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LAWN DARTS & LEMONADE
A Novel

LAWN DARTS & LEMONADE

Synopsis:

It’s the summer of 1984, a season of dodging lawn darts and chugging lemonade—or at least the discolored tap water Ma tried to disguise as lemonade.

Growing up is never easy, no matter what era you do it in. For generations, teenagers have suffered peer pressure, bullying, fear of rejection, and a sadistic obstacle course of one unexpected challenge after the next. Three brothers, Wally, Herbie, and Cockroach, learn that the past can be filled with questions—even shame and regret—while the future might be shrouded in worry and fear. But staying in the moment, now that’s where the sweet spot is.


“When Sunglasses At Night is the main character’s favorite song, you just know you’re in for a fun and quirky ’80s-centric novel!” – Corey Hart, '80s Icon


“Lawn Darts & Lemonade is the perfect stroll down memory lane, bringing us right back to the glorious ’80s.” – Ed Asner, Actor, Lou Grant


“Lawn Darts & Lemonade is beautifully and tenderly observed with extraordinary attention to detail. A few pages in and I was pining for my Atari.” – Nik Kershaw, ’80s UK Recording Artist, Wouldn’t It Be Good


“I read Lawn Darts & Lemonade and really enjoyed it. There is a raw honesty and purity of passion in this coming-of-age novel. Manchester has incredible skill as a novelist.” – Thomas G. Waites, Actor, The Warriors


“Steve Manchester’s Lawn Darts & Lemonade charts youth where fights start accidentally, then last only two minutes. A time when Mom smoked in the house and our future was determined by the shake of a Magic 8 Ball. A poignant and funny reminder of a more innocent time.” – Mick Conroy, Modern English


“Every decade has its nostalgia, but Manchester’s ’80s is unusually exact, warm, funny, and true.” – William Atherton, Actor, Ghostbusters, Die Hard


“Lawn Darts & Lemonade is a good read, really up to scratch.” – Colin Hay, Lead Singer, Men at Work


Bestselling author Steven Manchester takes readers on an incredible journey into the perilous world of growing up in the pre-teen stage of life set in the ’80s. This book is a great read, with Steve Manchester at the top of his game!” – Warrington Gillette, Actor, Friday the 13th (Jason)


“As a reader, I’m a big fan of Steve Manchester’s work.” – Mike Reno, Lead Singer, Loverboy


“Lawn Darts & Lemonade is a fun coming-of-age story that brings us all back to those memories deep in our minds—times that we never thought we’d survive but did.” – Bob Stanley, MLB Pitcher, 1984 Boston Red Sox


“In Lawn Darts & Lemonade, Steve Manchester takes us back in time for a walk down memory lane. What’s cool is that he skips all the bad neighborhoods.” – Robbie Dupree, ’80s Recording Artist, Hot Rod Hearts