Wild Ground: A Novel BY Emily Usher

Wild Ground is a poignant debut novel that explores the complexities of first love amidst a backdrop of class struggle, prejudice, and addiction. Neef and Danny's story is one of intense emotion and heartbreaking challenges, told with a raw honesty that lingers long after the final page.

The novel follows Neef, a young girl who, along with her troubled mother Chrissy, moves from inner-city Leeds to a small Yorkshire town. The move is meant to provide a fresh start, but for Neef, it also leads to a profound connection with Danny, the boy who tends the pub garden. Despite being seen as an outsider—Danny is half Jamaican in a predominantly white community—their bond grows from friendship into a deep, passionate romance.

As Neef and Danny navigate their tumultuous adolescence, their love is tested by the harsh realities of their lives: Chrissy’s ongoing struggle with addiction, the poverty that confines them, and the racism Danny faces. Despite these challenges, their relationship is a source of solace and hope. They dream of escaping their circumstances and finding a better life together.

However, their dreams are shattered when their love is abruptly torn apart. Neef, now an adult living in London, tries to erase Danny from her past, but the memories and the pain remain. When someone from her past seeks redemption, Neef is forced to confront her unresolved feelings and the impact of their lost love.

Wild Ground is a tender, moving exploration of growing up, love, and self-discovery, weaving together past and present to create a story that is both heartrending and hopeful.