Rachel is a busy working mum with a two-and-a-half-year-old son, and another baby on the way. Life is frantic, so Rachel when discovers her husband is having an affair with an interior designer (who has her own TV show!) – she is not just shocked by his massive betrayal – but she is surprised he has found the time to have an affair, when she has been busy bringing up their family. Rachel’s life changes very quickly at this point when her husband decides to leave her for the interior designer. At eight-months pregnant, Rachel has no choice but to move back in with her parents and her flaky sister and wait to have her baby on her own.
From here we follow Rachel’s struggles and all the difficulties of being a solo mum of a new born and a toddler. This is where the novel shines, it really does celebrate how funny little children can be, and the humour that can be found in many situations with littlies in tow. Rachel is a quirky, hopeful character, despite the dire situation she finds herself in. Her ex-husband is truly awful, but someone you can enjoy actively disliking.
Romance could be on the cards when Rachel strikes up a friendship with the handsome, single widow from next door – although how this will work out when she has her children with her, and porridge in her hair, is anyone’s guess.
Mummy Needs a Break is the perfect escapist read for busy mums when they have some downtime, there is much here they will relate to.
Reviewer: Karen McMillan
HarperCollins