Richard's Review:

What, when it comes down to it, is Beth really doing with her life? She’d be the first to admit she’s never really stuck at anything. She’s quit every job she’s ever had (her father says she suffers from ‘a ten-week itch on the job front’) and the same goes for relationships.

Beth turned 30 last year and accepts that waking up on her birthday in the same room she grew up in was ‘not a proud moment’. Now on this, the morning of a crucial career development review, her car won’t start (again). Can anything else bad happen today?

Oh, yes. The terse message waiting for her when she belatedly switches on her phone is just the start of it. Beth, where are you? Please turn on your phone.

Beth still doesn’t know it, but this is already the worst day of her life.

Judy's Review:

Beth’s sister Emmy lies in a coma in intensive care and her husband Doug is dead after a horrendous crash on the M5 motorway. In the space of a morning, Beth’s world has flipped upside down. With no time to think, no time to prepare, she finds herself guardian, carer and emergency parent to Emmy and Doug’s two children, toddler Ted and teenage Polly.

Beth knows she’s going to struggle, and she does. She’s never been responsible for anyone before – not even herself – so how on earth will she cope? How will she know what to do? Never mind handling the trauma of those first days and nights – what about bedtime stories; parents’ evenings; teenage strops and toddler tantrums? Can she possibly step up to the plate?

You’ll love finding out.