Beth has never stuck at anything.

She’s quit more jobs and relationships than she can remember and she still sleeps in her childhood bedroom. It’s not that she hasn’t tried to grow up, it’s just that so far, the only commitment she’s held down is Friday drinks at the village pub.

Then, in the space of a morning, her world changes.

An unspeakable tragedy turns Beth’s life upside down, and she finds herself guardian to her teenage niece and toddler nephew, catapulted into an unfamiliar world of bedtime stories, parents’ evenings and cuddly elephants. Having never been responsible for anyone – or anything – it’s not long before she feels seriously out of her depth.

What if she’s simply not up to the job?

With a little help from her best friend Jory (purely platonic, of course …) and her lovely, lonely next-door neighbour, Albert, Beth is determined that this time she’s not giving up. It’s time to step up.

Praise

‘Beth is drifting through life with no responsibilities until a family tragedy forces her to become guardian to her teenage niece and toddler nephew in this hilarious and heartwarming novel from the author of The Unmumsy Mum.’
Waterstones

‘Such a smart, funny, wise, heart-breaking, joyful read. I welled up many times and fell in love with these characters. A truly delightful debut.’
Lizzy Goudsmit Kay

‘Humour and heart are everywhere in this book, and I went from laughter to tears in the turn of a page. Wise, joyful and very, very funny – this is a book to devour, a book to share and a book to savour. I loved it’
Katie Marsh

‘Heartwarming and heartbreaking. Full of warmth and Turner’s perceptive parenting humour. This is a book that will break your heart and make you fall in love all at once!’
Katy Colins

‘Devastating yet uplifting, this is a warm, relatable and human story of sorrow, resilience, and finding the light in the darkest of times. I was rooting for Beth from the very first page.’ Caroline Hulse

‘I loved it! It was funny and sad, and everything in between. It had me hooked from the first page. It was lovely to read how Beth’s relationships with Polly, Albert, and Jory developed as each character seemed so real. A brilliant book, and one that I’d definitely recommend!’
James Bailey

‘Stop EVERYTHING and read this! Funny, tender and beautifully observed. Loved, loved, LOVED it!’
Cathy Bramley

‘What a fantastic read – it had me in tears! This book grabbed me by the heartstrings and didn’t let go! It has it all – warmth, humour and brilliant observations on love, life and loss. An emotional rollercoaster of a read and one that is well worth taking!’
Sarah Pearse