The Great Disillusionment of Nick and Jay

By Ryan Douglass, Read by Desean Terry

Price: $19.99

On Sale: 1/27/2026

The Great Disillusionment of Nick and Jay Book Cover Enlarge Book Cover

The Great Disillusionment of Nick and Jay

By Ryan Douglass, Read by Desean Terry

Price: $19.99

On Sale: 1/27/2026

About the Book

“Douglass sets a classic on fire with an inspired recasting that strips away time and all expectations.” — Rita Williams-Garcia, New York Times bestselling author of A Sitting in St. James

From New York Times bestselling author Ryan Douglass comes a gripping and tender reimagining of The Great Gatsby about the pursuit of happiness—and love—in a society built on cruelty and secrets. 

Seventeen-year-old Nick Carrington wants nothing more than to leave Greenwood, Oklahoma, behind and make a name for himself in the papers. But when tragedy strikes, dreams turn into a twisted reality. Forced to start anew in Harlem, only a letter of acceptance from the prestigious West Egg Academy is able to pull him back into the world.

But the supposedly integrated private boys’ school is more of a catchy headline than a fact, with the same prejudices Nick left behind back home. And his secret but growing feelings for the founder’s wickedly charismatic son, Jay Gatsby Jr.— who dances past society’s conventions with practiced ease—only add more complications.

When Nick’s cutting pen exposes dangerous truths about West Egg and leads to perilous consequences, he and Jay must decide whether to spend a lifetime outrunning trouble or be the ones to light the match. Can they not only fight back but triumph? Or will the powers that be win yet again?

Product Details

ISBN: 9780063312487
Imprint: HarperCollins
On Sale: Jan 27, 2026
List price: $19.99
No of pages: 384
Trim Size: 1.000 in (w) x 1.000 in (h) x 1.000 in (d)
BISAC 1: YOUNG ADULT FICTION / Romance / LGBTQ+
BISAC 2: YOUNG ADULT FICTION / Romance / Historical *
BISAC 3: YOUNG ADULT FICTION / Social Themes / Class Differences *
BISAC 4:
BISAC 5:

Ryan Douglass

Biography

Ryan Douglass is a queer author and poet from Atlanta, Georgia. He is the New York Times bestselling author of The Taking of Jake Livingston, and his short fiction appears in All These Sunken Souls and Night of the Living Queers. His poetry is featured in Poemhood: Our Black Revival and He/She/They/Us. When he’s not writing, he’s probably baking something sweet or making a playlist for a story he hasn’t written yet.

Desean Terry

Reviews

“Douglass sets a classic on fire with an inspired recasting that strips away time and all expectations.” — Rita Williams-Garcia, New York Times bestselling author of A Sitting in St. James

“Ambitious, fluid, and remarkable! An enthralling story that inspects race, identity and queerness with the nuance and insight that is required.” — Amber McBride, National Book Award Finalist

“A big-hearted book that sings with desire and rage.” — Jas Hammonds, award-winning author of We Deserve Monuments

“A gorgeous ode to love, activism, and to the power of the written word.” — Abdi Nazemian, Stonewall Award Winning Author of Like a Love Story

“Douglass has written a story that truly shatters and rebuilds you, a testament to how love and truth can burn brighter than cruelty’s darkest shadows.” — Jay Coles, author of the critically acclaimed Tyler Johnson Was Here and Your Final Moments

“This layered reimagining illuminates our history while giving insight into our present and providing inspiration for our future.” — Aaron H. Aceves, author of This Is Why They Hate Us

“Thought-provoking social commentary effectively centers issues of race, class, and identity.” — Publishers Weekly

About the Book

“Douglass sets a classic on fire with an inspired recasting that strips away time and all expectations.” — Rita Williams-Garcia, New York Times bestselling author of A Sitting in St. James

From New York Times bestselling author Ryan Douglass comes a gripping and tender reimagining of The Great Gatsby about the pursuit of happiness—and love—in a society built on cruelty and secrets. 

Seventeen-year-old Nick Carrington wants nothing more than to leave Greenwood, Oklahoma, behind and make a name for himself in the papers. But when tragedy strikes, dreams turn into a twisted reality. Forced to start anew in Harlem, only a letter of acceptance from the prestigious West Egg Academy is able to pull him back into the world.

But the supposedly integrated private boys’ school is more of a catchy headline than a fact, with the same prejudices Nick left behind back home. And his secret but growing feelings for the founder’s wickedly charismatic son, Jay Gatsby Jr.— who dances past society’s conventions with practiced ease—only add more complications.

When Nick’s cutting pen exposes dangerous truths about West Egg and leads to perilous consequences, he and Jay must decide whether to spend a lifetime outrunning trouble or be the ones to light the match. Can they not only fight back but triumph? Or will the powers that be win yet again?

Product Details

ISBN: 9780063312487
Imprint: HarperCollins
On Sale: Jan 27, 2026
List price: $19.99
No of pages: 384
Trim Size: 1.000 in (w) x 1.000 in (h) x 1.000 in (d)
BISAC 1: YOUNG ADULT FICTION / Romance / LGBTQ+
BISAC 2: YOUNG ADULT FICTION / Romance / Historical *
BISAC 3: YOUNG ADULT FICTION / Social Themes / Class Differences *
BISAC 4:
BISAC 5:

Ryan Douglass

Biography

Ryan Douglass is a queer author and poet from Atlanta, Georgia. He is the New York Times bestselling author of The Taking of Jake Livingston, and his short fiction appears in All These Sunken Souls and Night of the Living Queers. His poetry is featured in Poemhood: Our Black Revival and He/She/They/Us. When he’s not writing, he’s probably baking something sweet or making a playlist for a story he hasn’t written yet.

Desean Terry

Reviews

“Douglass sets a classic on fire with an inspired recasting that strips away time and all expectations.” — Rita Williams-Garcia, New York Times bestselling author of A Sitting in St. James

“Ambitious, fluid, and remarkable! An enthralling story that inspects race, identity and queerness with the nuance and insight that is required.” — Amber McBride, National Book Award Finalist

“A big-hearted book that sings with desire and rage.” — Jas Hammonds, award-winning author of We Deserve Monuments

“A gorgeous ode to love, activism, and to the power of the written word.” — Abdi Nazemian, Stonewall Award Winning Author of Like a Love Story

“Douglass has written a story that truly shatters and rebuilds you, a testament to how love and truth can burn brighter than cruelty’s darkest shadows.” — Jay Coles, author of the critically acclaimed Tyler Johnson Was Here and Your Final Moments

“This layered reimagining illuminates our history while giving insight into our present and providing inspiration for our future.” — Aaron H. Aceves, author of This Is Why They Hate Us

“Thought-provoking social commentary effectively centers issues of race, class, and identity.” — Publishers Weekly

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