A Year in the Life of a Playground Mother

A School Gates Comedy, Book 1

By: Christie Barlow

Narrated by: Karen Cass

Ever had the pleasure of collecting your children from the school playground? Even if you haven't, this is a hilarious must-listen.

Fed up with the playground mafia at her children’s school, Rachel Young is desperate for a change. With her family and various pets in tow, a picture-perfect village in the countryside beckons. There, Rachel’s children will be able to keep chickens and skip through fields, and she’ll bid farewell to the botoxed, fake-Gucci wearing Mumzillas forever. But at the new school the mums are even worse, and before long, Rachel finds herself contending with a motley crew including Mrs High School Musical, The International Sex God and The Frisky Pensioner. While the children are practicing their sums and perfecting their reading, Rachel is learning some harsh lessons on the other side of the school gates - and ruffling plenty of feathers along the way.

©2014 Christie Barlow (P)2020 W. F. Howes Ltd

Critic reviews

‘Well-observed, highly-relatable and wickedly-funny.’ (Cathy Bramley)

Hilarious!

This would make a great tv series!!! Humorously describes the ridiculous behaviors of parents. Can’t wait to laugh through the next book!

Surprisingly Hilarious!

This author was new to me but I love Karen Cass as a narrator. I found myself laughing out loud at several moments in the story. A little frustrating how forgiving and accommodating the lead was but still entertaining! Looking forward to the sequel.

Tedious

I listened as long as I could stand. Kept thinking surely it would improve. A soap opera with all the couples changing partners at will. Finally I gave up. It was a very juvenile book. A waste of time and a credit.