What do you think?
Rate this book
The Self-Preservation Society
From the bestselling author of THE STARTER MARRIAGE and BROWN OWL'S GUIDE TO LIFE - a brilliantly entertaining novel about one woman's mission to go from cowardly to courageous...
Staying alive in the 21st century is a full-time job - one which self-confessed scaredycat Jo Morgan takes very seriously indeed. As a little girl growing up near Greenham Common Air Base, she stockpiled baked beans in case of nuclear holocaust; now she works in accident prevention, trying to protect the rest of us from conker injuries, killer tea-cosies and death by chocolate.
But she's happy - well, as happy as anyone can be in these dangerous times. Fortunately her boyfriend shares her outlook on life, so everything they do together involves the minimum possible risk. From their social lives to their sex lives, spontaneity is not in their vocabulary.
Yet when Jo survives a hit and run accident, she realises she's beaten the odds. Maybe a bit of living dangerously is just what Jo needs. But un-learning a lifetime of fears and phobias won't be easy. Jo has a she can carry on living half a life, or leave behind the people she loves. It's the scariest decision she'll ever have to make...
Staying alive in the 21st century is a full-time job - one which self-confessed scaredycat Jo Morgan takes very seriously indeed. As a little girl growing up near Greenham Common Air Base, she stockpiled baked beans in case of nuclear holocaust; now she works in accident prevention, trying to protect the rest of us from conker injuries, killer tea-cosies and death by chocolate.
But she's happy - well, as happy as anyone can be in these dangerous times. Fortunately her boyfriend shares her outlook on life, so everything they do together involves the minimum possible risk. From their social lives to their sex lives, spontaneity is not in their vocabulary.
Yet when Jo survives a hit and run accident, she realises she's beaten the odds. Maybe a bit of living dangerously is just what Jo needs. But un-learning a lifetime of fears and phobias won't be easy. Jo has a she can carry on living half a life, or leave behind the people she loves. It's the scariest decision she'll ever have to make...
380 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2007
8 people are currently reading
275 people want to read
About the author
Kate Harrison
101 books139 followersKate was born in Wigan, and lived in more than a dozen places when she was growing up, including England, Scotland, and the Netherlands. She trained as a print journalist and then worked for the BBC as a reporter and Education Correspondent, before switching to behind the scenes producing on programmes including Newsround and Panorama. Her final 'proper' job involved coming up with TV programme ideas for the BBC whilst sitting on beanbags. She is a dab hand at writing on white boards.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
February 14, 2020
A novel idea, with a 'scaredy cat' main character ultra risk adverse keeping herself in a risk-free cocoon of life who has a major accident, but… it just didn't grab me enough, if at all. Some of the supporting cast were interesting, but even for a light, nothing to series read, it all felt a tab bit trite and predictable.
.
I can remember boasting at the time how inclusive my reading was, in that I read chick-lit like this.. shame about my low grading though right! My lowest grade for this genre yet, I'm afraid - 3 out of 12.
.
I can remember boasting at the time how inclusive my reading was, in that I read chick-lit like this.. shame about my low grading though right! My lowest grade for this genre yet, I'm afraid - 3 out of 12.
February 18, 2012
This is truly an awesome and inspirational book for those of us who have lead our lives trying to fit into other peoples molds. Its an easy read and its a book that you dont want to put down until the very end. Jo Morgan is a very likeable character and very easy to root for. Also I think it sends a wonderful message about not letting your past define your present. A big thumbs up and a five star rrating!
January 24, 2016
This all centres around Jo, nickname scaredycat! She's risk averse to the point that she never tries anything for fear of something going wrong. One day she's involved in an accident and her life changes.
Nice idea, but all a bit predictable - knew fine well what was going to happen & who would end up with who. The saving grace was the character Frisky, loved him, but would have liked to know more about him & his life. Regardless, didn't stop me reading it at a pace or enjoying it's lack of depth.
Ok for a quick read that doesn't require any concentration etc. - typical holiday reading. Having said that, there are other authors that I'd choose before I picked another by this author. No, let's face it - I won't be reading anything else by this author.
Nice idea, but all a bit predictable - knew fine well what was going to happen & who would end up with who. The saving grace was the character Frisky, loved him, but would have liked to know more about him & his life. Regardless, didn't stop me reading it at a pace or enjoying it's lack of depth.
Ok for a quick read that doesn't require any concentration etc. - typical holiday reading. Having said that, there are other authors that I'd choose before I picked another by this author. No, let's face it - I won't be reading anything else by this author.
February 6, 2026
Loved this book! To sound a tad introspective and potentially pretentious (in which I’m sorry!) I think books you read often have a certain message or something you take away from it that you need to hear at that time in your life. From this one, I would say it’s all about the importance of taking risks and not allowing fear to dominate your life. An important message really.
I loved Jo, she was such a real character to me. The whole book felt very authentic to be fair. But a character whose life was ruled and lived within the confines of her own fear, and she didn’t even realise to much later on. I will say I felt a lot of frustration from this book as I wanted Jo to do, well more. And it was a slow process, but I think that makes it more realistic. The whole journey, right up to the end was great. Honestly, she was a very fun, endearing and genuine character.
The rest of the characters, Frisky and Luke, the parents, Timmy, Loraine, Dennis and such were all thoroughly developed and only added to the greatness of the book. Luke’s backstory was especially interesting, I really loved it. Combined with the fact the book was British was SO nice. I do love American books and such but my god, a British book is so refreshing. 🇬🇧
But 4 stars, would recommend. Was a bit slow paced but stick with it and it is thoroughly worth it.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I loved Jo, she was such a real character to me. The whole book felt very authentic to be fair. But a character whose life was ruled and lived within the confines of her own fear, and she didn’t even realise to much later on. I will say I felt a lot of frustration from this book as I wanted Jo to do, well more. And it was a slow process, but I think that makes it more realistic. The whole journey, right up to the end was great. Honestly, she was a very fun, endearing and genuine character.
The rest of the characters, Frisky and Luke, the parents, Timmy, Loraine, Dennis and such were all thoroughly developed and only added to the greatness of the book. Luke’s backstory was especially interesting, I really loved it. Combined with the fact the book was British was SO nice. I do love American books and such but my god, a British book is so refreshing. 🇬🇧
But 4 stars, would recommend. Was a bit slow paced but stick with it and it is thoroughly worth it.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
November 7, 2017
This book is abit slow to get started but it really does make you think. One bit really stuck out for me...chances of dying 100 perfect, chances of regretting things on your deathbed 99 percent. Chances of living the life you want, one.
November 19, 2019
The cutest scaredy-cat ever.
The chances of dying: 100%
Chances of regretting things on your deathbed: 99%
Chances of living the life you want : ONE
The chances of dying: 100%
Chances of regretting things on your deathbed: 99%
Chances of living the life you want : ONE
April 9, 2020
A bit hard going in places and a very predictable ending. But a good easy read.
November 2, 2021
This is an enjoyable, light read.
January 5, 2023
Easy, enjoyable read with a nice plot. Really had me thinking about my own choices. For me, it lacked a little bit more drama & detail at the end.
January 11, 2026
carpe diem in girlhood & eldest daughter form
December 31, 2025
Time taken to read - 1 day
Pages - 378
Publisher -
Source - Given by a friend
Blurb from Amazon
Staying alive in the 21st century is a full-time job...one which self-confessed scaredycat Jo Morgan takes very seriously indeed. As a little girl growing up near Greenham Common Air Base, she stockpiled baked beans in case of nuclear holocaust; now she works in accident prevention, trying to protect the rest of us from conker injuries, killer tea-cosies and death by chocolate. But she's happy...well, as happy as anyone can be in these dangerous times. Fortunately her boyfriend Dennis, Deputy Chief Civil Protection Officer, shares her outlook on life, so everything they do together involves the minimum possible risk. From their social lives to their sex lives, spontaneity is not in their vocabulary. Yet when Jo survives a hit and run accident, she realizes beaten the odds. Maybe a bit of living dangerously is just what Jo needs. But un-learning a lifetime of fears and phobias won't be easy. That is, until she meets former World War II fighter pilot Roger 'Frisky' Freeman Van Belle, his mysterious grandson, and a rather hands-on doctor. Jo has a choice: Fight or Flight? She can carry on living half a life, or leave behind the people she loves. It's the scariest decision she'll ever have to make...
My Review
Jo has always been cautious, she doesn't take risks, she tries to prepare for what she can, like when she was younger she stockpiled canned food under her bed cos she was worried about nuclear holocaust. We do go from present day to back in her past and see moments/memories like this. She avoids anything that is risky and lives quite a limited life for a youngster and others her age. When she survives a hit and run with a head injury everything changes. She feels different, her opinions and thought process changes, she makes friends in a group with people with injuries/issues from injury like hers. Frisky is an older gentleman who takes her under his wing and tries to help her navigate her new life, her family and friends don't really understand her but at least Frisky kind of does.
I was glad when post injury Jo got a bit of a backbone and stood up for herself and started trying things out, mostly lead by Frisky and his grandson as a quiet supporting figure. Some of the stuff was a little suspend belief for, some things irritated me, some made me whoop. I LOVED Frisky, he is one of those characters who aren't a main character but absolutely should be. I would love the author to write about him, his past, he is so interesting and a nice old man, we need more!
It is a bit of a personal growth story, challenging change, learning to live life and take chances, embrace change and actually stand up for yourself. Live is for living and Jo is finding that out, 3/5.
Pages - 378
Publisher -
Source - Given by a friend
Blurb from Amazon
Staying alive in the 21st century is a full-time job...one which self-confessed scaredycat Jo Morgan takes very seriously indeed. As a little girl growing up near Greenham Common Air Base, she stockpiled baked beans in case of nuclear holocaust; now she works in accident prevention, trying to protect the rest of us from conker injuries, killer tea-cosies and death by chocolate. But she's happy...well, as happy as anyone can be in these dangerous times. Fortunately her boyfriend Dennis, Deputy Chief Civil Protection Officer, shares her outlook on life, so everything they do together involves the minimum possible risk. From their social lives to their sex lives, spontaneity is not in their vocabulary. Yet when Jo survives a hit and run accident, she realizes beaten the odds. Maybe a bit of living dangerously is just what Jo needs. But un-learning a lifetime of fears and phobias won't be easy. That is, until she meets former World War II fighter pilot Roger 'Frisky' Freeman Van Belle, his mysterious grandson, and a rather hands-on doctor. Jo has a choice: Fight or Flight? She can carry on living half a life, or leave behind the people she loves. It's the scariest decision she'll ever have to make...
My Review
Jo has always been cautious, she doesn't take risks, she tries to prepare for what she can, like when she was younger she stockpiled canned food under her bed cos she was worried about nuclear holocaust. We do go from present day to back in her past and see moments/memories like this. She avoids anything that is risky and lives quite a limited life for a youngster and others her age. When she survives a hit and run with a head injury everything changes. She feels different, her opinions and thought process changes, she makes friends in a group with people with injuries/issues from injury like hers. Frisky is an older gentleman who takes her under his wing and tries to help her navigate her new life, her family and friends don't really understand her but at least Frisky kind of does.
I was glad when post injury Jo got a bit of a backbone and stood up for herself and started trying things out, mostly lead by Frisky and his grandson as a quiet supporting figure. Some of the stuff was a little suspend belief for, some things irritated me, some made me whoop. I LOVED Frisky, he is one of those characters who aren't a main character but absolutely should be. I would love the author to write about him, his past, he is so interesting and a nice old man, we need more!
It is a bit of a personal growth story, challenging change, learning to live life and take chances, embrace change and actually stand up for yourself. Live is for living and Jo is finding that out, 3/5.
February 18, 2017
Glorious Fun
I really enjoyed reading this book. the one star deduction is only because I guessed early on the endings, even the 'other' match! But still a very good light-hearted read with a few good. words of advice/warning for all of us scarcely cats out there.
I really enjoyed reading this book. the one star deduction is only because I guessed early on the endings, even the 'other' match! But still a very good light-hearted read with a few good. words of advice/warning for all of us scarcely cats out there.
December 23, 2015
From AntonySimpson.com:
The Self-Preservation Society by Kate Harrison was a book I picked up because it was on offer.
In it you meet Jo Morgan who puts all her energy in to minimising the risk in her life. Accident prevention is part of her job as is planning for catastrophes that might happen. But it is not just a job to her, it´s a way of life. Her long term boyfriend Dennis her senior at work also shares this way of life and it seems to be their bond.
Then Jo is the victim of a hit and run accident and everything starts to change as Jo realises that she can´t avoid all risks in life. Jo goes on a inner journey to explore why she has a deep desire to prevent accidents and plan for catastrophes. With guidance from new found friends Jo starts to take risks and begins her outer transformation. Jo´s life with Dennis starts to fall apart as a new one is created through her inner soul searching and outer risk taking. The conclusion of the book is the transformation of Jo to a much happier well rounded individual.
Jo Morgans character feels some what false at times because Jo´s views on risk minimisation in life are too extreme, especially at the beginning of the book. The plot is far too predictable and I would find myself reading other books rather than finishing this one.
The Self-Preservation Society by Kate Harrison was a book I picked up because it was on offer.
In it you meet Jo Morgan who puts all her energy in to minimising the risk in her life. Accident prevention is part of her job as is planning for catastrophes that might happen. But it is not just a job to her, it´s a way of life. Her long term boyfriend Dennis her senior at work also shares this way of life and it seems to be their bond.
Then Jo is the victim of a hit and run accident and everything starts to change as Jo realises that she can´t avoid all risks in life. Jo goes on a inner journey to explore why she has a deep desire to prevent accidents and plan for catastrophes. With guidance from new found friends Jo starts to take risks and begins her outer transformation. Jo´s life with Dennis starts to fall apart as a new one is created through her inner soul searching and outer risk taking. The conclusion of the book is the transformation of Jo to a much happier well rounded individual.
Jo Morgans character feels some what false at times because Jo´s views on risk minimisation in life are too extreme, especially at the beginning of the book. The plot is far too predictable and I would find myself reading other books rather than finishing this one.
May 15, 2016
Interesting summary, I must have skimmed over the poncho choking incident.
Slow start but I got hooked and throughly enjoyed reading.
Jo has a dead-end job, a "best" friend who seems to thrive by being better than Jo and not supportive at all, a boyfriend who dismisses her abilities and encourages her neurosis, a disfunctional parents.
Jo steps out onto the road without paying attention, victim of a hit and run and in s coma. Once she comes out she find her personality has changed and she is having flash backs to her 12th year. She is also challenged not to return to her old ways by 3 new men (not all romantic interests) in her life while her family and friends seem to just want the old Jo back. Will she stay scared or learn to live again?
Slow start but I got hooked and throughly enjoyed reading.
Jo has a dead-end job, a "best" friend who seems to thrive by being better than Jo and not supportive at all, a boyfriend who dismisses her abilities and encourages her neurosis, a disfunctional parents.
Jo steps out onto the road without paying attention, victim of a hit and run and in s coma. Once she comes out she find her personality has changed and she is having flash backs to her 12th year. She is also challenged not to return to her old ways by 3 new men (not all romantic interests) in her life while her family and friends seem to just want the old Jo back. Will she stay scared or learn to live again?
October 4, 2012
A girl who has an accident and this makes her review her life and realises she is not happy with her controlled life in which she is scared of may things e.g. flying. She meets an old man whilst in the hospital who introduces him to his son Luke.To cut the long story short we learn that Luke lost his parents when he was young and part if him blamed his grandfather and as usual in these story there is a happy ending as luke and the girl get to gether and in the final scene they are told to be in Italy.
the girl dunmps her boyfriend for luke and then the x-boyfriend ends up hooking up with the girl's bestfriend but the girl is happy for them
the girl dunmps her boyfriend for luke and then the x-boyfriend ends up hooking up with the girl's bestfriend but the girl is happy for them
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 6, 2013
A romantic comedy which also takes a light hearted look at OCD through the eyes of Jo, while she was a 12 year old girl in 1982 ("They were scary times. Midge Ure dancing with tears in his eyes. That German girl with the hairy armpits singing about 99 red balloons. And it's all part of puberty. The obsessions, that is, not the armpits."), and also during her adult years. Despite the humour, there's a constant underlying message about taking a leap of faith, and acknowledging that "the point of a partner is that they should make you better than the person you were alone. Not worse."
January 13, 2013
I enjoyed this book. The characters were likeable, although the plot was a little unbelievable, it was nevertheless entertaining and an easy read. I 'read' this audiobook format and it kept my interest even though you could guess the way it was going. I also felt that the ending seemed a little rushed or as though the author had become bored with the story or simply had 'run out of ideas' to finish it. However, a good entertaining easy read.
May 31, 2010
Light reading, but the flashbacks sometimes feel a bit overloaded. I was able to finish this in short period of time. Light breezy reading on how the heroin trying to find herself when she was injured in an accident despite her over cautious self. Would recommend it to those who doesn't really want something mind boggling indeed.
July 29, 2011
I just couldn't relate to the protagonist at all. Is anyone really that paranoid? Even with the pseudo-psychological 'flashbacks' she wasn't believable. And the boyfriend? Please, you have to have at least a shred of hope for a relationship to make it worthwhile reading to the end.
August 28, 2013
This an incredibly easy read with a really compelling story. I cannot understand how so many people have rated this book so badly.
Each to thier own. I loved Joanna as if she were my friend. Brilliant book.
Each to thier own. I loved Joanna as if she were my friend. Brilliant book.
October 10, 2015
This had the potential to be a great book. i was looking forward to reading it and getting lost in a fun chick lit, but i just couldn't get the characters and it was too descriptive and wordy. i did try and hot to p143 but gave up!!
May 10, 2010
nice bit of girly chick lit. Chewing gum for the eyes - don't need to think about it...funny/sad/poignant/silly...it has it all!
March 2, 2010
A light but fun read.
March 17, 2010
Brilliant
July 8, 2011
I can't believe I read this book... or that I kinda liked it. What's happening to me?!
January 12, 2012
The concept was interesting but the reality wasn't.
February 23, 2012
I really enjoyed this book. nice light, fun read. Will look out for more from Kate Harrison.
September 15, 2012
very good book not one of my Favorited books though but for toughs of you who have had a traumatic life then i strongly recommend this book
May 30, 2013
light hearted easy read
August 22, 2015
Really enjoyed this story. Liked the concept and the characters.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews