This delightful book is not your typical romance offering where everyone ends up in the perfect happily ever after, but rather it reflects the messiness of real-life and the myriad of ways we now create and live with what we call ‘family.’

Loosely created with some of the characters found in previous books, (The Single Mums' Mansion and The Single Mums Move On) this story focuses on Louise and Christa, the first unwillingly becoming a single mother by virtue of her husband dying and the later believing herself to be infertile discovers the shock of a lifetime in the shape of two little blue lines on a stick. Based mainly around the infamous South London gated community known only as The Mews, this story focuses on the journey both women take in dealing with grief and guilt and grappling with pregnancy and impending motherhood. Louise has never wanted anything more than the perfect husband, family and home, but having the holy trinity isn’t all it is cracked up to be, with a husband more committed to the golf course than to his wife and children. Louise has touted the idea of a trial separation to Nigel and then the unthinkable happens and he is killed in a horrific car crash, leaving her very single and alone with three children, but the truth of her situation is not one that she would like to be made known publicly. Christa has spent her adult life protesting that she doesn’t ever want children and her long-term partnership with Tom even breaks up over the issue because he suddenly really does want a family. But a one-night stand with neighbour Carl leads to the shocking news that not only has her dodgy ovary decided to work and release an egg, but it's been fertilized and gestating quite nicely thank you very much. But Christa feels separated from both the father of her child and her pregnancy, not feeling an overwhelming sense of love for her unborn child and a painful secret from her past will reveal why and on top of that, despite all of Christa’s medical training, pregnancy and life do not follow a smooth path.

This story is refreshing in that the happily ever after the finale is not so obvious with everyone ending up with the man of their dreams and the perfect life such endings that run of the mill romance novels suggest. Both women are in their early 40’s, making them unlikely heroines in today's romance market where the trend feels as if every character seems to be late 20’s or mid 30’s. Both the major and minor characters are relatable, well crafted and likeable. There are portrayals of the neighbours who you wish you had and despite the mess that is apparent, it is the story ending you hope for.

In spite of being marked as a rom-com, this is definitely not a laugh out loud book. Rather it is a serious and unflinchingly realistic look at death, depression (in adults and children), the effects of alcoholism, infertility and miscarriage and the confusion that general life throws a person’s way. There is romance woven through the story, but its not the main star of the novel, rather a nice accompaniment to the main course of watching women grow and change during the road of life. Please don’t misunderstand, it’s not an overwhelmingly heavy book, it just isn’t a rom-com.

This book is third in a series but successfully leaves the reader wanting to read the other two books to catch up on all the characters stories.

Okay, So this book was really hard to get into. It took me ages to get through the first 50 something pages. And it was confusing at the beginning with three perspectives but then I got a hang of it
I was disappointed by the fact that this was described as a laugh out loud rom-com and honestly, it wasn't. There were pretty dark topics discussed in this book which I wasn't prepared for
Overall I liked the realistic approach it took for a lot of topics.

Thank you, Net Galley, for providing an e-arc

A Rollercoaster of Emotions... 🎢

This book is not what I'd expected, it was a good read, but I was disappointed as it'd noted it was a laugh out loud romcom. There is a lot going on, a good read but more general fiction that romcom, for me. Would've enjoyed it more, if I wasn't expecting more humour.

It's told from a few different perspectives, Christa, her sister Louise, neighbour Carl... they all have their own issues they're dealing with, reminiscing over past events. Overall good read, a variety of life's challenges they need to find a way forward with...

We see this story through the eyes of three lonely and sad people although only Christa’s story is told through a first-person narrator so her story is the most sympathetic. She is a doctor who suffered a terrible experience as a teenager and has had to live with the knowledge that she could probably never get pregnant. This knowledge has colored her life and forced her to leave her long-time boyfriend because she knows she can’t give him what he really wants. She is also helping her younger sister who was suddenly widowed and is dealing with guilt and sorrow. But this is actually bringing the sisters closer together. Christa lives in a wonderful neighborhood and, after a neighborhood party, had a one-night stand with a sexy neighbor, Carl. He has his own demons that he is dealing with.

I was really drawn into the three individual stories. It was all quite sad for most of the book, but still written in a style that kept me reading along with interest and enjoyment.

I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book that I received from Netgalley; however, the opinions are my own and I did not receive any compensation for my review.

I liked this book but I didn’t love it. It started slow and I thought I wouldn’t finish but it got better and the characters more like able. It was a pick up put down kind of book. NoT gripping but not awful either

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for an early review copy.

At first I found this book quite slow to start with and rather confusing.

As the book progressed it got better, I started to get into it.

The experiences Christa went through during childbirth were well realistic.

Widowhood, which Louise experienced after the death of her husband Nigel were also explored, highlighting the positivity of support groups family and friends. , Even issues such as drug abuse and alcoholism were also covered in a sensitive yet informative manner.

I found it overall a good read.

This book was great! It was so easy to lose yourself in the story, and kept you turning pages to see what happened next! Will definitely be recommending!

Thank you so much NetGalley and the publisher for my complimentary eARC of this book in exchange for my honest review. This book was a bit too slow for me so it took awhile for me to finish it.

Death and life, regret and resilience, family and friendship, hope and renewal- I enjoyed this charming book about the many surprises life throws at us, and my heart smiled over the last pages.

Thank you to #NetGalley, the author and publisher for the opportunity to read this lovely book in exchange for my honest opinion. #TheSingleMumsSecrets

Initially I found this book quite slow to start with and rather confusing with all the characters! However as the book progressed it got better! The trials and tribulations of pregnancy and childbirth as experienced by Christa were well documented and realistic! Early widowhood as experienced by Louise after the death of her husband Nigel were also explored and the positivity of support groups family and friends emphasised, drug abuse and alcoholism were also covered in a sensitive yet informative manner. Overall a good read once it got started.
Thank you net galley for this early read.