What do you think?
Rate this book
Winging It
Emily is sure she’s getting this baby stuff all wrong. Why does everyone look like they’re smashing motherhood when she’s barely made it out of the house? She’s usually covered in sick, eating yet another beige freezer dinner, and relying on wet wipes to clean the baby, herself and the house. And coffee. All the coffee. Surely she can’t be the only new mum totally winging it?
Emily’s about to discover that when you’re starting a family, what you really need are your friends...
Emily’s about to discover that when you’re starting a family, what you really need are your friends...
343 pages, Paperback
Published November 12, 2020
14 people are currently reading
260 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews
September 7, 2023
⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
Emily is struggling with the demands of parenting. It doesn’t help that her partner’s life has seemingly not changed at all. From breastfeeding struggles to finding going back to work insurmountably difficult, Emily faces all of these challenges within just a year, and without the help of her best friend, Rachel.
This is a really nice uplifting novel that will have you chuckling away. It’s filled with comedy and relatable moments, even if you aren’t a parent. I definitely needed this after reading some dark and twisty thrillers!
Emily is struggling with the demands of parenting. It doesn’t help that her partner’s life has seemingly not changed at all. From breastfeeding struggles to finding going back to work insurmountably difficult, Emily faces all of these challenges within just a year, and without the help of her best friend, Rachel.
This is a really nice uplifting novel that will have you chuckling away. It’s filled with comedy and relatable moments, even if you aren’t a parent. I definitely needed this after reading some dark and twisty thrillers!
November 15, 2020
Winging It is a well-written and insightful novel about motherhood. What I really liked about this novel is how authentic and relatable both the story and the characters feel. The protagonist, Emily, is a new mother who struggles to adapt to life taking care of her baby girl. While everyone else around her seems to be doing just fine, Emily is having a hard time coping with the lack of sleep, change of humor, the annoyance to her partner for the smallest thing.
Not her supportive-yet-often-clueless partner, not her family who lives far away seems to understand her fears and her doubts. And then she meets other mothers who, like her, are struggling, new mothers who quickly become new friends and I enjoyed how Winging It focuses on this friendship between the new mothers, how they support and comfort each other.
I found Winging It funny, engaging, and realistic, a fantastic story about parenthood, love, family, and friendship, perfect not only for mothers, but for everyone, because you will feel you can identify with the characters and their problems.
Not her supportive-yet-often-clueless partner, not her family who lives far away seems to understand her fears and her doubts. And then she meets other mothers who, like her, are struggling, new mothers who quickly become new friends and I enjoyed how Winging It focuses on this friendship between the new mothers, how they support and comfort each other.
I found Winging It funny, engaging, and realistic, a fantastic story about parenthood, love, family, and friendship, perfect not only for mothers, but for everyone, because you will feel you can identify with the characters and their problems.
July 27, 2021
Brilliant, just utterly brilliantly fun. It’s not going to win awards or be on any literary lists but it made me not just giggle but actually belly laugh!
As a new mum Emily navigates maternity leave, new friendships, losing friendships, in laws and going back to work to mention a few and any first time mum will identify with the feeling and insecurities she has.
I swallowed this book up and am passing it on straight away to my friend, as I know she will find the bits I found funny hilarious too!
.
Off to look up some more books from this author.
As a new mum Emily navigates maternity leave, new friendships, losing friendships, in laws and going back to work to mention a few and any first time mum will identify with the feeling and insecurities she has.
I swallowed this book up and am passing it on straight away to my friend, as I know she will find the bits I found funny hilarious too!
.
Off to look up some more books from this author.
October 16, 2023
TBR Challenge!
Prompt: ‘Read a book written by an author with a surname starting with J’
Star Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
This book wasn’t ever going to be my favourite book in the world but it was fun! Sometimes it’s just nice to sit and take in a completely real-world story and have the conclusion not be that you have to travel the world and completely change your life to be happy, but instead you can be happy with what you have. Tons of funny moments and was relatable to me even though I don’t have kids, so I imagine you’d enjoy it even more as a mother.
Keep/Donate: Donate!
Remaining TBR: 308
Prompt: ‘Read a book written by an author with a surname starting with J’
Star Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
This book wasn’t ever going to be my favourite book in the world but it was fun! Sometimes it’s just nice to sit and take in a completely real-world story and have the conclusion not be that you have to travel the world and completely change your life to be happy, but instead you can be happy with what you have. Tons of funny moments and was relatable to me even though I don’t have kids, so I imagine you’d enjoy it even more as a mother.
Keep/Donate: Donate!
Remaining TBR: 308
December 9, 2025
Loved it! Made me laugh out loud and have asked for the second one for Christmas. Really comforting reading as a new mum. Particularly stoked that I enjoyed it so much as this was passed onto me by a friend and is, on the face of it, the complete opposite of the kind of books I usually read. Kinda reminds me of the grown up version of the Georgia Nicholson books which I loved as a preteen. Super pleasant surprise
December 20, 2020
This was an insightful and relatable read (even if you don’t have children)!
I could connect with Emmie’s character and I felt it was a very real story about friendship, love and families.
I could connect with Emmie’s character and I felt it was a very real story about friendship, love and families.
September 7, 2022
Definitely wish this had been written when mine were younger. Very relatable, with a good mix of humour in too. Definitely worth a read.
November 12, 2020
Spoiler alert: If you are pregnant, this is the only book you need to read, not all the other support books or motherhood encyclopedia, with humor and freshness this is the book that will tell you the truth of what happens after birth!
My little one is almost 5 years old, but his first year was not easy for me, I was in a new country, with no friends or family on my side and my mum was at the last stage of cancer. So, I can totally recall how this book explains the blue days that Emily has, not sadness, but sometimes wondering why everyone seems to be doing really well while she is struggling to simply go to the toilet or leaving home.
There are a lot of books to show to mothers all stages of the pregnancy or how the baby has to improve during the first year, but it never tells the “exceptions”. My little one didn’t sleep the full night till he was 2 and because we decided to give him water at night instead of milk, he still doesn’t want to eat any type of fruit but he is reading already.
That’s why I can’t stop thinking about this book, I don’t know if would had made the days easier when my little one was younger, but I think it would have made me less alone, because the stories that Emily will tell you are not fiction, they are the truth fears and thoughts that any mother is having and don’t know who to ask or to talk.
This is a non-fiction book told like a story, Emily is us, all the mothers that suffer during the first year of our babies, telling her story and making us remember that there’s always light at the end of the tunnel.
Ready to discover “Winging It”?
My little one is almost 5 years old, but his first year was not easy for me, I was in a new country, with no friends or family on my side and my mum was at the last stage of cancer. So, I can totally recall how this book explains the blue days that Emily has, not sadness, but sometimes wondering why everyone seems to be doing really well while she is struggling to simply go to the toilet or leaving home.
There are a lot of books to show to mothers all stages of the pregnancy or how the baby has to improve during the first year, but it never tells the “exceptions”. My little one didn’t sleep the full night till he was 2 and because we decided to give him water at night instead of milk, he still doesn’t want to eat any type of fruit but he is reading already.
That’s why I can’t stop thinking about this book, I don’t know if would had made the days easier when my little one was younger, but I think it would have made me less alone, because the stories that Emily will tell you are not fiction, they are the truth fears and thoughts that any mother is having and don’t know who to ask or to talk.
This is a non-fiction book told like a story, Emily is us, all the mothers that suffer during the first year of our babies, telling her story and making us remember that there’s always light at the end of the tunnel.
Ready to discover “Winging It”?
June 11, 2021
I had never started a book with a 4.5 star review in mind then finished with a 3.5 before. It’s a shame because the first half of the book was honestly quite lovely and hilarious while not shying away from all the horror involved in having a baby. Also because I’m not the intended audience and do not have a child, I’ve been scared off having any babies ever. This was traumatic to read. How do young mums and dads deal with all the poop? Lack of sleep? Lack of a social life? Not for me thanks.
The second half of the book was a bit of a drag. Emily very obviously had problems to work through with herself and Nick but none of them were resolved. She went from being a relatable, realistic character to a really annoying whiny one later in the book. I don’t think she was ready for a second Lucy.
Also, Tania cheated on her partner and that was somehow okay? Like, hello??? All of the partners (husbands to boyfriends) were portrayed in such a bad light and yet the ladies were still okay with them refusing to pick up some of the parental responsibilities. Nothing was communicated clearly between the couples, aside from maybe Helen and Chris.
I wanted more out of the ending. The “happy” ending was just Emily (and Nick) getting promoted out of nowhere, even though Emily was clearly incompetent at her job, and Rachel magically forgiving after fifteen years of resentment.
3.5 stars because it was a lot of fun to read at the start.
The second half of the book was a bit of a drag. Emily very obviously had problems to work through with herself and Nick but none of them were resolved. She went from being a relatable, realistic character to a really annoying whiny one later in the book. I don’t think she was ready for a second Lucy.
Also, Tania cheated on her partner and that was somehow okay? Like, hello??? All of the partners (husbands to boyfriends) were portrayed in such a bad light and yet the ladies were still okay with them refusing to pick up some of the parental responsibilities. Nothing was communicated clearly between the couples, aside from maybe Helen and Chris.
I wanted more out of the ending. The “happy” ending was just Emily (and Nick) getting promoted out of nowhere, even though Emily was clearly incompetent at her job, and Rachel magically forgiving after fifteen years of resentment.
3.5 stars because it was a lot of fun to read at the start.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 10, 2023
I decided to pick Winging It up as I enter the second trimester of my first pregnancy. I've been so enveloped in all the baby books lately, but I found it refreshing to read a fiction book about pregnancy, birth and being a first time parent!
I have nothing but my first trimester to compare this book to but from what I read, it felt very authentic. The descriptions of birth were both insightful and more than a little bit terrifying!
The book follows protagonist Emily as she ventures into the world of parenthood having not a clue what to do (very much like I'll be despite all the baby books telling me how to change a nappy and bath a newborn!). Because I'm pregnant I did find this book more harrowing than many a reader might - though the humour was definitely a delight and appreciated as it was sprinkled throughout the book! It really opens your eyes up to what to expect and helps you feel okay if you might not be handling everything perfectly like Mother Theresa. It's full of highs and lows that will keep you turning the pages to find out what happens next.
The whole story felt very truthful and real, honest and raw. If you're expecting or are a new parent, I highly recommend this book as it I feel it could really speak to you. It has the power to help you feel understood. It also, while being a work of fiction, does embody a lot of advice that could be so useful as a newbie to this whole parenting thing!
I have nothing but my first trimester to compare this book to but from what I read, it felt very authentic. The descriptions of birth were both insightful and more than a little bit terrifying!
The book follows protagonist Emily as she ventures into the world of parenthood having not a clue what to do (very much like I'll be despite all the baby books telling me how to change a nappy and bath a newborn!). Because I'm pregnant I did find this book more harrowing than many a reader might - though the humour was definitely a delight and appreciated as it was sprinkled throughout the book! It really opens your eyes up to what to expect and helps you feel okay if you might not be handling everything perfectly like Mother Theresa. It's full of highs and lows that will keep you turning the pages to find out what happens next.
The whole story felt very truthful and real, honest and raw. If you're expecting or are a new parent, I highly recommend this book as it I feel it could really speak to you. It has the power to help you feel understood. It also, while being a work of fiction, does embody a lot of advice that could be so useful as a newbie to this whole parenting thing!
September 5, 2021
Winging it is an hilarious tale of the first year of Emily's life as a mother. Its brutally honest from the beginning and something all mothers can relate to.
Through the trials and tribulations of the birth, to bringing home a baby you have no idea what to do with, it had me LOL in so many parts, but was also deeply emotional.
You feel like you are with her through every high and low. How she judges herself against others. How she feels her and her partner Nick aren't the same couple anymore and just how alone you can really feel. I loved Emily, she was a breathe of fresh air. I wanted to hug her in the difficult times, and celebrate with her through the good.
The easy going, carefree life they used to have is gone, and they now have to navigate through the next stage of their lives as parents.
It was a light, easy read that took me on that emotional rollercoaster we call motherhood.
Through the trials and tribulations of the birth, to bringing home a baby you have no idea what to do with, it had me LOL in so many parts, but was also deeply emotional.
You feel like you are with her through every high and low. How she judges herself against others. How she feels her and her partner Nick aren't the same couple anymore and just how alone you can really feel. I loved Emily, she was a breathe of fresh air. I wanted to hug her in the difficult times, and celebrate with her through the good.
The easy going, carefree life they used to have is gone, and they now have to navigate through the next stage of their lives as parents.
It was a light, easy read that took me on that emotional rollercoaster we call motherhood.
September 27, 2022
I don't usually pick or order books that are like this one. Winging it was actually one of the books that I just added to the cart because I couldn't find a decent book with that offer (3for5) that peaked my interest, I mainly liked the cover and the little slogan thing on the front of the book.
Some parts were funny and I can literally pin point probably 4 times that made me laugh for a couple minutes (Yes I'm childish) and I did relate to the book a few times but for mothers that are struggling with breast feeding - you are a warrior cuz dam I would of cried being in soo much pain (I didn't get the opportunity to breast feed my twins due to them both needing special milk).
Unfortunately though I did put this book down at least 2 or 3 times, I think that was due to me not being use to these kinds of books, but If any female wants to say "I know the feeling" definalty give this a read!
Some parts were funny and I can literally pin point probably 4 times that made me laugh for a couple minutes (Yes I'm childish) and I did relate to the book a few times but for mothers that are struggling with breast feeding - you are a warrior cuz dam I would of cried being in soo much pain (I didn't get the opportunity to breast feed my twins due to them both needing special milk).
Unfortunately though I did put this book down at least 2 or 3 times, I think that was due to me not being use to these kinds of books, but If any female wants to say "I know the feeling" definalty give this a read!
January 10, 2025
I went into this expecting to dislike it, as I can’t relate to the subject matter - but I did ultimately end up enjoying it. I liked that Emily found new friends and also reconnected with Rachel at the end; that was a surprisingly good side story.
I did, however, have to take it at face value & not look into it too much. I was surprised to learn that it was published in 2019, as it felt much more dated; I hate reading about useless husbands, and Nick was just that. I wish that the male characters had been stronger as they were a massively frustrating part of the story.
Nevertheless, it was an easy read and I absolutely flew through it!
I did, however, have to take it at face value & not look into it too much. I was surprised to learn that it was published in 2019, as it felt much more dated; I hate reading about useless husbands, and Nick was just that. I wish that the male characters had been stronger as they were a massively frustrating part of the story.
Nevertheless, it was an easy read and I absolutely flew through it!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 5, 2021
A fun and sometimes brutal read which examines what new motherhood looks like (and how it can feel).
Emily feels like she's been run over by a bus - no matter how much she loves her daughter, Lucy, she can't help but feel that she's lost herself a bit. She wishes that she had a best friend to confide in - but she lost her teenage best friend some years ago and can't see a way to recover the relationship.
Sometimes though you've just got to put yourself out there....
A story of ups and downs but ultimately full of positivity and hope!
Emily feels like she's been run over by a bus - no matter how much she loves her daughter, Lucy, she can't help but feel that she's lost herself a bit. She wishes that she had a best friend to confide in - but she lost her teenage best friend some years ago and can't see a way to recover the relationship.
Sometimes though you've just got to put yourself out there....
A story of ups and downs but ultimately full of positivity and hope!
August 11, 2022
The highs and extreme lows of motherhood all wrapped up with a comedic bow. I could relate to all of this - to the loneliness of becoming a mum, the continuous mum guilt, the struggles of relationships changing after kids and the exhaustion that comes with being a working parent. It was a nice easy-going, light read that I thoroughly enjoyed.
April 24, 2023
A must read for any new, expectant or future mothers. Tender, loving and very truthful, it made me laugh out loud and also call my closest friends and family to tell them how much I love and appreciate them. Jefferson is honest and beautifully captures the frustration, loneliness and wonder of the first year of motherhood.
August 28, 2024
Picked this up as a quick read 'chick lit' style book to fill in a gap. Wasnt expecting much - but it turned out to be much better than anticipated. Perhaps goes on a bit longer than it should. There's lots of laugh out loud moments when you can nod your head in agreement about the trials and tribulations of the early days of parenthood.
March 27, 2021
3 1/2 stars rounded up
Decent book looking at the first year of motherhood, finding new 'mum' friends and struggling with the back to work dramas. An amusing read that did feel very real at times.
Decent book looking at the first year of motherhood, finding new 'mum' friends and struggling with the back to work dramas. An amusing read that did feel very real at times.
July 26, 2021
I couldn’t get through this book fast enough. I loved how real this book was. I loved how character and storyline normalised the feels I had and many other mums have when they become a first time mum. AMAZING
February 10, 2022
Light-hearted, funny, easy to read kind of book. Very relatable to read as a first time mum - would definitely recommend to new/expecting parents as it highlights perfectly the contrast between the expectation of parenthood vs the reality.
May 3, 2022
I absolutely bloody loved this!!
So many books about being a new mum are so far off the mark, but this was just spot on! I laughed, I cried, I agreed with Em A LOT!!
Got me right out of a book slump, I would definitely read more from Anna Jefferson and will be recommending to my friends.
So many books about being a new mum are so far off the mark, but this was just spot on! I laughed, I cried, I agreed with Em A LOT!!
Got me right out of a book slump, I would definitely read more from Anna Jefferson and will be recommending to my friends.
August 25, 2022
I cried about 10 times throughout reading this book. I've never felt so seen in my entire life. This book honestly helped me heal through some of the hardship I went through in the first year of my daughter's life. Helped me validate my experience and emotions. Thank you Anna Jefferson ❤️
January 8, 2023
This book started off lovely. An easy read, I could relate to so much of the main characters feelings. Then all of a sudden, it felt flat, like the last 5 or 6 chapters were rushed despite the story meddling along nicely until then. I did enjoy it never the less.
January 23, 2024
I understand the premise is that it's "relatable" but good I didn't already have a child then it would put me off haha. Some funny moments, but I just didn't click to the main character. I can see why others enjoyed it but just not for me.
February 1, 2021
Light-hearted and funny look at first year of motherhood. I learnt a lot!
June 6, 2021
A really enjoyable book to read, although it has made me a bit scared to have kids with how the main character handled being a new mum.
August 3, 2021
It was relatable and good. It touches on very real things like postnatal depression and the ugly side of having a baby. The character development was also very good.
August 29, 2021
Brilliant, very relatable as a mother myself
February 10, 2022
3.5 stars
May 10, 2022
3/10.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews