Odd Hours is the first novel by British author, Ania Bas. The one redeeming feature of Gosia Golab’s dead-end job in a 24/7 supermarket is that the Man Of Her Dreams always chooses her checkout. She hates sharing her flat with Lindsey Oates because that includes encounters with her boyfriend, wannabe cop Kevin Harris, who seems to think she murdered their neighbour. Her father has apparently told a lie so bad that her mother has thrown him out, something to do with a parcel from Poland, but no one is revealing quite what it was. Her mother’s plans to sell their house have her younger sister fearful she will be on the street with her twins soon. Her mother, though, is set on paying for the upcoming wedding of her favourite child, their brother, Bernie. Meanwhile, her father is living in the allotment shed and relying on cash handouts that Gosia can ill afford. One outlet for her emotions is the online poetry platform, where contributors’ comments range from encouraging to insulting to self-promotional. When she discovers that her cheating ex-boyfriend Andy has, with his new wife, Margaret, written and published a self-help book titled “The Bulletproof Guide to Sorting Out Your Life: Work, Money, Free Time, Family, Friendship and Love.” she’s curious, and torn between not wanting to spend a cent that will go to this pair, and wanting to see what they’ve come up with. Improvement on all fronts of her life would be welcome, but how to achieve it? Despite the fact that the book contains many derogatory references to Andy's toxic ex (ie Gosia), she begins to follow the advice contained therein. The format of this novel is a combination of straight narratives interspersed with posts and comments from the online poetry platform, entries from flatmate Lindsey's personal diary, social media posts, magazine quizzes, and extracts from Andy and Margaret’s self-help book. Gosia isn’t all that likeable to begin with: her revenge tactic against Andy is really nasty, she has no qualms about reading a private diary or accessing private information on a secure database. She does have a soft side, stemming from the people-pleaser attitude instilled by her Irish mother. Does she eventually redeem herself with those in her life who really matter? Gosia’s efforts with the Man Of Her Dreams, while a source of some humour, progress from comic to tragic. The astute reader may predict that the loud, fat, obnoxious guy who keeps getting in her space will play an important role, but there are a few little twists on the why and the how to keep it interesting. The story is real and gritty at times but also often darkly funny. An entertaining, thought-provoking and uplifting debut novel. This unbiased review is from an uncorrected proof copy provided by NetGalley and Welbeck Publishing

Get ready to meet the literary heroine of the year, meet Gosia Golab! Gosia is on the brink of turning thirty, she works strange hours in a supermarket where her only distraction is a handsome customer who seems to favour her particular check-out! Could it be love? How do you live happily ever after when everything in your life seems destined to go wrong? Online poetry forums are definitely not the answer…. I absolutely adored this book, you can’t help but cheer for the wonderful Gosia as she navigates the social pitfalls of the modern world. Beautifully written and razor sharp, this novel will stay with you for a long time. Go Gosia!

I love this book. I completely devoured it in just a few sittings. As a debut, it is astonishing in its originality and economy of style. It made me laugh out loud, question the world, see reality from another person’s perspective and I have to tell you that Chapter 82 made me properly cry! It is understated, yet deeply profound with an impact that is visceral and very real. We come to understand Gosia in her entire mind and body. A fantastic achievement. I am very much looking forward to the future writing of Ania Bas.

An incredible portrait of one woman navigating decisions, friendships, work and family, and looking to find meaning and happiness within all this. It is tender, sad an a celebration of the every day lives most of us live.

I loved Odd Hours and found myself snatching moments to read one or two chapters mid way through when I should have been doing something else. Odd Hours is a laugh out loud and insightful look at how we can make others feel. Gosia is a brilliant character with elements of all of us, hidden in her frustrations, mixed up choices and feelings towards others. Real honesty and joyfulness throughout. I was sad when I finished it all too quickly.