Births, Deaths and Marriages

This is exactly the book I want to hold me, with its thoroughness, its thoughtfulness… gentle, moving, immensely readable. * Pandora Sykes * Births, Deaths and Marriages is my first read by Laura Barnett and it won’t be my last. About family, friendship, love and grief it follows the lives of a group of friends and their gloriously imperfect lives. Richly written and so moving. * Jennie Godfrey, author of The List of Suspicious Things * A book to sink into... a nuanced, compelling and comforting read that reminds us about the power, support and importance of found family * Kate Sawyer, author of This Family and The Stranding * A luminous life-affirming read. * Woman's Own * I loved Births, Deaths and Marriages. Laura’s ability to jump between so many different lives and to keep those strands alive in the reader’s mind reminded me of Blue Sisters by Coco Mellors. * Georgina Moore, author of The Garnett Girls * Through tragedy, triumphs, the settling of old scores and the blossoming of love, the nuances of their friendship are beautifully portrayed. A perfect, can't-put-down summer read! * Red * A must-read. * Closer * A lovely, absorbing read * Daily Mirror * Full of life's ups and downs . . . There'll be a lot of head nodding as you read this; it will bring you back to house sharing with friends and memories of being a student and feeling invincible. * Belfast Telegraph * Immersive ... It's so good at capturing the feeling many of us have that life hasn't quite worked out as planned - so relatable. * Good Housekeeping * A beautifully written story about second chances. We couldn’t turn the pages fast enough. * Heat * A beautiful read. * Bella Magazine * Laura Barnett skilfully handles a large cast of characters, who we come to adore and champion, as she weaves a compelling tale about love and friendship in all its guises. Her exquisite line by line writing and astute character observations held me rapt. A novel to be devoured. * Lucy Clarke, author of The Castaways and One of the Girls * Wonderful . . . beautifully written, superbly characterized and so truthful * Elizabeth Buchan, author of Two Women in Rome * This measured, quietly poignant book will make you examine your own friendships, the ones you have clung to and those that have fallen away, as well as the choices you make as an adult, and how they might have sat with your 20-year old self. * PA Media *