The Connection in Everything

A lonely teenage genius who believes there’s a connection in everything finds his theory put to the test when a mysterious mentor and an enchanting artist enter his life, launching a summer-long search for the true meaning of connection.

Sixteen-year-old Amaro Marzano sees connections everywhere—in the quantum world, in the patterns of nature, in the verses of Rumi. Yet, in his own life in working-class Worcester, Massachusetts, he feels profoundly disconnected. 

Trapped by the volatility of his controlling father and the weight of family expectations, Am finds solace in the quiet orbit of school, the library, and his two best friends. But his world fractures and reforms when two new connections emerge: David Butler, a recluse with a library holding ten thousand books, who becomes an unlikely mentor; and Ginnevra Poppoli, a captivating mime artist who offers the breathtaking possibility of first love. 

As Am navigates escalating family crises, intellectual awakenings, and the bittersweet intensity of young love, he must rely on his “found family” and his own unconventional ideas to forge and maintain relationships in a world where true connection has become a radical act. 

The Connection in Everything is a luminous, heartbreaking, and intellectually dazzling coming-of-age story about finding your place in a universe that is both terrifyingly chaotic and astonishingly interconnected.

“A profound and affecting look at the inner lives of teenagers.”

—Kirkus Reviews

Hardcover $25 | Softcover $18 | Ebook $9.99

Critical Acclaim

Praise for the Novel

“A riveting, emotional page-turner with an unforgettable narrator.”

—The US Review

“A profound and affecting look at the inner lives of teenagers.”

—Kirkus Reviews

“A masterpiece of a novel.”

—Chanticleer Reviews

“A compelling exploration of trauma, healing, and the enduring power of human connection.”

—BookLife

“Recommended for book clubs.”

—Midwest Book Review

“A complex, beautiful novel.”

—Reedsy Discovery

Choose Your Edition

Hardcover

$25

For readers who want a lasting edition or a meaningful gift.

Softcover

$18

An ideal edition for everyday reading and book-club discussions.

Ebook

$9.99

Begin reading immediately on publication day.

Inside the Story

Meet Am Marzano

Am is sixteen, brilliant, lonely, and capable of seeing connections almost no one else recognizes. Read the opening chapter and enter his world at Worcester’s Elm Park on the day everything begins to change.

Perfect for Book Clubs

Book clubs can download a discussion guide and request a virtual conversation with Rich Marcello.

Go Deeper into the Novel

Join Rich’s reader community for occasional notes about Am, the ideas behind the novel, upcoming events, and future books.