A raw account of new motherhood filled with heart and humor!

I wish I had access to this book five years ago when my sister was having my niece. This is the most honest account of motherhood I have ever read. It has given me a profound understanding of what she experienced during and after birth. If I had had this knowledge then, I feel I could have been a better source of support.

We don’t talk enough about the trauma a mother’s body endures when delivering a baby. Every woman is unique, and therefore, their recovery is unique too. It was refreshing to read that some mom’s bodies bounced back, some took the six weeks to recover, and some had further complications that required more extensive medical attention.

In the same way, I loved how mental health was addressed. Having three different women in various stages of their lives, allowed for a diverse representation of their mental states. Manning beautifully showed how hard adding a child or children is for the primary caregiver. The journey all three women took throughout the book to find a healthy balance and true happiness was raw and honest!

While this book was about new mothers, at the heart it was about finding your community. It is essential that everyone have a person or people who they can be open and honest with. Ideally, we would all love for it to be our partners or close family. However, sometimes a new friend is just what we need. The lack of intimacy eliminates the fear of being judged. Therefore, the idea of having a group to text when you are tired, overwhelmed, and at your most vulnerable is something everyone can benefit from.

The 3am Shattered Mom’s Club by Nia Manning is a book everyone should read! While I am not a mother myself, this book helped me understand the struggles that accompany giving birth and entering into motherhood. If you or someone one you know is pregnant or plans on having children, read this book!

Special thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for allowing me to read this book in exchange for my honest feedback.

This was a fun, lighthearted read. While I didn't totally relate to the characters, and some things were a bit over the top, it was an okay read overall.

When I started this book I was expecting the typical exhausted mum, nasty school gate mothers and a lot of humour which, don't get me wrong, I love these stories but this book is so much more. The author delves into the relationships of the characters much more deeply. It is about relationships, both between the mothers and at home and who is there for you when the chips are down. There are still plenty of laughs which stopped things getting too serious. All in all an enjoyable read

As an expectant mother, I was immediately drawn to this book. However, there were some points that I did regret it. Being a new mother, while great, is going to be a tiring, sometimes stressful experience. But then I fell in love with the characters and the book. It’s always so refreshing to have a book that tells things how they are and not sugarcoat to make things more comfortable for people.

That’s not to say this is a hard book to read, by any means. In fact, it’s such a heartwarming book full of love, friendship and strong women. Each of the characters are so different but it’s also clear why they become such good friends. Regardless of them being new mothers or not, it’s always good to be reminded that there are decent people in this world.

The 3am Shattered Mums' Club is a fun novel featuring three women each with a newborn and struggling to adapt to the changes to their bodies, relationships, careers and social lives that come with a creating tiny humans. The book alternates between three perspectives. First is Sophy, an instagram influencer in her early 20s who is struggling in her relationship with her long term boyfriend, ongoing renovations to their house and a long, painful recovery from her birth with her newborn, Max. Next is Aisha, a woman in her early thirties who became pregnant through artificial insemination and a sperm donor, and recently gave birth to twins, Otis and Jude. Although her wife Charley works from home, Aisha is really struggling with mental illness and loneliness from trying to manage twins who fight for her attention all through the day and night. Finally, there is Mel, a second time mum in her 40s, who is recovering from a traumatic assault during her pregnancy and worried about returning to her work as a burlesque dancer and Adele cover singer. The three mums reluctantly agree to try out a Mum's club which is cancelled at the last minute and decide to start their own little group to help them get through the ups and downs of motherhood with infants.

This book is equal parts hilarious, sad, inspiring and candid. The storylines are completely realistic and don't try to tell a story of motherhood that is glamorous or easy. In fact, as a young, unmarried woman, it was at times a bit terrifying, but I do feel slightly more prepared to one day join these fictional women on the crazy, beautiful ride that is motherhood. I love Manning's down to earth and realistic descriptions of the ups and downs of motherhood. The characters are easy to connect with and I love the humour and the way the storylines contrast each other and also quickly became intertwined. I would highly recommend this book to mothers - seasoned and also brand new, or non-mothers who could benefit from a good laugh and a reminder to take their birth control pills. Jokes aside, it is a fabulous book that I loved and will definitely be recommending to my friends! Thanks so much to NetGalley, Boldwood Books (Book & Tonic) and Rachel from Rachel's Random Resources for giving me the chance to read and review this book!

#booktour

Although I don’t have children, I often laugh along with books about new mums just trying to keep their offspring alive while losing the will to live. It’s a glimpse into a life that could well be my future, so I usually get a kind of curious, voyeuristic enjoyment from them. However, sadly this one didn’t quite hit the mark.

Sophy, Aisha and Mel all have newborns. Sophy is a healthy living influencer whose long-term boyfriend doesn’t appear to have much interest in her or their baby boy. Aisha has twin boys with her girlfriend Charley but her family aren’t too happy about her choices. Mel is a second time mum in her forties and she isn’t sure what this will do for her career as a showgirl. When a mother and baby group fails to happen, the three of them form their own group and support each other through the sleepless nights and personal dramas.

Sophy’s partner Jeff is a typical, thoughtless, selfish man who cares very little about anything other than himself. I did snigger at a comment he made in the first chapter ('make sure to get it all nice and tight' when Sophy was getting her perineum sewn up) but as the story went on, it became apparent that he isn’t selfish in an eye-rolling, redeemable way. He is simply an enormous, disgusting pig.

The idea that some expectant mums think it will be easy to get back to the people they were before pregnancy is perhaps more common than we think. Although I don’t have children, I recognised Sophy’s naivety here and I’m sure readers who are parents will be able to relate to both Sophy’s ideas of post-pregnancy and know the type of social media mums she’s talking about.

Aisha is suffering with postnatal depression but I really wanted it to be visited more than it was. Manning could have done a really profound, heartfelt exploration of what it is but other than a few (obvious) clues that Aisha had it, it wasn’t featured enough as I’d have liked or expected. So, that was definitely an underdeveloped area that would have added a richer dimension to the book.

My main problem with this book was the information dumping. I really didn’t need the amount of detail that I got when talking about trivial things that I think the author thought was characterisation. Even if it was information that needed to be in the book, it would have been much better delivered via dialogue between the characters rather than just enormous paragraphs of pointless facts. However, the dialogue annoyed me too because it just didn’t feel authentic to the way that people actually speak. So, I think things like this just needed some more attention and thought.

I’m afraid I didn’t like either Sophy or Mel. Sophy was very superficial and judgemental and I wasn’t convinced she’d really changed by the end. I wanted to like Mel but there was a lot of emphasis on her physical beauty and while I hate being that girl, I find it hard to warm to a woman who I’m constantly told is devastatingly attractive. She did also have some troubling thoughts at one point where she talked about the fact that she ‘could possibly cheat on Daz (her very wonderful husband) but chooses not to’. I think my reaction to that was simply ‘um… ok?’. I did really enjoy Aisha as a character but as I previously said, I think she was done a disservice by the author and editor in terms of proper exploration of her experience of motherhood.

The 3am Shattered Mums’ Club is probably a more enjoyable read for new mums but the very predictable ‘twists’, clunky dialogue and choice of endless inner monologues really bogged it down for me. There were elements I enjoyed but it could have really used a healthy dose of humour and more likeable, relatable heroines.

I really enjoyed this book it took me back to the days of my own 3am wake ups with my little one in those early days. I could really relate to all three ladies in the story, they each had a little bit that I had experienced as a new mum and it was helpful to read about some of the things they felt and struggled with. It made my own past experiences feel validated, nice to know you are not alone in the 3am twilight hours!

The three main characters were all strong women with different lives however they find a connection with each other and they are able to support each other through an especially hard time in motherhood. I loved their links, their banter and their friendship together. They each had a strength which shone through even when they felt the most hopeless. Together they were able to get through those dark times and push forward into the next chapter.

This is such a heartwarming novel I was hooked from the first page. The characters feel. so real and authentic, the narrative feels so relatable regardless what life stage you are in. I was rooting for Mel Sophy and desperate for them to be happy. I have read Nina Manning's thrillers and I was intrigued to read her debut in a new genre and I'm soo glad I did. This cosy contemporary novel is worth your time just trust me. IT WON'T DISAPOINT.

The 3am Shattered Mum's Club
Earc: NetGalley
Publisher: Boldwood
Publication Date: 26 Oct 2022 |
Genre :General Fiction, Women's Fiction

We meet Sophy, Aisha and Mel who are all new mams and adjusting to thier new roles in life.
3am is the loneliest time in the world when everyone seems to be asleep. It's a great idea to start a WhatsApp group to connect with other users who are awake at the time.
Being a young mother isn't always easy. The body takes time to recover, but babies are hard to maintain. The new mom's eclectic mix was very easy to understand.The new mom's eclectic mix was so easy to relate to.Jeff, her relationship-phobic estate agent. It's their first child, Baby Max.

Aisha and her husband Charley (a sperm donor) have twins, Jude and Otis. However, Charley is less involved than anticipated and focuses on her work, leaving Aisha feeling alone and isolated as a new mother.

With her husband Daz, Mel, who is a little older, already has a daughter who is 12 years old. When Skylar, her infant, begins to wake up frequently at night for additional feeds, Mel finds it difficult, which is why the 3 a.m. Whatsapp group chat with her new friends is so helpful!

The characters in this quick but delightful short book were great.

#NetGalley #bookstagram #bookreview #goodreads #womenafiction #generalfiction @booksandtonic #The3amShatteredMumsClub

This was an enjoyable read about three new mums, each outwardly appearing to have the perfect life, but each hiding their own struggles as we all do.
Sophy is living with her boyfriend, but he appears to be losing interest in her, as she is with him.
Mel has a traumatic secret from her past, which she has tried to bury, but which has raised its head.
Aisha has found hidden letters sent from her father to her mother, although her mother had always said she lost contact with him when he left 20 years ago. Also, who is the person who appears to be watching her house?

The mums meet at a new baby group which has been cancelled at the last minute and bond over a coffee, discussing how difficult and lonely that 3am feed is, and promise to be there for each other. The 3am Shattered Mums’ Club begins.

I really enjoyed getting to know the three mums and experiencing the bond between them deepen. They have only known each other a short time but by shared experiences they feel they have been friends forever. The support of other first time mums is priceless when you have just had a baby.

I am sure anyone who has given birth will find shared experiences in this book, and perhaps it just might help some new mums to reach out and set up their own support group.

I am excited to have the opportunity to read and review The 3am Shattered Mums' Club. This book intrigued me from the moment I read the blurb. Three women, from different backgrounds and situations, but each struggling in their own ways during the months following their babies' births finding friendship and support in each other.

Sophy, a 33 year old health and lifestyle blogger, misses her identity apart from motherhood, feels like she is faking it on her vlog, yet has an unexplainable need to build her brand and become financially independent. Her boyfriend seems to be always working, she has no help from family, and with exclusive breastfeeding, she is exhausted trying to do it all.

Aisha, 37, is anxious, lonely, feeling the strain of being the primary caregiver to her six week old twins, and is feeling distant from her partner, Charley. While Aisha has daily visits from her mother, Aisha worries that her family hasn't accepted that Charley is the twins' mother too. She is dealing with guilt over not breastfeeding.

Mel is the experienced mother in the group with 10-year-old and an 11 week old daughters, Mel is worried about going back to work as a singer/dancer after having a frightening experience at her last gig before her daughter was born. Mel also is experiencing flares of emotion and angry outburst that are uncharacteristic for her. Where are they coming from?

As a mother of seven children, I have had my share of experiences of life with a newborn; the myriad of emotions, insecurities, doubts, and relationship issues that come with it. I connected each of the women in different ways; it brought back so many memories and emotions of a time, that no matter how joyful, is also difficult.. I loved how each of the women supported each other, it wasn't always Mel as the experienced mom handing out supportive advice. This book is a celebration of female friendship, women supporting women, and finding your tribe.

Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for gifting me an ebook; I am happy to provide my honest review.

The 3AM Shattered Mum's Club is the fourth novel by Nina Manning I've reviewed after Her Darkest Fear, The House Mate and The Bridesmaid, but it's the first women's fiction one.

I was curious to find out how Nina wrote in another genre as I enjoyed the thrillers of hers that I have.

I am not a mum yet, but I loved the individual personalities of the women and the babies were so cute.

I feel this is a good novel for mums and mums to be. I think that it has very good attention to detail and the pacing was excellent. I was hooked on the novel.

4 stars

Sophy, Mel, and Aisha – 3 women who have never met before, and whose lives are all very different, except for one thing – they are all new mums – and shattered Mum’s at that!

Sophy shares her healthy eating and fitness tips in her vlogs on social media. She really thought she would be back into her fitness routine within 6 weeks of giving birth. Sophy is really struggling with getting into any sort of routine with little baby Max, let alone back into her fitness routine. Mel is a performer and singer, but after having baby Skylar, she is so nervous about getting back on the stage again. And Aisha is feeling so overwhelmed with being Mum to her beautiful twin boys, especially when her partner, Charley is still carrying on with her life exactly as it was before the twins were born.

The 3 of them meet at a mother’s and baby group – which ended up being cancelled. Over coffee and sweet treats, they begin opening up to each other about their new-mum struggles, and The 3 am Shattered Mums’ Club is born! Each of the women’s stories is so relatable and because the characters are so well-written, it almost feels like you know them as your own friends.

The 3am Shattered Mums’ Club is such a lovely, well-written story, with characters that are so relatable and with struggles and stories that are so real.

. Being a mum is hard! The never ending questions of; Am I doing ok? Is this the right thing to do? Was it 2 or 3 hours ago they last fed? The exhaustion of them first few months is beyond compare and this book handled those feelings perfectly, I wish I had a group of friends like the group these girls created for themselves it can be such a lonely time and experience for so many women. I found myself identifying with each of the women at different points in the book, I think for me knowing that other women were felling and experiencing the same thing as me would have been so helpful. I found it lonely and the constant feeling of like I had somehow failed the test when my babies didn’t hit the milestones or just cried for what felt like hours and doing it on my own whilst my husband was at work made it feel like I was a lone planet struggling through endless of hours of constantly being needed. This book is filled with a true sense of love and friendship and a sisterhood that I wish we all could have. Any new mums out there just know you are doing amazing and it does ease up.

Ofcourse I had to read this one just off the title alone. As many of you will know I have a 6 month old myself so it was scary how much I could relate to parts of this story and understand it all as I’m living through it myself. I also have my own little 3am mums club when we all up feeding or with just wide awake babies.

A very relateable story for many readers especially mothers. Some part of this book is bound to remind you of yourself. Parts are funny some more serious but a perfect read which follows three new mothers who find comfort and friendship within each other including a same sex couple who did IVF. I enjoyed it all! The babies. The mums. The ups. The downs. A brilliant read. Highly recommend! A well deserved four stars from me. I would have devoured this book but alas I had my own baby stopping me from doing that. Oh the irony.

*BLOG tour*

This book started off with a lot of promise but fizzled fast. The main character became someone I could not care less about and that made it difficult to finish the book.

I've read several of Manning's other books, which have all been thrillers, so I was optimistic about this one with it being a lighthearted, fun read.

I had nothing to worry about, it was brilliant. I don't have children but was able to draw on things friends had told me about motherhood, lack of sleep etc.

It has a well crafted plot, some absolutely realistic characters in the shape of our shattered mum's and I'm sure many will find them relatable.

An entertaining quick, easy read that was highly enjoyable.

Many thanks to Rachel's Random Resources for my tour spot.

Rating ⭐⭐⭐⭐

I have previously read and really enjoyed 4 of Nina's psychological thrillers so I was very keen to read this new book in a different genre, but one I often really enjoy. I am so glad I did, but now I feel like I can join the Shattered mums' club, being up much too late, not because of a new baby, but because of this book! I am sure I will be shattered tomorrow, especially if my youngest wakes me up in the middle of the night tonight!

I absolutely loved this story of three new mothers that become friends and develop a real connection, often in the middle of the night and end up with such a lovely and real friendship within a short amount of time. The story follows all three women, who are completely different, but have a few things in common... new babies and the need to bond with other women, especially in the middle of the night when they feel alone. During this story we realize each of them is also dealing with drama not directly related to their babies and we see how these new friends are there for one another for all the ups and downs. It was so touching! I loved all three women and will miss them all. I hope there will be a sequel sometime so we can catch up with them all again.

Sophy, Mel and Aisha all have newborn babies, which bonds them and allows them to lean on one another when things get hard; especially when you are up at 3 am.

This story switches between the three main characters, giving us a first-hand detail of what each is going through. Being a mum I related to this and I was lucky enough to have my own 3am club; with my second.

I found bits of the novel quite raw as it is very real and honest, and I loved how Manning gave us three different backgrounds making each character individual.

This was a great read and one anyone who has had to deal with a newborn can relate to.

I have had 4 babies, so I am very familiar with the themes in the book and was really interested to read it. I have had a range of experiences with my babies but definitely recognise the loneliness and isolation.

The chapters switch between the points of view of the three main characters, Sophy, Aisha and Mel. They all have different personalities and situations (same sex relationship, older mum, self employed, unfulfilled relationship) and throughout the book we learn more about their lives and see their friendships develop and solidify. Their stories are all interesting and I love the way they interweave as the book progresses. The story is well paced and there are moments of tension, humour and joy. The three form such a lovely bond which is threatened at times but stays strong.

I would have loved to have a 3am Shattered Mums Club of my own. When I had my first child I was incredibly isolated in a remote Welsh village. We had no TV, no Internet, no friends with babies and my little boy literally cried all the time (as did I)! Having someone to reach out to is so important in these times. My self esteem was shot to pieces and I had postnatal depression. I wonder how different my experience would have been if I had had someone to text in the middle of the night (or day). I really felt for Aisha who was clearly struggling with her mood following the birth of her twins. She’s the character I identity most with in some ways, mainly because of how she feels and her personality. She had the support of her mum and her new friends but it still took a while for her to admit to her struggles. She’s pretty much always up when the friends have their 3am text exchanges, and I’m not surprised with twins! Lack of sleep has such a huge impact on your mood and I feel sad that the mums didn’t get more support from their partners.

The book exceeded my expectations. There were some interesting themes and the story was rich with warmth and sensitivity. The style with the different povs worked really well and the characters were well formed, realistic, flawed and likeable. It kept me interested throughout and I found myself thinking about the characters when I wasn’t reading. The ending was really satisfying.

The 3am Shattered Mums Club is easy to read and keeps you turning the pages. It has depth and heart and I definitely recommend it whether you’re a mother or not. I am definitely keen to read more from the author.