Review: Minor Dramas & Other Catastrophes by Kathleen West

This book delivered everything I love in a contemporary women’s fiction novel. Characters I get invested in, emotions that feel real and relatable, a “villian” that gets under your skin and just enough drama to not feel over the top. I am so impressed that debut author Kathleen West manages to cram all of those elements into an incredibly engaging and fast-paced package.

MINOR DRAMAS & OTHER CATASTROPHES is told from multiple POVs—both male and female, young and old—with short chapters that keep the story moving crisply forward. Each character is well-developed and distinct in voice, making it easy to keep each perspective separate. 

This book was easy to read, thought provoking and funny. There were many times where I found myself laughing out loud. MINOR DRAMAS & OTHER CATASTROPHES would be a fabulous book club selection as there is so much nuance to unpack and so many topics to discuss. 

This was easily a five-star read for me and one of my favourites in this genre this year. I look forward to reading West’s next book—ARE WE THERE YET?—when it releases next year.

Note: I listened to the audiobook version—narrated by the always incredible Julia Whelan—and I highly recommend that format.