We're then immersed in Ellen's chaotic, madcap life, raising Peter and Jane, coping with her husband's irritating habits, designing an app, while defending herself against the 'coven' of yummy mummies in the playground. She befriends Sam, an uber-fit dad who happens to be gay, and together, they and her other friend Hannah spend a lot of time getting sozzled, particularly when there are relatives staying at home. The year begins with Jane taking her driving test for the second time, Simon being whisked away on a couples’ retreat by Marissa, his smug and far too youthful girlfriend, and Ellen facing the prospect of re-entering the job market in a threatened merger and streamlining at work. Between navigating Jane’s 18th birthday, Peter’s attachment to his electronic devices and getting either of them to revise, Ellen also attempts to come to the rescue of Hannah with an unforgettable overnight stay from Conan the Destroyer of Houses (aka Hannah’s two-year-old Edward)! With Ellen and Simon thrown together for the teenagers rites of passage including exam results day and depositing Jane at university they also find time to talk about themselves for once including Ellen’s career and Simon’s new relationship issues. Thankfully, it was largely relatable and not over the top with the drama and making it seem unbelievable. I thoroughly enjoyed all of the swearing and learning new insults. It got really tedious about half way through the part about baby-sitting Edward. Peter breaking his leg added nothing to the story. I had to look up what FML* stood for. Groan. Really?? Well there's a snippet of information I didn't need to add to my already overcrowded brain.

I enjoyed the book. It was very funny but rather risqué. I particularly found the Easter Egg hunt and the Fire Work display very memorable. If there was a problem with the book, it was the bad language and too much information about her Sisters children's Toilet habits." Maureen. Children are supposed to be angels ..but any right witted parent will know that though they look like Angels, they often behave like devils. And Ellen has two devilish specimens in the form of Jane and Peter who test her patience sorely. spatele rețetelor de socializare știți și voi cum e: multă tristețe și o realitate care nu e ambalată cu niciun filtru. FML. For when you can't even be bothered to swear properly, but abbreviate the words. While pouring another drink. Mi-a plăcut că la acest capitol autoarea a găsit de cuviință să discute cu prietenele ei despre nefericire, perfecțiune în aparență, viața ideală și că la toți oamenii există probleme, nu numai la ghinioniști. Așadar, tratează și teme serioase.I have to start this little review by saying firstly that I am not a mummy. So I guess I may be a little bit more judgemental over this poor pathetic mummy who is quite negative, jealous of the other pretending to be more together mummies and feels victimized by both her kids and her husband. Was a hilarious read, and I could resonate with many a thing, but Ellen experiences and retaliates more vividly than me. At least five fold than an ordinary mother does she suffer mishaps and indignities ... if I am permitted to consider myself as representative of the average mother . This book raised a few wry smiles, but that's it. The funniest part for me was the Xmas from hell spent with her sister-in-law and her hubby Amaris & Bardo (previously known as Louisa & Kevin). Born again hippies, with an ever growing brood of progeny, they were pretty grubby, annoying & had hygiene habits that left a lot to be desired. But at least they were mildly amusing. Or maybe this part of the book was amusing as it was not filled with the me, me, me angst. This book will make you so glad you've read it and make you realise that your own family life is very much a normal one. People may portray a totally different image at the school gate, but what goes on behind closed doors is more than likely very similar to your own. None of us are perfect and we all have good intentions but we do the best with what we have. Through Ellen she reminds of us this but brings a lot of humour into it also.

I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest and unbiased review of the book* I just wanted them to stop wittering at me, eat vegetables without complaining, let me go to the loo in peace and learn to make a decent gin and tonic. This book was okay- but I was hoping for so much more. The first few chapters annoyed me, as it was completely reliant on a series of stereotypes- the dad who spends too much time at work, the mum who does all the child care and housework, the stay at home mums, the working mums etc. etc. I was really hoping that this book would break away from this, and have something different to say, alas not! It felt like a bit of a rip off of Bridget Jones if I'm honest with all the above mentioned stereotypes thrown in for good measure.A weighty subject coated with light words and humour, Why mother drinks ... tries to pinpoint the frustrations and tribulations of modern motherhood. The need to be a paragon of virtue who has unending patience and good will. She also doesn't seem to like her kids. But this as was a heart warming as it got on Mother's Day... "Breakfast would have been a challenge at the best of times. But, managing to eat half cooked scrambled eggs seasoned liberally with chunks of shell, served on burnt toast, with a tepid cup of tea coloured milk on the side, ALL with a tequila hangover is testimony if ever there was one to the strength of a mother's love". She also doesn't appear to like her husband who by her own admission adores her. She won't let him say anything nice to or about her, and she accuses him of not doing this at the same time. Firstly, I really like the cover of this book, and the predecessors in this series, they're all really pretty and I love how they all match up together, and are busy yet minimalistic all at the same time. Things absolutely deteriorate when there is a big row over her overspending on the shopping although it is mostly his sister and her insistence on organic, non-gluten wholefood from specialist shops. Mummy says, do you think I have time to traipse around the supermarkets to save a few pence on this item and that? His sister comes with her brood and her campervan having left her unfaithful husband and not wanting to actually work, decides she will leech again off her brother and sister-in-law. She would like her own house in France, but her parents are suddenly short of money. The author has obviously learnt everything first hand and has managed to convey every experience a parent could endure, funny, sad, serious or lighthearted, into a fabulous set of books every mother (and possibly fathers - for a once in a lifetime chance to see inside a women’s mind) should read.

This series really does show what real #momlife is all about, warts and all and I love how honest this writer is about what life is like when even a trip to the loo isn't your own time. I can imagine that this writer has vamped up some of the stories for comedy sake but I can totally picture everything that Ellen goes through happening in real life. The book itself was an absolute joy to read, it was so much fun and absolutely joyful. I loved the story, and felt so connected to Gill Sims' autobiographical character in this book, through her opinions and thoughts. I loved seeing the connections between each of the family members in this book and all of the fun anecdotes. I also really liked the layout of this book, as it is set up to read like a diary with different accounts of Gills' life throughout her two children's' examination years in school, at ages 16 and 18. It was also really interesting to see the dynamic between two separated parents, and how Gill raised her children primarily as a single parent. I also liked the pet dog, very much. The way he kept giving Ellen disapproving looks after she'd had another blinder was brilliant "The dog could not look more disgusted with me if he tried." Way to go Fido!More like whine. Incessantly. About everything. And everyone. Mweh. I wanted to drink while reading this. Maybe I should have, I may have enjoyed it more.