Tara West

This novel is exactly the kind of book I might have read in my twenties but positively avoid now. Screwed up characters whose lives are a mess and who drink too much yet are 'smart' and 'witty' in every line. Cliche. Cliche. Cliche. But.... (ssshhhh - don't tell anyone) .... I quite enjoyed it nonetheless.

The protagonist (and her sister) have each led messed up lives ever since their mother published a scathing book in which she spoke about how awful motherhood was and how she'd have been better aborting them. Now their mother has published a new book, and the sister is traumatised that that she's going to spill the beans in the memoir about her daughter's teenage son not being her husband's child as he thinks. As they desperately try to get their hands on a pre-copy of the book before it is released, acquaintances and issues from the past come to the fore that need mental closure in different ways.

3.5 stars - Would I recommend this? Most certainly not, but it was enjoyable, nonsense escapism for a few hours nonetheless.… (more)