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The Woman in the Middle
The emotional, uplifting and completely relatable new novel from Sunday Times bestseller Milly Johnson.
Shay Bastable is the woman in the middle. She is part of the sandwich generation – caring for her parents and her children, supporting her husband Bruce, holding them all together and caring for them as best she can.
Then the arrival of a large orange skip on her mother’s estate sets in motion a cataclysmic series of events which leads to the collapse of Shay’s world. She is forced to put herself first for a change.
But in order to move forward with her present, Shay needs to make sense of her past. And so she returns to the little village she grew up in, to uncover the truth about what happened to her when she was younger. And in doing so, she discovers that sometimes you have to hit rock bottom to find the only way is up.
Praise for The Woman in the Middle:
'An unputdownable tale of redemption and hard-won wisdom, this is a book that speaks for us all wherever we are in our lives. Milly Johnson always delivers an absolutely cracking read' Katie Fforde
Praise for Milly Johnson:
‘The feeling you get when you read a Milly Johnson book should be bottled and made available on the NHS’ Debbie Johnson
'Every time you discover a new Milly book, it’s like finding a pot of gold' heat
'A glorious, heartfelt novel' Rowan Coleman
‘Absolutely loved it. Milly's writing is like getting a big hug with just the right amount of bite underneath. I was rooting for Bonnie from the start' Jane Fallon
‘Bursting with warmth and joie de vivre’ Jill Mansell
‘Warm, optimistic and romantic’ Katie Fforde
Shay Bastable is the woman in the middle. She is part of the sandwich generation – caring for her parents and her children, supporting her husband Bruce, holding them all together and caring for them as best she can.
Then the arrival of a large orange skip on her mother’s estate sets in motion a cataclysmic series of events which leads to the collapse of Shay’s world. She is forced to put herself first for a change.
But in order to move forward with her present, Shay needs to make sense of her past. And so she returns to the little village she grew up in, to uncover the truth about what happened to her when she was younger. And in doing so, she discovers that sometimes you have to hit rock bottom to find the only way is up.
Praise for The Woman in the Middle:
'An unputdownable tale of redemption and hard-won wisdom, this is a book that speaks for us all wherever we are in our lives. Milly Johnson always delivers an absolutely cracking read' Katie Fforde
Praise for Milly Johnson:
‘The feeling you get when you read a Milly Johnson book should be bottled and made available on the NHS’ Debbie Johnson
'Every time you discover a new Milly book, it’s like finding a pot of gold' heat
'A glorious, heartfelt novel' Rowan Coleman
‘Absolutely loved it. Milly's writing is like getting a big hug with just the right amount of bite underneath. I was rooting for Bonnie from the start' Jane Fallon
‘Bursting with warmth and joie de vivre’ Jill Mansell
‘Warm, optimistic and romantic’ Katie Fforde
464 pages, Paperback
First published October 14, 2021
250 people are currently reading
1594 people want to read
About the author
Milly Johnson
52 books2,156 followersMilly Johnson was born in Barnsley, raised in Barnsley and still lives in Barnsley. She writes about strong women, often having a renaissance, all ages and has just released her 22nd novel Same Time Next Week. Do check out her website for up to date news and appearance dates.
As well as a novelist she is a professional joke writer, performance poet, newspaper and magazine columnist and also after dinner/motivational speaker.
She is on insta as @themillyjohnson, facebook as @millyjohnsonauthor, Twitter as @millyjohnson and a ridiculous presence on TikTok @millyjohnsonauthor. Do give her a follow - even if it's just out of sympathy!
As well as a novelist she is a professional joke writer, performance poet, newspaper and magazine columnist and also after dinner/motivational speaker.
She is on insta as @themillyjohnson, facebook as @millyjohnsonauthor, Twitter as @millyjohnson and a ridiculous presence on TikTok @millyjohnsonauthor. Do give her a follow - even if it's just out of sympathy!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 369 reviews
June 23, 2025
Re-reading 03/2025 on audible
Milly has done it again! Shay is a wife and mother of two grown children and is in her mid-forties. She is also caring for her beloved mother who, though she lives alone, is in the mid-stages of Alzheimer's. Shay goes to her house almost every day to do what needs to be done. Her father is in a coma in a care home and Shay visits him faithfully. There is something wrong with her marriage of 24 years. Although everything is OK on the surface, she and her husband have not had sex in months. Her feisty (too feisty)free spirit of a daughter keeps going back to a bad boyfriend and is struggling financially and career-wise. Her sweet and gentle son has given up his art and gotten himself engaged to a controlling older woman. And her sister is a selfish piece of....work.
Shay, who is a lovely woman both inside and out, is in the middle, trying to keep everyone around her afloat with no help from anyone. Yet, though she is put upon, she is not a doormat. (Yay!) She seems like a real person. Someone you could really know, and whose challenges many women will relate to. The reader realizes long before Shay does that her husband is a lost cause and is not worthy of her. We also know that there is a tragic secret in her past that changed the direction of her life and separated her from her first love: a love she still yearns for in unguarded moments. As her mother reaches the end, secrets are revealed which further turn her life upside down. Her marriage is irretrievably broken and Shay goes back to her childhood home to try to heal.
Milly’s style continues to move forward from the template that served her so well for years. Shay is a woman rising like a phoenix from a difficult situation. That is a familiar theme to her readership. But the story is more realistic and her writing is more thoughtful and leisurely. The book is funny and full of lovable and sympathetic characters as well as dastardly villains. Yes, there are moments of high drama and plenty of justice to be meted out, to be sure, but everything is more down-to-earth and not so extreme. There is wit and humor, but very little rambunctious comedy. There is eventually a sweet romance, but it is there only to complete Shay’s journey to a happy fulfilled life.
I love the old Milly-style, but I also love the more evolved Milly. Wherever she goes next, I am there.
**Addendum 04/05/2025** A few more thoughts upon re-reading this one on Audible. Milly's portrayal of middle-aged Shay caring for her elderly dementia inflicted mother was so tender and sensitive. Shay is a paragon and a heroine. Her care and sacrifices for her and also her elderly father who is in a coma come not from duty but love. It was so heartwarming and inspiring. I wish I had read this before I found myself in a similar situation now over a decade ago.
**Spoilers**
I loved Courtney, her daughter, after she finally saw the light. Her little secondary romance was sweet. However her son, "Sonny," and his struggle with his vile fiancé was too perplexing. I did appreciate that Milly featured a man abused and controlled by his female partner for a change. She has many times based her novels on women being made doormats by narcissistic men. I know in my head how constant abuse can affect one's power. But in my heart, I just could not find any sympathy or respect for his decision to marry her with his eyes wide open to her lies and true evil nature. He had the love and support of many, but he stubbornly chose the weak path to avoid upset and conflict. It seemed very unrealistic but did result in a great climactic and delicious scene. "If any person here can show just cause why these two people should not be joined...."
As always, much of Milly's humor stems from her hilarious and spot-on metaphors and similes. Here is one of my favorites: During the wedding, "...Her head spun so fast on her neck it was like watching a Richard Curtis version of The Exorcist
Milly's endings are always great, leaving no comeuppance un-comeupped, and no plot line un-tied-up in a very satisfactory way. But this one had so much justice to dispense to so many people in so many ways, the wind up was more exceptional than usual.
https://rebekahsreadingsandwatchings....
Shay had too much of a past history of being honourable, a good girl who flew under the radar so she wouldn’t upset any more applecarts, who stood in the shadows propping up those who wanted to stand in the sun.
But Mrs Nice Guy was having a day off today.
Milly has done it again! Shay is a wife and mother of two grown children and is in her mid-forties. She is also caring for her beloved mother who, though she lives alone, is in the mid-stages of Alzheimer's. Shay goes to her house almost every day to do what needs to be done. Her father is in a coma in a care home and Shay visits him faithfully. There is something wrong with her marriage of 24 years. Although everything is OK on the surface, she and her husband have not had sex in months. Her feisty (too feisty)free spirit of a daughter keeps going back to a bad boyfriend and is struggling financially and career-wise. Her sweet and gentle son has given up his art and gotten himself engaged to a controlling older woman. And her sister is a selfish piece of....work.
Shay, who is a lovely woman both inside and out, is in the middle, trying to keep everyone around her afloat with no help from anyone. Yet, though she is put upon, she is not a doormat. (Yay!) She seems like a real person. Someone you could really know, and whose challenges many women will relate to. The reader realizes long before Shay does that her husband is a lost cause and is not worthy of her. We also know that there is a tragic secret in her past that changed the direction of her life and separated her from her first love: a love she still yearns for in unguarded moments. As her mother reaches the end, secrets are revealed which further turn her life upside down. Her marriage is irretrievably broken and Shay goes back to her childhood home to try to heal.
Milly’s style continues to move forward from the template that served her so well for years. Shay is a woman rising like a phoenix from a difficult situation. That is a familiar theme to her readership. But the story is more realistic and her writing is more thoughtful and leisurely. The book is funny and full of lovable and sympathetic characters as well as dastardly villains. Yes, there are moments of high drama and plenty of justice to be meted out, to be sure, but everything is more down-to-earth and not so extreme. There is wit and humor, but very little rambunctious comedy. There is eventually a sweet romance, but it is there only to complete Shay’s journey to a happy fulfilled life.
I love the old Milly-style, but I also love the more evolved Milly. Wherever she goes next, I am there.
**Addendum 04/05/2025** A few more thoughts upon re-reading this one on Audible. Milly's portrayal of middle-aged Shay caring for her elderly dementia inflicted mother was so tender and sensitive. Shay is a paragon and a heroine. Her care and sacrifices for her and also her elderly father who is in a coma come not from duty but love. It was so heartwarming and inspiring. I wish I had read this before I found myself in a similar situation now over a decade ago.
**Spoilers**
I loved Courtney, her daughter, after she finally saw the light. Her little secondary romance was sweet. However her son, "Sonny," and his struggle with his vile fiancé was too perplexing. I did appreciate that Milly featured a man abused and controlled by his female partner for a change. She has many times based her novels on women being made doormats by narcissistic men. I know in my head how constant abuse can affect one's power. But in my heart, I just could not find any sympathy or respect for his decision to marry her with his eyes wide open to her lies and true evil nature. He had the love and support of many, but he stubbornly chose the weak path to avoid upset and conflict. It seemed very unrealistic but did result in a great climactic and delicious scene. "If any person here can show just cause why these two people should not be joined...."
Touch my son again, bitch and I'll drop you where you stand," said Shay....Get your hands off my boy or I'll tell everyone in this church what a vile, nasty, violent, twisted, manipulative, abusive piece of shit you are," threatened Shay, telling everyone in the church what a vile, nasty, violent, twisted, manipulative abusive piece of shit Karoline was.
As always, much of Milly's humor stems from her hilarious and spot-on metaphors and similes. Here is one of my favorites: During the wedding, "...Her head spun so fast on her neck it was like watching a Richard Curtis version of The Exorcist
Milly's endings are always great, leaving no comeuppance un-comeupped, and no plot line un-tied-up in a very satisfactory way. But this one had so much justice to dispense to so many people in so many ways, the wind up was more exceptional than usual.
https://rebekahsreadingsandwatchings....
October 11, 2021
Shay’s trying to keep all the plates spinning.
A confession. I wasn’t sure to begin with that I was going to love The Woman in the Middle as much as I have other books by Milly Johnson. I needn’t have worried. It wasn’t long before I found myself completely ensnared in Shay’s life, laughing and crying as I read because of Milly Johnson’s absolute ability to shine a light on real people, their hopes, their dreams and their realities. In fact, I think I was a bit resistant at the start because I found so much to resonate with me that it made for slightly uncomfortable reading. Whilst I don’t have the marital situation or the children of Shay’s life, I’d defy any reader not to find echoes of their own thoughts and feelings in the pages of this book; echoes so deftly presented by the author who manages to present humanity with such caring compassion.
The plot of The Woman in the Middle is absolutely brilliant and I’d love to see it as a Sunday evening winter television series as it has all the elements to rival any other such production. It has several dramatic moments that add entertaining dynamism, but it is the quieter aspects, Shay’s thoughts and the mundane elements of a woman’s life that are the real strength here. The Woman in the Middle is about the difficult process of rationalising and accepting our pasts, of being comfortable in our own skin without becoming complacent, of supporting without being overbearing, of living our own lives and allowing others to live theirs. The warmth of Milly Johnson’s writing illustrates these elements perfectly but at the same time she isn’t afraid to show her readers the full extent of her characters’ personalities. Shay might be the heroine of the story but she is by no means perfect. She can be quick to speak, rash and frustrating, as well as thoughtful, loving and supportive so that I cared about her all the more as a result. There’s a depth and range across all the characters with both men and women equally treated so that The Woman in the Middle feels balanced and true to life.
Although to comment on all the themes would be to spoil the story, Milly Johnson tackles some big issues here in The Woman in the Middle. Again, there is a glorious balance of darkness and light with a down-to-earth approach that I found so engaging. What struck me most was the underlying message of kindness that weaves through the story. Sometimes that kindness is mis-placed despite being well-meaning and there are consequences, but nothing can detract from the warmth of this book. Kindness to others and to ourselves is key, but I genuinely felt that in writing The Woman in the Middle Milly Johnson has brought kindness to her readers, giving them permission to put themselves first on occasion and helping them to realise it isn’t always necessary to make yourself the filling in a sandwich of duty and responsibility.
I may have begun The Woman in the Middle a little uncertainly, but I ended it feeling uplifted, included and as if Milly Johnson had taken a long look into my head and decided exactly what I needed to read to make the world a better place for me. The Woman in the Middle is a restorative book – and not just for the characters! Don’t miss it.
A confession. I wasn’t sure to begin with that I was going to love The Woman in the Middle as much as I have other books by Milly Johnson. I needn’t have worried. It wasn’t long before I found myself completely ensnared in Shay’s life, laughing and crying as I read because of Milly Johnson’s absolute ability to shine a light on real people, their hopes, their dreams and their realities. In fact, I think I was a bit resistant at the start because I found so much to resonate with me that it made for slightly uncomfortable reading. Whilst I don’t have the marital situation or the children of Shay’s life, I’d defy any reader not to find echoes of their own thoughts and feelings in the pages of this book; echoes so deftly presented by the author who manages to present humanity with such caring compassion.
The plot of The Woman in the Middle is absolutely brilliant and I’d love to see it as a Sunday evening winter television series as it has all the elements to rival any other such production. It has several dramatic moments that add entertaining dynamism, but it is the quieter aspects, Shay’s thoughts and the mundane elements of a woman’s life that are the real strength here. The Woman in the Middle is about the difficult process of rationalising and accepting our pasts, of being comfortable in our own skin without becoming complacent, of supporting without being overbearing, of living our own lives and allowing others to live theirs. The warmth of Milly Johnson’s writing illustrates these elements perfectly but at the same time she isn’t afraid to show her readers the full extent of her characters’ personalities. Shay might be the heroine of the story but she is by no means perfect. She can be quick to speak, rash and frustrating, as well as thoughtful, loving and supportive so that I cared about her all the more as a result. There’s a depth and range across all the characters with both men and women equally treated so that The Woman in the Middle feels balanced and true to life.
Although to comment on all the themes would be to spoil the story, Milly Johnson tackles some big issues here in The Woman in the Middle. Again, there is a glorious balance of darkness and light with a down-to-earth approach that I found so engaging. What struck me most was the underlying message of kindness that weaves through the story. Sometimes that kindness is mis-placed despite being well-meaning and there are consequences, but nothing can detract from the warmth of this book. Kindness to others and to ourselves is key, but I genuinely felt that in writing The Woman in the Middle Milly Johnson has brought kindness to her readers, giving them permission to put themselves first on occasion and helping them to realise it isn’t always necessary to make yourself the filling in a sandwich of duty and responsibility.
I may have begun The Woman in the Middle a little uncertainly, but I ended it feeling uplifted, included and as if Milly Johnson had taken a long look into my head and decided exactly what I needed to read to make the world a better place for me. The Woman in the Middle is a restorative book – and not just for the characters! Don’t miss it.
October 31, 2021
Loved this latest release-full review to come!
October 27, 2024
There was all I loved in Molly Johnson's stories, but I didn't enjoy it as much as I hoped. Why?
First of all, the narration dragged here and there. The novel would benefit from being shorter.
Secondly, some threads could have been more used. They were powerful, but more exposed would have made the story more interesting.
And I think it would have been much better if there were perspectives of Courtney and Sunny.
I would also have liked to see more romance, not this speed version behind the scene.
I did enjoy it a lot. I cried at one point. I smiled a few times. I wanted to befriend some characters. It was just that, in my head, I imagined a bit different way of telling this story, that I would have loved more.
[3.5 stars]
First of all, the narration dragged here and there. The novel would benefit from being shorter.
Secondly, some threads could have been more used. They were powerful, but more exposed would have made the story more interesting.
And I think it would have been much better if there were perspectives of Courtney and Sunny.
I would also have liked to see more romance, not this speed version behind the scene.
I did enjoy it a lot. I cried at one point. I smiled a few times. I wanted to befriend some characters. It was just that, in my head, I imagined a bit different way of telling this story, that I would have loved more.
[3.5 stars]
October 14, 2021
Milly has done it again, she has brought out another cracker of a read. I couldn't wait to read this book and I didn't want to put it down either. I like the way Milly writes about real life situations and I am sure people will be able to relate to one or another of the characters in this book. I really warmed to Shay, I really felt sorry for her what she has and is going through, she doesn't have any support from home, her mum and dad are not very well, her sister is a right pain and her husband well don't get me started on Bruce. Shay is always the person in the middle and she literally can't take that much weight on her shoulders anymore so needs to break away. I think this book showed me that even at your lowest there is a way out of there and you just got to take the bull by the horns and believe in yourself that you can do it. A powerful novel that is relatable and you just wont want to put it down.
October 16, 2021
This wonderful novel resonated with me so strongly, it was almost uncomfortable for me reading it to start with because I could identify with it so much. Shay is juggling everything in her life, quite literally, and as with any attempt to juggle metaphorically, occasionally all the balls drop at the same time.
As the plot progresses, more and more issues in Shay’s life seem insurmountable and challenge how she approaches them. The overall theme of this story is kindness, as with all of Milly’s novels and the ensuing warmth will make you smile and find humour in the happier moments, whilst also empathising with the more poignant issues.
Shay is the glue that holds her family together, but she always puts others first, rather than looking after herself. Torn between being needed by her parents and her adult children, who all rely on her for various reasons, she feels the pressure as the filling in a sandwich that is squeezing her from all sides. Once she gives herself permission to put herself first, by heading back to her childhood and the darkness she has been burdened by, she is able to move forward and resolve her other issues one by one.
I loved the characters in the book, with the exception of a couple, but the one I warmed to the most was Dagmara, a kick-ass pensioner with endless wisdom, warmth and humour, and just the person Shay needed to be on her side. Everyone needs a Dagmara!
This was such a relatable story in which kindness and honesty triumph, and where putting yourself first at least some of the time is actually the right thing to do.
As the plot progresses, more and more issues in Shay’s life seem insurmountable and challenge how she approaches them. The overall theme of this story is kindness, as with all of Milly’s novels and the ensuing warmth will make you smile and find humour in the happier moments, whilst also empathising with the more poignant issues.
Shay is the glue that holds her family together, but she always puts others first, rather than looking after herself. Torn between being needed by her parents and her adult children, who all rely on her for various reasons, she feels the pressure as the filling in a sandwich that is squeezing her from all sides. Once she gives herself permission to put herself first, by heading back to her childhood and the darkness she has been burdened by, she is able to move forward and resolve her other issues one by one.
I loved the characters in the book, with the exception of a couple, but the one I warmed to the most was Dagmara, a kick-ass pensioner with endless wisdom, warmth and humour, and just the person Shay needed to be on her side. Everyone needs a Dagmara!
This was such a relatable story in which kindness and honesty triumph, and where putting yourself first at least some of the time is actually the right thing to do.
March 15, 2022
*Will Shay Begin to Rise?*
Shay has always been the woman in the middle, she is caring for the needs of her elderly parents. Her mother lives alone with dementia and her father is in a nursing home. She has two grown up children with troubles of their own, both have left the nest as well as propping up her husband and all his so called issues to add to that she has an irritating older sister.
Shay has a childhood past that meant her family had to move away from the area. Then a catalogue of things start to happen. A skip arrives at the estate where her Mum lives and it triggers past memories for her mum, due to her Mum’s dementia shay takes what her mother says with a pinch of salt.
When tragedy strikes Shays world is about to implode. There is a revelation from her sister delivered in the most cruel way about Shays parentage and that’s just for starters.
She finds herself dealing with betrayal, a past that never got resolved and a wedding that she needs to tear apart.
Will Shay carry on to prop everyone up or will she put herself first and come out fighting? She needs to tap into her inner Shay and revisit her past and will the past wrongs be corrected?
Shay has always been the woman in the middle, she is caring for the needs of her elderly parents. Her mother lives alone with dementia and her father is in a nursing home. She has two grown up children with troubles of their own, both have left the nest as well as propping up her husband and all his so called issues to add to that she has an irritating older sister.
Shay has a childhood past that meant her family had to move away from the area. Then a catalogue of things start to happen. A skip arrives at the estate where her Mum lives and it triggers past memories for her mum, due to her Mum’s dementia shay takes what her mother says with a pinch of salt.
When tragedy strikes Shays world is about to implode. There is a revelation from her sister delivered in the most cruel way about Shays parentage and that’s just for starters.
She finds herself dealing with betrayal, a past that never got resolved and a wedding that she needs to tear apart.
Will Shay carry on to prop everyone up or will she put herself first and come out fighting? She needs to tap into her inner Shay and revisit her past and will the past wrongs be corrected?
October 7, 2022
I love Milly Johnson's writing; she's one of my favorite authors and one of the few where I order her books as soon as they're available instead of borrowing them from the library first to make sure I like it enough to own it.
So, I liked this book, especially after I read the story for a second time. However, I didn't totally love it the way I did many of her previous books. Even though Johnson tends to deal with some pretty serious subjects in her stories, this one felt much darker than many of her prior books. I put it in the same category with "Sunshine Over Wildflower Cottage" and "True North" both of which I like but aren't the books that I return to again and again like I do with "The Magnificent Mrs. Mayhew", "Here Come the Girls", and "The Queen of Wishful Thinking".
I liked it enough that I will buy the ebook and audiobook when it becomes available in the US and, who knows... I may end up liking it more in the future.
Some profanity.
So, I liked this book, especially after I read the story for a second time. However, I didn't totally love it the way I did many of her previous books. Even though Johnson tends to deal with some pretty serious subjects in her stories, this one felt much darker than many of her prior books. I put it in the same category with "Sunshine Over Wildflower Cottage" and "True North" both of which I like but aren't the books that I return to again and again like I do with "The Magnificent Mrs. Mayhew", "Here Come the Girls", and "The Queen of Wishful Thinking".
I liked it enough that I will buy the ebook and audiobook when it becomes available in the US and, who knows... I may end up liking it more in the future.
Some profanity.
April 23, 2022
Another wonderful story from Milly Johnson. I absolutely loved it!
June 3, 2022
Took some time to get into the story, and I wasn’t sure about it at first, but eventually really enjoyed it. I did see the twist on page 180 coming on page 20 though.
July 25, 2023
Trochu mi trvalo se do toho dostat, ale druhá půlka byla jízda. Spousta důležitých témat. Jen mě mrzí, že autorka nevěnovala víc prostoru minulosti Shay i jejích přátel, potenciál byl veliký.
January 16, 2022
Loved it! Loved it! Loved it!
Another throughly enjoyable read by the wonderful Milly Johnson. One that really must be added to your tbr piles!
I adore Milly’s writing, reading her stories feels effortless. From the first page I’m transported into the lives of her characters following their journey’s and feeling the emotions along with them whether it be scenes that are literally heartbreakingly sad or downright hilarious. I just hate when I come to the end of her books!
I think a lot of people reading this can find similarities between themselves and relate to main character Shay (myself included).
I love the ‘sandwich’ analogy used throughout the book, it can be so very true for a lot of people. Squashed between everyone around you, everyone’s needs being met apart from your own. Shay wears many different hats, daughter, sister, mother, wife, friend. Spinning so many plates in the air it’s just inevitable that they soon could fall.
I warmed to Shay from the beginning keeping me hooked on her story. I won’t mention any of the plot themes as I would hate to ruin it but as always Milly has a fantastic and powerful way of writing about real life situations, and in this instance tough serious subjects. As always Milly handles those with such care and the use of some gentle humour to balance out the darker subjects are tastefully done and really were brilliant making me laugh out loud on many occasions.
This was emotional but overall an uplifting read which really did leave me smiling. It’s a five star read for me!
Another throughly enjoyable read by the wonderful Milly Johnson. One that really must be added to your tbr piles!
I adore Milly’s writing, reading her stories feels effortless. From the first page I’m transported into the lives of her characters following their journey’s and feeling the emotions along with them whether it be scenes that are literally heartbreakingly sad or downright hilarious. I just hate when I come to the end of her books!
I think a lot of people reading this can find similarities between themselves and relate to main character Shay (myself included).
I love the ‘sandwich’ analogy used throughout the book, it can be so very true for a lot of people. Squashed between everyone around you, everyone’s needs being met apart from your own. Shay wears many different hats, daughter, sister, mother, wife, friend. Spinning so many plates in the air it’s just inevitable that they soon could fall.
I warmed to Shay from the beginning keeping me hooked on her story. I won’t mention any of the plot themes as I would hate to ruin it but as always Milly has a fantastic and powerful way of writing about real life situations, and in this instance tough serious subjects. As always Milly handles those with such care and the use of some gentle humour to balance out the darker subjects are tastefully done and really were brilliant making me laugh out loud on many occasions.
This was emotional but overall an uplifting read which really did leave me smiling. It’s a five star read for me!
September 9, 2021
My Kindle and bookshelves are full of Milly’s books, so when this review copy appeared on my NetGalley shelf, I had to postpone my planned next read, pick up my Kindle, ignore my family and head off to Yorkshire virtually to meet Shay.
Shay is the woman in the middle of this story, sandwiched between caring for her ageing parents and her young adult children. At the start of the book we discover just how many plates Shay is juggling, as she looks after her family and job. Both parents have health issues and she recently lost one of her best friends, Tanya. So Shay is looking forward to a romantic weekend away with her husband to celebrate their wedding anniversary and to escape the every day routine. But will the reality meet her expectations?
As the story continues, Shay needs to deal with many issues, some unpleasant people and to make some tough decisions. This is her time to shake off her past, and to make decisions about what she really wants from her life. With help from some unexpected people, it is time for Shay to shine.
Although the book deals with tough issues including grief, guilt, loss, and relationship issues, because the book is written by the amazing Milly Johnson, it is never a depressing book. The story is emotional, but includes humour, love and warmth. Shay became so real, it was as if she were a friend and I was sad to say goodbye when I closed my Kindle at the end of the story.
Thank you to Milly Johnson for another fabulous book full of northern people and phrases. As a mother of two teenagers and a daughter of ageing parents, being the filling in the sandwich is both a privilege and a worry, and Milly has captured those feelings perfectly. This was a five star read for me and I’m happy to recommend it. The book will be published in Hardback and Ebook on 14th October 2021 (and in paperback in 2022).
Shay is the woman in the middle of this story, sandwiched between caring for her ageing parents and her young adult children. At the start of the book we discover just how many plates Shay is juggling, as she looks after her family and job. Both parents have health issues and she recently lost one of her best friends, Tanya. So Shay is looking forward to a romantic weekend away with her husband to celebrate their wedding anniversary and to escape the every day routine. But will the reality meet her expectations?
As the story continues, Shay needs to deal with many issues, some unpleasant people and to make some tough decisions. This is her time to shake off her past, and to make decisions about what she really wants from her life. With help from some unexpected people, it is time for Shay to shine.
Although the book deals with tough issues including grief, guilt, loss, and relationship issues, because the book is written by the amazing Milly Johnson, it is never a depressing book. The story is emotional, but includes humour, love and warmth. Shay became so real, it was as if she were a friend and I was sad to say goodbye when I closed my Kindle at the end of the story.
Thank you to Milly Johnson for another fabulous book full of northern people and phrases. As a mother of two teenagers and a daughter of ageing parents, being the filling in the sandwich is both a privilege and a worry, and Milly has captured those feelings perfectly. This was a five star read for me and I’m happy to recommend it. The book will be published in Hardback and Ebook on 14th October 2021 (and in paperback in 2022).
January 21, 2022
My favourite book of the year so far! I just love a Milly Johnson book, and this was one of those can't put it down but don't want to finish it books.
Shay is the 'Woman in the Middle' who seems to run around for everyone, her mum, husband, (older) children etc. but is never really appreciated, and her sister who feels she is more important is a waste of space and never helps with their mum's care.
Events start unraveling when a skip is delivered next door to her mum's house and it triggers memories in Shay's mum's mind, which she has slowly been losing to Alzheimers.
There's a lot going on, but it all just flows so seamlessly into the story. It's hard to describe what goes on without spoiling all the storylines but suffice to say it's action packed with lots of surprises, some good, some bad, but with a happy ending.
Fabulous book - rush out and buy it, you won't be disappointed!
Shay is the 'Woman in the Middle' who seems to run around for everyone, her mum, husband, (older) children etc. but is never really appreciated, and her sister who feels she is more important is a waste of space and never helps with their mum's care.
Events start unraveling when a skip is delivered next door to her mum's house and it triggers memories in Shay's mum's mind, which she has slowly been losing to Alzheimers.
There's a lot going on, but it all just flows so seamlessly into the story. It's hard to describe what goes on without spoiling all the storylines but suffice to say it's action packed with lots of surprises, some good, some bad, but with a happy ending.
Fabulous book - rush out and buy it, you won't be disappointed!
February 23, 2022
I feel like Milly reaches into your heart and pulls out all of the stuff you need to sort through and deal with - like an emotional spring clean! This is such a touching story with a voice that resonated with me so much and I’m sure with many others too. It also reminds the reader that things are never fixed and we can grow and change things at any time in our lives for the better. Thank you for another gorgeous read, Milly!
January 7, 2023
No idea how this got 4.4 on good reads?!! I couldn't stick with it. Awful.
December 12, 2022
What a brilliant book! I have read quite a few of Milly's books but this was one of the best so far... a story of family life and the turmoil it brings, so relatable, realistic, twists & turns, sad, happy, funny (I even chuckled out loud a few times..good job it was only at home!) A fab bunch of characters too, with a few exceptions (but we won't go there) Shay you are the best filling in the sandwich.. we will all be there at somepoint in our lives (read it to find out for yourselves).
September 5, 2022
Starting off with a sandwich analogy for how Shay feels, this book goes from strength to strength with its great looks at marriage, mental health, family, and a whole lot more too.
There are so many interwoven threads especially within Shay's family that it may seem daunting at first to follow, but once you get your head in the game, and are engrossed between the pages, it all comes together incredibly well.
I am reluctant to say too much as it really is a book best read with no prior knowledge, just go into it with an open mind and be prepared to be dazzled by Milly Johnson's storytelling prowess about just an ordinary typical family and the life they lead.
Thank you to Simon & Schuster and Netgalley for this copy which I reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
There are so many interwoven threads especially within Shay's family that it may seem daunting at first to follow, but once you get your head in the game, and are engrossed between the pages, it all comes together incredibly well.
I am reluctant to say too much as it really is a book best read with no prior knowledge, just go into it with an open mind and be prepared to be dazzled by Milly Johnson's storytelling prowess about just an ordinary typical family and the life they lead.
Thank you to Simon & Schuster and Netgalley for this copy which I reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
December 30, 2021
Along with her constant concerns about her two (apparently) grown up children and their life choices, Shay finds herself carrying all the responsibility for the care of her mother Roberta, living alone with all the signs of advancing dementia. As if that’s not enough, she’s also the only one who visits her father, now unresponsive in a nursing home – and she also has that niggling feeling, however much he may protest, that all is not well with her relationship with husband Bruce. When a skip is delivered and her mother’s neighbours begin to carry out major work on their house, and Shay is unable to do anything to stop it, it’s only the beginning of everything in her life spinning out of control.
I’ve never been the filling in a sandwich like Shay – I only had the concerns about parents, more of a Danish open sandwich really. But I simply adored Shay from the very beginning, and felt so deeply for her as she wrestled with all the problems in her life, identifying with her entirely as she pinned on her brave face and never lost her sense of humour as her world dramatically imploded. The way the author builds empathy for her is entirely exceptional – I found so much I could identify with in her emotions and reactions, and found myself cheering her on every step of the way as she struggled to repair herself by revisiting the issues in her past.
The characterisation took my breath away – not just Shay herself, but her extended family and every individual who plays their part in her story. The portrayal of her mother Roberta brought back vivid memories of my time caring for mum – the living in the past, the distorted memories (the Omar Sharif thread is quite inspired), the grasping for details just beyond reach, the love between them balanced by understandable (and painfully recognisable) irritation over the repetitive obsession with events outside the window. The lone Potterworth’s eclair almost broke me (although mum was always more of a fan of Marks and Spencer) – and anyone with elderly or departed parents will find a multitude of gently moving moments to bring a tear to the eye, but always accompanied by a smile.
But all the family relationships are quite wonderful – the sister with her eye on the inheritance (always “too busy” to share the load), the gloriously abrasive daughter who only returns home when she needs bailing out (yet again), the son whose wedding is fast approaching but gives him little to smile about. And, of course, the hapless and gullible Bruce – coupled with the sometimes illusory nature of friendship, thrown into sharp relief by Shay’s fond memories of the one friend who was always there for her. There was a whole host of minor characters I took to my heart too, none more than the wonderful Dagmara with her wisdom and constant support – we all really need someone like her in our lives.
I loved this whole book beyond measure – it has that perfect balance of wonderful humour and desperate sadness, and a quite perfectly wrought and compelling story as Shay deals with the hand she’s been dealt and revisits her past in search of healing and hope for the future. Milly Johnson’s characters are just so entirely real, people you recognise within your own life, behaving as real people often do – and her writing has the unparalleled ability to touch you at the deepest level, only to find yourself laughing quite uncontrollably a few pages later. And the book’s conclusion? It’s really quite glorious – and really couldn’t have been better, more uplifting and entirely what I wanted it to be, if I’d written it myself.
I just adored everything about this book – without question, one of my books of the year (and, I have to say, of any year…). Go on, treat yourself – I defy you not to love it too.
I’ve never been the filling in a sandwich like Shay – I only had the concerns about parents, more of a Danish open sandwich really. But I simply adored Shay from the very beginning, and felt so deeply for her as she wrestled with all the problems in her life, identifying with her entirely as she pinned on her brave face and never lost her sense of humour as her world dramatically imploded. The way the author builds empathy for her is entirely exceptional – I found so much I could identify with in her emotions and reactions, and found myself cheering her on every step of the way as she struggled to repair herself by revisiting the issues in her past.
The characterisation took my breath away – not just Shay herself, but her extended family and every individual who plays their part in her story. The portrayal of her mother Roberta brought back vivid memories of my time caring for mum – the living in the past, the distorted memories (the Omar Sharif thread is quite inspired), the grasping for details just beyond reach, the love between them balanced by understandable (and painfully recognisable) irritation over the repetitive obsession with events outside the window. The lone Potterworth’s eclair almost broke me (although mum was always more of a fan of Marks and Spencer) – and anyone with elderly or departed parents will find a multitude of gently moving moments to bring a tear to the eye, but always accompanied by a smile.
But all the family relationships are quite wonderful – the sister with her eye on the inheritance (always “too busy” to share the load), the gloriously abrasive daughter who only returns home when she needs bailing out (yet again), the son whose wedding is fast approaching but gives him little to smile about. And, of course, the hapless and gullible Bruce – coupled with the sometimes illusory nature of friendship, thrown into sharp relief by Shay’s fond memories of the one friend who was always there for her. There was a whole host of minor characters I took to my heart too, none more than the wonderful Dagmara with her wisdom and constant support – we all really need someone like her in our lives.
I loved this whole book beyond measure – it has that perfect balance of wonderful humour and desperate sadness, and a quite perfectly wrought and compelling story as Shay deals with the hand she’s been dealt and revisits her past in search of healing and hope for the future. Milly Johnson’s characters are just so entirely real, people you recognise within your own life, behaving as real people often do – and her writing has the unparalleled ability to touch you at the deepest level, only to find yourself laughing quite uncontrollably a few pages later. And the book’s conclusion? It’s really quite glorious – and really couldn’t have been better, more uplifting and entirely what I wanted it to be, if I’d written it myself.
I just adored everything about this book – without question, one of my books of the year (and, I have to say, of any year…). Go on, treat yourself – I defy you not to love it too.
October 18, 2021
There is nothing quite like a Milly Johnson book - Milly has perfected the art of portraying real family life with the dynamics and emotions that tie them together in such a way that as a reader you forget you are reading about fictional characters, and not reading about your own friends and family. With each book, from the very first pages I find myself totally hooked and totally invested and immersed in their lives.
I devoured The Woman in the Middle in almost one sitting, I picked it up one evening, read 40 pages and just knew it was going to be brilliant. I settled down the next day to read the remaining 400! The Woman in the Middle is such a heartfelt, relatable story - Milly has the words and analogies that just sums everything up perfectly. Sandwiched between family and work pressures it’s easy to forget to care for yourself too - my emotions yo - yo’d whist reading, she touched so many raw nerves, throughout the book that I at times I found myself reading with a lump in my throat that I couldn’t swallow. I think The Woman in the Middle evoked in me every emotion possible from one end of the spectrum to the other. So many aspects of family life tackled in a thought provoking way.
The central character is Shay Bastable, a woman with a backbone of steel, and a heart of gold, her whole life is centred on administering care and support for her whole family. Mostly unnoticed and without thanks. Shay is described as part of the sandwich generation - a term I’d never heard before but totally understood as the story unfolded. She is stuck, sandwiched in the middle, somewhere between caring for her two elderly parents and that of her grown up children who having flown the next appear to have dropped off her radar. §Let’s also not forget Bruce, her husband too.
I absolutely loved Shay, but wanted to give her a push to add ‘herself’ into the equation, she was totally selfless - the needs and lives of her family uttermost in her every thought and action, never asking for anything for herself nor seeking pity for a life of giving - she personified the best mother, daughter, wife role. Caring for her family was uppermost in her mind, she never put herself first, she saw her role in the family and fullfilled it.
Shay visits her mum everyday, providing essential care for her mum Roberta, left to do it alone by sister Paula. She has dementia and becomes fixated on the arrival of a skip next door, the name on the side triggering memories. This sets off a chain of events that turns their both their lives and subsequently the inter family relationships, irrevocably on their head. Relationships, friendships and family life are reassessed as Shay finds herself going back to her past to understand her present and subsequently shape her future.
As much as this was a heartfelt, emotional read for me it was also hopeful and uplifting at the same time, shining light on the dark moments, life evolves and nothing and no one stays the same forever. Milly tastefully scattered a liberal amount of humour throughout to soften the edges, and as the story ended I was left with a lighter heart and a smile on my face. Thank you Milly Johnson for yet another beautiful story about relationships, family dynamics, love and friendship delivered in your usual open, honest, straight-forward style - just perfect.
I devoured The Woman in the Middle in almost one sitting, I picked it up one evening, read 40 pages and just knew it was going to be brilliant. I settled down the next day to read the remaining 400! The Woman in the Middle is such a heartfelt, relatable story - Milly has the words and analogies that just sums everything up perfectly. Sandwiched between family and work pressures it’s easy to forget to care for yourself too - my emotions yo - yo’d whist reading, she touched so many raw nerves, throughout the book that I at times I found myself reading with a lump in my throat that I couldn’t swallow. I think The Woman in the Middle evoked in me every emotion possible from one end of the spectrum to the other. So many aspects of family life tackled in a thought provoking way.
The central character is Shay Bastable, a woman with a backbone of steel, and a heart of gold, her whole life is centred on administering care and support for her whole family. Mostly unnoticed and without thanks. Shay is described as part of the sandwich generation - a term I’d never heard before but totally understood as the story unfolded. She is stuck, sandwiched in the middle, somewhere between caring for her two elderly parents and that of her grown up children who having flown the next appear to have dropped off her radar. §Let’s also not forget Bruce, her husband too.
I absolutely loved Shay, but wanted to give her a push to add ‘herself’ into the equation, she was totally selfless - the needs and lives of her family uttermost in her every thought and action, never asking for anything for herself nor seeking pity for a life of giving - she personified the best mother, daughter, wife role. Caring for her family was uppermost in her mind, she never put herself first, she saw her role in the family and fullfilled it.
Shay visits her mum everyday, providing essential care for her mum Roberta, left to do it alone by sister Paula. She has dementia and becomes fixated on the arrival of a skip next door, the name on the side triggering memories. This sets off a chain of events that turns their both their lives and subsequently the inter family relationships, irrevocably on their head. Relationships, friendships and family life are reassessed as Shay finds herself going back to her past to understand her present and subsequently shape her future.
As much as this was a heartfelt, emotional read for me it was also hopeful and uplifting at the same time, shining light on the dark moments, life evolves and nothing and no one stays the same forever. Milly tastefully scattered a liberal amount of humour throughout to soften the edges, and as the story ended I was left with a lighter heart and a smile on my face. Thank you Milly Johnson for yet another beautiful story about relationships, family dynamics, love and friendship delivered in your usual open, honest, straight-forward style - just perfect.
November 16, 2025
A very enjoyable, frustrating, sad, joyful, and thoughtful book. Deals with many topics we all go through in our lives and shows how some of us handle things, with dignity or not, anger or biding our time. I liked it, we are the sandwich generation.
October 18, 2021
A new Milly Johnson novel is like slipping on a pair of old brushed cotton pyjamas and settling down with a mug of hot chocolate - comforting and familiar. Familiar doesn't mean more of the same, it simply means we know the type of people involved, the locations and that karma is lurking around a few corners.
When Shay Corrigan prepares to marry Bruce Bastable she is determined that life is going to fit around her needs, she's not going to "sacrifice herself at the altar of family" or "lose her sense of self for anyone". Fast forward 24 years and Shay Bastable feels like the squashed filling of a sandwich as she tries to meet the needs of those around her. Her two children, Sunny and Courtney, have flown the nest but Shay is struggling to cut the apron strings. Roberta, her mother, is showing signs of dementia, while her father, Harry, has suffered a major stroke and is in a coma. Marriage to Bruce has become stale, they are both going through the motions on a daily basis. Shay loves her family deeply but she's now beginning to wonder if she should have listened to her mother 24 years ago when she said it wasn't too late to change her mind.
Life is turned on it's head when Bruce walks out on the marriage, needing some space, and when Roberta begins a ramble that eventually reveals a long hidden secret. For the sake of her sanity Shay decides to be entirely selfish and take some time on her own. She returns to her childhood home and faces secrets she's hidden from for 30 years.
Milly Johnson deals with some big issues in this novel, dementia, death, infidelity and more. Each one is handled with kindness, empathy and gentle humor at times. The relationship between Shay and her mother really resonated with me, how the relationship between mother and daughter has flipped round and that we should value each day that we have, never taking for granted those around us.
What I felt was different about this novel compared to previous Milly Johnson novels is that the lead character didn't have a circle of female friends to turn to for support. However, I felt that this added to Shay's character. Her decisions were her own, she didn't need the validation of others.
There are a host of wonderful characters throughout the story, along with some extremely unpleasant ones. It was heartwarming to see how some of these characters developed and changed but even better to see karma come calling eventually.
When Shay Corrigan prepares to marry Bruce Bastable she is determined that life is going to fit around her needs, she's not going to "sacrifice herself at the altar of family" or "lose her sense of self for anyone". Fast forward 24 years and Shay Bastable feels like the squashed filling of a sandwich as she tries to meet the needs of those around her. Her two children, Sunny and Courtney, have flown the nest but Shay is struggling to cut the apron strings. Roberta, her mother, is showing signs of dementia, while her father, Harry, has suffered a major stroke and is in a coma. Marriage to Bruce has become stale, they are both going through the motions on a daily basis. Shay loves her family deeply but she's now beginning to wonder if she should have listened to her mother 24 years ago when she said it wasn't too late to change her mind.
Life is turned on it's head when Bruce walks out on the marriage, needing some space, and when Roberta begins a ramble that eventually reveals a long hidden secret. For the sake of her sanity Shay decides to be entirely selfish and take some time on her own. She returns to her childhood home and faces secrets she's hidden from for 30 years.
Milly Johnson deals with some big issues in this novel, dementia, death, infidelity and more. Each one is handled with kindness, empathy and gentle humor at times. The relationship between Shay and her mother really resonated with me, how the relationship between mother and daughter has flipped round and that we should value each day that we have, never taking for granted those around us.
What I felt was different about this novel compared to previous Milly Johnson novels is that the lead character didn't have a circle of female friends to turn to for support. However, I felt that this added to Shay's character. Her decisions were her own, she didn't need the validation of others.
There are a host of wonderful characters throughout the story, along with some extremely unpleasant ones. It was heartwarming to see how some of these characters developed and changed but even better to see karma come calling eventually.
October 16, 2021
Wow! Milly has packed so much into this book.
Shay is in the middle of it all. She cares for her Mother and her children even though they are now grown up and she cares for everyone else too. Unfortunately for Shay this isn't reciprocated by all of those people. I was incensed so many times by the way she was treated both in the present and the past.
The scenes with Shay's Mother were so reminiscent of many a conversation I have had over the years. How much of what Roberta says is true and how much is romancing or a confusion between real life and a TV programme or a film. Shay is about to find out and then some.
I'm sure there will be someone in this book you can relate to. Milly has it spot on with down to earth and realistic characters. There are a few vile characters. They are penned so well that I was ready to take them down myself. I had a few cheers as karma caught up with them.
The book has so many levels to it and such a well woven plot. I think this might be Milly's best book, it's certainly on a whole new level. Every word, gesture, character is so true to life I forgot I was reading a story.
Shay is in the middle of it all. She cares for her Mother and her children even though they are now grown up and she cares for everyone else too. Unfortunately for Shay this isn't reciprocated by all of those people. I was incensed so many times by the way she was treated both in the present and the past.
The scenes with Shay's Mother were so reminiscent of many a conversation I have had over the years. How much of what Roberta says is true and how much is romancing or a confusion between real life and a TV programme or a film. Shay is about to find out and then some.
I'm sure there will be someone in this book you can relate to. Milly has it spot on with down to earth and realistic characters. There are a few vile characters. They are penned so well that I was ready to take them down myself. I had a few cheers as karma caught up with them.
The book has so many levels to it and such a well woven plot. I think this might be Milly's best book, it's certainly on a whole new level. Every word, gesture, character is so true to life I forgot I was reading a story.
October 23, 2021
Wowsers! what a book.
I have read all of Milly's book's and this one has to be one of her best so far.
it's far more gritty than previous books and I was captured from page one.
We can all relate to Shay's life in some way being squashed by family responsibilities and the way she coped was commendable.
This is one of those books you cannot put down until the end. I had two very late night/early morning sessions with it as I just wanted to know what would happen next and how it would resolve. (Damn you sleep as I would have loved to of kept going but by 1.45am my eyes were closing.)
I will be recommending this book to all my friends as it is such a good read.
As ever from Milly no bad sex scenes, bad language or graphic horror so ideal to but as a present for any of your friends at any age.
Give it a read, you won't regret it, it's so life affirming.
I have read all of Milly's book's and this one has to be one of her best so far.
it's far more gritty than previous books and I was captured from page one.
We can all relate to Shay's life in some way being squashed by family responsibilities and the way she coped was commendable.
This is one of those books you cannot put down until the end. I had two very late night/early morning sessions with it as I just wanted to know what would happen next and how it would resolve. (Damn you sleep as I would have loved to of kept going but by 1.45am my eyes were closing.)
I will be recommending this book to all my friends as it is such a good read.
As ever from Milly no bad sex scenes, bad language or graphic horror so ideal to but as a present for any of your friends at any age.
Give it a read, you won't regret it, it's so life affirming.
October 9, 2021
Having read all but one of Milly's previous books I knew this would be a good read.
This is the story of Stay, who feels like she is in the middle of a sandwich with her children, parents and husband.
The story weaves the past in with the present day and pulls you in with the cleverness if the writing. It is a heartwarming and funny story if family, friendship, love, grief and betrayal; and one that I would highly recommend everyone to read.
This is the story of Stay, who feels like she is in the middle of a sandwich with her children, parents and husband.
The story weaves the past in with the present day and pulls you in with the cleverness if the writing. It is a heartwarming and funny story if family, friendship, love, grief and betrayal; and one that I would highly recommend everyone to read.
June 4, 2024
Oh Milly you’ve surpassed yourself again !
Absolutely loved this book, Shay’s story is so delightful and I’m hoping we get to hear more about Shay in the future. (Hint, hint Milly)
I loved every word, sentence and moment in this delightful book. The sad and joyful moments, not a happy ever after ending more of hope and promise of more to come.
Absolutely loved this book, Shay’s story is so delightful and I’m hoping we get to hear more about Shay in the future. (Hint, hint Milly)
I loved every word, sentence and moment in this delightful book. The sad and joyful moments, not a happy ever after ending more of hope and promise of more to come.
October 30, 2021
What can I say ......... this book had me hooked from the first few pages. The characters, the setting and yes like many women I've been that filling in the sandwich.
I couldn't read it fast enough but didn't want it to end as I became totally immersed in Shay's story. Milly at her absolutely best and my book of the year.
I couldn't read it fast enough but didn't want it to end as I became totally immersed in Shay's story. Milly at her absolutely best and my book of the year.
October 12, 2021
Emotional read! Review coming on tour soon.
August 13, 2022
The Woman in the Middle is a book that a lot of women would be able to relate to. The sandwich generation, the woman in the middle, the main character Shay is that woman. Caring for her parents and her children, supporting her husband and being the filler that holds the sandwich together. But what happens when the sandwich begins to break and the filler is left out on its own. I am familiar with Milly Johnson's works and I am a big fan by I felt with this book the plot was a little to predictable for my liking the best thing I liked was the chapters with Shay, her mother and Dagmara. I really liked that she explored dementia and the chapters with the neighbours feud (although the party wall act went straight over my head). Overall a little too predictable a bit disappointed because of my usual love for her books but overall 3.5.
Quotes/
'Sometimes we need to fall to find out where we stand' -Anon
'When you hit what you know can't be anything other than rock bottom, someone is sure to hand you a shovel so you can keep on digging.' -Linda Flowers.
Quotes/
'Sometimes we need to fall to find out where we stand' -Anon
'When you hit what you know can't be anything other than rock bottom, someone is sure to hand you a shovel so you can keep on digging.' -Linda Flowers.
December 12, 2022
3.5 stars, almost dnf as found it quite tedious at start, well, for over half the book. However it did regain some of the humour and keen observations common to Milly Johnson’s books. A good comfort read just not in the same league as previous ones.
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