Nothing to See Here: A Read with Jenna Pick

New York Times Bestseller  •  A Read with Jenna Today Show Book Club Pick!

Named a Best Book of the Year by The New York Times Book ReviewThe Washington PostPeopleEntertainment WeeklyUSA TodayTIME, The A.V. Club, Buzzfeed, and PopSugar

“I can’t believe how good this book is.... It’s wholly original. It’s also perfect.... Wilson writes with such a light touch.... The brilliance of the novel [is] that it distracts you with these weirdo characters and mesmerizing and funny sentences and then hits you in a way you didn’t see coming. You’re laughing so hard you don’t even realize that you’ve suddenly caught fire.” —Taffy Brodesser-Akner, author of Fleishman is in TroubleNew York Times Book Review

From the New York Times bestselling author of The Family Fang, a moving and uproarious novel about a woman who finds meaning in her life when she begins caring for two children with a remarkable ability.

Lillian and Madison were unlikely roommates and yet inseparable friends at their elite boarding school. But then Lillian had to leave the school unexpectedly in the wake of a scandal and they’ve barely spoken since. Until now, when Lillian gets a letter from Madison pleading for her help.

Madison’s twin stepkids are moving in with her family and she wants Lillian to be their caretaker. However, there’s a catch: the twins spontaneously combust when they get agitated, flames igniting from their skin in a startling but beautiful way. Lillian is convinced Madison is pulling her leg, but it’s the truth.

Thinking of her dead-end life at home, the life that has consistently disappointed her, Lillian figures she has nothing to lose. Over the course of one humid, demanding summer, Lillian and the twins learn to trust each other—and stay cool—while also staying out of the way of Madison’s buttoned-up politician husband. Surprised by her own ingenuity yet unused to the intense feelings of protectiveness she feels for them, Lillian ultimately begins to accept that she needs these strange children as much as they need her—urgently and fiercely. Couldn’t this be the start of the amazing life she’d always hoped for?

With white-hot wit and a big, tender heart, Kevin Wilson has written his best book yet—a most unusual story of parental love.

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Published Sep 1, 2020

288 pages

Average rating: 7.49

666 RATINGS

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✨ Summarized by Bookclubs AI

Readers say *Nothing to See Here* is a quirky, original story blending humor with heartfelt explorations of family, trauma, and belonging. Most praise...

Across the Globe Book Buddies
Oct 19, 2025
10/10 stars
What a CLEVER - and very funny - little story! I'm confident there is much metaphor to be contemplated, but I'll save that for a second pass. Which, with high probability there will be. In fact, I collect 5-star reads in hardcover, but the audio version of this was just too good to not acquire that version. Personally, the story had a few sad moments - the narrator's descriptions of her mother hitting a bit close to home. Late into the game did I have a lightbulb moment: the narrator's voice, descriptions, and delivery are reminiscent of Quinta Brunson's Miss Teagues in Abbott Elementary. A big fan of Abbott, hearing a parallel was pure bonus. SO glad I finally borrowed this book. Thank you Hoda Kotb and Jenna Bush Hagar for bringing "the pants on fire" book into one of your conversations and sharing it on social media!
thenextgoodbook
Sep 04, 2025
8/10 stars
thenextgoodbook.com
Nothing to See Here by Kevin Wilson
254 pages

What’s it about?
Ten years after leaving boarding school ,under troubling circumstances, Lillian's former roommate and old friend Madison calls out of the blue asking for a favor. Madison needs help with her strange 10-year-old step-kids. She wants Lillian to be their caregiver and keep them out of the public eye. The only problem is that they combust into flames at the drop of a hat....

What did it make me think about?
The unlikely places we find love.

Should I read it?
I SO enjoyed this book. It has sat on my shelf for awhile just because it just sounded so strange- and am I pleased I finally picked it up. It was just a quick, fun, unexpected story- told with a sense of humor. Did I say quick- because this is an exceptionally fast read? I can't wait to see what Kevin Wilson comes up with next!

Quote-
​"This was how you did it, how you raised children. You built them a house that was impervious to danger and then you gave them every single thing that they could ever want, no matter how impossible. You read to them at night. Why couldn't people figure this out?"

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LTC
Nov 20, 2024
Book #45: Laura M's pick, Laura C hosted!
AbbeyLileTaylor
Aug 29, 2023
8/10 stars
Odd. Quirky. Heartwarming...a perfect trifecta.

This was a delightful book to listen to on audio.
Cydneejo
Dec 29, 2020
8/10 stars
Funky!

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