If you are a cat lover you will like this book. Mia is a self-described cat lady. She has a successful career, a comfortable home with a family, and has her beloved cat, Pigeon. Everything seems to be going well, until her life starts to fall apart.

I found that I didn’t get to know Mia. There were moments where she was very open (maybe a little too open, her GP visit with crabs), eccentric (she has her quirks), hard working (a stickler for the rules), but she also doesn’t let people in. I found throughout the book that Mia keeps people at a distance, she is more comfortable with her cat. I just found that I didn’t really get to know certain parts of Mia, her family history is mentioned but never delved into, her role as a step mom glossed over. I wanted more, especially when the plot and character were set up for it.

The plot was a little predictable at times, but did have some very funny moments. It was heart-warming to see a book about a pet lover, even though some of Mia’s actions with Pigeon are a little extreme. The book showed how animals can provide comfort and love to a person, especially in times of crises. I think there were a lot of good elements here that just didn’t hit the target.

A very quirky read. An array of electric characters led by Mia, the cat lady. Funny and shocking at times. An easy read. Sad, happy and uplifting at times. It is very Dawn! Kaftans and cats......

Cat Lady by Dawn O'Porter is a novel about our relationships with our pets and the realities of living in a blended family. Fans of quirky characters would enjoy it.

I have read books by Dawn O’Porter before and loved them. This was no exception, had me hooked from the start. Although it’s all about cats, which is not something I would normally choose to read about, the way in which it was written was brilliant.

Thank you NetGalley for my complimentary copy in return for my honest review.

My thoughts after reading this book - how have I not discovered Dawn O'Porter's books before?

I just loved Cat Lady. 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.

Highly entertaining. Can't wait to read her others!

Another great novel from dawn o Porter - at first a seemingly unlikeable protagonist really grew on me and by the end I was really rooting for her. I love that the characters aren't tropes or cliches and there's a great mix of emotion and feeling but also plenty of humour. Not up there with So Lucky but definitely a great summer read.

Mia has it all. A fancy house, a husband, a stepson, a fancy job with a jewellery company and best of all, a cat that she loves with all her heart. Sometimes she has a bit more than 'it all' - there's her husband's ex-wife who spends way too much time at their house and has way more opinions about everything Mia's doing wrong than could really be considered appropriate. She also works for a spoiled over-privileged it-girl with no common sense or perspective.

What Mia doesn't have are friends. She's so lonely that she joins a therapy group for people who are grief stricken after losing their pets - even though her cat, Pigeon, is very much still alive. She's never actually fibbed about Pigeon, she's just let the rest of the group ASSUME that she's gone. Most of her life is under complete control but little bits are fraying around the edges and she's at risk.

I love Dawn O'Porter's books - I think I've read all of them to date. I loved this one too. I could relate to Mia's love for Pigeon and her wish to protect herself from just about every other living being. We learn about her challenging childhood and how Pigeon saved her from herself in her teens but much as I love my cats, I know that humans need other humans.

Bits of this are hilarious.
Bits are cry-out-loud-sad.
Sometimes she's way too open - the visit to the GP to get support with her crabs is a stand-out moment.
Mostly she's very buttoned up.

I've known women just like her.

Think Eleanor Oliphant in a power suit and without the drink problem.

It's not perfect. Somehow DO'P has missed that mothers day is always a Sunday and has her characters going to work that day which doesn't make any sense.

I don't care. I still loved it.

With thanks to the publishers and Netgalley for my copy.

Dawn O’Porter is a bloody fabulous author- it blows my mind that she can create this world that just draws you in until you’re totally absorbed into the characters and the minutiae of their lives. Mia’s character was incredibly complex and so well written. The way she controlled her life and all in it and the juxtaposition of her character compared to her sister’s was really clever. Pigeon made me fall a bit in love to be honest, and reminded me a bit of the lovely cat we lost last year (yes- guilty of being a “cat lady”).
I could go on and on raving about how inspired each bit of the story is, but I won’t because you need to read it for yourself. What I will say is this- I love love loved it, Dawn is rapidly becoming my very favourite author and she is a VERY talented cat lady for having written this stellar novel.

Given that I have just read and loved a book called Cat Lady, you might assume I have a fondness for the creatures themselves, but not so much. I would always describe myself as more of a dog person AND YET, that is one reason why Cat Lady is such a great read. Dawn O'Porter makes an excellent case about the often shoddy and negative way people are treated by others, all because they have a love for felines.

This is the story of Mia. A woman in her 40s, she is the Managing Director of a small jewellery business, is married to Tristan and goes out of her way to make sure her life runs on routine and order. Above all else though, she is the human of Pigeon, her adored cat, the true love of her life.

I warmed to Mia's character instantly and found myself welling up a few times as we learn more about her back-story and as the plot progresses and she faces the unexpected events life throws at her.

She is a complex and beautifully articulated character study of a woman who doesn't fit into society norms, yet tries so hard to. The way Mia talks about adjusting her character to fit into different situations will be relatable to so many.

I had an insightful moment reading Cat Lady too. There are scenes set in an animal bereavement group and I found them so fascinating. I've never really owned a pet of significance that I was truly attached to, so (I now realise) never fully comprehended the impact that losing a pet can have on a person. Reading about Mia and her friends highlighted the importance of these safe spaces for all kinds of trauma and truly opened my eyes.

'Cat lady' is often used as a derogatory term and here, Dawn O'Porter (and Mia) takes it, owns it and spins it on its head, showing us that a cat lady is the very best kind of lady.

Funny, heart-warming and heart-breaking, while making intelligent commentary on prejudice and the pressure to conform, Cat Lady is the best blend of emotions and a joy to read.

Although this book was original and funny and well written I couldn’t get over the first chapter, where it was Mother’s Day, and everyone went to work. Mother’s Day is on a Sunday so why would everyone be going to work.

Loved this! It was witty, touching and quickly. As a bit of a cat lady myself, I empathised in many way with the protagonist Mia and the societal judgement that she faces. This book is a breath of fresh air in the way that it embraces individuality. Mia is an engaging and endearing protagonist and it’s a joy to ‘spend time’ with her throughout the book. A must-read for all pet-owners and cat-lovers.

I've always been a fan of Dawn O'Porter and her books; and Cat Lady is no disappointment.

I read it on holiday and it had me chuckling and cringing on my sunlounger in equal measure!

At first I felt it was hard to relate to Mia, she seemed very cold and quirky but as the story progresses I felt like I was cheering her on and hoping that she would get rid of the husband and his ex-wife. The scenes in her office are great. The way she relates to her colleagues is very funny and when she ends up sleeping with one, the sex is hysterical. When Mia's cat Pigeon dies, it is so sad and tragic however even this is sprinkled with humor when she keeps it in the freezer, upsetting her cheating husband!

This has to be up there with one of my favourite books of the year so far.

Ok…I’ma bit confused how I feel about this book. I absolutely love all Dawn O’Porter’s books but this one made me so, so sad, then it made me laugh, then desperately sad again. I really felt for our Cat Lady, I just wanted to give her a hug and help her through her hardships…yes, I know it’sa novel but it felt so real! Superb writing as always, capturing the hearts and souls of those in the novel, it was a quick read and will stay with me for a very long time.

Thank you to the author, publishers and Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review

This book appealed to me on so many levels and I was delighted when Harper Collins sent me an ARC of Cat Lady by Dawn O'Porter. Not only have I been a cat lady myself, being a cat-mom for eighteen years to my feline, Pyewackett, until he sadly died, but as a counsellor and bereavement therapist I have worked with all kinds of grieving clients, including those who have sadly lost their beloved pets.

Working as a grief counsellor usually means that the loss happened a few months before you meet your client, but while working in an emergency vet practice, I have been there to help clients deal with grief when it is at its most raw, in the moments immediately following a pet's death, usually by euthanasia. Raw grief is very, very difficult to witness day after day, and losing a pet is a grief like no other, for someone has suddenly lost the only creature who loved them unconditionally.

Cat Lady is the story of a woman in her forties and her extremely special relationship with her cat, a grey feline she named Pigeon. Mia is a complex character, married to a man who had a very amenable divorce from his first wife, who is still a strong presence in his new marriage. Mia tolerates this for the sake of her step-son, but she is irritated by it too. She finds comfort in the companionship of her cat, which she rescued at a difficult time in her life and views as her only real reason for living. She also participates in a pet bereavement therapy group each week.

Like many people who have come from a chaotic childhood, Mia finds solace in controlling her life as much as possible, living by lists, organization and schedules. She dutifully pencils in sex with her husband, twice a week, every week, feeling that this is what it takes to be a good wife. But it is in Pigeon's company that she can be her true self and where she finds the love and friendship she craves.

At times this book reminded me of Bridget Jones, because Mia is that same type of zany character, but while Bridget reclaimed the single woman narrative, Mia is out to reclaim the cat lady, subverting the stereotype and making sure the lady lands on her feet!



I laughed and cried my way through this fabulous book. Obviously it brought back both fond and difficult memories of my own cat, Pyewackett, pictured above. Wasn't he handsome? Just look at those whiskers! But I'm so glad I read this novel, if only because it reminded me of how lucky I was to have had him for so many years. As the book says, 'The kindness of strangers can get you to the next place you are supposed to be.' Sometimes that stranger is a new pet.

Cat Lady is full of humorous moments, as well as being quite an emotional read at times, especially if you have ever built your life around a cat, because they absolutely refuse to accept second place! It will make you laugh out loud in some parts, while in others you will be quietly sniffling into a tissue. Mia is both a successful career women and slightly nuts, so when her life takes a turn for the worst, she handles it in her own entirely unique way, which is very entertaining to read. I really enjoyed this novel and it is one I will re-read whenever I miss Pye too much. It might even inspire me to get another cat! You never know!

Wishing you a purrrfect weekend!
Marie x

If you're a cat lover like me then you’ll find this book relatable. The book is a well paced and beautifully written story about trauma, loss, the power of friendship and cats. Thanks to Dawn, Mia and Pigeon, this is my new favourite book of the year!

I've loved the past couple of books by Dawn O'Porter so I was really excited to read this. A woman joins a pet grief support group while her cat is still alive because she can't handle the idea of losing her beloved cat. She's married but sleeps separately from her husband as she would rather share a bed with her cat. It's a fascinating look at the 'cat lady' stereotype and its actually a really touching read. It's sharp and witty and I loved it.

Page 1 and I wasn't sure I was going to enjoy this book as started to think it was literally all about a cat however it turned into an epic story which I am so glad I read!

Mia is a cat lady, she tries to conform in the rest of her life but with her cat she's is her true self. What an emotional rollercoaster this book was! I went from laughing out loud to crying to saying what the hell! I read through this so fast which is always a good indicator of how much I've loved a book.I really enjoyed Dawns writing at times blunt and raw but also so empathetic and original.

If you love Dawn O'Porter's other books, then you'll love this one too! As with her other novels, the underlying themes are along the lines of, you never know what's going on in other people's lives, and don't judge people on their appearances, judge them on their actions.

Despite not being a huge fan of cats myself, I really enjoyed Cat Lady. It's a great look at life in modern Britain, and how we tend to tend to put too much emphasis on looks over kindness and compassion. Plus, I thought the sex scene where he treated her like a stationary cupboard was particularly hilarious!

Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for an advanced copy.

Cat Lady by Dawn O’Porter

Synopsis
We’ve all known a cat lady – and we’ve probably all judged her too. But behind the label – the one that only sticks to women – what if there’s a story worth nine lives?

Told with Dawn’s trademark warmth, wit and irreverence, CAT LADY is a story about defying labels and forging friendships. It’s for the cat lady in all of us – because a woman always lands on her feet . . .

Review
I was delighted to see on Net Galley a new Dawn O’Porter book. This book was outstanding, it made me laugh out loud, one scene made me gasp too. I loved it, it was so filthy in places, yet funny. There were also sad parts to the book. Mia was a great character, I loved her. I loved this book, I didnt want it to end.

Rated 5/5

Thanks to Net Galley for an advanced copy of this book, in return for an honest review.