What if you said the worst thing a mother could say?
What if your husband found out about it in the national press?
And what if after all that, you didn't regret it...?

'My life is a tight knot I would like to undo. And, yes, there's no use crying over spilt milk but, the truth is, I'd rather die than spill any more...'

Bea has a husband and daughter. Bea also has an appointment for a termination. Her first child changed everything - her life, her relationship, her identity. Now she has a pregnancy test and a decision to face.

This is a story about the women we (think we) know, the choices we make, the friends who stand by us and how the secrets we keep and the words left unsaid can be more dangerous than any lie we tell...

Some things can't be unsaid. The most compelling talking-point read of 2023

About the Author

Amy Beashel lives in Shropshire with her husband, children and cats. Her debut YA novel was longlisted for numerous awards including the Carnegie Medal and the Branford Boase. Incidentally, she is also the fastest woman in the world on a space hopper.

Reviews

'Fresh, brave, sharp and timely. And very, very readable. I strongly recommend it.' David Shannon

'A fabulous angry roar of a book. Heartfelt and honest. Taboo breaking. Is there such a thing as being too honest...? A fantastic book club read too.'

Liz Hyder, author of The Gifts

'This may just be my new favourite novel. Bea is a fiercely relatable character who pulls back the curtain on the ways that modern motherhood changes you to the core. Difficult and beautiful, this story made me feel seen.'

Gemma Hartley, author of Fed Up

'Spilt Milk is the real thing; a novel that embraces the brutal, glorious, hopeful, impossible truths of motherhood, marriage and friendship ' Stella Duffy

'Honest and beautifully written. Everyone should read it.' Louisa Reid

'An absolute triumph. A story so real, so raw, and so beautifully told it gave me chills from the first page to the last.' Jessica Ryn

'Powerful and kick-ass, ALL women need to read this.' Elena Wilkes

'Raw, honest and truthful...a moving exploration of what it is to be a woman, a mother, daughter, wife, sister, a friend in 2023.' Julie Ma

Book Information
ISBN 9780008526436
Author Amy Beashel
Format Hardback
Page Count 320
Imprint HarperNorth
Publisher HarperCollins Publishers
Weight(grams) 520g
Dimensions(mm) 222mm * 141mm * 38mm