It's a good feeling when you can predict the enjoyment a book will give you from the moment you see the cover. This is the fourth (and final) in the Why Mummy series from Gill Sims, who first found her following in her hilarious rants on Facebook, which gave permission for a whole generation of mums to admit that, sometimes, raising children can be bloody hard work, and husbands can be even harder. In this year-in-the-life of our hero mum of two and single (but searching) Mummy of the title we see her ricochet from potential disaster to eventual happy ending, a life we can all imagine and many of us live day to day. Our internal rants are lifted out of our heads and presented in black and white, gloriously made real, allowing us to realise that we're just human after all, and allowed to be.

As expected, this is fabulous and I raced through it. Ellen is the singularly most relatable character in any book. She responds to situations like a real person would and it is so refreshing to read.

I thought Gill Sims had finished with this family and I was delighted to see a further instalment. It’s as funny and moving as all the other instalments. I raced through this, to the detriment of housework and my family and I’m bereft to have finished it.

If you have enjoyed any of the previous “Why Mummy...” books, if you are a parent., if you have parents, if you have siblings, if you have a partner, if you have in-laws, if you have a job, if you have pets... you will enjoy this book and you will relate to the characters

I’m very fortunate that my children have been at similar stages to Peter and Jane as each books has been published, I also went to university in Edinburgh in the early 90s. As I say, I couldn’t relate to Ellen more. Bravo and I do hope we see more of this adorable, sweary, wine swigging heroine.

I have to confess, I’m a little in love with “improved” Simon.

Witty and relatable. This book had me laughing, crying and screamed in frustration all at the same time. I'm glad I'm not the only one that has to deal with crazy in-laws family members; as well as, struggling to stay sane with kids and husband. It was an amazing read.

Thank you to HarperCollins UK and NetGalley for letting me read this fabulous ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Fabulous read as always from Gill very funny but a wonderful story throughout .I loved it ! would really cheer you up for living in these strange times .

This is the final one of the "Why Mummy..." books, and it does feel like it's wrapping up the series. Ellen's teenagers are doing A-Levels and GCSEs, sitting driving tests, heading for university, and there's a fair bit of reflection on the experience. Ellen is also negotiating her relationship with her almost-ex husband Simon and his irritatingly perfect girlfriend Marissa, and facing uncertainty at work. Her oldest friend Hannah is dealing with toddler tantrums, as well as teenagers, which makes for a contrast in the parenting experiences.

If you enjoyed the previous books, then you'll enjoy this one as well. It's an enjoyable read, even if you don't have children, as Ellen is very relatable and it's entertaining. Perfect, relatively undemanding, winter reading.

I just loved this book. Very, very funny, tender and real too, esp. if you've seen a child off to uni.

All the old favourites make an appearance, but it seems unlikely that there'll be any more in this series - where would it go ?

I look forward to whatever Gill writes next though.

I've been reading this series,, as well as buying the books as gifts, since the first one was released. They just get better and better culminating in this hilarious story. Elen's children might now be teenagers but they seem to rely on her even more, although they constantly tell her they are adults. Then there is her descriptions of looking after a friend's 2 year old. I laughed so hard at this I thought my sides would split. As this was at 4 am neither my cats or my housemates were impressed. I've even picked up a catchphrase from the series,I continually talk about eleventy billion things. Apparently this is to be the last book featuring Ellen and her family but I really hope Gill Sims plans to keep on writing . There would be a Judgy dog and Barry shaped hole out there if she doesn't.

Brilliant. As a mother of 2 and now grandmother to 5 'moppets' I can relate to all the stories. It really is a laugh out loud book. I bought both my daughters a copy of Why Mummy Swears, which they both adored. My four year old grandson could rival Edward for screaming but luckily not for carnage. This series is essential reading for young mums, far better then self-help books.

The best thing about this book was that it was so relatable - it is the "I've been there, I've seen this" but the best kind, letting me know that I am not alone! I nodded along with acknowledgement and understanding on almost every single page, Ellen's observations are straight to the point and it is so, so brilliant to see in writing what I often think!

The things that happen in Ellen's life are mostly hilarious but they are also very realistic and this is brilliant - it could be easily overdone but it's simply perfect and possible to happen. You can't help but laugh out loud at the way the characters act and react, roll your eyes or simply nod your head in agreement. Nevertheless, this time I also felt a bit more seriousness to the tone, did you feel it as well? It was still hilarious, full of fun but also somewhere, deep, deep down, there was a kind of nostalgy to it - or is it only me that felt that way? Or simply maybe the books grow together with the characters?

The writing is addictive and so easy to follow - I couldn't, and didn't want, to put the book away for a single moment. This book tells how it really is in a perfect tone, not too patronizing, not too aggressive, and it gives hope, and really guys, I feel better after reading it. It turns out that I'm not the only one who can't cope with everything.

"Why Mummy Swears" was a hilarious, uplifting read that I easily could identify with. The fun and humour poured from every word and this is what I really needed. It was brutally honest in telling how it is to be a part of a family, to have a family. It was light, it was bright, it was refreshing and full of painful truth of being a parent. Simply, it must be one of the best books I have ever read, and a perfect conclusion to the series, though yes, it makes me sad to think there wouldn't be more Mummy's adventures, frank, honest and down - to - earth. Highly recommended!

Review: I just adore this series. I feel like main character Ellen talks in exactly the same way as me, like we would be friends. I just love the way she views the world and the way she reacts to everything that happens to her. You don't have to have kids to love this series, I'm not a mummy but I can so relate to everything that happens to Ellen.



One of my favourite things about this series is that it is in diary form so it makes for a speedy read, just reading 'one more day' or 'one more month'. I just love this format of book, it makes it feel more real and I think that's why I can relate to Ellen even though I am not a Mummy too.



Obviously this is the fourth book in a series and so I shan't talk about specific plot points in case you want to go back and read the books that came before this but you don't need to have read the previous book in order to enjoy this one but you WILL be spoiled for Ellen's past adventures if you pick this one up first.



This series really does show what real #momlife is all about, warts and all and I love how honest this writer is about what life is like when even a trip to the loo isn't your own time. I can imagine that this writer has vamped up some of the stories for comedy sake but I can totally picture everything that Ellen goes through happening in real life.



It was great to come back to Ellen now that her children are older so we get to see all aspects of what it's like to be a parent, we started at the very beginning and now we see what parenting teens is like. I have so enjoyed this whole series, the audiobooks are also excellent. I highly recommend Gill Sims to anyone!

I feel like I have just spent a year with a best friend who knows how to make me howl with laughter reading this book. It was so funny I was belly laughing throughout and I dont think I will ever change the settings on my Christmas lights again without giggling to myself and thinking about this book. Gill Sims knows how to write a book that you can relate to in everyday life but laugh about the situations too, I have read most of this series and I have not been dissapointed with any of Gills books. I will be recommending this to absolutely everyone because we all need a good laugh now and then (especially now).

I have read all the books in this series and I can honestly say not one has disappointed me. The main character Ellen, well she is like a friend who you meet over coffee (or gin) to hear about each others problems etc. Her anecdotes I can relate to in real life especially the sudocream episode and Mr Tumble cannot be watched without giggling.
Thank you Gill Sims for brightening up my day and please write more books. My bookshelf will be missing you.

These books have provided me with so much fun over the past few years and this volume continues the trend. I'm not sure why they appeal so much as I am not a parent nor a dog owner but I think that it is the honesty that Simms writes with that draws me in.
I love the facebook feed but I think I love the books more.

I really enjoyed the first three books in this series so was excited to read the final instalment. At first I thought it was a bit samey and boring but once I relaxed into the plot I enjoyed it. Look, it’s a very lighthearted read. It’s not going to win any literary prizes. But it is enjoyable when you’re in the mood for something not very serious. It was the perfect read for me after a long run reading the same crime series back to back. I would advise reading these books in order to get the most out of the series.

I just love reading the Why mummy... books. I couldn't wait to read this one and see how Ellen's and her family's life changed. Peter and Jane have certainly grown up and taking A levels and GCSEs, Ellen finds that they do not need her as much as they did before. The book is funny from the beginning till the end. Reading about Hannah's son Edward and his antics definitely put a smile on my face. I hope this is not the last Why mummy book.

I absolutely love the FB page that began this journey and have read all the 'Why Mummy' books. While this book did have some laugh out loud moments and showed the great acerbity and wit that Gill Sims brings to her writing, there were some 'streams of consciousness' which were not quite on mark and a bit rambly. Overall, fun escapism and I'm sure her fans will not be disappointed.

Absolutely hilarious and completely unable to put this one down.

I’m a huge fan of this author and this boon has reinforced that. This is hilarious and one that I absolutely highly recommend

Once again, Gill Sims excels herself with this story! I have read the whole series and lvoed every moment of the laughter, tears and reality that Ellen presents. Being an almost 40 year old parent, this is so relateable it is brilliant!

.....and again, Gill really does put across the angst and anger of family life, this time they are teenagers! I really am waiting for her to reach the leaving home, not leaving home, leaving and then coming back home again that seems to go on indefinitely when you have children. I am always one decade ahead of her but inevitably those memories DO NOT go away and it’s hilarious being reminded by a writer as good as this. I have read each book in the series as it comes out and would never miss keeping up with my fictional friend, a bit like a very long ‘round robin’ but definitely warts and all, not showy offy like some I receive. This time a happy ending that I will not divulge to those of you who have not read this yet....you are in for a treat, save it for when you need it, a literary pick you up, addictive but not illegal or bad for your health.
Thank you Hattie/HarperCollins and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this for an unbiased review.

I've had quite a major loss of my reading mojo recently but OMG it is back after reading the latest instalment of the Why Mummy;'s... book. Great characters (and no need to get to know most of them as they are still there), a great and humorous storyline that literally has you laughing out loud as you read on to get the book finished! I can't but highly recommend this book and while you could read it as a standalone, it does help if you're read the other books in the series first.