This was the first time I read any of the books in this series by Kristen Bailey and it won't be the last. I absolutely loved this book I have never felt so many emotions at once. 

In this book (no.3 in the series) Beth and Will have baby Joe. This is a riveting story about the struggles of parenthood, love and family. Both Beth and Will are overwhelmed and neither one is talking to the other, leading to some negative consequences. Meanwhile baby Joe finds himself a modelling gig which brings up insecurities of present and the past for Beth.

This book is written so well, I really loved that not only do we get Beth's inner dialogue but we also get baby Joe's some of the things Joe is supposed to be thinking are hilarious. I honestly haven't laughed out loud at a book in such a long time (probably because I read psychological mostly). I loved the way not only did we hear Beth's responses to questions we often hear before what she actually wanted to say. It's harrowing really showing the side to new parenthood which is often glossed over to paint a picture of happiness. The book really opens the gate to discussing how it isn't all smiles and nappies but so much more. 

I loved all the relationship dynamics esp between Beth and Yasmin, an unlikely pair brought together again after hating each other in school. It's fascinating to see how they are both misunderstood in their own ways and how in a way thar brings them together. 

The relationship between the sisters is great Beth, Lucy, Meg, Grace and Emma. The family is so close nic and it is shown by how they support Beth through motherhood and Will. 

I would totally recommend this book to anyone who likes reading. It's an easy read and so enjoyable. I laughed, cried, gasped and felt all the feels. I really enjoyed this rom com. I am more than happy to give this book 5 stars 🌟.  I will now work my way through book 1 and 2 I cannot wait I'm so excited! 


Thank you to netgalley, the publishers and K. Bailey for the advanced digital copy in exchange for my fair and honest  opinion.

From the minute I was able to read this I dived straight in as I had read the authors previous books and absolutely fell in love with them, so I was extremely excited to read this. 
This book features the characters which we have gotten to know and love and by this book I felt I knew each of them so well, I wish I’d friends like this bunch of sisters. They are all different but equally unique.  So for this book its mainly Beth’s story, and honestly my heart went out to her. She’s just had a baby an her boyfriend who should be there supporting her is spending less and less time with her and the baby, my heart was aching for her, I just wanted Will to step up and be there for her its a scary enough time having a baby but feeling lonely - oh my I just didn’t want Beth to feel that way. 
There is so many absolutely hilarious moments in this book at times I felt like I didn’t atop laughing, it was great made it fun and easy to read. 
I was gutted when I read that last chapter as I didn’t want this book to end it was that good! I am counting the days until the next book in this series. I’d say this is author is fast becoming one of my favourites.

With thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for the digital arc all opinions expressed here are my own.

Did My Love Life Shrink In The Wash? By Kristen Bailey was the first book I have read by this author. It is book three in the Callaghan sisters series (there are five sisters) but easily read as a stand-alone.

This book is about Beth, her partner of eight years Will and a year in the life of their new baby Joe. This book was an easy read, but honestly not as enjoyable as I thought it would be. As a Mum of three, I should fit the intended demographic, but while I enjoyed some of the character relationships, like Paddy the elderly neighbour, I mostly just felt the book was exhausting and honestly kept getting confused with so many sisters in the picture.

Hopefully others enjoy the book more than me. 3 stars.

It’s normal to wish that your baby came with a snooze button, right?

When I got pregnant, Will and I didn’t have a clue what we were signing up for. It turns out that there’s loads we weren’t warned about:

1) In the middle of the night you’ll be begging Siri for advice on getting your baby to sleep. (In case you’re wondering, whale music doesn’t work.)

2) If you make the mistake of going to a nightclub you’ll nod off, drool, and be woken up by an angry bouncer.

3) You’ll spend more time spooning your child’s cuddly donkey than your own boyfriend.

4) Communication with your other half will be via post-it notes on the fridge, mainly telling him to buy more milk.

5) Sex is something that happened in another dimension.

But even if I feel like I’m waiting for my motherhood powers to come in the post, at least I’ve got Will. Our old life – festivals, sambuca shots, an actual sex life – might be a distant memory, but we can get through anything together, can’t we?

At least that’s what I thought until, one day, Will walked out on us… If I’m on my own (apart from Siri, obviously) can I do this whole parenting thing? Or I am destined to lose my sanity one sleepless night at a time?

Another great read by Kristen Bailey.
This is the third book in the Callaghan series but you can read this book as a stand-alone. All the sisters are featured in this book but the main story is about Beth and her partner Will.
It gives you an honest and real insight into being a parent for the first time. The changes in your life, your body and your relationship.
This book is a fun read that will make you laugh out loud.

Beth and Will have been together for many years but are happy not getting married.  But when Beth finds herself unexpectedly pregnant she’s shocked.  When it’s time for her to give birth, she demands drugs but unfortunately, things progress fast and…well….suffice to say I laughed and laughed!  Well written!

Now, Beth and Will are home with baby Joe who weighed 10 pounds at birth (ouch!).  She’s nursing and is totally exhausted wondering why Joe won’t sleep because she really needs to.  

Beth’s neighbor is Paddy who is a lonely widower missing his wife.  He becomes a good friend to Beth keeping her spirits up and sharing many cups of tea.  (I loved Paddy!)

Beth is a teacher and knows her return to work is looming.  Will has just taken a new job and his new boss, Sam - as in Samantha - is making him jump through hoops and making his life miserable.  This leads to a problem that tears Beth and Will apart for awhile.

Meanwhile, Joe has been “discovered” and is becoming a little star.  His co-star is a woman Beth knew in school and they did not get along.

Beth has 5 sisters and her parents are incredibly loving - especially her Dad.  They are the Callaghan family.  Her sister, Grace, is a widow who has taken some time away to try and heal.  I loved the birthday phone call to Beth from Grace.  So sweet.

In a nutshell, this book covers Joe’s first year with all the trials and tribulations of raising a baby.

Very well done!  I thank the author for the many belly laughs I had while reading this book.  Such a treat!

Copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Book 3 in the Callaghan sister series but it can easily be read as a stand-alone.  Well what can I say about this book apart from the fact I absolutely freaking loved it.  I laughed until I had tears rolling down my face at times. .  There were also some more serious moments in this book but overall a laugh out loud read.

I loved the Callaghan sisters when I met them in the first two books in this series, and they are just as boisterous and wacky in this book!

This book is amusing and light-hearted, but finds a way to cover some of life's challenges without being overbearing - challenges such as having a new born and trying to juggle life, sleep, and maintaining a relationship with your partner.

The Callaghan family is full of support for each other, and they are constantly getting themselves into hilarious situations, which have caused me to laugh out loud on numerous occasions.

This is one of those books that you will devour in a single sitting, so clear your diary, pick up a copy, and enjoy the ride!

Thank you to Bookouture for letting me take part in this tour and for my copy of this book via Netgalley. I read 2 books by Kristen last year and I absolutely loved them! I have been so excited to read this book! This is the third book about the Callaghan sisters but they can all be read as standalones. The books overlap little bit timewise but each is from a different sister's POV. 

This book is about Beth. I found Beth so easy to identify with. She has a love of carbs and chocolate and hates exercise, a girl after my own heart really! Although she has a lot more patience than me. I’m not sure I would have forgiven Will for walking out. I definitely would have been there with the sisters ready to punch him in the face or chop off his balls! 

This book is funny, like seriously laugh out loud funny. It’s not just a story about Beth and Will. It’s a story about unlikely friends and dealing with the hard stuff in life. It’s about learning to talk to each other and be honest about how you are feeling. 

I loved this book and I CANNOT wait to read more Callaghan sister books!

First, I want to thank Kristen Bailey, Bookouture and NetGalley for providing me with this book so I may bring you this review. 

Oh Kristen Bailey you had me cracking up laughing at your latest Rom Com Did My Love Life Shrink In The Wash? My love life has shrunk to non-existent due to Covid-so I could relate to the title lol! Seriously though this was one of the funniest books I have read in a very long time. 

Kristen dedicates this book to one of her babies. She also finally named a character after Joe. This book is for you Joe.

The comical comic-like graphics on the book along with the title of the book piqued my interest in reading it. The graphics were a great choice for the book.

One thing Kristen did that was unique to her story was each chapter she would have a song, artist, and year it debut. Each song represented what that chapter would be about. Many of the songs that she picked I really liked too. 

Speaking of music I loved how she mentioned one of my favorite boy bands Backstreet Boys. I had to smile at that one. 

Right from the prologue Kristen had literally rolling on the floor laughing how she discussed in great detail all about her wild sexual adventures. Oh but then we get to find out about her long term relationship sex escapades. Those were more vivid. All the time I am reading this I am wondering when will Covid be over?! 

Now keep in mind I am not a Mom therefore never gave birth before. However, Kristen gives you a very vivid and descriptive experience that Beth has of birthing her baby boy. After reading that I commend all of you ladies who go through the birthing process-it is not easy! The way Kristen wrote that scene was genius pure genius! 

Oh the dialogue in the book back and forth is off the wall too funny! Sometimes Kristen shocked me with the language and scenarios.

This book is not all fun and games as there are some serious relationship moments as well. The Bonus Track was an intense in-depth letter that touched my heart.

I absolutely love this authors books. They’re laugh out loud funny and 100% relatable for many female readers. Focusing on motherhood, babies, relationships, marriage and the newborn stage. It’s an all in one with both the highs and lows… We get to experience it all with her.It’s a light hearted read, uplifting and funny in parts. I loved it all. This is life. No covering up the bads bits. It’s all there in every page. 100% honest. Even if some of us won’t admit some parts ourselves. Brilliantly written. An easy read I devoured! I just wanted to be in the book to help her. I loved her neighbour too the relationship they had is amazing, a great support to her. Will was an up and down character for me what he did was wrong, but I do believe he revived himself towards the end.I also loved the main star of the show their little baby boy who soon becomes quite famous himself! Wow. Something a little different. A famous baby. His mother soon had to get her head around it all and interact with an old high school acquaintance.A funny, light-hearted and happy ending read! Loved it. Makes you feel warm and smile. A well deserved four stars from me. Highly recommend.

I was drawn to this book purely for the title, it made me laugh. This is book 3 of The Callaghan Sisters series but can be read as a standalone. 
In this book we meet Beth about to become a mother for the first time,  she and her long-term boyfriend Will were quite the party-goers and hadn’t planned to have children but after one drunken night, their lives are about to change.
I found myself captured from very early on and remember feeling very much like what Beth did after having a baby. It was raw and real. It had me laughing so many times, but I also felt empathy for Beth too and wanted to cry along with her. We have all been there.
 There was so much that went one in baby Joe’s first year of life.
The support she had from her family was amazing, and the friendship that blooms between her and an unlikely person was lovely.
It was written so well and like the author was living Beth’s life.
I also loved Beth’s sisters, each are different to each other but I need to get to know them more so will definitely be grabbing the first two books in the series.

I was drawn to this after hearing Kristen talk so animatedly and persuasively about her books as part of a Bookouture fiction panel that was live on social media during lockdown one. She is an author that has been on my radar for a while and my only regret is that I didn’t get round to her books sooner.

I love it when an engaging opening pulls you right into the action and drama. This book certainly did that, as we are invited to witness Beth in labour with her first child. This scenario is delivered in a touching and light hearted way, which really sets the tone for much of the book.

Throughout the first half and beyond, there are hilarious scenes and clever, laugh out loud narrative, dialogue and monologue. The observations around motherhood and being a first time parent are raw and honest just as much as they are comical. Here are some of my favourite quotes from the book:

“I know Will is drunk because he’s standing in the middle of a Tesco Metro” stroking the biscuits.”

“I start to unwrap Joe from the carrier. It’s like unwrapping a fajita, trying to make sure the contents don’t fall out on the floor.”

“Have you ever had physalis before?” Yasmin asks me. Once. I got a cream for it though, I want to say. That joke would sail over the room. 🤣

And of course, the use of the word “titgibbon” is just brilliant!

There is a brilliant chemistry and connection between the main characters, Will and Beth. It was also lovely to see the familial relationship between Beth and her sisters as you could see Beth’s down to earth, likeable, laid back character in context. Beth was definitely a girl next door and it was easy to empathise with her as a mother myself.

The second part of the book is a little more serious and definitely heart warming, as it touches on issues such as self discovery, self preservation, friendship, relationship issues and body positivity.

The ending is completely lovely, touching and heart warming and brings the book to a wonderful conclusion.

Overall this has been a hilarious, heart warming and honest book that has taken me on quite a rollercoaster. I would recommend this book to all chick lit and uplit fans, especially fans of Suzy K Quinn, Sophie Ranald and Gill Sims.

Let me preface this by saying I don't have kids so I couldn't sympathize with Beth, but I felt sorry for her. I couldn't imagine dealing with a newborn. That has to be hard. She went through the motions with her boyfriend Will and they went through a lot of changes, including baby Joe being a short -time celebrity in a music video. I thought this book was spot on from what my friends have told me. This book is part of a series, but can also be read as a stand alone. This was a light hearted LOL book.

I loved the idea of this book and how honest it is in depicting what motherhood looked like in its early stage. I liked how the humor naturally occurred in the book, however, I think this book is too long and has painfully long monologues that most of the time outweighed my enjoyment of the book. I think if this book went through another round of edits and delete parts that are not that important and make the entirety a lot more concise, then it would be a more fulfilling read for my taste. I can still see this being loved by other readers, though.

Beth and Will have been in a long term relationship and Beth becomes unexpectedly pregnant with baby Joe.

As Beth adjusts to her role of motherhood she feels a distance between her and Will. The pressure of a newborn takes its toll and Beth's life changes in more ways she could have ever imagined.

Kristin Bailey writes an honest tale of childbirth and motherhood. Exploring the most difficult times of becoming a new parent in which many are afraid to talk about. 

The book is hilarious, I laughed so much out loud. Kristin has a talented way of connecting with the reader and portraying the view of motherhood which identifies major changes. When you are reading Beth's story you are taking the journey with the character and the roller coaster of emotions that comes with being a new mother.

I could easily identify with Beth's character having three children myself and I thought it was the perfect reflection of motherhood.
The humour in the story is one which will make you snort-kinda-laugh and as the story unfolds its hard to put down.

I really enjoyed this book and have read Kristen's other books about the Callaghan sisters. I shall be looking forward to the next installment.

Fun. Genuine. Messy. Kristen Bailey has once again written an authentic, humorous, and heartfelt story. This is the third book in the fab Callaghan Sister series. you can absolutely read this as a standalone, but I guarantee once you meet these sisters you are going to want to go back and read the previous books in the series and then  eagerly await the next books. This Beth’s story...Beth and her partner Will were living a bit of a party lifestyle. Raves, concerts, late nights, drinking, clubbing, lazy days spent sleeping, and loads of fun. BUT then after one night of too much fun *oopsie* Beth finds herself pregnant. This is the tale of how this fun loving couple deals with pregnancy, childbirth, and the first year of new baby Joe’s life. The good. The bad. And the ugly of parenthood.

   Loved this story! This is a realistic, humorous, emotional, sad an honest look at motherhood/fatherhood. no sugarcoating here, you get all the dirty details. Loved Beth and I loved her love for her little boy Joe. Will on the other hand truly frustrated me and I have to say Beth is a better person than I. Although I guess I do need to give him some grace.... or maybe I don’t. My favorite part of this book once again was the sisters and their amazing relationship and support for one another. this family is just so wonderful flaws and all their love definitely shines through. And dad really stepped up in a big way! I don’t know which sisters story I am more excited for next Lucy or Grace? I think Lucy‘s story is going to be a hoot and Grace’s story is going to be so sweet and emotional, just can’t wait!

This book in emojis  🤰🏻 🍋 👶🏼 🦁 🤱🏻 

*** Big thank you to Bookouture for my gifted copy of this book. All opinions are my own. ***

I just had to read this one as loved Bailey’s first one. This one did not disappoint and if anything it felt like getting reacquainted with old friends. She really captures what it’s like for first time parents, how it affects each person in the relationship along with wider relationships. I love Baileys sassy way of writing that makes you laugh out loud. Although her books are about the same group of characters each one focuses on one with the others in the background but each one has there own personality and traits that you also gravitate towards. I love the relationship dynamics the Callaghan’s have but also where they all have there own lives. They are the kind of family you hope yours is like. Loved loved loved this one and would definitely recommend if your looking for a light hearted, feel good, laugh out loud read that also touches on important issues that some or all of us may experience in our lives. 

Thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for the opportunity to read and review this ARC that’s  due to be published on the 11th of Jan.

A funny and hilarious story that goes through what really means being a new parent and what happens when you fall out of love after a time for selfish decisions and what not. 
I haven't read other books in the series but it could easily be read as a stand alone as i haven't felt like i'm missing anything at all.
Sometimes, some books really hit the mark in the new parent issues as how it feels to breastfeed, how post partum depression can take over your life and what your expectation are. Not to talk about the future of your child and all the funny and scary moments. 
Enjoyable read overall and many people will find it entertaining.

Beth is on the verge of labour, and reminiscing on her sex life and how she got into this position... 

On returning home from hospital after the birth of Joe, Beth and Will start life as a new family unit, this being there first baby together.  Things are not easy, for Will with his job and new family, things get too much for him and he walks out on Beth and Joe.  Beth struggling with working out what's what with being a first time Mum, then to have to deal with the fact Will has left and not knowing why.  

Another great read involving the Callahan sisters, always there for each other in there own ways.  If you've not read any of these books before, this will not affect your reading of these, but others read so far also great reads.  A definite should read, look forward to reading more from the sisters.

When Beth and Will get pregnant and have a handsome baby Joe, they didn't realise their lives would change so much! No more festivals, nights out, alcohol! Hello sleepless nights! This book is based on Beth Callaghan. The new mother raising her kid with the help of Siri.

One day Will, Beth's partner walks out on them. Parenthood isn't what he thought it would be!  Beth's story and experience with motherhood is so real life. I guess a lot of new mother's could relate. There is humour around her life , although she is going through a hard time! She stays strong with the help of her amazing sisters of course! Beth's so funny, how she refers to her body, fashion, motherhood, breastfeeding etc is brilliant. Another book that again had me laughing so much! This is real life parent hood guys, not what we see on instagram.