I spent 50% of this eye rolling at Sara and the other 50% not wanting to let her out of my sight, wrap her in a blanket and hug her when needed. Overspill was a complex read, with many triggers so check these before reading. I don’t find many of these human stories often but when I do they break me a little bit and remind me what it’s like to be alive. Overspill did that for me. I can tell this will be a story that divides readers, it did me while reading but the subject matter and topics covered in the book need to be talked about more openly so I’m grateful to Charlotte for writing this book as a starting point for these topics to be spoken about without fear or judgement.

Thank you to HQ, Akan Books + NetGalley for the opportunity to read Overspill before it’s released 24th April 2025! 🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷

Sorry to say that this didn't work for me. The 1st chapter which practically only talked tampons cheapened the read which immediately switched me off. I did know the subject matter before reading but this felt too much of a jolt into a book followed by very slow pacing afterwards. Not for me.

Overspill follows twenty-five-year-old Sara as she tries to navigate the trials and tribulations of womanhood whilst feeling at odds with her own body. When she meets Miles, there are challenges anew, as she longs to bring down her walls and allow him in, but she doesn’t know how.

Although at face-value Overspill can be compared to works of those brought to you by your favourite literary fiction authors, in many ways Overspill feels like it’s breaking new ground. Paradise doesn’t shy away from the difficult, taboo conversations and for many women, it could provide a first real chance at seeing themselves reflected in the pages of a book. While certain moments may be difficult to read, that only underscores the importance of the topics explored.

Overspill is definitely for the miscommunication, ‘were they lovers? worse’ readers, as Miles and Sara’s relationship is not of the fairytale variety. Instead, it is refreshingly honest and allows for both characters to show depth. In an era where social media is flooded with highlight reels and unattainable romance goals, Overspill is a much-needed breath of fresh air.

There's a lot to like about this book. I thought tje writing style was stylish and lyrical. The characters felt vivid and well realised.
I especially liked that the author chose to talk about a health issue that's rarely discussed and this was done with sensitivity and explored carefully. The depictions and descriptions of Sara's anxiety were so well done.
The issue I had with the book was pace. I found the story too slow for me and struggled to find anything that pushed me to read on. It started to feel a bit of a chore at times to pick up the book.

This was incredibly written and drew me in from the start. As someone who works in adult mental health, it felt like a familiar and authentic narrative, and I enjoyed how the therapy was portrayed and the sheer discomfort that it is to be so open and honest with a professional stranger.
I felt deeply throughout, whether it was frustration or anguish or tenderness towards the characters.

A gorgeous, aching, generous novel about a side of female desire that is woefully unexplored in fiction - and a perfect evocation of what it is to be young in London. This is the kind of book that demands to be passed between friends. Charlotte Paradise's prose is beautiful and precise. Readers will want to wrap Sara in their arms. Erin Kelly

Twenty something Sara is full of anxiety. Despite the support of best friend Anji, and her mother Lillian, Sara still struggles. Meeting Miles is a breakthrough for her, but will he understand Sara’s trauma?

Oh my goodness am I in the minority!!

A slow burner of a start that did pick up a little when the Sara/Miles relationship kicked in, then petered out. Sadly, not enough of a page turner for me to get invested, and I did struggle to finish the book. Not one for me, with apologies to the author.

Thank you NetGalley and HQ.

This is a thoughtfully devastating read, about a woman dealing with unhealed trauma, while falling in love.

An incredibly emotional and moving story, filled with lyrical prose, Paradise writes about mental health, trauma, and triggering topics with grace, sensitivity, and compassion.

Overspill is required reading!

Initially, it took me a while to get into the writing style of this one. But then, as Miles and Sara's story started to begin, I was really absorbed. Thematically similar to What A Shame (another book I loved), but I felt so connected to Sara - huge empathy and the prose felt so realistic. I particularly appreciated the ending - I won't spoil it for anyone but I thought it was the most moving wat to finish the novel.

Five stars.

Hugely moving. Sara's journey to try to "cure" herself and have a meaningful relationship is both heartbreaking and admirable and I like the fact the book did not shy away from how difficult the relationship was for both parties and how Miles struggled to understand and hold back.
Sara is a truly astonishing character and I did not want the book to end.

Brave and honest, a raw look at love alongside trauma. The first novel I've read in a long while that unashamedly explores the barriers to female desire and the ways our bodies tell us what we've been trying to ignore. So authentic I felt like a fly on the wall of Sara's life.

This book is beautiful and I absolutely devoured it, but the central relationship hit really close to home for me. I think I’ll have to curl up in a corner after this. Such amazing characterisation and so moving, I really loved it. An excellent read.

This book was ok… lots of smut, lots of detail, enjoyable but NSFW! Good characters, nice story, written well and would read more by this author