Mrs S by K. Patrick Review

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When I first read the blurb for Mrs S, I was immediately sold - WLW, age gap romance, an affair, and the English countryside. That’s a bit of me. 

Similar to Sally Rooney, Patrick forgoes traditional speech grammar. It’s not something I necessarily dislike - just something that takes a moment to adjust to. The novel’s pacing is slow, but not in a way that drags. Instead, it creates a sense of quiet intimacy.

Mrs. S Cover /Collins Booksellers

Mrs S herself is beautifully materialised - her yearning is understated but ever-present, caught between desire and the stability of her heterosexual marriage. The protagonist’s tender, complex relationship with gender and identity adds another layer, offering insight into her choices, personality, and fears. 

If there’s one element that didn’t quite match the stillness of the rest, it’s the ending. After such a considered, unhurried build-up, the conclusion felt rushed - tied up a little too quickly, almost abrupt, as though the story was eager to close the door just as you were leaning in.