Single Bald Female

By: Laura Price

Narrated by: Victoria Blunt

Frank, funny and poignant, Single Bald Female by Laura Price is an unforgettable story of love, friendship, and embracing life after a shock diagnosis.

'If you need something funny, moving, heartbreaking and magical, this is the one' - Daisy Buchanan, author of Insatiable

'Witty yet devastating' – ES Magazine

'Every word of Single Bald Female rings true' – Lauren Bravo, author of Preloved

Jessica Jackson has hit all her personal milestones for turning thirty – the career, the loving boyfriend and a cosy London flat they share with their cat. But a breast cancer diagnosis turns Jess’s world upside down, and her contented life implodes with it.

Around her, her friends’ lives continue to follow the script, with the big white weddings and the baby scans. With her own future so uncertain, the only thing Jess is sure of is that she’s being left behind.

But then she meets Annabel, an enigmatic twenty-seven year old with incurable cancer. While Annabel may not have long left, she understands much more about living than anyone Jess has ever met. And she’s determined to show Jess how to make every day count . . .

'I read this in a single night - superb!' - Celia Walden, columnist and author of Payday

'Life-affirming and uplifting' – Fabulous Magazine

'Moving and beautiful' – Emma Gannon, author of Olive

Critic reviews

A triumph . . . Laura has taken what is for many our biggest nightmare, and turned it into something uplifting, funny, heartwarming and real. I laughed and wept. It’s an extraordinary novel and one everyone should read. (Alexandra Potter, author of Confessions of a Forty-Something F**k Up)

Single Bald Female is a sparky, emotional, and heartwarming journey, with a vibrant lead character in Jess. An accomplished debut with witty and charming characters, twists and turns, and quietly devastating moments. (Justin Myers, The Guyliner)

I was so invested in these characters. Life-affirming. (Kris Hallenga, Sunday Times bestselling author and founder of CoppaFeel!)

Inspiring, candid and beautifully observed. Single Bald Female is an extraordinary, hugely moving story about the fight for survival. Life-affirming, tear-jerking and gorgeously written, I was sobbing at the end, and you will be too (Hannah Tovey, bestselling author of The Education of Ivy Edwards)

Life-affirming and uplifting (Fabulous Magazine)

Funny, poignant and brilliantly written (Daily Express)

Witty yet devastating (ES Magazine)

A wonderful debut novel. A really touching story, comforting and warm story about friendship, support, life lessons and dealing with unexpected illness. Moving and beautiful (Emma Gannon, author of The Multi-Hyphen Method)

Every word of Single Bald Female rings true. Warm, funny, unflinchingly honest but ultimately life-affirming, it made me want to hug everyone I know (Lauren Bravo, author of What Would the Spice Girls Do? and How To Break Up With Fast Fashion)

A warm and beautiful novel, heartbreaking yet uplifting, honest and funny with realistic characters that leap from the page. Laura has written a remarkable and moving debut. I loved it (Jenny Quintana, author of The Missing Girl)

Tender, funny and insightful (Rebecca Ley, author of For When I'm Gone)

Vibrant, witty and poignant, the narrative zips along as protagonist Jess navigates the thorny parts of life, work and love, all while undergoing treatment for breast cancer . . . I loved it (Lizzie Pook, author of Moonlight and the Pearler's Daughter)

A smart, funny, uplifting story about friendship, love and the unexpected twists life can take . . . This is a beautiful novel you’ll want to talk to all your friends about (Freya Sampson, bestselling author of The Last Library)

Touching, funny, and true. It made me laugh and it made me cry (Chloe Ashby, author of Wet Paint)

Laura's spare prose evoked Jessica's experience with such sensitivity. It was a beautiful, life-affirming snapshot of women pulling together in the most difficult of times while not sparing the reader any of the realities of having cancer. Warm, witty and wise. I loved it (Nicole Kennedy, author of After Paris)

Relatable storytelling

I loved how this book shares some of the way that cancer impacted the author’s life while building out the entire context of her life and relationships at that time. My own breast cancer impacted my relationships, family and work in relatable ways and it was refreshing to hear about all of those aspects in addition to the experience with cancer.

I didn’t want it to end

Wow, what can I say. As the book was nearing its end and I saw there was only 2 minutes left my heart started to beat fast. This book was just what I needed. Created a space to cry (for once not about me), a space to laugh (I’m lacking laughter in personal life, a moment to feel angry (but not angry about my situation), and to feel hope… which then permeated into hope for me.
This book is gorgeously written. It’s one that you can put down if you need and no it’s there or like me stay up until 3am listening.
Thank you for writing such a beautiful book. One that you wish the character is real and could follow on social media.

Refreshing and engaging

I loved reading this book. I’ve never read anything like it. I have a bizarre mix of stories that I’m into, this one has a blend of approachable characters that also makes you think and reflect. I often find that I think about a book after I have read it, more than during, but with this one I found it occupied my mind in a different way. I often paused and thought during reading because the narrative sparked thoughts all over the place that needed tending to in the moment. The author has an individual lens on life and the nature of dreams/desire, joy, and connection with others that is intensely meaningful without the need to draw on spirituality which I loved. Thoroughly enjoyable read. I also absolutely loved the intense feminist component of the story that depicted multiple capable women whose stories involved but isnt defined by the men in their lives. The story acknowledges their need for community without defining them by those relationships.

Deep life changing story <3

I loved this book. To follow someone on such a heart wrenching journey, as they find new meaning to life, is always a blessing :-) As someone whose life has been changed by chronic illness, this story was a gift to me and so many others in the community. Sending lots of love and spoons to Laura Price, love ya hun <3