I was lucky enough to win a copy of THE LIFE CYCLE OF A COMMON OCTOPUS by Emma Knight in a Shelf Awareness giveaway. Thank you for the early look, and have a safe holiday season!

You will be 85% into this book before you understand the title? Why the secret? Who knows? But Emma Knight's novel purpots to be about friendship, motherhood, love and family secrets. The novel ia probably longer than it needs to be. I felt as if I had lived the entire first year along with Penelope and her friend Alice, (and also Jo, though why she was in it I don't know.) I suppose it was necessary to have a lesbian character.

Penelope has the middle name, Lenox, of her father's friend. a Lord and a successful mystery writer. He best friend Alice is a budding actor How Pen meets the Lenox family, falls in love, loses her virginity, gets embroiled in revenge on a tutor who preys on female students, and describes lots of Scottish scenery and landmarks. The book was interesting, though a bit too long. The family "secret" is easy to guess long before it is revealed. There is some fine writing, but the characters were not memorable.

Thank you to Net Galley and Pamela Dorman books for offering me an ARC copy to read.

I stopped after chapter 1 (4%). I loved "Remarkably Bright Creatures" and I think I was hoping for more of that. Unfortunately, this story was a bit inconsistent in tone, and it didn't quite feel like it knew what it wanted to be to kick off.

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin for the ARC.

The Life Cycle of the Common Octopus by Emma Knight is a fascinating and layered coming-of-age story. Pen’s journey from her sheltered life in Canada to uncovering her family’s secrets in Scotland is filled with suspense, emotional depth, and personal discovery. The setting at the University of Edinburgh and Lord Lennox’s ancient estate adds a rich, atmospheric backdrop that draws you in. The novel explores big themes like independence, family, and identity compellingly, and Pen’s growth feels authentic as she navigates the complexities of adulthood.

While the pacing can be slow in parts, the novel’s focus on self-reliance and the different forms of motherhood adds a unique dimension. The mix of campus life, personal awakening, and unraveling family mysteries makes it a rewarding read. Knight seamlessly weaves Pen’s inner journey with the external mystery, leaving the reader both satisfied and reflective.