Lizzy Mason grew up in northern Virginia before moving to New York City for college and a career in publishing. She lives in Queens, New York, with her husband and cat in an apartment full of books. The Art of Losing is her first novel.

The Art of Losing is a compelling debut that explores issues of addiction, sisterhood, and loss.

On one terrible night, 17-year-old Harley Langston’s life changes forever. At a party she discovers her younger sister, Audrey, hooking up with her boyfriend, Mike—and she abandons them both in a rage. When Mike drunkenly attempts to drive Audrey home, he crashes and Audrey ends up in a coma. Now Harley is left with guilt, grief, pain and the undeniable truth that her ex-boyfriend (who is relatively unscathed) has a drinking problem. So it’s a surprise that she finds herself reconnecting with Raf, a neighbor and childhood friend who’s recently out of rehab and still wrestling with his own demons. At first Harley doesn’t want to get too close to him. But as Audrey awakens and slowly recovers, Raf starts to show Harley a path forward that she never would have believed possible—one guided by honesty, forgiveness, and redemption.

WHY YOU SHOULD READ THIS BOOK?

ALL OF THE FEELS: The prose is hard-hitting and raw as it explores how guilt and loss play a deep role in our understanding of life as a way of coming-of-age.

SISTERHOOD IN A COMA: Imagine catching your boyfriend cheating on you—with your sister, and then before you can confront her, she’s in an accident, then in a coma. The heart of the story confronts this narrative head-on, with an authentic voice that explores how families interact in tragedy, how sisters love and forgive.

TIMELY YET TIMELESS: Although novels of substance abuse are hardly scarce, this book is as timely as ever as it delves into the nature of addiction in young adults, something that is plastered on today’s headlines. Author’s unique voice will resonate thoroughly with readers of all ages.

DEBUT AND CONNECTED: Author’s career has been in book publishing, working at both big and small houses, managing huge publicity campaigns. Her debut has already garnered rave reviews from high-profile authors.

On Sale Date: February 19, 2019 – Soho Teen

YA SH3LF REVIEW : 5/5