5 Shocking Details About Rainbow Rowell's 'Cherry Baby'—Her 'Sexiest' New Adult Novel

The literary world is buzzing with anticipation for a fresh new release from one of the most beloved voices in contemporary fiction. As of late 2025, the most talked-about title is *Cherry Baby*, the next major adult novel from #1 *New York Times* bestselling author Rainbow Rowell, which is slated for publication in Spring 2026. This book is already being hailed as Rowell's "richest, most ambitious—sexiest—novel yet," promising a dramatic, deeply honest, and tender look at a woman's life turned upside down.

The announcement of *Cherry Baby* has captivated fans of Rowell's previous works, from the YA classic *Eleanor & Park* to her adult debut *Attachments*. Unlike her signature young adult stories, this new book is a 'second-chance romance for grown-ups,' delving into the complexities of a failing marriage, a mid-life crisis, and the explosive power of rediscovered desire. Here is the ultimate breakdown of the most crucial and surprising details you need to know about the novel that is set to define 2026.

The Central Conflict: Cherry, Tom, and a Broken Dream in Omaha

Rainbow Rowell has built a career on crafting characters who are deeply relatable, flawed, and utterly human, and the protagonist of *Cherry Baby* is no exception. The novel centers on Cherry, a woman who finds herself stuck in a life she no longer recognizes after her husband’s career takes an unexpected, stratospheric turn.

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The core of Cherry’s story is a marriage that has fractured under the weight of sudden, overwhelming success. Cherry had promised to love her husband, Tom, through thick and thin, and she meant it. However, "thick" turned out to be the creation of an internationally successful webcomic called *Thursday*.

• The Protagonist: Cherry. She is the woman left behind in Omaha, Nebraska, managing the home and the large dog that Tom always wanted. She is grappling with the loss of everything she thought her life would be, unsure if she even wants to reclaim it.
• The Ex-Husband: Tom. Tom is the creator of the blockbuster webcomic *Thursday*. He has moved to Los Angeles, becoming "the Internet's latest boyfriend"—rich, famous, and seemingly untouchable. The physical and emotional distance between the couple is the novel’s foundation.
• The Webcomic: *Thursday*. This successful webcomic is the catalyst for the couple's separation. It represents Tom’s new, glamorous life in L.A. and the fame that Cherry is excluded from.
• The Setting: Omaha, Nebraska. Rowell frequently uses her home state of Nebraska as a backdrop, lending an authentic, grounded feel to her stories. For Cherry, Omaha is a symbol of the life that has stalled, while Tom's L.A. is the land of opportunity and abandonment.

The emotional landscape of the novel is one of profound honesty. It explores the painful realization that a person can lose themselves, their partner, and their entire future, all while standing still. Cherry's journey is about navigating the messiness of divorce and the subsequent freedom to redefine her own identity outside of her husband's shadow.

The 'Sexiest' Element: A High School Heartthrob Returns

The publisher, William Morrow & Company (an imprint of HarperCollins), has explicitly described *Cherry Baby* as Rowell’s "sexiest" novel yet, signaling a pivot toward more explicit adult themes than seen in her previous adult books like *Attachments* or *Landline*. This element is introduced when Cherry decides to take a night off from her problems—including Tom’s overgrown puppy—to see her favorite band.

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It is during this night out that she runs into a figure from her past, injecting a jolt of unexpected passion and complication into her stagnant life.

• The New Love Interest: Russ Sutton. Russ is the former high school heartthrob who, back in the day, was dating Cherry's best friend. Their reunion ignites a passionate affair, a whirlwind of rediscovered connection that offers Cherry an escape and a chance to feel alive again.
• The Second-Chance Trope. This novel is a sophisticated take on the second-chance romance, focusing on two adults who understand the rarity and value of a true connection. The relationship with Russ is not just a fling; it's a deep, tender rediscovery of love that forces Cherry to confront her past and future.
• The Adult Themes. By focusing on a woman in her 30s or 40s dealing with divorce, new sexuality, and a mid-life reckoning, Rowell is tackling complex adult issues with a frankness that promises to be both surprising and relatable to her older readership.

The tension between Cherry's past promises to Tom and her present desires for Russ forms the novel's dramatic core. It’s a story about whether a new, passionate love can truly heal the wounds left by a long, broken commitment.

The Mystery of 'Baby' and Rowell's Signature Style

One of the most intriguing details revealed in the early summaries is the character known simply as "Baby." The description notes that Baby looks so much like Cherry that strangers recognize her in the store, hinting at a deep, possibly familial, connection. This detail adds a layer of mystery and potential complexity, suggesting that Cherry's journey is not just about her marriage but also about a relationship with a younger person who is clearly a significant part of her life.

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While the exact nature of Baby's relationship to Cherry (daughter, younger sister, niece, etc.) is not explicitly confirmed, the impact of her presence is clear: Cherry is not just responsible for Tom's dog and house; she is responsible for a person who is a mirror image of herself.

Topical Authority and Literary Context

Rainbow Rowell is a master of blending heartfelt emotion with sharp, witty dialogue, a style that will undoubtedly be present in *Cherry Baby*. Her previous adult novels, *Attachments* and *Landline*, explored themes of communication, distance, and the evolution of long-term relationships.

• Connections to *Landline*. Like *Landline*, which explored a failing marriage and a woman's desire to reconnect with her past, *Cherry Baby* focuses on a wife's emotional separation from her husband and the allure of a past love. However, *Cherry Baby* seems to embrace a more explicit and dramatic path to resolution.
• The Power of Pop Culture. Rowell frequently integrates pop culture—from the *Simon Snow* fanfiction in *Fangirl* to the webcomic *Thursday* in *Cherry Baby*. This grounds her stories in a modern, relatable reality, making the characters feel like people you know.
• Themes of Self-Discovery. Ultimately, *Cherry Baby* is poised to be a powerful story about a woman reclaiming her narrative. It's about Cherry’s decision to "leave all her problems" behind and seek out a life that is truly her own, a journey of self-discovery told with Rowell's characteristic "deep tenderness and shot through with [her] signature wit."

With its high-stakes emotional premise, a complicated love triangle, and the promise of Rowell's most mature and "sexiest" writing to date, *Cherry Baby* is shaping up to be a must-read for contemporary fiction lovers. The novel tackles the universal fear of being left behind and the exhilarating, terrifying prospect of starting over.