Bounty

"A testament to friendship, illness and the love of a good dog. Everyone who has faced illness will recognise themselves here." Astrid Edwards, Chair of Judges for 2025 Stella Prize At fifty, Libby has spent years concealing the impact of multiple sclerosis, increasingly viewing life from the sidelines. When her childhood friend Emma persuades her to adopt a headstrong rescue dog, Libby has no idea how profoundly the decision will reshape them both. As Libby struggles to manage Bounty's exuberance, she is drawn into a local dog-park community and meets extraordinary people, including Maina, who is living with advanced multiple sclerosis. Confronted with a future she would rather not imagine, Libby retreats. But Bounty, relentless and unyielding, leads her back. When Emma reveals her own devastating diagnosis, their roles are abruptly reversed. Libby must find the strength to become the friend Emma now needs-with Bounty as her unlikely guide. Told with warmth and candour, Bounty explores friendship, illness and the healing power of a very determined dog.

Justice Lonesome has enjoyed a life of bounty.Even so, she's inherited the curse of the Lonesome. A poet's soul. Which means she's still searching for something. Searching for peace. Searching for the less...that's more.And when the foundation of her life is pulled out from under her, grieving, she goes to the mountains to find her oasis. She hits Carnal, Colorado and decides to stay.Deke Hightower lost everything at the age of two. He lost it again at fifteen. His life has not been about bounty. It's been about learning to live with less, because there's no way to get more. Deke's also watched all his friends go down to the women who gave them what they needed. He wants that for himself. But he knows that search isn't going to be easy because he's a rider. His home is the road. That's the only place he can breathe. And the woman who takes her place at his side has to do it sitting on the back of his bike.When Deke meets Justice, he knows she's not that woman. She's cute. She's sweet. And she's into him, but she's got it all and Deke knows he won't fit into that. So he holds her at arm's length. Establishes boundaries. And Justice will take it because she wants Deke any way he'll let her have him.But when Justice finds herself a pawn in a dangerous game, Deke makes a decision.When he does, he has no idea he's just opened himself up to bounty.

Justice Lonesome has enjoyed a life of bounty.Even so, she's inherited the curse of the Lonesome. A poet's soul. Which means she's still searching for something. Searching for peace. Searching for the less...that's more.And when the foundation of her life is pulled out from under her, grieving, she goes to the mountains to find her oasis. She hits Carnal, Colorado and decides to stay.Deke Hightower lost everything at the age of two. He lost it again at fifteen. His life has not been about bounty. It's been about learning to live with less, because there's no way to get more. Deke's also watched all his friends go down to the women who gave them what they needed. He wants that for himself. But he knows that search isn't going to be easy because he's a rider. His home is the road. That's the only place he can breathe. And the woman who takes her place at his side has to do it sitting on the back of his bike.When Deke meets Justice, he knows she's not that woman. She's cute. She's sweet. And she's into him, but she's got it all and Deke knows he won't fit into that. So he holds her at arm's length. Establishes boundaries. And Justice will take it because she wants Deke any way he'll let her have him.But when Justice finds herself a pawn in a dangerous game, Deke makes a decision.When he does, he has no idea he's just opened himself up to bounty.