Overflowing Nothings and Threadbare Everythings

by Carly Ratcliffe

What do you do when the line between love and hate proves needle-thin?

Naomi Taylor considers herself a devoted wife and mother, though the bruises left by her husband map her apparent failings. Rejecting her friend’s plea to leave, determined to keep her family together, Naomi is summoned to face the years-long erosion of her identity. But with the COVID lockdown edging in, and time and options running out, Naomi must protect herself and her daughter as their world quickly crumbles around them.

Nearby, cocky and commitment-shy Tom Grayson is unnerved when his new girlfriend moves in, then terrified when she makes a shock revelation that upends his life. Confronted with the guilt of abandoning his son, he’s buoyed by a brief lockdown encounter with Naomi and her daughter, and dares to hope that perhaps he isn’t beyond redemption. But when his girlfriend turns abusive, weaponising his grief and forbidding reconnection with his son, Tom is trapped in a new life he’s expected to build while mourning the one he left behind.

Overflowing Nothings and Threadbare Everythings is a homage to the extremes of cruelty and compassion, to the courage we find in desperate moments, and to the brief but pivotal encounters that can alter the course of a life forever.

384 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 18, 2026

About the author

Carly Ratcliffe is a British writer of contemporary and book club fiction. She has an unhealthy obsession with Haribo sweets (all kinds), and an equally unhealthy hatred for leaf blowers.

When she isn’t writing or reading, you can find her cuddling her niece and nephews, losing herself in a film, or vegetating at the spa. Overflowing Nothings and Threadbare Everythings is her debut novel.

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Reviews

[Elise Green · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was kindly accepted by Carly to read her book. Ive never read a contemporary fiction before, so I was nervous at first. It took me a while to get intk the book but that is purely because I always do that with new books of any genre I have never read before. But once I started reading, I was absolutely hooked on this story.

I love the idea of a story being set during the COVID lock down. I think it helped me relate to the characters a lot more as it is something I lived through. Naomi, the main character, is stuck at home with her husband and her daughter. Naomi couldn't want anything more than to be away from her husband during a time when she didn't have that luxury.

I cried so much during this book I am glad I wasn't reading a physical copy or I would have ruined the pages with my tears.

I related to Tom a lot as his experiences are similar to something I have gone through. I have never read about a character I have related to more and I think that left me sobbing even more.

I experienced so much during this book and if I could have filmed my reactions, I would have. I wanted to throw my phone at a wall so many times you would not understand. For both positive and negative reasons.

Thank you so much Carly for choosing me. I wish you all the best <3

[Lissbeth Bayona · Rating 4 out of 5]

thanks to the author for a copy of this book!
This book was an emotional roller coaster and there were moments where I felt like I knew the characters and they could’ve been people I saw everyday. I loved that we followed these characters throughout their mundane life. I haven’t read many books set during COVID but I’m glad this one included it because it sheds light into how lockdown affected domestic abuse victims. I loved how male domestic abuse was depicted. It’s a topic not talked about enough but I think the author handled it with a lot of care.

[Audrey Dewey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Carly for sending a copy in exchange for a review.

This book was a roller-coaster and incredibly well done! It was raw, emotional, and gave a realistic look at domestic abuse, trauma bonds, and resilience during the Covid-19 lockdown. This will be a book that sticks with me for a while.

[Tiffany · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the most real and most sad books I have ever read, hence why it took me so long to read it. The writing was so great, but as with most stories about abuse they are incredibly raw. The final chapter will be forever with me tho, I am a very visual person when it comes to reading and I pictured and felt it all.

[Nizza Angay-Angay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Set during a suffocating lockdown, Overflowing Nothings and Threadbare Everythings follows two souls trapped in their own private hells. Behind closed doors, away from a quarantined world, two separate abusers are systematically breaking down their victims. It is a gritty, unglamorous, and heartbreakingly real look at the "trauma bond"—proving that sometimes, the most dangerous place on earth is your own home. But as the walls close in, the lives of this fractured neighborhood begin to tangle, forcing a desperate collision where the only way to survive is to expose everything.

This book functions like a total pressure cooker. As the violence escalates, the author completely throws traditional thriller tropes out the window—trading a cheap, Hollywood rescue for the messy, painful, and terrifyingly real failures of the system like hospitalizations, police tape, and legal loops. 🚨

The climax is a chaotic, rapid-fire explosion where the privacy of the abuse is finally shattered in full view of the neighborhood. And just when your heart is in your throat, it clears the deck for an epic epilogue that jumps two decades into the future to show what the long, ragged road of generational healing actually looks like. ✨

🌸 Recommendation

I am recommending this book with the biggest, most emotional asterisk because it is a total roller coaster. Your anger will be at a 10/10 for most of it, and then the epilogue will literally have you sobbing. To quote Dumbledore, this book beautifully reminds us that "help will always be given to those who need it." It’s not through grand, cinematic gestures, but through the ordinary decency of neighbors, friends, and strangers willing to step into the dark to catch you. If you want a heavy, psychologically accurate debut that handles trauma with exquisite tenderness and gives you a gorgeous legacy of healing, pick this up immediately. Just keep a box of tissues close by.

✍🏼 Praises and Critique for the Author

Since it's a debut, you’ll definitely notice some technical quirks, like a heavy overuse of punctuation and way too many parentheses that chop up the rhythm. But honestly? The storytelling instincts here are pure genius. I absolutely loved how the author never gave proper names to the abusers—it completely strips them of their power and keeps the focus entirely on the survivors. Carly Ratcliffe completely refuses to give us a cheap, Hollywood "happily ever after," honoring just how messy and brutal real-world trauma actually is. Yet, her ability to weave beauty out of that tragedy is a total masterstroke especially the raw way the title is dropped in counseling and that final, breathtaking scene with the Mirabelle plums. She wrote a book that makes you furious, breaks your heart, and then gently pieces you back together.

P.S. This was actually my very first time doing an ARC review, and I am so incredibly glad it turned out to be a solid 5/5 read. Talk about setting the bar high for future advanced copies! 😭✨

“Don’t let the abuse win.”

[McKenzie · Rating 5 out of 5]

“What do you do when the line between love and hate proves needle-thin?”

This was such a touching story and just a full roller coaster of emotions!

It is a contemporary fiction novel that shines a light on the impact Covid lockdowns had on domestic abuse victims being locked in with their abusers, how it was even harder to try to escape during those times, and the resilience they had to face even more than normal.

It follows two separate individual stories (Naomi and Tom) that overlap some. But it also intertwines their past timelines throughout, so you can see what all they have experienced in their lifetime and how it got them where they are currently. It was nice that the author showed representation of a male abuse victim too as male abuse is not talked about enough. And I love that the author doesn’t give names to the abusers to strip them of their powers.

Yes this topic is sad and can be hard to read about, but this book was so beautifully written that it needs to be read. I immediately felt so connected to both Naomi and Tom as characters and was so invested in seeing where they would end up. I really liked the alternating timelines between past and present. And both of their stories just felt so raw and authentic.

Did it make me cry? 100% especially the final scene in the last chapter, but I still loved the story! I really do recommend this book, but be prepared for an emotional, raw and real story that isn’t afraid to show the messy real-world trauma.

If you do have triggers, please please please check all of the trigger warnings in this one that are at the beginning of the author’s note. I would list them here, but a couple could give away parts of the story, so for those who don’t want the warnings, I don’t want to spoil those parts.

[Mila Lewis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overwhelming Nothings and Threadbare Everythings takes on domestic violence with the seriousness it deserves—not as melodrama, not as cautionary tale, but as a social reality that could be happening to someone you know right now. Carly Ratcliffe structures the novel around two parallel stories: a woman navigating an increasingly dangerous marriage, and a man who finds himself trapped in a coercive and violent housesharing situation during COVID lockdown. Same pattern of abuse, different genders, same roots in abandonment and insecurity. The parallel is deliberate and the argument is clear—domestic violence doesn't discriminate.

The novel's most powerful choice is leaving the abusers unnamed. They are faceless by intention, because the faces change but the behavior doesn't. This isn't about specific monsters. It's about a recognizable pattern that begins with jealousy and control, apologizes convincingly, and escalates with a logic that traps its victims before they fully understand what's happening.

The man's story carries an additional layer of painful realism—his shame about the abuse keeps him silent long after silence stops serving him. That reluctance to be believed, to be taken seriously, is rendered with care and honesty.

The prose is accessible, which suits the material—this is not a novel that should dazzle with language. It should pull you in and make you uncomfortable. It does both. A meaningful, important debut.

[gena · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is such a powerful, emotional read. From the very beginning, it pulls you into raw, difficult moments—pain, survival, and the quiet strength it takes to keep going. Some of the pieces hit like “a thousand stings,” and you can feel every bit of it.
Knowing this was written during Covid time made it hit even harder—it almost feels like reliving that period, with all the heaviness, isolation, and reflection that came with it. The writing is deeply personal but also incredibly relatable.
One line that really stayed with me was: “We are never stuck, whether we see it or not. Like clouds ever changing.” That message carries through the whole collection—there’s hurt, but there’s also hope woven in.
What stood out most were the heartfelt messages. This is the kind of book that reminds people they’re not alone, that help is there, and that they are stronger than they think. It touches on despair, heartache, grief, and healing in such a real way.
It’s also the kind of book someone needs to write—for the people who feel unseen or are struggling to put their emotions into words. The writing is amazing, honest, and meaningful.
Overall, a powerful piece that leaves you thinking—and maybe even encourages more people to share their own stories.

I received a advance copy for free for a honest review

[BookishDogMamaKate · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review of advanced copy received from Author.

Today I read Overflowing Nothings and Threadbare Everything’s by author Carly Ratcliffe. And I mean, I read it..in one sitting..Could not put it down.

This captivating story is set during the time of the Covid pandemic lockdown. It shares what was not shown on our TVs everyday. By walking the reader behind the curtain, it illuminates the crisis of those impacted by escalated domestic violence during this period of forced proximity.

The characters are immediately believable and engaging. I seamlessly became invested in them…some so endearing…some revolting.

A mother and her precious daughter. A man who finds himself an unlikely statistic. Through backstories we learn about great love as well as how trauma and patterns can permeate generations. We see the priceless gift of the truest friendships. Moments of hope, pain, grief, and healing.

This is a book that needed to be written. It is engrossing, full of tense anxious moments and with heartfelt passages that bring warm smiles. Without a doubt it will make a stellar book club choice. More than that though, this is a story with the potential to plant a seed and save a life.

Highly recommend!

[Sarah_books_life · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was contacted by the lovely author Carly and asked if I wanted to read her book. Contemporary fiction is not my usual genre but I thought I would jump out of my comfort zone and give it a go and oh boy am I glad I did!

This story follows Naomi and her young daughter, Jasmine during lockdown and when the last thing she wants or needs is her husband at home with them. She tries to keep her family together but in doing so, she is losing herself. Her neighbour begs her to leave as time is running out.

Just down the road lives Tom, he is racked with guilt for abandoning his son Ben, seven years ago. During his lockdown walks he sees Naomi and Jasmine in the park, he sees their closeness and wants to reconnect with his son. But Tom ends up pushed into a life with his girlfriend he never wanted. She is not only abusive but demands he not see his son.

This book gave me so many emotions, I laughed, I cried and I got angry. It tells the story of grief, guilt, making life changing decisions, cruelty of life and healing. I honestly did not expect to connect in the way I did with the characters or have the reactions I did! Some parts are hard to read and are raw. I would check triggers before reading.

Thank you Carly for opening my horizons within reading, for making me feel uncomfortable and for giving me the opportunity to read your book.

[Carlo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Carly for inviting me to read this ahead of its release and a huge congratulations on your debut novel! You were absolutely right - it did remind me of The Names by Florence Knapp.

Overflowing Nothings and Threadbare Everythings is an emotional, grounded, and resonant story about the challenge every person in an abusive relationship faces: finding the courage to confront their situation, and the strength to escape.

What I loved:
* Compelling and deeply human protagonists
* Evocative writing; fast-paced with the right amount of flair
* A bittersweet and grounded but still fitting ending


While some of the dialogue and exposition could be refined further, the author nailed the emotional core of this story. Her inspiration and intent for creating this is worth commending, especially for her debut work.

If you can handle the trigger warnings and are up for the challenge of a story like this, I can gladly recommend it.

[Just Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really interesting story told from 2 POV’s. Told from the time of the Covid lockdown and how some people were really affected by being trapped in their own homes 24/7.
Naomi and daughter Jasmine are treading on egg shells with Naomi’s alcoholic abusive husband. Trying to keep out of his way and not trigger his aggression.
Down the road, Tom has been forced to live with his short term partner who is also abusive and starting to take her toll on his mental health.
An emotive story showing the impact the pandemic had on so many households, affecting both men and women. I thought this was a really well written piece.

[Eloise · Rating 5 out of 5]

I finished this in 2 days (which for me is a very short amount of time!) because I couldn’t put this book down. I think I experienced every emotion possible. I cried, laughed, was FURIOUS, then cried again. Sobbed, more like. The characters are so human, I felt like I knew them as well as some of my closest friends. I didn’t want to let them go. A fantastic book, and I was shocked to learn it’s the author’s debut! I highly recommend, but do check those triggers as there is some very tough subject matter. Looking forward to the author’s next one!

[C_Reads8811 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Definitely recommend but be warned and prepared for an emotional rollercoaster! I think I actually cried of anger with this one… set during Covid-19 lockdown and taking a look into two abusive homes. An unforgettable read. Made me cry and want to throw my kindle to the wall out of anger 😩. I would love to thank the author for providing me with a copy of this heart wrenching piece. #naomi #tom #carlyratcliff #bookstagram #covid19

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful yet heartbreaking tale, bursting with raw and tender moments... Tom and Naomi's storylines converge in a way I never could have imagined. Carly's prose is filled with descriptive little gems that really heightened the experience. This is the kind of story that will stick with you long after you've read it!

[Amanda Leggett · Rating 5 out of 5]

As someone who grew up with a parent that tetered on the line of verbal abuse this book is very real. I was cheering for the 2 main characters even if Tom seems hopeless at the beginning. Everything comes together so well in the end but there are some raw emotional flashbacks that everyone should be prepared.

[Carly Ratcliffe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Giving this 5 stars as I'm the daughter of the author's mother