Five-Star Stranger: A Novel BY Kat Tang

Five-Star Stranger is an inventive debut novel that dives into the world of the Rental Stranger app, where users can hire pretend companions for any occasion—whether as a fiancé, wingman, or stand-in family member. The story centers on a top-rated man on this app, known only as Stranger, who excels at playing various roles for his clients while keeping his own identity strictly separate.

Set against the backdrop of New York City, Stranger's life is a series of performances, always maintaining a professional distance from those he interacts with. However, his carefully constructed façade begins to crack when a curious patron threatens to unravel his longstanding role as a father figure to a young girl. This unexpected challenge forces Stranger to confront his growing emotional attachment to the pretend daughter and her mother, as well as his own tumultuous past.

As Stranger grapples with these revelations, he must navigate the boundaries he has set for himself and confront the legacy of abandonment that has shaped his life. Five-Star Stranger is a sharp, page-turning exploration of the commodification of human relationships in a hyperconnected world, and it delves deeply into what it means to love and be loved. With its vivid storytelling and thought-provoking themes, this novel offers a compelling look at isolation and human connection in the digital age.