Cherry Money Baby

A funny, whip-smart, and refreshingly original depiction of small-town life and big-time fame. Cherry, a burrito-rolling “artist” with a gift for colorful language and a strong tendency to speak her mind, is an uncommonly magnetic protagonist. Even before she saves Ardelia Deen from choking to death and then gives an interview to the press that goes viral, Cherry comes across as a girl who could be a star herself one day. The supporting cast is also exceptionally strong and distinctive. Elegant but fun-loving Ardelia takes Cherry under her wing; Cherry’s boyfriend, Lucas, is “the only dude chill enough to date Cherry Kerrigan”; and Spanner, Ardelia’s professional assistant and longtime friend, becomes jealous of Cherry’s increasing closeness with Ardelia. The convincing dynamics between characters help create an immersive reading experience. Apropos of the movie being filmed in Cherry’s town—a remake of a (fictional) 1961 flick—much of the novel’s dialogue has the pacing and wit of classic comedy patter. For example, when a reporter asks why Cherry helped Ardelia when no one else did, Cherry says, “I guess it’s because most people, when something goes wrong, they think about what to do.” “And you knew what to do?” someone asks. “No,” says Cherry, “I just don’t think.” A lively read, Cherry Money Baby is also a thoughtful look at issues of class and social mobility. Cherry’s friendship with Ardelia, pure fun at first, becomes tangled up in matters of money, exposing their differences and challenging Cherry to figure out what she values most in life. Readers will follow her journey with interest.