Suzanne Perez

Torenberg's publisher pitches it as Fleabag meets Big Swiss.

But I think a better comp might be Margot's Got Money Troubles meets Hot Ones.

The scenes involving spicier and spicier pepper eating are scary, grueling, stressful, and perfectly paced.

Del is a flawed and inherently believable character, a struggling young woman who can be both selfish and selfless.

She makes poor decisions, she treats her online audience with rude snarkiness, and despite it all, you can't help rooting for her.

When one of her online viewers crosses the line from fan to troll, Del has to navigate his threats while trying to maintain her growing audience and lucrative business.

With taut writing and vivid dialogue, Torenberg explores parasocial relationships, sibling guilt, and the fine line between fame and loneliness.

Torenberg divides her book into seven chapters, one for each day of Dell's livestream.

The author says she conceived the novel during the pandemic lockdown, when so many people turned to online relationships to find solace and company.

And that research is evident here, with characters that tug at your heart as they struggle to feel cared for and loved.

Throughout the novel, we're not quite sure how Del's sister ended up in a coma.

Torenberg manages to unpack that at just the right pace, offering details through flashbacks and other literary devices until a conclusion that's both surprising and satisfying.

Don't let the bizarre premise fool you.

Just Watch Me is an intense, quirky novel that delivers in a big way, a bold and spicy debut.

For Marginalia, I'm Suzanne Perez.

Sarah Levine's new comic novel, The Hitch, called to me with its insane but intriguing two-word premise, Ghost Corgi.

In this delightfully unhinged story, we meet Rose Cutler, a Jewish feminist vegan eco-warrior who wants to have a bigger role in the life of her six-year-old nephew, Nathan.

Rose offers to look after her nephew while his parents take a week-long trip to Mexico, and all goes well until Rose and Nathan walk to the park.

That's when Rose's Newfoundland, Walter, attacks and kills a corgi on a retractable leash.

Those things are evil, you know.