Probably Nothing by Lauren Bravo BLOG TOUR #ProbablyNothing @Laurenbravo @TeamBATC @simonschusterUK #BookReview

 

Bryony doesn't actually mind being single. So she doesn't understand why she keeps seeing (ok, sleeping with) Ed, who is perfectly fine, but also only okay. After developing the ick on their fifth date, she resolves to end things – only to receive a call the next day telling her Ed has died. 

Worse yet, he seems to have represented her to his family and friends as his great love. Obviously, it would be cruel to correct them. Then she's invited to the funeral. It would be equally rude to refuse... right? 

 Before she knows it, Bryony has been drawn in by the charisma and chaos of Ed's eccentric family and tangled in a web of her own lies. She's been guilted into signing up to his sister's pyramid scheme, she's in far too deep with several of his nearest and dearest – and to make matters worse she's experiencing a lot of physical symptoms that are becoming harder and harder to ignore…

Probably Nothing is the answer to just how far sheer awkwardness can take someone. Peppered with Lauren Bravo's irresistible wit, it explores the relatable modern cults of wellness and people-pleasing, and digs into the eternal dilemma: life is short – so should you settle for perfectly fine?

Probably Nothing by Lauren Bravo was published in hardback by Simon & Schuster on 4 July 2024. My thanks to the publisher who sent my copy as part of this Blog Tour. 

I read and reviewed Lauren Bravo's debut novel; Preloved, in April 2023. I adored that book, it made my top books of the year list last year and I've been eagerly waiting her second novel. 

I said that I felt as though Preloved had been written especially for me, everything just resonated so much. I feel much the same about Probably Nothing. It's an almost tailor-made story, just for me! 

Bryony is an amazing lead character, I instantly fell in love with her and continued to have her back all the way through this story. 

Bryony has been on a few dates with Ed. She likes him, but it's not the relationship to change her world. When Ed dies, his family believe that he and Bryony were in a really serious relationship, they consider her to be part of the family now and expect her to be involved with the funeral. So, as far as Ed's family are concerned, Bryony is the grieving girlfriend, as devastated as they are by Ed's death. 

Bryony is a good, kind woman and finds herself not wanting to make the situation worse, so she goes along with it. I totally understand why she did this, I often find it hard to say no for fear of offending people, even though it often can make life difficult. 

As Bryony learns more about the family and about Ed and the binds to the whole family seem to get tighter and tighter, with no easy way out. 

Alongside Bryony's story, we also hear from Ed's sister in law Kelly. Kelly desperately wants to have a baby and is tortured by the sight of so many pregnant women, especially hard as she works in a GP surgery. Kelly's voice and point of view add another dimension to the story, we see Bryony from another perspective and we are there when these two women who are somewhat on the edge, form a tentative friendship. 

What Bravo does so very well is to explore darker themes whilst keeping her writing so relatable. There's humour but there's a great insight into how anxiety can impact onto mental health, it's cleverly and quite beautifully done. 

Bravo writes with a maturity that allows her readers to gain a great insight into the lives of ordinary people, she has created a cast of characters who are joyful, and normal and who the reader will adore. 

Another triumph from this very talented author. Bring on the next book! 

Lauren Bravo is an author, journalist and lifelong hypochondriac who has written about fashion, popular culture, food and feminism for titles including Grazia, Stylist, Vogue and Sunday Times Style. 

Her debut novel, Preloved, was named one of Red's best books of 2023. 

She lives in London with her husband and daughter.

X @Laurenbravo

Instagram @laurenbravo