My Hot Friend: A funny and heartfelt novel about friendship from the bestselling author

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Could be the cover which seems a little frivolous when in fact this book goes deeply into toxic friendships, mental health and relationships in a way that is very genuinely funny and will have you nodding along and highlighting something every chapter.

All in all a good book and one I think that would be as entertaining as it is informative, which is a tricky balance to get right.BUT it became clear that this wasn't going to be like an episode of FRIENDS and Sophie was weaving together some powerful portrayals of mental health, motherhood and even ethics and morals in social media influencers. Claire is struggling as she is lacking the support of her friends from the aptly named WhatsApp group, The Bitch Herd, following a recent mental health crisis. I still haven't recovered from Where I end) Amanda in particular really grated on me I fell in love with Abi's housemates and their tribute band, Slip'not 😂 and being a pretty big Slipknot fan, I really enjoyed this reference 🤣I thought all the different personalities worked really well throughout the book and the interlinking stories kept me turning the pages.

Early on in lockdown, I was struck by an article I read about the Spanish Flu in early 20th century fiction — namely, that it was notably absent. Bert is concerned for Joanne but nothing he does is good enough and their relationship is struggling. There are so many books out there about finding love, the meaning of true love, and finding love in your thirties. I also like how the author mentions her own struggles in the notes at the end and that at the start and end of the actual book contains information to helplines if needed.

There’s a weird timelessness to many novels now, placing themselves roughly post-Trump but pre-Covid, a perpetual 2019. Multiple societal and relevant themes are sensitively handled, with Sophie White adding a letter to all readers at the end explaining her own personal battles. Joanne is a new mother struggling to balance caring for baby Ted and getting her boyfriend, Bert, to do his bit at home as well as at work.