But the well-structured story of Nell’s journey into light develops like her podcast, building organically, not forced, as she navigates her gloominess. After deriding trite hashtags and motivational messages, she ends up writing a slew of her own. At the end of each chapter, listing things for which she’s grateful, many are quotable enough for social media posts. (Also, the clever easy-to-miss footnotes are like tiny secret prizes.) Unwittingly, Nell seems to stumble from one incident to another. Grounded in familiar everyday family and work situations, these situations remain plausible despite being a work of fiction. Nell is also utterly relatable as the continual survivor and you can't help but cheer her on. My other favourite character is, of course, the gorgeous Arthur. I can’t resist a slightly mischievous, four footed ball of fluff. The thing is, no matter how settled you think you are, life always has alternative plans, and Nell's life is no different. Single - nearly 29 and single, and I'm still being asked "when are you going to find a man and settle down?

In this book the pair decide not just to help each other but through their column in a newspaper magazine they’re sharing their experience, humour and common sense with the world in general. I’ll leave you to find out if they both get their happy ever after.. I've said it before that I'm not overly fond of books that talk about the pandemic, as I want escapism, I don't want to read about something I lived through. But Alexandra has found a balance here. She's mentioned it - as anyone would if their book is set during that time - but it's not a main plot point. It helps give context to a few things, but the story would equally be as great without it. First of all, thank you NetGalley, Pan Macmillan, and Alexandra Potter for allowing me access to this e-ARC! Because Nell is determined. Next year things are going to be very different. It’s time to turn her life around. I highly recommend this book, it is for every one of us, for the ‘outcasts’ like me (childfree by choice, gasp!) who try to walk life through a different path than one that is deemed acceptable, or for someone like you who may have achieved the so-called ‘milestones’ in life, is considered a ‘success’ by society but like Nell’s friends in the book may feel like a f-up nonetheless.A funny and heartfelt novel for any woman who wonders how the hell she got here and why life isn't quite how she imagined it was going to be. I’ve had that title in my head since my late thirties,” says author Alexandra Potter, “when I used to moan to my friends, ‘Oh God, I’m going to be a forty-something f--- up.’ So I really fought for it!” For me, and I think so many women, there was this expectation that I would have my life sorted by the time I reached 40,” says Potter, 50. “We have to marry, have kids, get the yoga body and the great career. And my girlfriends and I really experienced that pressure through our thirties, when we were made to feel time was running out – that we weren’t allowed to be a mess by the time we hit the big 40.” I have read all of Alexandra Potter's wonderful novels and not one of them has disappointed. Her writing style is casual, flirty, accessible... her books are an absolute joy to read, delving into the characters' thoughts and feelings in a way that not only has the reader relating to them, but fully empathising with them. The story of Nell Stevens’ struggle through her imperfect, messy life doesn’t just make brilliant fiction, it’s turning into a cultural revolution!' – Matt Cain

I really loved this catch up with the characters. I leave them at the end of this book wishing them well, and wondering if we will get another peek into their lives again in a few years, I hope so. A novel for any woman who wonders how the hell she got here, and why life isn't quite how she imagined it was going to be. And who is desperately trying to figure it all out when everyone around them is making gluten-free brownies.But then something happened that no one expected, turning the world upside down in a way no one could have ever imagined. Eighteen months on, life is finally returning to normal! But what is normal anymore? Nell is our forty-something protagonist, she represents so many women, in our different ways. She is intimidated by the yummy mummy brigade, she isn’t proficient at yoga, hates air-kissing and high heels. These character traits tell me she is definitely one of my tribe. The story of Nell Stevens’ struggle through her imperfect, messy life doesn’t just make brilliant fiction, it’s turning into a cultural revolution!' Matt Cain Living in London, Nell is content with her life. She enjoys her job writing obituaries, has a strong circle of friends (including the ultimate frenemy). Yet people, especially her parents are worried that she hasn't married, had children, is not successful. Nell is apparently a "Forty-Something F**k Up".

At its heart, it is a love story, but it has many layers. There's romantic love for current partners, past partners, and lost partners, love for your friends, love for your children, love for strangers, and love for yourself. Three woman who join together to rent a large space along the beach in Los Angeles for their stores—a gift shop, a bakery, and a bookstore—become fast friends as they each experience the highs, and lows, of love. More Confessions of a Forty-Something F**k Up" by Alexandra Potter is an absolute gem that had me hooked from the very beginning. Having thoroughly enjoyed the first installment, I was eager to dive into Nell's world once again, and I can confidently say that this sequel did not disappoint. Potter's portrayal of Nell, a never-married, childless, forty-something podcaster and obituary writer, is both hilarious and relatable. Mothers & Childless Daughters – a very hot topic for our next free Fireside Wisdom with Childless Elderwomen webinarI will continue to read Alexandra Potter’s books, as from the 3 books I’ve read so far by her, I thinks she does a great job at capturing the trials and tribulations of women in their 40’s. All of these pressures and stigmas – aren’t many of them propagated not by men but women, though? “Women do have a competitive streak, but I think that’s in life generally, and on the contrary I have always found them to be very supportive of one another.” May 9, 2023 ] ‘Calm After the Storm’ and other treasures to support your childless heart on Mother’s Day

Synopsis (It's a fiction book, so it helps…from Netgalley, the provider of the book for me to review.) My bookclub friends will appreciate this one. ——‘When did I stop buying expensive lingerie and start buying expensive hoovers? Worst still when did I start getting excited about my new hoover?’ Join her for more laugh-out-loud lessons to be learned,truths to be told, adventures to go on and joys to discover. In this hilarious, un-put-downable follow-up to the bestselling Confessions of a Forty-Something F ## k Up , now the basis for the major TV series, Not Dead Yet , there are laugh-out-loud lessons to be learned, truths to be told, adventures to go on and joys to discover.Told in a diary style format by Nell (first person) be prepared to embrace what everyday life throws at you and how you deal with it . . . . . family,friends,laughter,sadness,gratitude. FREE: REGISTER NOW] Gateway Women Masterclass: ‘Reclaiming Your Childless Festive Season!’– Sat 8th December, 7pm UK (and recorded)