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Time Out #2
The Juggle
Mother-of-one Saoirse is just about holding it all together – combining part time work with the school run, while her husband David gets to focus on his career. But when David loses his job, everything has to change.
With no hesitation, Saoirse suggests she takes on the role of main breadwinner. After all, how hard can it be? And when a new client offers her a life-changing sum of money, Saoirse can look the other over-achieving Woodvale school-run mums in the eye with pride.
But there’s a problem with keeping too many balls in the air – eventually one is bound to drop. And when that happens – well, who knows what the consequences could be…
With no hesitation, Saoirse suggests she takes on the role of main breadwinner. After all, how hard can it be? And when a new client offers her a life-changing sum of money, Saoirse can look the other over-achieving Woodvale school-run mums in the eye with pride.
But there’s a problem with keeping too many balls in the air – eventually one is bound to drop. And when that happens – well, who knows what the consequences could be…
338 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 11, 2021
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 75 reviews
January 24, 2022
I liked this one better than book #1. Probably because Saoirse comes to realize that not everyone she meets is going to be a best friend forever like Bea. I liked the resolution to some things, but other things had me going what the heck. I did laugh a lot though while reading this one which is the main reason why I gave this one 4 stars. The mothers in Saoirse's neighborhood sound like a lot. I am not a mother, but I never understood why anyone would put down another woman because she's not cooking organic food for their kids or breast feeding. I have zero chill and would have hurt someone's feelings a lot if they kept judging me.
I will also say that Saoirse needs to get a grip though. She claims to hate the neighborhood mom's but is still part of their What's Up app convos and can't stop going to the Facebook group. I did cheer about the resolution to that whole mess though.
Spoilers for those who have not read book #1.
I will also say that Saoirse needs to get a grip though. She claims to hate the neighborhood mom's but is still part of their What's Up app convos and can't stop going to the Facebook group. I did cheer about the resolution to that whole mess though.
Spoilers for those who have not read book #1.
March 5, 2021
I loved this book, there is plenty of humour which is wonderfully well observed, honest, insightful but always empathetic. We see the world through Saoirse’s eyes and learn with her that people are not always what they first appear. For me one of the real delights was the different relationships between the characters, I particularly loved Bea and Saoirse’s very special friendship. There are more difficult moments and darker threads but these are handled sensitively and with great insight, and for me were some of the highlights of this book. Can’t wait for the next.
March 1, 2021
I absolutely loved Emma’s debut novel, Time Out, so had eagerly anticipated the sequel, The Juggle, and it didn’t disappoint.
The story picks up shortly after Time Out finishes. Saoirse’s daughter Anna has now started primary school and the discomfort of the nursery pick-up has shifted to the school gates. One of my favourite aspects of Time Out were the interactions with The Organics – a group of super-judgemental ‘perfect’ neighbourhood mums – so I was delighted to see these interactions continuing on the school WhatsApp group. These aspects are so brilliantly observed and, although I could directly relate to them from my experience as a mum, you don’t need to have children to understand the playground politics. This kind of one-upmanship presents itself in the workplace too.
When husband David unexpectedly loses his job, Saoirse feels the pressure to take on an extremely well-paid ghost-writing project despite having doubts about the somewhat demanding and eccentric client. I love the scenes with him as it was always a surprise as to what he might say or do next. That invention? Eek!
While Saoirse juggles two writing projects, friendships, motherhood and rivalries, The Juggle has plenty of brilliant laugh out loud moments. There are also a couple of darker threads running alongside this which were dealt with sensitively and added depth to the story and the characters.
A strong sequel which can be read as a standalone but I personally think readers would have a richer experience if they’ve read Time Out first. Really looking forward to the final part in the series.
The story picks up shortly after Time Out finishes. Saoirse’s daughter Anna has now started primary school and the discomfort of the nursery pick-up has shifted to the school gates. One of my favourite aspects of Time Out were the interactions with The Organics – a group of super-judgemental ‘perfect’ neighbourhood mums – so I was delighted to see these interactions continuing on the school WhatsApp group. These aspects are so brilliantly observed and, although I could directly relate to them from my experience as a mum, you don’t need to have children to understand the playground politics. This kind of one-upmanship presents itself in the workplace too.
When husband David unexpectedly loses his job, Saoirse feels the pressure to take on an extremely well-paid ghost-writing project despite having doubts about the somewhat demanding and eccentric client. I love the scenes with him as it was always a surprise as to what he might say or do next. That invention? Eek!
While Saoirse juggles two writing projects, friendships, motherhood and rivalries, The Juggle has plenty of brilliant laugh out loud moments. There are also a couple of darker threads running alongside this which were dealt with sensitively and added depth to the story and the characters.
A strong sequel which can be read as a standalone but I personally think readers would have a richer experience if they’ve read Time Out first. Really looking forward to the final part in the series.
January 11, 2023
Although I missed the first book of this series, I jumped straight in with this offering from Murray. There was plenty of background given to the characters and I didn’t feel like I had not read the first story.
This was an enjoyable read that had me chuckling with Murray’s portrayal of the school run, school mums and the dreaded WhatsApp group. I think Murray expertly portrays this element of parenthood and it was something that felt more than realistic. Although some hyperbole was involved, I found myself cringing at how much I could relate to Saoirse’s experiences. This was the funniest theme of the story and I do wish Murray had added more of these chuckles along the way.
Not only do we see Saoirse’s juggling of parenting and working, readers witness how supportive Saoirse is of her friends. Here there are more tougher ideas explored and I thought this brought a different side to the narrative. From single parenting to marriage breakdowns, this book is not just the fun-loving story that I was anticipating. Adding a more sombre element to the narrative, this is why I was hoping for more comedic moments to lighten the atmosphere. On the other hand, I thought the portrayal of these struggles to be very realistic and my heart did break for some characters over the story.
Saoirse’s daughter, Anna, seems to be a force upon herself! I thought she was a right little madam and was exasperated by Saoirse and her husband’s parenting techniques. Too much emphasis was placed on putting Anna in front of the iPad to keep her quiet; she barely seems to be seen playing with toys but often watching screens in a quick method to keep her from disturbing the parents. It was funny in the earlier parts of the story but it did make me increasingly uncomfortable, especially combined with the amount of bribery and tantrums that are seen in between. I think Murray could have balanced this parenting out a bit more as this exaggeration made the story less entertaining for me.
The characters that surround Saoirse are all very relatable and I am certain readers will be able to identify them in their own friendship circles – I certainly could! Even though there are obvious backstories to some of the characters from the first book, I barely noticed because of Murray’s vivid characterisation. This added to the entertaining element of the novel and left me excited to see the next adventure of Saoirse and her family.
With thanks to Boldwood books and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This was an enjoyable read that had me chuckling with Murray’s portrayal of the school run, school mums and the dreaded WhatsApp group. I think Murray expertly portrays this element of parenthood and it was something that felt more than realistic. Although some hyperbole was involved, I found myself cringing at how much I could relate to Saoirse’s experiences. This was the funniest theme of the story and I do wish Murray had added more of these chuckles along the way.
Not only do we see Saoirse’s juggling of parenting and working, readers witness how supportive Saoirse is of her friends. Here there are more tougher ideas explored and I thought this brought a different side to the narrative. From single parenting to marriage breakdowns, this book is not just the fun-loving story that I was anticipating. Adding a more sombre element to the narrative, this is why I was hoping for more comedic moments to lighten the atmosphere. On the other hand, I thought the portrayal of these struggles to be very realistic and my heart did break for some characters over the story.
Saoirse’s daughter, Anna, seems to be a force upon herself! I thought she was a right little madam and was exasperated by Saoirse and her husband’s parenting techniques. Too much emphasis was placed on putting Anna in front of the iPad to keep her quiet; she barely seems to be seen playing with toys but often watching screens in a quick method to keep her from disturbing the parents. It was funny in the earlier parts of the story but it did make me increasingly uncomfortable, especially combined with the amount of bribery and tantrums that are seen in between. I think Murray could have balanced this parenting out a bit more as this exaggeration made the story less entertaining for me.
The characters that surround Saoirse are all very relatable and I am certain readers will be able to identify them in their own friendship circles – I certainly could! Even though there are obvious backstories to some of the characters from the first book, I barely noticed because of Murray’s vivid characterisation. This added to the entertaining element of the novel and left me excited to see the next adventure of Saoirse and her family.
With thanks to Boldwood books and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
November 30, 2023
This book was so funny, it had me laughing so many times. Emma, I love your sense of humor. The title of the book is exactly what it is about. Juggling work, friends and family. I loved the side story about adoption. I actually didnt realise this was book 2 but that didnt matter. I will definitely be reading more of her books.
September 16, 2021
The Juggle is one of those books where you read the blurb and just know you are going to love it. Within the first few pages I knew I was going to really love Saoirse, she is the kind of Mum that I loved chatting to on the school run as she was much more down to earth and realistic. I laughed at her references to the organic mum's who used their scooters to and from school as it was like stepping back in time to when my daughter started school.
A book packed full of great characters with tears of laughter and sadness throughout, this is a real insight into the battles you choose to pick with your children and how sometimes you don't have the time and decide to settle for a quick win. Being a working parent is tough at times and it does require a lot of juggling and so much judgement is passed on parenting styles, rather than people just focusing on making their little humans as nice as possible.
This was my first book by Emma Murray but I loved it and I really hope we get to meet Saoirse and her family again as this story made me giggle throughout and I love a light hearted read.
A book packed full of great characters with tears of laughter and sadness throughout, this is a real insight into the battles you choose to pick with your children and how sometimes you don't have the time and decide to settle for a quick win. Being a working parent is tough at times and it does require a lot of juggling and so much judgement is passed on parenting styles, rather than people just focusing on making their little humans as nice as possible.
This was my first book by Emma Murray but I loved it and I really hope we get to meet Saoirse and her family again as this story made me giggle throughout and I love a light hearted read.
February 15, 2021
A nice light read
A light and witty follow up to Time Out, The Juggle follows the protagonist through ups and downs; from job loss to miscarriage, to incredible friendship.
A light and witty follow up to Time Out, The Juggle follows the protagonist through ups and downs; from job loss to miscarriage, to incredible friendship.
February 13, 2021
Okay. First of all, I had to look up the pronunciation of the name Saoirse so I didn’t murder it every time I came across it. Secondly, I was thoroughly exhausted from laughing at Saoirse’s antics as a mother, wife, friend, and ghostwriter.
Between the judgemental school moms nicknamed the Organics, her nutcase of a client with his creepy secret invention, her moody daughter, and her redundant, stay-at-home husband looking for his birth mother, what more could happen to Saoirse? Pull up a chair…
Saoirse is one tough dude holding her life together like a rock star. She servilely outmaneuvers her precocious and manipulative four-year-old Anna, she enjoys brunch sex with her jobless husband, and she is a loyal and wonderful friend to her best friend Bea who is going through some rough times.
I laughed out loud so many times reading this book including the “blowjobgate” with Mr. Russell at her daughter’s school and the snarky ankle-crushing, scooter-riding Facebook Vale Mums. There are also some very moving and heartbreaking moments with Bea’s situation and David’s search for his birth mother. There is nothing I love more than a book that makes me laugh and cry within just a few chapters as the surprises keep coming to the cliffhanger ending.
I recommend this smart, relatable, and funny book about juggling motherhood, friendship, and family while trying to stay sane in the process. I can’t wait to see what the author brings in book 2. Give this book a try.
Thank you to Ms. Murray for giving me the opportunity to read this book with no expectations of a positive review.
Between the judgemental school moms nicknamed the Organics, her nutcase of a client with his creepy secret invention, her moody daughter, and her redundant, stay-at-home husband looking for his birth mother, what more could happen to Saoirse? Pull up a chair…
Saoirse is one tough dude holding her life together like a rock star. She servilely outmaneuvers her precocious and manipulative four-year-old Anna, she enjoys brunch sex with her jobless husband, and she is a loyal and wonderful friend to her best friend Bea who is going through some rough times.
I laughed out loud so many times reading this book including the “blowjobgate” with Mr. Russell at her daughter’s school and the snarky ankle-crushing, scooter-riding Facebook Vale Mums. There are also some very moving and heartbreaking moments with Bea’s situation and David’s search for his birth mother. There is nothing I love more than a book that makes me laugh and cry within just a few chapters as the surprises keep coming to the cliffhanger ending.
I recommend this smart, relatable, and funny book about juggling motherhood, friendship, and family while trying to stay sane in the process. I can’t wait to see what the author brings in book 2. Give this book a try.
Thank you to Ms. Murray for giving me the opportunity to read this book with no expectations of a positive review.
April 21, 2022
A great follow-up to Time Out. Looking forward to reading the next one!
February 10, 2021
After having reviewed and loved Time Out for how honest and open a portrayal of motherhood it was, I was left aching for a sequel. I showed my interest as soon as Boldwood sent the email with the details.
Saoirse is such a great person, so real and such a fighter yet we do see her at her weakest, most self-doubting moments. Her daughter Anna is now four and is still full of energy and just a joy with all the things she comes out with. Yes, she still loves her iPad and YouTube. She is just the sweetest little girl yet has a character that makes her wise beyond her years.
David has a struggle in store when he loses his job, and the snobby mums are still trying to get Saoirse down. But will she give them what they want, or rise to the challenge?
Can she succeed in giving her daughter the best life possible and will David work with her, or will it all prove too much?
Once again, family, motherly duties and loyalty come into play for a loveable family in an amazing sequel that flows so easily and is very feel-good but also real. Although I am not a mother myself, I feel that Saoirse has so much to teach me, and anyone else who wishes to be a mother.
Another great book by Emma Murray! She has such a talent for any subject relating to motherhood and making all the themes relatable that I never felt lost in the book. Each and every character was clearly formed, highly individual and the plot was easy to follow. The already excellent pacing was enhanced further by short, tightly focused chapters which was something I enjoyed about Tine Out, the previous novel, too.
Thanks to Emma Murray, Rachel's Random Resources and Boldwood Books for my ARC in exchange for an honest and voluntary review.
5 stars.
Saoirse is such a great person, so real and such a fighter yet we do see her at her weakest, most self-doubting moments. Her daughter Anna is now four and is still full of energy and just a joy with all the things she comes out with. Yes, she still loves her iPad and YouTube. She is just the sweetest little girl yet has a character that makes her wise beyond her years.
David has a struggle in store when he loses his job, and the snobby mums are still trying to get Saoirse down. But will she give them what they want, or rise to the challenge?
Can she succeed in giving her daughter the best life possible and will David work with her, or will it all prove too much?
Once again, family, motherly duties and loyalty come into play for a loveable family in an amazing sequel that flows so easily and is very feel-good but also real. Although I am not a mother myself, I feel that Saoirse has so much to teach me, and anyone else who wishes to be a mother.
Another great book by Emma Murray! She has such a talent for any subject relating to motherhood and making all the themes relatable that I never felt lost in the book. Each and every character was clearly formed, highly individual and the plot was easy to follow. The already excellent pacing was enhanced further by short, tightly focused chapters which was something I enjoyed about Tine Out, the previous novel, too.
Thanks to Emma Murray, Rachel's Random Resources and Boldwood Books for my ARC in exchange for an honest and voluntary review.
5 stars.
March 20, 2021
Just not my cup of tea. I thought this book would be light and funny but it hardly was. It's about the stress of juggling the care of a child, a job that is no fun but the money so needed, a husband who just became redundant , family, friends and the other mothers at school. Maybe I can't relate because I don't have children. The second part of the book is better, I started to like Saoirse more. She showed to be a real friend and I think more relaxed when some stress factors were gone (get off the stupid app group, it's so simple!).
2021 Books #11
2021 Books #11
February 13, 2021
It was not until after I finished reading that I looked at other reviews and found out that this novel was a sequel to the novel Time Out.
The Juggle
follows the same set of characters and acts as a direct sequel given that it takes place after the events of the first. I read this novel without reading the previous and was able to follow without any issues, so I believe readers can read this one as a standalone if they wished. However, reading the first novel would provide background and more details to the story. There are references to the events from the previous novel, but there are times where I wish I read the entire story first.
Saoirse is currently a stay at home mom trying to balance life in a school where the mom squad gives those that do not serve only organic snacks, a difficult time. Her daughter, Anna, is a sweet and vivacious four-year-old who loves her iPad time, which is something else Saoirse gets judged for by the other moms. Even if you do not have children, Saoirse is very relatable how she tries to balance multiple things at the same time while trying to actually do them well. Anyone who has ever tried to keep track of multiple things at once can absolutely relate to this character and sympathize with her struggle.
Saoirse’s husband, David, loses his job in this one and now must find a new career path, or at least a new job. To keep the family afloat, Saoirse ends up taking a ghost-writing job, given that her book is currently on hold, in order to earn enough money for the family to survive while David works on his professional life. The story goes through the day-to-day life of the juggle that everyone goes through where they have so much to keep track of in their life with others that either directly or indirectly are impacted by how well they can hold it together. I loved the humorous take on this struggle as it was light-hearted and very relatable. Things don’t always go as planned where you have to pivot to something new, sometimes at a moment’s notice. There are times where you have to pick and choose your battles and just take even the smallest achievement as a win, even if it was not the outcome you were working towards. With David’s job loss and Saoirse’s new job to ghost-write, their roles change as David steps up to help out more at home. This slight role reversal was entertaining and enjoyable to read about.
In addition to Saorise’s life at home, she also has her best friend, Bea, and her new school mom friends. The moms in the Organics, “perfect” school mom group, are her “friends” and we see how Saorise balances these different relationships. Like every person, there are many obstacles with trying to balance the lives of others with you own as you don’t want to be a bad friend, wife, husband, mother, father, etc., yet you need to find balance to keep yourself happy, too. Again, this is a topic that everyone can relate to in some way as all readers will understand the struggle to try and be everywhere at once without experiencing burnout.
The school Whatsapp group was funny as I fully related to Saoirse. If there was a school bake sale, I would absolutely be bringing store bought cakes instead of making my own, especially because I’m not a great baker. Saoirse’s journey was very enjoyable to read about as she further explores her friendship with Bea and begins to wonder if her current writing career path is right for her. I love how the entire novel looks at what happens when your life seems to be going one way and then curveballs are thrown at you and now you either have to work to return to the original way of life or figure out a brand new way. Overall, this is a perfect book club novel as there are lots of possible discussion topics. It was very enjoyable and gave a nice slice of life reading to my day. I would gladly read more from this author!
**I give a special thank you to NetGalley, Boldwood Books, and the author, Emma Murray, for an ARC to read and review. The opinions expressed are completely my own.**
Saoirse is currently a stay at home mom trying to balance life in a school where the mom squad gives those that do not serve only organic snacks, a difficult time. Her daughter, Anna, is a sweet and vivacious four-year-old who loves her iPad time, which is something else Saoirse gets judged for by the other moms. Even if you do not have children, Saoirse is very relatable how she tries to balance multiple things at the same time while trying to actually do them well. Anyone who has ever tried to keep track of multiple things at once can absolutely relate to this character and sympathize with her struggle.
Saoirse’s husband, David, loses his job in this one and now must find a new career path, or at least a new job. To keep the family afloat, Saoirse ends up taking a ghost-writing job, given that her book is currently on hold, in order to earn enough money for the family to survive while David works on his professional life. The story goes through the day-to-day life of the juggle that everyone goes through where they have so much to keep track of in their life with others that either directly or indirectly are impacted by how well they can hold it together. I loved the humorous take on this struggle as it was light-hearted and very relatable. Things don’t always go as planned where you have to pivot to something new, sometimes at a moment’s notice. There are times where you have to pick and choose your battles and just take even the smallest achievement as a win, even if it was not the outcome you were working towards. With David’s job loss and Saoirse’s new job to ghost-write, their roles change as David steps up to help out more at home. This slight role reversal was entertaining and enjoyable to read about.
In addition to Saorise’s life at home, she also has her best friend, Bea, and her new school mom friends. The moms in the Organics, “perfect” school mom group, are her “friends” and we see how Saorise balances these different relationships. Like every person, there are many obstacles with trying to balance the lives of others with you own as you don’t want to be a bad friend, wife, husband, mother, father, etc., yet you need to find balance to keep yourself happy, too. Again, this is a topic that everyone can relate to in some way as all readers will understand the struggle to try and be everywhere at once without experiencing burnout.
The school Whatsapp group was funny as I fully related to Saoirse. If there was a school bake sale, I would absolutely be bringing store bought cakes instead of making my own, especially because I’m not a great baker. Saoirse’s journey was very enjoyable to read about as she further explores her friendship with Bea and begins to wonder if her current writing career path is right for her. I love how the entire novel looks at what happens when your life seems to be going one way and then curveballs are thrown at you and now you either have to work to return to the original way of life or figure out a brand new way. Overall, this is a perfect book club novel as there are lots of possible discussion topics. It was very enjoyable and gave a nice slice of life reading to my day. I would gladly read more from this author!
**I give a special thank you to NetGalley, Boldwood Books, and the author, Emma Murray, for an ARC to read and review. The opinions expressed are completely my own.**
February 16, 2021
Rating 4.5/5
First things first, I am so glad I did not have to read the book out loud as Saoirse’s name left me scrambling every time I came to it. I mean it had me silently tongue-tied. Secondly, I did not know this was a sequel until I started looking up the details for the beginning of my post. I guess I’m going to be hunting it down through the Kindle store now just because I honestly loved Saoirse. I feel she is exactly how I would be on the playground – once the Covid restrictions ease a little – awkward, anti-social and chasing the cool mom.
The book follows our main character Saoirse through her day to day life a mother, well slash ghostwriter, best friend and breadmaker. As Saoirse proves, its never just housework, playdates and school runs. Its about being the superhero best friend with a little white stick, a silent text assassin looking out for the working mums, a supporting partner when your husband’s life turns completely topsy turvy and all whilst figuring out if your parenting style whilst the I-Pad rules the roost. No seriously, as adorable as Saoirse’s daughter Anna is; she is like a demon on a blood fuelled rampage if you get between her and her YouTube Kids. You get to know Anna a lot during the story, her character is full of personality. She is the perfect example of a sassy 4-year-old. Saoirse clearly has her hands full with this adorable monster. I would love a playdate between Anna and my oldest Oscar, I feel it would amazing though the bombsite afterwards would definitely need a cleaner.
The other characters you get to meet throughout this uplifting and funny novel are just as big on the personality front. Well, except Diane. Diane fails at small talk. You have David, the husband and newly passionate chef. I don’t know what his job was before, I am certain neither did his wife Saoirse, but now he likes to cook. Plus, brunch is his new addiction. Brunch’s David’s way makes a marriage fun. Remind me to try it once both kids are in school. You also meet Bea, Saoirse’s best friend and fellow mother who’s life explodes into uncertain territory. But with a best friend like Saoirse, she will do just fine. See, their friendship is the goal that you need in your life. Reminds me once this Covid situation eases, I need mine back in my life rather than inbox. You also get to meet Anna’s new best friend Millie, as well as her parents Sho and Ambrose. See, Millie is the daughter of the cool parents, the parents who are edgy and alternative. The parents with tattoos, but not me. Even though I’m covered, I feel I am too geeky to be a Sho. Sho is the old Chlo, the one that could live past 10pm and travelled to see bands without a second thought. Parent Chlo is Saoirse. I do love the juxtaposition between the two characters, two completely opposite sides of the parenting spectrum with a united goal. That brings me to the Organics. The judgey mums who have banned all processed foods and like to rub it in your face that they can parent better than you. If you have these sorts of mums on the playground, ignore them, they aren’t doing better at the parenting game than you. We are all just on different difficulties, that being our child’s choice in listening skills and taste pallet.
Honestly, the book is a feel good comedy highlighting all the true moments of being a parent, the breakdowns, the test on relationships and the irony of raising a mini you. Plus it feels like it could be written by you. Well, not the well written jokes and comedy. At least not me. But the parenting stories, the wins and the fails that deserve a glass or two of wine. I loved the book and it was such an easy read. It felt like a gossip over a coffee when the children wreck the upstairs. Plus considering the current situation outside, everyone deserves a pick me up and this book provides big time. I mean knickers over work trousers for an interview sort of laugh. So let Emma Murray y and Saoirse provide the jokes and you can provide the wine and laughs. It went down well with my bottle of red.
First things first, I am so glad I did not have to read the book out loud as Saoirse’s name left me scrambling every time I came to it. I mean it had me silently tongue-tied. Secondly, I did not know this was a sequel until I started looking up the details for the beginning of my post. I guess I’m going to be hunting it down through the Kindle store now just because I honestly loved Saoirse. I feel she is exactly how I would be on the playground – once the Covid restrictions ease a little – awkward, anti-social and chasing the cool mom.
The book follows our main character Saoirse through her day to day life a mother, well slash ghostwriter, best friend and breadmaker. As Saoirse proves, its never just housework, playdates and school runs. Its about being the superhero best friend with a little white stick, a silent text assassin looking out for the working mums, a supporting partner when your husband’s life turns completely topsy turvy and all whilst figuring out if your parenting style whilst the I-Pad rules the roost. No seriously, as adorable as Saoirse’s daughter Anna is; she is like a demon on a blood fuelled rampage if you get between her and her YouTube Kids. You get to know Anna a lot during the story, her character is full of personality. She is the perfect example of a sassy 4-year-old. Saoirse clearly has her hands full with this adorable monster. I would love a playdate between Anna and my oldest Oscar, I feel it would amazing though the bombsite afterwards would definitely need a cleaner.
The other characters you get to meet throughout this uplifting and funny novel are just as big on the personality front. Well, except Diane. Diane fails at small talk. You have David, the husband and newly passionate chef. I don’t know what his job was before, I am certain neither did his wife Saoirse, but now he likes to cook. Plus, brunch is his new addiction. Brunch’s David’s way makes a marriage fun. Remind me to try it once both kids are in school. You also meet Bea, Saoirse’s best friend and fellow mother who’s life explodes into uncertain territory. But with a best friend like Saoirse, she will do just fine. See, their friendship is the goal that you need in your life. Reminds me once this Covid situation eases, I need mine back in my life rather than inbox. You also get to meet Anna’s new best friend Millie, as well as her parents Sho and Ambrose. See, Millie is the daughter of the cool parents, the parents who are edgy and alternative. The parents with tattoos, but not me. Even though I’m covered, I feel I am too geeky to be a Sho. Sho is the old Chlo, the one that could live past 10pm and travelled to see bands without a second thought. Parent Chlo is Saoirse. I do love the juxtaposition between the two characters, two completely opposite sides of the parenting spectrum with a united goal. That brings me to the Organics. The judgey mums who have banned all processed foods and like to rub it in your face that they can parent better than you. If you have these sorts of mums on the playground, ignore them, they aren’t doing better at the parenting game than you. We are all just on different difficulties, that being our child’s choice in listening skills and taste pallet.
Honestly, the book is a feel good comedy highlighting all the true moments of being a parent, the breakdowns, the test on relationships and the irony of raising a mini you. Plus it feels like it could be written by you. Well, not the well written jokes and comedy. At least not me. But the parenting stories, the wins and the fails that deserve a glass or two of wine. I loved the book and it was such an easy read. It felt like a gossip over a coffee when the children wreck the upstairs. Plus considering the current situation outside, everyone deserves a pick me up and this book provides big time. I mean knickers over work trousers for an interview sort of laugh. So let Emma Murray y and Saoirse provide the jokes and you can provide the wine and laughs. It went down well with my bottle of red.
March 2, 2021
Women everywhere will find pieces of themselves in Emma Murray’s hilarious, astute and immensely enjoyable new novel The Juggle.
If multi-tasking was an Olympic sport, Saoirse would win gold every time. The mother of one is juggling the demands of motherhood with her part-time job and she is just about holding it together. With her husband David focusing on his career while she looks after their child and their home, Saoirse has become an expert at juggling a million and one balls – until the rug is well and truly pulled from under feet when David makes a shocking announcement that turns her entire life upside down: he’s lost his job! What on earth are they going to do now? With bills to pay and a child to feed and clothe – not to mention keeping a roof over everybody’s head – Saoirse cannot afford to panic or wallow in self-pity so she decides to take the bull by the horns and become the main breadwinner while David takes a more active role at home. After all, how hard can it be? However, Saoirse soon realises that having it all is not as easy as she had initially thought…
There never seem to be enough hours in the day to do everything and with her hours at work increasing, her time at home seems to be decreasing to such an extent that she never sees her family. But could Saoirse’s luck be about to change? When a new client offers her a life-changing sum of money, Saoirse thinks that finally all of her woes are coming to an end and that she will be able to hold her head high at the school gates and look the over-achieving mums in the eye without feeling inferior. But just when Saoirse thinks that she can have it all, she gets a massive shock when she realizes that taking your eye off the ball will have shocking repercussions and consequences nobody could have possibly foreseen.
Will happiness and fulfillment ever be within her reach? Or is Saoirse destined for disappointment?
Every single woman in the world is going to relate to Emma Murray’s brilliantly funny and immensely realistic novel, The Juggle. Sharp, witty and a book that will have readers laughing and crying, The Juggle is a terrific read about having it all, keeping far too many balls spinning in the air and the plethora of miracles women are expected to perform on a daily basis while holding down a job, bringing up kids and having dinner ready on the table all while looking stylish and fabulous with a home straight out of a lifestyle magazine that is so acutely and believably written that readers will feel as if Emma Murray has an insight into their mind and soul.
Superbly told and with a brilliant heroine, Emma Murray’s The Juggle is a fantastic read women of all ages are going to love!
If multi-tasking was an Olympic sport, Saoirse would win gold every time. The mother of one is juggling the demands of motherhood with her part-time job and she is just about holding it together. With her husband David focusing on his career while she looks after their child and their home, Saoirse has become an expert at juggling a million and one balls – until the rug is well and truly pulled from under feet when David makes a shocking announcement that turns her entire life upside down: he’s lost his job! What on earth are they going to do now? With bills to pay and a child to feed and clothe – not to mention keeping a roof over everybody’s head – Saoirse cannot afford to panic or wallow in self-pity so she decides to take the bull by the horns and become the main breadwinner while David takes a more active role at home. After all, how hard can it be? However, Saoirse soon realises that having it all is not as easy as she had initially thought…
There never seem to be enough hours in the day to do everything and with her hours at work increasing, her time at home seems to be decreasing to such an extent that she never sees her family. But could Saoirse’s luck be about to change? When a new client offers her a life-changing sum of money, Saoirse thinks that finally all of her woes are coming to an end and that she will be able to hold her head high at the school gates and look the over-achieving mums in the eye without feeling inferior. But just when Saoirse thinks that she can have it all, she gets a massive shock when she realizes that taking your eye off the ball will have shocking repercussions and consequences nobody could have possibly foreseen.
Will happiness and fulfillment ever be within her reach? Or is Saoirse destined for disappointment?
Every single woman in the world is going to relate to Emma Murray’s brilliantly funny and immensely realistic novel, The Juggle. Sharp, witty and a book that will have readers laughing and crying, The Juggle is a terrific read about having it all, keeping far too many balls spinning in the air and the plethora of miracles women are expected to perform on a daily basis while holding down a job, bringing up kids and having dinner ready on the table all while looking stylish and fabulous with a home straight out of a lifestyle magazine that is so acutely and believably written that readers will feel as if Emma Murray has an insight into their mind and soul.
Superbly told and with a brilliant heroine, Emma Murray’s The Juggle is a fantastic read women of all ages are going to love!
March 13, 2021
I was so looking forward to reading this after reading time out & did enjoy it, but not so much as the first. An easy, light hearted read & the same likeable main characters whose stories I enjoyed continuing to follow, but I felt that it ended abruptly & kind of lacked real substance. Of all the plots going on, no single one really captured me in the same way the first book did. I think there were also a couple of big topics broached (Bea storyline & Rose / Bonnie) & that was a lot to take on & maybe neither could be delved into all that deeply in a book of this generally light hearted nature to feel satisfying enough (to me at least).
When I got to the end it felt like the end of a chapter not the entire book. I was reading on my kindle rather than hard copy & didn't realise it was over, I was genuinely surprised! I found a couple of bits too unrealistic, like the ridiculous "invention" of the ghost book client which was just so silly I couldn't get on board with that at all & regarding the breathalyser test they didn't bother doing, just no, that wouldn't happen, they'd have to do it as procedure. These are only small things but just spoiled it for me a little.
Part of the reason I enjoyed the first book so much was that it was so focused on the funny parenting moments and interactions between the different mums & mum friendships. As a parent of little people I found that really entertaining & very relateable. I also found the various main storylines in the first book more compelling & for want of a better word, precisely that, just "better" plot lines. This installment stepped away somewhat for me, from being as relatable, Bea who I loved in book one spent most of the book being miserable & not her strong (& very funny, sarcastic self) which makes sense given what she was going through but still disappointed me. This is the type of book I read for entertainment & smiles. I would have preferred to see her with a storyline that included some attempts at romance with some terrible date stories to tell us with her unique no nonsense wit.
I still look forward to the third installment when there hopefully is one as I do want to see where things go but I hope that we can have a bit more clever Organics dramas injected back in, maybe a love interest or two for Bea & more focus brought back in general to the delights of parenting & the kids antics, beyond refering to Anna constantly needing her iPad which although realistic, got a bit tedious. I'm sure there is plenty more hilarity for Anna to get up to next time around, especially with her bestie set to be back with her at school.
When I got to the end it felt like the end of a chapter not the entire book. I was reading on my kindle rather than hard copy & didn't realise it was over, I was genuinely surprised! I found a couple of bits too unrealistic, like the ridiculous "invention" of the ghost book client which was just so silly I couldn't get on board with that at all & regarding the breathalyser test they didn't bother doing, just no, that wouldn't happen, they'd have to do it as procedure. These are only small things but just spoiled it for me a little.
Part of the reason I enjoyed the first book so much was that it was so focused on the funny parenting moments and interactions between the different mums & mum friendships. As a parent of little people I found that really entertaining & very relateable. I also found the various main storylines in the first book more compelling & for want of a better word, precisely that, just "better" plot lines. This installment stepped away somewhat for me, from being as relatable, Bea who I loved in book one spent most of the book being miserable & not her strong (& very funny, sarcastic self) which makes sense given what she was going through but still disappointed me. This is the type of book I read for entertainment & smiles. I would have preferred to see her with a storyline that included some attempts at romance with some terrible date stories to tell us with her unique no nonsense wit.
I still look forward to the third installment when there hopefully is one as I do want to see where things go but I hope that we can have a bit more clever Organics dramas injected back in, maybe a love interest or two for Bea & more focus brought back in general to the delights of parenting & the kids antics, beyond refering to Anna constantly needing her iPad which although realistic, got a bit tedious. I'm sure there is plenty more hilarity for Anna to get up to next time around, especially with her bestie set to be back with her at school.
February 14, 2021
I read and loved Emma’s previous book called ‘Time Out’. When I heard that she was due to release another one, I knew that I just had to read it as soon as I could. I managed to get my hands on a copy and I squirrelled myself away until the moment I read the very last word on the very last page. I thought that ‘Time Out’ was good but ‘The Juggle’ is even better. I ADORED reading ‘The Juggle’ but more about that in a bit.
It took me no time at all to get into this story. In fact by the time I got to the bottom of the first page, I knew that this was one of those books that would prove to be unputdownable. I was spot on too. My Kindle wasn’t exactly glued to my hand but it might as well have been because it travelled everywhere with me. I just couldn’t bear to miss a single second of the story. I think part of the reason for my addiction to this book was the fact that it made me smile so often. In fact I don’t think that I stopped smiling once whilst reading this book. ‘The Juggle’ was just the tonic that I needed. The pages turned over increasingly quickly as I worked my way through the story. Then al too quickly I reached the end of the story and I had to bid farewell to Saoirse.
‘The Juggle’ is superbly written but then I thought that to be true of ‘Time Out’ too. Emma has one of those writing styles that reads more like a chat between friends than an actual book. I hope that makes sense. Emma’s writing style is easy to get used to and easy to get along with. I love the way in which she creates such lovable characters that end up feeling more like friends than anything else. I also love the way in which Emma injects a large dose of humour into the story. The way in which she described some of the school Mams and what happened to the headmaster made me cough, splutter and spit some of the tea out that I had just taken a large gulp of. I found this to be a gripping story which held my attention from start to finish and made me laugh a lot.
In short, I thoroughly and totally adored reading ‘The Juggle’ and I would have no hesitation in recommending this book to other readers. I will certainly be reading more of Emma’s work in the future. The score on the Ginger Book Geek board is a very well deserved 5* out of 5*
It took me no time at all to get into this story. In fact by the time I got to the bottom of the first page, I knew that this was one of those books that would prove to be unputdownable. I was spot on too. My Kindle wasn’t exactly glued to my hand but it might as well have been because it travelled everywhere with me. I just couldn’t bear to miss a single second of the story. I think part of the reason for my addiction to this book was the fact that it made me smile so often. In fact I don’t think that I stopped smiling once whilst reading this book. ‘The Juggle’ was just the tonic that I needed. The pages turned over increasingly quickly as I worked my way through the story. Then al too quickly I reached the end of the story and I had to bid farewell to Saoirse.
‘The Juggle’ is superbly written but then I thought that to be true of ‘Time Out’ too. Emma has one of those writing styles that reads more like a chat between friends than an actual book. I hope that makes sense. Emma’s writing style is easy to get used to and easy to get along with. I love the way in which she creates such lovable characters that end up feeling more like friends than anything else. I also love the way in which Emma injects a large dose of humour into the story. The way in which she described some of the school Mams and what happened to the headmaster made me cough, splutter and spit some of the tea out that I had just taken a large gulp of. I found this to be a gripping story which held my attention from start to finish and made me laugh a lot.
In short, I thoroughly and totally adored reading ‘The Juggle’ and I would have no hesitation in recommending this book to other readers. I will certainly be reading more of Emma’s work in the future. The score on the Ginger Book Geek board is a very well deserved 5* out of 5*
December 27, 2020
This book was so much fun to read. I didn't realize it was a sequel in the beginning, and I would recommend reading the first book (although I didn't). Overall I just had a fun time reading about the drama in Saoirse's life. For a woman who has a huge fear that she is boring, her life is so dramatic it's just fun to watch what happens next. I laughed at the way Murray weaved a ridiculous, silly, and dramatic story about the things Saoirse and her friends have to go through. The plot wasn't realistic at all, but that's the point, isn't it?
The way Murray rights about motherhood and the trials and tribulations was so real and visceral. I felt each moment for her. I loved reading about an actual mom who's life revolves around her daughter and making her husband happy. I also loved that the disputes of domesticity were realistic. Not every day is fun, not every day is a walk in the park, and sometimes you do things for your husband to save him from worry and still resent that. The characters were real and dealing with real, complicated issues and emotions.
I do wish that some of the moms in the book weren't so one note. I understand the background characters are more of a "chorus" for Saoirse, but I just felt like there should be something redeemable about even the most judgmental mom. I was hoping it would come and it just didn't. It felt like Murray had sympathy for all types of moms BUT the ones who try to "have it all." I also have not experienced an openly hostile judgmental mom, so maybe I'm just missing something. I also wish the book had been a bit more resolved by the end, but also realize that is part of the genre and not a flaw.
Thank you NetGalley and Boldwood Books for this advanced copy!
The way Murray rights about motherhood and the trials and tribulations was so real and visceral. I felt each moment for her. I loved reading about an actual mom who's life revolves around her daughter and making her husband happy. I also loved that the disputes of domesticity were realistic. Not every day is fun, not every day is a walk in the park, and sometimes you do things for your husband to save him from worry and still resent that. The characters were real and dealing with real, complicated issues and emotions.
I do wish that some of the moms in the book weren't so one note. I understand the background characters are more of a "chorus" for Saoirse, but I just felt like there should be something redeemable about even the most judgmental mom. I was hoping it would come and it just didn't. It felt like Murray had sympathy for all types of moms BUT the ones who try to "have it all." I also have not experienced an openly hostile judgmental mom, so maybe I'm just missing something. I also wish the book had been a bit more resolved by the end, but also realize that is part of the genre and not a flaw.
Thank you NetGalley and Boldwood Books for this advanced copy!
March 5, 2021
A Sensational Sequel!
I can’t tell you how wonderful it is to be back with Saoirse in her world! The Juggle sees the domestic tables turned on Saoirse and David’s home life, when Saoirse gets an offer she cannot refuse to ghost write a book. Will Saoirse be able to pull out the stops and write the book on possibly the weirdest subject ever, or will she be derailed by the demands of family life, trying to impress her new friend Sho (a welcome antidote to the toxic Organics, terror of Woodvale) and also be there for the seemingly indestructible Bea? Find out in this brilliant follow up to Time Out.
I’m a huge fan of Emma Murray, and The Juggle is the sequel I’d been waiting for. It was an utter delight to hang out with Saoirse, Bea, and Saoirse’s Ebay entrepreneur mother again. Emma Murray’s writing is so deft: rib ticklingly funny and also heartbreakingly poignant at times that the reader is swept along with Saoirse and her cast of supporting characters as they navigate their increasingly hectic lives. It was a complete joy to be back in their world, and I finished The Juggle immediately wanting more. I think I said this at the end of Time Out, too, but I cannot wait for the next instalment!
I can’t tell you how wonderful it is to be back with Saoirse in her world! The Juggle sees the domestic tables turned on Saoirse and David’s home life, when Saoirse gets an offer she cannot refuse to ghost write a book. Will Saoirse be able to pull out the stops and write the book on possibly the weirdest subject ever, or will she be derailed by the demands of family life, trying to impress her new friend Sho (a welcome antidote to the toxic Organics, terror of Woodvale) and also be there for the seemingly indestructible Bea? Find out in this brilliant follow up to Time Out.
I’m a huge fan of Emma Murray, and The Juggle is the sequel I’d been waiting for. It was an utter delight to hang out with Saoirse, Bea, and Saoirse’s Ebay entrepreneur mother again. Emma Murray’s writing is so deft: rib ticklingly funny and also heartbreakingly poignant at times that the reader is swept along with Saoirse and her cast of supporting characters as they navigate their increasingly hectic lives. It was a complete joy to be back in their world, and I finished The Juggle immediately wanting more. I think I said this at the end of Time Out, too, but I cannot wait for the next instalment!
January 23, 2021
This book was a lovely view into the landscape of motherhood, friendship, marriage and the perseverance of oneself. I enjoyed this one a lot and there few a few moments where I did chuckle. Unfortunately, I can only give this one a 3 stars as I did find that this story lacked in some areas that could have been fleshed out more. For example, some of the relationships with male figures in here were very two dimensional and I felt like I wanted more. I loved the very honest conversation about loneliness. I sometimes found the main character very judgmental... but this is rectified in her self awareness whereby she gives herself many reality checks and chastises herself. I also disliked the references to prostitution as being “bad” by some of the characters. I very much appreciated the element of adoptive parents/birth parents, this brought a whole other dimension to the story. I loved the conversation surrounding miscarriage, which is very topical at the moment. So it was great to see this being represented. Overall, this was a quick, lighthearted read that I needed and I am glad that I picked this one up.
Thank you to NetGalley for the early copy!
Thank you to NetGalley for the early copy!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 31, 2021
Saoirse is juggling her 4-year-old's tantrums, the "school walk" and facing the Organics (the obnoxious moms who judge everyone else's mothering efforts and find them lacking; aka - the "mean moms"), her husband being laid off, and feeling pressured to take a lucrative ghost writing gig with an eccentric because of the pay check he is offering.
I had a hard time with this book for the first solid half. I was contemplating abandoning it (which I seldom do) but then I realized I wanted to know what Sebastian's invention was, if Saoirse would ever one-up the Organics, if David would build a relationship with his birth mother and find a job. I was more engaged toward the end of the book, and then I found out there was a previous book about Saoirse titled "Time Out" that would have probably filled in some of the gaps I was having difficulty connecting in "The Juggle." I definitely recommend you read these books in order. Also, the ending practically assures a #3 tale about Saoirse, David, and Anna.
Readers Advisory recommendation for those who like Sophie Kinsella's Shopaholic series.
I had a hard time with this book for the first solid half. I was contemplating abandoning it (which I seldom do) but then I realized I wanted to know what Sebastian's invention was, if Saoirse would ever one-up the Organics, if David would build a relationship with his birth mother and find a job. I was more engaged toward the end of the book, and then I found out there was a previous book about Saoirse titled "Time Out" that would have probably filled in some of the gaps I was having difficulty connecting in "The Juggle." I definitely recommend you read these books in order. Also, the ending practically assures a #3 tale about Saoirse, David, and Anna.
Readers Advisory recommendation for those who like Sophie Kinsella's Shopaholic series.
October 21, 2021
With thanks to NetGalley for this book in exchange for an honest review.
I was looking forward to reading this one, as a mother of three and an outsider at the school gate. I was hoping for some humorous similarities, an ability to relate and some good laughs. Unfortunately it didn’t really live up to expectations. I managed a few chuckles but that’s about as far as it went. That said, it was easy to read and I was able to zoom through it. Perhaps that’s partly because a lot of wordage went to unnecessary use and it was easy to skip words and here and there, but it was also because the story had a decent flow and plenty going on for such a small number of characters... it was a bit like watching a soap! The story line of the inventor in the boat was just weird!
I’d say it’s a quick easy read, a little like those free books you used to get on the front of magazines like Cosmo, but with less descriptive sex. It’s amusing at times and occasionally relatable if you take the exaggerations with a pinch of salt. It’ll do for a long train ride or the beach but I’m not inclined to seek out book 1 in the series. Light chic lit with some very odd characters. Hmm 🤔
I was looking forward to reading this one, as a mother of three and an outsider at the school gate. I was hoping for some humorous similarities, an ability to relate and some good laughs. Unfortunately it didn’t really live up to expectations. I managed a few chuckles but that’s about as far as it went. That said, it was easy to read and I was able to zoom through it. Perhaps that’s partly because a lot of wordage went to unnecessary use and it was easy to skip words and here and there, but it was also because the story had a decent flow and plenty going on for such a small number of characters... it was a bit like watching a soap! The story line of the inventor in the boat was just weird!
I’d say it’s a quick easy read, a little like those free books you used to get on the front of magazines like Cosmo, but with less descriptive sex. It’s amusing at times and occasionally relatable if you take the exaggerations with a pinch of salt. It’ll do for a long train ride or the beach but I’m not inclined to seek out book 1 in the series. Light chic lit with some very odd characters. Hmm 🤔
February 14, 2021
This is a warm and witty sequel and has all the qualities which I enjoyed in Time Out. Saoirse's observations in the school playground are as cutting as ever and I was delighted to see that 'The Organics' had not changed one jot. Having read that Emma has been a ghost-writer, I did wonder how many of her writing experiences were based on real life!
There are different types of friendships on offer in the story and some of the characters are hard to read. Are they sincere or not? There is also the issue of adoption beneath the surface and the complicated reactions of all parties. I did love watching Saoirse's child, Anna, and her reactions to event. She is a great source of humour! I'm sure that all Mums will find plenty to relate to in the juggle that Saoirse 's daily life has become!
In short: A romcom which quivers with energy!
Thanks to the publisher for a copy of the book
There are different types of friendships on offer in the story and some of the characters are hard to read. Are they sincere or not? There is also the issue of adoption beneath the surface and the complicated reactions of all parties. I did love watching Saoirse's child, Anna, and her reactions to event. She is a great source of humour! I'm sure that all Mums will find plenty to relate to in the juggle that Saoirse 's daily life has become!
In short: A romcom which quivers with energy!
Thanks to the publisher for a copy of the book
September 2, 2021
As someone who's constantly struggling (and typically failing) to tackle the many, many items on my things-to-do list, The Juggle by Emma Murray was the perfect escape.
At first, everything seems fine as our beloved and wholly relatable main character Saoirse Daly navigates life as a busy Woodvale school mom amid a competitive community, but then her husband loses his job, thrusting her further into work life, and soon, nothing's going according to plan and there's way too much on the plate for one woman to handle. What follows? Mistakes and misunderstandings as that nagging question we often wrestle with plays out in the novel: Is it possible to have it all and still keep your sanity?
Though I was reading Saoirse's story, I couldn't help but think: this is an "everywoman" tale. And that's why I loved it so much.
At first, everything seems fine as our beloved and wholly relatable main character Saoirse Daly navigates life as a busy Woodvale school mom amid a competitive community, but then her husband loses his job, thrusting her further into work life, and soon, nothing's going according to plan and there's way too much on the plate for one woman to handle. What follows? Mistakes and misunderstandings as that nagging question we often wrestle with plays out in the novel: Is it possible to have it all and still keep your sanity?
Though I was reading Saoirse's story, I couldn't help but think: this is an "everywoman" tale. And that's why I loved it so much.
March 28, 2022
Strange enough when I didn't like Book 1 of a series at all, and end up enjoying Book 2 - and it was the case here. I think the author and Saoirse themselves both found their rhythms here. The mums are over-the-top: we know it, so no need to go overboard. The kids are little things being tyrants and living in their own worlds: we know it, too, so no need to paint them like irredeemable brats. Saoirse is human and not super-mum: we also know this and we can now settle down to read about her life and all that's going on in it
And boy is there a lot going on! Funny at times, cringe-worthy at many others, but this one was a light and casual ride where Book 1 to me felt like a never-ending rollercoaster.
Not sure I'm really looking forward to Book3 now (if it comes!), but I'm tempted to take a look
And boy is there a lot going on! Funny at times, cringe-worthy at many others, but this one was a light and casual ride where Book 1 to me felt like a never-ending rollercoaster.
Not sure I'm really looking forward to Book3 now (if it comes!), but I'm tempted to take a look
June 3, 2023
I picked up The Juggle right after finishing the first one in the series because it truly feels like a TV show that needs binge watching. I was not disappointed and enjoy the second part just as much, if not more than the first!
I wasn't sure where the plot was going to go after the end of Time Out but the author found some new ways to spice up Saoirse's life as a mum, wife, friend and writer. Everything ties up nicely together at the end before announcing the reason there's another book coming up.
Overall 4/5, easy read but enjoyable and relatable, with some moments when I had to stop myself from laughing so I didn't wake up my child sleeping next to me!
I wasn't sure where the plot was going to go after the end of Time Out but the author found some new ways to spice up Saoirse's life as a mum, wife, friend and writer. Everything ties up nicely together at the end before announcing the reason there's another book coming up.
Overall 4/5, easy read but enjoyable and relatable, with some moments when I had to stop myself from laughing so I didn't wake up my child sleeping next to me!
January 21, 2021
The Juggle is a heartwarming story about balancing children, relationships and your career. It's a really honest portrayal and even though I don't have kids I found Saoirse's character really relatable. Like many others I didn't realise this book was a follow up for Emma Murray's 'Time Out' but The Juggle is a great standalone book even if some of the back stories might have made more sense. However, if Emma wrote it I'd read a follow up because I want to know what happens to Saoirse, David and Anna.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced copy.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced copy.
February 19, 2021
Loved this follow up to Time Out which I really enjoyed and would recommend! I couldn't wait to find out what was in store for Saoirse in book two. As a working Mum of 2, I've never been busier and so I could totally relate to Saoirse who is trying to juggle lots; her new role as the main breadwinner, the emotions she feels as a mum when Anna starts school, the totally new school environment, the mums, the politics, the WhatsApp group. So true to life, funny and touching at the same time, I love Emma's chatty style of writing, she says it how it is.....A funny, easy, relatable read.
February 24, 2021
This book is a laugh out loud gem!
We follow Saoirse through so many up’s and down’s that I fell in love with her, she has so much to deal with, a moody daughter and a husband who has lost his job, but her career is on the up, but the client is just such a pain!
I felt so sorry for her at times, struggling with self-doubt with the beady eyes of the ‘organics’ – the stuck up mums at her child’s school.
It’s a great read if you want a book that manages to be fun and light-hearted, but with some real depth.
A brilliant read.
We follow Saoirse through so many up’s and down’s that I fell in love with her, she has so much to deal with, a moody daughter and a husband who has lost his job, but her career is on the up, but the client is just such a pain!
I felt so sorry for her at times, struggling with self-doubt with the beady eyes of the ‘organics’ – the stuck up mums at her child’s school.
It’s a great read if you want a book that manages to be fun and light-hearted, but with some real depth.
A brilliant read.
March 20, 2021
Saiorse is a writer trying to make a living whilst supporting her out of work husband and young tantrum throwing child. She thinks some of her problems are solved when she lands a ghost writing job that advances her $50,000 even though her new boss has some odd ideas. Meanwhile she is also juggling the harsh school gate mums, her husbands hunt for his birth mother and her friends miscarriage. Hence “The Juggle.” An enjoyable story that most mums could relate to, trying to do everything for everyone. Looking forward to reading more from Emma.
January 21, 2024
Absolutely brilliant it ties up so many loose ends left behind from timeout. I luckily stumbled up on the first book in my local library and enjoyed it so much that when my husband asked what I wanted for Christmas I asked for the next 2 books of this amazing series. I wish it went on forever, I have loved ever since minute of reading it these last few weeks. It’s so funny. So so relatable as a working mother and hillarious at every turn. I would recommend this series to anyone. I hope more books come out from Emma Murray.
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