There is a line in this book which says it all: “Knowing they had so much, yet unable to bear not having more”.
Natalie has a husband, Ben, and three small children, the youngest being Toby who is eighteen months old. Natalie is having a party at home for her 36th birthday, her parents will be keeping the children at their home and Natalie is looking forward to a child-free night among friends. It is, however, the morning after when disaster strikes, and Natalie’s world starts to fall apart.
Meanwhile Natalie’s friends, Amanda and Sammy, have troubles of their own, Amanda being happy with what they have, and Sammy wanting more. Although the quote above was written about them, it applies pretty much to everyone in the book.
Another friend, Lisa, single and gorgeous, also hankers for what she can’t have. I must admit I didn’t twig to who was the cause of Lisa’s problem until just a few pages before it became clear. I must also admit to being stunned by the revelation regarding Natalie and her family. I’m not giving anything away here, though.
This is definitely a book about First World problems, but that label is not meant to diminish their effects. I liked Katie Hoskins’ writing very much, and I hope she is planning to come up with more thought-provoking books in the future.
Published by Pan Macmillan.
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