Melody and Pain by Marissa McCallam Published: 23 November 2026

It's 2018 and relentless people-pleaser, Melody, is freshfrom a break-up. When best friend, Nico, invites her to a party as adistraction, Melody is blindsided by evidence of her ex-boyfriend's infidelity. To make matters worse, she is then ignored for a work promotion and faces a paycut.

Worried about affording her bills, she desperately arranges flatmateinterviews, inviting the mysterious Pain to live with her. As Melody's connection with Pain deepens over intimate mealsand 'game nights', the usually easy-going Nico becomes increasingly distant. Encouraged by Pain, Melody accepts a free trial at the local Thai boxing gymwhere she meets self-assured trainer, Yvette.

With the growth of her physicalstrength and confidence, Melody begins to question her relationships. Exploringidentity, mental health and the healing process, Melody & Pain is anovel asking the question: What if Pain were a person and moved into yourhome?