Paper Over It - Softcover

Gresty, Ruth

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1068350717 ISBN 13: 9781068350719

Publisher: Ruth Gresty, 2025

Synopsis

*Newly awarded the LoveReading 'Indie Books We Love' badge.

Jennifer Jones is in control.

Jen is confident she has complete control over the things that are trying to control her. Until she isn’t. Until she hasn’t. Until she realises she has never been in control at all. She’s been papering over it for years.

It's the start of the year 2000. A new millennium has arrived. For Jen and her three friends, university life in Manchester is full of possibility and endless fun. Sassiness, spontaneity, marvellous mayhem and youthful optimism reign in the Manchester rain.

But beneath the sometimes brash bravado sometimes even the most resilient, carefree, fun-loving characters who, on the surface look like they are living their best lives, are perilously close to falling apart. Over the course of one unforgettable year, the young women confront their own realities and truths. Some make foolish mistakes and others life changing choices.

Sometimes heartwarming and other times heartbreaking, but always brutally honest. This is a story of friendship, mistakes, self-discovery and acceptance; identity, love and the messy reality of becoming an adult. It's about the masks we wear, the mistakes and choices we make, and the courage it takes to stop papering over it and face ourselves when everything feels like it's falling apart.

It’s real, raw, raunchy, sometimes random and frankly rude at times. Just like Jen and her friends.

"There are plenty of tough topics related throughout Paper Over It... but each gritty topic is handled with care and adds depth and nuance to each of the characters. Like catching up with Marian Keyes’ Walsh Sisters..... a great book for anyone looking for a coming-of-age story with a generous dose of 00’s nostalgia. I felt like I was being regaled by my sisters with stories from their teens and twenties. An entertaining and heartfelt read." - LoveReading Ambassador.

Customer Review: If you’re looking for a book that’s laugh-out-loud funny, heartwarming, and brimming with the year 2000 nostalgia then ‘Paper Over it’ is the perfect pick. This delightful novel delivers on every level. From the 4 main characters, each with their own personality and insecurities, to the clever writing style of the author. It’s a joyful, captivating story about friendship, second chances and appreciating the messy beauty of life – best book I’ve read for ages. Chris L

Customer Review: A heart-wrenching homage to life as a 20-something girl, navigating growing up and living in Manchester.. nostalgic and witty - a fantastic read for anyone in their 20s or beyond. 5/5 loved it. Alexandra Young

Customer Review: I decided to completely switch up my usual genre of book (usually an 1800s romance addict - don't judge me) and I am converted. The level of nostalgia this book gave was something else. Sometimes you need to experience a generation in real life to really connect to a storyline and this was absolutely that!! The clever connection to music with each chapter from a personally experienced era was genius, plus so much humour and rawness. This is a must read! Sam Bonner

Edition details

• Publisher: Ruth Gresty
• Publication date: 2025
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1068350717
• ISBN 13: 9781068350719
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 342