Ugh. I feel like every book by Laura Kay that I read just reaffirms why I love her writing so much. Her books make me literally want to be in her novels right in the middle of the friendships that flourish within her writing.

Making It is a coming of age story about the very resilient Issy who lives with depression. When we meet Issy, she's in the car with her chinchilla and uncle Pete who is dropping her off to her new house share in London. She's never lived away from home so this is a BIG deal. She's in London for a job but she throughout the course of this book, she'll find is so much more.


Laura Kay has explored Issy's character with such sensitivity that I think this might be the most touching novel I've read in a long time. The mental health rep is so quietly and delicately delved into and I think it gives a very good insight into what living with depression could look like for some. All the side characters just know exactly what to say and do to support Issy in the best way possible and through them and Issy, between the dark days are lots of humourous and fun interactions that add a layer of lightness to this heartwarming, funny and tender novel.

Read this if you look for:
· supportive friendships
· mental health rep
· bestie housemates
· LGBTQ+ rep
· a little bit of loving

I enjoyed this and thought it touched on some important issues but I was a little disappointed in it when I compared it to the standard I had come to expect from reading Laura Kay"s other books. I felt that perhaps this book was a little more pushed or stressed than her other three books, which felt they had a more natural flow to the writing and story. I wonder, though, if I am also finding this book a little darker in tone than some of her other titles. Whichever it was, there was a little less sparkle to this one as compared to her other titles. I'll still continue to read everything she publishes though so like.... still a very happy and loyal Laura Kay reader here :)

Laura Kay delivers another entertaining and well plotted rom that made me smile and root for the characters
Well done, recommended
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

I am a big Laura Kay fan but Making It must be my favourite. This is a funny and touching story of Issy (and Abigail) who is given a chance to move out from her home in Margate to live in London and work with the artist she admires. She moves to a chaotic house full of equally chaotic flatmates, with a grumpy woman as a neighbour. She navigates her new life full of her firsts, but is she really ok?

This book… This book spoke to me on so many levels. Firstly, I loved the characters, including Elizabeth and all flatmates and Aubrey, the stories that other artists brought into the studio (especially William), and I loved Abigail the chinchilla too. Although we do not see her much, her presence is a constant in Issy’s life and I loved how important the connection with her beloved pet was to Issy. There is also a love story, which is subtle and non-pushy, but very sweet. There is also art and the ways in which it connects people and gives them opportunities to be seen. But the part where the book shines the most is the unflinching, raw, and honest portrayal of mental health and a person in crisis. There is a subtlety there and a gentle humour which helps to break the heavier tones, but what’s more important there is a lot of compassion and acknowledgement that Issy’s depression cannot disappear with a help of a magic cure.

Making it is an absolute gem of the book – open and sensitive, funny, and gentle, with some honest, beautiful writing. Would give it six stars if I could.

First of all thank you for approving my request!

I thoroughly enjoyed this book! The authors writing style had me hooked throughout this book.

I didn't want it to end, a book I really couldn't put down.

"Making It" by Laura Kay is a delightful and uplifting novel that beautifully captures the trials, triumphs, and messy joys of navigating life and love in your thirties. Kay’s writing is full of warmth, humor, and a keen sense of authenticity, making her characters feel like old friends. The story follows the protagonist as they juggle career aspirations, personal growth, and the complexities of relationships, all while trying to figure out what "making it" really means. The novel is a celebration of resilience, friendship, and the unexpected paths life often takes us on. With its relatable themes and engaging narrative, "Making It" is a feel-good read that will resonate with anyone who’s ever questioned their life choices or wondered what their version of success looks like. Laura Kay delivers a heartwarming story that’s both entertaining and deeply meaningful, perfect for readers who enjoy contemporary fiction with a lot of heart.

"It is not possible for me to tell you that this story has a happy ending because it has not ended, it keeps going and going. But I am happy right now in this moment and I hope that my happiness shines through everything you see today."

Laura Kay’s writing is like a big hug in a book, I absolutely adore her. She finds a way of taking your favourite, cheesy, cosy romcom tropes and totally reinventing them - full of with queer joy, self discovery and a lot of love.

In this slow-burning enemies-to-lovers story about a young woman newly on her own in a new town, we get romance, we get coming of age, and get get so much fun — it mixes the silliness of the romcom with all the heart and sweetness of a girl finding herself to make something truly special.

Issy was a delightful narrator — she told her story in such a friendly, casual way that felt like she was talking right to the reader and made me love her instantly. But one of the things that truly stood out to me was the way Issy’s relationship with her mental health was shown; it wasn’t about love being the magical cure for depression, a problem to be fixed but showing her living life with it and navigating it in a real, possible way and it made me feel so seen.

The entire ensemble of the friends in flat 47A and beyond were amazing - each person so distinct and undeniable fabulous. Their friendships made my heart hurt and think about my own friends and the late nights we’d spend talking about everything and nothing — it invoked such a sense of nostalgia and love for me. After we meet them, the story moves on at a pleasant, leisurely pace that doesn’t rush but just moves through Issy’s new chapter in life as it comes and changes day by day, the ups and downs and subtle movements that barely even register until we’re looking back at how far she’s come.

Making It was absolutely gorgeous; a complex tapestry of life in all its miserable and magnificent glory and I had so much fun reading this.

Laura Kay is one of my favourite contemporary romance writers working today; her books are gentle and heartwarming, while still exploring tricky topics. Making It, her fourth novel, might just be her best yet.

Isobel - Issy - is a self-described "gay and depressed" twenty-something, who lives at home with her mum and her beloved pet chinchilla, Abigail. Issy went through a very tough period of debilitating mental illness in her late teens, and has been in a kind of arrested development since. That is until famous local artist Eliabeth Stagg offers her a job after Issy's "Abigail Project" - hundreds of depictions of her pet chinchilla across different mediums - is brought to her attention. So Issy starts a new life in London, one that will change her little life into something unrecognisable...

The cast of characters is large; it takes time to get to know everyone and it can feel a bit overwhelming - much like it does for Issy! But once I got my head round everybody, I was enamoured by them all. I would have liked a little more time with Issy's housemates - mostly because they were so much fun and did a great job of balancing the tougher themes of the novel.

The depiction of mental illness and its aftermath is raw in this one; I found it genuinely a bit stressful to read in bits, so in this sense, it’s not as easy to read as its predecessor, Wild Things. I also find elderly pets in novels so stressful because you know what’s coming - so I did read this one with a heightened sense of dread when it came to Abigail, lol.

None of the above is criticism because this is a lovely read; Kay writes sensitively and with such heart, her characters are flawed and real and so much fun to spend time with. The romance in this novel is in no way centre stage - which is fair enough, I wasn’t expecting it to be - but it is deliciously slow-burn and very satisfying.

Making It is difficult at times, I won’t deny that, but overall it is a hug of a book, perfect for anyone who has ever felt like a side character in their own life. Compassionate, warm and hopeful, I loved this one.

Laura Kay is the queen of queer romcoms. This one does not disappoint.

I loved Issie’s story, her relationship to Abigail, her chinchilla and all of the side characters - from her flatmates, to her uncle Pete.

We need more books about being gay and depressed!!! This one was really special.

Would thoroughly recommend. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher!

A charming, sweet and heartwarming book about mental illness and found family. Isobel is in her late 20s and her debilitating mental illness has kept her in a state of suspended isolation until a famous local artist pluck her out of obscurity and gives her a job - thanks to her art featuring her pet chinchilla Abigail. While at times the plot felt predictable and very convenient, ultimately I loved the perfect flatmates, her sexy grumpy neighbour Audrey, her supportive uncle and most of all William too much to care about anything else.

Kay is such a wonderfully joyful writer - even when dealing with a subject as complicated as mental health and depression she finds the chink of light and illuminates her story with warmth and love and friendship. A lovely read.

I think that I have read everything this author has published and I'm fairly confident in saying this is my favourite of them all. It's just a warm hug of a book that reminds you It's ok not to be ok and that there are good people in this world. It's so sympathetically written, it made me laugh and cry. Adored it and it will remain with me for a long time.

Issy's love for crafting lands her a dream internship with an artist she loves, leading her to move out of her mother's house and start living her life in ways she never had before.

This was such a heartwarming read, with a perfect balance between the most serious topics it covers and the moments of humor and warmth. The characters were all so great to follow and so easy to love, and following Issy's progress was genuinely so beautiful; her journey felt so real and, in so many ways, so relatable.

This was such an easy read, I had fun with it, and I definitely will come back to read more from this author.

Many thanks to Quercus Books & NetGalley for the eARC. All opinions are my own.

Love Laura Kay and loved this book - exploring mental health issues not in a heavy handed way but a way that feels realistic and compassionate.

Making It by Laura Kay is a delightful and heartwarming read that follows Issy, a queer girl dealing with depression, as she moves away from home for the first time with her pet chinchilla, Abigail. The story beautifully captures Issy's journey as she navigates her new life, working on a television show about art and living with three charming housemates all whilst suffering from depression. All the characters within are well-developed, and Issy's relationships with her roommates, family, and coworkers are engaging and vividly portrayed.

The novel balances serious themes (i.e mental illness) with moments of humour and warmth, making it a compelling read. Laura Kay addresses the challenges of depression thoughtfully, providing an honest depiction of its impact on Issy's life while still infusing the story with hope and resilience. The hilarious and heartwarming scenes, such as Issy's first kiss at a club, add a lighthearted touch to the narrative.

While the romance subplot is not the central focus, Issy's personal growth and journey towards self-acceptance are beautifully depicted. Making It offers readers a unique perspective about finding yourself all while embracing life's challenges. If you are like me and prefer character-driven narratives with a blend of humour, romance, and emotional depth - this is the book for you. Another great novel from Laura Kay.

Many thanks to Netgalley and Quercus Books for a copy of this novel. ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.

Can a novel whose protagonist is bogged down by anxiety and depression also be fun, flirty and light hearted? Laura Kay proves that yes, it really can.

The story follows Issy, a queer aspiring artist who gets plucked out of obscurity (and a mountain of Chinchilla-based art) to work on a TV show in London with other creatives who have spent their lives in the shadows. Whilst living in London, she moves in with friends that will soon become family and starts working alongside Aubrey, her grouchy neighbour that swears Issy stole her bike. But after a while, it becomes clear that Aubrey's ice-cold exterior might melt under the right kind of touch.

Whilst dealing with all of these new, exciting and terrifying experiences, Issy also has to look after her mental wellbeing and keep in touch with her family who are constantly worried about her. "Yes, Mum, I've taken them today' becomes a common lie, meant to placate her Mum's fears that Issy will undo all of the good work that allowed her to move to London in the first place.

I absolutely adored this story. As someone who, like Issy, has struggled with anxiety and depression for most of my life, it was beautiful to see a character going through all the trials and tribulations of those illnesses whilst also finding a lot of joy. I feel like it would have been really easy for Issy to lack agency, to become someone who things just happen to, but instead, throughout the book she was constantly putting herself out there and daring to try new things, even when it was scary.

One minor thing about the book is there are A LOT of characters, which can be tough to keep track of. Despite this, Kay does a great job of making each character distinct and memorable. I really wish I could've spent more time with all of them.

Thank you to Quercus and NetGalley for the ARC copy of Making It. I'll definitely be recommending it to everyone I know!

This is the first book of Laura Kays that l've read but it was such a wonderful read!
It follows Issy, who has been battling mental health issues for most of her life, and her chinchilla Abigail on their move to London for a fantastic art opportunity that could change everything.
The story follows her journey as she meets new people at work and her new flatmates along with the highs and lows of finally moving out on her own and navigating the big world outside of her own bubble.
She faces many challenges and obstacles throughout the tale and you really do fall in love with everything she is.
It's a heartwarming read that is very cleverly written because while its basis is mental health, it's not overly about that? It balances everything well and you really do feel for Issy and you want her to succeed and it's interesting to see how her mh intertwines with everything and becomes such a big part of her life. You root for Issy and Aubrey and overall you just want Issy to be happy and to finally realise her worth.
Honestly this book is such a good read and it's cute and important and it covers depression and anxiety but in a way that it isn't all about that and it draws you in.
Thanks to Netgalley and Laura Kay for the arc of this lovely book.

Thank you for my earc of this book! I’ve loved all of Kay’s previous novels so was very excited to get my hands on this!
Issy’s story didn’t disappoint. I love that the focus of the narrative was mental health, coming of self and family - both found and blood-related.
The romance element was also lovely in a quiet, understated way. I can’t wait for her next book!

Another perfect feel-good queer novel from Laura Kay! Whenever I get one of her novels I always know I'll a) speed through it and b) fall in love with the gorgeous characters and beautiful storytelling, Making It didn't disappoint! It's hard to approach the subject of mental health whilst also maintaining levity and lightness and Kay has managed to do just that. Making It feels fizzy and fun, but the experiences the protagonist, Issy, goes through are painted with sensitivity and care. Another Laura Kay book I'm gutted to finish!

Absolutely brilliant - a warm, witty, moving third novel from the queen of the gay rom-com! Really appreciate that Laura Kay's books are always so effortlessly inclusive beyond the main character too.