It's here! Browse the 2024 Penguin Christmas gift guide
Private Lives

Private Lives

Summary

The addictive and thought-provoking new novel from the author of the Richard & Judy book club pick, THE HERD.

In the sleepy seaside sleepy town of Waverly, Rosie and Seb Kent are happily married. Now that Seb has achieved his dream of becoming Headmaster of the local school, their lives couldn't be any better.

Then Abi arrives.

Abi, a young, single mother, has come to Waverly for a fresh start. She plans to reinvent herself and give her children a new life.

Then she sees Seb.

As their complicated hidden past threatens to destroy them both, they try their hardest to keep it contained. But in a small town, secrets don’t stay hidden for long and soon, what should be their private business becomes a very public scandal. How far will everyone – them, their families and the whole community – go to protect everything they hold dearest?

Praise for Emily Edwards:

'A knock-out twist' GILLIAN McALLISTER

'Will have book clubs across the country in hot debate! Brilliant' CLARE MACKINTOSH

'It is hard to imagine a more timely novel' JODI PICOULT

© Emily Edwards 2025 (P) Penguin Audio 2025

Reviews

  • Praise for Emily Edwards
    :

About the author

Emily Edwards

After studying at Edinburgh University, Emily Edwards worked for a think tank in New York before returning to London where she worked as a support worker for vulnerable women at a large charity. She now lives in Lewes, East Sussex with her endlessly patient husband and her two endlessly energetic young sons. Her previous novel, The Herd, was a number one bestseller.
Learn More

More from this Author

Sign up to the Penguin Newsletter

For the latest books, recommendations, author interviews and more