32 Candles: A Novel

Ernessa T. Carter

Jun 2010 · Harper Collins

About this ebook

“With all the charm of a clever romantic comedy and peopled by appealing, memorable characters, Carter’s first novel is a winner on all fronts.” —Booklist, starred review

Davie—an ugly duckling growing up in small-town Mississippi—is positive her life couldn’t be any worse. Just when she’s resigned herself to her fate, she sees a movie that will change her life—Sixteen Candles. But in her case, life doesn’t imitate art. Tormented endlessly in school and hopelessly in unrequited love with a handsome football player, James Farrell, Davie finally finds the courage to leave the only life she knows.

Years later Davie has reinvented herself in LA and is living a glamorous life far from where she started—until she bumps into her former crush James Farrell. To Davie’s astonishment, James doesn’t recognize her, and she can’t bring herself to end the fantasy. She lets him fall as deeply in love with her as she once was with him. But just as they’re about to ride off into the sunset, the past comes back with a vengeance, threatening to break her heart again.

“Ernessa T. Carter is a fresh new voice. In Davie Jones, she has created a wicked yet empathetic character.” —Terry McMillan, #1 New York Times–bestselling author of Waiting to Exhale

“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

“This summer’s juiciest beach read. . . . [A] disarmingly moving tale.” —Essence

“Potent and well rendered.” —KirkusReviews

“[Davie’s] need for sweet revenge adds a welcome dark edge.” —i

Ratings and reviews

Davidia Jones grew up in a small Mississippi town. Davie, as she is called, is a very dark skinned ugly duckling, who is the butt of many jokes and teased mercilessly by her schoolmates. Her mother is an abusive alcoholic, with a reputation for entertaining the men. Her father is a mystery to her. After a particularly bad beating from her mother, Davie just stops speaking. Her refusal to speak only adds to the strangeness her peers see in her. A cruel joke played on her by the "popular" girls sends Davie fleeing across country at the tender age of 15, trying to escape her life. Davie ends up in Los Angeles and her life takes a turn that readers can't possibly predict! This heroine is sassy, smart, and proves to everyone that she can make the best of the rough life that was given to her. Ernessa T. Carter spins a story that made me laugh, feel empathy, and root for the underdog. "32 Candles" is about relationships: family, friends, and high school crushes. One self-proclaimed ugly black girl from small town Mississippi grows into a much loved and sought-after swan. This is Ms. Carter's first novel and I look forward to seeing more of her work.

I absolutely loved this book! The writer took me back to my teenage years as well,because I'm a huge fan of 16 Candles and Molly Ringwald. I laughed, I cried, it was an incredible story and definitely a page turner.

I liked this book, it only took 2 days to read. I loved how there are unexpected twists in the story. I would recommend this book to my friends.

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.