Olive is in her early 30s, living in London, and doing well in her career as an editor at .dot magazine. Olive is still close with Cecily, Bea, and Isla, her friends since school, and is finding that their paths are diverging more as they get older. As Olive begins to realize and come to terms with the fact that she wants to live her life child-free, it begins to create conflict in her existing relationships.

I’ve very infrequently come across books featuring a child-free protagonist, or a protagonist who has made any kind of intentional choice not to have children. This seems like it fills a gap in the narrative related to that experience. Similarly, Olive explores enduring and lasting relationships in a group of four best friends. These kinds of adult friendships are sorely lacking in women’s fiction.

Overall, though I’m a woman in my 30s without children, this book wasn’t for me. I want to claim my biases here: I don’t personally identify with the child-free movement, have never felt particularly pressured to make a decision about parenting, and know that the perspectives I encounter in the US are different to those my friends in the UK encounter.

Olive read as a kind of coming-of-age novel, and I think that the novel ran into snags that any novel on this topic would. Though we saw Olive grow and change in ways, it’s so hard to frame a coming-of- age narrative around a choice that is essentially inaction.

For me, the situations the characters experienced felt contrived and a little too convenient, and it often made it feel as though Olive was written with a list of pros related to making the choice to be child-free, and cons related to parenting to tick off throughout the narrative. If I had a moment where I asked “what about this perspective?” it was often covered in the next few pages. This made it a lot harder to see Olive, or those around her, as fully dimensional characters, rather than as rhetorical devices to explore an issue/perspective. As a result, the novel felt defensive rather than exploratory at times. I wish we had seen fewer perspectives, and been able to experience Olive’s relationships with those she cares about in more depth.

I think this book will most appeal to women who identify or are exploring their choice to be child-free, especially those faced with external pressure to parent.

I both read and listened to the audiobook of Olive. In the audiobook version, Sian Clifford was a phenomenal narrator and really brought the story to life. This book does have a non-linear narrative structure that was at times harder to follow in the audiobook.

Thanks to NetGalley and Andrews McMeel Publishing for an advance copy of this book and audiobook for review.

I really enjoyed this book. It was a very compelling portrayal of navigating one's early 30s, and how friends, no matter how close, can end up taking different paths. The author did a terrific job of creating a memorable main character. Highly recommended!

Often the subject of becoming a parent can be a difficult one, especially for women, but Gannon really explores this through the perspectives of her characters in a really natural way. It absolutely is Olive's story, but at the same time we easily see what each of her friends are going through (even if Olive sometimes doesn't see it herself!)

I'll definitely be recommending to friends, it's a really good read no matter what your standing is on having children.

I'll be honest that I jumped into this book without really knowing what it was about -- but I like Women's Literature and often enjoy a strong or empowering female lead. This book is about Olive, a 30-something Londoner (by the way, I loved the narrator's accent and the British vernacular, "plasters" and "kerb") that has hit a major cross-roads in her life, most of her closest friends have children, are having children, or want children and she is pretty certain she does not. What ensues is her journey to figure out how to live with this decision and how not to destroy her closest female relationships.

I am sure that as a 40-something working mother of a teenager, I was not Gannon's idea of "target audience" as I have obviously chosen differently than Olive. However, I think it is very important for women to take on each other's viewpoints about intimate topics such as child-rearing. I have many girlfriends my age and older that have made the decision to not have children (or their own children) and are living healthy and productive lives. I know better than to pester them with questions about this lifestyle choice and I know not all of them have "decidedly made the choice" and some have just not had the opportunity to make it work out. However, I am so thankful that they have loved me through my child-rearing (corning the end of her really being a child) and I love them through their Singleton lives. This title reminded me that we must not impose our opinions about such intimate life choices on others.

I went back and forth between the Kindle Version and the Audio Version of this book -- but really enjoyed the narrator in the audio version more!

Thank you Netgalley & Harper Collins for this ARC copy of both the digital and audio of Olive by Emma Gannon.

**Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with a free e-ARC in exchange for an honest review**
“Olive” by Emma Gannon is an incredibly human story about Olive and her feelings with her choice of not having children. I loved this book more than I thought I would, because as a teenager I didn't expect to connect much with the character, but she's so real and so human I couldn't not understand her. Olive is a woman who makes mistakes, contradicts herself, and overall feels like such an honestly real person. Emma Gannon has done something so important and special, and I'm very grateful, for me and other women out there (especial women the age of the main character), that she wrote this.
I like the quotes by ordinary women sprinkled throughout the book, and I love how much Olive grows and matures in the space of a few months (maybe a year?), [minor spoiler] and especially how this is shown towards the end with her boyfriend's daughters.
The only things I didn't like were the clarity of the passage of time, which wasn't very strong, and I was never sure how long after the last chapter things were set, and the character Colin, who I think was mostly just a “gay best friend” stereotype and nothing deeper than that.
Overall, I give this book 4/5 stars, and I hope I remember to read it again when I am thirty, because I know I'll love it even more.

Olive is a young 30-something living in London and working as a journalist at an on-line magazine. She feels like she's falling behind in life because her best girlfriends are married/pregnant/homeowners, and she's recently single and renting a flat -- who here doesn't relate to Olive at least a little?

I picked up this book about a month ago, read the prologue, had a mini existential crisis and put the book away until this past weekend. The opening of the book discusses motherhood and the decision to have or not have children. I'm Olive's age, and I've battled some of the same issues she is battling -- reading that prologue was like looking in a mirror and I did not like it. Once I got my act together, I gave it another go and then I coudln;t put it down.

I really loved the way the author tackles adult female relationships and they way we tend to drift apart as we age. I think everyone who reads this will be able to relate to at least one of these characters, or maybe a little bit to multiple characters. I'm also a big fan of alternating time lines, which I think was executed very well. .

Thank you to the author, Andrews McMeel publishing, and NetGalley for this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

I fully expected to love this book after seeing so many glowing reviews as well as the fact that I wish there were more books written about women who choose not to have children. However, the character of Olive, our first person narrator, is such a self-centered, miserable person that I began to feel a little miserable as I was reading so I stopped.

DNF #1 of the year.

This book tells the story of Olive and her three best friends - all at very different places when it comes to motherhood. Olive is sure that she doesn't want to have kids, and feels that creating a wedge in her friendships. She is sure that choosing not to have children isn't a defect, but proving it to others is a bit more difficult.

Have to start off by saying that I absolutely LOVE Emma Gannon and am so happy to have been able to read her debut novel. Her style was simple and inviting and I really hope she writes more novels in the future.

I felt so connected to Olive in the way that she doubts her place in life and if she is doing what she should be. I think we all can relate to that feeling, and Emma wrote about it beautifully. It can be very hard to compare your current stage of life with that of your friends - from group hangs that feel a bit forced to flawless Instagram pictures - we all play the comparison game from time to time.

What I really appreciated about the story was the varying generations and types of female relationships - Olive and her three best friends, her elderly neighbor Dorothy, Olive's sister, and then eventually even Olive's relationship with Marcus' family. It was a beautiful showcase of how different relationships can serve us differently depending on what we need at the time.

Thank you to NetGalley and Andrew McMeel for the chance to read this book in exchange for an honest review!

I originally put off reading this book due to the insane hype surrounding it. There was a fear of Olive letting me down or that it wouldn't live up to the high expectations. Oh, how wrong I was. Having just finished Olive, I really wish I had picked it up sooner.

From the very first page, I was completely hooked. The character of Olive is someone I completely related to. Although I have not ruled children out completely, I know that it won't be the end of life as I know it if I decide not to have any. However, like Olive, whenever this conversation has happened, comments have been thrown my way that I will change my mind, to give it time, and I will regret it if I never make it happen. This book has been one I've suggested people who say those comments read; it gives light to those people who simply do not want children for no other reason than not wanting them.

One thing Gannon does spectacularly is to write a group of women so perfectly. They are all at different stages in their lives and dealing with their own problems, ranging from fertility issues to postpartum anxiety and depression. But at the end of the day, they are there for each other. Gannon does not show any bias towards the story of these women. Especially Isla, who struggles to get pregnant and understandably takes a break from her friendship with Olive. Although Isla's ending wasn't one I'd hoped for, not everyone having a happy ending added even more realism within the book that I love; parenthood and fertility is different for everyone.

I really enjoyed this book and have already lost count of the number of people I've raved about it to. Definitely a favourite read of 2021!

This is the perfect book for anyone feeling behind their friends in life, especially for those in their mid 20s and up, and I cannot recommend it enough. Everyone has been there and everyone has felt overwhelmed with social “milestones” and life choices. More specifically, there is a certain taboo that comes with choosing to not have children.

(potential spoilers ahead)

OLIVE focuses a lot on the main protagonist’s decision to be child-free. OLIVE is the perfect balance of quirky, imperfect characters, and real-life. This book is not only based on Olive’s journey to come to peace with her decision to remain child-free, but explores common topics re: societal norms.

I think one of my favourite parts of OLIVE was Gannon’s portrayal of the intricacies of friendships that Olive and her three best friends face as they choose different paths in life and try to find the balance between their friends, families, careers, and relationships. Regardless of your choices in life, I think this book does a great job at sharing sides of the story we do not always get to hear, such as choosing to remain child-free in life.

I loved how this book shared the real-life feelings someone experiences when trying to navigate their life choices with what “they should do”. Gannon’s writing left me feeling frustrated and sad along with the four main characters as she explores themes of marriage, infertility, careers, friendships, and relationships.

A friendly reminder that it’s not okay to judge people on their choice to have or not have children. You never know what people are going through with fertility, health, and personal choices.

content warning: infertility

Firstly, I want to thank NetGalley and the publishers for letting me read the book.
Olive is in her early thirties, has a job that she loves and three best friends. Her life seems to be great, almost perfect, until she realises that everything around her is making her feel like she is “different”. She, unlike her friends, doesn’t want a big house filled with toddlers. She likes her city life, in the chaotic London, going out at night and going back home drunk.
Olive portrays a type of girl that is very often brought into question in our society.
I really appreciate the story, it has been a surprising read, though sometimes a bit sad.
I am 22 years old so I do not feel this pressure right now, but I hope to create my own family one day. It is always very interesting to find out other point of views, as we all have different opinions about this topic. Probably in the future I’ll find myself wondering if I shall have kids or not… who knows!

I was lucky enough to receive an advance copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Brief synopsis: Olive and her three best mates have always been there for each other, but these days Olive feels like an odd one out. As Bee, Cess, and Isla have all been focused on starting families, Olive is wrestling with whether she even wants to have children. Throughout the book we follow Olive as she tries to sort out who she is, and what she wants. There were so many things I loved about this book, but a few really stand out:

The Friendships: I love reading about a tight-knit group of friends, and these four did not disappoint. The women in the book all take different approaches to life, relationships, and motherhood, and each is going through a critical period in their lives. The stress of the decisions that weigh heavily on them, and the changes that seems to be happening constantly, put stress on their friendship and they have fights. But, and this is the crazy thing, those fights ARE NOT THE END OF THE WORLD. At the end of the day, their relationship is more important, bigger than one bad moment, and I loved that. It was so refreshing to read a realistic portrayal of female friendships where real women have real problems and deal with them in real ways.

Child-free rep: I think Olive’s inner struggles are very real, and a lot of women can relate. On the other hand, a lot of women who are child free might feel differently. What I appreciate about this book is it never claims to represent the views/desires of all child free women. It’s just Olive’s story, and what she goes through.

People with jobs! I’m a sucker for a character who is exceptional at their job, and Olive does not disappoint. She not only has talent at her job as a journalist, she shows good judgement. Every time I thought she was going to make a Bridget Jones-esque work faux pas or violate her professional ethics...she instead just went about her job like a grown up and eventually gets promoted for her skill and competency. You love to see it! There were some references to “showing up late and no one noticing” but we don’t actually see that behavior. Typically she’s working late at home doing research for stories, staying late, and hating the weekends because she prefers a productive workday.

Overall, this was a wonderful quick read, light but thoughtful, and I highly recommend it. The audio book is also a gem

The book begins with Olive graduating, along with her 3 Best Friends, Bea, Cecile, and Isla. It is interesting how their relationships change as they grow up and make different choices in life. The book is told entirely through Olive’s perspective. One of the biggest issues is Olive is certain she does not want to have children. Life can be pretty tough on a woman who makes this choice.

Olive is a loyal, caring, slightly adrift women, but is easy to relate to. I did like this book, but did not love it. My favorite parts were hearing about Olive and how she knows her own mind, but keeps feeling pressured to be open to having children. I think her friends would say that Olive is not always open to their choices and struggles as well.

I did find the book dragged a bit, as it was entirely about Olive. We don’t get to hear from the other women. I think I would have liked to have heard more of their perspective considering the length of the book. The last 1/3 of the book picked up a lot more for me and enjoyed that the most.

Overall, it is a well written book and I was given a copy of the audio, too. I like this combination between reading and listening. That worked very well. At heart, Olive is a kind, loyal and caring friend who values her friendships. She just struggles sometimes to know how to stay connected, but that is understandable.

Thank You NetGalley, Emma Gannon, and Andrews McMell Publishing for giving an ARC of both the book and the Audio.

This book had been highly discussed around publication date and I was wary it might not live up to the hype from the author's friends in journalism. Having read novels from similar British authors, I expected an easy read exploring relatable women's experiences albeit from a very privileged perspective. That is exactly what I got! I am happy to indulge in a world where the hardest problem for a successful and loved 30-something is her friends being too busy to spend regular dinners and holidays together. This book explored an interesting topic in simple writing - I flew through it. Would recommend to other women my age and men considering fatherhood.

The story starts out fairly strong and Olive comes across as a relatable main character, but throughout the story she just becomes more and more annoying. My biggest issue with the protagonist is that there was no character growth. The way she acts in the beginning of the novel (her thoughts about not having children and the way she treats her friends and those with children) is the same as she does in the end which made for a very draining and repetitive read. I loved the idea of exploring why women might not want children I just wish the execution was better.

3.5 stars. Olive is a novel that doesn't take itself too seriously but still manages to tackle some of the more complex parts of female friendship for women in their 30s (at-least upper middle class white women), which is no simple task. Before diving in, I heard others compare Olive to Bridget Jones, and I understand this easy comparison, as the book takes place in London and similarly delves into the inner thoughts of a female protagonist in her 30s at an identity/life crossroads (and she's also a journalist!). However, the comparison ended there for me, and I think this novel sets itself apart in the world of chick lit by providing an authentic look at the divergent pathways women in their 30s start to explore, particularly surrounding motherhood, fertility issues, and chosen child-free lifestyles. I appreciated Olive as a protagonist: she was honest and imperfect, and her job as a journalist lent her a natural curiosity as she tried to find her way. As a woman about to enter her 30s, I felt able to relate to Olive and her friends in this lifestage. I don't know that there's anything that would cause me to say this book is a must-read, but I unapologetically spent a full day curled up reading Olive and it kept my attention from the start. Overall, Olive effectively finds a niche hold in the ever-growing landscape of chick lit. Thanks to NetGalley for this wonderful opportunity for an early read!
#Olive #NetGalley

This book was sent to me as an ARC on NetGalley. However, all opinions are of my own.
This book has been on my TBR for the longest time and I jumped at the chance to read it. I had no idea what to expect. I loved the direction of this book and the way it was portrayed. I thought that it was done really thoughtfully and touches on topics that people are faced with daily.
TW for: trouble conceiving, marriage breakdowns, cheating and opposite opinions on wanting babies.
I understand that for some people this book may be triggering, but after reading this I really loved that all women had their own thoughts and opinions and that’s how it was.

If you like any of these 5 things in books, you should definitely read this one:
1. End of a long-term relationship
2. Women in their 30s
3. Discussions of motherhood and lack thereof
4. Strong female friendships
5. Evolving friendships

Trigger warning: if you have trigger warnings around, say TTC, maybe avoid this one.

This book...is so important. I really felt for the main character, an adult woman who doesn't want to have kids while her oldest and closest friends are all going through their own journeys with motherhood. I think this book does a great job of emphasizing how we are all individuals and how different each of our stories are as we continue to grow up. There is often this perceived pressure to be at a certain stage at your life by a certain age,, but Olive teaches us that there is beauty and happiness that can meet us wherever we are. A great and heart-warming read.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Andrews McMeel Publishing for a copy of Olive by Emma Gannon. I think this book will be hit or miss and have seen reviews on both side. On one side, I can see how it would read as the plight of a narcissistic white woman as she alienates herself from her friends while figuring out her life (Could this book use more diversity, oh absolutely). On the other, I 100% relate to Olive. I do not think Olive is selfish. I think she is a girl trying to figure out her life path and sometimes you have to push those around you away to do so. The true people will understand and allow you the space to do that. Choosing not to have children in this society is looked at by many as a selfish decision. I absolutely disagree with that notion.

Overall, if you don’t take this too seriously, it is a quick and fun read.

I really wanted to love this book because I loved Sabotage by the same author and well, I did like it, I think, I couldn't stop listening to it, although I thought it flagged a little towards the end (or maybe my interest in Olive's plight was flagging). The novel sort of feels a little like Fielding's Diary of Bridget Jones but with a Millennial generation angle (Gannon constantly drives the Millennial angle and this personally jarred with me because well, if we're to properly label it, the novel is coming from a white, Middle-Class, British, heterosexual, Millennial angle, if anything...) and a completely different format (no diary but first person narrator - I did wonder if this would have been a better novel if it was written in third person, giving Olive's friend's - or the friendship theme - more depth). The main storyline is rooted in the present, the novel jumps back and forth in time to episodes relating to Olive's present-day storyline (mainly highlighting Olive's sense of being different to her closest friends; which made me wonder a lot about Olive's naivety and, on occasion, superficiality). The novel makes important questions about motherhood and choice but I ultimately found the novel lacking and her characters too judgemental (except for Be) to make them ultimately rather unlikeable (a result Gannon may have possibly purposely looking for? Which would be interesting). In truth, I am unsure what Olive's journey was about (her argument about wanting to be childfree seemed to be entirely with herself) - in short expect no epiphanies or in-depth writing about life (and try not to get too annoyed by Olive's immaturity) and you should be good. I did listen to this until the end and looked forward to the perplexing 'conversation' that this novel made me have with it, if nothing else! Sian Clifford's narration was EXCELLENT!