This book is a genuinely a comforting and easy-to-read novel. A story that focuses on friendship, personal struggles and finding connection in unexpected places. This is the first Sara Cox book that I’ve read and I wasn’t entirely sure what to expect, but it quickly became clear that this is the kind of book that prioritises characters and relationships over dramatic plot twists. It feels very grounded in real life, which made it relatable and enjoyable.

The story centres around four women; Becky, Louise, Jameela and Sheila who all end up attending the same pottery class. At first, they are completely different from each other and don’t seem like the type of people who would become friends. However, as the story develops, the pottery class becomes more than just a hobby. This class turns into a space where they can escape their daily problems and slowly open up to one another. It wasn’t something overly dramatic or unrealistic, but just a simple, everyday activity that felt believable.

One of the strongest aspects of the novel is how each character is dealing with her own personal issues. Becky, the main character, is trying to navigate a difficult relationship and figure out what she really wants from life. Louise is struggling with loneliness and the pressures of motherhood, while Jameela and Sheila each have their own challenges that are revealed as the story goes on. What I found particularly interesting is that none of these problems are exaggerated, they are the kind of issues that people deal with all the time. This made the characters feel more real and easier to connect with.

Sara Cox’s writing style is another reason why the book works so well. It is very straightforward and not overly complicated, which makes it an easy read. At the same time, there is a lot of warmth and humour in the way she writes. There are moments in the book that are genuinely funny, but they don’t take away from the more serious themes. Instead, they balance things out and stop the story from feeling too heavy. I think this is important because it reflects real life, people can be going through difficult situations but still find moments to laugh.

Something else I appreciated was how the friendships developed over time. It didn’t feel rushed or forced. At the beginning, the women are quite distant from each other and there is even some awkwardness between them. But as they continue attending the pottery classes, they slowly start to open up. They share their experiences, support each other and eventually form a strong bond. This gradual development made the friendships feel much more believable. It shows that meaningful relationships don’t happen instantly, that they take time and effort.

One of the main issues is that the plot can feel quite predictable at times. There aren’t many surprising twists and in some cases, you can guess how certain situations will be resolved. While this didn’t completely ruin the experience for me, it did make parts of the story feel a bit repetitive. It’s definitely more of a “comfort read” than something that keeps you on the edge of your seat (which to be honest is what I want just before I go to sleep.)

In addition to this, some characters are more developed than others. While the main four women are given a lot of attention, there are a few side characters who feel a bit underexplored. It would have been interesting to learn more about them and see how they contributed to the overall story. That being said, this doesn’t take too much away from the book, as the focus is clearly meant to be on the central friendships.

There are sections where the story flows really well and feels engaging, but there are also parts that slow down quite a bit. These slower moments aren’t necessarily bad, but they can make the book feel longer than it actually is. Still, I think this is partly because the novel focuses so much on character development rather than action.

Despite these flaws, I think Thrown succeeds in what it sets out to do. It’s not trying to be a complex or groundbreaking novel, but instead, it aims to tell a simple, heartfelt story about people supporting each other through difficult times. This is the kind of book you can read when you want something comforting and uplifting.

Overall, I would say that this is a feel-good novel that highlights the importance of friendship, community and personal growth. It shows how even small changes (like joining a pottery class) can have a big impact on someone’s life. While it may not be the most exciting or unpredictable story, it makes up for that with its warmth, humour and relatable characters.

I would recommend this book to readers who enjoy character driven stories and are looking for something light but meaningful. It’s especially good for anyone who likes books about friendship and personal development. This book will leave you with a positive feeling by the end, which is something I really appreciated.