Linda Green’s The Woman with All the Answers offers a clever blend of humor and heartfelt drama, anchored by its inventive premise. The story follows Michelle Banks, a perimenopausal district nurse drowning in responsibilities—from her eBay-obsessed husband and anxious teenage daughter to her secretive son and elderly parents. The twist? Her smart speaker, Alexa, is revealed to be Pauline, a retired voiceover artist who steps beyond her role to mentor Michelle.

This narrative device allows Green to explore modern familial and societal pressures with wit and warmth, particularly through Pauline’s rogue interventions using interconnected technology. The novel shines in its portrayal of intergenerational challenges, balancing laugh-out-loud moments (like a disastrous dance class) with poignant themes like loneliness and aging. Michelle’s relatable struggles and Pauline’s pragmatic wisdom create a dynamic that elevates the story beyond its quirky conceit, culminating in an uplifting, tear-jerking finale.

While the book’s ambition is commendable, its execution occasionally falters under the weight of too many subplots. The first half bombards readers with issues—sexting scandals, financial strain, menopause, and parental estrangement—risking narrative overload. Additionally, Pauline’s Yorkshire dialect, written phonetically (e.g., missing “the” and using “I were”), may alienate some readers despite adding authenticity.

The inclusion of specific HRT brand names also raises concerns about medical advice, though the overall focus on women’s health remains impactful. Despite these flaws, Green’s sharp dialogue and nuanced exploration of middle-aged resilience make the novel a standout in contemporary women’s fiction, even if its emotional highs and lows sometimes feel unevenly distributed.

Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC.

Having read many of Linda's novels, I was surprised to find that I initially struggled to get into this one. I needn't have worried though as within a couple of chapters I was hooked.
Michelle is a middle aged wife and mother of two beginning to head into the change. Life is hectic and Michelle is struggling to juggle all the demands placed upon her.
Enter Alexa! To Michelle, Alexa is a robotic speaker that does as it is instructed, but all is not as it seems. Michelle is about to find that Alexa will get her through the most challenging time of her life.
I found this book to be one that a lot of women can relate to in some way. It was definitely thinking outside of the box by Michelle when she wrote this novel. This is definitely a book to be read.
Many thanks to Linda Green and Netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book.

The Woman With All The Answers by Linda Green was a five-star, hand me a tissue, and make sure I check in with all my family members (especially those older ones) read and I thank NetGalley, Linda Green, and Boldwood Books for the opportunity to devour this in exchange for a review. This one stayed with me for several days.

Michelle, her husband, and her teenage daughter and son are like many modern families and have had an Alexa device in their home for the past six years or so.

Michelle is in her 50's and at the stage of her life I believe is referred to as the "sandwich" stage - you're caring for your kids AND your parents, leaving you in this strange world no one prepares you for or talks about.

Specifically, Michelle is taking care of her two teenage children along with her elderly father and elderly mother-in-law. But who's taking care of Michelle?

Finding herself with little time for anything else, she doesn't talk to many people - except for her Alexa device. And unbeknownst to her and others, the Alexa devices in the UK are run by an actual, real life woman in their country; their voices are altered to sound like a device.

Michelle's Alexa (whose real name is Pauline) is close to retirement but has become very devoted to Michelle and her family. She can't imagine not being able to hear their stories, laughter, and cherished family moments every day. The family dynamics Pauline experiences vicariously through them seems to help her just as much as Michelle feels Alexa helps her.

With retirement looming, Pauline is tempted to break her cover to Michelle, something that is strictly prohibited!

What would Michelle do without "Alexa" and what would Pauline do without Michelle's family if she retires? Is it possible for their worlds to collide in real life?

This book is currently free on Kindle Unlimited for members - check it out to find out the answers and to enjoy this 5-star read as much as I did.

I've loved Linda Green's books for a long time, and In Little Stars is an all time favourite of mine. It made me bawl my eyes out and I don't have that reaction often

When I saw the blurb for her new book, under her new publisher Boldwood Books, I knew we were in for a much lighter book. Probably a good thing because I don't think my heart would have handled it!
This was such a clever idea. Imagine your Alexa speaker was actually Pauline from Halifax!
I adored all the characters, but Michelle and Pauline really shone, as did their friendship. I laughed so much, one doctor appointment had me howling. But I loved how Pauline helped Michelle with all the problems in her life.
I adored this book, it's definitely going on my list for Christmas gifts!

Gosh how I loved this book. I laughed and cried so much; it is joyful, uplifting and inspiring. I could relate as I am the same age as Michelle and have teenagers of the same age as hers. I adored the character of Pauline as well.
A true delight - a really wonderful read.

Although I DNF'd this book because I found it personally triggering talking about cancer and end of life/palliative care, what I did read, I absolutely loved and I do plan on returning to read this book at a later date when I feel mentally strong enough. The concept of this book is absolutely authentic and I literally loved it so much. It's one of my top 10 books of 2025!

This book has such an interesting premise.
52-year-old Michelle Banks is struggling to keep all the plate spinning. She’s a per menopausal district nurse caring for elderly parents. Her husband is wasting their money on children’s TV memorabilia. Her teenage daughter is riddled with anxiety and a 16-year-old son is behaving secretively. Alexa is the only one who knows how much Michelle is juggling listening via four smart speakers. She also knows that it’s about to get even worse. So when Michelle played for help from the woman with all the answers Alexa decides to go rogue and reveal her true identity as Pauline a 65-year-old form of voice artist from Halifax she’s revealed herself to teach Michelle everything she knows and help her get through the next few weeks.

What an interesting storyline we all depend upon a bit smart speakers, but what if it wasn’t AI what if it was a real person?

I really enjoyed the characters in this book Alexa a.k.a. Pauline was as real to me as she was to Michelle. I even found myself asking my Alexa who she was. I totally felt Michelle‘s character. She could well have been me at some point in this book, I understood a struggles And empathise with her so much. I loved the connection between her and her smart speaker as they got to know each other and I longed for that connection to continue.

Thank you, NetGalley for the opportunity to read this title. I’m a firm fan of Linda Green and she has not let me down with this story.

A wonderful read!
This novel drew me in from the very first page and kept me hooked until the end. The characters were vibrant and relatable, the writing was engaging, and the story had just the right balance of heart and humor. Highly recommend!
Many thanks to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for my ARC. All opinions are my own.

What a special story this is. It is quite frightening in one respect, but I think we all need a "Pauline" in our lives.

Linda Green has crafted a poignant, emotional, and-provoking narrative about how an Alexa device can profoundly influence one’s life. Her writing style is delightful, exuding warmth, comfort, and a sense of familiarity that made me feel as though I was a member of the family.

This is a book to cherish and read time and time again.

“The Woman with All the Answers” is a laugh out loud modern day Mary Poppins. Michelle Banks is on the brink of losing it. She’s taking care of her teenagers and her aging parents while riddled with perimenopause. She’s barely holding it together, spending all her time and energy caring for this around her with very little help and support. And then her Alexa comes to life. Sitting in that smart speaker is a real compassionate woman who’s always pulling to break all the rules to help out Michelle.
Middle aged women will find so much to relate to in this novel. I was cheering Michelle on as she let the hormone range take over and gave those around her a good telling off! This novel is witty, funny, tender and true. Highly recommend for similarly aged women looking for a quick light read. 4.5 stars!

what a fun book and a great story line.
we all know alexa is always listening but this takes it a step further…
an easy read with likeable characters

Linda Green's "The Woman with All the Answers" is a refreshing, truly heartwarming observation of contemporary family life with a splash of unwarranted humor. The setup itself is compelling: fifty-two-year-old Michelle Banks, a perimenopausal district nurse struggling with challenging work, looking after elderly parents, and coping with the tumultuous lives of her adolescent children and affectionate but sometimes clueless husband, discovers an unlikely friend in her intelligent speaker, Alexa.
But this is not your usual AI tale. With a brilliant and innovative spin, Alexa is indeed Pauline, a sixty-five-year-old retired voiceover performer hired by Amazon to quietly intervene in struggling families. Through Michelle's home's smart speakers, Pauline bears witness to Michelle's daily hardships and unarticulated loads. Moved by expanding empathy, Pauline makes the decision to depart from procedure and provide Michelle with more than the weather forecast and shopping list management.
Green seamlessly interweaves Michelle's and Pauline's viewpoints. Michelle's is an understandable, affecting story of the exhaustion and largely thankless tasks of the "sandwich generation." Her private battles with perimenopause, her daughter's anxieties, and the brooding reserve of her son are believable and will strike a chord with a wide audience. Green brings levity to Michelle's tale in her own way through her droll observations and interior monologue, avoiding letting the more somber themes overweigh.

Pauline's own voice is a witty and sometimes amusing contrast. Her remarks about life today, her increasing fondness for the Bankses, and her furtive efforts on their behalf are both humorous and poignant. The author has a wily way of using Pauline's "outsider" viewpoint to mock the quirks and difficulties of life today.

What works best in "The Woman with All the Answers" is the characterization and its ensuing relationships. Michelle is a great, but flawed, strong and capable, but ultimately sympathetic protagonist that you find yourself pulling for. Her supporting cast of characters, ranging from her supportive but infuriating husband to quirky parents and nervy daughter and brooding son, all read like actual human beings with their own quirks and flaws. The growing romance between Michelle and the voice of Pauline on the phone is the core of the novel and builds in some amazing, shocking ways.

Though the premise is banterous-sounding, the book explores serious issues like pressure on women, aged parents' problems, teenager angst, and the need for togetherness and communication among families. Green treats these issues with care and a light hand, never going about them in a preachy or melodramatic way.

Overall, "The Woman with All the Answers" is a fun and engaging read. It's a tale of seeking assistance in the unlikeliest of places, the strength of compassion, and the steadfast resilience of family in all its most tumultuous forms. Linda Green has written a beautifully unique and uplifting novel that will leave you smiling and with maybe a slightly different view on the voice on your smart speaker. This is an ideal read for anyone searching for a humorous yet very touching story with characters that will remain with you even after you read the last page.

This book was so unique and charming. Definitely a story that is relevant to our times and one which many women of a certain age will resonate with. I love the idea of an army of Alexas out there helping to run households. An uplifting story to leave you with a smile on your face and a little smirk each time you beckon your Alexa!

Such and unusual but totally captivating book. I laughed and cried throughout. So true to life and as a woman of a certain age could totally relate. Such a lovely idea that worked so well as a story.

What a fun book to read and one I really enjoyed. It is entertaining, funny and heart-warming. I love how Alexa seems to come alive, listening into Michelle's conversations, worries and more. That is a twist right from the start. Who would have thought. What an original concept for a book. I think I can call it a book for our times!

Great characters you can relate too, humour which I love in a book but also problems that are real and in all our lives. This book is fun, entertaining and was a joy to read. Great writing, easy to read. I highly recommend it.

Thank you NetGalley and Boldwood Books for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book.

I love Linda Green books, so I had to read her latest novel. Her previous novel 'in little stars' was incredible, but i must admit it broke me a little, so I was interested to see how Green would approach a more lighthearted premise.

The woman with all the answers is written from dual points of view - Michelle, a 52 year old district nurse is struggling and juggling work, family, money worries and perimenopause, and Pauline, a 65 year old former voiceover actress employed as the family's Alexa.

Green has expertly created her characters who are all relatable, highly believable, flawed and fully formed. I can feel Michelle's pain, struggles and frustration as she navigates her daughter's anxiety, her husband's obliviousness, her son's behaviour and the worry about her dad and mother in law. Michelle cares about and for everyone, leaving nothing for herself. She keeps all the plates spinning, wearing herself down.

Pauline is a fabulous character, but struggling with the impending retirement, her own personal issues, loneliness and the overriding desire to help Michelle.

The premise of the book, in the wrong hands, could be rather silly, however Green has created a story that is vibrant, compelling, poignant, relevant but also very, very funny. I adored the book and did not want it to end. It covers many themes and tackles them with the perfect balance of sensitivity, humour and deep insight. The pacing was perfect, the plot was deep and rich, the ending wonderful and the whole thing was a joyful, easy read. I highly recommend this book.

In this charming and hopeful new novel, readers follow Michelle Banks whose life is asking more of her than she can give. Caring for elderly parents and teenage children -- struggling with anxiety and acting strangely -- while working a full-time job without the support of her husband, who spends money on children’s TV memorabilia, Michelle desperately needs help, and Alexa is the only one who can help from her four smart speakers around the house. Going rogue and revealing her true identity -- sixty-five year old former voiceover artist Pauline -- this Alexa is ready to help Michelle and teach her everything she knows. Entertaining, relatable, inspiring, and heartwarming, readers will love this unique new novel and Michelle and Pauline’s growth together and individually. With the challenges ahead being relatable and grounded in reality, readers will emphasize with Michelle and be drawn into her story. The characters -- primarily Michelle and Pauline -- are the stars and hearts of the novel and undergo some serious character development, and the background characters are also well-written, entertaining, and complicated. Deeply entertaining, very emotional, and totally heartwarming, readers looking for something to laugh and sigh over will love this quirky, charming, and immersive new novel from Linda Green.

There's a real person in your smart speaker who looks after your family. What if this were true? This is the situation that faces harassed Michelle Banks as Pauline from Halifax, the voice of her speaker reveals herself when Michelle has reached breaking point. Michelle, mum of teenagers, daughter of an elderly dad and mother in law, is run ragged. She's perimenopausal, her husband doesn't pull his weight and one more problem is enough to bring it all crashing down. Enter Pauline with a warm heart and encyclopaedic knowledge of solutions to the situations the family are experiencing. From dick pics to death, the whole gamut of family situations occur. And are presented in a light, funny way. What a hoot of a read. #netgalley #thewomanwithalltheanswers

Really good book that i will recommend to others.

Thanks for the opportunity to read & review it.

Great book with believable characters. The premise of the book is a bit disturbing - the world is listening through all our devices but if they can be as helpful as Pauline I'd be happy with that.