Published By: W&N
Pages: 352
Released On: 29/01/2026
Nell has accepted, at age twelve, that hers will likely be a friendless existence. She does not care for boys, or makeup, or competing to see who can eat the least – so has no hope of success at tweenage girl social climbing.
But then, a new girl arrives at school. Eve has short hair like a boy’s, a wicked sense of humour and an unshakable confidence that she will one day find her place in the world. The moment they meet, Nell changes her mind about the friend thing.
From their childhood to their twenties and thirties, Eve and Nell will love each other and hurt each other – through teenage feuds and the chlorine-scented savagery of all-girls’ schools; through long, drunken nights in scruffy share houses; through the highs and lows of coparenting a child together without being romantically involved. But always, despite a mire of unspoken feelings and sexual confusion, they will choose each other. Again, and again. As friends, as lovers, as family.
*****
Thanks to NetGalley and W&N for the advanced copy of this title in return for an honest review.
I admit I didn’t like Madeleine’s previous book Green Dot, but I never give up on an author just because of one book, because it may have just been that particular novel wasn’t my thing. And this book proves why I don’t give up because this had me hooked instantly.
We flit between the present time and when our main characters were younger, which gives us multiple perspectives and we can compare the girls as they grow into women.
It does focus on some difficult topics – of which I won’t spoil – and Madeleine hasn’t hidden from them, and gives them all the sensitivity and respect they deserve.
It’s not a plot heavy book, it’s definitely more about the characters and their feelings than it is about a story, but I liked that. In fact, I prefer that with most books; plot rarely engages me as much as characterisation does.
I love the different types of family depicted, how yes, you can have the traditional man-wife-2.4-children set up, or you can have two mums, two dads, or a single parent – there is no right or wrong way to have a family as long as there’s love, which I know is corny as hell but I said what I said.
There are twists but as it’s not a thriller, it isn’t like a twist every other page. They’re not huge out-there twists, just little nuggets dropped in now and again to keep you on your toes.
Considering I couldn’t relate to any of this really – being gay, being a mother – I found more in this that I loved than in her previous book, which was probably more me. I’m not sure how she did it but it really captured me.
My only negative is that I didn’t really gel with the characters. There’s nothing wrong with them, and Nell and Eve are interesting protagonists, but I didn’t feel much toward them. I more enjoyed what was going on with them, rather than them themselves, if that makes sense.
It’s like a love letter to the queer community and I did enjoy it. It’s proof why you should never rule an author out on the basis of one book alone.
It’s not a perfect book, but life isn’t perfect, relationships aren’t perfect, and friendships aren’t perfect, and she does depict that disjointed feeling very well.
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