This debut novel from award-winning author Poorna Bell follows Bel Kumar as she reconnects with her past after a near-death accident. The story is a heartwarming exploration of self-discovery and connection, perfect for fans of contemporary fiction.
'It is a joy to read a debut that has such heart, humour, and pathos' Taylor Jenkins Reid
'The book of the summer' Stylist
'A witty, thought-provoking read' Woman and Home
When Bel Kumar leaves for work in the morning, the last thing she expects is wake up in hospital later that day - with her ex from four years ago by her bedside.
It turns out that:
But who can Bel turn to in a crisis? She's never been good at asking for help, but she knows she needs to reconnect with the most important people from her past.
Within days she's navigating complex family history, old school friendships and romantic encounters - with consequences she never could have predicted.
Perhaps the worst day of Bel's life will turn out to be the best thing that ever happened to her . . .
'An instant rom-com classic' Lindsey Kelk
'Switching between the past and present, In Case of Emergency is a novel of self-realisation and the freeing power of defying both familial and societal expectations. It's simply impossible not to root for Bel' CultureFly
'Fans of Dolly Alderton's Ghosts and Emma Jane Unsworth's Adults will adore IN CASE OF EMERGENCY. This book reminds us all that no matter how capable we might be, we're nothing if not properly connected to those around us. A remarkable and thought-provoking debut!' Laura Jane Williams
'A gorgeous read full of warmth, humour and relatable moments that make you realise you're less alone in the world. The perfect book to curl up with this summer. I adored it' Salma El-Wardany
'Funny and clever with a ton of swagger' Stacey Duguid
'I inhaled this book. You really root for Poorna's characters. They're both relatable and relevant' Natasha Devon
'We loved this warm and thoughtful read' Sun on Sunday
'Journalist Bell writes with panache about a young woman finding herself... and finding what matters' Daily Mail
'We predict [In Case of Emergency] is going to be the book of the summer' Stylist
'Bel is wonderfully flawed and relatable, and this is a witty, thought-provoking read. Great 90's references too' Woman Magazine
'There's a moment in which the author describes the first sparks of love, a feeling so small yet unstoppable, with such aching delicacy it took my breath away' Ranvir Singh
Other Information: Poorna Bell is an award-winning journalist and author of twenty years, former Executive Editor and Global Lifestyle Head for HuffPost. She won Stylist's Rising Star award for 2019, Red magazine's Big Book Award for 2019 and a Sunday Times Sports Books Award in 2022. She was named as one of Marie Claire's top 30 women and is a Balance magazine top 100 Wellness personality. A judge for the Mind Media Awards and for the Costa Book Awards, Poorna has written for Red, the Telegraph, The Times, Stylist, I News, BBC, the Guardian and Grazia.
Poorna has published three works of non-fiction: Chase The Rainbow, In Search of Silence and Stronger, which is part memoir, part manifesto about women's strength and fitness. She is an experienced public speaker and is a regular contributor to BBC Radio.
In Case of Emergency is Poorna's first work of fiction.
