Laura Barnard

I grew up in Watford, Hertfordshire. Our house was always full of joy, laughter and alcohol. I have fond memories of waking up in the night to find my mum and her friends pissed and cooking cheese on toast. I'd go down and have a gossip with them and they'd tell me about their hilarious night. My Mum's best friend Sam lived two doors down from us so we were always in each other's houses. Whenever they were around there was wine and Simply Red on full blast. So much so that the neighbours in between complained about our noise several times. Even though this sounds like a strange up-bringing it made me into a very confident person, who isn't ever afraid of shocking her mother. I was made to feel I could conquer the world and that anything was achievable. That belief has helped me in my writing and I have some funny stories that have been incorporated into my book.

Its about two best friends Poppy and Jazz who decide to swap lives in order to help each other out. Jazz is in debt and Poppy lives her life as a doormat, constantly doing anything for a quiet life. It's told through Poppy's point of view and we follow her as she moves into a new world of housemates and partying. Soon her over-riding need to please people gets her in more trouble than she could ever imagine.

Before she knows it she’s got a fake boyfriend and is hiding so many secrets she’s scared they’ll spill out any minute. With a bullying boss, a sex crazed colleague, a mental mother and three brothers each with their own dramas, life has gotten pretty difficult for Poppy. And all of this would be much easier, if she could just stop falling over.

Will she get her life back to normal before her brother’s upcoming wedding? And will she want to?