I found this book such a drag from the off. it did eventually pick up but not enough that i forgot about the beginning. characters ok but long winded about the house and relationships with ex/s

Insightful and so honest, this is a must read for any woman facing divorce - and especially if it's not of your choosing!

Amanda and her husband Sam bought a rambling Victorian mansion in the UK capital, knowing it was a renovation project. Three children later - in under five years - and with the 'project' still ongoing, Sam leaves, leaving Amanda to pick up the pieces, cope with the children, a broken heart and an unfinished home. When her friend Ali's husband doesn't want to be married any more - despite his wife being in the advance stages of pregnancy, Amanda offers her a home. Into their lives comes an old friend and another single mum, Jacqui, also abandoned by her husband. With her new house - which doesn't feel like home - nearby, she is more often to be found visiting Amanda and Ali, all pitching in with the kids.

The honesty in this novel is mind-boggling. Facing life with young children on your own (been there, done that) makes you realise how important friends are. The isolation, the financial worry and the ability to cope with the smallest things on a daily basis crumbles around you and it's so much easier with someone else to share things with! Dealing with kids who have suddenly lost a parent to a new home - and often a new partner, is hard and Janet Hoggarth has hit the nail on the head with all the details. Not only true to life, this is funny and entertaining and covers the good, crazy times as well as the 'cry me a river' occasions. It's rewarding watching these women grow in confidence and ability, and I have so enjoyed reading all about them. Such a terrific book deserves no less than a full five stars.

My thanks to publishers Aria for approving my request via NetGalley. This is my honest, original and unbiased review.

Amanda and Sam were in love and living in a huge house in south east London with their 3 young kids. Life was great. Until he decides he's all "out of love" and things end betwen them. Her friend Ali who is pregnant and has nowhere to go, moves in with Amanda. Jacqui, another friend of Amanda's spends much of her time there. She ends up moving in, too.

The book follows the women as they chat about life love and dreams as they support each other towards moving on and getting their lives back together with the help of wine, Reiki and good friendship. I loved the Greek holiday and it was so visual and detailed. It ended to soon though and I felt it could have been longer. There's a lot of focus on the children and the effects everything has on them too and how they also help the women in their own ways.

The plot was fast-moving and realistic and so were the characters. The book is about learning to trust again and fighting for what you want no matter the ups and downs in life and there are quite a lot of good and bad times in this book.

Thanks to Janet Hoggarth and Aria, Head of Zeus for my ARC in exchange for an honest and voluntary review as well as the opportunity to participate in the blog tour for this title.

I was expecting this to be escapist chick lit. However, although it did have some of the tropes - the ditzy friend, the tempting old flame, the alcohol and swearing and trying to recapture one's youth (age isn't mentioned, but I suspect they are all relatively young, in their mid-30s, so have no trouble finding new love interests etc.) - it was actually quite sad in parts, a bit of a rant about the thoughtless behaviour and tactless words that the ex-husbands engage in, and the general unfairness of life (although the mothers don't always behave in exemplary fashion in front of the children) which would make anyone going through something similar become a little bit paranoid. Female friendship does ring true, but somewhat superficial.

The first thing that strikes me about this story is its authenticity and honesty. Numerous comic moments provide much-needed light relief amidst the despair and sadness these single mum's experience at the destruction of their perfect family dreams.

The inspiration for this story is the author's blog, and the story reads like a journal of her feelings and experiences, as the main character Amanda, comes to terms with life after her husband walks out and leaves her with three kids under five.

Realistic, flawed characters underpin a fast-paced, intricate plot, which shares Amanda. Ali and Jacqui's experiences of being a single mum. What stands out is the camaraderie between the three women. Despite the sad events this story has many laugh-out-loud moments which make it a worthwhile read.

The language is uncensored, but it isn't gratuitous, merely an illustration of the characters' personality and stress experienced. There are also episodes of drunkenness and drug taking, which I didn't like, especially when the children were present. Again it gives the story authenticity, but the casual attitude took the edge off the enjoyment of the story.

If you enjoy your stories with no filters, crammed full of laughter and poignancy, this is the book for you.

I received a copy of this book from Aria Fiction via NetGalley in return for an honest review.

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 isn’t 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 advance copy of this book in return for an honest review.*

I had been looking to break up my spree of reading crime fiction with something lighter, and this book was just that. The story of the mums, Amanda, Ali and Jacqui was entertaining, sometimes moving and often funny. Though I am not a mother myself, I felt a connection to these characters and I think The Single Mums' Mansion will make for a great summer read for anyone looking for something lighter, but not pure fluff.

Thank you to Netgalley, the author and the Publisher, Aria for this review copy given in exchange for an honest review. Also thank you to Melanie from Aria for organising the Blog Tour.

Amanda’s husband has left her, leaving her and her three children under five in a huge Victorian house in London. Amanda’s heavily pregnant friend, Ali, also announces that her husband is leaving her too and when Ali gives birth to her daughter Grace, she decides to move in with Amanda until her financial situation is sorted. Add to it, Jacqui, Amanda’s long lost friend and also a single mum who visits them daily and you are left with one very busy household! One by one they begin to realise that they don’t need their husbands and they can do anything on their own!

My first book by this author. I really liked the sound of this book and was hoping it was going to be as funny as it sounded! I love the character of Amanda! Completely overwhelmed by three children under the age of five, a husband who’s run off with a z-list celebrity and a huge ramshackle Victorian house, she admirably copes by means of friends, ‘Beardy Weirdy’ tarot cards and copious amounts of wine. Of course, amongst all the laughs there’s also a lot of tears and whilst all the ladies think ‘who needs a man’, it is quite sad that the men in their lives all desert them when they needed them most and it was mainly the children who ended up suffering the most emotionally.

A word of warning though, this book does have a lot of swearing. It’s not just a little bit here and there either, but a lot – all the way through! I don’t mind swearing as such, but I don’t like the ‘C’ word (if you don’t know which word that is I’m not going to spell it out!) and this word was used too much for my liking.

This book certainly wasn’t what I was expecting. I expected a funny, romantic chick-lit, but got a humorous but heart-warming book which showed the women overcoming all the obstacles that are put in their way, not only by themselves but also helping each other to do the same. Would definitely recommend, but just as long as you’re not easily offended!!

A slow burn. Ocasionally lost track of how characters were linked to main protagonist and behavour of a group of 40 something women, at times, was unrealistic. .
Didn't love it, didn't hate it. A beach read, at best.

Thank you to netgalley and the publishers for this arc in exchange for my honest review.

Amanda and Sam have split leaving her with their three children alone in their family house. Her friend Ali moved in with her newborn. Soon their other friend starts calling in daily and their shared hatred of men makes for interesting escapades.

I really enjoyed this and the three women all felt the pain in different ways and yes it’s funny and has a lot of my favourite naughty words in it which had me chuckling away but there’s also a sadness in it too.

Funny, romantic and heartbreaking at times. Written with a fabulous warmth. As a single mum too I could relate to many parts of this witty novel.

The Single Mums' Mansion is a truthfull tale of mothers' lives after being left by their husands.
I appreciated that it tells it like it is about life with little kids, everyday struggles, heartaches, tiredness and lonelyness.
Amanda's husband left her with three small children. Not yet aware of what happened to her, she finds out that as soon as her friend Ali has given birth to her baby girl her husband leaves her as well. She invites her to move in.Then Jacqui her old friend moves in and household is finally complete.
This was so enjoyable to read how they fought to overcome obstacles. to help each other and overcome difficulties. Even to love again.
Beautiful story about second chances and new beginnings.

This book had me quietly chuckling from start to finish. A really modern, up to date book of the trials and tribulations of a newly single woman, the importance of friendship, the reality of motherhood and hearbreak of the blended family you unwittingly become part of. This book felt fresh and new and I’m looking forward to reading many more from this unique author

Thank you for providing me with a copy of the book . Was a bit of a slow burner but when it got going it was an enjoyable read. Easy read for a Saturday afternoon

This was an enjoyable weekend read - Amanda and two of her friends find themselves single parents. This book follows the ups and downs of parenthood. This book is definitely relatable in today’s world with blended families and single parents.

Thank you Netgalley for the ARC.

A very readable book. Fascinating insight into what life could be like in these circumstances. Definitely recommended.

Very enjoyable book about how three women with children who were divorced or separated from their partners ended up sharing a house to help each other out, emotionally and with the childcare.

Amanda is the main character and the owner of the big house that the story revolves around. Her husband has recently left her and they have 3 small children. Ali is her pregnant friend (the baby arrives near the start of the story) and after her partner dumps her and the baby she ends up moving into Amanda's attic room. Then there is Jacqui who lives nearby, also divorced, with 2 children, but who may as well live in the house too as she's always there!

I really liked the way they all helped each other out with childcare and it really worked. Although they were all really bitter about the divorces/separations for quite a while, and the children did suffer emotionally because of the splits (Amanda's mostly), especially as they were all fairly small and didn't understand what was going on. The ex's were all completely self-centred and only seemed to think of themselves, once they left they were on to their new lives and partners and didn't seem to think an awful lot about their old families, apart from occasional visitation, or if they could use their children to get at their ex-partners.

There were some sad moments, and some funny moments and although I did find it fairly slow to start it picked up as it went along and I definitely got more into the story and was hoping for a good outcome for all of them, once they'd managed to get past the hurt and anger of being rejected.

A couple of things did detract from the story for me a bit though. There was a fair bit of swearing in it and whilst that doesn't usually bother me the c-word was used a fair bit and that is just one word I really hate, so that did put me off a bit. There was also recreational drug-taking going on a fair bit too, which just didn't sit right with me since they all had young children and were supposed to be the adults looking after them. I'm sure it happens, and each to their own, but it just annoyed me reading about it!

So all in all a very enjoyable read, but if the swearing and drug taking had been toned down it would have rated higher for me.

Really enjoyed this book - Amanda and friends Ali & Jacqui find themselves single parents after their husbands/partners leave them. This book follows the everyday struggles the lows the highs and how to eventually move on.

Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC copy.
It was a little hard to originally get into, but one I was done, I kept hearing "I will survive" in my head.

Solid chick lit…doesn’t take itself too seriously! You’ll laugh, cry, and say “Oh! No!” Definitely a fun weekend read :c)