Second Self, Chloë’s second book, is second to none. Just like her first novel, Wet Paint, it is written with poise and control, elegantly laying out the mess of emotions and events entailed in maintaining relationships, the give-and-take of family and contemplating starting one of your own. While the protagonist, Cathy, is an art conservationist intent on carefully removing layers from a work of art, Chloë subtly adds them to her novel. In the process she creates an engrossing and constantly shifting picture of life-changing decisions, labyrinthine self-discovery and determined love.