark edge.” Publishers Weekly
Review
“I super heart Davie Jones. . . . Shes perfectly imperfect, and you wont want her lively, hysterical, what-looks-like-crazy-on-an-ordinary-day story to end. A thoroughly, totally, ridiculously addictive read!” Denene Millner, coauthor of < i=""> The Vow <>
Review
“The author creates a heroine that is multifaceted, quirky, humorous and above all, endearing. . . . 32 Candles [is] a laugh-out-loud read. . . . Hang on for the ride.” The Afro-American Newspapers (DC/Baltimore)
Review
“This is an easy 5 out of 5 stars and one of my top five favorite fiction novels Ive ever read in my entire adulthood.” Associated Content Review
Synopsis
"32 cheers for Ernessa T. Carter She's created one of the freshest, funniest characters I've ever read....
32 Candles is a charmer."
--Carleen Brice, author of
Orange Mint and Honey
32 Candles by exciting newcomer Ernessa T. Carter is the slightly twisted, utterly romantic, and deftly wry story of Davie Jones, who, if she doesn't stand in her own way, just might get the man of her dreams. For fans of John Hughes's "Sixteen Candles",
32 Candles is a fresh and fun fiction debut for every fan of romantic comedy.
Synopsis
“32 cheers for Ernessa T. Carter! Shes created one of the freshest, funniest characters Ive ever read….32 Candles is a charmer.”
—Carleen Brice, author of Orange Mint and Honey
32 Candles by exciting newcomer Ernessa T. Carter is the slightly twisted, utterly romantic, and deftly wry story of Davie Jones, who, if she doesnt stand in her own way, just might get the man of her dreams. For fans of John Hughess “Sixteen Candles”, 32 Candles is a fresh and fun fiction debut for every fan of romantic comedy.
About the Author
Nikki Walton is a licensed psychotherapist with a master's degree in psychology from the University of North Carolina and the founder of CurlyNikki.com. Born in St. Louis, she now resides in Pennsylvania.
Coauthor Ernessa T. Carter, a graduate of Smith College with an master of fine arts from Carnegie Mellon, is the author of the novel 32 Candles and the founding editor of FierceandNerdy.com. She lives in Los Angeles.