This well and truly got under my skin. Powerful, raw, complex and ugly in the most beautiful way OVERSPILL looks trauma straight in the eyes.

Sara, our main character, is a swirl of want and need but her body rejects the intimacy she (and her boyfriend) hopes for. Charting the progression of her relationship from first date to first kiss to first weekend away to first fight, OVERSPILL doesn't shy away from exhibiting Sara's messy inner thoughts. It also doesn't neglect to investigate Miles (the boyfriend) and how he's trying to hard to be the right person for the woman he loves but finds he's at sea himself.

Be warned, there is dark content in here. It's uncomfortable and thought-provoking and I'm racing to press it into the hands of everyone I know.

Direct, raw and consuming
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I think the title tells you a lot, without telling you everything and certainly not too much. Sara knows that her body is her body but there are things she cannot do: insert a tampon, sleep with a partner. Life has not dealt her a strong set of cards, but now that she’s met Miles, she wants to find a way to navigate through to a complete and loving relationship that she knows she deserves. But there’s something that keeps hold of her, several somethings in fact, that keeps her static, stuck in place, in time. Will she be able to find a way to tell herself what it is before it’s too late?

I am not a woman, and certainly not a woman who has gone through even one of the things that Paradise’s main character has gone through; but I empathised deeply with Sara, her stuckness, her othered-ness in a world of happy singles and even happier couples. The writing is direct and raw, giving you all of Sara’s immediate thoughts and feelings, and how her traumas consume her, hold her body in fear and dread. This is not a psychologically easy book to read but it is one that you will read in one sitting, captivated by Paradise’s excellent grasp of narrative, atmosphere and climax. I would not have guessed this was a debut and I’m certain that we will be seeing much more of Paradise’s work.

Four and a half stars

Raw, gripping, and utterly unique 🌊. Overspill is a bold, emotionally charged novel that dives into love, loss, and the ways we’re shaped by the spaces we inhabit. Charlotte Paradise’s writing is sharp, atmospheric, and full of vulnerability, capturing the complexities of relationships and identity with honesty. The coastal setting adds a haunting, restless quality to the narrative, and I couldn’t stop turning the pages. This is perfect for readers who love contemporary fiction with edge, depth, and a beautifully crafted emotional core.

Great read with some characters that the reader can really relate to. The writing was really good but it didn't have me desperate to turn the page.

What a book. I read it over the course of about 6 hours and it was brilliant but brutal.
An exploration of PTSD and assault, this broke my heart and I wanted to stop reading at times, but the beautiful writing and raw empathy & honesty kept me going. I definitely wish I’d known the trigger warnings before reading this as there are some really heavy topics discussed, but I’m so glad I did read it.
I particularly liked the way Paradise wrote about arguments & how we second guess ourselves when fighting with a partner - it felt real and asked a lot of the same questions I’ve asked myself.
A difficult read, but I’m glad I read it.
4 stars.

Overspill follows 25 year old Sara and her relationship with Miles, a friend of a friend, who respects her boundaries, and Sara has plenty. Too much for her, and she hopes not too much for him. She can’t be touched, smells are triggering, social situations difficult. It all feels like an overwhelming wave, submerging her, drowning her, the trauma is the angry ocean, and she’s lost and unmoored, and unsure. She can feel it, everyone else can feel it, and no one seems to be able to help, not even her very professional therapist.

Overspill sets it all out in painstakingly slow detail, from the panic attacks at a family’s party, to counting periods and yelling at yourself for not being able to insert a tampon, because yes, this was assault, and no Overspill does not shy away from it. The focus is less on the assault and who did it, and how, and what, and more about the consequences that flow. So often we discuss in graphic detail the violence, the act, and we take away from the aftermath that the women face, and this is why if you want to actually understand what it’s like living post this event read this in tandem with Know My Name. These are powerful books precisely because they reclaim the space that the assaulter tried to fill.

They show these women try to live their lives and can live their lives, and are so incredibly strong, but also not. They’re real. They’re vulnerable individuals. They don’t just become a victim their whole life. They have a life beyond that label we attach, but at the same time their life is changed. It makes my blood boil to read of these incidents, it’s always a difficult read emotionally, but the way Overspill portrays it centers in on what it’s actually like to be a human in the real world trying to handle this. Romance is not the central theme, despite the marketing as a boy meets girl and try to get through trauma together story, and I love that, because the focus is absolutely on Sara. That does come at the cost of Miles and the characterization of every other character, because the truth is Sara is self absorbed and it’s understandable. There are days when it’s hard for her to care about other people and conventions because yeah she’s literally having a panic attack, and that’s fine.

But writing wise, and structure wise it was sometimes strenuous to enjoy the book. The subject itself obviously is a big issue, but Sara is incredibly self focused and it’s exhausting. She’s exhausted, her friends are exhausted, we’re all exhausted. The book occasionally dragged in the middle, but the descriptions really kept us going, I found myself 60% through easily, quickly, yet with no resolution in sight. Then a sudden spiraling conclusion. The ending came so quickly, it was almost unexpected. A sudden realization, a revelation moment, a disappointment, and then an open end indicating the opportunity to heal. Almost, dare I say, cliche? For a book that challenged and pushed conventions, enamored with its raw and real honesty the whole time, this was a disappointing ending indeed. From thoughtful commentaries on emotions to angst and simple sentences.

It felt like more of an effort to try and show how Sara is dealing with it rather than her as a character by the end, like did we really need to be constantly reminded she’s vegan, or just straight up told she calls her mom and this is what shes feeling. It was less characterization and more attempts to try to make us see her as more of a real person through these random factoids about her. The same about Anji her best friend. There was a lot of great moments of female friendship to admire here but Anji just seemed to serve a purpose, a stock purpose. Popping up at random moments to help support Sara, show her what Miles is doing is great, or isn’t so great, remind her of her own self worth etc, and then disappear off the scene? It was very much Sara centered all the time.

Which is why I also struggled with the limited amount of romance that the book did have. Because tell me why we’re suppose to care about Miles? I care about Sara and her well being. But Sara only cared about that too and as much as she cares about Miles, there was just not enough opportunity to develop him beyond just the guy who’s there. The guy who doesn’t know what to do. She also tried to not to vilify him, but clearly what he was doing was not right in her eyes. Which is true, and valid, but also she didn’t give him any opportunity really to try and help her or to go to therapy together or to try. She just employed the same tactics of asking him to talk to her when it was clear he was being unresponsive. I just think it was a somewhat one sided portrayal of his fault, he was most definitely at fault, but more acknowledgement of his efforts would have gone a long way in terms of getting me to care about him.

That being said this was still an incredibly important and raw book. It dealt with the issue impeccably. I’m just not sure it’s the book I admired as much as I did Paradise’s handling of the issue.

A very raw, emotional exploration of yearning, trauma and relationships. I think some parts were a little heavyhanded and abrupt but I also know so many readers who so enjoyed the gut punch!

Overspill by Charlotte Paradise was such an interesting read. It is the story of Sara, a young girl with her whole life ahead of her who is struggling with the normalities and mundanities of life. On a deeper level it is an exploration of one girl coming to terms with past traumas and how they are impacting her daily life.

What was really impactful about Overspill is that it wasn’t all sunshine and rainbows, ending were not tied up in a neat bow.

I loved Charlotte Paradise’s voice. I will be interested to see what she does next.

Overspill by Charlotte Paradise is available now.

From the opening scene, it’s clear this is going to be an unflinchingly honest portrayal of life after trauma. Sara has vaginismus, CPTSD and a deep sense of disconnection from her body. What follows is a raw, compassionate exploration of what it means to date, to desire and to try again after violence and grief have shaped your every move.

What struck me most was how delicately the book balances pain and hope. It doesn’t offer easy resolutions or polished arcs. Instead, we watch Sara inch forward, one step forward, two steps back, as she lets someone new in for the first time in years. Her relationship with Miles is tender, imperfect, and refreshingly real. There’s no need to label either of them as toxic or red flags - they’re just two people trying, sometimes clumsily, to show up for one another.

The prose is beautiful - clear and sharp, with emotional weight behind every line. The final third of the book is where it truly shines. The slow reveal of Sara’s past is well handled (you may guess it early, but that’s not really the point) and the emotional payoff is huge.

If I had one small reservation, it’s that I wanted a bit more of the “why” behind Sara and Miles - more of what drew them to each other before the cracks began to show. But maybe that’s intentional. Maybe it’s part of how the book mirrors the fragmented, often nonlinear way trauma affects connection.

This is a tough read (check the content warnings!!) but it’s worth every moment. Bold, brash, intimate and quietly devastating, it’s one of the most sincere depictions of trauma I’ve ever read.

This book is quite unlike anything I have ever read before. Sara is 25 and can't even try to use a tampon without having a panic attack, let alone consider having penetrative sex. She has so many issues that it seems incredible that she holds down a responsible job and has a semblance of a social life, mainly thanks to her good friend Anji. When she starts dating Miles, she has to learn to trust him, but will he be able to have a relationship with her when she is so vulnerable?
I thought this book was incredibly sad, especially when Sara discovers the real reason behind her problems.
Thanks to NetGalley for a preview copy.
Copied to Goodreads.

What a lovely book! This really had me hooked for the first page. It really explores what navigation your 20s is like!

A powerful debut. Looking at themes of trauma, healing, and intimacy. It follows Sara as she tries to build a relationship following trauma.Highly recommended.

This novel deals with really sensitive subject matter that is either very well researched or personally informed but for me it didn't work as a whole because the boyfriend character is villainised in service of the plot and that didn't feel realistic given what had come before. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

Overspill offers a raw and unflinching portrayal of a woman's journey through trauma, grief, and bodily detachment. Sara dates Miles while battling the profound sense that her own limbs, mind, and organs are not truly hers, yet she desperately yearns for them to allow her to fully experience Miles's love. This novel provides a deeply authentic depiction of living with PTSD and the pervasive sway of trauma over one's crumbling world.

It was incredibly refreshing to read about the realities of a genuine relationship, witnessing two imperfect individuals striving to connect and do their best, without the narrative feeling compelled to label them as "toxic" or highlight "red flags." The prose itself was beautiful, elevating the experience of this novel and making it truly special. Finally, here is a sincere representation of the enduring footprints of trauma and the inherent complexity of human nature.

Be advised that this book contains significant trigger warnings; it was a difficult read, but ultimately, a journey well worth taking.

Wow this packed a gut-wrenching punch. Please read the trigger warnings that come with this novel as it does not hold back, In a nutshell the main protagonist suffers from an extreme form of body dysmorphia. She has found someone who she wants to have a relationship with but her life-limiting trauma-related issues are denying all the physical and emotional connections that would make it 'normal'. Not for the fainthearted but the author writes about intimacy and vulnerability with an honesty that is breath taking. With thanks to the publisher and @netgalley

Enjoyable debut. A moving story about PTSD. It is full of memorable characters and you’ll see them like your friends: annoying whilst also lovable! Although like friends you can’t hear their thoughts. A stunning debut!

it's rare that you have so much immediate trust in an author that within the first 20 or so pages you can just sit back and let the narrative wash over you. Overspill is careful and unflinching in its structure, content and exploration. Part fully rounded and fleshed out romance, part deep and complex study of trauma, healing and discovery. There are elements of this book I really needed to hear, it's utterly heartbreaking for so many different reasons and yet I'm astounded at how the notion of hope is so gently provided to us. This is not a book to miss.

Brutal and devastating are definitely the correct terms to describe this book, I felt emotionally wrung out once I was finished.

I think it did well in tackling the topic of CPTSD and the affects it can have on the individual and those they have relationships with. It was messy, raw and shows that the healing process is not linear.

I would recommend checking any TW's before reading.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher.

3.5 Stars.

Everyone has been raving about this tender novel that explore the exact meaning of growing up and becoming your own person. This was stunning.

I don’t really know what to say about this book.
There’s nothing exciting about it, it’s a sad story.
It has sad vibes all the way through but then the reasons kind of erupt at the end and it’s nothing exciting. Just more trauma.
It’s well written and I’ll remember it but I don’t really feel like praising it.
Definitely check your trigger warnings.