Wasn't what I was expecting but I enjoyed it nonetheless thank you for giving me the opportunity to read this early

I absolutely adored this book! Dawn O’Porter is so good at creating characters that you care deeply for and who are very realistic.
The storyline was fantastic because it drew you in and kept you wanting to read on.
As a dog lover that’s not a huge cat fan it definitely gave me a new perspective on the cat lady stereotype. There were some strong themes of loneliness and the importance of personal connections which I empathised with.
Overall, I think this is my favourite Dawn O’Porter book and will be recommending this to everyone!

I loved the voice of the book. I loved the concept - it was a bit different. A romance yet not a conventional romance where you could see exactly where it was going. I sort of did know where it would probably go but it was written in such a way that it didn't feel predictable. Plus I love cats ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This was a quick entertaining read from Dawn O'Porter, the main character Mia has a complex life where she is not really happy however her cat is the only constant in her life. Mia's life then unravels spectacularly and along the way a lot of funny moments happen that did make me laugh out loud.

Thank you to NetGalley and publisher for the advanced copy of this book.

I read this in one sitting. Was highly entertained by Dawn O'Porter's portrayal of the life of one very interesting cat lady, Mia. With life spiralling out of control the companionship of and devotion to her cat, Pigeon, might just be the thing that saves Mia from the despair and desperation that is threatening to topple her.
Contains elements of the sterotypical crazy cat lady characterisation but, in fairness, gives more of a nuanced representation that is at times very touching and other times just plain cheeky (as in the kinky cat lady episode).
A nice, easy read!

I have really enjoyed Dawn O'Porter's previous books and this was no different. The writing is irreverent and the humour catches you off guard. Mia is a complicated character who presents so many faces to so many people it feels she is lost within herself. How she deals with seismic changes in her life makes for a great read. (Copy received from Netgalley in return for an honest review)

I've read a couple of Dawn O'Porter's novels and as someone who likes cats, I was looking forward to this one. Initially, I found it a bit of a silly story but I stuck with it and found it both funny and sad. It covers quite a lot of topics in brief detail, but the message that it puts across is quite profound. Overall, a powerful and entertaining read.

Enjoyed it but I guess I’m not a cat person to really be able to relate to it.
I like the style of writing as it’s easy reading, funny and imaginative.

I'm a massive fan of Dawn O'Porter and have loved all her previous books, so I was delighted to receive this ARC in exchange for an honest review. While it took me a while to warm up to Mia, I was firmly on her side by the end of the book. As a cat (and all animal) lover, I understood the grief completely. There were definite similarities with Eleanor Oliphant and some funny and properly cringy moments, as in all Dawn's books. If you haven't read Dawn before I think I'd start with one of her other books, if you're a fan I think you'll love this.

Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for allowing me to read this arc.

Mia is a wife to a husband who’s ex wife is constantly in their life due to the child that they share. She is the MD for a jewellery making business and her goal is to get the jewellery into Selfridges. Mia isn’t keen on the staff that work for her apart from one, Fliss, who makes exquisite pieces.

Pigeon is Mia’s cat and due to her husband not allowing the cat in the bedroom they have separate rooms which suits Mia to a T. Mía loves her cat and despite Pigeon still being alive Mia goes to a pet bereavement group meeting every Tuesday night which she feels is ok as she does have a fear of pigeon dying especially as she’s now 16. Pigeon saved Mia when she was at her lowest point.

I loved this book. Being a cat mom myself I resonated with Mia. I love Dawns writing style and the ease in which she brings the characters to life. I must admit however I did have a few tears towards the end of the book.

A book that doesn't go where you think it will when you start reading, but ends up in a great place.
I found it compulsive to read and couldn't put it down - I saw a very different style of writing from her previous book that I read, and enjoyed this one much more.
The character of her Cat Lady was so believable - how she went from the chaos into control and then when that control was challenged, she had major difficulties in getting her life back on track, and to realise what was really important for her.
I agree with Mia that cats are soothing when you are ill are stressed and it has been scientifically proven that stroking a cats fur and hearing them purr relaxes the human stroking them - see the site 'Healing Purrs: How Your Cat Can Help You Heal'. It's to do with the frequency at which they purr, which is the same sound frequency which helps heal bones, tendons etc in humans.
There is much in this book about bereavement and mental health difficulties as the characters live their troubled lives - from family death or divorce, to unemployment and much more, death has many shades of occurrence and we all deal with it in different ways.

Cat Lady was unlike anything I've read for a long time - Classic Dawn O'Porter! It was an easy read that I struggled to put down.

We follow a woman, Mia, who loves her cat the way I love mine - with all her heart. I found myself bristling as I read this, as parts of it held a mirror up to me in my feirce independence, drive and all-consuming love for my cats.

Cat Lady explores so much more than what I was expecting - not just does it explore the multitude of dynamics which make up 'womanhood', it delves into loss, marriage, family, friendships and Mia's relationship with herself (and her cat),

Without giving anything away, while I found myself bristling with defensiveness in the outset as I slowly recognised parts of myself in Mia, it led me on a journey by the end of which I was feeling proud of my Cat Lady status.

Fellow cat ladies will absolutely love this book, and for those as of yet unenlightened - please read this to better understand your cat-crazed friends!

Cat Lady is my book of the year.
O'Porters acerbic characters, her use of wit and sarcasm literally fly off the page - there were times I literally laughed out loud at some of the escapades and conversations the main character has.
It's Mia's relationship with her husband and his ex-wife that truly brings the story to life.
Not only is Mia battling a possessive ex-wife, but her job at a small boutique jewelry business also pushes her over the edge causing her to snap.

To combat her stress - Mia attends a group for grieving pet owners - however, Mia's beloved cat is very much alive.

Definitely the novel of 2022.

Feel like I’m very much in the minority here but felt this book was a waste of my time and I was glad it was over. The heroine is married to a divorced man who’s ex wife is still obsessed with him, she works for a jewellery line funded by the owners billionaire father..

Far too much of the book was describing her vegan recipes or how she took a shower- why was that needed?

But the most irritating factor was the section about Mother’s Day and going to school/ work. Mother’s Day is always always a Sunday and if the author can’t be bothered to check that, it’s just dismissive.
1.5 stars.

Cat Lady by Dawn O'Porter

Mia lives with her husband and stepson in a nice house and has a successful career in a jewellery company, but her first love is her cat Pigeon. She joins a pet bereavement group even though Pigeon is still alive and over the course of the story deals with some very challenging people and situations.

I really enjoyed this book - quirky and strange in places, it nevertheless deals with some serious issues and all with a big heart. Highly recommended!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book.

Mia has joined a pet bereavement group...and her beloved aging cat hasn't even died yet. There she meets a variety of people from all walks of life who are all united in one thing, grief.
Mia is going through a difficult time in her life and the one thing that has always been constant in her life is Pigeon, the cat that saved her life. How ever will she cope with out her when the dreaded day comes?

I'm a huge fan of Dawn's writing style, she's so frank and honest in a way that is so refreshing to read. It is such a touching, heartfelt story about the absolutely devastating effect of losing such an important family member. There's lots of humour injected throughout and lots of laugh out loud moments.

A beautifully written book that I'd recommend to anyone.

I’ve seen many reviews of this book lots of which are 4 or 5 stars, with not many less than 3 and all written by women, so as a man I guess I’m not the target audience. That said I did read the whole book and found it an easy read. But I personally would not describe it as funny. I will happily recommend to my wife and her female friends.

This is the first book I've read by Dawn O'Porter and it won't be my last.
I throughly enjoyed this book and was in fits of giggles.
It is a rollercoaster of emotions.

Thank you netgalley and the publishers for accepting my request to read the ARC

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4856702384

I do like Dawn O'Porter's books, and her lead characters - frank, funny, unapologetically who they are and I always imagine a little bit like the author herself. You also always know that, no matter what mill they get put through as the story unfolds, everything is going to be alright in the end.

This one is more of the same, and as ever, I enjoyed it. The parts about bereavement were beautifully written and brought me to tears. I love the fact that the characters are all a little bit loopy, and all the better for it. But there were also a few missteps as well. I'm not sure that in real life two divorcing parents could get away with so little thought for their young son as they act out and sling mud as each other. And not sure there's as much comic mileage to be made as she thinks from catching crabs from a one night stand, either!

But overall, a good bit of escapism and anyone who like her other books will enjoy this one too.

I enjoyed this book. The characters were great and it was really quirky. Definitely worth reading and I would recommend it.