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Menopausal probation officer Eileen McDonald has lived an ordinary life, without taking any risks, unlike Jim Bain, a car-thieving probationer she's responsible for. When she finally cracks during a hot flush in a changing room, it's him she turns to for help, and he accompanies her on a journey she will never forget.
- GenresFiction
97 pages, Paperback
First published March 28, 2011
56 people want to read
About the author
Helen Fitzgerald
20 books345 followersHelen FitzGerald is the second youngest of thirteen children. She grew up in the small town of Kilmore, Victoria, Australia, and studied English and History at the University of Melbourne. Via India and London, Helen came to Glasgow University where she completed a Diploma and Masters in Social Work. She works part time as a criminal justice social worker in Glasgow. She's married to screenwriter Sergio Casci, and they have two children.
Follow her on twitter @fitzhelen
Follow her on twitter @fitzhelen
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
February 7, 2023
Was a super quick book, story felt a little flat at times but was alright.
October 15, 2014
Time taken to read - 1 hour
Pages - 97
Publisher - Barrington Stoke
Blurb From Goodreads
Menopausal probation officer Eileen McDonald has lived an ordinary life, without taking any risks, unlike Jim Bain, a car-thieving probationer she's responsible for. When she finally cracks during a hot flush in a changing room, it's him she turns to for help, and he accompanies her on a journey she will never forget.
My Review
What a short sharp wee blast of a read. Weighing in at only 97 pages, you could get through this in half an hour. Our two main characters are Eileen McDonald, probation officer and hitting the menopause. Next up is Jim Bain, young, cocky and has a wrap sheet that has only the crimes he has been caught for. Jim and Eileen are forced together in group, Jim to complete the program or face jail and Eileen by choice, it is the profession she has chosen. When Eileen's boring, set routine life is turned upside down by a rash decision, she finds that instead of reporting boy wonder for his fresh mouth, she needs his help, for the skills he knows best. Together they embark on a journey that changes life as they know it, for both of them.
I thought this was going to be a unexpected romance, don't ask why I got that idea, however it isn't. This is a tale about a woman who follows rules and routines, every day of her life, until one snap decision and quickly has to deal with the fall out from it. Jim has an attitude, in trouble with the law, young, set in his ways, quickly realizes he needs to help someone to save his own bacon.
The whole event is spread out over one day, although both have glimpses into their past that explains or gives more detail to the person they are now. It is fairly easy to read, some sexual content is in the tale although nothing excessive and the chapters are small which also contributes to it being a quick read. The tale is set in Glasgow, which, it is always nice to read somewhere you know. This is the third story I have read by this author, all of them very different from the last, she certainly holds your attention. 3/5 for me this time and I will buy up more of her work.
Pages - 97
Publisher - Barrington Stoke
Blurb From Goodreads
Menopausal probation officer Eileen McDonald has lived an ordinary life, without taking any risks, unlike Jim Bain, a car-thieving probationer she's responsible for. When she finally cracks during a hot flush in a changing room, it's him she turns to for help, and he accompanies her on a journey she will never forget.
My Review
What a short sharp wee blast of a read. Weighing in at only 97 pages, you could get through this in half an hour. Our two main characters are Eileen McDonald, probation officer and hitting the menopause. Next up is Jim Bain, young, cocky and has a wrap sheet that has only the crimes he has been caught for. Jim and Eileen are forced together in group, Jim to complete the program or face jail and Eileen by choice, it is the profession she has chosen. When Eileen's boring, set routine life is turned upside down by a rash decision, she finds that instead of reporting boy wonder for his fresh mouth, she needs his help, for the skills he knows best. Together they embark on a journey that changes life as they know it, for both of them.
I thought this was going to be a unexpected romance, don't ask why I got that idea, however it isn't. This is a tale about a woman who follows rules and routines, every day of her life, until one snap decision and quickly has to deal with the fall out from it. Jim has an attitude, in trouble with the law, young, set in his ways, quickly realizes he needs to help someone to save his own bacon.
The whole event is spread out over one day, although both have glimpses into their past that explains or gives more detail to the person they are now. It is fairly easy to read, some sexual content is in the tale although nothing excessive and the chapters are small which also contributes to it being a quick read. The tale is set in Glasgow, which, it is always nice to read somewhere you know. This is the third story I have read by this author, all of them very different from the last, she certainly holds your attention. 3/5 for me this time and I will buy up more of her work.
April 20, 2022
short. sharp. silly. substandard. shit.
February 12, 2017
An interesting take on the effect of a menopausal woman
September 6, 2021
Eileen is a menopausal woman and a probation officer. Eileen has never broken the law and is a good citizen in society and enjoys here job rehabilitating offenders, some are more willing than others! Jim isnt as willing but needs his paperwork signing off so he can move forward with his life. He is nasty and abusive towards Eileen at the sessions. Eileen snaps in a menopausal rage after Jim comments on her appearance so she goes to a clothes shop and ends up steeling some trendy jeans, she then needs Jim's help. Will he help here?
April 9, 2015
I'm reading books for work since I'm a librarian at a secondary school. However, I wouldn't recommend this for my students if they were supposed to learn proper English since there were way too many slang words (i.e deliberately misspelled words) in it. Police may be called "polis" from the culprit's POV and also in my native language (Swedish), but for first-graders, I need proper spelling. Sorry.
Now to the plot: it wasn't so bad. More sad and thrilling at the same time. But a certain sex scene may be as pleasant for them to read about as it would be for any teen imagining his or her parents having it off.
Now to the plot: it wasn't so bad. More sad and thrilling at the same time. But a certain sex scene may be as pleasant for them to read about as it would be for any teen imagining his or her parents having it off.
January 8, 2013
A novella that seems to have been comissioned. Not a bad read, and a quick one at that! It's quite difficult, I suspect, to get a good story out of a novella with only 97 small pages to go at. Fitzgerald did give it a good enough try though. Not ground breaking and I suspect this is what I have come to expect from Fitgerald's writing - just OK. It's such a shame as her earlier novels had so gripped me!
August 10, 2013
Cool little book. Light and entertaining, just what I needed in a summer afternoon.
It's an ode to the bad boys and girls; the peeps with an attitude, but no mala fide. Also, a reminder that no child, or woman, or anybody should be kept like a prop. With some good laugh moments.
It's an ode to the bad boys and girls; the peeps with an attitude, but no mala fide. Also, a reminder that no child, or woman, or anybody should be kept like a prop. With some good laugh moments.
June 4, 2016
I enjoyed this book and would read more of this author
August 15, 2016
good wee story. Had me laughing out loud a few times
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews