I've already read three of Debbie Viggiano's novels and enjoyed all of them so couldn't resist this new one when I saw it on Netgalley.

It was funny from beginning to end. Certainly in this book, Debbie has shown quite an acerbic humour to her writing, especially when Lucy the protagonist is riled - which is often. As well as having been married for 25 years, with her three children grown up and all moved out of the family home and the menopause making itself known by way of hot flushes and feelings of being taken for granted and neglected by her husband, Lucy has a lot to put up with, or so she thinks anyway. Yet she soon finds out that leaving toothpaste smears around the sink and leaving the cap off the toothpaste is nothing compared with what her husband has in store for her next.

Faced with losing his job and feeling like he's too old for all the stress of a job with responsibility, Lucy's husband Leo announces that he's been made redundant and as a result thinks its time he slowed down and got a local job, with less traveling and that he and Lucy should spend more time together. He also suggests the need to downsize to a smaller house and he has just the perfect place - Rose Cottage.

Lucy is reluctant to move, in fact she's determined it's just not happening. Apart from anything else she doesn't want to leave behind her neighbour and friend Patsy. Nor does she want to move into a smaller and lets face it, falling down, ramshackle old cottage in the middle of nowhere, sharing her garden with the local farmers cows.

However, Leo persuades her to move, promising they'll do up the house together and share romantic summer evenings on the veranda (yet to be built veranda) together.

Things never quite work out the way husbands promise though do they?

As if moving house and having builders in isn't enough to contend with, their children decide they need to move back into the family home, which now isn't really big enough, and suddenly Leo seems to have women throwing themselves at him much to Lucy's chagrin.

It's a real laugh out loud book, that not only had me giggling away, but quite often nodding in recognition of some of the situations Lucy finds herself in. Will Lucy avoid the temptations of hunky builder Will Peters? Or might her husband Leo's apparent antics drive her into the arms of her new admirer. You'll have to read it to find out. There are some brilliant characters in the book - Hugo Price the estate agent, Patsy - Lucy's neighbour, friend, confidante and adviser, and Symphony Sal - Lucy's new neighbour Sally who seems to have taken something of a shine to Leo. I really enjoyed this book and it helped to cheer up what is becoming one of the most gloomiest summers we've had.

What a fun book ! Any 49 year woman can relate to the issues poor Lucy is facing. The mix of comedy , and seriousness was very enjoyable. I couldn't put down this book !

Lucy and Leo have reached that point in the marriage where you've settled into a comfortable future. But, like for so many marriages, sometimes the best plans go awry. The kids come back, the too big house is sold, but now you have a houseful, jobs change and everyone seems to have an opinion. Cap that off with hormonal changes and misunderstandings, and you have a book filled with humor, but also with reality and so many truths. I love the way this book spoke to situations that I've seen in my own life, and it was handled in a realistic manner. Thank you to the author, #Net Galley and #Bookouture for an ARC of this title in exchange for my honest review.

I found this book so good even though I am not married and don’t have children I still found it kind of relatable I mean the things Lucy goes through I seen happen with my parents as one of their grown children and many other family memebers I thought it was funny also. I feel like everyone should read it even if you feel like you may not relate you just might find that you do! This book was a quick and entertaining read!

When Lucy Jones' husband Leo approaches her about downsizing their now empty-nest home, Lucy wants nothing of this. She loves the home where she and Leo have raised their 3 now adult children and doesn't want to leave it. But Leo convinces Lucy that he is soon to be made redundant, their eldest daughter is about to be proposed to and they will have trouble meeting their financial obligations. Reluctantly, Lucy agrees to sell the home and move into the dilapidated countryside Rose cottage.

Life as a woman approaching 50 is stressful on it's own and Lucy feels the physical and emotional changes as most woman do. Compound this with a significant downsize in home and with major renovations in progress, a husband away from home for a month and who women are throwing themselves at, and children who suddenly need a place to stay and it's the perfect storm for a break down.

This book is filled with humour and a supplies a heroine who I'd love to have as a best friend. This book is a fun read for anyone, but is perfect for those of us of a certain age. This is my first Debbie Viggiano read, but certainly won't be my last.

I rate this 5/5 stars. I'd like to thank #Netgalley and #Bookouture for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Funny book about the trials and tribulations of a woman dealing with her husband getting made redundant, grown kids coming back home, fixing up an old cottage, dealing with menopause, etc. Basically, a real life plot line and the moral is to keep working on your marriage even when he drives you insane!





(Will post to Goodreads and Amazon once book is released.)

Thank you to Netgalley and Bookouture for the ARC of this book in return for an honest review. I loved this book, it captured my interest from the very beginning and I found all events in the plot realistic. I would definitely recommend this book.

Such a good book!! Very well told story about life and what can happen when you let yourself stop working on your marriage.

Lucy's Last Straw by Debbie Viggiano is an uproariously funny take on the trials, tribulations, and frustrations of one woman 'of a certain age'. You will be hard pressed to not find something both lovable and relatable in the character of Lucy Jones, who is reminiscent of Bridget Jones had the latter been on HRT. I laughed my way right through this charming and addictive read. Highly recommended.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for this delightful ARC.