thanks for the opportunity to read this latest book. Thank goodness something good to come out of covid19, did think i wouldn't like it as we are all living with covid life but it was funny and very relatable. 2nd book i have read of dawns beginning to really like her style of reading

One of the things that I wish I had done was to have made a record of all the weird things that happened during lockdown. Like when I lost my sense of taste and smell or how we had a mouse and it terrorised us so much that we were held hostage by it, or how we would watch the daily briefings with shock, despair and anger at our governments handling of the whole ordeal. Alas, I did not. But Dawn O’Porter did.

In her latest release, Life in Pieces, Dawn O’Porter tells us about her lockdown and how she handles things such as the isolation, Covid-19, home schooling etc. It was such a tonic reading it and knowing that you weren’t alone in the weird lockdown feelings.

Some of the more poignant parts of Life in Pieces came when O’Porter talked about the death of her friend Caroline Flack. Her moments of stillness allowed you to take a moment yourself and realise that in times as strange as these have been to take note of the people around you that you love.

Another wonderful piece by O’Porter.

Life in Pieces by Dawn O’Porter is available now.

For more information regarding Dawn O’Porter please visit her Instagram page.

For more information regarding Harper Collins UK (@HarperCollinsUK) please visit the Twitter page.

I really like Dawn O'Porter. Having watched several of her documentaries and read a couple of her novels, I'd say I was pretty much sold on her work and so was very much looking forward to reading this book, a diary of her lockdown experiences. She lives in LA with her actor husband and two small sons so I was fairly confident that her experiences of lockdown wouldn't be anything like mine!

Saying that though, O'Porter's experiences are pretty relatable for anyone who has lived with small children. The potty training, the sleep deprivation, the repetitive questions about favourite dinosaurs...I think most people would recognise something there! Add into this pet ownership, navigating the weird new world of lockdown, preparing for a house move, cooking, and the ups and downs of marriage and I expect that something in this book will strike a chord with everyone.

Other reviewers have mentioned that it is a bit soon to be reading about lockdown. As we seem poised on the edge of a second wave of coronavirus, I can totally understand that this book might be a bit too much for some people. As it was, I didn't particularly focus on the lockdown theme as O'Porter writes engagingly about things not connected to the virus.

Yes, it was lockdown that meant she had to spend more time with her kids, but the anecdotes about family life are funny and entertaining. Indeed, there's plenty here that's not corona-themed, such as O'Porter's grief about the death of her friend, Caroline Flack, or her musings on the death of George Floyd from the centre of LA's protest-zone (where she lives).

At its best, this book is hilarious and fresh - a funny and lively take on a time that challenged most of us. However, for me, the political elements of the book were slightly less successful and a bit discordant after the candid, confessional style of the rest. It was interesting to hear O'Porter's views on racism and anti-racism, but it did move the book from something fairly light and entertaining to something more didactic, which wasn't really what I was after.

Overall. if you like Dawn O'Porter's writing then there is a lot you will like here. Some of the things she writes about are relatable, some are a bit banal and some are a bit odd (she lost me at the crystals). Some things are very funny and others sad. What isn't in doubt is O'Porter's ability to entertain with her writing and it is for this reason that I'd recommend this book.

Straight away Dawn echoes my own feelings when she mentions how she bought herself a diary at the start of this year....only to see the majority of it empty feeling sad. I look at mine, see and feel the same. I hear you sister!

Short, but packed with a punch diary updates charter her time during Lockdown. Hilariously, laugh out loud honest - playdough poo, too many crisps, washed down with a hella lot of booze....standard!

'i ate crisps for lunch. With a side of cheese. I did not exercise' - sounds utter bliss right?

Snippets like 'Jesus, did I just write a paragraph about putting sunscreen on my kids? RIVETING STUFF' had me smiling. Her honesty around parenting is hilarious, she will have you in stitches.

She reflects on grief and specifically that of her friend Caroline Flack (of whom I am -not was - a huge fan of). Don't think this is about gossip, it is not. It's about a beautiful friendship and I suppose if your going to talk about 2020 as a whole then losing a friend is up there in the emotional rollercoaster ride.

Her writing style flows effortlessly that it feels like talking to a friend with a glass of wine in hand and having one of those candid off the record chats.

At one point she utters 'do I tell you too much?' absolutely Dawn. Absolutely. Please continue.

I find myself reflecting back to those dates also (bit of a blur really) and thinking yeah me too or no way!
This book has got me through 2020 (September to be precise) one page at a time!

I wasn't sure if I was still a little too close to the previous lockdown (and now, seemingly, too close to the potential of another one) to be reading a book detailing someone else's lockdown experience, but there was a great deal of comfort in seeing how someone else had managed / not managed. Dawn's book is desperately honest and raw, and it isn't just about the horrors (and joys) of lockdown, but also her journey with grief over the suicide of her friend Caroline.

Because it's written in a very intimate way, it's very easy to read, and I found I raced through a bit more, and a bit more, until quite late at night. It's very much in blog-style writing, so accessible and day to day. It chops and changes a bit, so sometimes letters, sometimes a sort of mini column/essay, and even the odd recipe. I guess that sort of reflected what life was like, muddling from one thing to another within the same 4 walls day in day out.

I did find the copious drug talk difficult - it's hard not to be judge-y, and I didn't want to be, but of course the experience over there seems very different to how things are here in the UK. There's a lot of drugs and alcohol throughout the book (and I can completely understand why having finished almost all my *large* gin collection during lockdown myself) but I found myself feeling worried about her, for her deep need for alcohol, and I felt surprised that none of her friends have yet asked if she's okay with the drink & the drugs, and maybe needs to slow up a bit.

All the bits with the kids made me smile, and I think it's always reassuring to read about a mum who also feels inadequate at times and like they're getting everything wrong. I wish my littlest was younger and I could paint him all over.

The premise of this book really appealed to me when I found it on NetGalley - this year has been a weird one and my existing anxiety has made it difficult for me to stay upbeat about it all, so the idea of someone candidly talking about their experience with a bit of humour sounded great.

There was a lot about this book that I related to having also gone through lockdown with a small child and animals running around; her constant references to the bodily fluids that her children and pets gifted her for clear-up on a daily basis was so recognisable I had to laugh. There was a real charm to the brutal honesty that Dawn (I feel like it's ok to be on first name terms here, because it's how she signed off every diary entry) so unashamedly shared throughout the book. She clearly writes from a place where she's comfortable with who she is and how she got to where she is. What's impressive is that the honesty never feels overpowering or sullen, quite the opposite, in fact, there is a lightness to the book despite its subject matter. This is particularly true of her entries on the loss of her friend Caroline Flack - there was nothing hidden about how much she was suffering with her grief, but it never felt sombre and always felt respectful and warm.

There were also some things in the book that I struggled to relate to, and which made it hard for me to read at times. I found myself reading 10-20 pages at a time and then having to take a break for a while before coming back to it, which is abnormal for me - if I'm loving a book, I can't put it down! One of those things was the whole piece on spirituality. It's great that the author has managed to get so much from her crystals and signs from the universe, but it's not for me, so it wasn't my favourite chapter to read. The other thing was the frequent reference to how she was getting through lockdown with booze and weed. I don't judge, I think we all turned to things that weren't the healthiest option for us to cope (for me it was mainly chocolate!) but the fact that it came up so often started to trigger anxiety for me, so those were the moments where I had to walk away for a few hours.

It was definitely an entertaining look at how lockdown impacted the author's life, but it didn't quite hit the right note for me.

Hmmmm. This was a tricky review to write, at times I could relate to Dawn's Covid experience, but at other times I couldn't make sense of her weed experiences and tequila at 4 whilst looking after young children. Her diary was written during the start of the covid.lockdown.experience but for most of us there is still a long way to go on this journey.
At times funny, sometimes sad, overall this book wasn't for me and I really struggled to finish it..
I loved Dawn's previous book and realise her writing can be bold and different to the normal, for which I praise her for.

A funny, emotional, frank account of the 2020 lockdown.

Written in diary form it's easy to read and dip in and out of.

I think everyone will be able to relate to this book in some way.

I love Dawn and adore her witty and very real instagram posts. I jumped at the chance to read her latest offering which is not fiction, this book is about this horrendous year 2020, the global pandemic. However for Dawn she experienced the loss of her funniest friend just before C19 landed. This isn't a book about Caroline and I totally respect Dawn's stand on this. This is her very raw account on how she has coped with life during 2020 delivered in her usual witty way.

After finishing this book this is what I want to do:
1 - Give Dawn a massive hug
2 - Meet Potato
3 - Share weed gummies with her

Great read that really was from the (somewhat at times a broken) heart during 2020.

Thank you to NetGalley and publisher for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for a honest review.

Life in Pieces, Dawn O’Porter

Daily diaries from the year that slammed us all to a stop, 2020. Dawn O’Porter has been reflecting and here, she shares her thoughts on life, love, grief and that virus.

My first “pandemic” focused led read. I like Dawn O’Porter, I follow her on various platforms, her book The Cows blew me away and so I was looking forward to losing myself in this #ARC of Life in Pieces thanks to #HarperCollinsUK and #NetGalley.

This book for me was a tough one, I think because as we seem headed into another potential lockdown it is hard to read into the positives when everything still feels quite awful at the moment.

Dawn sprinkles her usual brand of dry, British humour, bittersweet emotion and unrelenting honesty into these daily diaries, as she covers everything from home learning, Zoom, alcohol, terrible leadership and more personally for Dawn, grief. As she lost her dear friend Caroline Flack to suicide at the start of the year.

This is an enjoyable read, not everybody has had quite the same lockdown life experience and Dawn is of course, in LA, has some things that are vastly different but there is something here for everyone to relate to!

I enjoyed this a lottttt more than I thought I would, and I’m going to buy it for a couple of friends with children who I know *really* struggled this year. Hopefully they’ll find some solace in the fact that someone married to a movie star experienced all the same challenges they did, and then some. Dawn’s writing about the grieving process she went though after losing Caroline Flack earlier this year truly brought a tear to my eye several times.
God, what a rotter of a year this has been. Onwards and upwards eh? It can’t really get much worse!? 🤷🏻‍♀️

I adore this woman! She is witty talented & sooo relatable. I follow her blogs avd social media so was delighted to read this book. It is a great read, and her time in lockdown was so similar to mine. A great read from a fantastic lady

I've really loved all of Dawn O'Porter's fiction work but didn't really know much about her personally. Life in Pieces is a diary form that is set between February 2020 and fairly recently and covers the time she has spent in quarantine with her family. It's a fun read and offers insight into how others have coped with isolation. While some of it can be a little unrelatable (missing having paid childcare and quarantining with a swimming pool) its really enjoyable. This book covers family relationships and friendships and grief in quite a short space of time. I really enjoyed it and would definitely recommend.

I've followed Dawn O'Porter on Instagram for years and always enjoyed her content - from karaoke to being terrorised by mice! I became aware that she had started blogging, but to be honest I didn't get around to investigating it any further.

Life In Pieces is a result of the blogs she has written during the COVID-19 pandemic and associated lockdown. So it's fresh and very relevant to all.

Just before lockdown Dawn lost one of her closest friends, Caroline Flack, to suicide. Life In Pieces is a place were she addresses and processes her grief, as well as the life-changing lockdown that sees her busy work/mum life turn into lockdown mum life (something that many will be able to relate to). She shares her pain, grief, and frustrations with us. It's relatable, thought-provoking, and funny in the way that only Dawn O'Porter can be. Oh and it's full of food - I seriously want to try that sausage roll recipe.

I enjoyed reading the background of some of the events I'd seen Dawn post about on Instagram. I will say though that I did find some of quite repetitive. I mean, obviously it's going to be repetitive, it's lockdown! But that's not what I mean. I feel like, yes, while blogging she may have to reiterate in her posts for new readers, but in this book format it just feels repetitive, after all, we readers have been with her all along. Does that make sense?

That said, I enjoyed the read and an insight into LA lockdown. Dawn is open, honest, and very witty. Plus, I've found a new favourite Cher song!

What a fantastic funny heartwarming read, loved dawns views on lockdown and I'm sure there is many mums out there that can totally relate, absolutely loved it

So happy that I received an email from the publisher with a link to this book - I forgot how much I enjoyed Dawn O’Porters writing !
Devoured in one day this book encapsulates everything we have all been living in lockdown perfectly - the highs the lows - spending precious time with our loved ones which we are normally too busy for - Dawn shares all her secrets and takes the reader into her days of lockdown - cooking marvellous meals for her brood and even sharing recipes- this book will make you laugh and cry when opening up about her grief for the loss of her friend Caroline Flack - it was great to see even if you’re a famous author married to a Hollywood movie star lock down was the same for us all - highly recommended!!

It takes someone with the charm, wit and skill of Dawn O'Porter to make me want to pick up a book about life during the Pandemic, but pick it up I did and I was not disappointed. With her trademark honesty she tackles subjects ranging from potty training and coping with her kids, to coping with her grief following the sudden loss of one of her best friends. The book is written in a diary format giving us a window into her new day to day life and how it has taken a toll on her while also giving her a new found appreciation for the important things. It is clear that the death of her friend is something that has greatly affected her, and that she is still adjusting to this new absence. I found her thoughts on loss and the grieving process very moving ,and I found myself relating to her experience. To contrast with the poignancy of those moments in the book, there are plenty of laugh out loud moments too, often involving one or both of her children.
I think this is a really relatable account of the world in which we find ourselves living in 2020 , and it is comforting to know that so many of our anxieties and experiences are so universal.
I read and reviewed an ARC courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher, all opinions are my own.

Dawn O’Porter is a fantastic and hilarious writer, I discovered her at a live event at Foyles last fall and thought she was extremely witty and I wanted her to be my friend! This new non-fiction is her diaries of lockdown in LA following the death of her friend Caroline Flack. It documents her new reality, her grieving process, funny anecdotes with her children, memories of a normal life and more. It was extremely relatable - I wish I had it as a guide with me when lockdown started, and I’m sure it will be a comfort to many people too when it comes out. On this note, I would also redirect you to her novels So Lucky and The Cows because they are great remedies for lockdown stress.

I’ve read Dawn O’Porters other work and always enjoyed it however I wasn’t sure I wanted to read about life in the pandemic as I think I’ve had almost enough of living through it myself now.
How wrong could I be? I loved this book.
Funny as always, honest and I just want to be Dawn’s friend and hang out as I think it would be so much fun.
Dawn has struggled (as expected) with the death of one of her best friends this year s the honesty about how she felt was heartwarming.
She is also honest and funny about her family life and life with her kids.
Easy to read, easy to relate to and fun.
Great book.
Everyone should read it

I received a copy of this book via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

This is a non fiction book about Dawn’s experiences through lockdown which is written in diary form.

This really was not the book for me. I did not like the recurring theme of drugs and alcohol which spoilt the whole book for me as it is not something I ever choose to read about. I am sure that there is a demographic who will really enjoy this but I feel that it is maybe not aimed at someone in my age bracket.