Bellies

Bellies by Nicola Dinan is a stunning coming-of-age novel that intertwines the joy and pain of falling in and out of love. Filled with both humour and heartbreak, it’s a poignant exploration of identity, transformation, and the sacrifices one must make to truly become oneself.

At its core, Bellies tells the story of Tom and Ming, two university students who meet during a night out and quickly fall for each other. Their connection is immediate and intense, leading them to dream of a shared future. However, their relationship takes an unprecedented turn when Ming reveals her intention to transition. This pivotal moment forces both characters to navigate the shifting dynamics of their relationship, challenging them to reconcile their love with their evolving identities. Together, they face the difficult question: is it worth losing a part of yourself or each other to become who you truly are?

Nicola Dinan masterfully captures the emotional complexities of love, identity, and growth, creating a narrative that is both deeply personal and universally resonant. Her sharp insights and empathetic storytelling make Bellies an unforgettable read.

Praise for Bellies:

"Smart, hilarious and deeply moving" - Elliot Page, author of Pageboy

"Thoughtful, seductive, and entirely engrossing - Bellies is already a classic" - Bryan Washington, author of Memorial and Lot

"Bellies announces Nicola Dinan as a genuine literary talent, a gimlet-eyed cartographer of the human heart" - Sharlene Teo, author of Ponti

"Dinan's gift as a writer is her ability to make us feel - when her characters cry, we cry; when they laugh, we laugh; and everybody is changed by the end of this novel, including the reader. A beautiful love story and an exceptional debut." - Irish Times

"The most hotly anticipated novel of the summer" - Harper's Bazaar

"A tender, emotional exploration of gender and sexual identity" - Marie Claire

"Dizzyingly beautiful" - Grazia

"A poignant tale that explores the messy complexities of relationships, with recognisably imperfect characters at its core" - Sunday Times Style

"Both deeply touching and wickedly witty" - Daily Mail