Having recently been made redundant Gwen is at a crossroads in her life not knowing which direction to go. Whilst having a solitary birthday dinner Gwen draws up a list for herself which included finding something to do, getting out more, go to the dentist, get rid of it which initially wasn't clear what 'it' was and the significance. But the final item on her list was to call her parents as she'd stubbornly not rung them to see how long it would be before they contacted her. This might seem an odd decision by Gwen but as we soon discover Gwen and her family have been deeply affected by a tragic event in their pasts that impacted them all.

Whilst having a sort out and in particular getting rid of something she'd held onto for far too long, Gwen decides to take these items to her local charity shop and soon finds herself volunteering in the shop which meant that she could cross off two actions from her list. We follow Gwen's journey as she comes to terms with the unexpected unemployment, even though she wasn't totally happy with her job it was like a comfort blanket, and her evaluation as to which direction she wants to take now with her life.

One of the aspects I particularly enjoyed was the format of the book, the main chapter telling Gwen's story then at the end there is a section about particular items that have been donated to the shop. I really enjoyed these snippets discovering a bit about the item's history, who bought/received the item and how it came to be donated to the charity shop and even recognised a name or two along the way which made which made me realise that these additions weren't so random after all.

Preloved is a heart-warming tale that is filled with humour throughout but also deals with issues such as love, loss and loneliness in such a sensitive manner.

A promising debut novel by Lauren Bravo.

Preloved is about Gwen who is in her late 30s when she loses her job. While figuring out what to do next and where it all went wrong, she works in her local charity shop. It is a story about loneliness, grief, community and connection.

What I liked
Enjoyed the cast of characters working in the charity shop. The story was warm and the relationships developed between coworkers felt believable.

What didn’t work as well
Alternate chapters were about the items that made their way to the charity shop and their history. I think this idea was better in theory than in execution.

I also think the novel would’ve benefitted by being a bit shorter.

Overall, enjoyable and will find an audience with fans of Libby Page.

Pick up this book up if: you want something earnest and heartwarming

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Are you someone who loves charity shops? I have found some amazing things over the years - and if you’re anything like me sometimes you find yourself wondering about the backstory of what you’ve bought and how they ended up in the charity shop. If that’s you, then this is the perfect book for you.

It is a truly delightful read - it weaves vignettes of the history behind charity shop items into the story of thirty-something Gwen who finds herself unexpectedly jobless and decides to volunteer at a local charity shop. In doing so she begins to rediscover herself and find a new route to happiness.

Bravo has woven such a clever story - Gwen’s story is such an emotional one but it’s a book full of humour as well. Gwen’s story and the history of some of the items come together to create a delightful read and one I very much enjoyed.

Preloved follows Gwen who after losing her job decides to volunteer in a charity shop. I really liked the premise of the book and was expecting to love it but I could never quite get into it, between each chapter there is the story of an item in the shop (some relate to the overall story and some don’t) but I did find this slightly jarring and it took me out of the story each time just as I was starting to settle into it.

Not a bad book and i’m sure it’ll be popular but just not one for me.

I adored every page of 'Preloved' and very unusually for me, didn't want it to end - I could have read on for longer. Shout out for the gorgeous cover too, I want to live in those colours!

The story centres around 38 year old Gwen who has hit a bit of a wall in life - after speaking up too much at work, she's lost her PR job; she broke up with her fiance and hasn't found a new partner; her relationship with her parents is strained - and she's struggling for motivation to change anything. By chance, Gwen spots an ad asking for volunteers in her local charity shop. As she starts her shifts there, she starts to make new friends from different walks of life, and starts to see some of her previously overwhelming problems in a more manageable way.

What makes the story stand out for me is the interspersed chapters telling the story behind some of the charity shop donations, the hopes and aspirations that were pinned on a scarf or a new top, only for it to be forgotten about and passed on as unwanted clutter. The story about the brooch that went in and out of fashion had me welling up! There was a moment in the book when suddenly some of the seemingly random chapters came together - a real lightbulb moment. Lauren Bravo also addresses our obsession with fast disposable fashion, as items are produced and abandoned without ever seeing the light of day.

Lauren Bravo has created such wonderful realistic characters dealing with everyday problems in beautifully normal ways - the way that she describes Gwen and her new workmates was so tender, she obviously loved them all, even the more annoying characters.

I absolutely did not want the book to end and it has made me look at my purchasing habits in a new way- long may it continue!

This was such a lovely book, it tells the story of Gwen who, when fired from her job, starts volunteering in a charity shop. It leads to her changing her life, not by huge moves and jaw-dropping romances, but by getting closure and talking things through with people.

There's so many parts in this book that I could relate to - including the part about her boyfriend using her name rather than a pet name, I have the same discussion with my husband and I used this as evidence that I wasn't the only one that thought this!

Although the main book was a joy, I also loved the stories of how the objects ended up in the charity shop, between each chapter there'd be the story of the item from the owner.

It was so well written and I loved that there wasn't a forced romance in the book it was about Gwen being happy with herself.

Genuinely very tempted to volunteer in a charity shop after reading this.

This is a story about Gwen who starts to volunteer at a local charity shop after being made redundant and we follow her adventures whilst trying to figure out her next steps in life. The narrative also branches out to include the 'back stories' of the customers or donate to or purchase from the charity shop as well as the other volunteers. There are ups and downs, plenty of thought provoking and emotional moments, as well as some funny ones too.
For me, it dipped slightly in the middle, and I felt it was a tad on the long side. However, overall it was an enjoyable read. This is the first book I've read by thus author and based on this, I would read more

This book is an absolute joy! I loved the characters, the concept, the writing - everything!

I love a good rummage around a charity shop and have often thought about how things end up there but Lauren Bravo has brought this concept to life.

Finding herself at a loose end when she is made redundant, Gwen takes up volunteering in a charity shop. Her story is interspersed with the stories behind some of the items donated - Scrabble, a clock, designer shoes - and I thought how it all tied together was so cleverly done.

So many insightful yet simple descriptions - “a butter dish and toast rack pace of life” for example, which I absolutely loved.

A lot of laugh out loud moments too - the Satisfizer 3000 is a great name for a vibrator - and some real nostalgia in there too. Does anyone else remember Gino Ginelli ice cream and those terrible adverts?

I didn’t find Gwen instantly likeable but I loved her by the end. I found the contrast between how she viewed herself -almost akin to those cast off donated items - and the warm regard in which other people hold her was really interesting and so relatable.

I’m actually sad to have finished this funny, hopeful and insightful read. Really looking forward to more from the author.

Huge thanks to Simon & Schuster & NetGalley for the chance to read an early copy

Gwen is the queen of bad decisions and indecision and is a thoroughly loveable character because of it!
Let go from work and still grieving a lost relationship she finds herself volunteering in a charity shop to fill her time and meets a host of weird and wonderful volunteers and customers who fast become friends and help her to get back on her way to happiness.
In many places the characters are linked by an item donated or indeed bought from the shop and the tales woven into the main story of the customers and the treasures they seek are compelling.
a great read!

I really enjoyed Preloved.
The story centres on Gwen as she struggles to come to terms with being suddenly unemployed, and decides to fill her long lonely days by volunteer at a local mental health charity shop. There she meets a truly brilliant assortment of characters which help make this book so wonderful.
Gwen’s story is warming, funny, heartfelt and painfully relatable in lots of ways.
I think many of us can feel lost and like your friendships are drifting away when you’re in your mid-thirties and I related so much to her dodging messages and feeling left out at occasions.
This book handles grief so beautifully and the last third of the book really got me in the feels – clearing out his bedroom with her parents really choked me up.
Gwen is very relatable. I loved all the different characters from the charity shop.
The snippets of short stories about items in the charity shop were really lovely too.
A really lovely read.

This took a while to get going (there are a lot of characters!) but once I got into the flow of the story, I didn’t want to put it down.
A very emotional read and a reminder that grief changes life in many different ways.

If you’ve spent part of the festive break clearing out your cupboards or – whisper it – putting aside unwanted gifts to immediately take to the charity shop, put your feet up for an afternoon and settle down with this beautiful debut from journalist Lauren Bravo. Newly and unexpectedly redundant former senior account manager Gwen is turning thirty-eight: she has several months worth of payout in her account, giving her a buzz of illusory wealth, but knows she needs a reason to leave the house while she gears herself up to re-enter society. First things first: Gwen clears her home of emotional baggage – remnants of her relationship with: menswear, CDs, whisky stones and her diamond engagement ring – and while donating the items to her local charity shop, decides to sign up as a volunteer. In a very short space of time she’s part of the team: sorting, steaming, screeching with laughter at inappropriately donated “personal items” and slowly regaining her sense of self while she chats to regulars and discovers more about her new teammates. The main plot is interspersed with beautifully written short stories about the origins of the items found on the shelves of the shop: who loved them, who was given them, what their previous owners felt about them, why they mattered – and slowly the stories weave together to reveal a shimmering whole. This is a glorious feelgood book about second chances, starting over and finding joy in unexpected places, that’ll have you clearing out your cupboards and maybe even volunteering at your local charity shop - who knows where it might lead you?

Preloved follows newly unemployed Gwen as she decides to volunteer at a local charity shop. What follows is Gwen's journey through the next few months of her life; we see awkward relationships, new and old friendships, job hunts, and all other aspects of her life, progress as she continues to work at the shop.

Firstly, I just want to say how much I adored every other chapter being about items passing through the charity shop. Bringing in side characters in this manner felt both natural and interesting - I enjoyed having a little insight into side character's lives without it veering us from Gwen's story.

Onto Gwen's story... I honestly loved everything about it. It was funny, heartfelt, relatable, and most importantly, interesting. I was gripped from start to finish, and genuinely cared what happened to her at any given moment. I also enjoyed that romance didn't feature too heavily in this book - give me more platonic but heartwarming stories please!

I would highly recommend this book to anyone who likes a wholesome read, especially if you like seeing difficult topics put to paper also.

A heartwarming and delightful read that also isn't afraid to touch on life's big ruptures and sadnesses.

Gwen is in her thirties, single and struggling to cope with an unexpected redundancy. She takes herself out for dinner for her birthday and realises that not only is she alone, she doesn't feel she has anyone with whom to share how lovely the meal was. She isn't close to her parents, who are quite standoffish and critical, she broke up with her fiancé some years back, and most of her friends are now coupled up and, she thinks, having plenty of fun without her. Clearing out her flat in a fit of spring cleaning to purge herself of the past, and the grief she's feeling in the present, she takes her unwanted items, including her engagement ring (!), to a local charity shop. There, she gets chatting with the volunteers and, with no job now, decides to fill the gap by volunteering there herself.

Charity shops are one of the things I love about the UK - they are everywhere, and have some real characters behind the till and sorting through the donations. The charity shop in this story reminded me of my old favourite back in Palmers Green, London, so that was where my imagination went!

In Preloved, we not only witness Gwen's personal transformation, but hear about the hidden lives of the other volunteers and of the objects that end up in the shop. The narrative is interspersed with vignettes about pairs of shoes, Scrabble sets, pieces of jewellery and various other items that had meaningful, colourful histories before being cleaned, price-tagged and put on a shelf in the charity shop. Sometimes the reasons for their donation are straightforward, sometimes they're quite heartbreaking.

Preloved is a beautifully written book that serves as a timely reminder of the hidden stories and battles that everyone you encounter is likely grappling with. That life can be complicated and difficult, but having the courage to face adversity and grief head on, to reckon with the past, own your mistakes and move forward, and show compassion for your fellow humans, the journey can be made easier and more meaningful.

I really enjoyed it and will look forward to Lauren Bravo's next book!

Thank you Netgalley, the publisher and the author for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

A fun, easy read with a beautiful message. I always love a good character arc with found family and multiple POV’s/timelines; however I found that, even with the beautiful writing, it dragged for me and felt overly wrong. I think this would have worked better being a lot shorter as it began to feel repetitive and slightly boring. Saying this there is definitely an audience for this out there but I don’t think it was completely for me.

When Gwen is made redundant from her job she decides to take herself out for dinner. During her meal she comes to realise she has no one to share how good it was with. So she makes a decision to start living her life more fully, to try and reconnect with her friends and family. To start her journey she decides to donate the bag of her ex fiancés clothes to charity along with her engagement ring. On the way out she notices the help wanted sign. With the help of new friends and old Gwen begins to rediscover herself and make old and new connections.
This was a lovely story, I loved all the little background sections of the items donated. It is a really heartwarming tale of love,loss and loneliness..

This was a simple, fun, easy and quick read. The perfect type of book for your holiday, beach, pool kind of read. This is a first for me by the author and one I enjoyed and I would read more of their work.

The E-Book could be improved and more user-friendly, such as links to the chapters, no significant gaps between words some text written has been typed in red and a cover for the book would be better. It is very document-like instead of a book. A star has been deducted because of this.

The book cover is eye-catching and appealing and would spark my interest if in a bookshop. Thank you very much to the author, publisher and Netgalley for this ARC.

Thank you to NetGalley, Lauren Bravo and the publisher for the chance to read this book.

The story was a slow start for me, but I wasn't reading in the best environment. The book is well written, I really enjoyed and related to the main character Gwen. The little stories that are interwoven throughout give a wonderful incite into buying things Preloved. It's made me want to go and mooch around my local charity shop to see what is there to uncover.

I love that it's a tale of friendship, finding yourself, past love, grief, the future and all things Preloved.

A heartwarming story about second chances and finding your place in the world. Feeling like a failure and feeling unwanted does not mean that that is the case, often we need to allow ourselves a hiatus from the pressures of the world as we reassess. It’s never too late to make a change, be it large or small.
I really enjoyed the short stories within the story, this was a really lovely read.

Thank you netgalley for letting me have an early copy to read.

We meet gwen, who's a bit lost in life and trying to find who she is and what to do. Working in a charity shop we hear the stories of how things arrived and the stories they continue.

I really enjoyed this beautiful long book. And the growth I felt with gwen from dinner at the start to dinner at the end.