Writers & Lovers was rich is context and enveloped you in the story effortlessly. It was an utter joy to read and feel the mood swings and angst of the protagonist. Casey Peabody is complex but relatable. She has aspirations and setbacks and chaos. Something everyone experiences throughout their life. Relationship dynamics were beautifully expressed and you felt the highs and lows of trying to navigate your way through Casey's love life . At times you were not sure who was the right person for her, which is a credit to Lily for not making it so clear cut from the beginning. That would not be realistic or a great read.

5/5 stars. Beautifully written story about a down on her luck writer passionate about her craft but adrift and anxiety-ridden following her mother’s sudden death, while facing crippling student debt and a badly timed love triangle with two very different men. This book was an unadulterated pleasure to read, even when experiencing some cringe-worthy and questionable decisions by the lead character. When you can’t put the book down at 4:30am on a Friday night, and you’ve made 19 annotations in your e-reader (vs your 4-5 usual highlights), you know the book is good. This one was under my radar but I’m so glad I read it. One of my favorite books of 2020 so far.

Lovely & True
Hey, the advice to write what you know can read like a early draft in a fiction-writing seminar, yet Lily King writes of writing in such a gorgeous way it’s just another part of life on the page, as equal in importance as the jagged edges of grief, families made in the trenches of lunch and dinner shifts at a restaurant, or the passing of seasons registered from a bike. I loved Writers & Lovers.

Wendy Ward
http://wendyrward.tumblr.com/

Now that's a great read!

Thanks to NetGalley for a copy to read for a fair review.

I love this book! It made me laugh - a lot - and cry - even more. I love Casey in all her names and all the feels.

. . . I take it Lily King has written some other stuff . . .

Thank you for the opportunity to read and review this book. I had a hard time getting into this book so will circle back at a later date. My reading tastes have changed during the pandemic.

Blindsided by her mother’s sudden death, and wrecked by a recent love affair, Casey Peabody has arrived in Massachusetts in the summer of 1997 without a plan. Her mail consists of wedding invitations and final notices from debt collectors. A former child golf prodigy, she now waits tables in Harvard Square and rents a tiny, moldy room at the side of a garage where she works on the novel she’s been writing for six years. At thirty-one, Casey is still clutching onto something nearly all her old friends have let go of: the determination to live a creative life. When she falls for two very different men at the same time, her world fractures even more. Casey’s fight to fulfill her creative ambitions and balance the conflicting demands of art and life is challenged in ways that push her to the brink.

Writers & Lovers follows Casey—a smart and achingly vulnerable protagonist—in the last days of a long youth, a time when every element of her life comes to a crisis. Written with King’s trademark humor, heart, and intelligence, Writers & Lovers is a transfixing novel that explores the terrifying and exhilarating leap between the end of one phase of life and the beginning of another.

I went into this book pretty blind; I wasn't sure how it was "billed" in terms of the type of book, the feelings people had when reading it, etc. I'd read the synopsis, and that's it. I am VERY glad I went into it that way. This book is a journey to wind through, emotionally, and I love that I wasn't prepared for it.
Casey has recently lost her mom, struggled through an artist's residency-type program, was unceremoniously dumped in a relationship in quite a surprising way, and has landed in a 1 bedroom (actually a potting shed) in Massachusetts. It's from this potting shed and Iris (restaurant; her waitress job) that Casey moves through the process of trying to put pieces back together. There are two parts of her life that each evolve into a few paths: her "writers" part, as she works to complete and sell a novel, and her "lovers" part where she ends up with two very different choices in two very different men. On the "writers" part, I loved that Lily King takes the reader behind-the-scenes for the writing/publishing part of the writing path; it was fascinating to hear the mental journey Casey went through during this process. It was such a peek into the literary world and the book launch parties and the intellectual discussions that happen when all of these writers are together. (King did the same thing with the restaurant industry; I've never waitress-ed, and it was such an interesting peek into how the restaurant worked and what goes on behind the swinging doors.)
On the "lovers" side, what I found most surprising about this book, and what I'm wondering most about, is if anyone else wished that she'd picked the OTHER path. I'm trying to be careful not to spoil anything... but I got really attached to some of the characters in this book. Am I supposed to have these complicated feelings? Maybe not, but what I CAN say is that when a book leaves me deep in thought like this, I respect the hell out of the writer and the writing. Thank you to #groveatlantic and #netgalley for the copy of #writerslovers ; it was an amazing read.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/52715989-writers-lovers
https://www.instagram.com/p/CDz-kSgAFFE/

This book has been at the top of every ‘must read’ list for this year, but it didn’t seem so spectacular to me. Sort of like Normal People (the book, not the show, which I love) in that it’s a plain, introspective story lacking wit and edginess.

Another wonderful novel from Lily King. Put me in mind of Sally Rooney's
'Normal People.' A coming-of-age story, a love story, an ode to the writerly life, engaging characters, and so very beautifully written.

Writers & Lovers
By Lily King

After reading Lily King’s Euphoria, I was eager to read more. She is a gifted author who skillfully walks the line of detail and pacing. This was the case with both Euphoria and Writers & Lovers.

W & L is not a typical coming of age story but has some of the hallmarks. The protagonist is lovable and infuriating. The pacing and the actual story were right on the mark for me. I can’t wait to read more by Lily King!

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#WritersLovers
#NetGalley
#GrovePress
#LilyKing
#fiction
#summereading
#whatshouldireadnext

Lily King sartorially depicted the portrait of a young woman that feels like she has nothing to live for. When your mother is dead, your career is non-existing, and your bank account has more minus signs than pluses, how do you stay afloat? And what if, on top of all of this, you need to make a decision between two men whom you would feel you like equally but are opposites? Reminded me of Bridget Jones for certain aspects, although King's writing style is engaging and demonstrates high mastery of internal dialogue. I would not consider this to be a "masterpiece," but it is definitely a must read for readers that enjoy a good romantic novel.

Character-driven novel with exquisite writing. I felt for the protagonist, however she remained at arm’s length for me the whole time... I found the lack of a character arc a bit frustrating, and it was as if everything happened TO her rather than because of anything she did or didn’t do. There was a little oomph at the end... but still. I still recommend this whole-heartedly and found it an easy, even comforting read - but sadly it did not blow me away.

I honestly don’t know how thirty-one-year-old Casey Peabody gets out of bed every morning! This girl has so many issues to deal with that she should be taking anti-depressants. Or at least be drinking too much. I already felt sorry for her in the first couple of pages. She lives in a potting shed and sleeps on a twin bed. A twin bed! Grown women should not be sleeping on twin beds. And she makes food in the bathroom in a toaster oven.

Casey is a writer who has not given up on her dream. She’s been trying to write a novel for six years, but she is so weighed down by student debt, failed relationships, unresolved issues with a dead mother and estranged from her father. She works a busy restaurant with a mixed bag of characters, has health issues and is currently juggling two new men. One man she is attracted to, but he is elusive. The other wants her to move in with him, but he has two young boys and to give her credit she was more concerned about their feelings than him.

This story had a very autobiographical feel to me. I’m not familiar with the author, but she made Casey so honest and relatable. I could feel Casey’s sorrow seeping out of the pages. But she just kept on peddling that old bike, just like she kept on trying to make a go of her life. At the end of the story I felt a great weight had been lifted off me.

I thank NetGalley and the publisher, Grove Atlantic, for the opportunity to read this lovely book. I gave it four stars.

I picked up Writers & Lovers by Lily King, knowing its been highly praised pretty much everywhere. I knew what was I was getting into, but despite appreciating some lovely sentences and enjoying a few moments that perfectly described the MFA/literary world, I just couldn't get into it.

Growing up is not the same as growing older. Camilla, call me Casey, Peabody is written in first person and present tense and is chock full of anxiety.
Casey, at 31, is just trying to get through the day and making any decision doesn’t come easily.
Estranged from her father, grieving for her mother’s sudden death, paralyzed by mounting debts, trying to write her great American novel for 6 years, working a waitressing a job which she’s not happy with, and dealing with health issues, often seems that riding her bike becomes the highlight of her day. Add a relationship or two and feel the anxiety bubble up.

I found it emotionally satisfying because she perseveres and is ready for the next chapter in her life. Lily King, author, did well to focus on character development. I see book being put into the hands of struggling writers.

I had not read anything by this author before but having seen a lot of positive comments about this novel, I was keen to read it.
All in all, I struggled, and was a bit disappointed. The plot moved along quite slowly with little variation in narrative tone, although there were several episodes with good dialogue. I couldn't identify with, nor develop any empathy for any of the characters which probably says more about me than it does about them. 
With thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for giving me a copy of the novel in exchange for this honest review.

I received an advance reader copy of this book to read in exchange for an honest review via netgalley and the publishers.

Writers and Lovers is a beautifully written story about a struggling writer called Casey who is in her thirties, working as a waitress living in a shed who has a ton of debt hanging over her head and just isn't where she was hoping she would be in life at the age she is.

Casey is full of determination to get through all life throws at her and by jolly, she has a lot thrown her way!

Casey is a character we can all sympathise with and who if we're honest, we all have a small piece of within ourselves and our own life and experiences.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and will definitely be reading more from Lily King!

A thirty year old woman rents a tiny room and is soon to be evicted, she's under a mountain of student debt, prone to crying, having lost her mother quite suddenly, estranged from her father who tried to turn her into a golf pro as a youngster, an activity she refuses to have anything to do with. She's a waitress in a restaurant and on her last warning, is using her one month of being eligible for health insurance to have as many tests as possible and is paranoid about a lump in her armpit. She's also undecided about two men she is dating simultaneously.

Oh and she's spent 6 years writing the novel.

I really struggled to stay with this one and persevered because I'd seen a number of good reviews, so I kept hoping it would improve. And it does towards the end. I guess it just wasn't where I wanted or needed to be. I've long wanted to read Lily King's earlier book, which is why I jumped at the chance to read this.

I did enjoy the anecdote about Edith Wharton, scolded by her mother as a child for wanting to be alone to make things up and forbidden to read novels until after marriage. When her mother died, she sent her husband to the funeral and stayed home to write. She was 45 years old and published her first novel the following year.

And some thought provoking words about writing and fear:

"All problems with writing and performing come from fear. Fear of exposure, fear of weakness, fear of lack of talent, fear of looking like a fool for trying, for even thinking you could write in the first place. It's all fear."

And this aspect in particular, more of a life lesson in this one:

"If we didn't have fear, imagine the creativity in the world. Fear holds us back every step of the way."

And that ultimately is what the journey of the protagonist is about, living in fear and allowing it, nurturing it, holding fast onto it, until she can no more. And as she let's go of it, her life begins to change, and one she realises, she has nothing to fear.

I loved this book. I couldn’t put it down. Here’s what the publisher says: Funny and heartbreaking, Writers & Lovers is the bitingly clever story of Casey, a young writer who has lost her direction in life, until two men step into her world and offer her two very different futures.

This was my first Lily King novel and I was pleasantly surprised! The writing was engaging, witty, and smart.

The main character Casey is 31 and is struggling in many areas of her life. She's been attempting to write a novel for years, dealing with the end of a romantic relationship, drowning in debt, and grieving the recent loss of her mother.

While I have no aspirations of becoming a writer, I really connected with Casey as she struggles with the grief of losing her mother. I felt every word as King described the loss Casey was feeling.

Despite the hardships that she is going through, the book does not feel dark and depressing. The prose is beautiful and I enjoyed how Casey's love for books and writing was sprinkled throughout the story.

I thoroughly enjoyed Writers and Lovers and will be seeking out more novels from Lily King!

I received this ebook from the publisher Grove Atlantic, via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.

Writers & Lovers had a very personal impact on me as I, like Casey, lost my mother unexpectedly when I was just 33 years old. Lily King as a writer has managed to identify life-altering circumstances and stir up feelings in such a manner that this work is a must read for every struggling and accomplished writer in particular. The reader should be prepared to stop reading, pick up paper and pencil, and draw the floor plan of the first place you remember living. As you add all significant details, pick one "white-hot place of experience" and let the feelings flow.
At first, Casey's character was shallow and a difficult connection for the reader. However, as Casey adjusts, explores and lives, Casey grows and begins to understand who Casey is along with the reader. I thank Net Galley for the advanced reader's copy of this truly unique and enjoyable read.