The Split

'The Split has everything I love in a novel. It's hilariously funny, it's so uplifting, and its characters are irresistibly loveable' Beth O'Leary

'Full of humour, kindness, cake and a cat, this is the novel to turn to in difficult times' Katie Fforde

Following a brutal break up, Ally flees to her dad's house in Sheffield with her ex's cat (who always preferred her anyway). When she realises Emily isn't coming to win back either her or the cat, Ally takes to the sofa to mourn the future she'd planned.

After a few days' grace, her dad calls in reinforcements - Ally's old friend and first beard, Jeremy. Reunited, the two find solace in each other's heartbreak and an endless supply of baked goods. But jacked up on sugar and mutual delusion, they concoct a plan to run the half marathon and win back their exes...

This seems like the perfect example of their ability to commit and better themselves. But will their exes be waiting at the finish line, or is there a whole new future on the horizon?

A brilliant, heart-warming and intensely funny story of love, heartache, friendship and family. Perfect for fans of Marian Keyes and Beth O'Leary.

Hear what everyone's saying about The Split!

'A warm, funny, comforting read with such loveable characters!' Ruth Jones

'It's like meeting Marian Keyes and Dawn O'Porter in a cosy gay pub in Sheffield!' Matt Cain

'Funniest book I've read in a long time!' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ reader review

'Did NOT disappoint! I've laughed, I've cried, I've felt warm inside!' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ reader review

'A beautiful, honest story which kept me smiling and giggling throughout' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ reader review

'Absolute pure joy. It hooks you in from the first page' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ reader review

'A delight to read' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ reader review

'Leaves you feeling all squishy and warm inside' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ reader review

Love The Split? Then read Laura Kay's new heartwarming romcom, Making It, available to pre-order now!

“Full of humour, kindness, cake and a cat , this is the novel to turn to in difficult times -- KATIE FFORDE”

Full of humour, kindness, cake and a cat, this is the novel to turn to in difficult times Katie Fforde, bestselling author of A WEDDING IN THE COUNTRY
The Split has everything I love in a novel. It's hilariously funny, it's so uplifting, and its characters are irresistibly loveable Beth O'Leary, author of SUNDAY TIMES bestsellers THE FLATSHARE and THE SWITCH
A warm, funny, comforting read with such loveable characters - and it actually made me want to start running again! Ruth Jones
The Split is an uplifting, warm and heartfelt story, with a cast of engaging characters who quickly became my friends. A feel-good depiction of love, friendship and family, which is very funny, but with moments of true poignancy too. An absolute must-read Holly Miller, author of THE SIGHT OF YOU
It's like meeting Marian Keyes and Dawn O'Porter in a cosy gay pub in Sheffield! Matt Cain, author of THE MADONNA OF BOLTON
Wise, wonderful and so much fun. I loved it! Heidi Swain, bestselling author of THE WINTER GARDEN
It was pure fun. Heart-warming and adorable Julie Cohen, bestselling author of TOGETHER and LOUIS & LOUISE
It's rare that a book so important to the literary canon is, at the same time, entertaining, heart-warming, and funny Anstey Harris, author of WHERE WE BELONG
I adored The Split - a hilarious but oh-so-relatable tale of how not to handle a break-up. It made me laugh and sigh and head out for a run Holly Hepburn
Such a lovely and heart-warming book. And it's hilarious! ... You'd be hard pushed to find a better group of characters to spend time with Suzanne Ewart, author of forthcoming ONE MONTH OF YOU
An absolute JOY from start to finish. If you're after a smart, funny romcom with characters to root for, this is one for you Richard Roper
Fun, sassy and a joy to read. I loved it! Emma Cooper, author of IF I COULD SAY GOODBYE
Guaranteed to have you chuckling, this is a book with heart Prima
This ferociously funny book about family, friendship and finding yourself will give you a warm glow Red
Perfectly capturing the agony of a break-up, you'll want to wrap them up in a hug, while eating a freshly baked cake Heat

Warm, wise and very funny, The Split is a modern romcom with characters you'll fall in love with. I can't wait to read more by Laura Kay

Phoebe Luckhurst
A hilarious tale of friendship and community The Sun
More than just a standard romcom but with gay characters, this nicely written, engaging debut squeezes in ambition, anxiety and cake galore Daily Mail
It's fresh, funny, foodie, and feel-good NB magazine
A brilliant, heart-warming and intensely funny rom com My Weekly
A very funny read Bella
A funny, uplifting and intensely human romantic comedy Blackpool Gazette

A heartwarming and unique story of self discovery

Woman’s Own
Charming, funny and thoroughly enjoyable Walthamstow Echo
A brilliant, heartwarming and intensely funny romcom BELFAST TELEGRAPH

Laura Kay is a writer living in East London. Her journalism and personal essays have been published in The Guardian, DIVA Magazine, Stylist, the Metro and The Bookseller, among others. In 2018 she was selected for the PRH WriteNow scheme where she developed her first novel The Split, which was longlisted for the Polari First Novel Prize. Making It is her fourth novel.

' The Split has everything I love in a novel. It's hilariously funny, it's so uplifting, and its characters are irresistibly loveable' - BETH O'LEARY ' Full of humour, kindness, cake and a cat, this is the novel to turn to in difficult times ' - KATIE FFORDE 'A warm, funny, comforting read with such loveable characters!' - RUTH JONES Following a brutal break up, Ally flees to her dad's house in Sheffield with her ex's cat (who always preferred her anyway). When she realises Emily isn't coming to win back either her or the cat, Ally takes to the sofa to mourn the future she'd planned.After a few days' grace, her dad calls in reinforcements - Ally's old friend and first beard, Jeremy. Reunited, the two find solace in each other's heartbreak and an endless supply of baked goods. But jacked up on sugar and mutual delusion, they concoct a plan to run the half marathon and win back their exes...This seems like the perfect example of their ability to commit and better themselves. But will their exes be waiting at the finish line, or is there a whole new future on the horizon? A brilliant, heart-warming and intensely funny story of love, heartache, friendship and family. Perfect for fans of Marian Keyes and Dawn O'Porter.

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