Review: The Split by Laura Kay

Wounded and betrayed, after being dumped by her girlfriend, Ally makes off to her dad’s in Sheffield with the one thing that might soothe the pain and force her ex to speak to her again: Emily's cat, Malcolm.

Back home and forced into a 'date' by their parents, Ally and her first ever beard, Jeremy, come up with a ridiculous plan to win their exes back... to revenge-run a half marathon. Given neither of them can run, they enlist the support of athletic, not to mention beautiful, Jo. But will she have them running for the hills... or will their ridiculous plan pay off...?

After being dumped by her girlfriend of seven years Ally leaves London and returns to her family home in Sheffield, impulsively taking their cat Malcolm with her. Once there she reconnects with Jeremy, an old school friend also reeling from a failed relationship, and together they hatch a plan to win back their exes. They sign up to run the local half marathon, despite the fact that neither of them have really run before... 

What I loved most about this book was the relationship between Ally and Jeremy. It was refreshing to read a book which, in spite of all the relationship drama, had friendship at its heart. Let’s be honest though Malcolm the cat is the absolute star of the show, stealing any and every scene that he is in. 

The Split is a fun, queer rom-com full of humour and heart. Thank you Milly Reid and Quercus Books for the lovely review copy!