Author Kristen Bailey says that she “hopes her novels have fresh and funny things to say about modern life, love and family.” Her hope is definitely reality, especially with How Much Wine Will Fix My Broken Heart?. As the title hints at, this book combines humor with grief, and it is done with a perfect dose of both! Oh, how I laughed, and how I wept, while reading this. I was hit with emotion but I enjoyed every sucker punch thrown. I adore the Callaghan sisters and their quirky personalities, and they were able to provide the comfort, shoulders, and sometimes distractions that Grace needed while coping with her loss. I absolutely love the raw dry humor in this book, especially the pokes of fun at fellow school moms, and can relate because I, too, lean towards this when I am stressed, scared, or sad. OK, I admit I resort to wine sometimes, too.

Kristen Bailey is such an amazing author and her talent shines yet again her latest book. I highly recommend it, I bet you will enjoy it as much as I did!

How Much Wine Will Fix My Broken Heart? By Kristen Bailey ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 🍷

Loved loved loved loved loved it 😍 Anyone who's been following me a while will know how much I love these books and the Callaghan sisters.

This is book 4 in the series about the Callaghan sisters and I never thought I would pick a favorite as I ADORE them all but this one definitely is up there. The min I started it and read the Epilogue I was crying (which I would never expect reading Kristen's books 😂) Such a powerful, emotional beginning and I knew from there I wouldn't be able to put it down 😂

This book is based on Grace Callaghan and her two beautiful children she adopted while travelling after her husband Tom passed away from cancer 😞 Grace is a wonderful character. So head strong, real and a wonderful mother. This book is filled with so much emotion... Just when it was getting to the point of tears for me BAM in comes Kristen's wonderful humour....Just at the right time in the right way!! The balance of emotion and humour was done so brilliantly and it must have been so tough with it been such a sensitive topic 😞

I follow Kristen on Instagram months now and I get such a laugh from her page, her stories are so funny of her and her family 😍 this humour comes across in her books so naturally. Some books that are classed as 'humour' I sometimes find forced, cringey and sometimes a bit painful to read 🙈 sorry not sorry!!! Kristen's natural humour shines through in her books and I love it. Definitely someone I'd get drunk with 😂🍷🍺

I can't recommend these books enough! Kristen you are absolutely smashing it with this series, I am thoroughly enjoying them and look forward to Lucy's story so much 😂💃

Thanks so much for allowing me to be part of this book tour and for an ARC of your wonderful book. Keep doing what your doing!!

Thank you to bookouture for my copy of this book via netgalley and for letting me take part in this tour. I absolutely love Kristen's writing and The Callaghan sisters so this book was a must-read for me! This is the 4th book in the series but I feel like you could read them in any order and still enjoy the books just as much.

This story follows Grace and picks up a few years after the previous books in the series. Grace’s husband Tom died from testicular cancer 3 years ago. This book shows us how there is no right way to grieve.

Don’t go thinking this book is all maudlin and depressing though. While there were some sad parts there were also some absolutely hilarious parts. I was probably crying for 70% of this book but they weren’t all sad tears. This book has lots of laugh out loud moments.

In this book we meet so many people whose lives were touched by Tom. He was a special man. He was one of those people that you could only meet once but you wouldn't forget. He had such a zest for life and it was amazing to see how he touched so many people.

I really liked the letters at the beginning of each chapter. It was so lovely to read Grace and Tom’s story through their own words, even when they were at odds you could feel the love coming through.

I absolutely devoured this book. I read 60% of it in one sitting. I just couldn’t tear myself away from Grace, her girls and her sisters. I also loved Linh. She is a real inspiration to us all.

This was an excellent read that I would recommend to anyone who needs a good laugh. I read this after a crappy day and it just lifted my spirits so much. I cannot wait for Lucy’s book. I just know she is going to be so much fun!

This is Grace's story of struggle to get over her husband's death and move on but it's also a messy love story. Their time is too short but their relationship definitely is memorable and heartbreaking. Tom's last letter to Grace at the beginning sets up everything you need to know about them as a couple and what you are about to experience. A beautiful, emotional and not always perfect look at their life and the life she's forced to live without him. Wonderfully sad and hilarious at times, just like life in general. A perfect read to remind us of what we have, what we've had and what's still to come.
I received an advanced copy of this book from Netgalley for my honest opinion.

I have literally just finished this book, and wow she's done it again!

These books have made me feel all the emotions under the sun, I have laughed out loud on so many occasions and also had to wipe my tears away at other points - this series are so beautifully written you just can't put them down!!

All the Callaghan sisters are brilliant, and its such a feel good series of books, I already cant wait for the next one! Although I'm praying you have a plan @kristenbaileywrites because if the next book is the last book in the series I may cry 😂😂

If anyone needs a funny feel good book to read, I 100% recommend these books to everyone!

Also shoutout to @netgalley for the ARC of this book! ❤

How Much Wine Will Fix My Broken Heart? Another great read from Kristen Bailey focusing on the Callaghan sisters. Told around Gracie Callaghan’s life, who was widowed at a young age, bringing up her two children with her sisters always close at hand if needed.

It’s been almost four years since her husband Tom died, the story takes you from letters written both before and after Toms death, reminiscing over both the Good and more challenging times. Due to a memorial service to be held, Gracie gets to catch up with old and new faces, and new insights on Toms previous travels… it’ll take you on a journey of love, loss and the challenges of being a single parent, with lots of humour in the mix.

Whilst it won’t effect your reading of this book if you haven’t read any of the other Callaghan sisters stories, I would definitely recommend them, they are all very different characters. This is one of my favourites so far, and look forward to reading Lucy’s story.

Grace has endured at a young age the most horrible tragedy, the loss of a spouse. Her husband battled cancer and upon his death bed charged her to travel and gain life experiences and she gained that and so much more. Now as a mom to two adopted sisters, Grace has put the pieces together of her life, but is still battling demons. Interspersed with letters between Grace and her late husband, this book was hard to read at moments, but also heartwarming.

Grace was such a fun character to follow on a journey for the length of this book. I loved how she was not perfect and was honest about how even three years later she was still dealing with the effects of grief while also doing her best for her daughters.

This is my first book I have read in the series and I didn't feel as though I was missing anything, but I am definitely lead to go back to the beginning and catch the other stories in this series that focus on each of her other sisters. This was also my first Kristen Bailey book and I enjoyed this one so much that I will partake in her backlist and will look out for more from her.

(The publisher, Bookouture, kindly granted me a digital copy of “How Much Wine Will Fix My Broken Heart?”, via Netgalley, in exchange for my honest review.)

I’ve found it hard in 2021.

Now, for regular readers of Kristen Bailey’s excellent series about the Callaghan girls, this statement probably sounds like something Lucy, the youngest of the five sisters, would giggle wildly at.

But, I’ve not been feeling myself lately. Cue more wicked grins from the sisters. I’ve been discombobulated, out of sorts, unable to take pleasure from my usual activities. Most years I read between thirty-five and fifty books. Not a huge number compared to some folk but it’s certainly more than the single novel I’ve finished so far in 2021. And June is almost over.

So, it was with a combination of great delight and keen trepidation that I greeted the arrival on my Kindle of an advance copy of Ms. Bailey’s latest book. Delight because I have thoroughly enjoyed her previous three books and trepidation because, for many months now, I haven’t been able to focus or concentrate on any story I’ve started. I was worried my current uneasy frame of mind would spoil my enjoyment of an author whose work I have begun to greatly look forward to.

I needn’t have been so anxious.

From the opening pages, I found myself once more in the company of the familiar and much-loved characters that Ms. Bailey brings to life with her crisp, snappy prose and her punchy, witty dialogue. I didn’t know it but it was her tight-knit gang of warm and caring, quirky and funny sisters that I needed to give me a little nudge back to being…well…to being me.

“How Much Wine Will Fix My Broken Heart?”, the fourth in the series,tells the story of recently widowed Grace Callaghan. Grace is learning to live, and love, again without her husband, Tom. The other Callaghan girls are on hand to offer advice – some of it actually quite useful! – and assistance to Grace as she navigates her mourning while raising the two little girls she adopted after Tom’s death.
This is another highly engaging and immensely enjoyable read from a young writer who is growing in confidence and quality with each new book she pens.

I very much enjoyed the brief glimpses into Grace and Tom’s romance that begin each chapter. These little snippets of letters and emails between the young couple really brought them to life as we witness them explore and understand their relationship. For me, this was a tremendously clever technique employed by Ms. B.

While still comic and crude in equal measure, I felt these traits were far subtler and more gentle than in the previous three books. Perhaps it was just my current troubled mind and my daily duo of little pills that lent me that impression? I suspect it has far more to do with Ms. Bailey’s skill in “connecting” fully with her characters and her ability to portray their emotions and to give vivid voice to their feelings.

Maybe, just maybe, the more tempered vibe of this novel is merely the lull before the storm? Because, the next Callaghan book will be about the fifth sister, and my favourite, Lucy.
And we just know that will be one wild, crazy, chaotic ride.

Postscript:

I read “How Much Wine Will Fix My Broken Heart?” in just a few days. And, in the following two weeks, I’ve started – and finished – another two novels.

I’m not much of a wine drinker- I much prefer a pint of Guinness – if I took a small glass of wine, it would likely be Malbec rather than Chardonnay – and I’m currently feeling a little lost rather than suffering from a broken heart (I’m very lucky to have the love of a good woman by my side). But, nonetheless, this book has been a balm to me and has given my spirits a lift when one was desperately needed.

So, thank you, Ms. Bailey, for helping soothe my broken mind.

I really enjoyed this book. The idea that a book revolving around grief and finding solace from a loved one's death has to be chronically sad is thrown out by Kristen Bailey. I found myself laughing out loud at many parts of the book. Bailey's writing style is fun and light-hearted even with a hard topic. It was such a lovely book to read, and one that I was able to devour in two days. How much wine WILL fix a broken heart? I'm not sure- but the love and laughter from Bailey sure helps too.

Where to start with this review… wow!

I have followed the Callaghan sisters through each book in the series. In every book, getting to love them that little bit more, and always supremely jealous that I don’t have a pack of crazy sisters like them!

But this story, Grace’s story, has taken this series to a whole new level. It features all of the laughter and craziness that we’ve come to expect from this family, but it also covers love and loss, and it is all handled in a sensitive manner.

I loved learning more about Tom and all of the marvellous adventures he had. I loved Grace’s strength and resilience when trying to move on from his early death, and I loved learning more about Maya and Cleo.

All in all, while this series is definitely one of my favourites, this book is the best one yet!

Oh, and of course, I had to Google Jason Donervan and was so pleased that it really is a thing - brilliant!

HOW MUCH WINE WILL FIX MY BROKEN HEART? is the fourth installment of the Callhaghan Sisters. While I did not read books 1-3, I had no problems diving into this book.

HMWWFMBH is a heartwarming, raw tale of a young widow, Grace, still trying to grasp life three years after losing her husband, Tom, to testicular cancer. The book shares snippets of letters sent back and forth between the couple whilst Tom left to travel the world after they graduated from university. Before his death, Tom left Grace a travel agenda and plane tickets to follow in his footsteps after his passing. Grace was sent on an adventure, meeting Tom’s friends and walking the same streets he did all of those years ago. And Grace ended the trip with a start of a new adventure - adopting two little girls to take back with her to Britain. Now, Grace has weekly PTA meetings with a Harry Potter-obsessed, mean-girl PTA president and the casual hook-up with one of the recently-divorced dads from her kids’ school. But with an impending memorial for her late husband, Grace’s grief is brought back to the surface and she must confront the loss all over again.

This book did a beautiful, solid job of discussing grief and all the 3D, multifaceted sides to it. I do not know how Kristen Bailey wrote such a masterpiece of a book discussing tough topics like losing a spouse while also pouring out the witty jokes on the page and making me laugh and smile. I know laughing and crying are sometimes one, but I did not expect to feel the two together so many times throughout this read. We experience the different facets of grief in Grace’s story. I think that’s the most beautiful aspect of this book - Bailey did such a great job of expressing how grief is not just one emotion. It is not just sadness, but it also anger, gratefulness, heartache, and even sometimes happiness.

Despite the heavy topic, as mentioned before, this is still a light, fast read. Bailey provides plenty of humor and wit. I will definitely be reading the first three books in this story!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

[As an afterthought, there was one, small part in this book that was medically incorrect - the mistake was a simple sentence but the pathologists’ assistant side of me was screaming. You do NOT biopsy suspected testicular cancers! DO NOT! Thanks for coming to my Ted Talk.]

I’ve loved all Kristen Baileys books about the Callaghan sisters and this was no exception. The Callaghan’s are the type of family we all wish we were apart of. They can be read as stand-alones even with some references to the other books but not in a way you feel you are missing out or being told to much about other storylines. Each book focuses on a different sister and this one is about Grace. This is a little bit different to the others in the series as it pulls at the heart strings so much more. Kristen really portrays Grace’s thoughts and feelings for the reader that you can totally identify with her even if you haven’t experienced it. The pace and flow of the book is on point as always. I love all the characters for all different reasons as they are such a mixed bag. If your looking for a light-hearted, funny, lovable read I can’t recommend this series enough. It’s a firm favourite of mine.

Thanks to Netgalley, Kristen Bailey and Bookouture for the opportunity to read and review this ARC that is out today.

“It’s people,not places, that make every day an adventure”

That’s one of the biggest lessons learned by Grace Callaghan, one of the five sisters who feature in Kristen Bailey’s absolutely brilliant laugh out loud series which I cannot recommend highly enough. How Much Wine Will Fix My Broken Heart is book number four and it’s Grace’s turn to tell the story of her relationship and marriage to Tom Kennedy before death from testicular cancer prized them apart. We catch up with her during her long road to recovery as she manages her grief and slowly learns how to live, laugh, love (and dance!) again, with the help of the rest of the Callaghan clan and a few new faces as well.

With the distant voice of Tom constantly echoing in her ear Grace’s story proves there’s no right or wrong way when it comes to the grieving process. Neither is there a quick fix for mending a broken heart but if part of Tom’s legacy is to force Grace to connect with her more adventurous, fun loving side then it’s mission accomplished. This is a woman who favours spreadsheets and keeping a spare pair of knickers in her handbag over spontaneity but honouring Tom’s memory by embracing his zest for life and spirit for adventure takes Grace out of her comfort zone into a world full of new experiences, new friendships and new beginnings. So out of a tragic loss come immeasurable gains, none more so than in the shape of Grace’s adopted daughters, Vietnamese sisters Cleo and Maya who alongside Callaghan sisters Meg, Emma, Beth and Lucy coax (not always gently!) Grace back into the land of the living.

If you’re looking for some light comic relief then you’ve come to the right place although this novel is definitely more poignant and profound than Bailey’s previous offerings. Kristen Bailey, in m opinion, is a queen of the comic one liner. Still full of the banter, giggles, naughtiness and innuendo that I’ve come to expect from this author’s writing the narrative is punctuated by more genuine words of wisdom relating to sadness, loss and grief but is never maudlin or depressing. I was either howling with laughter or choking back a tear or two. It’s impressive how this author can swiftly switch up the mood within the blink of an eye recognising exactly the right moment to rein in the witty repartee in favour of more serious and heartbreaking dialogue and vice verse. Uplifting too, this novel definitely has all the feels!

Not many characters can live up to the sheer brilliance of the Callaghan sisters in terms of their warmth, humour, bawdiness and risqué, playful hijinks but in this outing there are a few who can give them a run for their money. Kristen Bailey has created her best supporting cast yet with ‘friend with benefits’ Sam, snake at the school gates Callie and Linh, Cleo and Maya’s maternal grandmother who lends gravitas to the proceedings one minute and who is stirring the pot mischievously the next! It seems unfair to single out a favourite character because they all either made me laugh, smile or boo and hiss! However it has to be the children, Cleo, Maya and the whirlwind that is Isaac who triumph in this storyline thanks to their wonderful insights into the world of adults, pulling no punches when it comes to commenting upon the conversations they overhear and/or the situations they inadvertently get caught up in. All three are adorable additions to Grace’s story and capable of melting your heart in a way that only children can. It’s a perfect, hopeful ending to a beautiful, comical and inspiring storyline.

As you can probably tell I’m a Callaghan super fan having read this series from the beginning. I love these sisters without reservation and with only Lucy’s story remaining how will I fill the gap these fabulous, feisty, loyal, loving and game for anything women leave in my life? Has Kristen Bailey left the very best until last with Lucy who is the most absurdly happy, chaotic and unpredictable sister of them all? She’s certainly the instigator of the biggest, loudest laughs in these novels and I can’t wait for her spot in the limelight. I just hope the author doesn’t choose to transform her into a sensible, mature adult! I never want Lucy to ‘grow up’! Obviously it remains to be seen what path Lucy wanders down but on the off chance that the author is looking for future inspiration after book number five dare I suggest a spin off series featuring the younger generation, starting with Cleo and Maya and schoolfriend Isaac?

Don’t delay. Pick up this book today! It doesn’t matter if you’re new to the series or not, time spent in the company of the Callaghan sisters is joyful, hilariously entertaining and an absolute treat. Join the fan club and decide for yourself which sister is YOUR favourite.

My thanks as always to the publisher Bookouture and Netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read in exchange for an honest review.

💔Heartfelt but depressing🙁

3.5🌟 stars
Although her two adopted daughters bring some brightness and hope to Grace Callaghan's story, this novel had little to make me even chuckle, let alone LOL! It's moving but maudlin at times and definitely not a beach read!

Grace lost her husband Tom at a very young age and spent a good deal of the brief time they had trying to carry on a long distance relationship. Poor Tom is dead but as his travels and extreme enthusiasm for new experiences and life were revealed I grew to like him less and less. And I found over-the-top Lucy, Grace's youngest sister, was just downright annoying!

Throughout the story, Grace battles school gate bullies and fights sadness at her husband's untimely death three years earlier. A planned memorial service gathering Tom's acquaintances from around the globe keeps the focus on Tom and what Grace lost. There's real emotional content here but it left me wanting. Wanting what? Well maybe those LOL moments promised on the cover to lighten the grief and regrets Sorry, but the drunken escapades did not tickle my funny bone.🙄

Thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for sharing a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest opinion.

How much wine will fix a broken heart, a very good question if you happen to be Grace Callaghan.
Another instalment of the exploits and escapades of the Callaghan sisters. This story focuses on Grace and continues her story, briefly touched upon in the other books. Although you do not have to have read the previous books to read this one.
Grace is a widow, with 2 adopted children who has built a safe cocoon to protect herself, throughout the book, we see how Grace learns to have fun and live again, especially with the help of her sisters and the situations she finds herself in.
A fun and enjoyable read right from the off, also thought provoking and deep in places. The book is another cracker and a welcome addition to the journey that us, being honorary members of the Callaghan family can enjoy.
Well worth a read and praise for Kristen Bailey for coming up with all these fresh and original ideas.
So its deep, thought provoking, but also fun and with lots of laugh out loud moments, and more importantly more Lucy........
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the ARC of this book.

Review coming soon!! Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book, but my opinions are my own.

After reading the first 3 books, I knew Grace's book will break my heart and sure enough, my heart was broken when reading the prologue. Dont worry though, this book is still full of laughter as expected from the Callaghan sisters. The Callaghan sisters are full of energy and love. Can't wait to read the baby sister Lucy next.

A tear jerking story with lots of funny moments scattered throughout!
After 3 years, a broken hearted, widowed Grace has to learn to have fun again whilst also organising an event bringing back up all of her memories with her husband along with skeltons. This book had me laughing our loud on several occasions and is definitely well worth a read!

Excuse me a moment while a dry my tears… I knew that Grace’s story was gonna make me cry! What I did not know was that not all those tears were gonna be sad ones.

The Callaghan sisters are back and it’s like meeting back old friends. Three years have gone by since we last saw them, Grace is now living in Bristol with her two daughters while still grieving the death of her love, Tom.

Even though it may look like just a sad and heartwrenching story, it is written with so much love, tenderness and humor that even in the gloomiest moments you find yourself with a smile on your face. It shows how there’re several ways to deal with the grief of losing a loved one and how, even though you may feel alone, there’s always someone around to help you carry on. And Grace has a lot of wonderful people around (not you Carrie Cantello!). From her sisters to Lihn, Joyce or Sam, they were all adorable.

Each time I read a book in this series I think “ok, this one is my favorite sister”, and right now Grace is my favorite sister! Those letters at the beginning of each chapter were a total gem. You could see how much they loved each other even when they were apart.

Her dealings with Carrie and the playground mafia were absolutely hilarious, finding myself in stitches more than once, and the perfect balance to the most poignant parts of the story.

How much wine will fix my broken heart? is a touching tale of grief and loss, but most of all, a celebration of life.

Now it’s Lucy’s turn and knowing Lucy (look at me talking about her like she was a real friend) her story promises to be a hoot!

Thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

I have just been introduced to Grace and the Callaghans, why hasn’t this happened before?! I’m so excited to go back and read Kristen Bailey’s previous books, go out and buy this series!
The characters, love, deep emotional connections and brilliant well written storyline kept me hooked!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.