September Girls is a stunning coming-of-age novel about first loves, oblivious parents, sibling rivalries—and mermaids. This imaginative and painfully honest book garnered five starred reviews, including one from ALA Booklist that proclaimed it "a rare and lovely novel, deserving of attention from discriminating readers."

Whisked away by his father to an unusual beach town in the Outer Banks, Sam finds himself having the summer vacation most guys dream of. He's surrounded by beautiful blonde girls, and, better yet, they all seem inexplicably attracted to him. But there's definitely something strange about the Girls. They only wear flats because heels make their feet bleed. They never go swimming in the water. And they all want something from him.

Sam falls for one of the Girls, DeeDee, and begins an unexpected summer romance. But as they get closer, she pulls away without explanation. Sam knows that if he is going to win her back, he'll have to learn the Girls' secret.

Bennett Madison, critically acclaimed author of The Blonde of the Joke, brings a mix of lyrical writing, psychologically complex characters, and sardonic humor to this young adult novel. September Girls is perfect for fans of the irreverent wit of Ned Vizzini and the seductive magic of fairy tales retold.

What terrifying secret binds the September Girls to the sea?

Mermaid Mythology Retold: They’re beautiful, they’re everywhere, and they’re all drawn to Sam. But these are not the mermaids from storybooks—they never swim, and they have a secret that runs deeper than the ocean.
A Dark Summer Romance: Sam falls hard for DeeDee, but their connection is as dangerous as it is magnetic. The closer he gets, the more she pulls away, guarding a truth he might not be able to handle.
Sardonic Coming of Age: A raw, lyrical, and painfully funny story about a boy trying to figure out manhood in the shadow of a mother who left, a father who’s checked out, and a brother who’s both rival and ally.
An Atmospheric Beach Town Mystery: Set in the misty, strange landscape of the Outer Banks, where a town’s supernatural secret is kept by a sisterhood of girls who are more than they appear.