Meet Harriet Carew, mother of three and juggler of work, home and family. Harriet only wants to do her best for her husband Guy, her children, and herself. But while their friends flourish, and other parents look on pityingly, the Carews are struggling - and sliding down the ladder of fortune and happiness. Guy is a writer, with a starry past, a humdrum present and unrealistic optimism about the future. His starchy family still treat Harriet as a newcomer to the family. Alex (12) is lazy, Tom (10) is bullied at school and Maisie (3) just misses her mum. Harriet is torn between wanting to be at home more and the need to work longer hours to help pay the school fees. When Harriet′s ex-boyfriend James turns up, super-successful and single, Harriet must make some tough decisions.

Funny, witty, warm and page-turning, this is the novel that every woman will want to read.