I first came across Sarah Turner writing as parenting blogger The Unmumsy Mum. She was one of the first “mummy bloggers” of this sort of style that I found, and my mummy friends and I would send links of her latest post to each other, laughing about how accurate they were. I read her first book, The Unmumsy Mum, and howled laughing at it.

Stepping Up is Sarah’s first fiction novel, so I was keen to give it a go when I saw it come up on NetGalley.

Stepping Up follows Beth, a stereotypical “failure to launch” early 30’s hot mess, still living at home with her parents and quitting job after job because she doesn’t know what she wants from life.

Following a catastrophic family tragedy, Beth has to take on the seemingly impossible task of caring for her early teen niece and toddler nephew. How can Beth possibly look after children when she can barely look after herself?

I was very pleasantly surprised by this book. I went in expecting it to be a nice, fun read, but actually it had a lot of depth and some really moving moments.

Beth is a great main character. She is pretty flawed but also self-aware, and despite being completely out of her comfort zone, she is determined to do her best, even if that is barely surviving by her exacting mum’s standards. Watching Beth struggle to figure things out is frustrating and inspiring in equal measure, but she is really easy to root for.

This was a heart warming read that had me laughing and crying (and I can’t remember the last book I actually cried about!).

Stepping Up by Sarah Turner will be released on the 17th of March next year.

Thanks to @netgalley and @theunmumsymum for an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

Reading about the loss can be tough. You have to be in the right frame of mind to read ‘Stepping Up’ but when you do you’ll be rewarded with a beautifully life affirming novel by Sarah Turner about growth in the aftermath of grief.

Beth Pascoe suffers from ‘a ten-week itch on the job front’ according to her dad.

Flat broke, in debt, and still living at home at 31 years, Beth’s life consists of eschewing as much work as she can and nightly benders at the pub with her more responsible best friend Jory.

But that changes after tragedy strikes and she’s becomes guardian of her 14 year old niece Polly and 3 year old nephew Ted.

And Beth, a teenager in the body of an adult being forced to finally grow up and hope she can find accomplishment in being forced to stick to this commitment thrust on her.

Beautifully written with flawless editing, Sarah Turner captures what it’s like going through a storm (and having to quickly become equipped to do so), then seeing those rays of sunlight peak through.

I was utterly hooked from the first sentence. The characters leapt off the page as Turner captured the gamut of emotions they’re experiencing, from toddler Ted to teen Polly and to our heroine Beth.

Her dialogue and descriptions made me feel like I was there in the room.

‘Stepping Up’ is poignant, heartwarming and touching. You will tear up, but, like toddler Ted, suddenly start laughing at the funny moments. Ultimately this book is about love and hope.

I’ve pre-ordered my own copy and highly recommend you do the same. It will be one of the books of 2022; it’s that good I can say this in 2021.

Thank you to Transworld/Random House UK and NetGalley for giving me one of my 2021 reading highlights.

growing up as a "grown up"
Stepping Up by Sarah Turner is a hard hitting story with a feel good takeaway.
While it might take a few chapters to get into the story, that in the beginning feels very bleak and sad, it really shines through at the end leaving you to feel warm, fuzzy and in need of a hug by someone you love.

Beth is 30 and she has a tendency of avoiding responsibilities and spending her evenings at the pub with her best friend. Her life has no real direction. Completely different from her big sister's Emmy, who's married to the love of her life and has two kids. What Beth doesn't expect is for her life to turn upside down when tragedy strikes and she finds herself guardian to her teenage niece and toddler nephew. She will need to learn how to finally be an adult, but she will do it in her own way.

This is such a heart-warming, feel-good, can come back to time and time again. There is a hint of romance but it doesn't take the main stage, what is central is Beth's growth. You read along and see the growth and Beth finding her place in the world.

This is a first for me by the author and one I enjoyed and would read more of their work. The book cover is eye-catching and appealing and would spark my interest if in a bookshop. Thank you very much to the author, publisher and Netgalley for this ARC.

Thanks to NetGalley for giving me this arc in exchange for a fair and honest review.

I really enjoyed this book. It had me laughing out loud, on a bus no less, crying and laughing. This book is a tonic! I read it one go. I was rooting for Beth the whole way through!! Great book, definitely recommend.

This is a great romance book 8 fell easy to read I’ve never read from this or thought I thought it was interesting. The writing style is unique but I do really enjoy it there was enough detail to keep me engrossed in the story but not enough that it felt information dumping on me which is always great and the characters felt realistic and I did enjoy listening about their lives and connections with all the characters

What a truly amazing book - I was an emotional wreak at the start and whilst there were plenty more opportunities for tears later on too, the book ends on a hopeful note, in more ways than one. It really did take me on a rollercoaster of emotions.

I think due to the unspeakable tragedy that unfolds at the beginning of the story, you very quickly connect with the characters and particularly Beth. I really felt for her throughout the book, especially during those times when she felt the disapproval of her mother when she was actually trying her hardest in an extremely difficult and unprecedented situation! Her growing relationship with the elderly Albert next door is sweet and together with the ups and downs of bringing up a toddler and a teen, these moments provide light-hearted relief and humour.

The ending was perhaps a little predictable, however that didn't detract from the story at all as throughout you are rooting for Beth (and the family). Overall, I absolutely loved it and would wholeheartedly recommend it!

**Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and author for the opportunity to read an advanced e-copy of this book. All opinions are my own **

What a book! Can I have an extra star as 5 is just not enough?

This book has it all. A great story, great characterisation, and an emotional rollercoaster to keep you turning the pages and ensure that you are thoroughly invested from the very start. It is an easy read but that just makes it so much better - it makes it accessible to all.

Hat's off to Sarah Turner who has managed to pen such an amazing set of characters, each believable, tapping into so many of life's turmoils and challenges. Thoroughly relatable. Utterly human.

Perfect for curling up with; perfect for a bedtime read; perfect for a book group; just perfect!

Publish date: 17th March 2022: put this one on your reading list!


With thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the advance copy.

I raced through Stepping Up in a day and a half. The story focuses on Beth, who becomes guardian to her niece and nephew after a family tragedy, and how she manages such huge responsibility that she has never come close to facing before with the help of her best friend Jory, her mum and dad and her elderly neighbour Albert. The sentiments throughout feel incredibly sincere and authentic; the characterisation and friction with Beth’s mum is perfectly observed and Beth’s friendship with Albert is a joyous thing. Stepping Up is an easy, quick read where you do truly care about the characters and the plot delivers exactly what you expect it to.

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. Then, in the space of a morning, her world changes. An unspeakable tragedy turns Beth's life upside down, and she finds herself guardian to her teenage niece and toddler nephew, catapulted into an unfamiliar world of bedtime stories, parents' evenings and cuddly elephants. Having never been responsible for anyone - or anything - it's not long before she feels seriously out of her depth. What if she's simply not up to the job? With a little help from her best friend Jory (purely platonic, of course...) and her lovely, lonely next-door neighbour, Albert, Beth is determined that this time she's not giving up. It's time to step up.

This book is a triumph! The whole way through this is an incredibly emotional read and it starts very early on, yes this meant early tears but it also meant I connected with the characters quickly as I was plunged into that traumatic, desperate situation with them. Emotions feature strongly for the rest of the plot, Turner does a fantastic job of portraying every emotion; despair, love, laughter and anguish, this has it all and I felt everything the characters did. The plot is tough and very sad but Turner writes very sensitively and I enjoyed being swept away with the tidal wave of emotion, I really immersed myself in the plot and was only sad to have finished it.

The plot is perfect in my eyes, we see the characters in a very vulnerable situation, this begins at their lowest and then there is a real journey as they continue on their lives and face the struggles life has thrown at them. There are lighter moments in the plot as well and Turner balances the emotions very well, it felt incredibly realistic because of this wonderful portrayal of emotions.

Beth is just the most wonderful character, I absolutely adored getting to know her and seeing her take on the new role of caring for her niece and nephew. We see her successes and failures along the way but most of all she feels very real and I was rooting for her the whole way through. All of the characters in this are very strong and I enjoyed getting to know all of them.

'Stepping Up' is an incredibly emotional, wonderful read that I absolutely loved reading. I cried, laughed and experienced everything the characters did. This is a must read.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House UK for an advance copy.

Such a wonderful story, very emotional and had me reaching for the tissues several times, I couldn't put it down wanting to know what happened next

Beth’s sister is in a coma and her partner has been killed in a terrible car accident.
Beth has to step up to look after her teenage niece and toddler nephew.
She is finding her responsibility very hard as she is use to being looked after by her mum and dad and at thirty years old she has to change her life completely.
A story about family, commitment and growing up.
Thank you to NetGalley and Random House UK, Transworld Publishers for my e-copy in exchange for an honest review.

Well I don't know where to start, firstly, I'm gutted I've finished it, I seriously couldn't put it down, a really wonderful read, great charecters that were easy to get to know and love, a lovely storyline, really enjoyed every page

I spent most of this book crying but would still read again.
Beth is 30, and is still living at her parents house, partying regularly and not caring about her work. Until the day her sister and brother-in-law are involved in a car crash and Beth suddenly has to step up and take care of her nephew and niece.
I thought the author really captured the grief of the family and also the daily struggle of Beth. Between learning to cook and the demands of the children, along with the casual cruelty of her mother's comments, I really felt for her.

I loved this book - even now I come to write up my review I can still remember the story. It’s a story about sibling rivalry, love and strength. How even though she is struggling with her own demons how strong the main character can be when she is forced into the role of surrogate parent and protector. How parents can still see their child as a child even though they are now a fully fledged adult and the damage that can do to a person’s confidence. And above all it’s a story of hope.

Definitely worth a read.

Thank you NetGalley for my advanced copy of ‘Stepping Up. ‘
I really enjoyed this debut fiction book. It is well written, a superb plot and characters worth investing in.

This book really tugged on my heartstrings. It was an easy read whilst also maintaining emotional depth, and I felt an affinity for all of the characters in their own way. It left me with a warm fuzzy feeling, and also a feeling of hope. I will be recommending this to friends and family as a lighthearted but uplifting read :)

A lovely story of a sister who has to look after her sisters children when their is an accident. Add in a love problem and helpful but interfering parents it is a good read. The teenager daughter Polly is so mixed up. I loved Malcolm the boss and Albert the neighbour. The ending for me was wrong but a jolly good story

I've just finished reading Stepping Up and oh my goodness, I want to tell everyone about it! I lost count of how many times I sobbed, my eyes were filled with tears the whole way through, but I laughed out loud (literally!) so many times too. Especially at "you're welcome stickhead"!

I've been really struggling to read the last couple of years, I used to devour books before that, but I lost my ability to read under a fog of depression. I've tried so many times to read again, but got frustrated with my lack of focus. It honestly felt like I'd lost a big chunk of myself. I was lucky enough to be accepted to read Stepping Up early through Net Galley so thought I'd try again.

I honestly couldn't put it down. Every character was so beautifully written, I could imagine every single one of them in real life. The behaviours, the way they spoke, it was all so authentic. To be able to capture people in this way is incredible, particularly considering the range of ages. Beth is one of the most relatable characters ever; flawed, human, with a huge heart. I think I fell in love with Albert, and Ted was hilarious!

What I loved more than anything was that in Beth, we had a strong female character who wasn't fixated on her weight or romantic relationships. She gets things wrong, annoys the hell out of herself and loves hard, even if she doesn't show it - we could be friends!

Sarah - thank you for helping me to fall in love with reading again. I cannot wait for this to be released so I can buy a copy to read over and over again, I can already tell it will be a firm favourite. Also can't wait for others to read it so I can talk about it, instead of sending you a gushing message at 2am - what an embarrassment! Thank you for being so lovely about it!

Really enjoyed this story of Beth, a single young woman who was stuck in a bit of a rut. Her life turns upside down in an instant, and she has to learn to take responsibility for her life very quickly. There are definitely some laughs along the way as she gets to grips with her new life, predictably not making much of a success of it to begin with. I found myself really willing her to do well and I loved the way her relationship with her little nephew, and then her niece, begins to develop and we begin to see a new responsible and caring version of Beth. Her lifelong best friend, Jory, has been a constant fixture in her life but, as her other relationships flourish, cracks begin to form in her relationship with Jory. I loved her neighbour, Albert, and the author very sensitively described this lonely old man and it did make me wonder how many other ‘Alberts’ are out there.
I would love to know what happens next to this family and thank the publishers and Netgalley for the opportunity to enjoy it.