Goldy Moldavsky

New York Times Bestselling Author

[goldywrites]

Bubblegum Shoes: The Big Sleepover is Out!

Hi friends!

My Middle Grade novel BUBBLEGUM SHOES: THE BIG SLEEPOVER is finally out today!

It is a madcap pint-sized detective mystery full of wrestling team goons, snot-nosed tech dweebs, Screamo rock, and a sleepover at the school gym where all of this takes place (in under three hours.) Kirkus says it’s a “spirited, twisted caper, with plenty of personality,” and Booklist calls it, “Good ol’ tomfoolery.” Which was exactly the vibe I was going for.

I am so excited to have a sequel out in the world and to officially be the author of a series, and it’s such a joy to me that it gets to be this series. If you’ve enjoyed any of my comedy-leaning books before you will definitely like this one.

Bubblegum Shoes: The Big Sleepover has an ensemble cast of strong girls dealing with themes of friendship and first crushes in a school lock-in setting. For any middle grade reader who wants a twisty, funny mystery and is hoping to read up. It's perfect for fans of "A Risky Game" (The Liars Society) by Alyson Gerber, "Midnight at the Barclay Hotel" by Fleur Bradley, and "The Swifts: A Gallery of Rogues" by Beth Lincoln.

If you’ve pre-ordered already THANK YOU SO MUCH! In case you haven’t, you can always order it at my local indie, Books of Wonder if you’d like a personalized copy.

And if that’s too much, well there are still thinks you can do to help an author out, like:

Add the book on Goodreads!

Request the book at your local library. We love libraries!

After you’ve read it, I’d love it if you can leave a review of it on basically any site that has book reviews! (I avoid bad reviews but I am not ashamed to admit that I’ll read all the good reviews because I love to stroke my own ego.)

I appreciate any and all form of your support, especially since this will be my last book on the shelves for a while. But if you’d like to stay up to date on my books, you can sign up for my free newsletter here!

Thanks again, and until next time!

[goldywrites]

Preorder stickers!

Can I interest you in this adorable sticker sheet, perfect for you or the 8-12 year old human in your life? Well, I'll send one right to your door if you pre0rder BUBBLEGUMSHOES: THE BIG SLEEPOVER! (Out July 14th.)

All you have to do is: 📩 email [email protected] with a screencap of your receipt. Make sure to include your mailing address. That's it! Please buy my book 😅😭

About the book:

Crime doesn’t sleep…luckily neither do they. Normally, Maya Mendoza wouldn't be caught dead at school on a Saturday, but it happens to be the most epic night Marlowe Middle’s big sleepover! The Bubblegum Shoes detective agency is taking a night off from solving cases to enjoy the Battle of the Bands, the all-you-can-eat candy, and the limited adult supervision...or so they thought.

When the girls learn classmate and rising YouTube star Hunter Holloway is being blackmailed to drop out of the singing competition, they have to help. But what was supposed to be an easy case quickly turns complicated when the Gumshoes discover an illegal pillow-fighting ring, battling Broadway divas, and counterfeit art—not to mention Hunter seems to be hiding a few secrets of his own.

Can these slumber party sleuths solve the case before the fun is over? Or will this sticky situation spell lights out for Hunter's career and the Bubblegum Shoes’ reputation?

[goldywrites]

My book is on sale now!

ON THE ROAD TO HAPPY is the perfect summer story with a delightful camp setting, fun summery escapades, and thoughtful takeaways. It's exactly the kind of book that kids will gobble up. Afternoons spent building a tree house, riding bikes to the lake, and telling scary stories at the end of the night will all help conjure up the endless feeling of summer—even when the weather gets cold. It deals with themes of feeling like you don't belong, budding friendship, social-emotional growth, and a rocky father-daughter dynamic.

It's a contemporary middle grade story that feature Jewish protagonists, and On the Road to Happy delves into real issues facing Jewish tweens. In the face of a summer spent in a community of Chasidic (Orthodox) Jews, Gigi begins to feel insecure with her own family’s “version” if Judaism, their background, and their lack of traditions.

On the Road to Happy is perfect for readers looking for similar books to "The Vanderbeekers on the Road" by Karina Yan Glaser, "The Fire, the Water, and Maudie McGinn" by Sally J. Pla, "Those Kids from Fawn Creek" by Erin Entrada Kelly, and "Because of Winn-Dixie" by Kate DiCamillo.

It's about summer, friendship, fishing, and riding bikes down country roads. Plus, it's set in the 90s, so you know, the vibes are immaculate, if I do say so myself!

Kirkus says it offers "fascinating glimpses into a different time, place, and way of life."

Publishers Weekly calls Gigi, the main character, "complex and utterly relatable."

And School Library Journal gave it a starred review!

You can find it wherever books are sold, or at this helpful link! As always, thanks for your support!

[goldywrites]

You are now looking at the cover for my latest book! Isn't it gorgeous? ON THE ROAD TO HAPPY is a middle grade novel about summer, friendship, and finding your joy even when you feel like you don't belong. And as the cover suggests, it features a treehouse! (I wasn't the only one dreaming of treehouses when I was a kid, was I?)

ON THE ROAD TO HAPPY will be available on May 5th, but you can preorder it now!

Cover art by Svetla Radivoeva.

And here is the official synopsis:

From New York Times bestselling author comes a must-read middle-grade novel for fans of The Vanderbeekers on the Road, The Firefly Summer, and To Night Owl From Dogfish. This big-hearted story follows a girl who might just be in for a life-changing summer. . . if she doesn’t run away first.

Gigi and her older sister, Yasmin, are spending the summer at a Jewish bungalow colony in upstate New York, thanks to their dad, who will be the handyman there. Sure, there will be day camp to go to, and the forest to explore, and maybe new friends to make. But Gigi doesn’t feel she fits in. Despite the fact that she’s Jewish too, she can’t help but feel that her Judaism is totally different from the other kids’. It doesn’t help that Mom isn’t around to talk to—she’s back in Brooklyn working. Yasmin has her own friends, and even though her dad speaks five languages, he and Gigi never seem to be speaking the same one.

There’s only one thing Gigi can do—escape. So, she hatches a plan to run away. But unexpected surprises keep drawing her back. Like, why do the boys at the camp keep doing flips? What kind of lake has fish with mustaches? Can Gigi sneakily use her dad’s tools to build a secret treehouse?

Try as she might, Gigi can’t figure out why everyone else loves this place so much. Will she eventually find her way back home, or will she—just maybe—discover something special hidden within the colony?

[goldywrites]

The sequel to Bubblegum Shoes: The case of the Contraband Closet has a cover!

Bubblegum Shoes: The Big Sleepover is my ode to, well, The Big Sleep. The classic Bogart/Bacall noir that inspired so many other "The Big" titles. (Short, Chill, Lebowski-- I'm looking at you.) Is this book anything like The Big Sleep in plot, themes, or character? No. But it IS like The Big Sleep in that it's a deliberately convoluted--ahem, madcap-- caper where the mystery is layered and the stakes are high.

Here's the official synopsis:

Crime doesn’t sleep…luckily neither do they.

Normally, Maya Mendoza wouldn't be caught dead at school on a Saturday, but it happens to be the most epic night Marlowe Middle’s big sleepover! The Bubblegum Shoes detective agency is taking a night off from solving cases to enjoy the Battle of the Bands, the all-you-can-eat candy, and the limited adult supervision...or so they thought. 

When the girls learn classmate and rising YouTube star Hunter Holloway is being blackmailed to drop out of the singing competition, they have to help. But what was supposed to be an easy case quickly turns complicated when the Gumshoes discover an illegal pillow-fighting ring, battling Broadway divas, and counterfeit art—not to mention Hunter seems to be hiding a few secrets of his own. 

Can these slumber party sleuths solve the case before the fun is over? Or will this sticky situation spell lights out for Hunter's career and the Bubblegum Shoes’ reputation?

A smart, sharp, and sensational second book in New York Times bestselling author Goldy Moldavsky's middle-school mystery series.

---

I love writing this series and I hope you'll pick it up! You can preorder it here, and I hope you do because I am a very needy author.

More soon!

[goldywrites]

My book is OUT TODAY!

Bubblegum Shoes: The Case of the Contraband Closet has an ensemble cast of strong girls dealing with themes of friendship, growing up, and first crushes. For any middle grade reader who wants a twisty, funny mystery and is hoping to read up. It's perfect for fans of "A Risky Game" (The Liars Society) by Alyson Gerber, "Midnight at the Barclay Hotel" by Fleur Bradley, "Lotería" by Karla Arenas Valenti, "The Area 51 Files" by Julie Buxbaum, "Wretched Waterpark" by Kiersten White, and "The Swifts: A Gallery of Rogues" by Beth Lincoln.

This is my middle-grade debut and the start of a new series and I am so excited to introduce it to you. You can grab it here, and I hope you do! It's a funny, heartful caper that's perfect for any 4th-7th grader in your life. Or you! You too would enjoy.

[goldywrites]

My book is out today!

OF EARTHLY DELIGHTS is a modern gothic romance with botanical magic elements, a wish gone wrong, and a yearning dark romance set against the backdrop of summer in a lush garden. It is twisty, mysterious, and debaucherously sexy. It explores themes of beauty, power, grief, loss, magic, romance, and the brutality of nature. With a twist so shocking it'll make you want to read it all over again.

And if that doesn't convince you to read it, this is what E. Lockhart had this to say about it: "An obsessive love story that’s as lush and twisty as a hedge maze ― and as iridescent as a pond sparkling in the moonlight."

Of Earthly Delights is perfect for readers looking for something similar to "She Is a Haunting" by Trang Thanh Tran, "A Far Wilder Magic" by Allison Saft, "Anatomy: A Love Story" by Dana Schwartz, "Hazelthorn" by CG Drews, and "Don't Let the Forest In," by CG Drews.

Hope you read it, hope you love it.

You can get it here!

[goldywrites]

Announcing the Preoder campaign for OF EARTHLY DELIGHTS!

OED is the gothic horromance of my dreams, and I'm delighted to show you the swag I've got lined up if you preorder my latest YA novel.

You'll get:

An art print of the story's main couple, Hart and Rose, illustrated by _loris_art

A holographic sticker of the book cover

A bookplate signed by me

All you need to do is send a screenshot of your order receipt to [email protected]

Here's a reminder of what the book's all about:

Aspiring artist Rose Pauly is not happy moving from her home in New York City right before her senior year of high school. But on her first miserable day in Connecticut, she meets Hart Hargrove. The two share an immediate, undeniable connection.

Hart introduces Rose to his slice of paradise–the immense private garden nestled behind the Hargrove family mansion. There, the two spend a fever dream of a summer together. But as their bond blossoms into love, Rose can't shake the feeling that all is not as it seems.

When Rose uncovers the truth about the garden, she's forced to question how genuine her love story truly is. But Hart can't bear to lose Rose, and he will stop at nothing to save their relationship.

Posing haunting questions about beauty and desire, this is an atmospheric and darkly romantic tale that will enthrall readers.

That's it! Thanks so much for your preoder!

[goldywrites]

Goodreads giveaway for OF EARTHLY DELIGHTS! Enter to win 1 of 30 copies. This is your best shot to get a galley of this book before it hits shelves.

Click here to enter!

[goldywrites]

I have a new book! And it has a new cover! Behold, BUBBLEGUM SHOES: The Case of the Contraband Closet.

I am so excited to be coming out with my first ever middle-grade book, and to do it with this stunning cover is really special. Illustrated by Sol Salinas and designed by Michelle Cunningham, I think this cover perfectly encapsulates the fun film noir-esque vibes the book is going for.

Here's the official synopsis:

9:48 AM. Math class. Marlowe Middle School.

Life isn't easy on the streets, er, hallways of Marlowe Middle School. Luckily, private eye Maya Mendoza never stops paying attention. She knows who is passing notes in class. Spots which teacher wore shoes a half-size too tight. And she certainly notices when her former best friend Jordan suddenly stops talking to her. 

Then, the legendary Contraband Closet is robbed. Every Hotwheels car, spray paint canister, bouncy ball, and other prized possession teachers have collected since the dawn of time are seemingly lost forever--including an item of Jordan's. Suddenly, Maya sees a case that may set things back to the way it used to be because contraband--and friendships--don't vanish into thin air...right?

And if you are so inclined, you can pre-order it here!

[goldywrites]

Hello world! I have a new book, and its got a shiny new cover! I am delighted to show you OF EARTHLY DELIGHTS, with art by Maggie Enterrios.

I so love this cover. I think it perfectly reflects the beauty and the darkness at the center of this novel. It will be on sale in Fall, 2025, which is a long way away, but I hope you'll add it on goodreads and consider preordering it.

Read on if you'd like to get a glimpse of the story.

A contemporary YA gothic romance about a dark family secret, a lush, mysterious garden, and a love that never dies, from New York Times bestselling author Goldy Moldavsky.

Aspiring artist Rose Pauly is not happy moving from her home in New York City right before her senior year of high school. But on her first miserable day in Connecticut, she meets Hart Hargrove. The two share an immediate, undeniable connection.

Hart introduces Rose to his slice of paradise–the immense private garden nestled behind the Hargrove family mansion. There, the two spend a fever dream of a summer together. But as their bond blossoms into love, Rose can't shake the feeling that all is not as it seems.

When Rose uncovers the truth about the garden, she's forced to question how genuine her love story truly is. But Hart can't bear to lose Rose, and he will stop at nothing to save their relationship.

Posing haunting questions about beauty and desire, this is an atmospheric and darkly romantic tale that will enthrall readers.

[goldywrites]

The Mary Shelley Club on #KindleUnlimited!

If you have KindleUnlimited, or have been thinking about getting it, TMSC is now available, for free, for a limited time!

[goldywrites]

News and Pre-order Goodies!

Hi! I have some exciting news about my latest book, JUST SAY YES!

It's coming out as a paperback original on January 30, 2024! And if you pre-order a copy and send me your proof of purchase I'll send you back a sticker and a signed book plate. It's that easy.

You can find more info and instructions in this post on my substack.

Set in 2006, JUST SAY YES is an adorable romantic comedy with a friends to lovers/neighbors to lovers dynamic. Or to be more specific, he's a goody-two-shoes boy next door and she's a hot popular girl that never looked twice at him. A Latina Cher from Clueless, if you will. This is a slow burn, marriage of convenience romance between two New York City teenagers.

Just Say Yes is perfect for readers looking for similar books to "You Have a Match" by Emma Lord, "We Are Not from Here" by Jenny Torres Sanchez, "With the Fire on High" by Elizabeth Acevedo, "Frankly in Love" by David Yoon, and "The Sun is Also a Star" by Nicola Yoon.

The story deals with themes of green card marriages, immigration, marriage of convenience, and asks the question if marriage is a contract or an act of love.

[goldywrites]

Cool news!

[goldywrites]

NEWSLETTER

Hi! I have decided to start a newsletter! If you want to get a behind the scenes look + updates on the stuff I’m working on, please go and join the 

mailing list!

Goldy’s Desk is where I’ll be sharing the sorts of things I won’t be putting on my socials. Hope to see you there!

[goldywrites]

LORD OF THE FLY FEST IS OUT NOW!

[goldywrites]

PRE-ORDER CAMPAIGN FOR LORD OF THE FLY FEST!

Hi friends! As a thank you for pre-ordering LORD OF THE FLY FEST (out August 30th) I’d like to send you these pre-order goodies. 

You’ll get three things:

- a wristband for FLY FEST (which you can wear or use as a bookmark)

- a 3 inch sticker of the book cover

- a signed bookplate that you can stick inside your book. 

All you have to do is send proof of purchase (a screenshot of your receipt) to [email protected]

Open until Sept. 1st 2022.

Thanks for participating!