This is a moving book with elements of humour. The characters are very realistic. The romance was very downplayed.

I've read and enjoyed Poorna Bell's non-fiction so I was really keen to read her debut novel. I enjoyed this one that follows Bel after a near-death experience when she is forced to re-evaluate everything in her life. We then find out about her relationship with her parents, sister and niece - which I really loved. We also get some chapters showing what happened between Bel and her best friends when they had their first independent holiday as teenagers where something happens that ruins it all. I enjoyed this novel - I did find it a little slow in places but I was so invested in finding out what was going to happen in Bel's life that it kept me reading. I recommend this one!

A beautifully written book that was a refreshing read to me as it’s not my usual genre, loved every minute of it and will look out for more from the author!

Really brilliant and refreshing; such a fun read, with well-developed characters! and the author is LOVELY

I've long been a fan of Bell's non-fiction so was excited to read In Case of Emergency. Thankfully, the book more than lived up to expectations. The book is well plotted, engaging, heart warming (and at times emotionally charged). It explores the complexities of many different relationships, whether familial or romantic in a skillful way. More of this please!

This book just wasn't for me. I didn't enjoy the writing style very slow start and I almost dnf but glad I did push through I don't think this is a bad book it's just not what I tend to enjoy.

In Case of Emergency is a funny, relatable read that makes you laugh and fall in love with the story and the characters. It's one of those instant classics when you think of a rom com book. Loved it!

An original and romantic story of a young woman forced to reconsider her way of life after an accident lands her in the hospital and she suddenly comes to some serous realizations. Loved it!

This is a well written and emotional debut. You can see Poorna's real life experience seep through the pages, and I found it an engaging and enjoyable read.

For a debut, this was a decent read and I felt the writing became stronger towards the climax. The story follows the life of Beryl (Bel) a 36-year-old advertising executive who has an epiphany after a near-fatal-accident leads to her "emergency" contact being called to the hospital, no family or close friends, but an ex who has since moved on in his own life.

Bel is shocked to find no loved ones would have been aware of her ordeal, she does not feel comfortable broaching the subject with them. Suddenly she realises she has been and has gradually become distant with family, content on shallow friendships and meaningless dates. On closer reflection, she considers whether the struggle of her dual identity; British culture fused with her Indian heritage, is a reason for this. The theme is explored, with many others, diversity and microaggressions within the workplace, racism, childhood trauma affecting adulthood.

I enjoyed the growth of Bel's character, the fact that she reconciles with her sister Devi and shows a maturity in recognising her value for a friend in a male confidante which initially feels like it could be something more. There was no romance in this book but the various strains and peaks in a relationships were explored beautifully and still presents more than enough reason to read this one.

There was an emphasis on self love, which means different things to different people, be it not tolerating that which is not good for you, allowing yourself the time and space to heal, open communication and addressing those issues within a safe environment and a place of understanding and sometimes, a karate class! I will look out for Poorna Bell's next!

Thank you to NetGalley, Random House UK, Cornerstone for an advanced copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

Bel Kumar is re-evaluating her life after a near death experience and she doesn’t like what she finds. She’s distant from her family and lost touch with her friends causing her to question her decisions and think about where things went wrong. An interesting take on how childhood experiences can dominate your life and the shadows of racism lingers. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Warm, thought-provoking read.

Thanks so much to NetGalley and the publishers for letting me access an advance copy in exchange for my honest feedback.

Aaaahhhh, i loved this one, managed to pick it up and not put it down - read it in a day (didn’t do much else, haha) What a delightful story - I would recommend

Such a lovely read, very thought provoking.

Thank you NetGalley for my complimentary copy in return for my honest review.

This is a beautiful and thought provoking read told from the point of view of Bel, whose life gets a shake-up when she falls down an open pub cellar. Definitely an unusual opening for a book! When her ex boyfriend turns up at the hospital as she still had him down as her Next of Kin, she thinks deeply about her life and where it’s going. This leads her to examine her relationships with family and friends and even her career. A great read.

With a painfully relatable but totally endearing heroine at its heart, this novel was able to be both enjoyable and eye-opening. Its honest depiction of family and friendship will fill you with hope.

I would definitely recommend it as it’ll make you want to rekindle old friendships and treasure new ones.

It took me a little bit longer than it normally does for me to get into this book but once I did, I really enjoyed it.
So, if you start it and are feeling the same way, I would definitely urge you to persevere.
Overall, it was an easy and relatable read and one that I could definitely see taking on holiday or to the beach on a day that I'm looking to relax.
It was funny but it still had depth to it and kept my attention right until the very end.
The ending was a little bit rushed for my liking too, so it was just the very beginning and the ending that I had a few issues with but I would certainly recommend this book to women of a similar age to me, ie. in their twenties and thirties.
I'll definitely be keeping an eye out for what Poorna Bell does next.
Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This one was a lovely read. I really enjoyed reading this one. I just love this kind of books.
3.5 stars read for me

A fresher and more current take on a romantic comedy. In fact, it isn't really even a romcom. It's more a friend/family/findingyourselfcom (but that's not quite as succinct).

A serious mishap/accident resulting in her ex turning up at hospital (he was still her contact in emergency person), leaves Bel re-evaluating her life, and not really liking what she sees.

Friendships allowed to flounder. Increasing distance between her and her sister Devi. And a job where to succeed, she can't truly be herself.

But small changes lead to huge outpourings of grief, anger and sadness. Which in turn begins to heal the rifts and allow Bel to live in truth and begin to love her life.

A quick and easy read that I found myself picking up after a long day to unwind. The characters are beautifully written and I came to love them within the first few pages and was rooting for them all the way to the end. At times I wanted to stop reading because I just wanted the experience to go on for longer.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.