An endearing rom com which I could relate to as Ally struggles to cope with her recent break up. I really enjoyed this book and the humour in it which definitely added to the characters for me, all of whom I loved!

I enjoyed the plot, although it was a bit of a slow burner, and loved Ally and Jeremy’s running journey, how it’s a challenge at the beginning and at the end, running is always hard (for me at least)!

I wouldn’t necessarily categorise this as a romance but it’s definitely an enjoyable, heart-warming read and exactly what I needed when I started this book.

Thank you to @netgalley and @quercusbooks for the ARC!

This was such a sweet read in more ways than one! The friendships, pining, and baked goods will leave you feeling warm and satisfied. Seriously, I had too many tea cakes reading this!

Ally gets dumped by her long-term girlfriend, Emily, and immediately goes back to her childhood home (with the ex’s cat!) to lick her wounds. Ally’s childhood friend, Jeremy, is also back home and miserable with a breakup of his own. Together they fantasize ways to get their exes back.

When Jeremy finds out his ex will be running a marathon, he convinces Ally to join with him. Did I mention they can barely make it past a mile?

I absolutely adored the friendship with Jeremy and the marathon goal they had set out for themselves. It is so endearing to see them work towards this goal. Did they have questionable motivation? Yes. But they find out a lot about themselves along the way.

Throughout this journey, Ally stays in touch with Emily via email to show how much she has changed and tries to make her interested again (and to use the cat as bait to make Emily come visit her). Ally even starts to show off a new person who has entered her life to make Emily jealous.

The side characters at Ally’s new job were so adorable and I loved all the gay representation in this book. It was refreshing to not have hetero-normativity present.

I recommend this to all rom-com lovers!

Thank you to Quercus and Netgalley for the arc! This title was released March 18, 2021.

Rating 3.5/5
In the Split we meet Ally who is recently heartbroken, homeless, friendless and jobless! However she does have Malcolm; her ex girlfriend Emily’s cat whom she kidnaps in a desperate bid to win back her.

With no other options she returns home to her dad in Sheffield, is reunited with her first ever beard and friend of old, Jeremy also broken-hearted and living at home again. In a desperate attempt to support each other they make the inspired decision to sign up for the local half marathon in a last ditch bid to win back their exes with their commitment and athleticism. Enter onto the scene the athletic and beautiful Jo, enlisted as a running coach, can she get them round in one piece?

This book had some lovely elements the characters were extremely likeable and relatable, I could picture myself spending time with Ally and Jeremy. I particularly enjoyed the character development of Ally who learnt independence, inner strength, self compassion and acceptance. Whilst this is technically a romance I thought the message about loving yourself shone out as the major theme. I really really want the recipes to some of her deserts... salted caramel chocolate tart! Yes please 😋

Whilst I thought the portrayal of Ally’s sexuality was refreshingly genuine rather than stereotypical there were other elements, the death of her mum, Jeremy’s mental health and the relationship of Sophie and Charlie, within the story which for me personally could have been explored in more detail and at points felt a little superficial leaving me wanting more.

Overall if you are a fan of a warm, feel good book with cats, cakes and running this is the book for you 🍓

Thank you to @netgalley @quercusbooks for this copy in exchange for an honest review.

Disclaimer: I received this as an ARC via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

Blurb

Wounded and betrayed, after being dumped by her girlfriend, Ally makes off to her dad’s in Sheffield with the one thing that might soothe the pain and force her ex to speak to her again: Emily’s cat, Malcolm.

Back home and forced into a ‘date’ by their parents, Ally and her first ever beard, Jeremy, come up with a ridiculous plan to win their exes back… to revenge-run a half marathon. Given neither of them can run, they enlist the support of athletic, not to mention beautiful, Jo. But will she have them running for the hills… or will their ridiculous plan pay off…?

My Thoughts

If you read my Author Q&A with Laura, you’ll have an idea about how I feel about this one. This was one of my Most Anticipated Books for January – June and, I’m happy to report, it lived up to the (self imposed) hype!

Straight away, the reader meets Ally. Though it’s a romantic comedy, I would say, it starts off a bit more like a tragicomedy as Ally is sent packing when she’s dumped by her girlfriend, Emily. Amongst the anguish, though, we get the first hint of the laugh-out-loud humour as Ally takes off with Malcolm, Emily’s rather grumpy cat.

I loved going on a journey with Ally throughout this book, she really goes through a spectrum of emotions – from anger and sadness following her breakup to acceptance and a newfound happiness as she navigates marathon training, old friendships and potential new ones – and I was rooting for her throughout. Though she did make some questionable decisions (one of them would be deciding to run a marathon in the first place I, as a person who needs a lie down after a certain personal trainer’s workout designed for children has been completed, personally think 😂), I wanted the best for her – an impressive feat from a debut author, considering a lot of protagonists aren’t as easy to love 😂.

On this journey, we encounter plenty of interesting characters from Ally’s Dad to her ex Emily – my favourite of which has to be Jeremy, no question. He was funny, interesting and I really wanted him to be my best mate by the end of it! Kay also explores mental health through his character, in particular depression, and I don’t think I’ve seen such an honest portrayal before (or at least one that isn’t romanticised for plot, which I never understood). I loved how Jeremy helped move the plot along and the interaction between him and Ally was funny, sweet and tender – I just loved them together!

I also really appreciated the concept of the emails within each chapter, as Ally’s personality shone through (I personally loved the parts where she got the name of Emily’s fling wrong, very petty indeed!) and it gave the reader a great insight into the two women and their relationship. As much as I would’ve liked to read their relationship in detail, these emails gave an insight that truly allows the reader to feel every moment of their relationship from the highs to the lows.

I’m definitely not a runner but I loved the concept of Jeremy and Ally running a local half marathon. It was a revenge/get them back plot with a difference and I loved reading their journey from reluctant runners to marathon runners – this part was a delight to read and I’m pretty sure, if this was real, they’d find me cheering them on in the crowd.

Though I’ve only paid Sheffield a fleeting visit a while ago, Kay has a way of making everything feel familiar. I couldn’t help but feel like I was there at the table, enjoying fish and chips with Ally and her Dad, or tucking into a delicious sweet treat elsewhere.

The Split is everything I wanted it to be and more. I assumed it would be a romance but it was so much more. It was a story of friendship, finding yourself and figuring out how to get out of a rut. I’m not a runner but, if I were you, I’d be running to the bookshop (or, you know, wherever you get your books from in a global pandemic) to pick this one up.

My full review will be available to read on https://jenrosewrites.blog/

I had seen proof copies floating around bookstagram and was immediately interested by the cover and tag line “Ally’s relationship is over and she’s taking the cat...” so I went straight on NetGalley and the lovely people at Quercus books approved me for it, yay!

I really enjoyed this one! It’s a fab debut novel by Laura Kay! I felt so much for Ally, she was obviously going through such a tough time, I mean, she took her ex’s cat hostage 🤦🏻‍♀️😂 I’m so glad her dad (who is just the cutest!) arranged for her to meet back up with her friend Jeremy. Their friendship was amazing! I loved how the two of them bounced off one another and really helped each other in such a hard time for them both.

I won’t lie, I cringed when reading some of her emails to Emily 🙈 but then as I read on, it just made me appreciate how much of a character journey Ally had been on, and it made me love her so much more! I genuinely felt so proud of her (and Jeremy) by the end the story.

What I love in a good story is great supporting characters and this book definitely had it! You’ve got Jeremy and Ally’s dad, I’ve kinda mentioned my love for them already, then you’ve got Jo, the motivator I need to get my ass out running again! And of course Charlie and Sophie, they’re such a wonderful couple, and I need to visit their bakery because it sounds a dream! 😍

Ally is living a happy life with her university girlfriend Emily on a houseboat in London when, suddenly (for Ally at least), Emily dumps her. Oof. Ally packs up her stuff, and her cat, their cat, okay, Emily's cat and scarpers back to her home town Sheffield, to stay with her dad. Whilst there, she reconnects with a childhood friend, Jeremy, also recently dumped, who concocts a plan that is sure to show their exes what they are missing - they'll run the local half marathon. A foolproof plan......right??

The characters here are relatable. Ally is, quite frankly, a bit of a mess following her dumping and I was cringing at some of the deluded emails she was sending to Emily once she'd got back to Sheffield. But then, we've all been there. Is there honestly anyone who can say "oh yes, following that out-of-the-blue dumping, I most definitely acted like a completely rational person 100% of the time". Well there might be but they're probably lying.

Having trained as a teacher and found it wasn't really for her, Ally had left the profession with Emily's encouragement but not found anything new so when she arrives at her Dad's house, she really is starting her life again from scratch. Its not easy going for her but Ally starts to re-build her life and reflect on her time with Emily. And I say "it's not easy" as someone who has actually trained for and run that same half marathon, there are no flat surfaces in Sheffield. She and Jeremy begin to realise some truths and, not so much put the pieces of their lives back together, but look for new lives that fit them better.

I did chuckle a few times throughout this book and it was fun to read a book set in the city I live in. I'd say its less of a romance book and more of a coming-of-slightly-older-age, covering that period in your 20's when everything you thought you wanted, turns out not quite to be.

When a couple splits up, it's not unusual for one or both of them to split up belongings as well. When Ally's girlfriend Emily springs their imminent break-up on her, Ally takes the cat. Going back home to her Dad in Sheffield, with the vague hope that taking Malcom will force Emily into coming to see her, Ally's reunited with her old friend (and first beard) Jeremy, who's also living at home after an emotional break up. And although Ally would be quite happy to sit huddled in her duvet eating cake all day, Jeremy gets the idea for them to run a half-marathon, in order to impress their exes with their commitment to athleticism. What could go wrong?
The Split is a gently funny LGBTQ rom-com (where, for once, their LGBTQ status is not the source of the characters' angst) about friendship, love and learning that sometimes it's more important to impress yourself than other people. And there's a grumpy cat - you can't go wrong with one of them.
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for review.

I loved this book, it had me laughing, crying and everything in between. Ally’s character really developed throughout and she stood up for what she believed in. I loved the diversity of the characters and the friendships and romances that formed

Bloody gorgeous and inspirational tale of endings and new beginnings. Almost makes me want to join a running club. ALMOST.

Kermit the Frog pyjamas, peanut butter chocolate brownies, reminiscing about watching Pet Rescue back in the day, squeezing into ‘proper’ exercise gear, Instagram stalking, ending up in the club after what was only meant to be a few drinks… These snippets of Ally’s life are hilarious but completely and utterly relatable.

A brilliant read which is not just witty and funny, but also touching, and certainly poignant at times. I loved every character (even the “bad” ex-girlfriend) and recognised somebody I knew in each of them.

Laura Kay has a style in this book which grabs your arm, plonks you down, and gives you a cup of tea and slice of carrot cake whilst you watch the story unfold. I inhaled this (the same way I’d definitely inhale a bit of carrot cake right now).

Ally and Jeremy were childhood friends, bonded more closely after they both came out as teens. Now both adults and both drifting and heartbroken, they have returned to their childhood homes. They spend their days eating, smoking and plotting ways to impress and win back their exes. They alight on a plan to train for and run a half marathon, and join a running group run by the enthusiastic Jo. Ally emails her ex Emily, recounting the highs and lows of their relationship. And as her and Jo become closer, she revels in Emily's jealousy. But this is a plan set to backfire and to hurt someone who doesn't deserve it.

As the race day arrives, Jeremy and Ally are sick with nerves, but to their surprise they both complete the race and come to the realisation that in having a goal they have ditched the need to impress anyone but themselves. As we catch up with them both four months later, they are in a better place, and for the first time in a long time, the future looks bright.

A story about friendship, about self-worth and daring to dream, this was a light-hearted and heartwarming story.

I loved this!

Ally is dumped by her girlfriend Emily and, in the immediate aftermath, as her now ex-girlfriend goes to spend the night with her new lady-love, Ally heads off back home to her dad in Sheffield, taking with her Emily's cat Malcolm. It seems that Ally hoped that Malcolm would lure Emily up to Sheffield but as Emily declines, Ally's dad encourages Ally to meet up with her old friend, Jeremy - also recently single and heartbroken. They hit upon the idea of running a half marathon in the hope that will help them each re-unite with their respective exes. In the effort to keep running Ally meets Jo, the attractive woman who works in the nearby running shop, and gets a new job. Perhaps things aren't so bad after all? I won't reveal the ending but this is a really heart-warming, funny novel which well deserves the comparison to Beth O'Leary. I would definitely recommend.

When Ally is dumped by her girlfriend and finds herself jobless, friendless and homeless, the only thing she can think to do is to head to her hometown of Sheffield and move back in with her Dad. Unexpectedly, she also makes the rash decision to steal Malcolm – her ex-girlfriend’s giant, moody, cheese-loving cat. Back in Sheffield, she finds that old friend Jeremy has also moved back home after breaking up with his boyfriend and they set out on a plan to get their lives back on track – starting with signing up for the local half marathon, despite neither of them even owning a decent pair of trainers.

If you are in need of a genuinely joyful read, this queer rom com will provide. Set amongst the hills of Sheffield, I loved the sense of place and completely recognised the feeling of getting a train to the North and being welcomed by a friendly face, a mug of tea and some Northern tones: “‘All right, love?’ he said, giving my head a little pat and pretending not to notice that I was crying, which I was very grateful for.”

I immediately loved Ally’s Dad and her friend Jeremy. Jeremy and Ally support each other through a really difficult time and egg each other on as they train for the seemingly impossible half marathon. All the characters are fully imagined – from the owners of the local bakery who take Ally under their wing, through to Jo who organises the local running club. I feel like I could go to their favourite local and share some chips and a bottle of wine with them. Even the animal characters – Malcolm the cat (who I like to think is named Malcolm because he’s stuck in the middle) and Pat the dog – have personalities that jump off the page!

Whilst pitched as a rom com, the romance was far from the most important aspect of the book for me (although it is definitely present!) I was so happy to find though that this book really is a com. So many books pitched as rom coms miss the comedy element for me, but this genuinely was funny, warm and uplifting.

I loved The Split and can’t wait to read more from Laura Kay in the future.

When life gives you lemons, you steal your ex’s cat, move back home and take up running.

A fun, easy read about breakups and moving on. I would have loved for Ally to explore depression and queer identity further, but it was still an entertaining read.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher.

This was a really enjoyable read. I loved the characters, and the plot moved well. A bit of a slow burner and wasn’t A’s unputdownable as other novels I’ve read this year, however this will be a perfect summer read.

The Split is a book that I never knew I needed, but will forever hold a very special place in my heart.

Before I start to rhapsodise about this book, I will share a small snippet about me. I am usually very private, so this is one big step for me… I fell in love for the first time when I was 24, and I am still in love with that woman now, despite us having been apart for three years now. When I picked up this book, I was apprehensive, not because of the book, but because I didn’t want to read about a break up. I’m daft, I know! I can now say that picking up this book was one of the best things I have ever done with regards to my feelings over our split and gave me a snippet of hope that I desperately needed.

Anyway, on to the book… This book was a joy. I laughed out loud far too many times to count. I also cried. Not wept in a pretty, delicate way, like I was in a period drama, but sobbed. Into my cat’s fur, who was utterly disgusted by the whole thing. I must just mention here that my cat’s favourite character was Malcolm, who coincidentally is also a cat. A cat with a penchant for hair ties, which my Tabitha also shares.

The main character Ally wasn’t perfect, far from it, but her feelings of being totally at sea after the split, her desperation to reach out, to grasp at the strands of their relationship, it was all so heartbreakingly believable. Her father was wonderful, strong and supportive, but also ready to give her that kick up the bum that she came to need. Jeremy was the friend Ally really needed at her side, and the glimpses into his depression were so realistic that more tears were shed into Tabitha’s fur.

Watching Ally and Jeremy’s attempts to train for a half marathon were probably my favourite parts. There was no startling transformation of a ‘normal’ woman into a lycra clad Wonder Woman (as so often seems to happen when characters take up exercise) but hilarious descriptions of huffing and puffing up hills, sweaty leggings and the desperate need for a post run doughnut.

All in all, this book was far more than I could ever have hoped for. It was an LGBTQ+ ‘rom com’ (I hate that phrase!) with true heart, a very energetic, exceptionally kind woman called Jo, a grumpy cat, and the most wonderful array of baked goods.

Thank you Laura Kay, you have restored my faith and given me much needed courage, but I’m afraid I won’t be running any time soon, I’m far too clumsy.

eARC kindly provided by NetGalley and Quercus Books.

I've simply realized that this book falls into a sort of trope/plotline that isn't for me. It's unfortunate that I didn't realize this before, but alas. This book isn't bad; it's just not for me.

I really enjoyed this book. It’s an easy light hearted read and it was refreshing reading a rom-com about a same sex relationship. It took me a while to get into it as the beginning felt a little underwritten and it’s a shame the Ex Emily isn’t better realised. However I found the main character Ally to be very relatable and her journey was rewarding rather than predictable.

Ally's girlfriend, Emily breaks up with her and Ally is then forced to move back home to live with her father in her childhood home in Sheffield. with their cat Malcom Ally is heartbroken and can't imagine life without Emily. With encouragement from her childhood bestie, Jeremy, they both plot to win back their exes by training to run half a marathon!

I went into this book thinking it was going to be your typical romance novel but I was proven wrong! I would say this novel is a book about finding yourself: figuring out who you are in life and what you want to achieve from that life. I loved the stereotypical British humour that was included throughout (yes, I did giggle a few times!). I connected well with all of the characters, in particularly: Jeremy, I adored him! I absolutely adored Ally's dad and how he always wanted what was best for his daughter.

I do however feel as though there was just something missing from this novel. I just found myself wanting more throughout. Maybe a bit more development? Despite this, I did enjoy this novel!

Overall, this is a good debut novel from Laura Kay. We need more sapphic novels that portray what life is like for young adults!

Reading this just reminded me that it is okay to not have your life figured out in your 20's and I think we could all do with being reminded of that at times.

Thank you so much to NetGalley, Quercus books and Laura Kay for the ARC of this in exchange for an honest review!

If you're having the kind of day/week where you just want to switch off from everything for a few hours, The Split is the book for you. It's a gentle read, about (surprise surprise) a break-up, and how sometimes we'll cling desperately to what's familiar, without considering what we actually need and want.

Ultimately, most of the characters who appear on page are kind and likeable, whilst remaining human. Each has their own little flaws, and I think that's what made it super readable, because you could relate to pretty much everyone in some ways. Ally could be annoying and selfish, just as easily as she could make you laugh and cheer her on through her ups and downs.

Obviously Malcolm totally steals the show, with his complete indifference to life, the universe and everything. My only criticism is that there should have been more Malcolm!! If you are looking to escape to the pages of a book for a few hours, and forget your own problems by walking in someone else's shoes, I definitely recommend The Split.