The Single Mums’ Book Club

by Victoria Cooke

Three friends, three single mums, one quest to find love…
It’s 8:30am and I’m already utterly exhausted. My son has lost his football boots, my daughter is ready for school dressed only in her vest and knickers, and of course, my 1-year-old has filled his nappy for what feels like the tenth time this morning.

As for my husband? He’s decided marriage doesn’t suit him, and well… buggered off.

All hope of ‘me time’ has but dwindled to sipping half a glass of wine whilst shouting after the kids. But everything is about to change.

I’m taking control of my life! I’ve joined… a book club.

Yes, I know what you’re thinking. ‘Wow… live a little.’ But my fellow book clubbers, Amanda and Janey, are my lifelines. They understand the daily struggle because they’re mothers too.

And in between the prosecco, Doritos and googling everything about Mr Darcy on SparkNotes, they’ve convinced me to go on a date with my boss.

A single mum of three looking for romance… what could possibly go wrong?

A gloriously funny and relatable read for anyone who just needs a little more ‘me time’. Fans of Why Mummy Drinks and Has Anyone Seen my Sex Life? will snort with laughter at this utterly hilarious and heart-warming read.

Readers LOVE The Single Mums’ Book Club!

“OMG!! You have no idea how much I needed this… I. Could. Not. Stop. Laughing.” Heidi Lynn’s Book Reviews, 5 stars

“Hilarious from the first few pages it hooked me instantly. Full of Victoria Cooke’s trademark humour… this was a joy to read!” – Rachel’s Random Resources, 5 Stars

“I adored this book. The writing was witty, funny and heartbreakingly serious when it was appropriate… one of my favourites of this year.” – NetGalley Reviewer, 5 Stars

“I loved the whole journey and could also relate to Stephanie at some points in the book! Absolute 5 star read for me!” – NetGalley Reviewer, 5 Stars

“A bright sparkle of a read!” – NetGalley Reviewer, 5 Stars

Genres: Chick Lit, Romance, Contemporary, Friendship

384 pages, Paperback

Published April 30, 2021

About the author

Victoria Cooke grew up in the city of Manchester before crossing the Pennines in pursuit of her career in education. She now lives in Huddersfield with her husband and two young daughters and when she’s not at home writing by the fire with a cup of coffee in her hand, she loves working out in the gym and travelling. Victoria was first published at the tender age of eight by her classroom teacher who saw potential in a six-page story about an invisible man. Since then she’s always had a passion for reading and writing, undertaking several writers’ courses before completing her first romantic comedy novel, 'The Secret to Falling in Love,' in 2016.

Her third novel, Who Needs Men Anyway? became a digital bestseller in 2018.

Reviews

[Berit☀️✨ · Rating 4 out of 5]

SO MUCH FUN! Victoria Cook never disappoints! I said this about the last book I read from her and I’ll say it again, this is the best book I’ve read from Victoria yet! Stephanie is a single mom to three young kids just coming to terms with her year long divorce. After a major breakdown at the grocery store she befriends her neighbor Janey. Out of this friendship a book club is born. Shortly after Amanda and Emily join and the group is dubbed the Single Moms’‘ Book Club. Not only has Stephanie made new friends, but she has also started a new job as a bookkeeper at the local Vet’s office. There appears to be an instant connection between Stephanie and Edward the Vet even though he prefers tweed. But it’s complicated! Stephanie isn’t ready to introduce a new man into her kids lives and it appears as though Edward is taken.

Loved everything about the story! The book club moms were great. I loved their friendships and the way they supported one another. I was even OK with the fact that they didn’t always read the book. The romance was a slow burn, sweet and somewhat awkward. Stephanie was extremely relatable, as a mom and a single mom at that I found her character extremely authentic. Edward was a great love interest a little goofy, but so caring and kind. This was just such a wonderful heartwarming story that made me feel all warm and gooey inside.

This book in emojis 🐶 🐱 🫖 🍷 📚

*** Big thank you to HQ Digital for my gifted copy of this book. All opinions are my own. ***

[Estíbaliz Montero Iniesta · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you very much to Netgalley and the publisher for sending me an ARC of this book (all opinions are my own).

A fun and entertaining read. It may not stick with me forever, hence the rating, but I enjoyed my time with it and it was a pleasant experience.

I have never been in a proper book club, but it's something I'd like to try some day and the first thing that attracted me towards this book. However, although I wouldn't exactly say I'm disappointed, I did expect more book club stuff. Instead of reading, the book club is more about chatting, friendship and mutual support, which is okay and it's definitely something our main character needed. I love the relationship developed between these three women, the support system everyone deserves.

And our main character, Steph, is in real need of support and encouragement. She's a recently divorced mum with three kids, some quarrels with her ex and the need to find a job after years of not working because she was taking care of her kids and her husband. I found Steph to have an impressive inner force, which is not to say she didn't have her meltdowns, but she always kept moving forward. To me, it felt quite real her adjustment to a new life, new relationships, her struggle with what to prioritize (herself or her kids), etc. I also was rooting for her and her love interest throughout the whole story (a slow-burn adorable romance for sure) and I'm quite satisfied with how things wrapped up in the end: family-wise and love-wise.

Chapters are short, which makes for a fast-paced story (I read it in a day and a half), and there's quite some humor and fun punch-lines. However, I missed some more depth to the secondary characters: Janey and Amanda, the two other mums in the book club. I didn't really get to know them well and it's a pity.

This book touches on so many topics: love, friendship, divorce, kids adjustment to divorce, co-parenting, how to overcome some childhood traumas, growing to love yourself and put yourself first. There's something in there for everyone I think. Plus, I don't have any experience with divorces or being a single mum, but I'm quite sure people who have experienced them will be able to identify a lot more with Steph's story.

[Oriana Blyth (_head_in_a_book) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you so much @netgalley and @hqstories for approving me to read this brilliant book!! I absolutely loved it!!

This is a wonderful book about 3 single mums, who are from completely different walks of life, yet share something in common.....they’re lonely! Once their book club is formed they develop a beautiful bond with one another and become the best of friends!!

This is such a relatable read to me, and while I’m lucky that my hubby is a brilliant dad and husband and is very present, the humour of mum life totally resonated with me, from the secret pleasure of going to the bathroom alone, from the feeling of emptiness when your kids are away for the night!!

I was gripped and I devoured the book in 2 evenings. I couldn’t put it down!!

Edward is absolutely gorgeous and I fell in love with him instantly!!!

I loved the ending and quite honestly didn’t want the book to end!! It was the perfect, lighthearted read that I needed!

Well done Victoria, your book is an absolute triumph 💕💕

[Rachel Gilbey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hilarious from the first few pages and it hooked me in instantly.

Stephanie is a single mum to three children, her ex husband is being unreasonable at times, and she continually is struggling to do everything and has money woes.

She's been out of work for many years looking after the kids, and now suddenly is trying to get a job, and succeeds at a vet in the next town over, to do their books, and meets Edward.

Edward must be one of the most adorable men I've come across for a long while. He has such a great awkwardness about him, but also has a heart of gold. And frankly any man that seems to love animals and children is ok by me!

Stephanie is though at a low point when Janey finds her in the supermarket, and although they have been neighbours for a while, they had never really spoken and soon a firm friendship forms, in addition to a book club of sorts.

I loved Stephanie's children and dog, and actually almost all of the characters featured. This is a light hearted fun escapist read, that was just really entertaining.

And I can't help but think that if you are a mother, or single mum, then you will get even more recognition from some of the situations and feelings, than I could.

There is also a slightly more serious storyline regarding Stephanie's mother, her passing (when she was a child, and not in the way you may expect) and the impact that has had on her life, which added another dimension to this book and made if even more well rounded.

Full of Victoria Cooke's trademark humour, not the most obvious of love interests, an engaging writing style and believable and relatable to storylines and characters, this was a joy to read. Perfect for an afternoon in the garden, and to take you away from real life for a few hours.

Thank you to HQ Digital and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.

[Connie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stephanie is mum to Ralph, Ava, and baby Henry. Her husband, Mike, decided that he wanted out of the marriage so he divorced her. She is struggling to care for the children with minimum support from Mike.

One day in the store, she breaks down and her neighbor, Janey, steps up to takes her home for tea and a chat. Since neither of them can afford to go to a pub, they decide to form a book club. Before long Amanda, a wealthy widow in the neighborhood, asks to join the club. They all really enjoying getting together.

Stephanie needs a job to help pay for food and such for the children. She sees an ad at the local veterinary hospital for a bookkeeper and applies. She get the job simply by default because no one else has applied. Leaving Henry with a carer, she works just 3 hours a day and also manages to do some work at home. Edward is the veterinarian who had taken over the practice from his father. He is very kind and a good man.

Stephanie, Janey, and Amanda are soon joined by a fourth member of the book club, Emily. While they may not always discuss the book they are supposed to be reading, they do spend time sharing confidences and supporting one another as they face the hurdles of their lives.

I really enjoyed this book and found Edward, especially, to be a wonderful man. As someone else may have mentioned in the book, my own personal opinion has always been that a man who shows compassion to children and animals is the epitome of a man in my book. Enjoy!

Copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

[Melanie McGrade Davidson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a fun read! I love reading books like this sometimes to break up the more serious ones. Sometimes I yearn for an easy read that makes me chuckle and smile, and this did just that. The cover and title is all it took for me, I knew I had to read it. The sad part is that I read it in ONE DAY! I don’t think that is how it was supposed to happen, I wanted something to last me at a few days, but I can’t complain too much, right?

I had to laugh at the antics of the members of the book club, as well as the characters themselves and how they fit into the generalizations that are made about book clubs and those who attend them. I belong to two book clubs and neither are even close to this one, or what you hear people say about them, but friends of mine so belong to some that are like that. I’m happy with the ones I go to and am glad they are the way they are, but reading about the other kind is fun and delightful! I welcomed all of the book and movie references and took notes!

We read about relationships, love, divorce, parenting, and of course, friendships. There were so many relatable topics and though mostly humorous, there was also a more serious tender side as well.

I definitely recommend this one - fun, light, and engaging!

[Laura Nelson (Tangents and Tissues) · Rating 5 out of 5]

As the proud daughter of a single mum (according to her she tried it once and didn’t like it – pregnancy that is! *winks*), I know all about the trials and tribulations of trying to bring up a child on your own from the other perspective.

I can’t even imagine what it would be like trying to wrangle three little’uns, plus deal with the minefield of an ex in the mix. Cynical, you say. *shrugs* Potato, potahto *snorts*.

You’ve got to love a book that has you giggling from the first chapter, but… (oi, let me finish) at the same time, I’ve never wanted to reach in to give a character a hug more. Lordy, did I feel for Stephanie. Cry-giggling is so attractive *rolls eyes* – not!

I felt like a virtual cheerleader watching these three ladies go and take life by the whatsits. Sometimes all it takes to turn your life around is for the right people to come into it!

I don’t know why, but I got such a kick out of Steph being a bookkeeper like me. Not the most glamorous job, I know, but there is something so satisfying when your ledgers balance *coughs*. Okay, enough about that *blushes*.

Let’s face it, this is the sort of book club I could totally get on board with. I found myself nodding my approval at their choices, lol. Books, wine, nibbles, and great company. What more can you ask for?! Well, now you ask… (starts humming the theme tune to All Creatures Great and Small!).

Chock full of emotion, hilarity, and swoony romance. It’s another triumph from Victoria Cooke.

Right, I need to go. I’ve gone all emosh again *wipes eyes*.

I’m such a sap!

[Maria · Rating 3 out of 5]

Stephanie is a recently divorced mother of three. She meets Janey and Amanda, and soon they form a friendship and a book club. She also starts working as a bookkeeper for the local vet.

This was an ok book but in my opinion the women's friendship lacked spark, and so did the romance at the beginning.

** Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for my honest opinion. **

[Faathimah Bookmark My World · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this one!
It was so relatable!
Also loved all of the laugh out loud moments!

[Nicola Clough · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was simply brilliant another new author bit loved the title which is why I wanted to read it and didn’t disappoint at all. Was full of heartache and new friendship and of course plenty of books as well with romance as well. You will love the story plot and the characters and well worth reading.
Stephanie has found herself a single mum as her husband has left her and she juggling three children and not had much time for friends but when she sees one in the supermarket the friend clearly doesn’t want to see her any more so she feels hurt as she needs her friends so much. Her neighbour comes out and offers to help her and they decide to start time for them and read books and review them and just the two of them and they talk plenty of well. She also decides she needs to start some work back book keeping to earn some money. She finds a job at a local vet and can work around the children. She has a past that she struggles with as all she ever wanted was a family like she didn’t get and hers has fallen apart. She then meets another person and gets her to join the book club and they call themselves the single mums book club and encourage each other as all have issues. Problem is when Stephanie starts working at the vets she soon starts falling for him but things get complicated how can they sort things out and can they be happy again or not and how will they all get on.
Simply brilliant book.

[Susan Hampson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderfully entertaining read that made me laugh at some of the antics the ‘book club’ members got up to as their confidence grew along with their independence.

When you first meet Stephanie, she is still trying to find her feet a year after divorcing her husband. He loves his children but pushes the boundaries if he wants a boys night out when he should have the kids. After a particularly bad day, Stephanie has a meltdown in the supermarket, and a neighbour comes to the rescue, offers an ear to listen and an excuse for a girly get together. The Single Mums Book Club is born.

The book club is far more than reading books, which doesn’t always happen, and more of a friendship group where they support each other emotionally and at times practically. The group grows to three and becomes entertaining in every sense as they seem to gain courage from each other to do stuff that they missed out on when they were younger and before they became parents themselves.

Each of the women has their unique problems with the story following them as they spread their wings in the workplace and with new relationships. I liked how down to earth the story was with normal parenting challenges that didn’t make me feel at any time of wondering why I couldn’t have been like that. They have off days, children that push too far and worries about how their children will cope with new people in their lives.

The best things about this book are you can relate to it. It felt at times like a tick list of things I had faced. It also made me laugh, and not quietly, I mean proper laugh.

I wish to thank the publisher and Net Galley for a copy of this book which I have read and reviewed honestly.

[Alison · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stephanie is a divorced mother of three. Like most mothers her life is one of constant frenzy, trying to get three children and a dog ready and out of the house to various appointments on time. Her ex-husband Mike wanted to be alone, free from the demands of wife and children. Although he shares custody he is prone to telling Stephanie that he can't pick the kids up until Saturday morning (instead of Friday after school) because he wants to go out with his mates after work. Just your typical middle-aged man trying to be the perpetual teenager with no responsibilities. Even worse, all their friends were Mike's work colleagues and their wives who have ghosted Stephanie since the divorce.

On a day where she was late dropping to kids off at school, and made the cardinal sin of reversing outside the school, had a confrontation with one of her so-called ex-friends in the supermarket, and didn't have enough money in her purse to buy toilet roll, she starts sobbing in the supermarket where she is rescued by her neighbour Janey. Although they have never really spoken properly before Janey is a true friend and the two of them are soon thinking of ways to drink prosecco in each other's homes (cheaper than going out out) - hence the book club was born.

Soon the book club gathers other waifs and strays and together these women give each other the confidence to try again - in Steph's case to flex her rusty bookkeeping muscles part-time at the local vet's surgery.

This was a charming read, light-hearted, funny, with some serious moments too.

I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in return for an honest review.

[Lisa Denton · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Single Mums' Book Club by Victoria Cooke is a really cute, sweet story about 3 lonely women who each need a friend. Two of them find each other and form a "book club" which, initially, is more about watching the show/movie and enjoying snacks/drinks than reading books - and who wouldn't love a book club like that? They soon add a third lonely lady to their group. Before you know it, they have shared their secret sadnesses with one another and formed a friendship and support group they never imagined could exist. Through these relationships, they are able to add fun back into their lives again, and even read several books. Romance is thrown in when one of the ladies falls in love with her handsome boss who is also the local veterinarian.

The relationships between the three women was my favorite part of this book, very authentic and funny. The romance on the side eventually took center stage, and I missed spending time with the book club ladies as the relationship with the vet evolved instead. It all ties up nicely in the end for a satisfying continuation of all the friendships.

Thank you to NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

[Ceri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow!! I didn't expect for all the feels this book gave me! I loved it ❤️

It is so relatable and real that you just get sucked into the story. I read this in least than 12 hours because I struggled to put it down.

As a mum of 3 I can fully relate to Stephanie, the main character. Yes I'm not a single mum but my feelings are very much similar due to not working after having children and my partner being the bread winner. And all the concerns that come with it.

I loved seeing the character grow and deal with all the things after the breakdown of her marriage. I would love to read more about the mums, like a sequel from Janey because I just loved the girls relationship.

It also made me think about when I've felt lonely, how I've made friends on bookstagram and they have helped me too, I would love to meet some of you in person and I hope to!!

If you haven't read this book, I fully recommend you do ❤️

[Michelle Bibliovino · Rating 3 out of 5]

Stephanie has dreamt of a stable, loving family unit her whole life after her own mother died when she was young. She thought she had it all sorted, but then her husband decided marriage was a bit much for him, and now she’s juggling three kids, a dog and a pile of unrealized intentions. When she finally puts herself back into the working world, she finds herself attracted to her new, and dreamt, boss. It’s definitely a recipe for disaster, right?

This was quite an enjoyable book with several laughs and a great group of women each trying to come to grips with lives that didn’t turn out quite as they expected. The romance is sweet and fun and Stephanie’s growth is poignant and inspiring. I definitely enjoyed this quick read.

Thank you to the publisher and Net Galley for this gifted copy. These opinions are my own.

[Becky Sumner · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had been recommended this book, I had been told it was funny, lighthearted and easy reading. It was exactly that. It had me smiling and laughing in parts and others really feeling for the characters. The descriptions were enough for you to picture yourself being there, without being too descriptive to the point you forget the story! It was just right. I really enjoyed this book, it was well written and very enjoyable. Thank you to Netgalley and the author and publishers for the privilege to read this book for my honest opinion

[April Drake · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoyed The Single Mums Book Club. It’s a great feel good kinda book with a relatable main character and a group of ladies you wish you had as friends.

It’s funny in parts, has a few little twists and is easy to get drawn into and not be able to put it down. I loved the idea of the characters coming together for book club. They have all lost a husband or are having problems with the men in one way or another and the book club is like a little support group for them all.

This is a great, easy going, fairly predictable read about love, friendship and moving on.

[Maggie · Rating 3 out of 5]

The single mums book club has Stephanie a divorced mother of three young children tying and failing to juggle her life and finances. She meets Janey a neighbour and they decide to start a book club to have more time to themselves, also joining in is Amanda a widow, not many books get read or discussed.
Steph then decides to try sort her life out and obtains a job book keeping at a local veterinarian surgery owned by vet Edward, a slow romance ensues, and that’s basically it. I’m afraid I didn’t find any laugh out loud or even very humorous moments, maybe the odd thing that made me smile. For me there was just no depth to this book, we learned very little about the main characters in particular Edward, he said he’d had a wife 3 years previously, what happened? Was he divorced, widowed, any children ? Nothing absolutely nothing about one of the main characters.
Because there was no exploration of the characters this just made the book totally bland for me. It was easy to read and flowed along but by the end I really didn’t care what happened to any of them.
I’m sure there will be others that will enjoy this light read, unfortunately not for me.
My thanks to net galley and publisher for the opportunity to review this book honestly.

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm a single mum & booklover, so when I saw the title for this book, I just had to get a copy! Getting it here was a bit of a saga, but I'm glad I finally got it.

This is a fun story about Stephanie, a single mum creating a new life after divorce. I didn't find it as funny as some of the other reviewers, I did find it an engaging story with interesting characters.

A perfect, light read.

[Megan · Rating 3 out of 5]

“It’s three people with completely different lives providing laughter and comfort for one another. Whatever happens tomorrow, these ladies will be here to help me pick up the pieces.”

That’s exactly how I feel about my book clubs! In Victoria Cooke’s newest novel, The Single Mums’ Book Club, Stephanie and her two new friends, Janey and Amanda, start a book club, although there isn’t a ton of reading going on, but there is a lot of love and support in their club (and wine!). These three women are there for each other when things get a bit crazy and when they need help setting up a computer camera. These are the friends everyone needs. These women discover their inner strength and have a few adventures along the way.

This was a cute read with a ton of hilarious bits (“There is so much emphasis on peer pressure among teens but nobody ever talks about peer pressure in book club circles. Granted, the number of affected victims could probably fit on a unicycle, but still, we exist and we matter.”) I absolutely loved the relationship between Stephanie, Janey, and Amanda. The romance in the book was well done, as was the idea of non-traditional family units and how children cope with divorce.

My qualm with this book was character development and dialogue. I wanted more substance about the three main women. I never felt that I truly knew Janey and Amanda, even though they were essential to Stephanie’s growth as a character. The Janey who meets Stephanie in the market is, in my opinion, different from the Janey throughout the rest of the novel. Sometimes the dialogue between characters felt forced and bland, almost formulaic. Cooke can write absolutely wonderful zingers and hilarious one-liners, but for some reason, the conversations between characters were a little off for me. Perhaps because I’m American?

This was a fun read, but I wanted to see more depth to the characters. There is a part of the book that discusses mugging and murder, which could be a trigger for some.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an advanced copy of this book.

[Michelle Fairchild · Rating 2 out of 5]

Marriage and kids can sometimes put a mother's mental health into question. I can relate to the mother part and the story was very well written. The friendship between these women is very on the surface shallow. The relationship between Edward and Stephanie was very bland. I'm not looking for Fifty Shades of Grey in the relationship, but at least something that would be justified as romance. Janey was the only character that had true emotions. It was an okay read.

Thank you to HQ and NetGalley for letting me read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Kel · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this story we meet some lovely ladies who are all experiencing a turning point and seeking friendship to help them along the way.

Stephanie is navigating a new world after splitting with her husband a year before and is finding looking after their small children and juggling finances really difficult. In a chance encounter in the supermarket she bumps into her neighbour Janey who she quickly becomes fast friends with.

I really enjoyed this book, it was brimming with the realities of being a parent and was really focused around the kids maintaining a happy and normal life to create the very best memories despite everything that Stephanie couldn't control. We got to know her ex husband in this story and watch as she navigates the path to decide if she is ready to move on or if she still wants to be with her ex husband.

The wonderful ladies who form the book club made me laugh, with their wall climbing escapades and created a wonderful friendship which in turn helped each of them when they needed the most.

I love reading books by Victoria Cooke and as expected I flew through as I kept wanting to know what would come next. It made me giggle throughout and was a wonderful light hearted read with lovely characters.

[Marta K. Destler · Rating 4 out of 5]

🇬🇧 Thank you NetGalley, Victoria Cooke and HQ Digital (Harper Collins) for giving me a free digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This book was a real self-discovery journey, so warm and chaotic and sweet and frustrating as well.

Stephanie is a former bookkeeper, divorced single mum of three adorable tornados, who finds herself abandoned by her friends, accused by her ex-husband of being jobless, and so much alone. Meeting two other women who are going through bad marriages and grief, brings her the strength to move forward. She finds a job in a vet's clinic, run by a quite handsome and fun doctor, and forms a book club with her new friends—that is, when they do remember to read the book they should discuss.

I loved the dynamics between these women: they are oh so different from each other, but they bring out their best and their strength all together. It was moving watching them growing closer, sharing their fears and their pasts, helping each other without any ulterior motives other than being friends.

The romance is sweet and realistic, slow and fearful like any new love is—in particular if there are three kids in the picture, struggling to accept that their parents are not going back together, and the love interest is your boss.

The only thing I found quite annoying, especially at the beginning, is the writing style. It felt like I was reading a shopping list, rather than a novel. But it got better page after page—or I just got used to it, I’m not sure. This is the only reason I'm not giving it five stars. Other than that, I do recommend this book, whether you are
a divorced single mum, or an independent working woman who doesn't want kids like me.

TW: mugging and murder.


🇮🇹 Grazie NetGalley, Victoria Cooke e HQ Digital (Harper Collins) per avermi fornito una copia digitale gratuita di questo libro in cambio di una recensione onesta. Tutti le riflessioni e le opinioni sono mie.

Questo libro è stato un vero viaggio alla scoperta di sé, caldo e caotico, dolce e anche frustrante.

Stephanie è un'ex contabile, divorziata e mamma single di tre adorabili tornado, che si ritrova abbandonata dalle amiche, accusata dall'ex marito di essere disoccupata e incredibilmente sola. Incontrare altre due donne che stanno attraversando problemi coniugali e lutti, le dà la forza di andare avanti: trova un lavoro in una clinica veterinaria, gestita da un dottore piuttosto affascinante e divertente, e fonda un club del libro con le sue nuove amiche—almeno, quando si ricordano di leggere il libro di cui dovrebbero discutere.

Ho adorato le dinamiche tra queste donne: sono così diverse l'una dall'altra, ma tirano fuori il loro meglio e la loro forza insieme. È stato commovente vederle avvicinarsi, condividere le loro paure e il loro passato, aiutarsi a vicenda senza secondi fini se non essere amiche.

Il romance è dolce e realistico, lento e pauroso come ogni nuovo amore, in particolare se nel mezzo ci sono tre bambini che fanno fatica ad accettare che i genitori non torneranno insieme, e l'interesse amoroso è il tuo capo.L'unica cosa che ho trovato abbastanza fastidiosa, soprattutto all'inizio, è lo stile di scrittura. Mi sembrava di leggere una lista della spesa, piuttosto che un romanzo. Ma è migliorato pagina dopo pagina, o forse mi sono semplicemente abituata, non saprei.

TW: rapina e omicidio.

[Susan Page · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really heart-warming story. Stephanie is divorced from Mike. She is a stay at home mum to three children, Ralph and Ava, who are both at school, and baby Henry. Mike supports them financially, but Stephanie has to budget carefully. The story starts on a typical day in many households, they are late for school and Ava isn’t dressed yet, Ralph cannot find his football boots and Henry is wailing because his nappy needs changing. There is a lot of shouting, a lot of sulking, and they get to school just as the bell goes. She tasks Ralph to take Ava to her teacher and she watches from the car, because Henry is still wailing, which elicits a bad-tempered text from the school reminding her of school regulations, adding more tension to her day. Then she realises she forgot to bring her changing bag, so she needs to return home before shopping. She checks her purse before shopping, she has to be thrifty, so buys supermarket own low-budget goods, and checks carefully for bargains. Finally, Stephanie is selecting toilet rolls when someone speaks to her, Emily a friend from her married days who has avoided her ever since. They have a rather prickly conversation, Stephanie letting Emily know she was really hurt when she needed support after the divorce and ‘the gang’ abandoned her. When she gets home and is putting the shopping away she realises she didn’t buy the toilet rolls, so needs to return to the supermarket. On the way Mike phones, he will pick the children up late Saturday morning instead of Friday after school … and has she started looking for a job, he is not made of money. Stephanie’s boiling point is getting closer, and it comes when she is in the supermarket, she checks her purse and she is eight pence short of being able to pay for the cheapest toilet rolls. The final straw is reached, she
bursts into tears, and is rescued by a neighbour, Janey, who buys the toilet rolls for her and goes home with her. A cup of tea and a chat and Stephanie gradually calms down. It is a relief to have another adult to talk to.

Steph and Janey become firm friends, they have a lot in common, Janey’s marriage appears a bit shaky. They decide they will start a book club, just the two of them. They will have an evening together drinking wine and talking about a book they have chosen to read. That gets off to a bad start as neither of them read the book, but they have a lovely evening, and decide on the next book to ‘read’. Steph also applies for a job as bookkeeper for a local vet’s practice. Nobody else has applied, so she gets the job, and loves it. Life is becoming easier! One day she is reading the latest book on her tablet while sitting in a café with Henry, when an older lady starts talking to her because she sees Steph is reading a book, and soon there is a third member for the book club gang.

Steph’s chaotic life continues and all the issues she experiences will resonate with many, it all feels very real. She meets someone, and they have a mutual attraction, but she doesn’t want to upset her children’s lives more than has already happened, so she is very cautious. All falls into place for several people by the end of the book, which is very happy, but a lot of angst, and a lot of humour, has occurred on the road to happiness. This is a very thoughtful story, and very well worth reading.

[Melanie Farmer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great blurb, and a great cover - excellent ways to draw a reader in, and The Single Mums Book Club provides us with both!

Stephanie is a single Mum of three, who is struggling with her newfound situation. She had always craved to be part of a stereotypical family unit, and for a few short years she had achieved that. Unfortunately, her husband had decided that he wasn't actually keen on marriage, and therefore ended her perfect family life. As a result, Stephanie finds herself regularly alone, with three children, and very little help. She needs to find herself again, but she has no time, no money and she didn't even get to keep her friends in the divorce. After what can only be described as an epic breakdown in the local supermarket, Stephanie finds herself in the company of her neighbour Janey, a fellow Mum with her own problems. And so, the Single Mum's Book Club was born! With the addition of Amanda, a widowed woman desperately in need of company, these three women form a support group that is, at times, loosely based on books!

The descriptions of motherhood in this book are scarily accurate, divorced or not. We've all felt stressed, juggling the many tasks that we are faced with when we have children. Even if you've got a supportive partner, life is always hectic when children are involved! Victoria Cooke captures the feelings of Mums everywhere beautifully - she really shows how women can feel torn, how much they adore their children, and how they really do put their children first.

I loved following Stephanie's story - it was good to see her realise that her perfect family life may not have actually been that perfect. In fact it was good to see her realise how her idea of perfect may not have been perfect for her at all! Naturally we got a lovely little romance thrown in for good measure, which was not picture perfect either - dating a divorced mother of three is never going to be easy, but I loved following their own story.

I am more than happy to recommend this novel - it was a lovely, easy read which was very easy to relate to. Perfect for a bank holiday weekend - so grab yourself a copy, a blanket and a glass of wine and dive right in!

[Ashley Tyler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley, author Victoria Cooke, and HQ Digital for giving me a free arc of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
5 stars
This book was simply amazing! From the first page, I was immediately sucked into the story and it held my attention until the very end.
The story follow 3 single mums, who come from very different walks of life, but have one thing in common is the need for some much women company due to the stress of motherhood and marriage. I really enjoyed the characters. Each had a unique voice, well developed, and likeable. Stephanie is a single mum with three children and an ex that seemed to make unreasonable times at times. When finding herself overwhelm and having a meltdown in a supermarket, she meets Janey, her neighbor. Although they have lived next to each other for a while, they have never really talked, but as they get to know each other by starting a book club, they find they have more in common.
Edward was such a uniquely written male character. Most men would be running scared by a single mum with three kids, but he seems to be drawn to Stephanie and her children. I loved how real he was around her. I also liked how much he was willing to support her as a friend and even more. The slow development of their romantic relationship was so sweet. I also appreciated the fade to black intimate scenes. For some stories less is more and detailed descriptions are not necessary and sometimes take the reader out of the story. The support system these women had for each other was so powerful and realistic. I liked reading a story where the women helped each other rather than teared each other down. Overall, the ending left me well satisfying and wanting more! I would highly recommend this book to those who love a light hearted romantic comedy. I can't wait to read more books by this author!

[Heidi Lynn’s BookReviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

First, I would like to thank Victoria Cooke, HQ Digital, NetGalley and Rachel’s Random Resources for providing me with this book so I may bring you this review!

OMG!! Ohh Victoria Cooke you have no idea how much I needed this The Single’s Mum’s Book Club this week! So many times you threw me off guard and I. Could. Not. Stop. Laughing.

The Single Mum’s Book Club is dedicated to Victoria’s children, Scarlett and Amelie, who were not utter horrors during the lockdown of 2020.

How adorable was the cover design for this book?! So cute! Books placed all around a stroller! Perfect graphic for this book!! Great job to the Graphics Department.

Victoria wins the award for best scene ever in a comedic book. I was literally rolling on the floor laughing my booty off during this once scene!! The set up was priceless. I have always wondered what would happen if I got locked into a library! Well knowing me I would have a field day curled up in my fave genre sections and just binge read. However, ohh she shares what really happens. Needless to say this is an unforgettable scene in the book!! Well done Victoria!!

Mike was well not my favorite character in the book and a jerk in my eyes.

The unsuspecting friendship between Janey and Stephanie was refreshing in how much they were alike. Seemed like fate brought them together when they both needed someone in their lives to fill a void.

It did rub me the wrong way that Janey made fun of Amanda’s Dog for having difficulties walking and using a special dog pushchair. People shouldn’t judge humans or pets before getting to know them.

Little Big Lies the tv series and the book are both mentioned in this book. I totally binged watched the heck out of that show and loved it. Sadly, I didn’t hear about the book til afterwards. But WOW was it good!

[Jéssica · Rating 4 out of 5]

RomComs are the genre on reads with snacks and ready to have fun. That's what I did.

When I read the synopsis of this book, I was excited. A dear friend of mine started a book club, and I'm helping her out at the moment with the organization. She's a single mom, although her baby girl goes to the dad some days. Anyway, in some ways I could understand the characters' view of life thanks to that friend.

I'm not a mom, but I can understand having people depending on me, and sometimes needing a 'me time'. Reading definitely is that time by myself. And the book club is a perfect way to connect with others that love to read and that may be in the same situation as we are.

In that aspect the plot and the characters were realistic. They have struggles, loneliness, friendship, kids... Their lives are filled with ups and downs, like we all experience.

The three friends, Stephanie (our main character, one that I loved), Amanda and Janey, grow such a bound between them, it reminded me of my friends and me. I loved their interactions, I loved how they supported each other... I loved them.

And let's not forget romance. Of course, the book would have romance.

Edward was adorable. A vet that is also Steph's boss. He loves animals, he's kind, he's not your typical alpha male type of character, and I loved that about him.

The book talks about a lot. From motherhood, to friendship, divorce, falling in love again, dealing with all the obstacles in life, and find compassion and support in one another.

Overall, it was an amazing book with a good balance of emotion and humor.

[I want to thank Rachel, at Rachel’s Random Resources, and Victoria Cooke and HQ Digital for the eCopy of this book, via NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.]

[Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stephanie is struggling since her divorce. Her ex is pushy, her friends absent, and she's struggling to make ends meet since no-one wants to hire a bookkeeper who's ten years absent from the job market. But after a breakdown in the supermarket leads to friendship with the neighbour across the road, Steph finally has the space and support to build the life she wants to live.

There's a trend in books recently - and I'm guilty of the same - of lumping women's fiction in with romances, but in the words of Seanan McGuire, "Romance is an ingredient as well as a genre, and it's everywhere". While there is certainly some crossover, this book is clearly the former rather than the latter. It's not the story of Steph-and-Ed, but the story of Steph, in which Ed plays a part - as do her children, her friends, and even her ex.

It's sometimes laugh-out-loud, sometimes touching, and I'm sure for many will be very relatable. When we meet her, Steph's life is both frustrating and familiar, and it's lovely to see her break the same old cycles. I adored the female friendship that is front and centre here - her old "friends" might be useless but her new ones are delightful in their encouragement and camaraderie despite their own setbacks.

There's no villain here. Like life, there are people with antagonistic characteristics, but one thing the narrative does well is show that everyone is struggling with something, and the best thing we can do is be kind. And also set boundaries, because that's also important.

For a feel-good slice of life about life and parenthood after divorce, take this one to your next book club!

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher via Rachel's Random Resources; all opinions are my own

[BookMadLibrarian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Three friends, three single mums, one quest to find love…

Steph is recently divorced. A mother of three young children, she is grappling to adapt to life as a single mother. She is struggling with the finances and finding her place in the world again while her ex-husband seems to be living life to the fullest. Abandoned by her so-called friends, she finds herself breaking down in the middle of a supermarket with her baby. In walks Janey, a mum who lives across the street and Steph soon comes to realise that she is not on her own.

The true meaning of friendship is explored by Cooke perfectly in this book. We all have friends that we drift away from as adults and the idea of trying to find someone to anchor ourselves to and who understands what we are going through is an issue everyone deals with when becoming a parent. Steph has experienced a great tragedy as a child and finds herself terrified of the dark. By setting up the book club, Steph, Janey and Amanda, the wealthy widow up the street, find a way of helping each other through difficult moments in their lives.

A story about friendship and love, The Single Mums' Book Club is the perfect comfort read. It is so relatable- anyone with crazy small children will completely have sympathy for Steph and her struggle to control them without it ending in a shouting match. The chaos of her home life is something that echoes in the houses of any parent whether single or married. I loved the humour sprinkled throughout the story- Steph finds herself in some equally hilarious and embarrassing situations which made me laugh out loud (my favourite is the library scene but I'm going to leave it for you to read! All I will say is that as a librarian, it does happen!)

Loved the slow-burning romance between Steph and her boss, the quirky vet Edward. There are times where I wanted to slap the two of them on their heads and say 'just get together why don't you?!!'. Cooke's treatment of a blended family and the issues that it brings was on point. Coming from a blended family, I think she really hit the nail on the head in terms of what can happen when parents have new relationships and how that shifts the dynamics in a family.

Part heart-warming/heart-breaking, cute, hilarious and seriously relatable, The Single Mums' Book Club is sure to be a hit. It will be released on the 30th of April 2022. If you liked Why Mammy Drinks, get a copy of Cooke's book! Thank you to NetGalley and HQ for the eARC in exchange for my honest review.