Everyone around 55-year-old Nell is absolutely infuriating. Her new boss is a sexist pr*ck, her ex-husband is a pathetic tw*t, and to be honest, she wishes most members of the public would f*ck right off.
When Nell loses it at a children’s party entertainer (who definitely deserved it!) her family send her to a rage room. Nell finds herself there with a baseball bat, being instructed to break as many things as possible by an annoyingly handsome man called Glen… But as fun as it is to smash stuff, Nell finds it doesn’t quite hit the spot.
So Nell starts a new space for herself and the women at Rent-A-Rant, a place just for them, to speak their minds, no holds-barred, and to be heard. Oh, and to eat loads of biscuits.
All these women, it turns out, have a lot to be mad about. But could it be that, instead of getting rid of their fury, they could channel it for good? With Rent-A-Rant’s help, Nell isn’t going to just let everything fall apart — she’s going to smash it up.
This hilarious and relatable coming-of-middle-rage novel from Harper Ford fights back at bullies and bastards one menopausal rant at a time — the perfect read for fans of Alexandra Potter, Jane Fallon, and Riot Women.
Fabulous and Furious is a funny, feisty and, for some, a relatable read about female rage, friendship and what happens when a woman finally reaches the point where she simply cannot bite her tongue any longer!
Harper Ford has a brilliant way of taking those everyday frustrations that so many of us recognise and turning them into funny but relatable moments. Nell is a fabulous character: outspoken, fiery, flawed and refreshingly honest. I could completely understand her frustration with the world, and at times she was loveable, others...not so much... and that was very human!
Beneath all the rants and outbursts, there is a much more thoughtful story about women feeling overlooked, workplace sexism, bullying and the challenges of getting older. It also explores how anger can sometimes be a sign that something needs to change, rather than something that should simply be pushed aside.
The friendships that develop between the women are another real highlight. Their willingness to listen to one another and turn their frustrations into something positive gives the story plenty of heart.
Final Verdict: Overall, this was an entertaining, empowering and uplifting read that gave me plenty to think about. Nell isn't perfect, but that's exactly what makes her so relatable. Sometimes you just need to have a good rant, eat a biscuit and realise you're not the only one who's had enough!
Recommended for: Fans of funny, feisty women's fiction, strong female characters and stories about friendship, female empowerment and second chances.
Such a powerful and inspiring book that I truly think all menopausal women should read! Nell is a strong, relatable woman dealing with a whole host of raging emotions as her life is turned upside down by a succession of irritating events. A trip to the local rage room opens up an unexpected opportunity for Nell to create a community for others who are struggling with annoying issues that life throws at them. The “Rent a Rant Group” that Nell sets up for her work colleagues really takes off, and it was so uplifting to see everyone come together, support one another and realise they aren’t alone. There are so many funny moments too, and I’m sure you’ll find yourself identifying with some of the situations Nell and the group find themselves in! Nell is also forced to confront difficult memories from her school days, including those feelings of being ignored and undervalued. Yet, despite everything, she remains an inspirational woman who fights hard for herself and the friends she has made along the way. This is such a brilliantly written story. You find yourself cheering on the whole group, rooting for Nell and desperately wanting her to get the positive outcome she deserves. My favourite Harper Ford book yet — absolutely fabulous! ❤️
Nell is in her fifties and she’s angry. Sick of being ignored and invisible, her bouts of rage are starting to cause concern. She’s an interesting and feisty protagonist, and she and the colleagues who join her to support her new “Rent a Rant” group are all beautifully crafted. I found this a very enjoyable and at times thought-provoking read about the difficulties women and indeed everyone who’s the target of bullies, can face. It’s eye-opening and even educational at times. It’s also nostalgic, as Nell remembers her childhood and youth in the 1970s and 80s. Any reader in their 50s or upwards will find much to relate to. 4.5 stars.
55-year-old Nell is angry all the time. She finds everyone around her infuriating and loses her temper over the smallest thing. But it is after Nell loses it at a party entertainer that her family step in and gift her some sessions at a local rage room. But as Nell stands there with her baseball bat, she realises that what she really needs is a good old rant. So, Rent-A-Rant is born; a place where Nell and other like-minded women can meet for a rant about anything they like. Finally, instead of suppressing their rage, they are expressing it and being heard. But can they take that rage and harness it for good?
Hilarious, maddening, relatable and uplifting, this book made me feel seen. A story about female rage, the patriarchy, aging and bullying, Nell and her friends fight back against the bastards trying to grind them down. Harper Ford is an author I’ve had on my TBR for a while so I was glad of the opportunity to finally pick up one of her books. My only regret is waiting so long. Harper is a comedy genius who perfectly merges witty moments and snarky banter with important topics, which Harper handles with honesty and compassion. I was especially grateful to see her accurate and relatable portrayal of a character with endometriosis and adenomyosis. It is great to see a light shone on these illnesses and to have a character with chronic illness who actually feels recognisable rather than a misrepresentation.
The book is filled with a cast of charismatic characters and I loved every moment I spent with them. Like Nell, I’m middle-aged, menopausal, have a grandchild and freed myself from a controlling ex-husband, so I connected with her immediately. I also felt a strong kinship with Idil, Nell’s work colleague who is chronically ill. I adored Nell’s little grandson, Freddie, and enjoyed her romance with Glen, which brought a much-needed spark back into her life.
Feel-good fiction at its finest, this book is an absolute riot and every woman should read it.
What a brilliant read! Funny, relatable, and packed with enough menopausal rage to make me cheer.
Nell is 55, fed up, and one minor incident at a children’s party away from completely losing her cool. After a spectacular outburst aimed at the entertainer, she finally decides to use the Rage Room vouchers her daughter gave her. Smashing plates and venting her frustrations turns out to be surprisingly therapeutic, and before long, Nell and her work friends have created their own “Rent-a-Rant” group, where they can let off steam and support each other through life’s many annoyances.
While the story is full of laugh-out-loud moments, it also explores deeper issues. Nell is forced to confront painful memories of childhood bullying, and long-buried secrets threaten both a new friendship and the possibility of romance.
I absolutely loved Nell. She felt so real. Flawed, funny, and completely relatable. The friendships between the women were one of the highlights for me; their banter, loyalty, and support made the story shine. Each character had a distinct voice and added something special to the group dynamic.
I’ve enjoyed several of Harper Ford’s books, but this is definitely my favourite so far. It’s warm, witty, uplifting, and wonderfully honest about getting older, finding your voice, and refusing to put up with nonsense any longer.
A fantastic read that had me laughing, nodding in agreement, and rooting for Nell from beginning to end.
With thanks to NetGalley and Avon Publishing for the arc in exchange for an honest review.
Many thanks to NetGalley for an ARC in return for an honest review.
Harper Ford has a knack of putting a group of people from different ages and walks of life together with some serious issues dealt with in a sympathetic but hilarious way.
Nell is a middle aged woman who is not impressed with the world at the moment, especially the men. She seems to be struggling suppressing her rage at her new boss, her ex-husband and even a kids entertainer at a children’s birthday party. She has a bright idea of creating a ‘Rent-a-Rant’ room where all of these rages can be spoken out loud amongst her colleagues without any men whatsoever in earshot.
I have to admit as a male reader I did feel like I was intruding into Nell’s world and hearing things not meant for my ears with a story very heavy on misogyny and how women are never heard, although maybe that’s exactly who should be reading it to understand how women think. Either way, I just love this author’s books because the characters are just so good, witty and laugh out loud funny with some very sharp contemporary observations whilst also incorporating nostalgia.
You’ll guess from the books blurb that it is quite ‘sweary’ but that just adds to the realism of the characters making it much more realistic to todays society.
Another wonderful book from Harper Ford and highly recommended.
Meet Nell, a 50 something Grandmother with some serious rage bottled up over the years. The only thing is, theres not that much room left in the bottle and the rage is starting to come out, and not always in the best ways, or the best places...
Nell and her work friends arrange a women's group where they are safe to rage, rant, and relinquish their inner fury. The thing is, what's a rant without action to make anything better?
I loved the comradery in this book. Nell and her work friends build a really great, trusting relationship which is so important for women. The best friends are the ones we should feel safe around to be our complete selves and following Nell's journey to finding her safe people is really warming.
The book also tackles some really important issues which I think it's all too easy to hide away from, when the business of every day life takes over. Incel culture, bullying, bullying in the workplace, friendship, relationships - you name it, Ford tackles it. At times, though, I found it hard to look at these objectively as the book has a clear narrative and message in mind.
3.5 stars. This releases September 24th. If you're feeling furious and ready to rant, definitely give this a go!
Many thanks to @netgalley and @harpercollins for the early copy of this book in exchange for an honest review
Divorced Nell Appleton is a fifty-five-year-old grandmother … and full of rage. Going through the joys of menopause, she’s angry and can’t control it at all.
When her daughter buys her a voucher for a Rage Room, there is an attraction between her and Glen who owns it. Nell ends up setting up a room there called ‘Rent A Rant’. It starts off for Nell and her work colleagues and they all find ranting helps to offload some of their rage.
I have to start by saying that I don’t think I have ever related to a book like I have this one. The rage that comes out of nowhere during menopause had worried me, I thought I was alone, so reading this book actually helped me a lot.
I spent a lot of time laughing at Nell and her work colleagues' antics, but there is also a serious side to the story. Women have to go through a lot, our bodies don’t feel like our own with how they react during menopause. It can be a difficult time and experience to go through.
I liked Nell a lot, her character was entertaining but there was a serious side to Nell. The bullying she went through as a child affected her still and was something she struggled to come to terms with.
I could see a lot of myself in Nell, our experiences in life were similar, so I could completely relate to her.
The different things that made Nell and her friends rage are so true that I couldn’t help but laugh, they were all relatable.
Finally, I want to say a big thank you to the author for writing this book. For making me realise that I am not alone, and even though menopause isn’t a nice thing for some to go through, thank you for making this story so entertaining as well.
As a woman of a certain age, Harper Ford's books always hit a chord and make me chuckle - and her latest, Fabulous (& Furious) was definitely relatable!
Nell is 55, divorced and loving being a grandmother. But there is much in life that irritates her - and she finds herself increasingly unable to hold in her frustrations, even at somewhat inappropriate moments. A visit to a Rage Room leads her to set up a group offering a safe space for women to rant - and in doing so they come together and provide each other with support in the way that women do best.
I loved the fact this took me down memory lane - Play Away, Spangles and Haircut 100 were very much part of my younger years - and I defy any menopausal woman not to relate to those moments of feeling invisible, or just seeing red.....
As always with Ford's books there's plenty of humour - but beneath that lies a reminder of the strength of female friendship, of the power of speaking up, and that anger, properly channelled, isn't always a bad thing!
The rage was real with this book but boy was it warranted.
The whole aspect of this story was brilliant. Many women filled with rage and nowhere for it to go so a group is made, ‘Rent a Rant’ for the whole purpose of ranting with each other…I absolutely loved it.
Watching these women get together to let everything out has been so fun, from shopping to bosses and family, all subjects are welcome and boy do they all pop off!
Each of these women stand out and I’ve loved getting to know them and their rage.
Also I just want to mention that twist because wth was that? Men can be so trash!!
This author did a brilliant job giving these characters their story. They’re strong and fierce and so freaking wonderful!
Fabulous and Furious was an inspiring, uplifting and powerful read. It’s fun, it’s sad and it’s addictive. I sat there the whole day just reading so I could see how it would end.
Sheer unadulterated delight! Imagine a place where you can rant to your heart' s content with your female friends and colleagues. This is what 55 year old Nell creates - a room called Rent A Rant, where she and her colleagues can let off steam about their sexist male boss and all the things that make women furious. It becomes more than a rant room, with the women becoming each other's confidants, as well as agreeing to take action against a group of men who seem hell bent on destroying their meet ups. Laugh out loud funny, while also sublimely satirical and witty, this is a great book to lift the spirits. Thanks to NetGalley and Avon Books for the advance digital copy.
This book was awesome. Like, really, really awesome. It was outside of my murder/suspense/thriller genre loving norm, but I freaking loved it. It was laugh out loud funny. It made me feel a lot of feels. I loved the characters. I loved their stories. I loved their growth. And to top it off, it ended perfectly. I've already added two more books by this author to my shopping cart, and I can't wait to get my hands on them and read more by the talented Harper Ford. I 100% recommend this book to other readers.
Thank you to Netgalley, Avon Books UK | Avon, and Harper Ford for an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.
What happens when you reach a certain age and can no longer accept the status quo? The rage appears and suddenly you are telling it like it is. The retirement of the local vet upsets working life with a new arrogant vet takes over the practice. Upsetting the equilibrium of the female employees. Setting up a rant room, allows the workmates become closer friends and get issues voiced. Taking action in their lives with various results. For anyone of a certain age who feels that they are unheard or overlooked. I really enjoyed the book and would love it if there's a follow up.
middle age rage! What's worse than an angry middle age woman? A whole club of them. A feel good hilarious read. Nell Appleton fifty five years old menopausal is that woman, and is now facing all the bullies. So now we turn that fury into fabulous. This book is great and I mean great. It makes reading so much fun. From the first page I just blocked out the world outside and kept the enjoyment inside. You are laughing and crying as you turn every page. Perfect just perfect in every way.
Funny but thought provoking and it certainly sums up why women in particular have rage issues, I'm at that age now when invisibility is emerging and I'm too tired to try to bother, so this book has come at the right time .Again Becca has expressed perfectly what the rest of us are struggling with. A five plus star read.
Such a fun and relatable read. Nell is brilliantly outspoken and I loved the whole idea of Rent-A-Rant and the way the women come together and support each other. Funny, warm and full of plenty of relatable moments.
I loved this book. This series has been a great read. The type of book you laugh out loud, cheer Nell on and gasp in surprise. Although there’s bags of humour and it’s not heavy reading, if you haven’t thought about how women are looked at in their 50’s, the invisible era this will really open your eyes. The names we get called, the descriptions and way we’re characterised and caricatured as hags and harridans because we’re getting older, in comparison to the men with their silver fox etc descriptions. I love lovely Nell, her friends and her family. Thanks to Harper Ford and to Jessica Whitehead for sending me this lovely finished copy and letting me get lost in Nell’s world for the day it took to read this book. Yes, it is that good I read it in a sitting!