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In at the Deep End

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About this listen

Winner of the Polari Book Prize 2020

Shortlisted for the Bollinger Everyman Wodehouse Prize 2019

Until recently, Julia hadn’t had sex in three years.

But now:

  • a one-night stand is accusing her of breaking his penis;
  • a sexually confident lesbian is making eyes at her over confrontational modern art;
  • and she’s wondering whether trimming her pubes makes her a bad feminist.

Julia’s about to learn that she’s been looking for love - and satisfaction - in all the wrong places....

Frank, filthy and very, very funny, In at the Deep End is a brilliant debut from a major new talent.

#ImInAtTheDeepEnd

©2019 Kate Davies (P)2019 HarperCollins Publishers Fiction Genre Fiction Humorous Literature & Fiction Romance Women's Fiction Funny Feel-Good Witty Comedy

Critic reviews

"Frank, funny and fabulously filthy, but also tender and moving. Every woman should own a copy of this book." (Erin Kelly, author of He Said/She Said)

"Brilliant! The best thing I’ve read in ages. I can’t remember the last time a book made me laugh so hard, while also making me think about life, relationships and what makes us who we are." (Gill Sims, author of Why Mummy Drinks)

"Utterly original, hilarious." (Francesca Simon, The Times)
All stars
Most relevant
*spoilers*

The beginning of this audiobook was smashing. A woman who only later in life discovers she's a lesbian? Very interesting premise. However as the novel went on more and more things began to irritate me. From Julia only ever having had vanilla sex and not even knowing what fisting is, to most characters being quite underdeveloped. For example Julia's roommate Alice who breaks up with her boyfriend/fiancé but then gets back together again when seemingly nothing much has changed.

From the description I had expected a light read, but the story got a bit dark in the end. Sam pretty much had a breakdown with her controlling, manipulative behaviour. I did like how Julia saw the other side of it as she told us what the story would have looked like from Sam's perspective.

I found the end way too sugary sweet for a more 'edgy' book. It turned the otherwise 4 star read into 3 stars for me. Julia ending up with Owen's sister, with a new job and back dancing felt too perfect. I wish my life goals were this easily attainable.

The narration was good. I liked the generall narration voice, and the various UK accents. The French accent wasn't great, but forgivable. I loved how the narrator audibly sighed, paused and brought the emotions of the characters to life.

Overall I had expected more from this book based on the raving reviews. In the end it all felt a bit unsatisfactory. I had wanted a bit more depth and bit less whining Julia.

A bit disappointed

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I really enjoyed listening to this audiobook it was light hearted and funny but also some depth and venturing into control in a relationship.

Brilliantly funny

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this was an exercise in patience. Julia and Sam: desperate, controlling, horrible people. it could have been so much better.

toxic relationships

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Lucy Briggs-Owen brings this to life like no other audio book I’ve listen too, and that’s a lot. Hi m sure I know, or have known, many of the characters so real is the story. The sex scenes are rather good too.

Yes, yes, yes!

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I truly loved this book and found it so relatable. It really was just brilliant.

Brilliant

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