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All Grown Up
Not yet published
Expected 4 Jun 26'What a gorgeous book! Such a charming, warm, optimistic read. Just beautiful.' Marian Keyes
After thirty long years, Louisa’s daughters can finally look after themselves … or so she thinks.
Because suddenly, they’re back – apparently for good. Meg’s second-guessing her marriage. Jo’s career hangs in the balance. Amy has inexplicably quit university. None of them empty the dishwasher.
Louisa knows it’s time for some life lessons. She adores her girls, but if she’s ever going to get her (sex) life back, they’ll have to grow up – and go.
But maybe they’re not the only ones with lessons to learn… And Louisa might just discover that her daughters have something to teach her about being an adult too.
___________________
PRAISE FOR ALL GROWN UP . . .
'Funny, tender & relatable at every level... quite simply, wonderful' Jennie Godfrey
'Wonderful, complex, bruising, rewarding... I snaffled it like cake on a rainy day, and enjoyed every morsel!' Amanda Prowse
'An absolute delight - impossibly funny, astute, candid and moving... brilliant.' Rosie Walsh
'Riotously funny, achingly tender... a book to treat yourself to.' Julia Raeside
'A warm hug of a novel that is going to make thousands of people both happy and tearful (in the best way)' Claire Daverley
'Truly fresh, wildly funny and completely charming... some of the most perceptive writing on motherhood I’ve ever read. I adored it.' Lauren Bravo
'Funny, moving, and wonderfully tender... a joyful reminder that growing up never really ends.' Louise O'Neill
‘What a beautifully-observed, funny and relatable novel.’ Sophia Money-Coutts
‘Gorgeous from the first page to the last. . . Emotional, funny & chaotic.’ Georgina Moore
‘Lots of books are described as comforting but this book brought me genuine, genuine the perfect blend of familiar and the contemporary. It takes one hell of a writer to take on Little Women, but Daisy is one hell of a writer.’ Caroline Corcoran
After thirty long years, Louisa’s daughters can finally look after themselves … or so she thinks.
Because suddenly, they’re back – apparently for good. Meg’s second-guessing her marriage. Jo’s career hangs in the balance. Amy has inexplicably quit university. None of them empty the dishwasher.
Louisa knows it’s time for some life lessons. She adores her girls, but if she’s ever going to get her (sex) life back, they’ll have to grow up – and go.
But maybe they’re not the only ones with lessons to learn… And Louisa might just discover that her daughters have something to teach her about being an adult too.
___________________
PRAISE FOR ALL GROWN UP . . .
'Funny, tender & relatable at every level... quite simply, wonderful' Jennie Godfrey
'Wonderful, complex, bruising, rewarding... I snaffled it like cake on a rainy day, and enjoyed every morsel!' Amanda Prowse
'An absolute delight - impossibly funny, astute, candid and moving... brilliant.' Rosie Walsh
'Riotously funny, achingly tender... a book to treat yourself to.' Julia Raeside
'A warm hug of a novel that is going to make thousands of people both happy and tearful (in the best way)' Claire Daverley
'Truly fresh, wildly funny and completely charming... some of the most perceptive writing on motherhood I’ve ever read. I adored it.' Lauren Bravo
'Funny, moving, and wonderfully tender... a joyful reminder that growing up never really ends.' Louise O'Neill
‘What a beautifully-observed, funny and relatable novel.’ Sophia Money-Coutts
‘Gorgeous from the first page to the last. . . Emotional, funny & chaotic.’ Georgina Moore
‘Lots of books are described as comforting but this book brought me genuine, genuine the perfect blend of familiar and the contemporary. It takes one hell of a writer to take on Little Women, but Daisy is one hell of a writer.’ Caroline Corcoran
360 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication June 4, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews
October 22, 2025
What would happen if Little Women were set today, somewhere not far from Manchester? This book is what would happen and it is an absolute triumph. This is brilliant. The main focus of All Grown Up is Louisa, the girls' mother and I couldn't be happier about it. In the original book Marmee is so good as to be slightly sickening and yet you know that a woman bringing up four girls alone while a civil war rages is no milksop, and to bring up such independent, strong and vibrant women, she must be something special herself, yet you never find out - until now. I love the character of Louisa and even though she is transposed to modern times, you can always feel the thread between the original book and this one in a way that allows you to trust Daisy to do what needs to be done for these beloved characters, who for a while in my childhood seemed real to me. This is brilliant. It's funny and smart and wise. The characters are fully realised and the men give them centre stage without becoming thin themselves. It made me laugh, it made me cry. I couldn't stop reading it and I didn't want it to end. One of my top ten books of 2025. I can't wait for it to come out next year so I can press a copy into the hands of everyone I know who ever loved Little Women.
October 9, 2025
I’m calling this as Daisy’s best yet (and that’s saying a lot because I’ve loved all of her books)! This is the most joyful and uplifting contemporary take on Little Women, and the writing and humour reminded me of Marian Keyes. Obviously there were moments I sobbed (I may not have read Little Women in a long time, but you never forget the loss of Beth), but mostly I laughed and grinned like an idiot. Also, the men are pretty damn dreamy and the ending is SO satisfying.
Loved it!
Loved it!
April 21, 2026
All Grown Up is the modern take on Little Women I absolutely needed. Reading the characters felt like home yet they came with new problems associated with adulting today. I loved getting into their heads and how the story splits between them seamlessly with dedicated chapters. The humour is well placed at times and other times slightly cringe, but I didn’t mind this as it made for a lighthearted read which still dealt with life issues. If you like stories with messy families, unlikeable characters and a bit of fun on the side then this read is for you. Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for a copy. This is a voluntary review of my own thoughts.
May 11, 2026
Wonderfully well written, this book is an absolute joy to read. It flowed really well with a light feel whilst covering some rather weighty topics. I enjoyed every page.
Thanks to NetGalley for the advanced copy.
Thanks to NetGalley for the advanced copy.
November 10, 2025
Do you ever read a book and think I wish I’d thought of that? That’s exactly how I feel about this one, it was absolutely amazing 🥹 it’s not often at all that I cry at books but this one definitely got me. It was so nice to feel like I was getting to know the March women again & I now definitely want to read little women again immediately. I could not recommend this book more.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to NetGalley for providing this ARC.
All Grown Up is a modern‑day retelling of Little Women, and while the premise immediately caught my attention, my feelings about the execution were mixed. There were definitely moments—especially around the 30% mark—where I found myself more engaged, and some emotional scenes were handled with real care and vulnerability.
Because this is a contemporary reimagining, I expected the March sisters to feel grounded in the realities of young women today. Instead, some moments felt tone‑deaf. The daughters’ entitlement is pushed to such an exaggerated, almost bratty level that, as someone around their age, I found it unrealistic.
Amy in particular reads as juvenile, almost like a caricature of a twenty‑something woman rather than a believable modern interpretation. Meg also comes across as naive and whiny, with very little character growth for much of the novel, which made her chapters feel repetitive.
I don’t mind pop culture references in contemporary fiction—they can add texture when used thoughtfully. But here, there were simply too many. Instead of grounding the story in the present day, the constant stream of references often pulled me out of the narrative. It sometimes felt like the book was trying too hard to be “current,” which ended up making the characters feel even less authentic.
I fully appreciate that this is the author’s own novel, inspired by Little Women rather than a strict retelling. Creative interpretation is part of the process. However, I often felt that the heart of the original characters was lost. Amy especially didn’t feel true to who she is at her core.
That said, I did appreciate the attention given to Jo’s anger—an important and often overlooked aspect of her character in the original text.
While I did enjoy parts of the story and became more invested as it progressed, I never fully connected with the characters. Much of the emotional landscape felt surface‑level, even though there were a few moving scenes that stood out.
All Grown Up is a modern‑day retelling of Little Women, and while the premise immediately caught my attention, my feelings about the execution were mixed. There were definitely moments—especially around the 30% mark—where I found myself more engaged, and some emotional scenes were handled with real care and vulnerability.
Because this is a contemporary reimagining, I expected the March sisters to feel grounded in the realities of young women today. Instead, some moments felt tone‑deaf. The daughters’ entitlement is pushed to such an exaggerated, almost bratty level that, as someone around their age, I found it unrealistic.
Amy in particular reads as juvenile, almost like a caricature of a twenty‑something woman rather than a believable modern interpretation. Meg also comes across as naive and whiny, with very little character growth for much of the novel, which made her chapters feel repetitive.
I don’t mind pop culture references in contemporary fiction—they can add texture when used thoughtfully. But here, there were simply too many. Instead of grounding the story in the present day, the constant stream of references often pulled me out of the narrative. It sometimes felt like the book was trying too hard to be “current,” which ended up making the characters feel even less authentic.
I fully appreciate that this is the author’s own novel, inspired by Little Women rather than a strict retelling. Creative interpretation is part of the process. However, I often felt that the heart of the original characters was lost. Amy especially didn’t feel true to who she is at her core.
That said, I did appreciate the attention given to Jo’s anger—an important and often overlooked aspect of her character in the original text.
While I did enjoy parts of the story and became more invested as it progressed, I never fully connected with the characters. Much of the emotional landscape felt surface‑level, even though there were a few moving scenes that stood out.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I'm not sure what the odds are on being approved for two UK set Little Women reimaginings on the same day, but clearly the famous quartet are having a moment.
In Daisy Buchanan's funny and, at times, poignant novel the daughters of the house are not so much little women as eternal teenagers. Louisa, their mother, long divorced and drowning in money worries is looking forward to her Christmas Eve birthday and Christmas itself with no responsibilities when not one, or two but three of her daughters return home and immediately regress. Meg might be pregnant but she has left her stolid, sensible husband, Jo has run away from London and her abusive boyfriend while Amy has dropped out of uni with unformed plans to become a business woman. Not only do they forget their mother's birthday but they are appalled when they hear she is planning to sell their family home, blaming her for not managing her long-divorced husband's claim on the house, even though he was the one who abandoned them all to move to Australia when Amy was still a baby. Meanwhile their much-loved family friend Mr Lawrence is dying, which means his grandson Lawrie has to return home from New York.
The novel follows the next year as all four try to manage change. to figure out what they want and to finally grow up and move on, with the loss of Beth hanging over them all. They are helped by their irrepressible neighbour Barb and Lawrie's business partner, Mark.
This isn't a faithful retelling, in fact it works best when it doesn't try to recreate bits from the book in the present day although Amy would absolutely be a fitness obsessed girl boss wannabe. But keeping the book mainly in Louisa's POV and taking inspiration rather than direction from the original works. An entertaining read even if you haven't read the original (or seen one of the many adaptations). Recommended.
In Daisy Buchanan's funny and, at times, poignant novel the daughters of the house are not so much little women as eternal teenagers. Louisa, their mother, long divorced and drowning in money worries is looking forward to her Christmas Eve birthday and Christmas itself with no responsibilities when not one, or two but three of her daughters return home and immediately regress. Meg might be pregnant but she has left her stolid, sensible husband, Jo has run away from London and her abusive boyfriend while Amy has dropped out of uni with unformed plans to become a business woman. Not only do they forget their mother's birthday but they are appalled when they hear she is planning to sell their family home, blaming her for not managing her long-divorced husband's claim on the house, even though he was the one who abandoned them all to move to Australia when Amy was still a baby. Meanwhile their much-loved family friend Mr Lawrence is dying, which means his grandson Lawrie has to return home from New York.
The novel follows the next year as all four try to manage change. to figure out what they want and to finally grow up and move on, with the loss of Beth hanging over them all. They are helped by their irrepressible neighbour Barb and Lawrie's business partner, Mark.
This isn't a faithful retelling, in fact it works best when it doesn't try to recreate bits from the book in the present day although Amy would absolutely be a fitness obsessed girl boss wannabe. But keeping the book mainly in Louisa's POV and taking inspiration rather than direction from the original works. An entertaining read even if you haven't read the original (or seen one of the many adaptations). Recommended.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
All Grown Up has that lovely, lived‑in warmth that comes from a story about family chaos told with affection rather than judgement. It follows Louisa at the exact moment she thinks she’s finally stepping into a quieter, more spacious chapter of her life — the girls grown, the house her own again, the possibility of rediscovering herself (and her love life) finally within reach. And then, with perfect comic timing, her daughters return one by one, each carrying a crisis and absolutely none of them carrying the ability to empty a dishwasher.
There’s an easy elegance to the writing, the kind that lets humour and tenderness sit side by side. Meg is unravelling her marriage, Jo’s career is wobbling, and Amy has abandoned university without a plan, but the novel never treats their struggles as melodrama. Instead, it leans into the messy, familiar truth of adulthood: that growing up doesn’t happen on a schedule, and sometimes the people you love most are the ones who pull you back into old roles before you even realise it’s happening.
What makes the story shine is Louisa herself — funny, frustrated, hopeful, and quietly yearning for a life that feels like her own. Watching her navigate the push‑and‑pull of motherhood and independence is both relatable and unexpectedly moving. And as the girls settle back into the house, it becomes clear that Louisa isn’t the only one with lessons to offer. The daughters, in their imperfect, endearing way, have just as much to teach her about what it means to be an adult.
It’s a warm, charming read with a soft emotional undercurrent — a reminder that family life is rarely tidy, often exasperating, and sometimes exactly what we need.
With thanks to Daisy Buchanan, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC
There’s an easy elegance to the writing, the kind that lets humour and tenderness sit side by side. Meg is unravelling her marriage, Jo’s career is wobbling, and Amy has abandoned university without a plan, but the novel never treats their struggles as melodrama. Instead, it leans into the messy, familiar truth of adulthood: that growing up doesn’t happen on a schedule, and sometimes the people you love most are the ones who pull you back into old roles before you even realise it’s happening.
What makes the story shine is Louisa herself — funny, frustrated, hopeful, and quietly yearning for a life that feels like her own. Watching her navigate the push‑and‑pull of motherhood and independence is both relatable and unexpectedly moving. And as the girls settle back into the house, it becomes clear that Louisa isn’t the only one with lessons to offer. The daughters, in their imperfect, endearing way, have just as much to teach her about what it means to be an adult.
It’s a warm, charming read with a soft emotional undercurrent — a reminder that family life is rarely tidy, often exasperating, and sometimes exactly what we need.
With thanks to Daisy Buchanan, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC
December 1, 2025
I love love love everything about this book! Daisy Buchanan has taken a literary classic and completely made it her own with her witty and emotional update.
When I wasn’t reading it, I was thinking about it. I’m actually really sad that it’s finished and I have to go back to real life.
All Grown Up brings the Little Women sisters into the modern day. The girls have all left home and their harassed mum Louisa is looking forward to her first solo Christmas in 30 years. But oh no, who’s that knocking on the door? Not one, not two but three adult daughters are all moving back in with their physical and emotional baggage all around.
It’s like they’ve never gone away, the girls reverting back to their teenage selves and Louisa trying to resolve arguments and bickering that she thought she’d left behind. And Laurie is back too, fresh from New York to stay with his uncle Mr. Lawrence. He’s also brought a handsome colleague 🥰 to bring some extra romance into the mix.
The book is so funny, uplifting, a joyous celebration of families and sisterhood with a brilliant modern day revamp. I loved the sisters’ connection and loyalty mixed with their need to annoy and pester each other. It is such an easy read and I can’t wait for everyone else to read it too so we can squeal in excitement at just how good it is!
When I wasn’t reading it, I was thinking about it. I’m actually really sad that it’s finished and I have to go back to real life.
All Grown Up brings the Little Women sisters into the modern day. The girls have all left home and their harassed mum Louisa is looking forward to her first solo Christmas in 30 years. But oh no, who’s that knocking on the door? Not one, not two but three adult daughters are all moving back in with their physical and emotional baggage all around.
It’s like they’ve never gone away, the girls reverting back to their teenage selves and Louisa trying to resolve arguments and bickering that she thought she’d left behind. And Laurie is back too, fresh from New York to stay with his uncle Mr. Lawrence. He’s also brought a handsome colleague 🥰 to bring some extra romance into the mix.
The book is so funny, uplifting, a joyous celebration of families and sisterhood with a brilliant modern day revamp. I loved the sisters’ connection and loyalty mixed with their need to annoy and pester each other. It is such an easy read and I can’t wait for everyone else to read it too so we can squeal in excitement at just how good it is!
December 5, 2025
After thirty long years, Louisa’s daughters can finally look after themselves … or so she thinks.
Because suddenly, they’re back – apparently for good. Meg’s second-guessing her marriage. Jo’s career hangs in the balance. Amy has inexplicably quit university. None of them empty the dishwasher.
Louisa knows it’s time for some life lessons. She adores her girls, but if she’s ever going to get her (sex) life back, they’ll have to grow up – and go. But maybe they’re not the only ones with lessons to learn… And Louisa might just discover that her daughters have something to teach her about being an adult too.
A charming re-telling of Little Women set in the current day. The sisters' grief over losing Beth is really poignant but the way they slip back into their childhood selves is very funny. Their mother Louisa is looking forward to an empty house and some 'me time' when all three daughters land on her doorstep expecting her to be delighted to see them which leads to some highly amusing dialogue. The only fly in the literary ointment is Meg's character which irritated me beyond belief; I just wanted to slap her. Despite this (which is obviously my personal issue) it was a very enjoyable read.
My thanks to NetGalley and Random House UK, Cornerstone for an advance copy in return for an honest review.
Because suddenly, they’re back – apparently for good. Meg’s second-guessing her marriage. Jo’s career hangs in the balance. Amy has inexplicably quit university. None of them empty the dishwasher.
Louisa knows it’s time for some life lessons. She adores her girls, but if she’s ever going to get her (sex) life back, they’ll have to grow up – and go. But maybe they’re not the only ones with lessons to learn… And Louisa might just discover that her daughters have something to teach her about being an adult too.
A charming re-telling of Little Women set in the current day. The sisters' grief over losing Beth is really poignant but the way they slip back into their childhood selves is very funny. Their mother Louisa is looking forward to an empty house and some 'me time' when all three daughters land on her doorstep expecting her to be delighted to see them which leads to some highly amusing dialogue. The only fly in the literary ointment is Meg's character which irritated me beyond belief; I just wanted to slap her. Despite this (which is obviously my personal issue) it was a very enjoyable read.
My thanks to NetGalley and Random House UK, Cornerstone for an advance copy in return for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This book is an updated version of Little Women, with divorced Mum, Louisa, living on a suburban street, with Mr Lawrence and Laurie living across the road. One daughter, Beth, has died of cancer, but the other three have launched into their own lives - except at the beginning of the novel they all arrive back. Louisa is growing to enjoy her own space and does not enjoy her space being encroached - nor does she want to own up to her offspring that her ex-husband wants his share of the house, so she is going to have to sell their childhood home and the last home of Beth.
I loved the premise of this novel and the slightly humorous voice of the story. Initially some of the characters annoyed me (if I'm being honest), as they all seemed a bit spoiled and wet. However, as the novel went on, it became clear the unseen effects of Beth's death were still affecting them all to less or greater degrees. Different stresses in the girls lives also become clearer and I gained more empathy for the characters. As a result, by the time I reached the end I surprised myself by finding that I had really enjoyed the book and I was glad I had persevered.
I loved the premise of this novel and the slightly humorous voice of the story. Initially some of the characters annoyed me (if I'm being honest), as they all seemed a bit spoiled and wet. However, as the novel went on, it became clear the unseen effects of Beth's death were still affecting them all to less or greater degrees. Different stresses in the girls lives also become clearer and I gained more empathy for the characters. As a result, by the time I reached the end I surprised myself by finding that I had really enjoyed the book and I was glad I had persevered.
October 16, 2025
This felt like a modernised version of Little Women.
Louisa is looking forward to a solo Christmas, her first in 30 years. Her three girls all have their own families and their own plans so she can finally have that Christmas day she's been dreaming of. A luxurious soak in the bath, a bottle of wine and silence, doing whatever she wants to do without pleasing any others... until one by one, the girls arrive back 'home'.
With their relationship problems, family lives, and work drama, Louisa is back to just being Mum again.
Whilst it was an easy enough read, I couldn't honestly say that I really enjoyed it. I didn’t find a lot of the comedy particularly funny, and at times, it felt a bit of a slog to get through, but I definitely think that was more about me, not the book. Maybe I wasn't in the right mood 😕.
I really enjoyed just how perceptive the author was, and her writing style was sharp, poignant, and heartwarming.
Thanks to Netgalley and Random House UK, Cornerstone for the ARC.
Louisa is looking forward to a solo Christmas, her first in 30 years. Her three girls all have their own families and their own plans so she can finally have that Christmas day she's been dreaming of. A luxurious soak in the bath, a bottle of wine and silence, doing whatever she wants to do without pleasing any others... until one by one, the girls arrive back 'home'.
With their relationship problems, family lives, and work drama, Louisa is back to just being Mum again.
Whilst it was an easy enough read, I couldn't honestly say that I really enjoyed it. I didn’t find a lot of the comedy particularly funny, and at times, it felt a bit of a slog to get through, but I definitely think that was more about me, not the book. Maybe I wasn't in the right mood 😕.
I really enjoyed just how perceptive the author was, and her writing style was sharp, poignant, and heartwarming.
Thanks to Netgalley and Random House UK, Cornerstone for the ARC.
November 29, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley for letting me read this book.
The premise of the book based on the blurb makes you think that the story is going to be narrated by Louisa, the mother throughout. Based on the March family from Little Women living in Northern England in the modern day.
Initially I found the book entertaining, with narration of Louisa as an empty nester witty. However, when her three girls all return home the narrator kept changing. This plot device doesn’t usually bother me but I found that it did in this book. There was a strong start which then meandered for a significant amount of the middle section of the book.
Three quarters of the way through there was a shift in tone within the book that refit me engaged again. There is an emotional element with the family dealing with grief that made me cry.
This is why I’ve found this book confusing. It started strong, meandered with me really disliking most of the March girls and then in the final act hooked me back in again emotionally.
The premise of the book based on the blurb makes you think that the story is going to be narrated by Louisa, the mother throughout. Based on the March family from Little Women living in Northern England in the modern day.
Initially I found the book entertaining, with narration of Louisa as an empty nester witty. However, when her three girls all return home the narrator kept changing. This plot device doesn’t usually bother me but I found that it did in this book. There was a strong start which then meandered for a significant amount of the middle section of the book.
Three quarters of the way through there was a shift in tone within the book that refit me engaged again. There is an emotional element with the family dealing with grief that made me cry.
This is why I’ve found this book confusing. It started strong, meandered with me really disliking most of the March girls and then in the final act hooked me back in again emotionally.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
My absolute favourite - I adored this book! It read like one of Caroline Hulse's novels and it had just the right dosis of sad, weird, embarrassment and fun. Welcome to adulthood - but also with a bit of pinch of salt.
At first I though I was going to have problems with the three daughters but in the end I fell in love with all of them and I could totally understand where they were coming from. I also adored Louisa - she was simply great and her one - liners were one of the best.
There were so many feelings and emotions in the characters and they were all so wonderfully and convincingly and compellingly written. They were wise and smart and absolutely brilliant and the male characters were to die for without being too sugary. Writing style was just perfect, the pace was just right, there were moments that I wanted to bang the characters' head on the wall or to give them a hug and point them in the right direction - living vicariuosly through the characters, no?
It is this kind of book that you'd want to read again and again but for the first time - so good it is.
At first I though I was going to have problems with the three daughters but in the end I fell in love with all of them and I could totally understand where they were coming from. I also adored Louisa - she was simply great and her one - liners were one of the best.
There were so many feelings and emotions in the characters and they were all so wonderfully and convincingly and compellingly written. They were wise and smart and absolutely brilliant and the male characters were to die for without being too sugary. Writing style was just perfect, the pace was just right, there were moments that I wanted to bang the characters' head on the wall or to give them a hug and point them in the right direction - living vicariuosly through the characters, no?
It is this kind of book that you'd want to read again and again but for the first time - so good it is.
November 2, 2025
All Grown Up – Heartfelt, funny, and real
This book beautifully captures the chaos of adult kids returning home — and honestly, it made me want to go spend some time with my mum.
The story dives deep into mother–daughter relationships, and the character development is wonderfully written. Everyone feels so real, which made it easy to connect with each of them in different ways.
I also loved the way the family dynamics were portrayed. The tension, love, and unspoken understanding between the characters felt authentic and familiar. It shows how family can drive you absolutely mad one moment and make you feel completely supported the next — that perfect mix of frustration and affection that makes families so special.
The book also explores themes of grief and loss, but it never feels forced. Instead, those moments add depth to the characters and enrich the story as a whole.
I would definitely recommend reading this book.
This book beautifully captures the chaos of adult kids returning home — and honestly, it made me want to go spend some time with my mum.
The story dives deep into mother–daughter relationships, and the character development is wonderfully written. Everyone feels so real, which made it easy to connect with each of them in different ways.
I also loved the way the family dynamics were portrayed. The tension, love, and unspoken understanding between the characters felt authentic and familiar. It shows how family can drive you absolutely mad one moment and make you feel completely supported the next — that perfect mix of frustration and affection that makes families so special.
The book also explores themes of grief and loss, but it never feels forced. Instead, those moments add depth to the characters and enrich the story as a whole.
I would definitely recommend reading this book.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
All Grown Up is a lovely story about the relationships between mothers and daughters. I enjoyed the link with a well-loved classic novel, which was set in the United States during the nineteenth century. It was an interesting contrast how the author set All Grown Up in England during the twenty-first century. I found that any preconceived ideas I had about how the characters would behave were wrong. I was pleasantly surprised by the direction this book took as I thought it would mirror the original novel. I think All Grown Up could be enjoyed by a range of ages. Middle aged women will relate to the theme of their grown children struggling to make their way in the world and the conflicting feelings of wanting to support them, but also wanting them to be independent. Younger readers will relate to the issues facing women in their twenties. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy.
November 9, 2025
The synopsis of this book intrigued me. Having being a big fan of Little Women, and feeling like I was Jo March as a teenager, I decided this book would be right up my street and I was not disappointed.
I loved the book from the very 1st chapter, as a mum, whose birds havw all flown the nest, I absolutely related to Louisa (aka Marmie) 100%.
Told from differing POVs, te writing style inter-mingles the threads of each characters storyline.
The writing style flowed, there was humour, and sadness and celebrations.
This book haa you rooting for each character and their challenges.
When I finished the book, it left me wanting to know more about the characters, I didnt want the book to end.
Absolutely amazing.
Thank you to Netgalley for this eARC in exchange for an honest review.olut
I loved the book from the very 1st chapter, as a mum, whose birds havw all flown the nest, I absolutely related to Louisa (aka Marmie) 100%.
Told from differing POVs, te writing style inter-mingles the threads of each characters storyline.
The writing style flowed, there was humour, and sadness and celebrations.
This book haa you rooting for each character and their challenges.
When I finished the book, it left me wanting to know more about the characters, I didnt want the book to end.
Absolutely amazing.
Thank you to Netgalley for this eARC in exchange for an honest review.olut
November 12, 2025
I really enjoyed this book and love the way the author writes, reminding me of Marian Keyes. The family is named after the Little Women and the characters are well developed and believable. The male protagonists are also well rounded and make you want to root for them. The mum of the family was starting to develop an independent life for herself when all her adult daughters return home to live for varying reasons. She was however struggling with a mountain of debts and had been instructed to see the family home by her feckless etc husband. All the characters are trying to come to terms with the untimely death of one of the sisters which gives it extra meaning. I would definitely recommend reading this .
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Took a while but once I was in I was hooked!
To start with this novel's mirroring of little women felt clunky and a bit odd. I was unsure about the author taking on such gargantuan characters and taking them into a new space, time and story. I persevered and I am glad I did, like all relationships and all changes it took time to adjust but I fell in love with them and belonged in the story alongside them.
Hidden within the narrative were deep themes of love, loss, identity, belonging and family. I cried, I laughed I kept turning the metaphorical Kindle pages. I recognised characters, I got angry at injustice, and sad at society. I went all in!
Thank you for inviting me to take a new journey with the little women who are All Grown Up. [pre publication Netgalley copy for review]
To start with this novel's mirroring of little women felt clunky and a bit odd. I was unsure about the author taking on such gargantuan characters and taking them into a new space, time and story. I persevered and I am glad I did, like all relationships and all changes it took time to adjust but I fell in love with them and belonged in the story alongside them.
Hidden within the narrative were deep themes of love, loss, identity, belonging and family. I cried, I laughed I kept turning the metaphorical Kindle pages. I recognised characters, I got angry at injustice, and sad at society. I went all in!
Thank you for inviting me to take a new journey with the little women who are All Grown Up. [pre publication Netgalley copy for review]
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I enjoyed this light humorous read, with its nod to Little Women. Louise looks forward to some “me time’ on her first solitary birthday in years, as her daughters have all left home. However, one by one they all troop back with their emotional baggage, revert into their childhood roles and do nothing around the house!
As their stories unfold, they need the comfort of home to recalibrate their lives, after the loss of their sister. It is a story of getting waylaid on your path and finding support in family and community to set you back off on the right trajectory. If this were a movie, it would be a romantic comedy.
It is the perfect holiday read for summer 2026! Many thanks to Netgalley for the ARC.
As their stories unfold, they need the comfort of home to recalibrate their lives, after the loss of their sister. It is a story of getting waylaid on your path and finding support in family and community to set you back off on the right trajectory. If this were a movie, it would be a romantic comedy.
It is the perfect holiday read for summer 2026! Many thanks to Netgalley for the ARC.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I think my problem with this book was that it tried too hard. I have loved Little Women since I was a girl and was drawn to it for this reason. However the author, apart from borrowing the names of the characters in Alcott's book and paying lip service to Beth's death, Jo cutting her hair, etc, writes a totally different book. The characters of the daughters are horrible. Spoilt, adult teenagers. Louisa should have sent them all packing straight away. I did manage to finish the book and it did improve in the last quarter but unfortunately I don't think it succeeded in doing what the author intended. If I hadn't received it as an ARC I don't think I would have bought it.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read an advance copy. All opinions are my own.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read an advance copy. All opinions are my own.
October 2, 2025
Louisa is looking forward to having her life and home to herself again now her three daughters are adults and have all moved out. Yet here they are, all back and with grown-up problems- relationships, jobs, where there lives are going- and Louisa finds herself back in the thick of messy family life. This light and humourous account will strike a chord with many as the phenomenon of adult offspring moving back home becomes increasingly common. Warm and perceptive about mothers and daughters, and the worry and concern that doesn’t end for parents when childhood does, this is a pleasant but undemanding read loosely based on the classic “Little Women.”
December 6, 2025
Most mothers dread empty nest syndrome, but would they really be much happier to realise that their chicks have a ton of growing up left to do?!
Louisa discovers that the answer to that is far from simple when her daughters present with a series of existential questions related to marriage life, education, and careers. In otherwise, they are questioning pretty much everything!
What is she going to do now? And when does Louisa get to live her own life? This is a delightful, warm, big hearted story that earns 3.5 stars with ease.
I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
Louisa discovers that the answer to that is far from simple when her daughters present with a series of existential questions related to marriage life, education, and careers. In otherwise, they are questioning pretty much everything!
What is she going to do now? And when does Louisa get to live her own life? This is a delightful, warm, big hearted story that earns 3.5 stars with ease.
I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
Want to Read
March 21, 2026I couldn't finish this book.
There are quite a few characters and multiple POVs but I didn't like ANY of them. This may be because I am not in the right demographic for this book (30s, child free).
Louisa was the best character of them all. She's raised her kids and wants some peace and quiet. Her family don't get the memo.
I found all of the daughters to be incredibly annoying and their behaviour towards their mother is so immature and rude.
Aunt Barb is the comic relief and supports Louisa as much as she can so gets second best character from me but I also found her to be very irritating.
It was a DNF from me
There are quite a few characters and multiple POVs but I didn't like ANY of them. This may be because I am not in the right demographic for this book (30s, child free).
Louisa was the best character of them all. She's raised her kids and wants some peace and quiet. Her family don't get the memo.
I found all of the daughters to be incredibly annoying and their behaviour towards their mother is so immature and rude.
Aunt Barb is the comic relief and supports Louisa as much as she can so gets second best character from me but I also found her to be very irritating.
It was a DNF from me
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This was an interesting read.
I really struggled for most of the book to sympathise with the characters, they're kind of all the worst??? I enjoyed the nods to the original Little Women, and the deviations from it were fun little twists, but overall it fell a little short of my lofty expectations for the premise. I love the original material and think maybe I was a bit too close to it to enjoy this lighthearted retelling as much as it deserves.
The humour was fun, and I enjoyed the writing style. Not a difficult or painful read, but not a favourite of mine.
Thanks so much to NetGalley, the publishing teams, Daisy, and of course, Queen LMA for this ARC!
I really struggled for most of the book to sympathise with the characters, they're kind of all the worst??? I enjoyed the nods to the original Little Women, and the deviations from it were fun little twists, but overall it fell a little short of my lofty expectations for the premise. I love the original material and think maybe I was a bit too close to it to enjoy this lighthearted retelling as much as it deserves.
The humour was fun, and I enjoyed the writing style. Not a difficult or painful read, but not a favourite of mine.
Thanks so much to NetGalley, the publishing teams, Daisy, and of course, Queen LMA for this ARC!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
What happens when your three grown up daughters return home. Expecting to be alone over the Christmas period and looking forward to the solitude before the girls all unexpectedly descend.
All four family members are still grieving over the death of Beth, the second youngest sister. Dealing with their own life issues and expecting mum to solve them.
Forced into selling the family home by the absent father who abandoned the family years ago and moved to the other side of the world.
Banding together, reverting back to childhood and finally finding resolution and growing up.
A book that resonate on so many levels and ultimately inspire that nothing lasts forever even hard times
All four family members are still grieving over the death of Beth, the second youngest sister. Dealing with their own life issues and expecting mum to solve them.
Forced into selling the family home by the absent father who abandoned the family years ago and moved to the other side of the world.
Banding together, reverting back to childhood and finally finding resolution and growing up.
A book that resonate on so many levels and ultimately inspire that nothing lasts forever even hard times
November 24, 2025
Louisa March is a single parent living in Manchester with three grown up daughters Meg, Jo and Amy, and a daughter Beth who died.
Her elderly neighbour Mr Lawrence has a grandson Laurie, who has been living in America.
If this sounds familiar, it should – it’s a jolly, emotional, loving story of what could have happened next if the March girls were actually English, and it was the present day.
Lovely life-affirming story!
Thanks to Netgalley and Random House, UK, Cornerstone for the opportunity to read this book.
Her elderly neighbour Mr Lawrence has a grandson Laurie, who has been living in America.
If this sounds familiar, it should – it’s a jolly, emotional, loving story of what could have happened next if the March girls were actually English, and it was the present day.
Lovely life-affirming story!
Thanks to Netgalley and Random House, UK, Cornerstone for the opportunity to read this book.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
A very modern twist on little woman. Daisy did a brilliant job of bringing the characters to live in the here and now. I fell in love with all the characters who were each so different from each other. I felt for mum who was looking forward to her first Christmas to indulge herself till the ponding on the door of daughter number one only to be joined by the other two. I was there rooting for the families at times. Put this in your suitcase for holidays or indulge one evening you won’t be disappointed. Daisy’s books just get better and better
April 10, 2026
3.5 ⭐️
This was an interesting modern British take on the Little Women, while Meg, Jo and Amy have their own chapters throughout the main point of view is from their mother, Louisa’s perspective.
There was one point of view that I didn’t really gel with most of the time, but overall this was a good read with plenty of humour and I enjoyed the writing style, there were just parts of it that felt a bit of slog to get through but overall an enjoyable read.
Thank you to Netgalley for the advanced reader copy of this book. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
This was an interesting modern British take on the Little Women, while Meg, Jo and Amy have their own chapters throughout the main point of view is from their mother, Louisa’s perspective.
There was one point of view that I didn’t really gel with most of the time, but overall this was a good read with plenty of humour and I enjoyed the writing style, there were just parts of it that felt a bit of slog to get through but overall an enjoyable read.
Thank you to Netgalley for the advanced reader copy of this book. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
April 21, 2026
This is the second book I've read by Daisy Buchanan, and I really enjoyed it!
It's a modern-day loose retelling of Little Women, which is set in Manchester and told through the first-person viewpoints of Louisa (the mother), Meg, Jo and Amy. Louisa is looking forward to an empty nest, but is stymied by the unexpected arrivals of Meg (just found out she's pregnant, and sick of her husband), Jo (escaping a toxic relationship in London) and Amy (dropped out of university). The next year of their lives sees all four characters experience highs and lows, a lot of which are linked to their neighbours Mr Lawrence and his grandson Laurie, along with Laurie's business partner Mark.
I enjoyed being in the heads of all four women - I was left wanting more of all of their escapades, which is the sign of an excellent book! I revelled in being in the world of Little Women and ate this book up in a day. Highly recommended.
I received an e-ARC of this book - thanks to NetGalley and to Cornerstone for providing this.
It's a modern-day loose retelling of Little Women, which is set in Manchester and told through the first-person viewpoints of Louisa (the mother), Meg, Jo and Amy. Louisa is looking forward to an empty nest, but is stymied by the unexpected arrivals of Meg (just found out she's pregnant, and sick of her husband), Jo (escaping a toxic relationship in London) and Amy (dropped out of university). The next year of their lives sees all four characters experience highs and lows, a lot of which are linked to their neighbours Mr Lawrence and his grandson Laurie, along with Laurie's business partner Mark.
I enjoyed being in the heads of all four women - I was left wanting more of all of their escapades, which is the sign of an excellent book! I revelled in being in the world of Little Women and ate this book up in a day. Highly recommended.
I received an e-ARC of this book - thanks to NetGalley and to Cornerstone for providing this.
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