Crushing

Marnie has spent a decade as a serial monogamist, twisting herself into a different version of the ideal girlfriend for every relationship, until she finally decides she's done. No more men, no more losing herself. Forever. It is, of course, the worst possible moment to meet Isaac: charming, easy to talk to, and the only person who has ever seemed to really understand her. But he's with someone else, and they're just friends, and Marnie has bigger things to figure out anyway.

Surrounded by her overwhelmed new-mum friend Nicola, perpetually single Claud, and pessimist Kit, Marnie circles the questions she's spent years avoiding: who is she when she isn't being someone's girlfriend, what does she actually want, and what did she ever see in the loves of her life? Genevieve Novak's second novel is a funny, tender, sharply observed story about self-worth, friendship, and learning to be on your own.