Preloved

Reviews / Votes

'Preloved is one for your keeper shelves' * Red * 'An absolute gem of a novel, like finding vintage Dior in your local chazza. It's hard to believe that this tender-hearted, wryly observed and exquisitely written story is a debut and its heroine Gwen, as lost as the unwanted donations she prices up, will resonate with so many readers. Preloved is one for your keeper shelves' -- Sarra Manning 'I think I've been waiting for a novel like Preloved for my whole reading life. This is a luscious, shimmering book of depth and delicacy. It's sad, hilarious, sad, tender, brutal, brilliantly observed - there is a sense of magic on every page' -- Daisy Buchanan, author of Insatiable 'Preloved is full of sharp observations on life, loss, regret and self-preservation . . . spilling over with wit and hope. Cleverly interwoven with stories of the myriad reasons items find their way into charity shops, the joy, friendship and ultimate enlightenment Gwen discovers offers a quirky and poignant reminder that one person's trash is always somebody else's treasure' -- Julietta Henderson, author of The Funny Thing about Norman Foreman 'Preloved has taken up residence in my heart and I will be recommending it to everyone I know. It's completely enchanting, completely captivating, completely brilliant, I adored everything about it. It has so much heart and warmth, while Gwen is so well-written and relatable. I was already a fan of Lauren Bravo's writing, and now I'm officially obsessed' -- Lucy Vine 'Laugh-out-loud funny but also poignant and tender, Preloved is an absorbingly special debut novel. I devoured in equal measure the delicious descriptions of food and the moving vignettes of preloved treasures peppered throughout the book, while the nineties and noughties nostalgia had me gasping with pleasure' -- Laura Price, author of Single Bald Female 'Full of relatable anecdotes, lively, funny and modern, Preloved is a moving tale of emancipation and friendship. I loved it!' -- Margaux Vialleron, author of The Yellow Kitchen 'Beautifully considered and wonderfully crafted with characters who feel true to life. Full of witty observations and dazzling retorts and withering reactions . . . it won't disappoint' -- Justin Myers/The Guyliner 'Preloved is a beautiful, funny novel full of pitch perfect insight and detail. In a world of fast fashion, fast friendships and fast opinion, this is a refreshing and relatable alternative, celebrating and challenging our ideas about objects and ownership. For anyone (like me) who has ever stood behind the counter of a charity shop, it will spark particular joy. Political, delightful and very very funny'

-- Nell Frizzell 'While all Gwen's friends are "procreating in the countryside", she is single, lonely and now, jobless. So she begins anew in the place where all things get a second chance: a charity shop. Preloved is a funny and touching read'
* The I, best April books * 'When Gwen is made redundant she volunteers at a charity shop, where encountering objects that come with incredible stories changes her life. Poignant and funny'
* Best * 'A hot water bottle of a novel - in that it's best enjoyed on the sofa when you're in need of something warming and comforting'
* Stylist * 'Optimistic and engaging . . . intimate and joyful . . . We're waiting for Preloved to be optioned by Reese Witherspoon or at least adapted into a binge-worthy Netflix series . . . * Glamour * 'A love letter to charity shops and the treasures within, this is a tale that will warm your heart'
* My Weekly * 'Generous, hopeful, and big-hearted, Preloved's warm sweetness is perfectly balanced by sharp observation, and a deeply moving exploration of grief. A glorious find of a book; one worth holding onto' -- Kate Young