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amy_hannah's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
kazza27's review against another edition
5.0
Thank you for my copy of the book via NetGalley in return for a fair and honest review.
I was really excited to see that Sarah had written a fiction novel, I had the pleasure of interviewing her back when The Unmumsy Mum book first came out and she came along to Exeter Library with two of her boys.
Stepping Up is the story of Beth who has never really found her way in life she has been in and out of work and her family accept that this is who she is a bit of disaster. She has a long term friend Jory who has always been there for her along with her sister Emmy and brother in law Doug.
After an accident, everything changes for Beth and she is faced with bringing up her teenage niece Polly and young Nephew Ted. The relationships in this book are so well written and so realistic, Beth and her mother have a fractious relationship and she really feels the scrutiny now as the guardian of her sisters children.
I really felt for Beth she is kind hearted and is really dropped into being parent from a great height, Polly a teenager with her own issues and guilt and Ted is just a little boy who doesn’t really understand what has happened to his family. The book packs an emotional punch but also has Sarah’s humour and has a real feeling of hope as the family all navigate their grief and how they will all carry on with life. Beth is also dealing with her best friend Jory starting a new relationship and the loss she feels from this.
The characters are warm and I loved the developing relationship with Beth and Emmy’s elderly neighbour Albert which was so touching as Albert is also learning to life without his beloved wife.
I loved the story, I read it really quickly and I really felt like I grew to know the family and was firmly behind Beth as she navigates the biggest challenge of her life. An emotional, but uplifting read that sensitively deals with a really tragic event but is also funny warm and hopeful.
A 5 star debut *****
I was really excited to see that Sarah had written a fiction novel, I had the pleasure of interviewing her back when The Unmumsy Mum book first came out and she came along to Exeter Library with two of her boys.
Stepping Up is the story of Beth who has never really found her way in life she has been in and out of work and her family accept that this is who she is a bit of disaster. She has a long term friend Jory who has always been there for her along with her sister Emmy and brother in law Doug.
After an accident, everything changes for Beth and she is faced with bringing up her teenage niece Polly and young Nephew Ted. The relationships in this book are so well written and so realistic, Beth and her mother have a fractious relationship and she really feels the scrutiny now as the guardian of her sisters children.
I really felt for Beth she is kind hearted and is really dropped into being parent from a great height, Polly a teenager with her own issues and guilt and Ted is just a little boy who doesn’t really understand what has happened to his family. The book packs an emotional punch but also has Sarah’s humour and has a real feeling of hope as the family all navigate their grief and how they will all carry on with life. Beth is also dealing with her best friend Jory starting a new relationship and the loss she feels from this.
The characters are warm and I loved the developing relationship with Beth and Emmy’s elderly neighbour Albert which was so touching as Albert is also learning to life without his beloved wife.
I loved the story, I read it really quickly and I really felt like I grew to know the family and was firmly behind Beth as she navigates the biggest challenge of her life. An emotional, but uplifting read that sensitively deals with a really tragic event but is also funny warm and hopeful.
A 5 star debut *****
lisaj23's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
louisa0021's review against another edition
Storyline dragged and didn't peak my interest enough
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Grief, and Death of parent
Minor: Car accident
becky_is_knitting's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
faithtutton's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
mayaeinna's review against another edition
5.0
a beautifully written book, that makes you feel many different things. the ending is left open leaving the reader to imagine the outcome, and i overall loved it.
mrsherrera's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Medical content and Grief
Minor: Car accident
titchlikestoread's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0