When Cathy receives a motivational diary for Christmas she is hugely disappointed. What possible aspirations for life could a 48 year-old mother of teenagers and part-time accountant have?
But when an incident with a half-cooked, half-frozen fishfinger occurs Cathy realises it’s time to stop putting herself last in her own life.
Nothing is stopping Cathy now, not her husbands mid-life crisis, not her mothers dodgy knee and most certainly not the Menopause.
Tracy Bloom never fails to put a smile on my face and I have come to reply on her novels for some much needed light-heartedness and a good few chuckles. This story didn’t disappoint.
Cathy is a character I can imagine a lot of readers will be able to connect with. A woman in her late forties who has been in the home for the entirety of her children’s lives, whilst working a part-time role but mainly supported by her husband. Her life isn’t terrible nor is it exciting, it’s normal and full of everyday scenarios that occur in homes up and down the country. Couple this relatability with Bloom’s signature comedic prose and this story is a real winner!
Whilst I found my self laughing on most pages this story also covers some sensitive subjects, such as depression and grief. However, these moments are so seamlessly woven into the story, retaining their solemnity whilst the narrative manages to remain light-hearted overall. This only serves to prove the authors skill as a writer and storyteller.
I highly recommend.
* Thanks to Harper Collins UK, via NetGalley, for this ARC *