I’ve seen Kathy Lette on television over the years and she always comes across as a great racanteur. Despite that, I hadn’t read any of her books before until now and HRT: Husband Replacement Therapy. As I was reading it, I could absolutely hear Lette’s voice!

Ruby announces at her alcohol fuelled 50th Birthday bash that she has incurable terminal cancer and uses it as an opportunity to tell some jaw-dropping home truths to her family and friends. I mean what did she have to lose? It’s a totally mesmerising car crash of extreme awkwardness. Still on a roll, she announces in her speech that she’s taking her sisters Emerald and Amber with her on a Farewell Cruise around South Pacific islands. It’s her dying wish that her sisters Amber and Emerald bury the hatchet and become better sisters and friends again.

Without wishing to reveal any spoilers - this book is a fast-paced funny and at times crude treat. It’s also about sisterhood in both senses of the word. It also reinforces that women in their 50s can do what they want and lead the lives that they want and deserve.

Huge thanks to NetGalley and the publishers, Aria & Aries, for making this e-ARC available to read in exchange for a fair and honest review.

At her 50th birthday  party Ruby gets a bit drunk and tells her family and friends exactly what she thinks of them in a speech, before revealing that she has terminal cancer and that she will be taking her estranged sisters away on a once in a lifetime cruise to try to mend their relationship.

The next morning she wakes up with a banging hangover, finding that she has beclme a social pariah and her mum has written of her out of her will... and then discovers a message from her doctor saying that there has been an administrative error and she does not have cancer....

Realising that the expesnive cruise tickets are non-refundable Ruby is faced with a dilemma: should she fess up to her sisters Emerald and Amber, or use the opportunity to go away and mend bridges?

This is a very funny book, with relatable characters, i really enjoyed it!

Certainly a fun and funny book which was entertaining throughout, with totally over-the-top situations. Totally barmy at times with three sister's, told from, Ruby's, the youngest, point of view when they come together on an unexpected 'cub' cruise. Not at all sedate as they all begin to relax with much drink and frolicking. Lot's of banter with some parts verging on too much information, although occasionally frustrating . Beneath all the fun the sister's do assess their pasts and in particular their marriages slowly becoming unraveled, the reader just doesn't know what will happen next.

A really enjoyable funny book which I will certainly recommend to others.
Thanks for the opportunity to read & review it.

This book was totally bonkers and a real breath of fresh air! Very funny if a little crude and vulgar at times. Fabulous characters and full of fun throughout.

Reading this as a 50+ woman, some of it did resonate. I think we all wonder if this is it and having a shock does tend to focus the mind. I loved the three sisters and their dysfunctional dynamic fuelled by a mother who played them of against each other.

The antics on the cruise (which is not my idea of fun) made me laugh and the fact it was themed even more so.

You were willing them to all get their happy ever after - in whatever shape that it might take and maybe they go it!

It’s prime Kathy Lette, what more do you need? This book in your life!! Buy it, kick back and enjoy.

Thank you netgalley & Kathy Lette for an advanced copy and brightening up my life.

Absolutely brilliant, loved it. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me an advance copy, I will definitely be recommending.

Grabbed me from the first page. Made me smile. A life ending diagnosis and a big birthday party. A chance to say everything you really thought as you find out your husband has been having an affair.
Throwing money and caution away, booking a three week cruise for you and your two sisters. The two sisters who don't speak due to darling mum's comments and manipulation.
Enjoy the fun, characters and maybe the truth happens along the way.
50 is the new 40, menopause is not the end. Find your passion and go for it.

Ruby Ryan is having an interesting 50th Birthday Party. She has gotten very drunk, accused her husband of having an affair and then accused most of her friends of being the other person in the liaison. Then she has insulted her controlling mother, and the rest of the family. She then announces that because she's been given a terminal cancer diagnosis, she wants to take her sisters on a cruise with her, so that they can patch up their differences.
At first her sisters don't want to come, but both then have their reasons for coming along. It's not until they are underway that they realise that it's a Cougar cruise. This prompts confessions from the other sisters about the state of their own marriages and they each embrace the cruise in their own ways. Ruby, unfortunately, seems to keep ending up in the Doctor's office with an annoying sideline sarcasm.
Things change for each of the sisters on board, but when the cruise finishes the two elder ones are keen to revert to their lives and despite Ruby's pleas, they want her to do the same.
Roll forward to Christmas and the whole family gathers at their abrasive Mother's house for the Christmas Day festivities which after their Mother drops a few truth bombs of her own, things descend in chaos.
A laugh out loud read and very funny.