A pregnant teen and her gin sling loving great-aunt go on the journey of a lifetime in this “absolutely gorgeous, heartfelt, and incredibly enjoyable” (Robin Stevens, author of Murder Most Unladylike) novel that shows what happens when you’re on the brink of losing everything.

Our memories are what make us who we are. Some are real. Some are made up. But they are the stories that tell us who we are. Without them we are nobody.

Hattie’s summer is not going according to plan. Her two best friends have abandoned her: Reuben has run off to Europe to “find himself” and Kat is in Edinburgh with her new girlfriend. Meanwhile Hattie is stuck babysitting her twin siblings and dealing with the endless drama surrounding her mother’s wedding.

And she’s also just discovered that she’s pregnant with Reuben’s baby.

Then Gloria—Hattie’s great-aunt who no one even knew existed—comes crashing into her life. Gloria’s fiercely independent, rather too fond of a gin sling, and is in the early stages of dementia. Together the two of them set out on a road trip of self-discovery—Gloria to finally confront the secrets of her past before they are erased from her memory forever and Hattie to face the hard choices that will determine her future.

About The Author

Photo courtesy of Lou Abercrombie

Clare Furniss

Clare Furniss grew up in London and moved to Birmingham in her teens. After brief stints as a waitress, shop assistant and working at the Shakespeare Centre Library, she studied at Cambridge University and worked for several years in political media relations. She now lives in Bath and has completed an MA in Writing for Young People at Bath Spa University. Clare's novels have been shortlisted for numerous awards including the Branford Boase, CILIP Carnegie and The Bookseller YA Bookprize. You can follow her on Twitter @clarefurniss and find out more information on her website www.clarefurniss.com.

Product Details

Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books (February 21, 2017)
Length: 448 pages
ISBN13: 9781481421041
Ages: 12 - 99

Raves and Reviews

“Gorgeous, compelling, and painful.”

– Kirkus Reviews

“The odd bond between Gloria and Hattie is humorously depicted, believable, and touching, especially at the story’s climax. Teens will enjoy the unique characters, the relationship dynamics between Hattie and Gloria, and the surprise plot twist.”

– SLJ

"Furniss' newest book strikes a graceful balance of witty British humor and a serious exploration of self-discovery."

– Booklist

“Well-developed, likable characters and various subplots fill out this satisfying story…Teens may identify with a lovely young woman grappling with complicated life issues.”

– School Library Connection

“Hattie and Gloria are such fantastic central characters. What a lovely, lovely book!”

– Lisa Williamson, author of The Art of Being Normal

“An absolutely gorgeous, heartfelt and incredibly enjoyable follow up to The Year of the Rat ... Clare writes about serious subjects lightly but with real feeling, and conveys family relationships so well.”

– Robin Stevens, author of Murder Most Unladylike

“Emotional, moving and thought provoking, and I loved it.”

– The Sun

“This isn't the first YA novel to incorporate dementia as a plot device, but it's gloriously funny, deeply emotional and a triumph.”

– Sally Morris, The Daily Mail

“This novel, encompassing violence to women, changing attitudes to unmarried mothers, and many kinds of love, is funny, sharply observed, shocking and wonderful.”

– Nicolette Jones, The Sunday Times