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Private Lives
- Author
- Emily Edwards
- Narrator
- Christina Cole
- Publisher
- Transworld
- Publish Date
- 19 June 2025
- Run Time
- 10 hours 4 minutes
- Format
- Audiobook
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What to expect
The addictive and thought-provoking new novel from the author of the Richard & Judy book club pick, THE HERD.
In the sleepy seaside sleepy town of Waverly, Rosie and Seb Kent are happily married. Now that Seb has achieved his dream of becoming Headmaster of the local school, their lives couldn't be any better.
Then Abi arrives.
Abi, a young, single mother, has come to Waverly for a fresh start. She plans to reinvent herself and give her children a new life.
Then she sees Seb.
As their complicated hidden past threatens to destroy them both, they try their hardest to keep it contained. But in a small town, secrets don’t stay hidden for long and soon, what should be their private business becomes a very public scandal. How far will everyone – them, their families and the whole community – go to protect everything they hold dearest?
Praise for Emily Edwards:
'A knock-out twist' GILLIAN McALLISTER
'Will have book clubs across the country in hot debate! Brilliant' CLARE MACKINTOSH
'It is hard to imagine a more timely novel' JODI PICOULT
© Emily Edwards 2025 (P) Penguin Audio 2025
Critics Review
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Just who, the novel asks, is the villain here? A great premise and plot with lots of emotion.
Daily Mail
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Loved this. It's about two residents in a small town whose past catches up with them, causing major upset to both their families and the wider local community. It's about gossip and judgement and forgiveness, and is brilliantly done.
SARAH TURNER (The Unmumsy Mum)
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Addictive, thought-provoking, compassionate and cleverly told, Private Lives explores contrasting attitudes to controversial ethical dilemmas, raising the question of how far people have the right to know the personal secrets of those in authority. A highly compelling and complex read that will spark rich and lively debate.
JENNY QUINTANA
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Fast-paced with fantastic dialogue, we loved this.
Woman's Weekly
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Calling it a perfect book club read (which it is) doesn't do justice to the compulsive urge it invokes to message all your girlfriends and ask them what they would do in the same circumstances! Edwards presents all sides of a complex situation with balance and compassion, wrapped up in a compelling story with beautifully taut prose.
KIT CONWAY
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This brilliantly written novel will really get you thinking.
The Sun on Sunday's Fabulous Magazine
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Praise for Emily Edwards
:
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It is hard to imagine a more timely novel. A fascinating exploration of all sides of a particularly knotty, politicized issue.
Jodi Picoult, NYT bestselling author of WISH YOU WERE HERE
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Controversial, addictive and clever, and the characters are so multi-layered and complex they are wholly believable.
Woman & Home
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Fans of Liane Moriarty will love it!
Stella
User Reviews
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Details
- Author
- Emily Edwards
- Narrator
- Christina Cole
- Duration
- 10 hours 4 minutes
- Release Date
- 19 June 2025
- ISBN
- 9781529940176
- Format
- Audiobook
- Publisher
- Transworld
- Genre
- Modern and contemporary fiction: literary and general, Family life fiction / Stories about family
Synopsis
The addictive and thought-provoking new novel from the author of the Richard & Judy book club pick, THE HERD.In the sleepy seaside sleepy town of Waverly, Rosie and Seb Kent are happily married. Now that Seb has achieved his dream of becoming Headmaster of the local school, their lives couldn't be any better.Then Abi arrives.Abi, a young, single mother, has come to Waverly for a fresh start. She plans to reinvent herself and give her children a new life.Then she sees Seb.As their complicated hidden past threatens to destroy them both, they try their hardest to keep it contained. But in a small town, secrets don’t stay hidden for long and soon, what should be their private business becomes a very public scandal. How far will everyone – them, their families and the whole community – go to protect everything they hold dearest?Praise for Emily Edwards:'A knock-out twist' GILLIAN McALLISTER'Will have book clubs across the country in hot debate! Brilliant' CLARE MACKINTOSH'It is hard to imagine a more timely novel' JODI PICOULT© Emily Edwards 2025 (P) Penguin Audio 2025
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