Okay, after three attempts I need to just accept that this author is not for me! I'm always intrigued by the plot descriptions in Pearson's novels; she obviously has a very creative mind. But each time, the execution of the plot has not worked for me. In this book, Maddy briefly travels ten years into the future every time she has sexual intercourse with a man. (There is sentence about what would happen if she ever had sex with a woman, and then it's quickly dismissed - this would have been a great path to explore more, among others.) I couldn't relate to Maddy in any way whatsoever. We're told that she's fiercely determined to be an actress, and yet this was 100% told and not shown; it felt like the author could have plucked any somewhat irregular profession out of a hat and used it interchangeably. Maddy's actions and emotions did not seem to line up at certain situations (I'm being super vague in order to not give spoilers), and it seems clear that the future is not fixed in stone, until suddenly it is? If I sound confusing/confused, it's because I am. This is a story with a lot of potential, and I'm sure it will be a good fit for some readers. I personally just saw too many paths not taken that I would have preferred to the plot in front of me. Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for a digital review copy.

Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for this ARC.

Maddy Hart discovers she has a strange gift when she loses her virginity at the age of 16 - she can see ten years into the future and discover in a snapshot how this relationship might play out. None of the relationships she sees before her inner eye over the next few years convinces her so she stays away from men until, one Christmas time, at the age of 25, she meets Oliver, who is also an aspiring actor and has been duped with her into playing Santa and elf in a grotty grotto.

She meets him again when she is looking for a flatshare because her BFF Priya who she has been sharing with forever, wants to move her boyfriend in. She moves in with Oliver and they fall in love faster than you can say "Cut!" When they are intimate she sees a rosy future with laughter and an adorable small girl in tow. For the first time she wants this future, and everything could be great - until she finds something out about the little girl that changes everything.

Now let's get to that weird bit of clairvoyance. I have nothing per se against magical realism and that it requires everyone to just blindly believe it but why is it so illogical? Why can't it happen once with every new man with the first kiss? Why does she have to have her sex life destroyed by basically watching a film of the future every time she has sex? I repeat, EVERY. TIME.

Also, the one time she doesn't see anything with a guy it turns out later it is because he dies before the ten years are up. But she sees futures with everyone else? Ten year relationships exist but not for everyone, especially for very young people. It makes no sense that she could see relationships with all of them in the future, plus how does she even know that exactly ten years have passed every time?

Then, when she is finally happy, why does she decide to suddenly actively change something just so she can have that exact future? Either it will happen or it won't but surely if it's shown to her she'd doesn't have to change anything to get there? It felt to me that artificial drama was created for the sake of it. Was the point of all this honestly so Oliver would look better in her eyes and not be a simple cheat? She wants the kid that much?

It is a nice enough story told in dual timelines, and Oliver is generally lovely and gets on great with her disabled little brother Henry. I don't think Priya is a particularly great friend as she seems selfish to me, but Maddy's parents and Mrs Aziz are lovely.

But nothing much really happens, then suddenly we have a very abrupt and ambiguous ending that doesn't tell us the outcome of Maddy's mother's tests nor what happens when she tells Oliver the truth in the future.

I am usually a great fan of Laura Pearson's books but this one didn't work for me. The premise is fantastic but the execution is sorely lacking and not thought through enough. I can recommend The Last List of Mabel Beaumont though and The Day Shelley Woodhouse Woke Up.

3.25 stars

This had so much promise and it started off well but, unfortunately it got tedious and boring. I struggled with this one and was so disappointed as I thought it would be a fun read. This was not the case. I actually didn't like the characters very much either. My thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.

The premise of this book sounded so good - every time Maddy Hart has sex, she sees her possible future with that person 10 years in the future. The actual story was less entertaining. She has sex with 3 guys and then she meets Oliver. Each time they have sex, Maddy lives a piece of their lives in the future. It was all very predictable and became repetitive. You go through chapters alternating between now and future Maddy with characters that are likable enough, but kind of boring. The ending felt abrupt.

4.25 stars. Laura manages to write lovely stories with characters you really feel for, and interesting storylines that really make you wonder how she comes up with the ideas… this one sees Maddy have visions of her 10 year future every time she sleeps with a man. After a handful of not good visions, she’s stayed alone until one day she bumps back into an actor she briefly worked with in a Christmas grotto… and she begins to see a positive future. You end up rooting for her, Oliver, Priya, and her parents and brother. Another excellent book by Laura ❤️

I received a free ARC copy of this via NetGalley and the publishers in return for an unbiased review.

This book is about a woman who, every time she has sex, sees her own future ten years from now (if she stays with the man she's with).

The premise is intriguing if odd, and the author is very good at maintaining tension and little questions that keep you reading. However, not much actually happens in this book, and the end feels unsatisfying because it's so abrupt.

I really enjoyed The Last List of Mabel Beaumont by Laura Pearson, so I'd like to have enjoyed this book. But having read her other work only made me more aware of the lacking character development and actual events in this book.

This review is based on an eARC provided through Netgalley.

This book is very reminiscent of In Five Years by Rebecca Serle. I loved how interesting the premise is and how absolutely gorgeous Laura Pearson's writing is. I look forward to reading many more books from her in the future.

The Many Futures of Maddy Hart is the latest book by Laura Pearson. An author whose books I really look forward to reading, so when the publishers, Boldwood, get in touch to ask if I would like to read it pre-publication, the answer is a resounding yes.

As you would expect from this author, the book synopsis is unique, unlike anything I have read before. Our protagonist, Maddy Hart, has the ability to see her future; in very small snippets, and only when her current self is in a very specific situation.
How much heed should Maddy pay to her visions? Should she let it dictate both her current decisions, and those with longer term ramifications?

The story drew me in very quickly. I connected with the likeable central characters well, Mandy’s family, as well as her lovely friend Priya. They all have depth, even the ancillary characters like the kindly Mrs Aziz. As the book concludes, the reader has the autonomy to decide where the story will take Maddy, and those closest to her, which I liked. I know how I have chosen to see that future.

Laura Pearson, when I’m reading your books, you make me feel so relaxed and immersed. I fly through them, caught up in these marvellous worlds you have painted in my mind, fully invested in the character’s lives. It is perfect, gentle escapism. Thank you.

Laura has a rare talent. One for getting the reader between the pages very quickly, a cracking plot and characters you would like to meet in real Life. Maddy has a gift, or is it? When having sex she can see ten years into her future and if that person is with her or not. This puts her off having boyfriends for a long time but when she meets Oliver when looking for accommodation, who by chance she briefly worked with , things change. When she meets Isla in her future, Maddy knows she has to work things out which isn't going to be easy.

This is a stunning, uplifting read and one I devoured. It's a very comfortable, at times emotional, read and one that perhaps makes the reader reflect on their own lives a little and to appreciate the moment. One I wanted to read “ one more chapter” and another and another……Loved this doesn't do this justice. Stunning, brilliant, clever and most certainly memorable. 5 stars really are not enough.


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The next time I discuss far out concepts that somehow work as plot devices this will be the first novel to come to mind.

Maddy sees a decade into the future each time she's intimate with a man. The possible futures she sees drives her to near celibacy. Until she meets Oliver.

Oliver has a nurturing personality making him an incredible love interest. He was likable and I couldn't help, but root for the guy.

The content isn't graphic the story is more about how future knowledge shapes present decisions. The magical realism aspects remain understated, while relationships of all sorts are central.

Maddy's best friend is kind and genuine character. I loved how these women wanted the best for each other. So often we don't see women being truly supportive and I appreciated the bond these two shared. Maddy's family adds an emotional plot thread that is easy to become invested in.

A captivating answer to the question....What if?

Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the Advance Readers Copy.

This was an unusual but thoughtful read about how you would live your life if you knew how it might be 10 years from now. Every time Maddy gets intimate she sees a vision of what her life with the man in question would be like in ten years, until she met Oliver this deterred her from having relationships but when she realises that she not only likes Oliver now but also the life they could have in the future she lets herself fall in love. What was most interesting though was the impact her future life had on her and how it impacted the life she lives now, in some ways this was a positive but in others it really wasn’t. I liked the characters and I loved the concept, overall this was well paced but I felt parts near the end felt more rushed but I liked how the author ended the visions whilst also leaving Maddy’s future life very much unknown.

What a fantastic read. I have loved all of Laura's books and this one is no exception it grips you from the beginning. It's a really good story and beautifully written full of warmth and charm. It a story of friendship, family, relationship's andmuch more with Maddy and her visions of the future at the heart of the novel it makes this lovely heartwarming read. Another winner I'm sure

Laura Pearson’s The Many Futures of Maddy Hart is a beautifully written and thought-provoking novel that explores the ripple effects of one moment and how a single decision can shape an entire life. With its poignant narrative and richly drawn characters, this book is a masterclass in emotional storytelling.

Maddy Hart is a relatable and deeply human protagonist, and Pearson does an extraordinary job of capturing her inner turmoil and hopes. The novel’s structure, with its exploration of multiple possibilities and alternate paths, is captivating, making readers reflect on the “what-ifs” in their own lives. Each future feels fully realized, offering unique insights into Maddy’s character and the world around her.

Pearson’s prose is lyrical yet grounded, balancing profound emotional depth with moments of lightness and hope. The themes of love, loss, resilience, and self-discovery resonate deeply, making this story both heart-wrenching and uplifting.

While the concept of alternate futures could have been overwhelming, Pearson handles it with clarity and finesse, ensuring the story remains engaging and easy to follow. The result is a novel that feels both intimate and universal, leaving readers with a sense of wonder about life’s infinite possibilities.

The Many Futures of Maddy Hart is a stunning exploration of life’s choices and their consequences—a story that will stay with you long after you turn the last page. Highly recommended for readers who enjoy emotional, character-driven fiction with a touch of the extraordinary.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

After enjoying Laura Pearson’s book ‘The last lost of Mabel Beaumont’, I was keen to read her latest offering. I always seem to enjoy books with a time travel type element so Maddy’s presence in visions of the future whenever she has sex was an interesting premise. I was hooked in and finished the book within 24 hours. The key characters were likeable and overall I really liked it. The only downside for me was that the ending felt quite rushed, and I was left wanting a little more ‘wrapping up’.

Laura Pearson wrote a winner in The Many Futures of Maddy Hart. I really enjoyed this book and would definitely recommend it!

How does she do it! Another great offering from Laura Pearson -> two in the space of a few months!!

Maddy has the ability to see glimpses of her "what could be" future shaped by her decisions in the present. during key moments in her relationships, and it changes how she lives her life - a big of a double edged sword really.

The idea of seeing the future—and how it affects your present—is thought-provoking and it got me wondering about my own life choices and the paths I didn’t take and choices I didn’t make.

This was a pleasant read, however, I think it simply wasn’t for me.

The idea is wonderful and original. It wasn’t badly executed but I would have wanted to see it done differently.

I liked Maddy though so I still enjoyed my read.

The Many Futures of Maddy Hart by Laura Pearson is an intriguing book that I couldn't put down.

Maddy gets glimpses of her future in small snippets and it's enough to make her break off relationships and keep changing her life in this book that goes back and forth between now and the future.

Maddy seems to make split second decisions due to her visions, but she has her best friend to help her and then she meets Oliver (again) and she finds a future she may want to keep.

I can't imagine having these kinds of visions and the author weaves an intriguing tale of Maddy's decisions and the consequences of them. The book left me imagining what I would do in her circumstances and that's always a good thing - a book that leaves you thinking when you're done with it.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC in consideration of an honest review. All opinions are my own.

I loved how this story went to current to future. Was very interesting to read that way. Can't imagine having visions like that but then again could be very cool. Strong characters which I loved. I really enjoyed reading this book.


Thanks to the author, the publisher and Netgalley for an early release of this book.

Maddy sees various futures every time she… Oh, use your imagination people. How unsettling. It might put you off ever stepping near a bedroom other than to sleep. That is until she meets Oliver. Will her visions be of a perfect future? Will she dare to find out?

Now, if you’re panicking wondering if THAT door is wide open, it’s not. There’s just enough to give you insight into her possible future. So rest assured - which is more than Maddy often does!

I really like the concept of this latest novel from the talented Laura Pearson. It helps greatly that the central characters are so likeable that I find myself immersed in all the possibilities. Priya, Maddy’s best friend plays a central role, Maddy’s family are lovely and there’s a good storyline to follow there. I could fall in love with Oliver myself, he’s quite a catch and a terrific, caring human being. Maddy is an entertaining central protagonist although there are a few of her actions that make little sense to me but do to her. These do add to the emotion of the read. It’s full of the twists and turns of life, the ups and downs with the addition of the unsettling concept. What would you do to if faced with Maddy’s life? At times she does seem very certain but, what if it’s wrong???

The plot has plenty of layers to it, there’s a lot going on as there are in many people’s lives which adds a touch of realism to the improbable concept which I do enjoy, as it’s different. The writing is engaging, sensitive and compassionate, at times it’s quite funny and at others emotional. Maddy’s internal conflict and inability to share the improbability of this with pretty much everyone comes across well. The ending is a bit abrupt but it works as life should be uncertain.

I’d say this is another winner for Laura Pearson.

With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Boldwood Books for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.