Madison's husband leaves her to have some time out in their marriage she is confused and her close friends are not helping then she meets Savine at a health club and they become great friends and she helps her by spying on her husband to find out what he gets up to.
Madison meets Nathan at work and helps her get an interior design job for someone famous he knows, and she starts to find herself on the way.
The first book by Alison Hammond and a great start.
Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC and I give my honest review

An emotional, fun and twisty read full of bombshells. I loved Madison and felt for her so much, she was trying to keep everything together for her family and I wished her husband had been upfront sooner. This is a gorgeous book, with a big heart and an equally powerful message about finding yourself and starting a new chapter. Five stars. Thank you to the authors, publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an ARC.

I have to be honest I was intrigued to read this book but I wasn’t expecting much of a story. However I was pleasantly surprised, I thoroughly enjoyed and was hooked from the first page.
Madison life implodes after her husband Rich tells her he needs a break and she is left to pick up the pieces while caring for their two children. As the story develops Madison learns a lot about her self and I was really rooting for her as she was such a likeable and relatable character.
An excellent empowering read that I would definitely recommend. A sequel to catch up with Madison would be great.
Thanks to NetGalley, Alison Hammond and Random House UK for an advance copy in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.

Now, I might be biased as I adore Alison Hammond, but I absolutely loved this book!

Whilst described as a romcom, it's not the big love story that you'd be expecting, but it's so much more. It's a story of love, strength, family, unexpected friendship, and resilience.

Mansion is happily married mother of two. She's put her career on hold and taken a back seat to bring up her children and support her husband in hid pursuit of fame on tv. While his 'fans' may see him as a bit of a heartthrob, Madison just sees him as Rich,her husband, and doting Dad to their children.

So, when after a family day out, Rich announces he 'needs some space', Madison is dumbfounded, having no idea why and where this sudden announcement has come from.

Her best friend Jess believes it will all be fine. She just has to weather the storm, so Madison keeps on going, being a mum, getting through each day but still without any answers.

Suspecting an affair, she enlists the help of her new friend and confident Sevine (I LOVE HER). Not only does she gain insight, but along the way, she gains confidence and strength and realises just how much she has lost herself over the years.

Is Rich cheating? Does she have the strength to fight? Will her friendships last the course?

I loved the characterisation throughout the whole book. Not only were the characters well executed and relatable, but they also felt real, which is such a positive, in my opinion. The story had me truly routing for Madison, wanting her to find her own happiness in her own way.

A heartwarming read that I would LOVE a sequel to, this would make a great series!

Thanks to Netgalley and Random House UK, Transworld Publishers for the ARC.

I loved this debut novel from Alison Hammond , really great read. Believable characters, excellent storyline and well-written . There was something about the way it was written that made it very easy to visualise, I could feel the hustle and bustle of London even though I don’t it that well, but somehow I sort of did! Oh and I so wanted to tell Jenson where to stick his tartan and tradition! Highly recommended. Thank you for this ARC .

I’m a massive fan of Alison Hammond so was intrigued to read her first novel. It was everything you would expect from Alison - full of heart, humour, and a (strong) sprinkling of girl power, with a nod to Christmas, so perfect for this time of year. I really enjoyed Madison’s story and being with her for her journey of self-discovery and empowerment.

Thanks to Random House UK, Transworld Publishers and NetGalley for granting my wish to read this book.

An enjoyable read, especially for any Alison Hammond fans, but this is a book written with a co author and as such it is obvious in places who has written what….. which does make it a little disjointed. The story is good in some areas, strong in others, but loses itself in some bits.
This is the story of interior designer Madison and her family starting at an ice skating day out in central London with her tv star of a husband and her children but doesn’t turn out to be the idealistic vision of a Christmas outing. Madison has a wonderful group of friends that have been together since school, she sings in a choir, and is inspired by decorating and design of house interiors.
Lots of tv experience is involved, family history and dynamics.
This is a lovely easy read, but didn’t make me laugh out loud, it did however, resonate within the awkward feelings that difficult family issues and relationships can bring. The book left me a bit flat and wasn’t as upbeat and insightful as hoped.
Interesting sensitive and a very different Christmas book.
Thank you NetGalley for the early read.

As a fan of Alison Hammond I couldn't wait to read her debut novel and what a debut it is, I loved reading the story of Madison - her trials, tribulations as she tells us a heartbreaking story. It's full of love, hope, heartbreak we follow the aftermath of her husband's Rich walking out.

I was rooting for Madison and to hopefully get her happy ever after. Great debut and can't wait to read more from this now author, too.

Listen. I was automatically needing this book to be brilliant. Its Alison...who I think is brilliant! And I was beyond excited to get the chance to read her book. Having then read the blurb even more so.
I needn't have worried. It had all the wit and warmth of the woman herself.
And bring on our new author Alison Hammond. She did so well for her first book. It has all you want from the genre. And I didn't for one minute think I was reading a "celeb" written book. I was reading a book by an author. One who I will go on to read more of if she found she loved it too.

Madison has the perfect life doesn't she?
It's seems not. Especially when her perfect tv husband says he needs some spacd( enter my anger and hoping she does NOT take him back)
What Madison needs is to realise her worth. She needs to know she can do things for herself and not jist at the mercy of being seen to be the perfect wife mum or friend.
The adventure to find herself and her hearts wants is lovely. It felt light in all the right moments but never just fluff. Because it covered ground many many woman go through and struggle with.
I loved it.

Great book, warm and engaging just like the author.
I enjoyed this book, it felt realistic and relatable…

I read this book in one afternoon/evening - the characters hit the spot, even the bothering MIL and the annoying boss!!

Thank you to Random House/ Transworld Publishers/ Bantam for granting my wish on Netgalley!

This was my first book by Alison Hammond and i was pleasantly surprised. She is such a lovely lady with a big heart and personality and this really came across in the book. Although this story had quite a common theme, it was done very well. Lots of twists and turns kept you guessing. But at the end of the day it showed that women can be strong and achieve what they set out to do. A wonderful heartwarming, family-orientated read, timed well around Christmas time too. Well done Alison!!

Thanks to Random House UK, Transworld Publishers and NetGalley for allowing me an advanced copy to read in exchange for my open and honest review. As always, my reviews will also be posted on Amazon, Goodreads and Waterstones and interaction on Facebook and instagram where possible.

Really enjoyed this book from Alison Hammond.

Madison’s husband Rich suddenly moves out to have ‘space’ and leave Madison with their two young children. Madison is completely at a loss as to why he needs space but starts to suspect he is having an affair. As she tries to find out the truth she also starts to question if she actually wants him back or not.

The main character, Madison is really relatable, and her actions are totally believable. You end up really routing for her to find her own happiness and find yourself hating her husband, Rich!

Well written and a compelling read which is quick to read.

I would love a sequel to catch up with Madison a few years down the line!

3.5 rounded up. An engaging, easy read with plenty of heart- would have liked it to be a bit more Christmassy but I couldn’t put it down.

I love Alison Hammond as a presenter and really wanted to love her debut novel and I wasn’t disappointed!! A gem of a read we see the story of happily married Madison & Rich and their two children … Rich has become a minor celeb and on the brink of getting his own DIY tv show and so the cracks appear . I loved the characters and could feel the Jamaican heritage … devoured this book in a day and look forward to more by Alison

I might be biased as I love Alison Hammond, but I loved this book. It was exactly what I wanted - festive, warm, and funny. Being described as a romcom, I was expecting the central relationship to be a romantic one, but actually the novel is all about the main character, Madison, falling in love with herself.

Madison's life is turned upside down when her TV star husband abruptly leaves her and their two children just before Christmas. He had so many red flags, but I found Madison so relatable in how she initially reacts by trying to fix everything and somehow feeling responsible for any issues in their marriage. Madison is such a likeable character and you can't help but root for her. Luckily after the initial shock has worn off, Madison starts to consider what she truly wants from life and prioritising her own dreams, rather than her husband's. By the end of the novel she has found new female friendships and a new lease on life. It is truly an empowering novel.

The writing was warm and witty - just like Alison. It was a nice, easy read and the pace really picked up once Madison starts to investigate what her husband was really up to. It became a real page turner by this point. The characters were also really well written and I wanted to be part of Madison's friendship circle (well, mostly!). Overall a lovely festive book!

Well I read this In one sitting it’s a lovely read which has the warmth and fun you get from seeing Alison on tv. I was really routing for Madison in this story and was really pleased with the ending. I can’t say more than that without ruining the story but in this book after years of marriage and two kids Madisons world is turned upside down when her husband Richard walks out and says he needs time to think. As she gets no answers from him about what is happening her whole world is falling apart and she has to reevaluate everything she thought she wanted from life. A great novel with a strong powerful woman as the lead. Don’t miss this one!

I do love Alison Hammond. She is warm and witty so I knew her book would be the same. Her characters are extremely true to life, and I suspect they are based on people that she knows. It’s a fun book about friendships, family, heartbreak, and heart-make.

Madison thinks she has the perfect life. A TV heartthrob, handsome husband, 2 gorgeous children, a bunch of close-knit friends and a wonderful house – and as an interior designer it is just as she wants it. The only thing that isn’t perfect is a job that she hates. When her husband suddenly tells her that he needs some space, and moves out to stay with a cousin, Madison’s world is turned upside down. Can Madison discover her own worth, and change her life for the better or will she fold under the pressure? Sometimes new friends can come into your life at the right time and improve your life for the better.

I really enjoyed this book. It was a quick read, and I polished off in just over a day. It’s warm, witty and bubbly -just like Alison herself.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/7052252372
https://maddybooksblog.blogspot.com/2024/12/bombshell-by-alison-hammond-i-do-love.html

this book did not disappoint. it was a feel good, wrap yourself in a warm blanket. I loved the characters and there development.

this was a joyful read.

I was delighted to have my wish granted to read this book. It didn’t disappoint, a feel good, wrap yourself in a warm blanket story. I liked the characters and how they developed and it runs with a myriad of human emotion. A joy to read.

I loved this! I immediately really liked Madison and was so angry on her behalf at how Richard was treating her. I thought it was easy to read and covered so much- friendship, motherhood, the identity crisis that often comes with regard to work/career when things have taken a back seat for a while. I could identify with a lot of it. There was also some glamour, with Mellow, and I really enjoyed the references to black British culture too. A great read and I’ll definitely be recommending it.