Braver

Nominated for the Writer's Guild Best First Novel Award! Hazel has never felt normal. Struggling with OCD and anxiety, she isolates herself from others and sticks to rigid routines in order to cope with everyday life. But when she forms an unlikely friendship with Virginia, a church minister, Hazel begins to venture outside her comfort zone. Having rebuilt her own life after a traumatic loss, Virginia has become the backbone of her community, caring for those in need and mentoring disadvantaged young people.
Yet a shocking accusation threatens to unravel everything she has worked for. Told with warmth, compassion and gentle humour, 'Braver' is an uplifting story about the strength that can be drawn from friendship and community. Fans of 'Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine' and 'The Rosie Project' will love this heartwarming tale. Deborah Jenkins is a primary teacher who has worked in schools in the UK and in Ankara, Turkey.
Her short fiction has appeared in magazines and anthologies, and she has also published a novella, 'The Evenness of Things'. She lives in Sussex and enjoys reading, walking, gardening, travelling and good coffee.