Harriet and Nancy have been best friends since they were children and have always supported each other. Now, they are both single mothers with very busy lives. Harriet has her own successful company, but her demanding job doesn't leave her much time to spend with her two young children. Nancy has her hands full taking care of her seven-year-old autistic son Jack, especially since her husband walked out on them a year earlier. They both need a break, so Harriet organises a one-week holiday together to Ibiza with their children. Their holiday is not without dramatic moments but Harriet and Nancy will also learn to enjoy themselves a little, to make new friends, and to take decisions to change their lives.
This is Lucie's Wheeler second novel, and, although I enjoyed her debut, The First Time Mums' Club, I liked this much more. I really liked the characters of Harriet and Nancy. The author explores in depth their insecurities not only as mothers but also as women, making them realistic and likable, and I enjoyed reading how their friendship stayed strong during the highs and lows of their lives. This is a highly entertaining and fun book which I couldn't put down. (NP)
Ellie is a make-up artist in love with her best friend Chris. Pippa works hard to please her selfish husband and make her marriage work. Imogen wants to reconcile with her mother who can’t accept that she is married to another woman. What do these three women have in common? They belong to the first time mums’ club.
After a one-night stand with Chris, Ellie finds herself pregnant and she doesn’t know what to do. Pippa and her husband tried for years to have a baby and now that she is finally pregnant, he doesn’t seem too happy about it. And, Imogen and her wife Alice are finally having the baby they’ve been dreaming of, but Imogen’s mother is ruining her happiness by sending her threatening text messages. Luckily, the three women rely on each other and their friendship helps them through their pregnancy and difficult personal moments.
The story is engaging and the characters are realistic and likable (at least, most of them). With funny situations, romance, and also some dramatic moments, this is an enjoyable debut novel about motherhood and female friendship. (NP)
