Thank you Atria Books and NetGalley for the ARC!

Relebogile Naledi Mpho Moruakgomo, or Eddie, for short is an aspiring playwright who realizes her work is being overlooked because of her name. She befriends Hugo and together they come up with a plan for him to pretend to be the writer of her play. Once the play gets the recognition it deserves, they plan to let the world know it’s actually Eddie’s play, but hit some roadblocks along the way.

Overall, I enjoyed this book even though most of the characters weren’t likable. The writing style was also different than what I’m used to so it took some time to adjust. I give this book 3.5 stars.

While I loved the premise (a Black playwright, believing her rejections are a result of her name, teams up with a charming, white man to highlight the racism running throughout London's theater scene), the book itself was a bit lackluster. When it was good I was hooked...but there were chapters where I easily set the book aside and had to actively force myself to pick it up again.

A really, incredibly phenomenal idea, but I wanting something more than what I got.

“The Grand Scheme of Things”, by Warona Jay, is a fantastic book and an important one. I think it goes without saying that people of color are drastically underrepresented in every branch of media, but it should be said anyway. Clearly it’s been a problem for centuries and even in present day being in the forefront of many situations and altercations, it’s very apparent and true today no matter the medium, whether books, movies, scripts of any kind. Here, it’s a play. Naledi—who goes by the name Eddie as no one can be bothered to pronounce her name correctly—is a burgeoning playwright who simply wants to see her play produced and in action on stage.

The play itself, titled “The Worthy”, is brilliant! It’s about a dystopian society in which its citizens are ranked based on how much they can contribute to society through their job and/or skills. It’s a lot deeper than that, but what remains is she finds no success whatsoever in submitting it to countless production agencies. One day, Naledi gets the idea to submit it under a pseudonym of a male name, presumably white or at least not an immigrant. Almost immediately she’s contacted for an in-person meeting to determine the future of the play! The problem persists when she goes to said meeting; initially because the receptionist doesn’t believe she’s the author and then even the agent who’s meeting her responds icily to her presence despite heaps of warm and positive correspondence leading up to the meeting. Fast forward a day or two and suddenly the company so interested in the play can’t afford to take it on anymore due to budget cuts...right. To summarize, Naledi meets Hugo—wealthy, upper-middle class law student, and most importantly white male. Her idea for the pseudonym goes further and decides to have him publish the play with a new title under not only his name but his identity in an attempt to pull one over on the companies who rejected the play and reveal the systemic racism of the industry. The plan goes a little awry when the play is not only successful, but goes on to win a prestigious award and sees ample success on the stage and beyond.

As I said, a fantastic book, a wonderful story idea, incredibly well-written, and so many amazing things in one. It has the drama, excellent comedic timing, and is overall just a joy to read. I had a lot of fun with this one. It has a message to be told, it has heart, it has so many great characters and interactions between them. I loved how it put society and the industry both on display for the world to see! I wanna see this book go the distance; it deserves widespread success on every front, it deserves to be a movie, and/or a TV series on HBO! The only bit I didn’t enjoy with the book was how some of Naledi’s relationships turn out—it made sense, but still. I would’ve loved to see more happiness for her in that regard. I won’t say much more to avoid spoilers, but everyone really should be reading this.

“The Grand Scheme of Things” is absolutely wonderful in every way. It’s an easy 5 out of 5 stars for me. I loved it. I can’t wait to see what Warona Jay does next, I’ll certainly be on the lookout for her next work.

I really enjoyed the entertainment value of The Grand Scheme of Things! Two friends expose the theater world and through their plan, hit on themes such as privilege, bias, gatekeeping and prejudice in the publishing/theater world. I definitely had fun reading it and would recommend to others!

In "The Grand Scheme of Things," Warona Jay weaves a sharp, satirical tale that delights as much as it provokes.

The story follows Relebogile Naledi Mpho Moruakgomo, who goes by “Eddie,” a talented Black playwright facing systemic bias within London’s theater scene. Fresh out of university and determined to make her voice heard, Eddie teams up with Hugo Lawrence Smith, a privileged white law student, to expose the inherent inequities in the industry. Their unconventional alliance sparks a series of revelations, conflicts, and triumphs that keep readers thoroughly engaged.

Jay’s characters are wonderfully complex, with Eddie radiating determination, wit, and vulnerability, while Hugo surprises as both a helpful partner and a flawed individual whose privilege complicates their dynamic. The novel tackles weighty themes like racism, identity, and meritocracy with an impressive balance of depth and humor. Eddie’s biting commentary and Jay’s clever prose add a vibrant, satirical edge to the narrative, drawing readers into both its comedic and poignant moments.

With its intricate plot, rich characterization, and moments of laugh-out-loud humor, "The Grand Scheme of Things" is an assured and thought-provoking debut. Warona Jay effortlessly blends romantic tension, social critique, and quick pacing into a novel that challenges, entertains, and resonates. It’s a compelling exploration of ambition, partnership, and the flawed systems we navigate, leaving readers pondering long after the final page.

Excellent excellent excellent. It has the drama and critique of Yellowface but deals with issues using multiple povs and is more about painting racism in entertainment as a wider cultural and societal issue than an industry one. Every single character gets a story that is told with sympathy and understanding. The h is that girl. Bright talented outspoken. A friend anyone would be lucky to have. The tone and writing style is both serious and funny. The ending is very strong. It makes the moral theme very clear and cutting. Very well done.

*It was a pleasure to read the ARC for, The Grand Scheme of Things. Thank you Atria Books and W. Jay. My opinions are my own.

THE GRAND SCHEME OF THINGS
Warona Jay


THE GRAND SCHEME OF THINGS is about a writer. Her name is Relebogile Naledi Mpho Moruakgomo.

Called Eddie by those who know her. Her play is not getting the reception from agencies she’s been shopping that she’d hoped for. She feels it starts with her name. She feels it tells too much about her before her writing can tell its story. She would like for her play to stand on its own. She feels it would get a better reception.

Then comes Hugo.

Hugo Lawrence Smith to be exact.

The guy at the café.

He’s not only handsome and charming and flirting with her. He seems to understand her dilemma and together they come up with a plan. Use his name and her writing. Resubmit the play in his name…what could go wrong?

All that could go wrong does, and before we know it Eddie and Hugo are in an even bigger crisis.

THE GRAND SCHEME OF THINGS was ok. I appreciated what it had to say, and I liked the writing. One of its missteps might have been trying to fit everything in this one book. There are more than a handful of concepts here. Using a pseudonym to submit work is just one of them. There are also four romances with two love triangles and a mystery, and maybe even a discussion on who gets to tell a story.

Outside of very solid concepts like race inequality, gender bias, homophobia, and sexism, there are also discussions about being biracial, bisexual, and an immigrant. And somewhere in there is a very basic question:

Who gets to tell a story?

Thanks to Netgalley and Atria Books | Washington Square Press for the advanced copy!

THE GRAND SCHEME OF THINGS…⭐⭐⭐

The Grand Scheme of Things by Warona Jay takes readers on a wild ride through the complex world of London's theater scene. Themes of race and class are explored against the backdrop of an audacious plot hatched by friends Eddie and Hugh. The satire in this book may be offputting to some readers, but it pushed me to think about racial bias in the arts.

Many thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for sharing this book with me.

Eddie is an African immigrant in London who has written a tour de force of a play about the immigrant experience but can‘t get in the door at any agencies. Hugo is a white guy feeling stifled by his future career in law. When the two strike up an unexpected friendship that has Hugo posing as the playwright, will it be a success or will it spin out of control? The answer is…yes. If you‘re looking for likeable characters, look elsewhere. If you‘re looking for thoughtful satire about bias and using the man to stick it to the man, this is worth a read.

The Grand Scheme of Things by Warona Jay is a wonderfully written debut!
This British contemporary novel was an enjoyable read.
The writing and story kept me entertained throughout the entire novel.

Overall an interesting book with a great (and sadly, realistic) ending.

Sadly, we learn about the bias and discrimination in playwriting thanks to a talented playwright named Eddie. She finds herself discriminated against and she comes up with a plan to prove it.

As Eddie does this, so much more happens and not all of it’s good ultimately, there’s a lot of heartbreak and ache. It feels realistic and sadly, believable.

Advanced reader copy provided by Atria and NetGalley but all opinions are my own.

This was an interesting read. The pacing was good but the main characters were very hard to like. This is a good middle of the road novel.

Relebogile Naledi Mpho Moruakgomo, Eddie for short, is an aspiring playwright hoping to make it big in London’s theater world. Repeated rejections make her suspect it's her name and not her plays that are the problem. Hugo Lawrence Smith is stifled by his law degree and wants out. He and Eddie become friends and plan to use Hugo's name on Eddie’s play. When her plays are successful, they can expose the theater world for its racism and hollow clout-chasing. This plan soon spirals out of control, leaving Eddie and Hugo wondering if their reputations and friendship can survive.

Breaking into the literary scene is difficult, but it seems harder for those who have ethnic names and don't seem to have default whiteness or wealth. It definitely seems the case when Eddie gets rejections on her play with her own name, and a meeting with a pen name that turns into a rejection soon after, despite the apparent interest to start with. Her play is about identity, belonging, worthiness, and citizenship; ironically, her first-generation immigrant status inspired it but can't get her foot through the door. Enter Hugo, a year after their chance meeting. His name wins an award for the play and gets an agent and production right away. Now all they have to do is lie to everyone in both their lives to see the play made.

The false identity to get through the door has been done in other novels before, but this one seems to hit me harder. I think because we have the intersection of race, nationality, and gender all possibly making it harder for Eddie to succeed. The UK doesn't have the same "work hard and you'll be a success" story that America does, but that's the mentality for every immigrant and their family, no matter what country they enter. Families want success and financial security for their children, and the arts are chancy because it's luck and connections as well as talent that brings popularity. While the bargain starts out with an idea to expose the theater world as not-inclusive, the lies weigh down everyone involved. It's hard to maintain integrity with that weight, leading to the final third of the novel. It comes together nicely, and the question of identity and worth remains. People will always second guess whether it's opportunity or connections. Either way, talent and the bravery to continue will always help someone make their mark.

Thank you to Simon and Schuster and NetGalley for providing me with this Advanced Reader's Copy. All opinions are my own.

My final rating was more of a 3.5 star rounded up to 4.

Naledi "Eddie" Moruakgomo is a queer Nigerian immigrant that moved to London. She's an aspiring playwright trying to get her big break in London's theatre scene. While she's in a cafe working on her manuscript, she runs into Hugo "Hu" Lawrence Smith.

After submitting her script and getting rejected by a numerous amount of agencies, she comes up with an idea. She asks Hugo to put his very white and nepotistic name onto her play and submit it. If and when it gains traction, they'll reveal their secret that Eddie is the actual author. What ensues, no one could have predicted.

I enjoyed how this book addressed the very real problem of bias in entertainment where minorities are often bypassed because of the underlying racism and misogyny that exists. The story kept my interest and I really liked Eddie as a character. Hugo I didn't feel was as strong as a character, but that may have been the point.

If I could change the writing perspective, 1st and 2nd person(?), I would change that, but by the end I wasn't as bothered by it as I was in the beginning. I just needed to adjust, mentally. I also felt half way through Eddie started speaking more like a Gen Z'er. As a Millennial, I don't dislike Gen Z slang, I just felt it wasn't as noticeable in the first half of the book, which again, I just needed to mentally acclimate which sometimes interrupts my positive reading experience.

Cool premise but overall just wanted more from this. It started out strong but around the halfway point I started losing interest in these characters - I enjoy an unlikeable narrator if done well but I just felt annoyed with Eddie and Hugo; I also wish we just stayed in Eddie’s narration instead of splitting it with Hugo’s POV. I definitely think there’s some meaningful topics here but it just didn’t quite live up to my expectations.

Thank you to NetGalley, author Warona Jay, and Atria Books-- Washington Square Press for providing me with a free ARC in exchange for my honest opinion!

I ate this UP!! This is my absolute favorite type of literary fiction-- juicy, fast-paced, and still reflective. Jay has an extremely fresh and original voice, and I appreciated her writing both from Eddie and Hugh's perspectives. For this being a shorter book, there is so much that happens to where the story feels much longer (in a good way). I never knew where the story was going to unfold, and I do think as a whole I was satisfied by the events that took place. The Grand Scheme of Things has a ton of great reflection on both external and internal bias, in companies, industries, strangers, friends, etc. I think perhaps the most fascinating thing about this book, especially given that we get to read from his perspective, is how complicated Hugh is as a character. Because in certain ways, he seems like a great guy-- but then there are things that he does that prove the exact opposite. And both co-exist, with him not realizing the true impact of what he's doing/what he is because he thinks he's a good guy. Ultimately proving one of the points of the story!! Much to think about and reflect upon finishing. I do think the writing of alternative perspectives in a voice that directly addressed the other character didn't quite work for me, and there were times I got really frustrated with Eddie constantly avoiding telling ANYONE the truth. I would have liked to see a bit more of her than Hugh as well, but ultimately, I like the way their stories unfolded separately and together. I eagerly look forward to reading more of Jay's work in the future!

I really enjoyed this debut novel from Warona Jay. It was an interesting premise - an immigrant female playwright, Naledi(Eddie) finds success by having a white male pose as the author of her play after it is rejected. The story is very timely and touches on a lot of issues - racism, sexism, immigration. It was well written and look forward to reading more from Warona Jay. Thanks to NetGalley for the digital ARC.

Franki said it best: "How are white men even real?" Aspiring Black playwright Relebogile "Eddie" Moruakgomo faces repeated rejections in London's theater scene, suspecting her non-white name is the barrier. She partners with Hugo Lawrence Smith, a well-connected white man disillusioned with his legal career. They submit her play under his name to expose the industry's racial biases. As the play gains acclaim, their plan spirals, threatening their reputations and friendship. This debut novel delves into themes of perception, redemption, and the impact of success. I liked this a lot! And for such a good book, it was shocking how I much I disliked almost all of these characters (Blue being an exception). This book was a perfect mix of Yellowface and BlacKkKlansman, so if you're a fan of either of those and their premises, I think that you'll enjoy this book. Without giving too much away, although the ending was abrupt, I feel like everyone kind of got what they deserved.

Thanks, NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review!

I really enjoyed this book and following the plan through to see where Eddie and Hugo would end up. Although I found the middle of the book slower, it picked back up and kept my interest.!

Thank you to the author, publisher for providing a free ebook version of this title in exchange for my review.

I wanted to like this book, but it fell flat in a few places. Maybe I just read too much so this felt - blah. Felt like the author tried to put too many buzz worthy topics in the same book - it's too much.

Not for me.

2 stars rounded up from 1.5 b/c I feel bad for a 1 star.