I’m considerably older than Becca and her friends, but this wonderfully written book took me straight back to the trials and tribulations of being in my forties – that awareness that life perhaps hasn’t worked out the way you wanted it to, the changes that suddenly make you realise you’re actually on the verge of being past it, and all those preoccupations with family that keep you awake at night.

But this is Becca’s story, told in her own clear and consistent voice – laced with lots of humour, but with so much depth to the emotional content that it really touched me to the heart. Having suddenly lost her beloved father, her mother’s wellbeing is often foremost in her thoughts – and that’s when she’s not worrying about her twin sons, away in England at university, one giving her little cause for concern, the other lurching from one crisis to the next (and depleting her savings along the way). Thank goodness for best friend Niamh – she might be prone to her own crises at times, but she’s always there, watching her back.

But there was a time when there was a trio of friends – and, their relationship severed around the time of Becca’s divorce, Laura comes back into their lives after they hear about the death of her mother, very fondly remembered from their teenage years. And that makes Becca remember the time capsule they put together thirty years before – including letters written by their younger selves, setting out their hopes and expectations for the future. In her case, there’s a considerable gulf between her plans and what she’s actually achieved in her life – and it becomes a major catalyst for trying to recover her spark and change her future.

The way female friendship is captured in this book is just wonderful – although I could really feel the deep hurt caused by the betrayal that brought about the rift between Becca and Laura, and the struggle to find forgiveness when the elephant was always lurking in the corner of the room. While I was often in tears of laughter, there’s so much (very real…) poignancy to the whole story that there were moments when I had a lump in my throat at the same time – those times when I really wanted to give Becca a hug, reassure her that life won’t always be this difficult and that her best years aren’t necessarily behind her.

Of course, there are also the very real issues of being perimenopausal, not just the hot flushes, and whether HRT might be the way to make everything in life feel better – there was so much there that rang true, and took me right back to those really difficult years. And I must mention her relationship with her mother, which was something I really loved – that trip to the big Asda with the trolley dash to buy all the Christmas bits and pieces brought back so many personal memories, but so did Becca’s occasional frustration at the many demands that made her life even more difficult.

Filled with warmth and love, tackling the issues of the sandwich generation with humour and honesty – essential reading for anyone in or approaching their forties and feeling life might have passed them by, but with so much that can’t fail to ring true whatever your age. This was a book I really loved, with the most delightful characters that it was a joy to spend time with – one for every woman’s reading list, very highly recommended, and I’m really looking forward to seeing how the series develops.

Freya Kennedy's The Fecking Fabulous Forties Club is a delightful and relatable journey of self-discovery, perfectly capturing the bittersweet humor and unexpected turns of midlife. Becca Burnside's character resonates with anyone who has ever found themselves questioning their life choices, wondering how they ended up far from the dreams of their youth. Kennedy does a brilliant job of balancing humor with heartfelt moments as Becca navigates her forties, determined to prove to her younger self that it's never too late to chase those long-forgotten dreams. The quirky cast of supporting characters adds depth and warmth to the story, making it a thoroughly enjoyable read.

While the plot is somewhat predictable, it's the charm of Becca's character and the witty, honest narrative voice that elevates this novel. The exploration of midlife challenges, from grappling with unrealized dreams to the humorous yet poignant struggles with aging, is handled with both sensitivity and a light touch. The Fecking Fabulous Forties Club is a feel-good, uplifting read that reminds us that it's never too late to reinvent ourselves, and for that, it earns a well-deserved four stars.

Ne'er has a book been so relatable, this was so me going back ten years! I'm still being controlled by the hot flushes mind, but hey ho...

Unleashing a plethora of emotions Kennedy takes Becca and us on a journey of rediscovery, friendship and life as a single, middle aged woman.

By the end of the book, Becca, Laura and Niamh felt more like friends as we'd gone through so much together.

I Adored the Fecking Fabulous Forties Club and I'm keeping everything crossed that this is only the beginning and there's more to come from Becca and Co?

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 The Fecking Fabulous Forties Club is the latest hilarious novel by Freya Kennedy.

We get to meet Becca, who is a 46 year old divorcee in Derry, Northern Ireland whose most exciting thing is a visit to Big Asda with her elderly mum who shouts “do you want size 18-20 big pants?” in the middle of the store! Her life hasn’t gone quite as her 16-year-old self dreamed. Can she and her friends do anything about it?

To finish reading and writing my review on my 59th birthday seems rather appropriate. Although a little over 10 years their senior, I connected with all three women!! I feel this could’ve been written for me and should’ve been titled fabulous fifties instead of forties! I have laughed out loud so many times during this book but I also shed a tear or two once or twice.

Grab your copy here:
https://mybook.to/fabfortiessocial

I'm reviewing this via NetGalley, as part of a tour with Rachel's Random Resources.

On first impressions, the protagonist, Becca, had a sense of humour that I enjoyed, and I found myself chuckling as I read her narrative. As the story progressed, I found that what I enjoyed most was the deeper side of Becca. She talked about her fears and insecurities in a relatable way, and I enjoyed how she reflected and reminisced. I also really liked the portrayals of female friendship, especially Becca's friendship with Niamh. Everyone needs a friend like that.

This was funny, heartwarming, and a tearjerker, all at the same time. It was lovely to read.

Thank you to NetGalley, Rachel's Random Resources, Boldwood Books, and to the author, for the opportunity to read and review this.

Friendship, time capsules, nostalgia..women supporting women in that strange time in life called the Forties. Brilliant book!

I received an E-ARC with a request for my honest review.

This hilarious and uplifting read follows Becca who in her forties is a single mum, with two children who are both at university. She lives on her own with her sog for company.

When an old friend’s mother suddenly passes away, she is reminded of old times, and after reading a letter written by her younger self she starts to believe she has let her old self down.

Determined to make a change she sets herself some goals to achieve, with one being mending an old friendship.

Will Becca achieve her goals? Will she mend her old friendship?

This book had me laughing throughout, and although I’m a little younger than the main character I could still relate to some of the issues she was having.

The friends and family Becca has around her are a great support, and this was lovely to see how they could help each other through hard times.

This was an uplifting read as it shows there is no need to be perfect or achieve all you set out to be when you are younger, life gets in the way, it is what you do with it that counts.

Overall, a hilarious and uplifting read where a woman in her forties is determined to make some changes.

This is the first book that I have read by this author and I thoroughly enjoyed this book, so much so that when I started reading it I couldn’t put it down. I just loved the characters in this book and also the mention of the menopause and what women have to go through. This book has ups and downs but if you have some good friends then you can get through them that much easier.

I would highly recommend reading this book as it’s just an excellent read.

I would like to thank Boldwood Books and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book early.

The F*cking Fabulous Forties Club by Freya Kennedy

What would Becca Burnside's 16 year old self say about her life now she's in her forties, divorced with children away at university and only her dog Daniel for cuddles? The funeral of the mother of one of her former best friends Laura prompts Becca and best friend Niamh to get in touch. As they reminisce about growing up together can they find their way back to their teenager selves and the hopes and dreams they once had.

What a fabulous book - I absolutely loved it! Fantastic characters and their friendship as teenagers and forty-somethings is so well done. Funny and poignant, and also with great reflections on friendship, family, menopause, aging relatives, grief and so many other things. I'm really hoping for a sequel! Very VERY highly recommended.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book.

If you're a fan of "Derry Girls," you'll love this enjoyable book from Freya Kennedy, because these three friends grew up together in Derry in the '90's and are now grown. One friend is "estranged" from the other two, but when her mother passes away, the other two feel compelled to attend the wake and the funeral. This book follows them on their path to reignite their friendship and follows them through their journey through grief, and peri-menopause.

I really enjoyed this fun read, and thank the publisher and Net Galley for the advanced reader copy of this book! The F*cking Fabulous Forties Club is available August 20th!

The Fucking Fabulous 40s Club, I went into this having fair expectations. There is a story, we have 3 friends with enough unresolved drama from their teen years there. However the length of the story takes away the story, it gets lost in the main character Becca's musings.

For those who'll persevere through the life reflections the main character has, you'll finally enjoy the heart of the story. Though it will leave you thinking was it necesary to go on and on about something's.

Despite being a few years younger than Becca I could really relate to her and she came across as so real. I could imagine being friends with her. A few weeks ago I listened to another story about a woman of this age and I just did not connect with her or understand her behavior and thought process, but Becca's story was so me!

I loved how this story was more focused on her friendship with her two best friends from childhood than on romance, although there was a little bit of romance there. Both her friendships and her relationship with her mother were very real and touching. Everything that happened to Becca could have happened to myself or anyone else, but the way the story was told made it funny at times and really moving at other times. All in all I was completely invested in Becca's story and enjoyed every minute of reading it. It was simply comfort food in book form for me.

This was a book that I read and enjoyed, more so because I could hear the Irish voice in my head reading any passages of quotes. An enjoyable read with an Irish Mammy I think we can all relate to, this was an enjoyable relatable read.

I thoroughly enjoyed this incredible story, which examined the frailty of friendships and how fragile they can be. Becca is like many women as they approach their sometimes-best years, often a time of reflection and regret. Her relationship with her mother is probably one of her most precious connections since her divorce and severing her ties to one of her childhood best friends.
Warned by her mother that her estranged friend is mourning for her mother, a woman who was a crucial part of Becca’s formative years. Along with her other friend, Becca is moved to reconnect and offer their support. A hasty apology provides a temporary fix and allows all three childhood friends to reunite. The shared opening of a time capsule from their younger days leads to some soul-searching and old wounds are soon reopened.
Becca reminds me of so many of my childhood friends, and I must admit that I have cherished reconnecting with a particular group from my school days. Those friendships bring warmth to my memories and allow for self-indulgent reflection, and their presence keeps me grounded. The cause of Becca’s fallout with her friend isn’t revealed immediately, but I am sure I would also have struggled with it. However, I couldn’t help but hope for an amicable resolution.
There is a warmth radiating from the pages despite the tension between the friends. The warmth is a separate issue from the hot flushes that signal the early onset of the time when women risk disappearing into the background if they aren’t careful. This is a humorous and often hilarious look at a subject that is no longer taboo. I am rather grateful that the veils were lifted on this subject just as I transitioned toward the shadow of my former self. Thanks to a new openness, I have found a wealth of support. If only I’d been more aware of the tell-tale signs, I may not have thought I was having a breakdown. I digress; this wonderful book should be on prescription for all women heading towards that certain age.
Brilliant! I can highly recommend it.

A delightful read from a new-to-me-author about three women in their mid-forties reflecting over their lives.
Each are experiencing their own struggles yet band together to support one another. It may not always be easy to do that but each is determined to try.

As someone who is in their forties, I always appreciate and enjoy books reflecting the challenges and joys that life brings at various stages.

If you’re looking for a heartwarming, laugh out loud, and thought provoking story focusing on friendships and life in the real world, I would definitely recommend this!

I wanted The Fecking Fabulous Forties Club to be relatable to my midlife experiences, and it totally hit the mark.

I instantly felt a strong connection with Becca and her friends. The book may seem funny at first, but it also deals with serious stuff like regrets, grief and menopause.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this funny, yet insightful book that brought smiles and tears as I read it.

Following the lives of forty somethings Becca, Naomi and Laura as they navigate life and trials along the way. It was an enjoyable read but it wasn't as life altering for the characters as I would have liked especially when they discovered letters from their younger self's. I would say it was more of a realistic storyline. I loved the characters especially Becca.

Thank you NetGalley and publisher for this arc!

What a great book. Such a quick and easy read. I enjoyed this book. All of the characters are great. Also great story and awesome writing style.

Thank you to netgalley and the publishers for an advanced copy of this book for my honest opinion. A book that most women in their 40s and beyond can connect with and a book woman approaching this age should definitely read. A very well written good paced story which as well as being humourous, it doesn't shy away from some difficult topics. Certainly a book I recommend.

A fantastically funny tale of female friendship that really captures the lives of women of a certain ages but treats the subject with humour. I loved it!