Neon Roses: The joyfully queer, uplifting and sexy read of the summer

Eluned Hughes is stuck in 1984 in a valley in south Wales, with the miners' strike ravaging her community and her boyfriend Lloyd bringing up marriage. She meets June, an artist and activist, and imagines a different life for herself, but as her family struggles with the strike, she questions whether she should leave it all behind. Neon Roses is a heartwarming, funny, and filthy queer coming-of-age story with a cracking 80s soundtrack.

Format: Hardback
Length: 304 pages
Publication date: 25 May 2023
Publisher: John Murray Press

Eluned Hughes finds herself stuck in 1984 in a valley in south Wales, amidst a devastating miners' strike, her sister's disappearance with a Thatcherite policeman, and her boyfriend constantly discussing marriage. The constant playing of "99 Red Balloons" on the radio threatens to drive her insane. However, her life takes an unexpected turn when the fundraising group Lesbians and Gays Support the Miners arrives from London, introducing her to June, a charismatic and artistic blonde in a oversized leather jacket. June's presence offers Eluned a glimpse of a completely different life, one filled with passion and activism. But as her family grapples with the strike's hardships and her relationship with her sister deteriorates, she questions whether she should leave everything behind and pursue this new path.

NEON ROSES is a heartwarming, funny, and slightly filthy queer coming-of-age story set in the vibrant 80s, spanning from the Valleys to the nightclubs of Cardiff, London, and Manchester. It follows Eluned's journey of self-discovery and growth as she navigates the complexities of love, family, and identity. With a captivating 80s soundtrack, the book explores themes of resilience, acceptance, and the pursuit of happiness against all odds.

Weight: 504g
Dimension: 163 x 242 x 31 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781399801928