Cherry Baby

Brought to you by Penguin.

The big-hearted, grown-up new novel about love and second chances from million-copy international bestselling author Rainbow Rowell

Cherry and Tom had built a quiet, contented life together in Omaha, until Tom’s semi-autobiographical webcomic went viral and turned their marriage into public property.

Now the world knows Baby, the character based on Cherry, better than Cherry knows herself – and Tom and Cherry have been separated for months.

That’s when Russ Sutton shows up. Floppy-haired, blue-eyed Russ Sutton, who Cherry had a crush on in college, and who now seems to have a crush on her.

All that’s left is for Cherry to rewrite her own story. Because if she isn’t Baby, and she isn’t Tom’s wife, then who can she be?

Told with deep tenderness and abundant wit, Cherry Baby is Rainbow Rowell's most affecting, most surprising, sexiest novel yet.

'Extraordinary humour and tenderness'
Curtis Sittenfeld

'Sweet, sexy, wise and nostalgic'
Gabrielle Zevin

‘So hot and delicious, so funny and smart and real. What a gift!’
Catherine Newman

'Rainbow Rowell is a damn genius'
Rufi Thorpe

'As funny and smart as its wonderful characters'
Emma Straub

'Gorgeous . . . I read it in one sitting’
Ella Risbridger

© Rainbow Rowell 2026 (P) Penguin Audio 2026