What do you think?
Rate this book
The Pick-up
Lizzie, Sam and Megan are very different people who became best friends over good coffee and good laughs at school drop-off.Single-mum Megan is contemplating a slightly scandalous relationship. Newly divorced Sam is navigating the 'delights' of online dating. And Lizzie is flat out juggling four kids and an absent husband.As if that wasn't enough, this year the trio have decided to embrace their inner parent helper and volunteer to go on the annual school camp.If they think their personal lives are chaotic, this camp's going to teach them what chaos really means ...
- GenresAudiobook
368 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 1, 2021
5 people are currently reading
182 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
August 21, 2021
⭐️4 Stars⭐️
The Pick-up by Aussie authors Fiona Harris & Mike McLeish is a modern, exciting and delightful domestic drama set in Melbourne, Australia. The characters are relatable, funny and charming as their struggle through everyday life with their parenting issues, relationships and school politics. This was a joy to read!
Megan, Lizzie and Sam have become best friends through the school pick ups and drop-offs of their kids each day.
Megan is a single mother and is heading into dangerous waters with a scandalous relationship.
Lizzie is a busy mum to four children and finds herself coping alone a lot while her husband is working away.
Sam is newly divorced and is diving into online dating.
The trio are also keeping secrets from each other! They’ve decided to volunteer for the annual school camp and it’s there that chaos erupts and secrets are discovered.
I really enjoyed this humorously written, light-hearted and emotional at times read. This book is the sequel to The Drop Off and can still be enjoyed as a standalone. I haven’t yet read The Drop-Off but after reading The Pick Up I’m eager to.
Thank you so much to the wonderful team at @echo_publishing for a copy of this book to review
The Pick-up by Aussie authors Fiona Harris & Mike McLeish is a modern, exciting and delightful domestic drama set in Melbourne, Australia. The characters are relatable, funny and charming as their struggle through everyday life with their parenting issues, relationships and school politics. This was a joy to read!
Megan, Lizzie and Sam have become best friends through the school pick ups and drop-offs of their kids each day.
Megan is a single mother and is heading into dangerous waters with a scandalous relationship.
Lizzie is a busy mum to four children and finds herself coping alone a lot while her husband is working away.
Sam is newly divorced and is diving into online dating.
The trio are also keeping secrets from each other! They’ve decided to volunteer for the annual school camp and it’s there that chaos erupts and secrets are discovered.
I really enjoyed this humorously written, light-hearted and emotional at times read. This book is the sequel to The Drop Off and can still be enjoyed as a standalone. I haven’t yet read The Drop-Off but after reading The Pick Up I’m eager to.
Thank you so much to the wonderful team at @echo_publishing for a copy of this book to review
December 27, 2021
Last year we were introduced to this group of Melbourne parents in the highly addictive and amusing The Drop Off and I am so happy to be back to Baytree Primary with Lizzie, Sam, Megan and this time Dave too.
Things are changing for them all - Megan is figuring out what she wants to do after selling her business, Sam is a jumping into online dating now being single and Lizzie finds herself home alone with the kids while her husband is working away in Sydney. The kids are all growing up and finding new ways to challenge them. And then they decide to help out on the school camp.
There is alot happening in their lives - it is funny, relatable and really emotional. I love this group of parents, struggling through parenthood and adulting as we all are. Again, I loved it. I want to be friends with them all.
Thanks so much to @fionaharriswriter for reaching out and sending me an advanced copy of this book. Highly recommend you pick it up 😄
Things are changing for them all - Megan is figuring out what she wants to do after selling her business, Sam is a jumping into online dating now being single and Lizzie finds herself home alone with the kids while her husband is working away in Sydney. The kids are all growing up and finding new ways to challenge them. And then they decide to help out on the school camp.
There is alot happening in their lives - it is funny, relatable and really emotional. I love this group of parents, struggling through parenthood and adulting as we all are. Again, I loved it. I want to be friends with them all.
Thanks so much to @fionaharriswriter for reaching out and sending me an advanced copy of this book. Highly recommend you pick it up 😄
March 31, 2024
I’d give this 2.5 stars, but didn’t like it enough to round it up to 3.
The email chapters were so cringey and added nothing to the story that I skipped them. The only character I kinda liked was Megan. The boys were a bit too juvenile, and Lizzie was just too judgmental of everyone.
Things I thought were weird setting wise: I’m guessing Baytree is meant to be near Elwood in Melbourne, yet they make it seem like that’s simultaneously close yet really far from Williamstown?! It’s not far at all, but it’s also not 15 mins away. Plus why does Maggie have no concept of what public transport is and insist on DRIVING into the CBD every week?! She’s living so close to the city that there’s PT options everywhere. It was also made to sound like Kinglake was soooooo far away but it’s what? Just over an hour away? These little things just irked me all the way through, and if you weren’t from the Melbourne probably wouldn’t mean a thing.
The most frustrating part was the blurb made it sound like it was going to be a funny take on parents helping at a school camp - but they didn’t even leave for camp until page 270. And they were back well before the end of the book.
Over all it gave Gen X-ers trying to sound youthful, but not quite hitting the mark and just a bit boring.
The email chapters were so cringey and added nothing to the story that I skipped them. The only character I kinda liked was Megan. The boys were a bit too juvenile, and Lizzie was just too judgmental of everyone.
Things I thought were weird setting wise: I’m guessing Baytree is meant to be near Elwood in Melbourne, yet they make it seem like that’s simultaneously close yet really far from Williamstown?! It’s not far at all, but it’s also not 15 mins away. Plus why does Maggie have no concept of what public transport is and insist on DRIVING into the CBD every week?! She’s living so close to the city that there’s PT options everywhere. It was also made to sound like Kinglake was soooooo far away but it’s what? Just over an hour away? These little things just irked me all the way through, and if you weren’t from the Melbourne probably wouldn’t mean a thing.
The most frustrating part was the blurb made it sound like it was going to be a funny take on parents helping at a school camp - but they didn’t even leave for camp until page 270. And they were back well before the end of the book.
Over all it gave Gen X-ers trying to sound youthful, but not quite hitting the mark and just a bit boring.
June 6, 2021
Thank you to the authors for providing me with a copy of this book, in exchange for an honest review.
The parent friends from Bayside Primary School are back, with just as much drama as in The Drop Off. Not only are the friends keeping a whole range of secrets from each other, they’re also having to navigate the delights of their children’s dramas too. On again off again friendships, teenage drinking and bullying. Not to mention the new reality TV celebrity that’s turned up at the school gates. All these issues are especially not ideal, when they’re about to join some of the kids on the school camp.
Both this book and The Drop Off have been laugh out loud funny, relatable and a whole heap of fun. I managed to quickly get back into the swing of things on who was who and how they fit into the story and I was especially glad this book included the interspersed email chains, like the first book. I really enjoyed them and it’s a great way of getting perspectives on different characters’ feelings, without needing a whole other chapter to go into it.
With such an age range of kids in the story, as a parent, there was again parts of the story that had me nodding in sympathy and some that had me cringing, knowing those attitudes are still to come 😅 By the end though, I did want to point out, there’s nothing wrong with having an only child or a younger husband, it’s working out pretty well for me, despite the clear horror it seemed to produce in every character in this book 😏
If you’re looking for a light hearted and fun read with realistic friends in an everyday setting, make sure you pick this series up!
The parent friends from Bayside Primary School are back, with just as much drama as in The Drop Off. Not only are the friends keeping a whole range of secrets from each other, they’re also having to navigate the delights of their children’s dramas too. On again off again friendships, teenage drinking and bullying. Not to mention the new reality TV celebrity that’s turned up at the school gates. All these issues are especially not ideal, when they’re about to join some of the kids on the school camp.
Both this book and The Drop Off have been laugh out loud funny, relatable and a whole heap of fun. I managed to quickly get back into the swing of things on who was who and how they fit into the story and I was especially glad this book included the interspersed email chains, like the first book. I really enjoyed them and it’s a great way of getting perspectives on different characters’ feelings, without needing a whole other chapter to go into it.
With such an age range of kids in the story, as a parent, there was again parts of the story that had me nodding in sympathy and some that had me cringing, knowing those attitudes are still to come 😅 By the end though, I did want to point out, there’s nothing wrong with having an only child or a younger husband, it’s working out pretty well for me, despite the clear horror it seemed to produce in every character in this book 😏
If you’re looking for a light hearted and fun read with realistic friends in an everyday setting, make sure you pick this series up!
June 16, 2021
4.5 stars
This was such an enjoyable sequel to The Drop-off, about a group of parents who become unlikely friends after meeting each other dropping their kids off at Baytree Primary School. In fact, I think I liked it more than the first book!
There were so many fun antics and side stories in here, the friends are harbouring so many secrets from one another (and some of them were extremely juicy). They lead to fractured relationships, hurt feelings and a build up of drama happening at the school camp at the end of the book. I was totally here for the drama and how Megan, Lizzie, Sam and Dave would navigate the numerous challenges that life has thrown at them - from divorces, to affairs, teenage children and balancing parenthood with your own interests.
The Pick-Up expertly brings up some heartfelt, emotional moments along with the thoughts and fears that you have being a mother - from the influence that you lead in your children's lives to missing the bond that you had with them as young children. It was interesting hearing about how Megan balanced her volunteer work at the school and at the retirement village with starting a new writing class, while recovering from a break up with a partner. I also liked Lizzie's perspective sharing some gold nuggets of wisdom when it came to her four children (two which were teenagers). Then there's Sam who is now living it up as a single dad, who treasures his friendships with the gang.
A new character also appears that threw another spanner in the works to the gang's dynamic - a reality TV star who everyone idolises at school. I liked how she showed that everything is not as flashy as it seems on Instagram and that reality is far from what you see on social media these days, and it definitely brought things back into perspective.
I received a review copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Check out Happy Indulgence Books for more reviews!
This was such an enjoyable sequel to The Drop-off, about a group of parents who become unlikely friends after meeting each other dropping their kids off at Baytree Primary School. In fact, I think I liked it more than the first book!
There were so many fun antics and side stories in here, the friends are harbouring so many secrets from one another (and some of them were extremely juicy). They lead to fractured relationships, hurt feelings and a build up of drama happening at the school camp at the end of the book. I was totally here for the drama and how Megan, Lizzie, Sam and Dave would navigate the numerous challenges that life has thrown at them - from divorces, to affairs, teenage children and balancing parenthood with your own interests.
The Pick-Up expertly brings up some heartfelt, emotional moments along with the thoughts and fears that you have being a mother - from the influence that you lead in your children's lives to missing the bond that you had with them as young children. It was interesting hearing about how Megan balanced her volunteer work at the school and at the retirement village with starting a new writing class, while recovering from a break up with a partner. I also liked Lizzie's perspective sharing some gold nuggets of wisdom when it came to her four children (two which were teenagers). Then there's Sam who is now living it up as a single dad, who treasures his friendships with the gang.
A new character also appears that threw another spanner in the works to the gang's dynamic - a reality TV star who everyone idolises at school. I liked how she showed that everything is not as flashy as it seems on Instagram and that reality is far from what you see on social media these days, and it definitely brought things back into perspective.
I received a review copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Check out Happy Indulgence Books for more reviews!
June 30, 2021
Thank you Echo Publishing and Fiona & Mike for sending us a copy to read and review.
Let the schoolyard shenanigans continue…….
Lizzie, Megan and Sam return for a fun filled romp who became best friends while dropping off their kids and bonding over coffee and life.
Not only do they have to deal with the politics of school, reality, their own home issues and personal lives but they all just signed up for the annual school camp.
Camp chaos is upon them and they are about to realise what it feels like to be right in the centre of the bedlam.
Welcome back to Baytree Primary School.
Relatable, emotional, laugh out loud funny, dramatic with a splash of romance it’s all here as a small group of parents deal with everyday life, moments, issues and situations.
Distorted relationships, juggling parenthood, secrets and an introduction to some new characters add to the melodrama.
Humorously written, an interesting and identifiable cast and a plot of backstabbing, online dating, a shocking affair as well as the turmoil in the teaching hierarchy makes this book one to remember and one to enjoy.
Some light hearted, witty fun and let’s hope there’s more adventures for the trio.
Let the schoolyard shenanigans continue…….
Lizzie, Megan and Sam return for a fun filled romp who became best friends while dropping off their kids and bonding over coffee and life.
Not only do they have to deal with the politics of school, reality, their own home issues and personal lives but they all just signed up for the annual school camp.
Camp chaos is upon them and they are about to realise what it feels like to be right in the centre of the bedlam.
Welcome back to Baytree Primary School.
Relatable, emotional, laugh out loud funny, dramatic with a splash of romance it’s all here as a small group of parents deal with everyday life, moments, issues and situations.
Distorted relationships, juggling parenthood, secrets and an introduction to some new characters add to the melodrama.
Humorously written, an interesting and identifiable cast and a plot of backstabbing, online dating, a shocking affair as well as the turmoil in the teaching hierarchy makes this book one to remember and one to enjoy.
Some light hearted, witty fun and let’s hope there’s more adventures for the trio.
Read
January 19, 2023v cute i think???
June 2, 2022
Love this book. Even better than the first. Laugh out loud tales of everyday life.
May 28, 2021
I really enjoyed The Pick-Up. I don’t know if it was the fact it was the first day of the Victorian lockdown 4.0 or Fiona and Mike’s ability to capture all my irrational fears as a mother, but I was an emotional wreck for about the last 9-12 chapters!! I cried, I laughed and I cried.
Read
December 11, 2021This review was first published on the Underground Writers website: http://underground-writers.org/review...
Fiona Harris and Mike McLeish are the ultimate husband and wife acting-turned-writing duo. Harris is known for her work on plays Skithouse, Tangle and The Beautiful Lie while McLeish is most well known for playing Paul Keating in Keating! The Musical. The two have been creative collaborators before, in comedy, music and writing. Their latest venture is writing best-selling fiction with their debut book The Drop-Off, processor to The Pick-Up, published in 2020.
The Pick-up is the exciting sequel to The Drop-off and follows three friends as they navigate the challenges and joys of relationship scandals, work, and raising teenagers. This is a light-hearted and fun read that is enjoyable and relatable for readers in their 30s who might know all too well the experiences that Lizzie, Megan, and Sam are going through. The Pick-Up is unique in that it is written from three points of view. Lizzie is written in the first person; Megan is written in the third person, and Sam’s character is communicated through his writing of emails and letters. I found this variation to be a little overwhelming at times, but readers who are up for something new and different are bound to enjoy it. Similarly, there were a lot of characters—at times it was hard to keep track!—but it certainly reflected the chaos that comes with having children; and the many roles busy parents have to fill.
Though this book is not what I would usually pick up, I found I sympathised with the characters’ ups and downs. I was intrigued and tickled by Megan’s scandalous relationship; I loved Lizzie for her openness and honesty; and found Sam equally endearing. I think readers who have aged out of reading young adult characters, but miss the easy absorption of a YA romance will enjoy The Pick-Up. Similarly, if you like finding companionship in the characters you are reading about, this one is for you!
Fiona Harris and Mike McLeish are the ultimate husband and wife acting-turned-writing duo. Harris is known for her work on plays Skithouse, Tangle and The Beautiful Lie while McLeish is most well known for playing Paul Keating in Keating! The Musical. The two have been creative collaborators before, in comedy, music and writing. Their latest venture is writing best-selling fiction with their debut book The Drop-Off, processor to The Pick-Up, published in 2020.
The Pick-up is the exciting sequel to The Drop-off and follows three friends as they navigate the challenges and joys of relationship scandals, work, and raising teenagers. This is a light-hearted and fun read that is enjoyable and relatable for readers in their 30s who might know all too well the experiences that Lizzie, Megan, and Sam are going through. The Pick-Up is unique in that it is written from three points of view. Lizzie is written in the first person; Megan is written in the third person, and Sam’s character is communicated through his writing of emails and letters. I found this variation to be a little overwhelming at times, but readers who are up for something new and different are bound to enjoy it. Similarly, there were a lot of characters—at times it was hard to keep track!—but it certainly reflected the chaos that comes with having children; and the many roles busy parents have to fill.
Though this book is not what I would usually pick up, I found I sympathised with the characters’ ups and downs. I was intrigued and tickled by Megan’s scandalous relationship; I loved Lizzie for her openness and honesty; and found Sam equally endearing. I think readers who have aged out of reading young adult characters, but miss the easy absorption of a YA romance will enjoy The Pick-Up. Similarly, if you like finding companionship in the characters you are reading about, this one is for you!
July 11, 2021
Friendships are made when doing the drop-off and pick-up of their children at school each day.
Lizzie is married to Greg and they have four children. Financial troubles have hit them hard and so they have made the tough decision for Greg to work in Sydney for 6mths so they can get out of their financial depression. This leaves Lizzie to deal with the day to day running of the house and all the dramas of the kids. Issues with their teenage daughter and a personal health scare adds extra drama to her life.
An ex-model, Megan is beautiful but dealing with the harsh ego blow of her husband leaving her to marry another Man so when she meets 19 year old Harry and he is clearly interested in her, she finds his attention very flattering.
Sam is dealing with being newly divorced and caring for his two kids on his own. He is trying out online dating with some mixed reviews. Sam and his friend Dave have formed a musical duo and are getting the odd gig here and there.
The four friends all become involved in school camp where each of their secrets will be revealed.
This book had me hooked. It is the second book in the Series and although im sure you gather more background information from reading the first book I found that this book works well as a stand alone. Be warned though that reading this book will make you want to read the first one to see what you have missed. There were many moments where I laughed out loud. I felt like I was part of the group and couldn't wait to see what would happen next.
A story that shows you what true friendship really is.
Lizzie is married to Greg and they have four children. Financial troubles have hit them hard and so they have made the tough decision for Greg to work in Sydney for 6mths so they can get out of their financial depression. This leaves Lizzie to deal with the day to day running of the house and all the dramas of the kids. Issues with their teenage daughter and a personal health scare adds extra drama to her life.
An ex-model, Megan is beautiful but dealing with the harsh ego blow of her husband leaving her to marry another Man so when she meets 19 year old Harry and he is clearly interested in her, she finds his attention very flattering.
Sam is dealing with being newly divorced and caring for his two kids on his own. He is trying out online dating with some mixed reviews. Sam and his friend Dave have formed a musical duo and are getting the odd gig here and there.
The four friends all become involved in school camp where each of their secrets will be revealed.
This book had me hooked. It is the second book in the Series and although im sure you gather more background information from reading the first book I found that this book works well as a stand alone. Be warned though that reading this book will make you want to read the first one to see what you have missed. There were many moments where I laughed out loud. I felt like I was part of the group and couldn't wait to see what would happen next.
A story that shows you what true friendship really is.
July 7, 2021
In the first of this series, Lizzie, Sam, Megan and Dave form their friendship at Baytree Primary's school drop-off. This time round, each have a new set of challenges as they navigate online dating, teenage kids, new love affairs and... school camp. Romance, chaos and humour ensue.
This book gave me all the tears and belly laughs that I needed coming out of another one of Melbourne's lockdowns! I listened to the audiobook because I couldn't wait for my mum to finish our paperback copy, and goodness, Fiona and Mike's style is incredibly engaging! The perfect light-hearted reading (or listening) you sometimes need to get you through the less charming realities of day-to-day life.
I'm going to miss all four of these parents, and I'm secretly (or not so secretly) longing for the day I have kids of my own so I can become friends with my own Sam, Lizzie, Megan and Dave. Eagerly awaiting a third installment!
5/5 stars
P.S. Thank you for giving us more of Dave in The Pick-up! After watching the web series, I missed his presence in The Drop-off, so I was grateful he was more involved in this book!
This book gave me all the tears and belly laughs that I needed coming out of another one of Melbourne's lockdowns! I listened to the audiobook because I couldn't wait for my mum to finish our paperback copy, and goodness, Fiona and Mike's style is incredibly engaging! The perfect light-hearted reading (or listening) you sometimes need to get you through the less charming realities of day-to-day life.
I'm going to miss all four of these parents, and I'm secretly (or not so secretly) longing for the day I have kids of my own so I can become friends with my own Sam, Lizzie, Megan and Dave. Eagerly awaiting a third installment!
5/5 stars
P.S. Thank you for giving us more of Dave in The Pick-up! After watching the web series, I missed his presence in The Drop-off, so I was grateful he was more involved in this book!
June 3, 2021
A massive thank you to Fiona and Mike for my review copy! Y'all are amazing!
Okay, on to the review!
First up, got to address the obvious; Fiona and Mike just have SUCH fun and witty stories ahhh!!
As per usual with this incredible writing duo, I laughed, I cried, I enjoyed.
Y'all could write anything and I would read it.
In this instalment the characters are still doing what they do, parenthood, juggling and experimenting with relationships, and, as always... winding up in just the most bizarre situations you could imagine. This was such a joy to read and I've just grown so bloody attached to our three main characters, and also the side characters (looking at you Dave).
I hope we get more adventures from them soon.
I also still find Sam's POV so fascinating that it's told entirely through emails, what a fun format idea.
If you're looking for a fun, witty, and an emotional roller-coaster of a read, pick this book up asap.
Okay, on to the review!
First up, got to address the obvious; Fiona and Mike just have SUCH fun and witty stories ahhh!!
As per usual with this incredible writing duo, I laughed, I cried, I enjoyed.
Y'all could write anything and I would read it.
In this instalment the characters are still doing what they do, parenthood, juggling and experimenting with relationships, and, as always... winding up in just the most bizarre situations you could imagine. This was such a joy to read and I've just grown so bloody attached to our three main characters, and also the side characters (looking at you Dave).
I hope we get more adventures from them soon.
I also still find Sam's POV so fascinating that it's told entirely through emails, what a fun format idea.
If you're looking for a fun, witty, and an emotional roller-coaster of a read, pick this book up asap.
September 11, 2021
After reading the Drop Off I was very excited to read the next installment in the lives of Lizzie, Sam, Megan and Dave. The Pick Up did not disappoint. It is a great sign when you are hooked by the prologue and then have laughed out loud in the first 10 pages. I loved getting to know the characters on an even deeper level, particularly with the changes going on in their lives. Fiona and Mike are masters of observation. There are so many behaviours and scenarios that I recognise from my own Drop Off and Pick Ups days. The addition of the school camp added an element that really allowed for great story progression. I read it a while ago and loved it so much that today I started listening to the Audio book version whilst doing cleaning. Once again the characters took me away from my lockdown cleaning hell. I really hope there are more books by this fabulous writing duo.
August 2, 2021
Another ripper read by @fionaharriswriter and @mikemcleish
I so loved their first book ‘The Drop-Off’ which I recently listened to 🎧🚶🏽♀️ So much so that I had to jump straight into their new one and I wasn’t disappointed! I love the characters, it truly feels like they’re my mates. I know that sounds a bit weird but read these books and you’ll get it…. and you’ll thank me. 💗 I cheered them on and even found myself talking to them and giving them little nuggets of wisdom a couple of times. 🙄😂 Could the authors please please please write another book, this time set amidst a high school?🤞🏼As a mum of older teens and someone that works at our local high school, geez there are loads of possibilities….the antics, the sass, the deranged craziness. I am cacking myself just thinking about it!
Well… Lizzie, Sam, Meghan and Dave….cheers to yous all🍷❤️🍷❤️I’ll bloody miss ya.
I so loved their first book ‘The Drop-Off’ which I recently listened to 🎧🚶🏽♀️ So much so that I had to jump straight into their new one and I wasn’t disappointed! I love the characters, it truly feels like they’re my mates. I know that sounds a bit weird but read these books and you’ll get it…. and you’ll thank me. 💗 I cheered them on and even found myself talking to them and giving them little nuggets of wisdom a couple of times. 🙄😂 Could the authors please please please write another book, this time set amidst a high school?🤞🏼As a mum of older teens and someone that works at our local high school, geez there are loads of possibilities….the antics, the sass, the deranged craziness. I am cacking myself just thinking about it!
Well… Lizzie, Sam, Meghan and Dave….cheers to yous all🍷❤️🍷❤️I’ll bloody miss ya.
June 7, 2021
AH I just love this series so much! I finished The Drop Off a few weeks ago and when I saw this one available as an audiobook as well I knew I had to pick it up and it did not disappoint.
Such a fun light hearted slice of domestic fiction!
I love all the characters so so much, and it was so lovely to be able to slip right back in with them. The plot is also stunning, there is a happy ending (like we would always want) but with a touch of reality to still make the book seem a bit more realistic.
Another really great aspect of this book is that Sam (one of our main characters) POV is told entirely through an email correspondence which is such an interesting format idea! I literally have nothing negative to say about the book, apart from the fact that Lizzie is an incredibly strict mum and I don’t know how her children would survive. I do not own physical copies of either of these, so you know I’ll be off to the bookstore to buy them both as soon as lockdown ends!
Cannot wait to read the next one Fiona and Mike write!
Such a fun light hearted slice of domestic fiction!
I love all the characters so so much, and it was so lovely to be able to slip right back in with them. The plot is also stunning, there is a happy ending (like we would always want) but with a touch of reality to still make the book seem a bit more realistic.
Another really great aspect of this book is that Sam (one of our main characters) POV is told entirely through an email correspondence which is such an interesting format idea! I literally have nothing negative to say about the book, apart from the fact that Lizzie is an incredibly strict mum and I don’t know how her children would survive. I do not own physical copies of either of these, so you know I’ll be off to the bookstore to buy them both as soon as lockdown ends!
Cannot wait to read the next one Fiona and Mike write!
June 24, 2021
Oh. My. Goodness.
This book gets all the stars from me…
It was such a good read, brilliantly written with so much humour. It was just so relatable!
I wish I could send my daughter to Baytree Primary so I can join the gang, they sound just like my kind of people!
Again, Sam’s email conversations were an absolute highlight, they really made me chuckle!
When I finished this book I felt a sense of loss as I don’t want this to be the end. Fingers crossed there will be more of Lizzie, Sam and Megan in the future.
This book gets all the stars from me…
It was such a good read, brilliantly written with so much humour. It was just so relatable!
I wish I could send my daughter to Baytree Primary so I can join the gang, they sound just like my kind of people!
Again, Sam’s email conversations were an absolute highlight, they really made me chuckle!
When I finished this book I felt a sense of loss as I don’t want this to be the end. Fingers crossed there will be more of Lizzie, Sam and Megan in the future.
July 8, 2021
I didn’t realise this was a sequel until after I started it. Maybe it might have been better if I read the first. But I think it was just not my style of writing. I had to entirely skip the emails. And nothing much happened. The characters did not come alive for me. It was also really repetitive…. I think Megan is attractive and Lizzie is a midwife. But I can’t be sure as it was only mentioned once or twice every chapter.
December 11, 2021
The second book to come along after The Drop-off and I loved it just as much. Fiona and Mike you had me laughing a lot and crying too. As I was reading the first one I kept thinking that it would make a brilliant tv series and to my delight I found your YouTube info at the end. It was fantastic. Keep up your brilliant writing please. Your books are hilarious and your YouTube series is hysterical.
January 28, 2022
I was excited to venture back to Baytree and to Sam, Lizzie, Megan and Dave. I found the humour was a lot more subtle in this book with the concentration and focus wholly on the relationships. Whereas The Drop Off made me laugh out loud with references to situations I related to, The Pick Up was just an enjoyable story of the ups and downs of a group of friends. I’d happily read about whatever happens next.
August 13, 2021
This is even better than the first instalment [The Drop Off]. Harris & McLeish have really hit their stride with The Pick-Up. The pace and joke rate are superb & the new characters add beautifully to the world of the Baytree Primary School Community. Ideal for teachers, parents of primary age kids or anyone who can read.
November 24, 2021
I agree with a previous reviewer - the emails were woeful, whoever thought that was a good idea should have forgotten it. An interesting read but towards the end it dragged on and I just wanted it to be finished. And if the writers paid proofreader Rob Morrison they should ask for their money back, because he didn't do a good job. He should have at least found the missing words in a sentence.
December 22, 2023
Yet another Covid inspired story. It was certainly a time for writers to bring their pens out.
An entertaining novel. A story about ordinary people going through a normal time. The characters are familiar, never stretching to the absurd and the writing is good enough to keep our interest although the last part does stretch out a bit.
An entertaining novel. A story about ordinary people going through a normal time. The characters are familiar, never stretching to the absurd and the writing is good enough to keep our interest although the last part does stretch out a bit.
July 17, 2021
Another light, entertaining read which I enjoyed. Returning to the group of friends for a second time gave a familiar feel, and there's a genuine feeling of reality to the relationships - strands of jealousy and anger at times, but the friendship winning out in the end.
September 25, 2021
We're back at Baytree Primary with Lizzie, Sam, Megan and Dave, and lots of new characters. Almost as good as The Drop-off but not quite (for me) This could be almost any Aussie primary school though, where I felt The Pick-up was VERY Melbourne.
October 8, 2022
Loved this as much as the first. Love the characters of Lizzie, Megan and Sam. Better the two books and the web series I really feel like I know these characters. Sad that it’s finished. Funny, sad and so much heart. Great read. Looking forward to what these two create next.
December 21, 2022
I found the attempts at current and "trendy" language to be outdated and crass.
The storyline was boring and unoriginal.
Felt like it was just another multi character story. Nothing new or interesting.
The storyline was boring and unoriginal.
Felt like it was just another multi character story. Nothing new or interesting.
July 5, 2023
Light-hearted fun. Great to listen on audiobook.
It is book two in a series, and I think I will track down book one to listen to.
My Goodreads star rating... ***
My Goodreads scale:
* waste of time
**filled in time
***good
****excellent
*****absolutely amazing
It is book two in a series, and I think I will track down book one to listen to.
My Goodreads star rating... ***
My Goodreads scale:
* waste of time
**filled in time
***good
****excellent
*****absolutely amazing
January 15, 2024
Just as good as the first, 'The Drop Off', if not better. I love these characters and I will miss them. A number of chuckles throughout and some very real issues dealt with in believable and respectful ways.
March 3, 2025
Oh I loved this read. The characters were all so relatable. And I definitely got watery eyes at the end ❤️
Favourite line in the book
"The meaning of life is to find your gift. The purpose of life is to give it away"
Friendship. We all need a friendship circle
Favourite line in the book
"The meaning of life is to find your gift. The purpose of life is to give it away"
Friendship. We all need a friendship circle
Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews