Insatiable: ‘A frank, funny account of 21st-century lust' Independent

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I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review – thanks so much to Netgalley for sending this to me! This week we are delighted to welcome the broadcaster, academic and bestselling author Emma Dabiri to You're Booked. Emma is the author of Don't Touch My Hair, What White People Can Do Next: From Allyship to Coalition and her latest book Disobedient Bodies: Reclaim Your Unruly Beauty, that accompanies The Cult of Beauty, a major exhibition at Wellcome Collection. We talked to Emma about fashion inspiration in Anne of Green Gables, the philosophy of beauty, the genius of Toni Morrison and E Nesbit being the gateway to a lifelong love of books. Insatiable centres around Violet. A young woman who doubts herself and her worth. Violet longs to be wanted and this takes her down a path which ultimately leads to her ‘knowing herself’. The journey violet takes is exciting, dangerous and very sexy.

It reminded me of Bridget Jones's Diary - if Bridget were bisexual and Daniel Cleaver were a couple who were into group sex.' Julie Cohen At times I was so frustrated with Violet for choices she made, but I think this is testament to the writing of the author. Characters that are well written bring out an emotional response from the reader. It reminded me of Bridget Jones’s Diary– if Bridget were bisexual and Daniel Cleaver were a couple who were into group sex.’ Julie Cohen The characters are fascinating. Firstly, of course, we have Violet, a walking contradiction. Constantly questioning herself, smarter than she thinks she is, gullible and hopeful but filled with doubts. Simon and Lottie, of course – untouchable, sexy, but with edges you could cut yourself on, two characters who draw you close for a cheek-kiss but never truly let you get past their veneer. Acerbic Sasha, with her eviscerating disdain; Mimi, an absolute angel, who steals every scene; Max and Richard, who… were there… and Nadia, the former best friend whose absence from Violet’s life is like a missing tooth she can’t stop poking. I loved getting to spend time with these characters, pulling at their loose threads and slowly watching them unravel. There was so much tension, especially for Violet, who finds them all volatile and unpredictable and makes constant missteps. The woman are infinitely more interesting than the men, which I really enjoyed; there’s a huge emphasis on female connection here that I adored. I have been so excited to get my hands on a copy of Insatiable for months, and I'm so pleased to say I was not disappointed, this one is worth the hype.

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I’ve been reading romantic comedies for a while and really fancied something a bit more erotic. I saw this book available to request and felt it fit the bill. This book was highly addictive, the kind of thing you could inhale in one sitting. It was in turns funny, sexy and sad, and the author strikes the perfect balance between salaciousness and tenderness. It's filthy in parts (in a good way) but equally, there is so much understanding for Violet and her motivations that I think, in the hands of a lesser author, could have been lost amongst the sex scenes. There’s a lot of sex in this book. With lots of people. At the same time. Posh orgies and I mean posh in that they take place in posh London flats. With posh food. (Rule of orgies: always have a buffet.) The only teensy criticism I have is that the ending felt a bit rushed, but perhaps that's just me being greedy and wanting more. Other than that, I. can't fault it.

I did feel bad that I kept having to find excuses to be left alone because this book will make you need quite a bit of ‘alone’ time. A raucous unravelling of female desire and bodily pleasures, in all their maddening complexity’ Emma Jane Unsworth

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So, when Lottie - who looks like the woman Violet wants to be when she grows up - offers Violet the chance to join her exciting start-up, she bites. Only it soon becomes clear that Lottie and her husband Simon are not only inviting Violet into their company, they are also inviting her into their lives. Insatiable is about women and desire - lust, longing and the need to be loved. It is a story about being unable to tell whether you are running towards your future or simply running away from your past. The result is at once tender and sad, funny and hopeful. This novel shines with dark humour, sharp intelligence, sizzling sex scenes, and a piercing portrayal of loneliness. Not even the most insatiable reader could ask for more.’ Katherine Heiny I felt quite sorry for Violet and was wanting things to come good for her in all aspects. She did, seemingly, make some daft decisions - but you could see why. A piercing insight into the unreal demands modern women place on themselves and told with real humour and energy, we love this book so much’ Stylist