Conversations on Love: The Sunday Times bestseller exploring relationships, friendship, parenthood and grief, featuring Dolly Alderton, Alain de Botton and more

Took me slightly longer to finish this book (and this review) than I originally thought. I'll quickly get the negatives out of the way. There were some moments throughout the book where I thought they dragged on a bit. The way some of the sentences were written was a bit odd and difficult to read at first. Aside from that, the rest of the book is quite good. I think Natasha Lunn has really outdone herself with this book. The myriad of questions she asked from all the different authors and writers was quite the read. There were various different questions Natasha asked that I myself had thought of and didn't know I needed answered. Reading the answers and learning about all the different experiences not only Natasha went through, but all the other people she interviewed. Each of them talking about a specific experience they went through. How it affected them and how they got through it. There was a list of different topics talked about in this book that shined a new light on how I view certain things. And for the better, I would say. In the end, I would say this book was a rollercoaster of emotions. Natasha Lunn and everyone else in this book have poured their hearts and souls into it. Everyone should definitely read this book at least once.

I’m not a huge non-fic reader but this was really good. I love the varied conversations that were discussed, the differing experiences of the people interviewed as well as the interesting questions that were asked. I just turned 30 and it felt like a really good time to read this book for me and I appreciated it more than I might have entering my twenties.

I can't recommend this book enough, regardless of your circumstances (single, married, etc) - it's one of the best books I've read in a while, and I will certainly return to it in future to re-read different sections. It talks about all the different relationships in our lives - romantic partners, friendships, parents. One section I found particularly relevant was on friendships and how to navigate those older friendships where you see yourself drifting apart from each other.

I really loved this book and enjoyed all the different conversations about love in all the relationships we may have throughout our lives. I bought it for 2 special friends too, as reading the book made me more appreciative of close friends.

Besides the obvious, I didn’t know what to expect when I read Natasha Lunn’s Conversations on Love. I hadn’t read her columns before and I think I was expecting a love story of sorts. In a way I got that. Natasha Lunn hasn’t tried to trick you. This book really is a book about love with conversations with many people from other writers, to artists, to therapists. It is how love – such a universal feeling – feels different for everybody and that there is no one true way to define it. What you do get is a broad understanding of how people feel on a daily basis, whether it be the love to a partner, parent or child, Lunn has explored it. Parallel to her conversations is the story of Lunn and the miscarriage that she and her partner suffered. In this aspect, kudos has to be given to Lunn as she has bled her feelings on the page with such purity that her pain feels visceral. If you are looking for a book that will make you be introspective on the feelings and practicalities of love then Conversations on Love is the book for you. Conversations on Love by Natasha Lunn is available now

I adored this book. It's one of those you read and think 'why didn't I read this ten years ago' (although I probably wouldn't have listened to what it had to say back then!) I have been recommending it to everyone, it's such a special book

In Conversations in Love, Natasha Lunn reminds us that everyone—no matter who they are or where they come from—is searching for love or someone to love them. Our journey begins in childhood through our relationships with friends and parents, which ultimately shape who we become. Understanding that every person is a mix of strengths and flaws is key. Our imperfections are what make us uniquely human—they’re what distinguish a simple piece of glass from a brilliant diamond. When we truly accept that people, despite picking their noses and farting, are perfect in their own way, we open ourselves up to genuine, compassionate love. - Lunn emphasizes that there is no flawless fairytale relationship. Instead, real love comes from acknowledging both the beauty and the messiness within us and others. Sometimes, love doesn’t even require another person; it can be found in our creative pursuits or the supportive bond we share with friends, which helps guide us through life’s storms. - Life, she argues, is about building bridges rather than falling into deep ravines. In the hustle and bustle of a crowded train station, look around and notice that everyone is searching for love. True connection isn’t found in the perfection of fairy tales, but in the raw authenticity of art, poetry, or music that resonates with our experiences. - Lunn reflects on her own youthful relationships, which once seemed perfect but later revealed themselves to be disasters—lessons that can only be learned with hindsight. Life is full of “what ifs” and regrets, and we must learn how to cope with heartbreak and the consequences of our choices. Love, she suggests, is like climbing Mount Everest—it is challenging, unpredictable, and sometimes painful. - She also touches on the bittersweet reality of relationships: while celebrating others’ joys (like a friend’s new baby) may bring happiness, it can also stir feelings of sadness in those struggling with their own losses or unfulfilled desires. Recognizing and expressing these mixed emotions is part of a healthy love life. - Lunn encourages us to not only feel love but also show it. Our perceptions and feelings of events may differ greatly from those of our partners, so it’s crucial to listen and understand their perspective. A vital realization is that each person’s reality is unique, and by accepting that, we foster deeper connections. - Finally, Lunn acknowledges that love is fragile. One day, we may lose everyone we hold dear—whether through failed relationships or death. Accepting that we have no control over life’s outcomes, and that the only thing we can change is our response to them, is a hard but necessary truth. Embracing our suffering and loss, and learning from them with wisdom, can ultimately help us grow into more resilient, compassionate individuals. - In essence, Conversations in Love is a call to embrace imperfection, recognize the complexity of human relationships, and cultivate genuine love by understanding that our shared humanity is beautifully imperfect.

5*