Having recently adopted cats to help me through a grief myself, I identified a lot with this one. My cats are even black, with judgemental green eyes and pointed little faces. Like Cleo, they have wormed their way into my broken heart.

Cleo is the story of a family broken by tragedy, about to implode. Historically dog people, Cleo is a present for Sam, the eldest son. But Sam never meets Cleo. Instead, Cleo brings life back to a young boy (little brother Rob) and his Mum.

This story is heartbreaking, devastating and yet full of joy and life. Funny and charming, Helen is open and uninhibited in her telling of her story. I completely fell in love with Cleo. Helen’s descriptions of Cleo’s behaviours are so on point, I can imagine it perfectly.

Solid 4 stars.