Title: Insatiable

Author: Daisy Buchanan

Genre: Fiction, Romance

Publisher: Sphere

Publication Date: 11th February 2021

Rating: 5/5

Cover:

Summary:

Stuck in a dead-end job, broken-hearted, broke and estranged from her best friend: Violet’s life is nothing like she thought it would be. She wants more – better friends, better sex, a better job – and she wants it now.

So, when Lottie – who looks like the woman Violet wants to be when she grows up – offers Violet the chance to join her exciting start-up, she bites. Only it soon becomes clear that Lottie and her husband Simon are not only inviting Violet into their company, they are also inviting her into their lives.

Seduced by their townhouse, their expensive candles and their Friday-night sex parties, Violet cannot tear herself away from Lottie, Simon or their friends. But is this really the more Violet yearns for? Will it grant her the satisfaction she is so desperately seeking?

Review:

I had heard some brilliant things about Insatiable so I was desperate to get my hands on it and I’m so glad I did because it is truly fantastic. The story follows Violet, a woman in her mid 20s whose life feels, to her, underwhelming and not what she had imagined it would turn out to be. Her story takes a thrilling turn when she is drawn into the lives of glamorous aspirational couple, Lottie and Simon and their group of friends.

I absolutely loved this book – I couldn’t put it down. It is such an intelligent and uncompromising look at what being a young woman is actually like with all of the second guessing, insecurity and uncertainty that comes with it. Simultaneously, it also dives into the complexities of female desire. It is pretty explicit and unashamedly so which feels like a massive step forward in the stories being told about and by women. I think, even now, there is still a certain degree of shame surrounding reading novels that fully explore lust – specifically female lust – and there shouldn’t be. It’s something that should be out there and accessible because it is important to acknowledge it in an honest and realistic way – no holds barred.

Insatiable is also really funny – I was laughing away to myself frequently whilst reading. The humour in this book lies in its honesty – Violet feels like a real, unfiltered person. Her feelings and internal dialogue are infinitely relatable. I obviously can’t speak for all women in their 20s but I do think Insatiable vividly captures the feeling of being a bit lost, of feeling like you should have your life all figured out by now and the desperate anxiety that you haven’t ‘succeeded’ at life. I really can’t recommend this book highly enough. It is a provocative, funny, moving and razor sharp look at a woman trying to understand herself and her desires. Phenomenal.

I kindly received a copy of the book from the publisher. My review is entirely my own honest opinion.