A messy character-driven queer comedy with more twists and turns than a Lip Sync Lalaparuzza Smackdown.
At 73, George Gibbons—aka Bette y’Sweet Ass—is widely regarded as a local treasure. But when a fifty-year-old love letter is discovered by his young neighbour, Ollie Simpson, ghosts are awakened that draw Ollie and his friends back to the saucier side of 1960s Brighton. Told through the lively exchanges and revelations at parties and gatherings, what they ultimately discover is far more startling than mere party gossip.
Think Tales of the City meets Mapp & Lucia or Schitt’s Creek meets Less. Flitting between the 1960s and modern day, this chaotic tale of community, rivalry, and resilience is perfect for fans of sharp dialogue and multilayered plots.
The Brightonians is the first instalment of a trilogy that includes a sequel set in the first weeks of the National Lockdown (soon to be released and available to read for free via a promo code) and a final instalment due to be published in July 2026 for which I will also be requesting ARC reviewers.
The print version, released in 2021 has over 70 organic reviews (ie not ARC or paid-for) and an average score of 4.5.
