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Nell Stevens #2

More Confessions of a Forty-Something F**k Up

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MORE CONFESSIONS OF A FORTY-SOMETHING F##K UP: The laugh-out-loud sequel to the runaway bestseller of 2022 and funniest WTF AM I DOING NOW novel of the year.

There is no magical land you finally arrive at where everything is figured out, fixed and sorted. Life, like us, is a sum of moving parts, and if we’re lucky, we get to keep f**king up, figuring it out and laughing in the face of it all.

Nell’s back. Her life still isn’t going to plan. And she’s still asking the big questions and getting none of the answers. Like, for example:

1. Why is falling in love so easy, but staying in love so hard?

2. What do you do when your friendships are put to the ultimate test?

3. Can we ever really live in the moment and leave the past behind?

4. When everything goes tits up, do you fall apart or jump on a plane to LA with Cricket (an eighty-something widow and your BFF)?

5. And when all else fails, will celebrity-scented candles, smashed avocados and Instagram filters save us?*

In this hilarious, un-put-downable follow-up to the bestselling Confessions of a Forty-Something F##k Up, now the basis for the major TV series, Not Dead Yet, there are laugh-out-loud lessons to be learned, truths to be told, adventures to go on and joys to discover.

But first, Nell has some more confessions . . .

*#onlyjoking #sortof #LOL

512 pages, Paperback

Published July 1, 2023

484 people are currently reading
4738 people want to read

About the author

Alexandra Potter

25 books2,276 followers
Alexandra Potter is the best-selling author of fourteen romantic comedy fiction novels including Confessions of a Forty-Something F##k Up (which is now the basis of a major US TV show, NOT DEAD YET on ABC, Hulu and Disney+) MORE Confessions of a Forty-Something F##k Up and One Good Thing. These titles have been published in twenty-five territories and have sold millions of copies worldwide (making the bestseller charts in the UK, Germany, Czech Republic, Slovenia and Serbia).

Yorkshire born and raised, Alexandra lives in London with her Californian husband and their Bosnian rescue dog. When she's not writing or travelling, she's getting out into nature, trying not to look at her phone and navigating this thing called mid-life.
https//www.instagram.com/alexandrapotter
https://www.facebook.com/Alexandra.Po...

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5 stars
2,468 (41%)
4 stars
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3 stars
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34 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 529 reviews
Profile Image for Jane Gakere.
324 reviews38 followers
October 8, 2024

Book 2 is even better than the first book and so relatable. This takes us through Nell’s life after she thinks she’s finally figured it out and her life is back on track. It’s a reminder that we never really get there and it’s about the journey of life not the fantasy of finally getting to that ‘goal’ so as to be happy.
It’s packed with fun characters I.e Cricket!, quotes and humor. Highly recommend this duet
Profile Image for LianaReads blog.
2,784 reviews243 followers
August 17, 2023
"More Confessions of a Forty-Something F**k Up" by Alexandra Potter is an absolute gem that had me hooked from the very beginning. Having thoroughly enjoyed the first installment, I was eager to dive into Nell's world once again, and I can confidently say that this sequel did not disappoint. Potter's portrayal of Nell, a never-married, childless, forty-something podcaster and obituary writer, is both hilarious and relatable.
The story takes us through Nell's ups and downs, from her eccentric group of friends to her intriguing relationship with Edward, the boyfriend who maintains spreadsheets for everything. Amid the laughter, tears, and unexpected turns, the author masterfully tackles deeper themes with sensitivity, giving the characters depth and authenticity.
As Nell navigates the complexities of love, friendship, and self-discovery, I found myself nodding in agreement, pausing to reflect on my own life and decisions. Potter's witty prose and insightful exploration of life's messiness make for an unputdownable read that's both heartwarming and thought-provoking.
This novel isn't just a sequel; it's a continuation of a journey that reminds us that life's path is rarely linear. Through Nell's adventures, we learn that it's okay to fk up, figure it out, and embrace the chaos. The laughs are abundant, the characters are unforgettable, and the emotions are genuine. "More Confessions of a Forty-Something Fk Up" is a must-read that reminds us that amidst life's curveballs, there's always room for growth, laughter, and a touch of glamour. Alexandra Potter's writing has once again left me thoroughly entertained and introspective.
Profile Image for Ritu Bhathal.
Author 6 books154 followers
July 2, 2023
After thoroughly enjoying Confessions of a 40-Year-Old F***Up, I was thrilled to hear there was a sequel.
picking up around 18 months after the end of the first book, we are reintroduced to Nell, who seems to be settling into life better than she was before,
She is engaged to Edward, they are living together, and she has her trusted friendships, as well as her new best friend, Cricket, the octagenarian who she met in the first book.
The thing is, no matter how settled you think you are, life always has alternative plans, and Nell's life is no different.
From that late urge to want motherhood to dealing with the beginnings of Perimenopause, friendships becoming fragile as everyone is dealing with their own issues and realising you might not actually have it all together, despite being closer to 50 than before.
I loved getting back in touch with Nell and her life, and though our situations are different, there was still plenty I could relate to, as a woman of a similar age.
And I just LOVE Cricket! Her character develops in a brilliant way, too, showing us that age should never be a factor that writes you off.
Fantastic sequel!
Many thanks to NetGalley and PanMacmillan for an ARC.
Profile Image for Catherine Victor Simpson.
275 reviews14 followers
April 12, 2024
Mainly read this whilst recovering from an op so whilst the book is all about life, real life, perhaps I should have picked something a little less ordinary and something a little more escapism. Regardless this is a good sequel to Confessionsso if you liked the first one then go aheqd and dive into this one becauseits more of the same basically. It does strike me through that although it is supposed to be a humour type book. I did not laugh or chuckle once.
I still love Cricket. I think she should get her own book.
Also does anyone else picture Richard Osman (yes author of the Thursday murder club and game show host) as Edward??
Entirely relatable if not for Nell then one of her friends.
Will we see even more confessions in the future? And how old is forty something exactly?
Profile Image for BookBloggerJanine.
520 reviews109 followers
July 15, 2023
More Confessions of a Forty-Something F*** Up by Alexandra Potter
I give this book 5 stars

Nell’s back. Her life still isn’t going to plan and she’s asking the big questions like:
When everything goes tits up, do you fall apart or jump on a plane to LA with Cricket (an eighty-something widow and your BFF)?
Join her for more laugh-out-loud lessons to be learned,truths to be told, adventures to go on and joys to discover.

I can’t tell you how happy I was to catch up with Nell and Cricket they have such an endearing friendship and all the other familiar characters in this sequel,they truly feel like old friends!
Told in a diary style format by Nell (first person) be prepared to embrace what everyday life throws at you and how you deal with it . . . . . family,friends,laughter,sadness,gratitude.
It’s rare for any book to actually make me laugh out loud like this one did (more than once) and for a book to resonate on so many levels with me.
Brilliantly written, extremely relatable, honest, full of humour and totally uplifting, Everyone needs to read this (you don’t have to be forty-something) and realise it’s never too late to change what you don’t like in your life and their are tons of women dealing with the same thoughts and feelings.
With thanks to Netgalley,Alexandra Potter and Pan MacMillan for my chance to read and review this book.
Profile Image for Agi.
1,672 reviews103 followers
July 30, 2023
I can't tell you how happy I was to be able to catch up with Nell - I adored "Confessions of a Forty - Something..." some time ago.

However, I am not sure what I think about this book. It for sure gives you with it promises in the title: more confessions. This novel simply follows Nell and her opinions about life. Some are brilliant, some are not, I agree with some, with some I don't agree... But altogether, for me, the plot was not strong and felt mixed up. On the other hand, there are many, many points that resonated with me and there are for sure many, many women out there with same thoughts and feeling.

Nevertheless, there is everything in this book. Laughter, tears, hope, break - ups, second chances, gratitude, family, friends, enemies... But it still felt as if it was written for the sake of being written.
Profile Image for Maddie.
665 reviews271 followers
June 8, 2025
More Confessions Of A Forty-Something F**k Up is a continuation of a journey that Nell Stevens is on. Funny, witty, and yet sensitive and well-balanced with more serious subjects touched on in the story, it's a beautiful portrayal of a woman embracing life in all its glory, a woman who learns to embrace the curveballs and make the most of what's life's got to offer. Really good.
Profile Image for Lucy.
229 reviews25 followers
July 6, 2023
Life is definitely not a fairytale! I absolutely loved the first book and ‘more confessions’ was just as good… what I like about the writing is the raw and real life approach, as someone in her 40s this book resonates with me, relationships take work, nothing is as perfect as people make it out to be on social media and this confronts that!

With lots of humour and amazing characters, we all need a bestie like Cricket!! This book tackles some deep subjects and somehow can keep it lighthearted.

Recommended by me!! Thanks to the publisher and netgalley for the digital arc… 5 stars!!!!
Profile Image for Marimirl.
227 reviews3 followers
August 13, 2024
Bei dem Buch handelt es sich um die Fortsetzung zu "Je größer der Dachschaden, desto besser die Aussicht". Zum Glück wird das auch so offensichtlich beworben, dass ich die Gelegenheit nutzen konnte, Band 1 vorab zu lesen.
Somit habe ich beide Bände direkt hintereinander gelesen - ich bin mir aber nicht sicher, ob das tatsächlich ein Vorteil war.

Beide Bücher sind sehr witzig geschrieben, nicht auf übertriebene Art und ohne den Ernst mancher Situationen oder Themen (wie zB Krebs oder Mobbing) zu schmälern. Für mich trifft die Autorin da genau den richtigen Grat. Aber nachdem die Bücher auch nicht unbedingt dünn sind, war ich beim zweiten Buch dann auch schon ein bisschen satt.

Dennoch würde ich jedenfalls empfehlen beide Bücher in der richtigen Reihefolge zu lesen, da die Probleme, das Leben der Protagonistin aufbauend sind. Es macht bestimmt viel mehr Spaß, wenn man quasi von Anfang an dabei ist: bei der Trennung vom Verlobten und dem damit verbundenen Umzug aus den USA nach UK. Danach wird eine Geschichte über Erwachsen sein, Singleleben und das Gefühl versagt zu haben, erzählt - aber auch über Freundschaft, Liebe und Familie.

Ich mag die Autorin generell schon lange gerne. Ihre Bücher wachsen so ein bisschen mit - von noch nicht Mal 20 Jahren bis heute mit Mitte 30 trifft sie immer Themen, die gerade passen.
Profile Image for bookishcharli .
686 reviews152 followers
July 30, 2023
This is an absolutely fantastic follow up to Confessions of a 40 Year Old F*** Up, I knew before going into this one that I was going to love it just as much as the first book. Once again Alexandra Potter had me howling with laughter until I had to stop because I couldn’t see through my tears. I don’t think I’ve related to a more chaotic book in my life thus far., but one of the shining moments in both books is the friendship between Nell and Cricket.

If you’re looking for a laugh out loud until you snort and can’t breathe anymore then definitely pick this one up.


Thank you to Chloe at Pan MacMillan for sending me a proof of this hilarious read.
Profile Image for SuperWendy.
1,094 reviews265 followers
March 2, 2025
More Chick Lit with our 40-something heroine. If we all thought Nell rode off into the sunset with her happy ending after the first book - well, not so much. Because life is what happens when you're busy making other plans. More bumps, trials and tribulations not only for Nell, but for her circle of friends - but never fear, it's all right as rain in the end. Not life-changing but a relatable heroine who feels like a "f*ck up" (girl, don't we all...) and another bang-up listen on audio.
Profile Image for Susanne Latour.
575 reviews11 followers
September 19, 2023
It was fun being back with Nell Stevens and her friends but for me this follow up to Confession of a Forty Something F##k Up lacked in comparison to the first. It still touched on a number of themes and had the same funny, lighthearted humour sprinkled in with some more heartfelt moments that I’ve come to love about Alexandra Potter’s writing but the plot was not as strong. I hate to say it but I think Potter was riding the wave of the success of the first book from her adoring fans but sometimes it’s best to know when to leave well enough alone. Don’t get me wrong, it’s not that this was a bad book it just lacked the luster and shine of the first one.
Sally Phillips narrators both audio books and did a great job.

I will continue to read Alexandra Potter’s books, as from the 3 books I’ve read so far by her, I thinks she does a great job at capturing the trials and tribulations of women in their 40’s.

Quotes:

**My bookclub friends will appreciate this one. ——‘When did I stop buying expensive lingerie and start buying expensive hoovers? Worst still when did I start getting excited about my new hoover?’

**’No old lady hair’ should have been included in our wedding vows as my husband has made me promise this on numerous occasions. 🤣 ——‘I might be in my eighties but I’m not having a cauliflower head….That’s what my friend Una called old lady hair. At my age you have to on guard against a short curly perm.’

‘It’s easy to fall in love, but it’s staying in love when that love is tested that’s hard.’

‘You can’t let go of grief, you have to wait until it lets go of you.’

‘It’s not getting what you want, it’s wanting what you’ve got.’

‘Loving someone is the hardest thing you’ll ever do….it’s also the BEST.’

‘Sometimes it’s got to all fall apart so you can put it back together better.’

Side Note: I was excited to hear that the first book got picked up for a tv series but then became very disappointed to see that it’s by a US network. First off the title is terrible ‘Not Dead Yet’. Second off, from the trailer I watched they butchered the story….instead of Nell just writing an obituary column and interviewing a family member to do so as the book has it, in the show she can see and talk to the dead people. Some people may like this trope but I don’t need any more ‘ghost whisperers’ in my life. Third and probably my biggest complaint of all (and once again going by the trailer I watched) by going with a US network they lost all the British humour. They’re just something about British humour.
Profile Image for Chloe Rebecca.
543 reviews11 followers
March 26, 2024
At the end of Confessions Of A Forty Something F##k Up, Nell Stevens seems as though she has finally met the one. After years of a rollercoaster journey, this was it. Now she’s back in MORE Confessions, to show us that life rarely takes a linear path. It isn’t just a straight line to happily ever after, where everything remains a constant, and break ups don’t happen, illnesses don’t exist, etc etc.

I absolutely LOVE the realistic, raw storytelling from Alexandra Potter, in both of the books. In the social media fuelled world that we now live in, having it all is very much perceived to be the end goal - the marriage, the children, the house, the career. But it’s unrealistic and it’s not the truth. Life looks different for everyone and falling in love with the life that you lead is the most important thing, not always striving for the life that you believe you should be leading. I love how this book and Nell’s story, and the stories of her friends too, dispel this myth that life should look a certain way.

The book was full of wit and humour - Nell and Cricket together are just delightful. I want a best friend like Cricket!! But alongside the humour, it was also very thoughtful and very poignant, lots of very wise remarks and takes on things that I will be taking away with me.

I loved the spotlight on the friendships in this book too, all of them really showed up for each other in their hardest moments and I just loved the warmth that they showed each other.

Another fantastic instalment of what is a truly superb series. Everybody can relate to this book - whether you’re in your forties like Nell, or twenties like me, or eighties like Cricket. I would highly recommend!
Profile Image for Not Quite A Bookshop.
304 reviews6 followers
August 21, 2023
Nell and Cricket are back and I’m so pleased, these two are a fabulous double act. Nell thinks she’s found her happy ever after, but can it be that simple? Or will an ‘unexpected item in the bagging area’ upend everything she had to follow a possibly unattainable dream. Cricket is, as usual, her irreverent, fearless self from wild swimming to ‘build your own coffin’ classes - the latter doubling up as a great home bar - whilst muddling through her own issues.

In this book the pair decide not just to help each other but through their column in a newspaper magazine they’re sharing their experience, humour and common sense with the world in general. I’ll leave you to find out if they both get their happy ever after..

I know this is a tv series in the US - would love to see it televised here in the U.K. I pictured Dame Judi Dench as Cricket as I read.

4 stars for this highly enjoyable sequel.

With thanks to NetGalley, the publishers and author for the ARC in return for my honest, personal opinion.
Profile Image for theweebookworm .
417 reviews28 followers
August 17, 2023
Thank you Netgalley for my ARC copy.

I hadn't read the first book but I don't think that spoiled it for me.

This was billed as humorous and it was in parts but I expected more. What I hadn't expected was some of the sensitive topics that were covered. I did feel they were dealt with very well.

I liked the format of the book especially Nell's Things I Am Grateful For at the end of each chapter.

When it comes to characters, what can I say. I absolutely loved Cricket and think we all need someone like that in our lives. I did feel there was a good range of characters.

Thank you for the opportunity to read this book. This is my honest review and all opinions are my own.
Profile Image for Ieva.
1,298 reviews108 followers
November 2, 2023
Pirmā grāmata patika tik ļoti, ka nenoturējos ļoti drīz pieķerties arī turpinājumam. Jāsaka, ka tie reti ir tikpat spēcīgi kā pirmā grāmata un, lai arī man patiešām patika arī šis, par mata tiesu tomēr šis kaut ko ir zaudējis - 4.5 zvaigznes apaļotas uz augšu.
Galvenokārt man ne līdz galam patika tas, ka viss Penelopes un Edvarda attiecībās notika tādā kā paātrinājumā.
Kriketas līnija šoreiz man patika vēl jo vairāk - ir iedvesmojoši domāt, ka viss notiek un nav par vēlu arī tad, kad tev jau ir 80+, ne tikai 40+.
Kopumā gan arī šajā daļā es brīžiem smējos un no sirds jutu līdzi grūtajiem, sāpīgajiem lēmumiem. Šoreiz arī daudz uzskatāmāki piemēri tam, cik ļoti visi mēdz kļūdīties un justies kā neveiksminieki tad, kad visi citi domā, ka tev ir viss ir ļoti labi.
Profile Image for Emma .
91 reviews3 followers
July 10, 2024
When I started this I was a bit concerned because it mentioned Covid and the lockdown which made me want to put it down because I want to pretend that never happened as I found it such an unsettling time. That being said I’d imagine that the author was attempting to comfort the readers as this was released not long after the whole Covid situation.
I have already read the previous book and absolutely loved it, I think it was one of the first non crime fiction books I read and it made me more open minded to different genres.
This book was wonderful and comforting, it’s about friendship, love, forgiveness, self acceptance, embracing life and loss and is just a beautiful and easy read for anyone wanting to read something light and heartwarming.
It also completely normalises not having your shit together which is always relatable.
Profile Image for Ellie (bookmadbarlow).
1,494 reviews90 followers
August 9, 2023
This is a great follow-up to the first book set 2 years on as Nell continues with her podcast and still struggles with life.
Nell records her podcast whilst struggling with her life choices. She is in a relationship, but is she really happy? Are her friends happy?
I find Nell just such a relatable character. She has faults, but she is loveable, and is just a great side character (still want her to have her own spin off)
There is lots crammed into this book, and it's a chunk at 500 pages. There is fun and laughter, but also tears and tough times as in most lives. There may be some triggers for people, and I may have shed a small tear or two at times.
Profile Image for Astraycat.
1,033 reviews92 followers
December 10, 2023
The up and down of this sequence almost let me lose hope again, esp when her friends' marriage encountered all kinds of problems. And whenever Annabel showed up, I'd thought, come on, not her again! Thankfully, there's hea in the end.
Profile Image for Michelle Cornelius.
33 reviews
July 31, 2024
Really enjoyed this follow up book, beautifully written and very true to life, do any of us have our lives sorted and what happens when an unexpected item lands in the baggage area?? I’ll leave you to read the book to understand that 😉 Will be looking for more books by this author.
Profile Image for Charlotte Parkin.
64 reviews
March 23, 2025
5🌟

This book is everything I felt about the first one, and more. The characters are all so well written and it’s an actual weight lifted when life isn’t going as neatly and conventional as planned.

Fantastic writing, very funny, sad it’s over😢
Profile Image for Charlotte Alty.
47 reviews
March 28, 2025
I didn’t enjoy this anywhere near as much as the first. I felt like it was lacking a good story. The first was a nice story about Nell recovering from her break up, this one was more a standard life narration and a lot of it was pretty boring. Saying that, it felt like she was trying to cram in as many traumatic life events and cliches as possible, that all somehow had a happy ending… I also think Nell’s friends are pretty shit friends and that annoyed me. Plus all the talk of Covid in the first half really jarred me, I don’t need to be reminded when I’m trying to escape into a fictional world 🤣 stars are for Cricket and Arthur, some nice quotes such as “you can’t let go of grief until it lets go of you” and some moments that made me laugh.
Profile Image for Courtney-Jade.
259 reviews3 followers
August 27, 2023
I liked the first quarter but then it got very repetitive, especially as I read the first one not that long ago. It was a nice easy read that I could just pick up whenever and not rush to finish
16 reviews
February 27, 2025
A great vacation book! Easy to read filled with simple insights into real life. It is never perfect, it will be messy, there is no right answer. Wisdom from a forty something f##k up and her eighty something sidekick, fifty something fiancé and a wacky group of lifelong friends.
Profile Image for Fran Williams.
36 reviews
April 13, 2024
Nell is as funny and relatable as she is in the first book, I loved it!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 529 reviews

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