A Red Polka Dot in a World Full of Plaid

Named an Essence best-seller, Varian Johnson’s debut novel explores the nuances of unusual relationships and one girl’s struggle to become comfortable in her own skin. Sarcastic and bold, Maxine Phillips receives what she thinks is the shock of her life when she learns the father she thought was dead for 18 years is very much alive and living in Oklahoma. When she drives from her home in South Carolina and finally meets her father, Maxine learns she’s in for an even greater shock.