Thrilled to share this news via
@thebookseller
. This Book Made Me Think of You will publish in 2026 with
@VikingBooksUK
. It's a sweeping, bookish love story pitched as P.S. I Love You meets Eat, Pray, Love. And I am VERY excited about it.
Just six weeks and one day old but someone is now the proud owner of a library card. Because it’s never too early to discover the joy of books and libraries ❤️📚
I've written then deleted this tweet many times but all I want to say is I'm finding things hard at the moment. I feel so lucky to have this bundle of joy & I'm trying my best to do my best for him. Sending a hug this big to anyone else feeling this way but struggling to say it.
A friend just sent me a bookish article with a headline attacking 'comfort reading'. I am proud to be an author of comfort reads. Life is tough. To be able to give someone a moment's escape through my books is an absolute honour.
Last night I went to a 'bring your own book' club where we sat in a pub and read our books together. A bit of chat about what we were reading but also some time reading alone together. Surely this must be the perfect club?
I absolutely love English village names. Today I have driven through Queen Camel and Shepton Montague and saw a sign for Mudford Sock. Please tell me your favourite English village names.
My baby has been asleep on my chest for nearly 2.5 hours. I really have no idea how I’m doing at this whole motherhood thing but the fact he can sleep this soundly on me makes me hope that at the very least he feels safe and secure. And that makes me pretty proud.
Thank you to everyone who shared their honest stories of tricky births. Some more honesty: I have the world’s cutest baby but am still waiting for that rush of love I was told would arrive. So many women tell me it takes time. And yet I don’t think this is spoken about enough.
I know people mean well when they say to ‘enjoy every moment’ with my newborn. But it can feel like pressure. It’s enough to keep him and myself alive, do I really have to enjoy every second too?! Getting by should be enough. P.S He is extremely cute though
Just thinking about how utterly sad, hopeless and disorientated I felt just a few months ago when this one first arrived. I really couldn’t imagine it getting better. It did. Sharing this for anyone who is in a fog for whatever reason. It really will clear. Hang on in there.
Introducing my proudest creation to date… Co-authored by my husband, our little Robin arrived on Monday weighing 9lb4oz and with what I think will be swimmer’s feet! After a tricky birth we are doing well, existing on biscuits and love as we navigate the early sleepless days.
Four weeks old and I think I do love him ❤️. It didn’t happen immediately like I thought it would, which made me sad at first. Instead it has arrived slowly, less like a lightning bolt and more like the gentle arrival of morning. And I hope it will just get brighter over time.
We did it!! It was not the wedding we originally planned but in the end it was just magical. A tiny registry office ceremony with our families, full of love, laughter and (happy) tears. This year has been tough but this weekend was a golden ray of sunshine and joy.
Today was supposed to be our wedding day. We baked a cake, decorated our flat, got dressed up and Skyped with our families. It wasn’t the day we’d hoped for but I’m feeling very grateful ❤️
#lockdownwedding
#unweddingday
#nearlymarried
My husband tried out the baby carrier for the first time and our baby slept in it soundly for a good hour and a half and I managed to do some chores and drink a whole cup of tea and this feels like an enormous victory 💕🎉
Lots of my mum friends are now getting back to work in a wide range of very grown up jobs and yet every single one of them says that being at work is a nice relaxing break compared to a day of parenting and yet we still don't value motherhood as a proper job...
Now that my baby has learnt to clap he gives me a round of applause whenever I enter the room and I must admit I have been feeling pretty low recently and this is an excellent boost to my confidence 🤣
After having talked openly about how insanely hard I found the first year of motherhood I feel like I owe it to anyone going through that stage to say how truly joyful I'm finding it having a toddler. I LOVE being a mum now, something I couldn't have honestly said earlier on.
Sometimes when it feels like plans are going very wrong, they can turn out so very right. We were heartbroken when our wedding had to be cancelled many times. But all the delays led to the very best thing: us ending up sharing the day with our son. This is how it was meant to be.
Some news... this summer will feature two big moments in my life: the launch of my new book and the arrival of a tiny little person. It’s tough out there right now so it’s nice to be able to share something happy and hopeful with you all. ❤️
I just had to fight so hard not to write 'no worries if not!!!' at the end of a work email. Honestly, it's a daily battle to reign in my nervous use of exclamation marks, smiley faces and 'just wondering's. Please tell me I'm not alone.
I have about a million chores to do but instead am on the sofa with my baby sleeping on my shoulder. When he’s 18 I think I’ll wish I’d had more cuddles, not that I’d done more chores.
This hill is going to keep me fit… My baby loves the cobblestones, they send him straight to sleep! Another outing today and feeling a little more confident each time I leave the house, random advice from strangers aside 👍
I know all babies are challenging but I'm only just realising now that there genuinely are easier babies. Those who sleep through the night from 4 weeks and will SIT on a rug and play with toys and their parents think it's because of their excellent parenting but IT'S NOT.
Instagram vs reality… When I became pregnant I started following some mum bloggers. I’ve since unfollowed all of them as even the ones who said they ‘tell it like it is’ made me feel bad - there was still a sheen of perfection that felt impossible to achieve myself.
Six weeks ago I was rushed into emergency surgery for an ectopic pregnancy. Since then I have been slowly recovering physically and mentally. I decided to talk about my experience because pregnancy loss is common but not commonly talked about.
Tell me, what small, inexpensive things do you do to cheer yourself up when you're feeling low? I feel the need for a few small comforts right now. So far I have hot chocolate, lighting lots of candles and having a bath on my to-do-list.
After years of waiting and rearranging we finally had our day at the weekend. It wasn't just everything we had been hoping for but so much more. A day filled with love, friendship and so much joy. (And it didn't rain)
Happy story time earlier. He seems to really enjoy Dr Seuss books - the stark contrast colours, the fun rhymes. And I just LOVE reading aloud to him. I could do it all day.
My son is 12 weeks old today. It feels like a significant milestone. We have made it through 12 weeks, 6 of which were particularly tough. Life is feeling brighter and I’m so proud of him and all we’ve been through. And of myself too.
Something we don't talk about enough is how hard friendship break-ups are. I just saw a photo of a former friend and it made me so sad. We lost touch for a reason and I know that our friendship had its season and that seasons end. But it still makes my heart ache.
Today while my husband and I played and laughed with our baby in a café overlooking the sea I wished the me of four months ago could have seen us to know it would all be OK, that we would laugh again and that our lives would feel full, not over.
When I tried on this lime jumpsuit in the shop I loved it but worried it was a bit 'too much'. Then I thought: too much for who? Being the brightest, most unapologetic version of yourself is never too much.
Currently 'on holiday' with the baby and family and it's just hit me that I'm never going to have a holiday that actually feels like a holiday until he's left home or is old enough to leave with grandparents while we go away by ourselves, am I?!
Made it into the garden and a friend popped round and for an hour or so I felt almost human and smelled the lavender and listened to the bees and let my leg go totally dead because it was a pillow for my sleepy baby.
Do you have a photo of yourself that helped you change the way you see yourself? I love this picture my husband took of me and my son on the beach this weekend. I realise I look happy and like a mum, maybe even a good one, and maybe because I am. 💛
Today I went for my first swim since my baby was born. It felt wonderful to do something for myself and that made me feel like ‘me’ again. And after everything my body has been through, being held by the water felt so healing.
Today my son is at nursery all day and I am at a coworking space for writers that I have just joined in my town. There is no laundry in sight. It feels like coming up for air.
Is this the most baby/child-friendly public bathroom ever? Including a doorstop so I was able to keep the door open while pushing the pram in. Big thank you
@nationaltrust
Stourhead for showing how it can be done 👏
I tried this on mostly for a laugh but somehow now feel like I actually really need a lime green jumpsuit in my life. Just for, you know, going to the park with my son whilst feeling like a kind of retro superhero.
Last night we celebrated 10 years since our first date. Tomorrow we get to have our wedding party with friends and family, and a naming ceremony for our son. Feeling very lucky.
Yesterday I spent several hours crying, today I managed to put real clothes on (for a bit before they got sicked on), made it in to town for a milkshake and had a takeaway and watched Drag Race with the baby. Small wins ☀️
At the heart of my new novel is a very special yellow dress whose story brings together the three main characters. I decided to recreate the dress from the book and last night I wore it to my book launch.
Yes you better BEElieve I dressed my family in matching dungarees to celebrate my husband’s birthday. I have been waiting for this moment since being given a tiny pair of bee dungarees while I was pregnant. 🐝
Watching my husband become a dad has been one of the greatest joys of parenthood so far. Overheard just now as he chatted aloud to our baby: ‘I wonder how old you will be when you see your first giraffe.’ ❤️🦒
So exhausted I could throw up. But some moments that have made me smile: lying in mum’s garden watching him sleep, when he sneezes and startles himself, when he farts so loudly it can be heard from another room, watching my grandfather hold him, hearing my husband chat to him.
I'm excited to share that my next novel THE VINTAGE SHOP OF SECOND CHANCES will be out in Feb. It is inspired by my love of vintage clothing and tells the story of three women, each in need of their own second chance, brought together by one vintage dress.
Today I had my booster jab and got the baby to do all 3 naps in his cot and even managed a little workout and I am sharing this because most days are NOT like this but I believe in celebrating the small wins.
Tonight I put lipstick on, left R with my husband and went out for dinner and drinks with friends! It was just wonderful to be out, right up to the point where I suddenly felt like if I didn’t get home to my baby that SECOND I might bite someone. (I got back OK and all was well)
When Robin Frederick met Frederick, my grandfather, alongside me and my mum. Amongst all the fog and fear of new motherhood this was a very special moment today.
Today marks five years since the publication of The Lido. So it feels like a fitting day to announce that I have been working on a follow-up novel. The Lifeline will launch in April 2024 and is available to preorder now
Today is publication day for my new book! At the heart of this story is a very special yellow dress and I'm excited to share that with the help of a local seamstress I have been recreating the dress from the story in real life. And it's finished! Full photos coming tomorrow...
Yesterday I bought possibly the best bag ever created. I am not usually a bag person, and definitely not a sensible-black-handbag person. AND this works as both satchel and rucksack too. Book-lovers, behold...
Here to say that maybe some toddlers really do eat 'whatever you eat' but my son's entire diet consists of: Weetabix, pasta and tomato sauce, bread and soft cheese, fruit and toddler snacks. Sometimes ice cream. That's it.
Thank you to everyone who says it gets better. Only day 25 but already starting to experience better moments. After a military operation to leave the house I managed to put on a new dress and take Robin to the park with friends for an hour and it felt really, really good.
We doubt ourselves constantly as parents but every now and then I get a moment when I think ‘hey, we’re doing a great job’. He is calm, happy and I think enjoys living with us. He sleeps soundly on my chest and my husband can make him scream with laughter.
You’re expected to be immediately besotted with your newborn but I found it hard to fall in love with someone who couldn’t interact and who I’d never met before. 9 weeks in and I can happily say we have fallen for each other big time.
Do you think of 'easy read' as a compliment or an insult? For me it's a badge of honour that my books could be picked up by anyone - reading should be a joy, not a chore. But I know not everyone thinks this way! (Also a quick P.S.: 'easy reads' are not easy to write!)
Sometimes I feel a bit frustrated / exhausted by the fact my baby won't nap in his cot and then I think, if you could nap in a cold bed or in the arms of someone who loves you most in the world, which would you choose?
Me two weeks after giving birth: ‘I think my life might be over, can I give him back?!’
Me 11 weeks after giving birth: ‘Oh my goodness I get to keep him! For good! I can’t believe how lucky I am!’ It really does get better. ❤️
I love the term 'auto-buy author' (those authors whose books you love so much you'd buy their new one without even reading the blurb). Here are some of mine. Tag yours in below to make their day!
Now that my baby has mastered smiling the very first thing he does when he wakes up is to give me a big grin. In those very tough first couple of weeks this is what I was hanging on for and it’s even better than I could have imagined ❤️.
One very happy author! Holding the finished copy of my next novel The Vintage Shop of Second Chances which publishes next week. It's very colourful and full of friendship and fashion and I really hope you will love it.
Listening to the rain in the conservatory with this little guy asleep like a puppy on my lap while I finish this wonderful book. Moments like this might be fleeting but when they arrive they are gorgeous.
I'm sure it's very good but I've had to block social media ads for This is Going to Hurt as I find it so triggering. As someone who is still coming to terms with my birth not going to plan the scene in the ad feels a little...trivialising? (I'm sure the show is excellent)
Interrupting your doomscroll to share this photo of me and my Christmas Robin. (P.S Hope you're all doing OK, I totally get why anxiety levels are HIGH right now. I am dousing my own stresses with brandy butter.)
Merry Christmas! Hope you all have restful ones even if they might look a little different this year. Thank you for all your support of me, my books and my messy, magic first 6 months of motherhood. This online community can be really lovely.
A lot of people have mentioned postnatal depression to me and while it’s important to stay vigilant as it’s so common, I don’t think you have to be depressed to not enjoy all aspects of new motherhood and to find it tough. I think struggling is understandable.
One year ago ❤️. Since then my husband has changed careers, I’ve published my third book and written my fourth, we’ve moved to Somerset and had a baby. And yet is still feels like just yesterday. Still waiting to party with friends and family - hopefully next year!
Hardback publication vs paperback publication! A book that features motherhood and finding a sense of home, themes I've been grappling with in my own life. I feel pretty proud of both the book I wrote and the human I grew.
A few more pictures of my wedding dress... It’s vintage (1940s) and I had it altered slightly to create a lower back. It’s a heavy satin and I adored wearing it. I love that it was second-hand so had a history. ❤️
After waiting anxiously for months, massively altering our plans, not feeling able to get excited... I think I *may* be getting married this weekend. ❤️It’s been tough and won’t be the wedding we originally planned but my goodness, I cannot wait to call him my husband.
So someone may have slept in their own cot in their own room for the first time last night... I don't want to speak too soon but we all seemed to sleep a bit better 🤞🌛
Happy World Book Day! My day started with this utterly heartwarming image on the baby cam of my toddler helping himself to a book and 'reading' in bed. My work here is done ❤️
I know, I know, I KNOW the years are short. But right now the days just feel so long. Barely holding it together honestly and counting down the days until I finally get some proper childcare (September). I love him so much but it's so so hard isn't it?
Just back from our first dinner out just us two since the baby. Two months ago I thought this would never ever happen. Yes we were back by 9:30 but still 🥂
So tonight I went out without the baby for the first time and spoke to adult humans at my friend’s book launch and even though I was only out for an hour and a half it was SO good. Now I’m home practically inhaling my baby. Balance. I think that’s going to help so much.
Be honest: what parenting things did you used to turn your nose up before having children? Toddler reins seem to be one of those but my goodness this backpack/leash combo is SO handy. Actually managed to enjoy a lakeside walk without absolute terror today.