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The Mudlarkers’ Club
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Expected 12 Feb 26Five mudlarkers. One community. Countless unexpected discoveries… Pre-order now!The day Adam leaves her, Gemma takes her heightened emotions, her now-ex-mother-in-law’s hot pink wellies, and a pair of yellow Marigold gloves down to the River Thames. She thinks finding historical objects in the hotchpotch of pebbles, rocks and mud is the only way to distract from her heartbreak. Until she meets an eclectic group of people who love to do the same thing.
As the mudlarkers begin to open up to each other, Gemma realises that they are not just bonding over the wonders of the past, because what’s in the present might be more important. And perhaps friendship is not the only treasure to be found on the banks of the river…
As the mudlarkers begin to open up to each other, Gemma realises that they are not just bonding over the wonders of the past, because what’s in the present might be more important. And perhaps friendship is not the only treasure to be found on the banks of the river…
348 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication February 12, 2026
13 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
December 18, 2025
3.5 🌟
The Mudlarkers Club pretty much does what it says on the tin. An uplifting feel good novel. That for me sits firmly in the women’s fiction category.
I did really enjoy the story it was sweet, wholesome funny in parts sad in others and there’s a lot to be learned about mudlarking which is something I only learned about in the last few years. For most readers I’m sure this won’t be an issue for most readers, especially if you pick the book up looking for something feel good, but it felt a bit tropey for me the characters were nothing new I’ve met them all before in some shape or form and to be honest the only real difference was the mudlarking hobby. None of this is to say I didn’t like the book or the writing, I really did, there was just nothing different about it.
The narration was nice 🎧
I’m sure this will be a big success!
Huge thanks to HarperCollins U.K. audio for the opportunity to review this ALC via NetGalley.
The Mudlarkers Club pretty much does what it says on the tin. An uplifting feel good novel. That for me sits firmly in the women’s fiction category.
I did really enjoy the story it was sweet, wholesome funny in parts sad in others and there’s a lot to be learned about mudlarking which is something I only learned about in the last few years. For most readers I’m sure this won’t be an issue for most readers, especially if you pick the book up looking for something feel good, but it felt a bit tropey for me the characters were nothing new I’ve met them all before in some shape or form and to be honest the only real difference was the mudlarking hobby. None of this is to say I didn’t like the book or the writing, I really did, there was just nothing different about it.
The narration was nice 🎧
I’m sure this will be a big success!
Huge thanks to HarperCollins U.K. audio for the opportunity to review this ALC via NetGalley.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I enjoyed this book, especially learning about mudlarking which I had never heard of before. I thought the plot was okay, but a bit predictable and I liked the combination of characters. I loved the stories for each character, but there were probably too many different stories and so they weren't developed enough.
Thanks to Netgalley for the advance audiobook.
I might try mudlarking now...
Thanks to Netgalley for the advance audiobook.
I might try mudlarking now...
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
A warm and charming read. I was drawn in by the title, and am walking away with a new found fascination with Mudlarking!
This is a lovely story of friendship, and the way that hobbies can draw together people from all different walks of life, The characters are endearing and their enthusiasm for mudlarking is contagious, and I loved the little touches of history that were brought in through the everyday objects that they found. It made me look at London in a different light - from the muddy banks of a river, in the trinkets the provide glimpses in to lives long past.
A great read for anyone who enjoys Claire Pooley's work - while a very different story, Riley has the same engaging and pithy writing style, and gift for ensemble characterisations. It made for an excellent audiobook. At first it's a bit tricky to keep the cast of characters in line, but their unique storylines start to wind together to make for an entertaining read. This is enhanced by the animated characterisations and accents which bring the whole crew to life.
I'd recommend for anyone looking for an uplifting, warm and entertaining read, full of friendship, connection and passion - excellent as an audiobook.
Thank you to the publisher for an advance copy of this audiobook. Opinions expressed are my own.
This is a lovely story of friendship, and the way that hobbies can draw together people from all different walks of life, The characters are endearing and their enthusiasm for mudlarking is contagious, and I loved the little touches of history that were brought in through the everyday objects that they found. It made me look at London in a different light - from the muddy banks of a river, in the trinkets the provide glimpses in to lives long past.
A great read for anyone who enjoys Claire Pooley's work - while a very different story, Riley has the same engaging and pithy writing style, and gift for ensemble characterisations. It made for an excellent audiobook. At first it's a bit tricky to keep the cast of characters in line, but their unique storylines start to wind together to make for an entertaining read. This is enhanced by the animated characterisations and accents which bring the whole crew to life.
I'd recommend for anyone looking for an uplifting, warm and entertaining read, full of friendship, connection and passion - excellent as an audiobook.
Thank you to the publisher for an advance copy of this audiobook. Opinions expressed are my own.
January 8, 2026
Thank you NetGalley and HarperCollins UK Audio | HQ Digital for this ALC, out February 12th.
This is a quietly sweet, emotionally grounded story about Gemma, a cancer nurse whose life has been turned upside down after her husband leaves her for another woman. Struggling to find her footing, she discovers comfort in mudlarking along the Thames - and, unexpectedly, in the small community she finds through the Mudlarkers’ Club.
Set in London, the novel introduces the culture of mudlarking, something I was completely unfamiliar with before reading this book, and I really enjoyed learning about it. What begins as a solitary pastime becomes a meaningful way for Gemma to reconnect with herself while she searches for her roots and her birth parents.
The strength of this story lies in its emotional honesty. It explores self-discovery, found family, and the quiet power of forming new friendships later in life. The writing is gentle but assured, emotional without tipping into melodrama, and filled with warmth and compassion.
Overall, this is a well-written, heartfelt story about healing, connection, and starting over - sometimes in unexpected places, with people you never planned to meet.
This is a quietly sweet, emotionally grounded story about Gemma, a cancer nurse whose life has been turned upside down after her husband leaves her for another woman. Struggling to find her footing, she discovers comfort in mudlarking along the Thames - and, unexpectedly, in the small community she finds through the Mudlarkers’ Club.
Set in London, the novel introduces the culture of mudlarking, something I was completely unfamiliar with before reading this book, and I really enjoyed learning about it. What begins as a solitary pastime becomes a meaningful way for Gemma to reconnect with herself while she searches for her roots and her birth parents.
The strength of this story lies in its emotional honesty. It explores self-discovery, found family, and the quiet power of forming new friendships later in life. The writing is gentle but assured, emotional without tipping into melodrama, and filled with warmth and compassion.
Overall, this is a well-written, heartfelt story about healing, connection, and starting over - sometimes in unexpected places, with people you never planned to meet.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I went into this book not knowing anything about mudlarking, and I feel like I’m coming out of it a bit more knowledgeable about this fascinating hobby. Isn’t that part of the joy of reading? Learning about things you didn’t even know existed, understanding the hows and whys, and discovering why people are so passionate about certain hobbies.
Time and time again, we also see that hobbies and the human connections formed through them can be life-changing. I particularly enjoyed how Riley portrayed this because it mirrors real life perfectly. Through my own reading hobby, I’ve met people I can converse with about everyday life, not just the books we share.
My only quirk is that I felt the FMC, Gemma, didn’t seem as emotionally affected by her failed marriage as I would have expected.
Time and time again, we also see that hobbies and the human connections formed through them can be life-changing. I particularly enjoyed how Riley portrayed this because it mirrors real life perfectly. Through my own reading hobby, I’ve met people I can converse with about everyday life, not just the books we share.
My only quirk is that I felt the FMC, Gemma, didn’t seem as emotionally affected by her failed marriage as I would have expected.
November 13, 2025
My mom first introduced me to the world of mudlarking, so when I came across this book, I was very excited to read it.
It's a very easy read and I'm sure you'd enjoy it if you're a mudlarker yourself. It follows a lot of the basic women's fiction/romance tropes and clichés which made me roll my eyes at times, but expected in this kind of novel. I did find myself loving the other characters more than the main character Gemma, but I'm glad there is plenty of character development.
A 4-star cozy read and thank you HQ for allowing me to read and review!
It's a very easy read and I'm sure you'd enjoy it if you're a mudlarker yourself. It follows a lot of the basic women's fiction/romance tropes and clichés which made me roll my eyes at times, but expected in this kind of novel. I did find myself loving the other characters more than the main character Gemma, but I'm glad there is plenty of character development.
A 4-star cozy read and thank you HQ for allowing me to read and review!
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January 1, 2026There is real potential buried in this book but like the mudlarkers' club you have to sift for it. Too much effort was wasted trying to give every character a problem to solve; which ended up making all of the narrative arcs feel quite superficial, disconnected and at times quite repetitive. The descriptions of mud larking and the Thames were wonderful though.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This was a fun, uplifting read. I learned about mudlarking in London. 5 individuals form a group that participate in this hobby together. It was a joy to see them start to connect and all the adventures and discoveries they made. Uplifting. Stupendous narrator. Highly recommend.
I was blessed with an audio ARC. Thank you NetGalley and HQ Digital. The opinions expressed are my own and unbiased.
I was blessed with an audio ARC. Thank you NetGalley and HQ Digital. The opinions expressed are my own and unbiased.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews