How to Have a SHIT Relationship (Paperback or Softback)

Midway through taking a dump on his compost loo, disenfranchised loner Liam is confronted by Daniel Bloomberg, the local aristocrat. They couldn’t be any more different: he’s a Tory, Liam’s a lefty; Daniel’s a southerner, Liam’s a northerner; Daniel’s rich, Liam lives hand-to-mouth; Daniel’s indirect, Liam’s straight forward. But they’re both men, they’re both lonely and they both carry wounds.

Thirtysomething Maya seeks connection through polyamory. She hasn’t had sex for forever … or at least four weeks. Then along comes Troy to one of her Conscious Movement dance evenings. He’s edgy, blunt, scary, perfect for scratching an itch. That is until he gets the insane idea they’re in a relationship.

Troy’s trying his best to go straight, do the right thing. He’s in therapy, goes to an anger management group and has a direct line to God, but is this enough to stop him going back to his old ways?

Meredith’s life has become dull and boring, rather like her husband. They don’t talk, they never play, and sex, well the less said about that, the better. And if only she could get rid of the irritating gardener!

Set in 2014 between Surrey and London, the fateful Brexit referendum on the horizon, five Britons become inextricably linked, each searching for something more meaningful to add to their existence, but to change their lives they need to do something terrifying – change themselves.

Author J. L. Dent was raised in a working-class home in Leeds (UK) and has lived in communes, squats and the street. His interest in countercultural movements inspired a period as a stand-up punk poet. Dent is currently employed as a psychotherapist and writes in his spare time. He lives in Stroud and has a teenage son. How to Have a SHIT Relationship is his debut novel.