I devoured this book in one glorious all-consuming sitting – and when it finished, I allowed myself to cry. The emotional impact of this book is immense, the way you become enmeshed and immersed in the story unusual in its intensity – and the writing is absolutely exquisite. It looks at friendship, at life’s twists and turns and the way they often disappoint and fail to live up to their promise, at betrayal and its impacts – and explores the emotional responses of its characters with a depth and absolute truth that’s enthralling to experience. The book’s construction is unusual. I was on the verge of saying “challenging”, but it really isn’t – despite the fact that the story is told from the perspectives of its three main characters and dips, in a way that seems almost random, into other events in earlier timeframes that shaped them and provide insight into their relationships with each other. And it’s wrong of me to call the three women at the heart of this story “characters”, because they’re so much more than that – these are women you know, presenting you with truths that are familiar, evoking feelings and memories half forgotten and too often ignored. I’ve always wondered about “luminous prose”, not sure of its meaning – but for this book, I can’t think of a better description. But no book can be a success on feelings alone – there’s a compelling narrative too. On the surface, it’s the story of three women – Hannah, Cate and Lisa – their friendship, their hopes and expectations, their relationships, the obstacles life throws (sometimes of their own making), their choices right and wrong, the futures they imagine and the realities they encounter. Beneath the surface, there’s so much more – the feminist themes, the desire for and reality of motherhood, the passion and the disappointment, the complexity of their feelings towards each other, the elusiveness of their dreams. There are times when I doubt my ability to write a review that captures my feelings when I encounter a book this wonderful – I’ve done my best, but above all I’d urge everyone to read it. Totally unforgettable, absolutely stunning – and, without question, one of my books of the year.

Anna Hope is a wonderful writer. I have read three of her books Wake, The Ballroom and Expectation. All three are completely different and wonderful. Expectation takes place in London and is her latest novel. They all take you to a different place in time and tell a story that captures that time and the people who are living it. Her writing is truly beautiful and hard to put down.

Wow this book blew me away, I had left this book for a little while because there was a lot of hype surrounding it and I didn’t want that to affect my reading of this novel. But boy was that hype worth it?! I loved the idea of expectation in all its forms and how it is explored here. I like the idea that we place expectations on ourselves, on others and also the idea of when a woman should and shouldn’t be ‘expecting’. I loved getting to meet Hannah, Cate and Lissa. They have been friends forever and each wants what the other has. Life is not quite where they expected it would be and each of these women experiences that in a different way, I really had a soft spot for Cate and her new role in motherhood. I really felt for her at every moment and I feel like I warmed to her story just a little more than the other 2. I also really loved the structure of this book. I loved a flashback and even though I listened to this one on audio. It was always very clear what was a flashback and what was bringing us back to the present day. The flashbacks gave tantalizing moments in these women’s lives, we get to see two friends away from the third, relationships past and past misdemeanors that all make up what each of these characters are today. This plot was so intricately woven, I feel like if I read this one again today I would discover even more about each of these women and there would be new revelations for me to find. I also really annoyed the London setting for the main part of this novel. London becomes a bit of a fourth character bolstering the women when they need it up also adding to the urgency of their quest to meet their own expectations. Highly recommended.

I have received an early reading copy of this book and I had no idea what to expect. However, while reading I got invested in Lissa, Hannah and Cate's lives as my own. I have found common grounds, understood their expectations and lived through their loss, grief, happiness and disappointment. Some parts made me cry and others made me laugh. Anna Hope has released an incredible novel that everyone has to read. Especially the fans of Sally Rooney. Anna's writing reminds me of Sally Rooney's as they have a similar way of explaining and telling a story. With every novel, I always choose a favourite character. But in this one, I cannot choose between Lissa, Hannah and Cate. I have grown to love them equally and respect them. Their journey from their twenties to late thirties just provides a great, in-depth explanation of what we all go through. What we desire and what we expect. I cannot explain how amazing this book is and everyone has to read Expectation. After hearing Anna Hope speak about her novel, I have realised that she has put so much effort, her own experiences into this novel and the end result is just magnificent and emotional.

The comparison, disappointment, competitiveness, love and closeness that comes with all female friendship is captured in this novel and I loved every page. No matter what our path, we will end up doing what was intended for us. Well done Anna Hope - you made me a laughing, crying and monumentally happy and hopeful thirty - something.