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The Patchwork Family: Toddlers, Teenagers and Everything in Between from Part-Time Working Mummy
'Refreshing and honest ... this isn't your standard mum memoir' Psychologies Magazine
How to hold it together, even when things are falling apart.
Laugh, cry and scream along the rollercoaster of family life as Rachaele Hambleton journeys through the parts nobody talks about; the 'wow' moments, triumphs, tears and tantrums. This book covers everything we don't teach our kids in school, understanding neurodiversity, having heartbreaking conversations and healing from being broken.
Rachaele's deeply personal story reveals the raw truths of parenting chaos, ever-changing family dynamics and the art of keeping it together against all odds. With unflinching honesty, and bags of heart and humour, this memoir shows real messy life and offers a lifeline for anyone struggling. Above all, it tells us we are not alone.
'In a world of social-media gloss, Hambleton [is] unusually frank about the mess of life' iNews
'Powerful and candid ... it will make you laugh and cry' Woman's Own
How to hold it together, even when things are falling apart.
Laugh, cry and scream along the rollercoaster of family life as Rachaele Hambleton journeys through the parts nobody talks about; the 'wow' moments, triumphs, tears and tantrums. This book covers everything we don't teach our kids in school, understanding neurodiversity, having heartbreaking conversations and healing from being broken.
Rachaele's deeply personal story reveals the raw truths of parenting chaos, ever-changing family dynamics and the art of keeping it together against all odds. With unflinching honesty, and bags of heart and humour, this memoir shows real messy life and offers a lifeline for anyone struggling. Above all, it tells us we are not alone.
'In a world of social-media gloss, Hambleton [is] unusually frank about the mess of life' iNews
'Powerful and candid ... it will make you laugh and cry' Woman's Own
- GenresNonfiction
221 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 16, 2023
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
March 18, 2023
Really really disappointed with this. I love a good book and this certainly wasn’t that. I’ve followed this woman online and have children of a similar age to some of hers and a step son so I was looking forward to this, boy was I disappointed. I get she’s not an author by profession but this book jumps all over the place, it doesn’t follow any of sort of order and it’s written as if it’s written by a teen, it took me less than 3 hours to read it, a good book even one that’s really gripped you doesn’t take that short a time to read. I was expecting a book that would give some advice or guidance around what it claims to be about but it doesn’t, it’s just what she’s shared on her Instagram account but in writing, it’s a re hash of book one and two where she talks about how awful everyone in her life is like her kids other parents, her step kids parents, their families, ex friends (she seems to have an awful lot of them?) having read this book I was surprised at just how many people she actually has that don’t like her; I’ve never known anyone that has so many fallings out with close friends and family members (her brothers, her mum, her friends, the list goes on). She also goes on and on about what she considers a troll, my understanding of a troll is that it’s someone who goes out of their way to contact you and seek you out to be nasty, I’ve never been to the gossip site she talks about but surely that’s not a troll? These people aren’t contacting her and she must go on that site to see what they’ve said? Why doesn’t she just ignore it, not look at it or get others not to?
If you want parenting advice for a kid with autism, your teenagers, children in general etc then this isn’t the book for you. If you want to just read things you already know from her Instagram then this is the book for you.
As a result of this book and having my eyes wide open I will be unfollowing her Instagram. Shame really as she used to be funny and relatable.
If you want parenting advice for a kid with autism, your teenagers, children in general etc then this isn’t the book for you. If you want to just read things you already know from her Instagram then this is the book for you.
As a result of this book and having my eyes wide open I will be unfollowing her Instagram. Shame really as she used to be funny and relatable.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 21, 2023
I follow Part Time Working Mummy on Instagram and have for a while. I love how real she is. How honest she is. How she comes in and says how crap of a day she is having but then ends by laughing so much she is crying.
This book was no different. The honesty and rawness of her DV a journey is incredible. How she has dedicated her life to helping other DV survivors is amazing.
What’s even more amazing is how she parents her kids in a way that she wished someone had parented her. How she apologises for her mistakes, how she truly listens to her kids and how she plain and simple tries her best.
This book was no different. The honesty and rawness of her DV a journey is incredible. How she has dedicated her life to helping other DV survivors is amazing.
What’s even more amazing is how she parents her kids in a way that she wished someone had parented her. How she apologises for her mistakes, how she truly listens to her kids and how she plain and simple tries her best.
April 4, 2023
Really didn’t enjoy this book it jumps around and is written as if you are listening to a friend rambling.
March 21, 2023
I love following PTWM and so far have read the first two books Rachaele has written, to be honest this book doesn’t really tell me anything I didnt know from Instagram and for £9.99 on kindle that’s kind of disappointing.
The family all seem lovely and the book is interesting but it’s just not new information and took me only a few
Hours to read. That being said I’m Still a fan and still support the work PTWM does.
The family all seem lovely and the book is interesting but it’s just not new information and took me only a few
Hours to read. That being said I’m Still a fan and still support the work PTWM does.
April 9, 2023
This is an absolutely dreadful book that i am amazed actually got published.
The author insults her parents, siblings and other family members. She also shares private and intimate details about her children and step children in this book.
She shares that she allows her underage children to drink alcohol, take illegal drugs and use vapes.
The book is poorly written with far too many expletives used, instead of referring to a Thesaurus & using more appropriate and mature words.
She compares users of a commentary website to the terrorist organisation ISIS.
This is an unacceptable & deplorable comparison.
It is shockingly disrespectful towards all those who have lost their lives because of acts of terrorism & to the many people who have lost loved ones and those who have life changing injuries and mental scarring.
This woman "runs" a womens centre for victims of domestic abuse, yet she fails to specify the way in which she actually helps victims of domestic abuse.
The author flaunts her success and wealth, which is extremely insensitive, during this economic crisis.
Some chapters were extremely long and were tiresome to read. Other chapters were just a few paragraphs.
It was quite a short book, which I believe is due to removal of a lot of the original text.
A poorly written book, which is just an up to date version of her first book. Was this book actually edited? As the grammar is dreadful.
Maybe because the author paid for this book to be published, she was entitled to write derogatory comments about members of her own family & to compare innocent people to terrorists?
This book should be removed from sale urgently.
I urge you not to buy this book, instead make a donation to a worthwhile charity.
1 star given because there was not an option for zero stars.
The author insults her parents, siblings and other family members. She also shares private and intimate details about her children and step children in this book.
She shares that she allows her underage children to drink alcohol, take illegal drugs and use vapes.
The book is poorly written with far too many expletives used, instead of referring to a Thesaurus & using more appropriate and mature words.
She compares users of a commentary website to the terrorist organisation ISIS.
This is an unacceptable & deplorable comparison.
It is shockingly disrespectful towards all those who have lost their lives because of acts of terrorism & to the many people who have lost loved ones and those who have life changing injuries and mental scarring.
This woman "runs" a womens centre for victims of domestic abuse, yet she fails to specify the way in which she actually helps victims of domestic abuse.
The author flaunts her success and wealth, which is extremely insensitive, during this economic crisis.
Some chapters were extremely long and were tiresome to read. Other chapters were just a few paragraphs.
It was quite a short book, which I believe is due to removal of a lot of the original text.
A poorly written book, which is just an up to date version of her first book. Was this book actually edited? As the grammar is dreadful.
Maybe because the author paid for this book to be published, she was entitled to write derogatory comments about members of her own family & to compare innocent people to terrorists?
This book should be removed from sale urgently.
I urge you not to buy this book, instead make a donation to a worthwhile charity.
1 star given because there was not an option for zero stars.
April 27, 2023
What a load of crock!! This woman needs to stop writing books. This was very similar to her first book. What will she write in the next one? Lol
Her stupid comments of “josh comforted me by saying it’s ok baby or that he hugged her” we don’t need to know this. Who cares how your husband comforted you. Something we don’t want to picture.
Telling the world that her kids drink, take drugs or vape is absolutely disgusting. All probably started underage too. I know this does happen but to openly talk about it is just wrong. Seems the woman has no boundaries.
Having words with the school on how they should greet students or how to teach them, since when did she have a place of authority?
Thinks she’s the best mum because she asks her step son how his day was when he comes in from school and that’s why he doesn’t rebel or disrespect her. A load of crap.
She has spoke about most of her kids in a personal way in this book which I don’t think she should have done. Some of them were very personal stories and could cause trouble for them or things they didn’t want other people or friends to know.
Then comparing her online trolls/gossip site to terrorists/ISIS is unbelievable. She shares far far too much then moans when there is retaliation. Maybe don’t share as mush as you do and then maybe people won’t get their backs up. This woman needs to find a career and not be on Instagram all the time
Her stupid comments of “josh comforted me by saying it’s ok baby or that he hugged her” we don’t need to know this. Who cares how your husband comforted you. Something we don’t want to picture.
Telling the world that her kids drink, take drugs or vape is absolutely disgusting. All probably started underage too. I know this does happen but to openly talk about it is just wrong. Seems the woman has no boundaries.
Having words with the school on how they should greet students or how to teach them, since when did she have a place of authority?
Thinks she’s the best mum because she asks her step son how his day was when he comes in from school and that’s why he doesn’t rebel or disrespect her. A load of crap.
She has spoke about most of her kids in a personal way in this book which I don’t think she should have done. Some of them were very personal stories and could cause trouble for them or things they didn’t want other people or friends to know.
Then comparing her online trolls/gossip site to terrorists/ISIS is unbelievable. She shares far far too much then moans when there is retaliation. Maybe don’t share as mush as you do and then maybe people won’t get their backs up. This woman needs to find a career and not be on Instagram all the time
April 2, 2023
Just lovely
I have followed Rachaele from what feels like the start of her social media journey! I remember the love heart wall in the old house, how warm and welcoming her home always felt even just seeing it online. This book is again filled with kindness, simple human behaviours that if we all had would make the world a much nicer and kinder place. Lovely read, a wonderful book that really makes you think about how to be kind to yourself and others! Ps - next project could be a TV show??????
I have followed Rachaele from what feels like the start of her social media journey! I remember the love heart wall in the old house, how warm and welcoming her home always felt even just seeing it online. This book is again filled with kindness, simple human behaviours that if we all had would make the world a much nicer and kinder place. Lovely read, a wonderful book that really makes you think about how to be kind to yourself and others! Ps - next project could be a TV show??????
April 10, 2023
I love this book!!! I have followed PTWM since 2016. I have seen how she’s grown and I absolute love her and her family! I am so chuffed she decided to write this book, I really hope it continues, I love hearing the funny stories, the real stories and I absolute love what you do for women. My mum fled DV when I was little, I work with children who suffered/suffer in DV relationships and I just want to champion everything you do! ❤️❤️❤️ I will always be a supporter, one day I hope to meet you ❤️❤️😍
September 8, 2023
An ok book, not the usual sort of book I choose to go for.
I quite like and follow the author on Instagram so thought I would try one of her books. It's written in the way she usually speaks during lives or stories and that was quite nice, but for me I prefer to watch or listen to this type of content rather than reading it in a book.
If you are looking for an advice type of book this wouldn't be it.
Definite take away from this book is that those on That website are absolutely deranged, no if's no buts, if you are on there you need some very serious help and support.
I quite like and follow the author on Instagram so thought I would try one of her books. It's written in the way she usually speaks during lives or stories and that was quite nice, but for me I prefer to watch or listen to this type of content rather than reading it in a book.
If you are looking for an advice type of book this wouldn't be it.
Definite take away from this book is that those on That website are absolutely deranged, no if's no buts, if you are on there you need some very serious help and support.
March 19, 2023
Absolutely loved this book!! I have a son the same age as Betsy do I totally felt for her not able to leave school and do the whole shirt signing thing! I shed a tear or two. Betsy was right, we have seen her grow across PTWM social media accounts and we do genuinely want to know all of the kids progress!! Never give in to the ‘bully’s’, what goes around comes around. Let’s just hope the laws change very soon so these people can be held responsible.
Can not wait for the next instalment!!!
Can not wait for the next instalment!!!
April 25, 2023
Written from a raw painful place
Love her and all her work,books and beautiful family. I have.to be honest though compared to the first two books I wasn't As gripped with this one. Hard to put my finger on it but it felt very raw like almost painful to read and you can just feel how hurt she still is.I felt it was written from a more reserved and hurt Rachael and I think that it's incredibly sad what trolls have done to her.
Love her and all her work,books and beautiful family. I have.to be honest though compared to the first two books I wasn't As gripped with this one. Hard to put my finger on it but it felt very raw like almost painful to read and you can just feel how hurt she still is.I felt it was written from a more reserved and hurt Rachael and I think that it's incredibly sad what trolls have done to her.
March 22, 2023
A real, honest and raw insight into The Patchwork Family. Rachaele’s story highlights the emotions and rawness felt navigating through an abusive relationship, getting free, finding love, autism diagnosis for her toddler and tricky teenage years all whilst building a business and dealing with online hate from trolls who nearly broke her completely. A must read!
March 24, 2023
A book written by a strong woman who is amazing.Rachaele is for me an inspiration in how to overcome so much difficulties in life and my goodness she had many.I truly am so glad she has the life she has and how rewarding it must be to help so many.Fabulous read especially for those who have followed her for so long
April 18, 2023
The second autobiography that Rachaele has written and honestly I had the same reactions as the first!! I’ve laughed, cried and felt so many more emotions throughout. I’ve never met her, yet so many points in her books resonate with me and I feel as though I know her. A truly inspirational, strong and kind woman.
June 2, 2025
Honest and raw, sometimes uncomfortable and incredibly inspiring - I have taken so many things away from reading this book that will impact the interactions I have with my kids, my understanding of children and families in my work place, but most of all, a gentle reminder for me, that we just need to be kinder to ourselves.
March 18, 2023
Another wonderful book by Rachaele!
She’s such an inspiration to so many people. The work she does is changing people’s lives.
I loved learning more about her family and what’s been happening in recent years and could listen to her forever 💗
She’s such an inspiration to so many people. The work she does is changing people’s lives.
I loved learning more about her family and what’s been happening in recent years and could listen to her forever 💗
April 12, 2023
Absolutely loved the raw and heartfelt message Rachele has written. Not everyone is going to like what she writes but I think it’s bloody brilliant. Particularly enjoy the part about family, having a really difficult childhood myself I can really relate to this book.
May 16, 2023
Absolutely amazing book. I love it from start to finish. Rachaele is just so real and raw with her writing and I have cried and laughed and then cried some more all the way through it. Amazing amazing
August 13, 2023
I love watching part-time working mummy in Instagram. I felt this gave a little bit more of an insight behind the scenes, although some things seemed to be held back, but I also can understand why.
It was such a nice, easy read as have all her books.
It was such a nice, easy read as have all her books.
July 17, 2024
I really enjoyed this. Easy to read I love the family tbh didn’t get 5 stars as I felt it lacked some
Of the openness and honesty of the earlier book. Although with all the negative press she gets I can understand why.
Of the openness and honesty of the earlier book. Although with all the negative press she gets I can understand why.
March 16, 2023
So very honest, raw and heartbreaking. Well worth reading. Xx
March 17, 2023
excellent book
Amazing book by PTWM. Couldn’t put it down. Look forward to more insights into her amazing work. Keep it up Rachaele.
Amazing book by PTWM. Couldn’t put it down. Look forward to more insights into her amazing work. Keep it up Rachaele.
March 27, 2023
After following PTWM on Instagram for years now, I love what she does and what she stands for.
Her family is wonderful and the way she shares their stories is so endearing.
Loved it!
Her family is wonderful and the way she shares their stories is so endearing.
Loved it!
March 30, 2023
Fantastic read
Relatable, informative, emotional & a very very good book. I’ve read all Rachaele’s book & loved them all. Take my advice…read it!!
Relatable, informative, emotional & a very very good book. I’ve read all Rachaele’s book & loved them all. Take my advice…read it!!
March 30, 2023
Another Sunday best seller. Highly recommended for mums of teenagers, woman with past trauma and anyone who wants to have a good cry and laugh.
April 1, 2023
follow rachaele on socials for years, this is a follow on with life from her first book, and my god how emotional. laughed and cried. these books just show how amazing of a woman she is
April 19, 2023
She's done it again. A beautifully honest view of life, we need more books like this!
April 25, 2023
Rach, you truly are amazing!
What a fantastic read! I have followed Rach for years and what she does for everyone else is inspiring ! Thanks for another amazing book x
What a fantastic read! I have followed Rach for years and what she does for everyone else is inspiring ! Thanks for another amazing book x
June 23, 2023
This book confused me a lot. From one side her story is interesting to listen but the book is not properly structured... Seems like a huge page of unsorted thoughts...
June 25, 2023
Loved this, such an honest book 😊
Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews