Published 06/07/2023 | Hardback,
Description:
‘Almost hypnotically perfect prose’ Kate Sawyer’A thoughtful, tender and delicate consideration of life’s choices’ Huma Qureshi ‘Ashby handles her material lightly and atmospherically’ Rowan Hisayo BuchananThis absorbing second novel from the author of WET PAINT – about confronting expectations and learning to cope with the nagging, complex questions that shape a life – is perfect for fans of EXPECTATION and SORROW AND BLISS. When Cathy and Noah first got together neither saw children in their future. Eight years later, they’re happily married – and Cathy isn’t so sure. With Noah’s patience for his wife’s ambivalence waning, her widowed mother in a world of her own and her best friend yearning for a second baby, Cathy feels increasingly adrift.
Escaping into her work in the conservation studios of the National Gallery, she chips away at the layers of overpaint on a canvas from the collection. Will the discovery of an unexpected truth help her find the clarity she craves?READERS LOVE SECOND SELFâââââ ‘This book spoke to me like no other. Loved all the characters, big or small’âââââ ‘I read this emotive and gripping novel over 48 hours – it’s a beautifully written story and I recommend to anyone!’âââââ ‘A gorgeous novel that pulled me straight out of my ongoing slow reading . . . pretty much read majority of it in one sitting!’

The mysterious case of the Alperton Angels
A Wild & True Relation : A 'remarkable' (Hilary Mantel) feminist adventure story of smuggling and myth-making
Hungry Ghosts : A BBC 2 Between the Covers Book Club Pick - and 'an early contender for the Booker' (The Times)
Other women
Queer Square Mile : Queer Short Stories from Wales
White fox
The Square of Sevens
Cursed Bread : Longlisted for the Women's Prize
Gift Wrapping
August Blue
The New Life : a Granta Best of Young British Novelist 2023
We all want impossible things
One small voice
Mad Honey


