Come What May is a book that explores the aftermath of trauma and the ways that people and communities process and recover from what happened, also the harms that can be done but also the help. I'm currently recovering from PTSD after an awful trauma last year so I was very keen to read this book. I had to read it slowly but I have to say that it was invaluable to me, and it's a book that I know I will reference again. I was interested in the slump parts of recovery, it's a reminder that it is the nature of things and doesn't mean you're going backwards. I loved how this book explores widescale traumas that affect whole communities but also the trauma that affects individuals, plus Lucy talks about the loss of her beloved father and how her family are processing the grief. This is such a helpful and hopeful book. The point I am at in recovery is that I am now looking to make changes to my life to build my own resilience so the discussion on exodus and epiphany really struck a chord with me and made me see that I am making the right choices for me. This is an incredible book that I think everyone should read!

Thank you to Lucy Easthope, Hodder & Stoughton and NetGalley for access to this ARC.

In Come What May, Lucy draws on her own experiences and major historical disasters to offer a thoughtful guide on how to navigate life in the aftermath of crisis. Building on the collective trauma of Covid-19, she acknowledges that we are now all too familiar with disaster, and uses this book to challenge how we think, act, and recover in the months that follow. Alongside powerful reflections, she provides practical calls to action and step-by-step guidance to help ensure we are better prepared for whatever comes next.

Going into this book, I wasn’t sure what to expect, and I had never heard of Lucy before. A few chapters in, I realised she’s actually from the Wirral, like me, which instantly made the book feel more relatable. The part about quicksand especially stood out. I swear every child from the Wirral grows up with that fear!

Even without that connection, I absolutely loved this book. It was not only informative but also deeply reassuring. Knowing that even in the most chaotic, life-altering moments there is a pattern, and a way forward, felt incredibly grounding.

Lucy’s use of real-life examples to support her insights was both powerful and sensitively done. At times, I found myself reflecting on actions I’ve taken during crises that, looking back, may not have been all that helpful. But Lucy doesn’t judge. Instead, she offers realistic, compassionate alternatives that anyone can apply.

I also learnt a lot about past disasters I had never heard of. For instance, I’ve lived just 30 minutes from Wrexham my whole life, yet I had no idea about the mining explosion there. Lucy’s reflections on the aftermath of events I do remember were eye-opening as well. I realised how little I had thought about what happens once the headlines fade.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book and will carry its lessons with me for years to come. It’s a guide I know I’ll return to whenever life takes an unexpected turn.

Thank you for allowing me access to the Ebook Arc too. I am looking forward to rereading and highlighting

Lucy Easthope is a fascinating woman! Having read her previous book, which I recommend to many, I knew I had to read her latest.

This book takes a slightly different approach, whilst the stories of her experiences of disaster recovery / planning remain it is more as a way to explore ways of dealing with such events both big and small using the lessons and wisdom learned over the years.

I thought this was written in a very informative way, providing the context for the advice to provide reassurance to the reader as to the substance and weight of the advice. Delivering a comforting message…It has worked time and time again in circumstances so you can trust in your time of need you are not alone, your feelings are valid.

It resonated to me in on many levels both for my own experiences but also those of others around me and ways in which it could help. My only thought was I am unsure of the optimal timing of reading this book, I feel it needs a little distance from the event rather than being used at the moment of a difficult time.

Would definitely recommend, thank you for allowing me to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

This is such an inspiring and insightful book. Fascinating about Lucy’s work, and the things you might never consider about crisis situations and what happens before, during and after. I also found the tips about how to apply the things Lucy has learnt so useful, and hopeful. As someone who has suffered a loss recently, I was so encouraged by her words, and feel better equipped to handle the future and the struggles I - and my family - are inevitably going to face.

A great book to help deal with crisis. I greatly appreciated the great advise, tips, and information presented in this book and I think it will help alit if people!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the e-ARC. I loved this warm and wise follow up to Lucy's first book. It includes intensely useful practical advice and personal story. It's brilliant.