To be honest Sara had A LOT to live up too. A self-confessed book lover and presenter of ‘Under the Covers’ on the BBC. This a sweet book, but it slightly missed the mark for me and is never going to become a ‘classic’.

It tells a story from four different characters perspectives and is essentially a feel good book about friendships, relationships and community spirit.

It was too predictable – I could spot a couple of the plot ‘twists’ pretty early on but then some characters were resolved nicely and others’ situations seemed too open-ended. There are flashes of Sara’s trademark cheeky humour in the book but not enough to save it for me.

This book had the potential to be much more. I felt the characters were pretty undercooked and the story pretty basic. Three of the women thought their husbands were cheating on them and I just felt that this was a fairly tired and predictable theme particularly three times in the one book!

Do you know when a book just leaves you feeling ‘meh’? I was worth picking it up, but you wouldn’t pass it on or read it again.

I am a big fan of Sara Cox’s BBC show Between The Covers, where she discusses books with celebrity guests. I had no idea that she was writing a novel until I saw it on NetGalley, so you can imagine my excitement at being accepted for it!

The community centre is a far cry from the exciting hub that single mum Becky remembers it being when her mum was in charge. So she sets up a pottery class to bring locals together again. Sheila’s children have left home and she wants to move somewhere warmer but her husband Martin seems to have other things on his mind. Jameela has a loving husband, excellent career but life just won’t seem to give her what she wants -a baby. Louise has a very happy family life but she can’t help but want something more. So, when the handsome, charming pottery teacher Sasha walks in on the first day of the new pottery class, heads are turned, connections are formed and all four women are about to discover that beautiful things can be made from an ordinary lump of clay.

One thing that Cox does really well is capture the eccentricity of British village life. Having grown up in a quite affluent suburb with a village-esque vibe, I know that these people exist and I could easily picture them as the neighbours that I saw every day as a child.

The humour is excellent too and I loved how it gave me a glimpse into the author’s imagination. I can think of so many middle-aged women who would love some husband replacement therapy on reaching their last tether! I laughed so many times and it was a really lovely way to get to know the characters.

I felt much the same about the pottery class novel ‘Thrown’ by Sara Cox as I did about Channel Fours The Great Pottery Throwdown i.e. very enjoyable warm, cosy and leaves you feeling good.
The story concerns the pottery class that Becky arranges at the Lennington Community Centre for the locals. The story follows Becky and a number of the characters that attend the course. The friendships and troubled relationships of the group form a number of plot lines which all reach a satisfactory conclusion.
I found it an easy enjoyable light hearted read that would make it a good summer read.

What a fab book! I really enjoyed the story of Becky, the manager of the Lennington community centre and the locals that signed up for the pottery classes Becky took a chance on setting up. Not only do you get to enjoy their weekly classes with them (and learn some more about pottery, which I so want to try now!) but also to find out all about what the neighbours are going through in the personal lives. Friendships and relationships are formed at the community centre, marriages put to the test with discoveries made and new opportunities sought…..and maybe achieved (you’re going to have to read it to find out!!).

I loved all the characters (well, maybe not the ‘baddy’ but you have to have one of those, don’t you!) and was so pleased things ended how I hoped for all those lovely people. I could hear Sara, the author, when reading this book and absolutely love her style of writing. It was easy to read and she had some great turn of phrases. I am definitely going to look out for other stories by her.

Thank you to Net Galley and the publishers for allowing me to read this in exchange for an honest review, which is what I have given.

Great feel good holiday read.

The characters are well done and believable, the pottery angle gives it a little bit of a difference and the humour kept it alive.

Well executed, exactly what it says on the tin.

Hmm, a bit predictable but a lovely light summer read. The characters are a cast of usual suspects, some with secrets and some with hidden backstories and desires.
It moved along well and has a good pace but I guessed the ending about a quarter of the way in and then it became a trot-through rather than a page-turner.

This was a fun and lighthearted read for the most part with a few stronger issues that are tackled within the strory. I wasn't sure what to expect but this is a great debut novel from Sara that I really enjoyed.

Like getting to go behind the scenes of The Great Pottery Throw Down. A heart-warming and funny novel about people, their problems and pottery. I loved it.

The community centre on the Inventors Estate in Lennington is in dire need of use. Manager Becky has decided to start a pottery class but fears it will be poorly attended. For those that do turn up, pottery is a way for them to work through their issues - the crisis of confidence, the worries about infidelity ets. For Becky it brings her into the orbit of Sasha the potter, a great foil to her abusive ex who is now back on the scene.
This book will have a huge following as it is written by a famous personality and exudes that warmth and lightness of touch which is so appealing. For me it lacked any depth. The big issues were treated very lightly indeed, used as reason for actions rather than explored in detail, the characters were cliched. However, as a piece of lightweight holiday reading it ticks all the boxes, a sugary treat to be enjoyed in moderation

Thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book. A light and entertaining one, ideal for holidays. It’s a story of friendship and community. A good read.

A good debut novel from Sasa Cox .A story about how four ladies come together at potery classes and they each have their own stories and problems, They are all likable characters and is a nice easy reading book perfect for a holiday read

The storylines the characters inhabit in this book are a slightly augmented version of reality. You really feel that these things could be happening to your neighbours, just not all at the same time. It is gentle, charming and very enjoyable to read.

Apologies for my late review. This was an enjoyable read, about a mixture of people living on a housing development, all hoping to achieve something by attending the new pottery sessions at the local community centre. Enjoyed getting to know the characters and they proved that friendship is more important than a posh community centre. Loved the mention of The Littlest Hobo too.

Thank you @netgalley

Great book by Sara Cox, I would happily look for another book by Sara.
Nice, easy read couldn't put this book down.
Great book to take away with you bit you wouldn't want to put it down.

A great story of a community coming together. But no one truly knowing what’s going on in each others’ lives

What a fantastic debut for Sara Cox such a great read.. we follow the residents of the Inventors Estate and the community hall. Pottery Teacher Sasha and Community centre manager Becky who is drawn to the mysterious stranger but with problems of her own including her ex can everything fall into place for them. A perfect relaxing read and I’ve even learnt a bit about pottery.

I read this a while ago and have held off reviewing it. It was a pleasant read but just that. Perhaps I carried too high hopes for it but I was hoping for something a bit more substantial. I'm sure there is a definite market for this, just not, particularly to my taste.

What a wonderful read. An amazing debut novel which reads like it has been written by a seasoned author.

Sara Cox best known to me for her radio work. She was a previous presenter of The Great Pottery Throwdown TV programme and she obviously gained a lot of knowledge which shines through in this book. The dialogue is very descriptive about the processes and equipment but not so overdone that it is boring.

Four women from very different backgrounds all come together for a pottery class. Each of them it turns out has a little mystery going on in their lives which we get to find out about. There are some delicate issues that are dealt with very carefully and sensitively. Great to have a real diverse set of characters.

I loved all the four main characters and was so intrigued about what was going on in their lives. One of them I felt for more than the others. I had my heart in my mouth at times hoping for the best outcome. There is some great humour in this book, and I frequently heard Sara's voice ring out to me when some cracking one liners were delivered.

I relished picking this book back up and rejoining the action. I would definitely read another book by this author.

I was sent a copy of this book in return for an honest review.

Such a lovely story, set on a housing estate. Really feel-good, with likeable characters. Made me happy, which isn’t a bad thing!

A nice easy read dealing with a small community and the way they all come together. Well written with great characters I devoured it in one afternoon on holiday.