Ellen's life is as chaotic, expletive and drink-filled as usual!

Having read and reviewed all three of the previous books in the Why Mummy series, it's tricky to say something new about Why Mummy's Sloshed that I haven't said before.

All the elements I've come to expect from Gill Simms' writing are present in Why Mummy's Sloshed. There's a witty, conversational style that makes the reader feel they are one of Ellen's friends listening to her rather than reading about her. There are many laugh out loud moments (often through Edward's antics for me). There's an awful lot of swearing that actually made me feel quite jealous. I'd love to have an Ellen type sweary rant at times! I also very much appreciate the chronological structure of Why Mummy's Sloshed. That doesn't mean that elements from Ellen's past are neglected because they are made clear through memories and conversations, but it is so good to read a book that starts in January and ends in December with dated chronological entries rather than having yet another time slip or dual narrative. I very much enjoyed the completeness of the narrative that concludes this series in a very satisfying manner.

I think what works so well throughout the entire Why Mummy... series is the characterisation. In Why Mummy's Sloshed, Gill Simms reveals human frailty and strength. Her depiction of Jane in particular feels so realistic and I love the streak of feminism Jane has inherited from Ellen. Having loathed Simon in the previous book I was pleased to see him return slightly differently in Why Mummy's Sloshed.

As with Why Mummy Doesn't Give A ****, in Why Mummy's Sloshed there's a more measured and less frenetic approach that mirrors Ellen's own increasing maturity, but this time I found a great wisdom underpinning the humour. In fact, Ellen's assistance of her best friend Hannah, is a brilliant example of how we can all reach out to those under pressure. I think that underneath the humour, Why Mummy's Sloshed is a surprisingly sensitive insight into the lives of many women and a brilliant example of how appearances may be deceptive.

I thoroughly enjoyed Why Mummy's Sloshed. It's funny, human and hugely entertaining. I think those finding Ellen for the first time might just find a little bit of themselves in her life that helps them with their own little darlings!

This book held such promise for me and looked like just the sort of humour I needed to get me through these dull, dark, depressing days of Covid19.

However, although I enjoyed this fourth instalment of a stressed out Mummy Ellen trying to cope single-handedly with her almost feral teenage children, Peter and Jane, work, homelife, friends ex-husband Simon, and a slight drinking problem maybe?! The writing is very insightful and I wonder if some of it may be based on the Author's real life, as in places it reads a bit like an autobiography. It certainly resonated with me in lots of places and made me remember some of the disasters, triumphs and troubles my two children put me through growing up.

I did not think their teenager years had quite as much humour as their childhood, but maybe that is because you can laugh it off more when they are children, but when they are adults they answer back!

I have laughed, nodded, cheered and applauded through this whole series. At times i feel i have a more civilized conversation with our two dogs than anyone else in this house. Thouroughly entertaining!!!

To say that I adore this series, it is to say too little. I have been reading it since the first book and, every time, I find myself with tears in my eyes from laughing. The protagonist’s adventures are hilarious and kept me so engrossed that, when I finished reading Why Mummy’s Sloshed, I looked at my phone and I realized that it was 2 in the morning and maybe it was time for me to go to bed.

Ellen has been a mother and wife for twenty years and, for most of the time, she’s never felt appreciated. She spends her days cleaning, cooking, and driving around her children, now teenagers, one of whom spends his time playing video games while the other is busy with her friends and her driving lessons. Ellen has been juggling her family and work for years, but now she feels overwhelmed. With one child hopefully soon on her way to university, she starts to wonder about her identity and a future where her children won’t need her so much.

I love the character of Ellen. She is honest, relatable, smart, funny, and reliable. After four books, I feel like I know her and – having just discovered this is the final installment in this series – I know I am really going to miss reading her adventures. She gets herself in situations that are hilarious and that you can clearly see happening. And the way she recounts them is captivating and makes me laugh page after page (I still laugh every time I think about Ellen babysitting her best friend’s Devil toddler).

Why Mummy’s Sloshed can be easily read as a stand alone, but I highly recommend you also read the previous books, not only because they are entertaining and immersive reads, but because you can see how well the characters develop. Ellen’s children are growing up, her husband seems more involved in the life of their children, so can Ellen focus more on herself and what she wants?

A fourth and very fitting and poignant finale to the ‘Why Mummy’ books.

The fourth and final book in the ‘Why Mummy’ series follows another momentous year in the life of refreshing modern mummy, Ellen Green, as she deals with the challenges of single parenting two teenagers on the cusp of adulthood, a ‘restructuring’ at work and an existential crisis as she tries to work out what the future holds for her once the moppets leave home. Ellen is now forty-eight with Jane on the verge of turning eighteen and Peter age sixteen, meaning the nightmare of double exam hell with A-Levels and GCSE’s looming. Newly single after her love interest transplanted to Antarctica, Ellen is also suffering further indignity in the form of the moppet’s dad, Simon, dating a woman a decade younger than her! And with Jane planning on going to university before the year is out Ellen is all at sea about what her own future holds once she is no longer a mother with children still at home and they are adults in their own right.

The year begins with Jane taking her driving test for the second time, Simon being whisked away on a couples’ retreat by Marissa, his smug and far too youthful girlfriend, and Ellen facing the prospect of re-entering the job market in a threatened merger and streamlining at work. Between navigating Jane’s 18th birthday, Peter’s attachment to his electronic devices and getting either of them to revise, Ellen also attempts to come to the rescue of Hannah with an unforgettable overnight stay from Conan the Destroyer of Houses (aka Hannah’s two-year-old Edward)! With Ellen and Simon thrown together for the teenagers rites of passage including exam results day and depositing Jane at university they also find time to talk about themselves for once including Ellen’s career and Simon’s new relationship issues.

The diary format and conversational style of writing throughout makes Gill Sims’ book the perfect pick me up for besieged mummies and any other readers looking for a funny, very honest and hugely relatable book full of witty observations on not only parenting but relationships and modern life in general. ‘Sloshed’ is another wonderfully irreverent encounter with Ellen and company that includes best friend, Hannah, now the exhausted mother to a feral toddler and husband’s Colin and Sam with occasional appearances from both Ellen and Simon’s families (including Louisa, Simon’s barmy sister)! Whilst there is obviously an element of predictability in this book as with previous outings the character development of Ellen and most significantly, that of Simon is worthy of a mention and has been noticeable throughout the course of the series. However as a reader who has followed the entire series and perhaps because I knew largely what to expect from the off I did find the book a little too formulaic and lacking in surprises to the point where I found the book easy to put down and it was the first of the series that didn’t hold my attention entirely.

The last book in the trilogy and just as good as the previous two. I love Gill Sims and as a mum of 2, one being a teenage boy, I can relate so much to what she is saying! Absolutely gutted to have completed this series and I hope that the next book she does bring out is just as fun. 10 out of 10.

Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins UK NonFiction for an advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

Firstly, I really like the cover of this book, and the predecessors in this series, they're all really pretty and I love how they all match up together, and are busy yet minimalistic all at the same time.
The book itself was an absolute joy to read, it was so much fun and absolutely joyful. I loved the story, and felt so connected to Gill Sims' autobiographical character in this book, through her opinions and thoughts. I loved seeing the connections between each of the family members in this book and all of the fun anecdotes. I also really liked the layout of this book, as it is set up to read like a diary with different accounts of Gills' life throughout her two children's' examination years in school, at ages 16 and 18. It was also really interesting to see the dynamic between two separated parents, and how Gill raised her children primarily as a single parent.
I'm really glad I read this book and I'm definitely interested in looking at the previous books in this series now.

First of all I would like to say thank you for letting me review this book.

I really liked the storyline I was laughing out loud at the antics in this book read it in one sitting enjoyed the characters Ellen has certainly got an overactive imagination.

Another great book in the Series "Why Mummy's......" by Gill Sims.
Easily a read in one sitting this books delivers humour but also some poignant moments just like the other in the series. Once started you really don't want to put this book down.
Those with teenagers in the house will find themselves relating to the book and nodding along with a smile..
Highly recommended

I really loved Gill Sims first 2 books in this series and was disappointed that I didn't find the third installment anywhere near as enjoyable, so I was pleased but apprehensive when I saw this was available.
I'm pleased to say I really enjoyed this one, plenty of laugh out loud and cringe moments and I'm sad it's the last in the series.
Thanks to Netgalley and the Publisher for my eARC in return for my honest review.

The last in the ‘Why Mummy....’ series. Does not disappoint, as funny and relatable as ever.
An easy read with humour.
Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I love this series of books,so was delighted to have the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.Gill Syms does not disappoint with the latest installment.There's something very comforting about this series.Ellen is such a known,loved character now.Totally relatable and funny,as were all the other books.A wonderful read and definitely recommended.

This is definitely a series I would go back to, each book is funny and can be read at any point. I was kind of sad to read this is the last of the books, however with the kids all grown up I guess mummy has to move on and let her moppets run free. The characters are great and likeable, the storyline is always close to many mums hearts. If you want a light heart caught out loud book then this is it.

Why Mummy’s Sloshed is sadly the final book in the series, I guess because Peter and Jane are grown ups. In fact, Jane has headed off to university and Peter’s in the sixth form, so Mummy’s work is almost done.

It’s a slightly more gentle approach than the previous Why Mummy books, with Jane, Peter and even Simon actually appreciating what she does for them. But with Hannah’s toddler Edward, Destroyer of Houses, and niece Persephone’s performance in exams, this is never going to be a boring story! There are still laugh out loud moments, and also a few times when it gets rather close to a home life I can recognise. I think this is where Gill Sims shows what a good writer she is - as a reader, you stop and think, I’ve been there!

Maybe there’ll be a Why Granny ... series in the future?

I really enjoyed this; I’ve read all her other books so knew this would be equally as good. I like the characters in it, they make me laugh! I weirdly like the fact she calls her kids, the moppets, even though they are grown up. The only thing I will say is that she wasn’t as sloshed as I thought she would be given the title of the book. I hate spoilers, but I will just say I do love where the story ended up.

Thank you NetGalley for my complimentary copy in return for my honest review.

Bestselling author Gill Simms returns with her fourth and final instalment in the ‘Why Mummy.....’ series with “Why Mummy’s Sloshed”.
Ellen has been a wife and mother for so long that she’s a little bit lost. Now her beloved ‘moppets’, Jane and Peter, are ready to finish with school and a different set of parenting problems are arising. Amidst the chaos of A-Levels, driving tests and trying to impress the opposite sex, she’s doing her best to keep her family afloat. She’s feeling overwhelmed and under appreciated, juggling work with family and trying to hold it all together while remaining sane.
As a mother of three grown up sons, I could immediately relate to Ellen and the family situations she finds herself in. It felt instantly reassuring to know I haven’t been alone with the same issues that Ellen was experiencing. From the terrible two’s, starting school and hormonal teenager angsts, this series covers EVERYTHING and more! Both Jane and Peter are just so typical of today’s youth, caring more about keeping up with Instagram and how fast the broadband speed is. There was so many funny scenes too - when Ellen offered to look after her best friend’s overactive and demanding toddler Edward for a night, you just know there will be trouble. I don’t believe there’s a parent around who hasn’t had experience with their child and Sudocrem, an impossible product to remove from clothes and carpet!
I particularly liked how the story was set out in a diary form covering a full year, with each of the events narrated within the correct month, e.g. the taking of exams in June and the dreaded expectation of results in August. This made for a highly realistic time line of events that sounded all to familiar and I knew exactly what issues was on their way!
The author has obviously learnt everything first hand and has managed to convey every experience a parent could endure, funny, sad, serious or lighthearted, into a fabulous set of books every mother (and possibly fathers - for a once in a lifetime chance to see inside a women’s mind) should read.
“Why Mummy’s Sloshed” is quite a rollercoaster ride and I did feel quite breathless at times, it’s not a stress free read but then neither is parenting! And in the words of the author, “the bigger the kids, the bigger the drink!”
A highly recommended comedy fiction series for parents, these are so much more practical than any parenting book you could read and for aspiring parents.....you have been warned!

4 stars

The fourth and final book in the series and it is as funny and honest as the others. Although I don't have kids, I can identify with the struggles of trying to balance a career and home life even though the kids are now teenagers, my parents used to say that was worse than us being kids as they knew where we were then. I don't want to spoil the book but I was a bit let down by the ending but I guess a happy ever after ending is more popular. I got this as an arc to review and the opinions expressed are entirely my own views and are completely unbiased.

Thanks so much to Netgalley for this read. I've recently become a mum and I found this book hilarious. It is a fun and feel good read.

A new author for me, and one I would happily read from again! Enjoyed the book, realistic characters and an intriguing plot line. I would recommend it to friends. The author managed to achieve a balance of tone and ensured that I looked forward to picking up the book and becoming absorbed in the next chapter- sometime I find my interest is lost if I have to read it in stages due to life taking over, this was not the case here! Thank you.

It seemed only yesterday that Ellen was dealing with two rowdy adolescents but now Peter and Jane have grown up a couple of years and Jane is taking her driving test and going off to university while Peter does GCSEs. If you have read any of the other books in this series, this will all be quite familiar as Ellen clatters through another challenging phase of life, firing off brickbats in all directions as she goes.

I’m pleased to see that Annabel Bloody Karmel gets a going over for inviting everybody to feed their children steamed flavourless sludge at such a cost to personal well-being, and she’s also cruel to perfect mums, children and inspirational speakers along the way. She is less nasty to Simon, her erstwhile husband, because he steps up to the mark while realising that the alternatives to Ellen might be even worse! She is also worried throughout the book because she fears impending old age, potential redundancy, loneliness and the rest.

Of course, it’s not giving too much away to say that everything comes out sort of okay and she is surviving into her 50s when she can panic about the children doing drugs, Simon developing a predilection for women’s clothing and Brexit cutting off the Prosecco supply!

The book is an entertaining read for anyone who’s been there, although Ellen’s capacity for ruining everything, saying the wrong thing and upsetting her children can be a bit wearing. I still worry about her sex life as well. This is another year without any, ahem, intimate moments apart from a possible sort of arrangement in December. There are a few hints that she might actually possess some kind of helping hand but you can be pretty sure that the batteries will be flat or will have been removed by her son to power his MP3 player (more terrible embarrassment) and probably chewed by one of the dogs into the bargain.

It’s an ideal Christmas gift for almost anyone of a certain age wrestling with children, grandchildren and the modern world.