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Tara Gallagher #1
The Secret Life of an Uncool Mom
Pre-order now! Includes exclusive audiobook-only bonus content with @MammyBanter herself. From the creator of viral Tiktok sensation, @MammyBanter, comes a hilarious warts-and-all novel about modern motherhood – and how having it all sometimes isn’t what you think it might be.
She used to want it all.
Now she just wants a nap.
Tara Gallagher is knackered. She used to dream of being Beyoncé but suddenly she’s thirty-six – with three kids, a loving husband, a very boring job – and instead of headlining Coachella, she’s in her pyjamas on a Friday night, watching cheesy TV.
It’s time for a mommy makeover. She’s going to show her teenage daughter she’s still cool. She’s going to show her husband she’s still an absolute ride. She’s going to show her colleagues she’s still a Boss Bish.
But most of all, she’s going to prove to herself that she can still be a mom, still work full time, and still be Beyoncé…
The debut novel from viral TikTok star, Mammy Banter
She used to want it all.
Now she just wants a nap.
Tara Gallagher is knackered. She used to dream of being Beyoncé but suddenly she’s thirty-six – with three kids, a loving husband, a very boring job – and instead of headlining Coachella, she’s in her pyjamas on a Friday night, watching cheesy TV.
It’s time for a mommy makeover. She’s going to show her teenage daughter she’s still cool. She’s going to show her husband she’s still an absolute ride. She’s going to show her colleagues she’s still a Boss Bish.
But most of all, she’s going to prove to herself that she can still be a mom, still work full time, and still be Beyoncé…
The debut novel from viral TikTok star, Mammy Banter
Audible Audio
Published June 15, 2022
419 people are currently reading
5767 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 425 reviews
August 14, 2022
3.5 stars
I enjoyed the premise, as I'm a mom around the main character's age and feel the same about never making time for myself. Alot of the references I understood and made me nostalgic. It was a cute, light read. I don't think it's something I'd read again but I did get a couple laughs and some heartfelt moments from this book. It is a bit confusing with the derry/Irish words, but there is a little reference to these words at the end of the book (which I didn't notice until the end) so I just kind of read these words and didn't completely understand what it meant. I loved the premise and the main character finding to love herself more while realizing sometimes things are better as they are. Also, after I reading this I realized the Author was popular on social media. I could see her wit inside the writing so I'm sure her social media platforms are a bit funny!
I received this ARC from NetGalley and the publishers to read and review. All statements above are my true opinions after fully reading this book.
I enjoyed the premise, as I'm a mom around the main character's age and feel the same about never making time for myself. Alot of the references I understood and made me nostalgic. It was a cute, light read. I don't think it's something I'd read again but I did get a couple laughs and some heartfelt moments from this book. It is a bit confusing with the derry/Irish words, but there is a little reference to these words at the end of the book (which I didn't notice until the end) so I just kind of read these words and didn't completely understand what it meant. I loved the premise and the main character finding to love herself more while realizing sometimes things are better as they are. Also, after I reading this I realized the Author was popular on social media. I could see her wit inside the writing so I'm sure her social media platforms are a bit funny!
I received this ARC from NetGalley and the publishers to read and review. All statements above are my true opinions after fully reading this book.
January 2, 2025
***AUDIO BOOK VERSION***
The Secret Life of Uncool Mum is one of the funniest, most entertaining, and relatable audio books I've ever listened to and I loved that the aithor narrated it herself.
Tara is a married mum of 3 children. Her eldest Gemma has just turned 13 and is mortified by her mums uncool behaviour at her birthday party in front of her friends. Tara tries to do damage control and summons her inner Beyonce to become less uncool, more of a boss (at work), and bring some excitement and happiness into her life. But chasing this little ray of light in her life causes more drama, embarrassment, and shame than ever before, along with tension in her marriage. As Tara attempts to do damage control and rise above things she can't control we see much of ourselves in this amazing character. I loved the vulnerability with comedic elements, the understanding of what it feels to be an overlooked mum and lose sight of who you are as a person and the guilt and shame we often feel as a mother. Such a funny and heartfelt listen, and I can't wait to listen to book 2!
The Secret Life of Uncool Mum is one of the funniest, most entertaining, and relatable audio books I've ever listened to and I loved that the aithor narrated it herself.
Tara is a married mum of 3 children. Her eldest Gemma has just turned 13 and is mortified by her mums uncool behaviour at her birthday party in front of her friends. Tara tries to do damage control and summons her inner Beyonce to become less uncool, more of a boss (at work), and bring some excitement and happiness into her life. But chasing this little ray of light in her life causes more drama, embarrassment, and shame than ever before, along with tension in her marriage. As Tara attempts to do damage control and rise above things she can't control we see much of ourselves in this amazing character. I loved the vulnerability with comedic elements, the understanding of what it feels to be an overlooked mum and lose sight of who you are as a person and the guilt and shame we often feel as a mother. Such a funny and heartfelt listen, and I can't wait to listen to book 2!
June 2, 2022
A sweet look at being a mom in modern Ireland. A difficult look at aging. I didn't know this was an Irish book (shame on me), and I had to spend a lot of time looking up unknown Irish words as well as modern slang. Unbeknownst to me, there was a bit 0f a dictionary in the back of the book!
I will say that this book had one huge trigger warning that I wish I would have known about, and that was ageism. And when I say ageism, I mean it goes both ways. The young are down on anyone over 25, and the over 35 crowd isn't looking with a lot of love at the under 25 crowd. Funny- it took my generation a lot more years in between ages to be so snarky about each other.
This was a sadly funny look at a mother losing her s**t over her newly teenaged daughter, her age, weight, kids, and a full-time job. And let me tell you, Tara takes a beating at her career. As a matter of fact, she takes a beating over almost anything, but the biggest issue is she gives herself the most extensive beatings. I can see where Tara is coming from since I passed this way myself. As a matter of fact, I have no clue why I'm still not as cool with everyone else as I am inside my own head (LOL). Now I'm just an Olde Pharte! It'll hit us all sooner than later!
I enjoyed this read-no I didn't love it, and it won't become a comfort read, but I very well will most likely pull this out one more time and give it a re-read. The perfect summer beach read.
*ARC supplied by the publisher HarperCollins, the author, and Edelweiss/ATTL.
I will say that this book had one huge trigger warning that I wish I would have known about, and that was ageism. And when I say ageism, I mean it goes both ways. The young are down on anyone over 25, and the over 35 crowd isn't looking with a lot of love at the under 25 crowd. Funny- it took my generation a lot more years in between ages to be so snarky about each other.
This was a sadly funny look at a mother losing her s**t over her newly teenaged daughter, her age, weight, kids, and a full-time job. And let me tell you, Tara takes a beating at her career. As a matter of fact, she takes a beating over almost anything, but the biggest issue is she gives herself the most extensive beatings. I can see where Tara is coming from since I passed this way myself. As a matter of fact, I have no clue why I'm still not as cool with everyone else as I am inside my own head (LOL). Now I'm just an Olde Pharte! It'll hit us all sooner than later!
I enjoyed this read-no I didn't love it, and it won't become a comfort read, but I very well will most likely pull this out one more time and give it a re-read. The perfect summer beach read.
*ARC supplied by the publisher HarperCollins, the author, and Edelweiss/ATTL.
March 11, 2022
Thank you to both Netgalley and HarperCollons for an e-book.
Tara has realized that between motherhood and her office job she has all but lost herself some where in between. Can Tara juggle, a teen, two kids under six, her husband, a full-time job and find herself ?
I want to say that this book is bad ass but unfortunately here are just a few problems I had with it.
Anti-feminist views, Ageism, Hypocrisy, Double standards, Victim blaming, Pedophilic implication, Misogyny/ Sexism.
On more than one occasion Tara insinuates that a woman without a child has an easier life. When this is not necessarily true.
Tara is constantly pointing out other people based on looks, especially other women. She acts as if they are judging her when it is her who is judging them based on their weight, looks and if their are a woman, whether they have kids or not.
By page 100 Tara's continued use of the word "fetuses" to describe her colleagues who are probably only five or so years younger than her but makes a big deal out of it because SHE is feeling old and the other women in the office are child free which is to be mentioned every five seconds.
It is mentioned that the boss is a sex pest and is always sexual harassing the women in the office Tara condemns the other women for not coming forward to report their boss. Then immediately follows that up by saying { she would report it but unlike the other women in the office she has kids to worry about and cant afford to lose her job} because the other women in the office can afford to lose their jobs?! and that their lives are less important because they don't have children?! There for it is their fault the boss has not been reported because they should be willing to risk their job to report him?! ugh!
When the new office worker starts Tara is not just obsessed with him but with referring to him as a child, then following that up with talking about having sexual fantasies about him which grossed me out. To read Tara going weak at the knees for Luke while still adamant she loves Paul was beyond annoying.
For a first time writer Terry manages to write in a style that flowed and showed humor when it was meant. Yet I think I only finished because I hoped Tara would come to her sense and see she was the problem. That it was down to her, not to get a new image, but a new approach to her problems. unfortunately this only came about in a miner way.
Honestly, as a fan of Terry's tictoks I wanted to love this book. I'm disappointed that I didn't like Mammy Banter more. I felt it lost its humor quickly and only had a few chuckles.
If this book has any message it was very much, if you don't have kids you have no responsibilities, no worries and must have an easy life.
Mammy Banter lost stars for Character development, problematic "feminism" and just over all annoyance.
1* for writing style 1* for humor.
Tara has realized that between motherhood and her office job she has all but lost herself some where in between. Can Tara juggle, a teen, two kids under six, her husband, a full-time job and find herself ?
I want to say that this book is bad ass but unfortunately here are just a few problems I had with it.
Anti-feminist views, Ageism, Hypocrisy, Double standards, Victim blaming, Pedophilic implication, Misogyny/ Sexism.
On more than one occasion Tara insinuates that a woman without a child has an easier life. When this is not necessarily true.
Tara is constantly pointing out other people based on looks, especially other women. She acts as if they are judging her when it is her who is judging them based on their weight, looks and if their are a woman, whether they have kids or not.
By page 100 Tara's continued use of the word "fetuses" to describe her colleagues who are probably only five or so years younger than her but makes a big deal out of it because SHE is feeling old and the other women in the office are child free which is to be mentioned every five seconds.
It is mentioned that the boss is a sex pest and is always sexual harassing the women in the office Tara condemns the other women for not coming forward to report their boss. Then immediately follows that up by saying { she would report it but unlike the other women in the office she has kids to worry about and cant afford to lose her job} because the other women in the office can afford to lose their jobs?! and that their lives are less important because they don't have children?! There for it is their fault the boss has not been reported because they should be willing to risk their job to report him?! ugh!
When the new office worker starts Tara is not just obsessed with him but with referring to him as a child, then following that up with talking about having sexual fantasies about him which grossed me out. To read Tara going weak at the knees for Luke while still adamant she loves Paul was beyond annoying.
For a first time writer Terry manages to write in a style that flowed and showed humor when it was meant. Yet I think I only finished because I hoped Tara would come to her sense and see she was the problem. That it was down to her, not to get a new image, but a new approach to her problems. unfortunately this only came about in a miner way.
Honestly, as a fan of Terry's tictoks I wanted to love this book. I'm disappointed that I didn't like Mammy Banter more. I felt it lost its humor quickly and only had a few chuckles.
If this book has any message it was very much, if you don't have kids you have no responsibilities, no worries and must have an easy life.
Mammy Banter lost stars for Character development, problematic "feminism" and just over all annoyance.
1* for writing style 1* for humor.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 15, 2024
Don’t ask me why this book resonated with me so much. The main character, Tara, is 36. I haven’t seen 36 in nearly 30 years. I am married, like she is, but I’m childless by choice. She and Paul have three kids under 14. She works full time. I’m retired. See where I’m going with this? Nothing in common with her. But this book made me laugh out loud and made me very very glad I’m childless. There’s a sequel called The Shite Before Christmas and I’m definitely reading that.
October 8, 2022
Tara thinks she needs to up her game to impress her 13 year old daughter, Gemma, who is continually embarrassed by her. Tara changes her hair, clothing, and embarks on a self improvement routine. I’m all for improving yourself, but Tara is pandering to the whims and selfishness of a teenager.
I liked Tara, she was a good person, I thought Gemma needed to be put in her place and told off. The absolute gem was Paul. He was patient, understanding and present.
The lesson from this book is me happy with yourself no matter what your mouthy teenager says.
Thanks to Harper Collins and NetGalley for the early read.
I liked Tara, she was a good person, I thought Gemma needed to be put in her place and told off. The absolute gem was Paul. He was patient, understanding and present.
The lesson from this book is me happy with yourself no matter what your mouthy teenager says.
Thanks to Harper Collins and NetGalley for the early read.
August 11, 2023
Laugh out loud brilliant book loved reading it and mostly feeling like she was writing about every parents life even the Irish words had me laughing.
February 18, 2024
Pure rubbish. No real story line. Cringey. Glad it’s over. Sorry.
July 13, 2023
3.5⭐️ quick review. the book had some funny parts where I really did laugh out loud and could relate as a middle aged mom of a teen, but did not offer the escape I needed. Additionally some of the Irish references and terms were lost on me (some are listed in the back, which I didn’t realize until I got to the end of the book).
October 5, 2022
From TikToker Serena Terry comes a story about Tara Smith. She's 30-something, married with three kids, and is having a mid-ish life crisis. She hates everything about herself, and so does her 13 year old daughter. In an attempt to make everything better, she starts making life changes. Just because you're a mom doesn't mean your life is over, right?
Maybe it's because I've read so many of this type of book before and I'm just a little jaded at this point, but this book did almost nothing for me. It's the same story as usual... sad mom wants to make life changes, does things she hates to make these life changes, realizes she had it within her the whole time. Also, could not stand the kids endlessly whining and repeatedly saying mammmmyyyyyy. Goodness gracious this one was a skim for me at best.
Thank you so much to Harper Collins for the advance reading copy!
Maybe it's because I've read so many of this type of book before and I'm just a little jaded at this point, but this book did almost nothing for me. It's the same story as usual... sad mom wants to make life changes, does things she hates to make these life changes, realizes she had it within her the whole time. Also, could not stand the kids endlessly whining and repeatedly saying mammmmyyyyyy. Goodness gracious this one was a skim for me at best.
Thank you so much to Harper Collins for the advance reading copy!
January 22, 2023
**audiobook version**
Narrator/author 4 stars
Man does this Narrator deserve an Oscar because this was hilarious!
Story 4 stars
This story like the narrator was hilarious. Some of the things to come out of Tara's mouth I've said myself (on a weekly basis I tell my husband Im going to punch him in thd balls because of our children 😆) so listening to this was Iike sitting down and having a vent with my best friends.
Fantastic job for a first novel
Narrator/author 4 stars
Man does this Narrator deserve an Oscar because this was hilarious!
Story 4 stars
This story like the narrator was hilarious. Some of the things to come out of Tara's mouth I've said myself (on a weekly basis I tell my husband Im going to punch him in thd balls because of our children 😆) so listening to this was Iike sitting down and having a vent with my best friends.
Fantastic job for a first novel
January 21, 2023
It's been awhile since a book actually made me laugh out loud and I laughed a lot with this.
It was relatable and honest.
Definitely recommend.
It was relatable and honest.
Definitely recommend.
April 20, 2022
This was a hilarious and remarkably honest look at being not just a Mammy but also about whether you can be yourself too.
This is a warts and all look at parenthood, don't expect it through a veneer of an Instagram filter here, this isn't a yummy mummy, this is a real Irish woman, wishing she could re-find her inner Beyoncee, and hoping that she is still regarded as being cool.
Given her eldest child has just turned 13, and Tara attempted to teach Gemma and her friends the moves to Tragedy at her 13th birthday party, you can guess where Tara is in the embarrassing parent, not cool stakes.
Then there are the two boys, Nathan (5) and Jax (2) who are everything you expect two boys of that age to be, a lot of bodily fluids, inquisitive minds and in Nathan's case an uncanny ability to repeat the most inappropriate things to his teacher at school!
This is Tara trying to get her groove back, and the results are incredibly amusing. What I really liked was the clear Irish voice coming through, complete with phrases and slang that we don't tend to use across the Irish Sea from where the book is set! I love terms like absolute ride, Boss Bish, and how everything is class!
This book is a real craic, and I think parents everywhere will really be able to relate to Tara and her family.
There is so much to love in this book and it's a very entertaining debut novel.
Thank you to Harper Collins and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
This is a warts and all look at parenthood, don't expect it through a veneer of an Instagram filter here, this isn't a yummy mummy, this is a real Irish woman, wishing she could re-find her inner Beyoncee, and hoping that she is still regarded as being cool.
Given her eldest child has just turned 13, and Tara attempted to teach Gemma and her friends the moves to Tragedy at her 13th birthday party, you can guess where Tara is in the embarrassing parent, not cool stakes.
Then there are the two boys, Nathan (5) and Jax (2) who are everything you expect two boys of that age to be, a lot of bodily fluids, inquisitive minds and in Nathan's case an uncanny ability to repeat the most inappropriate things to his teacher at school!
This is Tara trying to get her groove back, and the results are incredibly amusing. What I really liked was the clear Irish voice coming through, complete with phrases and slang that we don't tend to use across the Irish Sea from where the book is set! I love terms like absolute ride, Boss Bish, and how everything is class!
This book is a real craic, and I think parents everywhere will really be able to relate to Tara and her family.
There is so much to love in this book and it's a very entertaining debut novel.
Thank you to Harper Collins and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
February 14, 2024
Definitely a book you could have a giggle reading and so right in what a lot of mammys in their late 30,s / 40,s feel with regards to Tara feeling like she has lost herself
I enjoyed it was a easy light read and i find Serena Terry brilliant. Wasn't delighted with the ending after all Tara did to find herself but by then i suppose she had realised she could still be a mammy , wife and friends without losing herself again 😊
I enjoyed it was a easy light read and i find Serena Terry brilliant. Wasn't delighted with the ending after all Tara did to find herself but by then i suppose she had realised she could still be a mammy , wife and friends without losing herself again 😊
November 30, 2024
Loved it ☺️
May 9, 2024
Good book, easy to read, very honest and unfiltered of what life is like as a Mum but can’t say it was a book I couldn’t put down. The storyline was quite predictable but nevertheless was a nice easy read!
March 15, 2024
so good i love this book more than i thought i would. the characters are all great, especially tara, and there are many topics and themes that are so relatable to women any age.
February 4, 2024
An easy read and very relatable and funny!
February 3, 2024
Really funny! Had me literally laughing out loud.
March 5, 2022
Oh lord this was funny. Wildly entertaining and so on the nose.
And this might be the best narrated book I’ve ever listened too. Not only is it narrated by the author, Serena Terry, but it is so brilliantly acted and performed, that you can really honestly put yourself straight slap bang into the middle of the book and get swept up into the frantic life of Tara and her brood.
The writing really relays the hectic, mad panic, messy, busy, unpredictable life of a mother. Humour runs deep in this book and it’s actual laugh out loud funny. Seriously, it’s hilarious and had me smirking and laughing throughout.
With Gemma new into her teens, her mum Tara is wrecked with her ‘uncool’ status after a birthday mishap and deigns to tackle her image and channel her inner Beyoncé. It’s time to claw back and uncover some of her old self and try not to mortally embarrass her kids in the process. This book was a recipe for perfect entertainment. I can’t believe this was a debut! It’s a fantastic first book from this author and I honestly can’t wait to see more from her. I need more!
It’s the perfect book to disappear into. It’s fun, real and a real worthy addition to the bookshelf. It’s great to curl up with at the end of the day and I thoroughly recommend getting the audiobook as well for a great experience of this book. Beyond brilliant!
Thank you to the author and publishers via NetGalley for this book in return for my honest thoughts and review.
And this might be the best narrated book I’ve ever listened too. Not only is it narrated by the author, Serena Terry, but it is so brilliantly acted and performed, that you can really honestly put yourself straight slap bang into the middle of the book and get swept up into the frantic life of Tara and her brood.
The writing really relays the hectic, mad panic, messy, busy, unpredictable life of a mother. Humour runs deep in this book and it’s actual laugh out loud funny. Seriously, it’s hilarious and had me smirking and laughing throughout.
With Gemma new into her teens, her mum Tara is wrecked with her ‘uncool’ status after a birthday mishap and deigns to tackle her image and channel her inner Beyoncé. It’s time to claw back and uncover some of her old self and try not to mortally embarrass her kids in the process. This book was a recipe for perfect entertainment. I can’t believe this was a debut! It’s a fantastic first book from this author and I honestly can’t wait to see more from her. I need more!
It’s the perfect book to disappear into. It’s fun, real and a real worthy addition to the bookshelf. It’s great to curl up with at the end of the day and I thoroughly recommend getting the audiobook as well for a great experience of this book. Beyond brilliant!
Thank you to the author and publishers via NetGalley for this book in return for my honest thoughts and review.
November 12, 2022
not for me
I follow mammy banter on social media and find her hilarious, so I was looking forward to this book. I read the reviews which were mostly positive. I found it very slow and seemed to drag on and on and nothing really happened. I didn’t find it very funny, a couple of funny moments. Over all I was feet disappointed
I follow mammy banter on social media and find her hilarious, so I was looking forward to this book. I read the reviews which were mostly positive. I found it very slow and seemed to drag on and on and nothing really happened. I didn’t find it very funny, a couple of funny moments. Over all I was feet disappointed
July 14, 2023
I absolutely loved this book and really wanted to take my time to read it. Totally relatable in all aspects of losing and finding yourself as a Mum and the journey you embark on to reclaim the individual you need to be.
As a mammy banter follower, that is what attracted me to the book because Serena is so funny with her reels and tells it like it is. Can’t wait to read the sequel.
As a mammy banter follower, that is what attracted me to the book because Serena is so funny with her reels and tells it like it is. Can’t wait to read the sequel.
September 15, 2023
**2.5 stars**
This book does serve as a great confirmation that I do not want kids 😂
This book does serve as a great confirmation that I do not want kids 😂
October 1, 2023
★★★•𝟱 𝗯𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄 ⋆·˚ ༘ *
"𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗹𝗼𝗼𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘀𝗼 𝗵𝗼𝘁 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗼𝘀𝗲 𝗽𝘆𝗷𝗮𝗺𝗮𝘀｡ 𝗜𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗹 𝗳𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗹𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗲?"
"𝗣𝗿𝗶𝗺𝗮𝗿𝗸'𝘀 𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘁｡ 𝗪𝗵𝗼 𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗱𝘀 𝗩𝗶𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗮 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝘀𝗲𝗰𝗿𝗲𝘁𝘀?" ~ 𝘐 𝘢𝘮 𝘩𝘦𝘳, 𝘴𝘩𝘦 𝘪𝘴 𝘮𝘦!
ೃ⁀➷
➳ women’s fiction
➳ mammy banter
➳ relatable and honest
✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:* *:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧
Having successfully completed level 16 of parenthood and managed to keep my child alive for that long - I could not relate to this book any more! I also got such a nostalgic feeling while reading it, with all the 90s music references (I am also a survivor of the over concealed lips era) and who doesn’t love a Friday night on the settee with your husband in front of gogglebox? 🤣
This was a 𝘴𝘶𝘱𝘦𝘳 𝘧𝘶𝘯 and 𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘢𝘳𝘪𝘰𝘶𝘴 read, and you really shouldn’t go in to it taking it too seriously. I listened along with the audio book while I read it and it was narrated by the author brilliantly. I would recommend for the audio alone, certain parts had me in absolute stitches.
𝗧𝗮𝗿𝗮 is a 36 year old mum of 3 and lives with her husband Paul and she feels that somewhere between birthing her 3 “𝘤𝘳𝘰𝘵𝘤𝘩 𝘨𝘰𝘣𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘴”, and her office job, she has lost herself - as a mum, I can honestly say I have felt this about myself more than once! So, she does what any self-respecting woman does and compiles a “𝘧𝘶𝘤𝘬 𝘪𝘵” list with her friends as a way to get her “𝘰𝘭𝘥 𝘴𝘦𝘭𝘧” back - having started more fad diets, and gym memberships over the years I couldn’t relate to this feeling more - have I ever achieved getting back to my “old self”? Of course not! And I think that is the message behind this book, in what is a very “𝘪𝘯𝘴𝘵𝘢 𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘧𝘦𝘤𝘵” climate, we are all just muddling our way through life, one day at a time, and it’s perfectly OK to not have everything under control, all of the time - because the internet 𝗟𝗜𝗘𝗦 - and 𝗻𝗼-𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗶𝘀 𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗳𝗲𝗰𝘁!
𝗬𝗘𝗦, Tara is a bit judgemental at times, judging those that she feels she is being judged by .. I have anxiety myself so I know this feeling 𝙑𝙀𝙍𝙔 well, but she makes a full circle by the end of the book and realises that the person who she thought she had lost was there all along and she was the only one that had been putting herself down (although her bratty teenager didn’t help) and she begins to appreciate those around her for who they are also.
"𝗔𝘀 𝗮𝗻 𝗮𝗱𝘂𝗹𝘁 𝗜 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝘁𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝗺𝘆 𝗳𝗮𝗶𝗿 𝘀𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝘀𝗵𝗶𝘁𝗲｡ 𝗬𝗲𝘀, 𝗜 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗼𝗰𝗰𝗮𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗯𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗸𝗱𝗼𝘄𝗻 𝗯𝘂𝘁 𝗜'𝗺 𝗼𝗻𝗹𝘆 𝗵𝘂𝗺𝗮𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗵𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗼𝗻𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗯𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗿𝗱𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗵𝗶𝗴𝗵𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗼𝗿𝗱𝗲𝗿｡"
I will add that Paul is an absolute diamond in this book, he is patient, and loving and lets Tara have her “moment”. But, he ultimately reminds her that she is still the person he fell in love with and that she is an 𝗮𝗯𝘀𝗼𝗹𝘂𝘁𝗲 𝗥𝗜𝗗𝗘 😆
All in all this was a fun and fluffy read that I very much enjoyed for what it was, I have also seen there is a sequel, “The Shite Before Christmas”, that also follows Tara and her tribe so I will definitely be reading that!
"𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗹𝗼𝗼𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘀𝗼 𝗵𝗼𝘁 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗼𝘀𝗲 𝗽𝘆𝗷𝗮𝗺𝗮𝘀｡ 𝗜𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗹 𝗳𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗹𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗲?"
"𝗣𝗿𝗶𝗺𝗮𝗿𝗸'𝘀 𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘁｡ 𝗪𝗵𝗼 𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗱𝘀 𝗩𝗶𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗮 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝘀𝗲𝗰𝗿𝗲𝘁𝘀?" ~ 𝘐 𝘢𝘮 𝘩𝘦𝘳, 𝘴𝘩𝘦 𝘪𝘴 𝘮𝘦!
ೃ⁀➷
➳ women’s fiction
➳ mammy banter
➳ relatable and honest
✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:* *:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧
Having successfully completed level 16 of parenthood and managed to keep my child alive for that long - I could not relate to this book any more! I also got such a nostalgic feeling while reading it, with all the 90s music references (I am also a survivor of the over concealed lips era) and who doesn’t love a Friday night on the settee with your husband in front of gogglebox? 🤣
This was a 𝘴𝘶𝘱𝘦𝘳 𝘧𝘶𝘯 and 𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘢𝘳𝘪𝘰𝘶𝘴 read, and you really shouldn’t go in to it taking it too seriously. I listened along with the audio book while I read it and it was narrated by the author brilliantly. I would recommend for the audio alone, certain parts had me in absolute stitches.
𝗧𝗮𝗿𝗮 is a 36 year old mum of 3 and lives with her husband Paul and she feels that somewhere between birthing her 3 “𝘤𝘳𝘰𝘵𝘤𝘩 𝘨𝘰𝘣𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘴”, and her office job, she has lost herself - as a mum, I can honestly say I have felt this about myself more than once! So, she does what any self-respecting woman does and compiles a “𝘧𝘶𝘤𝘬 𝘪𝘵” list with her friends as a way to get her “𝘰𝘭𝘥 𝘴𝘦𝘭𝘧” back - having started more fad diets, and gym memberships over the years I couldn’t relate to this feeling more - have I ever achieved getting back to my “old self”? Of course not! And I think that is the message behind this book, in what is a very “𝘪𝘯𝘴𝘵𝘢 𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘧𝘦𝘤𝘵” climate, we are all just muddling our way through life, one day at a time, and it’s perfectly OK to not have everything under control, all of the time - because the internet 𝗟𝗜𝗘𝗦 - and 𝗻𝗼-𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗶𝘀 𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗳𝗲𝗰𝘁!
𝗬𝗘𝗦, Tara is a bit judgemental at times, judging those that she feels she is being judged by .. I have anxiety myself so I know this feeling 𝙑𝙀𝙍𝙔 well, but she makes a full circle by the end of the book and realises that the person who she thought she had lost was there all along and she was the only one that had been putting herself down (although her bratty teenager didn’t help) and she begins to appreciate those around her for who they are also.
"𝗔𝘀 𝗮𝗻 𝗮𝗱𝘂𝗹𝘁 𝗜 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝘁𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝗺𝘆 𝗳𝗮𝗶𝗿 𝘀𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝘀𝗵𝗶𝘁𝗲｡ 𝗬𝗲𝘀, 𝗜 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗼𝗰𝗰𝗮𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗯𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗸𝗱𝗼𝘄𝗻 𝗯𝘂𝘁 𝗜'𝗺 𝗼𝗻𝗹𝘆 𝗵𝘂𝗺𝗮𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗵𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗼𝗻𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗯𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗿𝗱𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗵𝗶𝗴𝗵𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗼𝗿𝗱𝗲𝗿｡"
I will add that Paul is an absolute diamond in this book, he is patient, and loving and lets Tara have her “moment”. But, he ultimately reminds her that she is still the person he fell in love with and that she is an 𝗮𝗯𝘀𝗼𝗹𝘂𝘁𝗲 𝗥𝗜𝗗𝗘 😆
All in all this was a fun and fluffy read that I very much enjoyed for what it was, I have also seen there is a sequel, “The Shite Before Christmas”, that also follows Tara and her tribe so I will definitely be reading that!
April 5, 2022
3.5 🌟
I’m a huge fan of the @mammybanter insta & Tik tok so I was delighted to see the woman behind it all; Serena Terry, has written a book! It’s a work of fiction packed full of the relatable humour you’ll already know and love, if you’re a fan like I am.
Tara Gallagher is 36, a mum of three with a full time job, a stroppy teenager embarrassed by her every move, a creepy boss and Gen Z colleagues that think she’s ancient. She also has a fervent wish to be more like Beyoncé in her day-to-day life.
She makes a “fuck it list” to set about improving her life, including getting into shape, spicing up her marriage, and overhauling her look.
There’s lots of mortifying moments along the way and you can’t help but feel for her as it’s like reading the trials and tribulations of a best friend. As I said, very relatable!
I listened on audio, read by Mammy Banter herself and really enjoyed it. I found myself smiling a lot listening to it, it’s a very comforting read and would be a perfect book to pack for holidays. I’m already looking forward to the next installment, and I think this would work really well as a tv series.
With thanks to @netgalley and @harpercollinsire for the ARC. Mammy Banter: The Secret Life of an Uncool Mum is now available to buy.
I’m a huge fan of the @mammybanter insta & Tik tok so I was delighted to see the woman behind it all; Serena Terry, has written a book! It’s a work of fiction packed full of the relatable humour you’ll already know and love, if you’re a fan like I am.
Tara Gallagher is 36, a mum of three with a full time job, a stroppy teenager embarrassed by her every move, a creepy boss and Gen Z colleagues that think she’s ancient. She also has a fervent wish to be more like Beyoncé in her day-to-day life.
She makes a “fuck it list” to set about improving her life, including getting into shape, spicing up her marriage, and overhauling her look.
There’s lots of mortifying moments along the way and you can’t help but feel for her as it’s like reading the trials and tribulations of a best friend. As I said, very relatable!
I listened on audio, read by Mammy Banter herself and really enjoyed it. I found myself smiling a lot listening to it, it’s a very comforting read and would be a perfect book to pack for holidays. I’m already looking forward to the next installment, and I think this would work really well as a tv series.
With thanks to @netgalley and @harpercollinsire for the ARC. Mammy Banter: The Secret Life of an Uncool Mum is now available to buy.
September 29, 2025
This was hilarious! I love @serenaterry, and I loved that she narrated this herself! I was in stitches the whole time. This is an unfiltered look into the background of a mom trying to deal with a work-life, a husband, and raising 3 children. This was so unapologetically raw and truthful. Dealing with a teenager has never been more funny, and it makes me feel ok with the fact that most days, I think I am failing at raising my own teenager. I love that Tara and Paul are portrayed as happily married, and it adds to drama between them and Gemma. This is a call to all mom's and even dad's to get this read it have a good laugh and remind your self that your little poppet is still alive despite the fact that you embarras them to death! There is a second book in the series, and you can bet your ass I'm reading this next!
March 3, 2022
This book is amazing! It is the funniest book I have ever read, and I really enjoyed it. It brightened up the few days over which I read it, and it made me laugh so much! I highly recommend it, especially if you are in need of a wee pick me up. The story is about a Mum called Tara, who has a husband and 3 children, and the book goes through all of the different things that happen to her at home, and at her work, as well as when she is out with her friends. It is hilarious and clever, and it is one of the best books I have ever read! It is so honest and real, and it really relates to what real life is like. Best banter I have heard in a long time!
Many thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Many thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
January 30, 2022
Absolute corker of a book. I laughed, I cried and I felt sorry for Tara in equal measure.
I couldn't and wouldn't put this book down. The trials and tribulations of being a mother, a wife, a friend, a colleague and more.
Having seen family and friends go through some tough stuff with their kids I can relate to Tara from and outsider perspective. The thing of you never know what someone is going through so be nice to everyone should be thought by everyone.
Not only is she battling with her teenage daughter and two little boys she is also fighting her way to the top in work, with some difficulty.
I have genuinely not laughed so much read a book in ages. If you need a giggle but also want a book that's a bit meaty in content, this is the one for you.. Read it, you won't regret it.
I couldn't and wouldn't put this book down. The trials and tribulations of being a mother, a wife, a friend, a colleague and more.
Having seen family and friends go through some tough stuff with their kids I can relate to Tara from and outsider perspective. The thing of you never know what someone is going through so be nice to everyone should be thought by everyone.
Not only is she battling with her teenage daughter and two little boys she is also fighting her way to the top in work, with some difficulty.
I have genuinely not laughed so much read a book in ages. If you need a giggle but also want a book that's a bit meaty in content, this is the one for you.. Read it, you won't regret it.
July 3, 2022
This was a quick, easy to read, hard to put down, hilarious and heartwarming look at life after children. Tara Gallagher is trying to find her way to recapture her youth and not be an "embarrassment" to her teenage daughter. In a very funny, sarcastic, and witty glimpse of her life, we see Tara trying to find a good balance between work, family, and time for herself. I laughed out loud in places and cringed in others. I had trouble getting used to some of the phrases/slang that I'm not used to but there is a glossary (I wish it had been in the front - didn't notice it in the ebook until the very end). But I enjoyed getting to know Tara and her family and hope to read more of her work.
I received a copy from #NetGalley for an honest review.
I received a copy from #NetGalley for an honest review.
March 4, 2022
I love books like this and this was no expectation. I laughed out loud at some of the antics and the things that Tara’s oldest would come out with and her oldest boy was hilarious. I had a few omg did they just say moments. I hope Serena writes more as I can’t wait to hear what happens next.
Thanks goes to net galley, the publishers and the author for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.
If you like laugh out cringe moments this is the book for you.
Thanks goes to net galley, the publishers and the author for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.
If you like laugh out cringe moments this is the book for you.
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