They have little or nothing in common – Ava is from working-class Dublin with socialist tendencies, Julian is an Eton-educated banker – but eventually Ava moves into his spare room, then into his bedroom. She’s living in a scuzzy Airbnb with two women she neither knows nor particularly likes, working as a TEFL teacher and discouraging attempts by her colleagues to get to know her. People who’d gone to Oxford would tell you so even when it wasn’t the questionĪva has been in Hong Kong for a few weeks before she meets Julian in a bar. If Nolan’s novel is anything to go by they’re in for some treats. Sadly, that won’t be on the cards this year but I hope the shadow judges will enjoy their stint. I have very fond memories of a particularly enjoyable event at the Groucho where I met bloggers I’d known virtually for years. Nolan’s debut is one of the five titles shortlisted for the Sunday Times/University of Warwick Young Writer of the Year award which I helped shadow judge two years ago. Then there’s the guest, Vivian, who with the benefit of some emotional distance, methodically observes her friends like ants.I’d been looking forward to reading Naoise Dolan’s Exciting Times for a while when I was offered a review copy.

The bridesmaid, Phoebe, Celine’s sister, has no long-term aspirations beyond smoking her millionth cigarette and getting to the bottom of Luke’s frequent unexplained disappearances. The best man, Archie, is meant to want to move up the corporate ladder and on from his love for Luke yet he stands where he is, admiring the view. Luke and Celine, are in mutual unrequited love with each other, set to marry in a year’s time. Livestream vouchers are valid until the day after the event and can be redeemed on our website against a single copy of The Happy Couple. Please note that only one voucher can be redeemed per book. In-person vouchers can be redeemed on the night of the event against a single copy of The Happy Couple – we will have a list of attendees with vouchers to be redeemed. This event will take place in the bookshop with an in-person audience, as well as a livestream for attendees watching from home. Naoise will be in conversation with writer and non-fiction editor Katie Goh. After the international success of her bestselling debut, Exciting Times, Dolan is returning with an ensemble novel set at a wedding that explores loneliness, monogamy and modern love.

We're so pleased that Naoise Dolan will be visiting us for an event to celebrate the publication of her new novel, The Happy Couple.

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