Title: Preloved
Author: Lauren Bravo
Pages: 445 Pages
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
The Blurb
A love story about things…
Gwen’s life has stalled. She’s in her mid-thirties, perpetually single, her friends are busy procreating in the country and conversations with her parents seem to revolve entirely around herbaceous borders and the council’s wheelie-bin timetable. Above all she’s lonely. But then, isn’t everyone?
When Gwen’s made redundant from a job she drifted into a decade ago and never left, she realises it’s time to make a change. Over what might be the best – and most solitary – meal she’s ever eaten, Gwen vows to find something meaningful to do with her life, reconnect with her family and friends – and finally book herself a dentist appointment.
Her search for meaning soon leads her to volunteer in a local charity shop where she both literally and metaphorically unloads her emotional baggage. With the help of the weird and wonderful people she meets in the shop and the donated items bursting with untold stories that pass through its doors, Gwen must finally address the events and choices that led her to this point and find a way to move forward with bravery, humanity and more regular dental care.
Brimming with life, love and the stories bound up in even the most everyday items, Preloved is a tale about friendship, loss, being true to oneself no matter the expectations – and the enduring power and joy of charity shops.
The Review
Well, what a beautiful surprise of a book. Preloved was a delicious gem of a book.
Lauren Bravo’s novel – Preloved – is the story of finding your true self among the rubbish of your life. It focuses on Gwen. Gwen has just lost her job and has decided to volunteer in a charity shop until she can figure things out. Amongst the detritus of other people’s lives Gwen finds herself – this is through friends, lovers, and relatives.
Throughout the story is a glorious thread of a story woven through the narrative that is heartwarming and breaking in equal measure. What is evident throughout is the value of other peoples preloved items. What is one person’s rubbish is another person’s treasure.
I absolutely flipping loved this book. It was such an easy thing to read and it left me with all kinds of warm and fuzzy feelings.
Preloved by Lauren Bravo is available now.
For more information regarding Lauren Bravo (@laurenbravo) please visit her Twitter page.
For more information regarding Simon & Schuster (@simonschusterUK) please visit www.simonandschuster.co.uk.
