Lives Like Mine

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Londoner Eva Verdes Lives Like Mineexplores the theme of a school-run affair and the complications and joys it brings to a dual-heritage mother struggling with her intolerant in-lawsIndependent

'A bitter sweet story of longing and self-discovery, of deceit and regret. Visceral, authentic and funny, Evas prose reads like something between a conversation and a confession. An exciting new voice and a joy to read'Kit de Waal

Eva's writing breaks new ground in a confident and original voice, with a sharp eye for detail, wonderful characterisation and some seriously badass humourYvvette Edwards, author of the Man Booker Prize longlisted novel, A Cupboard Full of Coats

Lives Like Mineis an assured debut from a writer whos going to go far' Red Online

A thought provoking read about racism and relationships' Good Housekeeping

'Londoner Eva Verde's breathtaking novel' New!

'Verde's take on race issues is both painfully realistic and thought-provoking. Full of grit, raw emotion and flawed characters you can sympathise with, you'll still feel its emotional punch days after finishing' Heat

Mother.
To three small children, their heritage dual like hers.

Daughter.
To a mother who immigrated to make a better life but has been rejected by her chosen country.

Wife.
To a man who loves her but who will not defend her to his intolerant family.

Woman
Whose roles now define her and trap her in a life she no longer recognises


Meet Monica, the flawed heroine at the heart of LIVES LIKE MINE.

With her three children in school, Monica finds herself wondering if this is all there is. Despite all the effort and the smiles, in the mirror she sees a woman hollowed out from putting everyone else first, tolerating her in-laws intolerance, and wondering if she has a right to complain when shes living the life that she has created for herself.

Then along comes Joe, a catalyst for change in the guise of a flirtatious parent on the school run. Though the sudden spark of their affair is hedonistic and oh so cathartic, Joe soon offers a friendship that shows Monica how to resurrect and honour the parts of her identity that she has long suppressed. He is able to do for Monica what Dan has never managed to, enabling her both to face up to a past of guilty secrets and family estrangements, and to redefine her future.

Author Bio

Eva Verde is a writer from Forest Gate, East London. She is of dual heritage. Identity and class are recurring themes throughout her work as she studies towards an MA in Prose Fiction. Her love song to libraries, I Am Not Your Tituba forms part of Kit De Waals Common People: An Anthology of Working-Class Writers with Unbound. Eva is a story contributor in the forthcoming Stories to Make You Smile Anthology for World Book Night 2021. Evas debut novel Lives Like Mine, will be published by Simon and Schuster in June 2021. Eva lives in Essex with her husband, three daughters and Labrador sons.