Review: Why Mummy Swears by Gill Sims
I am loving being a part of the Mumsnet book club and so far this year we have had some amazing and inspirational titles to get our teeth into. I don’t know about you, but during the Summer, especially for reading by the pool or on sunny days in the garden, I prefer something a little less intense and a little easier to follow, and July’s title, Why Mummy Swears by Gill Sims, promises exactly that.
I have to be honest, I hadn’t heard of Gill Sims until now and yet when I read a little more about her I was amazed that the phenomenon of her blog, and the success of her previous novel Why Mummy Drinks, has managed to pass me by!
The story follows Ellen, Mum to two precious moppets, wife of Dan and owner to Judgy Dog and, since the previous novel, she has quit her job and is on the hunt for something new and exciting whilst navigating parenthood, the PTA, and all that comes with it. Sims writes the story in diary format, starting at the beginning of the Summer holidays and spanning twelve months where every high and low is shared.
The plot is pretty straight forward – Ellen gets a job and struggles to strike the balance between work, and the issue of sexism in the workplace, the children, and quality time with Dan. It’s definitely not the grittiest of plots and yet it doesn’t need to be, because every single word that Sims writes is wonderfully honest, incredibly relatable, and hilariously funny.
So many times I found myself identifying with Ellen’s traits and observations, nodding along like a chat with a friend, and laughing out loud as Sims hit the nail on the had every single time. I particularly loved the inclusion of characters such as Kiki, desperate to put on the appearance of the perfect parent, but deep down feeding her kids smiley faces like the rest of us!
“Mummy can we have the fishmongers now?” pleaded Lalabelle.
“Darlings you know we don’t eat things like that, do we?” sang Kiki.
“But we do, Mummy,” said Lalabelle in surprise. “We do it all the time. We had chicken dippers and smiley faces last night!”
“No darling. Last night we had an avocado and quinoa salad, didn’t we? Mummy took a lovely photo of you and Trixierose enjoying it for Instagram, remember?”
“Oh,” said Lalabelle in disgust, “You mean the yucky stuff the made us pretend to eat before we had our proper tea?”
From arguing with Jane over her desperation to have an Instagram account (“Oh get a grip,” I snapped. “I’ve never heard anything so ridiculous in my life. And what are you going to be ‘famous’ for Opening boxes? Kinder eggs? Pouting into the camera while revealing your latest #sponsored #collab? These aren’t realistic goals!”), battling with the dreaded ‘Mum Guilt’, and arguing with Dan about who does the most around the house (‘Firstly I AM working! I am trying to build myself a new career, I’m hardly sitting around reading magazines and eating bonbons all day like a lady of leisure!’), every single part of Ellen’s character is excruciatingly relatable.
Even Ellen’s situation with Dan is something I’m sure many working parents can relate to, especially when their own children were small and, although the ending is rather predictable, it is rather lovely to see them come full circle, address their issues and end on a real high note. I was left feeling hopeful that Ellen and Dan will finally strike the right work-family life balance by the time the next novel comes around.
Why Mummy Swears is not for the easily offended, I think the title says it all, but it is perfect for those who need a book to make them belly laugh, to make them feel better about their own parenting dramas, and those who need just five minutes peace from their own Precious Moppets! I am so looking forward to re-reading this book on holiday this month, with a large glass of wine, and a reminder that actually, we are all doing the best we can at the hardest job in all the world!
Buy now here from Amazon.
Well I’m not easily offended so this sounds like a good book for me! Definitely one to read.
It’s such a fun read and very different to the other books I’ve read lately! xx
This sounds quite good, I love to read and find new authors. It’s very current and probably relatable to a lot of women right now x
Yes that’s what I really love, it’s so topical and really relatable! xx
Thanks for sharing the expert! I will def check it out. Glad you enjoyed reading it!
Thank you for reading. xx
It sounds like an interesting read. Will get my hand on it asap. Thanks for recommendation.
Oh great! I hope you enjoy it! xx
Thanks for sharing. My wife is always looking for new book ideas. I will see if she is interested.
Great! Thanks for reading! xx
This looks like a book my wife and I will have to read before my daughter gets older. Thank you for sharing.
If you have kids it’s so relatable!! xx
I’m sure so many will relate to the content of this book. Great review.
It really is so relatable and SO funny! xx
It sounds like a really funny read! I’m going to put it on my Goodreads “want to read” list.
Oh fab! I hope you enjoy it! xx
This looks like a good read. I will get a copy of this too.
Yay! Hope you enjoy it! xx
This sounds like a great book! I’m actually off to purchase both of them now so I can take them on holiday with me! xx
Fab! I’m sure you will love them! xx
This looks so funny! I think it would make a good gift for some of my friends that are mums. Bet they could relate lol
Oh for sure! It’s so relatable as parents! xx
Oo I love good funny read, especially after those hard parenting days! I must pick a copy up 🙂
Yes! This definitely made me feel a little better about my own parenting fails! xx
If this book isn’t for the easily offended then it’s just right for me lol! Sounds a great read.
I reckon you’d love it Jon! xx
This book sounds hilarious, even for people like me who don’t have kids. I love that media is coming into fashion now that points out how ridiculous the idea of “perfect” parenthood is.
Yes I think it’s great that it’s becoming more acceptable to admit that parenting isn’t easy at all!! xx
This sounds like a fab summer read, thanks.
I’ll be reading it again on our holiday this month! xx
Loving the title of the book! Thanks for the review. I’m always looking for new reads.
I definitely recommend it Brittany! xx
This sounds like a hilarious read. It’s my kind of humor, so I’ll have to check it out for sure.
It’s definitely the kind of book to have your laughing out loud! xx
I love humorous reads and am not easily offended haha. I will have to check both of these out.
I hope you like them! xx
I think this book is the story of all of us moms’ life! It sounds like an awesome read!
It really does make you feel better about your own parenting fails! xx
With all the “not so good news” going on right now, this is THE book I would like to read. Funny, light hearted and so real. Mothers can be the funniest creatures on earth!
Totally agree! sometimes it’s nice to just have something easy to read to make you laugh, especially for a summer holiday book! xx
I’m totally going to buy this one and add it to my “will read when my kids are out of the house” shelf 🙂
YES!! Good luck with that! xx
This absolutely sounds like my kind of book. I am going to have to try it out.
I hope you enjoy it! xx
I will definitely have to check the book out it seems as if it will be a good book. I will also share it with my friends we are always looking for a good to read and later talk about it.
Oh I’m sure it would be a popular choice! xx
I just love the title and the book cover. This sounds like a summer read that I would love!
Ah I hope you enjoy it Debra! xx
This sounds like an awesome book I would love! Right up my alley!
It’s a real laugh out loud book Reesa! xx
I could use a good, funny book right now. So glad you shared this review!
Thanks for reading Sarah! xx
Great post and it looks like a nice and interesting book to read. I will definitely check this out and will also share this to my friends.
I really enjoyed it Rose! xx
This sounds like such an honest book. It is definitely one I would like to read and I do enjoy a light-hearted mom book!
Oh me too, it’s great to have a good laugh every now and then! xx
Such a perfect match of book for me! As I am looking for this kind of book to read, its quite interesting!
Oh great! I hope you enjoy it! xx
What a wonderful post! This books looks amazing. Thanks for sharing! 🙂
Thank you for reading! xx
Sounds fun, but since I have far too little time to read novels, I still prefer working through the classics – preferably Philip Roth, who can be ‘funny’ in a way, too, come to think of it; after all, he describes human kind which tends to be a funny breed 😉
I think you have to be into this kind of book to enjoy it, it’s not for everyone that’s for sure! xx
Now, this is such an interesting book to read. Loved the conversation between the mom and the kid. It’s like the kid has a very vast imagination.
Its a really funny book Geraline! xx
That sounds like the perfect beach read to me!
It’s such a fab read! xx
I am always looking for new books to read and looking for new recommendations. I will add this to my to read list.
Oh great! I hope you enjoy it! xx
This sounds like an interesting and quite funny book to read! I might have to check it out
It’s a really funny read! xx
This sounds like a fun one to check out. I am all about spending a day in the garden reading!
Oh there’s nothing better than a relax with a new book! xx
Oh my gosh this sounds like such a good read. I’m not a Mum myself but can imagine I’d find it just as hilarious. Chuckling away at the little snippet.
Ami xxx
It’s a really funny book! It’s had some great reviews! xx
Ooo sounds like a great read. this has just been added to my holiday reading list, at this rate il be taking more books than clothes x
Fab! Hope you enjoy it! xx
Sounds like a good read! I am finishing up my last book in my summer pile and I’ll have to give this a read!
It’s a really good read Trina! xx
This sounds like the perfect book to read in moments of relaxation where nothing too heavy is in order. There must be so many parents out there who will totally empathise with the writer. I’ll check it out!
Yes I think that’s the best thing, it is SO relatable! xx
That looks like something I would really enjoy! It has been awhile since I have read a book!
Oh you should give it a try then Sara! xx
I need to find this book. I feel like I can already relate to it! Lol!
It is so relatable Kita! XX
I love the sound of this book already. I would love to read it for sure. Sounds hilarious.
It had me laughing out loud in parts! xx
I think this would be a fun book to read, especially for book club. I would love to check out this book.
Oh yes it would be fab for a book club! xx
Love the idea of this book. I think I will give this book a try when I can relate more which is when I have kids.
Oh yes it would be fab for a book club! xx
I am not easily offended so I would love to check this book out. I read at least 2-3 books a week and I am always looking for something new. Thanks for the review!
Oh that’s great – you should try it! xx
That sounds like a great read, especially for summertime. I could use a book to help me unwind, and laughing at myself through my similarities to the characters sounds perfect.
Oh yes I really related to it Heather! xx
It sounds like it could be an interesting book. I can only imagine all of the things women have to go through when working through the getting back to work after having kids. I can understand why you would connect to the lead.
Yes it’s really relatable and actually a huge help to other mums to know they aren’t alone! xx
Oh wow I hadn’t heard of her either until I read this and now I am going to find her books because it sounds like the perfect summer read
Laura x
It’s so funny Laura, I’m going to read the first one now too! xx
This is the first time that I’ve heard of this book, but I have always loved a good funny book. So I will have to check this out. Thank you for the recommendation.
Thank you for reading Lynndee! xx
That sounds brilliant! I’m wanting to start a book club, I think I’m going to recommend it to everyone as the first book to read.
Oh that would be a great one to start with! xx
Oh I am looking for a holiday read so may give this a go. Thanks for sharing
Thanks for reading Michelle! xx
I saw this book in tesco yesterday and even the title made me chuckle
It’s hilarious isn’t it?! xx
This sounds quite funny. I would love to start it. Will check where I can find it
I hope you enjoy it! xx
Ohhhh I like the plot. Right, I honestly don’t have time to read a physical book. But I have downloaded a couple of novel apps so that I can read at my most convenient moments.
Oh fab! I love a reading app too! xx
Ha! It sounds like a fun read for those who can handle it. I’m looking for a new book and this one sounds fun!
It’s a great read Jennifer! xx