a poignant and introspective debut novel that delves into the complexities of identity, family secrets, and the tumultuous journey of self-discovery. Set against the backdrop of Edinburgh in the mid-2000s, the story follows Penelope "Pen" Winters, a Canadian freshman at the University of Edinburgh, as she navigates the challenges of university life while unraveling the mysteries surrounding her parents' divorce.

This was unexpeditcly brilliant - a perfect hybrid of coming of age/family mystery. so atmospheric and eerie in places.

This one took a minute (a very long minute) to get into. I think I restarted twice, one time being around 50% but I couldn’t remember what I had read. But at the 60-70% mark is where it changed for me, something clicked and I was interested in where the story was going.

The main part of the story the reader is following Pen (Penelope) a young adult on a journey to find herself and learn about her parents at the same time.

Overall I think this book is about the love parents feel for their children, no matter the circumstances, even down to Pen’s middle name, Elliot. There are friendships, romantic relationships, and deep conversations had between parents and children. This book does well to showcase all of the growth and change that came happen to one person over the course of a year.

The book itself however, wasn’t very memorable. Besides the beginning being tough to get into, I found a lot of the characters to be lacking. They weren’t memorable to me, and as such I often forgot bits that I had read just moments ago. The last handful of chapters when everything comes together (even if you weren’t fully paying attention) is what gave this book an extra star. It was tough to get to that point, but once I was there it was very much worth it!

This ARC had been sitting on my tbr shelf for quite a while, waiting for the perfect moment for a "witty", "charming" and entertaining read. Unfortunately, this just wasn't it.

From the start, it felt like the plot pacing was off, and it was difficult to connect to the characters. It took a lot of mental energy to keep up with Pen and Alice's stories and the other characters that weaved in and out. The writing style didn't work for me personally. I kept waiting for the moment in which the plot would make sense and invite me in. Sadly, I didn't get that experience.

It could be just my false expectations. I will admit, I was anticipating a story along the lines of Remarkably Bright Creatures, but this wasn't that at all.

I want to be clear that this wasn't a poorly written book. It just didn't resonate for me. I believe other readers who have different expectations, enjoy a slow paced plot, and connect better than I did to the characters might really enjoy it. I would encourage folks to look at some of the higher reviews.

Thank you Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This debut novel is charming and witty, with a quirky premise that definitely caught my attention at the start. The writing has a playful, clever tone that makes for a fun read in parts. However, like several other reviewers noted, the story started strong but gradually lost momentum. I found myself losing interest as the plot unfolded, and I never fully connected with the characters emotionally. A promising first novel, but it didn't quite land for me.

Unfortunately this was a DNF for me at 40%. I tried to both read it and listen to the audiobook. I just could not get into it.

I truly wanted to love this one! The cover is stunning and I have loved all interviews with Emma in anticipation of the pub date. I read this after it's publication and, after all the hype, was slightly disappointed. Although the story had so much promise and hello set in SCOTLAND, I felt the storyline fell a little flat and I didn't care about the characters. I needed them to be more rounded out, even if at times they were not relatable. Great premise as a debut and I hope to see more from this author even if I didn't connect with this one.

This was a great book! At first I wondered about the octopus analogy, but as I got engrossed into the story I forgot all about it.

This book gave me Saltburn vibes at times! I think it was the old British Estate and the family with the secrets. I've always been intrigued by the Scottish countryside so it felt like a bit of an escape for me. The story is set in the early 2000's which is when I was in university and being a Canadian myself, I was drawn to the main character Pen.

That being said, I had such a hard time remembering who was who throughout the book! Some chapters were told through Alice's point of view which felt a bit disjointed. I found myself having to stop often to bring my brain back around to the characters.

Overall, I liked the story and the twist at the end. I definitely didn't see that coming.

2.5 stars

I really wanted to love this book, but unfortunately it fell flat for me. I heard it compared to Pineapple Street which I adored, but I wouldn't say it had many similarities (other than a beautiful cover). It was interesting enough that I kept reading, and there were parts I enjoyed. The parts that focused on campus life I preferred over the parts with the Lennox family. It felt quite disjointed and like I was reading two different books.

I'm still not really sure what the point of this book was. I didn't really care about any of the characters, and the 'big reveal' was so strange. The other issue I had was that I kept forgetting the time period it was set it. It read like it should have been set 50+ years ago, but was set in the early 2000's. I found this especially hard when trying to follow what was going on.

Going into this book, I expected a bit more mystery and drama surrounding the secret alluded to in the summary. Instead, what I found was a thoughtful exploration of friendships, relationships, and that pivotal transition from adolescence to adulthood—when you begin to see your parents as people, not just parents, and your friendships take on new depth and complexity. The narrative meanders between perspectives, offering beautiful insights on growing up and connection, and that’s what kept me reading.

That said, I found the plot itself to be quite minimal. While the novel touches on heavier themes and has moments of intensity, the ‘big secret’ didn’t feel as shocking or revelatory as I had anticipated—though perhaps that was my own misinterpretation of the setup. The book’s pacing is slow and introspective, which suited the themes but wasn’t what I had expected. The cover, with its bright, colorful imagery, suggested something more vibrant, but the tone is far moodier—think rainy London, Edinburgh, and the countryside rather than a sun-drenched table of flowers.

Overall, it was a lovely and reflective read, rich in atmosphere and emotion. It just wasn’t quite what I had imagined it would be.

This book first caught my attention when I read that the story took place in Edinburgh, Scotland and that our female main character is Canadian like me. I am a proud University of Edinburgh alumni and recently traveled to Edinburgh for my MSc graduation ceremony in November. My trip was still fresh in my head and in my heart (it still is!) and so I knew right away that this book would top my to-be-read list!

The Life Cycle of the Common Octopus did not disappoint. This is a coming-of-age story that will bring you right back to your young adult years, when your parents have just dropped you off to uni, where the possibilities and the freedom seems endless, yet overwhelming. The descriptions of emotions, of the confusing feelings the characters experience throughout one year of university felt visceral, like I could feel their loneliness, their pain. This book explores the complicatedness of young love and friendships: the desire to love and to be loved, and to belong -- But also of family secrets, of the things about your family that you never quite understood as a child and the need to uncover what was once hidden from you as you navigate into adulthood.

As side note: this book may give you a strong urge to impulsively purchase a flight ticket to Edinburgh... don't say I didn't warn you!

🙏Thank you Penguin Random House Canada and NetGalley for a gifted advanced electronic copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

⚠️ Potential Trigger Warnings (may not be an exhaustive list): miscarriage, infidelity, sexual assault, divorce.

I had high expectations for The Life Cycle of the Common Octopus, given its selection for Read with Jenna and Barnes & Noble’s book club. The novel is beautifully written, with a lyrical and literary style that showcases the author’s talent. However, despite its strong prose, I found it lacking in narrative momentum.

At 350 pages, the book feels long, especially when very little actually happens. I kept anticipating a turning point, a moment where the story would take off, but it never truly did. By the halfway mark, I had lost interest. While I can appreciate quiet, introspective novels, this one left me feeling underwhelmed.

Additionally, the novel focuses on adolescents and college students, which made it less engaging for me as a reader in my fifties. The themes and character experiences didn’t resonate as much as I had hoped. Perhaps a younger audience would connect with it more.

Overall, while I admire the writing, The Life Cycle of the Common Octopus ultimately didn’t meet my expectations. If you enjoy character-driven stories with a slow, meditative pace, it might be worth a read. But if you’re looking for a novel with a compelling plot, you may find yourself, like me, waiting for something that never quite arrives.

The Life Cycle of the Common Octopus is a beautifully written debut that pulled me in with its wit and emotional depth. Pen’s journey from Canada to Scotland for university felt so real, as she navigates not only the complexities of growing up but also the mysteries surrounding her family’s past. The narrative masterfully blends the themes of love, friendship, and self-discovery, all while keeping me hooked with its intriguing family secrets.

Pen’s evolving relationship with her best friend, Alice, adds another layer of richness to the story. Alice’s storyline, with her flirtation with power and the consequences of her actions, kept things interesting and thought-provoking. And as Pen slowly unravels the truth about her parents, I found myself rooting for her growth and independence.

The setting in Edinburgh, the lush family dynamics, and the sense of impending change made for a compelling read. While some parts of the plot felt a bit predictable, I still found myself deeply connected to the characters and their personal journeys. This is a story about the messy, beautiful, and sometimes painful process of coming into your own—and I loved every minute of it.

Big thanks to Netgalley and Penguin Random House Canada for giving me early access to this title in return for an honest review.

About 3/4 of the way through this book I was wondering when the title would come in to play and it did in the most wonderful way. The Life Cycle of the Common Octopus follows Pen, a Canadian in her first year at the University of Edinburgh, who is intent on solving her families mysteries that she believes started here, in Edinburgh, when her father was a student. This is a beautiful coming-of-age story that follows Pen and several of her friends as they navigate the world of new-adulthood, family secrets, and tutors who prey on their students.

I really loved the writing in this book. It was very lush. There was so many great references to Canada and Canadian Literature throughout the book which made my heart smile. Pen is such a great character and I felt a real kinship with her. She has a delicious tenacity and despite some anxiety is unapologetically herself.

The mystery underlying this book was really well done. There was enough clues throughout the novel and a good amount of misdirection which was perfect. I also found the answer very satisfying.

This was a really excellent book and I'd highly recommend it.

3.5 stars. I loved the plot and overarching themes. A beautiful coming of age story that really reminded me a lot of my own experiences in young adulthood. I found there to be a lot of characters to keep straight sometimes but isn’t that kind of the point?! In university you meet so many people and have different depths of experiences among them. Some become main characters in your life and other merely names or faces. Overall, good read!

The Life Cycle of the Common Octopus is a nostalgic coming-of-age novel set in the early 2000s in Scotland where the main character, Canadian student Penelope, has gone for University. While in Scotland Penelope reaches out to a university friend of her father's, going to shed light on what happened to their friendship. This novel is an exploration of that time in a young adult's life when they're on their own for the first time and trying to understand the adults on their life...they're falling in love and developing close adult friendships. I thought it was an accurate and deeply felt story.

Emma Knight’s debut novel, The Life Cycle of the Common Octopus, is a captivating coming-of-age story that beautifully explores themes of friendship, love, sexuality, and motherhood, while also delving into the societal norms and expectations placed on women. Set primarily in the vibrant city of Edinburgh, the narrative follows Toronto friends Penelope and Alice as they embark on their first year at university.

The novel spans a year in the lives of Pen and Alice, allowing readers to witness their growth both together and apart as they navigate new friendships, romantic relationships, and the complexities of their own identities. Pen, in particular, is determined to uncover the secrets behind her parents' divorce, leading her on a journey to track down one of her father’s best friends from his university days in the 1980s. This quest adds a layer of intrigue to the story, intertwining Pen’s personal growth with her family’s history.

The author's writing is both engaging and evocative, immersing readers in the rich atmosphere of Edinburgh. As Pen and Alice navigate the ups and downs of young adulthood, the book explores various significant issues, including sexual misconduct, infidelity, and the challenges of single motherhood. The depth of the character study shines through, as both Pen and Alice are relatable and flawed, each embodying the struggles and triumphs of young women in the early 2000s.

The book also features a unique structure, beginning and ending in the future, with Pen, now 31, and a mother herself, reflecting on her journey. This framing device adds a nostalgic touch, making the story feel full circle and allowing readers to appreciate Pen’s growth.

Overall, The Life Cycle of the Common Octopus is a well-crafted debut that promises great things for Emma Knight's future as an author. It’s a heartfelt exploration of female friendship, empowerment, and the complexities of family dynamics, and I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a poignant and engaging story set against the backdrop of Scotland. This book is a must-read, and I’m excited to see what Knight will create next!

Pen goes to university in Edinburgh with her best friend Alice. This is a coming of age, story of friendship and motherhood. Pen is trying to understand what split up her parents years ago. This is a quiet book, beautifully written. Not a lot happens but I enjoyed it. More of a literary fiction book.

Saltburn meets Bridget Jones Diary in this cross continental, who’s your daddy love story slash mystery.

This was a slow burn that turned into a fully fledged inferno.

I was immediately intrigued by the blurb for this book. I did find the first 15% a tad slow as the many characters and locations are introduced, but then it grabbed me by the lapels and gave me a shake. Once the Lennox's entered the picture I knew I was done for and I simply could no longer put the book down, I had to unravel the mystery of Pen's parents past in relation to the Lennox's, while simultaneously diving deeper into her budding romance with a cute Scottish boy.

This book is so many things in one, a romance, mystery, and coming of age, tied up with explorations into lasting friendships, marriage, and motherhood.

If you find the start a tad slow like my mother and I both did, I implore you to keep going, it is truly worth it. We both thought it was an excellent read!