A Girl Like You by John T. Lucas

A dramatic work of contemporary fiction set against the seductive and sinister streets of Las Vegas, A Girl Like You by John T. Lucas follows two old friends, James and Erik, as they attempt to escape for a weekend, but instead find themselves adrift in a sea of dangerous decisions.

Erik’s marriage is falling apart in real time when a damsel in distress saunters across his path – Gracie is desperate to escape the sex trade and the cruel pimp that runs her life, and Erik might just be the noble knight she needs to get free. James, in contrast, is steadfast and stoic, accepting the reality of his marriage and responsibilities, until the one that got away shows up and jolts him into a swirling mess of temptation from the past. As these unlikely lives collide and some choose to gamble on a new life, the aftershocks will reshape all of their futures.

James and Erik are a refreshing example of male friendship founded on real intimacy, not just emotionless familiarity, depicting their middle-aged crises and tragedies with unmistakable authenticity. The language throughout is viscerally poignant, as the author is able to transport readers to the gilded glamour of the Strip and the gritty underworld of sex work with equal ease, capturing each character’s hard-worn emotions alongside snappy dialogue and high-stakes heroism.

The cover needs an overhaul to reflect the sensibility of the prose, and the story occasionally loses its realism and veers into fantasy, but overall, this is an exceptionally relatable novel that guides readers into unexpected corners of empathy.