Carolyn Clarke (1)

This is Clarke's second book after 'And Then There's Margaret', which I thoroughly enjoyed, once I'd ignored the 'dramedy' banner on that novel. It's a very entertaining, well-written family drama, it's just not funny, merely misgenred!

I was very much looking forward to catching up with Ally and co, now dealing with a new addition to her family…her son's new girlfriend/fiancée. Whilst Ally had to deal with Margaret come what may, being her husband's mother, she's quite hell-bent on ejecting Zelda from the family fold, convinced she's not the right girlfriend/fiancée/wife material for her much-loved son.

Again, it's a very enjoyable ride of ups and downs as Ally and Zelda navigate their relationship. It's a very worthy sequel to Clarke's previous novel and the characters are all very real and credible, and could quite happily be your family nextdoor who you'd be popping in to see regularly.

I think the 'And then/now there's…' might have been wrung out now, but I'll more than happily read another Ally life episode or indeed anything else by this author.… (meer)

Coming May 9 2024: AND NOW THERE'S ZELDA

For fans of the bestselling author of And Then There's Margaret comes the perfect family life 'dramedy'. And Now There's Zelda takes readers on another relatable 'slice of life' ride as Allie realizes the only way to survive the angst of family, is to let go….and let it be.

Dealing with a controlling, manipulative, and self-absorbed mother-in-law can be a challenge. But when your child brings home a fiancé who’s completely unworthy, and the shoe is suddenly on the other foot, do you take the high road, or get down and dirty?

Get Your Copy of AND THEN THERE'S MARGARET:

#1 US Amazon Bestseller - Kindle - Women's Humorous Fiction
#1 US Amazon Bestseller - Kindle - Humor and Satire
#1 US Amazon Bestseller - Kindle - Parenting and Family Humor

WATCH TRAILER HERE:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4PnTd...

Looking For Your Next Book Club Pick? Download AND THEN THERE'S MARGARET (Comedy Drama) Warm Up Questions and Discussion starters at https://henlitcentral.com/events/

For fans of Maria Semple’s Where’d You Go Bernadette or Marian Keyes’s The Break comes And Then There’s Margaret. Take a relatable and often hilarious ride with our heroine as she realizes the only way to survive the angst of family is to let go…and let be.

Next Generation Indie Book Awards – Chick Lit (Fiction) – FINALIST

Readers' Choice Book Awards - FINALIST - Best Adult Fiction

Chick Lit Cafe - CLC Book Excellence Award - 1st Place WINNER

Maxy Award Literary & Humor WINNER

BookBub New Release for Less 06/26/22

And Then There’s Margaret is a lively, satirical, contemporary debut by Carolyn Clarke, a talented writer (and also a heralded book blogger). – MARILYN SIMON ROTHSTEIN, Author of Crazy to Leave You and Separate & Lift

Carolyn Clarke’s skillful and subtle storytelling in AND THEN THERE’S MARGARET, a playful coming-of (middle)-age novel, navigates a path that is funny without being absurd while creating a relatable narrator who encounters a magnificent little-old-lady menace. – INDIE READER

“Over the course of this novel, Clarke offers a tale that’s often funny and sharp.” – KIRKUS REVIEWS

With plenty of action and no small amount of humor, this is a great story to while away a few hours on a rainy day or on the beach. – READERS' FAVORITE

“Carolyn Clarke weaves the plot with skill, and her characters are all convincing, with their flaws and quirks. Moreover, the wittiness of the writing enlightened the story. Here, day-to-day life is never boring.” – REEDSY DISCOVERY

And Then There's Margaret... is a wonderful, fun confection of a tale, written with verve and humor. Clarke has illuminated every married woman's nightmare - the mother-in-law who majors in criticism - and written it in such a way that had me blurting out my coffee. - MELODIE CAMPBELL, Award-winning author of The Goddaughter series

And Then There's Margaret explores the delicate mother-in-law relationship with humor and heart. I found myself nodding my head over and over again as Clarke captured the all too real joy and sorrow of family. Fans of Marilyn Simon Rothstein will devour this one. A fun and relatable debut.– ROCHELLE WEINSTEIN, USA Today and Amazon Bestselling Author of When We Let Go

This is an entertaining, witty, and sharp read, with relatable characters that many readers will connect with…And Then There’s Margaret will appeal to readers of women’s fiction, comedy, and family sagas. – READERS' CHOICE BOOK AWARDS - Finalist - Best Adult Fiction

“Would recommend this book if you like family centered dramas with lots of humour.” – My.Bookworm.Life – Instagram book blogger… (meer)

It's a bold move to banner a book with 'laugh-out-loud dramedy'. It really does have to live up to that, and that's always tricky because comedy is subjective.

Honestly? There's very little comedy, laugh-out or otherwise, in this: perhaps the odd wry phrase/remark, but that's about all. However, if you read this and forget the promised 'comedy' flavouring, you do actually get a very decent read.

It's a bit clichéd (mother-in-law from hell), but it's worth committing to it to see how Ally (the hard-done-by daughter-in-law) deals with her, and how (and why) the pair finds a middle ground.

Very definitely five-star worthy but for the lack of promised comedy and many very naughty editorial oversights, for example: 'between Hank and I…' (dear oh dear), many apostrophe sins and the detention-worthy 'was sat'. It's a classy novel, so this was disappointing.

Nevertheless, highly recommended.… (meer)