Remontada—first reviews

"This is a raw gem of a novel to devour in one sitting"

“Remontada is a deeply moving exploration of grief, love, friendship, and football. One of a kind and not to be missed, it’s the heart-stopping story of what comes after loss.” — Eliana Ramage—author of Reese Witherspoon 2025 book club pick, To The Moon And Back

“Remontada is a poignant and life-affirming read, exploring what it means to make your own way after unimaginable loss with raw honesty, openness, and warmth. A vital story of rebuilding, of queer awakening, and of finding community.”— Sophie Mackintosh, author of The Water Cure, Blue Ticket, Cursed Bread, and the forthcoming, Permanence.

“Remontada is an unflinching account of a person rebuilding their life after baby loss. While acknowledging the weight and heft of grief, it offers hope by exploring different ways to understand and inhabit womanhood, motherhood and personhood. Abigail Tarttelin interrogates the ways in which heteronormativity and patriarchy can placate and bind us, reaching towards a different way to love; complex, messy and free.“ — Jessica Andrews, author of Saltwater and Milk Teeth

“Abigail Tarttelin has turned her fiercely feminist lens to a gentle story of healing and finding yourself in chosen family. A novel for those looking for the first peachy streaks of dawn after a night that has felt too long.”—Rowan Hisayo Buchanan, Costa-shortlisted author of Harmless Like You, Starling Days, and The Sleepwatcher

Thank you to all the writers, booksellers, and industry professionals I’ve reached out to so far—I’m so thrilled you have ALL blurbed the book!

It’s early to be reaching out, but I felt after five years away from publishing it might help publishers feel extra confident in supporting Remontada.

Having recommendations from other novelists is so helpful—Matt Haig, Emily St. John Mandel, Rachel Shukert, and Lorenzo Carcaterra, blurbed Golden Boy, helping it find readers globally. I’ll be reaching out to more writers, soon.

I so loved that colleagues within bookselling and the industry were keen to read and recommend the book also—no one better than those who handsell physical novels or work with rights to judge how a book can reach readers!

Thrilled with these blurbs…

“Remontada is a dazzling gut-punch of a novel that delivers a brutally honest, visceral and ultimately hopeful portrayal of living with grief after tremendous loss. Abigail Tarttelin’s beautiful and sparse writing sparkles with joy, and Dylan’s new journey into 5-a-side football and queerness is a vivid, exciting foil for the darkness she’s battling. For fans of Coco Mellors and Margot’s Got Money Troubles, this novel will stay with me for a long time.”—Henna Silvennoinen, Audiobooks at Spotify

“In Remontada, Abby Tarttelin deftly explores the complex grief of baby loss alongside a somatic experience of playing football and the transformative possibility of queer community. She weaves pacy dialogue and action with profound internality as her protagonist figures out how to love after trauma and how to return to your body (and the world) after grief; in doing so she gifts us the magic of hope made possible by connection. This is a raw gem of a novel to devour in one sitting.”—Jo, Manager/Bookseller, Pages of Hackney

Thank you so, so much to everyone who has read Remontada so far. I’ll be back soon with more news on when you’ll be able to get your hands on a copy!

“Remontada is a jewel of a book about coming back to oneself after shattering grief. Devastating, hopeful, and ultimately a love letter to the things, small and big, that make a life.”—Coralie Colmez, author of Math On Trial and The Irrational Diary of Clara Valentine

“As gentle as it is fierce. Remontada is a hopeful invitation to find your teammates and rediscover yourself on the pitch. For anyone who’s ever had to crochet their life back together with love, friendship and vulnerability. This story is a beautiful homage to bodies and the remarkable, sweaty, painful things they do and endure. A heartbreaking celebration of the beautiful game and beautiful lives.”—Fran Bushe, screenwriter, playwright, author of My Broken Vagina

News on a publisher for Remontada soon… and sending love to my footie mates—gutted to be nursing a torn ACL at the moment. Miss you all!

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