‘Fizzing with life, this is hilarious, poignant and so sharp and thought-provoking I kept forgetting it was a debut… Extraordinarily excellent’ Daily Mail
‘A perfect staycation read’ Guardian
‘A completely addictive read that is laugh-out-loud funny.’ ***** Heat Magazine
Meet Yola Palacios.
Having escaped crumbling, socialist Venezuela, Yola and her family are settling into their peaceful new life in Trinidad.
But when her beloved Aunt Celia dies, the family once again find their lives turned upside down. For Celia had been keeping a very big secret – the Palacios are seriously in debt to a local criminal called Ugly, and without the funds to pay him off, they must do his bidding until the debt is cleared. So far, so ugly.
In the midst of the turmoil appears Román – Ugly's distractingly gorgeous right-hand man. And although she knows it's foolish, not to mention dangerous, Yola just can't help but give in to the attraction. Could this wildly inappropriate (and very messy) romance be the perfect antidote?
Told with wry humour and irresistible wit, ONE YEAR OF UGLY is devastatingly funny, blisteringly fresh story of family, first love, and finding home.