this book held me in its pages for a long time after id finished.
its one of those books that come into my life and i just want to hold it close and all the moments ive read. from the characters to the lessons within i adored this book. i cant really say why. but i can. but if i did id be hear forever and would give every last it of the book away just so i could discuss with you all why i loved it so much.
and then id want to go give it to everyone i know just so i could talk to them too. about how this book just lives a while in your chest.
the characters are so wonderful. the scenes set perfectly. the plot hit all the right notes on deep, then light, then ,mysterious. it held the hard moments and softer moments in equal brilliance.
this has hit top ten of my books this year. and i would ask anyone and everyone to read it. you wont regret it. if you just want a superb book then you need to read this.
its a book about first year students but also of so many more of the people around them. they are the main characters showing so much more to life and the characters within it. its so filled with emotion. and the families that love us but dont always make the best decisions even because of that. but also how love truly is the binder, forgiver and elixir for all things.
i think following the two girls was also a great way of portraying so many different facets to people lives, choices and how its effected by just being so very individual people.

Firstly, I would like to say thank you for giving me a copy of this book! It is one of the best books I have read this year, and I am SO excited to be able to share this with my community. I know so many friends that are going to love it. It really is special when you receive and ARC copy of a book that you are this excited to recommend.

I have written a full review below. I will use this as my reference point when making content in this book. I will release a reel reviewing the book on 8th April to coincide with the books release. I will also feature it in my march wrap up on both Instagram and YouTube. I know it will be featuring in much more of my content going forward, simply because I loved it so much and want to share it with my community!

Please find my review below:
Emma Knight’s *The Life Cycle of the Common Octopus* is a smart, thoughtful novel that dives into feminism, motherhood, and identity with nuance. Set in a beautifully detailed Edinburgh, the book effortlessly blends intellectual and modern cultural references—whether it’s Kant or 2000s WAG culture—making the characters feel grounded and relatable.

At its core, this book is an exploration of motherhood, portrayed through three very different yet deeply connected women. Knight weaves these perspectives so seamlessly that it’s only by the end that you realise how distinct each one is. The novel challenges our ideas of what makes a “good” mother and shows how personal experiences with our own mothers shape the way we parent—either by following their example or actively rejecting it.

The story reflects on the all-or-nothing expectations placed on mothers. Knight highlights how women are often labeled as either selfless or selfish, with no room for complexity.

The book also takes a sharp look at the impossible standards women face, particularly around sex. Too much, and you’re a slut; too little, and you’re frigid. Pen, the protagonist, experiences this firsthand. Her journey from a quiet first-year student to someone more sure of herself is compelling, especially as she navigates judgment from her peers. She endures cruelty with a resilience I know I wouldn’t have, which only made me admire her more.

This novel also delves into secrets, betrayal, and the complexities of friendship and family. It’s a slice-of-life story that reflects on human experience, exploring what it truly means to be a friend and the sacrifices we make for those we care about. Knight highlights how people often keep secrets from their loved ones in an attempt to protect them—only to realise that secrecy can sometimes cause just as much harm. The novel also examines the way we withhold judgment for those we care about, even when faced with their flaws and mistakes.

One of the novel’s biggest strengths is its characters. From Pen to Alice, everyone feels fleshed out and believable. Knight has a talent for writing small but powerful details that bring emotions to life. The subplots, particularly Alice’s, are just as engaging as the main storyline, making the book feel layered and rich.

Despite tackling some heavy themes, *The Life Cycle of the Common Octopus* has a cozy, almost comforting feel. At the same time, it doesn’t shy away from bold, unexpected moments—one twist actually made me audibly gasp! It’s the kind of book that balances warmth with sharp social commentary, making it both enjoyable and thought-provoking.

Emma Knight has created something truly special—a book that lingers with you long after you’ve finished. Whether you’re drawn to its cultural references, its deeply human characters, or its exploration of motherhood and feminism, this is a novel that deserves to be read and discussed.

5 🌟

I read an eARC of this book on NetGalley so thank you to the author and the publisher.

This was a character driven story where we follow a Canadian student in Edinburgh as she seeks to learn the secrets of her parents’ pasts.

I’ll admit I did pick this up because it mentions octopus in the title and this is a subject I find fascinating! The book has little to do with octopuses but I did see an interview with the author which delved more into why this title was chosen and this made the title make a lot more sense to me. This book is about family, identity, understanding how you are shaped by your parents while also forging your own sense of self.

This is literary fiction and the focus is more on the growth of the characters rather than a thrilling plot. We have a gentle mystery, a slow unveiling on the hurts of the past. But no shocking reveals or twists. This is very much exploring the ripples that actions have across time and people and looking at how our actions affect others.

I did find this really compelling. It’s quite slow paced but the deep character study made me curious to understand how Pen would react to new information and the choices she would make. She was often hard to predict, being a complex and conflicted character. While she is learning challenging information about her family, she is bolstered by her strong female friendships.

I love this title! I thought the characterisation was well done and there was a well grounded sense of Edinburgh that pervaded throughout the novel. However I found the pacing of this novel extremely slow, to the extent that it felt like nothing happened in great swathes of pages, and I also didn't personally connect to some of the novel's overarching themes. I think this has the feel of Pineapple Street, so if you liked that then it might be worth giving this a go.

Many thanks to the author, publisher and Netgalley for providing an ARC of this book in exchange for an unbiased review.

This is a good read albeit a very slow burn.

It cover real life themes such as friendship love and motherhood. it is a book filled with intrigue and light.

I loved getting to know the characters and it reminded me a little of the film and book One Day..

It is also a very good mystery novel and is well drawn in its plot and the eventual unveiling left me satisfied..

Quite brilliant

I went into requesting + reading this blind. The title and UK book cover give little away and I only had the book's blurb for clues. I was sucked in immediately and felt like I'd been transported to Edinburgh in the time I'd read the book, it was strange to find myself sitting on the sofa when I got to the acknowledgements. The characters were easy to like and it was incredibly easy to get lost in the story. There were pages where nothing happened, so I could see where people were frustrated with the plot or the characters not progressing. A lot happens in the book, it's packed in there and I forgot that this wasn't a 700+ pager but with a tighter edit, I could have seen this hitting the mark for more readers.

I did think that this would make for an epic miniseries, it gives off One Day vibes (I suppose the Edinburgh setting will do that) but it also feels like an epic story of family and friendship with many characters and secrets to share with the viewers. I think the Octopus life cycle would weave in better visually.

I'm glad I requested this and went in with no expectations because I escaped reality for a little while this afternoon and I love losing myself in a good story, even if it lulled in places. Would I recommend reading The Life Cycle of the Common Octopus? Absolutely. Will it be for everyone? Probably not but that's okay!

The Life Cycle of the Common Octopus is published in the UK in hardback on 10th April 2025! Thank you, Quercus for approving my ARC on NetGalley!!!