This is the debut novel from Claire Powell and what an assured and excellently written debut it is. 

Gerry and Linda Maguire are married and have two thirty something children. Nicole is a hard working, functional alcoholic, who never shies from giving her opinion, while Jamie is reticent and prone to people pleasing. When Linda and Gerry announce their separation after decades of marriage, Nicole and Jamie are stunned. We follow each of the equally flawed characters over the course of the year after the announcement and see how it affects them all. 

This is a beautifully written, well paced story of a family, trying their best to cope after a life changing event. The details of the reason for the separation are drip fed to us, as all four lives continue against the backdrop of Brexit (one of reasons people suspect as the cause of the break up) and the run up to Jamie's wedding. I felt for and was frustrated by all of them, which is a testament to how good the writing is. It's full of dry humour and wit, as well as astute psychological observations of what it is to be human. Spoiler: we're a mess. 

I'm already looking forward to see what Powell does next. 

(Mild CW for ED and pregnancy loss) 

Thanks to the author Claire Powell, the publisher @littlebrownbookgroup_uk for the digital ARC via @netgalley in exchange for an honest review. At the Table is available to buy now.