Cover Image: More Than Just Mum

More Than Just Mum

Pub Date:   |   Archive Date:

Member Reviews

Unfortunately I did not manage to read this book at the time; and it is no longer a book I'd be interested in reading. Many thanks to the publisher for approving my request, and my apologies for being unable to provide a full review.

Was this review helpful?

A nice story nothing too complicated going on. This feels like a light hearted book you take on holiday. Characters are likeable and I finished it quite quickly.

Was this review helpful?

I would like to thank NetGalley for the opportunity to review this book even though I did not finish this book.

Was this review helpful?

I'm not a mother, so I think perhaps some of the humour was lost on me. But this was still a lovely book, I think I'm just the wrong reader.

Was this review helpful?

This is a book that all mums can relate to. The characters are likeable and relatable.
However I felt the lack of plot let this book down.
This book made me laugh and brightened my day.

Was this review helpful?

I read this book very quickly thanks to such an engaging talented author! Thank you Netgalley for the chance to read this book in exchange for an honest review. Great characters, setting and storyline. Would highly recommend.

Was this review helpful?

What a way to start the new year! I love romantic comedies and this one really made me smile, even laugh out loud from time to time.
It’s true what the title says. Being a woman is often so much more than just being a mom. Your family counts on you, but you also have to do your job in the best possible way and you want some time just for being you too.
Hannah finds herself in the most hilarious situations (well, hilarious for the readers that is. From her point of view they are quite embarrassing sometimes) whilst trying to watch out for her teenaged son and daughter and she wants to protect her younger son from picking up certain things.(and failing)
Hannah decides to do something for herself. Will people appreciate her efforts or will she be the laughing stock?
In my opinion this was a very good description of a family’s daily life. Of course there are some things going on that are less common, but overall I thought it was very accurate. Siblings arguing, but sticking together when needed, teenagers making fun of their parents but not with the intention of hurting them, parents supporting each other and their children,…
It’s a wonderful story that I enjoyed very much. 5 stars

Thank you, Rebecca Smith and One More Chapter

Was this review helpful?

This one took an unexpected, hilarious turn!

Hannah is a Mum to three children (2 of whom are teenagers!), has a lovely relationship with her husband and teaches part time in the school...which is less enjoyable! She questions her career and whether she is losing her own identity and wants to find something that is 'just for her'.

There is comedy throughout, it is a very relatable and realistic portrayal of family life and for the most part the characters are likable. I won't give away what Hannah decides to turn her hand to but its not something you usually expect in these kind of novels, it's brilliant though!

A classic, feel good read!

Thank you to @netgalley and @onemorechapterhc for the opportunity to review.

#libraryatsevern #bookworm #book #reading
#bookstagramuk #londonreader #bookreviewfeature #bookreview #bibliophile #bookstagrammers #readersofinstagram #reader #igreads #morethanjustmum #bookblogger #goodreads #bookshelf #bookreviewer #bookshelf #onemorechapterhc #netgalley #lockdownreads #stayhomeandread #bookstragram#bookstagrammer #womensfiction #femalewriters

Was this review helpful?

What a fun read this was, I found myself laughing out loud on multiple occasions, the author totally hits the parenting nail on the head!

Was this review helpful?

I really enjoyed this book. Rebecca Smith has totally captured what it is to be a Mum and how hard it can be can be to keep your own identity at the same time. This rediscovery of Hannah as Hannah is funny, touching and sometimes a little close to the bone. Highly recommended.

Was this review helpful?

This is a really enjoyable book. I found it so so easy to read and it is a book you will get addicted to and not be able to put down. Brilliant characters.

Was this review helpful?

I read the sequel first (by accident - I didn't realise until the very end) but I just couldn't get into More than just mum as a consequence.

Loved the writing and the humour - definitely an author I would read more of.

Was this review helpful?

I don’t know why it’s taken me so long to get to this book. It certainly is a book that you won’t want to put down. I loved all the characters and where this book took me. A lovely read.

Was this review helpful?

More than just Mum is a title which jumped out at me right away, resonated on a personal level. I had little knowledge about the plot of this novel before I started it, and was very pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed it overall.
The title character, Hannah is a mum and teacher (as I am) so I empathised on many levels, but her story is one which could be enjoyed by anyone who wants a bit of realist escapism (is that a thing? It should be!) Enough of the story is familiar to make it relatable with a few genuinely laugh out loud moments, especially in the second half of the story.
Admittedly, it did take me a bit to get into the story. I didn't know quite where it was going to go for the first few chapters and I wasn't sure I was 100% getting it, but once the story got established I really enjoyed it.

Was this review helpful?

Loved this fun read! Great believable characters. Lots of laugh out loud moments. Very relatable. Want some more of Hannah's story.
Thanks NetGalley and Impulse, Killer Reads and One More Chapter for the ARC!

Was this review helpful?

This is a book that many ladies out there can recognise: the desire to be known as more than just a mother. And this is what this novel explores as Hannah attempts to move beyond her label and make her identity known once more.

As a qualified teacher of Biology but now in an English classroom, I found the school scenes extremely funny, particularly the ones describing Hannah’s lessons with her Year Nine class. Having been in a similar position, I could easily hear her students’s voices in my head and recognised the rebellious behaviour and stresses of being in a classroom. But, the comedy does not stop there. Hannah’s monologue is entertaining and I was regularly chuckling aloud as she tells her story. It is this that made me give the book a four-star rating – the plot itself was just a bit weak to be appreciated without the humour.

So, the premise is that Hannah intends to be known as more than ‘mum’. Whilst she is a part-time teacher, she is dissatisfied and having a sort of mid-life crisis at the prospect of her children growing up and her eldest flying the nest. Desperate to maintain some sort of control over her children whilst allowing them to be independent adults is a theme which many parents can relate to. However, in a bid to become something else, Hannah attempts a career change and writes a book that she has been determined to produce for many years. This aspect of the plot felt forced and convenient although, I was entertained when extracts of Hannah’s book were provided in the narrative. A lot of the characters talk about Hannah’s novel but I wish there had been more features of it.

The main characters are all very likeable and it is clear that the author has written from the heart and from experience. The teaching setting is an accurate reflection and I could easily picture the craziness of Hannah’s household. If it wasn’t for the actual plot, I think I could have easily given this the full five stars.

I was a bit bored by the narrative and instead sought out more humour to keep me interested. That’s definitely disappointing but, I did find many elements entertaining, nonetheless. If you are seeking an uplifting story then definitely consider this book. However, for strength of plot, you may want to consider something else of this genre.

With thanks to NetGalley and OneMoreChapter for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Was this review helpful?

Nice story, I could easily relate to the character and it felt realistic and original!It was fun and hilarious, I had a smile on my face most of the time!The book shows this problem in a funny perspective. The main character, a part-time teacher named Hannah, has 3 children and all she wants is to reinvent herself.If you are looking for a fun and lighthearted read this is perfect!

Was this review helpful?

Loved it the reader gets drawn in to the character's,live like and humorous.A good plot that centres around the main character

Was this review helpful?

I had a very hard time becoming engaged with this book. The story of Hannah was very slow to unfold and I found myself stepping away for weeks at a time rather than finish reading it. It did get much better in the last 3/4's of the book but I would not recommend this book at this time. Perhaps a sequel will be better but the first one fell flat for me.

Was this review helpful?

Hilarious! Far more than a working mum story is trying to have it all. Such an easy entertaining story to read. Hannah is easy to like as is the rest of the family. Plenty of laugh out loud moments. I miss them all already and really hope the future holds a sequel as to Hannah’s career plans!

Thank you Netgalley

Was this review helpful?