I haven't read the first book, but this is absolutely fine as a stand alone book. Initially I wasn't sure whether it was for me, but after the first chapter I really bought into it and steamed through it.

Nell is in her forties, with a broken engagement and a miscarriage behind her. She is engaged to Edward, very happy. One of her best friends Cricket (Catherine) who is in her 80s, decides they need something new, and takes her to a somewhat unusual weekly craft group- making their own coffins!

Life finally seems to be plain sailing for Nell - her job, her man, her friends all going well - but this wouldn't be real life without a few spanners in the works so nothing is quite as settled as she thought.

An amusing, light read with believable characters and in which you find yourself routing for Nell to find her happy ending. At the end of each chapter Nell says what she's grateful for. I was grateful to be able to read this book.

After not reading the first book in the series, I felt a little bit lost and didn't really understand Nelle's journey. I did however find the writing to be light hearted and funny and something i would normally read. Therefore although I did not fully finish, it would be unfair for me to discredit the author and i feel I need to go back to the beginning to really enjoy,

A brilliant read and one I really enjoyed. The characters are loveable and varied, the plot is one that is engaging and medium paced. I found myself completely drawn into the story and enjoyed the writing style.

Absolutely loved this book. Such an easy read with a great storyline. I like the main character, Nell and it’s just so enjoyable to read about what is going on with her. I thought I’d guessed where the story was going, but nope, Alexandra never goes to the obvious outcome, and that’s what makes her such a good author. Definitely recommend this book and hoping for another instalment. Thank you #netgalley

An excellent follow up to confessions of a forty something. Throughouly this sequel. Well written and an easy flowing read

A continuation of book #1, reminding us that there is never really a happy ever after and life always comes with it's up and downs (and it's f###k ups).

Like the first book, the shining moments were once again the wonderful friendship between Nell and Cricket.

Potter pulled off another thought-provoking and thoroughly entertaining story.

I enjoyed the first #Confessions book very much, though it was some time since I read the previous book.

This book sees Nell continuing to muddle on chaotically, as well as trying to navigate her relationship with Edward, who she lodged with in the previous book.

There are lots of funny moments, and some touching ones. Friendships are very prominent in this book too, and the unlikely but strong friendship Nell has with sparky octogenarian Cricket is a delight.

I would say you definitely need to have read the first book to understand any of the characters and for background.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for giving me a copy of this book.

I listened to Confessions of a Forty-Something F**k Up a year ago and really enjoyed it, so when I got the chance to read and review the follow up I was really excited. Having listened to the first one, I have to admit that I did hear Nell and Cricket in the wonderful voices given to them by Sally Phillips and it really felt like meeting up with old friends again. It was great fun to be back with Nell and Cricket and all the ups and downs of their lives. Nell’s terrific sense of humour continues to shine through, as does Cricket’s great sense of wisdom with just the perfect amount of adventure and fun. Again the storyline touches upon the serious as well as the hilarious, and it had me both laughing out loud and feeling great sympathy at different points throughout. All in all, a thoroughly entertaining read!
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an arc in exchange for a review.

#Confessions is one of my favourite books and I absolutely loved this too. Just three pages in and I was already laughing and relating to Nell's confession of being the only person in the pandemic "who failed to learn a language or write a novel or give Bake Off a run for its money." And that's what makes this sooo brilliant, the author talking so "candidly and humorously about life" through Nell. For example, mums and their habit of telling stories about the ins and outs of people we've never met, and hats being "like the fourth emergency service".

Like the first, this funny – truly hilariously funny - throughout. I particularly laughed out loud at Nell's invitation to not attend her called off wedding with "Mr & Mrs Stevens delighted to announce their daughter has fucked up again."

Underneath the humour, I love and agree with all the life advice too - mostly from Cricket, Nell's eighty- something vibrant, witty, rebellious friend. 'Why not' as a good philosophy for life, the freedom of 'travelling without a plan' and getting older being a privilege. Like Cricket I too sometimes worry that "if you don't believe you'll find love, you never will."

DNF at 10%.

Okay, before you jump down my throat for DNFing a book so early, in my defence the blurb said this was hilarious and un-put-downable. I can assure you it is neither. I didn't find anything funny, it just seems to be a first-person POV story/podcast with Nell talking to the reader.

It just didn't grab me, sorry.

I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley in return for an honest review.

Nell is a forty-something peri-menopausal Bridget Jones type character who is enjoying her own space in her first home and has an good job.

However, her friends of a similiar age all seem to be in a different place...marriage, kids, careers and Nell thinks of herself as a bit of a F-up.

I enjoyed the main characters  in this book, especially Cricket, Nell's octogenarian best friend, who definitely doesn't act her age and doesnt care what others think! Her frank approach helps Nell to re-examine her owm life with fresh eyes.

I didn't read the first book but this one is easy to pick up as a stand-alone. A fun, light read - a must for all 40 somethings that may
be doubting themselves!

After thoroughly enjoying 'Confessions of a forty something f**k up', I was very excited to reunite with Nell and Cricket! This book did not disappoint and had me hooked from the start.
Picking up two years after where we left off, we see Nell dealing with living in a post-lockdown world, something very relatable. I loved all the references to UK lockdown, like banana bread and PE with Joe Wicks. It brought back a lot of memories! After the end of the first book, we assume Nell has got her fairytale ending but this book shows what happens after 'the end'. The difficulties of navigating a relationship, especially later in life when the pressure to marry and have babies is sky high. I love how Potter addresses the difficulty of this and does not shy away from the pain of miscarriage, even years down the line. I think it's such an important topic that is never spoken about. The book is real and messy. It navigates friendships, relationships, and career. It was great to see Nell progress and learn in all those areas!
As always, it was absolutely hilarious to read. Certain parts just made me laugh out loud, especially the coffin making sessions. If that's a real thing, I'm very intrigued to join!
Even as a 20 something not a 40 something, I related a lot to struggling with where you are at in life and feeling behind. On the hand, this book really made me feel less alone! On the other hand, sometimes it mocks 20 somethings, suggesting they all look perfect and life is at the peak. While I understand it's normal to feel nostalgic in your 40s, it did feel a bit like a millennial or Gen Xer saying we have it so easy when in fact it's much harder to get jobs and survive in your twenties now than it was 20 years ago.
Nevertheless, it was a pleasure to read this book and honestly felt like I was having a conversation with Nell at points!

Brilliant

This is the follow up to confessions of a forty something f*** up which I loved.

I loved this just as much.
Funny, easy and quick to read

Great

Great sequel to the original 'Confessions of a Forty Something F**k up' story. I loved catching up with Nell and Cricket and the rest of the cast and crew of this glorious book.

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

Nailed it…. Again!

Loved it and thought this was effortless, real and true! Well done. I couldn’t love this book more! I have recommended it to everyone! I thought the first one was good… but this was better! Real characters - real life!

Catching Up with Nell

Oh I was so excited to see what was happening for Nell after reading Confessions years ago. This book was like putting on your favourite pyjamas. We join Nell just after lockdown - which was surreal to read about - a time where everyone is getting back out there and seeing people again. Nell is still enjoying writing obituaries, Cricket is still Cricket and Arthur still sounds like a lovely pooch.
Nell continues to navigate her forties, feeling like a failure, mourning the life she left behind and trying to move forwards but something is holding her back and in this novel she has to face that.
Cricket is still one of my favourite book characters and I adored meeting her again and seeing what she got up to. All in all, another book about life not living up to the expectations in our heads and often smashing them out of the park.
Alas - I still kinda want to punch Annabell…

I loved this. A brilliant sequel. It had me hooked from the beginning, couldn’t put it down. It’s hilarious and relatable.
I loved the characters especially Cricket and her friendship with Nell.
It’s brilliantly written, it’s honest, full of humour and so entertaining and uplifting too.
An unputdownable read that’s heartwarming and thought provoking. Definitely recommend. Would love to see book three in this series @AlexandraPotter
Thanks to #NetGallery @PanMcMillan for an arc of #MoreConfessionsOfAFortySomethingF**K Up in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Book publishes 17th August 2023.

Hilarious and highly relatable! This was my first experience of reading Alexandra Potter and I must say, she writes well! She had me engrossed and rooting for the main character despite her shortcomings.

I'll be reading more of her for sure.

I’m a big Alexandra Potter fan. Her writing style is so free and easy. This book was witty and care free. So good to be back with Nell. Plenty of twists and turns in this story. This was a great follow up to the original Confessions story. Plenty of room for another.

Tip: keep reading to the end. The reminders to self when strolling made me smile. So true

Loved it, such a fun book that’s well written and the lead character brilliant, a real page turner full of every emotion imaginable!