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Friends Like These #4
A Friend in Need
There’s nothing quite like a baby to turn your world upside down …
Just when it seems things can’t get any crazier, Marie and Brian are now navigating the ups and downs of parenthood!
As Marie is thrown into the world of playgroups and sleep deprivation, she finds maternity leave isn’t quite the year-long break she anticipated. Why can’t she find like-minded mums to drink wine with on a Friday afternoon? How come all the other parents know exactly what they’re doing while she’s just winging it?
She’s so preoccupied with figuring out the parenting gig, Marie hasn’t realised that her fat club friends are struggling with problems of their own.
With so much going on, can she still find a way to be there for her friends?
Maybe if she opens up to them, they can help her too. After all, that’s what friends are for …
A Friend in Need is best enjoyed as the fourth book in the Friends Like These series.
- GenresRomance
250 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 2, 2019
About the author
Hannah Ellis
72 books455 followersHannah Ellis spent many years working in childcare before deciding she'd like to write books. When she's not busy writing she likes to read, drink tea and eat chocolate. She also enjoys yoga and jogging.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
July 22, 2020
I love reading this series and I'm super gutted it's the end, deffo needs to be another book
May 14, 2025
We catch back up with Marie and her friends over a year after the previous book. Things have changed quite a bit in that time with Marie, Brian and Jake and Michael now being parents. I shouldn’t laugh at Marie struggling with motherhood but oh my goodness, there are some absolute howlers in this story!
Fat club is still a weekly event although Marie is wishing it wasn’t as she would rather catch up with sleep but it was so good to see all the gang although everyone seems to be having struggles of their own which Marie can’t help herself but try and get involved in. Brian is an absolute godsend and him and Marie have the perfect relationship. It would be quite sickening if they weren’t such great characters.
The author shows the struggles of parenthood in a humorous way but it is real and I had every sympathy. Trying to do the best for your child whilst not losing yourself in the process can be hard. Getting the balance isn’t always easy but having a great support network always helps and these friends have that with abundance.
A Friend in Need was a real tonic. I laughed and empathised with the characters and I am so going to miss them with this being the last book in the series. There has been so many laughs as well as heartfelt moments along the way and without a doubt the characters have stolen a piece of my heart. Another series of this author’s that I can’t recommend highly enough!
Fat club is still a weekly event although Marie is wishing it wasn’t as she would rather catch up with sleep but it was so good to see all the gang although everyone seems to be having struggles of their own which Marie can’t help herself but try and get involved in. Brian is an absolute godsend and him and Marie have the perfect relationship. It would be quite sickening if they weren’t such great characters.
The author shows the struggles of parenthood in a humorous way but it is real and I had every sympathy. Trying to do the best for your child whilst not losing yourself in the process can be hard. Getting the balance isn’t always easy but having a great support network always helps and these friends have that with abundance.
A Friend in Need was a real tonic. I laughed and empathised with the characters and I am so going to miss them with this being the last book in the series. There has been so many laughs as well as heartfelt moments along the way and without a doubt the characters have stolen a piece of my heart. Another series of this author’s that I can’t recommend highly enough!
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August 7, 2019Funny and light hearted
When you have a dog and a baby and are sleep deprived can you blame your scatter brain on sleep deprivation, as Marie does. In this book Brian is a teacher, married life is good for Marie and Brian, unfortunately all is not so well with some of the fat club friends. Read to find out who needs love, help and support and who has a secret at the end.
When you have a dog and a baby and are sleep deprived can you blame your scatter brain on sleep deprivation, as Marie does. In this book Brian is a teacher, married life is good for Marie and Brian, unfortunately all is not so well with some of the fat club friends. Read to find out who needs love, help and support and who has a secret at the end.
May 9, 2019
More please!
I was on the fence when I decided to try “Friends Like These”...then I became addicted to these wacky and wonderful characters. I have read the entire series and hope that there are more adventures to come!
I was on the fence when I decided to try “Friends Like These”...then I became addicted to these wacky and wonderful characters. I have read the entire series and hope that there are more adventures to come!
May 22, 2019
Love them all!!
Please keep the friends stories rolling! I love these books. Easy reads...funny...and real life drama that’s not over the top. I hope there are more to come! I love all the characters and feel when I’m reading them that they are in fact my friends!
Please keep the friends stories rolling! I love these books. Easy reads...funny...and real life drama that’s not over the top. I hope there are more to come! I love all the characters and feel when I’m reading them that they are in fact my friends!
September 27, 2019
Another easy to read feel good story
Hannah Ellis has done it again. This is another easy to read feel good story. It continues the story of the fat club friends as they move on with their lives. Numerous and feel good. Lovely.
Hannah Ellis has done it again. This is another easy to read feel good story. It continues the story of the fat club friends as they move on with their lives. Numerous and feel good. Lovely.
July 21, 2019
Fun, easy reading. You know Marie and her friends will do something nutty or have some sort of drama but it will all come out OK in the end. Comforting.
July 27, 2019
It was fab to be reunited with Marie and friends. I really enjoyed this chick lit book- would thoroughly recommend.
February 12, 2020
Always a fun read
This one was another great read. easy to pick up and enjoy for a few minutes poor an hour. I recommend this series.
This one was another great read. easy to pick up and enjoy for a few minutes poor an hour. I recommend this series.
March 14, 2020
Loved it
Loved every single book of this series, and laughed a lot. Just looking forward to read more of her books
Loved every single book of this series, and laughed a lot. Just looking forward to read more of her books
March 2, 2021
Should have kept to three in the series. This was such a disappointing read after the first three in the series. You need to read the first one to get to know the characters and how they met etc. The second two were follow ups and without giving too much away, the last novel could have been an epilogue in the third novel.
Marie is the main character and her friends in the series were met accidentally (you’ll need to read the first book to find out). Now married with a young baby we follow her day to day actions and it is mundane and repetitive and towards the end of the book I was skipping pages, looking for something to happen.
Marie is the main character and her friends in the series were met accidentally (you’ll need to read the first book to find out). Now married with a young baby we follow her day to day actions and it is mundane and repetitive and towards the end of the book I was skipping pages, looking for something to happen.
May 11, 2022
Lovely end to the series
At first I wasn't sure if I would enjoy it as the main character seemed to be quite bitter but then as it went on she became more cheerful and more like how she was in the other books. I have a 5 month old so I can relate to some of it as in how hard it can be at baby groups and feeling like you aren't doing a good job. I felt we didn't get an ending for Grace or the mum but I suppose they aren't main characters. If there was another one I would get it to read as I like how the friends are there for each other through thick and thin.
At first I wasn't sure if I would enjoy it as the main character seemed to be quite bitter but then as it went on she became more cheerful and more like how she was in the other books. I have a 5 month old so I can relate to some of it as in how hard it can be at baby groups and feeling like you aren't doing a good job. I felt we didn't get an ending for Grace or the mum but I suppose they aren't main characters. If there was another one I would get it to read as I like how the friends are there for each other through thick and thin.
May 11, 2026
Such a cute wrap up to this series. I did go in to this entire series thinking that there would be smut at some point… boy was a wrong. Instead I was greeted with humor, feel good, day in the life story of a girl and her love for her friends. Glad I came across this series.
As a mother, the last book really hit home. All she was feeling and went through helped me feel validated. So happy this is how it ends.
As a mother, the last book really hit home. All she was feeling and went through helped me feel validated. So happy this is how it ends.
March 17, 2025
A truly beautiful, heartwarming series
I could not put these books down. I laughed, I cried, and literally devoured them all in less than a week! In fact I thought they’d make a perfect TV series. The characters were relatable, funny and the story of their friendship and lives evolved throughout the 4 books. I really enjoyed them.
I could not put these books down. I laughed, I cried, and literally devoured them all in less than a week! In fact I thought they’d make a perfect TV series. The characters were relatable, funny and the story of their friendship and lives evolved throughout the 4 books. I really enjoyed them.
March 23, 2021
Another series over 😭
I’m totally addicted to Hannah’s writing. After trying her books on a whim I’ve now finished 4 series 😂 I love them, she creates such loveable characters! Definitely shed a few tears at the end of this one.
I’m totally addicted to Hannah’s writing. After trying her books on a whim I’ve now finished 4 series 😂 I love them, she creates such loveable characters! Definitely shed a few tears at the end of this one.
August 8, 2021
Book 4 in series
Oh how I loved this book , I just hope there is another to follow on I’ve really loved reading these 4 books the story hasn’t been predictable like some book series that I’ve read so must go now to see if there is a 5th book.
Oh how I loved this book , I just hope there is another to follow on I’ve really loved reading these 4 books the story hasn’t been predictable like some book series that I’ve read so must go now to see if there is a 5th book.
January 1, 2024
Loved these quirky characters and how they continue to help each other with life and the challenges it throws at you with some simple life lessons as “the grass isn’t always greener” and “don’t judge a book by its cover.”
June 15, 2019
Another fun read in this series!
September 17, 2019
4.5 stars - adore this group of friends
October 11, 2019
Marie is relatable but she also finds herself in some funny situations and you can't help but laugh. I want to continue reading about these characters....
January 18, 2020
Worst book of the series
April 3, 2020
😍
Read all 4 books back to back. Great to read,especially when I'm off work at the moment #covid-19 #lockdown. Fab
Read all 4 books back to back. Great to read,especially when I'm off work at the moment #covid-19 #lockdown. Fab
August 11, 2020
Ah - lovely to see Marie having normal mummy struggles and regular doubts! Enjoyed this series - not as much as Hope Cove or Loch Lannick, but enjoyed them all the same!
September 27, 2020
A Wonderful Series.
I loved these books, the characters, the humor, the daily fun, frustrations; but, the best part involved the growing friendships and !ove.
I loved these books, the characters, the humor, the daily fun, frustrations; but, the best part involved the growing friendships and !ove.
October 3, 2020
Glued
I have read all four of these books. Couldn't put my kindle down, if u want a girly read then these set of books are just right.....
I have read all four of these books. Couldn't put my kindle down, if u want a girly read then these set of books are just right.....
December 30, 2020
Done with the series and my last book for the year. It was an ok series, I won’t say I grew to love the characters or really cared one way or another what happened in the stories but it wasn’t horrible. Just kind of, men.
January 28, 2021
Absolutely heartbroken this series has ended. I know she doesn't plan on writing about Marie anymore but hey I can dream. Now onto the rest of her catalog. ❤
January 31, 2021
It was a quick read, as was the rest of the series. In this one, Marie was a bit whiny. I was ready to be done with the series and move on.
February 18, 2022
With Friends Like These
I loved these books and I fell in love with all the characters. I need more,please tell me there will be more to come
I loved these books and I fell in love with all the characters. I need more,please tell me there will be more to come
May 21, 2022
This was such a cute series.. I wasn’t super into it at first but the characters really grew on me; I’m sad it’s over but it was a perfect length!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews