Nancy’s Review of Diary of a Mummy Misfit by Amanda Egan

Libby and Ned Marchant are determined to send their son to private school, despite their financial situation. They decide to make sacrifices in their own lives to make sure their son gets the education they desperately want for him. As her family enters the world of private education, Libby keeps a daily diary of the events that occur and the observations that she makes along the way. She quickly discovers the distinct divide between the haves and have-nots when she joins school committees and begins to socialize with the other, wealthier mothers. Adding to the pressure, Libby and Ned want another child, even though they continue to struggle financially. Luckily for them, they become friends with affluent couple Fenella and Josh, who are a breath of fresh air compared to all of the other stuck up parents, including those who would like to see the less fortunate kicked out of the private school. Libby and Fenella form an unlikely friendship quickly, helping each other through life’s challenges. As Libby navigates her new world, she takes readers along on her journey.

Diary of a Mummy Misfit is a quick, easy read. It is presented in diary format so there aren’t any chapters, just diary entries. Libby is an easygoing character who shares very realistic commentary about the situations she finds herself in. It's great that she is also a witty, clever, and delightful character to follow. The diary format allows readers to get to know Libby very well. Even though the book is based on British private education, there are universal themes that readers worldwide can relate to. As expected in chick lit, there are plenty of quirky secondary characters like relatives, friends, neighbors, and other parents who add humor, intentionally and unintentionally, to Libby’s world. Anyone can enjoy the entertaining Diary of a Mummy Misfit.

Born and raised in London, Amanda Egan was trained professionally as an actress and now writes chick lit. Her debut novel, Diary of a Mummy Misfit, is a tongue-in-cheek look at the easily recognized types of self-centered mums you can find at prep schools anywhere in the world. In her spare time, Amanda reads anything from Maeve Binchy, Jill Mansell, and Penny Vincenzi to Noel Coward, Dostoevsky and Zola. She also loves crafts and entertaining, particularly hosting themed dinner parties. For more information, you can connect with Amanda on Twitter, Facebook, and by visiting her blog.

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