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Middle Rage
Three women who have lost themselves and one who wants to be lost spend a life-changing weekend at a wild retreat on Bodmin Moor.
Talking about feelings is Emma’s idea of hell. Annoyingly, she’s bottling up a lot of them. According to her husband, she’s been in a bad mood for the last five years.
But Emma needs to open up to help her struggling daughter. The family therapist suggests a wellness retreat, so she’s picked the maddest one she could find.
Which is how she has found herself on Bodmin Moor with two strangers and a retreat leader called Clover urging her to get in touch with her ‘dark feminine divine’.
But Clover doesn’t know just how much Emma is hurting, and the more she pushes, the more Emma resists. Can she finally accept the anger she feels, and what will happen when she finally lets it all out?
Relatable, poignant and laugh-out-loud funny, Middle Rage is a rallying cry for women everywhere.
Talking about feelings is Emma’s idea of hell. Annoyingly, she’s bottling up a lot of them. According to her husband, she’s been in a bad mood for the last five years.
But Emma needs to open up to help her struggling daughter. The family therapist suggests a wellness retreat, so she’s picked the maddest one she could find.
Which is how she has found herself on Bodmin Moor with two strangers and a retreat leader called Clover urging her to get in touch with her ‘dark feminine divine’.
But Clover doesn’t know just how much Emma is hurting, and the more she pushes, the more Emma resists. Can she finally accept the anger she feels, and what will happen when she finally lets it all out?
Relatable, poignant and laugh-out-loud funny, Middle Rage is a rallying cry for women everywhere.
- GenresFiction
359 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 26, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
October 1, 2025
I must admit that I was expecting a Chick Lit book but this is much, much more than that. In fact, given one woman is 73 and another is in her 50s, they’re the wrong age for Chick Lit. It’s good to read something about older women.
The story revolves around three women and a retreat leader. The retreat itself is used as a way for their backstories to come to be told. Each involves trauma of one sort or another. I won’t detail what they are, in case I spoil the surprise, but each is truly harrowing. That said, don’t let this put you off reading such a funny, engrossing book.
My only complaint is that we were left with an open ending so will there be a follow up? I hope so.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC.
The story revolves around three women and a retreat leader. The retreat itself is used as a way for their backstories to come to be told. Each involves trauma of one sort or another. I won’t detail what they are, in case I spoil the surprise, but each is truly harrowing. That said, don’t let this put you off reading such a funny, engrossing book.
My only complaint is that we were left with an open ending so will there be a follow up? I hope so.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC.
March 9, 2026
Thanks to HQ, HarperCollins UK, the author and NetGalley for a DRC in return for an honest review. I also listened to the audiobook for comparison and Polly Maberly delivers an excellent narration.
It’s rare for a debut novel to feel this confident, personal and emotionally authentic, but Middle Rage by Mollie Kendrick does exactly that.
Middle Rage is an impressively confident debut that immediately establishes Mollie Kendrick as a writer to watch. From the very first pages, the narrator’s voice feels authentic, engaging and emotionally grounded. The prose flows naturally, never feeling forced or overly constructed, which allows the story and its characters to unfold with a sense of ease that draws the reader fully into the narrative.
One of the novel’s greatest strengths is its skilful balance of tone. Kendrick weaves light-hearted humour through the story while addressing deeply serious themes, including grief, coercive control and the lingering trauma associated with restrictive religious environments. The juxtaposition works remarkably well. Moments of wit and observational humour offer relief without diminishing the gravity of the subject matter, creating a narrative voice that feels both honest and human.
The storyline involving Jehovah's Witnesses is particularly striking. The level of detail and emotional nuance gives the impression of genuine familiarity with the community’s structures and dynamics. Whether drawn from personal experience, the experiences of others or careful research, the portrayal feels thoughtful and convincing, adding depth to the novel’s exploration of control, belief and personal autonomy.
What truly elevates Middle Rage, however, is its character work. The people populating Kendrick’s story feel real, flawed and recognisable. Rather than existing merely to serve the plot, the characters breathe and evolve on the page, making it easy to become emotionally invested in their journeys. This naturalistic characterisation is one of the hallmarks of a strong debut.
Overall, Middle Rage feels like a deeply personal novel, written with sincerity and emotional clarity. Kendrick’s narrative voice is confident, compassionate and sharply observant, suggesting a writer who understands both the humour and heartbreak of ordinary lives.
Interestingly, after finishing the novel I tried to find out more about Mollie Kendrick herself, but discovered that very little information is currently available about the author beyond the brief publisher biography. In a way, this added to my intrigue. Given how personal and heartfelt the novel feels, I am very curious to learn more about Kendrick’s background and inspirations as interviews and coverage hopefully emerge in the months following the book’s release.
One final note for readers: if you are a practising member of the Jehovah’s Witnesses, this may be a book you prefer to avoid, as the religion is not portrayed in a particularly positive light within the story.
For a debut novel, Middle Rage is remarkably assured. It marks the arrival of a compelling new voice in contemporary fiction and it has certainly left me eager to see what Mollie Kendrick writes next.
Trigger warnings: cot death, religion, coercive control
#MiddleRage #NetGalley
It’s rare for a debut novel to feel this confident, personal and emotionally authentic, but Middle Rage by Mollie Kendrick does exactly that.
Middle Rage is an impressively confident debut that immediately establishes Mollie Kendrick as a writer to watch. From the very first pages, the narrator’s voice feels authentic, engaging and emotionally grounded. The prose flows naturally, never feeling forced or overly constructed, which allows the story and its characters to unfold with a sense of ease that draws the reader fully into the narrative.
One of the novel’s greatest strengths is its skilful balance of tone. Kendrick weaves light-hearted humour through the story while addressing deeply serious themes, including grief, coercive control and the lingering trauma associated with restrictive religious environments. The juxtaposition works remarkably well. Moments of wit and observational humour offer relief without diminishing the gravity of the subject matter, creating a narrative voice that feels both honest and human.
The storyline involving Jehovah's Witnesses is particularly striking. The level of detail and emotional nuance gives the impression of genuine familiarity with the community’s structures and dynamics. Whether drawn from personal experience, the experiences of others or careful research, the portrayal feels thoughtful and convincing, adding depth to the novel’s exploration of control, belief and personal autonomy.
What truly elevates Middle Rage, however, is its character work. The people populating Kendrick’s story feel real, flawed and recognisable. Rather than existing merely to serve the plot, the characters breathe and evolve on the page, making it easy to become emotionally invested in their journeys. This naturalistic characterisation is one of the hallmarks of a strong debut.
Overall, Middle Rage feels like a deeply personal novel, written with sincerity and emotional clarity. Kendrick’s narrative voice is confident, compassionate and sharply observant, suggesting a writer who understands both the humour and heartbreak of ordinary lives.
Interestingly, after finishing the novel I tried to find out more about Mollie Kendrick herself, but discovered that very little information is currently available about the author beyond the brief publisher biography. In a way, this added to my intrigue. Given how personal and heartfelt the novel feels, I am very curious to learn more about Kendrick’s background and inspirations as interviews and coverage hopefully emerge in the months following the book’s release.
One final note for readers: if you are a practising member of the Jehovah’s Witnesses, this may be a book you prefer to avoid, as the religion is not portrayed in a particularly positive light within the story.
For a debut novel, Middle Rage is remarkably assured. It marks the arrival of a compelling new voice in contemporary fiction and it has certainly left me eager to see what Mollie Kendrick writes next.
Trigger warnings: cot death, religion, coercive control
#MiddleRage #NetGalley
June 8, 2025
This story follows 3 women booked onto a wellbeing retreat to help them gain understanding on the issues in their life. There they meet Clover the retreat leader who has her own troubles from the past.
I did not expect to love this book as much as I did and was crying by the end. The stories were wholesome, relatable and so well written I completely fell for them all. The descriptions of the time at the retreat made me feel like I was going through it with them all. I loved the subtle plotline of motherhood woven into each and every narrative.
The ending is lovely and open and I feel that we were made to feel the women will be ok because of their engagement with the retreat. I appreciated that we didn’t have it all spelled out to us to tie things up.
If this is a debut novel I can’t wait to read what Mollie Kendrick does next. A big recommendation from me.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC of this book.
I did not expect to love this book as much as I did and was crying by the end. The stories were wholesome, relatable and so well written I completely fell for them all. The descriptions of the time at the retreat made me feel like I was going through it with them all. I loved the subtle plotline of motherhood woven into each and every narrative.
The ending is lovely and open and I feel that we were made to feel the women will be ok because of their engagement with the retreat. I appreciated that we didn’t have it all spelled out to us to tie things up.
If this is a debut novel I can’t wait to read what Mollie Kendrick does next. A big recommendation from me.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC of this book.
November 15, 2025
Not quite as funny as the blurb suggests, but a much more thoughtful and engaging read than I expected. Four very different women meet on a Bodmin Moor retreat, their stories unfolding with depth, surprising twists and excellent characterisation. The self-reflection suits the setting and the pacing kept me hooked throughout.
June 6, 2025
I really enjoyed this book and read it really quickly over one day. It's a story of three women who go on a Wild Woman retreat lead by Clover. All of their stories unfold during the book giving you an insight into why they have chosen to attend the retreat.
Having been on similar retreats (without the naked dancing!) myself, I found the emotional roller coaster they find themselves on entirely believable. Each has their own personal tragedy they are dealing with and each is trying to cope in their own imperfect ways. As the layers are peeled away and we find out more of their stories I found myself empathising with all of them in different ways, not least Clover, the retreat leader, who has her own challenging story to reveal too.
I'd really like Mollie Kendrick to pick up these characters again so we can find out how they get on after the retreat. There is ambiguity in the ending as we aren't entirely sure what the next steps will be for some of them. I'd really like to know how they get on and see them flourish.
I laughed out loud at times and also felt the prick of tears at others, definitely recommend!
Thank you NetGalley for a free advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Having been on similar retreats (without the naked dancing!) myself, I found the emotional roller coaster they find themselves on entirely believable. Each has their own personal tragedy they are dealing with and each is trying to cope in their own imperfect ways. As the layers are peeled away and we find out more of their stories I found myself empathising with all of them in different ways, not least Clover, the retreat leader, who has her own challenging story to reveal too.
I'd really like Mollie Kendrick to pick up these characters again so we can find out how they get on after the retreat. There is ambiguity in the ending as we aren't entirely sure what the next steps will be for some of them. I'd really like to know how they get on and see them flourish.
I laughed out loud at times and also felt the prick of tears at others, definitely recommend!
Thank you NetGalley for a free advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Who doesn’t want to read about four women living in the forest releasing their inner wild woman?
September 19, 2025
I’d been having a hard time and this book was the first time I’ve laughed out loud for bloody ages. There are parts of the story that covers coercive control and religious trauma which is something some people might appreciate being aware of. It’s well written with sensitivity and measured.
The story starts with 4 women, each chapter being told from one of their perspectives, with a range of ages, preparing for a retreat. Been there done that but definitely not this type of retreat which focuses on embracing the dark feminine. Some characters were more relatable but all their stories were interesting, there is a range of ages and different types of personalities. I do feel there is a full comedy book here and would love to read that, possibly just based during the retreat without the backstory added.
Once the retreat set up is finished, characters add their back stories. Within this section there was one character who had a long paragraph of uninterrupted monologue. I disliked this and on reflection that might be more about his character than a problem with the writing.
I read the book very quickly, even for me, when I picked it up I so struggled to put it down. I felt the ending to be rushed and wondered if another few chapters could have been added. Not so much to tell us what happened after the retreat because I liked that you could use your imagination, rather I would have liked the women’s relationships and the retreat to continue beyond the crisis for a bit longer. Maybe that shows how well the characters are written and how invested I was.
I will definitely look out for more novels from this author and while it looks like this is their first it does not feel like it.
Thank you to HQStories for providing this book for my consideration via NetGalley this is all my own rambling, honest and personal opinions.
The story starts with 4 women, each chapter being told from one of their perspectives, with a range of ages, preparing for a retreat. Been there done that but definitely not this type of retreat which focuses on embracing the dark feminine. Some characters were more relatable but all their stories were interesting, there is a range of ages and different types of personalities. I do feel there is a full comedy book here and would love to read that, possibly just based during the retreat without the backstory added.
Once the retreat set up is finished, characters add their back stories. Within this section there was one character who had a long paragraph of uninterrupted monologue. I disliked this and on reflection that might be more about his character than a problem with the writing.
I read the book very quickly, even for me, when I picked it up I so struggled to put it down. I felt the ending to be rushed and wondered if another few chapters could have been added. Not so much to tell us what happened after the retreat because I liked that you could use your imagination, rather I would have liked the women’s relationships and the retreat to continue beyond the crisis for a bit longer. Maybe that shows how well the characters are written and how invested I was.
I will definitely look out for more novels from this author and while it looks like this is their first it does not feel like it.
Thank you to HQStories for providing this book for my consideration via NetGalley this is all my own rambling, honest and personal opinions.
June 21, 2025
*With thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an advance copy of this book*
I wasn’t sure what to expect from Middle Rage and it surpassed all of my expectations. Set at a “Divine Feminine” women’s retreat on Bodmin Moor, the stories of 3 women of different ages intersect over the length of the retreat, as they enter into activities like sound baths, meditation and wild swimming with varying degrees of cynicism.
Clover, who runs the retreats, is an enigmatic goddess-type woman of 22 who has a bigger back story of her own than anyone initially guesses. Maggie, aged 73 and recently widowed, is dealing with a tragedy in her past that she can’t move on from. Emma, a spiky 53-year old with teenagers at home, booked the retreat on a whim and doubts it can help her. And Fleur, who has been before and adores Clover and everything the Divine Feminine stands for, has a decision to make.
So far, so typical chick lit, but this book is much deeper. It’s very funny, but it feels like there’s real knowledge behind the descriptions of things like coercive control, the power of religion, and rage. The characters are all very believable and I began to really care about how their stories ended. Having done similar retreats (eg yoga) myself, the structure was bang on too, and nothing was jarring or seemed “off”. A great book that I’ll recommend widely.
I wasn’t sure what to expect from Middle Rage and it surpassed all of my expectations. Set at a “Divine Feminine” women’s retreat on Bodmin Moor, the stories of 3 women of different ages intersect over the length of the retreat, as they enter into activities like sound baths, meditation and wild swimming with varying degrees of cynicism.
Clover, who runs the retreats, is an enigmatic goddess-type woman of 22 who has a bigger back story of her own than anyone initially guesses. Maggie, aged 73 and recently widowed, is dealing with a tragedy in her past that she can’t move on from. Emma, a spiky 53-year old with teenagers at home, booked the retreat on a whim and doubts it can help her. And Fleur, who has been before and adores Clover and everything the Divine Feminine stands for, has a decision to make.
So far, so typical chick lit, but this book is much deeper. It’s very funny, but it feels like there’s real knowledge behind the descriptions of things like coercive control, the power of religion, and rage. The characters are all very believable and I began to really care about how their stories ended. Having done similar retreats (eg yoga) myself, the structure was bang on too, and nothing was jarring or seemed “off”. A great book that I’ll recommend widely.
March 5, 2026
What an incredibly powerful book. It sounds like its going to be a gentle, funny 'three women go off to a retreat and have fun' sort of book. It isn't.
The three women in question - Maggie, Emma and Fleur join Clover for a retreat on Bodmin Moor. They are each carrying some really heavy baggage and as the retreat progresses, we learn their back stories. Initially I was with Emma, thinking the whole 'sound bath, dancing' schtick just a lot of bunkum (and I still think most of it is) but there is a kernel within of women taking control of their own lives, coming to terms with past mistakes and taking the time to look and plan their futures.
Towards the end I could hardly bear to read Fleur's story of the control and gaslighting her 'boyfriend' imposed on her and was really hoping she would not go back to that awful life. Maggie I also identified with, having made my own mistakes bringing up a child. Emma's dilemma was more out of my experience, but it was told so well, you began to understand what loss she was going through. And Clover, her previous experience was difficult to understand, but the author presented it so well, the reader could stand in her shoes.
Brilliant - I shall be looking for more from this author and can't wait to introduce the book to my Book Group. Thank you to NetGalley for allowing me access to the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
The three women in question - Maggie, Emma and Fleur join Clover for a retreat on Bodmin Moor. They are each carrying some really heavy baggage and as the retreat progresses, we learn their back stories. Initially I was with Emma, thinking the whole 'sound bath, dancing' schtick just a lot of bunkum (and I still think most of it is) but there is a kernel within of women taking control of their own lives, coming to terms with past mistakes and taking the time to look and plan their futures.
Towards the end I could hardly bear to read Fleur's story of the control and gaslighting her 'boyfriend' imposed on her and was really hoping she would not go back to that awful life. Maggie I also identified with, having made my own mistakes bringing up a child. Emma's dilemma was more out of my experience, but it was told so well, you began to understand what loss she was going through. And Clover, her previous experience was difficult to understand, but the author presented it so well, the reader could stand in her shoes.
Brilliant - I shall be looking for more from this author and can't wait to introduce the book to my Book Group. Thank you to NetGalley for allowing me access to the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
March 3, 2026
Amazing book which once you start you won’t be able to put it down!
We follow 4 different character, three women of different age range who are on their journey to heal, and one woman who leads the retreat. We are getting to know them in the group setting but also hearing of their pasts that got them to where they are now.
I was engrossed in the read and connected with all the characters but the ending still managed to get me in my feels and make me tear up. Exceptionally written story of trying to find yourself no matter what kind of difficulties we might have, and portraying that that road of healing will never be easy; we might have to let go of things or admit to things that are hard to face and that road will look differently to various people.
Reading this amazing story made me want to go on a retreat myself, even though perhaps I definitely wouldn’t be participating in some of the activities the ladies have done in the book, a retreat of letting go of the past has been sold to me!
Highly recommend this book to everyone!
We follow 4 different character, three women of different age range who are on their journey to heal, and one woman who leads the retreat. We are getting to know them in the group setting but also hearing of their pasts that got them to where they are now.
I was engrossed in the read and connected with all the characters but the ending still managed to get me in my feels and make me tear up. Exceptionally written story of trying to find yourself no matter what kind of difficulties we might have, and portraying that that road of healing will never be easy; we might have to let go of things or admit to things that are hard to face and that road will look differently to various people.
Reading this amazing story made me want to go on a retreat myself, even though perhaps I definitely wouldn’t be participating in some of the activities the ladies have done in the book, a retreat of letting go of the past has been sold to me!
Highly recommend this book to everyone!
February 28, 2026
A wilderness retreat in the middle of Bodmin Moor has attracted a disparate group. Emma struggles with her feelings after the death of her secret lover, Fleur has discovered that she is pregnant by her psychologically controlling ex and Maggie is struggling with grief after the death of her husband. The retreat is led by Clover, escaping a religiously restrictive background. Over four days of vegan food, mediation and lots of naked dancing, all four will come to terms with their lives.
Although verging a little towards chick-lit, I found myself really loving this book. The humour is broad but it is balanced with pathos and sympathy. Each woman has her own story to tell and this makes it reflective on our lives so, whilst I would find the activities really cringe-worthy, I appreciated with development of each woman.
Although verging a little towards chick-lit, I found myself really loving this book. The humour is broad but it is balanced with pathos and sympathy. Each woman has her own story to tell and this makes it reflective on our lives so, whilst I would find the activities really cringe-worthy, I appreciated with development of each woman.
November 30, 2025
I was not sure what to expect from this book, I think maybe something along the lines of a Jane Fallon type book. Humorous and light.
My go to genre is crime/murder/thriller, if there hasn't been a murder by chapter 4, then it is lacking , in my eyes.
This book, did not have a murder by chapter 4, or by the end, and yet it did not lack.
I found it humorous, dark, yet light in places and the varying POV's were intriguing and really brought the book to life.
This book illustrated what many women go through on a day to day basis, shutting thin gs away, bottling things up, putting so much pressure on themselves that it is hard to live, to experience life and to love those around us.
I enjoyed this book, the writing style flowed, it was a nice easy, comfortable read.
I would have given 5 stars apart from the ending was lacking, very open ended, and a cause of death was listed as cardiac arrest. Everyone dies from cardiac arrest (it means the heat has stopped), cause of death is what caused the heart to stop.
My go to genre is crime/murder/thriller, if there hasn't been a murder by chapter 4, then it is lacking , in my eyes.
This book, did not have a murder by chapter 4, or by the end, and yet it did not lack.
I found it humorous, dark, yet light in places and the varying POV's were intriguing and really brought the book to life.
This book illustrated what many women go through on a day to day basis, shutting thin gs away, bottling things up, putting so much pressure on themselves that it is hard to live, to experience life and to love those around us.
I enjoyed this book, the writing style flowed, it was a nice easy, comfortable read.
I would have given 5 stars apart from the ending was lacking, very open ended, and a cause of death was listed as cardiac arrest. Everyone dies from cardiac arrest (it means the heat has stopped), cause of death is what caused the heart to stop.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This is a book about a retreat where 4 women spend a weekend shaking off the shackles of being good and allow themselves to reconnect with their wild selves.
The women on the retreat are the leader, Clover, who is only 22 but has a past which nobody knows about, Maggie, a woman in her 70s who is recently widowed, Fleur,who is on her second retreat after leaving an abusive partner, and Emma, who has been advised to open up to her feelings.
I found myself invested in the women’s stories, and enjoyed seeing them come to terms with past events and embrace their inner wildness. Sad in places and gently funny in others, this is a warm and thoughtful read.
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.
The women on the retreat are the leader, Clover, who is only 22 but has a past which nobody knows about, Maggie, a woman in her 70s who is recently widowed, Fleur,who is on her second retreat after leaving an abusive partner, and Emma, who has been advised to open up to her feelings.
I found myself invested in the women’s stories, and enjoyed seeing them come to terms with past events and embrace their inner wildness. Sad in places and gently funny in others, this is a warm and thoughtful read.
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
A group of diverse women are looking to change their lives when they meet at an empowering retreat. The women are complex, engaging and relatable. Their narrative is emotional, immersing the reader in their recognisable lives. The evocative Bodmin Moor setting is easy to visualise and complements the fierce emotions revealed at the retreat. It has a believable authenticity and explores sensitive issues. I appreciated the balance of humour and poignancy, as well as the women's connection despite their differences. It's emotional and entertaining to read.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher.
October 9, 2025
Three women go on a retreat, not so much to find their inner goddess, but to get through and move on in their relationships. There are some lighthearted moments in among some heavy hitting subjects. Cot death, motherhood, coercive behaviour, bereavement, religion, and crumbling marriages all get an outing. The chapters are short so it should be easy to skip though despite the subject matter, but I found myself putting it off. It just didn’t quite gel for me and it was a bit repetitive. Thanks to @netgalley though for the drc to review though.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I was lucky enough to read this via #NetGalley. The front cover didn't jump out at me but once I read the blurb, I couldn't wait to read it and I wasn't disappointed!
This is a little dark but tells of a tale of 3 women who end up at a well being retreat ran by Clover. As you read the book, it reveals fascinating information about the 4 ladies. I found myself at times laughing out loud and was left feeling I would like to read a sequel!
This is a little dark but tells of a tale of 3 women who end up at a well being retreat ran by Clover. As you read the book, it reveals fascinating information about the 4 ladies. I found myself at times laughing out loud and was left feeling I would like to read a sequel!
March 17, 2026
This was really good, but done dirty by the cover, title and summary. I was expecting a funny story with perimenopausal hijinks. But instead this is a moving story of women looking for answers over a weekend retreat. These women are hurting and their struggles are painful and relatable. And while there's some humor here, which helps alleviate the seriousness of some of these topics, this is not "laugh out loud funny" "middle rage".
March 30, 2026
Love them, laugh at them, want to give them a good shake, here are four totally engaging characters, thrown together at a wildness retreat (and, yes, you will learn what that is!). As their backstories unravel, the book becomes a lesson in empathy and not judging. With a mystical cat thrown in for lightheartedness, and comic scenes around the campfire, the book has all the elements of a good read, including a conclusion that leaves you wondering.
May 11, 2026
Funny, Heartfelt & Ultimately Moving
Molly Kendrick’s Middle Rage is marketed as a satire about a women’s retreat, but it’s much more than that. Kendrick provides the satire and savage humor, but she probes the origins of the traumatic events affecting each retreat participant and tenderly shows them groping for resolution.
This is a far better novel than its marketing would lead one to expect.
Molly Kendrick’s Middle Rage is marketed as a satire about a women’s retreat, but it’s much more than that. Kendrick provides the satire and savage humor, but she probes the origins of the traumatic events affecting each retreat participant and tenderly shows them groping for resolution.
This is a far better novel than its marketing would lead one to expect.
June 5, 2025
A darkly hilarious tale of 3 very different women who go to a wellness retreat to hopefully help them to heal emotionally. The retreat is run by Clover, a young woman who is dealing with some issues of her own. The stories of these 4 women unfold over the course of the weekend and each one of them was fascinating, and often laugh out loud funny. I didn’t want it to end and I would’ve loved to know what happened next in their lives as they left the security of the retreat. Hopefully there are plans for a sequel!
October 17, 2025
Middle Rage by Mollie Kendrick
I’ll admit this isn’t my usual kind of book, but I thoroughly enjoyed it. It’s hilarious in a dark, twisted way yet somehow still wholesome. I never quite knew where the story was heading, which made me want to keep reading even more. It’s such an easy, satisfying read, and honestly, it would make for an awesome series- I’d love to see a sequel.
I’ll admit this isn’t my usual kind of book, but I thoroughly enjoyed it. It’s hilarious in a dark, twisted way yet somehow still wholesome. I never quite knew where the story was heading, which made me want to keep reading even more. It’s such an easy, satisfying read, and honestly, it would make for an awesome series- I’d love to see a sequel.
Did Not Finish
March 24, 2026I received this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
I was really excited to read this novel, so I was really disappointed at the fact that it was slow and couldn’t get into it, and I sadly decided to DNF.
Thanks again to the publisher and NetGalley for this advance copy.
I was really excited to read this novel, so I was really disappointed at the fact that it was slow and couldn’t get into it, and I sadly decided to DNF.
Thanks again to the publisher and NetGalley for this advance copy.
April 6, 2026
Not my usual type of book, but it is good to branch out now and again.
There is an audience for this, but sadly it wasn’t me
I read it pretty fast and it was enjoyable, but felt like it dragged at certain points and also a bit corny at times.
All in all, the book was ok, and I am sure many people would enjoy it, but it didn’t make me feel much
There is an audience for this, but sadly it wasn’t me
I read it pretty fast and it was enjoyable, but felt like it dragged at certain points and also a bit corny at times.
All in all, the book was ok, and I am sure many people would enjoy it, but it didn’t make me feel much
July 8, 2025
I loved this compulsive novel that is moving and funny, and a reminder of the journey women have taken - and the lives that still need to change. The characters and their stories slowly wrap themselves around you and hold on oh so tight. A must-read for *good girls* everywhere.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Not what I was expecting and all the better for it. I loved this plot and the way it was written. Gorgeous.
I loved the unveiling of the stories and the variety of the character. The ending was brilliant. Hopeful and positive. Loved it.
I loved the unveiling of the stories and the variety of the character. The ending was brilliant. Hopeful and positive. Loved it.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
3.5 stars. I enjoyed this book a lot. I wasn’t sure what to expect going in and I think I’d still struggle to determine the genre it fits into - that isn’t a criticism, it’s just got elements of lots of genres. There’s female aging, domestic abuse, relationships and family, a bit of mystery, a touch of mysticism, the big life questions we all want answers to…I could continue but you get the drift.
The stand-out quality for me is the characters. I loved all of them and their individual neuroses and nuances, their flaws and fragilities, their strengths and substance.. I adored their interactions, they felt genuine and deep. The madness of the retreat gave excellent comic relief and emotional beats. It’s a book simultaneously about women like me and women I’d like to be.
The only reason this isn’t a four-star review is that it felt a bit rushed in the second half, I wanted another 50 pages or so to give the story space to breathe.
Apart from that, it was an emotional and ultimately uplifting riot.
The stand-out quality for me is the characters. I loved all of them and their individual neuroses and nuances, their flaws and fragilities, their strengths and substance.. I adored their interactions, they felt genuine and deep. The madness of the retreat gave excellent comic relief and emotional beats. It’s a book simultaneously about women like me and women I’d like to be.
The only reason this isn’t a four-star review is that it felt a bit rushed in the second half, I wanted another 50 pages or so to give the story space to breathe.
Apart from that, it was an emotional and ultimately uplifting riot.
March 15, 2026
Three lost women and their spiritual guide, Clover, go on a retreat on Bodmin Moor hoping to find themselves again. They're all different ages, there for different reasons and even Clover has her own issues to work though. Emma is a closed book, is only on the retreat because her therapist suggested it and her family is falling to pieces around her, but thinks it's a load of nonsense. Maggie is mourning the loss of her husband and the choices she made while grieving their child years ago. She's also pretty sure her cat is Bill's reincarnated form... Fleur is on her second retreat and still hasn't recovered from her controlling ex-boyfriend, but with decisions to be made she decides a "top-up" might help. And finally we have Clover with her complicated back story around her religious upbringing.
Now this might not sound like a fun combination, given that there's some dark issues her around grief, coercion and infidelity, but its hard not to love the characters trying to find themselves through vegan food, naked dancing and forest bathing! It quickly becomes a group of women supporting each other through trauma and ultimately healing, if just a little, along the way. Funny, uplifting and full of well written but flawed characters.
Now this might not sound like a fun combination, given that there's some dark issues her around grief, coercion and infidelity, but its hard not to love the characters trying to find themselves through vegan food, naked dancing and forest bathing! It quickly becomes a group of women supporting each other through trauma and ultimately healing, if just a little, along the way. Funny, uplifting and full of well written but flawed characters.
April 22, 2026
An interesting cast of characters and I loved the theme of healing and self discovery.
May 13, 2026
Interesting premise but really unconvincing execution.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
A clever title that might give the wrong impression.
It's not chick-lit, and it's not a thriller about serial killer middle-aged women, either.
Instead, Middle Rage is a slowburn contemplation of life as a woman in four different forms. There's Clover, the retreat leader, emotionally smart but running from something, and three women who've come seeking solace and/or change at the retreat. Fleur, with the controlling ex-boyfriend, Maggie who lost a daughter decades ago, and Emma, who's just angry at everything.
It's humorous, dark, real, with stories that feel natural, not forced in for plot. I wanted a little extra from the ending, but that's just me being a greedy reader. Would definitely read Kendrick again.
It's not chick-lit, and it's not a thriller about serial killer middle-aged women, either.
Instead, Middle Rage is a slowburn contemplation of life as a woman in four different forms. There's Clover, the retreat leader, emotionally smart but running from something, and three women who've come seeking solace and/or change at the retreat. Fleur, with the controlling ex-boyfriend, Maggie who lost a daughter decades ago, and Emma, who's just angry at everything.
It's humorous, dark, real, with stories that feel natural, not forced in for plot. I wanted a little extra from the ending, but that's just me being a greedy reader. Would definitely read Kendrick again.
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