I enjoy watching Alison Hammond presenting several TV shows, and love her bubbly, off beat sense of humour. I couldn’t wait to read this book and wasn’t disappointed.

Madison is devastated when her husband suddenly decides that he needs space, and moves out to live with his cousin. She is unable to understand his sudden decision, wondering whether she is to blame or whether there is another woman.

She is left looking after her children, trying to carry on as before working for a boss who doesn’t appreciate her creative skills. She decides to turn detective and try to find out whether her husband has found someone else. I loved the humour as she tries to discover the truth in a story that is heartwarming and filled with humour. Her friends are supportive, and all characters are warm and relatable, and I enjoyed their interaction.

As Madison discovers new opportunities to use her creative talents, she grows as a person, becoming more positive and upbeat, going on a journey to find who she really is. A positive message told in a friendly, heartwarming way.

4.5*

Madison (not Maddy) is a mum doing the best for her family until one day when they’ve had a family trip ice skating. That day everything changed, the unthinkable happened – her husband moved out.

I’ll admit I was devastated for Madison. She didn’t know what was going on or why Rich needed space. But the more I read about Rich, the less I liked him. He expected Madison to manage in her own with their two kids and not pick up any of the slack in this mess he created.

Madison on the other hand, I loved. As the story went on, I was willing her to prove to herself she was more than a mum and wife to a TV handyman. The journey she went on with her friends cheering from the sidelines was so heartwarming and life affirming.

Bombshell is a delightful read that I devoured in an afternoon. My emotions went through the mill as Madison learnt her new way of life. Hammond may have her name on the front but she does acknowledge she co-wrote this with Lisa Bent. Between them, this pair have written a fabulous book of seconds chances and new beginnings.

Her worst nightmare might just be the making of her…

The family has always been everything to Madison. Married to the nation’s heartthrob, TV handyman Rich, with two beautiful children, she’s always put their needs first. Her career has taken a backseat, but she’s never minded—until, out of the blue, Rich drops a bombshell. He needs "space" and is moving out.

Madison is left reeling by the sudden revelation and turns to her close-knit group of friends for support. However, when their help doesn’t seem enough, she takes matters into her own hands, determined to uncover what’s going on—even if it means playing detective on her husband.

As her interior design career starts to take off (provided her manager stops sabotaging her bold ideas for his dreadful ones and she doesn’t get too distracted by the new guy in the office), Madison is forced to confront her worth. After all, she’s a bombshell.

The plot was engaging. Madison’s husband Rich suddenly moves out, leaving her with their two young children, leaving her feeling utterly lost. She begins to suspect he might be having an affair, and in her quest to uncover the truth, she starts questioning whether she even wants him back.

Madison is an incredibly relatable character, and her actions feel so real and believable. You find yourself wholeheartedly rooting for her to rediscover her happiness, all the while feeling utter disdain for her husband, Rich.

Well-written and compelling, this is a quick and satisfying read. I’d love to see a sequel to catch up with Madison a few years down the line—I'd be interested to see where life takes her next!

Read more at The Secret Book Review.

I'm not really sure what to say about this book. It fell completely flat for me, wasn't at all funny, and read too simple.

There was too much emphasis on what people were wearing, what they were eating, too many irrelevant and pointless descriptions. The story wasn't emotional, despite the subject matter.

It was all disappointing, as I didn't feel any of the warmth or humour I associate with Alison.

Madison is married to TV heartthrob and handyman Rich. They seem to have a perfect family life. That is until Rich drops a bombshell and tells her that he is moving out and he needs space, all before Christmas. Madison hopes that her friends will help her with the troubles but will they really? A good story with loveable characters.

I've always adored Alison Hammond so I was excited to receive this as a granted wish!
This was light and sweet and the perfect seasonal read. The characters felt slightly rushed but overall, it made me laugh and smile at all the right moments.

This was OK to read. Could have been a bit more to the storyline. Thought the storyline was good but could have been a bit more following husband searchin, investigating. Seems all very quick in the end.

Madison's husband leaves her to have some time out in their marriage she is confused and her close friends are not helping then she meets Savine at a health club and they become great friends and she helps her by spying on her husband to find out what he gets up to.
Madison meets Nathan at work and helps her get an interior design job for someone famous he knows, and she starts to find herself on the way.
The first book by Alison Hammond and a great start.
Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC and I give my honest review

An emotional, fun and twisty read full of bombshells. I loved Madison and felt for her so much, she was trying to keep everything together for her family and I wished her husband had been upfront sooner. This is a gorgeous book, with a big heart and an equally powerful message about finding yourself and starting a new chapter. Five stars. Thank you to the authors, publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an ARC.

I have to be honest I was intrigued to read this book but I wasn’t expecting much of a story. However I was pleasantly surprised, I thoroughly enjoyed and was hooked from the first page.
Madison life implodes after her husband Rich tells her he needs a break and she is left to pick up the pieces while caring for their two children. As the story develops Madison learns a lot about her self and I was really rooting for her as she was such a likeable and relatable character.
An excellent empowering read that I would definitely recommend. A sequel to catch up with Madison would be great.
Thanks to NetGalley, Alison Hammond and Random House UK for an advance copy in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.

Now, I might be biased as I adore Alison Hammond, but I absolutely loved this book!

Whilst described as a romcom, it's not the big love story that you'd be expecting, but it's so much more. It's a story of love, strength, family, unexpected friendship, and resilience.

Mansion is happily married mother of two. She's put her career on hold and taken a back seat to bring up her children and support her husband in hid pursuit of fame on tv. While his 'fans' may see him as a bit of a heartthrob, Madison just sees him as Rich,her husband, and doting Dad to their children.

So, when after a family day out, Rich announces he 'needs some space', Madison is dumbfounded, having no idea why and where this sudden announcement has come from.

Her best friend Jess believes it will all be fine. She just has to weather the storm, so Madison keeps on going, being a mum, getting through each day but still without any answers.

Suspecting an affair, she enlists the help of her new friend and confident Sevine (I LOVE HER). Not only does she gain insight, but along the way, she gains confidence and strength and realises just how much she has lost herself over the years.

Is Rich cheating? Does she have the strength to fight? Will her friendships last the course?

I loved the characterisation throughout the whole book. Not only were the characters well executed and relatable, but they also felt real, which is such a positive, in my opinion. The story had me truly routing for Madison, wanting her to find her own happiness in her own way.

A heartwarming read that I would LOVE a sequel to, this would make a great series!

Thanks to Netgalley and Random House UK, Transworld Publishers for the ARC.

I loved this debut novel from Alison Hammond , really great read. Believable characters, excellent storyline and well-written . There was something about the way it was written that made it very easy to visualise, I could feel the hustle and bustle of London even though I don’t it that well, but somehow I sort of did! Oh and I so wanted to tell Jenson where to stick his tartan and tradition! Highly recommended. Thank you for this ARC .

I’m a massive fan of Alison Hammond so was intrigued to read her first novel. It was everything you would expect from Alison - full of heart, humour, and a (strong) sprinkling of girl power, with a nod to Christmas, so perfect for this time of year. I really enjoyed Madison’s story and being with her for her journey of self-discovery and empowerment.

Thanks to Random House UK, Transworld Publishers and NetGalley for granting my wish to read this book.

An enjoyable read, especially for any Alison Hammond fans, but this is a book written with a co author and as such it is obvious in places who has written what….. which does make it a little disjointed. The story is good in some areas, strong in others, but loses itself in some bits.
This is the story of interior designer Madison and her family starting at an ice skating day out in central London with her tv star of a husband and her children but doesn’t turn out to be the idealistic vision of a Christmas outing. Madison has a wonderful group of friends that have been together since school, she sings in a choir, and is inspired by decorating and design of house interiors.
Lots of tv experience is involved, family history and dynamics.
This is a lovely easy read, but didn’t make me laugh out loud, it did however, resonate within the awkward feelings that difficult family issues and relationships can bring. The book left me a bit flat and wasn’t as upbeat and insightful as hoped.
Interesting sensitive and a very different Christmas book.
Thank you NetGalley for the early read.

As a fan of Alison Hammond I couldn't wait to read her debut novel and what a debut it is, I loved reading the story of Madison - her trials, tribulations as she tells us a heartbreaking story. It's full of love, hope, heartbreak we follow the aftermath of her husband's Rich walking out.

I was rooting for Madison and to hopefully get her happy ever after. Great debut and can't wait to read more from this now author, too.

Listen. I was automatically needing this book to be brilliant. Its Alison...who I think is brilliant! And I was beyond excited to get the chance to read her book. Having then read the blurb even more so.
I needn't have worried. It had all the wit and warmth of the woman herself.
And bring on our new author Alison Hammond. She did so well for her first book. It has all you want from the genre. And I didn't for one minute think I was reading a "celeb" written book. I was reading a book by an author. One who I will go on to read more of if she found she loved it too.

Madison has the perfect life doesn't she?
It's seems not. Especially when her perfect tv husband says he needs some spacd( enter my anger and hoping she does NOT take him back)
What Madison needs is to realise her worth. She needs to know she can do things for herself and not jist at the mercy of being seen to be the perfect wife mum or friend.
The adventure to find herself and her hearts wants is lovely. It felt light in all the right moments but never just fluff. Because it covered ground many many woman go through and struggle with.
I loved it.

Great book, warm and engaging just like the author.
I enjoyed this book, it felt realistic and relatable…

I read this book in one afternoon/evening - the characters hit the spot, even the bothering MIL and the annoying boss!!

Thank you to Random House/ Transworld Publishers/ Bantam for granting my wish on Netgalley!

This was my first book by Alison Hammond and i was pleasantly surprised. She is such a lovely lady with a big heart and personality and this really came across in the book. Although this story had quite a common theme, it was done very well. Lots of twists and turns kept you guessing. But at the end of the day it showed that women can be strong and achieve what they set out to do. A wonderful heartwarming, family-orientated read, timed well around Christmas time too. Well done Alison!!

Thanks to Random House UK, Transworld Publishers and NetGalley for allowing me an advanced copy to read in exchange for my open and honest review. As always, my reviews will also be posted on Amazon, Goodreads and Waterstones and interaction on Facebook and instagram where possible.

Really enjoyed this book from Alison Hammond.

Madison’s husband Rich suddenly moves out to have ‘space’ and leave Madison with their two young children. Madison is completely at a loss as to why he needs space but starts to suspect he is having an affair. As she tries to find out the truth she also starts to question if she actually wants him back or not.

The main character, Madison is really relatable, and her actions are totally believable. You end up really routing for her to find her own happiness and find yourself hating her husband, Rich!

Well written and a compelling read which is quick to read.

I would love a sequel to catch up with Madison a few years down the line!

3.5 rounded up. An engaging, easy read with plenty of heart- would have liked it to be a bit more Christmassy but I couldn’t put it down.