Member Reviews
If you have ever had, taken care of or been around a newborn baby, you will love and understand Mummy Needs Help! The sleepless nights, the clothes worn and slept in for days, the thrill of a chance to take a shower or sit through an uninterrupted meal! And the longing for the time before, when you could have a conversation with your partner about something, anything not baby related.
The story is told in the alternating voices of Renee, an event planner, and her partner Nick, a personal trainer who owns a gym. In typical new mummy fashion, Renee quickly becomes obsessed with baby Holly and everything - breathing, napping, feeding, pooping - becomes a cause for concern. She relies more and more on her mother’s group and while fighting postpartum depression. Meanwhile Nick feels ignored and unable to help. Both new parents turn to others for support and must struggle to find their way back to each other.
Bolstered by a compelling group of supporting characters, Mummy Needs Help is a fun, quick, enjoyable read. A perfect gift fo new mothers everywhere - just add a card for free babysitting to the package. 5 stars.
Thanks to NetGalley, HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter and Susan Edmunds for this ARC.
My thoughts: I will start by saying that as someone who doesn’t have children, I’m not sure I was the target audience for this book, however that being said I still thoroughly enjoyed it I just couldn’t ‘relate’ to the story in the way that parents would be able to. I will say though as I was reading it all I could think was “I have all this to look forward to at some point in the future”
The story’s told from two different perspectives and follows Renee and Nick who have just become parents for the first time & couldn’t have been more excited, they soon learn that it’s nowhere near what they expected it to be & it’s left them feeling separate and like they’re living their own lives.
Renee is going everything for the baby, not letting Nick so anything because she feels it’s her job as the mum which leaves Nick feeling like he’s not wanted/needed. He finds solace and comfort in talking to his work colleagues about how he’s feeling instead of Renee
Nick goes out to work to provide for his family, which leaves Renee feeling like her and her daughter aren’t important too him. She finds comfort and support in a Facebook page for parents that she helps admin instead of talking to her husband.
The whole story is just a load of crossed wires and miscommunication between the two of them and it was brilliant! It had me feeling a whole array of emotions it made me laugh, it made me cringe, it made me shout “why would you do that?!” out loud and some of the silly things the characters did. Some parts even made me sad!
I won’t say much more because I don’t want to give any of the story away! but if this appeals to you please, please go and pick it up!
🐧❤️
Yes, yes Mummy does need help! Rene is swamped in being a new mom and Nick is, well, not. Edmunds has done a good job of taking Rene through the months and ups and downs of infancy, all the while keeping a sense of humor. You will recognize much of this, as well as much of what Nick, regrettably does and does not do but that's ok. These are good characters (even Holly the baby feels just right) and the storytelling is on point. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. A quick, light read that will have you either reminiscing or learning for the future!
A lighthearted read that gives some insight into the life of a new mum. Some parts were funny, and some just seemed overdone (the affair angles). The characters are likeable enough. Overall, an okay/average read.
An entertaining and fun read that made me laugh and root for the characters.
It's engrossing, the characters are well thought and the plot flows.
A good read, recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.
Renee is a new mother, together with her partner Nick, and the story relates the struggles that they have adjusting to a new life as parents. Renee becomes very involved in an Internet mother and toddler group whilst Nick is struggling to keep his gym afloat. The stress and strains of their new responsibilities put their relationship at risk, with both of them being tempted by someone else.
This certainly took me back 30 years to when our daughter was born, although I don't remember it being quite so fraught for us. It was interesting reading from both the mother's and father's perspective, the latter of which I obviously can more closely relate to, and it did make me realise what my wife was going through at that time.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for the opportunity of reading an advance copy of this book, however this did not influence my review.
This was actually quit enjoyable. A rather quick read with a great storyline. It was different to my usual reads. Great job by this author.
As a new mother, I read this book through night feeds. Mummy Needs Help takes the reader through the first year of parenthood from the perspective of both the mother and the father. It captured brilliantly the first few weeks and what a rollercoaster it is. A reassuring read.
Lighthearted funny easy read about the trials and tribulations of early parenthood!
A must read book for all new parents!
Highlighting sleep deprivation, multitasking,post natal depression and breast feeding very relatable and realistic! Renee and nick are struggling after the birth of their baby daughter holly and this book shows month by month how real the struggle is especially when your relationship is put under the extreme stress of new parenthood!
Thank you net galley for this early read.
This book was so good. I didn't to put it down! The characters were well rounded, and the storyline sucked you into it and made you feel like you were really there. The author did an great job telling this story.
Brilliant, bloody brilliant! Holly and Nick are a lovely couple who go through the rollercoaster of life with a newborn. EVERYONE should read this!! There were times when I wanted to poke Nick’s eyeballs out, and times when I wanted to give Holly a hug and reassure her that it does get better. Definitely one for those who love Gill Simms! 5 fat humongous stars!!
Funny and easy to relate to at time but then disappointing at others. Do both characters really need to be tempted into having an affair? Does Renee really need to invite all and sundry into their tiny flat leaving her husband to constantly have to sleep on an air mattress in the living room? Very odd at times.
A story or everyone who has lived through the experience of having a newborn.No sleep barely time to shower brush your teeth let alone pay attention to your husband or he to you.
This book captures those days exactly so well written so real a book I was completely drawn into. A true to life absorbing read Highly recommend.#netgalley#harpersuk
I really enjoyed this book. The layout was easy to follow and the characters likeable. The main character, Renee, is your typical every day mum and this book goes through the ups and downs of being so.