The Nota Bene Prize has been awarded to Lucy Rose for The Lamb, published by  Weidenfeld & Nicolson, following a public vote that places readers at the heart of the decision. 

The Nota Bene Prize celebrates fiction that leaves a lasting impression: the books readers eagerly share with friends, carry on their commutes, or ponder long after finishing. It  champions fiction that feels alive - original, compelling, beautifully written, and impossible to ignore. 

Guided by readers rather than critics, the prize reflects public taste and recommendation, with readers’ instincts and engagement shaping the final outcome. 

The winning title was selected from a list of 13 finalists determined by the prize team alongside a group of Notable Readers - an engaged network of influential voices from across  the reading and book community, including content creators, booksellers, authors, critics,  and other literary advocates. 

Commenting on the win, Sophie Percival, a spokesperson for the Nota Bene Prize said “The Lamb is an incredible novel that readers really came out in their droves to support. It  encapsulates everything we as a prize love to champion: beautifully written, bold, magnetic debuts with powerful themes that make you stop and take note. The Lamb is a book readers have been sharing and recommending since its publication, and we’re delighted they have chosen it as our 2026 winner.” 

The Nota Bene Prize continues to spotlight fiction that resonates deeply with readers, celebrating the stories that stay with us long after the final page. 

The Lamb is a haunting, visceral coming-of-age story that explores power, desire and the unsettling bonds between mother and daughter. Set in an isolated cottage at the edge of a forest, this dark and atmospheric debut follows Margot as she begins to question the life she  has been raised in, in a novel that is as tender as it is deeply disturbing.  

From an exciting new voice in fiction, Lucy Rose explores how women swallow their anger,  desire and animal instincts, and wrings the relationship between mother and daughter until  blood drips from it.  

This folk horror tale clearly resonated with readers, capturing their imagination and securing  their support in the public vote. Readers described it as ‘transformative’, ‘unflinching’, ‘lyrical’  and ‘incredibly moving’. 

The winner will receive a trophy and a winners' pack. 

To see the full list of 2026 finalists, read our LoveReading feature here. 

Celebrating Past Winners 

The Nota Bene Prize has previously recognised outstanding fiction that has become beloved  by readers. Past winners include Kala by Colin Walsh, When I Sing, Mountains Dance by  Irene Solà & translated by Mara Faye Lethem, Milk Blood Heat by Dantiel W. Moniz, The  Mountains Sing by Nguyễn Phan Quế Mai, Things in Jars by Jess Kidd, Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman, Tin Man by Sarah Winman, This Must Be the Place by Maggie O’Farrell, The Bees by Laline Paull, and The Humans by Matt Haig.  

These titles, celebrated for their storytelling and ability to spark conversation, continue to inspire readers and reflect the prize’s commitment to highlighting powerful, unforgettable  fiction. Awarded at pivotal moments in their career, these authors have gone on to write further notable works.

For more information about the Nota Bene Prize, please visit: 

https://www.notabeneprize.com/ 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/notabeneprize/ 

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