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Hard Place
A sharp, contemporary debut about survival and selling out, for fans of Oisín McKenna and Torrey Peters
For years, Billy’s decisions have been made for her by long-term girlfriend Rose, leaving her free not to think for – or about – herself. But when they break up and Billy is left without anywhere to live, she’s forced to take up an unappealing but affordable Spareroom ad. Her new flatmates, Sid and Rhoda, are the kinds of people who talk very seriously about taking accountability, adhering to the flat’s community guidelines and holding space for one another. Meals are communal by force, polyamory is assumed, and whatever the problem, capitalism’s usually to blame. Yes, Rhoda’s parents own the flat, but that doesn’t they’re unapologetically political and loudly queer, and slowly Billy becomes enmeshed in their radical, vulnerable world. But as Billy’s past starts to catch up with her, and all of their boundaries begin to crumble, each of them must reckon with what they truly stand for — and what they’ll sacrifice to hold onto it.
For years, Billy’s decisions have been made for her by long-term girlfriend Rose, leaving her free not to think for – or about – herself. But when they break up and Billy is left without anywhere to live, she’s forced to take up an unappealing but affordable Spareroom ad. Her new flatmates, Sid and Rhoda, are the kinds of people who talk very seriously about taking accountability, adhering to the flat’s community guidelines and holding space for one another. Meals are communal by force, polyamory is assumed, and whatever the problem, capitalism’s usually to blame. Yes, Rhoda’s parents own the flat, but that doesn’t they’re unapologetically political and loudly queer, and slowly Billy becomes enmeshed in their radical, vulnerable world. But as Billy’s past starts to catch up with her, and all of their boundaries begin to crumble, each of them must reckon with what they truly stand for — and what they’ll sacrifice to hold onto it.
304 pages, Hardcover
First published June 4, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
June 7, 2026
I think I initially reacted badly to this book because it felt like it was making a hyperbolised cliche out of parts of my life and I struggled to not feel cringed out by some of the dialogue and characters but then it hit this point where it didn’t back down from the complexities of trauma/grief/queerness/polyamory/communal living and it WENT there and then I respected it and now I really like this book.
December 9, 2025
(2 stars)
TLDR: This book didn’t work for me but I hope there will be others readers who enjoy it. I personally found the characters flat and this book didn’t have the discussion about performative activism I had hoped for given its blurb. It was a quick read and I liked the first quarter well enough but disliked, and was very disappointed by, the direction it went in the end.
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I was very excited at the start of this book. The characters seemed very exaggerated in a satirical way and, based on this and the blurb of the book, I was looking forward to the critique this book would make of these characters. The blurb also gave me the impression that the critique would come from a place of compassion and focused on finding the humanity behind the caricatures that the characters felt like at the start. Unfortunately, this never happened. For example, I wanted to hear more about how Rhoda felt about having rich parents and effectively being a landlord while protesting against privilege in other people. Although we get some passive-aggressive comments between the characters about this, these ideas are never fully discussed or developed further. The blurb made it seem that all of these characters would have some sort of reckoning with each other and themselves that causes them all to be more authentic with one another, but this did not happen, in my opinion. I felt like these characters all started and ended the book almost exactly the same. I do think being able to discuss feelings and boundaries etc. with your friends in an open and honest way is very important, but every sentence these characters said felt fake, rehearsed, and taken straight from an Instagram therapy advice. And despite all this supposed “open-ness” I felt the characters were constantly lying and manipulating one another. Again, I was very on board with this at the start when I thought this book was trying to interrogate how people can feel increasingly pressured to say the correct thing to friends, but this interrogation never came.
By the end, and as the book ran out of pages to have the nuanced discussion I was hoping for, I was expecting a big fall out between the flat mates that would result in them going their separate ways and realising that their performances for each other throughout the book were harming everyone involved. I felt like all of the characters were painfully fake to one another and the book presented their relationships at the end as extremely positive?
I understand that Billy, the main character, had many abusive relationships in her past and I wished for her to find people where she could be herself, finally have opinions, and feel secure, but I definitely do not think that Rhoda and Sid are people who give her this in any way (nor do I think she could give them the kindness or friendship they deserve either! Billy is constantly thinking about how annoying Rhoda and Sid are. I don’t think these characters living together is good for any of them).
Because the blurb of this book makes the comparison with ‘Evenings and Weekends’ by Oisin McEna, I would like to compare the two briefly (for context, I really enjoyed ‘Evenings and Weekends’). I see the similarities, but where ‘Evenings and Weekends’ offers a nuanced and interesting dive into many characters which are not necessarily “likeable”, ‘Hard Place’ just took the idea of unlikeable characters to the extreme and didn’t feel at all nuanced in their portrayal.
I don’t know. Maybe I missed something here. I hope that is the case and that other people will find and enjoy this book as I am always pleased to see books with queer rep being published and read.
My thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC.
TLDR: This book didn’t work for me but I hope there will be others readers who enjoy it. I personally found the characters flat and this book didn’t have the discussion about performative activism I had hoped for given its blurb. It was a quick read and I liked the first quarter well enough but disliked, and was very disappointed by, the direction it went in the end.
--
I was very excited at the start of this book. The characters seemed very exaggerated in a satirical way and, based on this and the blurb of the book, I was looking forward to the critique this book would make of these characters. The blurb also gave me the impression that the critique would come from a place of compassion and focused on finding the humanity behind the caricatures that the characters felt like at the start. Unfortunately, this never happened. For example, I wanted to hear more about how Rhoda felt about having rich parents and effectively being a landlord while protesting against privilege in other people. Although we get some passive-aggressive comments between the characters about this, these ideas are never fully discussed or developed further. The blurb made it seem that all of these characters would have some sort of reckoning with each other and themselves that causes them all to be more authentic with one another, but this did not happen, in my opinion. I felt like these characters all started and ended the book almost exactly the same. I do think being able to discuss feelings and boundaries etc. with your friends in an open and honest way is very important, but every sentence these characters said felt fake, rehearsed, and taken straight from an Instagram therapy advice. And despite all this supposed “open-ness” I felt the characters were constantly lying and manipulating one another. Again, I was very on board with this at the start when I thought this book was trying to interrogate how people can feel increasingly pressured to say the correct thing to friends, but this interrogation never came.
By the end, and as the book ran out of pages to have the nuanced discussion I was hoping for, I was expecting a big fall out between the flat mates that would result in them going their separate ways and realising that their performances for each other throughout the book were harming everyone involved. I felt like all of the characters were painfully fake to one another and the book presented their relationships at the end as extremely positive?
I understand that Billy, the main character, had many abusive relationships in her past and I wished for her to find people where she could be herself, finally have opinions, and feel secure, but I definitely do not think that Rhoda and Sid are people who give her this in any way (nor do I think she could give them the kindness or friendship they deserve either! Billy is constantly thinking about how annoying Rhoda and Sid are. I don’t think these characters living together is good for any of them).
Because the blurb of this book makes the comparison with ‘Evenings and Weekends’ by Oisin McEna, I would like to compare the two briefly (for context, I really enjoyed ‘Evenings and Weekends’). I see the similarities, but where ‘Evenings and Weekends’ offers a nuanced and interesting dive into many characters which are not necessarily “likeable”, ‘Hard Place’ just took the idea of unlikeable characters to the extreme and didn’t feel at all nuanced in their portrayal.
I don’t know. Maybe I missed something here. I hope that is the case and that other people will find and enjoy this book as I am always pleased to see books with queer rep being published and read.
My thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC.
June 17, 2026
Hard Place presents a protagonist with deep layers. You can feel that Billy doesn’t quite understand her place within the world. Her past is complicated and feeds into her understanding of right and wrong.
Gab pulls the reader in different directions throughout. At times I felt myself disliking the person on the page and at other times yearned for her to feel.
A note on the housemates - these are characters we have all met at some point in our own lives but I loved that they both served as a way of pulling back the layers of Billy. They push her out of her comfort zone constantly and allow her to begin to understand who she is.
An incredible debut novel, can’t wait to read their next one.
P.s - an acknowledgement has never made me so emotional before.
Gab pulls the reader in different directions throughout. At times I felt myself disliking the person on the page and at other times yearned for her to feel.
A note on the housemates - these are characters we have all met at some point in our own lives but I loved that they both served as a way of pulling back the layers of Billy. They push her out of her comfort zone constantly and allow her to begin to understand who she is.
An incredible debut novel, can’t wait to read their next one.
P.s - an acknowledgement has never made me so emotional before.
June 12, 2026
4.5
I really really enjoyed this!! It went in a totally different direction than what I expected but in a really lovely wholesome way??! I just loved the queer representation! Despite not always agreeing with their actions, I ended up loving the 3 main characters so much. They were interesting enough to keep me very entertained despite the book having no real plot. I currently live with housemates so reading about the relationship between flatmates in this book was super cool (though not what I expected). I’d definitely recommend this if you’re looking for a very fun, very queer, litfic read. Thank you to Simon & Schuster for the gifted copy!
I really really enjoyed this!! It went in a totally different direction than what I expected but in a really lovely wholesome way??! I just loved the queer representation! Despite not always agreeing with their actions, I ended up loving the 3 main characters so much. They were interesting enough to keep me very entertained despite the book having no real plot. I currently live with housemates so reading about the relationship between flatmates in this book was super cool (though not what I expected). I’d definitely recommend this if you’re looking for a very fun, very queer, litfic read. Thank you to Simon & Schuster for the gifted copy!
June 18, 2026
3.5 stars
Compelling despite having almost no plot lol.
The relationships are chaotic, manipulative and at times completely baffling, and I couldn't work out half the time if the characters even liked each other… but the shifting dynamics are what made it for me and kept me engaged.
It sets up a really interesting premise around performative activism and queer politics but doesn't dig as deep or have the sincerity I was expecting.
The ending tries to wrap things up neatly in a way that didn't feel earned given everything that came before it.
Full review to follow on my bookstagram @longsterslibrary 🫶
Compelling despite having almost no plot lol.
The relationships are chaotic, manipulative and at times completely baffling, and I couldn't work out half the time if the characters even liked each other… but the shifting dynamics are what made it for me and kept me engaged.
It sets up a really interesting premise around performative activism and queer politics but doesn't dig as deep or have the sincerity I was expecting.
The ending tries to wrap things up neatly in a way that didn't feel earned given everything that came before it.
Full review to follow on my bookstagram @longsterslibrary 🫶
November 27, 2025
This was right up my street as someone who loves weird books about traumatised queer people who are also arseholes. Expect friendly fire at the ideas of community, boundaries, and failed attempts to weave progressive politics into personal lives and relationships (and don’t expect warm fuzzy feelings or redemption arcs). I found this super sharp, bleak but also fun, brutal but also tender, and well-written without being overdone. Grateful for the advance copy!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Hard Place is a novel about queer community, trauma, and hypocrisy, as a woman joins a new house share. Billy was used to everything being decided by her controlling girlfriend, Rose, but when they break up, she finds herself in a new type of situation: a queer house share. Rhoda and Sid have community guidelines for the house, a book group of friends that Billy can't help but judge, and want everything to be communal and discussed. But whilst Billy mocks them in her head, she also starts to realise that she does need to explore her own boundaries and her past.
This is a layered book that both satirises a certain kind of queer roommate situation and also is a sometimes surprisingly dark look at one person's traumatic past and how that might cause them to be a messy person who makes bad choices. Hard Place is one of those books where you initially can't work out exactly where the lines between satire and sincerity will lie, and even as the book goes on, it feels like Torr doesn't quite want you to know that. Instead, there's a lot of details that feel biting, but also it does seem like Billy does sometimes benefit from the sincere-to-the-point-of-ridiculous care from her housemates.
The ending is a fascinating choice, one that almost makes you wince but also wonder what it means for the characters, especially as they don't really go through the kind of character development that the blurb suggested. There's perhaps not as deep a biting commentary as the book goes on, and elements like Rhoda's parents actually owning the house they live in are a horribly true representation of many people in London, but none of the characters really delve into what it means (though the ending feels like it does comment on it on a reader level).
Hard Place is a fascinating novel to me, as a literary fiction take on often exaggerated queer drama and very real trauma that skirts between satire and sincerity.
This is a layered book that both satirises a certain kind of queer roommate situation and also is a sometimes surprisingly dark look at one person's traumatic past and how that might cause them to be a messy person who makes bad choices. Hard Place is one of those books where you initially can't work out exactly where the lines between satire and sincerity will lie, and even as the book goes on, it feels like Torr doesn't quite want you to know that. Instead, there's a lot of details that feel biting, but also it does seem like Billy does sometimes benefit from the sincere-to-the-point-of-ridiculous care from her housemates.
The ending is a fascinating choice, one that almost makes you wince but also wonder what it means for the characters, especially as they don't really go through the kind of character development that the blurb suggested. There's perhaps not as deep a biting commentary as the book goes on, and elements like Rhoda's parents actually owning the house they live in are a horribly true representation of many people in London, but none of the characters really delve into what it means (though the ending feels like it does comment on it on a reader level).
Hard Place is a fascinating novel to me, as a literary fiction take on often exaggerated queer drama and very real trauma that skirts between satire and sincerity.
May 8, 2026
I was lucky enough to get an ARC for this one.
I have been a little conflicted about how to rate this one, but it sits at a solid 3.5, rounded down.
On one hand, I enjoyed the writing style and it intrigued me pretty early on.
On the other hand, I missed the story really flowing. I found that a lot of the situations ended quickly and quite abruptly, and it threw me out of really sinking into the story, and having the characters really fleshed out.
I got used to this writing style, then it altered towards the end where full situations were fleshed out, which I enjoyed, but found the change a bit confusing at such a late stage in the book.
It's quite possible that this was intentional, and a reflection of the mental state of the characters, but I think I needed more clarity if this was the case.
I thought the talk of how she was effected by her mental state (and her choices to drink) to be pretty accurate and vivid, but the vast number of sex scenes to be a little tiring.
An important part of the story, but not personally my jam, especially when it's emotionally and physically detached sex.
The ending felt unstable and uncomfortable.
I can see where it finished off to be very volatile for all involved (which is the point I'm sure), but it left me almost wishing that that was the story and where it started, so that the characters could all finish at a more stable place.
It also wholly glossed over that the council and other powers at be were trying to have the place pulled down. I figured at some point they would get tougher.
All in all, plenty of promise, but probably not quite my jam. Didn't hate it, but probably won't keep it either.
I have been a little conflicted about how to rate this one, but it sits at a solid 3.5, rounded down.
On one hand, I enjoyed the writing style and it intrigued me pretty early on.
On the other hand, I missed the story really flowing. I found that a lot of the situations ended quickly and quite abruptly, and it threw me out of really sinking into the story, and having the characters really fleshed out.
I got used to this writing style, then it altered towards the end where full situations were fleshed out, which I enjoyed, but found the change a bit confusing at such a late stage in the book.
It's quite possible that this was intentional, and a reflection of the mental state of the characters, but I think I needed more clarity if this was the case.
I thought the talk of how she was effected by her mental state (and her choices to drink) to be pretty accurate and vivid, but the vast number of sex scenes to be a little tiring.
An important part of the story, but not personally my jam, especially when it's emotionally and physically detached sex.
The ending felt unstable and uncomfortable.
I can see where it finished off to be very volatile for all involved (which is the point I'm sure), but it left me almost wishing that that was the story and where it started, so that the characters could all finish at a more stable place.
It also wholly glossed over that the council and other powers at be were trying to have the place pulled down. I figured at some point they would get tougher.
All in all, plenty of promise, but probably not quite my jam. Didn't hate it, but probably won't keep it either.
June 4, 2026
Look, I know that this website is not the place for authors to be, but I want to recommend this book to my 700 followers because I think it's an important addition to the Queer Canon and is particularly—maybe singularly—good at talking about the intersection of class and queerness in England in the current era. And I think it really speaks to the progressive leftist experience of worrying that you're doing too much or other people are doing too much and leans into that rather than away. You know, just plain representation of queerness isn't enough.
I recommend the book particularly to people who like that video that's like non-binary roommates ask each other to clean up and people who have enough distance from having flatmates to look back at the experience fondly. My mum is from Macclesfield so my perspective of the UK was very working-class-northern-skewed until I went to London for my book and met loads of posh people and it made this book hit even harder.
I want to say everyone should read it but actually don't read it if you don't have an open mind and open heart for people who will take love wherever they can get it. If that's your situation then just buy it and give it to someone who does. Or you can read it but don't do one of those video reviews where you say the characters weren't correct about everything and you wouldn't want to be best mates with all of them. It's not the kind of book where you'll want to be best mates with all of them unless you're really going through it and in that case, uh-oh ! ! !
I recommend the book particularly to people who like that video that's like non-binary roommates ask each other to clean up and people who have enough distance from having flatmates to look back at the experience fondly. My mum is from Macclesfield so my perspective of the UK was very working-class-northern-skewed until I went to London for my book and met loads of posh people and it made this book hit even harder.
I want to say everyone should read it but actually don't read it if you don't have an open mind and open heart for people who will take love wherever they can get it. If that's your situation then just buy it and give it to someone who does. Or you can read it but don't do one of those video reviews where you say the characters weren't correct about everything and you wouldn't want to be best mates with all of them. It's not the kind of book where you'll want to be best mates with all of them unless you're really going through it and in that case, uh-oh ! ! !
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Sometimes queer people are annoying and that's okay.
Hard Place follows Billy, arguably the most traumatised person you've ever met. Billy, recently dumped and homeless, moves in with Sid and Rhoda off a Spareroom ad. I would say Sid and Rhoda are queer where Billy is gay. Despite being in a lesbian relationship, Billy has kept herself isolated from the ideas, tastes, and politics of queerness. At first Billy is cynical of Sid and Rhoda's overreliance on therapy speak, their constant demand for vulnerability, their "boundary setting" and "class consciousness," but soon she begins to feel inadequate in the face of their projected goodness. She decides she wants to be like them, with their lofty ideals and their "found family". But the reality of living to Sid and Rhoda's high expectations and community guidelines becomes too much for Billy to handle.
Everyone in this book is deeply flawed and makes terrible, terrible decisions. There's reasons to love and hate Billy, Sid, and Rhoda in equal measure. It does a great job of poking gentle fun at the ways we can fail to integrate progressive political views into our actual real life relationships. As well as the way the realities of class and finance can challenge our ideals. After all, who amongst us wouldn't consider selling out a little for half priced rent?
Well written, quickly-paced and exciting, Hard Place is a satire of modern queer life told with clear intelligence and care.
Hard Place follows Billy, arguably the most traumatised person you've ever met. Billy, recently dumped and homeless, moves in with Sid and Rhoda off a Spareroom ad. I would say Sid and Rhoda are queer where Billy is gay. Despite being in a lesbian relationship, Billy has kept herself isolated from the ideas, tastes, and politics of queerness. At first Billy is cynical of Sid and Rhoda's overreliance on therapy speak, their constant demand for vulnerability, their "boundary setting" and "class consciousness," but soon she begins to feel inadequate in the face of their projected goodness. She decides she wants to be like them, with their lofty ideals and their "found family". But the reality of living to Sid and Rhoda's high expectations and community guidelines becomes too much for Billy to handle.
Everyone in this book is deeply flawed and makes terrible, terrible decisions. There's reasons to love and hate Billy, Sid, and Rhoda in equal measure. It does a great job of poking gentle fun at the ways we can fail to integrate progressive political views into our actual real life relationships. As well as the way the realities of class and finance can challenge our ideals. After all, who amongst us wouldn't consider selling out a little for half priced rent?
Well written, quickly-paced and exciting, Hard Place is a satire of modern queer life told with clear intelligence and care.
Review of advance copy
I was suitably intrigued by the world Sid, Rhoda and later, Billy created for themselves. Much like Billy, I felt like I was swept up or invited into a new, progressive (and dare I say idealistic) organisation; one that maligns capitalism but relies on the privileges it offers white middle class folk. There were parts I found frustrating: Rhoda’s whole personality (a reflection not a criticism), the fact that Rhoda’s family seemed happy to float Sid but not Billy, or maybe they didn’t know they were floating Sid…? Idk I found this confusing, I was holding out for the previous housemates’ story to illuminate things but this fell a bit flat for me, and lastly I couldn’t understand the dynamic between Sid and Rhoda.. it felt like a codependency based on funding (Sid) and emotional support (Rhoda), rather than genuine affection.
Mostly though, I liked that all of these characters, and the guidelines they subscribed to, were imperfect. In fact oftentimes, they were contradictory. But I liked this, it felt deeply human.
Mostly though, I liked that all of these characters, and the guidelines they subscribed to, were imperfect. In fact oftentimes, they were contradictory. But I liked this, it felt deeply human.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Read
November 26, 2025DNF at chapter 8, 33%. I tried this from 19/11/25 to 25/11/25. This isn’t a bad book at all but it’s just not really working for me. This would probably be a 3 star read for me if I finished it but as it’s getting to the end of the year I really want to prioritise what books I read. Part of me does want to finish this but I’m finding it hard to get lost in the story. Plus Billy is kind of an annoying character and there is something about the way this is written that feels a little patronising particularly around the queer representation which is a shame because I love queer stories.
*Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance reader copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.*
*Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance reader copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.*
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Love the lesbian, nonbinary, and polyamory rep in this book. Billy is a really interesting character, her decisions are questionable but also understandable given her background. She’s been through a lot with her abusive family and controlling lesbian relationship and is experiencing a kind of delayed coming of age when she moves into her new shared house and begins to interact more with the queer community.
It explores how therapy speak can be weaponised but also it does really help Billy to feel safe talking about her feelings and asking for what she needs. The characters did occasionally feel like caricatures and I found it hard to tell their age but overall I did really warm to them as I read.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC.
It explores how therapy speak can be weaponised but also it does really help Billy to feel safe talking about her feelings and asking for what she needs. The characters did occasionally feel like caricatures and I found it hard to tell their age but overall I did really warm to them as I read.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
there's a lot i liked about this book, the writing was engaging and i felt invested in the characters and plot throughout, but i guess it just ended up feeling a little empty? felt like it didn't really examine a lot of the themes it touched on (class, performative activism, toxic positivity, etc) in any real depth, which would have been more interesting. i liked the ending though, even if it felt more like a regression than growth. sometimes life is like that.
thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the arc
thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the arc
June 7, 2026
This was sooo messy lmao. Super fun and relatable take on queer culture and its hypocrisy :)
June 8, 2026
Wooof....what a mess!
I'd say good for her, but really, it was not GOOD, not for anyone.
I wouldn't wish these friendships/living situationships to anyone...
I'd say good for her, but really, it was not GOOD, not for anyone.
I wouldn't wish these friendships/living situationships to anyone...
June 21, 2026
this is a book based entirely on the meme that Certain Demographics can’t do dishes bc of trauma
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews