What a Time to Be Alive

by Jenny Mustard

Twenty-one and friendless, Sickan arrives at Stockholm University utterly unprepared for adult life. After a chronically lonely childhood, the city represents a fresh start, a chance to finally make friends and the right kind of mistakes. And just as Sickan begins to fit in, she meets Abbe: beautiful, confident, charming - and by some miracle he wants her too.

Tender and intelligent, What A Time To Be Alive is a story about class, sex, loneliness, and the trials of young womanhood. About asking yourself the question: how much of myself am I willing to sacrifice to simply be normal?

Genres: Fiction, Contemporary, Literary Fiction, Coming Of Age, Adult, Novels, Audiobook

304 pages, Paperback

First published April 24, 2025

About the author

Jenny Mustard is a Swedish writer and creative, dividing her time between Sweden and London.
Jenny and her work have featured in the Observer, the Independent, Vogue, Stylist, the Evening Standard and elsewhere. She has over 600k followers, and more than 60 million views on YouTube.

Her acclaimed debut novel, OKAY DAYS, was published in 2023 and her work has been translated into ten languages. Her second novel, WHAT A TIME TO BE ALIVE, a New York Times Editors' Choice, was published in spring 2025.

Reviews

[emma]

everything really is on fire

[Alwynne · Rating 4 out of 5]

London-based, Swedish author Jenny Mustard’s absorbing novel is narrated by Sickan who’s moved away from her small town to attend Stockholm University. Sickan’s a flawed but highly relatable character. Deeply self-conscious, overwhelmed with social anxiety, she finds it hard to feel at ease around other people, too intent on fitting in to allow herself to relax. But her interactions in Stockholm with her first friend the wealthy misfit Hanna and her relationship with guarded Abbe gradually enable Sickan to give voice to her own needs and desires.

In many ways Mustard’s plot is fairly predictable, a coming-of-age story about learning to navigate the world as an adult and work out who it is you might want to be, but what made it stand out was the accomplished delivery. Although Mustard’s been compared to Rachel Cusk and Raven Leilani, this reminded me more of pieces by Gwendoline Riley or perhaps Sarah Manguso. Like them, there’s an emphasis on character and atmosphere, on the intricate boundaries between self and others. But Mustard also uses Sickan’s experiences to broaden out into a critique of Swedish society: from its complex class hierarchies to school bullying, racism and misogyny - not that it's ultimately downbeat. I particularly responded to Mustard’s style. Her prose could be coolly precise but could also convey a meditative intensity that I found close to irresistible.

Thanks to Netgalley and publisher Sceptre for an ARC

[le.lyssa · Rating 5 out of 5]

die 21-jährige sickan zieht für ihr studium nach stockholm und findet nach jahrelanger ausgrenzung ihre erste freundin hanna. die beiden sind grundlegend unterschiedlich, geben aber ein gutes team ab. sickan, vorerst vorsichtig, hanna hingegen tollpatschig und aufmerksam. über freunde von freunden lernt sickan abbe kennen. ein cooler typ, der extrem charmant ist und ihr die aufmerksamkeit gibt, die sie nie von ihren eltern bekommen hat.
wir begleiten sickan in ihrem alltag: mit einprasselnden erinnerungen aus der kindheit, angst vor ablehnung, komplexen zwischenmenschlichen beziehungen (hannah & abbe) und den herausforderungen jeder frau im patriarchat.
mir hat die geschichte unglaublich gut gefallen - auch, wenn es hier und da schon parallelen zu „okaye tage“ gab. es war eine geschichte aus dem leben, die sich so echt angefühlt hat, sodass ich am liebsten ein teil von sickan‘s freundesgruppe wäre. ich brauche mehr von jenny mustard!!

[Thomas · Rating 2 out of 5]

I appreciate the general coming of age vibes and Jenny Mustard’s writing is simple and easy-to-follow. That said I unfortunately found this novel lacking in most respects: the scenes and internal conflicts felt repetitive, the prose was overall unremarkable and flat, and it wasn’t clear to me what Mustard wanted to say with this book. There were a few semi-interesting reflections on class, sex, and gender, though those weren’t enough for me to more fully sign off on this novel as one worth reading.

[Niharika · Rating 4 out of 5]

Never not giving authors a second chance because what do you mean this was so delightfully heartwarming and impossibly relatable and oh so well written when I hated this author's debut so much??

longer review to come.

Thoughts Before Reading

the title of my future memoir.

[ana (ananascanread) · Rating 4 out of 5]

what a time to be alive = the universal syllabus for your early twenties: loneliness 101 with a minor in heartbreak.

imagine moving from a small town where the peak of drama is being ignored at lunch, to a city where everyone looks like they’re auditioning for an indie film poster, and you’re just trying to figure out how to exist without losing yourself. that’s 'what a time to be alive'.

jenny mustard’s writing is quiet but sharp. she nails those tiny moments that feel universe-shaking when you’re young: the awkward silences, the sting of comparison, the weird thrill of being seen. the kind of details you’d want to screenshot and send to your group chat because they just get it.

this isn’t reinventing coming-of-age, but it doesn’t need to. it’s a mirror, for anyone who’s sat alone in a student flat, overthinking texts, buzzing with excitement and dread, loving and losing on a small but very real scale. stockholm isn’t just a backdrop; it’s the mood, the longing, the safe/scary stage for all of it.

[Anna · Rating 2 out of 5]

I am sorry, but I don't think I am the target audience for this book, although I love literally fiction and coming-of-age stories.

What I liked:

- The text is simple and understandable

- It's very Sally Rooney-ish, so it will receive praise in similar fan communities

- I kinda understand the background of the heroine and why she is like this, but the author should have said more about it

What I didn't like:

- The heroine is privileged and extremely pretentious. She is that person who thinks it's all about her when a girlfriend of hers talks about her sexuality. Also, she is unemotional and flat, so in my opinion badly written

- The novel is unengaging. I didn't notice the inner conflict or culmination, and I have no idea what the author wanted to say with this story. I was very bored and thought about DNFing because it felt like a waste of time

- It's repetitive. Too many similar sex scenes, without any characters or relationship development

- The love relationship is also flat, as the heroes are emotionally unavailable and I couldn't care for them less.

Many thanks to the author, publisher and Netgalley for the free arc.

[Steph · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a Time to Be Alive is a quiet, introspective story about first love, heartbreak, and trying to figure out who you are. Jenny Mustard’s writing is simple in the best way — clean, honest, and full of little moments that really hit. It’s not trying to reinvent anything, but there’s a lot of beauty in how stripped-down and real it feels. I found myself highlighting so many lines about identity and belonging.

[Santina Wey · Rating 2 out of 5]

I’ve anticipated this book for months and am disappointed. I couldn’t even tell what exactly the book is about and what to root for throughout the story. Unfortunately, I couldn’t relate to the rather entitled main character Sickan either. Also, quite repetitive. Maybe I’m just not the target audience here.

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wonderful coming-of-age novel set in Stockholm about 21 year old student Sickan who's trying to find out who she really is. It's mostly about identity, friendship, and loneliness, but Mustard deals with class, bullying and racism as well. The dialogue is excellent and if you like Sweden (like I do), then you'll love all the Swedish words and references.
Thank you Simon & Schuster US and Edelweiss for the ARC.

[Kat Jacobi · Rating 3 out of 5]

After Okay Days, which I really loved, I was very excited to read Jenny Mustard’s second book – and it did not disappoint. What a Time to be Alive reminded me a lot of Sally Rooney’s work: it’s more about atmosphere and emotions than plot. The narrative has little structure and no chapters, which takes some getting used to, but if you go with it, it becomes a quiet and thoughtful reading experience.

I was surprised by how heavy some of the themes were, often presented in a very subtle way. Although we’re very close to the main character throughout the book, I never felt like I fully understood her, and some of her developments felt a bit rushed. Still, I really enjoyed reading it.

What stood out to me were the many little glimpses into Swedish life. As someone who speaks Swedish myself, I loved finding Swedish words sprinkled throughout the English text - that added an extra layer of joy for me.

All in all, a quiet but intense novel with some flaws, 3,5 stars I think.

[Lea · Rating 3 out of 5]

In a way, you didn't really get to know the characters very well, but at the same time, it felt like none of the characters behaved like themselves throughout the whole book...?

[amelia · Rating 5 out of 5]

jenny mustard you have done it again.

(longer review to come)

[Reese · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars!! A gem. Review to come

[LeserinLu · Rating 4 out of 5]

„Beste Zeiten“ erzählt von Sickan, die es aus der Provinz in Südschweden nach Stockholm schafft und dort ihr Studium und vor allem ihr eigenes Leben beginnen möchte. Durch die Übersetzung von Lisa Kögeböhn kann man außerdem so richtig in den schwedischen Alltag und die schwedische Sprache eintauchen.

Was anfangs nach einem unbeschwerten Neustart für Sickan klingt, ist allerdings gleichzeitig geprägt von den Narben ihrer Vergangenheit: massives Mobbing, wenig einfühlsame Eltern und verlorenes Vertrauen belasten sie noch immer. Jenny Mustard beschreibt einfühlsam, wie Sickan Schritt für Schritt lernt, sich selbst zu spüren, Grenzen zu setzen und ihre eigenen Bedürfnisse wahrzunehmen – ohne dabei die Unsicherheiten und Widersprüche einer jungen Erwachsenen zu verschweigen.

Mir gefiel, wie realistisch das Uni-Setting und das WG-Leben dargestellt sind, wie intensiv Freundschaften und erste Beziehungen erlebt werden und wie Sickan trotz Schmerz und Fehlern immer wieder kleine Wachstumschancen ergreift. Die Nebenfiguren sind interessant und vielfältig, das Campus-Setting bildete für mich einen vertrauten, lebendigen Rahmen - auch wenn der Roman für mich definitiv kein Pageturner war.

Obwohl der Roman an manchen Stellen ein wenig vor sich hinplätschert, überwiegt für mich der positive Eindruck: Die Mischung aus Schmerz, Liebe und Selbstfindung macht „Beste Zeiten“ zu einem nachdenklichen und zugleich leicht zugänglichen Coming-of-Age-Roman. Dass die langfristigen Folgen von Mobbing thematisiert werden, habe ich so auch noch nicht in einem Roman gelesen.

[Tabitha Anna Teufel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nur Liebe für Jenny Mustard und ihre feinen Beobachtungen und die Klarheit ihrer Sätze und die Sanftheit dieses Buches💛💛

[Zoe Giles · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5/5

jenny mustard has done it again!! I absolutely adore how easily you slip into her novels and how much you get her characters and all their eccentricities.

you can see, feel, hear and smell the cities she describes and you are guaranteed to relate to the human experiences so expertly crafted.

loved it!

[Floriane · Rating 4 out of 5]

hab die Vibes geliebt

[Aoife Cassidy · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a Time to be Alive is a gorgeously quiet and cinematic novel that crept up on me. It reminded me of what it feels like to be in your 20s and figuring out who you are and what you want from life, from friendships and from relationships, making mistakes along the way but learning life lessons.

Sickan is 22 and from a small town in Sweden. She’s moved to Stockholm to study computer science, and having never had any friends, she makes her first one in Hanna, who sticks out like a sore thumb, but who is endlessly kind and giving towards Sickan. Sickan meets and begins dating Abbe, who has had his own difficulties fitting in growing up. The book charts Sickan’s coming of age as she falls in love for the first time and finds out what true and genuine friendship is.

The book got off to a slowish start; some lovely unpretentious writing kept me reading. I loved Sickan’s vulnerability and fragility, and her slowly building sense of resilience and opening up to the world and all of its possibilities. It’s a rather lovely and timeless reflection on youth and the boundless joy and heartbreak that comes with it. Distinctly Scandi (understated, pared back) but universal in theme and emotion. Very much enjoyed this one. 4/5 ⭐️

Many thanks to Hodder/Sceptre Books for the arc via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Rachel Louise Atkin · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’m glad I’ve finally read a book by Jenny Mustard! Absolutely loved the setting and atmosphere of the city in this one, and the more I read of the book the more I liked the characters and their messiness. Mustard writes well and creates a really believable set of characters. The book didn’t blow me away but it really kept me entertained and reminded me of the messiness of being in university and trying to make friends. I would recommend if you like general literary fiction about young women not knowing what they’re doing with their life.

[Caitlyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Most of these stars are for the banging cover. The book itself was sadly flat.

[Antonia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hat mich nicht wirklich abgeholt, es gibt zwar ein paar interessante Stellen und es wurde auch zum Ende hin besser, aber insgesamt ist der Plot relativ langweilig. Die Charaktere sind auf eine Art und Weise erzählt, dass ich mir diese Personen niemals im echten Leben vorstellen könnte, was zwar eine interessante Leseerfahrung war, die Figuren gleichzeitig aber auch wenig relatable für mich macht. Die Übersetzung fand ich an vielen Stellen auch ziemlich weird, wobei die random eingestreuten schwedischen Wörter vermutlich auch im Original auf schwedisch sind, hat für mich an den meisten Stellen aber wenig Sinn ergeben. [3,5]

[Marcus (Lit_Laugh_Luv)]

thank you to Jenny Mustard & Pegasus Books for the ARC - can't wait to dive in!

[Linella · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ich hab so viel gefühlt! Ich wusste dass ich Jenny Mustards 2. Roman mögen werde, aber am Anfang hat mich der Schreibstil bisschen fertig gemacht. Aber sie hat Sickans Unsicherheiten so roh und greifbar gemacht und ich hab mich so gesehen gefühlt. Wir haben die gleichen Ängste und Mustard hat sie so gut in Worte gepackt.

[Lulufrances · Rating 4 out of 5]

Actual rating 4.5

Thanks to Sceptre books for sending me an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

There is a quality to Jenny Mustard's youtube videos, reels and posts that she manages to translate into her prose – she makes the everyday brilliantly beautiful, down to the little details.
She gives mundane things a certain sparkle, a little indulgent lushness.
This quality kept me hooked from page one, Sickan's story is so utterly readable but also so real; despite a lot of gorgeous scenery and elements there is also a lot of gritty real life going on. Childhood trauma from being bullied mixed with mushroom-sauce pasta eaten from elegant dishware in an apartment with herringbone floor on Artillerigatan in Stockholm's bougie Östermalm; themes of physical abuse of one of the characters mingled with Valentino dresses for the St Lucia ball that the university throws. You get the vibe.

So here are a few other things I really enjoyed about What a Time to Be Alive:
* The dialogue! There is so much of it, and I love when characters talk like actual people would (well, of course) and this felt excatly like that. I liked that Sickan herself has a certain storyline re dialogue that she overhears and journals about.
* The setting! Stockholm and a little bit of (if not very favourably described) Skåne – I love when authors make the place kind of a character in itself; especially when it's Sweden. There aren't too many contemporary Swedish litfic novels in translation, according to my ongoing research, so I'm always happy when I do find something set in this special country with all its idiosyncracies.
(If you have some recommendations though, please let me know! No thrillers or crime please.) So many Swedish words thrown in too – jättebra!
* The relationships! Hanna, Noor, Abbe, Sickan's parents – every single one of them so well executed and the developments of each so believable and vital to Sickan's growth.

If you already loved Okay Days, then I hope for you all that April will come super quick, because you'll have an equally great (or even better?) time with What a Time to Be Alive.

[tari · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️

not yet quite sure how to feel about it. as described, it’s a coming-of-age story, but while maybe not darkly told, told in hues of grey, given sickan’s rather complicated childhood marred by having been severely bullied and not loved loudly, abundantly and wholesomely by her emotionally absent yet likeable parents, who just tragically seem like those people that appear as suitable parents on the outside since they’re academics, well-educated, physically present but really don’t know how to care for a child in a sustainable and emotionally stable way.

sickan is a relatable main character, anxiety-driven yet haphazard, attentive yet in constant pursuit of numbing her feelings and emotions, drowning out anything that goes beyond the surface, always running from having to face herself, her fears, her core beliefs about who she is.

personally, i did not find her supposedly profound social anxiety plausible, because what anxious person who feels depleted both before and after social gatherings, feels odd and weird around others, doesn’t know how to interact and make friends, would go to hotel bars to pick up significantly older men in order to bed them and gather sexual experience that way? who says she can’t flirt and therefore doesn’t do a great job working at a bar but three pages later flirts her way into (consensual!) oral sex with a potential love interest? is it willful paradox? a calculatedly contradictory character rich in antithesis and hubris? i have questions.

in any case, very well written, i read the whole story in one day and felt positively pulled into the text and stockholm world of young twenty-somethings profoundly lost in their wildly unhealthy self-discovery processes (so so so much alcohol, glorification of cigarettes and drug abuse, ugh)

[exlibrisjessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jenny Mustard's What a Time to Be Alive is a poignant and relatable exploration of youth, friendship, and the bittersweet transition from small-town life to the bustling city. The novel follows Sickan, a young woman who, like many of us, embarks on a journey of self-discovery as she ventures from her familiar surroundings to the vibrant city of Stockholm.

Jenny Mustard’s prose is both familar and makes you feel a part of Sickan's world with such authenticity. Sickan's experiences, from the excitement of new beginnings in romance, friendship and academia, to the anxieties of growing up, will resonate with anyone who has ever felt uncertain and doubted themselves but also those who discover a new confidence in unexpected situations.

One of my favourite parts of this book is the friendship that Sickan develops with Hanna; it’s one that many of us have had. It’s intense but sometimes hard to navigate and as with all new friendships, there is a slight hesitancy that you’ll do something to mess it up. I loved Sickan and Hanna’s talk about boundaries and friendship towards the end of the novel, it felt mature and healthy and it was lovely to see.

I don’t want to say too much but it’s a story that made me feel safe and hopeful for all that is to come.
It reminded me that new experiences, whilst scary, are also a time to feel alive! I can’t wait until April 2025 because I know so many people will adore this as much as I did!

Thank you so much to Jenny and Sceptre publishing for sending me a first manuscript in return for my reading and reviewing!

[Ashley Moen · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a Time to Be Alive - @jennymustard ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

This was the perfect “get out of a reading slump” read for me!! I love a book with interesting flawed characters that explores different relationships and how they learn and grow from each other 💚 

This book is a coming of age that really looks at identity, friendships, bullying, and social anxiety - being in your early 20s and figuring out who you are.  

I absolutely loved the small details in the descriptions of everything - it really brought me as the reader right into the story.  The dialogues were also so naturally flowing I was able to tear through this book in about a day, I wanted more! 

Thank you @pegasus_books so much for the gifted ARC - it was a dream to get to read this early:) 

Read if you love: Sally Rooney style messy relationships, relatable characters you don't want to stop reading about, and 20 somethings still figuring things out.

[Lauren · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.25

Pretty compelling narrative but fell flat towards the end. Don’t think it was as pertinent as it was setting out to be, but I did enjoy learning about Swedish youth & the sense of becoming that was all patchworky and dizzying through the form and narrative.

Kind of annoying it spends so much time of this coming of age story on a 10 month relationship. Kind of annoying that it starts to probe a lot of questions about trauma and how that makes a person, but doesn’t really do much with them. And where are the bits about class???

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5
Sally Rooney girlies, I urge you to pick this up. A greatest-hits collection of some of the awkward, thrilling, uncomfortable, wonderful, terrifying Canon Events™️ of early womanhood. An introspective, grounded, and realistic portrayal of the insecurity and uncertainty of being in your early twenties trying to figure out who you are, what you care about, and who matters most.