I’m sorry to say the narrator for this one just didn’t work for me. The story seems good though, I’ve bought the ebook and I’m going to read it that way instead.

My thanks to W.F. Howes QUEST for a review copy via NetGalley of the unabridged audiobook edition of ‘The School Gates’ by Nicola May. It is narrated by Penny Scott Andrews and has a running time of 7 hours, 15 minutes at 1x speed.

This is a comedy drama following the lives of parents that gather every weekday to collect their children from Featherstone Primary in Denbury. A few friendships are forged at the school gates and the novel follows their lives through a school year filled with drama, secrets and sorrows.

Although not really the kind of novel that I am usually drawn to, I found this fairly interesting in a ‘Love Actually’ type of way with multiple interwoven stories and characters. However, I was a bit perplexed by how May chose to end the novel.

I recently listened to another of May’s books also with Penny Scott Andrews as its narrator. Again, felt that while she did well in voicing the novel’s wide number of characters, her use of high pitched, cutesy voices for adult women just felt incongruous to me. However, it was certainly okay for the actual little children in the story.

Overall, a fairly entertaining tale of relationships and parenting. Its episodic nature also made it an easy listen on audio.

I usually enjoy this authors books especially the Cockleberry Bay series. But I am afraid the narrator totally spoilt this audio book for me. It was sing song and sounded childish - it really grated on me. I am afraid it distracted me from the story and with so many characters I couldn't follow the story. I have this book on my kindle so will be reading it instead. I have 2 other audio books for this author so hopefully they have a different narrator.

A great story. All these different Mummy’s with different stories to tell, different lives. Problems, emotions, and turmoil.
And one gay Dad.

These yummy mummy’s hold nothing back, there’s some very heated moment between the sheets.

I liked the narrator apart from the little girls voice she used, grated on me at times as it came across quite pathetic in sound.

Not the best narrator I’ve experienced but doable.

There is lots going on within the pages of this book that will definitely keep your attention.

It’s a very good entertaining read with lots to make you think about.

There are traumas, marriage problems, abuse , cheating and secrets and lies.

Mummy’s at the school gate and friendship.

Having listened to another of Nicola's books recently I was looking forward to listening to another of hers and it didn't disappoint. The narrator was brilliant and I enjoyed listening to her. The story centers around a few different families and you are introduced to each one in a separate chapter. Lots of fun and great for a relaxing and the perfect escape.