Friday, May 3, 2019

The Single Mums' Mansion by Janet Hoggarth

3.5 Star

Amanda Wilkie unexpectedly finds herself alone with her three children in a rambling Victorian house in London. Her husband leaves them, claiming he's just 'lost the love', like one might carelessly lose a glove.

A few months later, Amanda's heavily pregnant friend, Ali, crashes into her kitchen announcing her husband is also leaving. So, after Ali's baby Grace is born, they both move into Amanda's attic. And when Jacqui, a long-lost friend and fellow single mum, starts dropping by daily, the household is complete.

Getting divorced is no walk in the park, but the three friends refuse to be defined by it. And, as they slowly emerge out of the wreckage like a trio of sequin-clad Gloria Gaynors singing 'I Will Survive', they realise that anything is possible. Even loving again...




Kathryn - 3.5 Star

I quite enjoyed this book but it wasn't what I was expecting.   Far from light-hearted it actually had some quite serious situations in it that had me questioning the genre I thought I was reading.  It's entirely possible that I'm a bit far removed from the situation of single parenting and dating with children!   

I liked Amanda and her attitude towards her children and her friends.  Despite being in a quite precarious position she does tend to just get on with things while still questioning everything she's doing.  I would be the same I think.   Her ex is a most confusing character and he's not exactly helpful about his intentions.   Her mum friends each come with baggage of their own which was realistic and well plotted to enhance the story.   

The book definitely takes on all the emotions from the heartbreak (for me it was particularly hard for Amanda's children) to the chaos and laughs of trying to find a new normal. 

My only issue was that the partying evenings seemed a bit out of place with the rest of the feel of the story and the characters.


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