A heartfelt, funny and uplifting debut about two failing marriages, two strangers falling in love, two friends embarking on a catering business – and the four funerals that connect them all
This is a story about Clare, Louisa and Chris. And sometimes Paul, and less often, Beth. It is most certainly not about frittatas (a terrible concession), and more to do with lemon tart (a perfect contrast of textures).
It is about what to do when your husband tells you that he doesn’t love you anymore. And what to do when your wife leaves you after too many rounds of IVF. It’s about helping your new friend with her funeral catering business, and discovering that, sometimes, the most unlikely of pairings are the very, very best. It is about food that is outrageously good and comforting to sad people. And, for once, not being sensible, and throwing away everything you know.
Catering, like life, doesn’t always go according to plan, and as Clare, Louisa and Chris’s stories become more intertwined, they will learn that life will always manage to break in to remind you of just how good it can be.
This is a book about living. After all, the thing about death is that it makes life important.
Read some great reviews from our Preview readers here:
Grab your tissues and get ready to feel all the emotions – this book is a real tearjerker! We’ve got two couples: Chris and Sarah, who have seven failed IVF treatments but no children; and Clare and David, with two kids. The story centers on Elizabeth (who Chris, Paul and Dan call Beth), her breakup with her husband, and how she runs into her old flame. This book really captures what friendship is all about: it’s full of sadness, yet bittersweet at the same time. High praise goes out to author Dianne Harwood! If you want an epic read that’ll leave you bawling your eyes out—check this one out! Kerrie, NSW, 5 Stars
What a wonderful book! Louisa asks her new friend Clare to help her set up a new funeral catering business and Chris and Paul attend too many of the wakes that they cater for. Their lives become intertwined as they search for meaning and new beginnings. This is a rare book because the main characters are “middle-aged” and regular people. They have life experiences, but this doesn’t make things easier for them. Each of the main characters are dealing with a different issue and the connections that form over the course of the book as they search for purpose and a new direction are uplifting and heart-warming. It reminds us that life is too short not to eat a delectable lemon tart (or three). I loved this book – it had me totally hooked from the first pages and was in my thoughts long after I had finished reading. Now I’m waiting for the recipe book to come out! Debbie, NSW, 5 Stars
A feel-good book, loved all the characters; they were real people. Can’t wait for her next book. Lynette, NSW, 5 Stars
A wonderfully funny, moving, realistic, lighthearted and heartwarming story of fate, love, memories, life, death, happiness and sadness. A truly unique and splendid first novel from a naturally gifted storyteller whose passion for life, love and food flows from every page. A great novel. Shannan, NSW, 5 Stars
The Wakes is a very enjoyable read. The main characters are very easy to like and the premise of a funeral catering business is an interesting setting for this story. Both are extremely good cooks and Clare’s organisational skills offset Louisa’s exuberance to perfection. The description of the funeral food had me watering at the mouth. I would dearly love the recipe for the chicken sandwiches and the lemon tart. The dynamic between these two is most appealing. Clare is newly single and has two love interests, Paul and Chris, who have known each other for a long time. The tension between the two is expertly handled. Paul’s date with Clare is hilariously awful. The Wakes is a book of friendships, funerals, food and above all, the importance of living your best life. I love it. Sarah, QLD, 5 Stars
The Wakes is a beautiful and moving novel about the power of friendship, hope, grief, and love. Deborah, QLD, 5 stars
The Wakes by Dianne Yarwood is probably my favourite book so far this year. You would not believe from the beautiful writing that this was a debut novel. The book centres around a group of forty-somethings living in Sydney, focusing on Clare, Louisa and Chris. It looks at their lives, their loves, friendships and losses. The lives of the main character intertwine, with deaths, new and old relationships and a catering business that specialises in funerals. While there are a few funerals, do not be put off by this turn of events: the writing is sensitive, and will likely bring both tears and smiles to your face. It is a touching story where you do care about the characters. It reminds us to live our best life every day. I would most certainly recommend this book. Kelly, VIC, 5 Stars
Deeply satisfying, very human characters in a timeless tale of life, death, heartbreak and new beginnings. Louisa starts a funeral catering business and enlists the help of her new friend Clare. They encounter Chris and Paul at a couple of funerals and this is the story of how lives can intertwine in the most unusual circumstances. Told with sympathy, humour and love, this is a great book about the important things in life: love, grief, friendship and food. I loved it, laughed with it and cried with it. Karan, VIC, 5 Stars
The Wakes is a fabulous book that deals with dying, friendship and just how precious life can be in a very sympathetic and caring way. I really enjoyed the book and became very invested in the deep and accidental friendship between Claire and Louisa. I could feel the deep love and connection they had for each other and not many books are able to really make you ‘feel’ that love. I also loved how Chris was secondary to the plot but was masterfully woven into the story. Well written with a tense suspense towards the end of the book, keeping me deeply engaged in the story. Would recommend this book for lovers of friendship and those wanting to explore death and the events that surround it. Katarzyna, VIC, 5 Stars
Thoroughly enjoyable and devoured in two reading sessions. Loved the way the characters’ lives were intertwined. Also enjoyed the food element. Elizabeth, NSW, 5 Stars
A delightful debut novel by Dianne Yarwood that is both entertaining and thoughtful. Clare and Louisa are new neighbours who fall into each other’s and Chris’s lives through catering for wakes. Life has thrown some curve balls for Clare, Louisa and Chris, whose lives become intertwined through death. Not since Four Weddings and a Funeral has there been such a clever take on relationships against a backdrop of heartbreak and death. The story is so cleverly interwoven that it surprises, breaks your heart, and leaves hope. Sad, witty and charming, this book gently takes our well-written protagonists through tragedies, heartbreak, accidents, and lives well lived so that they too can discover that life is about living and celebrating the ordinary and extraordinary. Read with a chicken sandwich, cup of tea and a lemon tart nearby. Jennifer, QLD, 5 Stars
An excellent book, had me in tears and also smiling. The development of all the characters was very clever and with each page, a little more was revealed. The sadness of the wakes was balanced by the enfolding friendship of Louisa and Clare. The discourse around food could be a reflection of its importance in life in general. Scones and chicken sandwiches are always a winner. A beautiful read and had me wanting to get to the finish just so I knew what happened to Louisa and Clare. Ainsley, QLD, 5 Stars
I adore everything about this book, from the beautiful cover to the title to the blurb. Then the story within grabbed my heart and reminded me to be grateful for everything I have. The characters all have their own separate issues and as the book progressed I loved seeing them grow and become wiser. The way the plot is written is amazingly well done as it portrays an important message of being grateful and thankful for every day, but it is done in a lighthearted and sometimes fun way. It is also heartbreaking at times. Well done to the author on a beautiful book that will stay with me forever. Leanne, QLD, 5 Stars
I know it’s only early days, but I think The Wakes could be my favourite read for the year. Told from multiple POVs, the plot involves characters meeting and interacting with each other over the course of four funerals. The Wakes was funny, sad, poignant, romantic, and received bonus points for food porn. Obviously there’s a focus on coping with death but there were many other thought-provoking themes such as infertility, jealousy, and forgiveness. The main characters were all likeable (and older! yay!) and I couldn’t help but cheer them on, especially the lovely Clare and Louisa, who gain independence and find a renewed purpose in their lives after they establish a funeral catering business. I can’t believe this is a debut novel. I don’t think it’s too much of a bold prediction from me if I say Dianne Yarwood will soon be as well known as Liane Moriarty. Lee-ann, QLD, 5 Stars
The Wakes is a debut novel by Dianne Yarwood, which frankly makes me hope we see much from this author. Death is a part of life, but this story is about the living that is done around inevitable loss. The history of old friendships, love lost and found, business ventures, and good food all weave together in a way that will have you smiling and reaching for a tissue all at once. Thoughtful perspective and endearing characters that left me contemplating the importance of life (and wakes!) Tess, TAS, 5 Stars
Thanks to Better Reading for this great debut novel to read and review. The Wakes was so many things rolled into one, following many people’s lives that all intertwine through wakes. Louisa and Clare are new friends that become caterers for funerals. Tempting the grieving with their delicious fan fair of food. Chris’s wife has left him and in a short space of time he seems to be partaking in a lot of the duo’s delicacies. This book definitely reminds us that life is for living and that life takes many turns for the better or worse, it’s just how you handle it that matters. I enjoyed the writing in this book, it flowed and was very touching at times. Renee, QLD, 5 Stars
The Wakes is such a disruptive book. It disrupted my sleep, my housework and everything, until I finished it. What a welcome and brilliant disruption! Utterly entertaining and unputdownable. Wonderfully written characters and storyline, loved it. Lisa, WA, 5 Stars
What a delightful romp with ‘new friends’. The story is funny and moving. I would love to meet Louisa, Clare, Alex and Chris for coffee. Those egg sandwiches would be a must… I hope the recipe is published at the back of the first edition. Buy this book for your mum, then borrow it! It’s wonderful. Nell, NSW, 5 Stars
Love it! A funny and touching story about a chain of life events. Life goes on, though it does not always go as planned. Clare and Louisa entered into the funeral catering business not knowing that providing comfort food has brought them to a new page of their life and previous friendship. Margaret, NSW, 5 Stars
I really enjoyed this book. The characters were all so real and kept me turning pages well into the night. I related to Clare so much as I work in pharmacy. I recently lost my dad and had to cater for the funeral, which is difficult not knowing numbers. I would recommend this novel to anyone who loves a good read. Always great to read a new author and l will look out for books by Dianne Yarwood. Kaye, VIC, 5 Stars
I really enjoyed this delightful debut novel of Dianne Yarwood. So much in fact that I completed it in two days. It is funny, moving and charming, whilst hopeful about death and poignant about life and what matters most. The book celebrates what it means to live and the pleasures of discovering friendships in the most unlikely places. If you feel you would enjoy a book about old friends, lost love, new developments and tasty food, then you will embrace this book. Catherine, QLD, 5 Stars
I absolutely loved this book. It was amazing, such a fantastic study in life. It had me laughing, crying and even smiling when I didn’t realise I was. It’s a must-read. Jessica, NSW, 5 Stars
Here we have such a lovely book. Be prepared with some tissues as you read. We have two separate couples: Chris and Sarah, who have no children and seven failed IVF treatments, and Clare and David with two children. Also Elizabeth (Beth to Chris, Paul and Dan (brothers). It’s about their marriage break ups and finding love after separation. There are beautiful friendships and yes, plenty of tears. I would highly recommend this book and cheers to Dianne Harwood. Sue, NSW, 5 Stars
I have to say that I really, really enjoyed this book! Relatable characters and the storyline was very plausible. I have actually found myself thinking about it as I was going about my day. The cooking aspect was also very relatable as I spend a lot of my spare time cooking too. An excellent debut novel. Donna, VIC, 4 Stars
I love that this book is set in Australia. It provided a raw look at the complexities of relationships and life in general. It was an inspiring novel of new beginnings which celebrated life, love and friendship while exploring death. Kerry, WA, 4 Stars
Life challenges make us consider the big picture of life; this book is a story of those times. Four funerals. Two marriages. A once-in-a-lifetime friendship. We are designed for relationships but life is busy! This story is a great reminder that relationships are the only legacy we can leave behind. And it is funny! A great read! Left me wondering, reassessing my life. And what is in the chicken sandwiches? Recipe, please. Sallie, QLD, 4 Stars
A touching story of loves and loss and what might have been and the possibilities ahead. Who would have thought that catering for a wake could change people’s lives? A touching story that is hard to put down and oh-so-easy to read. Thank you, Dianne Yarwood, for writing The Wakes and thank you Better Reading for allowing me to read an advance copy and give this review. Jody, SA, 4 Stars
This is a novel about three (or four, or five) people and failing relationships, and how they are connected through catering, food, and wakes. Clare and Louisa are neighbours, brought together by Clare’s recent separation and Louisa’s embarkation on a catering business. Chris is an emergency doctor whose wife has left him. Death is part of his job, and sometimes he feels compelled to pay his respects. Paul and Beth are also part of the story, as are Clare’s perfect chicken sandwiches. But that’s enough about the story ingredients. I really enjoyed this debut novel with its gentle humour and reminder to focus on life and possibilities. Clare, Louisa, and Chris really emerged from the pages and had me caring about the next stage of their respective lives. Funeral catering has never seemed so full of possibility! I loved it. Jennifer, ACT, 4 Stars
Absolutely loved this book! It covered so much! Two failed marriages. Four funerals. A new relationship. A beautiful friendship between two women who run an amazing catering company. And a reminder that life is so short. It grabbed my attention from the very first page and although there were a few funerals it was so heartwarming, fun and uplifting. The characters were brilliant and the whole story was relatable. I won’t stop thinking about it! Marie, NSW, 4 Stars
I was really keen to read The Wakes after hearing about the premise of this book. Unfortunately for me I just didn’t connect with any of the characters in the novel. It jumped around a lot from one character to the next which made it hard to become involved in their lives. Janine, VIC, 3 Stars
The Wakes is a beautiful story about life, grief and most importantly, friendship. We meet Clare and Louisa; the two neighbours form an unlikely business partnership and develop a deep friendship along the way. After going through heartbreak and loss, the two learn how to open up and love again. Really enjoyed this. Tayla, VIC, 3 Stars
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