The Cat Share

by Angela Jariwala

Sometimes it’s a simple as meeting the boy next door.  Jini lives alone with her cat Oscar – yes, she’s single but, after breaking up with her boyfriend, she’s more than content to be living alone. Sometimes she worries she might be playing things too safe, but she’s had enough of taking risks.  Ben is a firefighter and, if he’s honest, he’s finding life hard. The arrival of a small tabby cat, who Ben decides to call Fred, helps him feel less isolated. But then, one day, Fred appears with a note tied to his collar from someone called Jeanie, accusing Ben of stealing her cat!   As the two near neighbours start corresponding via the cat, their notes to each other reveal the truths they are hiding from even their closest friends, and themselves.  Inspired by a true story, The Cat Share is a heartwarming and uplifting rom com – the perfect book for fans of Sarra Manning, Beth O'Leary and Laura Jane Williams

Genres: Romance, Cats

352 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 4, 2025

About the author

Angela was born in West London to parents from Surat, India. She is a published author of two young adult novels: 'Pardesi' (1994) and 'Fatty Rati', (1997.) Both were published by Mantra Lingua Ltd, an award-winning publisher of multi-cultural and multi lingual books for children and young people.

Veneer is her first novel for adults.

Reviews

[Jillian]

How do I get an ARC for this???!!! 😭😭

[Lotta · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5

Straight forward and cute but also very boring, unfortunately. It took until halfway through for the first contact between the FMC and MMC ….

[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

After breaking up with her boyfriend, Jenni has settled into a routine living the solo life. It just seems easier to avoid the risks that might come with a new relationship, and she is perfectly content with just her cat, Oscar, for company... most of the time. Ben is a firefighter, with a job that requires bravery, but on the inside he is struggling... until a small tabby cat, he calls 'Fred', decides to make friends with him. Suddenly Ben does not feel so alone.

Ben is sure a cat of 'Fred's' calibre must have an owner in the neighbourhood, so he decides to attach a note to his collar to reassure them he has no intention of stealing him. Jenni finds the note on Oscar's collar (surprise, surprise) when he returns home to her. Soon the two strangers are sending notes to each other via cat-mail - notes which will change their lives for the better.

This warm-hearted twist on The Go Between (with a sprinkling of The Flatshare) has two strangers opening up their hearts to each other through the intervention of a very special postie - the delightful cat, Oscar (or Fred, depending on who he is spending time with).

It is easy to fall for this novel from the very first chapter, especially if you are lucky enough to have a cat friend in your life. Jariwala clearly knows a thing or two about being chosen by a feline friend, and she writes Oscar as just the right side of wayward - with characteristics that all cat owners will be more than familiar with. This introduces a lot of humour to the story, and I found myself frequently laughing out loud when it comes to his kitty antics.

As the story weaves back and forth between Jenni and Ben, via Oscar, the way they begin to open up to each other on paper is wonderfully touching, and they share the truths that they have kept secret from the world, and even themselves. Emotions flow, and a romance that neither of them knew they were looking for (even if crafty Oscar did) sparks into life. Ahh.

This is a gentle tale that manages to work its way right into you heart. I became deeply invested in the fate of Jenni and Ben, wanting everything good for them, all the way to the golden ending. Absolutely perfect comfort reading!

[Emma · Rating 4 out of 5]

Put a cat on the cover of the book and I’m buying it! And if the title hints at the story being centred around that cat…even better. So, as soon as I heard the title and saw the cute cover for The Cat Share I was in. After all, who could resist an uplifting romcom about a greedy cat who brings two people together?

The story is told by dual narrators: Jenni, who works in the fashion industry and creates tie-dyed clothes in her spare time, and Ben, a hunky fireman who adores his niece, Evie. Both of them are still getting over the hurt caused by their last relationships and wondering if they’ll ever meet someone they can trust again. It can get lonely at times, which is why Jenni got a cat, Oscar. Oscar is greedy, demanding, but totally irresistible. So much so that when he starts appearing at Ben’s window he can’t resist feeding him even though he knows he must have an owner. Ben falls in love with Oscar - or ‘Fred’, as he calls him but doesn’t want his owner to think he’s trying to steal their cat, so he attaches a note to his collar. They begin to correspond via notes attached to Oscar’s collar. And what follows is a delightful story about two people who are brought together by the cat they both love.

This uplifting story was just what I needed. I love a good romcom and, as I’ve said, I love books featuring cats, so this was right up my street. And the cat is called Oscar, which was the name of my favourite childhood cat. Obviously, Oscar was my favourite character, but the other characters were also compelling, especially the narrators. I liked Jenni and Ben and was impatiently waiting for them to get together. I loved the idea of two people corresponding via notes in a cat’s collar, and I loved the other ways that the author brought them into each other’s lives without them even realising it.

A charming, witty and entertaining romcom, this is perfect for anyone who loves love. And cats.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Cat Share by Angela Jariwala
Jenni is single, in her late thirties and lives alone in London with her tabby cat called Oscar. Recently split from her boyfriend Alex, she has found gardening a great way to cope. She works in marketing for an outdoor clothing business. She studied textile design at college, she loves sewing and making clothes and has recently started making tie-dye garments to sell at fairs. She’s doing pretty well, but she’s lonely.
Ben is single and a firefighter. He has friends at work and is close to his mum, his sister Penny, and niece Evie (6). But he’s lonely. When a cat starts coming round to see him, he begins to get attached to him, even though he realises he already has a home. He calls the cat Fred.
This is such a heart-warming and beautiful story. Jenni and Ben are wonderful characters and the cat is beautifully and realistically described. I love cats (I have three) and really enjoy novels with cats in, so this one appealed to me straight away. It’s such a great idea for a story and I loved the cat’s involvement in both their lives.
Both Jenni and Ben are dealing with different emotions and working to change something about themselves to be happier. Jenni is having to deal with her widowed mum finding a partner, while Ben has a difficult relationship with his father. Things are not a breeze for either of them, but this novel has a brilliant uplifting quality to it and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
I am just sorry that it was published posthumously, as Angela Jariwala obviously had a beautiful writing style and a huge talent. I hope her family put the book somewhere on display for all to see and that they frequently re-read it and are comforted by the beauty of her writing.

[Bookshortie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jenni and Ben do not know each other but they’re about to be introduced by a cat.

This was a wholesome, heartwarming and adorable read. I loved everything about the story but what I liked most about it was that during my reading journey I couldn’t help but smile. The storyline was about romance, moving forward, taking a chance and a very mischievous cat. I would describe the story as a bit like You’ve Got Mail, but with handwritten notes and a cat instead of a computer.

I loved watching the relationship between Jenni and Ben grow because ultimately they are strangers and the one thing that connects them is Jenni’s cat Oscar. One of the things that Jenni and Ben have in common is that neither of them are looking for a relationship or love. Their previous relationships ended badly and they are both guarded when it comes to opening up to other people. But as soon as they start to correspond they strike up a friendship despite not knowing each other and their feelings of loneliness start to disappear. When they do meet in real life by chance they don’t realise that they’ve been sending notes to each other and even without this information they still connect instantly.

As well as Jenni and Ben there is an additional main character in the form of Oscar the cat. In some ways Oscar is a bit of a matchmaker and it did feel like he knew that Jenni and Ben were alone and he was trying to bring them together. I couldn’t help but laugh at Oscar and some of his shenanigans including refusing to use the cat flap and demanding in his own way that doors are opened for him. Oscar is sassy and stubborn that’s for sure, but also loveable at the same time.

If you love romance then this is one book not to be missed.

[Karen Mace · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oscar is a cat with attitude! And it turns out he's the perfect kitty to bring 2 strangers together as they start communicating via notes attached to his collar as he wanders round the local neighbourhood!!

I loved this book as it was such a simple concept but with the way the author writes with such warmth about her characters and how they're both dealing with life, it really strikes a chord and was just so easy to connect with and empathise with. Jenni is the owner of Oscar and is happily single getting on with life and all that it throws her way. Ben is a firefighter who is finding life a bit of a struggle so gets a boost when a cat appears in his life to brighten up his days, even giving him the name of Fred.

not wanting to tread on any toes and not knowing where the cat comes from, Ben starts to add notes to the collar to let the owner know what is happening and they soon find this a way of being able to open up about what is going on in their lives - why is it so easy opening up to someone you don't know!

I really enjoyed this story from the first page to last! It made me smile a lot, especially the antics of Oscar so if you're looking for a book with a sassy cat and lovely characters, look no further!

[Stacy Miller · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a beautiful book this is. I can safely say that I was immediately pulled into the gentle rhythm this story creates. The small moments weave through the narrative and carry such emotional weight and nothing ever feels forced. I found myself relaxing into the calm and thoughtful quality of Jariwala’s writing which lets emotions rise naturally. I loved how much is expressed through quiet gestures rather than big dramatic swings.

Jenni and Ben feel wonderfully real to me. Their hesitations and hopes unfold with an honesty that makes their connection deeply satisfying to follow. Nothing is rushed and nothing is glossed over and their slowly growing relationship has a depth that sneaks up on you in the loveliest way.

Oscar/Fred is an absolute standout for me. He brings charm mischief and a real sense of meaning to the plot. He feels like so much more than a pet and every scene he appears in instantly brightens.

Reading this book feels even more poignant knowing Angela Jariwala sadly passed away before publication. There is so much empathy and warmth woven through her story that it feels like a final gift to readers.

The Cat Share is simply stunning and a simple reminder that in our softest moments we leave the deepest marks on the world.

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this to be a very easy to read book filled with warmth and humour. In the opening chapter it was as if Jenni, our first narrator, was welcoming us into her life with a big hug as she told us about herself and how she lives now as well as introducing us to the very important, if only in his own head, titular character, her cat Oscar. The humour in this book really hit with me, so much so that I found myself laughing out loud and wanting to explain to my husband what had just happened that had tickled me so much to try and share my bubble of joy

[Femke Sabine · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was so cute

[Steph Woods · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute book, would have liked even more of Oscar. Won't be to everyone's taste but as a certified cat lady, I really enjoyed it.

[Wendy(Wendyreadsbooks) Robey · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is such a sweet romance. I loved the notes between Jenni and Ben, and Oscar was the perfect messenger who seemed to realised what both the humans needed. His actions providing the perfect meet-cute, even it if did take a while for both Jenni and Ben to be brave.
Oscar was a right bundle of mischief and I loved seeing how both Jenni and Ben really cared about him - the little cathouse and treats sounded perfect.
Both characters were written so sympathetically and I was willing them to have the courage to move on.

[Karen Kingston · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sadly I cannot cuddle a real cat without suffering sneezing fits and weeping eyes, but I can spend time with virtual cats in books. Oscar is my new favourite feline character and he really is the main character in this gorgeous story. So for this reader, this was a step up from The Flat Share.

I loved how this story evolved, as Jenni finds herself wondering where Oscar has been disappearing to. Jenni and Ben, our two narrators, are both finding it hard to move forward from their previous relationships. Can Oscar/Fred help two kind and thoughtful young people to start living their best lives once more?

I adored this uplifting book which is perfect to curl up with and is guaranteed to give you a happy and warm feeling. Just don’t tell our adopted chihuahuas how much I enjoyed reading about Oscar/Fred!

[Helen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I actually pre-ordered this book back when it was due to come out in 2021. I had no idea that the author had sadly passed away and that her son had finished it. Very special to be sent this book by the publisher in 2025. This book was lovely, a must read for all cat lovers. It reminded me in part of the film 'You've got mail' but obviously with a snail mail twist. I love the idea of people meeting in this way and sending notes back and to. Such an interesting meet-cute. I will check out the authors 2 young adult novels soon.

Thanks to the publisher for the chance to read this book early.