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The Class Ceiling
Feisty Maia Etxeleku is a cleaner for ladies who lunch. She spends her life wiping up spilt Sauvignon and hoovering around handbags before rushing back home to skivvy after her children's feckless father on an estate where survival depends on your ability to look the other way. But an unusual inheritance catapults her into a different world where no child can survive without organic apricots and Kumon maths classes and no woman can contemplate a week without Pilates and pedicures. As she blunders through a middle class minefield, dashing from coffee mornings to her mops and buckets, she is drawn to the one man who can help her family fit in. But is his interest in her purely professional or will her modern My Fair Lady experiment end in disaster?
276 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 11, 2014
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 180 reviews
June 7, 2018
4 “The Struggle IS Real” Stars 🌟🌟🌟🌟
This was a fun, laugh out loud, real book with all the feels.... I picked this book up late one night with the intent just to read a couple chapters before bed and I ended up staying up and finishing it... it was just so much fun and I needed to know what was going to happen.... I do live in such a different environment than this book took place in, nobody gets out of the car when they pick up their kids, so no judgment! And if there is, nobody really knows about it.... now that I think of it when my kids were in elementary school I picked them up from the bus stop and it was just me and our neighbors housekeeper who didn’t speak English, so maybe she was judging me, I’ll never know....
Maia is a working woman trying to navigate her way in a upper class world.... she really wants a better life for her kids and is willing to grin and bear it through all the snobbery.... thank goodness for Clover... she was just the friend you would want in this situation and I loved the friendship between Maia and her... Who I did not like at all was Maia’s husband what a tool... I thought it was so adorable when the charming Mr. peters entered the picture... although I think Maia could’ve made some better choices when it came to starting that relationship... BUT I won’t judge like the women at the school drop off...
There were so many hilarious laugh out loud moments in this book and it counterbalanced the sadder moments.... Love a book that can make you both laugh and cry... and we even got a little bit of an unexpected twist at the end...
Recommend when you are in the mood for a fun quick read with lots of laughs and a few tears...
*** thank you so much to Bookouture for my copy of this book ***
This was a fun, laugh out loud, real book with all the feels.... I picked this book up late one night with the intent just to read a couple chapters before bed and I ended up staying up and finishing it... it was just so much fun and I needed to know what was going to happen.... I do live in such a different environment than this book took place in, nobody gets out of the car when they pick up their kids, so no judgment! And if there is, nobody really knows about it.... now that I think of it when my kids were in elementary school I picked them up from the bus stop and it was just me and our neighbors housekeeper who didn’t speak English, so maybe she was judging me, I’ll never know....
Maia is a working woman trying to navigate her way in a upper class world.... she really wants a better life for her kids and is willing to grin and bear it through all the snobbery.... thank goodness for Clover... she was just the friend you would want in this situation and I loved the friendship between Maia and her... Who I did not like at all was Maia’s husband what a tool... I thought it was so adorable when the charming Mr. peters entered the picture... although I think Maia could’ve made some better choices when it came to starting that relationship... BUT I won’t judge like the women at the school drop off...
There were so many hilarious laugh out loud moments in this book and it counterbalanced the sadder moments.... Love a book that can make you both laugh and cry... and we even got a little bit of an unexpected twist at the end...
Recommend when you are in the mood for a fun quick read with lots of laughs and a few tears...
*** thank you so much to Bookouture for my copy of this book ***
May 18, 2018
The Not So Perfect Mother by Kerry Fisher is a romantic comedy in which a working class mother tries her best to fit into an upper class society to give her children a better life. With day to day struggles and the bills piling on top of her Maia tries to hold her head above the water despite all that pulls her down.
Maia has dreams of becoming something more but if she can't obtain the dream she will do everything she can to make sure her two children can. When Maia loses one of her wealthy clients she had been cleaning for she knows she will yet again have to put her dreams of college classes on hold but she never expected to make it into the will.
Maia's employer left a clear cut option for Maia to have her children's school tuition paid for them to attend the private Stirling Hall School that there was no way Maia could ever afford on her on. Maia agrees to the deal hoping to give her kids more in life but the money struggles are real even with tuition paid but the charming Mr. Peters, a teacher at Stirling Hall School, does his best to help the family along.
Having read another book by Kerry Fisher from another genre I knew going in that I had enjoyed her writing. With The Not So Perfect Mother I was happy to see another side but still the same solid writing. The story was a rather fun one as you take a mother from the lower class and toss her into upper class snobbery. The one thing that held me back and gained a rating of 3.5 stars for this one was Maia still living with her children's father as she begins a new relationship, I personally prefer the old/bad relationship end before moving forward no matter how rocky it was. But otherwise this one was a good time that I'm sure others will love.
I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.
For more review please visit https://carriesbookreviews.com/
Maia has dreams of becoming something more but if she can't obtain the dream she will do everything she can to make sure her two children can. When Maia loses one of her wealthy clients she had been cleaning for she knows she will yet again have to put her dreams of college classes on hold but she never expected to make it into the will.
Maia's employer left a clear cut option for Maia to have her children's school tuition paid for them to attend the private Stirling Hall School that there was no way Maia could ever afford on her on. Maia agrees to the deal hoping to give her kids more in life but the money struggles are real even with tuition paid but the charming Mr. Peters, a teacher at Stirling Hall School, does his best to help the family along.
Having read another book by Kerry Fisher from another genre I knew going in that I had enjoyed her writing. With The Not So Perfect Mother I was happy to see another side but still the same solid writing. The story was a rather fun one as you take a mother from the lower class and toss her into upper class snobbery. The one thing that held me back and gained a rating of 3.5 stars for this one was Maia still living with her children's father as she begins a new relationship, I personally prefer the old/bad relationship end before moving forward no matter how rocky it was. But otherwise this one was a good time that I'm sure others will love.
I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.
For more review please visit https://carriesbookreviews.com/
June 6, 2018
Oh how I adored this book, it was laugh out loud funny but also had some poignant, emotional moments as well, it really had a little something for everyone and Maia was the perfect heroine for this delightful little read.
We’ve all been down on our luck at some point I imagine, but Maia is having a really difficult time and there’s no end in sight. When one of the women she cleans for passes away and offers her children a scholarship to a posh school that is miles away (social class wise at least) she takes it despite her reservations. Maia doesn’t fit it with the mother’s at Stirling Hall, and she doesn’t actually want to, these women are mostly awful, but she grits her teeth and smiles because she wants what’s best for her kids. That’s one of the qualities I admired about her, she is a fantastic mother who does her best by her children despite getting kicked in the teeth repeatedly. I really liked her character and even though I was shaking my head at some of her decisions, Fisher did create a believable person who makes mistakes and bad choices just like the rest of us.
I said before this was funny but I have to reiterate it again, there were some seriously hilarious scenes that had me rolling. This was a feel good read with heart and soul and had a wonderful ending with some surprises I didn’t predict.
The Not So Perfect Mother in three words: Funny, Relatable and Entertaining.
We’ve all been down on our luck at some point I imagine, but Maia is having a really difficult time and there’s no end in sight. When one of the women she cleans for passes away and offers her children a scholarship to a posh school that is miles away (social class wise at least) she takes it despite her reservations. Maia doesn’t fit it with the mother’s at Stirling Hall, and she doesn’t actually want to, these women are mostly awful, but she grits her teeth and smiles because she wants what’s best for her kids. That’s one of the qualities I admired about her, she is a fantastic mother who does her best by her children despite getting kicked in the teeth repeatedly. I really liked her character and even though I was shaking my head at some of her decisions, Fisher did create a believable person who makes mistakes and bad choices just like the rest of us.
I said before this was funny but I have to reiterate it again, there were some seriously hilarious scenes that had me rolling. This was a feel good read with heart and soul and had a wonderful ending with some surprises I didn’t predict.
The Not So Perfect Mother in three words: Funny, Relatable and Entertaining.
July 17, 2018
Maia is 36, lives in a council flat with her useless unemployed partner and 2 kids (9,11). They don't answer the door for fear of the bailiffs being able to get inside to repossess the small number of possessions they have, and Maia's highlight of the week is going next door to her friend Sandy's place where they can drink Malibu, relax and laugh.
Unexpectedly, Maia has the opportunity to send her children to a very prestigious school (fees are £12,000 p.a. per child) for free. Although she wants the best for her kids, entering into this world is extremely difficult. Luckily she has great support from the Executive Teacher (Mr Peters) and another school mum, Clover.
Overall I really enjoyed this as a tale of a poor family with a mother trying to make the best situation for her kids. But it was really helped by having lots of humour, especially from Clover, which made for many laugh out loud moments. Although Maia was infuriating at times with her ability to be walked over, she did stick up for herself when it mattered and I was able to empathise with her character.
As for the title, it doesn't fit this book at all. I see there is a note it was originally published as Class Ceiling, and although also not a great title at least it fits the story more. I think this revised title does the book a disservice and wouldn't normally grab my attenion enough to pick it up. So how did I come to read this?...
Well... at my last book club we finished dinner and chatting about our last book and were trying to decide on a theme for the next month.
"Let's just use a randomiser for a word that has to be in the title"
Great idea!
Word is: "Guide"
We nominated all kinds of books for voting, and this one had the most votes.
Voila!
I did like the author's writing style, and I'll now seek out some of her other books. Seeing that this was her first, it will be interesting to see how she has developed since. I also listened to this book on audio and the narration was great.
Unexpectedly, Maia has the opportunity to send her children to a very prestigious school (fees are £12,000 p.a. per child) for free. Although she wants the best for her kids, entering into this world is extremely difficult. Luckily she has great support from the Executive Teacher (Mr Peters) and another school mum, Clover.
Overall I really enjoyed this as a tale of a poor family with a mother trying to make the best situation for her kids. But it was really helped by having lots of humour, especially from Clover, which made for many laugh out loud moments. Although Maia was infuriating at times with her ability to be walked over, she did stick up for herself when it mattered and I was able to empathise with her character.
As for the title, it doesn't fit this book at all. I see there is a note it was originally published as Class Ceiling, and although also not a great title at least it fits the story more. I think this revised title does the book a disservice and wouldn't normally grab my attenion enough to pick it up. So how did I come to read this?...
Well... at my last book club we finished dinner and chatting about our last book and were trying to decide on a theme for the next month.
"Let's just use a randomiser for a word that has to be in the title"
Great idea!
Word is: "Guide"
We nominated all kinds of books for voting, and this one had the most votes.
Voila!
I did like the author's writing style, and I'll now seek out some of her other books. Seeing that this was her first, it will be interesting to see how she has developed since. I also listened to this book on audio and the narration was great.
January 10, 2015
I didn't pick this book, it picked me following a Book Club chat about poor reviews from readers. A 1 star reader referred to the unnecessary use of the 'F' word and the synopsis revived distant personal memories and more recently, those of my professional life.... And the F Word abounded in the latter!
More a social commentary than a romance, it is a modern day (I.e. a not quite 'benefits' mum with a slob of a partner and two kids in tow) twist on a Cinderella story. The world of the wealthy invaded by the shadowy world of the materially poor. Both of these worlds are well portrayed.
The characters are richly developed and engaging and the plot (almost) believable. A wonderful escapist read for one who usually goes for crime and psychological mysteries. I will certainly look out for more books by this author.
More a social commentary than a romance, it is a modern day (I.e. a not quite 'benefits' mum with a slob of a partner and two kids in tow) twist on a Cinderella story. The world of the wealthy invaded by the shadowy world of the materially poor. Both of these worlds are well portrayed.
The characters are richly developed and engaging and the plot (almost) believable. A wonderful escapist read for one who usually goes for crime and psychological mysteries. I will certainly look out for more books by this author.
June 9, 2018
I have read a couple of books by this author before, and when I got the opportunity to read this book, I grabbed it with both hands.
Maia is a cleaner who is in a relationship with a guy who is quite comfy, thanks very much, to let her do all the running around from one poorly paid job after another, whilst he sits on the couch and pretends to look for work himself. On top of that, he enjoys lording it over her and has a particularly close relationship with their daughter which means that their daughter is hard to handle as well. Luckily Maia has her easy-going son and her job for one particular elderly lady, which helps her feel a little bit better about herself.
Then comes a big upheaval when her kids find themselves trying to get by in a very exclusive school. They are fish out of water, and Maia doesn't fit it either with the other mums, but she tries very hard. I really liked the character of Maia so much.
This is a very multi-layered book, actually. There are a lot of comical situations which I loved, but there are also cringe-worthy moments that are all too easy to imagine as well. Also an interesting look at the different strata of society that people inhabit and what kinds of things are important etc.
I highly recommend this book. I really would like to meet this author one day, she has such a wonderful knack for storytelling!
Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.
Maia is a cleaner who is in a relationship with a guy who is quite comfy, thanks very much, to let her do all the running around from one poorly paid job after another, whilst he sits on the couch and pretends to look for work himself. On top of that, he enjoys lording it over her and has a particularly close relationship with their daughter which means that their daughter is hard to handle as well. Luckily Maia has her easy-going son and her job for one particular elderly lady, which helps her feel a little bit better about herself.
Then comes a big upheaval when her kids find themselves trying to get by in a very exclusive school. They are fish out of water, and Maia doesn't fit it either with the other mums, but she tries very hard. I really liked the character of Maia so much.
This is a very multi-layered book, actually. There are a lot of comical situations which I loved, but there are also cringe-worthy moments that are all too easy to imagine as well. Also an interesting look at the different strata of society that people inhabit and what kinds of things are important etc.
I highly recommend this book. I really would like to meet this author one day, she has such a wonderful knack for storytelling!
Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.
June 18, 2018
Books about heroines that have kids are lately very attractive to me, since I am a parent too and I find it amusing and comforting reading about the troubles similar to mine. That's why I picked up The Not So Perfect Mother. And I needed a book with a whole lollipop on the cover for a challenge. ;) )
In the end, it was not bad but lacked the humor I expected. I think it will be funny only to the select group of people, to those intrigued into the whole scene behind rich private schools.
Still, the writing style was nice, so I might read something by Kerry Fisher again...
In the end, it was not bad but lacked the humor I expected. I think it will be funny only to the select group of people, to those intrigued into the whole scene behind rich private schools.
Still, the writing style was nice, so I might read something by Kerry Fisher again...
October 29, 2014
Bringing humour and emotional buy-in to a story in equal measure takes a real gift, which Kerry Fisher has in bucket loads.
The novel itself tells the story of Maia Etxeleku, a character whose down to earth intelligence and humour shines out from the first page. Maia works hard, in a cleaning job, to keep her family afloat, whilst her partner, Colin, could earn a part in Shameless and does very little at all – apart from blaming Maia for their problems.
Life starts to change in a way that Maia could never imagine when her favourite client, a professor, dies and leaves her a legacy that leads all the way to the school gates. Despite her surprise at the inheritance, and the stipulation that the money can only be spent on private education for her children, Maia carries out the old lady’s wishes.
Maia soon discovers that appearances at the school gate, as everywhere in life, can be deceptive. Meanwhile, life at home becomes increasingly tense as she battles to fit in to a world where money spent on education is just the tip of the iceberg. Throw into the mix Zachary Peters, a teacher at the school who is everything that Colin isn’t, a very unhappy teenager and secrets that have been buried for a generation, and you have all the ingredients for a cracking good read.
The novel itself tells the story of Maia Etxeleku, a character whose down to earth intelligence and humour shines out from the first page. Maia works hard, in a cleaning job, to keep her family afloat, whilst her partner, Colin, could earn a part in Shameless and does very little at all – apart from blaming Maia for their problems.
Life starts to change in a way that Maia could never imagine when her favourite client, a professor, dies and leaves her a legacy that leads all the way to the school gates. Despite her surprise at the inheritance, and the stipulation that the money can only be spent on private education for her children, Maia carries out the old lady’s wishes.
Maia soon discovers that appearances at the school gate, as everywhere in life, can be deceptive. Meanwhile, life at home becomes increasingly tense as she battles to fit in to a world where money spent on education is just the tip of the iceberg. Throw into the mix Zachary Peters, a teacher at the school who is everything that Colin isn’t, a very unhappy teenager and secrets that have been buried for a generation, and you have all the ingredients for a cracking good read.
August 10, 2020
Tajemnicą nie jest moja sympatia do Kerry Fisher i jej pióra. Bardzo lubię jej powieści obyczajowe z nutką thrillera, dotykające "poważniejszych" tematów. Teraz nadszedł czas na coś lżejszego - komedię romantyczną! Nie byłabym sobą, gdybym nie poczuła wewnętrznej ekscytacji na myśl o sięgnięciu po ten tytuł ;)
Tytułową matką (prawie) idealną jest Maya - urabiająca sobie ręce po łokcie matka dwójki dzieci, która użera się z bezrobotnym partnerem spod gatunku leniwiec-pasożyt. Odraza to jedyne, co czułam czytając o tym typie! Gdybyście chcieli wygooglować słowo "kretyn", bardzo prawdopodobne, że na ekranie wyświetli Wam się zdjęcie Colina. Maya, natomiast, robi wszystko, by zapewnić byt rodzinie. Gdy nadarza się okazja, by wysłać pociechy do cenionej szkoły, w której uczą się dzieci rodziców "fifarafa" i "ą/ę", długo się nie zastanawia, mając na uwadze przyszłość swoich "bombelków".
"Matka (prawie) idealna" to bardzo przyjemna satyra społeczna z odrobiną romansu i kilkoma zaskakującymi twistami na zakończenie. Może i nie uśmiałam się jak norka, ale zabawnych momentów nie brakowało.
Polecam Wam tę historię współczesnego kopciuszka, która idealnie będzie się czytała na plaży albo ogrodowym leżaku.
Tytułową matką (prawie) idealną jest Maya - urabiająca sobie ręce po łokcie matka dwójki dzieci, która użera się z bezrobotnym partnerem spod gatunku leniwiec-pasożyt. Odraza to jedyne, co czułam czytając o tym typie! Gdybyście chcieli wygooglować słowo "kretyn", bardzo prawdopodobne, że na ekranie wyświetli Wam się zdjęcie Colina. Maya, natomiast, robi wszystko, by zapewnić byt rodzinie. Gdy nadarza się okazja, by wysłać pociechy do cenionej szkoły, w której uczą się dzieci rodziców "fifarafa" i "ą/ę", długo się nie zastanawia, mając na uwadze przyszłość swoich "bombelków".
"Matka (prawie) idealna" to bardzo przyjemna satyra społeczna z odrobiną romansu i kilkoma zaskakującymi twistami na zakończenie. Może i nie uśmiałam się jak norka, ale zabawnych momentów nie brakowało.
Polecam Wam tę historię współczesnego kopciuszka, która idealnie będzie się czytała na plaży albo ogrodowym leżaku.
May 28, 2018
This certanly is a fun read. I had my smiling a lot but sometimes my heart broke in one thousand pieces as well.
A mother always tries to do everything for her children but when there is not a lot of money available it's hard. You are forced to make choices and sometimes it is not easy to decide which are the right ones.
I also think that there is no such thing as the perfect mother. If you put your children's needs first and you want the best education to give them a good start in life, that makes you come pretty close to perfection in my eyes.
The story was well and fluently written and if you like to know how someone can go from underdog to topdog, this book will be right up your alley.
If you take a look at my rating, you know I truely enjoyed it.
Thank you, Kerry Fisher, Bookouture and Netgalley.
https://bforbookreview.wordpress.com/...
A mother always tries to do everything for her children but when there is not a lot of money available it's hard. You are forced to make choices and sometimes it is not easy to decide which are the right ones.
I also think that there is no such thing as the perfect mother. If you put your children's needs first and you want the best education to give them a good start in life, that makes you come pretty close to perfection in my eyes.
The story was well and fluently written and if you like to know how someone can go from underdog to topdog, this book will be right up your alley.
If you take a look at my rating, you know I truely enjoyed it.
Thank you, Kerry Fisher, Bookouture and Netgalley.
https://bforbookreview.wordpress.com/...
May 28, 2022
A lovely undemanding underdog story, with the usual character types and a likable MC.
(Lots of flashbacks to Motherland the TV show!)
Also modern fairy tale, happyend and all.
(Lots of flashbacks to Motherland the TV show!)
Also modern fairy tale, happyend and all.
March 9, 2015
Also on http://chicklitpad.blogspot.com
MY SYNOPSIS
Imagine This: Your life smells (nothing like Chanel No.5, but) of bleach and Glade as a cleaner of spas, country clubs and ginormous homes of the well-to-do. You do not have an easy life. Not with your children and their constant needs. And a ‘partner’ who hasn’t proposed for nineteen years who’s so much of a lazy slob, all he does for full-time is rant at you.
Life couldn’t get any worse than this when the people around your estate are mostly crack-heads, teenagers who get knocked up and become dropouts. Could this be the future of your kids?
Then when the death of a Professor who was always keen on you as her cleaner, catapults your children into the life of highly-esteemed schools where all the mums arrive in Land Rovers, organize tea meetings in their plush homes after the school drop-off so the new mums could get acquainted with the system of things (and hierarchy of things), have mani-pedi dates with one another discussing which tutor is shipped from where helping their child’s math, you are both enamoured and frightened.
How are you going to pay the bills now that the children want to go on rugby tours in South Africa? Or put much effort into organizing bake sales with all the mums who know nothing about running shifts to scrub other people’s toilets? How can you cope with a partner who cannot wait for you to arrive so he could berate you for all the wrong choices you’ve made in your life (excluding running off with him, of course)?
And what do you do about the Head Teacher who’s showing such interest in you you can hardly focus when you are doing someone’s toilet?
Maia Exteleku’s life summed for your delight.
MY REVIEW
I loved, loved this book! So in my review you know I’d be urging you to grab a duster and do your own cleaning so you could take (mini) breaks and sit cross-legged with this book in your lap?
Beautiful story-line! Girl’s day job is cleaning. Girl doesn’t really dream of life more than that, but she’d like that the council tax people would take it easier on her. Girl has always dreamt of going back to school for a degree to better her life, but if only the man who has never proposed to her for nineteen years would give her a little encouragement rather than take up all her savings to hit the pubs when he’s grumpy (which is always). If only Girl could get her life together and give her children the good life they deserve, she’d be more than accomplished. Except on the way to giving children a good life, children want horses, bitchy mums cannot wait to downgrade her, Head Teachers cannot help but flirt and neighbours cannot help but envy what she has (which is nothing!). Brilliant. A star to the story-line.── ★
I adored the main character, Maia. She’s so relatable. She has this whiplash, direct tone laced with humour that gives the reader no chance to indulge in annoying constant bemoaning of her troubles. You would love her for trying to make the school run when she’s so late to scrubbing off someone’s floors. You would also love her for being about the only mum who doesn’t have the luxury to mani-pedi yet isn’t envious of all the others. You would also love her for being committed to succeeding in a life that keeps slamming her on her bottom with mountains of debt (so she could imitate a late aunt with a Spanish accent to tell off the creditors). A star to her!── ★★
The development of the supporting cast made this book worth-reading too. You would love Sandy, the neighbour next-door who cannot always wait to rub it in our lead’s face how much she’s trying to be prim and proper when cleaning other people’s shit is all she does. You would want to kick the gonads, of Colin, the ‘partner’ who only cares about his beers and West Ham. You would find Jennifer, one of the school mums, utterly annoying for wanting to be such a bitch every time to our lead for her chosen profession. There’s also Clover, one of the nicer mums, whose foul-mouth causes her children to take after her. Venetia, who is always going on about the necessity to pick out colleges for your nine year-olds and teaching them foreign languages so they could easily get into Oxford even if they wouldn’t encounter anyone in their lives who spoke Mandarin. A star to all these and more.── ★★★
In every chapter there’s a cliff-hanger, something to keep you flicking the pages. I was hooked. Lots of OMG moments thrown in there as well. There’s also so much you could giggle at as an extra to make this book a kicking read.── ★★★★
I recommend this book to anyone who loves chick-lit leads with not-so-glamorous lives and jobs. Anyone who wants a book into the life of an immigrant should also run off with this book. Anyone who wants to get on with something from a debut author they’d love to stick with through all other bestsellers in the future.
MY SYNOPSIS
Imagine This: Your life smells (nothing like Chanel No.5, but) of bleach and Glade as a cleaner of spas, country clubs and ginormous homes of the well-to-do. You do not have an easy life. Not with your children and their constant needs. And a ‘partner’ who hasn’t proposed for nineteen years who’s so much of a lazy slob, all he does for full-time is rant at you.
Life couldn’t get any worse than this when the people around your estate are mostly crack-heads, teenagers who get knocked up and become dropouts. Could this be the future of your kids?
Then when the death of a Professor who was always keen on you as her cleaner, catapults your children into the life of highly-esteemed schools where all the mums arrive in Land Rovers, organize tea meetings in their plush homes after the school drop-off so the new mums could get acquainted with the system of things (and hierarchy of things), have mani-pedi dates with one another discussing which tutor is shipped from where helping their child’s math, you are both enamoured and frightened.
How are you going to pay the bills now that the children want to go on rugby tours in South Africa? Or put much effort into organizing bake sales with all the mums who know nothing about running shifts to scrub other people’s toilets? How can you cope with a partner who cannot wait for you to arrive so he could berate you for all the wrong choices you’ve made in your life (excluding running off with him, of course)?
And what do you do about the Head Teacher who’s showing such interest in you you can hardly focus when you are doing someone’s toilet?
Maia Exteleku’s life summed for your delight.
MY REVIEW
I loved, loved this book! So in my review you know I’d be urging you to grab a duster and do your own cleaning so you could take (mini) breaks and sit cross-legged with this book in your lap?
Beautiful story-line! Girl’s day job is cleaning. Girl doesn’t really dream of life more than that, but she’d like that the council tax people would take it easier on her. Girl has always dreamt of going back to school for a degree to better her life, but if only the man who has never proposed to her for nineteen years would give her a little encouragement rather than take up all her savings to hit the pubs when he’s grumpy (which is always). If only Girl could get her life together and give her children the good life they deserve, she’d be more than accomplished. Except on the way to giving children a good life, children want horses, bitchy mums cannot wait to downgrade her, Head Teachers cannot help but flirt and neighbours cannot help but envy what she has (which is nothing!). Brilliant. A star to the story-line.── ★
I adored the main character, Maia. She’s so relatable. She has this whiplash, direct tone laced with humour that gives the reader no chance to indulge in annoying constant bemoaning of her troubles. You would love her for trying to make the school run when she’s so late to scrubbing off someone’s floors. You would also love her for being about the only mum who doesn’t have the luxury to mani-pedi yet isn’t envious of all the others. You would also love her for being committed to succeeding in a life that keeps slamming her on her bottom with mountains of debt (so she could imitate a late aunt with a Spanish accent to tell off the creditors). A star to her!── ★★
The development of the supporting cast made this book worth-reading too. You would love Sandy, the neighbour next-door who cannot always wait to rub it in our lead’s face how much she’s trying to be prim and proper when cleaning other people’s shit is all she does. You would want to kick the gonads, of Colin, the ‘partner’ who only cares about his beers and West Ham. You would find Jennifer, one of the school mums, utterly annoying for wanting to be such a bitch every time to our lead for her chosen profession. There’s also Clover, one of the nicer mums, whose foul-mouth causes her children to take after her. Venetia, who is always going on about the necessity to pick out colleges for your nine year-olds and teaching them foreign languages so they could easily get into Oxford even if they wouldn’t encounter anyone in their lives who spoke Mandarin. A star to all these and more.── ★★★
In every chapter there’s a cliff-hanger, something to keep you flicking the pages. I was hooked. Lots of OMG moments thrown in there as well. There’s also so much you could giggle at as an extra to make this book a kicking read.── ★★★★
I recommend this book to anyone who loves chick-lit leads with not-so-glamorous lives and jobs. Anyone who wants a book into the life of an immigrant should also run off with this book. Anyone who wants to get on with something from a debut author they’d love to stick with through all other bestsellers in the future.
October 9, 2014
If I were to put on my teacher hat that I used to have to wear, and mark this book, it would have been top of the class! I have never found myself so involved with the characters as I have done in this book. My goodreads status updates throughout reading this book make me giggle just to read them, so you can imagine what reading the book did to me!
Maia, is the main character in this book and you quickly grow to love her like you would a sister. I was rooting for her from day one. She is so down to earth, and despite her social status, is actually quite clever and definitely not one to attempt to walk all over, and that's why I liked her. She was raw, honest and most definitely a loyal character...I am having to actually remind myself that she is a character and not a real person (it hurts me to say it because I so want her to be real!).
We meet Maia when she's received news that one of her clients whom she cleans for has passed away. Professor Rose Stainton was one of her favourite clients who paid so much interest in her which was a change from her partner and father, Colin to her two children; Harley and Bronte. I have to say that Colin really got on my nerves - but that was down to Kerry's excellent writing as she perfectly captured the character of a waste of space, selfish, good for nothing toe-rag! Trust me, once you've got to grips with him, you'll be wanting to give him what for! Maia wants more for herself, she believes she could be more and so did the Prof. Maia wanted to do an Open University Degree (Something that I'm doing myself!) but if Colin wouldn't get off his lazy behind and get a job, how could she ever dream of doing it?
Maia, along with Colin and their children, live on a run down estate with the SD1 postcode, but Maia receives a gift for her children that makes her contemplate sending her children to the uber posh part of town with the SD2 post-coders. Always wanting to do what's best for her children, she agrees to send them to a better school but it doesn't come without consequences! The inheritance might be paying for her children to go to the posh school, but it doesn't account for her debts and basic day-to day living expenses. Still, she never gives up and continues to run her cleaning business.
As she learns the rules of mingling with the SD2 mums, Maia slowly deals with more upheaval in her life when her best friend turns out to be ... well not so friendly (jealousy is not a good look!), Colin shows his true colours... and fists which I am so thrilled that Maia did not stand for (Powerful message to anyone suffering from domestic violence .... even once is one time too many!), and the handsome man at Stirling Hall school... Zac, the head of Upper Year, well to me, he shows that just because one is not born into wealth, does not mean one cannot climb the social ladder and stay grounded. Fighting her corner, she meets a SD2 mum, Clover whom quickly become firm friends with each other and go out of their way to protect each other.
After the children's first term at Stirling Hall, and when Maia feels that she can't continue to afford the extras of their new education and will have to send them back to their old school, a little miracle occurs and Maia finally discovers who she is and the Professor, even from beyond the grave, can't help but offer assistance to Maia.... just when she needs it most. It was reading this part of the book that I posted one of my favourite updates to Goodreads;
"omg best news for Maia, I actually voiced my delight so much that the neighbours wondered what was up with me. almost wanted to give Colin the finger gesture myself. only 24 pages to go"
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, no actually I devoured it! It never disappointed me once, and kept me smiling and laughing throughout. There's just one thing.... I loved it so much I want more!!! I got so connected to the characters that I can't help but wonder what happens next.
I have a few questions about the life of Maia.... her new life....
•Did she do her Open University degree? What did she do throughout studying? What did she do after graduating?
•Did Zac go teach at Morlands Primary?
•What happened at Christmas for Maia and her family now.... that things have changed....?
•What did the SD2 parents think of her now?
I could really see a "The School Gate Survival Guide to Christmas" as a follow up maybe ;) I could see Jen1 totally trying to organise the school Christmas events, and then the holidays to Lapland.... Just an idea Kerry, haha
Maia, is the main character in this book and you quickly grow to love her like you would a sister. I was rooting for her from day one. She is so down to earth, and despite her social status, is actually quite clever and definitely not one to attempt to walk all over, and that's why I liked her. She was raw, honest and most definitely a loyal character...I am having to actually remind myself that she is a character and not a real person (it hurts me to say it because I so want her to be real!).
We meet Maia when she's received news that one of her clients whom she cleans for has passed away. Professor Rose Stainton was one of her favourite clients who paid so much interest in her which was a change from her partner and father, Colin to her two children; Harley and Bronte. I have to say that Colin really got on my nerves - but that was down to Kerry's excellent writing as she perfectly captured the character of a waste of space, selfish, good for nothing toe-rag! Trust me, once you've got to grips with him, you'll be wanting to give him what for! Maia wants more for herself, she believes she could be more and so did the Prof. Maia wanted to do an Open University Degree (Something that I'm doing myself!) but if Colin wouldn't get off his lazy behind and get a job, how could she ever dream of doing it?
Maia, along with Colin and their children, live on a run down estate with the SD1 postcode, but Maia receives a gift for her children that makes her contemplate sending her children to the uber posh part of town with the SD2 post-coders. Always wanting to do what's best for her children, she agrees to send them to a better school but it doesn't come without consequences! The inheritance might be paying for her children to go to the posh school, but it doesn't account for her debts and basic day-to day living expenses. Still, she never gives up and continues to run her cleaning business.
As she learns the rules of mingling with the SD2 mums, Maia slowly deals with more upheaval in her life when her best friend turns out to be ... well not so friendly (jealousy is not a good look!), Colin shows his true colours... and fists which I am so thrilled that Maia did not stand for (Powerful message to anyone suffering from domestic violence .... even once is one time too many!), and the handsome man at Stirling Hall school... Zac, the head of Upper Year, well to me, he shows that just because one is not born into wealth, does not mean one cannot climb the social ladder and stay grounded. Fighting her corner, she meets a SD2 mum, Clover whom quickly become firm friends with each other and go out of their way to protect each other.
After the children's first term at Stirling Hall, and when Maia feels that she can't continue to afford the extras of their new education and will have to send them back to their old school, a little miracle occurs and Maia finally discovers who she is and the Professor, even from beyond the grave, can't help but offer assistance to Maia.... just when she needs it most. It was reading this part of the book that I posted one of my favourite updates to Goodreads;
"omg best news for Maia, I actually voiced my delight so much that the neighbours wondered what was up with me. almost wanted to give Colin the finger gesture myself. only 24 pages to go"
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, no actually I devoured it! It never disappointed me once, and kept me smiling and laughing throughout. There's just one thing.... I loved it so much I want more!!! I got so connected to the characters that I can't help but wonder what happens next.
I have a few questions about the life of Maia.... her new life....
•Did she do her Open University degree? What did she do throughout studying? What did she do after graduating?
•Did Zac go teach at Morlands Primary?
•What happened at Christmas for Maia and her family now.... that things have changed....?
•What did the SD2 parents think of her now?
I could really see a "The School Gate Survival Guide to Christmas" as a follow up maybe ;) I could see Jen1 totally trying to organise the school Christmas events, and then the holidays to Lapland.... Just an idea Kerry, haha
November 1, 2014
Originally reviewed at Novel Escapes
I love it when a book isn’t what you were expecting. (Or actually sometimes I don’t love that, but this time I did.) I was drawn to the cover because it was nearing the end of the summer and I was trying to get my head around making lunches and labelling clothes and all that other nonsense so I picked this one up on a whim. It turns out that although it was an easy read I was drawn in by the people and situations of the main characters much more than I was expecting.
I found myself immediately rooting for Maia, her job as a cleaner for the “lunching ladies” set and the struggles of the estate she lived in made her a character that was relatable- and useless boyfriend Colin just was the icing on the cake of her complicated and hectic life. Poor Maia sincerely hoped her windfall from a client’s passing would be a blessing but with it came so many additional problems that she struggled to balance her reality with her children’s futures. She could have lost her sense of humour but through each hurdle I grew to like her more and more. Her determination and sincerity was lovely and inspiring.
Kerry Fisher also gave us some great supporting roles though my award would have to go to Clover. Lovely, disorganised and eccentric Clover-whose genuine sympathy for Maia could be felt through the page- was also funny and brought humour to much of the novel. I also appreciated that she was given a full sub-plot of her own which meant we got to spend a lot of time with her- she made me have faith that some people are just genuinely good.
It’s a rare occurrence to find a light novel with depth explored to an extent that makes you sit back and admire a fictional character but that’s what I found in The School Gate Survival Guide.
Thank you to Harper Collins UK for our review copy. All opinions are our own.
I love it when a book isn’t what you were expecting. (Or actually sometimes I don’t love that, but this time I did.) I was drawn to the cover because it was nearing the end of the summer and I was trying to get my head around making lunches and labelling clothes and all that other nonsense so I picked this one up on a whim. It turns out that although it was an easy read I was drawn in by the people and situations of the main characters much more than I was expecting.
I found myself immediately rooting for Maia, her job as a cleaner for the “lunching ladies” set and the struggles of the estate she lived in made her a character that was relatable- and useless boyfriend Colin just was the icing on the cake of her complicated and hectic life. Poor Maia sincerely hoped her windfall from a client’s passing would be a blessing but with it came so many additional problems that she struggled to balance her reality with her children’s futures. She could have lost her sense of humour but through each hurdle I grew to like her more and more. Her determination and sincerity was lovely and inspiring.
Kerry Fisher also gave us some great supporting roles though my award would have to go to Clover. Lovely, disorganised and eccentric Clover-whose genuine sympathy for Maia could be felt through the page- was also funny and brought humour to much of the novel. I also appreciated that she was given a full sub-plot of her own which meant we got to spend a lot of time with her- she made me have faith that some people are just genuinely good.
It’s a rare occurrence to find a light novel with depth explored to an extent that makes you sit back and admire a fictional character but that’s what I found in The School Gate Survival Guide.
Thank you to Harper Collins UK for our review copy. All opinions are our own.
October 8, 2014
I loved this book. It was funny, down to earth and poignant with a nice touch of romance. Although the set up was obvious I didn't see the ending coming (I couldn't stop reading it, so reached the end in double quick time) A great feel good book. Well done Kerry Fisher.
February 13, 2015
What a great read! Reminds me how glad I am that my kids can walk to school on their own these days - no more hideous school gate. Very funny, brilliant characters and an absolute tonic of a book. Kerry Fisher's next book is on auto-buy for sure!
May 19, 2013
Liked the synopsis of this book and found it to be an easy read which kept me wanting to read. A good first novel for Kerry Fisher.
October 20, 2014
I just could not stop reading this book and really don't want to give away anything - except to say it's brilliant!
September 17, 2014
brilliant read, funny and thoughtful..
February 14, 2015
A thoroughly enjoyable feel-good book!
January 21, 2019
I’ve had this on my Kindle for I don’t know how long and I figured it was high time I started going through and reading some of my older books. This one was published back in 2014 and to be honest I had no expectations as I literally just picked his at random. However it seems my random choice picked me a winner.
Maia is a cleaner, and not just any cleaner but a Mum of 2 kids and a lazy husband kind of cleaner. She is constantly living day to day struggling to meet her bills let alone have any of life’s luxuries. I immediately loathed her arse of a husband and hoped that he would be removed from the picture before long. However, the opener sees Maia finding out that one of her customers, an elderly lady had left her a sizeable chunk of money. However, this was no ordinary situation.
The deal is that Maia has to enrol her children into Stirling Hall a rather grand private school and their fees will be paid. It’s an opportunity that Maia cannot pass up and grabs it with both hands but like anything it’s never that simple. Maia comes up against all sorts of obstacles and as such it makes for a very entertaining and funny read.
I loved the addition of characters like Clover who became just the friend Maia needed at just the right time. However, it’s an entertaining journey the reader is taken on as Maia battles against all sorts of problems. Overall this was an easy and very enjoyable read. I know that Kerry Fisher writes thrillers now but she can certainly write in this genre too because I certainly loved it.
Maia is a cleaner, and not just any cleaner but a Mum of 2 kids and a lazy husband kind of cleaner. She is constantly living day to day struggling to meet her bills let alone have any of life’s luxuries. I immediately loathed her arse of a husband and hoped that he would be removed from the picture before long. However, the opener sees Maia finding out that one of her customers, an elderly lady had left her a sizeable chunk of money. However, this was no ordinary situation.
The deal is that Maia has to enrol her children into Stirling Hall a rather grand private school and their fees will be paid. It’s an opportunity that Maia cannot pass up and grabs it with both hands but like anything it’s never that simple. Maia comes up against all sorts of obstacles and as such it makes for a very entertaining and funny read.
I loved the addition of characters like Clover who became just the friend Maia needed at just the right time. However, it’s an entertaining journey the reader is taken on as Maia battles against all sorts of problems. Overall this was an easy and very enjoyable read. I know that Kerry Fisher writes thrillers now but she can certainly write in this genre too because I certainly loved it.
February 20, 2022
Współczesna historia o Kopciuszku. Maia sprząta w bogatych domach, ma dwoje dzieci i faceta, który pozwala,by go utrzymywała, bo woli kumpli, hazard i piwo niż pracę. Maia kiedyś chciała studiować, właściwie wciąż chce, ale ułożyło się jej jak się ułożyło, trochę splot okoliczności, trochę jej złe wybory. Kobieta zaprzyjaźnia się z jedną ze swoich pracodawczyń. Sympatyczną starszą damą. Po jej śmierci okazuje się, że ta zostawiła Mai spadek, w tym opłaciła czesne dzieci w ekskluzywnej szkole.
Bajki o prostych dziewczynach, które wychodzą za księciów, kończą się na ślubie. Ale co potem? trzeba się odnaleźć w nieznanym, często nieżyczliwym, świecie. Wydaje się, że teraz bohaterka złapała "Boga za nogi". Dzieci zdobędą dobre wykształcenie, ona może się wyprowadzić od partnera, nie musi martwić się o pieniądze. Tymczasem to początek problemów, bo kasa to nie wszystko. Spotkał ją niespodziewany awans społeczny, w klasowym społeczeństwie brytyjskim to jak lodowaty prysznic. Odstaje od matek z klasy średniej, które spotyka. O zgrozo, nie wie jak się kroi brie! Dzieci też nie mają łatwego życia w szkole. Oczywiście pojawi się mężczyzna, zdobędzie też przyjaciółkę.
Taka słodko-gorzka obyczajówka o tym, że pieniądze ułatwiają życie, ale trzeba mieć jeszcze twarda skórę, by przetrwać w miejskiej dżungli. Dobrze się ja czyta, lekka, kobieca historia
Bajki o prostych dziewczynach, które wychodzą za księciów, kończą się na ślubie. Ale co potem? trzeba się odnaleźć w nieznanym, często nieżyczliwym, świecie. Wydaje się, że teraz bohaterka złapała "Boga za nogi". Dzieci zdobędą dobre wykształcenie, ona może się wyprowadzić od partnera, nie musi martwić się o pieniądze. Tymczasem to początek problemów, bo kasa to nie wszystko. Spotkał ją niespodziewany awans społeczny, w klasowym społeczeństwie brytyjskim to jak lodowaty prysznic. Odstaje od matek z klasy średniej, które spotyka. O zgrozo, nie wie jak się kroi brie! Dzieci też nie mają łatwego życia w szkole. Oczywiście pojawi się mężczyzna, zdobędzie też przyjaciółkę.
Taka słodko-gorzka obyczajówka o tym, że pieniądze ułatwiają życie, ale trzeba mieć jeszcze twarda skórę, by przetrwać w miejskiej dżungli. Dobrze się ja czyta, lekka, kobieca historia
April 27, 2018
Thank you to NetGalley.com for the opportunity to read an Advanced Reader Copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
What a cute, quick read! It was such a different side of Ms. Fisher as an author but I think she nailed it – would love to see more things like this from her in the future.
What I loved: I am blanking on Maia’s best friend – Colleen? Colette? She is just awesome and I would love to see a sequel revolving around her and cheating Lawrence and the crazy live at their house.
What I didn’t love: Let’s see – who’s evil…. Jen1, Sandy and even Colin although you can see he adores and loves his kids even if he doesn’t have the first clue on how to raise them or how to be a responsible person.
What I learned: Its not always to the manor born…
Overall Grade: B
www.FluffSmutandMurder.com
What a cute, quick read! It was such a different side of Ms. Fisher as an author but I think she nailed it – would love to see more things like this from her in the future.
What I loved: I am blanking on Maia’s best friend – Colleen? Colette? She is just awesome and I would love to see a sequel revolving around her and cheating Lawrence and the crazy live at their house.
What I didn’t love: Let’s see – who’s evil…. Jen1, Sandy and even Colin although you can see he adores and loves his kids even if he doesn’t have the first clue on how to raise them or how to be a responsible person.
What I learned: Its not always to the manor born…
Overall Grade: B
www.FluffSmutandMurder.com
May 10, 2018
Loved this book!!! Definitely a fun read. I am a huge fan of Kerry Fisher's books and this one did not disappoint.
Maia fell in love with the rebellious boy with a motorbike and her dreams of college fell to the wayside. Twenty years and two kids later, Maia is a cleaner and Colin has no ambition for finding a job. They live in council housing while dodging calls from bill collectors. A professor Maia cleaned for died and left her money. The only stipulation is the money is to be used for Maia's children to go to a private school and nothing else. Maia and her children end up having problems adjusting to the new school. Clover and Mr. Peters help Maia when she needs it the most. Maia ends up learning secrets her mother kept from her.
I loved the story and the characters. Maybe not Sandy and Colin. One of the saddest and scariest parts is when Bronte tells the story of what happened to her when she skipped school. That alone alone, should have made Maia realize her children belong in the private school. At points I wanted to scream at Maia and make her realize what a loser Colin was and that he wouldn't change.
I definitively recommend this book and look forward to reading more by the author.
Thanks to NetGalley, Bookouture and the author, Kerry Fisher, for a free electronic ARC of this novel.
Maia fell in love with the rebellious boy with a motorbike and her dreams of college fell to the wayside. Twenty years and two kids later, Maia is a cleaner and Colin has no ambition for finding a job. They live in council housing while dodging calls from bill collectors. A professor Maia cleaned for died and left her money. The only stipulation is the money is to be used for Maia's children to go to a private school and nothing else. Maia and her children end up having problems adjusting to the new school. Clover and Mr. Peters help Maia when she needs it the most. Maia ends up learning secrets her mother kept from her.
I loved the story and the characters. Maybe not Sandy and Colin. One of the saddest and scariest parts is when Bronte tells the story of what happened to her when she skipped school. That alone alone, should have made Maia realize her children belong in the private school. At points I wanted to scream at Maia and make her realize what a loser Colin was and that he wouldn't change.
I definitively recommend this book and look forward to reading more by the author.
Thanks to NetGalley, Bookouture and the author, Kerry Fisher, for a free electronic ARC of this novel.
April 18, 2018
Thanks to Netgalley for my copy.
This was quite enjoyable but rather stereotypical characters.
The horsey upper class rich mum with twins Saffron and Sorrel and son Orion.
The mum who has risen in class and thinks she is better than everyone else.
The hard working mum trying to improve her life and wants more for her children.
The rough as heck single mum dragging up her two kids Denim and Gypsy.
Although quite funny in places this book just seemed full of caricatures and implausible plot lines. The divide between the private school children and the local primary school was exaggerated and a little insulting.
This was quite enjoyable but rather stereotypical characters.
The horsey upper class rich mum with twins Saffron and Sorrel and son Orion.
The mum who has risen in class and thinks she is better than everyone else.
The hard working mum trying to improve her life and wants more for her children.
The rough as heck single mum dragging up her two kids Denim and Gypsy.
Although quite funny in places this book just seemed full of caricatures and implausible plot lines. The divide between the private school children and the local primary school was exaggerated and a little insulting.
June 10, 2018
This story is perfect for what I refer to as a “pocket” book. That’s a book that I am reading on my Kindke that takes no concentration, is light hearted and has the occasional laugh out loud factor. I can pick this up and read while waiting for an appt or for a train to pass or at a coffee shop. Each character is a stereotype and we all know someone like them. The English humor and expressions were so enjoyable. I rarely read more than one book at a time but this is an exception. It’s not a story I will rush home from work to read or stay up late. It’s a filler when I need a boost or a good laugh. It’s like a grown up version of a fairy tale. #netgalley #bookouture.
October 10, 2018
Was für ein tolles Buch! Auch wenn Maia keine typische Prinzessin ist, kommt man nicht umher ihr ein solches Leben zu wünschen. Man fühlt mit ihr mit und jeder, der mit einer alleinerziehenden Mutter aufgewachsen ist, wird sie in ihr Herz schließen, ihre Probleme verstehen und sie lieben. Leider einen Stern Abzug, da mir der Beginn der Geschichte einfach zu klischeebehaftet ist - im negativen Sinn.
September 15, 2014
"The School Gate Survival Guide" was previously published under the title "The Class Ceiling" but in my personal opinion, the new one is much more catchy. You know, when I only hear "school sate", "school run" I am all ears. It's all still before me but I love books with this topic. I know that I'm only tormenting myself but nevertheless, can't say no to any book with school/kindergarten in it.
Maia Etxeleku works as a cleaner to keep her family's head over the water on so little money while her partner Colin is a real waste of space, speaking often about getting a job but in fact doing nothing towards finding something, only blaming Maia for everything. When one of Maia's clients, an elderly professor, passes away, Maia is surprised to receive an inheritance from her. But the money can be spend only on Maia's children's education in a private school. Suddenly Maia finds herself at the school gates with those kind of women she works for, but it's not the only problem. Money for education is one things, but there are such things as new uniforms, books, after school activities... The situation at home is very tense, and seeing how other people live, how different lives they lead, is not making it easier. There is also this teacher, Mr. Peters, Zachary, helping Maia and telling her he wants better life for her...
I loved Maia with all my heart, I can't remember heroine that would be so normal and so real as she was. She was outspoken, she had a sharp tongue and although she was the so - called "working class" she didn't make a drama of this, and neither of the fact that she was working as a cleaner. She was not ashamed of herself and her circumstances and tried as much as she could to imprint on her children that they are so much worth even without a lot of money. I really adored the way she coped with life and all the surprises it brought her. What also made me like her so much was that she was not only the Devoted Mother; she loved her children above everything but she had moments, just like we all mothers have although we don't want to admit it, that she wanted to, if not to kill, then to gag her children, especially Bronte, who was a real princess and drama queen. I loved the fact that she was proud but also that she knew when it's time to capitulate and ask for help. There was something in this character that made you root for her all the time and wish her only best. I admired her strength and how calmly she dealt with everything the new situation put her into although we knew how much she suffers and how much it - yes - irritates her.
Kerry Fisher can write brilliant characters, the whole spectrum of them. Beside Maia we have her lazy git of a partner Colin, who was such a waste of space, in my opinion Maia could do so much better without him, and I really, truly disliked him, and nothing could change my feelings towards him.
But they are not only the working class characters that can be so unlikeable and unpleasant, it can be the other way round. Two very different characters of middle class, Jen1 and Clover only emphasize this contrast. Clover, wit her Hedge Fund, was so down to earth, warm and normal while Jennifer, who only got promoted to this higher class, couldn't see further than her own nose, was arrogant and self - righteous, although the only thing she did was to find the right husband.
We are also introduced to some background characters, such as the mothers at school or their children so we can see with our own eyes the contrast between them and Maia, and although it's described in a light way, we can't help but stop for a moment of reflection about the unfairness of life.
This book is about the current problems and is written with a brutal honesty, honesty that sometimes will make you cringe, but that's the life for most of us. This book deals with a lot of things, such us poverty and wealth, class differences, although I'm really not sure if in these times we should still speak about classes, friendship, betrayal and what money can and can't buy. There is a lot happening in the story but I haven't felt overwhelmed with the subplots or characters, no way, I felt comfortable with everything. There is only the right dose of humour and seriousness and there were moments that I only could shake my head with rage as well as moment when I was laughing out loud. I really wanted to see how the author is going to solve all the problems (or not) and so I had only one small issue with the ending, when as much as I understood Maia, I don't necessarily think that having money can solve all your problems. Yes, they make life easier but they're not everything.
Although written in a very easy, light way the novel is not some kind of brainless read. It's clever, the dialogues are sharp and sounding very authentic, the vocabulary used by the characters feels very realistic and the plot itself feels so true. Maia is witty and is a perfect leading character here. The story is not predictable and some of the situations, especially at the end, took me really by surprise. Kerry Fisher has done a great job with this book and I am absolutely thrilled to hear that her new novel is going to be published in 2015. I will read it for sure!
Copy received from publisher in exchange for a review.
Maia Etxeleku works as a cleaner to keep her family's head over the water on so little money while her partner Colin is a real waste of space, speaking often about getting a job but in fact doing nothing towards finding something, only blaming Maia for everything. When one of Maia's clients, an elderly professor, passes away, Maia is surprised to receive an inheritance from her. But the money can be spend only on Maia's children's education in a private school. Suddenly Maia finds herself at the school gates with those kind of women she works for, but it's not the only problem. Money for education is one things, but there are such things as new uniforms, books, after school activities... The situation at home is very tense, and seeing how other people live, how different lives they lead, is not making it easier. There is also this teacher, Mr. Peters, Zachary, helping Maia and telling her he wants better life for her...
I loved Maia with all my heart, I can't remember heroine that would be so normal and so real as she was. She was outspoken, she had a sharp tongue and although she was the so - called "working class" she didn't make a drama of this, and neither of the fact that she was working as a cleaner. She was not ashamed of herself and her circumstances and tried as much as she could to imprint on her children that they are so much worth even without a lot of money. I really adored the way she coped with life and all the surprises it brought her. What also made me like her so much was that she was not only the Devoted Mother; she loved her children above everything but she had moments, just like we all mothers have although we don't want to admit it, that she wanted to, if not to kill, then to gag her children, especially Bronte, who was a real princess and drama queen. I loved the fact that she was proud but also that she knew when it's time to capitulate and ask for help. There was something in this character that made you root for her all the time and wish her only best. I admired her strength and how calmly she dealt with everything the new situation put her into although we knew how much she suffers and how much it - yes - irritates her.
Kerry Fisher can write brilliant characters, the whole spectrum of them. Beside Maia we have her lazy git of a partner Colin, who was such a waste of space, in my opinion Maia could do so much better without him, and I really, truly disliked him, and nothing could change my feelings towards him.
But they are not only the working class characters that can be so unlikeable and unpleasant, it can be the other way round. Two very different characters of middle class, Jen1 and Clover only emphasize this contrast. Clover, wit her Hedge Fund, was so down to earth, warm and normal while Jennifer, who only got promoted to this higher class, couldn't see further than her own nose, was arrogant and self - righteous, although the only thing she did was to find the right husband.
We are also introduced to some background characters, such as the mothers at school or their children so we can see with our own eyes the contrast between them and Maia, and although it's described in a light way, we can't help but stop for a moment of reflection about the unfairness of life.
This book is about the current problems and is written with a brutal honesty, honesty that sometimes will make you cringe, but that's the life for most of us. This book deals with a lot of things, such us poverty and wealth, class differences, although I'm really not sure if in these times we should still speak about classes, friendship, betrayal and what money can and can't buy. There is a lot happening in the story but I haven't felt overwhelmed with the subplots or characters, no way, I felt comfortable with everything. There is only the right dose of humour and seriousness and there were moments that I only could shake my head with rage as well as moment when I was laughing out loud. I really wanted to see how the author is going to solve all the problems (or not) and so I had only one small issue with the ending, when as much as I understood Maia, I don't necessarily think that having money can solve all your problems. Yes, they make life easier but they're not everything.
Although written in a very easy, light way the novel is not some kind of brainless read. It's clever, the dialogues are sharp and sounding very authentic, the vocabulary used by the characters feels very realistic and the plot itself feels so true. Maia is witty and is a perfect leading character here. The story is not predictable and some of the situations, especially at the end, took me really by surprise. Kerry Fisher has done a great job with this book and I am absolutely thrilled to hear that her new novel is going to be published in 2015. I will read it for sure!
Copy received from publisher in exchange for a review.
October 6, 2014
Maia Etxeleku is living on a run-down estate with her lazy partner, Colin, and her two children, Bronte and Harley. Maia supports her family by holding down several cleaning jobs, and as the story starts she is mourning the death of one of her clients, not just because she has lost one of her jobs, but because the old lady urged her to get an education and was interested in her as a person, taking the time to meet her children, teaching them and encouraging them to read. With a partner like Colin, who has no interest in finding a job, Maia can't afford to apply for the Open University course that she desperately wants to take, and sees little chance of a better future for her children. When she discovers the old lady has left a sum of money for her in her will, to be used exclusively for school fees for Harley and Bronte, Maia wonders if she can afford to take the offer. After all, school fees are one thing, but what about the unifoms, the music lessons, the expensive school trips? But realising that this will be the best and possibly only chance the children get of a decent future, Maia takes the risk and enrols them at posh Stirling Hall School, a decision that will bring profound changes for her entire family, and for Maia most of all.
I absolutely loved this book. The characters were fantastically drawn. Maia is lovely, trying so hard to do the right thing for everyone and putting herself last at every turn, but somehow finding the strength to go against the wishes and advice of those around her who want her to stay in her box and be the person she's always been. It's not easy to stand up to Colin, who is appalled by the whole idea, thinking it will give his kids delusions of grandeur. It would be easy to view Colin almost as a caricature as he's so awful, but then the author cleverly gives him some redeeming qualities that just prevent this. He's never going to be likeable, but we see a softer side to him when a major incident happens involving one of his children, and that enables the reader to see that he's not all bad. Just ninety-nine per cent!
Sandy, the neighbour, is truly appalling. I sussed her from the start and hated the way she kept undermining Maia, being unsupportive and sarcastic and turning against her because she wanted a better life for her children.
I loved Bronte and Harley. They were masterfully written. Bronte, all buttoned-up and angry, insecure and embarrassed, and Harley, who is just adorable. His determination to make the best of things and his loyalty to his mum was enough to reduce this reader to tears. I really, really wanted those children to have a better life and was praying things would turn out for them.
Mr Peters is a real hero. I could quite see the attraction there and found his determination to support Maia, and to help Bronte and Harley reach their capabilties wonderful, so it didn't surprise me when he revealed his own secret.
Clover is another marvellous character. She's the one who proves that having money doesn't have to make you a bad person. Her total, unconditional acceptance of Maia and the way she champions and includes Bronte and Harley won me over immediately. I wanted Clover to be happy and I like the way her storyline unfolded.
Even the haughty Jen1 (great name!) is an interesting character, because she's snobbish, vain and cruel, but the writer cleverly give us an insight into the reasons for this, the insecurities that lie behind the obnoxious behaviour. It doesn't make her any more likeable but it does make it easier to understand why she behaves the way she does.
Kerry is very good at creating characters that aren't all black or white, which makes them much more realistic and interesting to read about.
This book is really easy to read and so funny, it's difficult to put down. I zipped through it in a day and I really can't wait to read what the author has in store for us next. Excellent!
March 26, 2015
I won this book on a giveaway couple of months ago, and recently I finally managed to read it. The very first thing I noticed about the book was the cover. I absolutely love red and the cover is so eye catchy. Compliments for the designer!
The School Gate Survival Guide tell us the story of Maia, a mother of two, who cleans houses in order to provide food on the table. One of the her favourite clients is an old lady professor who adores her and her two children. The old lady dies, and Maia suddenly inherits a lot of money. But there is a catch! The money are for kids’ education. They have to go to Stirling Hall School, well known school only the richest can afford. But entering in the world of rich and famous is not without any consequences. Maia has no time to live Cinderella’s life. The money she inherits are only for the school, there is still need for food on the table. A cleaning lady is not welcomed in the high circles full of silicones and organic food. She desperately needs a plan and a survival guide.
Maia is an amazing character. She is a real modern Cinderella. Very bright, kind and hardworking woman. As a mother of two, she does her best to provide everything that her kids need. Raised by a single mother, life wasn’t easy for her, she ran into the first man she fell in love. Like every good mother and every woman in love, she stays with the father of her children even when things go wrong. She doesn’t make the best decisions always, but she tries her best.
I absolutely loved Maia’s children, Bronte and Harley. They are both very excited about going to parties, dressing well, having a horse, having their own room etc. They both love their mother very much and they aren’t spoiled at all.
When you talk about rich and famous, you never think that they are just people. Colin has everything: rich husband, huge house, great kids, but there are so many storms in her life. Her husband abandons her, she suffers from depression and has no friends. But Colin is so generous and such a down-to-earth person. Her door is always open for a friend in trouble, and is always there whenever her friend needs a crying shoulder.
TSGSG is not only a survival guide for the world of rich and famous, it is also a survival guide for a lifetime. In a hilarious way, Ms Fisher describes the every day life battles and the struggle for better future. With so much humor, she shows us that dreams do come true, only if you believe in them.
The School Gate Survival Guide tell us the story of Maia, a mother of two, who cleans houses in order to provide food on the table. One of the her favourite clients is an old lady professor who adores her and her two children. The old lady dies, and Maia suddenly inherits a lot of money. But there is a catch! The money are for kids’ education. They have to go to Stirling Hall School, well known school only the richest can afford. But entering in the world of rich and famous is not without any consequences. Maia has no time to live Cinderella’s life. The money she inherits are only for the school, there is still need for food on the table. A cleaning lady is not welcomed in the high circles full of silicones and organic food. She desperately needs a plan and a survival guide.
Maia is an amazing character. She is a real modern Cinderella. Very bright, kind and hardworking woman. As a mother of two, she does her best to provide everything that her kids need. Raised by a single mother, life wasn’t easy for her, she ran into the first man she fell in love. Like every good mother and every woman in love, she stays with the father of her children even when things go wrong. She doesn’t make the best decisions always, but she tries her best.
I absolutely loved Maia’s children, Bronte and Harley. They are both very excited about going to parties, dressing well, having a horse, having their own room etc. They both love their mother very much and they aren’t spoiled at all.
When you talk about rich and famous, you never think that they are just people. Colin has everything: rich husband, huge house, great kids, but there are so many storms in her life. Her husband abandons her, she suffers from depression and has no friends. But Colin is so generous and such a down-to-earth person. Her door is always open for a friend in trouble, and is always there whenever her friend needs a crying shoulder.
TSGSG is not only a survival guide for the world of rich and famous, it is also a survival guide for a lifetime. In a hilarious way, Ms Fisher describes the every day life battles and the struggle for better future. With so much humor, she shows us that dreams do come true, only if you believe in them.
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