An unexpected friendship blooms between Alice, Mavis, and Gabs thanks to a church group. I thought this might be judge-y (especially wrt Gabs) but it's not- its really about three women who struggle with love in different forms (a child, a mother, an unavailable man). Nicely done.

Readers are introduced to a trio of women who challenge societal expectations and the confines of the Catholic Church. Alice, Mavis, and Gabs navigate their complicated lives, each facing personal struggles and unconventional choices.

This novel dives into themes of motherhood, relationships, and the pursuit of love and happiness, all while challenging the notion of religious orthodoxy. The characters are flawed, relatable, and brought to life through their distinct stories.

As the women form an unexpected bond, their journeys of self-discovery and reevaluation become the heart of the story. The author skillfully explores the complexities of faith, morality, and societal pressures, leaving readers questioning what it truly means to find fulfillment and purpose in life.
It is a thought-provoking and entertaining read that will captivate those looking for a tale that challenges norms and celebrates the power of friendship and self-acceptance.

The premise of the book is great and the author really delivers. Great read. Highly recommended. .

Three women all of different classes form a great friendship through a self help group . Each woman has their problems and their quirks . Alice is trying to keep her teenage son on the straight and narrow while her ex is just a big kid . Mavis well she has her hands full with her elderly mother and tries juggling her long term with a father of two . And then there is Gabs, she is in love with someone that she knows she can't have . oh and did i say that she is a high class call girl . All three women strike up a great friend ship and play havoc on the church group .
These characters are very well written and complex . Each woman has their problems but when they are together they come out well . Alice is sweet but also really frazzled single mom , who is trying to keep it all together . Gabs is hilarious character , she is sassy feisty and such a fun read . I love her so much. Mavis is the rock that holds them together is some ways . She is strong but also weak in ways that will have you loving her .
This is a unique book , I sat down and started reading and was sucked in by the second chapter; each character is charming and they all have some past that interacts with each other . I love that they turn a church group on its head . The author takes us on an emotional fun filled ride through the trials and tribulations of these three women . You will love them and also want to hit them upside the head a few times with some of the stuff they do . I did find a few spots a little boring but it didn't take away from the story line at all .. This would be a great book for any book group and for you summer reading list . Check it out .

This book was awful! It glorifies cheating and awful relationships. I realize these girls were a support system for each other but it took too long for the book to get better.

The book is funny, light-hearted and very enjoyable. It made me laugh and it made me sad. I love the way Garrood writes about ordinary lives and relationships. Frances Garrood...please write a sequel!!

Three different women. Three different affairs. One Basic Theology Course for Fallen Women that brings them all together.This is a wildly funny read, mostly stemming from the deliciously absurd plot.

three different women, three different lives, and crossed paths. I absolutely enjoyed this book. I loved seeing how the characters paths crossed and how decisions made altered the lives of one another. It was interesting how I felt connected to these women in completely different ways even though sometimes I found their decisions frustrating

Three women who are stranger's have unconventional lifestyles, they are brought together at a group organised by their Catholic church.
Will the group work?
Can these different characters forge good relationships?
I really enjoyed getting to know these ladies and I hope there's a second book!

A fun, quick and witty read featuring 3 women behaving badly (well in the eyes of the church!). They join a group within the church that tries to get them to change their ways, however they then branch off to have their own get togethers (with wine!), joined by Mavis' elderly mother Maudie. The addition of Maudie was so sweet and fun. The men in this were all spineless little weasels but i really enjoyed how the ladies found a true friendship together despite their massive differences in life and experience.

Thank you to the publisher for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was the strangest book! The plot, three woman with sexual problems! Wasn't what I thought! Thank you netgalley for the free arc in exchange for an honest review!

This book was not as good as her previous titles.
The storyline just did not appeal to me and I found it a very tedious read

I received Women Behaving Badly by Frances Garrood as an ARC from Netgalley. This book is about 3 very different women who are placed in a support group for people with sexual problems. It is interesting to me that even though the women are very different they become close friends over the course of the year and provide support for each other. I thought it was a fun and enjoyable read.

Three very different women form an unlikely bond when they meet at a support group run by the local priest. Brought together by their common interest, extramarital affairs, which is deeply frowned upon, by the Catholic church, Mavis Alice & Gabs continue to meet outside the 'support' group.
Alice is a single mother to Finn. Finns Dad Trot is more of a thorn in her side than a support and then there's Jay. Jay is the love of her life. Jay also happens to be married.
Mavis comes across as the most vulnerable of the three women. Her days are spent juggling work and caring for her elderly Mother Maudie, who happens to be a wonderful character in my opinion. Her boss Mr. Strong is less than sympathetic to Mavis' situation despite her loyalty to him. Clifford, her hypochondriac lover, is even less so. Self-absorbed Clifford and his constant complaints are fast losing appeal for harrassed Mavis.
Then we have Gabs, who cares for the elderly. She also happens to be a high-class escort, is fast losing patience with her sister Steph and has fallen for the wrong man.
I really enjoyed Women Behaving Badly. It was so lovely to see the unlikely bond form between these three women who emerged wonderfully strong and taking control.

The stories of three women bought together by the ‘Basic Theology Group’. All from different backgrounds with different experiences bought together by a commonality.

I liked the book. I just didn’t love it. I found it slow going up until the last third. The shining star throughout is the character of Maudie. The characters Alice and Mavis start to grate after a while. Not quite as light hearted as I hoped but is entertaining.

Thanks Netgalley and the Publisher. Perfect summer read about 3 different women and 3 different affairs and extremely funny read.

This novel centers around three women engaged in three affairs. They join a church group to her change themselves. When the group splits, these three women stay in touch. The book takes you through the unfolding of these affairs and the aftermath.

Gabs, Alice and Mavis are the three women and they are rather different.

Gabs is a part-time adult care worker and a part time prostitute. She's also in love with a priest at the church where the support group is.

Mavis is a store clerk, sleeping with a married doctor, wondering if she's wasted her life on him.

Alice is a writer that has a son that is a result of a one night stand that has suddenly started trying to be in the picture. She is also conducting an affair with a married man who has a few imagined illnesses.

All in all it was a good book, and while I feel like it was a bit much, it was very well put together and this author is definitely someone I'd read another book by.

A first for me by this author but highly entertaining in a tongue-in-cheek kind of way.

3 very different women... A support group... and Friendship!

The story of three very different women told over a years timeline. The people in their life and how the relationships change over time. Interesting and thought provoking regarding the changes and choices they make.
Gabs, Alice, and Mavis become invested in each of their journeys.
I connected with each of the ladies in different ways.
It was amazing to see how these three women changed the lives of one another.

An enjoyable read!

Three different women. Three different affairs. One Basic Theology Course for Fallen Women that brings them all together.

This is a wildly funny read, mostly stemming from the deliciously absurd plot. While each of the three women (Mavis, Alice, and Gabs) join a church group to change their adulterous ways, none of them can seem to kick the habit. Though the official group has disbanded, these three agree to continue having private meetings. Rather than guilt each other, they slowly form a close bond of support, even when it leads to some unsavory behavior.

Author Frances Garrood has managed to make the ‘other woman’ the sympathetic character, and most of this stems from her detached focus on the affairs. Though Gabs runs a successful escort business, there’s no real depiction of how this affects her clients’ lives. Similarly, Mavis and Alice have been in long-term relationships, but their wives, though mentioned, aren’t integral to the story. It would have been so easy for readers to dislike these characters, but their stories are weaved to make them utterly sympathetic … For the most part. I’m not completely sure how I feel about a section with Gabs and a priest.

And there were a few times I came close to being frustrated by a few of the characters’ choices—mostly inaction. Mavis’ other half is totally unlikable, and I wanted her to dump him within the first chapter he appears. However, Garrood has this wonderful sense of character, and their decisions always feel realistic to their personalities.

A funny enjoyable read. This is an easy read which made me laugh a lot. This is a self help group that help each other and become friends. A fun holiday read.

Thank you to Netgalley for my copy.