The Best of Everything

by Kit de Waal

From the author of My Name is Leon comes an unforgettable story of found family and the love that steals into our lives... in spite of our best laid plans.

Paulette's the kind of woman who likes the future all mapped out: the wedding to Denton, the Caribbean honeymoon, the gingham quilt on the baby's crib. Until one morning Garfield, Denton's friend, arrives at her door with the news that Denton won't be coming around any more, that there won't be time for her to say goodbye.

Somehow Garfield finds his way into her bed, and sooner than anyone can believe there is a baby, and suddenly giving Bird, her son, the best of everything is what gives Paulette's life meaning.

So why is it another little boy, Nellie, who keeps Paulette awake at night? Nellie who is being raised a few streets away, with no sign of a mum. Surely Paulette is the last person who should be getting tangled up in any of that?

A tender celebration of kindness and its power to change lives, The Best of Everything is one of the most beautiful and uplifting novels you'll read this year.

Genres: Fiction, Literary Fiction, Historical Fiction, Contemporary, Book Club, Audiobook, Family

261 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 10, 2025

Reviews

[Shelley's Book Nook · Rating 5 out of 5]

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⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Sweet Pea
Kit de Waal
Publication Date: November 3rd, 2026
St. Martin's Press
320 Pages
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org
Genre: General Fiction | Literary Fiction | OwnVoices

This story takes place in 1970 Birmingham, England. It's about a Black woman named Paulette who is originally from St. Kitts and likes to plan her future with exact detail. She wants the simple things: a man, a house, and a baby. She's on the verge of getting everything she wants when her fiancé, Denton, disappears. Then an unexpected reality gives her the son she's always wanted; she names him Bird and dedicates her life to him.

Paulette's life takes another turn when she meets Nellie, the grandson of the man who is the reason for her grief. As the story takes place over twenty years, we watch Paulette deal with her grief, become resilient, and learn to forgive.

This is the kind of character-driven story I live for. It was so heartwarming and beautifully written. It's a story about motherhood and found family, and I devoured it. Paulette was the kind of protagonist I love to root for. She was loving, empathetic, and oh so strong. The way the author handled her grief with forgiveness and healing gave me all the feels.

As sad as some parts of this story were, it was also genuinely moving and hopeful. I love reading books about how connecting to others can help them and heal us. There was so much warmth in this story, and I found it a comfort read. It will stay with me for a long time. All. The. Stars.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.



Goodreads ratings reflect reader demographics and
popular enthusiasm rather than objective literary merit.

[Liana Gold · Rating 4.5 out of 5]

⭐️ 4.5 ⭐️ 1970s, England. A story of love in a divided society with themes of grief, motherhood, racism and how random people can become family. A very quiet and moving novel of a woman who lost it all yet kept pushing forward, offering unwavering kindness and warmth to all those around her. It's very character driven, admirable and a bit of a tear jerker. It's high on betrayal, grief and profound love for the people that enter our lives. It's emotionally impactful because it shows a sweet story about ordinary, imperfect love and how we offer our affection, respect and kindness to the people we meet.

What's it about?
At the center of the story we have Paulette, a Black woman from St. Kitts, who's been living in London since she was a young girl. She's currently 29, works in healthcare and is deeply in love with Denton, a man she hopes to marry soon. She's of that age, where children are on her mind but Denton is reluctant to make the moves until a tragedy strikes and Paulette is left with a painful reality of some bitter-truths. She is grieving and her grief brings her closer to his best friend, Garfield, with whom she eventually ends up having a child with. She gives birth to a baby boy, Bird, who is the center of her world. Unexpectedly, Paulette meets Frank, the man that was responsible for the tragedy that left her shattered and broken. She's initially very angry with and at him but learns that he too is broken and struggling to raise his young grandson, Nellie. Overtime, as her anger subsides, Paulette grows close to Frank and Nellie, becoming sort of a mother-figure to the young boy. The kids basically grow up together and Paulettes' pain turns into a connection and their circle turns into friendship and the people turn into her new found-family.

The breathtaking beauty of this book lies in the fact that it's not only a story of forgiveness and kindness but it also touches the deepest corners of the human heart. Paulette is a deeply moving character and the emotional center of this book. Her story is full of heartbreak, loss and painful realizations. She's experienced a lot of hurt and disappointment in life but yet she's resilient and she's proud of everything she's done all by herself and she's quite vulnerable when it comes to the fundamental human need to belong. She's not looking to be loved by someone or be in love with someone, she wants to be a part of someone else's life, like a little slice of life. Motherhood helps Paulette to understand and appreciate the suffering and pain she's endured. By becoming a mother, she's gained a new life purpose. It showed her reasons to move forward, to forgive and to let go of the hurt she's carried for a while. With time, Paulette learns to acknowledge the circumstances that shaped the events in her life and she learns to accept that not everything in this life unfolds as we wish. I think many readers, women especially, will see themselves in her character and emotional struggles.

The calling of 'Sweet Pea' carries an emotional significance in this story. Given the affectionate nickname by Paulettes' grandmother, the lessons that she taught Paulette kind of form a moral framework in this book. That form of affection is a link between the generations that carried over from her childhood to her adulthood, helping shape her life every step of the way. Paulette wouldn't be Paulette if it wasn't for that Caribbean upbringing she's had and that generational continuity really worked itself through another generation through her loving care and kindness towards Franks grandson Nellie. That sustained affection and kind touch is what truly makes Paulette a special human being.

I think this book will leave many readers, female and males included, with thoughts and emotions and perhaps lessons that linger long after the final pages have been turned.



This book is featured on BOTM for November 2026! Get your first copy for $5 using this link: https://www.mybotm.com/bgnrjn6qk0o
I love BOTM, super easy to sign up, cancel, pause or skip a month at no additional cost to you. Enjoy!





Many thanks to NetGalley, Macmillan Audio for an early ALC!

Narrator: Sara Powell
Duration 7 hours 46 minutes
Speed: 2x

Publication date: November 3, 2026

[Tracy Greer-Hansen · Rating 4.5 out of 5]

Sweet Pea, is the name Paulette’s Grandma used to call her in St. Kitts.

Years later, Paulette has immigrated to Great Britain and cannot get her life organised; 29, and she is in a relationship with a man who won’t commit.

When tragedy happens, Paulette once again becomes unmoored; looking for meaning and love.

I could go on about the plot and how this unfolds but it is best to go into this blind; as I did. A deeply moving book about how we don’t always pick our friends or family; sometimes they find us. Motherhood and all the lows and highs that entails.

There were moments that broke my heart and then there were spurts of levity especially from Maggie, Paulette’s outspoken Irish neighbour.

Highly recommend. ⭐️

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review to follow nearer publication date.

I love Kit de Waals writing, I’ve read most of her books and they are all well written. She brings the characters to life and I feel like I know them.
The Best of Everything is a story of love and forgiveness. I felt for Paulette and Frank. The ending was perfect.
Thank you to Netgalley and the author for the opportunity to read and review this book.
Now being published under the title of Sweet Pea. Brilliant book.

[Katie B · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you St. Martin’s Press for the free copy!

SWEET PEA turned out to be a lovely read. There were moments my heart broke for the character but also some uplifting, touching scenes. This might sound like an oxymoron but it’s a quietly powerful novel. Not flashy or action packed but one in which you gain something from the reading experience.

Paulette’s grandmother taught her some important life lessons. After leaving St. Kitts as a young girl and moving to England, Paulette often thinks of her. Now close to thirty years old, Paulette is in love with Denton when tragedy strikes and he is killed in a car accident. Still grieving, Paulette gives birth to her son, Bird. In a cruel twist of faith or perhaps a blessing, she meets the driver who killed Denton. She ends up taking the driver’s grandson, Nellie, who is about Bird’s age, under her wing.

The story follows Paulette thru the years as she raises Bird. A mother’s love is a strong theme running throughout. However, it’s Paulette’s relationship with Nellie that I can’t stop thinking about. There’s one situation in particular that really tugged at my heartstrings. Treating others with respect, dignity, and compassion and not passing judgement is important for all of us to remember. I loved Paulette’s approach in talking with Nellie and later with Bird. There’s many other things to appreciate about this novel as it also shows the challenges a parent faces when raising a Black son in England.

Life doesn’t always go the way we planned but try to adapt the best way you can so you don’t miss out on the beautiful moments.

[Shantha (ShanthasBookEra) · Rating 4 out of 5]

"A beautiful portrait of a woman's seemingly ordinary life, transformed by extraordinary love."

Paulette is twenty-nine, living in England with fond memories of her grandmother in St. Kitts who used to call her Sweet Pea. She is on the cusp of achieving all her dreams of marriage and family with Denton. When tragedy strikes, Paulette's baby comes from his friend and all her dreams are derailed. Soon she finds herself alone with her son Bird. She remembers her grandmother's advice to embrace love and forgiveness. Which can be a hard thing to do when you're grieving.

Paulette's life feels like enough and then she meets another boy her son's age who she takes under her wing and cares for. Paulette discovers a new strength through kindness and the lessons of motherhood, friendship and connection.

This is a beautifully written novel about unexpected loss and grief and how to proceed when life doesn't go according to plan. It eloquently explores forgiveness, love and kindness and their importance in healing from our wounds. Highly recommend!

The audiobook performance by Sara Powell (7 hours 44 minutes) is excellent with an authentic accent of a woman from St. Kitt's living in England. She brought Paulette's character and emotions to life.

Many thanks to NetGalley, Macmillan Audio, St. Martin's Press and Kit de Waal for the gifted listening copy. All opinions are my own. 🎧

[Shameela · Rating 5 out of 5]

I did not want this story to end- sobbing into my tea at the pure beauty of this story- a genius in her craft. ❤️

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another Womens Prize nominee that took me by surprise. This is a story that sits firmly in the 'character study, little plot' camp as Paulette becomes embroiled in the life of a very sad and lonely little boy called Cornelius, Nellie, amongst her own small family with son Bird. It's a story of diaspora, connection, grief. Paulette finds, looses and finds herself again as her son grows up, moves on, and she still seems to be stuck in the past. Cornelius goes from being a little boy with no mother to a troubled teen and beyond. But he never forgets Paulette, the woman who raised him, helped him be the man he becomes. It's a touching story, and I think unless you can connect in someway with the characters you're going to struggle to read this, however I really did. Paulette's warmth and kindness shines through, and when she gets lonely herself, reflecting what Nellie must have gone through himself, it pulled my heart in all kinds of directions. Great writing. I need to read My Name is Leon now.

I will say I wouldn't recommend the audio version of this. I could hear every time the narrator swallowed, and it was deeply off-putting.

[Amber · Rating 3.75 out of 5]

Paulette is a 29 year old Black woman and auxiliary nurse, who immigrated from St. Kitts to England.

After a horrible accident, Paulette’s life is tragically turned upside down. This life event puts Paulette on a totally different life path than what she expected.

This story spans a few decades, starting in 1972, as Paulette (Sweet Pea) navigates the complexities of life as a single mother, dealing with grief, secrets, and the struggle to forgive.

There were parts of this novel that I loved, especially the way food was used as a bridge to form a connection and heal past wounds. I also loved the themes of love and forgiveness.

One of the things that was hard to read was how Paulette seemed to repeat the same mistake with men repeatedly, and the fact that she never seemed to take responsibility for her part in creating the turmoil in her life.

🎧 The audio of this book was performed by Sara Powell. She helped me stay engaged in the story and did a great job bringing it to life.

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the advance copy of this audiobook. All opinions are my own.

[Mairead Hearne (swirlandthread.com) · Rating 5 out of 5]

My Rating ~ 4.5*

The Best of Everything by Kit De Waal published April 10th with Tinder Press and is described as ‘a tender celebration of kindness and its power to change lives…one of the most beautiful and uplifting novels you’ll read this year’. If, like me and many others, you have read My Name is Leon you can confidently pick up a copy of The Best of Everything safe in the knowledge that a beautiful and kind novel awaits you.

When Kit De Waal wrote about two minor characters in a previous piece of work, they stayed with her, hence this novel was born. It’s 1972 and Paulette works in a hospital as an auxiliary nurse. Her boyfriend Denton makes her happy leaving Paulette fantasizing about their future life together. Having everything mapped out in her head, she floats along in a bubble of sorts until the day she opens the door to Garfield, Denton’s friend. Garfield has a message that changes everything for Paulette and, just like that, her life is thrown into turmoil. Unable to comprehend how upended her days have become, she starts to rely on Garfield for support and, although she never truly could love him, she soon understands that he will provide and be there for her.

Yet Paulette has demons that she just cannot lock away and, as the years pass, Paulette struggles. The birth of their baby boy Bird injects new meaning into Paulette’s life and, for awhile, she makes sure that Bird is never left wanting, always having the best of everything but the shadow haunts her, leaving her restless and discontent.

One day, Paulette encounters a young boy, Nellie, who is one age to Bird. He lives with his grandfather, Cornelius, who is clearly struggling. Without too much thought, Paulette soon finds herself caught up in their lives. Paulette is a very warm-hearted individual. She has known pain but there is an underlying kindness that surfaces and her naturally caring nature comes to the fore. But why Nellie? What is it that connects her to this young boy?

As the years pass, relationships change and family dynamics shift and sway. As Paulette negotiates these years we witness her at her very worst and best. Her pain is laid bare for us to see yet also her desire to love and be loved is also very much evident.

The Best of Everything is very much a story about people, focusing on its characters’ development and their growth with the passage of time. Paulette is a beautiful person looking to be cared for. She deserves a good life but circumstances keep pulling her back down. Paulette is on a journey and, as we accompany her on her path, she learns how to navigate some very trying events that very much affect her emotional wellbeing. Kit De Waal has created a gorgeous and giving tale. The descriptions and narrative, the dialogue and the setting all combine to create a heart-warming and magical tale of self-discovery and self-worth. A tender story, The Best of Everything is a stirring human tale, one that pulls at all the heartstrings leaving readers in a more hopeful and better place.

[Marilyn (not getting notifications) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet Pea by Kit de Waal was a touching and emotional story about love, loss, motherhood, forgiveness, and the unexpected ways people became family. I listened to the audiobook and found myself becoming increasingly invested in Paulette’s life and the challenges she faced.

Paulette, affectionately called “Sweet Pea” by her beloved grandmother in St. Kitts, was a young Black woman living in England in the 1970’s. She dreamed of marrying Denton, having children together, and building a happy home with each other and their future children. But when Denton dies tragically, Paulette’s dreams were shattered. Seeking comfort, she became involved with Denton’s friend Garfield, and together they have a son, Bird. Unfortunately, their relationship didn’t last. It left Paulette to raise her son alone. Garfield insisted that he wanted to be part of Bird’s life so Paulette and Garfield worked out an amicable arrangement.

One of the most moving parts of the story was Paulette’s unexpected relationship with Frank, the man responsible for Denton’s death, and his young grandson, Nellie. As Bird and Nellie grow up together, Paulette opened her heart to another child, creating the family she never could have imagined having.

I admired Paulette’s strength, compassion, and determination, even when I didn’t always agree with her decisions. She was a wonderfully imperfect character who experienced tremendous heartbreak but never lost her ability to love. I was especially touched by her relationship with the two boys and the differences in how they were treated because of their race.

Kit de Waal beautifully explored grief, racism, loneliness, and the importance of kindness and forgiveness in her novel, Sweet Pea. I also appreciated how Paulette’s memories of her grandmother and the traditions of St. Kitts remained such an important part of her life.

Sara Powell’s narration added warmth and emotion to the story, making Paulette’s experiences feel even more personal.

I am giving Sweet Pea 4 stars. Although the story moved slowly at times, I found it heartfelt and thought-provoking. It reminded me that family isn’t always defined by blood, and sometimes the people who enter our lives unexpectedly leave the deepest impressions.

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the opportunity to listen to this moving audiobook in exchange for my honest review.

[Sandy Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was easy to read and I enjoyed reading it. It is a character driven book with the main female being Paulette a resilient Caribbean woman who works as an auxiliary at the hospital. She has a child called Bird, and she is drawn to a white boy and his grandfather Frank, who had killed in a car accident Paulettes married lover. You care about the characters which are well rounded and developed. There is a strong sense of culture, and the time its set in, from the 1970's onwards. The descriptions of the Caribbean food are intense and you can literally taste it makingyour mouth water. Its a story of family, grief, love and loss, loneliness and having to rebuild your life after tragedy. Ultimately it is about found family, kindness and forgiveness. It is a quietly sad, empathetic, excellently written book that you can devour.

[MicheleReader · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story begins in 1972 when Paulette is 29 years old. She is a young Black woman from St. Kitts living in London. Her grandmother affectionately called her Sweet Pea. Paulette works as a nurse and is madly in love with Denton, who she expects to marry, build a family together and have a happy life. But her dream is shattered when Denton dies in a car accident. Denton's friend Garfield tries to fill his shoes and together they have a child, nicknamed Bird. Paulette has an encounter with Frank, the man responsible for Denton's death, and she is filled with rage. She discovers that Frank is raising his young grandson Nellie on his own and the boy is close in age to Bird. Paulette encourages a friendship between the boys, and she becomes a surrogate mother to Nellie. Paulette longs for St. Kitts and preserves her memories by cooking dishes taught to her by her grandmother. Teaching Nellie to cook creates a special bond between them. As the boys grow older, Paulette observes the different ways a Black and white child are treated, especially when they start getting into trouble. Their paths will soon take a significant shift.

Sweet Pea by Kit de Waal is a story of a woman's journey through love, loss, betrayal, found family, and forgiveness. Although she is a loving, compassionate woman, making her a character to root for, she makes some poor decisions stemming from her ongoing grief and has to learn from her mistakes to find her way. The characters are all so well crafted. This tender tale of resiliency touched my heart.

Many thanks to St. Martin's Press for the gifted advance.

Review posted on MicheleReader.com.

[Well of Lost Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Best of Everything is one of those deceptively gentle novels that sneaks up on you. Kit de Waal lets the story meander, wander, and occasionally take sharp, unexpected turns (much like real life) without ever feeling unfocused or indulgent. I loved how unpredictable it felt; just when I thought I knew where things were heading, the narrative shifted, deepening the emotional stakes rather than chasing cheap drama.

The characters feel lived-in and human, carrying their histories with them in small gestures and unspoken regrets. And the ending? Quietly satisfying, emotionally earned, and lingering in that soft, thoughtful way that stays with you long after the final page.

Tender, unpredictable, and impossible to put down—this one gets under your skin and makes itself comfortable ❤️

[Kristine · Rating 4.5 out of 5]

Kit de Wall is a new author for me. She definitely knows how to capture your emotions: from deep sadness, anger, grief and racism. Yet, the strongest emotion was love.

This is a story about Paulette. She had big plans when she was dating Denton. So, when he suddenly dies from a car accident, she has profound grief. She finds out things about Denton that are very painful. Paulette mourns, and much of that is about the dream life she thought she was going to have.

She has a son, Bird and lives life for him. It shows her nurturing and loving side clearly. Still, she is her son. When she meets another boy, Nellie, she hesitates to become involved since she knows his grandfather in a complicated way. Yet, being a caregiver, she can’t help but want to help him. She slowly begins to develop deep emotions for this child. It is an unexpected reaction, based on her history with Frank, the grandfather. As Bird and Nellie grow up, the reality of this relationship threatens her black son. The character development was moving and strong. She wonders if she can ever let Nellie back into her life. Her decisions made me cry several times.

Recommend if you enjoy strong character driven stories. I loved this book. It is powerful and real. Cuts you like a knife at times and other pulls at your heart.

This book was Nominated for the 2026 Women’s Prize for Fiction and deserves that recognition. It was just selected by Read with Jenna for November. Do read this book, as it will entice you and stay with you long after finishing the last page.

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martins for a copy of this book. I always leave reviews for books I read.

[Renée | apuzzledbooklover · Rating 3.75 out of 5]

[Thank you to Netgalley, Macmillan Audio and St. Martins Press for the gifted ALC in exchange for my honest opinion.] #MacAudioPartner

Paulette is 29 years old and living in London. She grew up in St. Kitts and has fond memories of her grandmother, who called her “Sweet Pea”.

The story follows her life over the decades, as she experiences great personal tragedy, and the ups and downs of life, love and motherhood. It’s a slower-paced character, driven journey where you experience all of her emotions and even loneliness, at times.

Highlights |
🌸 Love of a mother
🌸 Mercy
🌸 Grief
🌸 Friendship 
🌸 Racism
🌸 Mistakes
🌸 Second chances

I ended up feeling empathy for Paulette. She often made poor choices, and even repeated her mistakes, which was frustrating to see. But she also suffered for them, along with some circumstances that were not of her choosing. It reminded me that we all make mistakes and have difficult times in our lives, whether of our own choosing or not, and can all use some grace.

CA | Contains some strong language sprinkled throughout.

[Gumble's Yard - Golden Reviewer · Rating 3 out of 5]

She walks home the long way so she can think. She tries to put the jigsaw of Frank and Nellie together, his wife and her death and the girl pregnant and the accident. And the baby Frank must have had to fight for. Paulette knew from time Nellie was going to change her life. She knew from the minute the child put his hand in hers, like God was winking at her, saying, 'Watch him now, Paulette!' Not one single soul on this earth could say Paulette hadn't done her best by the boy, fed him, clothed him, scuffed him when he was out of line, advised him, hugged him and done everything short of be a mother to the boy. That special place was reserved for Bird and Bird alone. And yet, there is an extra chamber in Paulette's heart and in that place lives Cornelius Bowen and there's nothing she can do about it.

 
Longlisted for the 2026 Women’s Prize for Fiction.
 
This is the third novel of the Birmingham-born and raised British/Irish author (her mother an Irish-descended auxiliary nurse, her mother a St Kitts born bus driver).
 
Her first “My Name is Leon” (2013) very much made her reputation – it won the Irish Novel of the Year and was shortlisted for the Desmond Elliott and the Costa First Novel prizes.   Her second “The Trick To Time”, about a seaside town dollmaker and master of invention, was longlisted for the 2018 Women’s Prize – and I found it deeply affecting despite a borderline melodramatic plot.  Since then her writing has oeuvre has included includes memoir, story collection and a YA novel, she has also campaigned on (and backed) working class representation in the arts and Chaired the Women’s Prize judges last year – before being longlisted again for this her third novel.
 
It is set in Birmingham and its close third person character is Paulette – who came to England from St Kitts as a child in I would guess the late 1940s (being just under 30 when the novel opens around the mid 1970s) and now, with almost no living family in the UK and only distant relatives in St Kitts, works as an auxiliary nurse. 
 
The plot set up occurs over only a few quick chapters (and so is not really a spoiler); Paulette’s long time casual boyfriend dies in a car accident, only for her to find out he was already married with children (the very children she had hoped to have with him).  Instead she ends up living with his best friend with who she has the long-desired child – Bird – but the two split up at her choice. Obsessed with the man who caused the fatal crash – Frank (who she first knows as “Shirt And Tie” – a designation she is still rather artificially to me using 15-20 years later) – she finds he is caring (or largely failing to care) for his grandson Cornelius “Nellie” while struggling with his own demons – and she forms a close caring relationship with Nellie, her only real friend her Irish neighbour Maggie.
 
And from there the novel watches her life and these relationships play out over some near 20 years (including her own struggles with grief which play out in both an alcohol dependency and a series of affairs with married men – the longest with an Indian-descended bus driver) – with the various relationships (and the novel) taking at times a darker turn before a redemptive ending.
 
And that ending fits what is a fundamentally warm-hearted, I would say generous novel.  
 
One example that stood out to me was when Paulette and her bus driver married lover venture out to a pub in (the beautiful North Norfolk saltmarsh village of Burnham Overy Staithe) and we are told “There's a quiet hush when they walk in but there's music and enough politeness so that people don't stare at the black people venturing this far east in England.”;another is a rather incidental but touching scene when Paulette, even at the depth of her own despair, gives strength and encouragement to the mother of a premature baby; a third when she lectures Bird that “In my eyes and in the eyes of God, you don't pass judgement on things you don't understand and you always come down on the side of mercy.”
 
And while perhaps too straightforward for my literary tastes it is a good fit for the spectrum of novels the Women’s Prize includes (especially with the more recent emphasis on accessibility), although one I think less distinctive than her previous longlisted novel.

[Pallavi · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars
I absolutely loved The Best of Everything. It’s warm, heartbreaking, funny and quietly devastating all at once. Set in 1970s Birmingham, it follows Paulette, a woman from St Kitts who is trying to build a good life for herself and her son Bird. Her carefully planned future falls apart when her lover Denton dies suddenly, and she ends up finding comfort with his friend Garfield. Then there’s Nellie, a little boy living nearby with no mother around, who somehow becomes impossible for Paulette to ignore. What follows is really a story about motherhood, grief, forgiveness and the strange ways people become family.

Paulette is such a wonderfully imperfect character , strong and loving, but also lonely, stubborn and capable of making some pretty bad choices. I loved watching her slowly find her way through all the mess life throws at her. The relationship between Paulette and Nellie is probably the emotional heart of the book, and their bond really got to me. What makes the story special is that the kindness isn't grand or dramatic; it's in ordinary people stepping up for each other.

I listened to the audiobook and was completely absorbed in Paulette's world.
There is plenty of sadness here, but somehow the book never becomes gloomy because de Waal balances the heartbreak with humour, warmth and hope. I finished it feeling like I'd actually known these people rather than simply read about them. Beautiful, deeply human and one of those books that quietly stays with you after you've finished.
Happy Reading!!

[Flo Prosser · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good writing but quite slow, and for a book that's centred around characters I never felt like I got to know Bird or even Cornelius. Also please, Paulette, why is your taste in men so terrible? Genuinely frustrating.

[Ross · Rating 2 out of 5]

kind of boring tbqh!

[Abby Melchers | lifegivinglibrary · Rating 3.5 out of 5]

Paulette, a young woman who immigrated to England from St. Kitts as a child, was lovingly called "Sweet Pea" by her grandmother, who raised her after the death of her mother. Paulette is now twenty-nine, working as an auxiliary nurse at a local hospital, and she has hopeful dreams about the future with the man she loves. That is, until tragedy strikes and everything she had dreamed comes crumbling down.

There are many things to enjoy about this book. I think Kit de Waal's writing is beautiful, and there was the potential for a truly redemptive story here. That being said, I really struggled with Paulette as a main character. While I had empathy for the circumstances she found herself in, she continually made terrible decisions, and she was suffering the consequences of her own mistakes. Perhaps I missed it, but it seemed that she never took responsibility for her actions, which made it harder to feel sympathy for her.

The friendships she formed with Frank and his grandson Cornelius ("Nellie"), in particular, had the potential to be so redemptive. When these relationships began, I couldn't help but think of beauty coming from ashes. However, while I understood some of Paulette's disappointment in her circumstances, and could even empathize with her anger at certain points, I found myself becoming increasingly frustrated by her unwillingness to acknowledge the role she played in getting to that point. I love character-driven stories, but ultimately, I felt this one fell short in its character development.

The narration by Sara Powell was very well done, in my opinion. She has a beautiful narrating voice, and the different accents and inflections she used were excellent.

As for content considerations, be aware going in that there are themes of infidelity throughout the book. While the book doesn't include any explicit sexual content, there are references to intimacy and repeated instances of characters participating in extramarital affairs. In addition, there is a moderate amount of strong language throughout the book.

Thank you to Macmillan Audio, St. Martin's Press, and Netgalley for both an advanced listener and advanced reader copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.

[Jo · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5
Back to the 70s and the story of Paulette from
‘My name is Leon’. It will be interesting to see how the small minority of white men who read the women’s prize longlist review this. KDW always writes in an easy and accessible way that make the strong themes even more powerful. It follows a care assistant in the NHS of the 1970s when they were known as nursing auxiliaries. I can remember working in this environment then well and had occasional quibbles with accuracy. But mainly it is about Paulette‘s life. It is set in Birmingham, which makes a change from London and themes include racism, family, addiction, crime and diasporic communities plus both blood and found family. There is also a part set in Texas. The female characters are all very well drawn and realistic. Generally men are not seen very favourably for good reason

[Angie Miale · Rating 4.25 out of 5]

Sweet Pea by Kit de waal
⭐ 4.25/5 stars

There is something so beautiful about a quiet novel that takes an ordinary woman’s life and reminds us just how extraordinary ordinary lives can be.

Sweet Pea follows Paulette, a woman born in St. Kitts whose grandmother affectionately called her Sweet Pea. When we meet her in 1970s England, she’s 29 years old, in love with a handsome man, and dreaming of marriage and motherhood. But life doesn’t always unfold the way we imagine, and over the next two decades, we watch Paulette navigate love, loss, motherhood, and the unexpected turns that shape her life.

Paulette is such an unassuming character, and I think that’s precisely what makes her so compelling. She faces hardship with a quiet stoicism and approaches motherhood with tremendous heart, even when she has very little support herself. I found myself rooting for her from beginning to end.

One of my favorite aspects of the novel is the relationship between Paulette’s son, Bird, and Cornelius, a white boy whom Paulette also helps raise. Their friendship becomes an especially poignant way to explore race, class, and belonging in England during the latter decades of the twentieth century. The differences in how these two boys experience the world are sometimes subtle but incredibly meaningful.

I particularly appreciated the pacing. Although the novel spans roughly twenty years and skips over significant stretches of time, the transitions felt completely effortless. The story moves through the different seasons of Paulette’s life so naturally that I never felt like I was missing anything. It’s a quiet, character-driven novel, but quiet certainly doesn’t mean slow. I was engaged throughout.

I have such a soft spot for historical fiction that centers the lives of ordinary people, particularly women whose stories might otherwise go untold. Sweet Pea is exactly that kind of book. It’s tenderhearted, deeply empathetic, and a lovely portrait of an immigrant woman building a life and raising a child with remarkable resilience.

This was a Read with Jenna pick and my Book of the Month selection, and I’m so glad I chose it. If you love thoughtful, character-driven historical fiction and don’t need an action-packed plot to keep you engaged, I highly recommend adding this one to your reading list.

[Di S · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars
I enjoyed My Name is Leon, and I really wanted to enjoy this book, but somehow it just didn't engage me.
The main character, Paulette, is a good mother and kind-hearted soul, who hasn't had an easy life and suffers a major loss early in the book. However what follows is just a slow-moving account of all her subsequent poor life choices and their effect. The sense of a mother's loss when her son leaves home is well written, but Paulette's demise into alcoholism and serial adultery seems somewhat gratuitous.
The other characters are well-drawn, but risk tipping into caricature. Maggie, the next door neighbour is a loud outspoken chain-smoking Irish woman and 'Shirt & Tie' is an awkward, traditional elderly gentleman (real name Frank) who becomes part of Paulette's life through the most unexpected circumstances. The fact that two decades later in the story he is still referred to as 'Shirt & Tie' seems a little odd.
I'm also not quite sure how I feel about the ending - a bit rushed and 'tidy' rather than believable?

A note on the audio version. The Audible book is beautifully narrated by Sara Powell, a British-Jamaican actress. However the text is written from a close third person perspective, mirroring Paulette's voice and thoughts, so there sometimes seemed a disconnect between the British RP audio narration and what I imagined would be Paulette's voice with a Birmingham accent and occasional use of patois e.g. use of 'vex': 'Sometimes, she feels so vex with him she could rip into him'.

[TAYA · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting, character driven story about building yourself up from despair. There are a more than a few different challenges Paulette faces in this story. Actually, not just her, but those who’ve become a part of her life as well. Hardships and hard times. The author is tactful when presenting these issues. Thankfully, Paulette is able to use many skills that were ingrained in her as a child from her grandmother to help herself manage. Learning you’re not the only one going through a difficult time was particularly hard for her to grasp. Tragedy and how it’s handled so very differently person to person. How having compassion for others is a powerful thing and forgiveness for the one who caused so much pain is the pinnacle of selflessness.
I appreciated the female friendship between Paulette and Maggie. And the way they lean on each other for support as well as having fun in their single motherhood. Sometimes you just need to find your family.

Special thanks to St.Martins Press via NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.

[Rita Egan · Rating 2 out of 5]

2026 Women's Prize for Fiction Longlist 10/16

This book obviously has wide appeal, but I can't believe it has been longlisted for the Women's Prize. The story is fine, but there is nothing new here. Books like this are the most difficult to review in terms of their worthiness to be in line for awards, because the tender message the author is bringing has a place, and an audience, but sitting beside the literary brilliance or emotional depth or razor sharp insights of many of the others listed? It is just not in right division.

[Mrs · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Paulette is mighty. She is righteous. She has heartbreak and grief and loss on her side.”
Paulette will stay with me for a long time. I cried for her, I sighed when she went after another married man. I admired her courage.
A story of kindness, and its consequences. Did she do the right thing in reaching out to Nellie? (we ask at one point) Who are we responsible for?

This line broke me for a bit-
“He nods and smiles. ‘He’s mine’ he says.”

Gorgeous.

[Leonie-Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sat in silence to collect my thoughts and to STOP CRYING.

[Sarah (sarahanneisreading) · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25 stars

[Laura Moher · Rating 4 out of 5]

The people, they are just so...people-y!
Not a single character in the novel Sweet Pea is either too good or too villainous to be true. They are just like the people we know on this earth: a mixture of good and bad, thoughtful and callous, insightful and blind. I always have a tendency to look for a character I can root for, someone who is smarter or more virtuous than the others, but Kit de Waal wouldn't allow that, and Sweet Pea is a better story for it.
Paulette is a woman going through the motions of day-to-day life while creating romantic dreams of some future we can all see is never going to come to pass. She's judgy about others, but her judgments are sometimes way off base. She's still living in London while dreaming of going back to the St. Kitts of her childhood. She gives her all to the few people she loves but doesn't expect enough of them in return.
Sweet Pea follows Paulette over a couple of decades of her life, through tragedy and betrayal and motherhood and more heartbreak, through loneliness and addiction and work problems, through friendships and breakups and hard-won understandings. It's a long, leisurely story in which we see a woman slowly growing into herself, gradually overcoming difficulties and blind spots, and finally beginning to build a life for herself, where she is, with people who have shown they care about her.
It's not a fast read, and if you're like me you'll find yourself yelling at Paulette a great deal, but she's so decent underneath her problems, and so hardworking and soft-hearted, that it's impossible not to want her to succeed in finding a good life on her own terms.

My sincere thanks to the author, the publisher, and NetGalley for the early review copy of this lovely story. All opinions expressed here are my own.