I thought this was very good and I will have to add this to the shop shelves. Thank you for the chance for us to review.

This was a good coming of age, queer awakening romance with amazing mental health rep (depression and anxiety), a pet chinchilla and amazing found family.

Isobel takes a new job moving out of her mother's house with just her bet chinchilla Abigail to start living her best life in London with new queer roommates who help encourage her to start dating for the very first time, this 28 year old virgin, tries to find her own happily ever after.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy and @prhaudio for a complimentary ALC in exchange for my honest review! While I didn't love this one personally, it still has important representation and is sure to resonate with many readers.

CW: therapy, depression, depression meds, anxiety

3.5/5
This story follows a young woman who goes to explore the world by herself and finds friends along the way. This was a fun read and I really enjoyed the storyline of this book. I loved the themes of self-acceptance and finding love especially in a new place. The MC deals with mental health troubles and Kay did a wonderful job describing what her everyday life is like. There was so much growth to the story and even though the MC is 28, the story shows how there’s still a love of development in a person. As much as I enjoyed the storyline, I do have to say that there weren’t many strong conflicts in the book. The pacing was also off throughout the story making me disfocus more.

Abigail is the FMC of the story and I enjoyed her character. I loved reading from her perspective and finding her discover herself. There are many side characters in this book and I loved the roommates. They were all different and fun. There is romance is this book which is forced proximity and lgbtq+. I personally don’t think there was much of romance going on but more of a sub genre of romance.

The ending was cute and overall it was a pretty good story. I recommend checking it out if you are looking for a book about self discover. I do have to say that the main cover kind of confused me in a way but the UK cover makes more sense to me.

*this book was sent to me by the publihser to give an honest review in return*

DNF- I just wasn’t feeling this one at all. I didn’t connect with the main character and everyone around her was pretty annoying. Wasn’t worth it to continue for me.

I was really excited about this book and it did not disappoint!!! I thought the way the characters got together was so interesting and beautiful! I’m so excited to read more from this author 💕

I loved this book from start to finish. I loved every single character and every single chapter.

Reading about someone who has depression and anxiety made me feel heard and understood. I see a lot of people saying they didn't think depression and anxiety plus fun and laughter could work... that's a reality of a lot of our lives. I actually cried when she started to come out of it.

Anyways, this is a must read. I am seriously still shocked about the impact this book had on me.

Thank you NetGalley for a copy of this ebook (:

I want to start by thanking the author and publisher for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of this book. I found this book to be really tough to finish. Just being honest. I didn’t care for the writing style and almost didn’t finish it.

MAKING IT is a heartwarming coming-of-age story about a queer girl who has struggled with depression for her whole life. She is moving out of her family home for the first time, and has a lot to learn about life along the way. It can be hard to read at times, as the author plainly shows how all-consuming mental illness can be, but the story is hopeful and balances the heavy with plenty of funny scenes as well.

I loved the side characters as well. There's a bit of a love triangle between Issy, her roommate, and her coworker, and I was interested to see how the romance would play out. This isn't a romance novel, though, so the romance aspect takes a back seat to the story of Issy's personal growth.

In *Making It*, Laura Kay invites readers into the vibrant yet often tumultuous world of Isobel “Issy” Williams, a twenty-eight-year-old artist navigating the complexities of life, love, and self-acceptance. Set against the backdrop of a council flat on the picturesque Kentish coast, Issy’s life appears small and neatly contained, defined by her supportive but protective relationship with her mother and the companionship of her pet chinchilla, Abigail. However, beneath this seemingly quiet existence lies a profound exploration of mental health, creativity, and the journey toward finding one’s place in the world. Kay's narrative begins with Issy’s struggle to maintain a semblance of normalcy after grappling with mental health issues in her teens. Her decision to keep her life uncomplicated is both a protective mechanism and a creative choice, as evidenced by her artistic expressions centered around Abigail. The knitted and sculptural “Abigails” are more than mere projects; they symbolize Issy's attempts to find comfort and stability in a world that often feels overwhelming. Readers are immediately drawn into her world, resonating with her desire for safety while simultaneously yearning for more. The plot takes a pivotal turn when the famous artist and reality TV star Elizabeth Staggs becomes intrigued by Issy’s art. Elizabeth’s unexpected offer to move to London and assist in her upcoming arts documentary series thrusts Issy into a whirlwind of new experiences. The transition from her quiet life to the bustling atmosphere of London serves as a powerful metaphor for personal growth and the challenges of stepping out of one’s comfort zone. Through Issy’s eyes, Kay expertly captures the anxiety and excitement of new beginnings, making it relatable to anyone who has faced the daunting prospect of change. In London, Issy shares a flat with a diverse group of roommates, each embodying the vibrant and eclectic spirit of the city’s queer community. This new environment becomes a catalyst for Issy’s self-discovery, as her roommates encourage her to embrace her identity and explore romantic possibilities. Among them is Robin, a gorgeous aspiring actress who awakens feelings in Issy that both excite and terrify her. Kay skillfully navigates the complexities of attraction and friendship, illustrating the importance of community in fostering personal growth. Yet, the narrative does not shy away from the challenges that arise alongside Issy’s blossoming confidence. Under the critical eye of Elizabeth's young producer, Aubrey, Issy grapples with the pressures of creative collaboration and the fear of failure. The tension between her professional ambitions and personal desires creates a compelling dynamic that drives the story forward. As Issy’s work begins to take shape around a group of outsider artists, she confronts the complexities of her identity, both as an artist and as a person. *Making It* is more than just a coming-of-age story; it is a nuanced exploration of living with depression and the quest for self-acceptance. Kay deftly intertwines themes of creativity, community, and love, offering readers a tender reminder that vulnerability can lead to profound connections and personal liberation. The narrative resonates with authenticity, encouraging individuals to embrace their unique journeys, no matter how daunting they may seem. In conclusion, Laura Kay’s *Making It* is a beautifully crafted tale that combines humor, heart, and a deep understanding of the human experience. Through Issy’s journey, readers are invited to reflect on their own paths toward acceptance and fulfillment. With its rich character development and relatable themes, this novel serves as a beacon of hope, reminding us that even in the face of adversity, we can find our place in the world, create meaningful relationships, and ultimately, make it.

Very enjoyable twist on the reality show, celeb/normie romance.

Thank you to Knopf, Pantheon, Vintage, and Anchor |and NetGalley for providing an eARC for a honest review.

This light hearted romance was such a fun easy read. While it was fun, the book also dealt with real life issues and it was addressed beautifully. Issues like mental health and depression, it made it a strong read.

This was SO FUN. I love a good light airy romance that's a good time and perfect for the beach or a palette cleanser between epic fantasies and thrillers and such. This was it!

Thank you to Netgalley for this eARC in exchange for my honest review.

Twenty-eight-year-old Isobel lives with her mother and her chinchilla Abigail in a small flat, where she deals with her mental health struggles by having a strict routine. She works part-time at a paint-your-own-pottery studio and channels her creativity into depictions of Abigail in a variety of mediums. Her life is upended when the Abigails catch the eye of reality TV star and artist Elizabeth Staggs, who offers her a job helping in her new arts documentary series. Soon, she’s moving into a flat with queer roommates in London, falling for one of them, and struggling to live up to the producer’s exacting standards. This is the opportunity of a lifetime, but will Issy be able to handle the pressure?

I enjoyed this book because it provided a realistic look into what depression can look like for some people. I appreciated that Kay touched on the fact that depression can cause us to neglect ourselves and those we love.

I loved Wild Things! So to say I was ready for a new Kay novel…. Is an understatement!
Making It by Laura Kay is a heartwarming and relatable queer rom-com.
The characters were well-developed, drawing me into their world and making their journeys feel relatable. The pacing was spot-on, keeping me hooked from beginning to end.
I really enjoyed the character development and humor throughout the book.
Another wonderful story!

Thank You NetGalley and Vintage for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this amazing eARC!

**update. As I sat with my thoughts I realized that it had left more of an impression that I thought. So I’m upping my rating to 5 stars. Ironically I’m the mail today I received a book that I had won from Penguin Random House. Ironically it was this book! I didn’t even realize I had requested the same book I had won on Storygraph! I’m thrilled to have the paperback of it and looking forward to sharing it with others.
4.5⭐️ rounded up.
I am so thankful to have gotten the eARC for free from Netgalley and Vintage so I can leave my voluntary and honest review.

I’ll be honest, it took me a little bit to get fully engaged with the book but at some point it just sucked me in and became a page turner. I went back and forth in how to rate this as I really enjoyed the experience however, it didn’t meet the standard I personally have for the other 5 star books I have reviewed.

The story is a bit predictable in a broad sense as the trigger warning the author writes to start things off lets you know what you’re going to experience. However, instead of being surprised by the trajectory of things, you are on the edge of your seat waiting for the other show to drop.

I think this book is going to be very identifiable to the depression community. I like that it doesn’t shy away from the harder parts of illness and it also doesn’t rush things. It would have been very easy to wrap things up in a bow but they author shows how much she understands what she was writing.

I also totally want a chinchilla as a pet now!

This book comes out shortly on July 2, 2024 so get it on your TBR. While it has a hard subject matter, it is equally uplifting as you want to root for Issy throughout.
My rating system since GoodReads doesn’t have partial stars and I rarely round up.

⭐️ Hated it
⭐️⭐️ Had a lot of trouble, prose issues, really not my cup of tea (potentially DNF’d or thought about it)
⭐️⭐️⭐️ Meh, it was an ok read but nothing special
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Really enjoyed it! Would recommend to others
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Outstanding! Will circle back and read again

MAKING IT is a heartfelt and relatable story about isobel "issy" bailey, a girl whose life consists of her part-time job at a pottery studio, her mom, and her pet chinchilla, abigail, and the art she makes of abigail. when elizabeth staggs, a famous artist whose work issy loves, shows up at her house and offers her a job in london, issy packs up her life and abigail's cage and moves into a flat in london with three quirky roommates. moving to a new city is no small feat, and issy attempts to balance her depression along with her new job working with elizabeth, her burgeoning crush on her roommate robin, and life in a new city.

while i didn't immediately connect with issy and her story, the more i read, the more i related to her struggles and anxieties. beyond a romance novel, this is a story about mental health, identity and community, and i found it so heartwarming and emotional. issy was a very realistic heroine—she was kind of a mess in a lot of ways, she fucked up, she struggled, but that made her all the more relatable to me because she was deeply human. i loved seeing how her relationships with her roommates and her friends developed, how she found herself and became more comfortable with who she was, and how she grew throughout the course of the book.

read if you like:
- found family
- mental health rep
- pet chinchillas

thanks to netgalley and vintage for the advanced copy! MAKING IT comes out july 2nd.

A few interesting things about this book. It talked about depression in such a way that you really understand what someone going through a depressive episode feels like. How important support from friends and family is during such difficult times even when it seems like they can’t do anything to help. I love how everyone rallies around Issy without making it a big deal and they let her know she could reach out to them whenever she’s ready. They didn’t push her in any way and just let her experience her healing journey at her own pace. Tiny Abigail played such an important part in her life and later after her healing journey she continued to be a part of her healing through her work.

I think what really got to me was when things started getting bad though it wasn’t too obvious. Because Issy felt great and like she didn’t need her medication anymore. It seemed like she was trying to make it look she was ok even though she was dealing with new conflicting emotions.

Definitely recommend this book!! If you are looking for a queer book about learning who are you while trying to take care of your mental health.

Thanks to the publisher for allowing me the opportunity to read this arc!

4.75/5

A phenomenal, heart-wrenching, comfort read.

I would say this is not entirely a romance (unless you count it as a romance enemies-to-lovers edition with Issy vs her own life) but more of a coming of age novel with a subplot of romance. This book felt like a warm hug. I found myself out and about just wishing I could be curled up in my bed reading this at all hours of the day (not unusual, but it is rare I have the urge to do so with a ~specific~ book in mind.)

This gave major Beautiful World, Where Are You vibes but with queer, likable characters and a better romance. I want to live in Apt 47a. I will even take the uncomfortable couch or sleep on the roof. All the side characters seemed very real to me, as well as the depiction of mental health. The only reason it is not a 5 star for me is because I wanted there to be a little bit more in the romance department. I can’t wait to reread this one (and hopefully read more of a possibly-interconnected-standalone-series-to-come-????) ((Please Laura Kay if you are reading this!!!))

I really struggled with this one. Not sure if it’s a failure to connect or just not my style. It wasn’t bad, but I DNF.