Riven

April 2, 2018
Parrish (Small Change) may well break readers’ hearts with this deeply felt, perfectly paced contemporary about a reluctant rock star and the recovering addict he falls for. Theo Decker, lead singer for the superhot rock band Riven, is tired of touring. On a break, an exhausted Theo meets washed-up musician Caleb Whitman by (believable) chance in a Brooklyn dive bar, and the chemistry between them is immediate and explosive. But Caleb is just out of his fourth stint in rehab, trying to kick a heroin addiction, and far from sure that he can hold on to his sobriety, especially if he ventures into Theo’s rock-and-roll world. The author’s sensitive portrait of an addict in recovery adds depth and layers to the story. Caleb’s oscillation between drawing Theo closer and pushing him away makes it clear that he believes he has nothing meaningful to give—until he realizes that love could be the key to his healing. This contemporary is generous and tender in all the right ways.