Yet again – this is totally timely for me. It starts with Jane learning to drive – something I’m going through with my eldest at the moment! Peter and Jane are also studying for their GCSEs and A levels – exactly the same as my eldest two (although whether they’ll actually sit exams in the summer, who knows? #bloodyCovid) So all in all – I TOTALLY got this book! As with the rest of the series it frequently had be laughing out loud – and wondering if it was based on our household?!
But don’t be put off if you haven’t reached the teenage years yet, Ellen’s friend Hannah has a demon toddler, and the chapter where Ellen looks after him for 24 hours brought lots of those memories flooding back. Sudocrem and carpets are not happy bedfellows.
Although I should confess, and I feel I almost need to whisper, I’m not a dog person – so that bit of the storyline wasn’t relevant to me at all!!
I love how Ellen’s group of friends have stayed together throughout the books – and the support they provide each other – it’s great, and like meeting up with your own old friends.
The book then deals with Jane heading off to University in Edinburgh (weirdly as one of my good friends was dropping her daughter up to start studying there too!) and Ellen thinking about how she only has a couple more years of Peter at home before she has an empty nest! My sister is at this stage next week, and it’s really mixed feelings (having got 4 kids, an empty nest is A LONG way off for us, so I’m possibly less emotional about the whole thing!)
The storyline was reasonably predictable – with some very amusing twists and turns along the way – but I actually really liked that, and as the final book in the series, I think it concluded brilliantly. I think it’s usurped book 3 as my favourite in the series!
I’ll miss Ellen! Maybe she can come back when we’re all going to have grandkids

Absolutely brilliant. As in the previous books in the series it is a thoroughly light entertaining read and I am just sorry that this is the final instalment. Totally delightful as Gill Sims totally captures the trials and tribulations of teenage life during the stressful exam time and subsequent moving on. Brilliant observations of modern life put together in a fun, hilarious way which so many of us can identify with, I shall miss Ellen , her rants, her friends and the bottles consumed.

The first three books were very entertaining and funny, I’m pleased to say that this very much follows the same path as the others and is equally and fun and entertaining

If you are after a hilarious and laugh out loud read then this is the book for you, I loved it, definitely in my top ten books of this year. I loved the first three in the series and this is the fourth and final why mummy books. It will be a shame to see the end of them as they are just brilliant but I am excited to see what Gill writes about next. Everything that happens in this book is amusing, I do feel for Mummy but I just can't help laughing what she says and does.You don't have to be a mum to read this story, I am not yet and still find the stories amusing. Some of the stuff with the kids reminds me when I was a teenager and what my mum had to put up with me. This is a book I would reread many times if I need cheering up. Absolutely brilliant.

Firstly thank you for the advanced read. I have read the previous books and couldn’t wait to get stuck in to this book. It didn’t disappoint, so funny, just the tonic to make you laugh. Would thoroughly recommend.

Joy oh joy, Gill Sims has done it again.!
I've lost count of the times I nodded along in acknowledgement - and I could have highlighted some quip or hilarious insight on every page.
Forget about the parenting manuals if you are about to embark on that journey, this is far more educational and as refreshing as a glass of champagne!

I loved this book. I already had read and enjoyed the previous three books, and this didn't disappoint. Very funny and well written

If you haven't read any of the 'Why Mummy' books then you've missed a real treat and insight into what married life is really like bringing up kids. My rib cage is hurting from laughing so much. The relationship between Ellen and her children with their constant put downs reminds me so much of my own family. Absolutely fantastic read.

Another very funny book from Gill Sims - dealing with the anguished of teenagers this time round.
The story continues in the form of a diary as Ellen looks over a year of her life - some events are expected and some are quite unexpected. Previous readers will remember characters from her previous books, including Hannah who is now balancing toddler and teenagers in her house.
I read this is less than a day as I didn’t want to put it down!

Gill Sims has done it again! I have enjoyed every single one of the 'Why mummy...' series, but I have to say this one is my favourite of the four. In fact, each book has got progressively better and better, which is no mean feat as the first one was pretty good!

Ellen is one of the fictional characters I would most like to meet down the pub, and if we did. I'm pretty sure that we would find ourselves #SoFuckingBlessed #BFFsForever, because I am utterly convinced that Gill Sims has a spy camera in my home, and has translated my inner thoughts onto paper! Perhaps that's why I enjoyed this book so much, as Ellen is of a similar age to me and my children are approaching the ages of Peter and Jane.

I'm not putting all the details of the story into this review, other than to say we've done another skip forward in time, with Ellen's children now aged 16 and 18, on the precipice of flying the nest as she finds herself single once more. We again find her juggling the responsibilities of caring for her children with work, home and of course her personal life.

The book is so relatable, her stories being honest, funny (painfully so at times) and very very real. I felt privileged to have another insight into Ellen's life, and sad that this is the last one in the series. So I would say crack open the Sauv-Blanc, kick off your shoes, throw off your bra and get stuck in - it's the perfect #FIAF.

Beautifully written, it's a belly laughing 5***** from me.

Thank you to Netgalley and Harper Collins for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Why Mummy's Sloshed. The latest instalment. Satisfying, entertaining and very very funny. What more needs to be said?

I first started reading Gill Sims' writing on Facebook where she produces the very funny 'Peter and Jane'. These (mainly slightly-veiled autobiographical) updates became a book, that book became a series and here we are - the fourth and final book in the 'Why Mummy' series.

In this book, Peter and Jane are now older teenagers and our main protagonist, Ellen, is having to deal with GCSEs, A Levels and her oldest baby leaving for university. She also has her ex-husband to contend with as he seems to be about to start a new family with his girlfriend, Marisa,. She is surrounded by her usual bunch of funny friends and eccentric family members.

As with previous books, this is presented as a diary, although most of the events seem to happen in the first part of the year. There are some real rites of passage here that those who have been through it (either themselves or as parents) will recognise - the driving test, first car, 18th birthday parties, exam results,..it is all just so relatable!

And that really is Sims' skill - taking the everyday and making it funny. This isn't an idealistic view of parenting - Ellen looking after her friend's toddler for the weekend is enough to put anyone off having children and also reminded me of the time in my own life when I needed eyes in the back of my head and a cure for sleep deprivation. Much of the book is very funny - some of it made me laugh out loud in recognition or because of Ellen's sharp take on things.

That's not to say that this novel doesn't have serious moments - there is recognition of the situation of having ageing parents and realising they aren't invincible, plus the emptying of the family nest. As someone who has this a few years ahead of me, it does seem sad and unimaginable that my babies will move out one day. However, I still have the experience of living with them as teens which - according to this book - might soften the blow of them leaving! The teenage boys that eat through everything in the house, the teenage girls obsessed with socialising above all else, the nagging over revision and chores...all familiar already!

I'd recommend this to anyone who enjoys funny, relatable books about family life - things like Matt Coyne's books and the Unmumsy Mum and Hurrah for Gin (all worth investigating if you aren't familiar with them). It is funny, a bit poignant and absolutely engaging.

I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Every single parent mother of teenagers will be able to associate with this hilarious laugh out loud ~ I did anyway ~ book
Jane is almost 17 wants to take her driving test even though her mum Ellen feels she is not ready for it having sat with her for her hair raising rides around town
Peter is due to take his GCSEs in summer as Jane sits her A levels neither listen to their very hard working stressed out mum that they need to eat better and sleep better
Simon the ex husband is living it up with his girlfriend has the kids when the kids choose to go that is
Ellen things she is un loved and hideous and hates most men and teenagers
This book is amazing I laughed out loud so many times and there are so many new words I can now use none of which are repeatable on this site

Another fantastically funny lighthearted read from Gill! I have loved the previous three why mummy books and this fourth one was no exception !
Frank funny down to earth, relatable family dynamics as the children Jane and Peter are now older and preparing for adulthood with all its inherent problems! Teenage angst, hormones,exams, alcohol,parties,driving, leaving home are all so well documented and the forthcoming empty nest syndrome, couple this with the parents on/ off love life and you get a hilarious,acerbic take on family life! Guaranteed to put a smile on your face as you read! Would highly recommend.
Thank you netgalley for this early read.

As always I loved falling back into Ellen’s life and family drama. Witty and funny as usual a great last installment