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The Bed in the Shed
SHORTLISTED FOR THE KINDLE STORYTELLER AWARD 2025
Carrie Bradley is done.
Done with the dishes, the laundry, the packed lunches and, most of all, with being taken for granted. So when her husband cancels their family holiday for a boys’ trip to Vegas, Carrie takes a stand – by moving into the garden shed.
What starts as a quiet protest soon spirals into full-blown family drama – with domestic chaos, media attention and a surprising path to self-discovery. With her sister Bex crashing in her guest room and her family in meltdown, Carrie might just find the one thing she’s been missing all along... herself.
Funny, uplifting and relatable, this is a heart-warming story about reclaiming your space - inside and out.
Carrie Bradley is done.
Done with the dishes, the laundry, the packed lunches and, most of all, with being taken for granted. So when her husband cancels their family holiday for a boys’ trip to Vegas, Carrie takes a stand – by moving into the garden shed.
What starts as a quiet protest soon spirals into full-blown family drama – with domestic chaos, media attention and a surprising path to self-discovery. With her sister Bex crashing in her guest room and her family in meltdown, Carrie might just find the one thing she’s been missing all along... herself.
Funny, uplifting and relatable, this is a heart-warming story about reclaiming your space - inside and out.
- GenresFiction
382 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 21, 2025
578 people are currently reading
214 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
June 28, 2025
Bed in the shed
100%recommended. Such a page Turner, even made me think bout going in shed, brilliant read, how many of us have thoughts of doing this and don't,,,,but I'm sure a lot of us will now 😀
100%recommended. Such a page Turner, even made me think bout going in shed, brilliant read, how many of us have thoughts of doing this and don't,,,,but I'm sure a lot of us will now 😀
September 19, 2025
Hmmm ... 3.5 stars? I have to stay, I think this little story will stay with me, it made me think about a lot of things. Not that it was particularly profound, but because of some personal connections. There were a few things that bugged me though ...
1st person (present tense) ... this had two POVs, sisters, Carrie and Bex. Carrie was the dominant voice, with the majority of chapters. As the POV changed, there was a header indicating the name. I was frustrated that this wasn't shown on the Table of Contents (in either text or audio), I guess maybe because sometimes the perspective carried over to the next chapter, when it wasn't given a header. In audio, I struggled, because there was a single narrator, and the voices sounded exactly the same. Whose head are we in? Carrie or Bex? I could figure it out from context, but I think separate and distinct voices (different narrators) would have been helpful. On the one hand, I enjoyed Bex's storyline, on the other hand ... I wasn't sure that it really added much to Carrie's story.
Another discrepancy I noted was in audio, little chapter headers were given, ie
1. One Feather Too Many (that one was actually the first sentence)
2. Have You Seen My Trainers
3. A Bum That They Shoot Out of Boats
... I had the text too (text was included in KindleUnlimited, audio borrowed via Hoopla) and, um, these headers were not there in print. Not sure if one has been updated? I just found it odd, and it bothered me (those only experiencing one format or the other wouldn't notice).
The name of the MC ... Carrie Bradley. Too close to Carrie Bradshaw (ala Sex in the City). Every time it came up I'd think "that's so close to the character in SITC" ... and it would take me out of the story. This Carrie isn't like the other Carrie at all.
There were a couple of times that Mum just showed up (the girls mom), but to me, it was so sudden, rather than "I find Mum in the kitchen with Bex" ... maybe "I was surprised to see my mom had arrived at the house" (because I was surprised she was suddenly there, with no mention/contact with her before. Does she often just appear?), or even "I noticed" or some acknowledgement "Oh hi Mum, when did you get here?"
Very British ... I love the accent, and the "British-isms" and spellings ... there were a few here I wasn't familiar with. A "roto" (rotation/job chart), watching a television show "on catch-up" ... of course "tea" the drink, but here it seemed to be used interchangeably with lunch/dinner (meals).
I guess I didn't really get the whole "shed" movement over just staying the guest bedroom (I guess having Bex in the story, staying with them, made that room occupied, but even before that she didn't like what the spare room "meant" ...) I was super frustrated with the husband for choosing going with friends over an ALREADY PLANNED family holiday. That was the main issue for me (and the MC I think). That was bad.
As far as the whole "I'm not appreciated, I work 24/7, I'm going on strike" ... I struggled with that. I've been a SAHM, and grateful to be so (which she acknowledges she is privileged to have that choice not to work outside the home). I can understand feeling unappreciated, but still ... if Mark was working full-time, and she is not, then ... I DO think she should be doing more of the house stuff. Having the kids help is more than just "help" ... it's teaching them, definitely do that. Hopefully the husband will pitch in and give words of appreciation. What about the "man" tasks? Mowing the lawn, taking the car in for an oil change? Who did those things? Handled all the family bills and such? I just felt like as Carrie went on "strike" she expected Mark to work full time, then come home and do everything, while Carrie literally did nothing ... and that's certainly not fair either! I did find fault with the "I'm going to go with my friends instead of the family vacation we already had planned" ... that was bad.
My husband works super hard, 50-60 hours a week, so during the years when the kids were babies, I did feel it was my job to be the one to get up in the night, to try and stay on top of the house and shopping and meals and laundry. He wouldn't expect any big meals or perfection, he would help when he could and when it was needed (a bit of a catch-22 for him, as sometimes if he'd pitch in and help, instead of totally appreciating it, I'd then feel guilty that he had to work all day and then still work when he got home). As he'd leave early, home late, I was the one on deck for all the carpooling, school help, sports, scouts, sickness, but that just made sense, as I was here and he was at work. As the boys got older, lots of carpooling, teaching driving, appointments, even pretty much home schooling one of the kids who was struggling. Now? the boys are grown, and I still don't feel the call to "go back to work" as I know many woman do (The MC did want to get back to nursing). Please don't make me ... I find my pleasure/purpose in my books, sourdough, blogging, garden, fitness/Zumba - it keeps me busy!) I feel like I have it very easy. Hubs does a lot of the shopping and meal prep (he enjoys it) so I feel it's my part to do the cleanup. He makes the money, I do the family finances, make sure the bills get paid, keep track of all things insurance/medical, etc. I do the laundry (although Hubs will thrown in a load himself if he needs it and I haven't done it. #4 who still lives at home does his own, even though I have said I'm willing. #5, home from college for the summer moved back into "mommy mode" with me doing his laundry, dishes, etc.) I mow the lawn, keep up the garden, try to stay up on the kid's needs. Hubs would announce he was going on a week-long guy's trip, but not if there was already a family vacation planned. I have actually moved into the spare bedroom, not because of fighting/strike, but because of snoring, but we've both found it beneficial (on different schedules, keeping each other awake), sex is NOT off the table at all. I could connect with some of the "making my own space" parts of the story.
So - definitely lots of thoughts with this ;)
No proFanity. Completely clean.
1st person (present tense) ... this had two POVs, sisters, Carrie and Bex. Carrie was the dominant voice, with the majority of chapters. As the POV changed, there was a header indicating the name. I was frustrated that this wasn't shown on the Table of Contents (in either text or audio), I guess maybe because sometimes the perspective carried over to the next chapter, when it wasn't given a header. In audio, I struggled, because there was a single narrator, and the voices sounded exactly the same. Whose head are we in? Carrie or Bex? I could figure it out from context, but I think separate and distinct voices (different narrators) would have been helpful. On the one hand, I enjoyed Bex's storyline, on the other hand ... I wasn't sure that it really added much to Carrie's story.
Another discrepancy I noted was in audio, little chapter headers were given, ie
1. One Feather Too Many (that one was actually the first sentence)
2. Have You Seen My Trainers
3. A Bum That They Shoot Out of Boats
... I had the text too (text was included in KindleUnlimited, audio borrowed via Hoopla) and, um, these headers were not there in print. Not sure if one has been updated? I just found it odd, and it bothered me (those only experiencing one format or the other wouldn't notice).
The name of the MC ... Carrie Bradley. Too close to Carrie Bradshaw (ala Sex in the City). Every time it came up I'd think "that's so close to the character in SITC" ... and it would take me out of the story. This Carrie isn't like the other Carrie at all.
There were a couple of times that Mum just showed up (the girls mom), but to me, it was so sudden, rather than "I find Mum in the kitchen with Bex" ... maybe "I was surprised to see my mom had arrived at the house" (because I was surprised she was suddenly there, with no mention/contact with her before. Does she often just appear?), or even "I noticed" or some acknowledgement "Oh hi Mum, when did you get here?"
Very British ... I love the accent, and the "British-isms" and spellings ... there were a few here I wasn't familiar with. A "roto" (rotation/job chart), watching a television show "on catch-up" ... of course "tea" the drink, but here it seemed to be used interchangeably with lunch/dinner (meals).
I guess I didn't really get the whole "shed" movement over just staying the guest bedroom (I guess having Bex in the story, staying with them, made that room occupied, but even before that she didn't like what the spare room "meant" ...) I was super frustrated with the husband for choosing going with friends over an ALREADY PLANNED family holiday. That was the main issue for me (and the MC I think). That was bad.
As far as the whole "I'm not appreciated, I work 24/7, I'm going on strike" ... I struggled with that. I've been a SAHM, and grateful to be so (which she acknowledges she is privileged to have that choice not to work outside the home). I can understand feeling unappreciated, but still ... if Mark was working full-time, and she is not, then ... I DO think she should be doing more of the house stuff. Having the kids help is more than just "help" ... it's teaching them, definitely do that. Hopefully the husband will pitch in and give words of appreciation. What about the "man" tasks? Mowing the lawn, taking the car in for an oil change? Who did those things? Handled all the family bills and such? I just felt like as Carrie went on "strike" she expected Mark to work full time, then come home and do everything, while Carrie literally did nothing ... and that's certainly not fair either! I did find fault with the "I'm going to go with my friends instead of the family vacation we already had planned" ... that was bad.
My husband works super hard, 50-60 hours a week, so during the years when the kids were babies, I did feel it was my job to be the one to get up in the night, to try and stay on top of the house and shopping and meals and laundry. He wouldn't expect any big meals or perfection, he would help when he could and when it was needed (a bit of a catch-22 for him, as sometimes if he'd pitch in and help, instead of totally appreciating it, I'd then feel guilty that he had to work all day and then still work when he got home). As he'd leave early, home late, I was the one on deck for all the carpooling, school help, sports, scouts, sickness, but that just made sense, as I was here and he was at work. As the boys got older, lots of carpooling, teaching driving, appointments, even pretty much home schooling one of the kids who was struggling. Now? the boys are grown, and I still don't feel the call to "go back to work" as I know many woman do (The MC did want to get back to nursing). Please don't make me ... I find my pleasure/purpose in my books, sourdough, blogging, garden, fitness/Zumba - it keeps me busy!) I feel like I have it very easy. Hubs does a lot of the shopping and meal prep (he enjoys it) so I feel it's my part to do the cleanup. He makes the money, I do the family finances, make sure the bills get paid, keep track of all things insurance/medical, etc. I do the laundry (although Hubs will thrown in a load himself if he needs it and I haven't done it. #4 who still lives at home does his own, even though I have said I'm willing. #5, home from college for the summer moved back into "mommy mode" with me doing his laundry, dishes, etc.) I mow the lawn, keep up the garden, try to stay up on the kid's needs. Hubs would announce he was going on a week-long guy's trip, but not if there was already a family vacation planned. I have actually moved into the spare bedroom, not because of fighting/strike, but because of snoring, but we've both found it beneficial (on different schedules, keeping each other awake), sex is NOT off the table at all. I could connect with some of the "making my own space" parts of the story.
So - definitely lots of thoughts with this ;)
No proFanity. Completely clean.
June 29, 2025
I found this book really frustrating.
I loved the concept but it didn’t really make a lot of sense. She decided to sleep in the shed to make a point but ended up coming back and doing everything anyway on top of working 3 days a week?
I loved the concept but it didn’t really make a lot of sense. She decided to sleep in the shed to make a point but ended up coming back and doing everything anyway on top of working 3 days a week?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 25, 2025
easy read
This book was different than I usually read. It had some good ideas for everyone. Sometimes giving up doesn’t make you weak. Life doesn’t always go as planned but communication and compromise is important to keep things going smoothly.
This book was different than I usually read. It had some good ideas for everyone. Sometimes giving up doesn’t make you weak. Life doesn’t always go as planned but communication and compromise is important to keep things going smoothly.
July 14, 2025
She quit her job as a nurse in order to become a stay-at-home mom. For more than a decade she has dedicated herself to her husband and kids. She refers to herself as the glue that keeps everything together. So why is she feeling so dissatisfied now? Is it the gross feather that she told her nearly nine year old son to throw away because it’s laden with bacteria but has now been sitting on the kitchen counter for a week, and everyone has ignored? Is it the rolling eyes of her fourteen year old daughter whenever she’s asked to do anything? Or is it the fact that her husband has booked a trip with some guys from work to Vegas at the same time as their family vacation that she was looking forward to? Whatever it is has sparked a protest in her. She is done being under appreciated, so she’s moved into the backyard shed, and is on strike until things change.
So what is the change she’s looking for? That becomes a learning curve for the entire household. A household that now includes her younger sister, who asked to stay for six weeks while her home renovations are completed. That, of course, was before the strike and now she finds herself smack dab in the middle of it. But she has her own crisis going on and didn’t expect to have to deal with her sister’s situation, too.
What follows is a story of learning to communicate better; learning that compromise is important; learning to relax your standards; learning how to become a family unit that relies on each other; and learning that we all need to keep learning.
So what is the change she’s looking for? That becomes a learning curve for the entire household. A household that now includes her younger sister, who asked to stay for six weeks while her home renovations are completed. That, of course, was before the strike and now she finds herself smack dab in the middle of it. But she has her own crisis going on and didn’t expect to have to deal with her sister’s situation, too.
What follows is a story of learning to communicate better; learning that compromise is important; learning to relax your standards; learning how to become a family unit that relies on each other; and learning that we all need to keep learning.
June 27, 2025
Ooooh Carrie Bradley, I know you!!!
Perfectionist mode, 'cause if we're gonna do it, we're gonna do it well...right...perfectly.
Giving it all up, for the ones we love more than life itself....
And, wow, how it all feels necessary, needed, and, "do or die."
Izzy Bromley's Carrie is relatable for many-a-mom out there, obviously, on both sides of the pond! I love her indignation, determination, and resolve for this seemingly "age old argument." It's real, it's timeless.
I appreciate how Carrie, even in her media buzz-fame, protects her marriage by not telling all, and I love how she and Mark find an accord. I think the fact that She could on "strike," is very telling of her security in her marriage.
Additionally, I love how Bex, finds a strength in watching her sister, and helps herself to stand on her own two feet, too.
Bravo, "Izzy!!" ;-)
Perfectionist mode, 'cause if we're gonna do it, we're gonna do it well...right...perfectly.
Giving it all up, for the ones we love more than life itself....
And, wow, how it all feels necessary, needed, and, "do or die."
Izzy Bromley's Carrie is relatable for many-a-mom out there, obviously, on both sides of the pond! I love her indignation, determination, and resolve for this seemingly "age old argument." It's real, it's timeless.
I appreciate how Carrie, even in her media buzz-fame, protects her marriage by not telling all, and I love how she and Mark find an accord. I think the fact that She could on "strike," is very telling of her security in her marriage.
Additionally, I love how Bex, finds a strength in watching her sister, and helps herself to stand on her own two feet, too.
Bravo, "Izzy!!" ;-)
August 28, 2025
Funny and thought-provoking. This should be required reading for all couples and then a repeat read and discuss maybe very 10 years after that as needed.
Carrie was a Nurse until her daughter Amy was 2 years old. Then she and Mark decided she could stay home to be a full-time Mom. Amy is now a teen and their second child Josh will soon be 9 years old and Carrie cooks, cleans, manages everyone’s schedule 24/7.
One weekend Josh and Mark return from a day out, Josh proudly shows up with a Magpie tail feather and lays it on Carrie’s perfectly clean kitchen counter where she was assembling sandwiches. A week later the feather is still there and Mark has informed Carrie he’s going to Vegas to celebrate his buddy’s birthday the same dates that the entire family is scheduled to visit Marks parents.
This is more than Carrie can handle and she decides to make a statement by going on strike…
Carrie was a Nurse until her daughter Amy was 2 years old. Then she and Mark decided she could stay home to be a full-time Mom. Amy is now a teen and their second child Josh will soon be 9 years old and Carrie cooks, cleans, manages everyone’s schedule 24/7.
One weekend Josh and Mark return from a day out, Josh proudly shows up with a Magpie tail feather and lays it on Carrie’s perfectly clean kitchen counter where she was assembling sandwiches. A week later the feather is still there and Mark has informed Carrie he’s going to Vegas to celebrate his buddy’s birthday the same dates that the entire family is scheduled to visit Marks parents.
This is more than Carrie can handle and she decides to make a statement by going on strike…
January 6, 2026
3.5 stars
I've enjoyed other books from this author but this one didn't hit as well for me. Carrie has stopped working as a nurse to take care of her kids, but now feels like her family takes advantage of her, so she goes on strike and starts sleeping in the garden shed. I think alot of her issues could have been eliminated with some better communication long before it got to this point so I just found the storyline very frustrating. There was also a storyline about Carries sister Bex, who also has a crisis of her own. There were some lighter and fun moments in the story, but overall it was Ok for me and not one of my favorites of the authors novels.
I've enjoyed other books from this author but this one didn't hit as well for me. Carrie has stopped working as a nurse to take care of her kids, but now feels like her family takes advantage of her, so she goes on strike and starts sleeping in the garden shed. I think alot of her issues could have been eliminated with some better communication long before it got to this point so I just found the storyline very frustrating. There was also a storyline about Carries sister Bex, who also has a crisis of her own. There were some lighter and fun moments in the story, but overall it was Ok for me and not one of my favorites of the authors novels.
August 26, 2025
You know, I just don't know about this one. I feel there was a lot more that could have been said/ achieved in this book, I waited for it to get going, find its foothold, find the resolution but it like drifted, then fell. I was more interested in Bex than the main character! Why? I guess she just didn't help herself. I could have easily written a better version of this book.
And wait, the husband just didn't get what she was trying to do anyway: family holiday yes but not for the reasons we all hoped for!!
And wait, the husband just didn't get what she was trying to do anyway: family holiday yes but not for the reasons we all hoped for!!
October 21, 2025
Happy read
This was a quick and fun read although it dealt with a topical issue. At one stage in my life, I realised that I had lost myself and although my husband always supported everything I did, his long hours at work didn't help me. I had to work hard to find a life I enjoyed once my children were growing up. Many women feel guilt if they are not the perfect mother and yet long for a fulfilling life. This book takes the issue to extremes but puts the chaos of modern day family life in perspective brilliantly.
This was a quick and fun read although it dealt with a topical issue. At one stage in my life, I realised that I had lost myself and although my husband always supported everything I did, his long hours at work didn't help me. I had to work hard to find a life I enjoyed once my children were growing up. Many women feel guilt if they are not the perfect mother and yet long for a fulfilling life. This book takes the issue to extremes but puts the chaos of modern day family life in perspective brilliantly.
November 4, 2025
This book is a bible for anyone that is a stay at home mother. All the work that is done with very little to no one that notices. The mother becomes just the fixer in the background not a real person with feelings....or noticed. Stay at home moms are becoming a dying breed and maybe it is because the job is endless and the appreciation is low. The mom continues down the path because they find the reward in doing a good job and the ability to raise their children the way they want them to be.
July 3, 2025
What wife and mother amongst us does not have a shared experience of some, if not all of what Carrie is going through? My goodness, I empathised like crazy! From the overwhelming burden of chores and responsibilities and feeling like the division of labour really wasn’t equitable, to staging a revolution and achieving lasting changes - this book spoke to me. It’s a delightful read with great characters and no-one is truly the ‘bad guy’. Very enjoyable.
July 27, 2025
More like a 2.5; this book put me into a slump for like a month. I loved the other book I read by this author that focused on one character and one storyline. This felt like too many ideas and storylines were introduced and and honestly none of them were fully fleshed out. I feel like the characters who got the most time on paper had the least growth and I wasn’t really invested in any of them. There were some redeeming moments but just not my thing.
August 27, 2025
The Bed in the Shed took me by surprise! It was a very enjoyable read. Very funny moments and such a universal and relatable message. I really think this should become a handbook in school to educate men on how to value their wives.
It was also written in a way not to bad mouth any particular party in a marriage.
Relatable and likeable characters.
All round just some good fun with an important message.
Can recommend!
It was also written in a way not to bad mouth any particular party in a marriage.
Relatable and likeable characters.
All round just some good fun with an important message.
Can recommend!
July 9, 2025
Is compromise a solution?
Unfortunately I did not warm to this book. I could not identify with the main character and had no sympathy with her problem. The ending was true everything a vastly uninteresting and unworkable compromise. I hope other readers like it. Any book written deserves to be read and enjoyed. This one not for my taste.
Unfortunately I did not warm to this book. I could not identify with the main character and had no sympathy with her problem. The ending was true everything a vastly uninteresting and unworkable compromise. I hope other readers like it. Any book written deserves to be read and enjoyed. This one not for my taste.
August 22, 2025
truly cute read!!
Original storyline…lovely characters…you get the feels from everyone’s side…you laugh, you feel the bad luck and unexpected changes and celebrate the wins..but mostly it’s taught me the importance of learning from everyone’s experiences, and making everything work out for the best for each person you love…
Well done!!
Original storyline…lovely characters…you get the feels from everyone’s side…you laugh, you feel the bad luck and unexpected changes and celebrate the wins..but mostly it’s taught me the importance of learning from everyone’s experiences, and making everything work out for the best for each person you love…
Well done!!
June 24, 2025
Fantastic Storyline
A wonderful weave into the fabric of home and work life for women . The whole picture of everyone involved especially the man’s role was nicely written.Bravo !
A wonderful weave into the fabric of home and work life for women . The whole picture of everyone involved especially the man’s role was nicely written.Bravo !
July 15, 2025
A bit different from what I expected.
A bit different from what I expected, but really good anyway!! Great characters, both good and bad. It brought up some Important Topics. I had a few good laughs as well!
A bit different from what I expected, but really good anyway!! Great characters, both good and bad. It brought up some Important Topics. I had a few good laughs as well!
November 30, 2025
Moms everywhere will feel this one.
Dishes. Laundry. Lunches. Being invisible.
Carrie’s quiet protest turned full-blown emotional growth journey, and I loved every shed-filled moment. Cute, uplifting, and perfect if you need a reminder that you matter too.
Dishes. Laundry. Lunches. Being invisible.
Carrie’s quiet protest turned full-blown emotional growth journey, and I loved every shed-filled moment. Cute, uplifting, and perfect if you need a reminder that you matter too.
January 1, 2026
heartwarming book
Extremely relatable. It was nice change from the romantic books. Family orientated. I can take some valuable lessons from the book and use them in my life. Would recommend.
Extremely relatable. It was nice change from the romantic books. Family orientated. I can take some valuable lessons from the book and use them in my life. Would recommend.
July 24, 2025
This book had so much potential but completely crashed the ending.
August 4, 2025
Glorious!
Imogen Church is an awesome narrator
Imogen Church is an awesome narrator
August 7, 2025
Easy quick read- always communicate!!!!
August 22, 2025
I really liked the characters and the book itself was good, but the plot was a bit odd to be honest, not something I could get my head around anyway.
August 30, 2025
Carrie wants her husband to spend more time with his family, instead of his friends. Carrie has to make him see what he is doing--so she goes on strike.
August 31, 2025
Very entertaining.
September 18, 2025
Started off strong with the message but at the end nothing really changed. I feel like the husband just kind of manipulated the narrative to his favor at the end 🥲
Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews