What do you think?
Rate this book
White Spaces
The brilliant and beautiful new book from the author of
Small Joys
. A hymn to brotherly love and its transcendent power to heal.
To the outside world, Teddy seems to have things sorted. A senior editor at a music magazine before turning 30, he's smart, practical and the one his friends turn to for support when things become complicated.
His old school friends Kain and Nathan have their fair share of issues. Kain is trying to get his music career back on track, while struggling to come to terms with his sexuality, and Nathan is still living with his parents, while working three jobs to help bring up his son.
For none of them, however, are things more complicated than they are for Birch. Wayward, unpredictable and impossible not to love, Birch veers impulsively from one calamity to the next but, whenever things get really bad, one person is always there to help him pick up the pieces.
But what if things were to get so bad that even Teddy couldn't fix them? And who would be there to fix Teddy if they did?
Set in the London of 2012 with a supporting cast of normal and extraordinary characters, White Spaces tells, with Mensah's inimitable warmth and humour, the story of four young Black men coming of age in a city on the cusp of change. It poses challenging questions about the way we were and the world we were creating, while always holding on to a powerful belief in the strength of love and friendship to overcome the worst that life can throw at us.
Hilarious, heartbreaking and hopeful, White Spaces is an unforgettable novel that cements Mensah's reputation as one of the most exciting young British novelists working today.
To the outside world, Teddy seems to have things sorted. A senior editor at a music magazine before turning 30, he's smart, practical and the one his friends turn to for support when things become complicated.
His old school friends Kain and Nathan have their fair share of issues. Kain is trying to get his music career back on track, while struggling to come to terms with his sexuality, and Nathan is still living with his parents, while working three jobs to help bring up his son.
For none of them, however, are things more complicated than they are for Birch. Wayward, unpredictable and impossible not to love, Birch veers impulsively from one calamity to the next but, whenever things get really bad, one person is always there to help him pick up the pieces.
But what if things were to get so bad that even Teddy couldn't fix them? And who would be there to fix Teddy if they did?
Set in the London of 2012 with a supporting cast of normal and extraordinary characters, White Spaces tells, with Mensah's inimitable warmth and humour, the story of four young Black men coming of age in a city on the cusp of change. It poses challenging questions about the way we were and the world we were creating, while always holding on to a powerful belief in the strength of love and friendship to overcome the worst that life can throw at us.
Hilarious, heartbreaking and hopeful, White Spaces is an unforgettable novel that cements Mensah's reputation as one of the most exciting young British novelists working today.
- GenresLGBTQueerContemporary
352 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 18, 2026
About the author
Elvin James Mensah
3 books74 followersElvin James Mensah is a 27 year old British-Ghanaian writer born and raised in South East London.
He received his Bachelor of Arts in English and Journalism from Bournemouth University, where he began writing his first novel. When not writing about blackness and queerness, he can be found voraciously explaining either the interconnectivity of the Marvel Cinematic Universe to his long-suffering friends, or the everlasting cultural impact of the Spice Girls. His other hobbies include drinking copious amounts of Capri Sun and re-reading Donna Tartt and Hanya Yanigihara novels.
His debut novel, Small Joys, was pre-empted by Chris White at Scribner, and was published in April 2023.
He received his Bachelor of Arts in English and Journalism from Bournemouth University, where he began writing his first novel. When not writing about blackness and queerness, he can be found voraciously explaining either the interconnectivity of the Marvel Cinematic Universe to his long-suffering friends, or the everlasting cultural impact of the Spice Girls. His other hobbies include drinking copious amounts of Capri Sun and re-reading Donna Tartt and Hanya Yanigihara novels.
His debut novel, Small Joys, was pre-empted by Chris White at Scribner, and was published in April 2023.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
June 27, 2026
i need at least a year to emotionally recover from this
June 25, 2026
Thank you to Scribner for a proof of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This is possibly the best book I've read all year, and the easiest of five stars.
Four Black men living in London in 2012 navigate life together, dealing with physical and mental health, sexuality, and relationships.
This book is so much more than that description. The author writes so beautifully, giving life to these characters in a way that makes them loveable and also very believable.
It is both funny and heartbreaking, and I sobbed a few times in a way I haven't over a book for quite a while.
I also really loved how male friendship is portrayed here - the subtle ways these four friends support and look out for each other, and the, at times, raw vulnerability.
A stunning read, I can't recommend this enough.
This is possibly the best book I've read all year, and the easiest of five stars.
Four Black men living in London in 2012 navigate life together, dealing with physical and mental health, sexuality, and relationships.
This book is so much more than that description. The author writes so beautifully, giving life to these characters in a way that makes them loveable and also very believable.
It is both funny and heartbreaking, and I sobbed a few times in a way I haven't over a book for quite a while.
I also really loved how male friendship is portrayed here - the subtle ways these four friends support and look out for each other, and the, at times, raw vulnerability.
A stunning read, I can't recommend this enough.
June 1, 2026
Thank you to both Net Galley and S&S for the advanced copy! Really loved this one, the depiction of friendship/brotherhood was really fresh and new for me and was presented beautifully but not in a falsely idyllic way. The exploration of Teddy’s ED was genuinely heartbreaking but also so so authentic and handled with such care and delicate, raw emotion. I would say the middle of the book had me a bit bored and it felt like it lost its way a little when there wasn’t a great deal happening, BUT the ending makes this whole book worth it. I sobbed my eyes out so so hard for the last 40/50 pages and could not believe how heavily affected I was by Mensah’s writing - prepare to be absolutely heartbroken. But again, it was written stunningly and despite being so hard to read, I couldn’t tear myself away from it.
June 29, 2026
ugh - feel like I have been hit by an emotional truck. 🥹🥺😢
Brotherhood, love, family, passions for music, queer joy and acceptance.
Love that two characters from Mensah’s debut novel made a cameo in this.
I don’t think I will be able to emotionally recover from this in a while…
Brotherhood, love, family, passions for music, queer joy and acceptance.
Love that two characters from Mensah’s debut novel made a cameo in this.
I don’t think I will be able to emotionally recover from this in a while…
Read
June 20, 2026I'm soooo beyond grateful for the proof copy of this book ,but I was less than 50 pages in when I have decided to dnf. And the reason for that is the British slang used in this book , its very dialogue heavy (which i love) , but i don't think we need to use the phrases 'innit' 'blud' 'bruh' 'oi' (+ much more) every 5 words to show the reader that the characters are British. It was done soooo much ,that it literally just took me out the story, where I was just counting how many times these words were used...
Again ,beyond grateful and thankful ,but unfortunately this wasn't the book for me.
Again ,beyond grateful and thankful ,but unfortunately this wasn't the book for me.
May 4, 2026
Truly beautiful
I adored this author’s book small joys so when this one arrived on netGalley UK It went quickly at the top of my read list
I love reading books about friends who remain friends from childhood as they grow older and this book is beautiful with this tells the story of a group of Young South London Black boys whose friendship persists after they leave school. The main character Teddy is a young man who works in music publishing he has a group of long term friends Kane a failed music and Nathan still living with his parents And coparenting a young son. Teddy is clearly healer. He wants to mend all his friends problems and of course that is impossible. More troublesome and problematic is his friend Birch who he rescues after a period of homelessness by moving him into his flat. Doesn’t everyone just need a Birch in their lives? I was immediately in love with him, his quirks and enthusiasm was contagious even from the pages of a novel
The novel touches on some weighty issues, including homelessness eating disorders and sexuality but does it with subtlety and poise you at no stage for lectured to as a reader?
I did think that there should probably be a content warning about this novel there’s a lot of discussion about eating disorders which could be triggering for some readers
There’s a “ me too story in here which is made different by the fact that it is a young man who is involved
This is a really modern novel. It’s firmly rooted in London and shows it’s a life of life of a group of people who perhaps are under represented in modern novels.
This is an emotional novel. I found myself openly weeping. It’s refreshing to read of the emotional and psychological/psychiatric issues affecting young men in particular black young men and I think the author really needs to be commended for this. This is a similar feeling to his novel small joys which I adored for the same reason
I loved all the characters I felt the Author has the ability to describe the way people think and feel beautifully. His characters will stay for a long while in my mind.
I would recommend this novel for anyone who like me and enjoys stories of groups of school friends growing older together and still remaining friends. If you like a primarily character based novel then you would like this book the most recent book that I’ve read that I feel has some similarities is Frederick Beckman’s our friends
I read an early copy of the novel on NetGalley UK in return for an honest review. The book is published in the UK on the 18th of June 2026 by Simon and Schuster UK.
This review will appear on NetGalley UK, Goodreads, StoryGraph, and my book blog bionicSarahS books.wordpress.com. After publication it will also appear on Amazon UK and Waterstones online.
I adored this author’s book small joys so when this one arrived on netGalley UK It went quickly at the top of my read list
I love reading books about friends who remain friends from childhood as they grow older and this book is beautiful with this tells the story of a group of Young South London Black boys whose friendship persists after they leave school. The main character Teddy is a young man who works in music publishing he has a group of long term friends Kane a failed music and Nathan still living with his parents And coparenting a young son. Teddy is clearly healer. He wants to mend all his friends problems and of course that is impossible. More troublesome and problematic is his friend Birch who he rescues after a period of homelessness by moving him into his flat. Doesn’t everyone just need a Birch in their lives? I was immediately in love with him, his quirks and enthusiasm was contagious even from the pages of a novel
The novel touches on some weighty issues, including homelessness eating disorders and sexuality but does it with subtlety and poise you at no stage for lectured to as a reader?
I did think that there should probably be a content warning about this novel there’s a lot of discussion about eating disorders which could be triggering for some readers
There’s a “ me too story in here which is made different by the fact that it is a young man who is involved
This is a really modern novel. It’s firmly rooted in London and shows it’s a life of life of a group of people who perhaps are under represented in modern novels.
This is an emotional novel. I found myself openly weeping. It’s refreshing to read of the emotional and psychological/psychiatric issues affecting young men in particular black young men and I think the author really needs to be commended for this. This is a similar feeling to his novel small joys which I adored for the same reason
I loved all the characters I felt the Author has the ability to describe the way people think and feel beautifully. His characters will stay for a long while in my mind.
I would recommend this novel for anyone who like me and enjoys stories of groups of school friends growing older together and still remaining friends. If you like a primarily character based novel then you would like this book the most recent book that I’ve read that I feel has some similarities is Frederick Beckman’s our friends
I read an early copy of the novel on NetGalley UK in return for an honest review. The book is published in the UK on the 18th of June 2026 by Simon and Schuster UK.
This review will appear on NetGalley UK, Goodreads, StoryGraph, and my book blog bionicSarahS books.wordpress.com. After publication it will also appear on Amazon UK and Waterstones online.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
It is hard to imagine a more beautifully, tenderly written novel than this one. A book like this could easily indulge in sadness and trauma, or have an overly-saccharine feel-good message, but Mensah finds the perfect sweet spot in between the two.
We follow four friends, Teddy, Birch, Nathan, and Kain, all aged around 30. Through flashbacks we get to see how they all became friends at school, and the history between them all that affects how they relate to and rely on each other. Their friendship is the core of the novel, and while they definitely have their fights and their disagreements, they are ultimately there for each other. They have a deep love for each other, and – on the whole – they aren’t afraid to express it, which is an incredibly refreshing dynamic to read between male friends.
📚Blog📖YouTube📖Instagram📚
The friendship between Teddy and Birch in particularly is one for the history books, and it is the moments between them that are often the most emotional and affecting ones. This book is the first one in a very, very long time to make me physically well up, and these two are to blame!
The blurb of the book describes Birch as being impossible not to love, and that really comes across on the page as well. For all the characters, but especially him, the joyful and the tragic are perfectly balanced, and co-exist because of each other, not in spite of each other.
Each of the four characters have their own relationship with queerness and with masculinity. Neither Teddy nor Birch define their sexualities (although Teddy does mention that asexual and aromantic would be the best words for him), and although they express love very differently from one another, they are very comfortable doing so. Nathan is straight but his girlfriend is a drag king, and on one level he is proud of her, but he also has his insecurities about his proximity to queerness. Kain is mostly comfortable defining himself as bisexual, but that doesn’t necessarily translate to his openness in relationships.
I thought all of these ideas were explored in such an interesting and nuanced way. Sometimes characters can hide things from the reader (and when it’s done well, and intentionally, it can be very effective), but in this case it felt like the characters were all laid open, welcoming the reader into their lives. I defy anyone to read this book and not fall in love with the characters, and want to protect them all until bitter end – even in the moments where they do or say the wrong thing.
This is such a beautiful and powerful book, and has jumped straight to my best-books-of-the-year list. It’s an incredibly work of art, that will welcome you in with open arms, and then not let you go until you’ve been emotionally turned inside out and upside down. I cannot recommend it highly enough.
I received a free copy for an honest review.
We follow four friends, Teddy, Birch, Nathan, and Kain, all aged around 30. Through flashbacks we get to see how they all became friends at school, and the history between them all that affects how they relate to and rely on each other. Their friendship is the core of the novel, and while they definitely have their fights and their disagreements, they are ultimately there for each other. They have a deep love for each other, and – on the whole – they aren’t afraid to express it, which is an incredibly refreshing dynamic to read between male friends.
📚Blog📖YouTube📖Instagram📚
The friendship between Teddy and Birch in particularly is one for the history books, and it is the moments between them that are often the most emotional and affecting ones. This book is the first one in a very, very long time to make me physically well up, and these two are to blame!
The blurb of the book describes Birch as being impossible not to love, and that really comes across on the page as well. For all the characters, but especially him, the joyful and the tragic are perfectly balanced, and co-exist because of each other, not in spite of each other.
Each of the four characters have their own relationship with queerness and with masculinity. Neither Teddy nor Birch define their sexualities (although Teddy does mention that asexual and aromantic would be the best words for him), and although they express love very differently from one another, they are very comfortable doing so. Nathan is straight but his girlfriend is a drag king, and on one level he is proud of her, but he also has his insecurities about his proximity to queerness. Kain is mostly comfortable defining himself as bisexual, but that doesn’t necessarily translate to his openness in relationships.
I thought all of these ideas were explored in such an interesting and nuanced way. Sometimes characters can hide things from the reader (and when it’s done well, and intentionally, it can be very effective), but in this case it felt like the characters were all laid open, welcoming the reader into their lives. I defy anyone to read this book and not fall in love with the characters, and want to protect them all until bitter end – even in the moments where they do or say the wrong thing.
This is such a beautiful and powerful book, and has jumped straight to my best-books-of-the-year list. It’s an incredibly work of art, that will welcome you in with open arms, and then not let you go until you’ve been emotionally turned inside out and upside down. I cannot recommend it highly enough.
I received a free copy for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
This was my first read by Elvin James Mensah but as soon as I read the blurb I knew it would be a story I would love.
White Spaces is a contemporary coming-of-age fiction set in London in 2012, following the lives of four friends as they navigate identity, friendship and the challenges that come with growing-up.
As four Black men, each with different experiences and relationships with their sexuality, health and other difficulties, the characters all carry their own fears, struggles and journeys. I loved how Elvin captured their individuality and showed that there is no single experience when it comes to understanding yourself and finding your place in the world.
It can often be difficult for men, especially within male friendships to express how they are feeling, however this was captured perfectly by Elvin. The story highlights how carrying struggles in silence can be more damaging, and how allowing the people who care about you to support you can be life-changing. What you think you are hiding well is not necessarily the case, people who love you notice the small things.
White Spaces packs so much into the book, exploring the boys experiences from childhood through to adulthood and touches on a range of emotional and difficult topics.
One of the memorable moments for me was from Teddy’s childhood and what is believed to be the start of his eating disorder. It was a powerful reminder that what may seem like an insignificant/throwaway comment to one person can have a lasting impact on someone else and shape their life in ways they never expected.
I loved the background into how the boys first met at school, the heartbreaking bullying and racism they experienced and how their lives later took different paths before bringing them back together in ways that felt meaningful and inevitable.
Elvin handled these themes with such care and sensitivity, creating a beautiful story that felt both honest and deeply moving. Alongside the heavier moments, there were also plenty of moments of humour, friendship and joy, which brought a wonderful balance to the story.
This book took me on an emotional rollercoaster but was a beautifully written story about friendship, identity, love and healing. As the book explores some difficult themes, I would recommend checking the content warnings before reading, as some topics may be triggering for certain readers.
White Spaces was a powerful and heartfelt read that will stay with me for some time.
Thank you to Scribner UK, Simon and Schuster and Elvin James Mensah for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
White Spaces is a contemporary coming-of-age fiction set in London in 2012, following the lives of four friends as they navigate identity, friendship and the challenges that come with growing-up.
As four Black men, each with different experiences and relationships with their sexuality, health and other difficulties, the characters all carry their own fears, struggles and journeys. I loved how Elvin captured their individuality and showed that there is no single experience when it comes to understanding yourself and finding your place in the world.
It can often be difficult for men, especially within male friendships to express how they are feeling, however this was captured perfectly by Elvin. The story highlights how carrying struggles in silence can be more damaging, and how allowing the people who care about you to support you can be life-changing. What you think you are hiding well is not necessarily the case, people who love you notice the small things.
White Spaces packs so much into the book, exploring the boys experiences from childhood through to adulthood and touches on a range of emotional and difficult topics.
One of the memorable moments for me was from Teddy’s childhood and what is believed to be the start of his eating disorder. It was a powerful reminder that what may seem like an insignificant/throwaway comment to one person can have a lasting impact on someone else and shape their life in ways they never expected.
I loved the background into how the boys first met at school, the heartbreaking bullying and racism they experienced and how their lives later took different paths before bringing them back together in ways that felt meaningful and inevitable.
Elvin handled these themes with such care and sensitivity, creating a beautiful story that felt both honest and deeply moving. Alongside the heavier moments, there were also plenty of moments of humour, friendship and joy, which brought a wonderful balance to the story.
This book took me on an emotional rollercoaster but was a beautifully written story about friendship, identity, love and healing. As the book explores some difficult themes, I would recommend checking the content warnings before reading, as some topics may be triggering for certain readers.
White Spaces was a powerful and heartfelt read that will stay with me for some time.
Thank you to Scribner UK, Simon and Schuster and Elvin James Mensah for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
White Spaces is a novel about friendship, as four Black men come of age in London in 2012. Teddy is an editor at a major music magazine, seemingly living the dream even though it seems magazines are getting less and less popular. Regardless, he has his best friends (and old school friends) around him: Nathan who is trying to make money to support his son; Kain, who now works with Nathan but is afraid to come out as bisexual; and Birch, always the unpredictable one of the group, seemingly flitting through life without a care in the world. His friends mean the world to Teddy, but as they all struggle with complications in their lives, he has to face what might happen if they weren't always able to be there for each other.
I'd not read anything by Mensah before, but was drawn in by the blurb of this book. It was a lot more emotional than I expected, as I was assuming it would be a fairly detached, literary take on these men's lives, but instead, the narrative really focuses on them as individual characters and their emotions. It's such a gripping read due to this real sense of connection with the characters, meaning that I ended up reading the book in two sittings. The story itself is heartbreaking and yet also not despairing, but looking for hope in whatever happens.
I really loved how the characters' sexualities were presented and explored, with everyone having very different experiences and the narrative giving these all space. In particular, Teddy's asexuality and his ways of communicating how important the love in friendship is to him was an element that felt very refreshing to see in contemporary literary fiction, not shying away from not only showing a character who doesn't want sexual or romantic relationships, but having him explicitly talking about this fact with people.
There's so much packed into this novel, with every character dealing with their own very real issues (one note I will give for potential readers is that this book deals a lot with eating disorders, so be aware of that going in). I didn't want to leave these characters behind and reading White Spaces made me immediately want to go and read Mensah's earlier novel Small Joys.
I'd not read anything by Mensah before, but was drawn in by the blurb of this book. It was a lot more emotional than I expected, as I was assuming it would be a fairly detached, literary take on these men's lives, but instead, the narrative really focuses on them as individual characters and their emotions. It's such a gripping read due to this real sense of connection with the characters, meaning that I ended up reading the book in two sittings. The story itself is heartbreaking and yet also not despairing, but looking for hope in whatever happens.
I really loved how the characters' sexualities were presented and explored, with everyone having very different experiences and the narrative giving these all space. In particular, Teddy's asexuality and his ways of communicating how important the love in friendship is to him was an element that felt very refreshing to see in contemporary literary fiction, not shying away from not only showing a character who doesn't want sexual or romantic relationships, but having him explicitly talking about this fact with people.
There's so much packed into this novel, with every character dealing with their own very real issues (one note I will give for potential readers is that this book deals a lot with eating disorders, so be aware of that going in). I didn't want to leave these characters behind and reading White Spaces made me immediately want to go and read Mensah's earlier novel Small Joys.
June 21, 2026
White spaces is a novel about a group of friends trying their best, carrying their histories, making mistakes, but loving each other all the same. It’s a book that will stay with me for a long time, and was incredibly difficult to put down.
From the very first pages of their individual stories, I was invested in each character immediately. Birch however was extra special. He broke my heart, made me belly laugh and inspired me all at the same time, and also gave me a new found love for ferrets!?
Whenever a character reaches a significant moment in their story, I was taken back to their past at the perfect moment. Everytime I wondered why a character was behaving a certain way, I was taken back to their childhood in the next chapter, and I was so impressed at where each of their stories came together, especially the moment you find out how Teddy and Birch found each other again. This is a book that doesn’t leave you guessing or wondering about certain plots, everything tied together beautifully.
The author handles certain themes with maturity, sensitivity and care, which I think is incredibly important when writing about grief, trauma, eating disorders, racism and homophobia. All of these themes are written tactfully and honestly and allows the reader to understand the characters pain whilst also experiencing love through friendship, family and within themselves.
Seeing Harley from Small Joys again (The authors debut novel) was the perfect touch. As someone who loved his story, it was amazing to see where life had taken him. Seeing him grow his confidence within both himself and his sexuality made me feel like a proud mum!
A special mention about the soundtrack of this novel, music is a huge part of this book and it brought a lot of nostalgia!
It’s heartbreaking, hilarious, and everything inbetween. My book of the year so far 🤍
From the very first pages of their individual stories, I was invested in each character immediately. Birch however was extra special. He broke my heart, made me belly laugh and inspired me all at the same time, and also gave me a new found love for ferrets!?
Whenever a character reaches a significant moment in their story, I was taken back to their past at the perfect moment. Everytime I wondered why a character was behaving a certain way, I was taken back to their childhood in the next chapter, and I was so impressed at where each of their stories came together, especially the moment you find out how Teddy and Birch found each other again. This is a book that doesn’t leave you guessing or wondering about certain plots, everything tied together beautifully.
The author handles certain themes with maturity, sensitivity and care, which I think is incredibly important when writing about grief, trauma, eating disorders, racism and homophobia. All of these themes are written tactfully and honestly and allows the reader to understand the characters pain whilst also experiencing love through friendship, family and within themselves.
Seeing Harley from Small Joys again (The authors debut novel) was the perfect touch. As someone who loved his story, it was amazing to see where life had taken him. Seeing him grow his confidence within both himself and his sexuality made me feel like a proud mum!
A special mention about the soundtrack of this novel, music is a huge part of this book and it brought a lot of nostalgia!
It’s heartbreaking, hilarious, and everything inbetween. My book of the year so far 🤍
June 22, 2026
A heartbreakingly beautiful novel that is equally humorous, poignant and devastating.
White Spaces is a truly special book. It is a story about normal life and all that encapsulates and focuses on the lives of four young black men living in 2012 London. They like many friends, don’t manage to keep in touch after finishing secondary school and find their way into each other’s lives a few years later. Teddy, the protagonist, is an editor at a music magazine and the friend who seemingly has his life together and you can always count on for help. Kain is struggling with his sexuality, Nathan is trying to find a way to make enough money to give his son the childhood he wants for him and Birch is Birch, unpredictable and wayward and changing from one thing to the next.
The characters feel like people you could pick up off the pages and place on the street. Their struggles and difficulties but also their triumphs are so tangible and this left a truly lasting impression for me. And so through the characters we explore themes of masculinity, sexuality, friendship, food and so many others through an incredibly intimate lens.
Mensah’s writing feels mature while retaining a life like quality and lightness that matches the characters. I really enjoyed that we got small windows into the thought processes of the other characters through the flashbacks that centred around key moments in their pasts and how this further developed our connection with them.
I do think however, that readers should keep in mind that Teddy has an eating disorder and there are graphic descriptions of this within the book and there is a large exploration into it.
I will definitely be picking up Small Joys straight away and I can’t encourage you enough to go and give this a read this summer!
Thank you to Scribner for sending me an early copy! All thoughts and opinions are my own.
White Spaces is a truly special book. It is a story about normal life and all that encapsulates and focuses on the lives of four young black men living in 2012 London. They like many friends, don’t manage to keep in touch after finishing secondary school and find their way into each other’s lives a few years later. Teddy, the protagonist, is an editor at a music magazine and the friend who seemingly has his life together and you can always count on for help. Kain is struggling with his sexuality, Nathan is trying to find a way to make enough money to give his son the childhood he wants for him and Birch is Birch, unpredictable and wayward and changing from one thing to the next.
The characters feel like people you could pick up off the pages and place on the street. Their struggles and difficulties but also their triumphs are so tangible and this left a truly lasting impression for me. And so through the characters we explore themes of masculinity, sexuality, friendship, food and so many others through an incredibly intimate lens.
Mensah’s writing feels mature while retaining a life like quality and lightness that matches the characters. I really enjoyed that we got small windows into the thought processes of the other characters through the flashbacks that centred around key moments in their pasts and how this further developed our connection with them.
I do think however, that readers should keep in mind that Teddy has an eating disorder and there are graphic descriptions of this within the book and there is a large exploration into it.
I will definitely be picking up Small Joys straight away and I can’t encourage you enough to go and give this a read this summer!
Thank you to Scribner for sending me an early copy! All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This book is doing something really special. Occasionally when books are written ‘about’ certain identities or issues they can feel somewhat lifeless, or else formulaic and cliched. This manages to fit so much feeling in and every subject it touches on is done naturally and with an incredible amount of care.
At its core this is a story about platonic love between four black men living in London. They all attended the same school but lost touch after finishing, now in their early 30s they have since reentered each other's lives to form a cohesive unit of support.
Found family is a trope that gets thrown around a lot but this book truly earns this label. I loved the way queerness is explored here, one of the friends is bi and struggling with his sexuality, another is openly gay, and Teddy, the main character is asexual and aromantic and I have to say this is some of the strongest aro/ace rep I’ve read, it feels incredibly mature and natural.
Black masculinity is another strong theme here, it intersects with character’s queerness, their life experiences, and how they relate to one another. I loved the way the characters genuinely cared for each other but also struggled to be fully open about their own struggles and the way this tension was explored throughout the book.
Finally, the eating disorder elements were depicted with a lot of care. I don’t think I’ve previously seen representation of this specific ED but it felt incredibly well researched and realistic, though may be triggering for some readers.
This book does border on cliche and overly sentimental at times, but the earnestness and emotion of it wins out overall.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC.
At its core this is a story about platonic love between four black men living in London. They all attended the same school but lost touch after finishing, now in their early 30s they have since reentered each other's lives to form a cohesive unit of support.
Found family is a trope that gets thrown around a lot but this book truly earns this label. I loved the way queerness is explored here, one of the friends is bi and struggling with his sexuality, another is openly gay, and Teddy, the main character is asexual and aromantic and I have to say this is some of the strongest aro/ace rep I’ve read, it feels incredibly mature and natural.
Black masculinity is another strong theme here, it intersects with character’s queerness, their life experiences, and how they relate to one another. I loved the way the characters genuinely cared for each other but also struggled to be fully open about their own struggles and the way this tension was explored throughout the book.
Finally, the eating disorder elements were depicted with a lot of care. I don’t think I’ve previously seen representation of this specific ED but it felt incredibly well researched and realistic, though may be triggering for some readers.
This book does border on cliche and overly sentimental at times, but the earnestness and emotion of it wins out overall.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
This book hooked me far earlier than I expected when the story quickly revealed itself to be emotionally complex, and very moving.
It explores loneliness, identity, friendship and sexuality with real sensitivity and the exhausting performance of trying to appear “normal” when reality is far from that. The portrayal of coming to terms with sexuality is especially nuanced, never reducing it to simple answers.
I was particularly struck by how the story handles friendships. One relationship initially frustrated me, but as the story unfolded I appreciated how accurately it reflects those long-standing bonds that outsiders may not fully understand. Sometimes the people who bring the most light into our lives are also the ones whose flaws we know best.
Music runs through the novel like a heartbeat, giving it a strong sense of time and place. Honestly, I guess “historical” is a crazy term for a book set in 2012 but it almost fits?
Above all, this is an empathetic novel. It understands that everyone carries unseen histories and private pain that shape who they are. By the end, it genuinely hurt. I cried. Few books capture the messiness of being human with this much compassion.
A beautiful and quietly devastating read.
It explores loneliness, identity, friendship and sexuality with real sensitivity and the exhausting performance of trying to appear “normal” when reality is far from that. The portrayal of coming to terms with sexuality is especially nuanced, never reducing it to simple answers.
I was particularly struck by how the story handles friendships. One relationship initially frustrated me, but as the story unfolded I appreciated how accurately it reflects those long-standing bonds that outsiders may not fully understand. Sometimes the people who bring the most light into our lives are also the ones whose flaws we know best.
Music runs through the novel like a heartbeat, giving it a strong sense of time and place. Honestly, I guess “historical” is a crazy term for a book set in 2012 but it almost fits?
Above all, this is an empathetic novel. It understands that everyone carries unseen histories and private pain that shape who they are. By the end, it genuinely hurt. I cried. Few books capture the messiness of being human with this much compassion.
A beautiful and quietly devastating read.
June 30, 2026
This is a wonderful story about male friendship that has such vibrant characters and setting. There was so much complexity and variety to the characters and all their individual relationships, and I loved them all. It also tackled some heavy topics but was balanced with lots of humour
The main character, Ted, is aroace and I really loved this representation, how he insisted he wasn’t lonely but happy surrounded by friends he loved. I haven’t read many books that feature aroace chatacters and it made me feel really seen
I was hesitant at the beginning of this book because disordered eating is a very central theme. It’s a topic that I dislike reading about and usually avoid, but the characters drew me in so I gave it a go - and I really liked how the topic was handled even if it was an uncomfortable read at times. The support Ted’s dad showed for his issues was such a heartwarming portrayal of parenthood
I haven’t cried over a book in some time but this one made me cry, it was such a beautiful story that I didn’t want to end. I wish a few plot lines were expanded on a bit more but it was still a wonderful book. I can’t wait to pick up Mensah’s debut Small Joys!
Thank you to Scribner for the advanced copy
The main character, Ted, is aroace and I really loved this representation, how he insisted he wasn’t lonely but happy surrounded by friends he loved. I haven’t read many books that feature aroace chatacters and it made me feel really seen
I was hesitant at the beginning of this book because disordered eating is a very central theme. It’s a topic that I dislike reading about and usually avoid, but the characters drew me in so I gave it a go - and I really liked how the topic was handled even if it was an uncomfortable read at times. The support Ted’s dad showed for his issues was such a heartwarming portrayal of parenthood
I haven’t cried over a book in some time but this one made me cry, it was such a beautiful story that I didn’t want to end. I wish a few plot lines were expanded on a bit more but it was still a wonderful book. I can’t wait to pick up Mensah’s debut Small Joys!
Thank you to Scribner for the advanced copy
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
What's it about?
Four young Black men navigate friendship, sexuality, and personal struggles in 2012 London, as Teddy tries to help his troubled friend Birch through mounting difficulties.
Perfect if you enjoy..
📖 Shorter reads - this is around 320 pages
💔 Emotional, tear-inducing stories
⏸️ Stories about real life
My thoughts
It's been a while since i've read this genre so this was a refreshing break from fantasy romance. I loved the friendship dynamics and unique personalities in the story. Every interaction was so well written and heartfelt it was as though the author was giving us insight into thier own life. The emotion and detail in the writing was beautiful. I generally enjoy stories of childhood friendship groups who grow up and experience life differently but have never read a book like this from a male perspective so Teddys story was both new and familiar. White Spaces addresses alot of psychological issues prevalent in men but not talked about enough - particularly eating disorders. This could be triggering for some readers. Overall, a very different, interesting and emotional read 🤍
Four young Black men navigate friendship, sexuality, and personal struggles in 2012 London, as Teddy tries to help his troubled friend Birch through mounting difficulties.
Perfect if you enjoy..
📖 Shorter reads - this is around 320 pages
💔 Emotional, tear-inducing stories
⏸️ Stories about real life
My thoughts
It's been a while since i've read this genre so this was a refreshing break from fantasy romance. I loved the friendship dynamics and unique personalities in the story. Every interaction was so well written and heartfelt it was as though the author was giving us insight into thier own life. The emotion and detail in the writing was beautiful. I generally enjoy stories of childhood friendship groups who grow up and experience life differently but have never read a book like this from a male perspective so Teddys story was both new and familiar. White Spaces addresses alot of psychological issues prevalent in men but not talked about enough - particularly eating disorders. This could be triggering for some readers. Overall, a very different, interesting and emotional read 🤍
June 22, 2026
writing this review, cheeks still sodden with tears, saying “elvin james mensah did it again!”
small joys is an incredibly underrated triumph of a book, a slice of life, so incredibly personal, and is one of my favourite books i’ve read in recent years.
white spaces (his second book!) is all of that too - and i’m sooooo happy to say that. i was kinda worried that this wouldn’t live up to the pedestal i put small joys onto after raving about it and begging my best friends to read it. but this was just as beautiful :(((((
mensah has this way of inviting you into a friendship group. their conversations never feel scripted or written, but that you’re sat with teddy, birch, kain, nate and mya and it’s a conversation happening in front of me???
i think mensah has a real talent for writing men who feel so dimensional and authentic. as someone who has had 0 male role models growing up/lack of male influence in her life, it was staggering at times to read about such beauty in these male friendships.
it’s such a blessing and a wonder in life to read books that touch you this way, and make you FEEL so expansively.
thank u!!!! <3 <3 <3
small joys is an incredibly underrated triumph of a book, a slice of life, so incredibly personal, and is one of my favourite books i’ve read in recent years.
white spaces (his second book!) is all of that too - and i’m sooooo happy to say that. i was kinda worried that this wouldn’t live up to the pedestal i put small joys onto after raving about it and begging my best friends to read it. but this was just as beautiful :(((((
mensah has this way of inviting you into a friendship group. their conversations never feel scripted or written, but that you’re sat with teddy, birch, kain, nate and mya and it’s a conversation happening in front of me???
i think mensah has a real talent for writing men who feel so dimensional and authentic. as someone who has had 0 male role models growing up/lack of male influence in her life, it was staggering at times to read about such beauty in these male friendships.
it’s such a blessing and a wonder in life to read books that touch you this way, and make you FEEL so expansively.
thank u!!!! <3 <3 <3
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This is a powerful piece of fiction. It is sweet, and funny, and feels so very real. The book explores a lot of different sensitive subjects and all of them are portrayed with utter humanity, Elvin James Mensah doesn't shy away from the nitty gritty and it is of huge benefit to his story.
Set in London in 2012, this is a story about friendship and growing up and finding out who you really are. The relationships between the four men are rich and full, each of them is a unique and fully fleshed-out person and their relationships with each other reflect that.
Notable mention: the soundtrack to this book is incredible. I started making a playlist midway through reading because my Millennial soul was reminded of so many amazing songs - being the same age as the characters means that their childhood music memories are the same as mine.
Although the parts about eating disorders was hard to read for me, I thought those were some of the most powerful parts.
Set in London in 2012, this is a story about friendship and growing up and finding out who you really are. The relationships between the four men are rich and full, each of them is a unique and fully fleshed-out person and their relationships with each other reflect that.
Notable mention: the soundtrack to this book is incredible. I started making a playlist midway through reading because my Millennial soul was reminded of so many amazing songs - being the same age as the characters means that their childhood music memories are the same as mine.
Although the parts about eating disorders was hard to read for me, I thought those were some of the most powerful parts.
May 26, 2026
Review of advanced copy from NetGallery.
I was overjoyed to receive this ARC, I adored the authors first book and this one surpasses that.
The book follows 4 men through 20 years of friendship. We watch as they support each other through a host of issues.
It is a difficult read and some may find it triggering - one of the main themes was very difficult for me, and I do think there should be a warning for ED representation, but the difficulties are so worth it. I’ve kicked my feet and I’ve cried over these men.
Beautifully written, painful and thought provoking - it raises questions about the way in which we care for each other, what true friendship really means and the meaning of life.
I thoroughly recommend this book, you’ll adore the characters and while they may break your heart, they’ll heal you too.
I was overjoyed to receive this ARC, I adored the authors first book and this one surpasses that.
The book follows 4 men through 20 years of friendship. We watch as they support each other through a host of issues.
It is a difficult read and some may find it triggering - one of the main themes was very difficult for me, and I do think there should be a warning for ED representation, but the difficulties are so worth it. I’ve kicked my feet and I’ve cried over these men.
Beautifully written, painful and thought provoking - it raises questions about the way in which we care for each other, what true friendship really means and the meaning of life.
I thoroughly recommend this book, you’ll adore the characters and while they may break your heart, they’ll heal you too.
June 17, 2026
This is a tender novel about male friendship and it’s like a warm, but sometimes teary hug.
White Spaces follows four friends - Teddy, Birch, Kain and Nathan across two time periods - their present day (2012) and their school lives. The back story for each character is shared to give context to what’s happening in the present.
There are some challenging and heavy themes that are covered with dignity and grace, and music is the soundtrack throughout (it is a veritable trip down memory lane).
For me, following each of the four characters into their past and the changing POV impacted the narrative flow a little, BUT it comes together beautifully and I don’t think I’ve read such a touching portrayal of male friendship.
For those of you who loved the authors first novel Small Joys, there are some little gems in there too.
White Spaces follows four friends - Teddy, Birch, Kain and Nathan across two time periods - their present day (2012) and their school lives. The back story for each character is shared to give context to what’s happening in the present.
There are some challenging and heavy themes that are covered with dignity and grace, and music is the soundtrack throughout (it is a veritable trip down memory lane).
For me, following each of the four characters into their past and the changing POV impacted the narrative flow a little, BUT it comes together beautifully and I don’t think I’ve read such a touching portrayal of male friendship.
For those of you who loved the authors first novel Small Joys, there are some little gems in there too.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Elvin James Mensah's second novel, following his superb debut Small Joys, sees Mensah really flexing his literary muscles, focusing now on a larger cast of characters in a more expansive work. White Spaces focusses on a group of friends from South London, and follows them through childhood joys into adult heartbreaks. There is real warmth, humour and sadness here - a portrait of ordinary loves and lives told with real tenderness and care. Mensah touches on some weighty issues here as well, but never does his novel become overbearing or didactic. He allows his characters the chance to talk for him, and by focussing so clearly on them, he allows his novel to truly shine.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for the ARC.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for the ARC.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
White Spaces is a wonderful story of friendship that feels both nostalgic and cathartic.
The self doubt and insecurities of each character are told in a way that resonates with the reader who routes for them to find a way through and be happy.
As a father, the character of Teddy’s Dad, Theodore, really resonated and I hope I can be like him to my son.
I genuinely loved this story and will be checking out ‘Small Joys’ soon, as well as dipping into the outstanding playlist that is mentioned throughout.
Thanks so much to @scribnerUK for the proof copy. I’m writing this through foggy eyes having just finished a truly wonderful book 🖤.
The self doubt and insecurities of each character are told in a way that resonates with the reader who routes for them to find a way through and be happy.
As a father, the character of Teddy’s Dad, Theodore, really resonated and I hope I can be like him to my son.
I genuinely loved this story and will be checking out ‘Small Joys’ soon, as well as dipping into the outstanding playlist that is mentioned throughout.
Thanks so much to @scribnerUK for the proof copy. I’m writing this through foggy eyes having just finished a truly wonderful book 🖤.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I loved this book. I read Elvin's debut, Small Joys and really enjoyed it. I think this is better. It feels like he's growing in confidence as a writer and his ability to craft beautiful characters and their friendships. I particularly enjoyed it when Harley, the protagonist from Small Joys turns up in the middle of this book. It enriched the world the author crafts so carefully. This is funny, tender and heartbreaking on more than one occasion. The sense of community, friendship and love is so strong and so uplifting. I was really sad when I had finished this.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This is an absolutely gorgeous book in its tenderness and candor, expanding the friendship and realities of our characters. It captures what it is like to be young and struggling and set adrift in the city, with your friends at once annoying you and keeping your head above water. It made me laugh and almost cry and feel so deeply for every one of its characters. I wish I could read this again with fresh eyes. I suspect I will be thinking about this for a while.
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC. All opinions are my own.
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC. All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I have been left with a book hangover. This was such an emotional journey covering some very sensitive topics and done so well. The writing is brilliant; the character creation and development is brilliant. What a gifted author!
Thanks for much to NetGalley, Simon & Schuster UK and Elvin James Mensah for letting me have early access. This is a beautiful story of love, friendship, individual hardship, loss and sexuality.
Thanks for much to NetGalley, Simon & Schuster UK and Elvin James Mensah for letting me have early access. This is a beautiful story of love, friendship, individual hardship, loss and sexuality.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Gifted ARC from @scribneruk
White Spaces By @elvinjamesmensah
5🌟 read
This story took me days to read because of the emotional impact.
I don't want to give too much away because going into this book blind really gave me the reading experience, I think the author is trying to bring to life.
Disclaimer: However, please do check triggers, especially if you struggle with ED.
White Spaces By @elvinjamesmensah
5🌟 read
This story took me days to read because of the emotional impact.
I don't want to give too much away because going into this book blind really gave me the reading experience, I think the author is trying to bring to life.
Disclaimer: However, please do check triggers, especially if you struggle with ED.
June 22, 2026
I received an ARC of this book. If your a fan of emotional rollercoasters and emotional damage with similar vibes to A little life then this is the book for you.
It centers around the story of boyhood friend groups and growing up. The nostalgia of London during the Olympics and the music were spot on.
Some topics mentioned and discussed may be triggering for some so please check your triggers.
It centers around the story of boyhood friend groups and growing up. The nostalgia of London during the Olympics and the music were spot on.
Some topics mentioned and discussed may be triggering for some so please check your triggers.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Absolutely fantastic. Not to be missed. One of the best books of the year for me. I adored all the characters and their queerness. The friendships and trauma were beautifully shown. The ferrets were so frikking adorable. I have severe emotional damage now though so thanks for that Elvin 😂
Did Not Finish
June 28, 2026DNF 5%
I'm interested in the story but the writing style is just not working for me. The sentences feel very blunt without much flow between them, and maybe that's the point, but it's not really my thing.
I'm interested in the story but the writing style is just not working for me. The sentences feel very blunt without much flow between them, and maybe that's the point, but it's not really my thing.
June 23, 2026
“Every time I think about him he makes me laugh” oh ok so im crying on the thameslink at 8:45am
June 18, 2026
A huge thank you to @scribneruk for this proof🥰
I simply devoured and adored this book. It explores incredibly important themes such as eating disorders, sexuality and abuse, but friendship is at the heart of it all.
The way Mensah writes characters with such care and intention, I felt so immersed into their world and felt nostalgia for a time I wasn’t a part of. I felt so attached to the characters (especially Birch), they made me laugh throughout and sob that the party was over😭
I simply devoured and adored this book. It explores incredibly important themes such as eating disorders, sexuality and abuse, but friendship is at the heart of it all.
The way Mensah writes characters with such care and intention, I felt so immersed into their world and felt nostalgia for a time I wasn’t a part of. I felt so attached to the characters (especially Birch), they made me laugh throughout and sob that the party was over😭
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews