Thrown by Sara Cox

In my opinion...

Sara Cox comes over as a warm and fun personality both on the radio and her book programme 'Between the Covers'.

And it is this cheeky voice that I could hear in my head all through her debut novel- her little sayings, her pithy descriptions; for a fellow Northerner these rang true & made me laugh out loud- which I very rarely do with novels.

I wasn't aware that Sara had presented The Great Pottery Throwdown, but it obviously inspired her & gave authenticity to this story.

A good setting to bring together a varied cast of

characters, all with their own issues and very credible.

It does tackle some darker issues ,with sensitivity, but overall this is an enjoyable feel good novel, and perfect for the coming holiday season.

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Becky: a single mum who prides herself on her independence. She knows from painful experience that men are trouble.

Louise: a loving husband, gorgeous kids. She ought to feel more grateful.

Jameela: all she's ever done is work hard, and try her best. Why won't life give her the one thing she really wants?

Sheila: the nest is empty, she dreams of escaping to the sun, but her husband seems so distracted.

The inhabitants of the Inventor's Housing Estate keep themselves to themselves. There are the friendly 'Hellos' when commutes coincide and the odd cheeky eye roll when the wine bottles clank in number 7's wheelie bin, but it's not exactly Ramsay Street.

The dilapidated community centre is no longer the beating heart of the estate that Becky remembers from her childhood. So the new pottery class she's helped set up feels like a fresh start. And not just for her.

The assorted neighbours come together to try out a new skill, under the watchful eye of their charismatic teacher, Sasha. And as the soft unremarkable lumps of clay are hesitantly, lovingly moulded into delicate vases and majestic pots, so too are the lives of four women. Concealed passions and heartaches are uncovered, relationships shattered and formed, and the possibility for transformation is revealed.

My rating?

A gorgeous & cheeky 4 glasses...

Thank you Hodder Books & NetGalley for my ARC