Pear Shaped

Stella Newman

Newman’s book manages to be both hilarious and heartbreaking. But ultimately, the story of Sophie’s struggle is uplifting. More characters of this kind are needed in contemporary fiction: women whose struggles through crises we can relate to, and whose ultimate victory can inspire us. blogcritics.org

‘What a fantastic book. Really quite brilliant, way superior to standard chick-lit…so well written, fresh, insightful, funny…honest and very contemporary. Fantastic dialogue. Great characters. There’s so much that’s fresh and fun, including the food world which I loved.’ Henry Fitzherbert, Sunday Express

The UK Number One Ebook Bestseller


Girl meets boy.
Girl loses boy.
Girl loses mind.


Sophie Klein walks into a bar one Friday night and her life changes. She meets James Stephens: charismatic, elusive, and with a hosiery model ex who casts a long, thin shadow over their burgeoning relationship. He’s clever, funny and shares her greatest pleasure in life – to eat and drink slightly too much and then have a little lie down. Sophie’s instinct tells her James is too good to be true – and he is.

An exploration of love, heartbreak, self-image, self-deception and lots of food. Pear Shaped is in turns smart, laugh-out-loud funny and above all, recognizable to women everywhere.

What people are saying about Pear Shaped


‘If you are a girl with a passion for food, this modern city heartbreak is the book for you.’Heat Magazine

‘A fabulous first novel by a British writer…Her writing is witty and snappy and she is hilarious on the food industry … I also found her fascinating on the methodology of contemporary dating.’ Wendy Holden

‘With a wonderful lead character who is impossible not to like, a horrible boyfriend, witty dialogue and a vast quantity of delicious sweets and desserts, this book is for anyone who has loved and lost. A sharp, refreshing and occasionally sad story that tells beautifully, of the balance between love and insanity, it is an honest tale of discovery and finally accepting who you are, cellulite marks and all.’ www.handwrittengirl.com

Pear Shaped is the best sort of guilty pleasure, from the copious puddings our heroine Sophie tests in her day job, to the relationship she just knows is wrong for her but can’t seem to give up. You’ll shout out loud willing her to dump him, and cry with laughter as you recognise all the daft things we do when we’re in love. And then you’ll have a second helping of pudding and fall in love with Stella Newman’s quick wit and her clever portrayal of that delicate balance between food, love and insanity.’ Kathleen Baird-Murray

‘It reminded me of a lemon meringue pie: sharp and sweet and satisfying all at once. It’s funny, sad and uplifting… Sophie Klein’s every woman who’s stood in front of a mirror and hated herself, and we adore her for that, and for finally delivering a Toxic Bachelor a good kick up the arse. It’s a belter.’ Kate Long

Achingly funny, searingly honest, Pear Shaped is quite simply the freshest thing I’ve ever read. Take note of the name Stella Newman. A must for anyone who’s ever loved, lost….or eaten too much dessert.’ Claudia Carroll

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