183 Times A Year By Eva Jordan

Book Description:

Mothers and daughters alike will never look at each other in quite the same way after reading this book—a brilliantly funny observation of contemporary family life.

Lizzie—exasperated Mother of Cassie, Connor and Stepdaughter Maisy—is the frustrated voice of reason to her daughters’ teenage angst. She gets by with good friends, cheap wine and talking to herself—out loud.

16-year-old Cassie—the Facebook-Tweeting, Selfie-Taking, Music and Mobile Phone obsessed teen—hates everything about her life. She longs for the perfect world of Chelsea Divine and her ‘undivorced’ parents—and Joe, of course.

However, the discovery of a terrible betrayal and a brutal attack throws the whole household into disarray. Lizzie and Cassie are forced to reassess the important things in life as they embark upon separate journeys of self-discovery—accepting some less than flattering home truths along the way.

Although tragic at times this is a delightfully funny exploration of domestic love, hate, strength and ultimately friendship. A poignant, heartfelt look at that complex and diverse relationship between a Mother and daughter set amongst the thorny realities of today’s divided and extended families.

My Thoughts:

183 Times A Year is the authors debut novel. As debut novels go, this one is rather special.

I love how the story starts off, it flicks between Lizzie (mother) and Cassie (daughter)and I very much enjoyed reading their thoughts about each other and their lives. At last I feel like my family are normal!

It starts off being a really humorous read as the author pulls off the stroppy and troubled teen as well as the mother role perfectly. It reminded me so much of myself as a teen and now as a mother with a 16 year old daughter, I can totally relate to what Lizzie is going through.

As the story goes along though it gets a more serious feel to it. I was totally enthralled by the whole story line, I absolutely loved every part of it.

After a horrible tragedy the story got a lot more emotional for me. Through Cassie and the other family members, I felt like I was going through all the emotions that they were going through. I cried tears of sadness as well as laughter. By the end, it really does make you appreciate your family so much more. It also reminded me never to take anything or anyone for granted.

This is a novel that every adult and teen should read. I think it would give both age groups a better understanding of each other. More than anything though the author has captured 100% the whole family life as it is in the modern day. It truly is a wonderful book that really is a must read.

Many thanks to the author for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.