Art, ambition, and desire collide in our August Book of the Month, as we follow a struggling academic who becomes entangled in the marriage and creative life of her literary idol. Deepening her exploration of female friendship, art and fame, award-winning author Laurie Petrou is back with the perfect autumnal, campus-based read to ease us into the cooler months.

The Rayburn Affair follows Toronto-based academic Dr Ruth Morgan who lectures on AI. By night, however, she toils away on her own stories, fantasising about a writing career to rival that of Shelby Rayburn, a literary icon widely hailed as the voice of her generation. When Shelby and her husband, Oscar, make an appearance at an annual faculty party, Ruth can’t believe her luck. The trio quickly form an intoxicating intimacy, underwritten by a simmering sexual tension. But as boundaries blur and secret alliances form, distrust starts to take root. Ruth, Oscar and Shelby need each other; however, each has their own agenda when it comes to friendship, love and literary stardom.

The Rayburn Affair is evocative of the great campus novels with its libraries, holiday cabins and chunky knitwear, while also tackling timely debates around AI and authorship. Readers will root for Ruth and her struggle to make it in the literary world, while Shelby’s perspective offers an insightful peek-behind-the-curtain into the life of a successful author, burdened by the mounting pressure of what to write next. The dual narrative adds another layer of intrigue, leaving readers to draw their own conclusions from the final twist.

As your mind starts to turn towards colder weather, Gilmore Girls and pumpkin-spiced lattes, this is the pacy, intriguing novel to curl up with. Atmospheric, addictive and full of secrets, The Rayburn Affair will keep you gripped until the final page.

“Dark, fascinating, and utterly fearless, The Rayburn Affair reminded me of Julia May Jonas’s Vladimir in the best possible way… I was unsettled, enthralled and completely transfixed. Petrou writes with razor-sharp insight and lyrical power, marking her as one of our most daring contemporary voices”
—Marissa Stapley, New York Times bestselling author of Lucky

“An exceptionally evocative and seductive story about the dangerous allure of intimate connection and slippery security of power… Raw, real and riveting, The Rayburn Affair should be on everyone’s must-read list”
—Samantha M Bailey, internationally bestselling author of Hello, Juliet

“A dark, sexy tale of infatuation, envy and creative life set within the cloistered walls of an elite university. The Rayburn Affair has richly drawn characters, simmering tension and a perfect denouement”
—Robyn Harding, internationally bestselling author of Strangers in the Villa

The Rayburn Affair is published by VERVE BOOKS
9780857309440 | PB | £11.99 | 27th August 2026