This is an amazing and honest look at motherhood as well as impacts on all aspects of a woman's life. We do lose a sense of self - which is a huge component of depression, in my opinion.
Beth is struggling - Joe who is an amazing baby doesn't sleep. At all. On top of the after baby bulge society feels is supposed to disappear over night. Breastfeeding - constant eating, leaking from everywhere and how do you function with their size. No social interaction - utter lose of socialization, support structure. The house is a disaster - who can keep up with anything with minimal assistance from the dad?
I felt all of these aspects of Beth's life - from my own experiences, struggles and the reality of motherhood. However, I just could not get into this book. The lengthy descriptions. Long chapters. It just didn't work for me.

What a read. I got so many laughs reading this book. There are some sad parts to it too. Having had two children I could relate to a lot of her tales regarding childbirth and the changes a new baby can bring to your life. Some very amusing characters of call ages. Great relaxing read.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing this book in exchange for an honest review.
Kristen Bailey is a very humorous author and I have enjoyed each of the 3 books. This one was just as good as the previous 2. I enjoy the different perspectives of each of these sisters and have no doubt the next 2 books will be on my must read list.

This book was nothing like I was expecting, so for that I cannot rate it higher. While it wasn't a bad book, it really wasn't great, either. I did finish the book, but I am not sure that I would recommend it. Thank you for the chance to read this.

We are back with the Callaghan sisters and this time it is Beth's Story.

First time mum to baby Joe, the struggles in motherhood and how to keep your relationship going with Will.

Fun and full of Humour from the first page this had me belly laughing throughout.

A real joy to read and already looking foward to picking up the other sister's stories.

Wooohooo book 3 in this fabulous series and I loved it as much as the other 2.
The Callaghan sisters… 5 great women. They are all different, but the have one thing in common: they always have each other’s back. They stick together no matter what or where they are.
I already had the pleasure of reading the first two books and was enjoying them thoroughly. Although they are all utterly hilarious, there are some emotional rollercoasters involved too.
Every book puts one of the sisters in the spotlight, but because, as I said before, they are always there for each other, the whole family is always present too.
This time it was middle sister Beth’s turn to give us in peek into her every day life and if you have children too, you will recognize yourself in some (a lot of) situations she finds herself in.
The author lights up my day with her stories. Winter, clouds, rain, fed up with 2020,… take one of this author’s books and the sun will come out.
I am sad there are only 5 sisters but on the other hand I am happy there are still 2 more books to come and to look forward to. 5 stars.

Thank you, Kristen Bailey and Bookouture

A fun, engaging story about being a new parent and the trials and tribulations that this comes with.
The story is told from the viewpoint of Beth, a new mum and revolves around how her life changes with the arrival of baby Joe.
Fun from the start, lots of laugh out moments and a wonderful return of not just Lucy, Emma & Grace but of Meg and Danny.
The book can be read standalone without reading the first two, although I fully recommend reading the books in order.
I loved it, I read it in 2 days, difficult to put down, always one more chapter.
Kristen is a wonderful author, and has a knack for finding the fun and humour in everyday lives and putting it on the page, occasionally with a dash of sass.
I love reading about the Callaghan sisters and their experiences, and was eagerly awaiting this new instalment.
The book is a hilariously funny, light hearted, cosy read, which cannot help but make you smile, read it you wont regret it,

Thank you to net galley for the early access to this book.

What an honest and refreshing look at motherhood and the trials and tribulations that come with a new baby! I’m now going to add side-splitting funny as another major positive. ‘Did My Love Life Shrink in the Wash?’ is both hilarious and heartwarming in equal measures.

I particularly loved Beth’s friendship with Paddy, the mature next-door-neighbour. I enjoyed how they confided and leaned on each other for support. In fact, this book really was all about the relationships. I found myself caring about all of the key characters. The sisters were fab and their interactions with Beth were full of giggles and wit. Another relationship I have to mention is that between Yasmin the model and Beth. I really didn’t expect that one to play out the way it did but it was oh so satisfying. You’ll have to read it to find out why.

Okay, now I’ll head to what I felt was the main theme in this book - coming to terms with having a new baby in your life. This was handled expertly. Although my daughter is all grown up, I could relate - big time! Every insecurity that Kristen brought up was totally relatable. I will also applaud how body positive this book is. I loved how the sisters could laugh and celebrate their changed bodies together. Bravo for doing that so brilliantly.

To sum up, this will have you doubled over in chuckles and you might even shed a tear. It’s a spot-on read for this time of the year too. I thought it was brill!

Thanks to Netgalley for an ARC of this novel. I really enjoyed this one! I loved the humor of the characters and how likable *most* of them were. This was my first novel by this author and I now will have to discover other books by her. I felt for Beth and everything she was going through. I enjoyed her sisters and the new and old friends that were introduced. I highly recommend this novel for a light hearted comedy with a bit of drama.

The Callaghan Sisters are back! YAYYYY! It's the third time I've reunited with them this year and they are like part of the family already.

This time is Beth's turn to take center stage. When we first meet her she's about to become a mother for the first time and let me tell you, that prologue must be one of the funniest things I've ever read!

The story tackles the effects of parenthood on first timers and, while it deals with a series of issues (body image, sleep deprivation, loss of previos lifestyle) that could make you run away from having kids forever and ever, it does it in a funny and uplifting manner. I really like when a book depicts motherhood in an honest way and not like the path of roses some parents try to sell.

Although not a mum myself (being mum to two chihuahuas count?) I completely empathized with Beth and her struggles, although I don't know if I would have been so level headed with Will. I found his behavior so selfish that if I'd had him in front of me I would have cut his balls (as a true Callaghan sister!).

Once again the Callaghan family put me under their spell. I love to read about such close knit families where everyone supports each other no matter what, with no sibling rivalry at all, only love and respect for each other. I just know that Grace's story is gonna make me cry and Lucy's is gonna have me in stitches.

Kristen Bailey is such a sassy lady! I've been a fan of her writing and her sense of humor since I first read her. She's not afraid to call things by its name and I'm sure she must hold some kind of record as the person who knows most synonyms for genitalia. I literally choked with the "meat Calippo" reference! Well, maybe not literally... just with laughter!

If you don't know the Callaghan sisters yet, what are you waiting for?

Thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Did my Love Life Shrink in the Wash? is the third book from Kristen Bailey about the Callaghan sisters. This story focuses on the life of Beth, her boyfriend Will, and their new baby Joe.

Whilst this is marketed as a laugh out loud book, it is as sad as it is funny. Kristen Bailey manages to mix humour with everyday life events in such a perfect way that keeps it real. Just like the first two books, I really didn't want to put it down.

It is full of believable characters, and I'm sure we would all like a sister or a friend like Lucy. She is hilarious.

Did my Love Life Shrink in the Wash? needs to be read by new mums, wannabe mums, and mums of older kids. I can guarantee you will all identify with the way newborns change your mind, body, and relationships. Parenthood is certainly not as easy as some make it look, and maybe some of the topics in this book need to be discussed more openly in real life. This story is so relatable with both the funny and tough sides to being a mum.

You don't have to read Has Anyone Seen my Sex Life or Can I Give My Husband Back? first, but I recommend that you do if you haven't already. I don't think it would matter what order you read them in as they all very cleverly overlap but cover a different storyline.

Now that I've read the stories of Emma, Meg and Beth Callaghan, I'm really looking forward to hearing about Grace and Lucy.

Release Date: Expected 11th January 2021
Genre: Romance / Fiction
The Callaghan sisters are back for their third installment - following up from the success of 'Has anyone seen my sex life?' and 'Can I Give my Husband Back?', we're now following Beth Callaghan and her husband Will, trying to deal with the very abrupt switch from being a vibrant party girl, always found at a music festival with flowers in her hair to a very sleepy mum wearing last weeks pj's.

As if that's not confusing enough, her beautiful little boy Joe has been scouted to model for Kimmie, the newest rap sensation and surprising candidate for best friend. With life going a million miles an hour, Beth finds herself in new territory in more ways than one, with a new band of friends around her she'd never imagined.

It's not all fun and games though, when your main focus in life is keeping a new little person alive, how do you keep a relationship going? What about friendships? Or you own sanity even?

It's hard not to love Beth and her supportive band of sisters, they're hilariously real women who most definitely are not perfect - but they all acknowledge that tea cures most problems in the world.

Beth and Will give us such a true account of the hilariously difficult parts of being a new parent, because after all "Everyone's experience of parenthood is just one big cautionary tale" after all, isnt' it?

The most wonderful thing about this book was the amazing playlist that goes along with it, revealing one song with each chapter, telling us their lives through the songs that made it, until we finally find out where the playlist came from.

Bailey has a habit of writing hilariously heartwarming tales and this is no exception - a totally different type of 'coming of age' novel.



RATING: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

tw: This book has mentions of recreational drug use and cheating.

Thank you to NetGalley and Kristen Bailey for an ARC of this book in return for an honest review.

Firstly I should say I am a huge fan of Kristen Bailey and the Callaghan sisters.
Kristen’s books are a breath of fresh air. Sweary, rude and honest in a fabulous way!
We have all read reviews that claim books made them laugh out loud? Well Kristen’s books don’t do that. They make you howl laughing until you have tears rolling down your cheeks and you can’t catch your breath!
This is the third book about the Callaghan sisters. Just when you think you have a favourite sister you find out more about another and you change your mind.
Did My Love Life Shrink in the Wash is about Beth. She and her boyfriend Will have just become parents to baby Joe (the story starts in the labour ward) Despite the sleepless nights and everything else having a new baby brings Beth is happy until she finds out Will cheated and he suddenly walks out on her and Joe.
Alone with a new baby she finds new friends in unlikely places and contemplates being a single Mum.
The book is an honest - sometimes brutally honest - and funny look at being a parent for the first time, family life, and relationships. It will make you laugh and it will make you cry. I have to say, I much prefer the other sisters partners. Danny and Jag are adorable but Will seriously needs to pull his socks up.
I adore the Callaghan sisters and now that we have heard Meg, Emma and Beth’s story I am ready for more.
Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and Kristen for this ARC in exchange for this honest review.

I am already a fan of Kristen Bailey. She has a wonderful way of bringing laugh out loud humor into her books. Did My Love Life Shrink in the Wash? is no exception. The book was filled with laughable moments. In addition to the humor, she brings the reader on a roller coaster of emotions as she follows Beth's struggle with being a new mother. I found myself crying at points as much as I laughed at others. Bailey does a wonderful of job of encompassing the uncertainty and struggles of having a newborn. She also cleverly and sincerely explores the changes and difficulties that a new baby can bring to a relationship. Like the other books in the series, the Callahan sisters are along for the ride. I absolutely adore their relationships, the rivalry, and the love that permeates their sisterhood. While I love all of the other books in the series, I connected to this one the most. As a mother, I know very well the joys and hardships that your first child and newborn can bring, Beth sorting out what should be and what is when it comes to parenting really brought insight to the character. I will admit, that Will's character frustrated me. I understand his role in the story and plot, yet I felt his part had less to do with the story than Beth's own struggle to find her identity and strength. Over all, I adore this series and Bailey's writing. I always look forward to laughing so hard that I cry.

A huge thank you to Netgalley and the publisher, Bookouture, for the opportunity to read and review this title.

3.75 Stars

C/W: Mentions of cheating and drug use

I loved Beth (especially the way her voice came through) and thought this was an incredibly honest look at motherhood. Beth's entire family were really interesting to read about as well and I am really excited to get my hands on the other Callaghan Sisters books.

I guess that I wasn't really the target audience for this book, although I usually do enjoy stories like this. I didn't think this book was funny (as marketed), but rather a shocking, seemingly honest and very rarely talked about, look at what it's like to be a first-time parent.

I do think that there is an audience out there who will adore Beth's story. It really does read well.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for giving me a free e-arc of "Did My Love Life Shrink in the Wash?" by Kristen Bailey, in exchange for an honest review. Scheduled publication date: 11 January 2021

Whilst not part of a series, this book and the previous two books by this author all feature the same family, or more specifically five sisters. Each book focusses on one sister, with the first book being Meg, the second Emma and now this book tells us the story of Beth. A word of warning before you get past the title page, right from the very beginning there are some sexual references and bad language, so if you prefer not to read that then perhaps it’s not the book for you. It is however all done in the best possible taste, in a light-hearted and very funny way!

Beth and Will are having a baby, and the book begins on the Labour Ward!! I could so empathise with Beth at this point!! Whilst it was 13 years ago since I was anywhere near the maternity wards, Beth’s experiences certainly brought it all back!! I’m not necessarily talking about the beauty and miracle of childbirth though, but more like the pain, being induced, the wonder of gas and air and the complete lack of any dignity or privacy!! Beth is a first-time mum, and we follow her bumbling her way through motherhood, surviving on no sleep, little help from Will and video calls from her sisters! I could relate to so much of the book, and have sympathised and laughed at Beth’s life throughout (sorry Beth!!).

I tried to make a list of what parts of the book made me laugh, but there were just too many to fit on the page! The list would though definitely include the breast pads in the nightclub, Yasmin’s dog getting caught short and for some reason that fact that her mechanic was at her birthday party just made me howl with laughter!! We’ve met Beth’s sisters before in the previous two books, but they are all still so likeable. The open, frank and no-holds barred relationships between each of the sisters was a breath of fresh air! The book is full of characters that you could either relate to or connect to (or both!), and each one added something to the storyline. I have to admit to having a soft spot for Beth’s aged neighbour, Paddy and found him hilariously funny despite his story having a sad undertone to it.

I won’t go into the ins and outs of the storyline too much for fear of spoilers. It is however, a very funny and true to life look at becoming a new mother, and how your life completely changes along with it. Amongst all the giggles and guffaws, I did find parts of the book quite emotional and found myself wiping away not just tears of laughter. There is no doubt though that this author is an absolute genius with her clever writing and skill of taking day to day things and making them so funny! Reading one of her books is sure fire way of making sure I have a smile on my face for the rest of her day!! Full of love, life and laughter, this book comes highly recommended from me!!

Funny, sad and true to life. Life with a newborn is hard. It's hard physically as well as mentally. Everything is on the back burner, even your relationship. B is a trooper. Reading the story and B's character it is as if I'm looking in the mirror, minus the rap star. B handled her situation like a champion, if you don't laugh about it, you'll just end up crying. I feel for her. There was also one character that I think deserves a whole book on her own is Grace. As little as the book touched on Grace and her life, it drew me in. She has sophistication and humor. The Callaghan sisters are a crazy bunch. I wouldn't say the whole story is funny, but very soul touching.

Thank you to Bookouture and NetGalley for letting me read this amazing ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I can read this book over and over again for the Callaghan sisters.
This book has the same magic as the first 2 books. Relatable, hilarious and lots of Callaghan sisters moments. I like how it is witty but not overly dramatic.
However, I am not connected to the characters as much as the first 2 books. First of all, Will made a very bad first impression in the second book and it didn't help much in this book as he is busy doing his disappear magic in this book. Hence, I am not really rooting for their romance. It is unfortunate as I always like Callaghan's other half. Danny is the perfect husband, and Jab is just the one Emma needs after a bad divorce.

Great to be reunited with the Callaghan sisters again! More relationship woes, more angst, more love.
Will and B are the focus of this read as they become first time parents to baby joe! Parenthood in all its glory is portrayed in a frank funny totally relatable way that any new parent could relate to!
Family solidarity, family history and a sense of belonging are central to this read as we catch up on the Callaghan sisters lives, sibling rivalry, arguments and support when needed make this a funny, heartwarming lighthearted read guaranteed to put a smile on your face!
Thank you net galley for this early read.

This book is a hilarious tale of what it is like to be a new mom struggling to make it work. I have read all books about the Callaghan sisters and I thoroughly enjoyed Beth and her sarcastic wit. Quite a change from how her and Will used to live their lives! Joe is a blessing but with that came emotional ups and downs, exhaustion and physical changes. Highly recommended.