Synopsis
'A FRESH AND FUNNY READ' - The Times, Children's Book of the Week
SHORTLISTED FOR THE INDIE BOOK AWARDS 2026
From the multi-award-winning and Sunday Times bestselling author of Steady For This, King of Nothing, What Happens Online and Against All Odds comes a laugh-out-loud new teen comedy about a summer turned upside down!
THEY'RE TOTALLY DIFFERENT. EXCEPT IN ALL THE WAYS THAT MATTER.
Owais lives a chill life. He's well-liked, funny and everything's a breeze - until his estranged cousin shows up.
Loud, unpredictable and one bad decision away from serious trouble, Abass crashes into Owais' laidback world like a hurricane: picking fights, ruining parties, disappearing without explanation and clogging toilets in places he absolutely shouldn't.
But as the boys get to know each other and their bond deepens, Owais starts to see there's more to Abass than the chaos - and more to himself than just being the popular guy who coasts through life. Because sometimes, the person who turns your world upside down is also the person who helps you figure out where you're really meant to be . . .
'Lessore uses humour to shed light on issues including homophobia and masculinity, and is brilliant on the messy, unpredictable business of being a teenager' - The Observer
PRAISE FOR STEADY FOR THIS:
WINNER OF THE BRANFORD BOASE AWARD 2024
WINNER OF THE CHILDREN'S DIVERSE BOOK AWARD 2024
SHORTLISTED FOR THE YOTO CARNEGIE MEDAL 2024
SHORTLISTED FOR THE UKLA BOOK AWARD 2024
SHORTLISTED FOR THE JHALAK PRIZE 2024
"Crammed with outrageously hilarious wordplay, Lessore's exuberant debut for 12+ is a southeast London celebration of teen awkwardness, creativity and silly joy." - Guardian
"Funny, original and heart-warming." - The Times
"An engaging, positive and heart-warming read." - BookTrust
PRAISE FOR KING OF NOTHING:
WINNER OF THE WATERSTONES CHILDREN'S BOOK PRIZE FOR OLDER READERS 2025
WINNER OF THE CARNEGIE SHADOWERS' CHOICE MEDAL FOR WRITING 2025
WINNER OF THE JHALAK CHILDREN'S & YOUNG ADULT PRIZE 2025
SHORTLISTED FOR THE UKLA BOOK AWARD 2025
SHORTLISTED FOR AMAZON BOOK OF THE YEAR 2024
"Rib-achingly funny, poignant, thoughtful and sly, Lessore's second novel confirms him as a uniquely talented writer." - Guardian
"Confirms [Nathanael Lessore] as a major new name in writing for younger teenagers." - The Observer
"This teen comedy really is very funny, while also being meaningful and heartwarming." - iPaper
PRAISE FOR WHAT HAPPENS ONLINE:
NOMINATED FOR THE CARNEGIE MEDAL FOR WRITING 2026
SHORTLISTED FOR THE BOOKS ARE MY BAG READER AWARDS 2025
SHORTLISTED FOR THE BRITISH AUDIO AWARDS 2025
LONGLISTED FOR THE UKLA BOOK AWARD 2026
"Begins as Adrian Mole for the gaming generation and then becomes, through its big-hearted tale of one awkward teenager's split life between reality and the internet, the kind of book you wish that boy from Adolescence had read [...] A brilliant, heartfelt book about now." - The Times
"The blend of smart dialogue, believable characters and humour makes big issues immensely readable." - The Observer
"Hilarious, thoughtful and deeply felt, this is another superb 13+ contemporary novel." - Guardian
SHORTLISTED FOR THE INDIE BOOK AWARDS 2026
From the multi-award-winning and Sunday Times bestselling author of Steady For This, King of Nothing, What Happens Online and Against All Odds comes a laugh-out-loud new teen comedy about a summer turned upside down!
THEY'RE TOTALLY DIFFERENT. EXCEPT IN ALL THE WAYS THAT MATTER.
Owais lives a chill life. He's well-liked, funny and everything's a breeze - until his estranged cousin shows up.
Loud, unpredictable and one bad decision away from serious trouble, Abass crashes into Owais' laidback world like a hurricane: picking fights, ruining parties, disappearing without explanation and clogging toilets in places he absolutely shouldn't.
But as the boys get to know each other and their bond deepens, Owais starts to see there's more to Abass than the chaos - and more to himself than just being the popular guy who coasts through life. Because sometimes, the person who turns your world upside down is also the person who helps you figure out where you're really meant to be . . .
'Lessore uses humour to shed light on issues including homophobia and masculinity, and is brilliant on the messy, unpredictable business of being a teenager' - The Observer
PRAISE FOR STEADY FOR THIS:
WINNER OF THE BRANFORD BOASE AWARD 2024
WINNER OF THE CHILDREN'S DIVERSE BOOK AWARD 2024
SHORTLISTED FOR THE YOTO CARNEGIE MEDAL 2024
SHORTLISTED FOR THE UKLA BOOK AWARD 2024
SHORTLISTED FOR THE JHALAK PRIZE 2024
"Crammed with outrageously hilarious wordplay, Lessore's exuberant debut for 12+ is a southeast London celebration of teen awkwardness, creativity and silly joy." - Guardian
"Funny, original and heart-warming." - The Times
"An engaging, positive and heart-warming read." - BookTrust
PRAISE FOR KING OF NOTHING:
WINNER OF THE WATERSTONES CHILDREN'S BOOK PRIZE FOR OLDER READERS 2025
WINNER OF THE CARNEGIE SHADOWERS' CHOICE MEDAL FOR WRITING 2025
WINNER OF THE JHALAK CHILDREN'S & YOUNG ADULT PRIZE 2025
SHORTLISTED FOR THE UKLA BOOK AWARD 2025
SHORTLISTED FOR AMAZON BOOK OF THE YEAR 2024
"Rib-achingly funny, poignant, thoughtful and sly, Lessore's second novel confirms him as a uniquely talented writer." - Guardian
"Confirms [Nathanael Lessore] as a major new name in writing for younger teenagers." - The Observer
"This teen comedy really is very funny, while also being meaningful and heartwarming." - iPaper
PRAISE FOR WHAT HAPPENS ONLINE:
NOMINATED FOR THE CARNEGIE MEDAL FOR WRITING 2026
SHORTLISTED FOR THE BOOKS ARE MY BAG READER AWARDS 2025
SHORTLISTED FOR THE BRITISH AUDIO AWARDS 2025
LONGLISTED FOR THE UKLA BOOK AWARD 2026
"Begins as Adrian Mole for the gaming generation and then becomes, through its big-hearted tale of one awkward teenager's split life between reality and the internet, the kind of book you wish that boy from Adolescence had read [...] A brilliant, heartfelt book about now." - The Times
"The blend of smart dialogue, believable characters and humour makes big issues immensely readable." - The Observer
"Hilarious, thoughtful and deeply felt, this is another superb 13+ contemporary novel." - Guardian
Details
07 May 2026
9781471418235Imprint: Hot Key Books
Reviews
Few capture the wisecracking energy of teenagers, quite like Lessore. Everything in this charming, sensitive novel about masculinity is played for laughs. . . A fresh and funny read.
Lessore uses humour to shed light on issues including homophobia and masculinity, and is brilliant on the messy, unpredictable business of being a teenager.
Lessore's latest young teen novel demonstrates yet again his particular proficiency in writing flawed but endearing young male protagonists who are growing in emotional intelligence, self-awareness and maturity. His notable skill in buffering the wholesome 'moral of the story' with plenty of banter, jokes and heartfelt moments is well-judged for his intended readership. . . highly praiseworthy.
'This is a stunning book from the brilliant Nathanael Lessore. . .Lessore's authorial voice is spot on and there is masses of humour. . . A very important book for readers in Key Stage 3 and beyond.
