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Private Lives

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Private Lives

By: Emily Edwards
Narrated by: Christina Cole
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About this listen

The addictive and thought-provoking new novel from the author of the Richard & Judy book club pick, THE HERD.

In the sleepy seaside sleepy town of Waverly, Rosie and Seb Kent are happily married. Now that Seb has achieved his dream of becoming Headmaster of the local school, their lives couldn't be any better.

Then Abi arrives.

Abi, a young, single mother, has come to Waverly for a fresh start. She plans to reinvent herself and give her children a new life.

Then she sees Seb.

As their complicated hidden past threatens to destroy them both, they try their hardest to keep it contained. But in a small town, secrets don’t stay hidden for long and soon, what should be their private business becomes a very public scandal. How far will everyone – them, their families and the whole community – go to protect everything they hold dearest?

Praise for Emily Edwards:

'A knock-out twist' GILLIAN McALLISTER

'Will have book clubs across the country in hot debate! Brilliant' CLARE MACKINTOSH

'It is hard to imagine a more timely novel' JODI PICOULT

© Emily Edwards 2025 (P) Penguin Audio 2025

 Family Life Genre Fiction Literary Fiction Small Town & Rural Women's Fiction

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Critic reviews

Just who, the novel asks, is the villain here? A great premise and plot with lots of emotion.
Loved this. It's about two residents in a small town whose past catches up with them, causing major upset to both their families and the wider local community. It's about gossip and judgement and forgiveness, and is brilliantly done.
Addictive, thought-provoking, compassionate and cleverly told, Private Lives explores contrasting attitudes to controversial ethical dilemmas, raising the question of how far people have the right to know the personal secrets of those in authority. A highly compelling and complex read that will spark rich and lively debate.
Fast-paced with fantastic dialogue, we loved this.
Calling it a perfect book club read (which it is) doesn't do justice to the compulsive urge it invokes to message all your girlfriends and ask them what they would do in the same circumstances! Edwards presents all sides of a complex situation with balance and compassion, wrapped up in a compelling story with beautifully taut prose.
This brilliantly written novel will really get you thinking.
Praise for Emily Edwards
It is hard to imagine a more timely novel. A fascinating exploration of all sides of a particularly knotty, politicized issue.
Controversial, addictive and clever, and the characters are so multi-layered and complex they are wholly believable.
Fans of Liane Moriarty will love it!
All stars
Most relevant
Small town, small mindedness is shown up by a cast 9f characters who are engagingly flawed. Such a well-told story that it's very hard to put down.

A great depiction of human nature

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I enjoyed Private Lives immensely. I listened whilst running I couldn't help but to keep running & running & running almost on the 'edge of my seat' not wanting to stop. A perfect summer holiday read with great characters & a very strong story line. I am very much looking forward to more books by Emily Edward's.

Kept me running!

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I liked the characters but one fatal flaw. The headteacher would not be able to get on porn sites on school equipment.

And who set the fire?!?!

Fatal flaw

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