Patrick Lenton’s In Spite of You is a gloriously sharp and sparkling addition to the rom-com genre – one that swaps out grand romantic gestures for petty revenge plots, emotional avoidance, and a whole lot of spite. And it’s all the better for it.

At the centre of this delightfully chaotic novel is Jeremy, a pop-culture journalist whose life is in shambles. He’s broke, heartbroken, and spiralling after receiving an invitation to his 10-year writing program reunion, where his ex-boyfriend will be the guest of honour. Said ex not only cheated on Jeremy but also immortalised his infidelity in a smugly successful novel that painted Jeremy as a pathetic loser. Naturally, Jeremy decides the only mature response is to overhaul his life entirely and arrive at the reunion hotter, happier, and with a dazzling boyfriend on his arm. Enter Sam: Jeremy’s complete opposite. Cheerful, beloved by all, and, infuriatingly, straight. Except, maybe not? What unfolds is a story about vulnerability, healing, and the terrifying prospect of letting someone see who you really are.

Jeremy is an utterly believable narrator: self-deprecating, petty, deeply insecure, and somehow still incredibly endearing. Lenton’s writing captures the melodrama of Jeremy’s internal world with comic precision, while also allowing for tender, authentic moments of growth. The supporting cast of Jeremy’s anarchic co-workers and chaotic friends are scene-stealers in their own right, adding depth and ridiculousness in equal measure.

Set in a recognisably modern Australia, In Spite of You feels fresh and local without over-explaining or diluting its humour for a global audience. It’s proudly queer, effortlessly funny, and refreshingly honest about the messiness of moving on. Highly recommended for rom-com fans who like their love stories messy, queer, and driven by revenge.