My Life as a Bench

WINNER OF THE INTERNATIONAL RUBERY BOOK OF THE YEAR AWARD 2017
WINNER OF THE CAROUSEL AWARE PRIZE BEST YOUNG ADULT BOOK 2017

'Moving and unforgettable' Rubery Book Award
'Unique . . . deep and intriguing' Times of India
'Delightful, honest and humorous' School Library Journal
'An author to watch' The Telegraph

There are so many benches lining the riverside, each and every one tragic in its own way.

Ren Miller has died aged seventeen and yet her consciousness lives on, inhabiting her memorial bench by the River Thames in London. Ren longs to be reunited with her boyfriend Gabe, but soon discovers why he has failed to visit. Devastated, she must learn to break through and talk to the living so she can reveal the truth about her untimely end.

Unique and compelling – this is a contemporary story about love, friendship, a passion for music and what, if anything, remains after we've gone.

'The author, beginning with this unusual premise, turns it into a moving story of a young life ending all too soon ... It is engaging, funny and also quite heartbreaking. Highly recommended!' The Militant Recommender

'This book may easily fit into the Young Adult fiction genre ... but the fascinating relationship with Lionel and the understanding of violent death and subsequent grief carry across the generations. This would be a good discussion aid to issues raised in schools and colleges, but equally book clubs would find it fascinating' Nudge

'This book is a stunner ... definitely one that will always remain in my top ten' Being Unique Books

'One of the most unique books I have read in a long long time' Open Book Post

'A little gem with love, loss and life within its pages' Netgalley Review

'Highly imaginative and captivating. I was entranced by My Life as a Bench ... Hazell has strung together a melody that is both sweet and sorrowful' Lauren Walsburg

'The writing is perfect, the story is fast-paced, and everything flows smoothly to tie up with a beautiful finish. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes their YA contemporary with a touch of suspense' This is Lit

'This was a beautifully written book ... one of those stories that took you in and the rest of the world was only background noise' Netgalley

'So much fun to read ... What I really loved about this book is that although it is supernatural in a sense, it doesn't feel like it. This book feels firmly like a YA coming of age story, even though the protagonist is dead, and she isn't going anywhere. Hazell captures the voice of an English teenager today so well that Ren jumps right off the page' Ink Drops Books

'This book was so heart-warming and heart-breaking at the same time. This will definitely be recommended for our library bookshelves and hopefully the students will enjoy it as much as I did' Librarian, Netgalley

'A unique take on life after death' Read Rest Relax

'It's a combination of a love story and a mystery as a plot ... a wonderful read!' Laurie Picillo, Netgalley

'It kept me engrossed. A totally unique concept and a murder mystery to be solved' Eclectic Ellen

'I really, really enjoyed this book. If you're looking for a unique, but bittersweet read – this book is for you!' Alissa in Wonderland Reviews

Perfect for fans of The Lovely Bones, 13 Reasons Why, and Before I Fall.

Jaq Hazell's debut novel, psychological thriller I Came to Find a Girl, was included in the Telegraph's Best Crime Fiction of 2015 and shortlisted for the Virginia Prize. She has also been shortlisted for the Jane Austen Short Story Award and had work published in various anthologies. Born near Portsmouth, on the south coast of England, to an Irish mother and an English father, Jaq studied textile design at Nottingham Trent and has an MA in Creative Writing from Royal Holloway, University of London. She has worked as a greetings cards designer, a journalist and a magazine editor. She lives in London with her partner, their two daughters and a small dog called Basil.