Thank you to Simon and Schuster and NetGalley for providing me with this Advanced Reader's Copy. All opinions are my own.

My final rating was more of a 3.5 star rounded up to 4.

Naledi "Eddie" Moruakgomo is a queer Nigerian immigrant that moved to London. She's an aspiring playwright trying to get her big break in London's theatre scene. While she's in a cafe working on her manuscript, she runs into Hugo "Hu" Lawrence Smith.

After submitting her script and getting rejected by a numerous amount of agencies, she comes up with an idea. She asks Hugo to put his very white and nepotistic name onto her play and submit it. If and when it gains traction, they'll reveal their secret that Eddie is the actual author. What ensues, no one could have predicted.

I enjoyed how this book addressed the very real problem of bias in entertainment where minorities are often bypassed because of the underlying racism and misogyny that exists. The story kept my interest and I really liked Eddie as a character. Hugo I didn't feel was as strong as a character, but that may have been the point.

If I could change the writing perspective, 1st and 2nd person(?), I would change that, but by the end I wasn't as bothered by it as I was in the beginning. I just needed to adjust, mentally. I also felt half way through Eddie started speaking more like a Gen Z'er. As a Millennial, I don't dislike Gen Z slang, I just felt it wasn't as noticeable in the first half of the book, which again, I just needed to mentally acclimate which sometimes interrupts my positive reading experience.

Cool premise but overall just wanted more from this. It started out strong but around the halfway point I started losing interest in these characters - I enjoy an unlikeable narrator if done well but I just felt annoyed with Eddie and Hugo; I also wish we just stayed in Eddie’s narration instead of splitting it with Hugo’s POV. I definitely think there’s some meaningful topics here but it just didn’t quite live up to my expectations.

Thank you to NetGalley, author Warona Jay, and Atria Books-- Washington Square Press for providing me with a free ARC in exchange for my honest opinion!

I ate this UP!! This is my absolute favorite type of literary fiction-- juicy, fast-paced, and still reflective. Jay has an extremely fresh and original voice, and I appreciated her writing both from Eddie and Hugh's perspectives. For this being a shorter book, there is so much that happens to where the story feels much longer (in a good way). I never knew where the story was going to unfold, and I do think as a whole I was satisfied by the events that took place. The Grand Scheme of Things has a ton of great reflection on both external and internal bias, in companies, industries, strangers, friends, etc. I think perhaps the most fascinating thing about this book, especially given that we get to read from his perspective, is how complicated Hugh is as a character. Because in certain ways, he seems like a great guy-- but then there are things that he does that prove the exact opposite. And both co-exist, with him not realizing the true impact of what he's doing/what he is because he thinks he's a good guy. Ultimately proving one of the points of the story!! Much to think about and reflect upon finishing. I do think the writing of alternative perspectives in a voice that directly addressed the other character didn't quite work for me, and there were times I got really frustrated with Eddie constantly avoiding telling ANYONE the truth. I would have liked to see a bit more of her than Hugh as well, but ultimately, I like the way their stories unfolded separately and together. I eagerly look forward to reading more of Jay's work in the future!

I really enjoyed this debut novel from Warona Jay. It was an interesting premise - an immigrant female playwright, Naledi(Eddie) finds success by having a white male pose as the author of her play after it is rejected. The story is very timely and touches on a lot of issues - racism, sexism, immigration. It was well written and look forward to reading more from Warona Jay. Thanks to NetGalley for the digital ARC.

Franki said it best: "How are white men even real?" Aspiring Black playwright Relebogile "Eddie" Moruakgomo faces repeated rejections in London's theater scene, suspecting her non-white name is the barrier. She partners with Hugo Lawrence Smith, a well-connected white man disillusioned with his legal career. They submit her play under his name to expose the industry's racial biases. As the play gains acclaim, their plan spirals, threatening their reputations and friendship. This debut novel delves into themes of perception, redemption, and the impact of success. I liked this a lot! And for such a good book, it was shocking how I much I disliked almost all of these characters (Blue being an exception). This book was a perfect mix of Yellowface and BlacKkKlansman, so if you're a fan of either of those and their premises, I think that you'll enjoy this book. Without giving too much away, although the ending was abrupt, I feel like everyone kind of got what they deserved.

Thanks, NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review!

I really enjoyed this book and following the plan through to see where Eddie and Hugo would end up. Although I found the middle of the book slower, it picked back up and kept my interest.!

Thank you to the author, publisher for providing a free ebook version of this title in exchange for my review.

I wanted to like this book, but it fell flat in a few places. Maybe I just read too much so this felt - blah. Felt like the author tried to put too many buzz worthy topics in the same book - it's too much.

Not for me.

2 stars rounded up from 1.5 b/c I feel bad for a 1 star.

Eddie and Hugo are physical opposites but they make a powerful team that gets Eddie's work published and produced and Hugo onto the stage. And then....This is told from both of their perspectives. It's very much about prejudice in the arts world and, unfortunately, it's being published in the immediate wake of By Any Other Name which is focused on misogyny in the world of the stage. Jay has created two very good characters, has a distinctive and incisive writing style, and has made me eager to read more. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. A good read.

I wanted to love this book more than I did due to the background with theater and plays. Unfortunately it fell short for me with the references that seemed a little overbearing and the unsatisfactory ending. I wish it had played out a bit differently and I felt there was some stinted flow when it came to the dialogue at certain parts. I did persevere in finishing but I almost wish I had just placed it down before I got too ahead.

I can't believe The Grand Scheme of Things is a debut!! Two coming together to work out issues , especially two strangers male for an interesting discovery of how situations play out .

really fun and well written work with some awesome ideas and vibes on it. would very much recommend. 5 stars. tysm for the arc.

I received a copy of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley.

I tried to read this back in the summer and paused at 11%, thinking I just wasn't in the mood for it at the time. Now I have tried again and given up only a little further along. It just isn't for me. Naledi, the main protagonist is a recent graduate and the narrative reads a bit young adult to me. I am sure her character has important things to say about institutional racism, but I didn't warm to her and got a bit fed up of the general humourlessness of the story and Naledi harping on about how brilliantly she did at university. The conversations with her mother and family in Botswana were littered with words in (I assume) an African language, but since I don't speak that language, they were meaningless to me.

I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

"The Grand Scheme of Things" by Warona Jay is a first-person, dual-POV British contemporary novel set a few years after Brexit. The story follows Eddie, a Botswana-British playwright, who has completed a dystopian play. She faces challenges due to her birth name and race. To help her play succeed, she asks Hugo, a white British man, to pose as the writer. Their secret complicates their lives even further.

The setting plays a significant role, with references to Brexit and subtle nods to a character resembling JK Rowling, creating a vivid time period for the story. Themes of white privilege, ignorance, and artistic integrity are explored through both Eddie’s and Hugo’s perspectives. Their different experiences with the powerful agent Helen highlight the impact of racism, as she treats them very differently based on race.

Eddie, who has a long-term girlfriend, and Hugo, who is often in relationships, share a complex friendship that feels more like a shared struggle than genuine camaraderie. The book avoids romantic elements, instead focusing on deeper questions through their relationships and the dynamics surrounding them.

Content warning for racism and queerphobia. I recommend this book for readers interested in post-Brexit racism and complex character-driven relationships.

I found this novel difficult to follow - there was too many characters, sub plots and dialogue. It might be for someone else but it wasn’t for me.

**Features:**
- Black woman who is also a lesbian and first generation British citizen as the main character
- Explores racism and sexism in the theater world
- Examines the tension between the main character and her family caused by her sexuality, her choice of career, and being raised in a different culture.
- Shows the corrupting power of success

**Synopsis:**

Relebogile Naledi Mpho Moruakgomo, or Eddie for short, knows she has a masterpiece on her hands. However, when her play is rejected by every agency and competition she sends it to, she begins to suspect that her unusual name is the reason. After submitting it under a shorter male name, she finally gets interest only to be rejected once more when the agent discovers she is a black woman. Looking to expose the theater industry for its biases and desperate to give her play an honest chance, Eddie reaches out to Hugo Lawrence Smith. In addition to having a similar passion for the theater, Hugo is everything that Eddie is not. Together, they hatch a plan to call out the theater industries by using Hugo’s name and face to make Eddie’s play a success. However, neither could anticipate just how successful Eddie’s play would end up being.

**Thoughts:**

This book does everything that the modern storyline in “By Any Other Name” failed to do and I am so happy I picked it up. The narration switches off between Eddie and Hugo and it is clear that they are recounting what has happened from a point in the future. Though not strictly in letter format, the characters tell the story as if they are saying it directly to the other. This makes the story feel intimate from the very beginning and I found it really compelling. Though there are definitely differences, Eddie’s and Hugo’s relationship is similar to the main characters in “Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow” and I would definitely recommend this read if you really enjoyed that aspect of the book.

Eddie herself is a smart, determined, and talented individual that finds herself stuck between worlds both socially and professionally. Her side of the story is just as much about navigating the complexities of her life that inspired her play as it is about trying to make her play successful. Nothing about her experience felt forced or overdone except for a couple of small moments that I found odd for her character. Her story has an agenda, but it manages to avoid hitting you over the head with it. Though I naturally found Hugo’s position less compelling, I liked his character voice and enjoyed what his perspective brings to the story as a whole. I could easily see Eddie’s perspective losing some of its welcome if Hugo’s wasn’t also included to balance things out. My only complaint is that there are a couple of brief moments where the story started to drag. However, this didn’t ruin my overall experience and I would highly recommend this read!

I made it to 27% in this book and had to put it down. I can't force myself to read anymore, especially not if the book just is not for me. I enjoyed the humor and the plot itself. My brain is quite picky with writing style, especially on an ereader, and I think the formatting and writing style made this difficult for me to get into. I was laughing and intrigued in the beginning and tried to get into it, but this book just is not for me.

I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to provide honest feedback. Thank you for letting me read this!

Thank you so much to NetGalley and the publisher for a eARC of this novel in exchange for a honest review!

This was so enjoyable and overall a fabulous debut! I thought the dynamic of the two leads was very well done, the dialogue was punchy and the story kept me entertained. The characters felt real, the conversations felt viscerally uncomfortable, as intended. This had elements that reminded me of Yellowface, which I adored. There is something about characters scheming society that is so captivating to me!

I felt like the ending was a bit rushed, and I didn’t love the reveal in the last chapter. But overall this was a well written exploration of systematic racism in the arts and how trying to combat this can lead to messy and sometimes unexpected consequences. Would love to read more from this author!!

This book has some really well crafted scenes that get to saying what the author wanted to say in a smart and natural way that flows well with the characters' thoughts and conversation.
That said, it feels like the rest of the book was written as filler to get to those scenes.

Given the subject matter, a lot of the plot is very predictable from the beginning, and there were some moments when I genuinely considered DNFing as it felt like it was dragging on and what I was reading wasn't bringing any value to the story, the characters or the message. There was a lot of repeating the same thing or the character having the same thoughts many times that as a reader, took me out of the story and made me question why I was reading it.

I am glad I stuck through and got to all of the brilliant scenes (especially the one on the boat, I think that is one of the strongest parts of the whole book), but I wish there wasn't so much filler in between.

This is a debut and I will be looking at what the author writes next.




Thank you NetGalley and Atria Books | Washington Square Press for the opportunity to read this ARC.

A powerful read that will definitely make you think.

(Reminds me of Disorientation in that regard)

A phenomenal new writer to keep an eye on!

"Art is a stressful game, Hugo. I know you know that now."

Overall, this was an entertaining and fast-paced read. It kind of felt like if Maame and Yellowface had a baby, in terms of its explorations of racism within publishing and broader industries, but also alongside a woman of color’s reflection and self-discovery via her connection to a white man. The pacing was great and the conclusion was satisfying. That being said, my holdups with the book:
- Nahid’s behavior and decisions often didn’t make sense, particularly her treatment of Eddie. That was the weakest part of the whole book to me.
- Hugo’s voice felt inauthentic at various points (maybe it’s just because I hated him)
- I’m not clear as to why it had to be written as letters/stories told between the two MCs’ points of view. It added nothing to the story and often just made for a slightly clunkier read.