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Art, ambition, and desire collide when an aspiring writer becomes entangled in the marriage and creative life of her literary idol.
By day, Dr Ruth Morgan lectures on ‘AI: the new frontier of storytelling.’ By night, she toils away at a collection of short stories, fantasising about a writing career to rival that of the internationally renowned Shelby Rayburn, a literary icon widely hailed as the voice of Ruth’s generation of women.
When Shelby and her husband, Oscar, make an appearance at an annual faculty party, Ruth can’t believe her luck. The trio instantly hit it off, and an intoxicating intimacy builds between them, underwritten by a simmering sexual tension.
After their chance meeting, Shelby proposes an unconventional scheme to bring Ruth’s unpublished writing into the limelight, though it is not without conditions: their plan must remain secret, even from Oscar. Bound together by this pact, Ruth and Shelby’s bond tightens. But how long before ego and ambition cause their secret alliance to snap?
“A riveting dive into art and fame.” —People Magazine
“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
“Dark, fascinating, and utterly fearless ... This bold novel offers an unflinching look at desire, betrayal, and ambition in the literary world—I was unsettled, enthralled, and completely transfixed.” —Marissa Stapley, New York Times bestselling author of Lucky and The Lightning Bottles
“Set within the hallowed halls of academia, this extraordinary novel explores how the clawing desire for validation can strip us of all reason, leading us to make desperate choices with devastating consequences. Raw, real, and riveting, The Rayburn Affair should be on everyone's must-read list.” —Samantha M. Bailey, USA Today and #1 international bestselling author of Hello, Juliet
“A delicious, addictive cocktail of intimacy and ambition.” —Laurie Elizabeth Flynn, USA Today bestselling author of The Girls Are All So Nice Here and Till Death Do Us Part