Overview

Winner of the 2025 Maxy Awards Book of the Year Calvin ""Cal"" McShane should have the world by the balls. He's just been accepted into his dream college, and his parents have won the lottery. But instead of celebrating, he finds himself drifting further from the people he loves and the future he imagined. Set in a time before smartphones, when connection meant looking across the table instead of into a screen, The Wake of Expectations is a funny, heartfelt, and deeply human exploration of dreams deferred and dreams derailed, the courage to choose your own path, and the transformative power of love, friendship and self-discovery. A raunchy, Gen X coming-of-age story brimming with 1990s nostalgia, The Wake of Expectations follows Calvin on an unflinching, deeply immersive journey that blends edgy humor with serious introspection, offering a biting look at the messiness of growing up. Through Calvin's sharp, often self-deprecating lens, the novel presents a cast of richly drawn, complex characters and relationships worthy of deep literary analysis. Mature themes and adult humor are woven throughout, so reader discretion is advised. ""Highly original and engaging...raw and honest in a way that's hard to look away from."" ""A poignant meditation on adolescence, identity, and the often-painful process of growing up."" -International Review of Books 5-Stars from Readers' Favorite! ""The Wake of Expectations is both a portrait of a generation and a deeply personal tale of growth and resilience....readers are likely to be deeply invested in this sharp, character-driven novel that brilliantly evokes the 1990s in a very personal way."" - K.C. Finn, Readers' Favorite ""...a coming-of-age story that delights... a compelling tale for fans of literary fiction and anyone looking to revisit the angst of youth."" - Gaius Konstantine, Readers' Favorite ""Told in a mesmerizing, authentic, and quirky first-person narrative voice, this story takes readers through a mosaic of experiences and emotions, exploring what it felt like to come of age in the 1990s."" - Romuald Dzemo, Readers' Favorite ""Overall, De Lucia's marvel is suited for those who seek literature that subverts every shred of expectation and dares to expose the fringes of human experience without glossing over its darker aspects. Very highly recommended."" - Jamie Michele, Readers' Favorite Literary Titan Book Award Winner ""A lyrical excavation... poetry with teeth. And it lingers."" ""If you've ever felt like you're drowning in who you're supposed to be, this book might throw you a rope-or at least show you you're not alone."" - Literary Titan

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