This is part of my Summer Reads series where I’ll be sharing book recommendations – a series of “not just cookbooks”.
This week, my Summer Reads pick is by Nadia Bozak – a new-to-me Canadian author. Fret comes out tomorrow, August 25th 2026.
From the publisher:
A propulsive and incisive novel: a frazzled mother of two’s precarious situation is made more so when her idling car is stolen — with her young daughter still in it — and all her life choices, both big and small, are opened up to the scrutiny of the internet, her community, and ultimately, herself.
Once a rising star of indie rock, Kate is now a middle-aged single mom living far out of the spotlight. Everything changes for her when an unprecedented heat wave and a stolen car set off a chain of events that threaten to upend her new, peaceful life. Fired from her job, separated from her children, and overwhelmed by public shaming, Kate must navigate the cold realities of the child welfare and family court systems while struggling to stay cool in an increasingly unbearable world.
Determined to rebuild, Kate finds herself forging new connections and fostering a sense of community — something she hasn’t felt since her music career ended in disaster more than a decade before. As Kate finds a new voice, she makes her way back to her children and her love of music, and steps closer to reconciling with her former bandmate and arch-rival: her little sister.
If building community is Kate’s way of reckoning with the mistakes of her past, can it also be a way to mitigate the deeper, more urgent issues and structural injustices that threaten our future?
This was compelling – I read it in one sitting (on a plane). Kate is barely managing, between being a single mum and trying to make ends meet, her existence is precarious. Once part of a well-known band that was *this* close to making it to the big time in Europe, Kate falls pregnant and is forced to quit her musical career and return home to an altogether different kind of lifestyle – being a single mum to Ray and later, Lucky.
Lucky goes missing at the start of the story when Kate’s car is stolen with Lucky inside. Her back was turned for just a minute. In that split second, Kate’s world falls apart – ugly rumours about Kate swirl online and in the neighbourhood and she loses her job. Already struggling to pay her bills, this feels like the last straw for Kate. Alongside Kate’s life imploding, there’s the whole mystery of what happens to Lucky to unravel.
There’s a lot going on but everything contributes to a complete portrait of who Kate is, how she got here and why she acts the way she does. The writing will put you firmly in Kate’s house in the sweltering heat that summer. Nadia Bozak explores themes of motherhood, poverty, the social welfare system, (fleeting) fame, forgiveness and making peace. This is a character-driven novel with strong writing; Fret is riveting. You’ll find yourself cheering for Kate and willing life to turn around for her and her kids.
Highly recommended.
Buy Fret on Amazon (this affiliate link should bring you to the Amazon store in, or closest to, your country).
For free worldwide shipping, find Fret on Blackwell’s.
Support your local Indie bookstore and purchase Fret on Bookshop.org.
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Please note: This post contains affiliate links. I am a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. This post also contains affiliate links for Blackwell’s and Bookshop.org. This means that if you click over and purchase something, I will receive a very small percentage of the purchase price (at no extra cost to you). Thank you in advance!
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Disclosure: I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I am not receiving any compensation for reviewing the book. Neither the author nor the publisher reviewed this post prior to publication. All opinions are my own.
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Buy my books! In the French kitchen with kids and French Food for Everyone: le goûter (after school snacks), le dîner (dinner) and le petit déjeuner (breakfast) are out now! Click here for details and how to order!
