Hot Mother

by Nancy Peach

A funny, relatable read about motherhood, menopause and managing it all

Penny Baker is winning at life. Sort of.

Her work is demanding, her kids are demanding and her husband seems to be undergoing some weird midlife crisis but she is juggling it all – with the added delights of the menopause.

But when the charity she works for is thrown into crisis and her mother’s dementia advances, the strain starts to show.

Can she navigate it all and still somehow keep a smile on her - flushed - face?

A witty, relatable story of motherhood, menopause and managing the heck out of it all.

Praise for Hot Mother:

'A book that looks at what it means to be a middle-aged woman in today's society. Funny, wise and downright wonderful.' Nicola Gill

‘Warm, witty and entirely relatable.’ Jenni Keer

‘Hilarious, sharply observed and oh so heartfelt, Peach is a Queen of Momcom.’ Pernille Hughes

‘A beautifully crafted, intelligent and moving story.’ Rebecca Rogers

'Wonderfully witty writing which had me laughing right from the start. Beautifully crafted, funny and tender. Chuffing brilliant!' Kirsty Eyre

'Had me laughing - and yes, weeping - in recognition. Nancy Peach is a talented writer, full of joy.' Faye Brann

'Hilarious and scarily relatable! Nancy Peach…brings warmth and humour to a situation that so many women face...I cried frequently, but mainly with laughter. A five-star read.’ Kathleen Whyman

'Hot Mother hits the perfect note between laugh-out-loud funny and poignantly moving. It should be prescribed alongside HRT. I laughed, I cried and totally related to Penny Baker and her beautiful, chaotic life.' Annie Lyons

‘Heartbreaking, hilarious and wonderful... So refreshing to read a story about a woman from this oft-neglected demographic.’ Zoe Allison

‘I absolutely LOVED it... funny, real, moving and heartwarming all at once.’ Hannah Dolby

Praise for Nancy

‘I absolutely loved this book... funny, heartwarming and just brilliant. If you like Motherland, this is a book for you!’ Olivia Beirne

‘One of the best books I have read this year. An absolute triumph.’ Jenni Keer

'Hilarious, heartbreaking and so relatable - a brilliant yet poignant take on the struggles of real life.' Nina Kaye

‘Frank, fun and touching...crafted beautifully to tell a story many ‘sandwiched’ readers will identify with...a very special read.’ Faye Brann

‘What a glorious book - warm, hilarious and utterly relatable. Nancy Peach’s writing is delicious.’ Donna Ashcroft

‘Poignant yet hilarious.’ Helga Jensen

‘Brilliantly written and utterly refreshing.’ Zoe Allison

‘Properly hilarious and equally heartbreaking...a timely and relevant portrayal of today’s Sandwich Generation, brilliantly cloaked in sparkling humour and hope.’ Pernille Hughes

‘Absolutely hilarious and heartwarming all at the same time.

Genres: Chick Lit

382 pages, Paperback

Published July 25, 2024

Reviews

[Clara Greensmith · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 ⭐
An extremely well written “life of a Mum”
Even though I do already admire Mothers in so many different ways, it renewed my thoughts on them and how wonderful they are.
Chapters 36 and 37 were some of the hardest I’ve ever read.
Sobs and tears whilst I read those 2 chapters on the treadmill at the gym (not the best place).
The end of life care and talk from the doctors and the day of the death and all the things that come with it.
Heartbreaking, triggering, devastating but so well written, sensitive and eloquent despite it being painful to read.
Mum’s are incredible human beings.
I miss mine ❤️‍🩹
A very good insight book, worth the read.

[Alayne Emmett · Rating 3 out of 5]

Started off funny and engaging and then it started a downward slide into a sad and depressing story about parents and dementia. Having seen what this disease does to loved one's I found it a hard read. The story did pick up a little but really it wasn't for me. My thanks to netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved this book! So very relatable in so many ways

[Zee Monodee · Rating 2 out of 5]

This one is a beautiful book...but it's not the one I signed up to read based on the blurb. I was a expecting a light, funny comedy about a woman going through menopause and juggling it all. The book does start this way, and it was terribly engaging and entertaining. But as soon as the chapters started veering to Bob's Place (I think it was around Chap 3 or so), the read changed - it became a very sad and heart-wrenching tale about dementia, all the humour and relatability of the earlier chapters gone.
This could be a great read for someone wanting to read about dementia and the carers for ailing and aging parents facing dementia, but this wasn't the book the blurb and cover sold, and as such, it was a disappointment for me

[Carole Foster · Rating 3 out of 5]

A humorous story, well written and relatable following a woman of a certain age juggling her work with her family. Sad in places .

[Danielle Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well I wanted an easy read. This wasn’t it! It was quite deep and sad in parts. Living with a family member with dementia and the decline. Nicely written though.

[Esmé · Rating 3 out of 5]

Randomly picked this up in the 3 for £6 deal not realising what jt was about… but it was actually very insightful on the menopause, and so sad with her mums dementia.

[Nadine · Rating 3 out of 5]

A book all about 4 women going through menopause in very different yet similar ways. It has funny moments but there’s also a lot of annoying cliche moments. Any female in their midlife time will relate and laugh at this book from car rides with teenagers to interrogate, husbands not putting it on the calendar and having to care or worry about their aging parents. Warning triggers for dementia may affect some people. I could only take this book in small doses. Overall, it was as if I was talking to my girlfriends who share TMI! Thank you Net galley for the advanced copy of this book.

[Laura Doe · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an amazing book and not at all what I expected. Both hilarious and tear jerking in equal measure this book was perfect in showing how hard it is to live with someone suffering with dementia or someone who is terminal whilst still needing to live your life and juggle everything that comes with life.
Penny runs a care home, Bob’s Place, which she set up along with her friend and co-manager, Tina, who’s husband Bob left money behind after he sadly passed away from dementia. Penny’s mum was diagnosed with early on-set dementia and now Penny has realised that her dad is struggling to cope with her at home and needs to find a way to broach the subject of her mum maybe going to live at Bob’s Place for more than just respite. Alongside this, Penny is juggling being a mum to an activist daughter in her last year of university, a heartbroken teenage son and her youngest child leaving primary school and all the events that entails, whilst also trying to be a wife to a husband who has become fitness obsessed, and dealing with the symptoms of menopause. Luckily she has her best friends Joy, Zahara and Caz to fall back on, who all view menopause in different ways and have different suggestions for how Penny should deal with it. This book is a diary of sorts that details Penny’s struggles and inner thoughts.
This book made me laugh out loud and also sob uncontrollably in equal measures. What started out as a hilarious look at the life of a middle aged woman (not as relateable to me currently but still hilarious) turned into something so much more relatable to me (watching someone decline with an illness and the distressing parts of the awful disease that is dementia) but was written so well that it was a seemless transition.
I adored this book so much and will definitely be looking at getting the prequel to read more about these lovable characters as I’m not quite ready to leave them all just yet!

[Jodie Brogden · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hot Mother is billed as a book about a woman facing the challenges of going through the menopause. However it is so much more. Menopausal musings are dealt with humourous reflection and relatable insights which middle-aged women will find refreshing. But it’s actually more about the perfect storm of challenges that women in their late 40s and 50s often find themselves coping with at exactly the time they are going through “the change” (was there ever more odious term?!) In this way, menopause and its effects is just one thread in a tangled ball that the heroine of the piece is struggling to straighten out. Penny Baker is caught in that moment of time when offspring have either flown the nest or are becoming increasingly more independent, meaning the role of motherhood, which absorbs so much of many women’s lives, loses a dimension and it can leave them wondering what they have left. Physical changes to the female body and the way they feel about themselves, both with their long-term partners and the way they are seen (or not seen) in the world by other men, further chips away at Penny Baker’s identity, as well as the more unpleasant side-effects of diminishing female hormones. Throw in elderly and increasingly frail parents – in this case her own mother who is extremely poorly with dementia and lost to her daughter – Baker finds many of the anchor points in her life that have given her a sense of self as a woman are slipping away. The book beautifully balances gravity and levity in dealing with all of these issues. Light-hearted, funny yet deeply empathetic, this is another warm and relatable book from Nancy Peach.

[Fay Flude · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pen is spinning plates, juggling balls, there's a bit of smashing and a bit of bouncing from the dropped balls, but basically she is like any mother, doing her very best at a time in her life when there are rather a lot of calls on her time.
She has 3 children, a husband, a dog, some fab friends and a marvellous Mum and Dad. But her parents are elderly, her Mum has dementia, her eldest (and wildest?!) child has flown the nest, her middle child has been dumped by his girlfriend and her youngest is about to leave primary school. On top of that she runs a very special care home for people with dementia and their families.
And the icing on the cake is that she is menopausal.
At times hilarious, and at others poignant and tear inducing, Hot Mother is a relatable story of all the Ordinary Superheroes, and the ups and downs of family life.
It is a novel full of love, and hope, and depicts the disappointments, anxiety and emotions of love in its many guises and how we grieve in many different ways.
Hot Mother has touched my reader's heart and although the family are fictional, I wish them, and all the other families like them, the very best.
My review has been written with a fan on full blast and vague memories of the night before when my husband thought it 'ridiculous' and 'annoying' that I had a fan on when it isn't even hot!
Thank you Nancy for your gorgeous book and thanks to Pigeonhole for serialising Hot Mother over the past 10 days.

[Vanessa Wild · Rating 5 out of 5]

Penny Baker is at that time of life where she’s juggling and spinning plates, quite the circus acrobat in fact. She’s menopausal with a husband going through some sort of mid life crisis, one child at university, another having relationship problems and the youngest just about to leave primary school. She’s also trying to run a business and deal with her mother’s dementia diagnosis. It’s all go for Penny!

I really enjoyed this story. It’s so relatable and realistic. It’s also humorous and poignant. It really tugs at your heartstrings at times as it does have its sad moments, so don’t forget your tissues! I read this book via the Pigeonhole app, one stave a day over ten days, and I eagerly looked forward to each one. I loved joining Penny on this particular stage of her journey and meeting her eclectic group of friends. I will miss reading about their adventures immensely. Such an engaging and insightful read which should appeal to women everywhere at all points in their lives.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this with The Pigeonhole online book club. I really enjoyed the story of Penny, navigating caring for her children, coping with her husband's "mid-life crisis", dealing with the precarious nature of her work as a Trustee for a dementia care-home/day-centre, and watching her parents' coping with her mother's developing dementia.

There were a few times I was expecting the story to twist in a particular way, and it didn't happen - perhaps I'm too cynical or my usual readings are more disaster-based! However, for this story, the already big complications of life meant the lack of a disaster-event didn't detract from things overall.

This was filled with love, warmth and friendship. Life is hard for all of us, but for those in the so-called "sandwich generation", caring for children at the same time as elderly parents, the competing responsibilities are overwhelming. There were laugh out loud moments, tear-jerking moments, rage-inducing moments, and an overall poignancy which I think comes from the relatable nature of the story.

A very good read.

[Melanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't really like writing reviews but this one warrants it. I picked this up as a light, humourous read and, whilst there was some humour, there was also a lot of heavy stuff that came barrelling out of nowhere. It was good heavy stuff though. It deals with a woman in the sandwich generation, i.e. caring for parents and kids simultaneously. Whilst trying to juggle work, marriage and life in general. It's a real eye opener for anyone whose life has been touched by dementia and the horrible repercussions left behind by that disease that makes a person die a thousand times over. I related so much to what the author said that I actually googled her as I figured someone who speaks with such knowledge of this disease must have encountered it in an intimate setting, and I was right. I'd like to thank her for sharing this story and for making us feel like we're not alone in this world facing a world where our loved ones are taken from us over and over again. So although this book made me cry (really hard) I'd definitely recommend it!

[Fleurtje Eliza · Rating 1 out of 5]

I gave up at 41 percent. Despite having enjoyed Love Life (five stars) by the same author, this one wasn't for me. The story was funny but bland, not sparkling as I remembered her other book. And full of cliches:
- A husband not being part of the family and household, Penny could've been a single mum;
- Her friend Caz had breast cancer, but 'luckily, (..) made it through surgery and chemo like an absolute legend and is now in remission;'
- Toxic situations and being competitive with other mums at school.

On top of that it was rather flat regarding diversity when it comes to skin color, gender identity, religion, history, cultural background, chronics, you name it. It doesn't have to be a theme, but someone being overweight, or with financial struggles, or being non-binary could have been casually mentioned. Unfortunately, I am adding that to a lot of reviews on books I've read recently...

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of the book.

[Di Paterson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I never knew that my generation is known as The Sandwich Generation, but it describes it perfectly. And Nancy Peach's novel exposes the filling brilliantly. I have never related to a novel as well as this one. I laughed and cried along with Penny as she navigated her life while refusing to bow down to the challenges thrown at her. Every one of the characters is realistic and likeable (except when we're not supposed to like them) and the writing style is conversational and so easy to read. It's also a wonderful medium to bring awareness of menopause into the open and highlight the different challenges many women face at the same time as nature starts throwing physical changes at them, and allows us to realise that we're not alone as we go through the turmoils of mid-life. I read this book courtesy of the Pigeonhole, which meant daily instalments, but I honestly would have read it in one go, if given the opportunity, because it's spellbinding.

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book through The Pigeonhole and understand that there is a prequel, ‘The Mother of All Problems’ which I will be going on to read. You may wish to read it before Hot Mother.

I really enjoyed the book which I think is relatable to many people, not just the menopausal, as it depicts family life for the squeezed in between midlifers, trying to help care for their elderly parents, whilst dealing with caring for their own family, juggling work their own health problems.
I think the book was well written and the emotions experienced by the protagonists were depicted well. As were the sad and funny episodes that happen when dealing with ill parents.
I think initially it appears that this is going to be a book solely focussing on menopausal issues, but if that is not your thing, persist, because the story is very enjoyable even if you are not menopausal!
I will definitely be reading the prequel.
Thanks to Nancy Peach and The Pigeonhole for the reading opportunity.

[Annie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A follow on from The Mother of all problems. I had read it, but couldn't remember all the details. Penny is perimenopausal and in the generation where her parents are needing care as well as her children, the youngest of which is leaving primary school . She is also involved with running a care facility for people with dementia . The book documents the decline of her mother as seen through Penny's eyes as well as her juggling her different life roles. There are moments when she and her husband seem to be growing apart, but also moments when they understand what the other needs. Also the friendship and support for each other in the group of girlfriends . I think the worries about parents and offspring are well described . There is advice and moments of poignancy and laughter. Not an easy read at times.
Thanks to Net Galley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review

[Angela Owen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nancy Peach does it again with another fantastic book that had me experiencing all sorts of emotions that had me laughter out loud to then crying at some of the events of the story.
The book continues the story of Penny from the previous book The mother of all problems although it can be read as a standalone.
I chose this book for many reasons but one of the main factors was that Penny is going through the peri menopause which I can totally relate to along with being a middle age mother of 3.
The writing was honest, relatable and just so funny in places, while heartbreaking in others.
An excellent read and I’m praying for another book to find out what happens next.
Thanks to NetGalley, Nancy Peach and Hera for an advance copy in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.

[BONNIE SMITH · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to the publishers and Goodreads Giveaways for the opportunity to read and review this quirky and relatable Kindle ARC.
Set to be released on 7/25/2024 it follows Penny, a mother of teens, a daughter to aging parents and yet another woman battling her own hormones.

This IS totally relatable, as I am 42 and feel gusts of heat rise in my neckline that have nothing to do with cooking or sex. It's just my lovely body's way of reminding me that if I were a horse- I'd be put out to pasture soon.

So, Penny and I have much in common. Others in the book are going through similar woes and they just make you laugh and fan yourself.

A really light and enjoyable read, I look forward to more from the author.

[Nicola Mackenzie-Smaller · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book, which shows the struggles of Penny, dealing with her perimenopause symptoms alongside a job managing a dementia care home, looking after two teenagers and a primary school child, plus a husband who seems to be experiencing a mid-life crisis of his own. To top it off, her own mum has dementia and her dad is not coping that well. Luckily Penny has amazing friends, plus a helpful and handsome new colleague to help her along.
Horribly relatable, there were some moments where I wondered if the author had been hiding in a cupboard in my house and listening to my conversations. This is a very funny and also very sad read.. It’s lovely to read a novel which speaks to the midlife battle really authentically.
Thanks to The Pigeonhole.

[Christine Rennie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hot Mother by Nancy Peach is the story of Penny Baker, who is menopausal, a working mother, a wife and has aging parents. Her mother has dementia, her father is struggling looking after her full time. Penny helps run ‘Bob’s Place’ for people with dementia, her husband is having his own mid life crisis and exercising all times of the day, her eldest daughter is about to graduate, her son has been left broken hearted and her youngest daughter is about to leave Primary school.
It is a normal everyday household, with highs and lows and bits in between.
A really good read, with likeable characters and a realistic storyline about families.
Recommended

[Gill Marshall · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading Penny's story, and it was one I could certainly relate to on different levels, through my own similar experiences.

Penny has had her children, who are at different stages in their 'childhood' and is now going through all the physical and emotional symptoms of menopause. She also has a parent with dementia, and has to face the difficult subject of full-time care, as their condition worsens.

The story tackles some difficult subjects, but I didn't find it depressing like some reviewers have. Not my usual type of book, but I wouldn't hesitate in picking up another of this author's books to read. Thank you to the Pigeonhole and author for the opportunity.

[EKoz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you for this! I had such a fun time reading this life period book. Penny is so very lovable and following her life felt easy and interesting. Well written with a medium flow, I found this book to be heartfelt and inspiring, for women of all ages. Being a mom is tough. Charming stories like this one make women feel a sense of community. We are not alone. Very relatable.

My only gripe is that I didn't know this was book 2. I wish I had read the first book featuring Penny before Hot Mother. Hot Mother was fine as a stand alone.

Thank you @netgalley and @canelopublishing for a copy of this book. All my reviews are unbiased

[Pernille Hughes · Rating 5 out of 5]

While continuing the tales of sandwich generation mum Penny Baker, readers don’t need to have read The Mother of All Problems to enjoy Hot Mother (although they totally should as that was great too.) On top of managing her aging parents, a husband in midlife fitness mania and Teens, Penny is now menopausal too. What a wild but utterly realistic cocktail for trouble. Nancy Peach’s tone as Penny is sublime; honest, pacy and perfectly-rounded. It’s just like she’s sitting chatting to you over coffee. Hilarious, sharply-observed and oh so heartfelt, Peach is a Queen of Momcom

[Sally Tyrer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I absolutely loved the mother of all problems so was very excited to read Hot Mother as I found I could totally relate to Penny in her previous book!
Subjects such as empty nest syndrome,marital disharmony, menopause, ageing parents, all whilst juggling a job are so relatable to women of a certain age and this book really highlights that! Add in a sprinkling of humour, a wonderful friendship group and a very dignified, realistic portrayal of the awful condition that is dementia makes for a great read!
Realistic,humorous and touching and so so relatable
Thank you NetGalley for this early read

[Laura Hamilton · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an emotional rollercoaster of a book, the main themes (menopause & parental illness/loss) really resonating with me.
The characters were well drawn, helping with the connection to the storyline. Although I am not menopausal (yet: peri is "fun" 🙄) and it was my father I have lost, though not from dementia, it still stirred similar feelings when Penny was going through it all with her mum.
I think I will read the previous book to get to know the characters more and will definitely keep an eye out for future books. With thanks to the Pigeonhole and the author for the opportunity.

[Kim Melbourne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book and found it so relatable. It took a slightly different storyline to what I had anticipated but was actually a really enjoyable, poignant read that sat so close to my heart.

Penny is a wife and mother, with a tricky teenager and difficult husband. She works in a job she loves and also supports her parents as her mum is suffering with dementia. To further add into the mix is the dreaded menopause and the trials this brings with it.

A book that will stay with me for a long time, I highly recommend a read.

[Ms K · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although this was a good read for many reasons it wasn’t exactly what it was made out to be…. was expecting a story of a perimenopausal woman and the day to day trials of navigating life during this time… with comedy!
It certainly did all the above mainly in the beginning 1/3 of the book but it did become a bit of a sad story of dealing with elderly parents and the ins and outs of dementia. very touchingly written especially the end of life parts but ended on a sad feeling rather than the fun it portrayed from the blurb and the cover.

[Mags Schofield · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think this is the most relatable book I have ever read.
Nancy Peach holds up a looking glass to the role of menopausal women. Sandwiched between off spring and parents, Penny juggles her multiple roles in the way that women of all ages do. Add dementia to this mix and stress and chaos ensue. But what choice is there but to carry on?

I laughed and cried reading this book. A must read for all women (and as many men as can be persuaded)'

Thanks to Nancy and Pigeonhole.