In Bloom

The addictive story of feminine rage and feral girlhood 'Electric . . . bubbling with rage and yearning' Guardian 'Full of heart, anger and grunge' Reader review, ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ 'Powerful and propulsive' Reader review, ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ 'A book for everyone' Reader review, ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ An Observer Best Debut Novelist 2026 The Bastards aren't afraid of anything. It's the mid-nineties, and in the small, shitty coastal town of Vincent, four girls - each hailing from single-mother, multi-sibling families, form a band: The Bastards. Friends since they were children, they consider themselves 'forgettable girls' - distracted, disillusioned, and desperate to escape the fates of their mothers. Winning the Battle of the Bands is their ticket out - they might not have talent, but they can play three chords and scream until their vocal folds burst out of their throats - and nobody wants it more than them. But when lead singer Lily Lucid quits, and accuses their idolized music teacher of sexual assault, the three remaining girls are left with nothing. They'll do anything to keep their dream alive, even if it means sacrificing school, Lily and their mothers. But how far out of control can they spin before there's no turning back?

Dr Liz Allan is a writer and teacher living and working on the lands of the Cammeraygal people. Her debut novel, In Bloom, was named one of the Observer's Best Debut Novels of 2026 and was shortlisted for the 2026 Ned Kelly Award for Best Debut Crime Fiction. Her short story Solastalgia won the 2025 Newcastle Short Story Award, while Our Voices, Fierce won the 2018 Rachel Funari Prize for Fiction. Liz was the 2026 Elisabeth Maynard Writer in Residence at Frensham School.