A Catalogue of Love is a gentle coming-of-age novel. It’s the story of Neika, whose mother died when she was two, as she navigates childhood and family life. The tale is set against the stunning  background of Bruny Island, with all its ocean swells and wild, pristine beauty.

The novel contemplates what it is to be a woman growing up in today’s culture. It celebrates the messiness of families and relationships, the identity crisis of being a young adult moving through life without a mother to light the way, and the discovery of values and what’s important while navigating parties, first crushes, consent, expectations, and pregnancy.

It is also very much a love letter to surfing and the natural beauty of Bruny Island. The descriptions of the surf and cycles of water are lyrical and filled with so much knowledge and passion that I was reminded of Breath by Tim Winton.

The characters of Neika and her father, in particular, are easy to relate to. The fraught parent-child relationships are emotive and believable. Anyone who loves a good coming-of-age novel, nature or surfing should enjoy A Catalogue of Love immensely.