Insatiable

‘A frank, funny account of 21st-century lust' Independent

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Pub Date 11 Feb 2021 | Archive Date 11 Feb 2021

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Description

'Extremely funny, touching and wonderfully refreshing on women and sexual desire' Marian Keyes

'You will be intoxicated by this witty and honest exploration of female desire' Elle

'As filthy as it is funny, you won't be able to put it down' Dolly Alderton

'Insatiable is a story about loneliness and trying to fit in, about our desire to be loved and included, how it's easy to confuse being wanted with being used. It'll draw people in with the shagging, but people will stay because they're rooting for Violet.' Evening Standard

A Grazia, Stylist, Cosmo, i paper, Red and Independent book of the year for 2021

Stuck in a dead-end job, broken-hearted, broke and estranged from her best friend: Violet's life is nothing like she thought it would be. She wants more - better friends, better sex, a better job - and she wants it now.

So, when Lottie - who looks like the woman Violet wants to be when she grows up - offers Violet the chance to join her exciting start-up, she bites. Only it soon becomes clear that Lottie and her husband Simon are not only inviting Violet into their company, they are also inviting her into their lives.

Seduced by their townhouse, their expensive candles and their Friday-night sex parties, Violet cannot tear herself away from Lottie, Simon or their friends. But is this really the more Violet yearns for? Will it grant her the satisfaction she is so desperately seeking?

Insatiable is about women and desire - lust, longing and the need to be loved. It is a story about being unable to tell whether you are running towards your future or simply running away from your past. The result is at once tender and sad, funny and hopeful.

*

'This novel shines with dark humour, sharp intelligence, sizzling sex scenes, and a piercing portrayal of loneliness. Not even the most insatiable reader could ask for more.' Katherine Heiny

'Filthy, funny, and raw, Insatiable is utterly addictive' Louise O'Neill

'Come for the absolute filth and stay for the empathetic and sensitive way that Daisy Buchanan writes about all the chaos and conflict of being a young woman in a hard-edged, hard-faced world.' Red

'A piercing insight into the unreal demands modern women place on themselves and told with real humour and energy, we love this book so much' Stylist

'A raucous unravelling of female desire and bodily pleasures, in all their maddening complexity' Emma Jane Unsworth

'Few books out in the early half of the year are as flat-out entertaining as Buchanan's fizzy, filthy story of a young woman's sexual awakening.' i paper

'I'd call Insatiable Jilly Cooper for the Instagram generation, but that wouldn't do this book justice' Lauren Bravo

'Daisy brings characters to life like no other writer, pumping them full of humour, vulnerability and sexy sexy sex' Lucy Vine

'Gloriously rude and brave about the nature of women's desire' Sophia Money-Coutts

'I raced through this funny, filthy and utterly compelling debut about female sexuality, ambition and vulnerability... I'm still thinking about it long after turning the final page.' Daily Mail

'I can't believe this is a fiction debut - she writes stories like she's been doing it for fifty years' Laura Jane Williams

'Insatiable is an unashamedly filthy and yet deeply sensitive exploration of female desire, aspiration and vulnerability, and Daisy is an exciting new voice in contemporary fiction.' Hannah Beckerman

'It reminded me of Bridget Jones's Diary - if Bridget were bisexual and Daniel Cleaver were a couple who were into group sex.' Julie Cohen

'Erica Jong for the Instagram age.' Keith Stuart

'Intelligent, observant prose that gives a snap-shot of life experienced by millennial women.' Kate Sawyer

'Like going for a drink with your wisest and smuttiest friend' Jessica Moor

'Funny, filthy ... Buchanan offers astute social observation, while the development of Violet as an ardent yet vulnerable heroine to root for makes her a millennial counterpart to Jilly Cooper's Bella or Octavia.' The Sunday Times

'Extremely funny, touching and wonderfully refreshing on women and sexual desire' Marian Keyes

'You will be intoxicated by this witty and honest exploration of female desire' Elle

'As filthy as it is...


Available Editions

EDITION Other Format
ISBN 9780751580174
PRICE £12.99 (GBP)
PAGES 352

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Average rating from 93 members


Featured Reviews

This was a different genre of book for me, but one that I enjoyed reading!
A funny frank enlightening read about a woman’s sexuality, needs and desires! Experimenting with monagamy, same sex relationships,threesomes and solo sex , Violet takes the reader on her voyage of discovery as she attempts to discover what she wants from a relationship, lifestyle and career!
A lighthearted fun read full of humour emotion and angst!
Thank you net galley for this early read.

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I enjoyed this!! It was completely not what I was expecting, in a good way. It reminded me a lot of In At The Deep End by Kate Davies and was probably just as filthy. The cover is absolutely stunning and I adore Daisy Buchanan anyway so was overjoyed to be accepted for an ARC.

The one thing I loved about this was the journey of our main character and the exploration of female identity and desire. There is still SUCH a taboo about this and we need to talk about more. I recognised a lot of myself in Violet - a young girl desperate to be loved and liked, desperate to excel in her career but in a dead end job, finding yourself doing things because others expect it of you when it's not truly what you want yourself. Because of this, at times I was like 'VIOLET WHAT ARE YOU DOING?' But I get it. I get this feeling of craving the way people make you feel even if it isn't healthy.

Love the ending, albeit surprising - wasn't mad though! I do feel it came slightly out of nowhere and would have liked to see more build up/tension/development but apart from that what a wild read - filthy stuff in here.

Thank so much for the ARC!!

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"Insatiable" is bold, brash and bawdy. Daisy Buchanan's debut novel provides powerful commentary on what it means to be a young woman today through the eyes of Violet - a vulnerable, warts and all protagonist. It's a steamy read with a fairly horrible supporting cast of users and abusers getting their ends away whilst poor Violet is simply trying to win at life - although she can be a little irritating sometimes in her self indulgence. The book is refreshingly honest about women's bodies, e.g. sexual function and menstruation. "Insatiable" is about acceptance, belonging and friendship in all its often messy glory. The ending was unexpected and felt a little shoe-horned in. Overall a decent read and heartening to see a woman speak so openly about sex and desire.

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I was surprised by this book in so many ways. It is really compelling and interestingly crafted. It’s modern and exciting.

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I’ve been reading romantic comedies for a while and really fancied something a bit more erotic. I saw this book available to request and felt it fit the bill.

Insatiable centres around Violet. A young woman who doubts herself and her worth. Violet longs to be wanted and this takes her down a path which ultimately leads to her ‘knowing herself’. The journey violet takes is exciting, dangerous and very sexy.

The book contains graphic sex scenes that some may not like, but the book blurb clearly states this. Personally, I found it really enjoyable to read. Unlike some erotic fiction the sex scenes are varied and carry emotional content, this adds to the back story of the book.

At times I was so frustrated with Violet for choices she made, but I think this is testament to the writing of the author. Characters that are well written bring out an emotional response from the reader.

The book flowed well, although some parts of the story were a little flat for me. However, I really liked the authors writing style and was fully engaged with the book from very early on.

Thank you NetGalley and publisher for my advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review 📚

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Filthy, funny, tender and sad , Insatiable has it all. Its the story of Violet, a 28 year old who has backed herself into a corner relationshipwise and is stuck in a rut with her career, has cut off her friends and lives in a shared house that she hates. She meets a Lottie, charismatic sexy woman at an art show, and quickly becomes embroiled in the love games of Lottie, her husband and their friends. But what do they want with her, and where is this going to end?

It reminded me of Dolly Alderton's style of writing and subject matter, a fantastic story with some twists and turns that I didnt expect. At times I wanted to shake Violet and tell her to stop what she was doing, she's a very likeable character - and at the end of the book, I hoped everything worked out for her

Thanks to Netgalley for the chance to read it

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Bold and explicit, yes, but also hugely touching, highlighting so perfectly the pressures of trying to win at life in London when work, finance and relationships all play their part in making it almost impossibly different. And around this, brilliant humour that will have you laughing out loud.

(I can only take issue with one thing - Ruby Magnums are definitely not weird - they're the best)

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This is a book of two parts (both excellent). On one hand, the story of Violet- lost, struggling twenty something navigating a life where everyone else seems to know their place and she doesn’t, because she refuses to settle. Violet has lost her best friend, which is more heartbreaking than the end of her engagement to Mark. On the other it is spicy, erotic. The sex scenes (which re exciting and surprising and creep up on you but also don’t feel forced or out of place) are electric. There are so many different types of love interweaved into this book, which I wasn’t expecting. I felt frustrated at Violet and her choices in parts but they also made complete sense! I loved this book (just don’t read it on the commute!)

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I absolutely loved this book.

When I started reading it, I thought perhaps it might be along the lines of Dolly Alderton's Ghosts, which I really enjoyed, but left me feeling pessimistic. In Insatiable, although the protagonist is just as flawed, I thought it showed how even in bleak times and confused lives, there are still fleeting moments of joy and humour to be found.

I also really enjoyed the exploration that 'great lives' are not always as they seem, and even when things look like they are falling into place, sometimes you have to fall apart to really find your peace.

I can't wait to read more fiction from Daisy!

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First things first, this book is utter filth! Well written - but very sexually graphic - so if that's not your bag I would suggest you stop reading this review now!!

Here's the blurb:

"Stuck in a dead-end job, broken-hearted, broke and estranged from her best friend: Violet's life is nothing like she thought it would be. She wants more - better friends, better sex, a better job - and she wants it now.
So, when Lottie - who looks like the woman Violet wants to be when she grows up - offers Violet the chance to join her exciting start-up, she bites. Only it soon becomes clear that Lottie and her husband Simon are not only inviting Violet into their company, they are also inviting her into their lives.
Seduced by their townhouse, their expensive candles and their Friday-night sex parties, Violet cannot tear herself away from Lottie, Simon or their friends. But is this really the more Violet yearns for? Will it grant her the satisfaction she is so desperately seeking?
Insatiable is about women and desire - lust, longing and the need to be loved. It is a story about being unable to tell whether you are running towards your future or simply running away from your past. The result is at once tender and sad, funny and hopeful."
Within the first few paragraphs Violet is discussing masturbating in the toilets at work - and that pretty much sets the tone for the book! There is lots and lots of sex - solo / couple / threesome / group - but it's an integral part of the storyline, and doesn't feel shoe horned in every few chapters as it can with some books. It's also really well written and not 'clunky'.

Violet is clearly not in a great place - relationship wise (friends and ex fiancee) and not satisfied at work or with her living arrangements either - and so is very tempted by seemingly perfect Lottie and what she can offer - in more ways than one.

I felt quite sorry for Violet and was wanting things to come good for her in all aspects. She did, seemingly, make some daft decisions - but you could see why.

I suspect I'm far older than target market for this book - and Violet is very much a millennial - but I still enjoyed the book and wanted to see how everything would pan out. Whilst it is about sexual desire - it is also very much about friendship and support which is vital however old you are.

Overall I enjoyed the book a lot - so thank you to NetGalley and Little Brown Books for my ARC.

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I LOVED this book.
Super refreshing to read something involving romance which is not 'mid thirties girl with lightly glowing highlighter and quirky interest in crochet meets boy who loves dogs and works for a charity or something equally worthwhile, they have a troubled relationship but ultimately end up together'. There is nothing wrong with those kind of books but this is a sexually explicit, raw, interesting read about sex, relationships, friendships and self worth.

If love stories aren't usually for you or if you want to read about something other than monogamy, READ THIS. If you like your characters emotionally messy and not always likeable, READ THIS. If you like dirty books, READ THIS. Totally surpassed my expectations.

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TW: Bulimia, sexual assault.

'Stuck in a dead-end job, broken-hearted, broke and estranged from her best friend; Violet's life is nothing like she thought it would be. She wants more - better friends, better sex, a better job - and she wants it now.
So, when Lottie - who looks like the woman Violet wants to be when she grows up - offers Violet the chance to join her exciting start-up, she bites. Only it soon becomes clear that Lottie and her husband Simon are not only inviting Violet into their company, they are also inviting her into their lives.'

This was incredibly well written as I went through various stages of loving and hating this character. This was a funny, sexy, at times cringy, awkward tale of navigating friendship, relationships and sensitively discusses issues around consent.

Definitely a modern-day Jilly Cooperesque novel for twenty/thirties readers - not one for your Nan or Aunt Karen.

Thank you NetGalley and Sphere for the eArc.

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A funny and modern look at what it is to be young and lost and wanting in London with a lot of sex (this is a good thing, we don’t often see female protagonists express so much desire). Trigger warning: there is descriptions of eating disorders which could be difficult for some readers.

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This book came to my attention as I regularly listen to the author’s podcast and thoroughly enjoy it. When I saw she had written a novel, I was intrigued.

I’m not sure quite how I feel about this book. The writing is bold and explicit, which I don’t have an issue with at all. In the beginning, I thought it was going to be a real romp and a lot of fun, and there was some real laugh out loud moments. But then the tone changed, and I felt sorry for Violet, the main character. She is offered a new career opportunity, but it comes with strings attached from a highly charismatic yet manipulative couple. Although she seems to know what she's getting into sexually, her actions made me feel uncomfortable. I think this was because Violet is vulnerable, not the most confident of people and engages in self-sabotage.

At 55, I'm probably not the target audience for this book, and although this is fiction, the book did make me reflect on the challenges that women face in a world of Instagram and Tinder where all is not quite what it might appear to be.

There are some wonderfully observed moments in this book and some great writing. The ending didn’t sit quite right for me based on what I’d learnt about Violet during the course of the novel, but that said if Daisy Buchanan writes another novel, I’d certainly be happy to read it.

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Having been locked up for ten months due to a pandemic I have now reached a point where the glancing touch of an Aldi cashier's gloved hand is the height of erotic tension. 'Insatiable' is most definitely pre-Covid; all those bodies, fluids and not a trace of sanitiser, there could well be masks but not medical grade.

So to the story - I spent quite a lot of time internally screaming 'NO' - these people have got lying swines written in big letters on their foreheads, RUN, VIOLET, RUN. As it is a book Violet could not hear me or see the huge flashing warning signs so she carried on and got mixed up in a very complicated sex heptagon.

In the acknowledgements Daisy Buchanan does thank her parents, bat asks them not to read the book - which is a fair summary of the content.

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It takes a miracle to grab my attention and hold it at the moment, but this novel really did - and what's more, it had me frequently laughing out loud. Yes, it's very explicit, and depicts non-conventional sexual relationships, but they do exist, just not visibly. Some parts are very sexy, some sad or shocking, but it's written with emotional intelligence, not for cheap thrills, and it doesn't only speak to young women.

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I don’t recommend reading this book on public transport, but I certainly recommend reading it. It’s filthy but funny and entertaining and shocking and weirdly relatable. Wanted to shake some sense into Violet while mothering her at the same time. We waste so much of our twenties thinking people a bit higher up on the food chain have it all sorted and figured out and then get there and realise that they are also full of shit.

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Violet has messed up. She’s friendless, anxious, and alone in London where she has a terrible job and no plans for her future. When she meets Lottie and her husband Simon, Violet is drawn to them in a way she can’t quite explain. Soon, she is pulled into their world of expensive meals, expensive London apartments, and wild sex parties. As time passes, and Violet becomes more enmeshed into this life, the cracks begin to show and she must make the choice between what is right and what is easy.

I absolutely adored this book. It sucked me in for three straight days and I had an absolute blast. It’s shockingly explicit, utterly hilarious, and heartbreakingly sad all at once. My favourite part of the book has to be our protagonist and narrator: Violet. Her mixture of wit, snark, and suitcase of emotional baggage reminded me of Phoebe’s Waller-Bridge’s Fleabag. While Violet has less self-esteem, she’s certainly just as quick and clever. It’s a joy to read and I found myself screeching with laughter multiple times.

That being said, Daisy Buchanan also touches on more serious topics. Violet’s eating disorder is shown in just as graphic detail as the sex that she has, and sexual assault is a heavy feature of the second half. These topics are handled with clarity and respect, and pack an emotional punch to a book that deals with greed in all of its forms. However, Violet’s eating disorder is shirked at the end of the book, an unsatisfying element of a novel that is otherwise in control of its darker elements. This didn’t impact my rating, however, it may be something for readers to consider before purchasing this book.

Overall, I had an unbelievable amount of fun reading this book. It was surprising in some of the best ways, and left me desperate for more of the author’s writing. I imagine that this is going to be one of my favourite books of the year, and it’s only January.

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An exquisitely painful exploration of the twenty-something Violet's desire for more; more sex (there's a lot!), more adventure, more fulfilling career opportunities, more money in the bank, just more, more, more. However, like the eating disorder she suffers from, more is not necessarily the answer. As Violet navigates her way through a life, where it feels as though everyone else has the instruction manual except her, her thoughts and experiences will resound with many readers and hopefully win Violet a legion of fans. She makes mistakes, has adventures, starts to appreciate her good qualities a little more and develop her own agency. She also has a lot of sex (did I mention that?). It's a charming, funny, sad, thrill of a book that deserves to be on everyones 2021 must read list.

I would like to thank Net Galley and the publishers for the advanced copy in return for an honest review.

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This book is raunchy with a capital-R. Does anyone say raunchy anymore?!

There are *a lot* of sex scenes in this book and initially it felt a bit uncomfortable but as I continued through the book, I realised it was because nobody really writes about sex and what women want and feel - I realised I always see women in novels being the centre of male thoughts and feelings - this is about a woman who goes and has sex because she really wants sex - This novel is unashamedly written by a woman about a what a woman wants. The novel references Lace by Shirley Conran and I know that Buchanan is a Jilly Cooper fan but the women in this book have far more agency ( on the surface at least) than many of the women written. by Cooper and Conran - but I feel reassured that Daisy sought influence from the masters.

Essentially, this book is a love story, it explores how the lovers come to terms with this and their journey in getting there. It explores the pressure on women to conform to stereotypes and female friendships and how powerful they are - in good and bad ways.

I raced through this book and enjoyed devouring it - though 8 hours after finishing it, I'm still not sure how I feel about it - the characters aren't very likeable, but who says that makes a good book.? What I can say is that I'm still thinking about it and that can only be a good thing

Also, though I read the book on kindle - I love the cover!

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Being such a huge Daisy Buchanan fan, especially with her amazing podcast, I was so excited to be approved for this ARC and it did not disappoint.

Insatiable follows the story of Violet, a young women, and her struggle to escape a life that she hates. This covered so many taboo topics in a refreshingly honest way. It taught importance lessons about learning who your friends are, and how to feel accepted as well as accepting yourself. Violet is a very likeable character whom I feel every women in their 20s can relate to at some stage!

The thing I love most about the character is how unashamed she is to be a women, and to highlight that women should not be shamed for wanting to have casual sex. I feel like this is a topic that is not often covered within other novels.

Overall, this book was both funny and dark in the right amount of places and I would definitely recommend this to a friend!

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A fascinating erotic novel showcasing what would happen if a 26-year-old female history of art grad fell in love with a couple dangling a job in front of her.

I loved how the narrative treated bisexuality - at no point was it seen as a curiosity or discussed at great length. That said, the ending felt a little rushed and almost came out of nowhere.

Would recommend to anyone looking for a novel that centers female sexuality and desire.

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This book was highly addictive, the kind of thing you could inhale in one sitting. It was in turns funny, sexy and sad, and the author strikes the perfect balance between salaciousness and tenderness. It's filthy in parts (in a good way) but equally, there is so much understanding for Violet and her motivations that I think, in the hands of a lesser author, could have been lost amongst the sex scenes.

Violet was a wonderful character; even though we may not all have been in her exact position (... no pun intended), I think everyone can relate to her desire for more, and the ways in which she tries to take control of her life when everything feels as though it's spiralling. Her story and her situation was so nuanced, and I loved the way it unfolded as we learnt more about her history whilst we watched her navigating her present with Lottie and Simon.

I would have liked a bit more build-up to the ending; I personally felt it came a little out of left-field - there were hints dropped but I didn't really feel the depth of emotion for that part of the story in the same way as the other areas.

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Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher, Little, Brown Book Group (UK) for an advanced readers copy of Insatiable.

I have never read anything quite like Insatiable. This is a book about want. A book about desire, a chaotic tale of a chaotic woman named Violet who is completely consumed with the need to be loved and whole, but who stumbles around in all of the wrong places trying to find what she desperately wants. Violet was, in so many ways, relatable and frightening to read about. I recognized parts of myself in her, her unending longing and her confusion and her missteps felt so familiar to me. Her habit of throwing herself off cliffs with the hope that something better would be waiting at the bottom made for an intense reading experience. Insatiable is raw in every way, and Daisy Buchanan spares nothing as she writes openly about sex, and mess, and bodies, and emotion, and love, and wanting more of everything. If you endeavor to read this, be prepared for a graphic (and important) exploration of womanhood and all of the ugly and desperate parts of being a woman in this world.

TW for disordered eating/ bulimia, sexual assault, rape, emotional/psychological abuse and neglectful parenting.

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Insatiable by Daisy Buchanan

I have been so excited to get my hands on a copy of Insatiable for months, and I'm so pleased to say I was not disappointed, this one is worth the hype.

Violet is stuck in a job that doesn't pay, and that she isn't finding rewarding. She's called off her wedding last minute and has refused to deal with the consequences of it all by cutting herself off from friends and family. Lonely, desperately seeking love, and searching for more from life Violet finds herself involved with a middle aged couple, and their swinger friends. Through her sexual desires Violet rebels against who she thinks she should be, and explores the feelings of displacement and discontent that she has with her life.

Firstly, Violet is great character; she's flawed in many ways, but has just about enough redeeming qualities to keep you rooting for her as she tears through life. A Fleabag-esque character! The book is utterly filthy, but it's also warm and tender, Daisy very cleverly uses the sexual boundaries that are somewhat blurred between the group to dig into consent as well. But the book isn't just about sex, Daisy creates a window into the experience of many millennial women battling their way through their 20s, shirking off what society thinks they should be to find out who they actually are.

I really enjoyed the book, it was a completely addictive read and the ending was very moving.

If you like the work of Dolly Alderton, Emma Jane Unsworth and Holly Bourne I think that this book will be right up your street.

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Wow. This book was steamy. I do not recommend reading this on public transport or around family members,or you might find yourself blushing into your jumper. Seriously spicy sex scenes of a graphic nature are depicted in this book. But if you let your freak flag fly every so often and you enjoy your romances super hot but with a developmental storyline and strong character development you will love this book!

This follows Violet, a millennial living in London, unhappy in her social media job. She has recently broken off her engagement and had a huge bust up with her best friend Nadia and is looking for purpose. All of her dreams look to be coming true when she bumps into Lottie at a works event who offers her a new job opportunity alongside her husband Simon.

But when Simon and Lottie introduce a sexual element to their somewhat hazy professional relationship with Violet, things start of passionate but soon start to turn a little bit muddled. It’s then up to Violet to decide what does she really want? Is this opportunity to good to be true? Does she only deserve this kind of messy relationship?

I found this book had much more substance than a simple romance plot and while Violet infuriated me at points, her character development was dealt with well by the author. I think this author has a promising fiction career ahead of her and I would read any future fiction she chooses to write. A strong 3.5 star read.

Thanks to the author Daisy Buchanan, Little Brown UK and NetGalley for a review copy in exchange for an honest review.

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Insatiable Daisy Buchanan

Insatiable is going to be a book that’s talked about a lot this year. It’s a modern day Jilly Cooper with a lot more sex & a lot more self analysis going on. The book appears at first to be all about fun and frolics but there’s so much more going on here and I really feel that Daisy Buchanan has a huge writing career ahead of her.
What a wonderful character Violet is! I’m not sure if I admire or pity her (I should mention I’m old enough to be her mum!) but I suppose I can do both right? I did feel the end was a little too abrupt & maybe a little too neat but all in all this was a book that I enjoyed a lot more than I expected to.
Many thanks to NetGalley and to Little, Brown book group for the opportunity to read & review this book.

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Having just romped (pun intended) through Insatiable in one sitting I can guarantee this is going to be a top read for 2021.

I totally felt Violet’s character and her desperation to fit in, feel like she’d got her shit together and to not be the one with the saggy tights and crappy shared flat. Been there, felt that. Not sure I remember having a job interview where I ended up in a semi relationship with a couple and on to the world of orgies, that part of my twenties past me by.

I loved Buchanan’s writing style and that Violet never felt maligned or unworthy, even with all of her desperation to be a grown up with a real job.

Glad I didn’t read this on the train to work (can only just remember having to do that..) but it definitely gave me an escape from lockdown. Would definitely recommend if you are in the mood for novel that does sex well and never feels Mills and Boon.

Thanks to Little, Brown Book Group for the ARC

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Loved this book! I think every woman in their twenties and thirties can relate to violet’s feelings of dissatisfaction and discontentment. The openness into female sexual desire and pleasure is very audacious and wonderfully honest. If you want something touching yet hilarious you’ll love this book.

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Oh my. My, my, my. Well, where to start.
Sex. Sexy sexual sex sex sex. Let’s just get that out of the way.
There’s a lot of sex in this book. With lots of people. At the same time. Posh orgies and I mean posh in that they take place in posh London flats. With posh food. (Rule of orgies: always have a buffet.)

So yes, let us get past the sex now. Much like the orange on the cover, this story was juicy, in so many ways. Our millennial heroine Violet is so very relatable, even to an old Gen X’er like myself (although technically, I’m an ‘Xennial’, but let’s not split hairs too fine). Her desperate longing to belong to someone, to find comfort, security, and stability is heartbreaking and oh so familiar to anyone who remembers their twenties. Her frustrations with her job, her breakup with her fiancé, and her estrangement from her best friend all combine to form the perfect storm of hopeless yearning for something better. So naturally, she gets entangled with a bunch of swingers. Obviously. It’s what one does, right?

There are so many layers to this book, with underlying themes of loneliness, what it means to be a ‘grown-up’, the desire for someone else to swoop in and change your life, and how those that look like they have it all sometimes are as big a mess as the rest of us.

The writing style itself is delicious. Certain lines and turns of phrase had me taking a moment to pause and fully savour the genius before me. Ms Daisy Buchanan has quite the gift with prose, and the technical skill alone makes this worth reading.

The only teensy criticism I have is that the ending felt a bit rushed, but perhaps that's just me being greedy and wanting more. Other than that, I. can't fault it.

I won’t go into much more detail, as I don’t want to divulge anything that gives too much away, but I feel obligated to give trigger warnings for sexual assault, and unaddressed eating disorders. Other than that, go to town on

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What an incredible book. Full of rich insights into modern life, but with a light touch, that is easy to engage with. I would recommend this to anyone.

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insatiable adjective

in·​sa·​tia·​ble | \ (ˌ)in-ˈsā-shə-bəl \

Definition of insatiable

: incapable of being satisfied



So I think that I am in love with Daisy Buchanan now, which I think will be a common reaction from all the beautiful, sensual, women that read this fantastic piece of work.

I did feel bad that I kept having to find excuses to be left alone because this book will make you need quite a bit of ‘alone’ time.

Daisy writes the sexiest sex scenes, the most enviable characters and shines a light on the real dark places in life. Sex is not bad as long as you are having fun, fun is fun with people that you like and trust. Always be weary of those that look like the life of the party because sometimes they are the ones that will do you the most harm. Men that grab without permission will more often than not get away with it, always be the women that says ‘No’, you are brave and strong, believe in your self-worth and that you are beautiful no matter what the media’s interpretation of beauty may be at that time (sexy knickers will probably give you thrush sometimes it is worth it).

I wish that I could have read this in my 20’s it would have made me feel so less alone and sometimes somewhat ashamed that my life cantered around finding something or someone that would fill an unfillable void, and still to this day I do feel something might be missing but at the end of the day I am, and I think I always will be a little bit insatiable…is there anything wrong with wanting more?


Thank you so much to the beautiful Daisy and her wonderful husband for gifting me a proof and a chocolate orange I ate as soon as I saw it.

Pre order your signed copy at Waterstones.com

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I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review – thanks so much to Netgalley for sending this to me!

I requested this book totally on a whim after seeing it on a Facebook ad. Even judging by the description it sounded a little out of my comfort zone, but I thought I’d give it a shot – and I’m so pleased that I did, because I ended up enjoying it a surprising amount!

Insatiable introduces us to Violet, a twentysomething trapped in a poorly-paid, dead-end job as a social media coordinator for some kind of art-related start up. At a social event, she meets Simon and Lottie, a suave, diabolically rich married couple who immediately sweep her off her feet. Violet is immediately swept into their world of designer candles, high-rise apartments and weekly sex parties, seduced by their rich friends, their immense wealth and the constant, dangling promise of a better life, an escape that poor Violet – who lives in her overdraft and feels constantly adrift from her own life – so desperately needs.

This book is basically a few hundred pages of sex, interspersed with frequent dithering and despair about the minefield that is one’s mid-twenties – but more fun than I’m making it sound, I promise. It was like a weird mix of Erica Jong and Bridget Jones, providing an uninhibited and unabashed view of female sexuality combined with a frank exploration of what it’s like to muddle through life feeling like everyone else knows exactly what they’re doing, while you’re left stumbling around with the lights off. It also briefly touches on mental health issues (trigger warning for disordered eating, including bingeing and purging), consent, sexual assault, abusive/unhealthy relationship dynamics, infant death, grief – there’s a whole lot going on here.

The characters are fascinating. Firstly, of course, we have Violet, a walking contradiction. Constantly questioning herself, smarter than she thinks she is, gullible and hopeful but filled with doubts. Simon and Lottie, of course – untouchable, sexy, but with edges you could cut yourself on, two characters who draw you close for a cheek-kiss but never truly let you get past their veneer. Acerbic Sasha, with her eviscerating disdain; Mimi, an absolute angel, who steals every scene; Max and Richard, who… were there… and Nadia, the former best friend whose absence from Violet’s life is like a missing tooth she can’t stop poking. I loved getting to spend time with these characters, pulling at their loose threads and slowly watching them unravel. There was so much tension, especially for Violet, who finds them all volatile and unpredictable and makes constant missteps. The woman are infinitely more interesting than the men, which I really enjoyed; there’s a huge emphasis on female connection here that I adored.

During the first hundred pages or so of this book, I’ll be honest, I was often bored. There’s a lot of focus on the minutiae of daily conversation – small talk, art babble, etc – which made me zone out at first and struggled to keep my attention, but I later began to suspect that might’ve been intentional; the book hints as much. Simon and Lottie are like shining points of light in Violet’s inane existence – unpredictable, volatile, like a drug that has her hooked. The more she gets caught up with them, the more interesting things become, as the tension builds. Things flip-flop between idyllic and uneasy at the drop of a hat, with Violet desperately trying to figure out how to keep everyone happy and failing miserably. It’s a book where not much happens, but the further I got, the more compelled I was. There are enough mysteries to keep you guessing – the Nadia plotline was masterfully done, I was so desperate for details and to find out the backstory, it was brilliant – and the capriciousness of Simon and Lottie is as impactful to the reader as it is to poor Violet. By the final ten percent, I was feverishly flipping pages, desperate to find out the results of Violet’s last and most important decision. It’s a riveting moment, as she’s grown so much as a character and yet teeters on the brink of making a godawful mistake and ruining everything all over again. I was so frustrated by her, but I certainly wasn’t bored any more. And the book’s climax (pun intended – sorry, I couldn’t resist) is unexpected, but amazing. There’s a certain relationship in this book that I didn’t see coming, but the more I think about it, the more I’m convinced of its brilliance. All the stars aligned perfectly, and I was left feeling so satisfied, like the author gave me something I didn’t even know I needed.

Another thing I really appreciated about this book is that the sex scenes were actually sexy. In most of the literary fiction I’ve read, the sex scenes have tended to be reminiscent of hyper-realistic Spongebob clips – they zoom in uncomfortably close on every pore, every sweat stain, like in the infamous short story ‘Cat Person’ that went viral a few years back. The emphasis is definitely on the ‘dirty’ aspect of ‘dirty bits.’ It was refreshing to read a sex scene in a literary novel that was actually erotic, even if it wasn’t afraid to shy away from the awkwardness, the intrusive thoughts or moments of doubt that sometimes infiltrate sex. As a romance reader, I love blisteringly hot love scenes, but I also appreciated the candour here, and that the author was able to keep the sex scenes somewhat realistic without falling into the trap of making them repulsive.

Finally, I’d like to give a standing ovation to the writing style. Even during the book’s slow, slightly dull beginning, the writing was enough to keep me spellbound; it’s richly detailed, evocative, raw and brilliant – in short, everything I love about the kind of writing style you find in literary fiction. There were so many lines I had to highlight, and I’m desperate to have a physical copy of this to mark up. There’s this feeling I get sometimes when reading literary fiction that an image is just so right, that it describes something exactly as it is, and it’s so satisfying. This book gave me that feeling constantly. It also added a little something extra to every scene, enhancing even the smallest moments. From the character descriptions to the settings, everything here is so brilliantly described, I was kind of obsessed. I’ve often had an issue with litfic in that I adore this kind of writing, but am often dissatisfied by the directionless plots that a lot of literary novels seem to have. To me, this book made it work, and made me understand how people can be so captivated by a book where nothing much happens. I’ll be on the lookout for more books like this in the future, because it was great.

To sum up, Insatiable was nothing like I expected and everything I didn’t know I wanted. It was definitely outside of my usual area, but I adored it, and I hope that I’ll come across some more unexpected gems like this in the future. 4 stars.

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Violet is the kind of person you’d want to have as a friend. She might not like her current circumstances but she knows what she wants – and that includes her physical relationships. When she gets the chance of a lifetime, to work in a start-up with new friend Lottie and her husband Simon, Violet cannot wait. It quickly becomes clear that there’s a lot more to this working relationship than lunching with potential clients. The line between personal and professional becomes blurred very quickly in this quite unexpected dark and saddening read. Soon, Violet meets a group of like-minded couples, friends of Lottie and Simon, and while she’s on board with much of what goes on – consent is super important in this novel – there’s much that leaves her wondering if she’s made the right choice. There’s also a lot of sex throughout plus conversations and thoughts on desire, longing and lust. It doesn’t feel gratuitous, rather that it would start a conversation.

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Thanks for letting me review this book! There was loads that I loved about it. The dark humour and the steamy sex for one. I thought Violet was a really relatable character (and became increasingly so throughout the novel) and I loved how she stumbled headlong into situations; you're on the edge of the seat thinking...please don't, please don't...and of course, she does, which is very human! I also thought it was really well-plotted; the sexual dynamics between the characters added a lot of intrigue

What didn't gel with me as much is the dwelling on surface details; outfits, social media etc. It at times felt a little superficial. This is of course very subjective though!

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This was such a brilliant, relatable and contemporary novel in every sense of the world. Violet wants more from life yet her imposter syndrome seems to halt her in her tracks for what she deserves but won’t allow herself to reach for.

The book is filthy and the sex scenes are vivid and real and sexy. Violet as a character is funny and dry and real, I enjoyed reading her and felt that her decisions were realistic.

I loved the ending ♥️

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I loved Daisy's non-fiction book so was excited to see what Insatiable was like. As other reviews have stated, this book is certainly not one for the faint-hearted and even I was taken aback at times with some of the graphic sex scenes although it was really refreshing to see female pleasure spoken about so generously. The cast of characters is certainly an interesting one although I wish we got the same amount of depth into the other characters as we did with Violet, Lottie and Simon although I understand these were core characters. I was able to understand why they were the way they were but not so much with the others. Violet is incredibly likeable, even despite some of the questionable decisions she makes and like many other readers, I was holding my breath towards the end of the book as she mulled over her decisions. I know a lot of us can identify with Violet's thoughts and feelings and the general confusion of working out who you are and what you want in your twenties. I thought the deep dives into her relationship with Mark were done incredibly well and really helped the reader to understand Violet. I do think the ending needed more fleshing out and development, as it felt a bit rushed and I don't think it should come as surprise and it did to me. Overall, I always looked forward to picking up Insatiable, simply because I wasn't sure where it would lead. Having finished it, I would love Daisy to do a second book on Violet as I feel there is so much more there to explore.

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Thank you, NetGalley for this ARC!

Insatiable was actually a really fun read; light, but with something more behind it. Of course, it's super sexy, but it's also about discovering what we're really covering up. There are some really messed up people in here; thoughtless and beautiful and rich who can waste you away because they afford to. Violet is stupid and making bad decisions, but that's literally the point of our generation; being so numbed out by our day jobs that we throw ourselves into anything that could be more meaningful.

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I’m a huge fan of Daisy Buchanan’s podcast, You’re Booked, so I was thrilled to get an ARC from Little Brown and Netgalley.

This is an enjoyable romp of a read. The characters are well imagined and Violet, our heroine, is someone who you’ll be rooting for and she’ll stay with you. Insatiable is well written with sharp, witty dialogue and plenty of moment that will have you chortling out loud.

I wasn’t expecting quite the volume of sex scenes - suffice to say not one to read in public transport or to let the kids read over your shoulder.

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Wow, erm, okay, what did I just read?! 😱 So I went into this book not really knowing anything about it or what to expect, aside from the fact that it seemed like it may be a little bit... "raunchy"? Well... it certainly was that! *exhales sharply*
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Insatiable is a book that's very quick off the mark and gets into the main storyline within the first two chapters. YES! (No faffing about here, thanks v. much). Then we have sex scenes from chapter three onwards?! Alright then!
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I'm not even sure what else to say about this book without ruining it, aside from the fact that I loved every page and you all need to go out and read it right now!
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Due to the graphic sex content I don't think it'll be everyone's cup of tea, but I'd definitely recommend to fans of: Conversations With Friends, Amazing Disgrace and My Dark Vanessa. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

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This book is getting so much love and all the right reasons, it’s is so different and so out of this world that it is what we all need right now! You won’t regret it!

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nsatiable story follows the slightly tragic Violet, she's stuck in a dead end job, heart broken and broke, though her sexual fantasies help her pass the time. She soon meets Lottie, enter an exciting job offer and even more exciting Friday nights. She's soon seduced by Lottie's whole way of life, private clubs, lush townhouses, expensive candles and the casual yet organised sex parties.

This was a very different book to what I normally choose but I enjoyed how accurately contemporary life is portrayed and how refreshingly honest she is about the state of 21st century dating. It didn’t blow me away but I think many will get a huge amount of enjoyment from this book. It made me cackle with laughter and I think that is something we all need as lockdown here in the Uk continues.

It's a filthy, fun look at the need to be loved whilst also being tender and hopeful. Great contemporary novel, perfect as a little respite from lockdown. Erotic, funny and distracting.

Thank you to Little, Brown Book Group UK & Sphere for the ARC.

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