In this novel we meet Madison, whose life is about to take an unexpected turn as her husband announces he needs a break. What comes next is Madison’s quest to rediscover who she is, outside the roles of “wife and mother”.

This is a nice story and, although there are no surprises, there is some nice interactions between characters and the plot licks along at a nice pace.

My thanks to the author, NetGalley, and the publisher for the arc to review.

I thoroughly enjoyed this wonderful book and it ticked all the boxes with what i love from a book There was a great, addictive storyline and it was wonderfully written and I honestly couldn't put it down.

Before I launch into my review, I would like to say a huge thank you to Alison Hammond, Random House UK, Transworld Publishers, and Netgalley for what was originally provided as a Wishlist Granted Digital Reader Copy of this title. For anyone with their eye on this title, here is my personal review of the book to help you decide whether you are interested or not. All opinions offered are my own.

I didn’t think twice about reading this offering from Alison Hammond. I have loved this woman’s humor and big personality since her Big Brother Debut and the years have only seen her grow in sass, comedy, and unique style since. I was certain that this book would represent her well and as debut novels go, it does. However, it is not without its flaws.

Bombshell tells the story of Madison, a stay-at-home mum, married to celebrity handyman, Rich. She thought they were happy in their marriage, with their two school age kids, and parents close by. It, therefore, comes as a slap in the face when Rich announces in the run up to Christmas that he is leaving. Turning to her group of friends, old and new, Madison seeks support and answers. When opinions are split, she decides to seek the answers for herself with some amateur sleuthing. What will she find? And will it be enough to save her marriage?

The book is marketed as a romcom and this is initially what drew me in. However, I fear I picked this book up at the wrong time for me to really appreciate it. Having just got married myself, the breakdown of a marriage was not high on my list of topics to explore. The relationship depicted in this book had its many issues, secrets and betrayals that are alien to my current situation. I also felt that it was lacking in the romance and happiness that is expected of a romcom.

As the characters go, I did not really like any of them. That’s not to say they were not lovely, only that I was not invested in them or form any emotional connection. Sabine was great fun and probably provided a great voice of reason and insight, but the remainder of the characters were weak and underdeveloped. Left to her own devices, Madison set about exploring options for the future and organizing the children because Rich was not to be dependent on, and yet she was so lacking in confidence and will. I found myself wanting to shake her and tell her to pull herself together instead of pining over someone who was being avoidant and cold, particularly as he was not shy in expressing his feelings when questioned.

The overall story was very cliché and thus predictable. The obvious outcome was set up from the beginning and worked towards achieving the ending we got to reach. I would have liked to have been more surprised. Instead, I felt like I was reading a juvenile book that had limited and cheesy laughs, no real need to pay attention to solve a mystery, and a typical ending to be expected by immature readers.

My criticism sounds harsh, but it is not intended to be. I imagine the audience for this book will be young women from their mid-teens and above. It is an extremely quick and easy book to get into and complete that it makes the ideal beach read or guilty pleasure when you need a little escape. Overall, the read was cozy. However, I felt the book was filled with lots of filler information. For example, it could have happened at any time of year, although it was Christmas, the festival itself did not aid the plot, nor did many of the friends or family members. It meant the book was just ‘nice’ rather than something informative. I also felt that the bombshell needed to go harder. Although Madison attempted to make subtle changes, it did not feel like she was committing to the cause

Even though the book elicited several chuckles, I felt it was an average read that remained too sedate for me. I was dissatisfied with the ending and felt there was more story to go. The book was called Bombshell so I would have liked more bombshell, unapologetic energy. Consequently, the book scores 3 out if 5 stars from me. But like I said, this book had a young vibe to it and is probably suited to a younger, less experienced reader than I.

Randomly I read this back in January and swear I posted a review. I gave it 3⭐️ because I quite liked the way it was written but goddamn it was predictable.

This was a cute and fun story, a light easy read. The main character is likeable and fun. I wasn't sure what to expect as I only know Alison Hammond as a TV personality so I was pleasantly surprised.

I generally enjoyed this book, though thought the middle section was a little drawn out. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Alison Hammond, beloved for her infectious energy and warmth on This Morning, steps into the literary world with her debut novel, Bombshell. Co-written with Lisa Bent, this festive romcom introduces readers to Madison, a devoted wife and mother whose life is upended when her husband, Rich—a TV handyman and national heartthrob—unexpectedly moves out. What follows is a journey of self-discovery, resilience, and the rediscovery of one's worth.

Plot Overview

Madison has always prioritized her family's needs, putting her own aspirations on hold. However, when Rich announces he needs space and moves out, Madison is left to navigate the challenges of single parenthood and a stalled career. With the support of her close-knit friends, she embarks on a quest to understand the reasons behind Rich's departure and to reclaim her own identity. As she delves into her interior-design career, Madison finds herself confronting personal and professional obstacles, all while uncovering hidden truths about her marriage.

Themes and Style

Bombshell explores themes of self-worth, personal growth, and the complexities of relationships. The narrative is infused with humor and heart, characteristic of Hammond's on-screen persona. The writing is engaging, with a pace that keeps readers invested in Madison's journey. The collaborative effort between Hammond and Bent results in a story that is both entertaining and thought-provoking.

Reception

The novel has garnered positive reviews for its relatable protagonist and uplifting storyline. Readers have praised Madison's character development and the book's blend of humor and emotional depth. Critics have noted that while the story is heartwarming, some aspects may feel familiar to fans of the genre. Nonetheless, Bombshell offers a refreshing take on personal transformation and the power of community.

Conclusion

Bombshell is a delightful debut that showcases Alison Hammond's storytelling prowess. With its relatable themes and engaging narrative, the novel is a perfect read for those seeking an uplifting and entertaining story. Whether you're a fan of Hammond's television work or new to her writing, Bombshell is sure to leave a lasting impression.

Thank you to Alison Hammond, NetGalley and Transworld for this e-arc in exchange for an honest review. Bombshell is about Madison who lives this seemingly perfect life with her successful TV husband and family and about to start her interior designer career. All is well until - her husband moves out and Madison sees the life she’s known begin to unravel.

I liked the book and really liked Madison’s can-do-attitude. She feels lost after her husband leaves and expects her to pick up the slack, which was completly unfair. I enjoyed seeing the journey Madison goes through in the book to prove herself and create a successful career for herself and make her children proud.

I found the book was a short read, but well paced. I found it hard to put down and loved the comedic style throughout, very reminiscent of Alison Hammond herself and her character. I would recommend this book as a book you can just sit with and enjoy.

Madison is a woman who’s pretty happy with her lot. While there are some flies in the ointment; the loss of her beloved mother a few years before the story starts, and a job she plods along at that she could happily walk away from at any second, she knows she’s one of the lucky ones. Not only does she have a great group of long-term friends with whom she shares everything, and meets up with regularly, she has two beautiful children and a widowed father who adores and supports her in all she does. Not only that, but her sexy husband Rich has accidentally become a heart-throb on a popular DIY show and is now being touted for greater things – including his own show. This is not only exciting for them as a family, but having worked as a designer in TV production before she took time out to have their babies, this could also herald a return to the career she has put on hold to bring up their family.

However, out of the blue, Rich starts acting weird and announces that he needs to time to sort his head out – and with that he’s left, gone to stay with his cousin Marvin, leaving Madison juggling her job, the kids, her ageing father, and he pretty much goes dark. Madison is equally devastated and furious, and after a chance meeting with Savine, a powerhouse of a woman who was left in a similar situation with her own husband, she decides to take matters into her own hands and find out exactly what is going on. Is Rich having an affair? A mid-life crisis? A break-down? She also meets a new colleague, Nathan, who takes a great interest in her designing talents and makes her remember why she used to love working in the field so much – Nathan encourages her to branch out and see if there may be a Madison-shaped gap in the design industry. Throughout the rest of the book we watch Madison crumble, become almost obsessed with the situation (understandably) and slowly realise her own worth and what she really wants, and needs from life. The only criticism that I would have is that Madison is just a bit too nice and so doesn’t stand up to people, especially Rich – but I also think that allows us to see how she grows in confidence and self-awareness as the book progresses.

I’m a big fan of Alison Hammond, and although I know this was co-written with Lisa Bent, I feel that this book echos Alison’s values – family, loyalty, love, respect and having the courage to stand in your own power. Although this novel was promoted as a Christmas read, I read it in April and it didn’t affect the story at all except that the events taking place led up to Christmas, which as we all know adds a huge amount of pressure to resolving any conflict before the ‘big day’. I thoroughly recommend this – it’s a quick, easy read that I raced through in one day during the recent sunny spell and enjoyed every minute of it!

Bombshell is an enjoyable and easy read. I enjoyed following Madison on her journey of self discovery. It is somewhat predictable in places but still an enjoyable read.

an easy fun read, one your can curl up on summers. day .
a story about finding yourself and following your dreams

Excellent read. Page turner from the beginning.

Easy read, page turner.

Can't wait for more

Change from the norm for me.

When Madison's husband leaves just before Christmas because he needs 'a break' her world is turned upside down. What follows is a lighthearted account of how Maddison navigates the next few weeks and months - and works out what she wants and realises her dreams with a little help from her children, family and old (and new) friends.

A real feel-good fun book, about living life to the full and making every moment count. Well written with rounded, developed characters, the friendships that keep us going. Looking forward to reading what Alison writes next.

DNF @ 10%
I had the opportunity to read the arc of Bombshell but didn't get to it when it published last November. Unfortunately this was such a let down I decided to DNF this book pretty early on. The characters are insufferable from the get go, the customer service situation was so off-putting. I was surprised when I realised this was the main character we are supposed to be rooting for. I can't see how this book lends to humour whatsoever and the writing was so bland and lacklustre. After reading other reviews I definitely made the correct decision in DNFing this one.
1 star

Thank you to NetGalley, Transworld Publishers and Alison Hammond for the opportunity to read this advanced reader copy.

Review posted to Goodreads and StoryGraph.

Madison is facing life without her husband and still feels that she is a bombshell.

Has their relationship come to an end or is one of them hiding secrets?

A nice easy read.

I really like Alison Hammond and was excited to read this book.

It did not disappoint it was full of life and funny just like she is.

A great novel good holiday read.

The moment I saw Alison Hammond had written a book I simply knew it would be brilliant! Her writing style is fabulous and the entire story had me laughing and smiling throughout!

What a great debut! I was hooked from the very beginning. The storyline kept me guessing right until the end. The characters and their relationships were compelling. Some old some new and they were great and you really invested in them. Alison if this is the start I can't wait for the next one. I am already looking forward to it

I love Alison Hammond. She comes across on TV as such a warm and likeable person who exudes fun so I was wondering how her personality would come across in her novel. I needed have worried, because Madison has the charisma and flare of Alison in book format. She's bubbly and easy going, although obviously at the start she gets a rough deal from husband Michael and is trapped in a job she dislikes, which dulls her light somewhat. It was fun to see Madison discover herself again and find her love of life, alongside her friends and family - who feel very realistic.

This was a very quick and easy read. Light on substance, and the plot is slow to go anywhere, but a lot of fun nonetheless. I don't think this will stick with me for a long time, but the short time I had was pretty good.