Alpha Bette

"Against a vibrant New York City backdrop, this playful novel reveals a constellation of quirky characters, all interconnected around an eccentric wealthy matriarch. Blending humor and heart, each character comes alive through their distinctive voices and internal dialogues in the orbit of the dowager. It’s a master class in how lives intersect and will remind readers how seemingly small encounters shape bigger destinies."

—Roberta Baskin, award-winning investigative journalist and nonprofit leader

“Alpha Bette is a fast-paced story that details the lives of Bette’s diverse family and friends who mirror so many families across our country today. Jennifer Manocherian finds both the frustrations and the magic within everyday circumstances and offers each of us the hope that we, too, can live all our days with style, grace, and in as delightful and happy a manner as possible.”

—Marcia Bradley, author of The Home for Wayward Girls

“Alpha Bette pulls you in from the first line. Its marvelous cast of characters are complex, and their stories are warmly relatable. You won’t want to say goodbye, but you don’t have to because they will stay with you long after you read the last line.”

—Patricia "T.M." Dunn, author of Rebels by Accident, Last Stop on the 6, and Her Father’s Daughter

“A vividly written character ensemble. Insightful and witty, Jennifer Manocherian explores themes of love and family in an extraordinary debut.”

—Lisa O’Donnell, author of Closed Doors, The Death of Bees, and I Love You All the Same

“How essential are the bonds we form with one another? Change one life, and will the rest fall apart? That’s what I was thinking as I read Jennifer Manocherian’s new book, Alpha Bette. Quirky, entertaining, and surprisingly profound, Alpha Bette will leave you thinking long after you’ve read the last page.”

—Barbara Josselsohn, author of The Cranberry Inn, The Lily Garden, The Lilac House, The Bluebell Girls, The Last Dreamer, and Secrets of the Italian Island

“Poignant family scenes, rich character development, and ongoing familial traumas make Jennifer Manocherian's debut novel, Alpha Bette, a compelling read for any student of humanity. Manocherian's depiction of multigenerational entanglements and human foibles is searingly honest while maintaining a strong degree of sweetness and empathy for all the characters. Insightful and empathetic, Alpha Bette is an exquisite book written by an exquisite author.”

—Lis Wiehl, New York Times best-selling author

“A riveting, intergenerational New York City novel that focuses on unique ‘families’ that are created in an urban neighborhood, where everyone depends on one another and knows one another’s secrets—or thinks they do. Jennifer Manocherian has written unforgettable characters with breathtaking surprises.”

—Jimin Han, author of The Apology and A Small Revolution

"A deeply moving family drama about love, regret, and hope, Alpha Bette reminds you of your family ties and the choices you might have made that changed not only your life but those of your loved ones."

—Readers' Favorite (five-star review)