Moody not Broody

by Kathryn Player

Emma is a newly-wed looking forward to some blissful years with her new husband, Mike, but everyone else expects her to have children. Emma is a teacher and so, in everyone's mind, she MUST want children.

However, Emma has never wanted children and has to convince her husband, her family and her friends that she's not cut out for motherhood.

Instead, Emma wishes to pursue her teaching career and help children with Special Educational Needspo, but her plans are thwarted and she has to make a decision which will affect her and her husband, Mike, forever.

218 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 15, 2013

About the author

Kathryn Player was a teacher for ten years before she decided to have a career break and become a stay-at-home Mum. At the same time, she launched her debut novel, 'Moody not Broody', which was written three years earlier. 'Moody not Broody' is based on her teaching antics (experiences) over the past ten years.

Kathryn's second book 'Shop Gossip' is about two sisters who work in a charity shop and is based on real life stories.

Follow Kathryn's funny stories on THOUGHTS OF A CURLY-HAIRED ESSEX BIRD. Alternatively, you can read more of her work on the Huffington Post.

Reviews

[Sheerie · Rating 4 out of 5]

The basis of this book is set around Emma a teacher who likes children in the classroom but really doesn't like the idea of having one herself. Funny in places, she takes on a harder role at school. Predictably the book ends with her being pregnant. A good first book.

[Chantelle Hazelden · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was light hearted and had me laughing throughout. Definitely one to be reading whilst on your holidays, highly recommended

[Fabulous Book Fiend · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review: fabulously funny fiction! I was lucky enough to receive a copy of this book for review, and I was really looking forward to reading it. Sometimes when you're really looking forward to reading something, it can be a let down, but this definitely was not. The first thing I really liked about this book was that it was set in a school. Immediately it conjured up vivid pictures in my head of my secondary school combined with channel 4's Teachers combined with the staff room in my own school, an interesting combination. Other books feature teachers and feature discussions they have in or around school but so many of the discussions in this book were in the school and covered aspects such a teaching children not as part of a whole class (exactly what I do) and also the problems of promotion when you have an issue with someone else on the staff. I thought it was really well written and could find no faults with that aspect of the book.

As well as the familiar setting I also felt like I knew the characters in the book, as well as taking on some of the personas from that channel four series, they also seemed to fit some of the personalities we all see in schools, whether we work in a school or just from our own experiences of school. I really liked Emma and found that she was a very realistic character. I have friends who, like her, are sometimes judged for their decision not to have children, or who have a desire to wait and I thought that other people's reactions to her decisions were equally realistic. I felt sorry for her in some of the discussions she had with people about her choices, and worried for her relationships with the lovely mike, who sounded just scummy, at some points in the book.

The rest of the characters in the book, bring in the real comedy aspect, which had me laughing out loud at points. They all have their quirks and play really strong supporting characters. I love the fact that Emma can't park, that Mike's mum gets a love life, that Emma's kids back her up no matter what, and that her boss always catches her doing something she shouldn't!

The ending of this book definitely leaves you wanting more, I defy anyone to read this and NOT be looking for more pages to find out what is going to happen, I really hope there is a sequel. The only really criticism I have for this book is just that, that there is not more of it. There could have easily been another 50 pages of more fun and frivolity and a definitely need to know what is going to happen next in the world of Emma and Mike, the teacher part of me also hopes that the kids in her class get on ok too, but that's another issue. This is a really fun read and definitely worth downloading.

[HerbookList]

From the beginning I couldn't put Moody Not Broody down. As many readers who follow on Twitter might be aware I started reading this at the same time as One Day, they are complete opposites but read together was a lesson on the different styles of writing. Moody Not Broody is set to a great extent in a school, with funny anecdotes and humorous conversations that had me laughing out loud. One of my pet hates are books set in schools because they at times draw stereotypical characters that seem self obsessed and complain themselves into a coma about teaching but this works. I think it's because the characters are relatable, the type of people I could have a drink with at the end of a school day.

Moody Not Broody I originally thought would be about a woman wanting a child and getting pregnant, a book similar to No One Has Sex on Tuesday. I was wrong, this book isn't necessarily about pregnancy but about friendships, marriage and families, the pregnancy or lack of it becomes secondary which I found to be fantastic, a breath of fresh air. Emma's reluctance to have a child is refreshing because although she works with children, she is sure she doesn't want children, there is no uncertainty, she is sure she does not want children. There is a myth out there that all women of a certain age want children and she proves that she doesn't not because she is flawed as a woman but because she sees no appeal in having children.

She is however under pressure by her know it all husband Mike. Mike was my least favorite character in the book because at times he did seem very smarmy and controlling. He didn't seem to be accepting of his wife's flaws or quirks and for this reason he irritated me beyond belief. The scenes with him became my least favorite scenes but towards the end he did start to grow on me and I hope there is sequel which shows him in a better light.


I was impressed by Kathyn Player's writing; she is funny, succinct and doesn't waffle on and on like so many authors. Once I started reading this book, I found it impossible to put it down. This is one of those reads that makes you think about the impact of children and whether the decision is truly a woman's decision. I felt that it was inevitable almost that Emma would get pregnant, either that or leave her husband. I loved this book, it kept me awake till the early hours of the morning. This is a wonderful debut novel by a fantastically funny author.

[E.L. Lindley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Moody not Broody is a light hearted romp with serious undertones. The main character, Emma, is very likeable and flawed and, as she approaches thirty, finds herself facing the kind of life decisions that most people will relate to. Newly married, everyone assumes that a baby will be the next step but she’s not so sure. At the same time, she is struggling to find her place in her career as a teacher, unsure whether she wants promotion and more responsibility or less.

The heart of this story is the humour and Kathryn Player’s skill as a writer is evident in the way she presents everyday situations that we can all relate to and find funny. Player’s style of writing is effectively simple and engaging, almost conversational, which draws the reader in from the outset.

I was engrossed not only in Emma’s story but also those of her friends and family, who make up a strong supporting cast. Beneath the humour are hints at poignancy, such as Emma’s mother-in-law’s obvious loneliness and I would have liked to have seen that explored a bit more. There is a sequel on the way though so maybe I’m jumping the gun.

I really enjoyed this novel and I think it would be the perfect holiday read; funny, light-hearted with a terrific cast of characters. Be warned though, once you pick it up you won’t want to put it down again.

[T · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review for From Moody to Broody

This book was given to me in exchange for an honest review.

On occasion I get a chance to read British Novels, I always find it
fun to see the difference in the way things are portrayed from the US
as well as how very different our humor is from theirs. This was no
different in this particular book. There were a few small parts that I
either felt where misunderstood due to these differences, that or some
small grammar issues. However they did not deter from the story and it
was still an enjoyable read.

This is a fun read about a newly wed couple and how they deal with
combining their lives. Not to mention the complex decision of working
or being a stay at home mom, or a mom at all.

I really related with the character Em, she loved her career and felt
that having children was unnecessary, fought the idea really. And then
with one slip ends up accidentally pregnant. My best friend could have
been that character!

Even with the hard topics mentioned this was still a fun light read. I
enjoyed the book and really enjoyed the characters in it. Now if I
could read the story in their accent I would be complete!

[Carly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. It was hilarious reading but had some darker moments as well. The main character Emma did had some bad points about her but you could not just help warm to her. Great debut and looking forward to reading more of Kathryn Player's books in the future.

[Angie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book and felt like I could relate to a lot of what the different characters were going through. Fully recommend to any chick lit lovers and you can read my full review on my blog Angieslifeblog.wordpress.com

[Sallie janes · Rating 4 out of 5]

nice cheerful book on people finding out what they want out of their lives and what's important and what's not.

[Samantha Steele · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this! It was a nice easy read with many likeable characters.

[April Wood · Rating 3 out of 5]

“To breed or not to breed, that is the question!”

What’s It About?

Moody Not Broody is a chick lit novel about a young newly wed/special ed teacher, who is being pressured by her husband, family, and friends to have children. Emma doesn’t feel ready yet, and she doesn’t know if she will EVER feel ready to have children…. that is until her plans are derailed, and she has to make a very important decision that not only affects her, but her husband too.

My Thoughts:

I’d like to thank Holly from Bookaholic Confessions for recommending this novel, which was free for a limited time. I read this novel for my own pleasure, and wasn’t asked by the author for a review.

This was a good story. I enjoyed the author’s voice and found Emma to be a likable, and relatable character. Being a woman in my 30’s myself, I can relate to the feelings of pressure to have children. (Although, I believe Emma was actually in her 20’s.)

The ending was ABRUPT… I’m curious if there will be a sequel, because the story didn’t feel resolved.
***Note, per the Author’s bio, there will be a sequel.

Recommendation:

Anyone who enjoys stories centered around a woman’s experiences, with a special interest in unfair pressure by society to have a baby, mixed with humor.

Full review: https://aprillwood.wordpress.com/2015...

[Kat · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was asked to read this for review, and I was chuffed to bits. I think a lot of women are put under pressure to have kids when they get to a certain age and if their not having kids then somethings wrong. Well this book made me realize there is so many women out there that just don't want kids which we don't hear about enough!

Kathryn Player has written in my mind a classic, as once I started I had to make myself put it down to do "normal stuff" like go out lol!

Read it you won't regret it.

[Louise · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this book ok. There were a few bits where I had to go back as it seemed to jump about too much from where it had last been. Ended rather abruptly too.

[Janey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quick read , I enjoyed it but the ending was a little predictable . After reading the authors goodreads page maybe not so much since it was based on her .

[Sammy Jackson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Easy to read Chick Lit