Mums Just Wanna Have Fun

When I read the synopsis, I thought it sounded like a fun read...I wasn’t wrong!!!

Mums Just Wanna Have Fun is poignant, fun, heart warming and relatable in so many ways. The characters are brilliant, they take us not only on holiday to Ibiza, but we also go on emotional journeys with them. I don’t want to say too much more about it, I just think you should give it a go! Five fun stars from purplebookstand!

A lovely heartwarming story with relatable characters, lots of mishaps and mayhem happening that will keep you reading. A lovely story worth reading.

I really enjoyed this book although the title is a slight misrepresentation as its more about two friends and their struggles with being a parent. Both are single parents. Nancy to Jack who has autism and Hannah to two children while running a business. It's funny how as parents we think that everyone else is doing a better job than we are and how we always doubt ourselves and are afraid to be honest about our children and how we feel about them. I learnt a lot about autism and yet that was not the main focus of the story. Really likeable characters.

This is such a lovely, heartwarming and optimistic story. I absolutely loved it! Realistic and relatable characters and accurately nails Mum Guilt. Recommend!

I really enjoyed this story. As a Mum myself I could relate to the mummy guilt and judgement, but also the joys of motherhood. This isn’t your average light-hearted read, and it shines a light on what it means to be a mum to an autistic child, in a sensitive and informative manner. Coupled with Harriet’s story of the struggle of being a working mum with the addition of post-natal depression, it delves into several of more challenging experiences motherhood brings. Despite dealing with some tough subject matter, it is not a depressing read, occasionally emotional, but ultimately uplifting and reminds us we’re all in it together and sometimes being a little bit brave can reap great rewards. I would definitely recommend it to Mums and non-Mum’s alike.

Another fab read from Lucie Wheeler! I loved this authors debut novel and this was just as good! A fun, but emotional story about the struggles of parenting and friendship, which as a mother I could really relate to.

I cannot wait to see what Lucie does next!

I am so glad that I picked up this book. The author mentions research and speaking to parents- but this reads with such understanding and insight you could well believe that she has personal experience with someone with autism. It would be a great book for relatives of newly diagnosed children to read to give a little more idea of just how debilitating a meltdown can be. It was handled very sensitively, yet honestly.
Nancy's friend Harriet, who is also a single mum, books them on an all inclusive holiday to Ibiza. They want to have fun- but each are hiding how difficult they are finding things. Harriet is trying to juggle a high powered job with bringing up 2 children, and Nancy is struggling to believe that she is a champion mum to her little boy who has autism. Having a daughter with autism- the very things she stresses about rang very true. They do get to enjoy some lovely times with delicious cocktails, but there is much heartsearching to be done and reassuring moments between the two friends.. The complex sounded like a lovely place to visit.
There are a couple of lovely additional characters- Cameron and Jayne who add such a great added dimension to both of our mum's holiday experience. I would imagine a lot of single mums would love to meet a Cameron- he sounds wonderful!
I will go back and look out Lucie's other books as I enjoyed every page of this one.

Mums Just Wanna Have Fun has a much deeper layer to the story than what I originally expected to read. This book is about both the struggles and the joy of being a parent and it really is a complete package.

The prologue definitely got my attention as I felt Nancy's frustration and disbelief over what was happening. I found it to be a great introduction to her character, showing both her strength and determination where her son was concerned. My heart broke for Nancy and Jack at times throughout this story and I'm sure that many people will be able to relate to the situations that they faced. Lucie Wheeler wrote with feeling and sensitivity showing the struggles of daily life for not just Nancy but Harriet too. Harriet is lively and so likeable but she is also struggling to create the so called perfect balance between home and work life. The thing is life is never perfect and I think at one time or another we have probably all felt "mum guilt" so it was good to see this side of the story too. I loved how Harriet and Nancy have different personalities but this works so well for their friendship.

There were some fun moments that really helped to create a lovely balance with the emotional parts. I have to admit to having a chuckle over a certain part involving phonics. I could just imagine my five year old trying to segment the word as he said it! There is a very realistic edge to this story showing the happy moments but also the turbulent times that people face when bringing up their children. All set against a holiday that this set of characters will never forget!

Emotional but hopeful with some wonderful friendships and even a dash of romance!

With thanks to Lucie Wheeler, Harper Impulse and Netgalley for my copy. This is my honest and unbiased opinion.

What a wonderful read, I devoured it in two days. The main characters Nancy and Harriet are likeable and I was keen to read how the story would develop. Two women and three children on an all inclusive holiday to Ibiza sounds like fun. Take into account one is a workaholic and one child is autistic, then add one single dad and his son and the story isn’t as simple as you think. On the surface it seems like a great story about going on holiday but scratch below the surface and you find all the characters have hidden secrets. The story unfolds at a good pace and keeps you hooked till the end. Thanks Lucie for a great read, can’t wait for your next book.

As a new mum myself I was really keen to read this one and I have to say that it is excellent and you definitely do not need to be a mum to read it!!

I enjoyed everything about the story the characters Harriet and Nancy are great, the plot was brilliant and I loved the location that the book was set in too although it did make me feel like I need a holiday in the sun!

The book is really well written, it flows really well to carry the plot through and I have no hesitation in giving the book five stars from me, I loved it and really highly recommend it! I am now off to read Lucie's debut!!

5☆ A heartwarming fun read. Highly recommend

 Mums just wanna have fun is a heartwarming and poignant read.
Bundles of fun, mishaps, mayhem, emotional, a story of new beginnings, family and frienships.

When Lucie asked me to read her second book I was over the moon. After reading her first book first time mums club I couldn't wait.

When I read the blurb and realised Autism featured in the story my heart warmed as Autism is very close to my heart. I used to be a special needs assistant to a little boy who was Autistic. So my heart went out to Nancy. I worked with the parents really closely so I can relate to the struggles Nancy and Jack go through.

Nancy is currently a single parent to little Jack. Nancy's husband Pete walks out on her one day when he can't cope with Jack's needs. You see Jack has Autism and sees the world differently. He Needs structure and routine and Pete just left.

I was furious with Pete I thought he was a selfish arse! Yes I understand it's extremely difficult and emotionally exhausting but what about Nancy she can't give up. I was so mad! Especially when 12months later he crawls back expecting Nancy to welcome him with open arms.

He wasn't expecting Nancy to be strong and tell him she is off to Ibiza with Best Friend Harriet and her children.
I was like Yayyy you go girl!

Nancy is very apprehensive as she has never taken Jack away out of routine.
But off they go! To sunny Ibiza.

I adored Nancy's character. My heart went out to her. She's stronger than she thinks. Raising children is never easy but raising a child with special needs is hard but also extremely rewarding.

Jack is gorgeous and a sweetheart. He made my heart swell with pride as he faces new challanges.

I absolutely adored reading all about the adventures both Nancy and Harriet have.
With plenty of cocktails, fun, making new friends, possible new love interests.

You can tell Lucie's experience working with children and being a mum just shines through it adds a special touch.

This is the Perfect feel good read, that will warm your heart and make you want to go away. With loveable characters, adorable children, what's not to love. A story of new beginnings and starting over.

I highly recommend this book with a warm mug of coco or if your feeling adventurous a cocktail.

 I can't wait to read more from Lucie she is fast becoming one of my favourite Authors.

Not only was I excited to take part in Lucie's blog tour with an author interview and thanks to the lovely people at Netgalley I was also able to get my hands on an early copy of this fantastic book!

I enjoyed Lucie's first book 'The First Time Mums Club' so I knew I would be in for a treat! It did not disappoint It was such a fun read about two single mums holidaying in Ibiza.
Harriett and Nancy have been friends since forever and after a disastrous year for them both, Harriett decides they need a break away and manages to convince Nancy that what she needs is sun, sea and cocktails!

As the synopsis mentions above, Nancy's little boy Jack has autism. I really liked that Lucie has included this into her story, myself not knowing anyone with autism I found it really interesting understanding how Jack coped in certain situations and environments. I really liked the relationship between mother and son and the way Nancy communicates with him by simply putting her hand on his arm and waiting for him to be ready to speak to her, it was really heart warming to read. You could tell that Lucie has done her research or maybe knows someone with autism, it was a real eye opener for myself.

My favourite character has to be Harriett, successful business woman and mother to two she is superwoman and has it all under control. (so she would have you believe) but through the book we get to see a different side to Harriett that simply made her human and normal with every day struggles of trying to keep that work life balance. Trying to be the best mother by working all the hours to provide for her children which then results in loosing time to spend with them.

After a bumpy start to the holiday and with some minor dramas throughout it turns out the holiday is just what the ladies needed and they would be returning with a different outlook to life both wanting to make some positive changes and bringing home some new friendships.

Well done Lucie on another fantastic read, the book does have a serious message running throughout the background of the storyline however you kept it light hearted, fun including lots of jokes and cocktails along the way. I really hope you included cocktail research while writing this book, Nancy and Harriett I am sure made their way through the whole of the cocktail menu and I must admit I noted down a few to try when I am next out!

Oh and one more person that we must not forget to mention.. CAMERON...!
Thank you Lucie for bringing Cameron into my life..! What a gentlemen, such a fun, caring but cheeky character who just fitted into the storyline perfectly.

I am looking forward to what is next and Lucie Wheeler is definitely an author to watch!

What a read! This strikes to the heart of every woman with children, and it’s particularly apt that this book centres around a holiday. Others may be able to lie back and relax but as we all know, mums – and especially the single parent variety – are NEVER off-duty!

Nancy’s son Jack is autistic and this piqued my interest. I have a friend with two autistic boys and I know that she has faced exactly the sort of criticism which Nancy has to deal with. This is so authentic that everyone – and not just parents – should read this to increase their understanding without having to wade through a boring medical based explanation. I know how hard my friend has had to fight – and continues fighting – to get her boys fair treatment. I felt I wanted to send Jack a t-shirt with the slogan ‘Auty, not naughty’ …

Harriet is also a single parent with two children who runs her own company. She has a giant dose of ‘mum guilt’, not helped by her own mother’s constant criticisms. Life has moved on since the domestic goddess stay-at-home mums who could always look as if they had it all under control (I bet they had a cupboard or two which couldn’t be opened too), but in her mother’s world Harriet is failing at everything and she’s not shy in remonstrating with her – all of which adds to Hari’s stress.

A week in the sun sounds like just the thing to give these two a break – but, as we all know, holidays rarely turn out to be as easy or as relaxing as we think! The ups and downs of their daily holiday routine are funny, entertaining and touching – all at the same time. This is a book which will touch your heart and your soul, and will not be easily forgotten. I’d like to think that I’ll remember this read the next time I’m faced with a young mum with a child in meltdown .. after all, we’ve all been there!

This is an awesome read, well written and covering serious issues within a light hearted and fun story. That the author was writing it alongside studying for a degree whilst caring for her own family makes it nothing short of astonishing! This is one novel which I not only happily recommend, but one I won’t forget for quite some time!

My grateful thanks to author Lucie Wheeler for providing me with my copy. This is my honest, original and unbiased review.

Wow! This book has it all, great characters, totally believable storyline and the full range of emotions! I got so much more than I was expecting to from this book. The story surrounds mums Harriet and Nancy and their children as they embark on a vacation that will mean more to them than they can imagine. Every part of the holiday and the stories that come from these mums could have happened to me or other women I know. I loved the fact that their lives are not straightforward and are not easy but they have been trying to keep going for the sake of their families and also to save face, I love that there is finally light shed on this happening!

As characters they are great to spend time with. As I said, they are so easy to relate to and identify with. Their children are also easy to identify with, they are typical children in that they are anything but typical and I could easily see aspects of all of their personalities in many of the children I have worked with over the years. I thought it was a great choice made by this author to include a child on the autistic spectrum on their and shine a light on the various intricacies and nuisances that become different when you have a child with an additional need such as this. There are aspects such as school and crowded places, bed time and the use of technology that are explored and I think that Lucie Wheeler did a great job on all of these aspects.

There were some great comedy moments in this book, everyone knows that children know just what to say at just the right moment to make everything funny and this happens so many times in this book. This book also made me cry, more than once. Happy tears and tears alongside some of our lovely characters, just what I want from a book. I am not a mum but I know so many amazing mums who are doing a fabulous job and think they are messing it up and so I can see where a book like this would be amazing for them. I would love to put this book into the hands of so many of my friends and really recommend picking this one up now!

4 Fun Stars 🌟🌟🌟🌟

This was a fun and sometimes serious book all about the ups and downs of being a mom.... as a mom of three almost grown children I can honestly say it is the best, most rewarding, and most challenging part of my life.... i’ve never doubted my abilities as a mom...in fact I’m pretty confident that I am pretty darn good at it.... it might be the one thing in my life I am pretty darn sure of.... I have also been a single mom for the past five years... and though there were a few added challenges and struggles it has been pretty easy thanks to an amazing support system and the fact I have pretty darn good kids.... what does this have to do with this book you might ask? It really has everything to do with it, it is the perspective I am going into this book with... I love being a mom, I love my kids, and I Believe as mothers we all need to support one another....*steps off soapbox*

Nancy is a newly single mother struggling to come to terms with the fact that her ex probably isn’t going to step up and be the father that her son Jack deserves.... Jack is autistic and therefore Nancy’s challenges are a bit different than most women in her situation.... Harriet her BFF is also a single mom A confident career woman.... but not so confident when it comes to motherhood she is extremely overwhelmed and feels like such a failure when it comes to her abilities as a mother... and the situation is not helped out by her own mother.....

Nancy and Harriet decide they need to have some fun so they pack up the kids and head on vacation to Ibiza.... but can Harriet stop working while on vacation? And can Nancy come to terms with the fact that her ex cannot be the father that Jack deserves?While on vacation the girls meet some new friends and perhaps even a love interest....

I liked both Nancy and Harriet and I liked the friendship that they shared with one another..... I think this book is probably going to be more appreciated by mothers... I think you will find the situations, challenges, and the judgments more relatable if you have gone through them yourself.... this was a fun read, with some laugh out loud moments, and also some moments that made you think... what would I do in that situation?

Absolutely recommend as a fun fluffy beach read especially if you are in Ibiza...

*** thank you to the publisher Harper Impulse for a copy of this book ***

I absolutely loved The First Time Mums Club so I was so excited for this next one and my goodness it was just as fantastic.

Also the cover for this.. Wow isn't it a gorgeous one? So bright and beautiful!

The characters in this were fabulous, Nancy and Harriet two best friends struggling with their own problems. I think a lot of mums will be able to relate to them. They decide they need to get away on a holiday and it is really nice to see them away from their daily routines at home and see them relax a little. Their holiday didn't go as easily as they'd planned but I really think we see a difference in them by the end.

Nancy's son is autistic and I really think this book is a great eye opener as a lot of people don't really know much about it. It was very emotional seeing his bad times and how hard it is for both parent and child but there is just as many happy times and it was beautiful to see.

I am gutted that I finished this book as I just wanted to keep reading and hearing what was next for them all and it was just really fun and it made me so happy and I just loved this so much! It definitely made me want to book a holiday and also give my kids a huge cuddle and appreciate the little things in life as some people don't have it quite as easy!

I can't wait for the next one by Lucie Wheeler! She is fast becoming one of my favourite authors!

Lucie Wheeler is back with yet another tale of mummyhood with 'Mums Just Wanna Have Fun'. I am pleased that an author chose to write about single mums and the challenges that they can face on their own. As a single mum myself, I appreciated the concept of a single parent being laid bare. However, I found the way in which single mums were described in this book, a little bit on the disappointing side as it made single mums come across as whinging, whining people and that becoming a single parent was a negative thing. Now whilst I can appreciate that every family has different challenges, I didn't quite understand where the negativity for single mums in general, was stemming from personally.

If you take away the negativity surrounding single mums/single parents then yeah, I did really enjoy reading this book. I loved how raw Nancy's life came across in regards to her son's challenges with autism. It certainly opened my eyes to that situation as a whole - my heart certainly went out to her one more than one occasion.

Harriet...what a hilarious character. A character who a lot of readers will be nodding along with, agreeing with every hurdle this character had to face yet was too afraid to admit. It's people like this which allow women to feel like they're not on their own when they can no longer see the light at the end of the tunnel. Hell, I remember holding my baby for the first time and going 'errrrrr what do I do now?!' and yet i was a single mum from the moment I fell pregnant.

I thought the whole section with Cameron and his son Aidan, absolutely beautiful. I'm not going to lie, i did get emotional. As weird as this sounds, Aidan's gift for Jack was the star of the storyline as it highlighted the fact that there are in fact, truly wonderful people in this world. You just need to find it in your heart to believe.

Despite my own personal issues with the storyline as mentioned previously, I still found my heart getting hugged by the beautiful vibe of the overall storyline itself. You can tell that the author is a parent herself due to the way in which she conducted the parts about being a mummy - its moments like that which Google cannot help you with. You either know, or you don't, and Lucie Wheeler certainly does as it was written from her heart.

'Mums Just Wanna Have Fun' made me laugh, made me smile, and made me feel exceptionally proud to be a mummy, even when I feel like the worst mummy in the world. This book is definitely a star in the night sky.

Harriet and Nancy have been best friends since they were children and have always supported each other. Now, they are both single mothers with very busy lives. Harriet has her own successful company, but her demanding job doesn't leave her much time to spend with her two young children. Nancy has her hands full taking care of her seven-year-old autistic son Jack, especially since her husband walked out on them a year earlier. They both need a break, so Harriet organises a one-week holiday together to Ibiza with their children. Their holiday is not without dramatic moments but Harriet and Nancy will also learn to enjoy themselves a little, to make new friends, and to take decisions to change their lives.

This is Lucie's Wheeler second novel, and, although I enjoyed her debut, The First Time Mums' Club, I liked this much more. I really liked the characters of Harriet and Nancy. The author explores in depth their insecurities not only as mothers but also as women, making them realistic and likable, and I enjoyed reading how their friendship stayed strong during the highs and lows of their lives. This is a highly entertaining and fun book which I couldn't put down.

Release Date: March 16, 2018
Genre: Chick Lit
Rating: 4.5 stars

Lucie Wheeler is quickly becoming one of my all time favorite chick lit authors. Her books are down to earth, 100% relatable (especially to moms out there) and clearly well studied when it comes to subject matter. In this one, Lucie touches upon the harder aspects of being a single parent as well as issues like postpartum depression and raising a child with autism. Now, I am not sure if she had researched autism or if she knows about it based on experience but I will tell to you this- she knows her stuff! It's so nice to read up on a subject like this when it is portrayed CORRECTLY. I loved Jack, but I could certainly appreciate the struggles that his mom has when it came to raising him and just being there for him in times of need. <- What a breath of fresh air! Kudos to Lucie Wheeler for doing such a fantastic job with this.

Now on to the story. This book revolves around the lives of two mothers and their children. Nancy (she main character of the book) is a newbie single mom raising her little boy Jack (7) who has autism. Being a single mum is hard in itself (I know, I did it for the first few years of my own sons life) but imagine this on top of raising a child with severe social issues? It's hard! Then we meet Harriet who also happens to be a single mum. Her "issues" include having a hard time juggling working and being the perfect mother to her two children (along with possible issues of postpartum). The two women KNOW that raising children is hard, but also realize that THEY need to live a little, so they go away on a girls/family trip with their children to Ibiza. There, the women come to turns with their feelings on their parenting flaws, raising children in a world where everyone has an opinion, and possibly even finding love..

All in all, I truly LOVED this book. I think the author handled the subject matter PERFECTLY and did a wonderful job at portraying the characters as the plot suggests. Had my son (and then myself) not been sick all week I know I would have read this beautiful novel in one sitting. It's that good!

If you enjoy lighthearted chick lit novels, this would be a GREAT book for you. If you like books that portray real issues (especially in terms of parenting) then this would also be PERFECT for you. The author does a wonderful job at making this book both lighthearted AND important based on the issues at hand. I loved it!

Absolutely fabulous - this combines loads of my favourite things for books into one week long story that has a huge effect on the lives of the characters. We have a holiday to Ibiza, two single mothers, three children, new people to meet, cocktails to be consumed and a whole lot of fun to be had.

What struck me instantly about this book, baring in mind I hadn't paid that much attention to the blurb, I saw new book by an author I enjoyed the debut from and instantly knew I had to read it, was that Nancy's son Jack is autistic.

There is always a great need to have slightly more diverse characters so it was great to see how a single mum and her autistic son were going to cope on a holiday to a big all inclusive hotel. We learn all about some of Jack's triggers but as the holiday progressed what I loved seeing was the huge strides in personal development not only Jack made, but Nancy did in getting to know how to try to improve life for Jack.

They are on holiday with best friend Harriet and her two children, and lets just say not only is Harriet a slight workaholic, she is by all accounts a completely realistic mum and its great to also read about a mother who isn't too sure of herself or motherhood, and what felt like a really honest account of what life with two young children and a very small support network is like.

I loved getting to know these two families, and their quirks, while also having a fabulous holiday in a gorgeous setting, and both ladies each meet a new potential friend on their holiday. I loved the introduction of Jayne and how she seemed to understand what Harriet was going through, and Cameron, single dad to Aiden is one of the sweetest guys I have read about for ages.

There were just little gestures that mean the world to Nancy, and I looked forward to seeing how the friendships progressed.

Mums Just Wanna Have Fun is a delight to read, completely entertaining, full of fun, and just a wonderful way to spend a few hours, curled up with my kindle on holiday with these fabulous, realistic, relatable to characters. This has proven that Lucie Wheeler's debut novel wasn't a fluke of greatness, and that I am already eager to find out what she is writing next, as I want to be first in line to read it!

Thank you to Netgalley and Harper Impulse for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily