Having been given a motivational diary from her sister, Cathy Collins comes up with an unconventional list of things she'd like to achieve each month over the next year. So after years of putting herself last, she’s going to be first for a change. This means no more cleaning, less teenage dramas from her two children, going on the pill to stop her periods, having 'the chat' with her husband or no cooking.

Cathy is carving her own path, and nothing is going to get in her way even her husband's desire for her to return to full-time employment so he can retrain as a teacher.

I thoroughly enjoyed this novel. It was fun, light, and sad too. A good cast of characters be it her own family, her neighbours, the girls from the book club and the young people she does accounts for.

I received this book from netgalley in return for a honest review.

When you sister sends you a motivational journal you either use it or lose it! Cathy and Mike are plodding along in their marriage. Parents to Freddie and Kirstie and navigating their married and parental roles how much will the motivational journal help!
This was a decent read but lacked a little edge for me. Thank you to netgalley and the publishers for this arc in exchange for my honest review.

Cathy decided to take charge of her life and putting herself first after her husband created havoc. I liked how she took to writing in the motivational diary. This was quite a sweet read with many humorous moments. Loved it.

Really well written - exactly what I have come to expect from this author. Full of fun and laughs, really strong characters and excellent dialogue. It's been great to see this author go from strength to strength throughout the years, and I absolutely cannot wait for her next novel!

Cathy Collins is a 48 year old married mother of 2. She’s determined to change her life when her husband drops a bombshell on her. She decides that rather than putting everyone else first that this time she’s gonna put herself first and change her life completely. She does this over the period of a year after setting herself some manageable life goals each month. I enjoyed this book and it made me laugh. It was a refreshing read. I highly recommend it if you are looking for something different to read.

This witty book made me laugh and cry and was a thoroughly enjoyable and relatable story. Having received a motivational planner as a Christmas gift from her sister, Cathy Collins decides she needs to sort her life out and help herself as well as her husband, children and elderly parents.

Totally believable story especially for those like me who need to see the funny side of the peri-menopausal symptoms we are going through. This book also touches on the sensitive issues such as cancer and depression but Tracy Bloom has written the book really well. Truly enjoyable.

Another very funny and laugh out loud page turner from this very talented author. This time the central character is a peri-menopausal woman named Cathy who is tired of being expected to be the chief dogsbody and bottle-washer for her husband and children as well as her own mother and sisters. Gradually over the period of a year she begins to express and assert her own needs and wishes. Written with great humour and warmth, this was a fabulous read.

Entertaining read, covered lots of things that anyone over 40 with teenagers will relate to.
Some depth to the storyline, but lots of fun in between.

I good read and I will look out for more by this author

This made me laugh, cry and thoroughly enjoy this story. Receiving a motivational planner Cathy decides to do more but she also realises how much she does already for the husband and children. This will resonate with many women and not only provide a laugh but also occasionally give advice. Touching on some sensitive issues such as cancer and depression it is really well written and will provide you with an escape from your own life.

This was a hilariously poignant story, filled with quick wit and interesting character arcs that kept me invested throughout.

Cathy is 48, married to a Management Consultant and has 2 teenage children who don't appreciate her. Her sister sends her a 'Motivational Diary' for Christmas. Cathy eventually decides to write her own slightly strange goals - will she achieve them?
A funny but inspirational read, do we always realise that we are stuck in a rut?

The Wife Who Got a Life is a humorous novel about life and family. Cathy is given a motivational diary by her sister who lives in California, and is quite sceptical about it to begin with. After realising she does need to take control of her life, and maybe even occasionally put herself first she sets herself some targets. We follow her through the year while she deals with her husband’s mid life crisis, an ageing and demanding mother and challenging teenage children.
I could really relate to some of the issues raised in this novel and found it really funny in parts. Unfortunately, the style of writing did irritate me a little at times but that is my personal opinion and I understand why some people would love it.

An entertaining and funny book

Cathy Collins is a 48-year-old housewife with two teenage children and a husband who spends most of his life working away. Cathy is reasonably happy with her life but knows there is more that she could be doing. Her older sister Lizzie is living the high life in LA, and when she suggests that Cathy should set out her aspirations for the year ahead, her first thought is what a load of rubbish!!

However, Cathy then decides to look at her life and turn it around, especially at circumstances that have always annoyed her.

This book is written as a diary in the life of Cathy Collins and features a mixture of funny, thought-provoking, and at times tragic events. So many of the things that annoy Cathy are so relatable - like dealing with her 15-year-old daughter, 17-year-old son, and her husband.

I found myself nodding along to many of the thoughts that Cathy discusses and recognised so many traits in her friends of a similar age. Her efforts to avoid or alleviate the dreaded menopause was very funny.

I enjoyed reading this book, but it will not remain long in my memory as it is not my type of thing. However, I am sure that women will relate to Cathy’s life and the catastrophes and triumphs that she goes through in her year of improvement!


Dexter
Elite Reviewing Group received a copy of the book to review

Being a "woman of a certain age" so much of this book rang true - the highs and the lows. A laugh-out-loud read that will really speak to those who know, and may just instruct those who don't!

Reminded me a little of "The Woman Who Went to Bed for a Year" by Sue Townsend - but funnier!

A funny, witty, warm book about motherhood, marriage, female friendship, family dynamics. As a reader I related to some of the elements. An ideal novel to read on holiday. Thanks to the publisher and the author for the arc.

Absolutely loved reading this, it is definitely a book I'd recommend reading by the pool or on the beach. Perfect, funny escape

Why I have not read this author before!!! Tracy Bloom is so funny, what an uplifting read. I cannot wait to read more by this author. This is a seriously funny book and definitely worth a read! Definitely 5 stars from me.

Being a 40-something mum, this is a totally relatable book. We’ll written, funny, sweet and pleasant.

It was really nice to see that she worked through things and didn’t stray (as I had expected she would), but that she triumphed with her work, family and friends and made herself the biggest priority.

Made you feel like you really wanted to change your life, be who you really wanted to be that no matter where you are in life that you can always change what you want

Thank you for giving me this arc!

Cathy is great! I suppose our heroine had to be really downtrodden at first, in order for the worm to turn so spectacularly, but I could hardly believe such a clever woman could allow herself to be put upon to such an extent.
A lovely, believable story of family and friendship, well written, fun and moving.
And Tania’s beautiful eulogy blew me away, just gorgeous.