Kit de Waal was born in Birmingham to an Irish mother, who was a foster carer, and a Caribbean father. She worked for fifteen years in criminal and family law, was a magistrate for several years and sits on adoption panels. Her first novel, My Name is Leon, is an international bestseller. It was on the shortlists for the Costa First Novel Award and the Kerry Group Irish Novel of the Year Award. It was on the longlist for the Desmond Elliott Prize. Kit de Waal has two children.

Authentic and beautiful, urgent and honest, this novel does what only the best do: it quietly makes room in your heart