Review: The Single Mums' Mansion: For all fans of Motherland, Allison Pearson and Hurrah for Gin

The Single Mums' Mansion: For all fans of Motherland, Allison Pearson and Hurrah for Gin by Janet Hoggarth
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Amanda and her husband Sam live with their three children under five in a large Victorian house in London which is in need to love and attention, but it would seem that the house is not the only thing in need of a bit of TLC, when Sam declares he’s “lost the love” and walks out.

A few months later, while Amanda is nursing her broken heart, her heavily pregnant friend Abi crashes into the kitchen saying that her husband is about to do the same. Once the baby is born, and with no where to live, Ali moves into Amanda’s attic with baby Grace.

When long lost friend Jacqui appears back on the scene, also a single mum, she pops in daily for updates and chats and now the house is complete.

I had never read a book by Janet Hoggarth before, and I was hooked initially, relating to the story as I too was once a single mum, so I felt I’d easily identify with the characters, but I didn’t. Although this is a story about friendship and support you get from friends in difficult situation on occasions, I just wanted to shout “Pull yourself together if not for you, but for your kids!”

I didn’t get the whole Reiki story-line, and if I’m brutally honest, I couldn’t understand why it was there. I would have loved if the Greek holiday storyline had been expanded because I really loved it when they headed off for some sun.

I sound like I didn’t like this book, but I really did – I’m just turning into a harsh, old critic! There are so really lovely fun bit, and certain bits that I could relate to, I just didn’t enjoy the wallowing in misery bits!

I received a free advanced copy of this in return for an honest and open review.

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