Just didn't click with the writing. It felt very slow at the same time as it got rambly and overly so at times. Also, for someone in her forties, Becca sounded like a much, much older woman in the prose, which further kept me from really enjoying this one

I found this tried too hard but it didn’t quite make it. I think I was expecting it to be funny and full of 40 year old blunders but it wasn’t really what I expected.
I just found that I didn’t really want to pick it up to read and it reminded me of when I use to listen in on my mum and my aunts just whining about life and remembering the good old days.
I am 36 so maybe i am just a bit too young to get into it and enjoy it. I pushed through it till the end but it’s not one that I will probably remember a week from now.

This was the book I needed as I enter this new chapter and age. This book has me laugj8ng one moment, nodding my head in agreement. Really recommend.

Absolutely fecking fabulous!

Becca Burnside is the menopausal heroine we all need—hilarious, relatable, and just chaotic enough to make you feel better about your own life. From Big Asda trips to hot flushes and midlife reinvention, this book had me snorting with laughter one minute and nodding furiously in agreement the next.

If you've ever looked back at your teenage dreams and wondered where it all went wrong (or if you've just got a penchant for a good bit of British wit), then The Fecking Fabulous Forties Club is for you. A feel-good, life-affirming gem! ✨

I’m not one for swearing and only recently have managed to not be entirely turned away by a book solely if there’s too much swearing. That said, when I read the blurb I felt like the content may be something I might appreciate. I am glad I gave this a shot.

The story is of three women (with only one being the main narrator). They were once best friends and currently live in close proximity to each other. There’s a rift in their friendship and now that the eldest of the next generation have left home to go to college, the empty nest syndrome has Becca floundering. She is a dutiful daughter and a pretty hands-off mother but she now has the time to reflect back on her life.

I may be closer in age to the ladies in the book but I’m nowhere near the life stage they find themselves in. Despite that fact, I was able to relate to the emotional status and even the complexities of being in one’s own head as conflicts appear in friendships. I found myself liking this book even more than I expected. Especially since the ending does not have Becca magically completely changed. It does have its own twist though.

I would recommend this book to fans of the genre.

I received an ARC thanks to Netgalley and the publishers but the review is entirely based on my own reading experience.

This book started out really strong. I expected the main character to have more of a journey and actually do something or go somewhere - but sadly not.

The Irish humour was marvellous however! And I really enjoyed the last chapter too.

I love this author and this book did not disappoint. A feel good and funny novel. I could definitely relate to some thing too.
Fun and easy read. Will be a great summer beach read or even a lighthearted book club read

The Fecking Fabulous Forties Club by Freya Kennedy was such a fun and interesting read. Especially since I'm in this current stage of life :/ hahaha

With my children getting older, the grey hair creeping in, perimenopause gearing up I can totally relate to Becca's character and her journey of self-discovery, the ups and downs of life, love, and friendship.

Becca is a divorced mother and stuck in a rut. When the mother of one of Becca's closest school friend passes away, she attends the funeral with one of her closest friends, Niamh, where they reconnect with Lauren - whom Becca has not spoken to in years.

Friendships are so important and the role they play in our lives becomes even more important. Becca learns the importance of friendship, of family, and finding one's passions and interests.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.

While I enjoyed this book it did take me longer than most to get through. It just wasn’t one I couldn’t put down. That being said, I would definitely recommend it!

This book is really well written with warmth, humour, and insight. It tackles friendship, growing up, grief, and much more. It's a compelling read with the humour pitched at the right level without feeling silly. The friendships are genuine, and the characters are well formed. It is a highly enjoyable read, and I look forward to reading more by the author.

Book Review: The Fecking Fabulous Forties Club

I just finished The Fecking Fabulous Forties Club by Freya Kennedy, and let me tell you, it was a delightful breath of fresh air! From the moment I met Becca Burnside, I was hooked. Her journey of self-discovery in her forties resonated deeply with me, especially as she navigates the ups and downs of life, love, and friendship.

Becca’s reflections on her past, sparked by a time capsule she discovers, are both humorous and poignant. I found myself laughing out loud at her witty observations while also feeling a tug at my heartstrings as she confronts her regrets. The mix of humor and heartfelt moments is perfectly balanced, making it a truly engaging read.

The supporting cast of characters is just as vibrant, each adding their own flair to Becca’s journey. The camaraderie among them feels genuine, celebrating the beauty of female friendship in all its messy, glorious forms. I loved how Kennedy captured the spirit of women supporting each other through life’s challenges, making me appreciate my own friendships even more.

What really struck me was Becca’s determination to reclaim her life despite the societal pressures and personal insecurities that often accompany getting older. Her resilience is inspiring, reminding us all that it’s never too late to pursue our dreams and find joy.

Kennedy’s writing is both warm and relatable, making the book feel like a cozy chat with a close friend. I genuinely felt uplifted after reading it, with a smile on my face and a renewed sense of hope.

Such a great read! Highly recommend this one.

Many thanks to the author, the publisher, and Netgalley for my ARC. All opinions are my own.

I was not familiar with Freya Kennedy's previous works but the description of this book and the title immediately caught my attention.

Becca, a divorced mother, is adrift in her life. She is alone, an empty-nester, living with her canine companion who is the source of all her cuddles. Maybe this is a case of the right book for the reader at the right time. But man, except for the divorced part, I could totally relate to this book. At times, I felt like I was reading a story about myself. Empty nester, going through hormonal changes, and efeeling adrift in her life. Me, me, me.

I found myself laughing out loud at times and I could completely relate to Becca. I will definitely be watching for new releases from Freya Kennedy and will be checking out her previous releases.

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Becky; Niamh and Lauren; childhood best friends until Lauren made a choice when Becky’s husband was unfaithful that meant the end of their friendship. when Becky and Niamh hear that Lauren’s mum had passed they are incredibly upset; Kitty was a huge part of their teenage years and they go to pay their respects. Grief pulls them together and their friendship is resurrected; whilst they support each other through their 40’s. A really great read. .

My Review
Sometimes life doesn't turn out how you hoped it would does it. We have all these expectations but sometimes we fall short.
A funny, uplifting story that will warm your heart.
We meet Becca, Niamh & Lauren in this story.
Perimenopause is happening and Becca's boys have flown the nest.
She has come to a point in her life where she is wondering is this it, what is next? What is it all about?
Perimenopause can cause havoc for us and it is a struggle to understand it and navigate our way through it.
Grief can also hit us at any time but when it is unexpected, it can be so very difficult.
When the mother of one of Becca's closest school friends at the time Lauren passes away, she attends the funeral with Niamh where they reconnect with Lauren.
It feels like old times between them. They look back to a time capsule they made when they were sixteen and see how ambitious they were with all their hopes and dreams for the future.
What I loved most about this story was the friendship that unfolded again between the girls as they are older now and see the trials and tribulations as they navigate their way through life.
I loved the characters the author created. They seemed to connect with each other so well almost like picking up where they left off.
I wonder will we see more of them in another book maybe.
A heartwarming read, one I think you will really enjoy. Remember age is just a number..
Feel what you feel, do what you do but live your life, experience it all...
Well worth your time...

In this fun women’s fiction novel, readers join Becca Burnside and her friends, both close and estranged, as they all attempt to redefine their lives in their forties. Discovering a time capsule, rebuilding her relationship with an old friend, and making new memories with her mother and kids are all on the list, but life always has something to add to the mix. Determined to turn her life around for her sixteen-year-old self -- who went by Becki with an ‘i’ -- Becca embarks on a new chapter in her life. Here, relationships are at the center of the story, particularly Becca’s friendships, her relationship with her mother and children, and her relationship with herself (both past and present), and this focus is particularly powerful for readers of this book. Becca is a complicated, human, and flawed protagonist, and she encounters relatable incidents throughout the novel. With its charming location in Ireland and the realistic circumstances that Becca undergoes, this novel is heartwarming and honest, a fun and enjoyable read for fans of women’s fiction and other Boldwood titles. Proof that it is never too late to rebuild one’s life, friendships, and identity, Becca’s journey is a fantastic read and a wonderful adventure.

Honestly this book is hilariously great to read plus I get the derry girls accent in my head whilst reading this. All the characters have real charisma and wit and they build within the story. I've laughed and cried with this book as well as knowing Im heading towards the forties mark myself I wonder if I will be anything like this book haha
If you want a book with just real personality as well as some cracking one liners then this is a must to read.

Friends from school Becca and Niamh, now in their forties, share their journey through the frecking fabulous period.
Divorce, empty nest syndrome, menopause, and the worst of all, their parents passing away.
Becca single mom lives with her beloved dog Daniel, her loyal companion while the twins are studying in Manchester.
Niamh with four children of their own and about 20 pupils of year 11, her life is not easy.
Becca visits her mother constantly one day, back in her own room she discovers a time capsule that that they stashed when she and her friends hide when they were 18. When they open the box and they find out what the young versions of themselves wished for their future, mixed feelings emerge, including the estranged third member of their group.
Maybe this discovery can heal their broken circle and. Ring back their old club.
I really enjoyed the story, I loved the characters and I can relate with most of the issues they are going through. Is a relatable tale for women of certain age.

This book was much heavier than I expected while still having moments of lighthearted fun. I struggled a bit with getting into it at the beginning if I’m honest but overall it was a good read. I do enjoy a good ability to laugh at myself and that as strong in the main character. I read an ARC through NetGalley in exchange for my honest review. I’d say more like a 3.67/5 then a 4 but rounding up since you can’t do partial stars.

I loved the premise but unfortunately the book was lacking in every way possible. Poorly written, weal plot and unsympathetic characters make this a hard pass.