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A School Gates Comedy #1
A Year in the Life of a Playground Mother
Alternate Cover Edition.
A YEAR IN THE LIFE OF A PLAYGROUND MOTHER Ever had the pleasure of collecting your children from the school playground? Even if you haven't this is a hilarious must read. A month by month comical tale of a young mother fighting for her place in the world against the backdrop of the Playground Mafia. As her life unfolds and she takes us through from one amusing anecdote to another the characters come to life. There is Penelope who has a lot more going on in her life than she bargained for and Mrs Noland who has a lot less than she claims, not to mention Rupert who is a VERY busy man. With Mrs High School Musical, The International Sex God and The Frisky Pensioner, the characters are undeniably fascinating and leave you compelled to read more. Who knew that one false move in the playground, one step in the wrong direction or smile at the wrong person could lead to such complications? The witty one liners and side splitting stories will keep you amused from beginning to end. Lively and entertaining, a hilarious comedy that every playground mother can relate to.
A YEAR IN THE LIFE OF A PLAYGROUND MOTHER Ever had the pleasure of collecting your children from the school playground? Even if you haven't this is a hilarious must read. A month by month comical tale of a young mother fighting for her place in the world against the backdrop of the Playground Mafia. As her life unfolds and she takes us through from one amusing anecdote to another the characters come to life. There is Penelope who has a lot more going on in her life than she bargained for and Mrs Noland who has a lot less than she claims, not to mention Rupert who is a VERY busy man. With Mrs High School Musical, The International Sex God and The Frisky Pensioner, the characters are undeniably fascinating and leave you compelled to read more. Who knew that one false move in the playground, one step in the wrong direction or smile at the wrong person could lead to such complications? The witty one liners and side splitting stories will keep you amused from beginning to end. Lively and entertaining, a hilarious comedy that every playground mother can relate to.
276 pages, Unknown Binding
First published June 9, 2014
190 people are currently reading
652 people want to read
About the author
Christie Barlow
41 books433 followersAuthor Girl - published by One More Chapter @HarperCollinsUK
Christie Barlow is the international bestselling author of twelve romantic comedies including the iconic Love Heart Lane Series, A Home at Honeysuckle Farm and Kitty's Countryside Dream. She lives in a ramshackle cottage in a quaint village in the heart of Staffordshire with her four children and two dogs.
Her writing career has come as a lovely surprise when Christie decided to write a book to teach her children a valuable life lesson and show them that they are capable of achieving their dreams. Christie's dream was to become a writer and the book she wrote to prove a point went on to become a #1 international bestseller in the UK, USA, Canada and Australia.
When Christie isn't writing she enjoys playing the piano, is a keen gardener and loves to paint and upcycle furniture.
Christie is an ambassador for the @ZuriProject alongside Patron of the charity, Emmerdale's Bhasker Patel. They raise money and awareness for communities in Uganda.
Christie loves to hear from her readers and you can get in touch via Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
Twitter - @ChristieJBarlow
Facebook - Christie Barlow Author
Instagram - christie_barlow
www.christiebarlow.com
Christie Barlow is the international bestselling author of twelve romantic comedies including the iconic Love Heart Lane Series, A Home at Honeysuckle Farm and Kitty's Countryside Dream. She lives in a ramshackle cottage in a quaint village in the heart of Staffordshire with her four children and two dogs.
Her writing career has come as a lovely surprise when Christie decided to write a book to teach her children a valuable life lesson and show them that they are capable of achieving their dreams. Christie's dream was to become a writer and the book she wrote to prove a point went on to become a #1 international bestseller in the UK, USA, Canada and Australia.
When Christie isn't writing she enjoys playing the piano, is a keen gardener and loves to paint and upcycle furniture.
Christie is an ambassador for the @ZuriProject alongside Patron of the charity, Emmerdale's Bhasker Patel. They raise money and awareness for communities in Uganda.
Christie loves to hear from her readers and you can get in touch via Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
Twitter - @ChristieJBarlow
Facebook - Christie Barlow Author
Instagram - christie_barlow
www.christiebarlow.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 137 reviews
October 30, 2015
Seriously dire. I cannot believe I wasted time finishing it. It isn't funny, the protagonist is as bitchy as the anti-hero, there were inconsistencies and spelling mistakes, bad grammar and ridiculous situations. And the ending just p***ed me off even more. I would not read more by this author if you paid me, and to cap it all, I'm a playground mum myself and would gladly pay to write a better version of this concept!!!
August 18, 2015
"The only thing that is wrong with primary schools is the mothers".
If you've ever dreaded the school run, if you've ever fell victim to the Playground Mafia, or if you've ever spent the six hours each day that your kids are in school, plotting and scheming about the quickest ways of getting in and out of the playground in as quick as time as is humanely possible to avoid the banal and often bitchy chit chat that is part and parcel of the primary school mother's daily diet, then this is the book for you.
Rachel Young, a married mother of 4 and keeper of many chickens, moves to the country to give her children the benefits of country living. More than a little relieved to be escaping from the other mothers at her local primary school, Rachel is convinced that the Playground Mafia is a thing of the past. Then she meets Penelope, Rupert, Imogen, Botox Bernie and Camilla, and realises that she still has many years of her playground sentence left to serve.
It was the title of this book that initially grabbed me. Anyone who's ever had to spend any time in a playground (and who are well past school leaving age) will easily be able to empathise with Rachel's trials and tribulations as a playground mother. It's not an easy job. Unless you're part of the Playground Mafia or the PTA of course.
Hugely entertaining, wildly funny and downright true to life, I picked up this book the day before I was due to resume the dreaded school runs following the summer holidays. I felt I needed something to help prepare me, and I'll be honest, I wanted that little bit of extra support in battling my primary school's very own Playground Mafia.
We all know a Penelope, we've all crossed paths with a Camilla and we've all sniggered and raised an eyebrow at a 'Rupert' - a sports car driving specimen of suaveness who sees the school run merely as an opportunity to pull. This book is a tonic, it truly is. I cannot wait for the sequel which is due out in September.
Highly recommended for those who have kids, those who have endured the school run at some point in their lives, those who are still serving out their primary school sentence and for those who just simply enjoy humour and a downright good laugh.
If you've ever dreaded the school run, if you've ever fell victim to the Playground Mafia, or if you've ever spent the six hours each day that your kids are in school, plotting and scheming about the quickest ways of getting in and out of the playground in as quick as time as is humanely possible to avoid the banal and often bitchy chit chat that is part and parcel of the primary school mother's daily diet, then this is the book for you.
Rachel Young, a married mother of 4 and keeper of many chickens, moves to the country to give her children the benefits of country living. More than a little relieved to be escaping from the other mothers at her local primary school, Rachel is convinced that the Playground Mafia is a thing of the past. Then she meets Penelope, Rupert, Imogen, Botox Bernie and Camilla, and realises that she still has many years of her playground sentence left to serve.
It was the title of this book that initially grabbed me. Anyone who's ever had to spend any time in a playground (and who are well past school leaving age) will easily be able to empathise with Rachel's trials and tribulations as a playground mother. It's not an easy job. Unless you're part of the Playground Mafia or the PTA of course.
Hugely entertaining, wildly funny and downright true to life, I picked up this book the day before I was due to resume the dreaded school runs following the summer holidays. I felt I needed something to help prepare me, and I'll be honest, I wanted that little bit of extra support in battling my primary school's very own Playground Mafia.
We all know a Penelope, we've all crossed paths with a Camilla and we've all sniggered and raised an eyebrow at a 'Rupert' - a sports car driving specimen of suaveness who sees the school run merely as an opportunity to pull. This book is a tonic, it truly is. I cannot wait for the sequel which is due out in September.
Highly recommended for those who have kids, those who have endured the school run at some point in their lives, those who are still serving out their primary school sentence and for those who just simply enjoy humour and a downright good laugh.
July 24, 2015
I was invited to read 'The Misadventures Of A Playground Mother' by the author Christie Barlow who is published by one of my favourite publishing houses Bookouture. Although this wasn't a book I would normally choose - it's been a long time since I stood on a playground and preferring books with a little bit more grit, dark psychological thrillers being my favourite the answer was an easy yes for me as I haven't read a bad book published by Bookouture yet - and I've read a lot!
The lead character Rachel and her family are moving house. Moving to her ideal home in the country, getting away from the rat race and playground mafia to a quiet country life - or so she thinks. She turns her back on one playground only to arrive in another in a state reminiscent of Groundhog Day.
I thought I'd read a few pages on my phone 10% of the book later I thought I was going to die laughing. This really was comedy gold - side splitting humour that had me laughing out loud every other page. I literally devoured this book in a day, smiling the whole way through.
Christie described the playground and village antics in such a way that I spent the whole book, 'oh my godding' before collapsing laughing again. There are so many cliches of playground and village life that I'd defy anyone not to have encountered some of it at some time. Living in a village everyone, knows everyone and is usually related in some way - the neighbours, sisters, cousin's uncle - you get the picture and every village has an odd character or two, this village was full of them. Gossip, scandal - both true and made up made for some hilarious antics with literally every turn of the page. Bitchy, competitive mothers that I could cheerfully have slapped - I bet we've all met them at some stage.
Rachel makes friends or I should say, is befriended by Penelope - a women who, at first I could have throttled, but eventually came to pity. Once the gloss was removed a different person emerged but getting there provided immense hilarity. Penelope and her husband Rupert were something else, every weekend taking over Rachel's home, organising her life during the week - their antics left me with my jaw gaping. They were totally oblivious to sarcasm and had skin like rhino's - one such incident that left me open mouthed was when Rachel's husband put up extra coat hooks in the hall with their name on. They had no idea of the sarcasm attached, instead they were flattered, just typical of people only interested in themselves and their own self importance.
All in all this book did what it said on the tin - a feel good book. It was hilarious throughout with characters that were so exagererated they had to be ficticious. The sort of book that once you pick it up and start reading you finish in no time, laughing the whole time - better than any tonic you can buy in the chemist. Not my usual type of book but just the job at the time I read it - thank you Christie for lifting my spirits and for repeatedly making me laugh like a drain
The lead character Rachel and her family are moving house. Moving to her ideal home in the country, getting away from the rat race and playground mafia to a quiet country life - or so she thinks. She turns her back on one playground only to arrive in another in a state reminiscent of Groundhog Day.
I thought I'd read a few pages on my phone 10% of the book later I thought I was going to die laughing. This really was comedy gold - side splitting humour that had me laughing out loud every other page. I literally devoured this book in a day, smiling the whole way through.
Christie described the playground and village antics in such a way that I spent the whole book, 'oh my godding' before collapsing laughing again. There are so many cliches of playground and village life that I'd defy anyone not to have encountered some of it at some time. Living in a village everyone, knows everyone and is usually related in some way - the neighbours, sisters, cousin's uncle - you get the picture and every village has an odd character or two, this village was full of them. Gossip, scandal - both true and made up made for some hilarious antics with literally every turn of the page. Bitchy, competitive mothers that I could cheerfully have slapped - I bet we've all met them at some stage.
Rachel makes friends or I should say, is befriended by Penelope - a women who, at first I could have throttled, but eventually came to pity. Once the gloss was removed a different person emerged but getting there provided immense hilarity. Penelope and her husband Rupert were something else, every weekend taking over Rachel's home, organising her life during the week - their antics left me with my jaw gaping. They were totally oblivious to sarcasm and had skin like rhino's - one such incident that left me open mouthed was when Rachel's husband put up extra coat hooks in the hall with their name on. They had no idea of the sarcasm attached, instead they were flattered, just typical of people only interested in themselves and their own self importance.
All in all this book did what it said on the tin - a feel good book. It was hilarious throughout with characters that were so exagererated they had to be ficticious. The sort of book that once you pick it up and start reading you finish in no time, laughing the whole time - better than any tonic you can buy in the chemist. Not my usual type of book but just the job at the time I read it - thank you Christie for lifting my spirits and for repeatedly making me laugh like a drain
April 18, 2017
As a newly appointed playground mother, I really enjoy reading stories about other mums dealing with the school gates cliques and political systems wether works of fiction or not. A year in the life of a playground mother was an enjoyable book but I did find it failed to suck me in and fell flat at times. The basic story was there, and even humorous in parts, but it fell flat at times as well. I failed to get really involved with any character and struggled to find empathy for her in many situations. It wasn't the worst book I've read recently but I would not recommend to family and friends.
September 1, 2015
What a breath of fresh air this book has been. After reading quite a few intense books lately, I absolutely loved this.
The author has created a wonderful character who could at the end of the day, quite easily be any of us women out there. My two children are now at high school but I so easily remember similar events that took place in the school playground when dropping and picking them up.
I really take my hat off to the main character Rachel in this book. Not only is she the mother to four children she has the misfortune from moving from one area to a home that will be their dream home after renovating which is in beautiful surroundings and in the country. Now this would be the perfect lifestyle that many of us dream of but unfortunately for Rachel running away from one set of playground parents and becoming the newbie in another playground comes with its own problems.
There are some brilliant characters that a few I am sure that many of us have met in real life. Penelope for one I am sure we all definitely have. To start with I did feel quite sorry for Penelope but as the story goes on it was Rupert and the children I actually felt the most sorriest for. Even the hours that Rachel had to endure her for, I thought she deserved a gold medal by the end.
The story is jam packed full of funny incidents and one liners and I personally think it is screaming to be made into a film or some sort of comedy series. Happily for us readers though the story doesn't end there as this month the author releases The Misadventures of a Playground Mother which is the second in the series so not long for any fans of this book.
The author has created a wonderful character who could at the end of the day, quite easily be any of us women out there. My two children are now at high school but I so easily remember similar events that took place in the school playground when dropping and picking them up.
I really take my hat off to the main character Rachel in this book. Not only is she the mother to four children she has the misfortune from moving from one area to a home that will be their dream home after renovating which is in beautiful surroundings and in the country. Now this would be the perfect lifestyle that many of us dream of but unfortunately for Rachel running away from one set of playground parents and becoming the newbie in another playground comes with its own problems.
There are some brilliant characters that a few I am sure that many of us have met in real life. Penelope for one I am sure we all definitely have. To start with I did feel quite sorry for Penelope but as the story goes on it was Rupert and the children I actually felt the most sorriest for. Even the hours that Rachel had to endure her for, I thought she deserved a gold medal by the end.
The story is jam packed full of funny incidents and one liners and I personally think it is screaming to be made into a film or some sort of comedy series. Happily for us readers though the story doesn't end there as this month the author releases The Misadventures of a Playground Mother which is the second in the series so not long for any fans of this book.
August 31, 2015
I bought this book after being approved by Netgalley for Misadventures of a Playground Mother, which is the second book of the series and it has taken me less than a day to read. I decided I wanted to read them in order so that I could get a feel for the background of the characters. I wanted to shake Rachel many times during the story, why couldn't she ever say NO to Penelope? As for Penelope, she would have been the first passenger on my clifftop bus, no fear of that! I am very grateful that in all my years of doing the school run I never had the misfortune of befriending anyone like the characters in this book, although I'm sure they do actually exist in a school playground somewhere in the world. The story is a funny, laugh out loud, feel good read that I would recommend to anyone and I, for one, will never be able to walk into a garden centre and look at a clematis in the same way again, without bursting out laughing. Great story Christie Barlow and I'm now off to read about Rachel's further dilemmas in Misadventures of a Playground Mother.
September 12, 2014
The book captures the quintessential essence of the type of people you will find in villages of the shires. You don't find yourselves empathising with the characters so much as sympathising with them. Aside from the comedy element, A Year in the Life also tweaks at your emotional strands. One minute you find yourself pitying Rachel (and the sort of community she has to tolerate), the next you find yourself joyous that you don't live in the same sort of place yourself. The author sensibly leaves plenty of scope for sequels. Will the naughty Mrs. Noland's 'activities' lead to an increase in staff numbers at the local clinic.....?? Will Little Jonny fulfil his academic potential, or will he emotionally crumble when he finds out his fathers his mother's sisters brother....?? I would have given the book six stars but for the lack of a banjo player!
October 5, 2015
Playground politics at it's very very best/worst!
Having recently moved to a new area and my daughter having to start at a new school I have had first hand experience of watching the politics on a new school playground and reflect on those at the school we have just left behind!
I could relate to so many of the mum's, so many of the thoughts running through Rachel's head as she observes the politics and the social standing of the other mum's plus of course the underlying factor of how the children factor into the whole social expriment being played by their parents.
If you have ever had school gate experiences then this book is a must!! I didn't want to put it down!
Am about to download book 2, The Misadventures of a Playground Mother and if this book follows the same form as book 1 I'll be back shortly to review.
Having recently moved to a new area and my daughter having to start at a new school I have had first hand experience of watching the politics on a new school playground and reflect on those at the school we have just left behind!
I could relate to so many of the mum's, so many of the thoughts running through Rachel's head as she observes the politics and the social standing of the other mum's plus of course the underlying factor of how the children factor into the whole social expriment being played by their parents.
If you have ever had school gate experiences then this book is a must!! I didn't want to put it down!
Am about to download book 2, The Misadventures of a Playground Mother and if this book follows the same form as book 1 I'll be back shortly to review.
September 10, 2014
I bought this because of nine 5-star reviews but I don't seem to have been reading the same book as the reviewers. This was dire, very amateur and repetitive; I lost count of the number of times the word 'torrid' was used and how many times the author could fit the word 'Hubster' (cringeworthy nickname for husband) into one page. As for the clucking chickens... Then there were all the spelling, grammar and punctuation errors. It's 'cruelty' not 'cruellness' and 'barbecue' not 'barbeque', and there is no apostrophe in the plural (when you're talking about the Kensington family, it's the Kensingtons, not the Kensington's). I read a lot of women's fiction by top authors and, I'm sorry to say, this author isn't anywhere near the top yet.
September 7, 2015
really enjoyed this book more than I thought I would and I regret having it on my kindle for so long I decided to read this book with the children going back to school thankfully our primary school is not that bad as Rachel's but some things I can relate to especially the PTA.
This book made me smile,laugh it made me feel good that my school is not as bad as it could be. It was light read so could stop for a while and get right back in where I left off I really loved it one of my favourite books I read this year and loved all the village affairs that was going on can't wait to read the sequel to this book to find out what else happens to rachel and her family in the new village. Would recommend to anyone especially those who have to face the playground every single day
This book made me smile,laugh it made me feel good that my school is not as bad as it could be. It was light read so could stop for a while and get right back in where I left off I really loved it one of my favourite books I read this year and loved all the village affairs that was going on can't wait to read the sequel to this book to find out what else happens to rachel and her family in the new village. Would recommend to anyone especially those who have to face the playground every single day
May 13, 2015
Well, I finished it.
I think this was supposed to be funny. It was at first. But the Penelope story went beyond funny to ridiculous and then downright stupid.
The book starts with the protagonist having spent 6 months in hospital after a difficult pregnancy with her 4th child. Yet she never even mentions the younger 2 by name. Not only that, but she takes off on fool's errands after dropping the oldest kids off at school. Who is minding the baby?? And while she is getting drunk on Saturday nights are we to believe the infant puts itself to bed?
Too many issues to earn more than 2 stars.
I think this was supposed to be funny. It was at first. But the Penelope story went beyond funny to ridiculous and then downright stupid.
The book starts with the protagonist having spent 6 months in hospital after a difficult pregnancy with her 4th child. Yet she never even mentions the younger 2 by name. Not only that, but she takes off on fool's errands after dropping the oldest kids off at school. Who is minding the baby?? And while she is getting drunk on Saturday nights are we to believe the infant puts itself to bed?
Too many issues to earn more than 2 stars.
October 13, 2015
What appeared to be a book with huge potential, afterall I can completely relate to the playground mothers scenario, ended up being completely unrealistic. Penelope was an absolute bitch and as someone else said, I found it frustrating in the end so gave up at 60%, I never ever like to give up on a read but I truely struggled to finish what could of been a truely hilarious book. Sorry, thumbs down on this one for me.
October 10, 2015
I was given a copy of this book by The author via The Book Club in exchange for a fair review.
I thought the concept was great and I could certainly relate to some of these mothers but I didn't find it particularly funny as I kept thinking why oh why would anyone spend anytime at all with Penelope. You just wouldn't. But saying that it was an easy read. The sherry thing got me puzzled too. Well worth three stars.
I thought the concept was great and I could certainly relate to some of these mothers but I didn't find it particularly funny as I kept thinking why oh why would anyone spend anytime at all with Penelope. You just wouldn't. But saying that it was an easy read. The sherry thing got me puzzled too. Well worth three stars.
June 20, 2015
I didn't find it that funny. In fact I couldn't understand why the main character would put up with Penelope's crap. Made me frustrated if anything
September 27, 2015
Compulsive reading but completely ridiculous! Ridiculous that she keeps hanging out with Penelope. Why?!!!
September 3, 2022
This book made me giggle in a few places
3.5 star listen
Narration was ok, fit the storyline.
I’ll listen to the second book.
I hope the mum in the story develops more of a backbone, if you don’t like someone …. Why waste your time on them.
3.5 star listen
Narration was ok, fit the storyline.
I’ll listen to the second book.
I hope the mum in the story develops more of a backbone, if you don’t like someone …. Why waste your time on them.
December 31, 2015
I saw this book mentioned by the author on Twitter and instantly thought it was my kind of read. Being a nanny I have been part of the playground school pickup squad for a good number of years. I empathise with the lead character in this book so much as a result. Mind you I have thankfully never experienced the kind of things she does!
What I didn't expect was to laugh quite so much while reading the hilarious, and sometimes cringeworthy, experiences Rachel goes through. From lecherous old men, to mums behaving like children themselves (now that is actually something I have indeed experienced over the years) and an absolutely brilliantly described projectile vomiting incident, everything within the pages of this book made me laugh out loud.
I was delighted to reach the end, which by the way is brilliant and contains something I honestly didn't expect, and discover there was another book on the way! Given what this future story could entail (holiday?) I cannot wait to read it and will be waiting expectantly for its release.
A hilarious, somewhat (no doubt) true to life, tale of playground mothers at their very very worst! Highly recommended by me.
What I didn't expect was to laugh quite so much while reading the hilarious, and sometimes cringeworthy, experiences Rachel goes through. From lecherous old men, to mums behaving like children themselves (now that is actually something I have indeed experienced over the years) and an absolutely brilliantly described projectile vomiting incident, everything within the pages of this book made me laugh out loud.
I was delighted to reach the end, which by the way is brilliant and contains something I honestly didn't expect, and discover there was another book on the way! Given what this future story could entail (holiday?) I cannot wait to read it and will be waiting expectantly for its release.
A hilarious, somewhat (no doubt) true to life, tale of playground mothers at their very very worst! Highly recommended by me.
October 6, 2014
I started this book and finished it within 24 hours! Think that says a lot! Yesterday, I had a lovely day out planned but it did cross my mind to cancel and just stay in my new village world that I felt I part of. I didn’t cancel, but I was eager to return to it to find out how our life panned out. I just couldn’t wait to get back to it.
I sat sniggering to myself and laughing out louds lots! How this book didn’t turn into a thriller with the murder of Penelope I shall never know!
It really was a hilarious account of a year that I am delighted to say that I have never experienced. Our school playground must be the friendliest in the country but then I don’t live in a small village.
It was funny, enjoyable, cringe-worthy in parts, had me shouting at the main character for not saying “No!” when she was put in awkward situations and I really do look forward to reading more from this author. It was cleverly witty all the way through which is quite an achievement.
A very entertaining read!
Right then – I’m off to write my list for the bus!
I sat sniggering to myself and laughing out louds lots! How this book didn’t turn into a thriller with the murder of Penelope I shall never know!
It really was a hilarious account of a year that I am delighted to say that I have never experienced. Our school playground must be the friendliest in the country but then I don’t live in a small village.
It was funny, enjoyable, cringe-worthy in parts, had me shouting at the main character for not saying “No!” when she was put in awkward situations and I really do look forward to reading more from this author. It was cleverly witty all the way through which is quite an achievement.
A very entertaining read!
Right then – I’m off to write my list for the bus!
August 2, 2014
I read this fantastic book in a day, and I giggled my way throughout. I'm not a parent, but have observed playground politics in my 28 years as a teacher in a village school. I've always wished I had bionic hearing to let me listen in, and with Christie Barlow's book, I've now had my wish come true.
Alongside the laughs, the well-drawn characters and the funny episodes, there is also food for thought. How much would you actually take from a "friend" who is taking from you all the time, and not thinking of you at all? The playground mother at the centre of this story is a lot more long-suffering than I think I would be.
The best thing I can say about this book is that I was very relieved to see the line: "To be continued" at the end. I really WAS left wanting to read more about these characters.
Alongside the laughs, the well-drawn characters and the funny episodes, there is also food for thought. How much would you actually take from a "friend" who is taking from you all the time, and not thinking of you at all? The playground mother at the centre of this story is a lot more long-suffering than I think I would be.
The best thing I can say about this book is that I was very relieved to see the line: "To be continued" at the end. I really WAS left wanting to read more about these characters.
Read
October 5, 2015The author is a very good writer in that this book was very funny in places, easy to read and generally a good story line, I could relate to it up to the relationship she had with Penelope, I found it annoying that she always took her back as a so called friend. Not saying no to her inviting herself along to the holiday in Spain, climbing the mountain, selling the dance mat on EBay and many many more horrible things that you shouldn't let people do to you. She let her walk all over her. I know it's only a story but at times found I wanted to shake her for allowing a person to treat you like a doormat.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 2, 2016
Rarely been so disappointed with a book. The main character lives in a completely unbelievable life, four children who seem to rarely need attention, a dilapidated house that seems to warrant little work, let alone a workman calling round and a husband who runs to the cold conservatory when any female friend comes to call but never has mates of his own round. The main character, hates her new friend but constantly forgives her for her manic wrongdoings and never says no. I wanted to shake her and tell her to get a grip and grow a pair.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 7, 2014
This book was fabulous, such a nice light hearted read, which was very funny the whole way through. Christie has written well to include some horrifying moments but also some real laugh out loud moments. I can see many parents being able to relate to many of the incidents that happen and they will be able to see the funny side of them even if they weren't laughing at the time. Am now looking forward to Christie's next book.
September 26, 2015
I loved this book and couldn't put it down. It really was laugh out loud funny and so many OMG moments. I don't have children so my only knowledge of school playgrounds is via my friends - boy am I glad I don't have to face that twice a day!
Lovely characters, especially Rachel. Even Penelope would make me furious one minute and feeling sorry for her the next!
Highly recommend to anyone who enjoys a good giggle and fab characters.
Lovely characters, especially Rachel. Even Penelope would make me furious one minute and feeling sorry for her the next!
Highly recommend to anyone who enjoys a good giggle and fab characters.
December 31, 2014
Great laughs
Wasn't sure about this book at first but, after just having a baby, and needing something to read in the middle of the night that would not need too much focus I decided to give it a try. I'm glad I did it's a great book,funny but if ur a mother u can relate to the character's. I enjoyed this book and would recommend it if u need a light upbeat fun rulebook.
Wasn't sure about this book at first but, after just having a baby, and needing something to read in the middle of the night that would not need too much focus I decided to give it a try. I'm glad I did it's a great book,funny but if ur a mother u can relate to the character's. I enjoyed this book and would recommend it if u need a light upbeat fun rulebook.
October 17, 2015
I've had so much fun reading this book and even if I don't have kids yet I know the playground dynamics too well thanks to my nieces.
Our heroine,Rachel,is so glad to move but she doesn't imagine that her new village is so full of lunatics that she thinks to go back to the North.
I can't wait to read the second book of the series.
July 29, 2014
fabulous, funny, enlightening read,.
this book has you in sititches from the first few pages in , A great summer holiday read , or for general escapism . i defy any mother to not relate to some of the characters in this book. An absolute must read !
this book has you in sititches from the first few pages in , A great summer holiday read , or for general escapism . i defy any mother to not relate to some of the characters in this book. An absolute must read !
July 29, 2014
Well I loved this book, its funny, its insightful and its right on the money!! So many characters I, and I am sure you, can identify with. A recommended light hearted read for not just playground mothers but anyone with a sense of humour!!!
August 21, 2014
Was hooked straight away with this book, laughed out loud too, a while since I've been waiting in the playground but recognise lots of the characters! Would highly recommend!
Can't wait got the next instalment!
Can't wait got the next instalment!
September 12, 2014
I won this in the goodreads giveaway. Although its not the genre of book i would normally choose, it was a very witty and funny book. I found myself laughing out loud in parts. As a parent i can relate well to the book. A nice easy read. Cant wait for the next book from this author.
October 14, 2014
This book is hilarious! Gives a comical side to the trying times of dealing with snarky moms & the competition they all press upon children & moms alike in school. I enjoyed this book immensely! Bravo to Christie for daring to write an honest book!
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