This book took me an age to read. It is very detailed in descriptions of characters, locations, events, etc, which is a good thing, but there were so many characters that we were introduced to and each chapter was a back and forth between the present day funeral and the past in each of the character's lives that I found it quite confusing. Having to go back and re-read chapters to make sure i understood the who and the where does not make for an enjoyable time for me.

I kept hoping that there would be a mystery or some excitement that would make the turning of the pages worthwhile, but unfortunately, this was more of a tale of a philanderer and his women, but not really much else.

Great writing style by the author and wonderfully descriptive elements, but unfortunately, there just wasn't enough excitement in the book for me.

Loved this from start to finish, especially the heartbreaking ending (no spoilers!). A real page turner with beautifully interwoven lives through different periods in time, and characters that I found myself really caring about along the way. Definitely recommend

This is a family drama. The story is told in past and present timelines. It is well plotted and told from multiple perspectives. I am still unsure whether I liked the main character

Super good book that takes the reader on a ride. It was very well done and I loved the main characters. So well done and definitely one to add to your to be read list.

I don’t know what I was expecting, but it wasn’t this.

I tried to separate my feelings about cheating from the cheating trope. For me, it was just a story about a messy man who managed to wreck three different women before he died. By the end, I didn’t even really care how he died. He was still a selfish and messy boy.

Thank you to NetGalley for an eARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

I must firstly apologise for the amount of time it has taken me to provide me review of this book, my health was rather bad for quite some time, something that had me in hospital on numerous occasions and simply didnt leave me with the time I once had to do what I love most.

Unfortunately that does mean I have missed the archive date for many of these books, so It would feel unjust throwing any review together without being able to pay attention to each novel properly.

However, I am now back to reading as before and look forward to sharing my honest reviews as always going forward. I thank you f0r the patience and understanding throughout x

I'm not sure about this book. It was the story of the three women in the life of an American chef. The writing style was a little off putting although I enjoyed the actual story.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book. I have chosen to write this honest review voluntarily and it reflects my personal opinion.
This is a novel about love and relationships, and includes characters who have traits which make them unlikeable. Seb, the main character, turns out to be more like his father than he expected to be and this create ripples which become waves through his family. The chapters flick back and forth between the past and the day of his funeral; they are clearly dated so confusion for the reader is reduced and the timelines are followed. There are many characters as the relationships develop but I didn't find this difficult to follow. I thought the character and relationship development was slow and steady; this makes for quite a long novel but I enjoyed it immensely, and was reluctant to put it down. It is not a book with a conclusion in the traditional sense, but this makes it true to life where fate and destiny can still change what happens and this did not detract from the ending. Who will get their comeuppance? - you'll have to read it and find out!

Another new author for me and I felt as passionate about the narrative as Sebastian Cooper feels about his three loves.

I’m not sure if you are supposed to dislike Sebastian because of his ways, but I could not help but admire his cheekiness. The story switches between the funeral service and the life of Sebastian. At first I felt a bit overwhelmed by the vast number of characters. After all, we are meeting so many people at a congregation to celebrate Sebastian’s life, so it is a good forty-odd years of friendships and acquaintances. Yet, this is where the power of the flashbacks works so well. Readers are taken on a journey of Sebastian’s life, from when he met his first wife, Clair, to the events leading up to his death.

It’s an enjoyable story because I don’t think Sebastian ever behaves maliciously towards the women in his life. I felt devastated with him when he discovers a secret his father has been harbouring and I wonder if the writer deliberately wanted to demonstrate parallels between father and son. I do think this influences Sebastian’s behaviour for the rest of his life, but I guess it raises the question of whether he was always going to move on from his first marriage, the events destined to happen, regardless of his father?

The contrast established between the three loves of Sebastian Cooper was interesting to observe. I could not help but love Clair, being the mother of Sebastian’s children and his first love. Yet, Desiree has qualities that are difficult to ignore and I thought her gentle and generous nature made it quite clear why Sebastian was drawn to her. On the other hand, Noemie just seems a bit of a mental case at the funeral and the writer’s technique of showing her elaborate, grieving character made me wonder what the real Noemie was like. Who was this woman who managed to claim Sebastian’s heart for the third time?

This is a great tale exploring love and heartbreak. Yes, Sebastian does not do himself any favours by breaking up the marital home, but I really enjoyed being with Sebastian on his journey. It is a poignant tale and the final chapters had me with my heart in my mouth. At the same time, it finished on a satisfying conclusion that actually left me wanting to read even more about the three women, because they were all such interesting characters.

Folbigg’s narrative was immersive from the beginning and I was absorbed into Sebastian’s life. I felt like I knew him by the end of the story and mourned his loss when the novel was finished.

With thanks to Boldwood books and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

What different book this was. You feel sympathy for each of Sebastian's loves, and end up rooting for all of them. Recommended for anyone who loves a good read.

Sebastian Cooper has had three loves and after he passed away we discover all there stories. Unfortunately this one just wasn't for me I found it to be too out there. I actually really liked the three women but the plot was confusing.

Totally not what I expected -- and my first book by this author. The cover caught my eye but offered little insight of what was to be found inside the pages. I also, as per usual, didn’t read any reviews beforehand. Not a wise choice on my part. "Don't judge a book by its cover" can go two ways. I felt this book fell so flat, and I just couldn't get into it. I did end up finishing it, but when I was finished, I felt a sense of relief that it was over - that's how I knew it just wasn't for me. I skimmed numerous parts. I'm not saying it's a bad book, it just really wasn't for me at all.

2.75 out of 5. It was really not for me. It was one of those books that expose what happens first and then you go back to explain, yet there was little interest for me. It seemed to have a mystery but there really wasn't. The big reveal just fell a bit flat. It's a nice story about a flawed man who loved three women, which is ok, just not really that engaging for me to recommend it to you.

This novel is about Sebastian Cooper, a chef in Northern California. As the book opens, he is dead. His story is told in the context of the women who loved him. His wife, the woman he left his wife for, and his most recent girlfriend. His daughters also have their owns stories.

A brilliant read and one I really enjoyed. The characters are loveable and varied, the plot is one that is engaging and medium paced. I found myself completely drawn into the story and enjoyed the writing style.

I really enjoyed this book. The storyline was great and kept me wanting to read more. The characters were excellent and I loved the ending!
Thank you to Zoë Folbigg and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.

The story started with Sebastian’s family gathered at his funeral with everyone have in the same question in their ind, how does it happened. As the story progresses, we were introduced to the 3 women in his life; Claire, Desiree and Noemie. The story was told from these 3 women’s perspective and essentially the story of Seb’s life. Claire is his ex wife and partner for 20+ years and mother of his 2 children. Desiree is the women he left Claire and Noemie, Seb’s lover and the last women who the last saw him alive.

Honestly, from the title and synopsis of this book, it was not something i would pick for myself but i m glad that i did. It is a family drama and i love the narrative alternating from present to past and from each character’s point of view which allow the reader to understand how thing really are which unfortunately the character is not privy do. Overall it is a well constructed story that weaves between the main characters.

*review post scheduled to be posted on my. Blog on 13/3/23*

This book was emotional, fun and captivating. I loved the story, I loved the writing, I loved (most of) the characters. Loved the ending!

Zoë Folbigg explores with great insight, compassion and sensitivity women’s inner lives and the complexities of relationships in her gripping new novel, The Three Lives of Sebastian Cooper.

At Seb Cooper’s funeral, three women are sat in the congregation mourning the loss of this charismatic and charming man who meant different things to all three of them. Clair had been Seb’s wife and the mother of his three children. She is absolutely furious with him for leaving their kids without a father. Having left her for another woman, Clair isn’t sure of her place among the mourners – especially as she has heard stories about Seb’s final days that have left her bemused, baffled and also rather disconcerted. Desiree had been the other woman. She was the reason why Seb had called time on his relationship with the mother of his children. At the funeral, she is well aware that all eyes are on her. Should Desiree have come to the service? Does she belong there? Or is she seriously overstepping her place?

Finally, there is Seb’s lover, Noemie, who is certainly not keeping a lid on her emotions at the funeral. Noemie is making her feelings heard at just how much she had been affected by Seb’s loss. As the last woman to have seen him alive, Noemie is sure that she was the one Seb loved the most. But just how well did she know the man she is mourning?

Seb Cooper was a complex and complicated man. The three women all loved him in their own way and his death will serve as a catalyst that will end up upending all of their lives forever…

Zoë Folbigg’s The Three Lives of Sebastian Cooper is just crying out for a glossy TV adaptation. A white-knuckle rollercoaster ride full of larger-than-life characters you will love and hate, this dramatic, entertaining and unpredictable tale of family ties, unbreakable bonds and dastardly deceptions will keep readers absolutely glued to its pages as they find themselves completely and utterly immersed in the world Zoë Folbigg has created.

Pacy, scandalous and perfectly pitched, Zoë Folbigg’s The Three Lives of Sebastian Cooper will certainly get readers talking this autumn.

First of all, I’m not a huge fan of this cover. It just doesn’t jump out at me. But please…don’t let this cover put you off.
This is a well written story, following Sebastian through his formative teenage years to his 40’s.
Through the years he falls in love with 3 different women and the story arc takes you through them all.
What the author has done here through Sebastian, is show how much the choices you make, from the simple ones to the most poignant, can change your life immeasurably.
Although I didn’t particularly like some of the characters, the plot was well written and executed perfectly. It was a good, solid, immersive read and I really enjoyed it.
Based on this book, I will be reading this author again and I will recommend it to others.
Thank you to the author, the publisher and Netgalley for my arc.