"Dickerman leads readers on a funny, heartwarming journey through two generations’ involvement in the publishing industry... A unique, decades-spanning story of friendship, love, and literature."—Kirkus (Starred Review)
Description
Younger meets Writers & Lovers in this wise, witty novel about friendship, ambition, and love.
In the post-pandemic publishing industry, two rival editors are forced to share a “hot desk” on alternating days of the week. Having never set eyes on each other, Rebecca Blume and Ben Heath begin leaving passive-aggressive Post-it notes on the pot of their shared cactus. But when revered literary legend Edward David Adams (known as “the Lion”) dies, leaving his estate up for grabs, they compete to land this career-making opportunity. As the battle heats up, Rebecca learns of a surprising connection between her mother, Jane, and the Lion from forty years earlier.
The story travels back to the early 1980s, when Jane arrives in Manhattan and meets the glamorous Rose, who soon becomes her best friend. These two talented young women try to make their mark in the publishing world at a time when art, the written word, and creative expression were at their height. But one fateful day during the April blizzard of 1982 will change the course of Jane’s life, and of their friendship, forever. As Rebecca learns more about her mother’s past, the storylines converge, and all three women must reconcile with the decisions they have made and come together to navigate the choices that lie ahead.
Reviews
“A fun and funny immersion into the current generation of New Yorkers chasing big dreams in the world of book publishing. Amid all the laughs, a mother-daughter story emerges to touch the heart and deliver deep rewards.” —Eric Zicklin, writer and producer, Younger
"The funniest novel I've read in ages!! But also the most romantic!! Hot Desk had me, by turns, laughing and swooning. This is a comedy of manners for anyone who loves Curtis Sittenfeld, Nora Ephron, Alison Espach or, well, anyone. So spot-on in its depiction of literary world mores, I nearly sprained my neck nodding in recognition. I challenge any reader not to fall in love with this charming debut."—Joanna Rakoff, bestselling author of MY SALINGER YEAR
“Hot Desk is a publishing meet-cute mash-up: both a revisionist story of literary fame and friendship and a gossipy, romantic romp full of heart.”—Betsy Lerner, author of THE SHRED SISTERS
