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The Insomniac's Guide to Love
Not yet published
Expected 19 Nov 26A chance nocturnal meeting leads to two insomniacs striking up a friendship that forces them to confront the problems they’re avoiding not only to make them sleep but ultimately to allow them the capacity to love each other.
By day, Bec supports her boyfriend Matt with his incurable illness. Matt’s always had a passion for life, and his illness has only made him more determined to make the most of everyday, ticking off bucket list items and making memories whilst he can. Bec’s by his side supporting him and putting on a brave face, but by night, it’s a different story.
Elliot hasn’t slept properly since his footballing career came to an abrupt end before it had really begun. When the marriage he’d thrown himself into in a bid to create a new plan for his life falls apart, he finds himself struggling to cope. But after dropping off a parcel at a neighbour’s flat after a nighttime run, he meets Bec, who he assumes is Molly who the parcel is addressed to, and she doesn’t correct him. The next time Bec sees him running she asks him if she can go with him, and a nightly routine begins, striking up a friendship.
Before long they swap running for trips to all-night cafes, and chats into the small hours. As Bec begins to question her relationship with Matt, and battles the impending mortality of his illness, she finds herself seeking comfort with Elliot, who in turn, begins to open up himself to her too. Only the longer it goes on, the more she feels like she’s lying to everyone, and soon Bec must face the reality of her life and what it is she really needs to move forward and find her own happiness.
By day, Bec supports her boyfriend Matt with his incurable illness. Matt’s always had a passion for life, and his illness has only made him more determined to make the most of everyday, ticking off bucket list items and making memories whilst he can. Bec’s by his side supporting him and putting on a brave face, but by night, it’s a different story.
Elliot hasn’t slept properly since his footballing career came to an abrupt end before it had really begun. When the marriage he’d thrown himself into in a bid to create a new plan for his life falls apart, he finds himself struggling to cope. But after dropping off a parcel at a neighbour’s flat after a nighttime run, he meets Bec, who he assumes is Molly who the parcel is addressed to, and she doesn’t correct him. The next time Bec sees him running she asks him if she can go with him, and a nightly routine begins, striking up a friendship.
Before long they swap running for trips to all-night cafes, and chats into the small hours. As Bec begins to question her relationship with Matt, and battles the impending mortality of his illness, she finds herself seeking comfort with Elliot, who in turn, begins to open up himself to her too. Only the longer it goes on, the more she feels like she’s lying to everyone, and soon Bec must face the reality of her life and what it is she really needs to move forward and find her own happiness.
320 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication November 19, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 1 of 1 review
September 28, 2026
Anna Bell seriously makes your heart work for that HEA. It’s raw, heartbreaking and beautiful. I’m truly a fan of her books despite sobbing in the dark at night everytime I read them
Anna’s book captures real life moments, the good times and the bad. With the moments in between where peace can be found.
I love the element of podcast to express feelings, those quiet moments when you need to escape your own thoughts.
Bec & Elliot found love in those silent moments, the connection was deeper because of that. It’s like the band-aid being ripped off and they showed each other the less pretty side of their emotions and thoughts.
What a strong, resilient fighter Matt was. I really did cry at the end
Anna did such a good job at connecting us with the characters, making us fall in love with everyone. I always really enjoy how realistic Anna makes her plots – not everything is rainbows and sunshine and that's ok. that’s real. Not every relationship is the “one” or a fairytale. Love can be found in all moments of life
quotes that spoke to me:
‘Life really is like throwing a pebble in a pond,’ I said. ‘There are ripples that spread out but they eventually fade when the pebble sinks to the bed.’
I spend so much of my life putting on a brave face, pretending I’m fine when I’m not, and sometimes I do such a good job of pretending that I forget who the real me even is.
real love is found in conversations in the middle of the night. I know those conversations well. Under the cover of darkness, in the small hours, when everyone else is sleeping, it can feel as if you’re the only two people left on earth. That’s when you break your walls down and bare your soul.
thank you so much Anna, Bedford Sq & netgalley for letting me read this early ❤️
[e-arc provided]
Anna’s book captures real life moments, the good times and the bad. With the moments in between where peace can be found.
I love the element of podcast to express feelings, those quiet moments when you need to escape your own thoughts.
Bec & Elliot found love in those silent moments, the connection was deeper because of that. It’s like the band-aid being ripped off and they showed each other the less pretty side of their emotions and thoughts.
What a strong, resilient fighter Matt was. I really did cry at the end
Anna did such a good job at connecting us with the characters, making us fall in love with everyone. I always really enjoy how realistic Anna makes her plots – not everything is rainbows and sunshine and that's ok. that’s real. Not every relationship is the “one” or a fairytale. Love can be found in all moments of life
quotes that spoke to me:
‘Life really is like throwing a pebble in a pond,’ I said. ‘There are ripples that spread out but they eventually fade when the pebble sinks to the bed.’
I spend so much of my life putting on a brave face, pretending I’m fine when I’m not, and sometimes I do such a good job of pretending that I forget who the real me even is.
real love is found in conversations in the middle of the night. I know those conversations well. Under the cover of darkness, in the small hours, when everyone else is sleeping, it can feel as if you’re the only two people left on earth. That’s when you break your walls down and bare your soul.
thank you so much Anna, Bedford Sq & netgalley for letting me read this early ❤️
[e-arc provided]
Displaying 1 - 1 of 1 review