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skiera24's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
coyney13's review against another edition
5.0
Fabulous book. Some of it really rings true I.e hate making packed lunches
coyney1825's review against another edition
5.0
Fabulous book. Some of it really rings true I.e hate making packed lunches
urbansapphire's review against another edition
4.0
I had never heard of Gill Sims' blog 'Peter and Jane' from which this novel 'Why Mummy Swears', and its predecessor 'Why Mummy drinks' were born. When I was lucky enough to get my hands on a review copy from the publisher, HarperCollins via Netgalley I quickly borrowed a copy of 'Why Mummy Drinks' from my local (digital) library, and set about acquainting myself with the characters; titular Mummy, Ellen, her often infuriating husband Simon, their offspring, Peter and Jane, and their various PTA, school and work connections. I'll say now that you don't have to have read the first book as there are several snippets explaining relative events throughout the second, but to fully immerse yourself in Ellen's world, I suggest you read them both, in order.
This novel picks up the thread two years after the first book ends, with darling daughter Jane now 11 and DESPERATE for an Instagram account and for Ellen to leave her alone because she's virtually a grown up and her Mum is just an EMBARRASSING old person. Youngest child Peter is still farting like a champion, fiddling with everything he sees, the more inappropriate the better, and asking the worst questions imaginable, all the while eating Ellen out of house and home. Simon still doesn't 'get it'. He still expects Ellen to act as his social secretary, and now she's taken voluntary redundancy to work on her aspiring career as the next big App Designer, he thinks she has nothing better to do. To be fair, she spends most of her day browsing tabloids, playing with her beloved Judgy dog, and eating biscuits, but she's still very Busy and Important. A few weeks and a couple of Ellen-style odd decisions later, and her life has almost completely changed and she's pushed and pulled in all directions again, both inside and outside of the home. Sam and Hannah provide light relief, as do the characters that make up the PTA. Lucy Atkinson's Perfect Mummy, and Fiona Montague again make their presence known, albeit more lightly this time and the introduction of Charlie, an old flame, adds an interesting dynamic to the story. Some of the characters are almost caricatures, a bit overblown, but they're well written and add to the balance nicely.
The style reminded me a lot of the first Bridget Jones book, which as we all know, went on to huge success. There's definitely room for a sitcom/movie here. There is an awful lot of swearing, which I don't mind, but if you're not fond of a potty mouth, you might be a little shocked to say the least. The thing that did annoy me a little, if I'm honest, is that the phrase 'eleventy billion' is one I used to use quite a lot, and used to find funny, but it's so overused in this book I'll be happy if I never hear it again!
I read 'Why Mummy Swears' over 2 days - It's light, easy to read, and funny, if sometimes predictable. Mummies of children of all ages will enjoy this book and will recognise many of the situations that Ellen ends up in, along with sharing her frustration at the lack of support and understanding she gets trying to be a working Mum, juggling home and family life without losing her mind or killing anyone!
3.5 rounded up to 4
This novel picks up the thread two years after the first book ends, with darling daughter Jane now 11 and DESPERATE for an Instagram account and for Ellen to leave her alone because she's virtually a grown up and her Mum is just an EMBARRASSING old person. Youngest child Peter is still farting like a champion, fiddling with everything he sees, the more inappropriate the better, and asking the worst questions imaginable, all the while eating Ellen out of house and home. Simon still doesn't 'get it'. He still expects Ellen to act as his social secretary, and now she's taken voluntary redundancy to work on her aspiring career as the next big App Designer, he thinks she has nothing better to do. To be fair, she spends most of her day browsing tabloids, playing with her beloved Judgy dog, and eating biscuits, but she's still very Busy and Important. A few weeks and a couple of Ellen-style odd decisions later, and her life has almost completely changed and she's pushed and pulled in all directions again, both inside and outside of the home. Sam and Hannah provide light relief, as do the characters that make up the PTA. Lucy Atkinson's Perfect Mummy, and Fiona Montague again make their presence known, albeit more lightly this time and the introduction of Charlie, an old flame, adds an interesting dynamic to the story. Some of the characters are almost caricatures, a bit overblown, but they're well written and add to the balance nicely.
The style reminded me a lot of the first Bridget Jones book, which as we all know, went on to huge success. There's definitely room for a sitcom/movie here. There is an awful lot of swearing, which I don't mind, but if you're not fond of a potty mouth, you might be a little shocked to say the least. The thing that did annoy me a little, if I'm honest, is that the phrase 'eleventy billion' is one I used to use quite a lot, and used to find funny, but it's so overused in this book I'll be happy if I never hear it again!
I read 'Why Mummy Swears' over 2 days - It's light, easy to read, and funny, if sometimes predictable. Mummies of children of all ages will enjoy this book and will recognise many of the situations that Ellen ends up in, along with sharing her frustration at the lack of support and understanding she gets trying to be a working Mum, juggling home and family life without losing her mind or killing anyone!
3.5 rounded up to 4
shayneyj's review against another edition
4.0
I was so surprised when I first read Why Mummy Drinks, by how much I enjoyed it. It was originally bought for me as a gift and it blew me away. That’s why when I realised that there were sequels, I had to read them.
I am still a big fan of the writing style of these books, and Why Mummy Swears, still had the power to make me laugh while reading it. However, it wasn’t as good as the first book, possibly because I went into it with high expectations, or simply because it wasn’t as good. I got a little tired of the constant use and reference to “middle class”. It did make me laugh and I did enjoy it as a whole, becoming enthralled in the book and the writing and finishing it within 24 hours. I am also now VERY eager to give the next book in this series a read.
I am still a big fan of the writing style of these books, and Why Mummy Swears, still had the power to make me laugh while reading it. However, it wasn’t as good as the first book, possibly because I went into it with high expectations, or simply because it wasn’t as good. I got a little tired of the constant use and reference to “middle class”. It did make me laugh and I did enjoy it as a whole, becoming enthralled in the book and the writing and finishing it within 24 hours. I am also now VERY eager to give the next book in this series a read.
sardonyx's review against another edition
challenging
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
theliterarydrive's review against another edition
1.0
Really disliked this book but I persevered to finish it to give it a fair chance.
I didn't enjoy the way the story was written and I didn't enjoy the storyline. I thought some parts were funny but this was outweighed by the fact that the book just trudged along.
I felt the ending was too abrupt and didn't fully believe that the ending would resolve itself in a limited amount of pages. All in all this wasn't my favourite read
I didn't enjoy the way the story was written and I didn't enjoy the storyline. I thought some parts were funny but this was outweighed by the fact that the book just trudged along.
I felt the ending was too abrupt and didn't fully believe that the ending would resolve itself in a limited amount of pages. All in all this wasn't my favourite read
shoobs's review against another edition
I couldn't get into it, it ended up not really being my kind of book. I thought I'd find it funnier but I simply didn't relate.