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45 Things To Do Before You're 45
Uproariously funny and deeply human, 45 Things … is an all-too relatable story of what it means to be alive and how much living we all still have to do.
Meet Charlie; unfulfilled and perimenopausal, Charlie’s suburban life is a far cry from the Manhattan glamour she once dreamed of. Her husband is incapable of talking about anything other than his latest Ironman challenge, her sex life consists of fictional encounters with Hollywood stars, her kids need constant management, and to make things worse, her optician has just prescribed her reading glasses. Oh, and she can’t stop crying at TV adverts…
In the hope of re-discovering her sense of self, Charlie begins writing a 45 things to do before she’s 45. Eat an oyster, Take up parkour, Read War and Peace, Take ecstasy, Try stand-up comedy, Go to a sex club.
Determined to complete them all, Charlie embarks on a chaotic odyssey through her own spectacular midlife crisis, challenging herself to become the person she wants to be. But what happens if we’re not that person? How do we learn to let them go? Or does something else have to give?
Meet Charlie; unfulfilled and perimenopausal, Charlie’s suburban life is a far cry from the Manhattan glamour she once dreamed of. Her husband is incapable of talking about anything other than his latest Ironman challenge, her sex life consists of fictional encounters with Hollywood stars, her kids need constant management, and to make things worse, her optician has just prescribed her reading glasses. Oh, and she can’t stop crying at TV adverts…
In the hope of re-discovering her sense of self, Charlie begins writing a 45 things to do before she’s 45. Eat an oyster, Take up parkour, Read War and Peace, Take ecstasy, Try stand-up comedy, Go to a sex club.
Determined to complete them all, Charlie embarks on a chaotic odyssey through her own spectacular midlife crisis, challenging herself to become the person she wants to be. But what happens if we’re not that person? How do we learn to let them go? Or does something else have to give?
335 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 26, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
March 26, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC
Charlie is 44 and having a full existential meltdown. Instead of therapy or doing literally anything, she makes a list. 45 things to do before turning 45. Because obviously what could go wrong when you try to fix your entire life via bullet points??
Answer: everything.
This book is basically one long “girl, no” moment. But also occasionally “girl, yes. I get it.”
Charlie's messy. Not cute or quirky messy. She wakes up every morning and chooses chaos. Just fully making decisions that had me staring off into the distance like please stop.
This woman has no self awareness. My second hand embarrassment was maxed out.
But there were moments where I felt personally attacked by how real it all was. Like that "how did I end up here??" feeling, the identity crisis, the panic about time passing and being totally powerless to stop it. Weirdly heavy stuff wrapped up in chaos like some demon sushi roll.
The list concept is genuinely fun, and I liked the structure of ticking things off (or aggressively failing to) because it keeps things moving even if Charlie herself tends to stagnate a fair bit. She's always doing something and keeping the plot moving, even if she really, really shouldn't be doing those things.
My main issue is Charlie. She is EXHAUSTING. I know she’s meant to be flawed, but at times I was less emotionally invested and more “please give this woman a supportive friend and a reality check.” This is a character who requires a lot of patience. The character development does show up eventually, but it takes its sweet time getting there and I’m not 100% convinced it sticks the landing.
I also really struggled with the family scenes. They felt like an absolute slog to get through. I understand that’s intentional, that we’re meant to feel as overwhelmed and frazzled as Charlie, constantly pulled in every direction with zero breathing room, but it didn’t quite land for me. Instead of feeling immersed, I just found myself increasingly put off; the noise, the demands, the lack of space all became a bit too much without enough balance. I have to know - how big is her house supposed to be? How many people are living there?? Honestly, it felt like every page there was someone else living rent free in Charlie's house and it was so hard to keep track of everyone. I get what the author was going for and I respect that they caused those feelings, but those sections made it harder to stay engaged rather than pulling me deeper into Charlie’s experience.
Still, I can’t say I was bored. I was many things, but never bored. Frustrated. Invested. Stressed. Embarrassed. Take your pick.
Charlie is 44 and having a full existential meltdown. Instead of therapy or doing literally anything, she makes a list. 45 things to do before turning 45. Because obviously what could go wrong when you try to fix your entire life via bullet points??
Answer: everything.
This book is basically one long “girl, no” moment. But also occasionally “girl, yes. I get it.”
Charlie's messy. Not cute or quirky messy. She wakes up every morning and chooses chaos. Just fully making decisions that had me staring off into the distance like please stop.
This woman has no self awareness. My second hand embarrassment was maxed out.
But there were moments where I felt personally attacked by how real it all was. Like that "how did I end up here??" feeling, the identity crisis, the panic about time passing and being totally powerless to stop it. Weirdly heavy stuff wrapped up in chaos like some demon sushi roll.
The list concept is genuinely fun, and I liked the structure of ticking things off (or aggressively failing to) because it keeps things moving even if Charlie herself tends to stagnate a fair bit. She's always doing something and keeping the plot moving, even if she really, really shouldn't be doing those things.
My main issue is Charlie. She is EXHAUSTING. I know she’s meant to be flawed, but at times I was less emotionally invested and more “please give this woman a supportive friend and a reality check.” This is a character who requires a lot of patience. The character development does show up eventually, but it takes its sweet time getting there and I’m not 100% convinced it sticks the landing.
I also really struggled with the family scenes. They felt like an absolute slog to get through. I understand that’s intentional, that we’re meant to feel as overwhelmed and frazzled as Charlie, constantly pulled in every direction with zero breathing room, but it didn’t quite land for me. Instead of feeling immersed, I just found myself increasingly put off; the noise, the demands, the lack of space all became a bit too much without enough balance. I have to know - how big is her house supposed to be? How many people are living there?? Honestly, it felt like every page there was someone else living rent free in Charlie's house and it was so hard to keep track of everyone. I get what the author was going for and I respect that they caused those feelings, but those sections made it harder to stay engaged rather than pulling me deeper into Charlie’s experience.
Still, I can’t say I was bored. I was many things, but never bored. Frustrated. Invested. Stressed. Embarrassed. Take your pick.
March 27, 2026
Thank you Fox & Ink Books and NetGalley for this ARC.
I was really looking forward to this one—I expected something a bit lighter, with a touch of humour around perimenopause and finding yourself again in midlife.
Charlie is 44, feeling stuck in her life as a housewife and mother, and decides to create a list of 45 things to do before she turns 45. What starts as a fun and promising concept slowly shifts into something far more chaotic—and at times, unexpectedly dark.
Unfortunately, Charlie was a difficult character to connect with. Her excessive drinking, along with the way she jeopardises her friendships, work experience, and marriage, made her come across as selfish and self-absorbed. It was hard to root for her, even when you could see glimpses of what she was going through beneath the surface.
That said, I did keep reading, hoping for growth and some kind of turning point—and while the ending was somewhat satisfying, it didn’t quite deliver the emotional payoff I was hoping for.
It’s clear the author set out to explore the reality of perimenopause—the isolation, hormonal shifts, and emotional turbulence—and that element could have been incredibly powerful. For me, it just didn’t fully land because I struggled so much with the main character.
Overall, an interesting concept with an important message, but a 3-star read for me.
I was really looking forward to this one—I expected something a bit lighter, with a touch of humour around perimenopause and finding yourself again in midlife.
Charlie is 44, feeling stuck in her life as a housewife and mother, and decides to create a list of 45 things to do before she turns 45. What starts as a fun and promising concept slowly shifts into something far more chaotic—and at times, unexpectedly dark.
Unfortunately, Charlie was a difficult character to connect with. Her excessive drinking, along with the way she jeopardises her friendships, work experience, and marriage, made her come across as selfish and self-absorbed. It was hard to root for her, even when you could see glimpses of what she was going through beneath the surface.
That said, I did keep reading, hoping for growth and some kind of turning point—and while the ending was somewhat satisfying, it didn’t quite deliver the emotional payoff I was hoping for.
It’s clear the author set out to explore the reality of perimenopause—the isolation, hormonal shifts, and emotional turbulence—and that element could have been incredibly powerful. For me, it just didn’t fully land because I struggled so much with the main character.
Overall, an interesting concept with an important message, but a 3-star read for me.
February 22, 2026
Well, as midlife crises go, this one of Charlie's is an absolute doozy. Freshly turned 44, and in denial about any possibility of entering peri-menopause, Charlie decides that this next year is one in which she will reassess her life, take time out to do all of the things that she has most wanted to do, life changing things like climbing Everest, eating oysters, dating George Clooney ... You know, the usual. But in thinking about all of the things she would like to do next, she also starts to find fault in all of the things she has already, including her family. Making a list of 45 things she would like to do before her next birthday, Charlie embarks on a journey of discovery. Whether she, or anyone else in her life, will like what she finds ... well that is what remains to be seen.
Now this is a book that will likely appeal to 'women of a certain age' and by that, I mean any woman who has ever sat back and wondered just what the heck they are doing with their lives. Much of what Charlie determines she would like to do is actually pretty reasonable, and in that Julia Tuffs really has captured the mental machinations of millions of women across the globe. Where Charlie differs from most is that her quest for self fulfilment turns decidedly self destructive, and whilst some of it leads to moments of great humour, the kind of alcohol fuelled embarrassment that friends love reminding you of for years to come, some of it has a decidely darker slant, and this balance of light and shade is perhaps the books real pull.
Don;t get me wrong. Charlie is not a particularly likeable character for pretty well most of the book. There is something a little ironic in her desire to write a best selling book in which she acknowledges that people won't read a book where the protagonist is unlikeable. For most of this book Charlie finds herself in situations that would make most people, her best friends included, just want to slap her. She has a lot of good in her life, but, whilst some of her needs are not unreasonable, some of what she seeks is just self indulgent and makes her often far more objectionable than relatable.
But, strangely, this is exactly what does make her situation really relatable, as anyone who has been through the disrupted sleep, overactive hormones, anxiety, manic behaviour and fear of the hormonal changes of perimenopause will know well. Charlie is who she is exactly because she ignores and denies her position, and I like how Julia Tuffs draws attention to this. Highlights the many ways in which 'the change' really does impact some women more than others, and how those changes can really be disruptive to life and relationships. Don't get me wrong, Charlie is a bit of a knob at times, and we all know it's never really possible to recapture your youth, no matter how hard you try. But what she is going through is real and, whilst you may not always have sympathy for Charlie's plight, particularly the way in which she regularly lets down her best friends Emily and Cath, new larger than life School-gate Mum friend, Dorit, and her long suffering family, the book really does draw attention to the perils of hormonal changes in women. Kind of our equivalent of the male teenage puberty years, only we can't hide away in our bedrooms and ignore society whilst in a sulky mood.
This is a book rich in humour, but which will also make you think. At times strangely poignant, an really taking an honest look at the impact of menopause, I read through this in one day. You won't always like Charlie, and if you have come here looking for a kind of Sex and the City, women living loud and proud fun time story, this will and won't answer that craving. Visits to sex clubs, noodle obsessions and embarrassing bodily moments aside, there is a serious side ot this story, a kind of reminder to women that the need to be kind to ourselves in those terrible years is paramount and it's never too late to ask for help. Thought provoking as much as laughter inducing, I still rather enjoyed this.
Now this is a book that will likely appeal to 'women of a certain age' and by that, I mean any woman who has ever sat back and wondered just what the heck they are doing with their lives. Much of what Charlie determines she would like to do is actually pretty reasonable, and in that Julia Tuffs really has captured the mental machinations of millions of women across the globe. Where Charlie differs from most is that her quest for self fulfilment turns decidedly self destructive, and whilst some of it leads to moments of great humour, the kind of alcohol fuelled embarrassment that friends love reminding you of for years to come, some of it has a decidely darker slant, and this balance of light and shade is perhaps the books real pull.
Don;t get me wrong. Charlie is not a particularly likeable character for pretty well most of the book. There is something a little ironic in her desire to write a best selling book in which she acknowledges that people won't read a book where the protagonist is unlikeable. For most of this book Charlie finds herself in situations that would make most people, her best friends included, just want to slap her. She has a lot of good in her life, but, whilst some of her needs are not unreasonable, some of what she seeks is just self indulgent and makes her often far more objectionable than relatable.
But, strangely, this is exactly what does make her situation really relatable, as anyone who has been through the disrupted sleep, overactive hormones, anxiety, manic behaviour and fear of the hormonal changes of perimenopause will know well. Charlie is who she is exactly because she ignores and denies her position, and I like how Julia Tuffs draws attention to this. Highlights the many ways in which 'the change' really does impact some women more than others, and how those changes can really be disruptive to life and relationships. Don't get me wrong, Charlie is a bit of a knob at times, and we all know it's never really possible to recapture your youth, no matter how hard you try. But what she is going through is real and, whilst you may not always have sympathy for Charlie's plight, particularly the way in which she regularly lets down her best friends Emily and Cath, new larger than life School-gate Mum friend, Dorit, and her long suffering family, the book really does draw attention to the perils of hormonal changes in women. Kind of our equivalent of the male teenage puberty years, only we can't hide away in our bedrooms and ignore society whilst in a sulky mood.
This is a book rich in humour, but which will also make you think. At times strangely poignant, an really taking an honest look at the impact of menopause, I read through this in one day. You won't always like Charlie, and if you have come here looking for a kind of Sex and the City, women living loud and proud fun time story, this will and won't answer that craving. Visits to sex clubs, noodle obsessions and embarrassing bodily moments aside, there is a serious side ot this story, a kind of reminder to women that the need to be kind to ourselves in those terrible years is paramount and it's never too late to ask for help. Thought provoking as much as laughter inducing, I still rather enjoyed this.
April 23, 2026
There are two tribes in this world – those who can’t get enough of Reality TV shows and those who can’t abide them. In fairness, it behoves me to state that I am a member of the latter tribe.
Charlie,, the 40-something erstwhile protagonist of Julia Tuffs’ debut adult novel, is in denial about going through the perimenopause. Married, with three children and a cat, addicted to The Real Housewives,, and with a thing for George Clooney, her life is spiralling inexorably towards destruction as she struggles to come to terms with the changes in her body and the realisation that the life she is living is not the life she wants. Her solution is to devise a list of 45 Things To Do Before You’re 45 – a list in which having sex with George Clooney features prominently.
So far, so good. But, this is designed to be a humorous book – one which makes the reader smile, if not laugh out loud. Writing a funny book is hard, much more difficult than writing a thriller or romance. Few authors manage to write genuinely funny books successfully and sadly Julia Tuffs is not among them.
Charlie dominates the page, with the other characters appearing and disappearing from the narrative like small moons orbiting a giant planet. She attempts to resume her former career in TV, becoming a Back to Work Intern at Red Raw – a TV production company responsible for the After Hours show. This doesn’t go well, as Charlie ups her wine intake, is constantly late for work and fails to ensure that a woman she has found to orgasm live on TV doesn’t change her mind and pull out at the last second. To complete the debacle, Charlie also fails to have a back up in place and the whole segment is cancelled.
As disaster follows disaster, Charlie becomes a near alcoholic and alienates those around her as she becomes ever more self-centred and self-absorbed, focusing on her list and the book she is writing. Her husband leaves and she accidentally sets fire to her own kitchen, which sees the children leave to live with their father. The family cat dies and the cremated remains put in a plastic bag. An attempted get away from it all break in Cornwall with her closest girlfriends ends in disaster with Charlie oblivious to the pain her friend Cath is suffering from the deterioration of her mother’s health. Two of her oldest friends leave mid-break.
The nadir of Charlie’s self-destruction culminates in a visit to a private members’ sex club in Cobham. As always with Charlie, things do not go well, and she suffers s breakdown after being the non-participating filling between two couples having sex either side of her.
Eventually, Charlie comes out the other side of her personal hell, supported by her girlfriends and the HRT supplied by a female doctor who takes her perimenopause seriously. Charlie finishes writing her book and completes most, but not all of the 45 Things To Do Before You’re 45 – she never does get to sleep with George Clooney.
Perhaps the most apposite comment on this book comes from Charlie herself: ‘Can’t have an unlikeable woman – no one will read the book.’ Charlie is not a likeable woman.
There is no lack of material to mine for comedy, but unfortunately the result is far more cringe than comic. Humour is of course highly subjective. It is entirely possible that Reality TV fans will be beside themselves with mirth, but this Reality TV avoider was not amused.
Charlie,, the 40-something erstwhile protagonist of Julia Tuffs’ debut adult novel, is in denial about going through the perimenopause. Married, with three children and a cat, addicted to The Real Housewives,, and with a thing for George Clooney, her life is spiralling inexorably towards destruction as she struggles to come to terms with the changes in her body and the realisation that the life she is living is not the life she wants. Her solution is to devise a list of 45 Things To Do Before You’re 45 – a list in which having sex with George Clooney features prominently.
So far, so good. But, this is designed to be a humorous book – one which makes the reader smile, if not laugh out loud. Writing a funny book is hard, much more difficult than writing a thriller or romance. Few authors manage to write genuinely funny books successfully and sadly Julia Tuffs is not among them.
Charlie dominates the page, with the other characters appearing and disappearing from the narrative like small moons orbiting a giant planet. She attempts to resume her former career in TV, becoming a Back to Work Intern at Red Raw – a TV production company responsible for the After Hours show. This doesn’t go well, as Charlie ups her wine intake, is constantly late for work and fails to ensure that a woman she has found to orgasm live on TV doesn’t change her mind and pull out at the last second. To complete the debacle, Charlie also fails to have a back up in place and the whole segment is cancelled.
As disaster follows disaster, Charlie becomes a near alcoholic and alienates those around her as she becomes ever more self-centred and self-absorbed, focusing on her list and the book she is writing. Her husband leaves and she accidentally sets fire to her own kitchen, which sees the children leave to live with their father. The family cat dies and the cremated remains put in a plastic bag. An attempted get away from it all break in Cornwall with her closest girlfriends ends in disaster with Charlie oblivious to the pain her friend Cath is suffering from the deterioration of her mother’s health. Two of her oldest friends leave mid-break.
The nadir of Charlie’s self-destruction culminates in a visit to a private members’ sex club in Cobham. As always with Charlie, things do not go well, and she suffers s breakdown after being the non-participating filling between two couples having sex either side of her.
Eventually, Charlie comes out the other side of her personal hell, supported by her girlfriends and the HRT supplied by a female doctor who takes her perimenopause seriously. Charlie finishes writing her book and completes most, but not all of the 45 Things To Do Before You’re 45 – she never does get to sleep with George Clooney.
Perhaps the most apposite comment on this book comes from Charlie herself: ‘Can’t have an unlikeable woman – no one will read the book.’ Charlie is not a likeable woman.
There is no lack of material to mine for comedy, but unfortunately the result is far more cringe than comic. Humour is of course highly subjective. It is entirely possible that Reality TV fans will be beside themselves with mirth, but this Reality TV avoider was not amused.
May 7, 2026
When the book opens, Charlie is 44 and unhappy. She and her husband are drifting apart, her kids are demanding of her time and her dreams of living a life of glamour seem a million miles away. She decides something has to be done and starts creating a list of 45 things to achieve before she is 45. Whilst some of these are unattainable, most could be done with a little application. And so begins a chaotic year in which she attempts to work her way through the list and “sort herself out”.
The book is written in a jaunty style which makes it both easy and fast to read. In places it is quite entertaining. Charlie is on a journey, and we meet her at the bottom of a menopausal and middle-aged dip from which she is trying to escape. Many of the things she is feeling and experiencing are probably common to many other women of a similar age and there are some poignant and perceptive observations.
However (and I’m afraid this section is going to be longer than the list of positives), in my view the book is not without its faults.
The biggest problem is that I didn’t particularly like Charlie and, as a result, really didn’t care what happened to her. Her behaviour is consistently tedious and dull and I don’t understand why the author would think that I, or anyone else, would want to devote over 400 pages of their reading life to finding out about it. Whilst I appreciate that Charlie is on a journey that many women have to negotiate, the monotony and repetitiveness of Charlie’s actions made it a journey that I had no desire to share. It becomes very obvious, very soon, that Charlie does not really want to sort her life out as it just might possibly involve taking responsibility for her behaviour and making changes to her lifestyle. Rather, she wants external influences like ticking things off her list, to act like a magic wand and do it for her while she just carries on drinking excessively and spiralling downhill. That’s a very unrealistic view of the way life works and even her two close friends become exasperated with her as a result.
Secondly, whilst I don’t object to a carefree writing style, there is a fine line between it tipping over into an unacceptable level of jauntiness and I think this book crossed that line.
Finally, I had a big problem with the way the author used sex to lure readers in – it was a gimmick which had the opposite effect on me and, to be honest I nearly didn’t get past page one. The book started with a fairly mild, but nonetheless graphic sex scene. A good author will usually give a snapshot of what is to come during the opening pages of the book and this was definitely not what I had signed up for. Somewhat reluctantly I decided to persevere for a few pages and it would seem that the opening gambit was just a cheap gimmick to draw in the author’s preferred readership. Not a tactic that impressed me in the slightest. To be honest there is quite a lot of sexual content in the rest of the book because Charlie seems to be obsessed by it (even her friends are concerned when they read her “list” and realise that it contains a disproportionate number of entries that involve sexual activities) but the rest of it just seems dull and boring as opposed to the opening paragraphs which were, in my view, a misplaced attempt to entice readers to read more.
I don’t think I would choose to read another book by this author, but these things are very personal. I suspect a lot of people would really enjoy the book as it certainly has some redeeming features and could be an easy and enjoyable holiday read.
The book is written in a jaunty style which makes it both easy and fast to read. In places it is quite entertaining. Charlie is on a journey, and we meet her at the bottom of a menopausal and middle-aged dip from which she is trying to escape. Many of the things she is feeling and experiencing are probably common to many other women of a similar age and there are some poignant and perceptive observations.
However (and I’m afraid this section is going to be longer than the list of positives), in my view the book is not without its faults.
The biggest problem is that I didn’t particularly like Charlie and, as a result, really didn’t care what happened to her. Her behaviour is consistently tedious and dull and I don’t understand why the author would think that I, or anyone else, would want to devote over 400 pages of their reading life to finding out about it. Whilst I appreciate that Charlie is on a journey that many women have to negotiate, the monotony and repetitiveness of Charlie’s actions made it a journey that I had no desire to share. It becomes very obvious, very soon, that Charlie does not really want to sort her life out as it just might possibly involve taking responsibility for her behaviour and making changes to her lifestyle. Rather, she wants external influences like ticking things off her list, to act like a magic wand and do it for her while she just carries on drinking excessively and spiralling downhill. That’s a very unrealistic view of the way life works and even her two close friends become exasperated with her as a result.
Secondly, whilst I don’t object to a carefree writing style, there is a fine line between it tipping over into an unacceptable level of jauntiness and I think this book crossed that line.
Finally, I had a big problem with the way the author used sex to lure readers in – it was a gimmick which had the opposite effect on me and, to be honest I nearly didn’t get past page one. The book started with a fairly mild, but nonetheless graphic sex scene. A good author will usually give a snapshot of what is to come during the opening pages of the book and this was definitely not what I had signed up for. Somewhat reluctantly I decided to persevere for a few pages and it would seem that the opening gambit was just a cheap gimmick to draw in the author’s preferred readership. Not a tactic that impressed me in the slightest. To be honest there is quite a lot of sexual content in the rest of the book because Charlie seems to be obsessed by it (even her friends are concerned when they read her “list” and realise that it contains a disproportionate number of entries that involve sexual activities) but the rest of it just seems dull and boring as opposed to the opening paragraphs which were, in my view, a misplaced attempt to entice readers to read more.
I don’t think I would choose to read another book by this author, but these things are very personal. I suspect a lot of people would really enjoy the book as it certainly has some redeeming features and could be an easy and enjoyable holiday read.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The main character of the book is Charlie. Charlie is a perimenopausal Mum of two and a wife to her husband Dan who is totally consumed by his Ironman training but Charlie is also exhausted and overwhelmed by the demands of life. She is always looking after her family but feels she never has time for what she wants and she has lost who she really is. Approaching her birthday, now is the time where she wants to make a change!
Charlie wants to find herself again, to be more than the roles of wife and mum, which she loves, but she wants to feel like her true self once more.
When Charlie finally admits she needed more than just surviving, she writes a list: 45 things to do before she turns 45. The list is full of everything you could imagine, and some which may surprise you! We then follow Charlie ticking off as many as possible and trying to be the different person she wants to be. For Charlie, this is a reboot.
It is a very funny book but so many readers in their forties and other ages will relate. Turning 40 or any big milestone for many makes you look at your life, what you have achieved and what you want to achieve. I have seen so many wish lists online, but this story captures what really happens when someone decides to follow theirs for real.
You may already have your own wish list or if you want to start your own list, this will definitely give you some ideas! Some you may definitely want to give a miss! Some of the scenes in the book were very chaotic! But this book will make you smile, make you laugh and most of all you will root for Charlie!
This is a book about reaching midlife and all the physical and emotional feelings that come with it, whether you are ready for them or not. But it also a book about hope, about finding yourself and being on the right path. It is a time to find out what is right for you, to be who you want to be and be where you want to be. New doors may be waiting for you just round the corner, giving you the chance to be your true self.
I definitely think after you have read this book, you may well write your own list! It is never too late to make changes to your life.
Thank you very much to Fox & Ink Books for my advanced copy. This review is based on a proof copy provided in exchange for an honest and unbiased opinion.
Charlie wants to find herself again, to be more than the roles of wife and mum, which she loves, but she wants to feel like her true self once more.
When Charlie finally admits she needed more than just surviving, she writes a list: 45 things to do before she turns 45. The list is full of everything you could imagine, and some which may surprise you! We then follow Charlie ticking off as many as possible and trying to be the different person she wants to be. For Charlie, this is a reboot.
It is a very funny book but so many readers in their forties and other ages will relate. Turning 40 or any big milestone for many makes you look at your life, what you have achieved and what you want to achieve. I have seen so many wish lists online, but this story captures what really happens when someone decides to follow theirs for real.
You may already have your own wish list or if you want to start your own list, this will definitely give you some ideas! Some you may definitely want to give a miss! Some of the scenes in the book were very chaotic! But this book will make you smile, make you laugh and most of all you will root for Charlie!
This is a book about reaching midlife and all the physical and emotional feelings that come with it, whether you are ready for them or not. But it also a book about hope, about finding yourself and being on the right path. It is a time to find out what is right for you, to be who you want to be and be where you want to be. New doors may be waiting for you just round the corner, giving you the chance to be your true self.
I definitely think after you have read this book, you may well write your own list! It is never too late to make changes to your life.
Thank you very much to Fox & Ink Books for my advanced copy. This review is based on a proof copy provided in exchange for an honest and unbiased opinion.
May 19, 2026
I’ve never been someone who comes up with New Year’s resolutions or write lists of things to do before I reach a certain age etc., but being fairly close to the age of the characters in this book I was curious to see whether I might actually relate to them and to the idea behind the book. As I read the book though, I did really want to like Charlie, but I just found myself frustrated and embarrassed by her, I even disliked her intensely at points though eventually she kind of redeemed herself just a little at the end. Even if, asides from the question over what would happen long term in her relationship with husband James, everything else in the ending felt a little too neat and nicely wrapped up.
The book was written to be humorous, but whilst there were fleeting moments that did make me smile, I’m afraid most of it didn’t. Whilst I may not have found it as funny as I thought I might there were though brief points of, ‘ahh yes I understand that’, particularly when she reflects on life as a twenty something versus her life now and that desire to recapture some of that youth again. The moments of reflection towards the end of the book, particularly when she is talking with her daughter whilst on the visit to Leeds university, when she thinks about those crossroads in life are something we will have done at some point. Asides from that though I unfortunately found the book fairly unrelatable.
I did want to like and enjoy the book. Whilst it probably wouldn’t be something I would automatically have picked up; perimenopause and menopause are important subjects that should be written about and the author does highlight some of the realities of this but not being that invested in Charlie etc. somehow made it harder to care. Did it ultimately make me want to go and write a list of my own? Or recommend this book to my friends of a similar age? I’m afraid no it didn’t. I am sure there are plenty of readers who will enjoy this book, maybe be inspired to create their (perhaps less chaotic) own list but I think the best I could recommend it for would be an easy beach holiday read.
The book was written to be humorous, but whilst there were fleeting moments that did make me smile, I’m afraid most of it didn’t. Whilst I may not have found it as funny as I thought I might there were though brief points of, ‘ahh yes I understand that’, particularly when she reflects on life as a twenty something versus her life now and that desire to recapture some of that youth again. The moments of reflection towards the end of the book, particularly when she is talking with her daughter whilst on the visit to Leeds university, when she thinks about those crossroads in life are something we will have done at some point. Asides from that though I unfortunately found the book fairly unrelatable.
I did want to like and enjoy the book. Whilst it probably wouldn’t be something I would automatically have picked up; perimenopause and menopause are important subjects that should be written about and the author does highlight some of the realities of this but not being that invested in Charlie etc. somehow made it harder to care. Did it ultimately make me want to go and write a list of my own? Or recommend this book to my friends of a similar age? I’m afraid no it didn’t. I am sure there are plenty of readers who will enjoy this book, maybe be inspired to create their (perhaps less chaotic) own list but I think the best I could recommend it for would be an easy beach holiday read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 9, 2026
4.5 ⭐️
Thank you to @foxandinkbooks for sending me this book and @novel.tours for having me on the tour.
I have just turned 44, so when I got the email for this book I knew I had to sign up … And I’m so glad I did, I absolutely ate this book up. So incredibly funny, relatable, honest, candid and unexpectedly moving.
I couldn’t have read this book at a more perfect time. I found myself nodding along throughout, it was that relatable. While I might not create a list quite like Charlie’s, I could completely see her motivation. She was a little lost, disconnected and just not feeling herself.
This was a wild story for sure and such a fun read. The writing was addictive and so readable.
A highlight for me was the friendship between Charlie, Cath and Emily. I even liked Dorit and her outrageous ways, although I’m not sure she was what Charlie needed at that time, but her heart was in the right place. This book really captured how important it is to show up for each other. Everyone has their own worries and struggles and I do think Charlie let her friends down on a few occasions, which was a little frustrating. However, this did add to the authenticity of the story and I feel this was part of the journey that Charlie went on (sorry for the cheesy 🧀 line there 😂).
A poignant story delivered in such a fun, engaging way that it never felt too heavy. While lighthearted in tone, it still captures the reality of everyday life and challenges that can surface in marriage, parenthood, friendship, and health but it also still offers a message of positivity and optimism.
I even find myself shedding a tear towards the end of the book (maybe it’s the perimenopause … The Lloyds Bank advert gets me every time too 🐎🥹).
However, this book mainly had me laughing out loud (a lot), nodding along and resonating with the women as they navigated their lives.
I loved the ending as well.
I highly recommend this book.
Thank you to @foxandinkbooks for sending me this book and @novel.tours for having me on the tour.
I have just turned 44, so when I got the email for this book I knew I had to sign up … And I’m so glad I did, I absolutely ate this book up. So incredibly funny, relatable, honest, candid and unexpectedly moving.
I couldn’t have read this book at a more perfect time. I found myself nodding along throughout, it was that relatable. While I might not create a list quite like Charlie’s, I could completely see her motivation. She was a little lost, disconnected and just not feeling herself.
This was a wild story for sure and such a fun read. The writing was addictive and so readable.
A highlight for me was the friendship between Charlie, Cath and Emily. I even liked Dorit and her outrageous ways, although I’m not sure she was what Charlie needed at that time, but her heart was in the right place. This book really captured how important it is to show up for each other. Everyone has their own worries and struggles and I do think Charlie let her friends down on a few occasions, which was a little frustrating. However, this did add to the authenticity of the story and I feel this was part of the journey that Charlie went on (sorry for the cheesy 🧀 line there 😂).
A poignant story delivered in such a fun, engaging way that it never felt too heavy. While lighthearted in tone, it still captures the reality of everyday life and challenges that can surface in marriage, parenthood, friendship, and health but it also still offers a message of positivity and optimism.
I even find myself shedding a tear towards the end of the book (maybe it’s the perimenopause … The Lloyds Bank advert gets me every time too 🐎🥹).
However, this book mainly had me laughing out loud (a lot), nodding along and resonating with the women as they navigated their lives.
I loved the ending as well.
I highly recommend this book.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
This book completely surprised me in the best way.
On the surface, it’s uproariously funny and painfully relatable, but underneath the humour is a deeply human, quietly emotional story about identity, ageing, and what it really means to feel alive. I laughed a lot… and then found myself unexpectedly reflective.
Charlie is unfulfilled, perimenopausal, and stuck in a suburban life that looks nothing like the glossy Manhattan future she once imagined. Her husband is obsessed with Ironman challenges, her kids require constant emotional and logistical management, her sex life exists almost entirely in her head, and to top it all off, she’s been prescribed reading glasses and can’t stop crying at TV adverts.
Her decision to write a list of 45 things to do before she’s 45 ranging from the mildly terrifying to the wildly unhinged is what kicks off a chaotic, often hilarious midlife spiral. Parkour. Oysters. Ecstasy. Stand up comedy. A sex club. The list is absurd, brave, and oddly moving, and watching Charlie attempt to tick things off is both cringe inducing and endearing.
Highly recommended for readers who enjoy:
- sharp, self aware humour
- honest takes on ageing and identity
- LOL moments with emotional depth
- messy, relatable reinvention stories
On the surface, it’s uproariously funny and painfully relatable, but underneath the humour is a deeply human, quietly emotional story about identity, ageing, and what it really means to feel alive. I laughed a lot… and then found myself unexpectedly reflective.
Charlie is unfulfilled, perimenopausal, and stuck in a suburban life that looks nothing like the glossy Manhattan future she once imagined. Her husband is obsessed with Ironman challenges, her kids require constant emotional and logistical management, her sex life exists almost entirely in her head, and to top it all off, she’s been prescribed reading glasses and can’t stop crying at TV adverts.
Her decision to write a list of 45 things to do before she’s 45 ranging from the mildly terrifying to the wildly unhinged is what kicks off a chaotic, often hilarious midlife spiral. Parkour. Oysters. Ecstasy. Stand up comedy. A sex club. The list is absurd, brave, and oddly moving, and watching Charlie attempt to tick things off is both cringe inducing and endearing.
Highly recommended for readers who enjoy:
- sharp, self aware humour
- honest takes on ageing and identity
- LOL moments with emotional depth
- messy, relatable reinvention stories
April 12, 2026
Charlie, the main character, is a 44-year-old wife and mother who feels as though life is passing her by. She decides to write a list of 45 things she wants to do before she turns 45. Add in the hormonal impact of menopause, and chaos quickly follows.
I’m glad this book was written, as I don’t feel there are enough novels that explore the mental impact of perimenopause and menopause on women. However, for me, it somehow missed the mark.
I liked the premise and found parts of the book relatable. However, I didn’t find it laugh-out-loud funny; instead, it often felt more cringeworthy and, at times, slightly depressing.
While the book starts off light-hearted, it takes some seriously dark turns, which left me wishing someone would step in and help her. Her two best friends try, but they are dealing with their own significant struggles. Her husband comes across as rather self-absorbed, and her new friend—while well-intentioned—seems to be a bad influence.
I found the ending satisfying, but it was a long and, at times, difficult journey to get there.
@foxandinkbooks
I’m glad this book was written, as I don’t feel there are enough novels that explore the mental impact of perimenopause and menopause on women. However, for me, it somehow missed the mark.
I liked the premise and found parts of the book relatable. However, I didn’t find it laugh-out-loud funny; instead, it often felt more cringeworthy and, at times, slightly depressing.
While the book starts off light-hearted, it takes some seriously dark turns, which left me wishing someone would step in and help her. Her two best friends try, but they are dealing with their own significant struggles. Her husband comes across as rather self-absorbed, and her new friend—while well-intentioned—seems to be a bad influence.
I found the ending satisfying, but it was a long and, at times, difficult journey to get there.
@foxandinkbooks
March 12, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the electronic proof copy in exchange for an honest review.
This was such a relatable and very human story about that strange stage of life where you suddenly realise there are still so many things you want to do, but you also start wondering if time is moving a bit too fast. Charlie’s list might look funny and chaotic on the surface, but underneath it is about identity, regret, courage, and trying to reconnect with yourself when life has drifted away from what you once imagined.
I found myself connecting with Charlie more than I expected. I am also at that stage of life where I sometimes feel there are things I haven’t done yet and dreams I don’t want to quietly let go of. And honestly, perimenopause does not make that emotional rollercoaster any easier. The book captures that mix of humour, vulnerability, self-doubt, and determination in a very honest way.
What I appreciated most was that the book does not pretend reinvention is glamorous. Sometimes it is awkward, messy, uncomfortable, and even a bit ridiculous. Some of Charlie’s choices made me laugh, some made me feel awkward, but all of them felt believable. That honesty is what made the story work for me.
A thoughtful and entertaining read about midlife, second chances, and the quiet bravery it takes to ask yourself, is it too late, or is this exactly the right time?
This was such a relatable and very human story about that strange stage of life where you suddenly realise there are still so many things you want to do, but you also start wondering if time is moving a bit too fast. Charlie’s list might look funny and chaotic on the surface, but underneath it is about identity, regret, courage, and trying to reconnect with yourself when life has drifted away from what you once imagined.
I found myself connecting with Charlie more than I expected. I am also at that stage of life where I sometimes feel there are things I haven’t done yet and dreams I don’t want to quietly let go of. And honestly, perimenopause does not make that emotional rollercoaster any easier. The book captures that mix of humour, vulnerability, self-doubt, and determination in a very honest way.
What I appreciated most was that the book does not pretend reinvention is glamorous. Sometimes it is awkward, messy, uncomfortable, and even a bit ridiculous. Some of Charlie’s choices made me laugh, some made me feel awkward, but all of them felt believable. That honesty is what made the story work for me.
A thoughtful and entertaining read about midlife, second chances, and the quiet bravery it takes to ask yourself, is it too late, or is this exactly the right time?
March 26, 2026
Perimenopause.. if thats what I got to look forward to well it's a big fat No from me.
Midlife crisis ✅️
Noodle Mania ✅️
Bucket List disasters ✅️
Scream with me if you want out of there 😅🤣
On the surface this book is hilarious & honestly it's so relatable it's scary 😨 however it's also quite deep, & emotional. A story of self identity, finding who you truly are, the fear of getting older, feeling like you haven't achieved anything.
Did Charlie's story make me reflect.. erm yes. But am I about to go write a 300,000 word book.. erm nope. I did feel for her honestly she was such a relatable character & I think many many women that read this book are kinda gonna be screaming thats me.
Maybe I'll bugger off now & go write me own list 39 things I wanna do before I'm 39. It's really not a bad idea.
Thank you to Novel Tours & Julia Tuffs for a copy of the book.
Midlife crisis ✅️
Noodle Mania ✅️
Bucket List disasters ✅️
Scream with me if you want out of there 😅🤣
On the surface this book is hilarious & honestly it's so relatable it's scary 😨 however it's also quite deep, & emotional. A story of self identity, finding who you truly are, the fear of getting older, feeling like you haven't achieved anything.
Did Charlie's story make me reflect.. erm yes. But am I about to go write a 300,000 word book.. erm nope. I did feel for her honestly she was such a relatable character & I think many many women that read this book are kinda gonna be screaming thats me.
Maybe I'll bugger off now & go write me own list 39 things I wanna do before I'm 39. It's really not a bad idea.
Thank you to Novel Tours & Julia Tuffs for a copy of the book.
March 27, 2026
Oh my god, I could not stop laughing whilst reading this! This was pure comedy gold and also, you are faced with some random emotional chaos and you just want to give all of the characters a group hug. The list itself gets more and more hilarious and daring as time goes on, you are just instantly sucked into Charlie’s world. I loved how she just threw herself out of her comfort zone, she is an absolute rebel!
5 out of 5! I highly recommend this delightful little masterpiece. It is absolutely hilarious, outrageous and very mindful.
5 out of 5! I highly recommend this delightful little masterpiece. It is absolutely hilarious, outrageous and very mindful.
April 13, 2026
From page 1, 45 Things to Do Before You’re 45 had me laughing out loud. Charlie’s midlife crisis hits hard as she tackles a wildly chaotic bucket list while battling perimenopause and all the chaos that comes with it.
This book is packed with midlife laughter, awkward moments, and honest menopause truths all in sharp, witty writing. It’s messy, funny, and so relatable. It's a perfect feel-good read for anyone hitting (or dreading) their forties.
Highly recommended if you need a good laugh and a reminder that you’re not alone in the madness!
This book is packed with midlife laughter, awkward moments, and honest menopause truths all in sharp, witty writing. It’s messy, funny, and so relatable. It's a perfect feel-good read for anyone hitting (or dreading) their forties.
Highly recommended if you need a good laugh and a reminder that you’re not alone in the madness!
April 7, 2026
This book is funny and incredibly relatable, and it also has a surprisingly deep and emotional side. It’s about self-identity, finding your true self and the fear of growing older. It looks at feelings of not being able to achieve what you want and not feeling appreciated by those around you.
Charlie is on a journey to rediscover herself, beyond just being a wife and mum—though she truly loves those roles. She wants to feel like her young self again, and many women can understand that desire. When she finally realises she needs more than just getting by, she made a list: 45 things to do before she turns 45.
This book is like a road trip through middle age, where you see how our bodies and feelings shift, even when we’re not quite prepared for them. It’s a story about being a mum, a wife and a friend, and finding your way back to yourself.
Charlie is on a journey to rediscover herself, beyond just being a wife and mum—though she truly loves those roles. She wants to feel like her young self again, and many women can understand that desire. When she finally realises she needs more than just getting by, she made a list: 45 things to do before she turns 45.
This book is like a road trip through middle age, where you see how our bodies and feelings shift, even when we’re not quite prepared for them. It’s a story about being a mum, a wife and a friend, and finding your way back to yourself.
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