Overall it weaves love, family, romance and friendship with a heartwarming deftness that makes the book almost unputdownable. I could have easily devoured it in one sitting but had to settle for three, even taking my kindle with me to supervise my lunchtime duty! She's quit more jobs and relationships than she can remember, and she still sleeps in her childhood bedroom. It's not that she hasn't tried to grow up, it's just that so far, the only commitment she's held down is Friday drinks at the village pub.

I hope readers will find it to be an uplifting tale of love and loss and the power of hope to brighten even the darkest days. This is emotive and thought-provoking and one of the best things I've read for ages. If you're a parent it'll also make you think about your will if it's been a while since you sorted it. There was also a mysterious theme throughout that I enjoyed because it added a unique flair to the story✨ In fact, there was a lot of light in this novel. From love interest Jory (who you can’t help falling in love with) to dear friend Arthur (the bow tie scene squeezed my heart), Turner has cleverly blended the every day with the extraordinary, and sadness with joy to make an uplifting and tender read. It is a story about digging deep for strength you never knew you had, and finding magic in the little things that were there all along. It’s difficult to leave a review about this story that will do it justice, it was simply excellent.A moving and beautifully-told tale of parenthood but not as you know it. I just loved it.' Gillian McAllister, author of THAT NIGHT I work three days a week out of a co-working space in Exeter and I absolutely love it. Walking to and from work and having that separation between work and home has hugely benefited both my mental health and writing productivity. My co-workers are great company too (and often, there are biscuits!). Degene die mij al een tijdje volgen weten dat ik altijd bezwijk voor realistische romans die je naar het hart grijpen. Vallen en opstaan mocht dan zeker ook niet aan mij voorbijgaan. Beth is best een personage waar je dingen van jezelf in zou kunnen herkennen. Ze is nog heel erg zoekende over wat ze nu precies wilt in het leven en hoe ze het beste in zichzelf naar boven kan halen. Aangezien ze er zelf niet aan uit raakt helpt het noodlot haar een handje, van dag op dag, van iemand zonder verantwoordelijkheden naar een voogd met 2 jonge kinderen onder haar vleugels + een huishouden & een nieuwe baan. Haar vlucht mechanisme is hier geen optie, maar vechten voor alles wat er nog te redden valt.

Stepping Up is the debut novel by Sarah Turner, known for her blog The Unmumsy Mum and her best-selling non-fiction books, The Unmumsy Mum, The Unmumsy Mum Diary and The Unmumsy Mum A-Z. Thanks to Sarah’s publisher, we are incredibly excited to review this early proof edition. Out in March 2022, this feel-good read is sure to be a hit. Commercial, uplifting and women’s fiction fans, read on… She's quit more jobs and relationships than she can remember and she still sleeps in her childhood bedroom. It's not that she hasn't tried to grow up, it's just that so far, the only commitment she's held down is Friday drinks at the village pub.Stop EVERYTHING and read this! Funny, tender and beautifully observed. Loved, loved, LOVED it!' Cathy Bramley, author of THE LEMON TREE CAFE With her trademark wit and natural flair for a story, Sarah Turner has proved to her thousands of followers (and herself) that she absolutely belongs in the commercial fiction world. I cannot wait to see her novel-writing career unfold.

What a fantastic read - it had me in tears! This book grabbed me by the heartstrings and didn't let go! It has it all - warmth, humour and brilliant observations on love, life and loss. An emotional rollercoaster of a read and one that is well worth taking! Sarah Pearse, author of THE SANATORIUM A moving and beautifully-told tale of parenthood but not as you know it. I just loved it.' Gillian McAllister Beth is the perfect protagonist – strong, lovable, frustrating and perfectly flawed. As a reader, it’s clear she needs to go through a rite of passage – and you soon experience her pain along this journey. I felt deeply for Beth dealing with her family tragedy and during the daily mishaps, which often followed with sarcastic mutterings from her mother or Beth’s inner critic. Here I should mention the flipside to these moments – like many parenting stories; there were moments of hilarity, such as the sharply observed description of a modern children’s party.I couldn’t help but feel for Beth, she was completely in over her head but the determination and loyalty she showed spoke volumes for her character. Whilst I could see how certain aspects were going to play out it was the reactions that I enjoyed the most. I really struggled after my first son was born. I felt as though everyone around me was sailing through motherhood and, if I’m honest, I had started to wonder whether I was cut out for the job. It was a spur of the moment decision on a Friday evening to start writing those thoughts down and though I had no idea at the time, that decision completely changed my life. Each time I wrote a blog post I felt a bit lighter which inspired me to keep writing and eventually those posts became the foundation of my first book. As a parent, it was difficult to read about Ted and Polly as they grieved for their parents, and I struggled in some parts to carry on. (I would definitely recommend a box of tissues) Wow. What a read. This isn’t usually my go to genre. However, it is the sort of movie/tv show I would watch, so I was ecstatic to be given the chance to read this, and I loved it! Life is full of unexpected challenges but Beth has always avoided anything resembling responsibility. That is until the unthinkable happens. Emmy, Beth's sister and her husband Doug have been in a tragic car accident and it's time for Beth to step up. Overnight Beth becomes guardian for her teenage niece and toddler nephew and her own mother is hellbent on reminding her of her own shortcomings. Is this a step too far for notoriously flighty Beth? After all, up until now the only commitment she's ever held down is Friday drinks at the village pub.

Do you go into a book completely blind? I follow Sarah Turner aka The Unmumsy mum on the socials and have followed her journey as a mother. Agreeing and championing what she reveals and says. So when I saw that she had written a novel, a work of fiction I knew I wanted to read it but also I had my preconceived ideas. I thought the book would be predictable, light and fluffy and a rom com. Why? I don't know why? I was completely wrong 💕 An incredible debut novel, warm, uplifting and full of so much love. I couldn’t put it down. The pacing was perfect. I feel like everyone needs to read this! It’s definitely one of those books that will stay with me for a long long time.

What a fantastic read - it had me in tears! This book grabbed me by the heartstrings and didn't let go! It has it all - warmth, humour and brilliant observations on love, life and loss. An emotional rollercoaster of a read and one that is well worth taking! * Sarah Pearse, author of THE SANATORIUM * I found this book to be emotional, I cried (a lot). I found it to be completely heart warming. The "journey" that Beth goes on despite there being a undercurrent of emotion and sadness, there is still some joy and laughter to be had. Turner has mixed in the humour into this story effortlessly without detracting from the foundation of the story. Until a tragedy forces her to stop quitting. Emmy, Beth's older sister, and her husband Doug are involved in a car accident that is fatal for one and leaves the other in a coma.