It’s that time of year, to stock up on books to read over the summer. I may already have a huge pile of fabulous charity shop books to read, but I was happy to push Mother Hens by Sophie McCartney to the top of the queue. It really is the perfect book to spend time relaxing in the sunshine reading.
Motherhood is full of ups and downs, and Sophie McCartney captures it all (and more) in her hilarious book ‘Mother Hens’. In this review, we explore the author’s witty and relatable tales of motherhood and share our thoughts on why this book is a must read for the summer.
Don’t miss your chance to win a copy of the book at the end of this post!

About the book
Four friends. Three Nights. Two murders – and one heck of an adventure.
‘Cara Carmichael’s bestie is getting hitched; but before the wedding comes the all-important hen do. For Cara, this means a long weekend of escapism. A chance to forget about her messy divorce, explosive family feud and monotonous 9-5, but even on holiday, your past has a way of catching up with you…
Follow the lives and escapades of four life long friends as they embark on the ultimate hedonistic hen party in Ibiza. Leaving behind their children, partners and better judgement for 3 nights of freedom away from motherhood, things do not exactly go to plan. As readers, we get a front row seat to watch their grand plans unravel in spectacular style!
The prologue’s opening line, ‘I often use to wonder… what makes seemingly good people do horrifically bad things?’ captures your attention immediately. Filled with secrets, lies and lots of betrayal of the highest order, you will finish the book wanting a cousin just like Amy!

Did Mother Hens have me laughing out loud
I really did enjoy reading Mother Hens and felt that I could not put it down, I needed to know what happens! When reading, you will notice a few dramas that you can see coming and will rightly assume what will happen. However the total spanner in the works comes at Chapter 32!
My mouth dropped open, with an audible ‘No way! I didn’t see that coming!’. The epilogue is a must read, as it puts a lot of problems faced in the book to bed, literally. You will run through a range of emotions reading the book, with more emphasis on laughing out loud. So becareful where you choose to read the book!
Mother Hens is perfect for summer reading whilst lounging on the beach or by a pool. Sophie is a great author and the story really does help the reader immerse themselves in the drama, allowing their minds to wandering off to their own escapades. Of which there are plenty!
The story reads well and most mums (and dads) will relate to the feeling of needing adult time and jumping on an excuse to get away with friends. Cara, the main character in Mother Hens, is so relatable and likeable, that readers will wish they could be her friend. A sure sign of a well-written character.

More about Sophie McCartney
Sophie McCartney’s ‘Mother Hens’ is her first foray into fiction, but you may already be familiar with her from her popular blog and best selling book ‘Tired & Tested‘. Her debut non-fiction book, Tired & Tested: The Wild Ride Into Parenting as a Sunday Times number one bestseller.
Sophie McCartney rose to internet fame in 2017 with her hilarious parody of Ed Sheeran’s ‘Shape of You’. Her stand-up comedy, songs, and sketches all focus on the messier aspects of life and the realities of parenting.
Mother Hens is a testament to Sophie’s ability to accurately capture the ups and downs of parenting. I’m eagerly awaiting her next book!
Where to buy a copy of Mother Hens by Sophie McCartney
Get your hands on a hardback copy of Mother Hens from popular retailers like Amazon, Waterstones, WHSmith and Hive. With 309 pages of content, the recommended retail price is £14.99.
For more summer reading inspiration, take a look at our review of ‘Champagne at Seven!‘
My daughters made me smile today, they’ve both been enjoying this glorious weather.
My kids doing their silly impression of me.
Seeing my roses starting to flower
My grandson made me smile today.
My son made me laugh.
Spending the day in the sunshine with my little boys
We had a BBQ with friends which made me smile a lot.
Watching a mother magpie feeding two baby magpies on our garden fence and the supervising them as they take a bath in our bird bath
Going to the village carnival in the sunshine
some great sunny weather today.
Heavily discounted food items in the supermarket. Every little helps!
The gorgeous weather!
finding a tenner behind my chest of drawers
My cats being super cute.
My dog playing out in the garden in the sunshine x
meeting some friends
a phone call from a friend
being invited to a party
A lovely sunny morning
It’s raining and I don’t have to water the garden.
a nice walk with the dog
Rewatching the videos of the live 80s concert I went to last night has made me smile this morning … we saw Nik Kershaw and he was fab!
my granddaughter
I wnet for my usual early morning walk this morning, and the hazy sun over the countryside made me smile – it’s such a lovely peaceful time for walking, it really restores my soul xx
the bbq im going to today
the fact that its weekend!
My other half bought me some flowers
Watching two cats playing in the grass made me smile.
lots of amazing effort by my class today completing their mandatory year 4 times tables check.
My playful dogs have made me smile 🙂
Going to the beach with the dogs at 6am today
My cat brought a Costa Coffee coffee sachet from his morning walk; god knows in whose rubbish he picked it up but he clearly made an effort to bring what I like (instead of catching his usual flies or feathers). He seemed was very proud of himself
The sun shining
My Grandson giggling at a balloon
Seeing a fox cub asleep in my garden
My three children
Having the first round of my wedding photos through!
speaking with a friend.
Talking to my middle son today made me smile
My lovely dog! He is so loyal!
my 2 grandchildren make me smile everyday.I am lucky as I see them nearly every day
Waking up and being able to get out of bed makes me smile, at 78 years old you will as well.
My daughters little giggle when her favourite cartoon came on 🙂
Booking a trip away!
My son playing his first cricket match and then winning
My cat Clarence
Buying some good reduced food at Sainsburys
the sunshine
my dogs make me smile
My 3 daughters did 🙂
Waking up to birdsong and sunshine. How wonderful!
My cat feel asleep next to me as I had my breakfast and was really snoreing!
Getting a lovely message from my partner who is currently working at sea (in & out of phone signal).
I cut down a dead tree in my front garden,and felt proud of myself
Lil Peewee and Teddy playing in the garden
Nothing
booking a trip to Zip Wire Bethesda with my grandsons
My boys laughing together
Sim, CONGRATS! Your post is FEATURED at the #UnlimitedLinkParty 114!
That’s fabulous news, thank you Dee!x
My Border Collie Zeph taking up container gardening!
I’ve been to a petting farm today – how can you not smile!
It being sunny.
Congratulations, this post will be featured as one of the top 5 posts on SSPS, on FB Bloggers Share, Care & Inspire as well as Instagram: _esmesalon
A cute lion drawn by my granddaughter and sent on Instagram. What a blessing SM is when all my grandchildren live 100+ miles away.
Having my grandson to play.
Thanks for linking with #pocolo
Sounds like a really fun book to read!
Being able to spend time with family in the sun
The sunshine (it’s been clouded over for a few days)
THE DOGS SUNBATHING
My cat tilly x
My 11 yr old dog Trixie spending 30 minutes trying to catch a fly and laying down shattered but content when she finally caught it .
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A message from my granddaughter has made me smile today!
a smile from my little baby Hannah, she’s just started smiling
Using my robot vacuum cleaner!
The weather and getting rid of 4 bags of clutter to the charity shop.
The sunshine always makes me smile
Two workmen coming in at work trying to move a fish tank every way possible and epically failing!
My cat Ren, she always crosses her paws like a little lady when she sits down, always makes me smile!
Watcging my guinea pigs enjoying a run out on the lawn in their run
I went for a run! I’ve started Couch to 5K and did my week 2 run 1 and managed it 🙂
After months of distractions, managing to make a start on my “to do” list
I have just spotted some baby fish in my fish pond
My cat Maisy has made me smile today. She’s been playing hide and seek with me in the garden.
The sunshine!
my dog and cat playing!
Painting in my garden – small pleasures
The day has not long begun here so my pup greeting me with a happy wag made me smile
The warmth and sunshine, better than tornadoes!! I love reading things that make me laugh and as I always say – laughter is the best medicine! This sounds like an interesting read. Thanks so much for linking up at the #UnlimitedLinkParty 113.
Waking up early, before my alarm, and hearing the birds sing.
A visit from my two daughters and one of my grandaughters made me smile
A family get together and BBQ
the seeds i planted are starting to grow
Watching my cat playing in the sunny garden, has made me smile today.
Seeing my son come out of school happy has put a smile on my face today.
Having the sun shining as I was leaving work – just makes it feel like summer
Playing with my cats
Beautiful sunshine and blue sky today always makes me happy
Being invited to pick up my niece from nursery this week!
Helping my daughter choose some treats to put in her birthday party bags
Being able to have our first BBQ of the year
Seeing my cat enjoying the sunny weather. He loves being outdoors but gets so cross when it’s raining!
Found out I’m going to be a nanny for the 4th time.
Being married 2 weeks!
my work colleagues have made me smile today
Being able to get out in the garden in the sunshine.
a pair of hedgehogs doing what comes naturally and the noises they were making, it was hilarious
A photo of my Granddaughter who will be 1 soon.
walking my dog
A message from my nine year old grandson
Being able to feel the sun on my skin.
Seeing all the birds on the bird feeder and hearing their chatter!
Seeing a video of my grandkids.
I went for a lovely walk in nature around our local lake in the sunshine
My cat playing in the garden x
A suprise boquet of flowers arriving today me smile (alot!)
Having a FaceTime chat with my daughter who’s away at university.
Being able to sit in the garden in the sunshine, watching my dogs play.
My 2 black kitties made me smile today, they’re so cute and super affectionate
That there is another bank holiday on its way 🙂
Finally finishing the decorating and celebrating with a cuppa!
My very sweet cats asleep in the sunshine
my cute dog
Watching the birds in my garden. The sun is shining and they have all flocked to our garden to enjoy the seed I’ve put down .