Piglet is a portrait of a woman coming undone from her fiancé's betrayal. In the days following her fiancé's confession (and leading up to her wedding), Piglet engages in self-destructive behavior. The entire time I was reading I found myself rooting for Piglet, as she comes to terms with her identity. Although Piglet may not be for everyone, I found that Hazell crafted a nuanced, relatable character. We see how Piglet's relationship with food is influenced by her parents, how Piglet's binge-eating can be explained by her wanting to have semblance of control over her life . . . 4 stars. The cherry on the top? The food descriptions in Piglet are unforgettable and left me craving for more. I can't wait to see what Hazell writes next.

i'm curious to read further about whether hazell did any research or consulted with a psychologist in EDs before writing piglet as the ED depiction is very subtle for the most part. i did like how hazell wove in class politics with their depiction of piglet's ED though in that the facade that upper class individuals have to maintain is different to the one that she had to uphold in her less well off life before she met her fiance. the paradox of choice and opportunity strikes here causing piglet to neglect her old relationships. an intriguing read for sure, but i'm not sure the lack of a reveal (even though most people should be able to pick up on some clues) was warranted for how little character introspection there ends up being.

Thank you for sharing this title!

I really wanted to like this one more than I did. Sigh. With that being said, it was an easy, enjoyable read. But there were some frustration points for me

******(spoiler-esqe!)*******

I felt like the bringing up of the sister's ED was so awkward and unfinished-- kind of the whole dynamic between them. On that note, so was the allusion to Piglet's ED. Like if you are going to talk about something that important, don't half-say it. Throughout the book there was this tendency to not say what was going on speak of everything in allusions-- I suppose that was to create tension but it was clunky.

I feel like this COULD have been so uncomfy and weird and really get under your skin in a good way but then it just kinda didn't go far enough.

The only saving grace was the end when she goes to her friend's house and they get to have their special friendship love story-- ahh, love that. Friendships are love stories. Women's lives don't revolve around men's actions!!!!!!

Great vivid food descriptions! Beginning of the story drew me in. Ending fell flat for me. Although I can understand the authors purpose for not stating Kits mistake, I wish it was revealed.

TW: Disordered eating & body image.

Piglet is phenomenal. At five pages in, I texted my husband. “I cannot stop reading this book,” and then promptly went back to reading. Engrossing, painful, and at times terribly funny, Piglet delivers emotional punches in between lush descriptions of food. I am so so impressed and cannot wait for more from this author.

One important note; I personally found the book extremely intense, especially as I’ve struggled with an eating disorder in the past. I would encourage anyone in a similar situation to tread carefully with this book. Look after yourselves!

Wow, what a cool book! I love books about women, especially when they're going through these major life changes. Women losing it and behaving in a way that society would deem 'wrong' or 'unseemly.'
Piglet is about a woman in such a situation. The book follows her and her seemingly perfect life in the days prior to her wedding. But then disaster strikes as Piglet's fiance admits to an unnamed betrayal. What follows is Piglet struggling to hold it all together and make it through the days before her wedding, all while people (including her fiance) tell her what to do and how she should feel about the situation.
In a way, it's an incredibly frustrating book. I felt for Piglet in a lot of ways. She was relatable in her hunger, her desire for control, as well as the body-image issues we see uncovered throughout. She's an oldest daughter with major oldest-daughter vibes, and I definitely connected with those aspects.

Piglet is a wild hilarity. The title and the books covered made me want to check it out, but the description of delicious food and ridiculous drama kept me speeding through this book. Oh the drama! It’s one of those books where you hate almost every character but keep you wanting more from them.

Definitely one of those books that you recommend to a friend to see their reaction and see what they think about it.

Thank you NetGalley and Henry Holt & Co for the ARC

Piglet is set to marry her fiancée Kit in less than one hundred days. Two weeks before the wedding Kit reveals something huge that sends her perfect life into an emotional roller coaster.
Piglet is a cookbook editor and is obsessed with food. She eats when she’s happy and when she’s sad. Food has consumed her mind, body and soul. I enjoyed the writing style of the author.

Piglet is a successful woman who is about to get married to the love of her life. However, when her fiancé drops a secret he's been keeping up on her 2 weeks before the wedding, and her nasty family, who created the taunting nickname, has infiltrated her life, Piglet finally loses control of her perfectly manufactured life, and she starts to have a hunger for something different.

This is such a great exploration of growing up being expected to provide so much, while also being constantly looked down upon. Piglet has never had her own identity, it's always being molded by those around her and what they perceive of her at the time. It also provides an interesting commentary on class and wealth through VERY unlikeable characters and the actions of those in the real world.

Thank you Henry Holt & Company and Netgalley for the Arc

This is such an interesting read!

This story is about a woman that is "losing it", Sometimes that storyline can be repetitive. In the early stages of the book, we find that her fiance has done something to betray her. Probably cheating i am certain. Even though we know that she knows she doesnt want to be with him i feel that she is hurt by the betrayal.

I feel that the whole book is about her trying to avoid the betrayal and not wanting things to change. I feel that the character of piglet should have stopped the wedding because this would have added to her character. Just my Opinion.

I enjoyed the story and the plot line.

Thank you to the publisher and author for the opportunity to receive an ARC for this book.

We follow Piglet as she is about to marry her fiancé Kit in 98 days. Everything on the surface seems good with her relationship with Kit, her friends, her in-laws, and her coworkers 14 days before the wedding, Kit reveals a confession to Piglet that causes her to become unhinged in her work and relationships with those around her. Does she end up going through with the wedding?

The title and cover initially drew me in and the story was just as good. Piglet was such a complex character and I enjoyed reading her journey from the beginning to the end trying to keep everything afloat. The food descriptions were mouth watering. The ending was complete chaos and felt like it was leading up to its conclusion the whole time, like an overflowing pot of water. It is an interesting take on what people deserve, from others and ourselves. My mouth would be open at some of the scenes because I’m not sure what I was expecting but not what actually did. Reading how Piglet feels about her body was something that I can relate to because I am currently working on healing my relationship with food and my body image so seeing that in a book was cool.

This book comes out on March 5, 2024 and I think you should keep an eye out for this because it is a unique story. I would recommend this to those who like literary fiction that is thought provoking. If reading about food or body image is triggering for you, maybe skip this one until you are in a place to do so, I think. It is not a light read so know that going in.

I was immediately pulled into the food descriptions of this book and the life of Piglet, who is counting down the days to her wedding. This book is about her slow unraveling, and alongside the delicious foods that she cooks and eats is a deep melancholy. Hazell's writing brims with lavish description.

enjoyed this book, appreciated the commentary on femininity + food + family. felt frustrated at times and overall didn't care for many of the characters, but couldn't look away. i think this one will be a huge hit

thank you netgalley for the read!

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“Piglet” is an odd little book, in a very enjoyable way. The titular character—a nickname bestowed by her parents—is preparing to marry her fiancé, Kit, while also eyeing a possible promotion on the horizon. Objectively, her life is living up to all of the expectations she’s been expected to meet. Everything *should* be perfect.

The book’s chapters are organized as a countdown to Piglet’s wedding day, with tiny insights included at the each of them that hint at the night that will disrupt the course of their relationship. The narrative is a bit of a before and after, and once the night occurs it’s impossible to go back. As the story progresses, you can feel the confines of Piglet’s existence begin to close in around her; it’s as if she’s being consumed by the life she is moving towards. Fitting, for a book that uses Piglet’s appetite & appreciation for food as a vehicle for her journey.

This is the type of story you’ll want to read so that you can feel cool when recommending it to friends. It’s set to be published on March 5, 2024, so keep an eye out—this is one I’d definitely suggest you add to your TBR list!

(and, as always, thanks to the publishers for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review!)

Piglet is a book about women’s appetites in every sense of the word. Piglet and Kit are set to be married and everything is seemingly perfect until he makes a confession a few weeks before the wedding. The book explores control and desire through the lens of food and femininity. I found the book to be quirky, emotional and highly relatable. Fans of Nora Ephron’s Heartburn are likely to enjoy this book as well.

Childhood nicknames are often given to you in a moment best forgotten. They can overshadow childhood and in this case plague your adult life. Pippa , the title character, has molded a life as picturesque as it is full. Piglet , a family nickname, is a title that has followed Pippa and in the the weeks leading up to her wedding foreshadowed a wedding scene that screams for the big screen. Kit and Piglet are deep in preparations of a wedding that promised fairytale pictures and two families far apart in lifestyle. Kit , promising future in tact, has confessed to Piglet two weeks before the wedding a truth so awful anyone who it’s revealed to cringes with disbelief. Resigned to going forward Piglet’s behavior pushes to the surface with an angry steadiness that has the readers temperature on the boil. That said it is the reverence that Piglet gives to the dishes she makes and the plans for meals to come that captures a joy that only finds release in the kitchen. The description of making the dreaded wedding Croquembouche , and its traditional smashing that finally allows Piglet to set her own course. I am a newfound fan of Ms Hazell. I urge you to read this glorious journey of a woman who has learned the hard way to embrace what she wants.

A razor-sharp commentary on social class and status in the UK, PIGLET was delightful, sad, and a page-turner. Piglet is our heroine, who hasn't escaped the unfortunate nickname she was given as a child. She is set to marry Kit in 98 days, and as we inch ever closer to the fateful day, secrets are revealed and Piglet starts to give into desires that she has repressed for many years. It's a quick but somewhat depressing read with an incredible cover. Fair warning: the entire book will make you hungry

I was surprised by how much this story drew me in. I finished it quickly and found it an interesting study of an imploding relationship. But don't be fooled by the mouth-watering cover: this is a depressing read. I've never personally related to that old expression about not being able to look away from a car crash. Even though I love to watch violent and gory horror movies, when it comes to real-life suffering I am the first to look away, and look away quickly. I'm not a galker. So it was odd that this book held my attention, as the main character Piglet, (her loved ones call her Piglet, for crying out loud), suffers one indignity after another. Several reviews say that she is not likable but I disagree. In fact, I found her very sympathetic. Sometimes I read these books and find myself relating to the characters in one small way or another, then I read the reviews and people are like, “Omg what an awful person!” It’s a tad worrisome for me personally.

The constant detailed descriptions of cooking and delicious food throughout this book were almost pornographic. Food is Piglet’s love language, but it’s also her means of self-destruction. She is a skilled chef, and the way she handles ingredients feels like art. She cooks for the people she loves, and she edits cookbooks as a career. But when she feels the need to punish herself for whatever reason or to self-soothe, she also turns to food.

I liked the general themes in this novel of growing apart from your friends, growing apart from your parents as you get older and get engaged and become different people, etc. That was all well done. Piglet and her best friend Margot are dealing with different life events while still trying to hold their friendship together. At the same time, there was the conflict of things like Piglet being embarrassed by her lower class family one moment but full of nostalgia and love for them the next. Though there were also a few cliches in the story, (awful in-laws being the biggest one.)

The best thing about this book was how complicated the relationship dynamics were between the characters. Not just Piglet and her fiancé but Piglet and her friends, her family and even her coworkers. When you have secrets that are tearing you up inside, how are the different people in your life going to respond when you share it with them? Will they be supportive or will they treat you differently? Sometimes the results are shocking. The wedding dress scene near the end of the story was one of the most uncomfortable and sad things I’ve ever read.

The little summaries at the end of each chapter didn’t add anything for me and some of them didn’t even feel related to what I had just read. I also didn’t understand some of the British slang, but there wasn't a ton of it so that didn't pose much of a problem. I'm giving the book a 4 out of 5 because I only really give 5's now if I absolutely love a book and want to read it again. But I could easily see this becoming popular, and even being made into a movie. It would make a great dark indie drama. Not quite on the level of a Darren Aronofsky, as the tone tends to veer towards dark comedy a little bit, but the binge eating scenes and the fat shaming moments with the family members (again, the wedding dress part) are very upsetting and would make for uncomfortable drama on the big screen.

TW: Eating disorder, body shaming

I have mixed feelings about this.
On the one hand, the writing is fantastic. I particularly enjoyed all the food descriptions.
As for the plot, I found it a bit confusing. I wished there was a more depth in terms of the characters as well, not that they necessarily have to be likable but there were too dimensional except the narrator. The ending was okay.
While I’ve come to appreciate the themes that were touched in the novel but I thought it just lacked something I can’t place a word on.

4.5 stars. Thank you to the publisher and author for the ARC!

First things first - I love reading about food. I love slurping up long, descriptive passages in books about what the characters are eating, what the food tastes like, what it looks like, etc and this book had it all in spades. At many points uncomfortable (even painful) to read, I found this nevertheless engrossing, like a car wreck I couldn’t look away from. Piglet’s repeated self-sabotage and self-destructive tendencies were so frustrating as a reader, but the author kept me hooked throughout and I found myself really enjoying the book. I’m looking forward to reading more from the author!