This is not my 'normal' reading style - that being more crime/thriller/fantasy based. But I have followed The Unmumsy mum for a long time now and just had to give this a read! I am so glad I did. It took me 2 1/2 days to read. I became quickly invested in the story and the characters, needing to read it at every opportunity to find out more. The characters and storyline were so well written it was easy to read in big chunks, easy to follow and perfect for a binge read. I felt so many different emotions whilst reading this book it was like a rollercoaster. I'm not ready to leave everyone behind just yet, hoping for a second installment.

This is a lovely endearing book full of real life likeable characters. Beth's family endures a tragedy which changes the course of everyone's lives. Can Beth do it?
This book was so easy to read. I absolutely enjoyed how it flowed and really did get to love every single character in it. Lots of ups and downs and new challenges were overcome, I couldn't help but root for Beth all the way.

I absolutely LOVED this book. All of the characters had something going for them – and you were rooting for them all, especially Beth, from the outset.

Now I knew Sarah would write about parenting a toddler brilliantly – and she did exactly that. Ted was a very believable little boy – innocent, but questioning; a distraction for everyone, but also a nightmare when he had a meltdown. In fact all of the relationships were written incredibly well – the sneaky teenager Polly – who was different with her Aunt than when she was with her Grandparents, Beth’s relationship with her parents – and with her best mate (Jory – purely platonic – apart from that one night in Winter 2015 that almost changed things……..) and the blossoming friendship with her octogenarian new neighbour Albert – who types his text messages ALL IN CAPSLOCK.

One minute you’re laughing out loud at something – the next you’re weeping – but isn’t that the sign of a brilliant book?

I loved the way that without even realising it, Beth became indispensable in a way she’d never been before – highlighted in Ted’s new bedtime routine, and how he needed Auntie Beth to put him to bed.

The scene at Polly’s parents’ evening had me giggling – a real catalogue of errors – but the relationship between Polly and Beth changed so much during the book, it was lovely, and really believable.

Sarah also wrote about grief incredibly well – and I suspect some of that is from personal experience too, as I know she lost her own Mum when she was a teenager. One bit really struck me – as it was exactly what a friend said after her son died, she hated the first New Year’s Eve because it felt like she was leaving him in the previous year and everyone else was moving on. Beth voices those same worries about the changing of the years.

There are various twists and turns as the book develops, and it doesn’t conclude in a ‘and everyone lives happily ever after’ way – but it definitely leaves you with lots of hope. I’d REALLY like to know what does happen to everyone, as I feel really invested in their lives!

The book is out in March 2022, and I would highly recommend pre ordering it – it’s fabulous.

A massive thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for my ARC – and to Sarah Turner for writing such a great book in the midst of a global pandemic and the home schooling nightmare!! It’s not often I give 5 stars on NetGalley – but I am for ‘Stepping Up’.

I am a huge fan of Sarah's writing, and was so excited to read her fiction debut. I really enjoyed this story; I felt like throughout you aren't quite sure where the story is going to twist and turn. There is tragedy mixed in with real life (which basically is real life right?!) and you fall in love with the characters. So grateful I got to read the AC of this one. Looking forward to buying a copy when it releases next year.

I was lucky enough to receive a copy of Stepping Up via NetGalley. I really enjoyed reading this book; I found the characters believable and liked all of them which is unusual for me. The book was funny and sad in equal measure. It was refreshing to not have the ‘will they, won’t they’ or even the accident as the main premise of the book. A thoroughly recommended read.

We meet Beth, a woman with not much in the way of a career, still living with her parents in her thirties, the “quitter” of the family, as she receives news that her sister and brother-in-law have been in a horrendous car accident, following which it quickly becomes evident that she has been named as the guardian of her teenage niece and toddler nephew. Having been the “irresponsible” one in the family for so long, we follow Beth as she subsequently adjusts to life trying to hold down her job while caring for two children who have just lost their dad and whose mum is in a coma, while dealing with the grief herself.

In less careful hands, this could be very bleak or overly saccharine, but what follows is actually a really heart-warming tale of courage and resilience, which was just what I needed to round off the year. I love the relationship between Beth and her parents, as well as her relationship with the children, both of which ring very true. I also really loved Beth’s friends in the story, including her best friend Jory, who was firmly in the “friend” zone until he went and got a girlfriend, and her octogenarian neighbour Albert, who is completely wonderful in his kindness and naivety.

The story perhaps doesn’t break any new ground, but it is humorous and heart-breaking, and really well-written. I really enjoyed it and look forward to reading more fiction by this author.

My thanks to the author, NetGalley, and the publisher for the arc to review.

I follow Unmumsy Mum on social media so was delighted to receive this arc in exchange for an honest review. I was far from disappointed; it was a really impressive debut, both moving and laugh out loud funny, which is very difficult to achieve. I loved the whole cast of characters and can see this one on screen in future. Can’t wait to see what Sarah comes up with next!
Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the opportunity to read.

As a PTSD sufferer following a car accident, this one wasn’t for me. It starts off chatty and breezy in style, starting off the day with the rather hapless main character (not likeable to start with but I expect she wins us over as it progresses). It pretty soon however went into the horror of close relatives being involved in a serious car accident. I’m sure from the style of it at the start it returns back to a happier atmosphere. Due to my personal circumstance though, I couldn’t get past the hospital part. I hadn’t realised at all when requesting that it would have that much focus on that.

A heart warming read with a balance of grief and comedy. I liked that it didn’t take the easy way out and tie everything up in a neat package - life is messier than that. Easy to become invested in the main character, Beth, as she struggles to take on adult responsibilities for the first time in her life. So much more than just trite ‘chick lit’. What an amazing debut.

I really loved this story and didn't really want it to end. It was beautifully written and not too cheesy (which is a big no-no for me) and I thought the pace of it was just right. The humour was well balanced and right for the context, and I loved the family dynamic and the way the characters weren't too one-dimensional. There was a lot of back story to the characters which meant they were a lot more "human" to me.

**SPOILERS** I did sort of predict the ending, and it was very "Love Actually" and perhaps a little too twee, and I would have loved to have seen what happened to Emmy in the end (you get a hint, but I would have liked an epilogue where you find out if she's okay in the end - but perhaps the intention is you assume she got out okay?).

I would like to thank Netgalley, Sarah Turner and Random House UK for the opportunity to read this.

Release date: 17th March 2022

4.5/5 stars

I absolutely loved everything about this book such a fantastic read for me literally read it in 24 hours. Loved it.
It is an emotional rollercoaster of a read that is heart breaking yet funny a really beautiful heart warming read.
Beth is a great character but she has never stuck at anything in her life.
The list of jobs & relationships she has quit is endless.
Still living at home in her childhood bedroom she struggles with commitment of any kind.
All of a sudden her world is about to change big time as tragedy strikes & turns her world on it's head.
She finds herself guardian to a toddler nephew & a teenage niece & all that it entails.
She feels seriously out of her depth how can she cope as she struggles with her own responsibilities let alone those of children.
This book will make you laugh & cry at the same time it ticks all the boxes for me.
This is an excellent emotional rollercoaster of a read that you will thoroughly enjoy.
In one word BRILLIANT!!!! Loved it will be watching out for more from this author.

Oh I absolutely loved this debut by Sarah Turner!!! It’s such an emotional read and had me giggling and crying at various points. The main character Beth is relatable and I loved the journey she went on throughout the book, I also loved Polly and Ted and thought they were wonderfully written. It is a story full of hope and love and It really is a must read!
Thank you so much for this arc!

A heart-warming , easy to read tale of grief & what happens when Beth has to suddenly grow up & take on responsibilities she never expected to have so soon in her young life. The ending left me hanging for a sequel - fingers crossed

Although this story is sad, it is also heartwarming. Such a lovely story that I didnt want it to end.. Highly recommended with tissues nearby
Thank you to Netgalley for the chance to read this excellent book

Brilliant, I really enjoyed this book. It was well written and kept you interested throughout. A very sad a tragic story but it also makes you think you do need to have something in place should something like this happen.

Thanks @netgalley for arc
A novel that follows Beth a thirty year old who still lives at home and keeps giving up her jobs much to her mother’s disdain
Then suddenly one day all changes when after missing several calls from her dad he finally locates her and sits her down to tell her that her sister and brother-in -law have been in a horrific car accident and Doug is dead and Emily is in ICU on life support. More surprising than anything they have made it very clear they want Beth to look after their two children Polly and Ted (15 & 4)
Beth has never been so shocked her looking after children she barely looks after herself how will she do this?
Her mum appears to think it’s a ridiculous idea and she can’t do it so Beth decides to try and see if she can but she has no idea where to even start what does she do ?
Can she do what her big sis wants ? Even Beth has doubts

An sad but heart-warming, enjoyable read.
Beth still lives with her parents and is a bit of a party girl. An unexpected tragedy means Beth has to give up her partying ways and become responsible.
A super read, I enjoyed every page and you cannot help but be drawn into the story. I was sad when the book finished.
An enjoyable worthwhile read. I highly recommend this book.
This is the first book I have read by this author and I will definitely read more.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC of this book.

A poignant but also humorous read through the trials and tribulations of Beth who suddenly is faced with looking after a toddler and teenager whilst also dealing with her own emotional journey following her sister’s and brother in law’s serious accident.
Great page turner and nicely written this book keeps you hooked and rooting for Beth throughout.
Highly recommended read

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Random House UK for this e-ARC.
Well, I really enjoyed reading this! It was a bit slow at the beginning, but once I got into it, I couldn't put it down. I felt myself constantly thinking about the characters and wanting to know what was going to happen to them.
It was a little predictable in some parts (Jory and Beth) but nothing that spoilt the reading journey.
I am a bit sad that the end is left open, I now want a sequel as I feel like all the characters are part of me and I just want to know what's going to happen to them. All of them!
The writing was fluent, not boring at all.

A really lovely book about the underdog protagonist who navigates a new and unexpected life in all its messiness and realities.

I love a book where you root for the main character!

Thanks for letting me review this book