Five-Star Stranger: A Novel By Kat Tang

Five-Star Stranger, an exciting and inventive debut novel, delves into the life of a top-rated man on the Rental Stranger app, where users can hire a pretend fiancé, wingman, or companion of any kind. In a world where online ratings reign supreme, this novel follows the protagonist, known as Stranger, as he expertly navigates New York City, taking on various roles while keeping a professional distance from his clients.

Stranger is accustomed to adopting different personas, from being the best man at a wedding to a stand-in brother or even a father. His ability to transform and maintain high ratings has kept him at the top of the Rental Stranger app. However, his life takes a complicated turn when a nosy patron threatens his long-term role as the father to a young girl. This situation forces Stranger to confront his growing attachment to the child, her mother, and his own troubled past.

As Stranger grapples with these emotional entanglements, he begins to question the boundaries he has set and the impact of his childhood abandonment. Five-Star Stranger explores the commodification of relationships in a hyperconnected world, where genuine connections are often masked by professional facades.

Described as a sharp page-turner about the commodification of everything, this novel vividly portrays the isolation and complexities of love in the modern age. It examines what it truly means to love and be loved, challenging the protagonist and readers alike to reflect on their own connections and the authenticity of their relationships.