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Single Bald Female
'Life-affirming, tearjerking and gorgeously written . . . An extraordinary, hugely moving story about the fight for survival' - Hannah Tovey, bestselling author of The Education of Ivy EdwardsAt thirty-one, Jessica Jackson has it all – the career she’s worked so hard for, the loving boyfriend and a cosy London flat they share with their cat. But a shock diagnosis turns Jess’s world upside down, and her contented life implodes with it.As Jess juggles her career with chemo, and learns that her perfect boyfriend isn’t quite so perfect after all, her friends’ lives continue to follow the script – the ‘I said yes’ Facebook announcements, the big white weddings and the baby scans. Worrying that she’ll be left behind, she turns to online dating as she figures out what the future holds.In the midst of it all, she meets Annabel, an enigmatic, enchanting twenty-seven-year-old, with incurable cancer. But while Annabel may be nearing the end of her life, she understands much more about living than anyone Jess has ever met. And Annabel is determined to show Jess how to make every day count . . .Frank, funny and poignant, Single Bald Female is a completely unforgettable story of love and friendship.
418 pages, Paperback
First published April 14, 2022
45 people are currently reading
1486 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 158 reviews
July 29, 2022
I loved this book so much!! And I didn’t know they still have any kind of chemo in the veins without a port! I’ve still got my port, maybe take out next year. Anyway, loved it.
Mel 🖤🐶🐺🐾
Mel 🖤🐶🐺🐾
May 14, 2022
Let me introduce Jessica Jackson. She’s turned 30. She has it all.
Then she is diagnosed with breast cancer.
Her world crumbles, her future her dreams her plans.
Her friends lives meanwhile are getting married, babies etc etc
She is of course consumed and overwhelmed with what is going to happen to her. Then she meets Annabel. Annabel is 27 living with incurable cancer. She teaches Jessica to make every single day count, every minute of every day.
This is honest and open, very poignant and a story of great friendship. It’s the least people who can keep you afloat.
Then she is diagnosed with breast cancer.
Her world crumbles, her future her dreams her plans.
Her friends lives meanwhile are getting married, babies etc etc
She is of course consumed and overwhelmed with what is going to happen to her. Then she meets Annabel. Annabel is 27 living with incurable cancer. She teaches Jessica to make every single day count, every minute of every day.
This is honest and open, very poignant and a story of great friendship. It’s the least people who can keep you afloat.
December 6, 2021
Actual rating 3.5 stars
Jess is thirty-one, starting a dream job as an acting editor at a magazine, and has a wonderful boyfriend. But then she gets diagnosed with breast cancer and finds out her boyfriend isn’t that wonderful at all …
The main topic of this story is cancer, but Single Bald Female tackles so much more. The directions women are pushed in when they’re around thirty. The pressure to make a career. Relationships, romantic and platonic. Family.
I loved a lot of things. Even though this book deals with heavy topics, Single Bald Female is an easy and funny read. The writing is typically British, and engaging and captivating. I like this kind of writing, and I flew through the pages. I loved Annabel, so full of life while she knew she would die. I had one issue, though, that I couldn’t let go of. I didn’t particularly like Jess. She was so focused on her career yet went to her new job twice the same week with a (massive) hangover. I just didn’t understand what getting so drunk added to the storyline. And somehow, this impacted my feeling about the book while reading. Overall this is a nuanced and sometimes harsh story about breast cancer at a young age, and I really liked the ending.
I received an ARC from Pan Macmillan and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Jess is thirty-one, starting a dream job as an acting editor at a magazine, and has a wonderful boyfriend. But then she gets diagnosed with breast cancer and finds out her boyfriend isn’t that wonderful at all …
The main topic of this story is cancer, but Single Bald Female tackles so much more. The directions women are pushed in when they’re around thirty. The pressure to make a career. Relationships, romantic and platonic. Family.
I loved a lot of things. Even though this book deals with heavy topics, Single Bald Female is an easy and funny read. The writing is typically British, and engaging and captivating. I like this kind of writing, and I flew through the pages. I loved Annabel, so full of life while she knew she would die. I had one issue, though, that I couldn’t let go of. I didn’t particularly like Jess. She was so focused on her career yet went to her new job twice the same week with a (massive) hangover. I just didn’t understand what getting so drunk added to the storyline. And somehow, this impacted my feeling about the book while reading. Overall this is a nuanced and sometimes harsh story about breast cancer at a young age, and I really liked the ending.
I received an ARC from Pan Macmillan and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
June 2, 2022
Poignant, absorbing, and profoundly moving!
Single Bald Female is an exceptionally memorable novel that takes you into the life of Jessica Jackson, a young woman whose life gets turned upside down when she finally gets the promotion she’s always wanted, her boyfriend admits to having an affair, she receives the dreaded diagnosis of having breast cancer and must come to grips with all that entails, and she befriends, Annabel, a fellow cancer patient who quickly teaches her to live life to the fullest every day.
The prose is thoughtful and direct. The characters are strong, genuine, and endearing. And the plot is a compelling, touching tale of life, love, family, friendship, honesty, kindness, humour, contemplation, acceptance, introspection, grief, and loss.
Overall, Single Bald Female is a candid, powerful, beautifully written novel by Price that made me think, made me smile, made me cry, and resonated with me long after I turned the final page not only as a woman, daughter, and mother, but also the sister of a breast cancer warrior.
Thank you to PGC Books for gifting me a copy in exchange for an honest review.
Single Bald Female is an exceptionally memorable novel that takes you into the life of Jessica Jackson, a young woman whose life gets turned upside down when she finally gets the promotion she’s always wanted, her boyfriend admits to having an affair, she receives the dreaded diagnosis of having breast cancer and must come to grips with all that entails, and she befriends, Annabel, a fellow cancer patient who quickly teaches her to live life to the fullest every day.
The prose is thoughtful and direct. The characters are strong, genuine, and endearing. And the plot is a compelling, touching tale of life, love, family, friendship, honesty, kindness, humour, contemplation, acceptance, introspection, grief, and loss.
Overall, Single Bald Female is a candid, powerful, beautifully written novel by Price that made me think, made me smile, made me cry, and resonated with me long after I turned the final page not only as a woman, daughter, and mother, but also the sister of a breast cancer warrior.
Thank you to PGC Books for gifting me a copy in exchange for an honest review.
June 8, 2022
CW: Cancer, grief, off page death of parent, infertility
I received this book from BookBreak UK in exchange for an honest review.
Jessie Jackson's life is pretty mapped out and things are checking off nicely. She has a lovely boyfriend, an adorable cat, a loving dad and now she's starting her dream job as a magazine editor. But everything comes crashing down when Jessie is diagnosed with breast cancer, bringing back the trauma and grief of her own mum's cancer diagnosis, and her boyfriend Johnny proves to not be as perfect as she thought. Suddenly Jessie is single, alone and about to become bald.
This is a heartfelt and at times moving story about a young woman going through something no-one really expects to have to face in their lifetime, let alone in their early 30s. I really appreciated how it felt like the author was inspired by her own experience with breast cancer at a young age, and Jessie's diagnosis and treatment plan felt pretty realistic, scary at times but filled with amazing people in the medical career looking after her every step of the way.
I had ups and downs with this book - I enjoyed the parts of the book showing Jessie's life as a magazine editor and I actually wish we had a lot more of that in the book as there were parts that were off page (such as the final photoshoot with all the girls) that could have been so fun to read and picture. In the finished version of the book, I also wonder if there is a recipe for Jessie's custard doughnuts as I would really like that please, and if there's not, that's a missed opportunity.
While I appreciated the character of Annabel, as an example of living life to the full when you know you have a limited amount of time left - and Annabel also served an an emotional impact in the book as the reader always knows she is going to die - I found some of her personality a little bit too much of a manic pixie dream girl (in best friend form).
Some of Jessie's dating experiences really made me raise an eyebrow as I found it difficult to imagine myself in the same situation being so sick, at the start of my treatment, and wanting to put myself out there like that! While I think it's important to have representation when it comes to chronic illness and dating, I just wonder how much is realistic when it comes to cancer and chemo and the risk factor with germs and everything else.
There is a real emphasis in this book on fertility and the fears of infertility. Due to Jessie's treatment, she is advised to freeze her eggs, and if possible a fertilised one/embryo and throughout the book we see the character struggle with the idea of never being able to have a baby. While this is obviously a very true fear for many people there there, Jessie does make some blanket statements about how every woman wants a baby, and she thinks many things about this failure and what it means when in reality, there are many women out there who don't want children, and that doesn't make them, or the women who physically can't have children, any less. There is also a failure here to acknowledge that there are many ways to have a family from foster to adoption, or even just pet adoption - a child doesn't make a family, love does.
Overall this was an enjoyable read, and I recommend to people who are happy to read some sad and scary moments about a cancer diagnosis.
I received this book from BookBreak UK in exchange for an honest review.
Jessie Jackson's life is pretty mapped out and things are checking off nicely. She has a lovely boyfriend, an adorable cat, a loving dad and now she's starting her dream job as a magazine editor. But everything comes crashing down when Jessie is diagnosed with breast cancer, bringing back the trauma and grief of her own mum's cancer diagnosis, and her boyfriend Johnny proves to not be as perfect as she thought. Suddenly Jessie is single, alone and about to become bald.
This is a heartfelt and at times moving story about a young woman going through something no-one really expects to have to face in their lifetime, let alone in their early 30s. I really appreciated how it felt like the author was inspired by her own experience with breast cancer at a young age, and Jessie's diagnosis and treatment plan felt pretty realistic, scary at times but filled with amazing people in the medical career looking after her every step of the way.
I had ups and downs with this book - I enjoyed the parts of the book showing Jessie's life as a magazine editor and I actually wish we had a lot more of that in the book as there were parts that were off page (such as the final photoshoot with all the girls) that could have been so fun to read and picture. In the finished version of the book, I also wonder if there is a recipe for Jessie's custard doughnuts as I would really like that please, and if there's not, that's a missed opportunity.
While I appreciated the character of Annabel, as an example of living life to the full when you know you have a limited amount of time left - and Annabel also served an an emotional impact in the book as the reader always knows she is going to die - I found some of her personality a little bit too much of a manic pixie dream girl (in best friend form).
Some of Jessie's dating experiences really made me raise an eyebrow as I found it difficult to imagine myself in the same situation being so sick, at the start of my treatment, and wanting to put myself out there like that! While I think it's important to have representation when it comes to chronic illness and dating, I just wonder how much is realistic when it comes to cancer and chemo and the risk factor with germs and everything else.
There is a real emphasis in this book on fertility and the fears of infertility. Due to Jessie's treatment, she is advised to freeze her eggs, and if possible a fertilised one/embryo and throughout the book we see the character struggle with the idea of never being able to have a baby. While this is obviously a very true fear for many people there there, Jessie does make some blanket statements about how every woman wants a baby, and she thinks many things about this failure and what it means when in reality, there are many women out there who don't want children, and that doesn't make them, or the women who physically can't have children, any less. There is also a failure here to acknowledge that there are many ways to have a family from foster to adoption, or even just pet adoption - a child doesn't make a family, love does.
Overall this was an enjoyable read, and I recommend to people who are happy to read some sad and scary moments about a cancer diagnosis.
December 5, 2022
I read Laura's debut novel a few months ago during my holiday to Italy! How I long for those warm, sunny days - it's such a contrast to the bitter and cold winter nights we're having now!
Jessica Jackson is living her best life - she's got the career that she's dreamed of and she's living in a cosy London flat with her boyfriend and their cat. However, her perfect life is turned upside down when she's diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 31 and it turns out that her loving boyfriend wasn't so great after all. As a result, Jess finds herself juggling chemo and trying to build her career whilst hiding her diagnosis from her colleagues and at the same time, tackling her new-found single life.
Her friends' lives on social media seem so perfect in comparison with countless engagements, weddings and baby announcements, causing Jess to sink further in dismay. That is until she meets Annabel, who has incurable cancer at the age of 27 and wants to show Jess just how to make the most of her life.
I really enjoyed this book, especially the life-affirming feel of the story despite the main topic being cancer. The descriptions of Jess's cancer diagnosis and treatments sounded so realistic and the story itself is moving yet also funny at times. I found myself rooting for Jess throughout as she was dealt with the ups and downs of having cancer.
I've been following the author Laura Price's own personal journey after being diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 29 (which then inspired her to write this book) and I really appreciate how honest she is about it. I'm sure that it helps others dealing with similar experiences to not feel so alone. I'm glad that she wrote this book as I don't think there are many other books like this out in the world. It gives us all a bit of an insight into what kind of emotions someone might go through after receiving a cancer diagnosis at a young age.
Jessica Jackson is living her best life - she's got the career that she's dreamed of and she's living in a cosy London flat with her boyfriend and their cat. However, her perfect life is turned upside down when she's diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 31 and it turns out that her loving boyfriend wasn't so great after all. As a result, Jess finds herself juggling chemo and trying to build her career whilst hiding her diagnosis from her colleagues and at the same time, tackling her new-found single life.
Her friends' lives on social media seem so perfect in comparison with countless engagements, weddings and baby announcements, causing Jess to sink further in dismay. That is until she meets Annabel, who has incurable cancer at the age of 27 and wants to show Jess just how to make the most of her life.
I really enjoyed this book, especially the life-affirming feel of the story despite the main topic being cancer. The descriptions of Jess's cancer diagnosis and treatments sounded so realistic and the story itself is moving yet also funny at times. I found myself rooting for Jess throughout as she was dealt with the ups and downs of having cancer.
I've been following the author Laura Price's own personal journey after being diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 29 (which then inspired her to write this book) and I really appreciate how honest she is about it. I'm sure that it helps others dealing with similar experiences to not feel so alone. I'm glad that she wrote this book as I don't think there are many other books like this out in the world. It gives us all a bit of an insight into what kind of emotions someone might go through after receiving a cancer diagnosis at a young age.
October 30, 2024
5 stars for obvious reasons ❤️🩹
May 21, 2022
Worum geht es?: Jessicas Leben könnte nicht besser laufen. Sie hat einen Sprung auf der Karriereleiter gemacht, liebt ihren neuen Job und ist glücklich mit ihrem Freund Johnny. Doch dann findet sie heraus, dass Johnny sie betrügt – und ein Arztbesuch verändert alles. Sie bekommt die Diagnose Brustkrebs. Plötzlich erscheinen all ihre Träume und Vorhaben ungewiss. Während Jessica dies verarbeiten muss, schmieden ihre Freundinnen Hochzeits- und Babypläne. Aber Jessica ist nicht allein, sie lernt Annabel kennen, die ebenfalls Krebs hat und ihr zeigt, dass jeder Tag ein besonderer ist. Und dann gibt es noch Annabels Bruder Joe, der nicht nur für seine Schwester, sondern auch für Jessica da ist…
Der Schreibstil: Die Geschichte wird ausschließlich aus Jess' Sicht erzählt. Die Kapitellänge ist mal kürzer und mal länger, aber das hat mich überhaupt nicht gestört. Man spürt, dass das Buch eine persönliche Geschichte beinhaltet, welches auch in der Danksagung noch mal näher thematisiert wird. Was mir besonders gefallen hat ist, dass es sehr realistisch erzählt ist. Es wird kein Tabu ausgelassen und auch die besonders schweren Punkte bei einer Krebserkrankungen werden angesprochen. Ein großes Lob an der Stelle. Gerade zum Ende musste ich dann doch mein Taschentuch zücken.
Einen kleinen Kritikpunkt gibt es allerdings doch, mir persönlich ist der eigentliche Kern der Geschichte erst viel zu spät ins Rollen gekommen. Die Krebserkrankung wurde nach fast 100 Seiten erst erkannt, was mir einfach viel zu lange gedauert hat.
Die Hauptfiguren: Jess ist eine Business-Frau, welche erst kürzlich einen Job als Chefredakteurin ergattert hat. Sie steht mitten im Leben als sie ihre Diagnose erfahren hat. Sie ist eine Kämpferfrau, beißt sich in ihrem Job durch trotz schwerer Krankheit und geht neue Wege. Ich habe sie sehr bewundert. Wie sie sich allerdings Johnny gegenüber im Laufe der Geschichte verhält, hat mir gar nicht gefallen. Klar ist es schwierig mit der Vergangenheit manchmal abzuschließen, aber irgendwas hat es mich nur noch genervt, wenn sie immer auf ihm rumgehackt hat.
Die anbandelnde Romanze zwischen ihr und Joe kam viel zu kurz. Erst sagen sie sich hallo, dann passiert seitenweise nichts und dann macht es von jetzt auf gleich Peng. Da hätte ich mir ein wenig mehr erhofft. Hinzu kommt, dass auch diese Romanze erst nach ca. 300 Seiten erst ins Rollen gekommen ist.
Endfazit: Die Buch ist ein sehr bewegender Roman, welchen ich nur jeden ans Herz legen kann. Selbst Menschen, die mit dieser Krankheit noch keine Berührungspunkte hatten, können hier noch vieles daraus lernen. Es ist ein sehr emotionaler Roman, der nichts auslässt, deshalb lest dieses Buch nur, wenn ihr auch wirklich in der Verfassung dazu seid.
Das Buch hatte 5-Sterne Potential, wären da nicht die zwei kleinen Kritikpunkte gewesen. Dennoch hatte ich wunderbare Lesestunden!
Das Buch erhält von mir sehr gute 4 von 5 Sterne.
Das Buch wurde mir vom Verlag als Rezensionsexemplar bei NetGalley zur Verfügung gestellt. Herzlichen Dank dafür.
Der Schreibstil: Die Geschichte wird ausschließlich aus Jess' Sicht erzählt. Die Kapitellänge ist mal kürzer und mal länger, aber das hat mich überhaupt nicht gestört. Man spürt, dass das Buch eine persönliche Geschichte beinhaltet, welches auch in der Danksagung noch mal näher thematisiert wird. Was mir besonders gefallen hat ist, dass es sehr realistisch erzählt ist. Es wird kein Tabu ausgelassen und auch die besonders schweren Punkte bei einer Krebserkrankungen werden angesprochen. Ein großes Lob an der Stelle. Gerade zum Ende musste ich dann doch mein Taschentuch zücken.
Einen kleinen Kritikpunkt gibt es allerdings doch, mir persönlich ist der eigentliche Kern der Geschichte erst viel zu spät ins Rollen gekommen. Die Krebserkrankung wurde nach fast 100 Seiten erst erkannt, was mir einfach viel zu lange gedauert hat.
Die Hauptfiguren: Jess ist eine Business-Frau, welche erst kürzlich einen Job als Chefredakteurin ergattert hat. Sie steht mitten im Leben als sie ihre Diagnose erfahren hat. Sie ist eine Kämpferfrau, beißt sich in ihrem Job durch trotz schwerer Krankheit und geht neue Wege. Ich habe sie sehr bewundert. Wie sie sich allerdings Johnny gegenüber im Laufe der Geschichte verhält, hat mir gar nicht gefallen. Klar ist es schwierig mit der Vergangenheit manchmal abzuschließen, aber irgendwas hat es mich nur noch genervt, wenn sie immer auf ihm rumgehackt hat.
Die anbandelnde Romanze zwischen ihr und Joe kam viel zu kurz. Erst sagen sie sich hallo, dann passiert seitenweise nichts und dann macht es von jetzt auf gleich Peng. Da hätte ich mir ein wenig mehr erhofft. Hinzu kommt, dass auch diese Romanze erst nach ca. 300 Seiten erst ins Rollen gekommen ist.
Endfazit: Die Buch ist ein sehr bewegender Roman, welchen ich nur jeden ans Herz legen kann. Selbst Menschen, die mit dieser Krankheit noch keine Berührungspunkte hatten, können hier noch vieles daraus lernen. Es ist ein sehr emotionaler Roman, der nichts auslässt, deshalb lest dieses Buch nur, wenn ihr auch wirklich in der Verfassung dazu seid.
Das Buch hatte 5-Sterne Potential, wären da nicht die zwei kleinen Kritikpunkte gewesen. Dennoch hatte ich wunderbare Lesestunden!
Das Buch erhält von mir sehr gute 4 von 5 Sterne.
Das Buch wurde mir vom Verlag als Rezensionsexemplar bei NetGalley zur Verfügung gestellt. Herzlichen Dank dafür.
January 13, 2022
I read a lot of books about cancer: my Goodreads shelf has more than 30 books identified as 'cancerographies' but I've read a lot more than that. This perhaps makes me an atypical reader for Laura Price's 'Single Bald Female' and I may be a more than averagely demanding reader of this genre. So if you like the sound of it, don't let my 3-star rating put you off. There's nothing wrong with this book. It's just I've read so many that moved me so much more.
I started the book without any sense of whether it was fact or fiction. By the end, I still wasn't entirely sure and I had to go off and do some fairly intense Googling to learn more. Laura Price wrote an excellent blog about her experience with breast cancer and once I'd had a dabble in the blog, I was just more disappointed in the book.
When it comes to this type of story, I do think that truth is so much more powerful than fiction. The things that irritated me (the ridiculously high powered job at a bizarrely young age, the catty 'Devil Wears Prada' colleague, the 'let's change the history of fashion publishing from my hospital bed) were the bits I assume were mostly made up.
I wish Laura had written her own story instead of making one up. I could understand if it was just too personal for her to put this book out there as an autobiography if she hadn't already blogged her life quite extensively. Reading this book, I honestly didn't have a sense of whether the author knew her topic through personal or borrowed experience. That tells me that it just didn't get DEEP enough. It's all a bit too light and fluffy most of the time.
I've had cancer (not the same type as the characters in this book) and I've lost fabulous friends to that cancer. I know the friendship aspects of this book and the need to balance 'grab it now friendship' with the sense of impending doom that your relationship has a sell-by date and it could be soon. That side of the story is handled REALLY well but I'm just a tad dissatisfied that I don't know if it was real or not.
The dating storylines just irritated me but then all stories about online dating seem to have that impact on me. I found it deeply creepy that the handsome Spaniard seemed to be looking for a sick, bald woman to look after. and that there appeared to be a lot of men out there with a weird fetish for either bald heads or sick partners.
I'm very happy for the author that she's made a great recovery and I suspect she has way more real-life stories that would knock this chick-lit fluff into a cocked hat. I'm sorry that I'm rather bored by fiction about 30-something women and their career-baby-relationship angst.
Many thanks to the publishers and Netgalley for my copy.
I started the book without any sense of whether it was fact or fiction. By the end, I still wasn't entirely sure and I had to go off and do some fairly intense Googling to learn more. Laura Price wrote an excellent blog about her experience with breast cancer and once I'd had a dabble in the blog, I was just more disappointed in the book.
When it comes to this type of story, I do think that truth is so much more powerful than fiction. The things that irritated me (the ridiculously high powered job at a bizarrely young age, the catty 'Devil Wears Prada' colleague, the 'let's change the history of fashion publishing from my hospital bed) were the bits I assume were mostly made up.
I wish Laura had written her own story instead of making one up. I could understand if it was just too personal for her to put this book out there as an autobiography if she hadn't already blogged her life quite extensively. Reading this book, I honestly didn't have a sense of whether the author knew her topic through personal or borrowed experience. That tells me that it just didn't get DEEP enough. It's all a bit too light and fluffy most of the time.
I've had cancer (not the same type as the characters in this book) and I've lost fabulous friends to that cancer. I know the friendship aspects of this book and the need to balance 'grab it now friendship' with the sense of impending doom that your relationship has a sell-by date and it could be soon. That side of the story is handled REALLY well but I'm just a tad dissatisfied that I don't know if it was real or not.
The dating storylines just irritated me but then all stories about online dating seem to have that impact on me. I found it deeply creepy that the handsome Spaniard seemed to be looking for a sick, bald woman to look after. and that there appeared to be a lot of men out there with a weird fetish for either bald heads or sick partners.
I'm very happy for the author that she's made a great recovery and I suspect she has way more real-life stories that would knock this chick-lit fluff into a cocked hat. I'm sorry that I'm rather bored by fiction about 30-something women and their career-baby-relationship angst.
Many thanks to the publishers and Netgalley for my copy.
April 11, 2023
Loved it. Really really enjoyed this book. I read it so quickly which for me is always a side sign that I’m enjoying a book. It was definitely one to keep the reading mojo going!
Based on the authors own experience, MC Jessie Jackson’s world is turned upside down as she finds herself unexpectedly single and battling breast cancer. Needless to say this book carries some pretty hefty trigger warnings (please ask if you’d like a list!) but I think the author managed to find a really good balance between the heavy and the lighthearted.
Despite the very obvious plot, there is a strong theme of friendship and being yourself throughout this book and I think that’s why it’s had so many good reviews and ratings. It’s definitely one that will stay with me. It really does show the highs and lows of life.
It’s a bit of a tearjerker but not one that made me cry. I’ll definitely keep an eye out for anything else Laura Price writes.
Based on the authors own experience, MC Jessie Jackson’s world is turned upside down as she finds herself unexpectedly single and battling breast cancer. Needless to say this book carries some pretty hefty trigger warnings (please ask if you’d like a list!) but I think the author managed to find a really good balance between the heavy and the lighthearted.
Despite the very obvious plot, there is a strong theme of friendship and being yourself throughout this book and I think that’s why it’s had so many good reviews and ratings. It’s definitely one that will stay with me. It really does show the highs and lows of life.
It’s a bit of a tearjerker but not one that made me cry. I’ll definitely keep an eye out for anything else Laura Price writes.
Did not finish
April 2, 2025I barely made it to the cancer part, and I already had enough with all the old "chicklit" clichés of high-powered fashion magazine jobs and modern dating. And Annabel is annoyingly cheerful.
February 23, 2023
The things I take away with me from reading this book are..
Always be yourself!
You can make great friends in the worst situations.
This book was utterly heartbreaking but so bloody heartwarming all at the same time. It was tragic but yet so moving. Based on true events, Single Bald Female is a very poignant story of love, friendship, family, loss, grief, and so much more.
The characters were genuine and thoughtful and so easy to love. I completely was rooting for Jess and Bel their lives intertwining in the most devastating ways.
Overall, this story made me think it made me smile, it bought tears to my eyes, but most of all, it made me appreciate myself.
Always be yourself!
You can make great friends in the worst situations.
This book was utterly heartbreaking but so bloody heartwarming all at the same time. It was tragic but yet so moving. Based on true events, Single Bald Female is a very poignant story of love, friendship, family, loss, grief, and so much more.
The characters were genuine and thoughtful and so easy to love. I completely was rooting for Jess and Bel their lives intertwining in the most devastating ways.
Overall, this story made me think it made me smile, it bought tears to my eyes, but most of all, it made me appreciate myself.
October 27, 2022
Jess has just landed her dream career, has the perfect boyfriend and is generally living her best life. Sadly, at the age of 31 - Jess gets the shock diagnosis that she has cancer and her world is turned upside down.
I picked up the audio of this to listen to during a long journey and seeing it was available via my library. Not knowing much at all about it, I was intrigued by the cover and premise so decided to give it a try.
I'm not sure that "enjoyable" is the right word to describe a book about someone going through a cancer diagnosis and treatment however I felt that the way it was dealt with was written in a somewhat light hearted way.
Whilst yes there are certainly some heart breaking parts to this story and cancer is talked about a lot, Laura Price does an excellent job of making sure there is humour throughout. For example, Jess decides to take to online dating and decides to be very honest about her current situation and we watch her go on dates/have conversations with a few men who respond in various ways.
I think the strongest part of this book is the overall feel of friendship and how strong friendships truly can keep you going through the toughest of times. Jess had a great group of friends around her throughout the book but also tackled the fact that whilst Jess was going through the worst time of her life, everyone else's lives sort of carried on as normal - getting married, having babies, getting promotions etc and I really felt for both sides as Jess desperately wants and is happy for her friends but also is trying to come to terms with her diagnosis.
An emotional but funny read that kept me smiling throughout.
Trigger warnings (some of which may be considered spoilers): Cancer/death/infertility/cheating/death of a parent
I picked up the audio of this to listen to during a long journey and seeing it was available via my library. Not knowing much at all about it, I was intrigued by the cover and premise so decided to give it a try.
I'm not sure that "enjoyable" is the right word to describe a book about someone going through a cancer diagnosis and treatment however I felt that the way it was dealt with was written in a somewhat light hearted way.
Whilst yes there are certainly some heart breaking parts to this story and cancer is talked about a lot, Laura Price does an excellent job of making sure there is humour throughout. For example, Jess decides to take to online dating and decides to be very honest about her current situation and we watch her go on dates/have conversations with a few men who respond in various ways.
I think the strongest part of this book is the overall feel of friendship and how strong friendships truly can keep you going through the toughest of times. Jess had a great group of friends around her throughout the book but also tackled the fact that whilst Jess was going through the worst time of her life, everyone else's lives sort of carried on as normal - getting married, having babies, getting promotions etc and I really felt for both sides as Jess desperately wants and is happy for her friends but also is trying to come to terms with her diagnosis.
An emotional but funny read that kept me smiling throughout.
Trigger warnings (some of which may be considered spoilers): Cancer/death/infertility/cheating/death of a parent
February 12, 2023
i finished this with tears all over my face. i think that tells you enough. i initially thought this was a memoir, but instead it’s based on true events - and i think that is what makes it so moving! great exploration of friendships, romance, health & growing up
August 1, 2024
Wow - given the description of this book it’s not a shock surprise that it’s deeply emotional, but I didn’t expect to be so engrossed and so moved by it. I loved it and it’s the first time I’ve ever cried at the end of a book.
It’s incredibly fun, sad, wholesome and touching. I found it gripping and didn’t want to put it down, an easy 5*
It’s incredibly fun, sad, wholesome and touching. I found it gripping and didn’t want to put it down, an easy 5*
January 16, 2024
This book broke me, but I loved it.
February 11, 2023
Funny, emotional and beautiful. Written from a place of true empathy from the author and you can feel the love in every word she has written. Really enjoyed all the characters, the dialogue, the plot line …everything really. Would thoroughly recommend!
July 7, 2022
Single Bald Female tells the story of Jess, a magazine editor diagnosed with breast cancer aged of 31. Newly single, Jess is also dealing with her profound grief at the loss of her own mother to cancer, while worrying about her job, her dad, her future fertility, her best friend who’s struggling with motherhood and post-natal depression, and her new friend Annabel, who she meets at chemo. Single Bald Female is an emotional but also funny and uplifting read about Jess’s ups and downs as she comes to terms with her diagnosis. The balance between the realities of coping with cancer and treatment, and dealing with grief and loss, while also living life and having fun, is perfectly done. It was particularly strong on female friendship and Jess’s fertility worries were dealt with sensitively and rang very true. One to make you laugh and cry. I loved it.
December 14, 2021
I'll just start by saying I loved this book.
I was captivated from the moment I read the blurb, and was so glad to have been granted the chance to read an arc.
The C-Word. It's a b!tch, isn't it?
This book highlights so many issues with the suffering a cancer patient goes through, from the words they hate people using to describe their experience, to the changes they experience, but also, it looks at how cancer affects those around the patient, too.
Jess has it all. Great job, wonderful partner, lovely friends, and a doting dad.
Then she realises she has something else she hadn't counted on.
Breast cancer.
From trying to hide her diagnosis from all but her closest colleagues and friends, to deciding to announce to the office,, andher Facebook family, we accompany Jess through her experience.
Should she harvest eggs?
Freeze an embryo?
Cut it or shave it?
Wig it or go au natural?
Soldier on or admit she's floundering?
Jess's life is turned upside down. But there are ways she can right it. They just don't all seem to be the right decisions.
She meets Bel, a younger cancer patient, who teaches her the value of the life she has, and through Bel, she learns more about love, life and herself.
Again, I'll say it. I loved it.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Pan Macmillan for an Arc in exchange for an honest review.
I was captivated from the moment I read the blurb, and was so glad to have been granted the chance to read an arc.
The C-Word. It's a b!tch, isn't it?
This book highlights so many issues with the suffering a cancer patient goes through, from the words they hate people using to describe their experience, to the changes they experience, but also, it looks at how cancer affects those around the patient, too.
Jess has it all. Great job, wonderful partner, lovely friends, and a doting dad.
Then she realises she has something else she hadn't counted on.
Breast cancer.
From trying to hide her diagnosis from all but her closest colleagues and friends, to deciding to announce to the office,, andher Facebook family, we accompany Jess through her experience.
Should she harvest eggs?
Freeze an embryo?
Cut it or shave it?
Wig it or go au natural?
Soldier on or admit she's floundering?
Jess's life is turned upside down. But there are ways she can right it. They just don't all seem to be the right decisions.
She meets Bel, a younger cancer patient, who teaches her the value of the life she has, and through Bel, she learns more about love, life and herself.
Again, I'll say it. I loved it.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Pan Macmillan for an Arc in exchange for an honest review.
March 4, 2022
Mit Solange es ein Morgen gibt hat Laura Price einen bewegenden Roman mit autobiografischem Hintergrund geschaffen, der das Leben der Protagonistin nach ihrer Diagnose mit Brustkrebs beschreibt. Ich würde lügen, wenn ich behaupten würde, dass mir die Vorstellung, so jung an Krebs zu erkranken, keine Angst macht.
Dennoch ist dies ein überraschend positives Buch, das zeigt, dass das Leben auch nach der Diagnose weiter geht. Ich hätte mir fast gewünscht, dass die Autorin mehr auf die negativen Aspekte der Krankheit und existenzielle Ängste eingeht. Ich kann aber natürlich auch nachvollziehen, dass man das in einem Roman nicht haben will - nicht zuletzt lesen viele von uns gerade, um sich vom realen Leben abzulenken.
Das Cover ist meiner Meinung nach sehr ansprechend, lässt aber (vor allem zusammen mit dem Klappentext) zu sehr auf eine Romanze schließen, was irreführend ist. Auch wenn viel Zeit der Geschichte mit der Suche nach dem passenden Partner verbracht wird, ist es eher ein Roman über Freundschaft und das Leben mit der Krankheit.
Der Roman hat meines Erachtens einige Längen und Nebenhandlungen, die es nicht gebraucht hätte, dafür hätten andere Aspekte etwas besser ausgebaut werden können. Dies wird aber durch den sehr zugänglichen Schreibstil wieder wett gemacht.
Dennoch ist dies ein überraschend positives Buch, das zeigt, dass das Leben auch nach der Diagnose weiter geht. Ich hätte mir fast gewünscht, dass die Autorin mehr auf die negativen Aspekte der Krankheit und existenzielle Ängste eingeht. Ich kann aber natürlich auch nachvollziehen, dass man das in einem Roman nicht haben will - nicht zuletzt lesen viele von uns gerade, um sich vom realen Leben abzulenken.
Das Cover ist meiner Meinung nach sehr ansprechend, lässt aber (vor allem zusammen mit dem Klappentext) zu sehr auf eine Romanze schließen, was irreführend ist. Auch wenn viel Zeit der Geschichte mit der Suche nach dem passenden Partner verbracht wird, ist es eher ein Roman über Freundschaft und das Leben mit der Krankheit.
Der Roman hat meines Erachtens einige Längen und Nebenhandlungen, die es nicht gebraucht hätte, dafür hätten andere Aspekte etwas besser ausgebaut werden können. Dies wird aber durch den sehr zugänglichen Schreibstil wieder wett gemacht.
March 15, 2022
Erschütternd. Bewegend. Ermutigend.
.
Leseerlebnis :
"Solange es ein Morgen gibt" wird aus der Perspektive der Protagonistin Jessica in der Ich-Form erzählt. Ich bin innerhalb weniger Zeilen im Buch angekommen und hab mich auch direkt in Jessica hineinversetzen können.
Laura Price schreibt sehr wortgewandt, vereinnahmend und so flüssig, dass man nicht mal merkt, wie viele Seiten man liest.
Die Charaktere werden alle so gut beschrieben, dass man das Gefühl hat alle zu kennen und man fühlt einfach mit ihnen. Der Handlungsverlauf hat keinerlei Längen und trotz der über 500 Seiten, hätte ich noch ewig weiterlesen können.
Die sehr realistische und unverblümte Erzählweise macht dieses Buch so besonders für mich. Auch wenn man öfter denkt, dass es für Jessica doch gut läuft, schlägt auch bei ihr immer wieder das "normale" Leben zu und es geht eben nicht immer in geregelten Bahnen. Die Begleitung von Jessica bei ihrer Krebsbehandlung ist sehr intensiv und bewegend und vor allem Annabelle hat einen großen Platz in meinem Herzen eingenommen. Jede:r sollte eine Annabelle an seiner/ ihrer Seite haben.
Fazit :
Ein sehr gelungener und empfehlenswerter Own Voice Roman, der nicht beschönigt, aber trotzdem Hoffnung schenkt.
.
Leseerlebnis :
"Solange es ein Morgen gibt" wird aus der Perspektive der Protagonistin Jessica in der Ich-Form erzählt. Ich bin innerhalb weniger Zeilen im Buch angekommen und hab mich auch direkt in Jessica hineinversetzen können.
Laura Price schreibt sehr wortgewandt, vereinnahmend und so flüssig, dass man nicht mal merkt, wie viele Seiten man liest.
Die Charaktere werden alle so gut beschrieben, dass man das Gefühl hat alle zu kennen und man fühlt einfach mit ihnen. Der Handlungsverlauf hat keinerlei Längen und trotz der über 500 Seiten, hätte ich noch ewig weiterlesen können.
Die sehr realistische und unverblümte Erzählweise macht dieses Buch so besonders für mich. Auch wenn man öfter denkt, dass es für Jessica doch gut läuft, schlägt auch bei ihr immer wieder das "normale" Leben zu und es geht eben nicht immer in geregelten Bahnen. Die Begleitung von Jessica bei ihrer Krebsbehandlung ist sehr intensiv und bewegend und vor allem Annabelle hat einen großen Platz in meinem Herzen eingenommen. Jede:r sollte eine Annabelle an seiner/ ihrer Seite haben.
Fazit :
Ein sehr gelungener und empfehlenswerter Own Voice Roman, der nicht beschönigt, aber trotzdem Hoffnung schenkt.
May 9, 2022
Zu diesem Buch habe ich eine kleine Hassliebe entwickelt❤️💔Auf der einen Seite stehen die ganze Thematik und die Charaktere, die ich alle sehr schnell in mein Herz geschlossen habe🤍
Auf der anderen Seite steht der Plot… Der ging am Anfang nämlich wirklich nur sehr langsam voran. Vielleicht war auch der Klappentext irreführend und ich habe deswegen die ganze Zeit darauf gewartet, dass es so richtig losgeht.
Bis ich aber das Gefühl hatte, dass es voran geht und die Charaktere eine Entwicklung machen, habe ich ca. 250 Seiten gebraucht… und das ist leider genau die Hälfte des Buches…
Die 1/2 Hälfte hatte man meiner Meinung nach ruhig ein bisschen kürzen und vereinfachen können.
Ebenso gab es am Anfang ein paar Szenen, wo Nebencharaktere Dinge gesagt haben, die ich absolut gar nicht okay fand. Sowas ist ja auch völlig normal, WENN man das Ganze dann aufgearbeitet wird und deutlich wird, dass die Person gerade etwas falsches gesagt hat! Das war hier aber leider nicht der Fall…
Die 1/2 Hälfte des Buches hat mir dafür umso mehr gefallen! Nicht nur Annabel hat eine tolle Entwicklung gemacht, auch die Nebencharaktere hatten den ein oder anderen großen Auftritt!🖤 Besonders die Message, dass jeder mit etwas zu kämpfen hat, auch wenn es auf den ersten Blick nicht so wirkt, hat mir hier gefallen!
Wer jedoch eine aufregende Liebesgeschichte erwartet, wird in diesem Buch enttäuscht. Der Fokus liegt hier auf Freundschaft, Gesundheit und dem Umgang mit Gesellschaftlichen Druck. Dennoch hatte ich nie das Gefühl, das etwas „fehlt“!🤍
Wer so etwas also gerne liest, kommt hier komplett auf seine Kosten!🤍
Danke an @harpercollinsde , dass ihr mir das Buch zur Verfügung gestellt habt!
Auf der anderen Seite steht der Plot… Der ging am Anfang nämlich wirklich nur sehr langsam voran. Vielleicht war auch der Klappentext irreführend und ich habe deswegen die ganze Zeit darauf gewartet, dass es so richtig losgeht.
Bis ich aber das Gefühl hatte, dass es voran geht und die Charaktere eine Entwicklung machen, habe ich ca. 250 Seiten gebraucht… und das ist leider genau die Hälfte des Buches…
Die 1/2 Hälfte hatte man meiner Meinung nach ruhig ein bisschen kürzen und vereinfachen können.
Ebenso gab es am Anfang ein paar Szenen, wo Nebencharaktere Dinge gesagt haben, die ich absolut gar nicht okay fand. Sowas ist ja auch völlig normal, WENN man das Ganze dann aufgearbeitet wird und deutlich wird, dass die Person gerade etwas falsches gesagt hat! Das war hier aber leider nicht der Fall…
Die 1/2 Hälfte des Buches hat mir dafür umso mehr gefallen! Nicht nur Annabel hat eine tolle Entwicklung gemacht, auch die Nebencharaktere hatten den ein oder anderen großen Auftritt!🖤 Besonders die Message, dass jeder mit etwas zu kämpfen hat, auch wenn es auf den ersten Blick nicht so wirkt, hat mir hier gefallen!
Wer jedoch eine aufregende Liebesgeschichte erwartet, wird in diesem Buch enttäuscht. Der Fokus liegt hier auf Freundschaft, Gesundheit und dem Umgang mit Gesellschaftlichen Druck. Dennoch hatte ich nie das Gefühl, das etwas „fehlt“!🤍
Wer so etwas also gerne liest, kommt hier komplett auf seine Kosten!🤍
Danke an @harpercollinsde , dass ihr mir das Buch zur Verfügung gestellt habt!
May 8, 2023
Wie sich das Buch mit Krebs, Chemotherapie und dem Umgang mit der eigenen Sterblichkeit auseinandersetzt, ist fantastisch. Es ist ehrlich, authentisch, realitätsnah und dadurch unheimlich emotional berührend. Leider hat es ein paar kleinere Schwächen, so nimmt der Klappentext etwas viel vorweg bzw. dauert es ein bisschen zu lange, bis man zu der Stelle kommt, wo Jess' Leben auf den Kopf gestellt wird. Die Charaktere selbst sind sehr detailliert geschrieben, Jess und ihre Freundinnen sind alle einzigartig und jede von ihnen hat mit ihren eigenen Problemen zu kämpfen - bzw. den Rollenbildern, in die die Gesellschaft versucht, sie zu stecken. Annabelle war für mich die Heldin der Geschichte, von ihr und ihrem Bruder hätte ich gern mehr gelesen - und auch mehr Zeit für die Beziehungsanbahnung zwischen Jess und Joe. Daher reicht es für mich dann doch "nur" für vier Sterne. Aber Achtung: Das Buch ist wirklich sehr hart, vor allem, wenn geliebte Menschen aus dem eigenen Umfeld an Krebs gestorben sind (sehr gut find ich hier übrigens den Hinweis zu Kampf/kämpfen/Weg, etc.), da kann schon einiges wieder hochkommen.
January 26, 2023
Woweeeeeeeee! My first five star read of 2023 and what a corker. I knew this book had great reviews, but I never expected to love it as much as I did. This will be one of those I find difficult to get across how incredible, touching and moving the story was. It’s one you need to read and experience yourself.
Laura’s writing is flawless. This book covers such heavy and emotional topics, things as women we never want to experience. Yet it’s written with such light tone and humour, you find yourself relating to certain aspects of MC Jess’ life, even though she is going through one of the hardest things imaginable.
I adored Jess so much, for me she’s an unforgettable character. As is her best friend, Annabelle. I loved their friendship and how supportive they were to one another. I loved so many of the other characters including Jess’ dad, Aisha and Joe. I think I felt every emotion reading this book - happiness, sympathy, sadness, pride etc etc.
A really poignant and emotional, special read. The author’s note at the end had me welling up, explaining how the story is written from the heart and with such authenticity. If you haven’t read this yet, I urge you to pick it up ASAP!
Laura’s writing is flawless. This book covers such heavy and emotional topics, things as women we never want to experience. Yet it’s written with such light tone and humour, you find yourself relating to certain aspects of MC Jess’ life, even though she is going through one of the hardest things imaginable.
I adored Jess so much, for me she’s an unforgettable character. As is her best friend, Annabelle. I loved their friendship and how supportive they were to one another. I loved so many of the other characters including Jess’ dad, Aisha and Joe. I think I felt every emotion reading this book - happiness, sympathy, sadness, pride etc etc.
A really poignant and emotional, special read. The author’s note at the end had me welling up, explaining how the story is written from the heart and with such authenticity. If you haven’t read this yet, I urge you to pick it up ASAP!
March 17, 2023
Well, where do I even start.
I'm writing this review half an hour after finishing the book, mostly because it took me this long to stop sobbing and get my vision clear enough to type.
Having found this book just after a loss to cancer, it found me at the perfect time to hit like a ton of bricks.
But let's talk about the book.
Price manages to turn a story with an outcome that is clear from the beginning into a addictive and fascinating journey. It becomes intriguing to see how every character, while slightly tainted under Jessica's reasonable and intentional unreliability as a narrator, faces different, yet similar challenges in life.
A stunning elaboration on breaking free from the fate one feels to have had thrust upon them, and a hauntingly beautiful love letter to living, not simply being alive.
I'm writing this review half an hour after finishing the book, mostly because it took me this long to stop sobbing and get my vision clear enough to type.
Having found this book just after a loss to cancer, it found me at the perfect time to hit like a ton of bricks.
But let's talk about the book.
Price manages to turn a story with an outcome that is clear from the beginning into a addictive and fascinating journey. It becomes intriguing to see how every character, while slightly tainted under Jessica's reasonable and intentional unreliability as a narrator, faces different, yet similar challenges in life.
A stunning elaboration on breaking free from the fate one feels to have had thrust upon them, and a hauntingly beautiful love letter to living, not simply being alive.
October 25, 2022
A life affirming book about realising what you love and living life to the full.
Jessica is 31 when she is diagnosed with breast cancer, she has a new job and an old relationship that is failing. She feels that everything is going wrong in her life, but then she meets Annabel at the hospital and through her learns that small wins and keeping going is living.
I loved Annabel as a character, she was warm and strong and knew what she wanted, Jessica was great to read and I liked her character growth.
This is a tough subject matter to write and read about, but it left me with a smile on my face after a few tears.
Jessica is 31 when she is diagnosed with breast cancer, she has a new job and an old relationship that is failing. She feels that everything is going wrong in her life, but then she meets Annabel at the hospital and through her learns that small wins and keeping going is living.
I loved Annabel as a character, she was warm and strong and knew what she wanted, Jessica was great to read and I liked her character growth.
This is a tough subject matter to write and read about, but it left me with a smile on my face after a few tears.
November 27, 2021
WOW. This is one emotional rollercoaster of a read. Tackles such sensitive subjects more than cancer, including fertility, relationships, and children. There is so much richness and life to be living in this read. Annabel is such a rich character and her joy of life shines through. Online dating messages make for fun reading too. You wont get through this without a teeny cry but its so worth it as it brings so much to the table. Poignant, thought provoking.
March 19, 2022
Thank you to NetGalley for allowing me to read and review this book
I am an absolute blubbering mess!!!! I haven’t cried reading a book in a long time but this had me in pieces. I’ve laughed and cried all the way through this.
I can’t say too much without giving the story away but as soon as this is released in April I will be buying it!!!!! Massive five stars from me
February 8, 2024
the beginning drags a bit, especially considering you know where it’s gonna go (read the title). i have a pet peeve of characters being terrible friends, and the other side characters didn’t get enough time as they should have… but it’s still a good and easy read.
August 19, 2022
READING VLOG: https://youtu.be/_qS4DWZB9yg
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