Goodness me, all the emotions. I laughed, I cried, I randomly hugged my husband without explaining why and I very nearly phoned my mother in law.
While not light-hearted in premise there is levity and emotional release.

Flipping between the beginning of Katherine and Ben’s relationship and the end (after his accidental death while sailing) made for a very emotional novel in Pity Party. Their relationship, with its faults, was believable, as was Katherine’s with her mother-in-law Constance, and so the only plot point I struggled with a little was the retreat that Katherine goes on to recover after being asked to take a sabbatical at work. I just felt like we didn’t spend enough time there, and while the other residents were so interesting Buchanan didn’t go deep enough on them for my taste.

I have left a full review on Goodreads but I loved this book.

It showed me that there is more than one way to grieve and its all normal!

A well written book thay takes you through one woman's journey of grief, insecurity and love.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with the ARC version.

Katherine found herself at a crossroads in her life when she fell deeply in love with Ben, a man who reciprocated her feelings wholeheartedly. This newfound love brought a sense of belonging and warmth that Katherine had never experienced before, especially when it came to family. Raised without a traditional family structure, her only anchor had been her closest friend.
However, when the time came to meet Ben's family, particularly his mother Constance, Katherine felt a twinge of apprehension. She was acutely aware of the vast disparity in wealth between their backgrounds, unsure of how she would navigate this unfamiliar territory. To her surprise, Constance welcomed her with open arms and embraced her as a member of the family without hesitation.
Tragedy struck soon after their marriage as Katherine found herself unexpectedly widowed, grappling with the overwhelming loss of her partner. Adrift and unsure of how to move forward, she sought solace in throwing herself into her work with relentless determination, only to find herself burnt out and emotionally exhausted.
In a desperate bid to reset and recharge, Katherine immersed herself in a wellness retreat for a week. It was there that she encountered a diverse and vibrant group of individuals, each carrying their own burdens and seeking solace in the healing environment. Through shared experiences and mutual support, they navigated the complexities of life together, finding strength and solace in each other's company.

With a blend of humour, loss, grief, love, family, and friendship, the narrative weaves a tapestry of emotions that resonates deeply with the reader. The characters, each uniquely drawn and compelling in their own right, serve as a testament to the resilience of the human spirit in the face of adversity. Witnessing Katherine's journey as she navigates the turbulent waters of life is a heart-warming and ultimately uplifting experience for all who embark on this tale of love and loss.

Thank you #Netgalley, Little Brown Book Group UK (Sphere) for providing me with a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.

📝-⭐⭐⭐⭐1/2

Happy Reading! xx

Loved this, enjoyed finding about Katherine and Ben’s relationship, great characters especially Constance the mother-in-law. Just an overall really good book, highly recommend.

Ah this book was just such a gorgeous read, I adored all of the supporting characters (particularly Constance!) and I was gripped thrououghout. I especially enjoyed the chapters looking back at the past, as we slowly learnt more about Katherine and Ben's relationship.

It strikes a delicate balance between profound emotion and humour, offering a candid examination of love, loss, and the intricate web of grief. It held me captive from start to finish, seamlessly blending raw vulnerability with moments of levity. I am a bit grief stricken that it’s over.

A story of grief, retreats and finding your place again. The MC, Katherine, is relatable. The prose flows easily and the story is equal parts moving and enjoyable. It is also quite in-depth, timely and modern. Thank you #netgalley, babe.

"Pity Party" was such an enjoyable read, despite touching on the subject of the complex grief. And I'm a sucker for accurate depictions of the aftermath of trauma that in this book are subtle, but very accurate, like main character's anxious attachment traits, that are not named as such, but definitely present in how she experiences the world and relationships with people.

The two plot lines that are interwoven - one concerning Katherine's and Ben's relationship history and one in the present day, when Katherine tries to navigate her life as a widow - create a realistic, yet appealing landscape. Daisy Buchanan knows how to balance the mood, making space for moments of joy, laughter, but also sadness.

The only thing that bothered me was the narrative awkwardness around sex between two women. There was a visible difference in how the author wrote a sex scene between a woman and a man and her depiction of sapphic sexual experience, which felt quite restrained, comparing to the former.

Pity Party
Author - Daisy Bucanan
Publication date - 11th july 2024
...
Katherine is grieving and struggling with the end of her marriage and he new title of "widow". She has to breakdown before she gets sent to a retreat to rebuild and find herself. I loved the flow of the book from the present day then going back in time so we could learn about Katherine and Ben's relationship. Such a great read that I couldn't put down. I had a lump in my throat one minute and laughing the next.

My favourite Daisy Buchanan novel yet. Katherine is grieving the loss of her husband, and sent by her nearest and dearest to a much needed wellness retreat, but not all is as it seems, as Katherine struggles with her journey of guilt and grief.
This book was just beautifully written - Katherine herself was so relatable, I adored all of the supporting characters (particularly Constance!) and I was gripped thrououghout. I especially enjoyed the chapters looking back at the past, as we slowly learnt more about Katherine and Ben's relationship.
Just a gorgeous book all round.

Katherine is having a hard time of life. First her mum died, then she had to live with her gran until she died. After she meets Ben she can’t quite believe that he would be interested in her. Definitely not in a long term relationship way. But when he proposes to her at Christmas, she gains a fiancée and a mother in law, a family of her own. Until Ben dies, she messes up at work and gets given a sabbatical and the option of a retreat via a “not not” an intervention from her best friend and mother in law.

This book drew me in. I was firmly on Katherine’s side, aching for her as her life ploughed on regardless of what is going on with her. The book cleverly told Katherine’s present and her past, weaving the chapters together to tell her story. A great read.

Thank you NetGalley for allowing me to read and review.

What an absolutely superb read. The main character in this I loved. She's definitely relatable and you just feel for her.
This book is very easy to read and I'll definitely read more from this author.

Katherine met her husband Ben and married quite young. She has no family of her own and grows close to his mother quickly. When Ben dies in a tragic accident, Katherine buries herself in work but after some erratic behaviour she is forced to take some time off to deal with what she's going through. This is a fairly unpredictable read and an interesting look at grief and family dynamics. I enjoyed it.

Pity Party by Daisy Buchanan
Rating: 4/5
Release Date: 11 July 2024

Katherine is the epitome of orderliness, following the guidelines, checking off every box, and bracing for the worst while quietly hoping for the best.

However, when the worst-case scenario materialises and she finds herself navigating life as a young widow, she realises her preparations were inadequate.

Nothing terrifies Katherine more than halting her relentless pace, but her loved ones insist she needs a break.

"Pity Party" strikes a delicate balance between profound emotion and humour, offering a candid examination of love, loss, and the intricate web of grief. It held me captive from start to finish, seamlessly blending raw vulnerability with moments of levity. I adored every page of it.

Katherine, our protagonist, is a truly endearing character—flawed, complex, and utterly lovable. I can't express enough how much I adored this book—it resonated with me on so many levels.

Thank you so much to Netgalley, Little Brown Book Group UK | Sphere, and the author, Daisy Buchanan, for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest and fair review.

Oh wow! What an interesting premise for a book! I cannot wait to share my full thoughts on this one as ai am currently recovering from some serious medical issues. As someone who has always bit a bit type A and had her heart broken it will be nice to get lost in this world of someone who finally decides to let loose!