Shelly Chatterelli’s debut novel wins praise for Appalachian coming-of-age story

Shelly Chatterelli’s first novel, Knowin’ Sugar, is drawing strong reviews for its lyrical prose and 1940s Appalachian setting. Published June 23 by Fauve Press, the book follows a 13-year-old girl navigating family inheritance, intuition and belonging.

Why it matters: - Knowin’ Sugar is entering the market with early praise from authors, artists and readers, which can help a debut novel build momentum. - The novel adds a new voice to historical coming-of-age fiction centered on rural Appalachia and family folklore. - The story’s focus on intuition, inheritance and belonging gives the book wider appeal beyond a single age group or region.

What happened: - Shelly Chatterelli’s debut novel, Knowin’ Sugar, was published June 23 by Fauve Press in paperback and e-book formats. - The novel is set in 1940s Appalachia and follows Sugar, a 13-year-old girl whose life changes after mystical whispers begin revealing truths and warnings of danger. - The book is being praised for its poetic language, immersive setting and central character.

The details: - Katrina Kittle called Knowin’ Sugar “a moving, endearing story about being your authentic self” and praised Chatterelli’s sensory imagery and poetic language. - Therese Cook said Sugar’s voice is “extraordinary” and described the novel as deeply immersive and emotionally lasting. - Elaine Olund called the book “richly described and full of hope” and pointed to its thread of woodsmoke, wildflowers and magic. - Jessica Siena’s five-star review highlighted the precision of the prose and verse, plus the story’s intimate feel and realistic relationships. - Kresha Warnock said the setting is lush, the characters are realistic and the Appalachian culture is presented “with love and dignity.” - Sugar’s gift is passed down through generations of women in her family and becomes harder to hide as it puts her at odds with her mother. - Sugar must confront her family’s past and present to understand the gift and decide how to live with it. - The novel explores what it means to belong to a place and a people, while examining the line between destiny and choice. - Chatterelli draws on her second-generation Appalachian background and family history in southeastern Kentucky. - The author also uses her mother’s stories to bring Kentucky language, foodways and folklore into the novel. - Shelly Chatterelli is an award-winning writer and poet, a former newspaper columnist and a former commentator for NPR affiliate WKSU. - Fauve Press is a woman-owned independent publisher focused on diversity, inclusion and human-created literature. - Book details list Knowin’ Sugar as historical fiction, coming-of-age fiction and middle grade fiction. - The paperback ISBN is 979-8234090980, and the e-book ISBN is 9798234090997. - More information is available on Fauve Press’s website and its social channels, including LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, and X.

Between the lines: - Early blurbs from established authors and positive reader reviews signal that the book’s strongest selling points are its voice and atmosphere. - The novel’s emphasis on Appalachian identity and women’s family knowledge positions it within a broader interest in regional stories and inherited memory. - The use of folklore and magic suggests the book blends literary and accessible elements, which may broaden its readership.

What’s next: - Fauve Press will likely continue promoting Knowin’ Sugar through reviews, social media and online sales. - Chatterelli’s debut sets up potential interest in future fiction from the author, especially among readers drawn to Appalachian stories. - Readers can purchase the novel online in paperback and e-book formats.