The least I can say is that I have really mixed feelings about this book. Beth, our main character, is the epitome of instability: she doesn't keep a job for very long, does whatever she pleases, and lives in her teenage bedroom. But all this freedom is shattered when, after an accident, she becomes the legal guardian of her teenage niece and toddler nephew.
She now has to face challenges, not run from them. This part was really interesting, even though I had trouble understanding Beth for most of the book. We can see how she tries to navigate through life, learn, and grow.

She's not alone in this journey, and the found family trope that eventually develops from it was full of humor, beautiful moments, and I really liked it. Nonetheless, I was bored for most of the book and had a lot of trouble finishing it. There were so many repetitions, too; at some point, it was the only thing I noticed.

I absolutely adored this book from start to finish, even though I really really didn’t want it to finish and could have read about Beth’s antics forever.
Beth is a quitter. She quits every job, hobby and everything else in her life. Emmy, her sister, seems to be the perfect one, married with two children and seemingly has her life together. But one morning, as Beth is skiving off work due to a hangover, she gets the worst news… her sister and brother-in-law were in an accident, her brother-in-law is dead and her sister is in a coma. Leaving the two children in need of their guardian, Beth. Everyone, including Beth, is unsure just how Beth will cope with taking on a teenager and a toddler and Beth wonders what qualities her sister saw in her to make this decision.
Between daily trips to the hospital, looking after a toddler and a moody teenager, going back to work and trying to run her sister’s house, Beth doesn’t always get it right, she sometimes gets it hilariously wrong. But with the help of her mum and dad, her best friend Jory and her sister’s elderly neighbour, Albert, she has the best team around her to help her see exactly why her sister picked her after all.
I could have read so much more about these characters. And I really hope that Sarah Turner writes a sequel at some point (I need to know what happens with Beth next and if Emmy ever does wake up, I thought there’d be a happy ending in this book!) as I would definitely be pre-ordering it.
This was such an easy read, and set out the difficulties of being thrown into guardianship so well.

Beth suddenly has to grown up, so she can unexpectadly raise a teenager and a toddler.
Grief, fear, laughing, crying, but somehow stepping up and doing the hard things and caring for others while learning to also stand on her own 2 feet - with a little help from a friend or 2.

4.5 stars. I loved the MC in this and watching her grow and adapt was so good. It made me tear up quite a few times, it’s definitely a sad story but the way the author spins it makes it comedic and quite inspiring in the end. I really ended up loving it but I think I needed closure in an epilogue about Emmy

Loved this book. Wish I had read it sooner. A great novel from the unmumsy mum. Beth as a character does everyone proud. The humour in the writing was excellent mixed it with some true honest sadness. A really good read.

Wonderful emotional and heartwarming read.

Beth lives at home with her parents, living one day to the next with no plan or responsibilities and a string of jobs she quickly tires of and quits. Adding car trouble to the hangover she acquired from the previous night's outing with life-long best friend Jory, she decides to call in sick.

Later that morning she turns her phone back on to a barrage of missed calls and messages, and receives the news that she is going to have to move into her sister's house and take over looking after her 14 year old niece and 3 year old nephew while her sister is recovering in hospital, which could be a lengthy process.

We follow Beth as she learns how to cope with the new responsibility, and the changing relationships with the people around her.

Heartbreaking, funny but beautifully uplifting read.

I was completely absorbed by Beth’s story; it’s so well written and gives a raw look at all facets of what it means to be human. It perfectly mixes comedy with deep and meaningful issues for a moving story about love, family and dealing with loss.

Turner’s prose had me laughing, smiling and crying - it packs an emotional punch, we feel it all right alongside the characters. The author had total control of my emotions throughout - it had me heartbroken one minute and filled with joy the next!

We meet Beth as she’s still finding her direction in life. We witness the incredible personal journey she goes on, her growth, learning to understand herself, and facing the world with a new confidence and inner strength. I was cheering her on every step of the way!

When the worst happens, Beth finds herself guardian to her young niece and nephew. They become her priority - supporting them, comforting them, guiding them and loving them.
It’s a realistic portrayal of the joys and struggles, we feel the panic and worry as she wonders if she’s doing everything right.

It’s a story that really gets the reader thinking about life, its fragility and the people and things taken for granted. It’s heartbreaking yet hopeful, looking at embracing life and not letting it simply pass us by. Beth learns to find the joy in the everyday which was heartwarming to see.

I loved the relationship with her best friend Jory and their deep connection and chemistry was clear to see. It made for a page-turning read as their dynamic changes and complicated feelings enter the mix.

I also adored Beth’s friendship with Albert, it was such a sweet development and they both made a real difference in being there for each other.

I didn’t want Stepping Up to end, it was an unputdownable read with unforgettable characters I’ll miss and a superb storyline to match. So glad I got the chance to read this!

What an amazing read! So heartfelt it made me laugh and cry. Brilliant characters and just so lovely. Highly recommended.

Finished this just now...
Oh my days, what a sensational read. Had me laughing, cringing, crying and hurting, loving and smiling all within these pages
What a beautiful story
Definitely recommended 5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I’d like to thank NetGalley and Random House UK for approving me for an ARC of this book.

🥹Be warned, you will need the tissues for this one. From the start, our story is packed with so much emotion and as a parent, it definitely hit me hard.

💖I couldn’t help but feel for Beth, she was completely in over her head but the determination and loyalty she showed spoke volumes for her character. Whilst I could see how certain aspects were going to play out it was the reactions that I enjoyed the most.

👴🏻I have to give a shout-out to Albert, he was my favourite character. Filled with so much wisdom, patience and kindness, how could you not love him? The friendship he struck up with Beth was both beautiful and endearing.

⭐Whilst this was an emotional read there were moments of lightness and laughter. I found myself flying through the pages, lost in the story and enjoying every minute of it.

I think everyone of is could relate to the main character Beth. This book covered so many emotional issues but in the right way. There were so many laughter moments too. Just pick this book up and read it. Its brilliant!

I received an advanced reader copy of this book to read in exchange for an honest review via netgalley and the publishers.

5 star review!

What an unforgettable read! Absolutely loved this heartbreaking book that had twists and turns throughout it, bursting with so much love and friendship I just couldn't put it down.
My heart went out to Beth when her life got turned upside down and she was tasked with the responsibility of looking after her niece and nephew due to unforeseen circumstances - and although she could barely get up in the morning due to her own incompetence before the upheaval she really turned things around and proved everybody wrong! Didn't want this book to end!

I look forward to reading more books by this author.

Beth has never stuck at anything.

She's quit more jobs and relationships than she can remember and she still sleeps in her childhood bedroom. It's not that she hasn't tried to grow up, it's just that so far, the only commitment she's held down is Friday drinks at the village pub.

After horrific events unfold, Beth is now guardian to her teenage niece and toddler nephew and it's not long before she feels seriously out of her depth.

I honestly cannot give this book enough stars! I'll admit it's been on my TBR for some time, due to the content as my recent loss myself over the last year, I initially couldn't bring myself to read it. This time though, I jumped on that rollercoaster and my heart now feels full, due to this gorgeous story.

Beth is a self-confessed mess; she can't even use a washing machine and can’t be relied on for basically anything. Now in her early 30's, she's no intention of ever really growing up and being responsible until fate makes that choice for her. The story shows how much Beth grows up, changes and finally faces the world as a fully functioning adult. She goes from no responsibility to understanding the needs and wants of a toddler and juggling the juggernaut of emotional turmoil that is a young teenager who's world has just been totally turned upside down.

There are a lot of heart-breaking moments, raw and profound emotions and sometimes you want to jump into the book and step in to help, all the while rooting for Beth to do what she's really been capable of all along.

Lasty, can I just say how much I enjoyed the writing too, I felt that this book was one of the better written and engaging that I've read in quite a while.

Fantastic debut and I'll certainly be adding Sarah to my list of Authors to watch. All the while she juggles her social media @theunmumsymum and 3 kiddos, house reno and more. I take my hat off to you!

The Wee Book Lady xx

This is a novel that is equal parts heartache and heartwarming.

Following a tragic accident, Beth finds herself as sole carer for her teenage niece and toddler nephew. Beth is a woman who has never taken responsibility for anything - she doesn’t hold down jobs, she lives at home with her parents, she regularly goes out drinking with her school teacher best friend, Jory.

We follow Beth’s path of trying to learn how to parent two children with very different needs, as well as ‘keep house’ and hold down her job, all under the disapproving eye of her mother and whilst managing her own grief.

A wonderful novel which, whilst has no definitive happy ending, allows you to follow Beth’s journey of growth whilst cheering her on.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book.

I follow Sarah on social media and she always brings a smile to my face. So when i saw she was releasing a fiction novel, i jumped at the chance to read it and it did not disappoint.

I already knew and loved the Unmumsy Mum blog from when Minishine was small, and so I already know that Sarah Turner has a talent for capturing the everyday in ways that are both poignant and hilarious (sometimes at the same time). So, picking up her latest book was a no-brainer for me.

I was thrilled to find out that Stepping Up completely surpassed my already-high expectations! I knew it would be well-written and expected a light-hearted romp of an easy read… I’m not sure why in retrospect, as the clues are right there in the blurb. Instead, this book drew me in, tore me apart, then patched me up again lovingly and left me longing to continue after the last page turned.

The story follows Beth from her pretty meh lifestyle – fun, but unsatisfying – as she faces family tragedy and finds she has the skills to cope if she can just find the confidence in herself. And I will freely admit that I cried absolute buckets in places. In fact, at Beth’s lowest point in the story, I had to pause as I felt physically sick for her – it felt like literally everything had been taken from her and she had nowhere left to turn. I’m not joking when I emphasise how strongly I felt this story!

There were a few out-loud chuckles to be had, but mainly this story grabs you hard by the feels and refuses to let go – heart-warming, heart-breaking and heart-repairing-again in turn. Enjoy with a drink, a cuddle and a big box of tissues!

Review by Steph Warren of Bookshine and Readbows blog

I loved this book! I loved it so much that I read it in 24 hours! The balance of sadness with humour is perfect and is what really makes this book feel so real. I adored each of the characters and really connected with Beth. I was a little disappointed that we didn't have something happen with Emmy at the end, but that's book 2, right?!

This book made me laugh and cry in equal measure. I loved the characters and I desperately wanted her to succeed particularly because she had such self doubt throughout. I will definitely read more by this author.

Such a lovely quick read where you do not want to put it down, but then you don't want to read it quickly because then it will be over!

Have tissues on hand, this one will get you and leave you with a cracking book hangover.

Loved it!

A book about family, love, friendship and coming together at times of crisis. What a brilliant book - it kind of took me by surprise as I was simply looking for something a little lighter to cure the emotional hangover I had from a previous read.

When Beth's sister and brother in law are involved in a serious car crash (which is fatal for one, and leaves the other in a coma), it falls upon her to step in and care for her teenage niece, and preschooler nephew. Not really having had any responsibilities other than social and work commitments its not the simplest 'step up'. Perseverance, digging deep, family and friendship, a little bit of faith in yourself and a special mention for the octogenarian neighbour Albert (bloody loved him) all help carry Beth through the ups and downs of the year that unfolds.

The writing style reminds me of Emily Henry (Beach Read, You and Me on Vacation)/ Beth O'Leary (The Flateshare, The Switch), easy, observational, witty and magnetic. I just wanted to keep reading and embracing the story and the characters - didn't want it to end.