The Mother of All Problems

I have never read a book by Nancy Peach before but I really enjoyed it and was hooked from the first page.

The story focuses on Penny and her family while she cares for her mother who has Alzheimer’s. The book has many funny moments but is also heart breaking and bitter sweet and I really felt for Penny. I also related with lots of it having 3 children of the same ages as her and really emphasised with her and some of her struggles.

I loved the details about school mums which was definitely true and very funny and I cannot wait for the sequel.

Thanks to NetGalley, Nancy Peach and Hera Books for an advanced copy in exchange for an unbiased and honest review.

I could not find this book on goodread but will keep checking and add a review when available.

Penny Baker is holding her own. The only stay ay home mom in an upscale neighborhood, she’s always volunteering to help out others. Meanwhile, in her increasingly messy house, she deals with an unhelpful, absentee husband and three mouthy, ungrateful children. Oh, and an incontinent but loving dog. Her shaky house of cards is always about to tumble down and tumble down it does when her father falls, breaks his hip and then has a stroke while in the hospital. He’s the sole caregiver for her mother Mary who has early onset dementia. So Grandma Mary comes home to live with Penny until her father is well again. This final change will force Penny to make different choices in her own life.

At first, The Mother of all Problems seems to be another fluffy put-upon mom story with the usual snarky humor. It is not. Penny’s journey to carve a life from chaos makes this novel both tragic and compulsively readable. When Penny finds Singing for the Brain, a local dementia choir, and involves her mother and children in production, changes start to happen. The Mother of all Problems will quickly draw you in. You’ll cheer for Penny and the ragtag group of singers and their final concert will bring tears to your eyes! 5 stars.

Thank you to NetGalley, Hera Books and Nancy Peach for this ARC.

Oh my goodness, what a hectic, chaotic life Penny leads. From the very beginning i was exhausted just hearing about her daily antics. Absolutely hilarious and heartwarming all at the same time. Your heart really does go out to her what with everything she has thrown at her on a daily basis. I am sure that all mothers will completely relate to Penny’s lifestyle bringing up 3 kids and elderly parents. Such a loveable character, always putting others before herself, so admirable and selfless. Thank goodness she had her choir practice and good friends to rely upon. Beautifully written story, will definitely be reading more by this author.

Thanks to Hera Books and NetGalley for allowing me an advanced copy to read in exchange for my open and honest review. As always, my reviews will also be posted on Amazon, Goodreads and Waterstones and interaction on Facebook and instagram where possible.

As a mom in a tough world, this was super relatable and enjoyable. Sometimes just knowing you're not alone is enough to get you through a tough time. For moms everywhere!

This book made me cry happy tears in the final stages! Penny is a regular mum of three; coping as best she can with everyday life. Her mum has dementia; but she’s well cared for by her dad….until her dad breaks his hip and then has a stroke. Mum moves in with Penny and her family. It’s mayhem, but she’s coping. Husband Sam is struggling a bit with the upheaval, and brother Rory likes to bark ideas from his home in Australia. It’s the tale of Penny coping; and the people she meets along the way. This has been written in such a funny and entertaining way you can’t help but laugh along at their mishaps during what is a difficult time. The final chapters with the Singing for the Brain concert made me ugly cry!

"The Mother of all Problems" is a book about a woman who does it all. She has 3 kids of varies ages, a husband that doesn't appear to do much except work, a mother with dementia and a dog that causes chaos all under one roof! This book made me laugh out loud numerous times but it also made me shed a few silent tears. It hits all the spots in a book, it's captivating, witty, hilarious, emotional, raw and real! One of the best books I've read in the last few months!

Penny has a busy life that is just getting busier with her Dad in the hospital and her mom staying with her. The story of a woman who felt like she had to do it all on her own and how she built her village and found her voice.

The title of this book made me think this is my type of book and I was right! As a mum trying to balance everything and everyone is hard and so it is easy to relate to Penny. The book is easy to read with many laugh out loud moments and also some teary moments too. The emotions you feel reading this are so relatable yet with more elements added in for example throw in her mum with Alzheimer’s. You really feel for them all.
I’ll definitely look out for Nancy Peach as an author going forward! Would definitely recommend!

A realistic book about juggling responsibilities when in the sandwich generation. Penny has the lion's share of home and childcare at home, as well as keeping up with other mothers at the school gates. When her father has an accident, the responsibilities for her mother with dementia are also added to her workload. Well written, this is well researched and well written. It is written in a sensitive way but there are also moments of laughter .
A good read, thanks to Net Galley for the ARC

Great totally relatable read particularly for women of a certain age who are juggling running a home, child care, aging parents and still trying to be a wife and person in their own right!
Dementia is portrayed in a poignant sensitive manner but with snippets of joy, happiness and love that was truly heartwarming to read.
A wonderful realistic warts and all take on modern family life for the sandwich generation that I most certainly could relate to!
Would highly recommend this read
Thank you NetGalley for this early read

I really enjoyed this book. It was an interesting yet funny read. I hope there’s more to come from this author

This was a great book with great laughing out loud moments. It also have a nice touch of reality, problems that we can all relate, some better than other. A really beautiful story.

Thank you netgalley and Hera for the opportunity to read this arc.

What an absolutely beautiful story this was. I laughed out loud, I cried and I had many moments of self-reflection.

Penny Baker is trying to juggle motherhood, along with all of the other curveballs that life throws at you, namely a mother with dementia, and a father who is hospitalised.

This story was so beautifully written, with plenty of comedic moments to balance out the hard-hitting reality of motherhood and family life. Every woman, and every mother can empathise with Penny’s situation, and this story truly highlights the importance of family and friends, as well as the way in which we often end up having to repay our parents by mothering them as their health deteriorates.

All in all, this was a wonderful book, and I’m keen to read more from Nancy Peach as I absolutely adore her writing style.