Catherine Balavage Yardley
@catherineby.bsky.social
Author of Ember and Where The Light is Hottest. Freelance writer. Editor-in-chief of Frost Magazine. Words in The Sunday Times, Mslexia, The Bookseller, The Guardian, Metro.
I love The Real Housewives franchise and if you love it, you will definitely love The Mothers of SW19. Snacks, a fruity cocktail, and my husband and I on the sofa watching unhinged women. That’s couple goals. My book was named by Stylist magazine as one of the best books of 2026.
Introducing myself after one of my notes went a little viral. open.substack.com/pub/catherin...
I guess I should introduce myself
A welcome for new followers after my note about Stylist magazine naming my book as one of the best of 2026,
open.substack.com
I have written for Stylist magazine a few times and they named my book, The Mothers of SW19, as one of the best of 2026. I’m also an avid reader. Do you know you can get unlimited digital access to @StylistMagazine for only £3.49? Bargain www.stylist.co.uk/books/best-b...
39 Best Books of 2026 – According To Stylist
From Yesteryear to London Falling, these are the very best books of 2026, writes Lucy Morgan for Stylist.
stylist.co.uk
My husband has been right three times this week. I do not appreciate that.
What starts as a silly Mean Girls feud rapidly overwhelms both of their lives, threatening to destroy everything. Clever, funny and with a truly shocking twist, this is what happens when mean girls get older but don’t really grow up. ramblingmads.uk/2026/08/27/b... via @ramblingmads
Blog Tour: The Mothers of SW19 – Catherine Yardley
Unassuming Emma, a blogger turned wannabe social media influencer, moves to an exclusive enclave in SW19 to get her son into the best school in the area. On the first day of school, she bumps into …
ramblingmads.uk
Rest in peace beautiful boy. You were the most handsome cat. I’ll miss you.
My first two novels were trad published. My next book got 26 full requests and then died on submission. Anyway, I loved it too much to give up on it. So I didn’t. I went indie for The Mothers of SW19. My little book, The Mothers of SW19, has been named as one of the best of 2026 by Stylist magazine.
Come and meet me! I’m doing a book club for The Mothers of SW19. #bookclub #bookclubs #bookish #bookstagram #writingcommunityً southfieldslibrary @wandsworth_libraries
Currently going mad taking care of four children all by myself during half term. Husband came home with this and cinnamon buns. Smart move, dude. Smart move. #parenting #magazines #magazine #readingaddict
Librarians have told me The Mothers of SW19 is big with Gen Z. I was surprised, but a story about two fierce, ambitious, women. One a journalist, the other a social media influencer, who are wrapped up in motherhood, and become dangerously obsessed with each other is universal.
I’m a cover story! Stylist has named my book, The Mothers of SW19, as one of the best books of 2026. Thank you! 🤩 #books #bookreviews #bestbooksof2026
OMG, was just scrolling through Stylist and found out my book is named as one of the top 39 books of 2026 to get you back in love with reading. I’m in shock and so happy. Thank you for choosing me @cathufton #book #booksof2026 #authorcommunity #writingcommunity #bookstagram
My oldest asked for another baby as a Christmas present. The baby arrived end of November. I was super proud, but not as proud as when he came down on Christmas day and was shocked that he had presents ‘I thought the baby was my only present. I didn’t realise I’d get anything else.’ 🥹❤️
I heard you liked The Pool Party by Rebecca Bainbridge so I know you’ll like my book. School gate drama, warring mums, lies, secrets, privileged people behaving badly. Hell yeah.
Not long now until I get to dress my baby up as a pumpkin.
When an outsider enters an elite circle of affluent parents, a fierce rivalry erupts. As social climbing turns into psychological warfare, how far will these women go to secure their status and protect their secrets?
POV: you’re a boy mum and spend a lot of your time building Star Wars fleets. #starwars #starwarslego #starwarslegos (I also have a daughter and spend time playing barbies. In case she ever sees this).
I was nervous about publishing The Mothers of SW19. It received 26 full requests when I was querying it, but then it died on submission. People said lovely things, but no one thought there was a market for it. Fair to say that was NOT an accurate assessment 😂
Just finished "The Mothers of SW19: Two women battle to be the Queen of their social circle amidst the drama of the school gate in this modern Vanity Fair tale of class, motherhood and friendship." by Catherine Yardley
For anyone not a fan of the zon. You can get The Mothers of SW19 via Waterstones www.waterstones.com/book/the-mot... #bookish #bookrecommendations
The Mothers of SW19 by Catherine Yardley | Waterstones
Buy The Mothers of SW19 by Catherine Yardley from Waterstones today! Click and Collect from your local Waterstones or get FREE UK delivery on orders over £25.
waterstones.com
My 10-month old baby took his first step today. Please clap. 😍❤️🥹
Talking about my love of Henry hoovers in this excellent Good Housekeeping piece: www.goodhousekeeping.com/uk/product-r...
6 GHI Approved products our readers have loved for decades and still use every day
These stalwart buys prove that good design will still go the distance
goodhousekeeping.com
Are you a mum who does the school run? Then you’ll love my book on two warring mums who are thrown together when their children become friends. Perfect for fans of Amandaland. Annabel makes Amanda look like a reasonable, sane, person. It’s selling like hot cakes at a school bake sale. Any questions?
I never thought I would say this, but I’m starting to think my children have too many books. This isn’t all of them. They also have another box and more on their shelves in their rooms. I have started to try and make some kind of order. With small children we’re trying not to buy much furniture.
Played the ‘Chicken Banana’ song three times to entertain the baby, and Apple Music put it on my heavy rotation playlist. Someone call the police. There’s been a crime.
I’ve been asked to do a piece on my books of the year and can’t believe it’s gone so fast. What are your favourite reads of the year so far?
Having a great run career-wise. So nipped into @marksandspencerfood to buy myself some treats. Highly recommend either of these. Husband mentioned giving me his Ocado log in. I forgot it, and then when I mentioned how much I was looking forward to bankrupting him, he swiftly changed his mind.
