Cleopatra and Frankenstein by Coco Mellors Review by Michelle Hollis-Hunt

"When the darkest part of you meets the darkest part of me, it creates light."

This book took me by surprise. I wasn't expecting to enjoy it (I'm a historical fiction fan at heart), but I quickly fell into the story of this whirlwind romance that blossomed between Cleo(patra) and Frank(enstein) and the effects on the people around them. The unlikely couple have twenty years between them, but they hit it off straight away in a lift in New York on the eve of the new year. Married within six months, we see how easy falling in love can be and how difficult staying in love is. 

With a complete cast of friends and relations around them (Eleanor! ❤️) we see multiple people's point of view and struggles with mental health, addiction and toxic relationships. Raw characters that will make you laugh and also break your heart. The ending felt so real and bittersweet. 

What a fab debut!