What happens when the relationship you thought was solid, even if not earth-shattering, comes to an unexpected end, leaving you with two young children to care for (and explain things to)  at the same time as the job you loved starts to become complicated and untenable?  In her new novel, Lover, Anna Raverat tells the story of Kate and how she copes with just that situation.  T

he book begins with a Charlie  M Schulz quote: Sometimes I lie awake at night, and ask, ‘Where have I gone wrong?’ Then a voice says to me, ‘This is going to take more than one night.’ which sets the scene and tone nicely.

Kate is a well-drawn character with whom it’s not hard to sympathise and her story is told with sensitivity and intuitiveness.  And while it’s not a wholly original plot,  there is enough individuality here to make this novel a good read.

Lover by Anna Raverat  is published by Picador and available in hardback and as an ebook from 10 March 2016