Spilt Milk: Some things can’t be unsaid. A most compelling talking-point read

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… In this latest fiction by Amy Beashel, the social constructs around birth, control, and the choice of abortion are explored in a new light. Bea's story is a top pick for those seeking a deep dive into the complexities of womanhood and the consequences of the choices we make. For fans of Rufi Thorpe (Margo's Got Money Troubles), Dolly Alderton (Good Material), Hannah Tunnicliffe (A French Wedding), Taffy Brodesser-Akner (Long Island Compromise), and Rebecca Makkai (Music for Wartime). HarperCollins 2023