The Book of Essie

In this finalist for the 2018 New England Book Award, "Six for Hicks" explores the tumultuous life of seventeen-year-old Essie, the youngest daughter of an evangelical preacher and star of a hit reality show. As Essie's secret pregnancy threatens to upend her family's carefully curated public image, her mother, Celia, grapples with difficult choices regarding the future. Amidst the chaos, Essie navigates her feelings for Roarke, a classmate harboring secrets of his own, while questioning her family's values and her quest for personal freedom. This captivating tale delves into themes of family, faith, and the price of fame.