Initially I had trouble getting into this book as there is a lot of "backstory," but once I understood the relationship between Nathaniel and David I was off and running! It's about so many things: people, places, misunderstandings, and the world of boxing which I'd never been interested in before this novel. It's a hefty read but so worth it in the end as Shaefer deals with so many contemporary issues that plague society. Sooo worth it!
Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC!

The Slip was not what I was expecting. It starts slow, but as more characters are introduced, and the web starts to take shape, I was hooked. I definitely enjoyed some perspectives more than others and there were a few scenes that didn't land for me, but overall I really enjoyed this book.

This was an incredibly ambitious debut. The blurb references Jonathan Franzen but I found this more analogous to A Confederacy of Dunces. Instead of New Orleans, this book lives and breathes Austin. It is just as absurd, with a heavier dollop of social commentary about race, class, transgenderism, the police and early 21st century politics. Also like John Kennedy Toole's masterpiece, the power of the story lies in the characters. The backstories are like individual short stories themselves and you come to appreciate these eccentric folks who are trying to find themselves, often in questionable places. I think the plot took a couple extra loops that were not necessary and that the absurd nature of the plot undercut some of the social commentary, but those are quibbles with an accomplished debut. I look forward to his future work.

I received an advance reader copy of novel via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review on my Goodreads page. This novel is scheduled for release on June 3, 2025.

Every so often, you come across a work that spans generations and multiple points of view — and you just feel it is probably destined to be dissected and discussed for years to come. That is so with this novel. The comparisons to Franzen are well-earned; this author captures the same sprawling, intimate storytelling style that feels both grand and subtle all at once.

At its core, this book is about the disappearance of 16-year-old Nathaniel Rothstein in the summer of 1998. Decades later, the mystery of his vanishing still reverberates through the lives of those he left behind. The story unfolds both backwards and forwards in time, weaving a rich, intricate tapestry amongst all the characters. However, to call this merely a "mystery" would be a disservice — it’s a profound work of literature that happens to carry a mystery inside it.

I highly recommend The Slip. It’s not a book to rush through; it demands — and ultimately, rewards — patient, attentive reading. Details are planted with subtle precision, and only when you turn the final page does the full picture come into breathtaking focus. 4.0 stars!

I really enjoyed this book. A sweeping, unflinching portrait of American contradiction, this novel punches hard and lands every blow. Here one will find big ideas, messy families, and the quiet violence of everyday life—but with a voice entirely its own. The characters breathe, ache, and stumble through a country both vast and claustrophobic. It’s a story of longing and loss, of the past refusing to stay buried. At once intimate and epic, the novel demands your attention and rewards it generously. A remarkable, deeply felt achievement. Again, I thought this book was the bomb.

This one right here pulled at my heartstrings. I loved it soo much! I could not put it down and I liked that it moved slow. I was able to really get into the characters and the plot. I loved how the story moved along beautifully. This is one that I will need on my shelf!

This took me a damn minute, holy cow. But despite crawling through this at the speed of a slug, I was thoroughly enjoying every prolonged minute of it. The characters were incredibly complex and lovable along with being morally grey or unlikable. The writing and story were phenomenal as well, I'll definitely be looking out for more stuff from this author in the future.

This was a really fascinating, lyrical, and insightful novel. I am often moved by literary novels like this that focus on relationships, specifically ones that are complex but tinged with genuine affection, with something almost resembling hope but not quit.e. Schaefer's novel is moving in a way I wasn't expecting. I hope to see this gain a massive audience of individuals in need of something engaging, insightful, and deeply necessary for the times we're living in.

Although the the pacing of this story was slow, I do believe the highlight of this story was how masterful the tension was built. This was emotional and gripping, and the characters were very well crafted. Loved this read.

Thank you Netgalley for this arc. This book was moving, emotional, sad, and addicting. I was captivated by the characters and the plot. I enjoyed this so much. I can't wait to purchase a physical copy of this book. The author deserves all the praise for writing such an amazing book.

"The Slip" by Lucas Schaefer is a compelling and thought-provoking novel that explores themes of identity, loss, and personal transformation. Schaefer’s writing is beautifully layered, offering a haunting meditation on how our perceptions shape who we are. Although every page is brimming with beautifully written details, the pacing was a bit slow for me at times. However, after finishing the book, I felt very satisfied and would definitely recommend.

Huge thanks to @netgalley for the advance copy. Out June 3rd!

After getting in some trouble at school, Nathaniel Rothstein’s parents send him to Austin, Texas for the summer to live with his uncle. It’s a long way from his home in Massachusetts, and he is a sixteen-year-old kid, awkward and uncomfortable in his own skin. His uncle sets him up with a job at a local nursing home where he meets David, his charismatic Haitian boss, who changes his life forever. Through an unforgettable cast of characters and unlikely events, Nathaniel will come out of that summer a different person, in more ways than he could possibly imagine.

This book is kind of insane. There are dozens of characters and almost as many perspectives, ranging from a border-hopping twin clown to a group of middle-aged Jewish women taking a class with their local police department. Though it sometimes felt that Schaefer was employing certain plot elements for shock value and that some of these perspectives were unnecessary, the overall result is a novel teeming with life. The characters are richly drawn and unique, each of them so deeply interesting that it is difficult to not fall in love. It’s incredible that this isn’t just true of the main character, but of nearly every person in the novel.

Schaefer’s writing, too, is so energetic that it is inspiring. The details are vivid, creating an incredible sense of place and the people who live there. The imaginative story elements and flashes forward and backward in time lend to the creation of the narrative. The story is so well-crafted, building tension with each chapter to a highly rewarding end. So much of this is well-done, and I can’t wait to see the reception it gets in June.

This is a fantastic debut. I can’t wait to read more from Schaefer in the future. Four stars.

In its very best moments, The Slip resembles a mix of early Donna Tartt and Gillian Flynn. Immersive, claustrophobic in its microscopic examination of one small locality in Texas, a labyrinth that traps the reader; taking them further down into the mystery of a young teenager’s disappearance, and the wounds that are still felt by the community years later.

The novel’s one weakness is a strange dichotomy: There are chapters where the prose feels clinical and removed, reading like a dry newspaper-esque recount of events. This is juxtaposed against others where the world is much more vivid, compulsively readable, emotionally volatile and immediately available. One could peg this as intentional—but there aren’t specific narrative turns where this shift happens, so it might be a stretch to say so.

The pace is much more meditative than propulsive, but Lucas Schaefer performs an incredible threading of the needle—weaving in and out of multiple timelines with ease. This might aggravate some, but the slow burn does pay off. The last several paragraphs at the end are specifically moving.

(Thanks to Simon & Schuster for the arc, allowing me a chance to preview this title before its release.)

I absolutely loved The Slip by Lucas Schaefer! It’s hard to believe this is his debut novel. Growing up in Austin just after the time the book takes place, it felt especially nostalgic for me. It captured the Austin I missed after leaving, and I loved being able to revisit so many of the places mentioned in the story.

The pacing and writing were fantastic, and the way Schaefer built up the suspense was top-notch. The diversity of the characters was refreshing, and the ending was incredibly satisfying. I especially appreciated how each chapter was told from a different character’s perspective, each one playing a role in the mystery of Nathanial’s disappearance. All the pieces came together beautifully.

I definitely recommend this one—it's a gripping, well-crafted story that sticks with you!

while i found it initially difficult to follow such a vast array of characters, getting to know them truly paid off because this story surpasses so many stereotypes and tropes of the trans experience, immigration, blackness, sex work, and so much more. such an honest yet unique storyline that kept me wondering what would come next.

This was good just slow at times but the last third was immaculate! A wild ride just wish we got more of that in the beginning.

MY SHAYLA !! 😭

I picked up The Slip curious to find “the answer,” but what I got was so much more. This book is jam-packed with multiple POVs and intertwining stories that slowly piece together into something bigger than I expected.

I’ll be honest—there were parts that felt slow, and I really had to push through some sections. But sticking with it paid off. The way the story unfolded kept pulling me back in, especially as I started to realize just how deep everything ran.

And can we talk about the police system in this book?? I went in with this naive little bit of faith, thinking, they’ll help, right? But wow, they really proved me wrong. I had the audacity to believe they’d be useful—lmao! The way that unraveled was wild.

Part 3, though… Part 3 had me pulling my hair and gritting my teeth. That’s when the tension really hit, and I found myself getting super anxious about Nathanial. Is it embarrassing to say I teared up a little for this kid? 🫣 Because, yeah, I did.

Overall, the story is great. The way the different narratives and characters weave together just makes more and more sense the deeper you go. I’d definitely recommend this to anyone who enjoys character-driven stories, mysteries, and narratives that keep you thinking long after you’ve finished.

Thank you @NetGalley for the ARC!
#NetGalley

The Slip is Jonathan Franzen's "Crossroads" meets James McBride's "Deacon King Kong"—a literary, historical fiction with hints of mystery and humor. Lucas Schaefer has crafted a story unlike anything I’ve read in years.

Set in the summer of 1998 and the years that follow, the novel follows sixteen-year-old Nathaniel Rothstein, who finds confidence and happiness under the mentorship of ex-fighter David Dalice at Terry Tucker’s Boxing Gym in Austin, Texas, only to mysteriously vanish one night. Meanwhile, Charles Rex, known as "X," seeks acceptance through a phone sex hotline, experiencing a fleeting romance. Over a decade later, Nathaniel's uncle Bob Alexander, driven by a tip, launches an investigation into his nephew's disappearance, involving various gymgoers, a rookie cop, and Alexis Cepeda, a promising lightweight boxer who crossed the US-Mexico border with a false identity.

As someone who has taken up boxing in the last few months, I was immediately drawn to The Slip. Lucas Schaefer has clearly done his homework on the techniques and the community behind boxing, and I absolutely loved it.

More importantly, I was captivated by this world, the characters, and their rich backgrounds (hopes, dreams, desires). Spending time with these fully realized individuals was a delight. Even the minor, background players are full of life and endearing to follow, including Dr. Gloria Abruzzi, whose chapter perfectly exemplifies this novel’s balance between humor and heartbreak. Another near the end is a “what if” scenario that had me close to tears, hopeful it was real and not just theoretical.

What I loved about this book also contributed to my main issue, however. As the story progresses towards the conclusion, it feels like some sections overstay their welcome. I felt it the most in parts that reiterated details from a different perspective. Of course, in a story like this, different viewpoints help paint the full picture. But, it ultimately impacted my enjoyment, especially as I tried to figure out what happened to Nathaniel. Even when it felt like it was dragging on and more characters were added to the plot, it never felt like padding or filler.

The Slip is a near masterpiece—tender, joyful, and heartbreaking. It also comes at a time when stories about queer characters are much needed. Bravo, Lucas Schaefer. Thanks to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for the ARC.

I think this is a great mystery! It is filled with suspense, intriguing characters, and well written plot points that help the reader feel so much in their gut as the mystery plays out. I loved going with every twist and turn until we found out the answers at the end

Not usually a fan of murder mysteries but I did enjoy the pacing and the unique was perspectives from each character.