The Fecking Fabulous Forties Club

The Fecking Fabulous Forties Club #1

by Freya Kennedy

Alternate cover edition of ASIN B0CZ4ZKP98

Becca Burnside isn’t sure where it all went wrong. How did she end up single in her forties, with the highlight of her weekend being a trip to Big Asda with her mum and the only chance of cuddles coming from her dog?

It’s fair to say that Becca’s life isn’t quite where she’d hoped it would be. She already knew that, deep down, but when she finds the time capsule she and her friends made as teenagers and remembers the hopes and dreams sixteen-year-old Becki (with an i) had for the future, she knows she has to do something, and fast.

Refusing to be controlled by her hot flushes and Unexplained Waves of Sadness, Becca is determined to turn things around – for Becki’s sake. But what will it take to prove there’s life in the old girl yet?

Genres: Chick Lit, Fiction, Romance, Womens Fiction, Contemporary

306 pages, ebook

First published August 20, 2024

Reviews

[Nicola “Shortbookthyme” · Rating 4 out of 5]

Though there is a bit of humor going on within the story, there is also so much more. Many relatable moments that many of us can relate too.
Middle age issues
Friendship
Divorce
Humor
Romance
Menopause
Grief
Empty nest syndrome


Thank you NetGalley, Boldwood Books and the author for the opportunity to read this book for my honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.

[Grace Foster · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book so well written you connect with the characters so much..even makes you want to meet them and be there friends. Also made me think about what I want to achieve in life and who is important to me! Please make the fecking fabulous forties club 2 continue with Becca and her family and friends life I want need to know more lol!! Loved it defo recommend 👌

[Book Escapes Babs · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this incredible story, which examined the frailty of friendships and how fragile they can be. Becca is like many women as they approach their sometimes-best years, often a time of reflection and regret. Her relationship with her mother is probably one of her most precious connections since her divorce and severing her ties to one of her childhood best friends.
Warned by her mother that her estranged friend is mourning for her mother, a woman who was a crucial part of Becca’s formative years. Along with her other friend, Becca is moved to reconnect and offer their support. A hasty apology provides a temporary fix and allows all three childhood friends to reunite. The shared opening of a time capsule from their younger days leads to some soul-searching and old wounds are soon reopened.
Becca reminds me of so many of my childhood friends, and I must admit that I have cherished reconnecting with a particular group from my school days. Those friendships bring warmth to my memories and allow for self-indulgent reflection, and their presence keeps me grounded. The cause of Becca’s fallout with her friend isn’t revealed immediately, but I am sure I would also have struggled with it. However, I couldn’t help but hope for an amicable resolution.
There is a warmth radiating from the pages despite the tension between the friends. The warmth is a separate issue from the hot flushes that signal the early onset of the time when women risk disappearing into the background if they aren’t careful. This is a humorous and often hilarious look at a subject that is no longer taboo. I am rather grateful that the veils were lifted on this subject just as I transitioned toward the shadow of my former self. Thanks to a new openness, I have found a wealth of support. If only I’d been more aware of the tell-tale signs, I may not have thought I was having a breakdown. I digress; this wonderful book should be on prescription for all women heading towards that certain age.
Brilliant! I can highly recommend it.

[Claire · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is me to an extent! I am Becca’s age (at the time of writing). I’ve got two sons (not twins mind). How could this be about me?!? Well it isn’t; it’s about Becca !!

Becca and her two childhood besties are brought back together at a sad time telling them that life is short. The trio at 16 wrote their future selves a letter which hits home for each in very different ways. The journey they go on together and individually was fun, heartwarming and addictive!

I love the use of the word fudging. I use frigging but they both mean the same when you are trying your hardest not to swear!! I might have to introduce fudging and its varieties into my vocabulary!!

This whole book resonated with me. It told me to grab life by the horns and take chances. To reconnect with people and to sod what people think! Some life lessons for me! Loved it!

[Leona O'Neill · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a good book, a unique celebration of female friendship and the bonds that provide support and joy in life's tougher moments
It was comforting and entertaining, heartfelt, humorous and heartbreaking at times, covering topics like divorce, raising teenagers, caring for elderly parents, friendships, fallouts, love, loss and self discovery. I laughed, I cried and I related hard.
The story revolves around Becca Burnside, who finds herself single in her forties, with her life not quite matching the dreams of her youth. Triggered by the discovery of an old time capsule, Becca embarks on a journey to revitalise her life and takes us along for the ride.
The author’s writing positively shines with wit and relatability, skilfully balancing serious themes like grief and menopause with light-hearted humour. The main character’s narrative is engaging and intimate, making readers feel as though they are sharing secrets with a close friend.
The author is such a good writer, crafting her stories so that we genuinely care for them. I was sad to say goodbye to characters who I had grown to know like friends.
I was given an ARC copy of this book for an honest review. I would highly recommend this book.

[bookloversclub2023 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you Net galley for my ARC of this book.

I thought this was going to be a fun lighthearted read looking at the title but there was a very serious theme of loss, death and grief throughout. I found some of this quite triggering for my particular circumstances. There was however also abit of humour mixed In.

I felt halfway into the book I wasn’t really any further forward in the plot, it picked up slightly as the book went on. There were themes of the menopause, friendship and relationships throughout too.

If you are in your forties and want a book based on real life scenarios then this is perfect for you. For me I found some parts triggering but my expectations were completely off what the story is about. It still reads well and is written well just for me I’m all about a more lighthearted read.

[Lori Lindsey · Rating 3 out of 5]

As a woman who will be turning forty in a few months, I picked this book up in hopes for an incite into what it’s like in your forties. The book follows Rebecca Burnside, who’s 47 and is a single, empty nester. She spends a lot of her free time with her dog, Daniel the Spaniel(an adorable name) and visiting with her mom. She finds out an ex-friend from childhood’s mother has died and she feels compelled to go to the wake. She and another of her friends go and all three of them have a beautiful reunion. They open a time capsule they made together at 16, complete with letters from their 16 year old selves and it opens them up to a new way of looking at their lives.
This book was a little too depressing to me, mostly because I can identify with the characters easily. I could see the positive trajectory that eventually takes place, but it takes a lot of lessons and exposition to get there. But once it did, once Becca takes accountability for her part in a lot of the issues that she’s having, I cheered and happy squealed for her successes.

[Zee Monodee · Rating 1 out of 5]

Just didn't click with the writing. It felt very slow at the same time as it got rambly and overly so at times. Also, for someone in her forties, Becca sounded like a much, much older woman in the prose, which further kept me from really enjoying this one

[Mrs MJ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book can't wait for the next one 😀 👏 👍

[Sharbani Mukerjee · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a treat it has been reading the delightful The Fecking Fabulous Forties Club: 4 stars

We read the book through Rebecca's POV and her life at forty-six. She is a mother of twin boys, divorced, and has a wisecracking mum of seventy-six. Of course, the most critical being in her life is Daniel, her cocker spaniel. Her lifelong abiding friendship with Niamh (I am very proud to say that I could pronounce this beautiful Irish name like it should be read: Nee-ev) and Laura. The book reads like we are privy to Rebecca's personal thoughts and inner monologues. She is a wonderful, dutiful daughter, a doting mother, and a devoted friend. Her friendship with Niamh and Laura forms a critical aspect of the book. However, her friendship went awry with Laura during her divorce from Simon about a decade ago, and the book further delves into that.

What I loved about the book is the authentic and relatable aspects, such as a perpetual fear of parents' health and their well-being. I was mainly able to relate to the part where she would pick up her phone the moment her mum would call and pray that all was ok. When she called out for her mum, and there was no response, her brain went into the worst what-if scenarios. Although I am a couple of years away from hitting forty, the concerns and worries were poignant and genuine. As a reader, I felt heard and seen because I have felt these similar pangs of fear regarding my parents. There does come the point in life when suddenly some of your friends are bidding goodbyes to their parents; your anxiety is at an all-time high, thinking, has the countdown begun for my parents? I appreciate how the author speaks of this fear.


When we read about Rebecca's father's passing and the emotional aftermath, it's impossible not to feel a twinge of heartache. I commend the author for her deft use of humor to guide her readers back to the light-hearted tone of the book. The humor in the book is not just a relief from the heavier themes but also a testament to the resilience of the human spirit.

When her closest friend loses her mother to cancer, Rebecca starts reassessing her life. This holds true for a lot of us; a life-altering event, a sudden and tragic loss of a loved one, makes us want to take a back seat and look at the larger picture; similarly, losing her dear friend's mother prompted Rebecca to reevaluate her own life and relationships.

I was pleasantly surprised when I read the fourth wall break. It was a clever narrative device that allowed the character to directly address the reader, creating a more intimate reading experience.

Overall, I felt I was reading Rebecca's diary. Although we only get her perspective on everything, from aging, menopause, losing a parent, endless worry about the wellbeing of the other parent, and worrying about children and her friendships, maybe having a different perspective would have given it a more well-rounded reading experience; nevertheless, I thoroughly enjoyed the book. The humor and cultural references kept the reading light and upbeat. I found myself giggling on various occasions.
As I said, some serious issues, such as aging, loss, and the fear of losing loved ones, are mentioned, but the author does a stellar job of talking about them without making the book morose.

I want to thank Netgalley for giving me this fantastic opportunity.

Trigger warning - Loss of a parent, loss of a parent to cancer, divorce, and infidelity.

[Anne Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m considerably older than Becca and her friends, but this wonderfully written book took me straight back to the trials and tribulations of being in my forties – that awareness that life perhaps hasn’t worked out the way you wanted it to, the changes that suddenly make you realise you’re actually on the verge of being past it, and all those preoccupations with family that keep you awake at night.

But this is Becca’s story, told in her own clear and consistent voice – laced with lots of humour, but with so much depth to the emotional content that it really touched me to the heart. Having suddenly lost her beloved father, her mother’s wellbeing is often foremost in her thoughts – and that’s when she’s not worrying about her twin sons, away in England at university, one giving her little cause for concern, the other lurching from one crisis to the next (and depleting her savings along the way). Thank goodness for best friend Niamh – she might be prone to her own crises at times, but she’s always there, watching her back.

But there was a time when there was a trio of friends – and, their relationship severed around the time of Becca’s divorce, Laura comes back into their lives after they hear about the death of her mother, very fondly remembered from their teenage years. And that makes Becca remember the time capsule they put together thirty years before – including letters written by their younger selves, setting out their hopes and expectations for the future. In her case, there’s a considerable gulf between her plans and what she’s actually achieved in her life – and it becomes a major catalyst for trying to recover her spark and change her future.

The way female friendship is captured in this book is just wonderful – although I could really feel the deep hurt caused by the betrayal that brought about the rift between Becca and Laura, and the struggle to find forgiveness when the elephant was always lurking in the corner of the room. While I was often in tears of laughter, there’s so much (very real…) poignancy to the whole story that there were moments when I had a lump in my throat at the same time – those times when I really wanted to give Becca a hug, reassure her that life won’t always be this difficult and that her best years aren’t necessarily behind her.

Of course, there are also the very real issues of being perimenopausal, not just the hot flushes, and whether HRT might be the way to make everything in life feel better – there was so much there that rang true, and took me right back to those really difficult years. And I must mention her relationship with her mother, which was something I really loved – that trip to the big Asda with the trolley dash to buy all the Christmas bits and pieces brought back so many personal memories, but so did Becca’s occasional frustration at the many demands that made her life even more difficult.

Filled with warmth and love, tackling the issues of the sandwich generation with humour and honesty – essential reading for anyone in or approaching their forties and feeling life might have passed them by, but with so much that can’t fail to ring true whatever your age. This was a book I really loved, with the most delightful characters that it was a joy to spend time with – one for every woman’s reading list, very highly recommended, and I’m really looking forward to seeing how the series develops.

[Misfits farm · Rating 4 out of 5]

Becky is now single, her twin boys are at university and she has Daniel the Spaniel to keep her company. On one of her mothers “ you’ll never guess who’s died” speeches she is horrified to find that the mother of one of her closest school friends has died. Laura fell out with Becky many years ago, but Becky and her other close friend Niamh brave going to the wake and find things aren't as bad as they thought with Laura who is overjoyed to see them. They are now all in their late forties and looking back at the time capsule they set at age 16, they decide things have to change going forward.
I very quickly got into this. It’s written with an Irish sense of humour and a big heart. It's a look at life and how sometimes, perhaps without realising it, we take things for granted and the years slip through our fingers and before we know where we are it could be too late to do that dream. There are UWOS (unexpected waves of sadness) which many will relate to as we get older, and lots of laughs on a journey through life and what it throws at us. A book that inspires you to go the extra mile and do what you feel, whatever your age. One that left me with a huge smile.

For more reviews please follow me on Twitter (X) @nickisbookblog
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[Kirsty (BookBlogger) · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Fecking Fabulous Forties Club by Freya Kennedy

I received an advance review copy for free thanks to Rachel's Random Resources and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Blurb

Becca Burnside isn’t sure where it all went wrong. How did she end up single in her forties, with the highlight of her weekend being a trip to Big Asda with her mum and the only chance of cuddles coming from her dog?

It’s fair to say that Becca’s life isn’t quite where she’d hoped it would be. She already knew that, deep down, but when she finds the time capsule she and her friends made as teenagers and remembers the hopes and dreams sixteen-year-old Becki (with an i) had for the future, she knows she has to do something, and fast.

Refusing to be controlled by her hot flushes and Unexplained Waves of Sadness, Becca is determined to turn things around – for Becki’s sake. But what will it take to prove there’s life in the old girl yet?

My Opinion

Becca and her friends have had a rude awakening about how short life can be. When they discovers letters they had written aged 16 for their future selves each of them find that things haven't quite worked out how they planned. This is not a light-hearted read, it covers some serious topics but it is still an entertaining read. The Fecking Fabulous Forties Club will inspire you to do whatever you feel like doing.

Rating 4/5

[Lily]

In this fun women’s fiction novel, readers join Becca Burnside and her friends, both close and estranged, as they all attempt to redefine their lives in their forties. Discovering a time capsule, rebuilding her relationship with an old friend, and making new memories with her mother and kids are all on the list, but life always has something to add to the mix. Determined to turn her life around for her sixteen-year-old self -- who went by Becki with an ‘i’ -- Becca embarks on a new chapter in her life. Here, relationships are at the center of the story, particularly Becca’s friendships, her relationship with her mother and children, and her relationship with herself (both past and present), and this focus is particularly powerful for readers of this book. Becca is a complicated, human, and flawed protagonist, and she encounters relatable incidents throughout the novel. With its charming location in Ireland and the realistic circumstances that Becca undergoes, this novel is heartwarming and honest, a fun and enjoyable read for fans of women’s fiction and other Boldwood titles. Proof that it is never too late to rebuild one’s life, friendships, and identity, Becca’s journey is a fantastic read and a wonderful adventure.

Thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the advance copy.

[Anjana · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m not one for swearing and only recently have managed to not be entirely turned away by a book solely if there’s too much swearing. That said, when I read the blurb I felt like the content may be something I might appreciate. I am glad I gave this a shot.

The story is of three women (with only one being the main narrator). They were once best friends and currently live in close proximity to each other. There’s a rift in their friendship and now that the eldest of the next generation have left home to go to college, the empty nest syndrome has Becca floundering. She is a dutiful daughter and a pretty hands-off mother but she now has the time to reflect back on her life.

I may be closer in age to the ladies in the book but I’m nowhere near the life stage they find themselves in. Despite that fact, I was able to relate to the emotional status and even the complexities of being in one’s own head as conflicts appear in friendships. I found myself liking this book even more than I expected. Especially since the ending does not have Becca magically completely changed. It does have its own twist though.

I would recommend this book to fans of the genre.

I received an ARC thanks to Netgalley and the publishers but the review is entirely based on my own reading experience.

[Elaine - Splashes Into Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sometimes something acts as a wake up call,
Reminding you to make the most of life and it all.
For Becca Burnside it is the death of a childhood friend’s Mum
Making her wary of what is to come.

The friendship ended a decade gone by
But rekindling it she and Niamh will try.
Together they'll go to the family wake
And find out what next moves to make.

A story where friendship is at the heart of it all
With life experiences when menopause comes to call.
Looking back on dreams from their sixteen year old selves
Deciding which are best left on the shelves!

Looking back at what happened in the past
With new understanding to heal things at last
Maybe there's hope for the future, too,
New opportunities and things to do!

A heartwarming read sharing hope and much more
With serious issues and laughter at its core.
A great read filled with Irish humour, too,
That I don't hesitate to recommend to you!

For my copy of this book I say thank you
As I share with you this, my honest review.

[Euge Fernandez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Friends from school Becca and Niamh, now in their forties, share their journey through the frecking fabulous period.
Divorce, empty nest syndrome, menopause, and the worst of all, their parents passing away.
Becca single mom lives with her beloved dog Daniel, her loyal companion while the twins are studying in Manchester.
Niamh with four children of their own and about 20 pupils of year 11, her life is not easy.
Becca visits her mother constantly one day, back in her own room she discovers a time capsule that that they stashed when she and her friends hide when they were 18. When they open the box and they find out what the young versions of themselves wished for their future, mixed feelings emerge, including the estranged third member of their group.
Maybe this discovery can heal their broken circle and. Ring back their old club.
I really enjoyed the story, I loved the characters and I can relate with most of the issues they are going through. Is a relatable tale for women of certain age.

[Kev McCready · Rating 2 out of 5]

Becca has a crisis of confidence, brought on the death of her best friend’s Mum. This causes her to re-evaluate her life - socially, parentally, romantically.

It’s a decent concept for this genre of book, but that market is so overcrowded, the book’s themselves have to be so distinctive to stand out. It’s funny, where it needs to be funny, but structurally it’s too slow in the narrative. That itself is propelled by dialogue, which leaves Becca as the only character in the whole thing with any depth. Where it needs to say anything meaningful (about mortality, growing old, being a parent) the tone seems confessional, rather than what is pitched as a comic novel.

If anything, it resembles a Marian Keyes book (the Irish setting, a wisecracking Mammy)… but it lacks the comic scalpel and mastery of plot. It’s published by Boldwood Books on August 20th and I thank them for a preview copy. #thefeckingfabulousfortiesclub

[Paul · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book! Becca finds herself at an unexpected crossroads in her forties. She’s single, stuck in a rut, and her life feels a bit too routine….
That is until… she discovers a long-forgotten time capsule from her teenage years. This little blast from the past sparks a desire for change, and Becca sets out to prove that life can still surprise her.

Freya Kennedy’s writing beautifully celebrates female friendship, with a perfect mix of comfort, humor, and those moments that tug at your heart.

I found the characters within this book to feel like my old friends, and then the story dives into real-life challenges…. Eg divorce, raising teens, caring for aging parents, and finding yourself again.
Kennedy’s wit and relatability shine through, making the narrative both engaging and touching.

*The Fecking Fabulous Forties Club* is a lovely reminder that life’s second act can be just as vibrant as the first. 📚💫

Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books!

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 The Fecking Fabulous Forties Club is the latest hilarious novel by Freya Kennedy.

We get to meet Becca, who is a 46 year old divorcee in Derry, Northern Ireland whose most exciting thing is a visit to Big Asda with her elderly mum who shouts “do you want size 18-20 big pants?” in the middle of the store! Her life hasn’t gone quite as her 16-year-old self dreamed. Can she and her friends do anything about it?

To finish reading and writing my review on my 59th birthday seems rather appropriate. Although a little over 10 years their senior, I connected with all three women!! I feel this could’ve been written for me and should’ve been titled fabulous fifties instead of forties! I have laughed out loud so many times during this book but I also shed a tear or two once or twice.

Grab your copy here:
https://mybook.to/fabfortiessocial

[Dawn Probert · Rating 5 out of 5]

So so good. Now I Need to read more about the antics of Becca, Niamh and Laura. I want them to go on adventures together and hear about the forays of Becca dating and her career progressing. The ladies all meet again when Becca’s mum tells them of the sad passing of Kitty Laura’s mum. This passing stirs up memories good and bad and the day they attend the wake Becca and Niamh meet Laura for the first time since n over ten years. They were once so tight as besties and then get temporarily lulled back into this. Then they realise that the elephant in the room needs to be addressed but can this happen. This was such a lot of fun, lots of grief, anger, rage and sadness all rolled into a great book. Thank you for writing it. Thankyou NetGalley for this arc in exchange for an honest review.

[Henriette · Rating 4 out of 5]

Despite being a few years younger than Becca I could really relate to her and she came across as so real. I could imagine being friends with her. A few weeks ago I listened to another story about a woman of this age and I just did not connect with her or understand her behavior and thought process, but Becca's story was so me!

I loved how this story was more focused on her friendship with her two best friends from childhood than on romance, although there was a little bit of romance there. Both her friendships and her relationship with her mother were very real and touching. Everything that happened to Becca could have happened to myself or anyone else, but the way the story was told made it funny at times and really moving at other times. All in all I was completely invested in Becca's story and enjoyed every minute of reading it. It was simply comfort food in book form for me.

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm reviewing this via NetGalley, as part of a tour with Rachel's Random Resources.

On first impressions, the protagonist, Becca, had a sense of humour that I enjoyed, and I found myself chuckling as I read her narrative. As the story progressed, I found that what I enjoyed most was the deeper side of Becca. She talked about her fears and insecurities in a relatable way, and I enjoyed how she reflected and reminisced. I also really liked the portrayals of female friendship, especially Becca's friendship with Niamh. Everyone needs a friend like that.

This was funny, heartwarming, and a tearjerker, all at the same time. It was lovely to read.

Thank you to NetGalley, Rachel's Random Resources, Boldwood Books, and to the author, for the opportunity to read and review this.

[Jenny McClinton · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an E-ARC with a request for my honest review.

This hilarious and uplifting read follows Becca who in her forties is a single mum, with two children who are both at university. She lives on her own with her sog for company.

When an old friend’s mother suddenly passes away, she is reminded of old times, and after reading a letter written by her younger self she starts to believe she has let her old self down.

Determined to make a change she sets herself some goals to achieve, with one being mending an old friendship.

Will Becca achieve her goals? Will she mend her old friendship?

This book had me laughing throughout, and although I’m a little younger than the main character I could still relate to some of the issues she was having.

The friends and family Becca has around her are a great support, and this was lovely to see how they could help each other through hard times.

This was an uplifting read as it shows there is no need to be perfect or achieve all you set out to be when you are younger, life gets in the way, it is what you do with it that counts.

Overall, a hilarious and uplifting read where a woman in her forties is determined to make some changes.

[Anne Morrison · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you're a fan of "Derry Girls," you'll love this enjoyable book from Freya Kennedy, because these three friends grew up together in Derry in the '90's and are now grown. One friend is "estranged" from the other two, but when her mother passes away, the other two feel compelled to attend the wake and the funeral. This book follows them on their path to reignite their friendship and follows them through their journey through grief, and peri-menopause.

I really enjoyed this fun read, and thank the publisher and Net Galley for the advanced reader copy of this book! The F*cking Fabulous Forties Club is available August 20th!

[Mazzy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just brilliant

The Fecking Fabulous Forties Club is a refreshingly funny and relatable read.

I found myself laughing out loud multiple times, appreciating the honesty and wit with which the author captures this phase of life. The characters feel like old friends—quirky, flawed, and fabulous in their own unique ways—and their bond is heartwarming.

It’s light, entertaining, and absolutely relatable for a forty-something reader. It’s a feel-good book that doesn’t take itself too seriously but offers some genuine insights and lots of laughs. Totally recommended for anyone looking for a quick, uplifting escape that perfectly captures the humor and resilience of midlife.

[Sally Tyrer · Rating 4 out of 5]

The middle aged woman’s lot is not an easy one by any means, told from the perspective of three childhood friends,Rebecca , Laura and Niamh as they navigate, empty nest syndrome,aging parents, death, divorce, illness, and infidelity to name but a few!
Although somber at times, this book tackles middle age with sensitivity, humour and tact overlaid with the invaluable bonds of female friendship!
A beautiful portrayal of middle age which I’m sure many of us can totally relate too, nice to have a light hearted chuckle as you read.
Thank you NetGalley for this early read

[Susanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to the authors, Boldwood Books and NetGalley, for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This is an easy and quick read, told with humor but also including quite heavy topics such as death, divorce, grief, infidelity, and health challenges. The story is told from the POV of one of three close childhood friends who have become estranged in middle age and find back to one another haltingly, but in a very authentic and relatable way. I loved the way female friendship was portrayed here.

[Meddings_Musings: Erin Meddings · Rating 4 out of 5]

A delightful read from a new-to-me-author about three women in their mid-forties reflecting over their lives.
Each are experiencing their own struggles yet band together to support one another. It may not always be easy to do that but each is determined to try.

As someone who is in their forties, I always appreciate and enjoy books reflecting the challenges and joys that life brings at various stages.

If you’re looking for a heartwarming, laugh out loud, and thought provoking story focusing on friendships and life in the real world, I would definitely recommend this!

[Staceywh_17 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ne'er has a book been so relatable, this was so me going back ten years! I'm still being controlled by the hot flushes mind, but hey ho...

Unleashing a plethora of emotions Kennedy takes Becca and us on a journey of rediscovery, friendship and life as a single, middle aged woman.

By the end of the book, Becca, Laura and Niamh felt more like friends as we'd gone through so much together.

I Adored the Fecking Fabulous Forties Club and I'm keeping everything crossed that this is only the beginning and there's more to come from Becca and Co?