Housemates

Housemates by Emma Copley Eisenberg

Housemates by Emma Copley Eisenberg is a vibrant and emotionally resonant novel about friendship, art, queerness, and the uncertain beauty of becoming. Set against the backdrop of a divided America, this contemporary literary fiction debut explores what it means to document life—both on the road and in the soul.

When aspiring writer Leah posts a listing for a housemate in Philadelphia, she never expects to find a kindred spirit. But Bernie, a young queer photographer with a complicated past and fierce artistic vision, responds—and the two form an intense, undefinable bond rooted in shared creativity and radical belief in one another.

Their lives take a turn when Bernie inherits a cryptic legacy from her controversial former professor, prompting the pair to leave Philly behind. Together, they embark on a cross-country road trip with a dream: to capture America through Leah’s words and Bernie’s lens.

From quiet towns to forgotten highways, Housemates introduces readers to the eccentric, wounded, and hopeful characters who reflect the fractured spirit of the country. As Leah and Bernie chase truth, art, and connection, their journey becomes one of deep self-discovery—about love, ambition, and what it means to be alive in an America both haunted and full of possibility.

Bold, queer, and tender, Housemates is a powerful novel for fans of Torrey Peters, Ocean Vuong, and Sally Rooney—a celebration of chosen family, artistic longing, and the road trip that changes everything.