The Suffering — Laurent Boulanger

2015 SAN FRANCISCO BOOK FESTIVAL HONORABLE MENTION Amelia has broken up with Jasmine, the love of her life. She begins a new existence of having to adapt to a single life and is not coping well. To help her ease the pain, she has a string of one-night stands and indulges in drugs and self-mutilation. But her life gets quickly out of control, and before she knows it, she can no longer accept the churning emotions of separation. With her father by her side to see her through, she must battle the demons who won't let her be herself again and enjoy the life she used to have. The Suffering was originally published under the pseudonym Amy Abelli and titled 'The Girlfriend'. It won an Honorable Mention at the 2015 St Francisco Book Festival for Best Gay Fiction.