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Mother Hens
Welcome to a hen do where revenge is served colder than a frozen margarita… Cara Carmichael’s bestie is finally getting hitched, and she’s over the moon because it means one thing… Whoah, they’re going to Ibiza! Mums on ditching kids, partners and better judgement for a long-weekend of sun, sea, and sex…y support pants. What could possibly go ‘Pete Tong’? Lazy days, crazy nights and child-free hangovers sound like hedonistic heaven – but it turns out you can get into a hell of a lot of trouble on the party island where rules are meant to be broken. For Cara, it’s a chance to forget about her messy divorce and explosive feud with a stardom-seeking sister and Pina-Colada pickled mother. Swapping emotional baggage for 10kg of hand luggage, she soon realises even on holiday, the darkness of your past has an alarming way of catching up with you. Shortlisted for Bollinger Everyman Wodehouse Prize for Comic Fiction 2023. When a twist of fate causes feathers to fly – a dangerous opportunity for retribution arises. Faced with secrets, lies, and betrayal – does it pay to be a good egg, or do bad chicks reign supreme? Four friends, three nights, two murders – one heck of an adventure. A rollocking rollercoaster ride from Ibiza to Vegas, via Cheshire, Mother Hens will make you laugh, wince, and wonder what any of us are really capable of when push comes to shove… Sophie McCartney's book 'Mother Hens' was a No.1 Sunday Times bestseller w/c 27-03-2023.
320 pages, Paperback
First published March 30, 2023
116 people are currently reading
1135 people want to read
About the author
Sophie McCartney
5 books31 followersSophie McCartney, the force behind the internet phenomenon Tired & Tested, is a comedy writer and performer from Liverpool.
Propelled towards internet stardom in 2017 for a parody of Ed Sheeran’s ‘Shape of You’, her stand-up, songs and sketches focus on the messier side of life and the truth about parenting.
Before turning to writing, Sophie worked in PR and considers promoting the world’s biggest fish finger as her career highlight. Winner of the Funny Women Best Web Series award in 2020, Sophie shares her frank and fearless takes on adult life with an army of fans online, onstage and on screen.
Sophie lives with her husband, two children and an extremely spirited beagle, and is currently writing her next book.
Propelled towards internet stardom in 2017 for a parody of Ed Sheeran’s ‘Shape of You’, her stand-up, songs and sketches focus on the messier side of life and the truth about parenting.
Before turning to writing, Sophie worked in PR and considers promoting the world’s biggest fish finger as her career highlight. Winner of the Funny Women Best Web Series award in 2020, Sophie shares her frank and fearless takes on adult life with an army of fans online, onstage and on screen.
Sophie lives with her husband, two children and an extremely spirited beagle, and is currently writing her next book.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 224 reviews
August 17, 2023
Wtf did I just read?
April 20, 2025
What a delight! Very unlikely, but so much fun! Smiled and laughed a lot.
March 29, 2023
Okay, first of all, this is possibly the funniest book I’ve read this year. I’m absolutely obsessed with how much fun I had reading this one. It’s packed full of great characters, laugh out loud moments, banter, and possibly some of the worst cases of second hand embarrassment I’ve experienced, and it all adds up to be one hell of a book that I will be recommending to everyone that will listen to me. I know this is a work of fiction, but I can fully see this happening to someone.
I loved every second I spent devouring this book and I can’t wait to introduce it to so many more people. The only down side? It took me days to get Firestarter by The Prodigy out of my head, and that’s 10000% Sophie’s fault.
Sophie, you’re incredible and insanely talented. Please give me more books ASAP. Thank you so very much, my Queen.
Thank you to ED Pr and Harper North for having me on the blog tour and sending over copies of the book.
I loved every second I spent devouring this book and I can’t wait to introduce it to so many more people. The only down side? It took me days to get Firestarter by The Prodigy out of my head, and that’s 10000% Sophie’s fault.
Sophie, you’re incredible and insanely talented. Please give me more books ASAP. Thank you so very much, my Queen.
Thank you to ED Pr and Harper North for having me on the blog tour and sending over copies of the book.
August 30, 2023
Mother Hens was such a fun and enjoyable read. Following our group of relatable (and slightly chaotic) mums on a hen party to Ibiza.
I loved the characters in the book and lots of it really gave me the same vibe as the movie 'Bridesmaids'.
I do think the plot may be a little marmite, at points it was just insanely ridiculous (fun and had me gasping), but totally off the wall. Overall I enjoyed this however as we got to the twist at the end of the book I did find myself struggling to get fully on board.
I loved the characters in the book and lots of it really gave me the same vibe as the movie 'Bridesmaids'.
I do think the plot may be a little marmite, at points it was just insanely ridiculous (fun and had me gasping), but totally off the wall. Overall I enjoyed this however as we got to the twist at the end of the book I did find myself struggling to get fully on board.
November 16, 2023
Absolute nonsense! One of of the worst books I’ve ever read!
April 3, 2023
****4.5 stars!****
This book is mother-clucking genius!
Think Bridesmaids meets Widows with a smidge of The Hangover *snorts*.
It’s hilarious and outlandish (in all the best ways)! I lost count of the times where I had to put the book down because I was crying with laughter and had to implement emergency kegel manoeuvres to ensure I didn’t have an accident! *sighs* #thestruggleisreal
NGL, I was ready to go into full Lorena Bobbitt mode in the first part of the story… I wanted to take Dirty Dom OUT! Don’t even get me started on the other two! (*mumbles* Must think of your blood pressure, Laura!)
Cara, Jac, Amy and Debs are the Dream Team. From Cara with her nervous colon to Jac with her inside knowledge on HTGAWM add in Queen of the Unfiltered Mouth, Amy (It me!), and rounded off by narcoleptic Debs aka a new mum (aka Miss P is for Power *bleep* #IYKYK).
I can’t get the scene from the plane out of my head. It was Jac that did me in! The vision of Cara with the wipe and Jac’s reaction has taken up residence in my head. I think I’m gonna have to charge rent at this rate.
Psst, I have it on good authority I’d fit right in with this crew after showing a friend my favourite quote…
“You were interesting to me – a pure heart, with a dirty mind. What’s not to like?”
Same girl, same. *smirks*
I’m ready for my next adventure with Sophie wherever that may take me.
This book is mother-clucking genius!
Think Bridesmaids meets Widows with a smidge of The Hangover *snorts*.
It’s hilarious and outlandish (in all the best ways)! I lost count of the times where I had to put the book down because I was crying with laughter and had to implement emergency kegel manoeuvres to ensure I didn’t have an accident! *sighs* #thestruggleisreal
NGL, I was ready to go into full Lorena Bobbitt mode in the first part of the story… I wanted to take Dirty Dom OUT! Don’t even get me started on the other two! (*mumbles* Must think of your blood pressure, Laura!)
Cara, Jac, Amy and Debs are the Dream Team. From Cara with her nervous colon to Jac with her inside knowledge on HTGAWM add in Queen of the Unfiltered Mouth, Amy (It me!), and rounded off by narcoleptic Debs aka a new mum (aka Miss P is for Power *bleep* #IYKYK).
I can’t get the scene from the plane out of my head. It was Jac that did me in! The vision of Cara with the wipe and Jac’s reaction has taken up residence in my head. I think I’m gonna have to charge rent at this rate.
Psst, I have it on good authority I’d fit right in with this crew after showing a friend my favourite quote…
“You were interesting to me – a pure heart, with a dirty mind. What’s not to like?”
Same girl, same. *smirks*
I’m ready for my next adventure with Sophie wherever that may take me.
August 30, 2024
I didn't like the way there was so much space on the page - reduce the space and increase the type face. I got to page 65, realised I didn't like any of the characters so gave up. What I did read was a bit too crude for my liking and I didn't like any of the characters - all awful. If I could have given half a star, I would have.
March 14, 2024
dnf at 10%, 'humour' is v millenial core and pretty unbearable. also only got two chapters in and managed to come across two pretty weird comments involving kids and genitals????? not for me this one
February 7, 2025
This was just great from start to finish and had me lol throughout 😂 definitely recommend
May 9, 2024
How a book can make you feel really, really old, in just twenty two pages.
April 15, 2024
My first audio book. Loved the narration. Some proper laugh out load moments. A light hearted not to serious story x
May 11, 2024
I chuckled my way through this book. Such a ridiculous story but soo hilarious.
June 16, 2025
thanks to chelsea for reccommeding this book. it was so funny even if it was unbelievable in parts, made.me laugh from start ot finish
July 14, 2024
Not the best book I’ve ever read .. proper chick flick book with a couple of murders chucked in for good measure. It was okay
January 11, 2024
Sophie McCartney's Mother Hens is an absolute riot of a read, a comedic gem that had me cackling from the start. From the get-go, this book grabs you by the funny bone and doesn't let go. Imagine the most cringe-inducing, second-hand embarrassment moments - yes, those ones where you want to hide behind a cushion - and McCartney has them in spades, making this book a wild ride of hilarity.
Our protagonist, Cara Carmichael, is a relatable mess of a character, whose life has been flipped upside down by a philandering husband. Her ensuing journey to Ibiza, pushed by her friends into a hen party while nursing a broken heart, is a masterclass in comedic chaos. You'll find yourself rooting for her, even as you snort with laughter at her misadventures.
McCartney's writing is a kaleidoscope of wit, vibrant characters, and a plot that zigs and zags like a drunken hen. It's so vivid and engaging, you'll half expect the characters to leap off the page and join you for a cuppa. The book's ending? Pure satisfaction, tied with a bow of laughter. It's one of those rare reads that leaves you with a grin plastered on your face, and a light heart. In short, Mother Hens is a rollicking good time, a book I'll be squawking about to anyone who'll listen. If laughter is the best medicine, then this book should be prescribed reading!
Our protagonist, Cara Carmichael, is a relatable mess of a character, whose life has been flipped upside down by a philandering husband. Her ensuing journey to Ibiza, pushed by her friends into a hen party while nursing a broken heart, is a masterclass in comedic chaos. You'll find yourself rooting for her, even as you snort with laughter at her misadventures.
McCartney's writing is a kaleidoscope of wit, vibrant characters, and a plot that zigs and zags like a drunken hen. It's so vivid and engaging, you'll half expect the characters to leap off the page and join you for a cuppa. The book's ending? Pure satisfaction, tied with a bow of laughter. It's one of those rare reads that leaves you with a grin plastered on your face, and a light heart. In short, Mother Hens is a rollicking good time, a book I'll be squawking about to anyone who'll listen. If laughter is the best medicine, then this book should be prescribed reading!
March 28, 2024
I liked the idea of this book being Mum’s on a Hen Do leaving worries behind and had heard it was a funny story so I was looking forward to reading it and wanted to like it.
I have given it 3* because it was easy to read and I wanted to get to the end to see what happened.
The reality is though this is not my kind of thing or sense of humour. If it was a tv programme or film maybe it would be funny as a lot of very visual daft stuff occurs.
As a book I felt it was trying too hard to be funny and a lot of the time too much information for the sake of it. It was very descriptive but not in a scene setting way more in a jokey way.
The story was very far fetched and most of the characters were cringy particularly Cara’s Mum, sister and the bad guys,
The characters of Cara, as being one of the more reserved characters didn’t really match with her narration.
I didn’t find any of the characters particularly relatable (apart from maybe the one who kept falling asleep) but perhaps I’m just getting old!
I have given it 3* because it was easy to read and I wanted to get to the end to see what happened.
The reality is though this is not my kind of thing or sense of humour. If it was a tv programme or film maybe it would be funny as a lot of very visual daft stuff occurs.
As a book I felt it was trying too hard to be funny and a lot of the time too much information for the sake of it. It was very descriptive but not in a scene setting way more in a jokey way.
The story was very far fetched and most of the characters were cringy particularly Cara’s Mum, sister and the bad guys,
The characters of Cara, as being one of the more reserved characters didn’t really match with her narration.
I didn’t find any of the characters particularly relatable (apart from maybe the one who kept falling asleep) but perhaps I’m just getting old!
April 26, 2023
⭐️⭐️.5
I was looking forward to this one but it just don’t work for me.
It was funny in places but sometimes a bit too crude for me.
Also felt like two different genres of book rolled into one. So what started out fun and believable quickly turned into a crazy caper that just felt very over the top.
I can see how this would appeal to a lot of people unfortunately just not one for me.
Thanks to NetGalley for the chance to read this arc.
I was looking forward to this one but it just don’t work for me.
It was funny in places but sometimes a bit too crude for me.
Also felt like two different genres of book rolled into one. So what started out fun and believable quickly turned into a crazy caper that just felt very over the top.
I can see how this would appeal to a lot of people unfortunately just not one for me.
Thanks to NetGalley for the chance to read this arc.
April 19, 2023
I am a follower of Sophie and was so looking forward to this book, who doesn't love a crazy hen story?! Sadly this just wasn't my cup of tea; too much in the way of crude humour and metaphors. The characters really grated and the story just left me cringing (in a bad way). I got halfway through and abandoned the audio book, the narration was also very poor.
January 10, 2025
5⭐️ for me for finishing this book (should’ve DNFed tho🙄)
April 19, 2023
This book was a breath of fresh air! It was an absolute tonic and utterly hilarious from beginning to end. Sophie McCartney is obviously a very funny lady, and I’ve loved watching her videos on social media, but I think to translate that kind of humour into a fiction book can be quite hard, but she absolutely nailed it!
The story follows Cara, who is recently divorced from her love rat husband, and has been persuaded to join best friends Jac, Debs, and her cousin Amy on Jac’s hen do to Ibiza. Self branded as the ‘Flab Four’, they are Mums on Tour ready to live it up on the party island. But of course, absolutely nothing goes to plan and the foursome get themselves into many sticky situations. Some parts are very far fetched and unbelievable and you’re thinking, surely this couldn’t happen in real life!! But still so funny!
It was also just so relatable, which I think is what made it so funny, because you can relate to the characters and what they’re going through.
A great light hearted, entertaining read that would pull you out of any slump and brighten your mood instantly. This book would make a brilliant film so I hope it gets made into one one day, I could picture Rebel Wilson playing Amy 🤩 Highly recommend!
The story follows Cara, who is recently divorced from her love rat husband, and has been persuaded to join best friends Jac, Debs, and her cousin Amy on Jac’s hen do to Ibiza. Self branded as the ‘Flab Four’, they are Mums on Tour ready to live it up on the party island. But of course, absolutely nothing goes to plan and the foursome get themselves into many sticky situations. Some parts are very far fetched and unbelievable and you’re thinking, surely this couldn’t happen in real life!! But still so funny!
It was also just so relatable, which I think is what made it so funny, because you can relate to the characters and what they’re going through.
A great light hearted, entertaining read that would pull you out of any slump and brighten your mood instantly. This book would make a brilliant film so I hope it gets made into one one day, I could picture Rebel Wilson playing Amy 🤩 Highly recommend!
May 6, 2024
3.75 ⭐
Such a funny - make you laugh out loud kind of book.
A quick, fast paced read.
Great, relatable characters.
An unexpected change of genre half way through.
A story about love, life and friendships.
Would recommend 💕
Such a funny - make you laugh out loud kind of book.
A quick, fast paced read.
Great, relatable characters.
An unexpected change of genre half way through.
A story about love, life and friendships.
Would recommend 💕
November 28, 2024
A ridiculous romp of a story, perfect for a bit of light holiday reading if you like your puns coming in thick and fast.
I usually do and even I found them tedious after a while. Still enjoyable though
I usually do and even I found them tedious after a while. Still enjoyable though
October 6, 2023
OMG Sophie McCartney what a fabulous first debut novel this was. Absolutely fantastic and hilariously funny had me laughing all the way through and loved all the adventures of the mum's. I look forward to seeing and reading what comes next.
July 17, 2025
a very fun, easy read & great as an audiobook!
March 3, 2024
Oh the chaos! My new fave genre ”girly crime” has done it again
April 20, 2024
I loved this! It was a proper comedy novel/chick lit read but it had me howling at points throughout and also unable to be put down. It’s one of those brilliant trashy reads that you just can’t get enough of!
March 20, 2023
What a read!
I follow Sophie on Instagram, find her entertaining and realistic so was intrigued to read her first piece of fiction. I wrongly presumed it would be a funny, mum take on chick lit... Oh I was so wrong! I'm not sure what you'd categorise the book as other than brilliant, funny and witty.
The book is pure entertainment; Cara Carmichael's life is absolutely turned upside down by her cheating husband. For reasons I won't share (don't want to give any spoilers!) She's devastated and she her friends drag her to Ibiza for a hen party, her heart just isn't in it.... But then suddenly she's in the middle of a situation she'd never even dreamt of.
Full of absolute twists and turns, the story is funny, witty and surprising. It's full of hilarious characters, cringe worthy moments so believable you wonder if it really is fiction, and a brilliant ending that left me feeling fully satisfied and also chortling. The plot is a bit bonkers, but it works entirely, I read the whole book with a smile on my face.... brilliant!
I follow Sophie on Instagram, find her entertaining and realistic so was intrigued to read her first piece of fiction. I wrongly presumed it would be a funny, mum take on chick lit... Oh I was so wrong! I'm not sure what you'd categorise the book as other than brilliant, funny and witty.
The book is pure entertainment; Cara Carmichael's life is absolutely turned upside down by her cheating husband. For reasons I won't share (don't want to give any spoilers!) She's devastated and she her friends drag her to Ibiza for a hen party, her heart just isn't in it.... But then suddenly she's in the middle of a situation she'd never even dreamt of.
Full of absolute twists and turns, the story is funny, witty and surprising. It's full of hilarious characters, cringe worthy moments so believable you wonder if it really is fiction, and a brilliant ending that left me feeling fully satisfied and also chortling. The plot is a bit bonkers, but it works entirely, I read the whole book with a smile on my face.... brilliant!
September 19, 2023
Downloaded this audiobook as it sounded funny. About 10 minutes in I realised this is not my kind of book but I had committed and therefore had to listen to 10+ hours of utter nonsense. This was crude, completely unfunny and the narration seriously grated on me. Will not be reading more from the author!
November 7, 2023
Wanted to love this?, love Sophie s humour but this is poor. Full of clichés, every line is trying to be funny. Not sure how this got published. Very disappointing.
Gives chick lit a bad name, read Jane Green, Jane Fallon and marian keyes for great chick lit.
Don't waste your time on this.
Gives chick lit a bad name, read Jane Green, Jane Fallon and marian keyes for great chick lit.
Don't waste your time on this.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 224 reviews