this book covers a lot, including (but also not limited to); grief, sex, class and age divide, family relationships, parenting. etc. pender achieves these concepts beautifully, with so much detail and attention, I felt every part of the book deeply. the stories are unflinching and raw but delivered with subtle humour and compassion in parts. it is a real ode to girlhood and womanhood in britain. love. 

I love that this is a debut because it perfectly showcases pender’s writing and skill. my favourite stories in particular were; three sisters, paper dolls, look at me mummy, single serve and self portrait.

also special shout out to the stories in Newcastle, the local dialect that I miss so much !!! howay man !!! also shout out to bar italia in soho being literally a whole story title (one of my favourite bar/cafes in london and if you don’t know you need to!) 

I will now be recommending this book to every single one of my girlfriends and anyone that will listen to me tbh. I am obsessed. can’t wait for what danielle pender brings out next !! 💘 

‘watching women & girls’ is out 23 JUNE !!

thank you so much @4thestatebooks for gifting me this advanced copy