However, the book did begin to improve as it delved more into Lucy's eldest son, Stanley, aged 4, who has suspected autism. This aspect of the book was really interesting to read about and portrayed sensitively. Having friends who have gone through similar journeys to Lucy, a lot of this was familiar to me. John glanced down at the picture on his phone. A set of GPS coordinates and the face of a man with white blond hair and intense eyes.

This book makes you feel you are talking to a sincere fellow parent. Because Cox is. She is the real-life M for Mummy. Based on author Katy Cox’s life as a professional cellist, mother of two boys and her experience of neurodivergence. There were a couple of points in the book that I struggled with, the church faeces scene cringed me out, and I was a little uncomfortable reading that, as well as calling the more petite woman at the slimming class “skinnies” but other than that this book is a fantastic read and I would definitely recommend it to others, those that are parents and even those that want to become parents, because believe me being a parent is not all sunshine and rainbows, and I love the fact that the author includes the lows of family life, especially with a child with ASD, ad unfortunately there are still individuals out there who cannot comprehend the idea of ASD and just accuse young children of having tantrums, and I like the fact that the author approached this issue in the book in a more productive manner.

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The Quartermaster, as he’d identified himself, Q, as Mrs. Holmes identified him, sighed. Mrs. Holmes stared at him for a moment, waiting for him to speak. Her sense of irritation outpaced his remorse, apparently. John met the Superintendent’s gaze calmly. “No, of course not. I received instruction to be there and had reason to believe the man was dangerous.” Having the vague suspicion that his jaw was hanging open; John hadn’t noticed Mycroft joining them. But, yes, there he was leaning casually against the door jamb watching them all as if at the theatre and straightening with the aspect of a naughty schoolboy. “Of course, Mummy,” was the mild reply as Mycroft gestured to the exit. It is also though a look at parenthood when one of your children is clearly a bit different from the average child. It was fairly obvious to me what the diagnosis would be for Stan, but he is just a loveable boy, and Lucy is doing her best to understand him, that he really is just Stanley. Lucy is a Celloist, her husband also a musician, now with two young children to bring up she is finding it hard to follow her career and hard to find time for herself. One of her children is quite extraordinary and Lucy fears that he may be autistic, prone to meltdowns, but also very clever. Stanley is good at learning things and has an obsessive fascination for numbers and body parts. Needing to repeat the same things over and over again and requiring things to be just so, his mum Lucy needs the patience of a saint. With her husband often being away from home for work Lucy is often left to deal with all of this alone whilst trying to start up her career again. Although often totally stressed out Lucy is able to see the funny side of her circumstances, often with hilarious results!

Since the birth of her second child, Lucy’s world has changed. A lot. Lucy can barely recognise herself ever since she became a mum for the second time. The previously successful musician who had the world at her feet now spends her days listening to one child recite stomach-churning facts about the gallbladder while simultaneously waging a losing battle against broccoli vomit. As if bringing up two children wasn’t enough, Lucy is concerned about the fact that her once thriving marriage is now completely and utterly devoid of romance. When the car finally jerked to a stop, John was thoroughly lost. The driver took the keys, stepped out of the car, and let the door slam. A sound which seemed to echo in the not nearly well enough lit cavern. This book resonates so much on so many levels with me (not all) and I imagine any mother will feel an affinity with Lucy in some ways. Thank you to Katy Cox for writing a truthful, hilarious (because if you don’t laugh……), and relatable account of life in a family that doesn’t fit the mould.

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With Stanley entertained lining up his letters in the lounge, I threw a towel down on the wet kitchen floor, stuffed a pad in my pants and grabbed my phone to call Ed. As usual, he didn’t answer, so next on the ‘in case of emergency’ list was my best friend, Charlie. The final approach to the house revealed it to be set on a rise, surrounded entirely by the river that branched around the enclosing lawns, with no cover at all in the form of trees or shrubbery. There was a section of gardens just visible at the ear, complete with what appeared to be a hedge maze, well beyond the more secured house. I absolutely loved the overall message of this book. Highlighting the importance of relishing in our differences and striving to be our true selves, no matter what that entails. You can tell that the author has lived this experience. Her knowledge and personal touch is added so beautifully to the character of Lucy. It made it all feel so incredibly real, almost like I was reading a memoir! Stan’s character wormed his way into my heart. I loved this debut novel and would love to read more by this author! I enjoyed far less the parts with the friends, and actually made me feel a bit irritated towards the Lucy rather than sympathising with her.

Since giving birth to her second child, Lucy's life is totally the romance in her marriage is officially dead and so is the career it took her years to build. Lucy has her hands full. Literally, with a cello and two young children, her musician husband is on tour, laundry pile, and a performance to prepare for, and she is out of bin bags. But John only turned when he heard his name spoken by a voice he hadn’t expected to ever hear again. Miracle weighs three pounds. She's gonna' have to stay in the hospital until she is at least six pounds." The sweet nurse explained. John stopped at the door to the car, turning to look the other man in the eye. “You can tell Mycroft…”This is also the story of a mum trying to balance all of the conflicting demands on her time and try to rebuild her own career. I enjoyed all the insights into Lucy’s world as a musician, a career whose inner workings I’m not familiar with. You really feel for Lucy as she tries so hard to make everything work, empathising with just how overwhelming it is for her. Stan is a stand-out character, and each of his ‘Excuse me’ moments as he enters scenes is adorable. Even though I know he is obsessed with numbers and anatomy, I found myself wanting to learn more about him. Lucy and her husband, Ed, are so used to dealing with Stan’s needs and required structure that Lucy even writes a point-by-point list for babysitters.