Over the course of a day, Cat discovers that “bad things come in threes” – she is unexpectedly pregnant, the lump in her breast she has been ignoring is cancerous and her husband is a horrible sex pest.

It is a story of tragedy, hopelessness and deceit told from multiple perspectives. Cat makes a decision to prioritise herself for the first time and seek refuge away from her family, but some of her actions may turn out to be ill-advised.

I felt there was a few too many characters in this story and there were a few loose ends I would have liked to have seen tied up a little bit more. Overall, however, it is beautifully written and a compelling read – humorous in places but heartbreaking.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author and publisher for access to this e-ARC.

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

This is such a great read, really moving.

“lump” is heartbreaking. a boring marriage is upended when cat finds out she is pregnant. she’s been ignoring a lump in her breast that causes her pain, and finds out she has cancer when she goes to the doctor to discuss her pregnancy. meanwhile, her husband donovan is an absolute creep to young women and loses his job due to his actions. cat’s journey is one that many people endure — breast cancer. cat starts living life for herself and no one else, knowing her time is limited. and yet others pressure to keep the baby.

nathan whitlock has woven together multiple narratives told from the perspective of women, and a few striking vignettes from men. the men he writes feel like those you would find in any neighborhood of married couples; full of lust and disappointment. the only downside to “lump” is that there are a few too many characters, and a singular vignette that i feel doesn’t fit into the story nor need to be there. cat’s journey will stick with me. so i urge you, people of all genders, check yourself for lumps. and to every woman who has had cancer while pregnant — I’m rooting for you.

A compelling story of cancer, marriage and conflicting loyalties with some beautiful observations. Atmospheric, funny and moving.

Loved this drama filled book.
Thanks to author, publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book. While I got the book for free it had no bearing on the rating I gave it.

This book was a very well written description of the sadness of life it is full of characters who are in pain, both mental and physical. The author brings us into a family that is torn about because of lies and deceit. However, this book also shows the different levels of family love and how this can play out within a traumatic time of their existence. Well written, although the plot is sad as you can tell by the title of the book.

Lump by Nathan Whitlock is a novel about marriage and motherhood and illness and the messiness of life.

This was a really interesting book. Not an author I know well and he doesn't appear to be a household name.

However, I like my humour like I take my coffee, strong and black, and this novel was definitely for me.

Over the course of a day, our main character finds out some bad news which comes in threes, cancer, pregnancy and an untrustworthy husband.

What happens next is for you to find out but this was definitely a pleasant surprise and an author I will be keeping an eye on.

Thanks to Dundurn Press, Rare Machines and Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review

Very excited to read this one! Will be sharing a full review and thoughts soon, but I could relate how everything so quickly can turn to ….we’ll you know at all once! But women are strong and could get through anything! I can’t wait to read Cats story.


A dark, satiric novel about a woman whose attempt to escape crises in her health and marriage ends up causing more chaos.

In a single day, Cat finds out that she is pregnant, that a lump in her breast is the worst thing it could be, and that her husband has done something unforgivably creepy. Her life is stressful enough as it is: her career is stalled and being a stay-at-home mom for two young kids has become a grind. Cat responds by falling apart in the messiest way possible. She tries to run away from her marriage and her life — a life that, on the outside, looks like middle-class success in the big city.

Told through multiple perspectives (including that of a very old dog), Lump is a dark comedy about marriage, motherhood, class, and cancer.