Stepping Up: the joyful and emotional Sunday Times bestseller and Richard and Judy Book Club pick 2023. Adored by readers

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The characters were so rich & full of life. From the cute potty training toddler to the elderly gent next door. They all stole my heart Do you go into a book completely blind? I follow Sarah Turner aka The Unmumsy mum on the socials and have followed her journey as a mother. Agreeing and championing what she reveals and says. So when I saw that she had written a novel, a work of fiction I knew I wanted to read it but also I had my preconceived ideas. I thought the book would be predictable, light and fluffy and a rom com. Why? I don't know why? I was completely wrong 💕 I hope readers will find it to be an uplifting tale of love and loss and the power of hope to brighten even the darkest days.

She's quit more jobs and relationships than she can remember and she still sleeps in her childhood bedroom. It's not that she hasn't tried to grow up, it's just that so far, the only commitment she's held down is Friday drinks at the village pub. The idea first came to me following a discussion about will writing and more specifically guardianship. I kept trying to imagine what it would be like to unexpectedly take on that level of responsibility and before long, the character of Beth started taking shape in my mind. The characters are brilliantly drawn and I could picture myself at their dinner table and rolling my eyes along with Beth at her mum's interfering comments and finding comfort in her dad's words of wisdom and solid support.It’s a story about grief, family, friendship, working things out and love. It’s incredibly emotional but at the same time a breeze to read.

A moving and beautifully-told tale of parenthood but not as you know it. I just loved it.' Gillian McAllister

She has to contend with a teenage niece, Polly, who is hormonal, emotional and has so much she is holding in, away from everyone else. The way their connection develops and goes from breaking point to a true sense of connection is wonderful. An incredible debut novel, warm, uplifting and full of so much love. I couldn’t put it down. The pacing was perfect. I feel like everyone needs to read this! It’s definitely one of those books that will stay with me for a long long time. Somehow, in her debut novel Sarah Turner manages to do both with a deftness of touch that makes for a memorable and lovely read.