When Matilda was 13 and her half-sister, Lara, was 3, their mother abandoned them at a rest stop. Matilda leads a structured lifestyle in Sydney working at a busy restaurant, she schedules her destructive behaviours to keep everything in its proper place. Lara is a world-renowned model living in Paris, she exudes all the freedom and carefree spirit her sister doesn’t allow herself. Despite being separated for part of their childhood in the foster care system, the pair are very close as adults. When Lara’s father (Matilda’s former stepfather) comes back into the picture, they’re forced to confront their trauma and how their perceptions differ.

Lonely Mouth is perfect. I could talk about this book for hours. 😫

Matilda and Lara have been pulled together by their past, but their relationship is strained by how different their experiences of the same events were given their ages at the time. Matilda, who as an adult is in contact with their mother, remembers the blissful time before Lara’s father (and Lara consequently) tore through their peace, while Lara wants to take the opportunity to know her father better. Matilda is forced to de-compartmentalise and face all her anger and resentment over not being protected as a child, mothering her younger sister and their real mother, and feeling unwanted ever since Lara was born.

Lonely Mouth is a family saga on par with Blue Sisters, Intermezzo and Beartown in my opinion and Matilda’s experiences will resonate with a lot of readers in one way or another. Every character has been written with the care of a main character which I don’t take for granted!

Note ‼️ This book does include one graphic scene (and later mentions) of CSA, plus DV and eating disorders are a theme throughout.

I really adored this book. Matilda is such a matter of fact and un-self-pitying narrative voice, but she is totally compelling even as she breaks your heart a bit. I loved reading about her relationship with Lara and the complex dynamic with her mother, and the descriptions of food and longing in particular were excellent.

Matilda has a job she loves in a high end restaurant. She runs the restaurant efficiently and has a secret passion for her boss. We learn this is the only stable element of her life. She adores her sister and takes the time to visit her mother. All the time she is purging. Don't let this put you off. It's a wonderful novel and one you will keep thinking about. You are rooting for Matilda and hope the outcome is good. Lonely Mouth is an apt title. You are looking for something satisfying, but what exactly?