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Slags
Not yet published
Expected 8 May 25Slag. Noun. A promiscuous woman, of cheap or questionable character. Mostly derogatory. Sometimes affectionate.
Takes one to know one�
Sisters Sarah and Juliette are going on a whisky-fuelled campervan road-trip across Scotland to celebrate Juliette’s birthday � and they’re going to dig up some demons from the past.
Sarah is 15.
SEXUAL 2.5 (one only went halfway in)
GREAT 1 (her English teacher Mr Keaveney, who definitely feels the same way)
Her annoying younger sister Juliette
Her best friend Nessa, boy band 4Princes
Sarah is 41.
SEXUAL Rather not say, but that last one was compellingly awful
GREAT Nope
Millennials like Juliette thinking they’ve got it bad
Fellow Gen X-ers
From the acclaimed author of ANIMALS and ADULTS, SLAGS is a no-holds-barred, frank and heartfelt exploration of sisterhood, friendship and teenage obsession.
Takes one to know one�
Sisters Sarah and Juliette are going on a whisky-fuelled campervan road-trip across Scotland to celebrate Juliette’s birthday � and they’re going to dig up some demons from the past.
Sarah is 15.
SEXUAL 2.5 (one only went halfway in)
GREAT 1 (her English teacher Mr Keaveney, who definitely feels the same way)
Her annoying younger sister Juliette
Her best friend Nessa, boy band 4Princes
Sarah is 41.
SEXUAL Rather not say, but that last one was compellingly awful
GREAT Nope
Millennials like Juliette thinking they’ve got it bad
Fellow Gen X-ers
From the acclaimed author of ANIMALS and ADULTS, SLAGS is a no-holds-barred, frank and heartfelt exploration of sisterhood, friendship and teenage obsession.
- GenresContemporary
288 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication May 8, 2025
14 people are currently reading
1,139 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews
March 21, 2025
I always love Emma Jane Unsworth’s novels and this one didn’t disappoint. I was obsessed with the sister dynamics in this one.
Thanks so much to Borough for my copy, out 8th May!
Thanks so much to Borough for my copy, out 8th May!
March 28, 2025
Very much enjoyed- wild that i got to read it before publishing! I think if you have a sister you will lovee this but its great even without, super funny lots of 90s kid references, loved the tone of the different age chapters it was so effective for setting the timeline, would recommend!
January 8, 2025
This book was surprisingly deep, it takes its time to work through so many thoughts and feelings over different timelines. I find it oddly relatable.
Sarah is woman who is on a mission in this book to confront the past it seems and she does have a roundabout way of this, but it’s clear how the past affected her into adulthood. Her sister Juliette seems to be at the root of her childhood guilt and desperation for connection, her sister feels like a foundation that Sarah leans upon whenever she feels out of sorts.
I did like this, it handles difficult topics well. I find the flow of the story a little confusing in parts but I feel like that’s because Sarah isn’t a reliable source of her own story and it feels a little disjointed. I’m rating this 3 stars as it’s definitely worth the read.
Sarah is woman who is on a mission in this book to confront the past it seems and she does have a roundabout way of this, but it’s clear how the past affected her into adulthood. Her sister Juliette seems to be at the root of her childhood guilt and desperation for connection, her sister feels like a foundation that Sarah leans upon whenever she feels out of sorts.
I did like this, it handles difficult topics well. I find the flow of the story a little confusing in parts but I feel like that’s because Sarah isn’t a reliable source of her own story and it feels a little disjointed. I’m rating this 3 stars as it’s definitely worth the read.
April 7, 2025
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
💬 “There was an act of affection to neutralise every act of betrayal and vice versa. The eternal book balancing of siblingdom.�
💭 SLAGS by Emma Jane Unsworth was an absolute blast of a read.
Fifteen-year-old Sarah is hopelessly in love with her English teacher, Mr Keaveney. Her best mate Nessa? Obsessed with a member of the infamous boy band 4Princes. And Sarah’s little sister Juliette? Well, according to Sarah, she’s just annoying.
Fast forward a few decades, and Sarah and Juliette are on a road trip for Juliette’s 40th birthday. Cue whiskey-fuelled nights, nostalgic bickering, and some surprisingly tender reflections on where they've been and where they're going.
What a FUN read. The 90s and early noughties references! The quick wit! The humour! The sibling rivalry! I loved every minute.
But SLAGS wasn’t all just laughs and retro throwbacks, it’s got real emotion too.
The dual timeline gives us a full picture of Sarah, past and present, and it’s done so cleverly. One minute I was laughing out loud, the next I really really felt for her.
SLAGS provides a raw, honest look at how messy growing up (and, honestly, staying grown-up) can be.
Funny, heartfelt, and painfully relatable, I’d absolutely recommend picking this one up.
💬 “There was an act of affection to neutralise every act of betrayal and vice versa. The eternal book balancing of siblingdom.�
💭 SLAGS by Emma Jane Unsworth was an absolute blast of a read.
Fifteen-year-old Sarah is hopelessly in love with her English teacher, Mr Keaveney. Her best mate Nessa? Obsessed with a member of the infamous boy band 4Princes. And Sarah’s little sister Juliette? Well, according to Sarah, she’s just annoying.
Fast forward a few decades, and Sarah and Juliette are on a road trip for Juliette’s 40th birthday. Cue whiskey-fuelled nights, nostalgic bickering, and some surprisingly tender reflections on where they've been and where they're going.
What a FUN read. The 90s and early noughties references! The quick wit! The humour! The sibling rivalry! I loved every minute.
But SLAGS wasn’t all just laughs and retro throwbacks, it’s got real emotion too.
The dual timeline gives us a full picture of Sarah, past and present, and it’s done so cleverly. One minute I was laughing out loud, the next I really really felt for her.
SLAGS provides a raw, honest look at how messy growing up (and, honestly, staying grown-up) can be.
Funny, heartfelt, and painfully relatable, I’d absolutely recommend picking this one up.
December 22, 2024
After reading the description for this book I was desperate to read it! I was so excited when I got accepted for an early arc on Netgalley, thank you to the publisher.
The story follows sisters Sarah and Juliette as they take a camper van trip to celebrate Juliette’s fortieth birthday.
The story switches between timelines to Sarah’s last year in school to the current time on the trip. I loved the timeline of Sarah’s teenage years, it was full of nostalgia, with sad and happy moments along with the friends who you thought would always be around.
I was eager to know what happened to Sarah as a teenager and I flew through this in a couple of sittings.
I loved the brutal honesty from the author too. You do sometimes forget how difficult the teenage years were at times. I’ll definitely be reading more from this author.
The story follows sisters Sarah and Juliette as they take a camper van trip to celebrate Juliette’s fortieth birthday.
The story switches between timelines to Sarah’s last year in school to the current time on the trip. I loved the timeline of Sarah’s teenage years, it was full of nostalgia, with sad and happy moments along with the friends who you thought would always be around.
I was eager to know what happened to Sarah as a teenager and I flew through this in a couple of sittings.
I loved the brutal honesty from the author too. You do sometimes forget how difficult the teenage years were at times. I’ll definitely be reading more from this author.
November 30, 2024
Thankyou net valley & harper Collins for the arc as soon as I saw this book I knew I needed to read it, this book felt like nostalgia a breath of fresh air, the humours qualities and quotes throughout as the two sisters navigate their road trip fuelled with alcohol and memories, the first chapter drew me in and made me laugh out loud. This book definitely reminded me of old nostalgic tv programmes like skins etc. would definitely recommend if you want a good read that separates from typical genres
December 27, 2024
Sisters Sarah and Juliette are going on a road trip, fuelled by alcohol and memories. Digging up demons and unanswered questions from the past.
The book alternates between the present day Sarah and Sarah as a fifteen year old discovering herself amongst a multitude of hormones.
Teenage Sarah was relatable and the storytelling was humorous. The book was nostalgic, sad, affectionate and thought provoking.
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC.
The book alternates between the present day Sarah and Sarah as a fifteen year old discovering herself amongst a multitude of hormones.
Teenage Sarah was relatable and the storytelling was humorous. The book was nostalgic, sad, affectionate and thought provoking.
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC.
February 21, 2025
having previously read from this author, i was really excited to read this one -- i read adults, which i thought was phenomenal, a really great use of narrative voice, and a very brave, funny look at its central themes. considering the title of this (and the synopsis) i thought this would be similar. i was right!!!
i enjoyed this so much. emma jane unsworth has such great use of voice and character, imo. this switches between first and third person, from sarah as a woman in her forties and sarah as a girl about to sit her gcses. it's so skilful too: the close intensity of the teenage voice and the slightly more modulated adult narration. this isn't to say that both aren't hot messes because sarah very much is. and i adored her for it. like i said before, i think what i loved so much about previous works is that i thought it was very brave and i think this is continues that. sarah (and her sister and her friends) are often propelling themselves through the kind of morally questionable scenarios that leads to boring discussions about "likeability." this isn't a book particularly interested in that: instead it's a more honest depiction of how hard it is to be honest with yourself and with others and how a refusal to do so can lead to a hampering of relationships with, again, the self and others. but what i found so lovely about this is that it doesn't seem to suggest that you don't experience the good, from it. sarah and juliette, her sister, have not been honest with each other but they so clearly adored one another anyway; they have found each others presence enriching and invigorating and infuriating in equal measure. it's only towards the end of the novel, though, that they embrace it fully.
i really enjoyed being on this journey with them. sisters always get me and i thought a real depth of affection was obvious here. both sisters are dealing with big life issues: there's love affairs, alcoholism, bodily issues, ageing. but i think it was dealt with both seriously but with great humour, one of my absolute favourite parts of life and also with books. i suppose the humour here won't work for everyone but it really did for me.
one of the most startling parts of this is when the novel shifts back to sarah's teenage years. the style changes but it's still funny and honest and very raw. sarah is apparently in love and running off with a teacher, but pretty quickly a question is introduced about how much this is rooted in reality. unsworth created such a magically propulsive, really hilarious and also a very mortifying real adolescent voice here. it felt true to experiences at this age: huge and all encompassing, even if an outsider may or may not agree on how impactful these moments can be. i really enjoyed reading them and i enjoyed seeing how much sarah as a properly grown adult woman reflected these. towards the very end of the book, the medical notes are brought in and i will say i thought this was such a poignant, empathetic look at the characters within.
this feels like it may be a very marmite book, because i feel like unsworth's humour and her characters may not be for everyone. but i've loved the darker, complex emotions and people she's created and i loved this.
i received an arc of this from netgalley, which tyvm because i enjoyed the heck out of this. i hope it finds its readers because i thought it was excellent!!!
i enjoyed this so much. emma jane unsworth has such great use of voice and character, imo. this switches between first and third person, from sarah as a woman in her forties and sarah as a girl about to sit her gcses. it's so skilful too: the close intensity of the teenage voice and the slightly more modulated adult narration. this isn't to say that both aren't hot messes because sarah very much is. and i adored her for it. like i said before, i think what i loved so much about previous works is that i thought it was very brave and i think this is continues that. sarah (and her sister and her friends) are often propelling themselves through the kind of morally questionable scenarios that leads to boring discussions about "likeability." this isn't a book particularly interested in that: instead it's a more honest depiction of how hard it is to be honest with yourself and with others and how a refusal to do so can lead to a hampering of relationships with, again, the self and others. but what i found so lovely about this is that it doesn't seem to suggest that you don't experience the good, from it. sarah and juliette, her sister, have not been honest with each other but they so clearly adored one another anyway; they have found each others presence enriching and invigorating and infuriating in equal measure. it's only towards the end of the novel, though, that they embrace it fully.
i really enjoyed being on this journey with them. sisters always get me and i thought a real depth of affection was obvious here. both sisters are dealing with big life issues: there's love affairs, alcoholism, bodily issues, ageing. but i think it was dealt with both seriously but with great humour, one of my absolute favourite parts of life and also with books. i suppose the humour here won't work for everyone but it really did for me.
one of the most startling parts of this is when the novel shifts back to sarah's teenage years. the style changes but it's still funny and honest and very raw. sarah is apparently in love and running off with a teacher, but pretty quickly a question is introduced about how much this is rooted in reality. unsworth created such a magically propulsive, really hilarious and also a very mortifying real adolescent voice here. it felt true to experiences at this age: huge and all encompassing, even if an outsider may or may not agree on how impactful these moments can be. i really enjoyed reading them and i enjoyed seeing how much sarah as a properly grown adult woman reflected these. towards the very end of the book, the medical notes are brought in and i will say i thought this was such a poignant, empathetic look at the characters within.
this feels like it may be a very marmite book, because i feel like unsworth's humour and her characters may not be for everyone. but i've loved the darker, complex emotions and people she's created and i loved this.
i received an arc of this from netgalley, which tyvm because i enjoyed the heck out of this. i hope it finds its readers because i thought it was excellent!!!
March 3, 2025
I’ve just finished reading Emma Jane Unsworth's latest, Slags, thanks to HarperCollins UK for the ARC! I enjoyed this book but it was definitely a change of pace for me. I requested this book because the title and cover drew my eye, and they reflect the book really well.
I’ve been reading a LOT of romantasy lately so this was a bit of a jolt and initially, I struggled to get into it but by the time I hit the 20% mark, I was all in.
Slags tells the story of two sisters who go on a road trip to rediscover their relationship, and themselves. Its a coming of age story in two halves - once as teenagers, and again as women approaching 40.
Sarah's journey is raw and relatable. Her internal battles, especially with alcohol, body image and sex, mirror experiences many of us have faced. However, I do wish we could have seen more of Juliette's teenage years to fully grasp her character.
Living in Manchester, I appreciated the local references and the wave of nostalgia they brought. Unsworth captures the essence of the city, making it almost a character in its own right.
The narrative of this story jumps between the 1990s and the present, which, combined with short chapters, sometimes left me feeling a bit dizzy. During the flashbacks, I wondered if I was reading Sarah's diary, given the introspective and fragmented style but this wasn’t made clear to the reader.
The story never went where I thought it was going to, which was nice as it kept me on my toes but in some instances it left me wanting a bit more. The abrupt ending left me wanting more closure, but perhaps that's the point. To reflect the unpredictability of life.
Slags is a raw and honest exploration of sisterhood, personal demons, and the passage of time. Its character driven narrative may not be for everyone, especially those who prefer plot driven stories, but I really enjoyed it.
In essence, Slags is a novel that will resonate deeply with some and not as much with others. A true "Marmite" experience. Me? I’m a marmite fan.
I’ve been reading a LOT of romantasy lately so this was a bit of a jolt and initially, I struggled to get into it but by the time I hit the 20% mark, I was all in.
Slags tells the story of two sisters who go on a road trip to rediscover their relationship, and themselves. Its a coming of age story in two halves - once as teenagers, and again as women approaching 40.
Sarah's journey is raw and relatable. Her internal battles, especially with alcohol, body image and sex, mirror experiences many of us have faced. However, I do wish we could have seen more of Juliette's teenage years to fully grasp her character.
Living in Manchester, I appreciated the local references and the wave of nostalgia they brought. Unsworth captures the essence of the city, making it almost a character in its own right.
The narrative of this story jumps between the 1990s and the present, which, combined with short chapters, sometimes left me feeling a bit dizzy. During the flashbacks, I wondered if I was reading Sarah's diary, given the introspective and fragmented style but this wasn’t made clear to the reader.
The story never went where I thought it was going to, which was nice as it kept me on my toes but in some instances it left me wanting a bit more. The abrupt ending left me wanting more closure, but perhaps that's the point. To reflect the unpredictability of life.
Slags is a raw and honest exploration of sisterhood, personal demons, and the passage of time. Its character driven narrative may not be for everyone, especially those who prefer plot driven stories, but I really enjoyed it.
In essence, Slags is a novel that will resonate deeply with some and not as much with others. A true "Marmite" experience. Me? I’m a marmite fan.
January 20, 2025
I requested Slags from Net Galley as the startling, slightly brutal title grabbed me, as did the premise. I'd also read Unsworth's Animals previously and enjoyed that wild ride. I then delayed reading it, as I thought it might be a stark, confronting read, which I really wasn't in the mood for in December. However, when I finally dived in I found it had so much heart; I shouldn't have worried about it bringing my mood down.
The general premise is a dual story between Sarah's teenage life at 15 and now in her early 40s. It explores issues of addiction, obsessions, friendship and family relationships, but not in a worthy, dour manner. There's some genuine, real funny moments. It IS also confronting, as I'd expected, but in a personal way. I saw a lot of myself in Sarah. Our lives are not quite the same, but many of her musings ran true, especially a line about being introverted until alcohol turned you extroverted.
The teenage parts were shocking yet heartbreaking. Written in the exact way 15 year old girls write, when everything means so much more at that age, meanings written into the most banal things. I also loved the relationship between Sarah and Julie, her younger sister, again presented so realistically. Their odd childhood, with a narcissist mother and emotionally (and sometime physically) absent father, is discussed but brushed off as "just" their family. Don't we all do this in, until someone confronts us with those things that probably aren't "normal"?
Sarah seems to be a living, breathing person for me, rather than a character in a book. This is the reason I gave this 5 stars. It was such a personal, relatable, emotional, and at times challenging, read for me; I loved it.
Thanks to Net Galley for the ARC.
The general premise is a dual story between Sarah's teenage life at 15 and now in her early 40s. It explores issues of addiction, obsessions, friendship and family relationships, but not in a worthy, dour manner. There's some genuine, real funny moments. It IS also confronting, as I'd expected, but in a personal way. I saw a lot of myself in Sarah. Our lives are not quite the same, but many of her musings ran true, especially a line about being introverted until alcohol turned you extroverted.
The teenage parts were shocking yet heartbreaking. Written in the exact way 15 year old girls write, when everything means so much more at that age, meanings written into the most banal things. I also loved the relationship between Sarah and Julie, her younger sister, again presented so realistically. Their odd childhood, with a narcissist mother and emotionally (and sometime physically) absent father, is discussed but brushed off as "just" their family. Don't we all do this in, until someone confronts us with those things that probably aren't "normal"?
Sarah seems to be a living, breathing person for me, rather than a character in a book. This is the reason I gave this 5 stars. It was such a personal, relatable, emotional, and at times challenging, read for me; I loved it.
Thanks to Net Galley for the ARC.
January 16, 2025
Thank you to Harper Collins UK / Harper Collins Fiction and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC to review!
3 stars!
Right from the reveal of this, the title, the premise, the cover, the whole aesthetics of it screamed for me to read it. It kicked off a little slow which I will admit but did pick up my interest more.
However, with the split of timelines, one where we see Sarah being 15 and then when she's 41, I would get invested and just so into one timeline that when it would switch I would feel somewhat disappointed in the change and my connection with the characters and story would seem to stop. I think this was the overall problem for myself and it's clearly personal preference on my part, but the writing and the story itself was enjoyable I just didn't love it as much as I hoped as I felt a sort of disconnection while reading because of the shifting around.
3 stars!
Right from the reveal of this, the title, the premise, the cover, the whole aesthetics of it screamed for me to read it. It kicked off a little slow which I will admit but did pick up my interest more.
However, with the split of timelines, one where we see Sarah being 15 and then when she's 41, I would get invested and just so into one timeline that when it would switch I would feel somewhat disappointed in the change and my connection with the characters and story would seem to stop. I think this was the overall problem for myself and it's clearly personal preference on my part, but the writing and the story itself was enjoyable I just didn't love it as much as I hoped as I felt a sort of disconnection while reading because of the shifting around.
February 1, 2025
This is open, honest and raw. Sarah's account of her day to day life intertwined with memories of her teenage years gives insight into her experiences relating not just to her sister and friends but her views of sexual freedom. It's direct and blunt in it's approach but also shows Sarah's naivety as a teen particularly around her crush. You can't help but feel sorry for the misunderstanding she had and how that continued to play in her mind as she grew up. Her relationship with her sister is interesting and the dynamics between the two are amusing and demonstrative of how you can live together and grow up in the same environment but ultimately be completely different and how different views/values.
A fun but sometimes tense read!
A fun but sometimes tense read!
February 8, 2025
3.5 - picked up an ARC of this and really enjoyed it! A slightly chaotic story of sisters Sarah and Juliette who go on a road trip through Scotland for Juliette’s birthday. Switching between the present day where Sarah is 41, and the past where she is 15, in her final year of school. The start of the novel was kinda slow but gained momentum as we switched timelines. I really enjoyed 15 year old Sarah’s chapters; they were insightful, funny and relatable. I think the way the author captured being a teenage girl was great, and the voice of young Sarah was exceptionally strong. The present day chapters intrigued me more as the book went along - exploring growing older, sexuality, partnership, sisterhood and family. A quick-witted, raw and thought-provoking read.
December 20, 2024
A huge thanks to NetGalley for providing me with this ARC!
I’m an absolute sucker for a provocative title, and this book hooked me instantly. Equal parts nostalgic, hilarious, and thought-provoking, it delivers a relatable flashback to the teenage years of so many northern women. The author masterfully captures the chaos and charm of growing up, weaving a story that feels both deeply personal and universally recognizable.
I particularly loved the stream-of-consciousness narrative style—it brought an unpredictable energy to the story and kept the pacing so fast and engaging that it was nearly impossible to put down. With its sharp humour and raw honesty, this book is a vibrant celebration of youth, identity, and everything in between.
I’m an absolute sucker for a provocative title, and this book hooked me instantly. Equal parts nostalgic, hilarious, and thought-provoking, it delivers a relatable flashback to the teenage years of so many northern women. The author masterfully captures the chaos and charm of growing up, weaving a story that feels both deeply personal and universally recognizable.
I particularly loved the stream-of-consciousness narrative style—it brought an unpredictable energy to the story and kept the pacing so fast and engaging that it was nearly impossible to put down. With its sharp humour and raw honesty, this book is a vibrant celebration of youth, identity, and everything in between.
January 18, 2025
The writing was beautiful in so many parts. Really relatable and cleverly put. However, I found the plot very very slow, and didn't feel any real emotional attachment to the characters. It was a tough book to get through and took me longer than usual.
January 5, 2025
Sisters Sarah and Juliette are going on a whisky-fuelled campervan road-trip across Scotland to celebrate Juliette’s birthday � and they’re going to dig up some demons from the past.
The blurb for Slags shows great promise and I was hoping for a light hearted novel in the timeless style of the popular British television series like Birds of a Feather (1989 to 1998) or Shameless (2004 to 2013). However, Slags did not work for me and I found it a BAD 1 star read.
Most of this story was from Sarah’s point of view, which is not a problem, in itself. What was infuriating is the constant switching back and forwards in time between the 15 year old Sarah and the 42 year old Sarah on holiday in Scotland. Those teenage years of a school girl were tiresome to read and the boredom made this book very easy to put down. You can’t even put those teenage years down to back story or character development as there is a gap of 27 years in the narrative. I did not like the teenage years at all and it spoiled any enjoyment I was hoping to get from this book. But the dual timeframes continued and I battled onto the very end. There is no drama, twists or big reveals in the final pages, just that feeling you get when visitors leave and you can get on with something far more interesting.
The 42 year old Sarah was more interesting than the 15 year old and the comparing of notes with Juliette, her sister, was very run of the mill. I found Slags to be a lazy read with lazy writing. Emma puts great emphasis on Sarah renting a Hymer B500 motorhome for their trip around Scotland and then claims that Juliette climbs onto the bonnet of the campervan. There is no bonnet to climb upon the Hymer B500, just an access panel to check the oil, water, screen wash and drive belts.
I had hoped for some humorous and witty dialogue between the sisters, like that between Sharon and Tracey in Birds of a Feather. Sadly, Sarah and Juliette do not have a sharp banter and this is the best snippet I could find throughout the whole book�
‘Prefer Ireland, myself. Better dairy products. You’re probably lactose intolerant, aren’t you?�
‘What would make you think I was lactose intolerant?�
‘All the young people are these days.�
…Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher HarperCollins UK for passing me an ARC on the understanding that I post a review.
The blurb for Slags shows great promise and I was hoping for a light hearted novel in the timeless style of the popular British television series like Birds of a Feather (1989 to 1998) or Shameless (2004 to 2013). However, Slags did not work for me and I found it a BAD 1 star read.
Most of this story was from Sarah’s point of view, which is not a problem, in itself. What was infuriating is the constant switching back and forwards in time between the 15 year old Sarah and the 42 year old Sarah on holiday in Scotland. Those teenage years of a school girl were tiresome to read and the boredom made this book very easy to put down. You can’t even put those teenage years down to back story or character development as there is a gap of 27 years in the narrative. I did not like the teenage years at all and it spoiled any enjoyment I was hoping to get from this book. But the dual timeframes continued and I battled onto the very end. There is no drama, twists or big reveals in the final pages, just that feeling you get when visitors leave and you can get on with something far more interesting.
The 42 year old Sarah was more interesting than the 15 year old and the comparing of notes with Juliette, her sister, was very run of the mill. I found Slags to be a lazy read with lazy writing. Emma puts great emphasis on Sarah renting a Hymer B500 motorhome for their trip around Scotland and then claims that Juliette climbs onto the bonnet of the campervan. There is no bonnet to climb upon the Hymer B500, just an access panel to check the oil, water, screen wash and drive belts.
I had hoped for some humorous and witty dialogue between the sisters, like that between Sharon and Tracey in Birds of a Feather. Sadly, Sarah and Juliette do not have a sharp banter and this is the best snippet I could find throughout the whole book�
‘Prefer Ireland, myself. Better dairy products. You’re probably lactose intolerant, aren’t you?�
‘What would make you think I was lactose intolerant?�
‘All the young people are these days.�
…Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher HarperCollins UK for passing me an ARC on the understanding that I post a review.
January 16, 2025
Emma Jane Unsworth’s Slags is a raw, hilarious, and deeply reflective dive into the lives of two sisters, Sarah and Juliette.
With flashbacks to their teenage years in the 1990s, the novel juxtaposes nostalgia with a sharp, contemporary lens, creating a story that is equal parts tender, chaotic, and entertaining.
Unsworth’s writing has the candidness of a diary, capturing the sisters� relationship in all its messy glory.
The flashbacks are particularly effective, evoking the mood and cultural quirks of the 90s, while shedding light on how Sarah and Juliette became the women they are today.
There’s a refreshing honesty in the way their bond is portrayed: sibling love, after all, is rarely straightforward.
The humour in Slags is a standout feature.
Unsworth balances laugh-out-loud moments with heartfelt drama, making the sisters� experiences both relatable and thoroughly enjoyable.
Whether exploring teenage mishaps, family tensions, or the complexities of adult life, the novel never loses its sense of wit.
At times, the story feels deeply personal and resonant, while at others, it takes on a curious, almost voyeuristic quality, inviting readers into the sisters� world with vivid detail and unflinching honesty.
This mix of the familiar and the unexpected keeps the narrative engaging throughout.
For anyone who lived through the 90s - or simply loves a story that blends nostalgia with contemporary themes - Slags is a much-recommended read.
Unsworth’s ability to balance rawness and humour makes it a standout novel about family, identity, and the beautifully complicated ties that bind us.
With thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
With flashbacks to their teenage years in the 1990s, the novel juxtaposes nostalgia with a sharp, contemporary lens, creating a story that is equal parts tender, chaotic, and entertaining.
Unsworth’s writing has the candidness of a diary, capturing the sisters� relationship in all its messy glory.
The flashbacks are particularly effective, evoking the mood and cultural quirks of the 90s, while shedding light on how Sarah and Juliette became the women they are today.
There’s a refreshing honesty in the way their bond is portrayed: sibling love, after all, is rarely straightforward.
The humour in Slags is a standout feature.
Unsworth balances laugh-out-loud moments with heartfelt drama, making the sisters� experiences both relatable and thoroughly enjoyable.
Whether exploring teenage mishaps, family tensions, or the complexities of adult life, the novel never loses its sense of wit.
At times, the story feels deeply personal and resonant, while at others, it takes on a curious, almost voyeuristic quality, inviting readers into the sisters� world with vivid detail and unflinching honesty.
This mix of the familiar and the unexpected keeps the narrative engaging throughout.
For anyone who lived through the 90s - or simply loves a story that blends nostalgia with contemporary themes - Slags is a much-recommended read.
Unsworth’s ability to balance rawness and humour makes it a standout novel about family, identity, and the beautifully complicated ties that bind us.
With thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
April 13, 2025
As soon as I saw this book, it just made me think of my high school years, so I had to grab it. It did take me a couple of chapters to get into it but I’m glad that I did.
This book was about sisters Sarah and Juliette, it took us back to their teenage years along with their current lives now as adults.
Sarah as a teenager was absolute obsessed with one of her high school teachers, she believed she loved him and was planning a life of him by her side. I had a crush on my form teacher at 15yrs old so I get it, however it was no way near the way Sarah felt about Mr Keaveney.
Juliette was just her younger annoying sister at that age but as you go through the book you can see she really loved her a lot.
Fast forward to their adult lives, they hired a camper van and headed off to Scotland on a road trip, stopping at various camp sites along the way. I’m from Scotland so it was nice seeing places I visited in my childhood such as Malaig, Skye and Aviemore. I loved the sister’s dynamics throughout this part of the storyline, they had some issues to work through for sure and it was great seeing them do that, though they both were great at taking the huff with one another and not actually sorting anything out.
I really related to Sarah at the end of the book, where she is in London and she tells us about what she has been doing. I didn’t have a good family life and left home very young, I felt so lost for a couple of years and I could definitely see how I felt in Sarah. I was fortunate enough to find my way though and sadly it looks like Sarah has taken it through her adulthood. I really hope she can get the help she needs.
Great eye opening read, heartbreaking at times too.
This book was about sisters Sarah and Juliette, it took us back to their teenage years along with their current lives now as adults.
Sarah as a teenager was absolute obsessed with one of her high school teachers, she believed she loved him and was planning a life of him by her side. I had a crush on my form teacher at 15yrs old so I get it, however it was no way near the way Sarah felt about Mr Keaveney.
Juliette was just her younger annoying sister at that age but as you go through the book you can see she really loved her a lot.
Fast forward to their adult lives, they hired a camper van and headed off to Scotland on a road trip, stopping at various camp sites along the way. I’m from Scotland so it was nice seeing places I visited in my childhood such as Malaig, Skye and Aviemore. I loved the sister’s dynamics throughout this part of the storyline, they had some issues to work through for sure and it was great seeing them do that, though they both were great at taking the huff with one another and not actually sorting anything out.
I really related to Sarah at the end of the book, where she is in London and she tells us about what she has been doing. I didn’t have a good family life and left home very young, I felt so lost for a couple of years and I could definitely see how I felt in Sarah. I was fortunate enough to find my way though and sadly it looks like Sarah has taken it through her adulthood. I really hope she can get the help she needs.
Great eye opening read, heartbreaking at times too.
March 19, 2025
Before I launch into my review, I would like to say a warm thank you to Emma Jane Unsworth, Harper Collins Uk, Harper Fiction, and Netgalley for the Advanced Digital Reader Copy of this title. For anyone with their eye on this title, here is my personal review of the book to help you decide whether you are interested or not. All opinions offered are my own.
I saw the title of this book and was interested in getting my hands on an advanced copy. I read the blurb and studied the cover, and I was reminded of series such as Skins and Heartbreak High. Needless to say, I was expecting lots of shenanigans, drugs, booze, promiscuity, and teenage angst. However, I will never know.
I tried to read this book but almost immediately I found that I didn’t care for the voices in the book. I can’t quite put my finger on it but although there were some humorous lines, I found the book dull overall. I also found the jumping between timelines to be a little confusing, which is unfortunate because I like this device in novels usually.
I was put off by the teenage years and the teenage chatter. I could almost hear the words coming off the page and I just felt the kids sounded irritating. It wasn’t for me, and I feel that this is one of those books with a niche audience. You are either going to find it deep, meaningful, and profound. Or, like me, it’s just going to appear dull and not as exciting as the blurb presented. As a teenager at the same time as these characters, I just couldn’t relate in the way I thought I might.
As a DNF text, I have awarded a 3/5 so as not to hugely influence the ratings for those who gave the book a full sampling.
I saw the title of this book and was interested in getting my hands on an advanced copy. I read the blurb and studied the cover, and I was reminded of series such as Skins and Heartbreak High. Needless to say, I was expecting lots of shenanigans, drugs, booze, promiscuity, and teenage angst. However, I will never know.
I tried to read this book but almost immediately I found that I didn’t care for the voices in the book. I can’t quite put my finger on it but although there were some humorous lines, I found the book dull overall. I also found the jumping between timelines to be a little confusing, which is unfortunate because I like this device in novels usually.
I was put off by the teenage years and the teenage chatter. I could almost hear the words coming off the page and I just felt the kids sounded irritating. It wasn’t for me, and I feel that this is one of those books with a niche audience. You are either going to find it deep, meaningful, and profound. Or, like me, it’s just going to appear dull and not as exciting as the blurb presented. As a teenager at the same time as these characters, I just couldn’t relate in the way I thought I might.
As a DNF text, I have awarded a 3/5 so as not to hugely influence the ratings for those who gave the book a full sampling.
March 6, 2025
This dual POV novel follows Sarah in her teens and in her 40s. At first, present-day Sarah comes across as confident and put-together, but as the story unfolds, it becomes clear that she is deeply insecure and clinging to the past. Meanwhile, teen Sarah is incredibly well-written—her perspective feels like reading a real teenage diary. However, she is also quite deluded, and those delusions set her on an unstable path in life.
One of the book’s most thought-provoking themes is how some people use sex as a coping mechanism, reducing their bodies to mere “machines� for pleasure. It’s an intriguing and sometimes unsettling exploration of self-worth and trauma.
I wish Juliette had been more present throughout the story, as I was invested in her character and would have liked to see where her journey led. The build-up to Sarah’s teacher storyline kept me turning the pages, but I found the plot twists in the present-day sections underwhelming. The pacing also had some issues—some chapters were unnecessarily long, which made it difficult to stay engaged at times. However, once I reached about 40%, I really started enjoying the book.
Unfortunately, the ending fell flat for me. I was hoping for a different reveal regarding the band member, which left me feeling a bit disappointed.
Overall, this was a nice, easy read with engaging themes, but it had some flaws that held it back. A solid 3-star read.
One of the book’s most thought-provoking themes is how some people use sex as a coping mechanism, reducing their bodies to mere “machines� for pleasure. It’s an intriguing and sometimes unsettling exploration of self-worth and trauma.
I wish Juliette had been more present throughout the story, as I was invested in her character and would have liked to see where her journey led. The build-up to Sarah’s teacher storyline kept me turning the pages, but I found the plot twists in the present-day sections underwhelming. The pacing also had some issues—some chapters were unnecessarily long, which made it difficult to stay engaged at times. However, once I reached about 40%, I really started enjoying the book.
Unfortunately, the ending fell flat for me. I was hoping for a different reveal regarding the band member, which left me feeling a bit disappointed.
Overall, this was a nice, easy read with engaging themes, but it had some flaws that held it back. A solid 3-star read.
February 19, 2025
Sarah hires a camper van for her sister Juilette’s birthday. Juliette is a mother, married to a decent, yet dull bloke. Sarah limps from hook up to hook up. The great love of her life was her English teacher, Mr Keavney. As the sisters head to Scotland by Hymer, the story switches between this and what happened in the Summer of Sarah’s last year in school.
I’ve been a fan of Unsworth’s writing for a long time - Animals was adapted as a film and didn’t quite capture the wabisabi of the book. This is a genuine treat. It’s funny, Rabelasian and Wildean by turns. It’s dead on in the way sister relates to sister. And, by turns men and boys relate to women.
It’s also brilliant on the ascending boho that was late 90’s Manchester. She’s also brave enough to stitch a fictional thread to this, the boy band 4Princes. What happens to Sarah is a genuine shock (and not the one you’re thinking of). When the novel takes a dark, sharp turn she’s still in control of a book that is sweet, sour, touching and horrifying all at the same time.
It’s published by Harper Collins on May 8th 2025 and I thank them for a preview copy. #slags
I’ve been a fan of Unsworth’s writing for a long time - Animals was adapted as a film and didn’t quite capture the wabisabi of the book. This is a genuine treat. It’s funny, Rabelasian and Wildean by turns. It’s dead on in the way sister relates to sister. And, by turns men and boys relate to women.
It’s also brilliant on the ascending boho that was late 90’s Manchester. She’s also brave enough to stitch a fictional thread to this, the boy band 4Princes. What happens to Sarah is a genuine shock (and not the one you’re thinking of). When the novel takes a dark, sharp turn she’s still in control of a book that is sweet, sour, touching and horrifying all at the same time.
It’s published by Harper Collins on May 8th 2025 and I thank them for a preview copy. #slags
January 31, 2025
Sarah organises a birthday road trip for her younger sister Juliette's fortieth, just the two of them hitting the road in a rented campervan and heading for Scotland. Their lives have gone in very different directions, Juliettes married with two children and Sarah is living the single life
Theres a lot to like about this book, on the surface its lighthearted but underneath is explores much deeper - two sisters, two lives and the undeniable bond that unites them. An unapologetic and raw portrayal of teenage angst full of wrong signals, wrong men and many mistakes, Sarah's teenage years were definitely more exciting than mine but there was plenty I could relate to.
Told in dual timelines, Sarah at fifteen and Sarah now, it takes the sisters on a journey of discovery with great characters along the way. Its sharp, witty, poignant and relatable all rolled into one, if you like character driven novels this is definitely a book worth reading
My thanks to Harper Collins UK and NetGalley for the early read, I was under no obligation and all opinions expressed are my own.
Theres a lot to like about this book, on the surface its lighthearted but underneath is explores much deeper - two sisters, two lives and the undeniable bond that unites them. An unapologetic and raw portrayal of teenage angst full of wrong signals, wrong men and many mistakes, Sarah's teenage years were definitely more exciting than mine but there was plenty I could relate to.
Told in dual timelines, Sarah at fifteen and Sarah now, it takes the sisters on a journey of discovery with great characters along the way. Its sharp, witty, poignant and relatable all rolled into one, if you like character driven novels this is definitely a book worth reading
My thanks to Harper Collins UK and NetGalley for the early read, I was under no obligation and all opinions expressed are my own.
February 26, 2025
This book felt like reading a paragraph with no full stops. Just full steam ahead and no time to pause and breath. I did not love it unfortunately
A lot of the narration is all over the place to represent the main character not being a reliable narrator, but it just felt annoying by the end (sorry). It felt maybe too informal, as if written as a brain dump of thoughts a feelings. Maybe how you would write in a diary. But since it was in third person it just made it feel�. messy?
I really liked the witty start and thought I was really going to enjoy it, but I just hated the way it was written I think in the end. The themes it deals with are definitely interesting and deep. I just started hating the main characters voice in the narration, so negative and dual time periods did nothing for me.
I will say I did read an arc and honestly it felt like it needed at least another round with an editor so maybe the final version is better? Or maybe this story and this author isn’t for me. But I appreciate the opportunity to read it as an e-arc so thank you netgalley for that!
A lot of the narration is all over the place to represent the main character not being a reliable narrator, but it just felt annoying by the end (sorry). It felt maybe too informal, as if written as a brain dump of thoughts a feelings. Maybe how you would write in a diary. But since it was in third person it just made it feel�. messy?
I really liked the witty start and thought I was really going to enjoy it, but I just hated the way it was written I think in the end. The themes it deals with are definitely interesting and deep. I just started hating the main characters voice in the narration, so negative and dual time periods did nothing for me.
I will say I did read an arc and honestly it felt like it needed at least another round with an editor so maybe the final version is better? Or maybe this story and this author isn’t for me. But I appreciate the opportunity to read it as an e-arc so thank you netgalley for that!
January 7, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley and the Borough Press for the ARC of this book!
When I saw the title and description of this book, I was instantly intrigued. As a 90s baby who grew up in the 00s, I knew the nostalgia would hit for me. And it did.
Sisters Sarah and Juliette are heading on a boozy road trip, finally giving them chance amongst their busy lives to dig up the past and hash out some of their demons.
This book is really witty, some of the lines I couldn’t resist highlighting with my Kindle.
And the nostalgia of the flashback chapters, I was right there with Sarah as she fought desperately to be noticed, to feel something.
I will say that this will be a polarising read for anyone who doesn’t like character-driven fiction.
I enjoyed this book but it did take me quite some determination to get through at times, but it really picked up in the final quarter!
Very candid, witty exploration of the relationship between sisters.
When I saw the title and description of this book, I was instantly intrigued. As a 90s baby who grew up in the 00s, I knew the nostalgia would hit for me. And it did.
Sisters Sarah and Juliette are heading on a boozy road trip, finally giving them chance amongst their busy lives to dig up the past and hash out some of their demons.
This book is really witty, some of the lines I couldn’t resist highlighting with my Kindle.
And the nostalgia of the flashback chapters, I was right there with Sarah as she fought desperately to be noticed, to feel something.
I will say that this will be a polarising read for anyone who doesn’t like character-driven fiction.
I enjoyed this book but it did take me quite some determination to get through at times, but it really picked up in the final quarter!
Very candid, witty exploration of the relationship between sisters.
April 6, 2025
I took a really long time to get into this book. It's the story of Juliette and Sarah who are sisters, going on a road trip for Juliette's birthday. The story flits between their teens and then their early 40s. I'm the same age as the main character which makes for a weird if too real comparison which is also why I think I found it hard to get into!. It's a really good depiction of what it was actually like being a teen in the late 90s.
The story goes on to explore sex and relationships in both periods of the lives of Sarah and Juliette including their experiences of sexual assault.
I have read books by the same author before and they can be a bit unflinching but that's part of the appeal of her as an author.
Thank you to netgalley and the publishers for this copy but tbh I would have bought it anyway (I have bought her other books with my own money).
The story goes on to explore sex and relationships in both periods of the lives of Sarah and Juliette including their experiences of sexual assault.
I have read books by the same author before and they can be a bit unflinching but that's part of the appeal of her as an author.
Thank you to netgalley and the publishers for this copy but tbh I would have bought it anyway (I have bought her other books with my own money).
January 17, 2025
Two sisters on a fortieth birthday road trip in a temperamental camper van around Scotland. The younger, Juliette, is unhappily married, while Sarah, on the surface a successful single career woman, is contemplating whether a life that still revolves around casual sex, drugs and a lot of alcohol is the life she really wants, even though it feels like the life she deserves. The road trip narration alternates with the weeks before Sarah's GCSEs, a hard coming of age that shaped her and her relationship to her sister forever. Funny, shocking, brutally honest and visceral, Slags is a compelling if not always an easy read, with flawed but very real protagonists.
January 24, 2025
Sisters Sarah and Juliette head off on a campervan holiday to celebrate Juliette's birthday. For 41 year old Sarah spending time with her sister leads her to reflect on her 15 year old self in the 1990s - just before her GCSE's when her focus was on sex, alcohol and her love of her English teacher, Mr Keaveney. Her friend Nessa and then her sister are obsessed with members of the local successful boy band. Their actions and experiences have consequences which shaped and influenced their lives and the women they've grown to be.
Thanks to the publishers at NetGalley for the ARC - I'll be adding Unsworth's first novel to my tbr
Thanks to the publishers at NetGalley for the ARC - I'll be adding Unsworth's first novel to my tbr
March 4, 2025
This was not my usual choice of read but being roughly the same age as Sarah I thought it'd be a fun trip down memory lane.
Sadly the style of writing didn't gel with me, I did connect with Sarah regarding schoolgirl crushes and boybands obsessions but that was it really. I think my lifestyle growing up in the middle of nowhere was just too different from Manchester.
As adults I do believe that u will really connect with the story if u have siblings close in age, especially a sister. This is something I cannot relate to but I'm sure will hit some raw nerves with others.
Many thanks #NetGalley for the advanced copy of #slags
Sadly the style of writing didn't gel with me, I did connect with Sarah regarding schoolgirl crushes and boybands obsessions but that was it really. I think my lifestyle growing up in the middle of nowhere was just too different from Manchester.
As adults I do believe that u will really connect with the story if u have siblings close in age, especially a sister. This is something I cannot relate to but I'm sure will hit some raw nerves with others.
Many thanks #NetGalley for the advanced copy of #slags
March 9, 2025
This is a funny and poignant reflection on family relationships, attitudes towards female sexuality and the scars of our past. Sarah and Juliette are embarking on a campervan road trip around Scotland to celebrate Juliette’s fortieth birthday. Interwoven throughout this narrative is a separate timeline detailing their teenage years and how they have evolved into the women that they are today.
At times hilarious, at other times disturbing, this is a gloriously vibrant depiction of sexual promiscuity and the choices that women make (or sometimes don’t) when social pressure and expectation gets a little too much. Well worth a read!
At times hilarious, at other times disturbing, this is a gloriously vibrant depiction of sexual promiscuity and the choices that women make (or sometimes don’t) when social pressure and expectation gets a little too much. Well worth a read!
March 31, 2025
This is quite a difficult one for me to review. I had read the club and being a northern girl who grew up around the same time thought I would really enjoy it.
The narrative of the two sisters felt to me like a constant squabble which was quite off putting. As the road trip gets further along, the realities of knowing who your sister was in your youth are shattered as you really don’t know them as an adult.
There were some incredibly funny moments and some descriptions were incredibly accurate to my own youth however it didn’t grab me the way I would like to have done. Saying that, I think that is more about me than the actual book.
The narrative of the two sisters felt to me like a constant squabble which was quite off putting. As the road trip gets further along, the realities of knowing who your sister was in your youth are shattered as you really don’t know them as an adult.
There were some incredibly funny moments and some descriptions were incredibly accurate to my own youth however it didn’t grab me the way I would like to have done. Saying that, I think that is more about me than the actual book.
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