Maybe because I'm not a mother but it did absolute validate my decision not to have kids lol. It was a nice book about female friendships, hardships of growing up and growing apart and forgiveness. Though it's based around one event the jumping viewpoints are good to see each perspective.

If you love action this probably isn't the book for you but if you prefer to focus on character relationships then this is the one for you.

Lots of excellent lengthy reviews already here for this book which I agree with in the main. I really did enjoy it, although I don’t have children and couldn’t really relate to Steffi, the one who didn’t want any. I liked the format but I felt the question of who was at fault for the fire really got lost amongst all the other drama and angst in the book. I also seem to be the only one who felt confused by the ending, particularly with Charlotte who ended up being my favourite of them all.
Thank you to NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton for the eARC of this book.

Wasn’t expecting to enjoy this book as much as I did but it’s a great read.

The story follows a group of women that connect at university and feel they are friends for life calling themselves “Little women” after the first book they were required to read at uni. Over the years their individual lives and struggles that follow change their characters and views on life. These difference bubble over at a baby shower and tears their friendship to the max.

I enjoyed the style of writing giving me “Big Little Lies” vibes. The story unfolds through different viewpoints of the friends, flitting from the past to the present day. Then throw in police interviews with each member of the group and you are certainly kept interested in the plot.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the arc in exchange for an honest review.

Nikki, Lauren, Charlotte and Steffi have been friends since university, sharing the highs and lows of love, life, their careers, and everything in between. Nikki's baby shower is the perfect opportunity for them all to get back together - but on a scorching hot day, tensions between the group are building just beneath the surface waiting for a spark to light the fuse for the mother of all explosions...

I absolutely loved this novel! The theme of motherhood and the different ways that women approach it are explored through the four main characters. All of the characters had elements that I could relate to, whether they had children or wanted them, or focusing on their career, which I think made this book really work. You can see that there is no simple "one size fits all" approach, even if you want children desperately it doesn't mean you will get pregnant, or you have a much wanted child and then feel that you've made a terrible mistake.

The portrayal of Lauren's postnatal depression felt really authentic and I was so tense reading her chapters! Her experience of birth and new motherhood were so far away from the dream that is sold on social media and Pinterest and I really felt for her. I could then totally understand her feelings and motivations for acting the way she did at the baby shower (without giving too much away!).

Nikki was the most complex and layered character. She's a bit of a Queen Bee and manipulates others to get what she wants, or to get herself out of trouble. I really enjoyed reading the chapters from her perspective.

The setting of the baby shower in Nikki's parents enormous glass house in the countryside and it being the hottest day of the year was a great backdrop. The creeping tension and sense of irritability rose with the mercury, you could practically feel the stifling air when reading. I liked the way the chapters start with the transcript of the police interviews following the fire as they try to get to the truth of how the blaze started and who is responsible, with the actual events then revealed by the characters. It had a wonderful soap opera/thriller feel. I can see this being adapted for a Netflix series and being totally bingeworthy!

A great read and a real page turner.

Recommend to readers who enjoyed the vibes of Big Little Lies, Expectation by Anna Hope, or Blue Sisters by Coco Mellor.

Not many people are destined to tell stories, but Holly Bourne definitely is.

Already wildly in love with her YA works and other contemporary fiction works, I was over the moon to receive this early copy of So Thrilled For You.

I know Holly Bourne's voice in heartbreaking YA stories and compelling contemporary stories about womanhood, but the mystery thriller of this book was new to me and let me tell you: it. did. not. disappoint.

This was perfectly done. Even attempting to write 4 different perspectives would send me into an actual coma, but she did it. Never was there one second where I was confused or lost. I was always hooked and engaged with our main characters Nicki, Lauren, Steffi and Charlotte. I WANTED to get to know them. Love them. Despise them. Empathize with them. These characters rammed their claws into my mind and never let go.

The mystery was a real page turner for me and kept me on my seat for the whole duration of the story, but what this book really focuses on is - emotions and personal beliefs. As messy and complex as they are. As a 20-something year old childless millennial, I do know very little about what it means to be a mother, but Bourne did an amazing job portraying the different iterations of motherhood and shared a piece of her own experience as a new mother with all of us clueless chickens.


This book definitely holds a special place in my heart - no - my soul and I would recommend it to everyone so very much. Usually I would say, that you might enjoy it if you've read genre XYZ but no, you will enjoy it no matter what. Trust me on this one.

This is a brilliant novel from Holly Bourne. What can possibly go wrong at a simple baby shower? Well it's far from a simple affair for a start! Friendships are tested and the truth begins to reveal itself!
Absolutely brilliant.

So Thrilled for You is about a baby shower which goes wrong, focusing on the intensity of female friendship and how toxic it can be. Nicki, Lauren, Charlotte and Steffi have been friends since university, but the different directions their lives have taken them in is causing friction within the group. While Nicki is excitedly expecting her first child, Lauren is struggling to cope with being a new mother, Charlotte is desperately trying to conceive, and Steffi very publicly doesn’t want children and is tired of people judging her about it.

I loved how this examined what it’s like to have friends in your thirties, when life choices diverge and you have less time to spend together. This was interwoven with an unflinching look at motherhood, exploring topics such as infertility, early motherhood and pregnancy, against the backdrop of a baby shower where emotions are heightened. Each of the four friends had a very different view on motherhood at the start of the novel, which escalated as the novel progressed.

Things got tense very quickly, with engaging characters and storylines driving the narrative forward. Nicki’s story was my favourite, but every character was so compelling that I couldn’t put this down!

An insightful page-turner examining motherhood and friendship, which I loved from start to finish. Thank you to @hodderbooks for this gifted copy 😊

I was asked to review by NetGalley, wow what a book!

This book explores what we all struggle as women, mothers we all know those who desparately want motherhood, and those who stuggle with IVF and concieving. Then there are those who dont interesting that we know so many people but it is not really explored in books.

The characters are good and well written and the author is good at describing points of view from women which is really interesting.

Really well written and completed really well

Recommended read due for publication in 2 days time so not long to wait.

So Thrilled for You - Holly Bourne

I came to this book as a big fan of Holly Bourne's YA books but this was her first general fiction book I've read and I loved it!

A group of four friends reunite for a baby shower which ends with a massive fire and police involvement.
Nicki is the mother to be, 8 months pregnant in a heatwave (feel for her there).
Lauren is a new mum to a 9 month old and she is struggling with motherhood and trying to adjust to her new normal without losing herself to being a mum.
Charlotte is the party planner best friend - very type A - who has been struggling with infertility.
Steffi rounds out the group of 4 and she is childfree by choice but seems to have some history with Nicki over the years. She is in the process of launching her literary agency and having a massive week for her business.


So Lauren's story really stood out for me - my baby is the same age but thankfully I've had a much easier time. Lauren is battling Post Partum Depression and PTSD after a traumatic birth and add to that healing from a C-section, a body that is nothing like what you used to have and then dealing with having a Newborn- my heart goes out to this character.
Charlotte was for sure my favourite though, very Type A and trying to put a positive spin on everything while dealing with ridiculous amounts of stress... I love her. Even without a couple mentions to Sex in the City she for sure did remind me of Charlotte from that - unsure if that's on purpose or not 👀
Nicki was my least favourite. She just gave spoilt narcissist vibes and her chapters were my least favourite.
Steffi I woiltn say was like the most forgettable or whatever but out of the four her story didn't interest me as much and I felt she was almost there to give a starting point of drama for the group. I will say I did enjoy the fact that not all the ladies where trying to have babies or already have them as it does give the narrative to a very valid group of women who make this choice.
I enjoyed the story going along and spent a fair chunk of it trying to figure out what happened. It was a slow burner for the drama kicking off for sure but I enjoyed it as it gave me time to get more of an understanding to the characters.

All in I did really enjoy this book!

An easy, thrilling read - we know there has been a massive fire - but how did it happen and who started it? There are four main characters, representing different viewpoints of being female and mid-thirties - babies, no babies but wanting them, no babies and content - and yet they all feel judged. Sadly that is the nature of being human.

I enjoyed the relationship between the women, fluctuating between supportive and undermining, probably what most of us experience in long term friendships!

Nikki, Charlotte, Steffi and Lauren have been friends since University. Now in their 30s, motherhood is changing and challenging the relationship between them all, whether it’s infertility, pregnancy, new baby or the choice to be child free. Long standing differences and resentments all come to a head in one gloriously over the top (and very overheated) baby shower.

What a read! I absolutely tore through this one, with all its ups and downs and so many moments that were completely relatable, from the pain of a very difficult birth experience to the descriptions of life as a student that took me immediately back. The characters all behave terribly in different ways but it was fascinating to see how your perceptions of this changed when you saw it from the inside and their reasons. The writing was fast paced, empathetic and really thought provoking, managing to make the characters hugely irritating at times but still staying likeable. I loved it, and can imagine it's going to start a lot of conversations – a perfect choice for book clubs especially!

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an advance copy in return for an honest review.

Nicki, Steffi, Lauren and Charlotte have been friends since university. Now in their thirties, their lives have taken them in different directions, but a baby shower Charlotte throws for Nicki brings them back together. During an unbearably hot summer’s day, tensions rise and old wounds are re-opened. By the end of the day, the house has been burnt down in a terrible fire and all four women are suspects.

I like the way this book is written, with police interviews, online articles and comments accompanying the narration told from the perspective of each of the four women. The only real sticking point for me is that I couldn’t really understand why these women were friends, or why anyone in the world would be friends with Nicki. Charlotte, Steffi and Lauren all had flaws but also some redeeming features, whereas Nicki was nothing but selfish and spiteful throughout, to literally everyone. It was weird. However, it does also highlight the importance of being able to speak honestly to your friends and family. The relationships between everyone in this book would have been hugely improved if they could just tell each other the truth.

This book gives a very honest and eye-opening perspective on motherhood, with each character having a very different outlook on the subject: Nicki, who is expecting a baby imminently and desperate for the birth, because surely nothing can be worse than pregnancy? Lauren, who is suffering from severe sleep deprivation with her 9-month-old and questioning her decision to become a mother. Charlotte, who is desperate to have a baby but has had years of difficulty conceiving. And Steffi, who doesn’t want a baby and feels judged by everyone else for this choice. It’s interesting and refreshing to see these perspectives, but I do think this book is lacking a more positive view. Reading this has definitely exacerbated some of my own doubts about parenthood, and it would have been nice to have at least one positive viewpoint to balance against all the negative.

I was really excited to get my hands on this novel, the premise is fantastic and I've been meaning to read Holly Bourne's work for a while.

So Thrilled For You follows four friends attending a baby shower. Its clear the group have unresolved tensions arising from them being at different stages of their lives and not communicating at all. These conflicts are common for women in late 20s/30s and the dynamics are an interesting topic to explore.

Where So Thrilled For You fell flat for me was that the characters were one dimensional and didn't feel 'real'. The story felt quite obvious too. That said, it was an easy read that I'm sure will find its audience.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for an eARC.

Having delved into many of Holly Bourne’s works aimed at young adults, I was eagerly anticipating her latest release, which caters to a more mature audience. I’m delighted to say that ‘Thrilled for You’ was entertaining, addictive and absorbing!

The novel intricately weaves a rich tapestry of themes including friendship, love, parenthood, loss, and grief. Each element is thoughtfully portrayed, providing a deeply resonant experience. At the core of the story is a diverse group of women, each contributing their unique perspectives and experiences that feel both authentic and relatable. Readers will find fragments of their own lives reflected in these characters, which enhances the emotional engagement throughout the narrative. The inclusion of literary references enriches the text, adding an extra layer of depth that literature lovers will appreciate.

The storytelling is masterfully executed through multiple points of view. This style, combined with a dual timeline that incorporates a live criminal investigation, propels the narrative forward and keeps readers on the edge of their seats. The back-and-forth chronology invites us to piece together the puzzle alongside the characters, resulting in an emotional rollercoaster that is both compelling and gripping.

Given its vivid characters and dramatic arcs, I can easily envision this novel translating beautifully to the screen. Additionally, the book concludes with thought-provoking discussion questions that would be fantastic for book clubs, fostering meaningful conversations and insights among readers.

However, I must admit that the conclusion left me feeling somewhat deflated, though I recognize this may simply stem from my personal preferences regarding resolutions. Despite this minor letdown, it certainly hasn’t dissuaded me from seeking out more of Holly Bourne’s works in the future. Her ability to explore complex emotions and diverse experiences will undoubtedly keep me coming back for more.

A really good book.
First book I have read by Holly Bourne & will certainly read more!
Thanks for the opportunity to read & review it.

This books was so beyond what I thought. A friendship and meet up for a birth shower? Perhaps a few domestic drama genre themes? Yes I suppose so. But it was so much more. I've recently learnt a whole lot more about motherhood or lack of it. About being a mum and not. And this book has it all about grief and loss and trying to be who you dreamt of but things not turning out that way. All things mother and woman and friendship. And this book has it all. And more. And it's so honest and so raw.
It's got all the thing I wanted from the blurb still though. A different set of characters with flaws who I can relate and emphasise with every step of the way. And could see how these friends were dealing with so much in their own lives. To bring all that together and put your own sh* aside can sometimes be hard. There is compromise jn relationships. Sometimes your needed more than you need people. But... the scales can quickly swing the other way..and that is friendship,love,support. Real.
This book showed all this.

The Little Women have been friends since they met at university. By each other’s sides through thick and thin but now life seems to be testing their friendship. Now they are preparing for Nicki’s baby shower which will bring them back together. Except they are all preoccupied with their own lives, and maybe the baby shower will show them just how far apart they have grown?
Nicki is due to give birth - husband Matt is helping her best friend give her the baby shower of dreams, but Nicki is hot, she is huge and she is scared of what’s to come.
Charlotte is dealing with her own fertility journey and wants to give Nicki all the things she could possibly dream of.
Steffi doesn’t want children and is on the cusp of a career breakthrough.
Lauren has a nine month old baby - but is a baby shower the best place for honest stories of childbirth and the reality of sleep deprivation?

I don’t think this book was what I was expecting but I found myself so immersed in the characters and their lives - I found myself able to understand and empathise each of them. Which is really rare. I liked them all for their own personalities. It’s nostalgic, relatable, funny & very sad.
This book also features one of the most honest and raw depictions of childbirth, birth trauma and new motherhood I’ve ever read. All the bits we aren’t supposed to talk about, the things that you don’t read about in a novel. I found it quite emotional to read having gone through something similar.

A really great book.

Thanks to my teenage daughter, I had already read and enjoyed a few of Holly's YA books. This book, written for adults, is in a different league though. It recounts the story of a baby shower that goes very wrong. Told alternately through the perspectives of the four main characters, I loved the way it was possible to simultaneously empathise with and dislike each of them. I had the most empathy for Lauren and thought her character was very relatable. There is so much unspoken truth about motherhood in this book, things that most mothers do not dare to say out loud, but need to be said.
Dark, gripping and so well written, this is an astoundingly brilliant read.
With grateful thanks to Hodder & Stoughton, Holly Bourne and NetGalley for my advance copy of the ebook in exchange for an honest review.

This was such a brilliant read, I could not put it down!

The story centers around a group of women in their 30s who have been friends since University. They are getting together for a baby shower that ends in disaster. The story flicks between each friend and also delves into there past.

I really resonated with the characters, being a similar age and currently experiencing one of the characters issues. I enjoyed this one a lot.

Skimmed the last third of this… just wanted it to end.
It’s well written and intriguing but it’s mostly women being horrible. To each other. About each other. To their partners.

Yes, it makes some important points, most notably that having a baby is hard and post-natal depression is a serious matter. That being pregnant can be hard. That not being able to get pregnant is hard. That not wanting to be pregnant can be hard. But basically most of that is hard because these women judge each other and are horrid to each other.

I only persevered to see what happened.