Suburban Jungle & Other Stories

What does it really mean to connect with others? In the chaos of modern life, connection can be tender, transactional, or downright treacherous. From moments of quiet hope to scenes that turn raw and dark, these stories cut into the contradictions of the human experience.A social-climbing mom determined to impress the alpha PTA queen.Bickering colleagues finding solidarity on a disastrous work outing.A young woman hiding a savage secret as she navigates the brutal world of city dating.In her debut collection of short fiction, Jo Avent doesn't flinch from the messy truth of human ties. Suburban Jungle & Other Stories is by turns sharp, funny, and thought-provoking-an exploration of what we risk for belonging: betrayal, regret, and the uneasy thrill of being known.