
Member Reviews

I enjoyed this book, a total page turner even if I wanted at times to shake Willow who couldn't see all the red flags about her partner. Willow is living with her long term partner in a great little house in Brockley in London. Her partner is super busy promoting their business and trying to get a deal in New York signed off. Their business wins an award but Willow isn't named as a founding member or photographed for the press. Her partner then blindsides her by telling her he isn't coming back and they need to sell their house. Willow finds that rather than a founding partner she was legally merely a junior employee and one whom the company do not wish to keep. Willow tries to reconnect with her best friends whom she has neglected for years and also retreats to her beloved aunt's house on the coast to figure out what to do next. Very enjoyable, if a bit predictable.

In your 30s and don’t have your life together? Me too, and neither does Willow. Table for one by Emma Gannon tells the story of Willow, she has the man, the job, the house, and in the time it takes to sit down at a restaurant loses it all. This is a beautifully written journey of perseverance, growth, and self love and no matter what stage you are at in your own life I think you will find something that resonates. There is a gorgeous chapter inside a butterfly house that felt like future you was wrapping their arms around you holding you safe. If you are looking for a Millenial version of Eat, Pray, Love then I’ve found it.

I really enjoyed ‘Olive’ by Emma Gannon but ‘Table for One’ blew away my expectations. I had been in a bit of a reading slump lately but I could not put this book down. Gannon has a beautiful way of constructing characters that we see ourselves and loved ones reflected in.
Willow’s story was instantly engaging, she is the friend who seemingly has it all until she doesn’t. Her entire life is pulled from under her feet; career, partner, even friends all shift from their axis and she is left to begin again. There is a beauty in the way ‘Table for One’ isn’t a linear story of someone starting again because Willow’s journey and resilience ebbs and flows as we all do in real life. Her relationships are flawed and even her closest friendships flex as each of them shifts into new stages of life.
I loved the contrast of her new friendship with Naz and the reflection that even the most self assured woman can change and evolve in the way she chooses to live. The entire novel felt like an ode to the power of female friendship and reinvention. Loved this book so much and will be recommending it to everyone I know- just stunning.

I've read this in a day which is something I have not done with a book for a very long time.
I enjoyed Olive but this book is so much better. Chapter 16 with the butterfly man will sit with me for a long time. Emma has managed to capture so much in this book and it really is one which can be read by all generations.
A beautiful book about friendship, relationships, growing older/up and the importance of being you.

Willow is living the perfect life, her boyfriend Dom is going to propose any time now. Their business is winning awards and going great guns…
As her life unravels she gets entangled in the life of single influencer Naz.
A good Sunday afternoon read.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the copy to review.

This book took me a while to get into. But overall, I did enjoy it. I found the main character very relatable. I really loved the authors writing style and I would definitely pick up another book by her.
I did enjoy the story overall, but there was just something missing for me.

I loved the synopsis and cover of this book, and I'm glad Netgalley approved me for the ARC. Thanks so much!
I rated this book a 3 star. It was a quick read and offered a few life lessons - perfect for a cosy afternoon in!
When Willow has everything most adults dream of, the last thing she expects is what turns her life upside down. All of a sudden she's relying on the support of others and learning how to navigate her new situation.
On the one hand, this story is about friendship and women learning to love themselves, BUT I feel like it could have been more about that. More powerful, more 'you go girl', rather than 'your ex is an awful person and you've got to get away from him'.
I enjoyed most of the book, but there were parts that dragged a little and I skipped paragraphs to get through. A nice read overall, but could have been executed a little differently.
Thanks for the ARC, Netgalley!

This one took me a little bit to get into, and I was hoping it would get me out of my slump
I really resonated with the themes of trying to figure out who you are, while I’m still a few years off thirty, I can relate to Willow’s moment of moving back in with family at an adult age and going through the journey of self discovery with love, friendships and navigating loss
Big thank you to Netgalley and Harper Collin’s for the ARC 💌

I really liked this and I think Emma Gannon may become an auto buy for me. She writes with such relatability and honesty that's impossible to not connect to her characters in some way. Relationships in your twenties between friends are so diverse and so all over the place and this book sums up that there is not one right way of doing life.

LOOOOVED ITTTT!!! I knew I'd be obsessed but omg I loved it sooo much! Emma never fails! Truly amazing!

This was an uplifting and heartwarming book about one woman’s journey in discovering and loving herself.
At the start of the book, Willow is in a long term relationship, working with her partner on their “joint” business, a venture which feels very much more like his thing than hers. After a few red flag moments, he ends up leaving her and heading off to NYC to develop the business further. Left in the wake of that devastation, Willow has no choice but to pick herself up and move forward, one step at a time. As she does so, she realises that there is much that she has been neglecting - in her relationships with her friends and in her relationship with herself. It’s a joy to watch her reconnect with herself, in particular, but also with her friends and her aunt who raised her.
At first, I really wasn’t sure about this book. I almost DNF’d it at an early stage as I found our central characters really irritating. I’m glad I stayed with it though as the message in the book was really uplifting and I ended up really enjoying this one.
Thank you to Harper Collins UK for the ARC of this title.

Definitely merits to the books, loved the relationship development, although some of the characters actions felt a little unrealistic and there were some aspects that didnt make sense to me. But the pacing felt slightly off throughout, I think partially because it is being marketed as fast paced and the first third I felt was very slow, and the rest felt a little rushed.

Fast paced and relatable - I really enjoyed Emma Gannon's latest, Table for One. The protagonist, Willow, is likeable and the character dynamics authentic. A must-read for all millennial women!

Loved this book by Emma Gannon. It's a really insightful look into societys expectations on women to plan their lives around a man! And what happens if you buck that trend.
Absolutely brilliant.

this is my first book by Emma Gannon and I'm surprised I haven't read her works before. I found the main character extremely relatable (especially in the scene where SPOILER her boyfriend broke up with her after all the years ans work she put into their business. i haye this man). it was an easy read on not so easy topic. and the cover - chef's kiss.
Thank you NetGalley and [publisher] for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

Table for One is a book that took me far too long to read. I have no idea why. Every now and then I love changing up what I'm reading and decide to read a mundane day-to-day story that doesn't require much brain power. I felt like this book was very middle ground with a but of filler that could have been condensed, but otherwise, an enjoyable read.

I enjoyed this book, and read it quickly, however there were some loose ends I felt never got fully explored and it left me wanting a little more.

Finding Yourself at a Table for One
Emma Gannon’s Table for One is a heartfelt and relatable story about rediscovering yourself after life throws an unexpected curveball. Willow thought she had it all—a loving relationship, a thriving business, a future that felt secure. But when she realizes that her partner, Dom, is no longer truly present, she’s faced with the reality of navigating life solo. And honestly? That’s where the real story begins.
💛 What I Loved
Emma Gannon’s writing feels so warm and personal, like listening to a friend share their journey over coffee. Willow’s emotions—her loneliness, frustration, and eventual self-acceptance—are so raw and real. I especially adored her relationship with Carla (everyone deserves a Carla in their life!). And, of course, the friendships in this book shine. It’s a beautiful reminder that while romantic relationships may fade, friendships can be the true anchors in our lives.
✨ What I Wish Was Different
The first half of the book had me completely hooked, but I found the second half a little less engaging. While I appreciated Willow’s growth, I wanted a bit more emotional depth towards the end. Also, Dom? Ugh. That’s all I’ll say *inhale..exhale...
🌿 What Makes It Unique
This isn’t just a breakup story—it’s a love letter to independence, self-worth, and learning to embrace your own company. The book challenges the idea that being alone equals being lonely, which is such a refreshing perspective.
📖 Who Will Love This Book?
If you enjoy books about self-discovery, strong female friendships, and finding joy in solitude, this one’s for you. Fans of Olive or How to Be Single will especially enjoy it!
✨ Thank you, NetGalley and HarperCollins UK, for the ARC! This review is based on my personal opinion. 😊

Have to say that, for me, this book was ‘OK’ but nothing special. Wonder if potentially it was the ‘wrong’ age range for me - I’m heading towards 60 and this was about some 20/30 year olds. That’s not something I normally have a problem with but I somehow felt that with this book.
It is a story about Willow, whose life goes through quite some change from thinking she’s about to be proposed to, to a single with no home, no job and a very uncertain future. It explores the change from being in a couple to single life.
Thank you to Net Galley and the publishers for allowing me to read this in exchange for a honest review, which is what I have given.

I absolutely adored *Table for One* by Emma Gannon—it’s the kind of book that feels like a warm hug while also giving you a gentle nudge to reflect on your own life. The story follows Willow, a woman in her mid-thirties who seems to have it all: a successful business with her partner, Dom, and what looks like a picture-perfect life. But as Dom becomes more consumed by their work, Willow finds herself feeling lonelier than ever, despite being in a relationship. It’s a raw and relatable exploration of what it means to feel disconnected, even when you’re not technically alone.
What I loved most about this book is how real it felt. Willow’s journey of self-discovery is so refreshing—it’s not about finding a man or fixing her relationship, but about finding *herself*. Her emotions are so palpable, from the ache of loneliness to the glimmers of hope as she starts to rebuild her life. The way Gannon writes Willow’s inner world is both heartfelt and funny, making it easy to connect with her struggles and triumphs.
One of the standout parts of the story is Willow’s relationship with her aunt Carla. Carla is this warm, loving presence who offers Willow the support and wisdom she needs during this tough time. Their bond reminded me of how important it is to have people in your life who truly see you and care for you. On the flip side, Dom’s character is… well, let’s just say he’s not winning any awards for being a great partner. His actions (or lack thereof) left me frustrated, which I think is exactly what Gannon intended. He serves as a great contrast to Willow’s growth, highlighting how much she’s capable of on her own.
The book also celebrates the power of friendship, which I found so uplifting. Willow’s friends, both old and new, become her emotional anchors, helping her navigate the ups and downs of starting over. It’s a reminder that even in our loneliest moments, we’re never truly alone if we have people who genuinely care about us.
As someone in my twenties, I found Willow’s reflections on time and change really relatable. There’s this universal fear of time slipping away too quickly, and Gannon captures that so beautifully. It made me think about my own life and the connections I’m building (or maybe neglecting) along the way.
Overall, this is a heartfelt, funny, and deeply moving story about finding yourself, embracing change, and leaning on the people who matter most. It’s the kind of book I’d gift to my friends because it’s not just a great read—it’s a conversation starter. Emma Gannon’s writing is so engaging and authentic, and I can’t wait to dive into more of her work. If you’re looking for a book that’s equal parts comforting and thought-provoking, this is it. A solid must-read from me!