In Sally Rooney-Esque down time, five friends grow older, “if not always up”-see the cover! (Exclusive)

Andrew MartinUpcoming novel loses aging, universal desires: “To love and be loved, to feel and become known, to remain sensible, if only.”

IN DeclineThe A group of five friends encounters an introspection when a sixth friend suddenly dies and a global pandemic disturbs their lives. In the novel, as the publisher describes as perfect for Sally Rooney Fans, the eclectic role of characters face questions about their own performance, disappointments, loads, beauty and – worst of all – age, which puts a clock on everything.

Decline Follows Aaron, Cassandra, Malcom, Violet and Antonia – all within the loose track from each other, everyone is still trying to sculpt their lives just Right. In the middle of their social network is Sam, a “charming trust punk” whose sudden death is rocking the group.

“All five must struggle with the lives they have made: their desires and disappointments, habits and hang-ups, pathologies and addictions and the possibilities of making art and be good when the earth swirls until end,” reads the book’s official synopsis.

Martin tells people that he was trying to capture the feeling of being “on the verge of” Midlife “in our present era” – somewhere in the thirties, which is still categorically young, but with the overwhelming pressure to “pull yourself soon.” It is a special stage in life that Martin himself is experiencing right now, he says.

“These characters represent some of the darkest aspects of my experience, but they are also fun, self -conscious and in their own ways, brave. I hope readers see some of their own fighters reflected in the book,” Martin tells People. “I love these characters and I am anxious for other people to meet them and, I hope, embrace them.”

The author also wanted to place the novel at a recent moment in history-covid-19-pandemic and the “early bids”-a time that Martin hopes that many readers can connect.

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Martin is also author of Early work and Cool for AmericaThe Both works of literary fiction with dynamic characters that deal with tough questions about ambition, love and Liv’s timing.

Decline Hits the shelves on March 10, 2026 and are available for pre -order now, wherever books are sold.