You’d think this is a romance novel, but it’s really not (you won’t even meet the guy again until after a dozen of chapters!). And I love that the pregnancy scare isn’t the whole plot. This wasn’t the kind of book where a lot happens all at once. It’s more character-driven than plot-driven, and I found myself more invested in the family dynamics than in where the story was headed.

It explored grief, religion, family expectations, and the impossible choices women are often expected to make, especially in the 1980s.

It became a little slow-paced in the middle, but it got back on track after a while. Overall, I enjoyed this book. I forgot how much I enjoyed ARCs in Netgalley!

When is a romance book not a romance book? When the book is actually a story of life, and living in 1986, in Manchester, UK, as a solicitor trainee.


Clodagh has just lost her mother. Her boyfriend has dumped her, and her father has thrown out all her things, and is in the process of throwing out her mother’s things, so he can move his girlfriend in. Things are not going well. So no surprise that she gets drunk at a business party and walks out the door with a hot guy.


Then discovers that she has gotten pregnant by the one-night-stand.


Now in typical romance novels, she would have the baby, and marry the man, who is probably rich on top of that.


But this novel is about dealing with pregnancy in a world where you don’t automatically get maternity leave (which was not around in 1986), and you have to figure out how to hide your pregnancy, as nice single girls don’t get knocked up.


There are a whole cast of characters that help her along, from the head of the taxi service, to the nun who used to be her maths teacher, to the elderly couple who live in her building. All of them make a safety net for her.


Very enjoyable story, that I wanted to keep reading for the way it treated the romance.


Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review. This book is being published on the 28th of August 2026.

This was such a fun and engaging read. I love the storyline because it was just real to life like something that you would’ve just been going through yourself. It was a great story and it was fun too at the same time so it kept you interested and you just wanted to see you through thank you.

I read the blurb and knew I had to be in on this book and I’m so glad I was right. I was hooked from the first sentence. I love when an author knows the perfect length for each chapter, the ideal amount of information to include and the right amount of characters to steal the hearts of readers. I loved Clodagh the moment she was introduced and she remained my favourite throughout. At some points I did feel a bit confused about new characters being introduced but the plot and the length of this story was perfect for an easy summer read.

This is a sweet love story much more about found family and creating your village than it is about romance. I love stories about intergenerational friendships! The book's biggest issue was its pacing; it felt at times like a conflict was introduced and resolved all within just a few pages. Some of the novel's biggest moments felt like they happened so suddenly and without the buildup that would have given them more impact. The author is clearly skilled at creating characters you care about, I think there were just a few too many characters and side plot points here, and more time could have been dedicated to the buildup of the novel's big moments. Overall, an admirable first novel from this debut author (and I always enjoy a book with Irish roots!) Thanks to NetGalley for my review copy!

Family Matters was an enjoyable book. Set in 1980s Manchester, England it is the story of Clodsgh, a solicitor trainee dealing with the repercussions of a one night stand. As luck has it the one nigh stand is with her boss’s son and results in an unplanned pregnancy. The plot was pretty much as I expected. It is a story of found family, working woman bias and love. I liked the book, it met my expectations but I did not love it. Too predictable?

Set in Manchester in the 80’s this is a heartwarming read.
Clodagh is a trainee solicitor and her life’s falling apart her mother’s dead her boyfriend has jilted her and her feckless father is marrying again. She has a one night stand and finds herself pregnant which rears her strict catholic upbringing to the fore. Clodagh must de ice on motherhood or her career and when her one night stand returns as her boss she need all the help she can get.
Loved this book