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Dear Darling
Not yet published
Expected 9 Apr 26Explosive and timely, beautiful and provocative, DEAR DARLING cuts to the heart of a conversation – and gives a woman her voice. An unforgettable novel for those who loved My Dark Vanessa and Half His Age.
‘A seriously impressive new talent’ CHRIS WHITAKER
'Shimmers with nuance at every turn – absolutely brilliant' HEATHER DARWENT
***
Dear Darling, So begins the letter from Daniel Prior.
The man Lauren had sex with when she was fourteen years old.
The man she fell in love with, long before conversations about power and consent and #MeToo.
The man she locked away in the deepest part of her memory.
*
Eighteen years later, the world is changed, and Lauren, a wife and mother, is changed too.
But now, fresh out of prison, Daniel wants to meet.
And Lauren must finally confront the electricity and devastation of the man who's loved and harmed her more deeply than anyone in her life…
From bold new voice Ella King, Dear Darling cuts to the heart of some of the most complex issues of our age.
‘A seriously impressive new talent’ CHRIS WHITAKER
'Shimmers with nuance at every turn – absolutely brilliant' HEATHER DARWENT
***
Dear Darling, So begins the letter from Daniel Prior.
The man Lauren had sex with when she was fourteen years old.
The man she fell in love with, long before conversations about power and consent and #MeToo.
The man she locked away in the deepest part of her memory.
*
Eighteen years later, the world is changed, and Lauren, a wife and mother, is changed too.
But now, fresh out of prison, Daniel wants to meet.
And Lauren must finally confront the electricity and devastation of the man who's loved and harmed her more deeply than anyone in her life…
From bold new voice Ella King, Dear Darling cuts to the heart of some of the most complex issues of our age.
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Expected publication April 9, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I was a huge fan of Ella King's debut novel Bad Fruit and was so excited to see Dear Darling is being published next year and thrilled to be approved to read an ARC.
Firstly, this is NOT an easy read, it's not fluffy, cuddly or particularly happy, but if you've read Bad Fruit you will know that the author has the ability to take the most triggering and distressing subjects and with her incredible talent, weave a story that is written so beautifully that despite the subject matter the reader becomes utterly immersed.
Dear Darling is NOT for the feint hearted, the easily triggered or those who like a happy-ever-after. It's about Lauren Tan, a young married mother, who having just experienced the traumatic still birth of her second child, ups and leaves her husband and toddler daughter without warning to meet a man she has dreamt about for the past 20 years.
Daniel Prior has just been released from prison having served time for murder. He was Lauren's first love, mentor and stepfather and the man she had sex with when she was 14 years old.
Just reviewing the book again is giving me goosebumps and shivers because this topic is VILE, the behaviour and actions of some of the characters are absolutely horrific and left me reeling emotionally.
Ella King is a very brave and bold author and has written this book with sensitivity. It's an important story that unfortunately needs to be told and highlights the vulnerability of young women, the predatory measures some men take, highlighting physical, mental and sexual abuse.
To me this book is beautifully written, brave but brutally told and another 5 star for me.
Firstly, this is NOT an easy read, it's not fluffy, cuddly or particularly happy, but if you've read Bad Fruit you will know that the author has the ability to take the most triggering and distressing subjects and with her incredible talent, weave a story that is written so beautifully that despite the subject matter the reader becomes utterly immersed.
Dear Darling is NOT for the feint hearted, the easily triggered or those who like a happy-ever-after. It's about Lauren Tan, a young married mother, who having just experienced the traumatic still birth of her second child, ups and leaves her husband and toddler daughter without warning to meet a man she has dreamt about for the past 20 years.
Daniel Prior has just been released from prison having served time for murder. He was Lauren's first love, mentor and stepfather and the man she had sex with when she was 14 years old.
Just reviewing the book again is giving me goosebumps and shivers because this topic is VILE, the behaviour and actions of some of the characters are absolutely horrific and left me reeling emotionally.
Ella King is a very brave and bold author and has written this book with sensitivity. It's an important story that unfortunately needs to be told and highlights the vulnerability of young women, the predatory measures some men take, highlighting physical, mental and sexual abuse.
To me this book is beautifully written, brave but brutally told and another 5 star for me.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Could not put this book down! Lauren walks out on her husband Kit and their daughter on the day that her step father is released from prison. She doesn't leave a note or an explanation and never answers any of his many messages to her. She had just had a still birth with their second daughter
I can't write too much without giving anything away, but this is a story of grooming, gaslighting, abuse, predatory men, still birth, depression and the impact of untreated trauma.
This was not a comfortable read but even though it was fiction; I felt it was an important one to be told.
"Because now, I am not just trying to survive. I am trying to live"
I can't write too much without giving anything away, but this is a story of grooming, gaslighting, abuse, predatory men, still birth, depression and the impact of untreated trauma.
This was not a comfortable read but even though it was fiction; I felt it was an important one to be told.
"Because now, I am not just trying to survive. I am trying to live"
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The best word I can find for this book is "harrowing". It was not a short book, but i flew through it, finding that I'm holding my breath as i turn each page. if the summary interests you, i would definitely recommend it!! Tl,dr: Ella King could raise dead with her writing
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January 12, 2026I will not be reviewing or star rating this book. I did finish it but I do not feel comfortable reviewing/recommending.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews