Five-Star Stranger: A Novel by Kat Tang

Five-Star Stranger is an inventive debut novel set in the bustling world of New York City, where the Rental Stranger app allows users to hire companions for any occasion—from pretend fiancés to stand-in family members. The story follows a top-rated "Stranger," a man who excels at embodying a wide range of personas for his clients while keeping his true self concealed behind a professional veneer.

In a world where online ratings govern worth, Stranger thrives in his roles but struggles with a growing emotional attachment to one particular client—a young girl and her mother. His carefully maintained detachment begins to falter as he grapples with the genuine bonds he's formed, particularly with the girl he has played the role of father to. This relationship forces him to confront his own unresolved issues of abandonment and to reassess the emotional walls he's built around himself.

The novel explores themes of isolation in a hyperconnected world and the commodification of human relationships. As Stranger navigates his complex emotions and past, he is faced with profound questions about love and identity. Five-Star Stranger is a sharp, vivid examination of what it means to truly connect with others in an era where everything—and everyone—can be rented. ❤️📚❤️