How not to be a Loser #Review #BoldwoodBooks

I am pleased to welcome Beth Moran's How not to be a Loser to the blog today It was published on 24th March by Boldwood Books. 

 

Amy Piper is a loser. She’s lost her confidence, her mojo and her way.

But one thing she has never lost is her total love for her thirteen-year-old son Joey, and for his sake she knows it’s time for a change. But first she has to be brave enough to leave the house…

What she needs are friends and an adventure. And when she joins a running group of women who call themselves The Larks, she finds both. Not to mention their inspiring (and rather handsome) coach, Nathan.

Once upon a time Amy was a winner - at life, at sport and in love. Now, with every ounce of strength she has left, she is determined to reclaim the life she had, for herself and for Joey. And who knows, she might just be a winner again – at life, sport, and love, if she looks in the right places…

Uplifting, funny and unforgettable, Beth Moran returns with a joyous tale of friendship, love and facing your fears.

My Thoughts

 Amy's story is an uplifting one. When you first meet her, she is at her lowest. Suffering from depression and agoraphobia, her life is severely curtailed. You soon discover that her world has been shrinking since the days when she was a World Champion swimmer and that her family can be interpreted in several ways. She has a young son, himself a talented swimmer, who she fears becoming pressured by the quest to be the top in his sport. Their affection is clear. Cee Cee, her ex- coach has become her adopted family following her abandonment by her parents. You come to see that the term 'family' can be extended to include a fellowship of friends. 

    As you follow Amy's story, you are struck by her courage as she tries to come to terms with her mental health issues. Independent and afraid of failure, it is a slow process. The Larks, a local fitness group supply some humorous moments, with their rich cast of characters. Through their good humour, Amy finds a degree of acceptance and belonging. To be resolved are her feelings for her son's father and the coach of the Larks, Nathan. With some 'Will they, won't they' romance, you are willing her to make the right choice.

In short: A warm, uplifting story with some serious issues bubbling away.

About the Author

Beth Moran is the author of three previous romance novels, including Making Marion. She regularly features on BBC Radio Nottingham and is a trustee of the national women's network Free Range Chicks. She lives on the outskirts of Sherwood Forest. Beth’s first novel for Boldwood, Christmas Every Day, was published in September 2019.

You can read my review of Christmas Every Day here. 

You can follow Beth here: Website   |  Boldwood Books Profile Page   |  Facebook   |  Twitter

Book link: Amazon UK 

Thanks to Beth Moran and Boldwood Books for a copy of the book and a place on the tour. 

                                                       Check out the rest of the tour!