The first Confessions book was one of my favourites of 2021. It was so original and I absolutely loved it! So I squealed with excitement at being given a copy of the sequel. Nell's journey to mid-life happiness is hilarious, moving and filled with clear-eyed wisdom about what it means to be a woman of any age, proving that the best happy ever afters come when you fall in love with life. * Lucy Dillon *

Hilarious and heartwarming….In this delightful and impactful novel, Potter reminds us that life rarely goes according to plan. With its empathetic characters, well-crafted plot, and poignant message, this book is a must-read for anyone who has ever felt like they're stumbling through life.”— Booklist I'm not saying this to be trite or to make you feel better, but believe me when I say this: the people who matter will see you, no matter what.” This was billed as humorous and it was in parts but I expected more. What I hadn't expected was some of the sensitive topics that were covered. I did feel they were dealt with very well.

Featured Reviews

It was with a sense of glee that I noted Alexandra Potter was releasing a follow up to her 2021 best-selling novel, "Confessions of a Forty-Something F**k Up". I read the first book out of curiosity due to the title - I was approaching the big 40 and discovering that apparently there are life-goals that we are supposed to achieve. I must have missed those particularly lessons at school. And so, refreshingly, has our heroine Nell. As Nell navigates the complexities of love, friendship, and self-discovery, I found myself nodding in agreement, pausing to reflect on my own life and decisions. Potter's witty prose and insightful exploration of life's messiness make for an unputdownable read that's both heartwarming and thought-provoking.

After reading the first book earlier in the year and loving that, I just knew I had to read this! And I’m pleased to say, this was every bit as good as the first book, I loved it. ❤️ Undoubtedly there is part of the story that feel somewhat cliché, this being women’s fiction and all, but there is a good dose of reality bound up in the creation of a cliché which is the precise reason that they are as such. Of course, there is a happily ever after ending of sorts, but it is not the typical rom-com ending where the girl ends up with the three-carat diamond on her finger and life being perfect. Rather it is seeing that we all have ideas and expectations of what life should look like, and how we are not measuring up, but a reminder that every person feels the same way. The old saying that you don’t have to worry about what anyone else thinks of you because they are so worried about themselves to notice you are the real moral of this story. That and the power of honesty and friendship. Single - nearly 29 and single, and I'm still being asked "when are you going to find a man and settle down? Mike Gayle Nell’s journey to mid-life happiness is hilarious, moving and filled with clear-eyed wisdom about what it means to be a woman of any age, proving that the best happy ever afters come when you fall in love with life. I liked the format of the book especially Nell's Things I Am Grateful For at the end of each chapter.

My bookclub friends will appreciate this one. ——‘When did I stop buying expensive lingerie and start buying expensive hoovers? Worst still when did I start getting excited about my new hoover?’ In the sequel to the bestselling Confessions of a Forty-Something F##k Up, there are a lot more lessons to be learned, truths to be told, adventures to go on and joys to discover. But first, she has some more confessions... More Confessions of a Forty-Something F**k Up" by Alexandra Potter is an absolute gem that had me hooked from the very beginning. Having thoroughly enjoyed the first installment, I was eager to dive into Nell's world once again, and I can confidently say that this sequel did not disappoint. Potter's portrayal of Nell, a never-married, childless, forty-something podcaster and obituary writer, is both hilarious and relatable. It’s true what they say: life does go on and joy does return, and often it’s in the most unexpected of places,’ she continues, ‘but you never get over losing someone; you just get better at coping with it.” The inspiration for NOT DEAD YET, ABC’s “Most Watched Comedy Debut in More Than Four Years” ( Deadline)