Find out what Mumsnetters thought of Greatest Hits by Laura Barnett

found the book difficult to start but as progress was made, more absorbing the book became. A cracking finish

Thanks to Mumsnet for sending me Greatest Hits, I'm absolutely loving it. The way the story is told with Cass looking back on her life is really interesting and the way the songs are weaved into that is so clever. I didn't realise there was an actual album to accompany the book so will definitely be having a listen to that.

What an interesting idea. Having the chapters based around songs that could be listened to on Spotify really added to my enjoyment of this book. I really got into this at the beginning though it dwelled too much on the sex and drugs and became an almost stereotypical portrayal of someone in the music industry. However my enjoyment really picked up towards the end and is really quite tragic but laced with humour as well. An ambitious project and definitely worth sticking with.

What an enjoyable read! I loved it! :) Very well written and definitely a page turner!

I really enjoyed The Versions of Us, so was looking forward to this while trying not to have too many preconceptions or expectations about the book. I haven't quite finished it and haven't had the chance to listen to the accompanying soundtrack yet, but am thoroughly enjoying it so far.

The book has an interesting format - singer Cass is putting together a greatest hits album and deciding which of her tracks to include. Each chapter starts with the title and lyrics of a particular track and then goes on to explore the events behind these lyrics: the novel is basically a soundtrack to her life. I found Cass a little difficult to relate to at first but came to have more sympathy for her as the book progressed, with each song bringing new memories to the fore - from her difficult childhood and marriage to the highs and lows of the music scene.

I have, like others, found the huge number of supporting characters a little confusing at times. Otherwise, I would highly recommend: well-structured, poignant and evocative, this book really draws you in and compellingly reflects the ups and downs of Cass' life.

I finished the book and really enjoyed it, it's well written and kept my interest. I enjoyed having the lyrics to the song at the start of the chapter and then finding out what had inspired it and thought it stitched the story together well.
I love the concept of having an accompanying album, it's novel and clever. However, I don't have Spotify so a download link within the book would have been really useful. I borrowed my husband's Spotify and listened to some of the songs, they're not what I would normally listen to and gentler than I expected but very good. They're instilled with a lot of meaning having read where they came from. As a book and an album they both stand alone but the collaboration of the two makes the whole thing a really exciting project.

“Silence, or something like it. An arpeggio of birdsong. The low rumble of a car. The distant diminuendo of a plane. Such are the sounds that have, over so many years, formed, for Cass, their own kind of music. The only kind that sounded right inside her head; that didn’t thud and clash there, ugly, discordant, deafening.”

Very enjoyable life story of a pop star listing the events in her life and family problems and various characters she encountered on the way. Certainly takes the glamour off a pop star's true life and the constant exposure to smoking, alcohol and drugs is well described.
The plot for 'Greatest Hits' is beautifully written. I revered getting to know Cass and exploring her life, a rather amazing life but one that is not always full of happiness. This novel definitely kept me hooked throughout and left me wanting more at the end.

Whilst I wasn't expecting to be bowled over my this book which is outside of the usual crime and thriller selection that I read, it won me over completely with its original premise and thoughtful insights. This novel, focusing on the highs and lows in the life of a fictional British singer was like a novel form of Desert Island Discs but with an emotional pull grounding the whole story. I am so surprised at the original premise this whole book took as it's starting point - sometimes the minds of creative writers confounds me. So much imagination and then to follow the concept through and provide a stunning reading experience. My one reservation is that I think the music mentioned might restrict some of the younger readers from throwing themselves into wholeheartedly. Whilst I know and love all of the music mentioned, I was always a bit old for my time and just continued listening to my parents music long into my 30's... many thanks for the chance to read this book which I would not have chosen without a prompt! Cheers Mumsnet

I'm half way through this book and really enjoying it. I love the story of her life. It's an easy read and an enjoyable one. I don't have Spotify to listen to the music which is a bit dissapointing. None the less it's a great read.

Thank you, Mumsnet, for my free copy. I enjoyed this book and the album. The subject matter resonated very much with me, also being an ex-musician and songwriter, and music lover. My only criticisms are that I got a bit confused with the many characters at times and found the writing a little muddled in places but generally I really enjoyed it. And I thoroughly recommend listening to the accompanying album, as Kathryn Williams is an amazing talent and it's really interesting to hear her interpretation of the songs.

I have finished this book now, and what to say?
Well, I still struggled with the flow of the book, but it was a very pleasant read. I have not listened to the music yet but certainly will.
I have passed this book along to my friend, in the spirit of spreading the love, and hope she enjoys it as much as me 😁

This book was rather different to many I have read before but found it an excellent summer read nevertheless and a new concept regarding the songs

I haven't managed to finish it yet (got a new job and flat badly in need of renovation at the same time!) but I am really enjoying it and looking forward to carrying on.

At first I thought it was a bit overly descriptive (can't grass sometimes just be grass?!), but it settled down and it's really well written when it comes to thoughts and conversations.

Love the idea of their being an accompanying playlist, and the music related segments make it clear that the author knows a lot about the industry. I like the fact that you get a clue about the time in question from the year in the lyric/song credits that split up the chapters.

What an interesting way and subject for a book. Liked the characters, but not Anna. How annoying is she! Hve just listened to all the songs and that has helped me sort it out. Thank you so much for my copy.

Thank you for giving me the opportunity to read this book - I was really keen to apply as The Versions of Us is one of my favourite books that I have read in the last couple of years. Unfortunately this may have given me higher expectations than normal as, for me , Greatest Hits didn't quite live up to what I expected from it.

It is difficult to review without spoiling, but I'll give it a go. We live through a day in musician Cass Wheeler's life as she is selecting her most important songs from her back catalogue to compile her own list of Greatest Hits. With each chapter we come to learn about the relationships that shaped her life and influenced her music, and the events that have made her the woman she is today.

I found the earlier parts of her life to be more engaging and I felt the story really got going when she fell in love. I think probably the most important relationship in the book was with her daughter and that that wasn't really explored in as much depth as her romantic life. I also enjoyed that the book showed how marriage and motherhood can impact on a woman's career, whilst not necessarily having the same effect on men. I did like how Cass's friendships were included in the story, although I found it hard to keep track of who was who.

I confess I haven't had the chance to listen to the album yet, purely because I haven't had the time but I do plan to soon. I thought it was a bit odd that the accompanying album was only mentioned at the very end of the book. I knew about it because I had read it here but anyone buying the book without prior knowledge would be denied the chance to listen throughout the book , which seems a shame given the unusual concept.

Thank you again and I look forward to reading Laura Barnett's next book.

When I received my copy I had never heard of this author, at first I just thought it was going to be about a musician trying to just get famous, but I was pleasantly surprised as it didn't turn out to be like this at all. It was more about Cass Wheeler taking a journey back into her past - it was actually about her life. I really got interested in this book and it was a book that I couldn't put down; although at times I got a little bit confused with who some of the characters were especially in the later chapters. It was a very well written book, and I would definitely recommend it.

Must admit I really enjoyed reading this book! It's so beautifully written and I found it impossible to put down.. Got absorbed into it pretty quickly, and found most carachters likeable and relatable, with the exception of Anna, who I found rather irritating.

Overall, thumbs up from me..the only down side for me was I would have liked a free cd included, rather than being told to listen to the songs on Spotify (not everyone is a Spotify user!)

I loved Versions of Us and this didn't disappoint at all. Found it easy to read, and an unusual concept which could have been gimmicky but wasn't. I like stories with well developed characters they allow us an insight into why they behave like they do, and this novel definitely did that.

I enjoyed reading this book and liked the use of the songs to illustrate the different events in Cass's life. The story was engaging although a little over dramatic at times; so much angst in one person's life! I found the writing style (short, choppy sentences) a bit annoying at times and would have liked more description to really get a feel for the characters and locations. Overall though it was a good read.

I loved it. Really easy to get into and a great concept. I listened to the songs when I had finished the book. This was interesting as I had formed my views on Cass's voice already. I really like the parts when she reconnected with her mum and her best childhood friend. Thanks for my copy.

Thank you received my copy and couldnt wait to start reading. I loved the concept of having chapters based around a best hits music album. It could have been a bit contrived fitting each song in with a part of the main characters life but I think it worked well. Cass was a well rounded protagonist and it was a delight to follow her story through the years. The story really captured the changing times. Gave a fascinating insight into life on the road. Thoroughly recommended!

Thank you so much for my copy, I have just finished it and loved it! I was so excited to get it as I read the review in Stylist and they were very positive! I thought it was very original to accompany with music and loved the way Cass reflected on her life through her music and influences, I will definitely be passing my copy onto friends :-)

Mine arrived but I had to finish the one I was already reading (The 100 Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out the Window and Disappeared, very good and number 23 in my 50 book challenge for this year) before I started Greatest Hits. I'm now about 100 pages in and am it, love the concept of a life told through her music. I haven't listened to the music yet which I'm looking forward to. Will post again when I've finished....