A Furry Faux Paw

A Furry Faux Paw by Jessica Kara is a contemporary young adult novel that follows Maeve Stephens, a teenager struggling with her home life due to her mother’s hoarding. While she feels trapped in her real-world circumstances, Maeve thrives in the online furry community as MauveCat, a confident and talented artist.

When Maeve’s absent father offers her a ticket to Furlympia, a regional furry convention, she sees it as an opportunity to finally meet her online friends, including her best friend Jade and her artistic idol, Sunspire, who could help her get into art school. However, her mother forbids her from attending. Determined to break free, Maeve sneaks out to the con, where she experiences friendship, artistic validation, and a sense of belonging she has never had before.

The novel explores themes of identity, self-expression, and the struggle between family obligations and personal freedom. Maeve’s experience at the convention forces her to confront the difficult decision of whether to stay tied to her mother’s toxic environment or pursue a future that could lead to happiness and success on her own terms .