Rate this book

Clear rating

1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

Mini Skirts and Laughter Lines

by Carol E. Wyer (Goodreads Author)

4.63 of 5 stars 4.63 · rating details · 46 ratings · 23 reviews

Amanda Wilson can't decide between murder, insanity and another glass of red wine. Facing 50 and all that it entails is problematic enough. What's the point in minking your eyes, when your husband would rather watch 'Russia Today' than admire you, strutting in front of the television in only thigh boots and a thong?Her son has managed to perform yet another magical disappe...more

Paperback, 408 pages

Published June 26th 2011 by FeedARead.com

more details... edit details

Get a copy:

More…

Friend Reviews

To see what your friends thought of this book, please sign up.

Lists with This Book

Mini Skirts and Laughter Lines by Carol E. Wyer

The Meaning of Purple Tulips by Bláithín O' Reilly Murphy

Best Debut Chick Lit

1st out of 103 books — 454 voters

The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams

If Life Is a Bowl of Cherries What Am I Doing in the Pits? by Erma Bombeck

LLOL (Literally Laugh Out Loud)

1st out of 185 books — 161 voters

More lists with this book...

Community Reviews

(showing 1-30 of 189)

filter | sort: default (?) | rating details

May 08, 2013 Amanda Nason rated it 5 of 5 stars

First of all, Amanda (whose name is eerily very similar to mine), is facing her fiftieth birthday. The book is written as a blog, and Amanda writes honest, witty accounts of her daily activities, when even routine shopping trips are amusing. Her attempts at trying to find a hobby or interest for her grumpy husband to enjoy, turn into hilarious escapades and these along with many other comical and entertaining events had me laughing out loud. At one point, my (grumpy) husband was getting more and...more

like · see review

Apr 13, 2013 Shaz Hutchinson rated it 5 of 5 stars

Carol E Wyer came highly recommended by a friend who is a librarian. "It's not my usual genre" she said, "But I have been recommending it to everyone I know."
Having read this book I now feel the same. It is a book that every woman over forty should read. Following the life of a middle-aged woman as she come to grips with a retired grumpy man, a selfish grown up son and an online love affair, it is without doubt one of the wittiest books I have picked up.
Amanda Wilson is struggling with middle ag...more

like 2 likes · see review

Oct 17, 2012 Chris James rated it 4 of 5 stars

This is not my normal genre, but I decided to give a Mini Skirts and Laughter Lines a go after chatting with the author on social networking sites and enjoying her sense of humour.
The story follows Amanda Wilson as she reaches 50 and all the things she has to juggle: her retired husband Phil, who is obsessed with his diminishing investments, her 21-year-old son Tom, a university drop-out and bit of a slob, and her slightly-mad mother, who patronises Mandy at every opportunity. Then an old flame,...more

like 2 likes · see review

Aug 29, 2012 Lucinda rated it 5 of 5 stars

book blogs and facing fifty...

I would like to thank the author for having her new book ‘mini skirts and laughter lines’ as a giveaway on DizzyC’s little book blog, as it has been a real privilege to read and a delight. This witty tale will make you laugh out loud with the most honest storyline that one can easily relate to, being able to empathize with the main characters set in the modern twenty-first century. I was engrossed within a tale that was full of thrills and spills, drama and intensit...more book blogs and facing fifty...

I would like to thank the author for having her new book ‘mini skirts and laughter lines’ as a giveaway on DizzyC’s little book blog, as it has been a real privilege to read and a delight. This witty tale will make you laugh out loud with the most honest storyline that one can easily relate to, being able to empathize with the main characters set in the modern twenty-first century. I was engrossed within a tale that was full of thrills and spills, drama and intensity making you sit on the edge of your seat in suspense whilst loosing yourself in Amanda’s story. Many readers will be able to connect with Carol Wyer’s book with references to the internet and book blogs, that for many readers of today are so important and invaluable as a source of information. This community of readers and booklovers is united by personal blogs where they express their passions and interests, whilst also reviewing books, hosting interviews and giveaways as well as keeping up to date with the latest happenings in the literary world. As expressed through the character of Amanda one is able to communicate with other likeminded people easily and directly, sharing thoughts and ideas as well as information regarding the events in your own life. It is quite ironic actually that I should acquire this book through a book blog as it is based on such a subject, that is familiar to many readers of all ages who enjoy fictional works.
One sees the main character of Amanda through various blog posts on her online blog that is about facing fifty years old with humor, as she adjusts to early retirement with her husband Phil and her son Tom. As she begins to write about her interests within life some of the past is also brought to the surface, including the mention of a long lost ex-lover called Todd. The real impact of what Amanda writes is realized when not only she receives many comments regarding her blog, but also when Todd Bradshaw reappears into her life and asks the ultimate question of whether she wants to see him again. This captivating tale written partly as online posts is both thought-provoking and sincere, as it not only evaluates relationships between people, lovers, husbands, friends and family but it also looks at the power of the internet and how a few simple words read online can change the course of ones future. The internet can influence and advise as well as distract and I do believe that many readers will be interested to know the main character’s story and what role the internet had, for good and for bad as well as the delight of having a blog. On many occasions whilst reading this book I reached for the tissue box whilst laughing and crying at the same time, as Carol E Wyer’s writing was incredibly perceptive and readable. I cannot enthuse enough about a book that I confidently predict to be this years bestseller as it is something that will appeal to so many readers, who will all be able to connect to the story both in an intimate and personal way and as something most entertaining. This is a novel that you could take on holiday, to the beach or anywhere really, that deserves to be re-read time and time again without becoming in the least bit dull. I would say that we all need Carol E Wyer’s books on the shelf amongst other works, as this book has surpassed and exceeded all my expectations. I cannot wait to read more of this exciting author’s work who puts her passion and enthusiasm into her writing, sending chills down ones spine as it tugs at the heartstrings of human emotion and thought. I thoroughly enjoyed this enchanting tale by an amazing author whose books I hope to read more of in the future.

(less)

like 2 likes · see review

Sep 16, 2011 aobibliophile™ rated it 5 of 5 stars

We thought we were running away from the grown-ups, and now we're the grown-ups. - Margaret Atwood

Amanda Wilson and her husband Phil are now living out their retirement years in a rural village called Snittington in Staffordshire, United Kingdom. alas, the road to getting older appears to be bumpier and more slippery for the couple - literally and figuratively as they deal not only with each other's company but also with elderly neighbors, a college-dropout son, a party animal for a mother, Aman...more We thought we were running away from the grown-ups, and now we're the grown-ups. - Margaret Atwood

Amanda Wilson and her husband Phil are now living out their retirement years in a rural village called Snittington in Staffordshire, United Kingdom. alas, the road to getting older appears to be bumpier and more slippery for the couple - literally and figuratively as they deal not only with each other's company but also with elderly neighbors, a college-dropout son, a party animal for a mother, Amanda's ex-boyfriend and moles in the garden.
Amanda's story is presented through her blog posts. as a blogger myself, i could relate well to this type of format and it made reading her story more interesting. as Amanda shares her woes and joys on the blogosphere, she amasses an eclectic bunch of loyal followers who become her virtual friends. each time Amanda ends her post, i was always looking forward to reading their witty comments. they were such a solid fixture in Amanda's virtual existence and i felt a little shortchanged whenever they did not make any feedback. when they did, it always brought a smile and a feeling of relief to know that they were still around.
all of the characters in this book are so real that i could picture everyone in my mind. the situations they get themselves into are so normal (for want of a better word) - even the "outrageous" ones.
there are unexpected twists and turns as well that could either make you holler with delight or teary eyed.
there are lessons to be learned here too whether you are in your teens or beyond. the biggest one for me is realizing that more often than not, those things which we wish for are already within our grasp. they may not come beautifully gift wrapped or perfectly packaged but it is how we perceive and handle them that makes all the difference.
this book is wickedly funny, thoroughly enjoyable and wonderfully written. author Carol E. Wyer has certainly gifted us with one of the best books this year.

Disclosure of Material Connection: i received a copy of Mini Skirts and Laughter Lines from the author herself. i did not receive any payment in exchange for this review nor was i obligated to write a positive one. all opinions expressed here are entirely my own and may not necessarily agree with those of the author, the book's publisher and publicist or the readers of this review. this disclosure is in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255, Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.(less)

like 3 likes · see review

Mar 10, 2012 Louise Graham rated it 5 of 5 stars

What a fantastic, addictive novel Carol has brilliantly written. I sat down on Sunday morning to read this and never left the sofa until Sunday evening as I closed the book! The book is set in a diary (or should I say as we are now in the 21st century) blog format with an entry most days. What is fantastic about it, is that Carol has also captured additional characters that are Amanda’s blog followers that leave little comments at the end of each blog! They in themselves have little stories but...more

like 2 likes · see review

Sep 15, 2011 LindyLouMac rated it 5 of 5 stars

Reading this novel is not about great literature, it is about reading the debut of a novelist who knows how to make you laugh and take you away from the cares of the world for a few hours. Well maybe not exactly away from all your cares as if you are a woman of a certain age you may well recognise some of your own thoughts.
If I ever met such a whiney moaning couple I would want to shake them out of it. Being depressed and miserable is not the right way to approach 50, and anyway it is not that b...more

like 2 likes · see review

Feb 27, 2012 Stephen rated it 5 of 5 stars

Mini Skirts and Laughter Lines is a look at the day-to-day Life of Amanda Wilson, a frustrated housewife facing her fifties, wondering what happened to the days of laughter and shapely short skirts. Employing a comedic eye, the book is a chronicle of Amanda’s adventures and efforts to endure a life that has become mundane by attempting rekindle the pleasures, if not at least the memories of youth.

Carol Wyre captures Amanda’s struggles in situational descriptions, dialog and observations that ar...more

like 1 like · see review

Sep 14, 2012 Carolyn Steele rated it 4 of 5 stars

Remember when Bridget Jones' Diary came out? All us thirty-somethings thought she'd been hanging out in our airing cupboard writing our life down. Well, I'm fifty-something now (as you will be if that first bit rang true) and Carol has given us a similar gift, she's written our lives down. From the strange happenings our bodies create, to the changing relationships with family and kids, it's all there and it's all something to smile about. I was left with the warm glow of thinking 'if Amanda is...more

like 3 likes · see review

Nov 05, 2011 E.C. Stilson rated it 5 of 5 stars

Amanda Wilson is turning fifty. Her wit and charm are hysterical. At times I found myself laughing out loud, grinning over her fun-loving nature and awesome schemes to get her husband's attention.
She has a son who still lives at home despite already going to college. Her mother is an absolute delight of parties and awesome one-liners. Her husband is too busy watching TV to notice anything except the moles in their yard.
Carol E. Wyer had me glued to her book from page one. I kept reading late i...more

like 1 like · see review

Aug 25, 2011 Cheryl "Mash" rated it 4 of 5 stars

MINI SKIRTS AND LAUGHTER LINES by Carol Wyer
Published by Carol E Wyer at Smashwords
ISBN: (borrowed from B&N)
ISBN-13: 9781908481818
ISBN: 1908481811
At the request of the author, an ARC PDF edition was sent, at no cost to me, for my honest opinion.

Synopsis (borrowed from B&N): Amanda Wilson can't decide between murder, insanity and another glass of red wine. Facing 50 and all that it entails is problematic enough. What's the point in minking your eyes, when your husband would rather watch...more

like 1 like · see review

Jul 09, 2012 Jason Stadtlander rated it 5 of 5 stars

I decided to read this book because I've talked quite a bit to Carol through my own writings and I wanted an insight on her writings. Little did I know I would get a shocking, humorous and downright beautiful insight on the female mind and relationships that a woman over fifty goes through.

The book is basically a blog of what has occurred over time. It has some parts (especially between the daughter and mother) that had me outright laughing. Carol warned me that it was written for women, but I t...more

like 1 like · see review

Apr 06, 2013 Janie Morris rated it 5 of 5 stars

This book was recommended to me by a keen reader and friend who came across it last year, having seen an article about Ms Wyer in a national magazine. I initially thought this would be a chick -lit novel. How wrong was I?
Carol E Wyer's debut novel is written in the form of a series of blog entries and is probably one of the wittiest books I have read to date.
Facing 50 myself I could relate to the main character's anxieties and by the end of the book I felt I had been sitting talking to my new be...more

like · see review

Aug 02, 2012 Agnes (BeaderBubbe) rated it 4 of 5 stars

Follow the life of Amanda who at turning fifty like most of us, she seems lost. What to do with her life now that her husband has retired. Son is grown, although still living at home, with a husband who is quite content to live in the den with his financial news. So she proceeds to write a blog about her life. As a blog writer and follower I truly enjoyed the antics of Amanda and actually related to so many of her daily writings. If you write a blog, you will smile and cry with Amanda and relate...more

like · see review

Sep 13, 2011 Dizzyc rated it 5 of 5 stars

This novel tells the story of Amanda's life through her blog posts on her blog Facing 50 with Humour. Amanda, uses her blog to record the daily challenges of a woman in her 50's adjusting to early retirement with her husband, Phil, and son Tom.

Amanda blogs about her neighbours, shopping trips, parties, the financial market, her mother and a long lost love who has recently befriended her again on Facebook.

There are some very funny postings and some quick witted comments from her followers, that...more

like 3 likes · see review

Sep 16, 2012 Linn Halton rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: relationships-life, comedic

Laughter lines guaranteed!

How does Amanda hold it all together? Well, I guess the odd glass of wine helps as she picks her way through a life where mother, husband and son all resemble disaster zones. To go there, or not to go there-sit back, or jump in with two feet? Or to tread on eggshells – better uncork that next bottle, Amanda’s life isn’t getting any easier! What makes this book so thoroughly enjoyable and funny, is the way Carol E Wyer identifies the irony and sheer laugh-ability in the...more

like · see review

Jan 16, 2013 Yvonne Hertzberger rated it 5 of 5 stars

What do you do when you are a woman facing 50, your husband is retired and grumpy about everything, especially money and you are bored? Why, you start blogging, of course. What else? And what if your mother is having fun in Greece when you are stuck at home with Grumpy? What if, out of the blue, you get email messages from an old flame – a handsome, romantic old flame, who still makes your heart go pitter-pat? And your on-line friends make suggestive comments when you reveal said flame? You’re a...more

like · see review

Oct 15, 2012 Lindsay (Little Reader Library) rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: contemporary-fiction, humourous-fiction

‘Welcome to Facing 50 With Humour the blog that gives you laughter lines.’

What a fun book! This novel genuinely did have me laughing out loud numerous times. Some of the situations and some of the conversations really ring true, and made me chuckle. I really enjoyed it as a light read with some very fitting observations about modern life.

Written as a blog, with posts in chronological order, and with comments from fellow bloggers at the end of the posts. This is thus written in a chatty style, as...more ‘Welcome to Facing 50 With Humour the blog that gives you laughter lines.’

What a fun book! This novel genuinely did have me laughing out loud numerous times. Some of the situations and some of the conversations really ring true, and made me chuckle. I really enjoyed it as a light read with some very fitting observations about modern life.

Written as a blog, with posts in chronological order, and with comments from fellow bloggers at the end of the posts. This is thus written in a chatty style, as would befit a diary style blog.

Amanda Wilson is facing her fiftieth birthday, has a penchant for wine and describes herself as ‘a very desperate housewife’, loyal but grumpy retired husband Phil is nevertheless somewhat of a bore at times, and son Tom has dropped out of University and arrived back in their home, making very little of a helpful contribution, but adding to the general mess of their lives.

Amanda comes across as a fundamentally happy, cheerful person, who nonetheless is experiencing rather a slump in her life. She wonders what is around the corner, and wishes her days were a little more exciting. Her relationship seems to have lost any spark that it had.

Then there is some online flirting with an ex from many years back which adds a degree of interest in Amanda’s mundane daily life and intrigue for the reader as to what might happen, but also anxiety for Amanda as to whether it is ever a good idea to try and revisit the past in this way or if it is best left as just happy memories.

She has complaints about her husband but never any real malice, and underlying this there is always the sense of a genuine love for him and a sense that beneath it all they are good together.

There were some scenes described that had me in stitches whilst reading; one in particular was Amanda’s adventures trying to buy a bottle of milk, another was her son Tom’s efforts at doing the Christmas food shopping, it is brilliant in the incompetence of his efforts and wonderful in the hilarity it produces.

In writing this book in the style of a blog, it feels very current, and also very easy to pick up and read a few pages. It leaves you wanting more and eager to read the next post. Carol E. Wyer successfully creates moments of real humour from the everyday.

A lovely, genuinely funny modern read of contemporary women’s fiction, this is an easy read that you could happily sit back with and pass a few hours in light hearted pleasure. I am looking forward to reading Surfing in Stilettos which is the new book from this author and which features Amanda and Phil once again. (less)

like · see review

May 16, 2012 Nikki Bywater rated it 5 of 5 stars

Amanda Wilson is about to hit the big 5 0 in age. She decides to create a blog, and to write on her blog all about her life as she reaches this milestone birthday. Living with a husband who is more interested in watching ‘Russia Today’ than in Amanda and she knows this because she had tried to get his attention by strutting in front of the television in only thigh boots and a thong! Also living with her son who having dropped out of university and is living back in the family home, amongst his a...more

like 2 likes · see review

Feb 29, 2012 Susan rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: general-fiction

Amanda is turning 50, and that means that she's very insecure about her life. She's really loneliest when she's surrounded by her family--retired husband Phil, who's remote and distant, and drop-out son Tom, who seems bone-selfish. So Mandy writes a blog--the novel itself--and tells her troubles to her readers, some of whom respond.

like · see review

Oct 15, 2011 Claudia Moser rated it 5 of 5 stars

I am of the opinion that you read a book at the right time in life and this for sure what happened with Mini Skirts and Laughter Lines. It was truly inspirational and I found many good food for thought lines. Cannot wait for the next novel!

like 1 like · see review

Oct 17, 2012 Barbara White rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: fiction-comedy

This book is great, easy read and you can relate to the character so easily. She is a "hoot" and keeps you in stitches. Even though it's fiction, it's seems like reality!

like 1 like · see review

Oct 27, 2012 Krista added it

Read the book summary, and if it makes you smile, then get this book. Some summaries are just the best parts extracted, but Mini Skirts and Laughter Lines carries that same quirky tone and attitude on every page. If this were a blog, you'd check in regularly for a good giggle.

like · see review

May 13, 2013 Abby Davis marked it as to-read

May 12, 2013 Erica marked it as to-read

May 12, 2013 Connie Schrag marked it as to-read

May 11, 2013 FlibBityFLooB marked it as to-read

Shelves: chick-lit, zshelf-e

May 11, 2013 Abby Schmitt marked it as to-read

May 10, 2013 Nance marked it as to-read

Shelves: chick-lit, e-books

May 09, 2013 Katterley marked it as to-read

« previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 next »

new topic
Discuss This Book

There are no discussion topics on this book yet. Be the first to start one »

Recommend it | Stats | Recent status updates

combine
Other Editions (1)

Videos About This Book

Trailer for Mini Skirts and Laughter Lines

Add a comment

Genres

Womens Fiction > Chick Lit

4 users

See top shelves...

About Carol E. Wyer

A humorous writer and blogger whose light hearted novels and articles encourage others to laugh at life and grow old disgracefully.
Her best selling novel 'Mini Skirts and Laughter Lines' won five awards for humour including Readers Views Reviewer's Choice 2012 and Silver medal in the Indie Book Awards 2012.
The sequel 'Surfing in Stilettos', released July 2012, was a Costa Award nominee. It charts...more

More about Carol E. Wyer...

Books by Carol E. Wyer

Indies Unlimited: 2012 Flash Fiction Anthology

More…

Share This Book

Facebook Twitter Your website

Trivia About Mini Skirts and L...

No trivia or quizzes yet. Add some now »

title link	preview: Mini Skirts and Laughter Lines
avg rating	preview: Mini Skirts and Laughter Lines Goodreads rating: 4.63 (46 ratings)
small image	preview: click here [close]
med image	preview: click here [close]
BBCode	[url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12111613-mini-skirts-and-laughter-lines?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book][img]http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1312315049l/12111613.jpg[/img][/url] [url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12111613-mini-skirts-and-laughter-lines?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book]Mini Skirts and Laughter Lines by Carol E. Wyer[/url]

Mini Skirts and Laughter Lines

Friend Reviews

Community Reviews

Share This Book

Share This Book on Your Website