Thank you to the authors, Boldwood Books and NetGalley, for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This is an easy and quick read, told with humor but also including quite heavy topics such as death, divorce, grief, infidelity, and health challenges. The story is told from the POV of one of three close childhood friends who have become estranged in middle age and find back to one another haltingly, but in a very authentic and relatable way. I loved the way female friendship was portrayed here.

Easy summer read. Menopausal women will connect and laugh along. Made me laugh, smile and turn the pages quickly. Funny characters.

Becky, now single with her twin boys at university, reconnects with old friends Laura and Niamh after the death of a friend's mother. They revisit a time capsule from their youth, prompting them to rethink their lives as they approach their late forties. The book is a heartwarming celebration of female friendship, blending humor and emotion as it explores themes of divorce, parenting, aging, loss, and self-discovery. It's a relatable and uplifting story that encourages readers to pursue their dreams, no matter their age, and to cherish the bonds that support them through life's challenges.

Becca Burnside's forties are a far cry from the vibrant dreams of her youth. Single, with weekly shopping trips as the highlight, she can't shake the feeling that life has taken a wrong turn. A chance discovery of a teenage time capsule forces a painful reckoning: the girl she once was had grand plans, while the woman she's become feels stuck. Determined to reclaim her spark, Becca vows to defy the challenges of midlife and prove that there's still plenty of life left in her yet.

The Fecking Fabulous Forties Club is a delightful read! Freya Kennedy has captured the essence of your forties with humour, heart, and honesty. This book is a like warm hug, filled with relatable characters and laugh-out-loud moments. It’s a celebration of friendship, self-discovery, and the power of embracing life's next chapter. Highly recommend!

This book is written with an Irish sense of humour. Becca is in her 40s and single, how did it happen?? The book has a few laughs along the way but also a few bits that are sad. Overall I really enjoyed it.

A quick and enjoyable read, featuring characters navigating the challenges of midlife that resonate with people my age.

Thank you to Boldwood books, Netgalley and Freya Kennedy for a copy of the digital arc of The Fecking Fabulous Forties club. I'm really sorry to say this was the book for me - I DNFed after chapter one - I didn't like Becca from the offset. Her presence in the first chapter didn't endear her and it turned me off sadly. I hope someone else will appreciate and love this book sadly it just wasn't for me.

Loved loved loved this book!

Reminds me of the writing by Milly Johnson with an Irish accent.

Great characters, lots of reflections on growing older, worrying about parents and cute dogs - just what the doctor ordered.

I’ll be sharing my thoughts on the blog tour.

Not quite what I expected, I thought from the title this was going to be a fun story but instead it was a touching story of friendship, loss and aging told from Becca's perspective. Don't get me wrong it was funny at points but there was also a theme of grief running through it and I definitely want a sequel to see what Becca, Niamh and Laura get up to next!

P.S. Feeling judged for my elasticated waist jeans 🤣

My thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book

As a woman of a certain age, I thought this book would be just right for me! We are introduced to Becca Burnside, a woman in her forties, along with her friends Laura and Niamh. They're at that stage in life where their memories are fading, pelvic floors weakening, and everything else beginning to droop. Despite the changes and the onslaught of little worries and insecurities that come with her forties, Becca has her loyal friends, family, and dog. Discovering an old time capsule she created with Laura and Niamh during their teens leads them to ponder the paths not taken.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I found so much to relate to in Becca and her friends! At first glance, the book seems light-hearted, and while it's filled with humour and laughter, it also addresses more serious issues like bereavement and menopause, among others. The storyline flows smoothly, drawing you into Becca's world almost instantly. The flashbacks to their teenage years were particularly delightful, evoking fond memories of my own.

This read was touching and emotional, sure to bring a tear to the eye. It was cleverly written, and I was easily swept up in the story. The theme of friendship was beautifully portrayed, and all the characters were a perfect fit for the story. Ideal for a leisurely afternoon read in the sunshine! Highly recommended.

Absolutely loved this book. . Made me smile, laugh, look back at my teenage years. Bad fashion, music choices and most of all friends.
As we get older the children grow up and our parents age and we fear losing them.
This put it all into words for me. I am not on my own and that's good to realise.
Thanks Freya for this book

This is the first book I've read from Freya Kennedy and I really enjoyed her easy-going writing style. Being in my late 40s I could really relate to a lot of what she was writing. I found it both touching and humorous. I laughed out loud in a few spots. I highly recommend this one and look forward to reading more from this author.

This is not a funny book. Yes, there are a few touches of humour, but overall the tone is sombre. I'm the same age as the main protagonist and I found this book depressing. Not a light-hearted read that's for sure. The tone lightens a little bit towards the end, but really, this book is not standing out from the crowd. With thanks to NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The middle aged woman’s lot is not an easy one by any means, told from the perspective of three childhood friends,Rebecca , Laura and Niamh as they navigate, empty nest syndrome,aging parents, death, divorce, illness, and infidelity to name but a few!
Although somber at times, this book tackles middle age with sensitivity, humour and tact overlaid with the invaluable bonds of female friendship!
A beautiful portrayal of middle age which I’m sure many of us can totally relate too, nice to have a light hearted chuckle as you read.
Thank you NetGalley for this early read

Becca’s life hasn’t worked out how she thought it would she has fallen out for years with one of her best friends but Niamh is still her best friend. Laura’s mum dies and Becca and Niamh bite the bullet and go to the wake the girls fall into a friendship again but the elephant is in the room.
Follow the older Derry girls on a journey of understanding each other and finding themselves.
Great book well written loved it

I was drawn to this book because of the title.

The main protagonist is a few years older than me but it was really interesting to see the perspective of a middle aged woman who has some depth!

The use of the fourth wall was great.

It was like being hugged and the depth of characterisation was strong.

It wasn’t quite what I expected, as I had expecting something very lighthearted and it covers some darker themes and challenges. This was not an issue for me and if anything elevated the narrative but something for other readers to be aware of.

The other element I was less keen on was the final chapter (no spoilers) and there were some too tidy resolutions throughout.

Overall, an interesting and different book with a strong female lead, cute dog and an exploration of different types of relationships at various life stages.

Thanks to the publisher and net gallery for a copy for my honest review.

In this heartwarming and relatable tale, Becca Burnside finds herself single in her forties, her weekends dominated by grocery trips with her mom and companionship from her dog. When she discovers a time capsule from her teenage years, filled with the dreams and aspirations of her younger self, she realises it's time for a change. Determined to overcome her midlife struggles and reignite her passions, Becca sets out to prove that there's still plenty of life left in her. This charming story captures the essence of self-discovery, resilience, and the quest to fulfil long-forgotten dreams.

This was brilliant!! Hilarious and all too relatable! It had me in tears and I’ll definitely be recommending it! Thanks so much to NetGalley for my ARC

As someone from Northern Ireland I love Rom coms and lighter fiction set there rather than historical fiction or literary fiction. It’s refreshing to see stories about the every day.

I am only 29 but I loved this book. The characters were funny and loveable and the language wasn’t to Northern Irish that people from other countries wouldn’t understand.

I love the way it dealt with difficult topics like grief and heartache but also had so much humour. (Plus it made me have a whole new appreciation for my mum)

If you’re looking for a light summer read to boost your mood this is it

Becca Burnside isn’t sure where it all went wrong. How did she end up single in her forties, with the highlight of her weekend being a trip to Big Asda with her mum and the only chance of cuddles coming from her dog?

This description alone called to me!

I love the friendships in this book, I need to read more of their antics and fun times.