Vier Taufen und drei Herzensbrecher

by Amanda Brookfield

Rachel is thirty-nine and the director of a successful advertising agency. She has a semi-detached lover and a smart flat in Chelsea. Rachel's many girlfriends envy her single, childless state - for she has all the benefits of parenthood, with her several godchildren, and none of the disadvantages. Something is lacking in Rachel's life, however. With her typical decisiveness, she focuses on it. She wants a baby. But unexpected hurdles rise up in her path...

Paperback

First published July 17, 1997

About the author

I have two elder sisters and a twin brother who is much quieter than me and with much longer legs. Our Dad was in the Foreign Office so we spent our childhood living in far-flung places like Shanghai and Stockholm. In fact, until the age of 32 I had never spent more than 3 years under the same roof...it's left me with the opposite of 'itchy feet'.
I fell in love with writing aged 11 when my class was asked to write a ghost story - that thrill of being able to make it all up! Studying English at Oxford was a dream come true, but then real life got in the way and I started a career in advertising, climbing the greasy pole for four years, helping sell washing powder and cold remedies.
Aged 25, I got the chance to go and live in Argentina. I left advertising, set myself up as a freelance journalist and wrote my first novel,'Alice Alone' which was published (to critical acclaim!) in 1989. I haven't stopped,or looked back, since.
I am now published by Penguin. At the last count I had produced fifteen novels and two sons. There will be no more offspring, but lots of books I hope.

Reviews

[Louise Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rachel is single and attractive, a director of a successful advertising agency, with a handsome lover, close friends, and a clutch of beloved godchildren. But as her fortieth birthday approaches, so does a whispering fear that she might have missed the point....

Almost imperceptibly over the years her friends and contemporaries have settled down and started families. Rather less subtly her parents have been urging Rachel to do the same. Managing a shocking incident at work is soon taking up all her energies and she adores her godchildren. So is a child of her own what she really wants?

I quite liked the authors writing style. All Rachel's friends seemed to have settled down and have children to whom Rachel is godmother to. But, now approaching forty, Rachel wonders if she has missed out by not having children of her own and wonders if it's too late now. Even though I have children, I could understand Rachel's plight. The pace is steady in this well written book. The characters are well rounded and believable. I quite enjoyed this book.

I would like to thank #NetGalley #BoldwoodBooks and the author #AmandaBrookfield for my ARC of #TheGodmother in exchange for an honest review.

[loopyloulaura · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rachel Elliot is a successful businesswoman but she is starting to feel her body clock ticking. Will having a baby disrupt her perfect organised life or can she combine a career and motherhood?
The Godmother is a female oriented novel with aspects of family drama fiction. It was written 30 years ago but has been re-visited by the author but I still felt that some elements were a bit dated.
Rachel is always the godmother, never a mother. But finally she feels ready to be a mum. However, she is in a casual relationship with Nathan who definitely doesn’t want to settle down and start a family so she decides to plan and proceed alone. As a mother myself I understand the yearning for a child alongside the terror it can invoke. I truly believe that there is never a ‘good’ time to have a child and that you make the situation work due to love.
I really like Rachel’s character and felt that the author had created her authentically. Part of me wants to applaud Rachel for making a brave choice and being confident in herself to go for what she wants in her personal and professional lives. That doesn’t mean that I condoned her choices, especially those that meant she had to deceive others.
The style of writing suited me and there was warmth and emotion without making us pity or condemn Rachel’s actions. I wanted her to have a happy ending because I genuinely liked her as the author carefully explores the elements of her character’s thought processes and emotions. However the actual ending was very abrupt.
The Godmother is a richly written book that sweeps the reader into the life of the main character.

[Lucy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Boldwood for a place on the recent book tour.

I recently had the pleasure of finishing a truly captivating book that quite literally held me spellbound from beginning to end. The story was so intense and dramatic that I found myself perched on the edge of my seat for the entire duration. It was so incredibly intriguing that I was able to read it in a single day.

One of the many things that made the book so enjoyable was the relatable characters. They were a delightful addition to the story and made it feel even more immersive. The plot was also fast-paced and engrossing, making it impossible to put the book down. It explored a range of family dynamics and relationships, evoking a wide array of emotions within me.

Needless to say, I am eagerly anticipating the opportunity to read more of Brookfield's work in the future. It's hard to believe that I waited this long to discover such an amazing author!

[Esther Peacock · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Godmother, like all of Amanda's books, has a protagonist who is strong yet vulnerable, which makes her natural and realistic.
Rachel Elliot is single and good-looking, a director of a highly successful advertising agency, with a gorgeous lover, close friends, and a clutch of beloved godchildren, and never a thought of having children of her own.
Approaching her fortieth Birthday, something changes that arouses her maternal side; she starts questioning herself, is a child of her own what she wants? Or is motherhood just what everyone else wants for her?
With a great cast of supporting characters, this emotional story is a good read.
I want to thank Publishers Boldwood Books, author Amanda Brookfield and Rachel's Random Resources for a copy to read and review

[Valerie Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book. I have chosen to write this honest review voluntarily and it reflects my personal opinion.
The foreword tells us that this book was written before emails and mobile phones were prevalent, and the lack of immediacy when contacting someone makes a little difference to the progress of the story. However, its subject matter and content is still completely relevant, showing how little has changed over the years. There were a few instances when the timeline jumped around over a few days, making it slightly confusing to read. These negatives have not impacted on my overall rating because I thought the novel and its characters was credible and it captivated me from start to finish. I've signed up to follow this author.

[Michelle Fairchild · Rating 2 out of 5]

The story premise has a good foundation; however, the execution writing style was lacking. The story is about Rachel's going through life and wanting to become a mother. I understand the decision of becoming a mother can be overhelming for Rachel as she is on the edge of that line. However, the characters were lifeless and bland. About half way through the book, the overly descriptive style of writing got to me and it became annoying. It was a hard story to get through as it was boring on many levels.

Thank you to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for letting me read this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Staceywh_17 · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story was a slow starter for me, but it allowed me to become invested in the plot and the characters.

As she heads into her forties Rachel has been pondering whether her life would be enriched by having a child of her own, rather than always playing godmother to friends children.

This is the second Brookfield book I've read over the past week and I'm really enjoying them.

The Godmother is a character driven read, with relatable characters and a plausible plot.

[Corinne Rodrigues · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rachel, a successful and ambitious businesswoman, leads a single life filled with numerous friends and a vibrant social circle. Amid her accomplishments, she also holds the role of godmother to four cherished youngsters. Our story unfolds as she crosses paths with the latest addition to this group. While she has always shied away from the idea of conventional domestic happiness, the approach of her fortieth birthday triggers a contemplation within her. A question begins to form: Could her life find deeper contentment and fulfillment if she were to welcome a child of her own?

With this seed of thought planted, Rachel cautiously begins to outline plans for a different future. Subtly and gradually, many of her friends and peers have embraced family life over the years, a contrast that becomes harder to overlook. Equally, the not-so-subtle urgings from her parents have added to the mounting pressure. In the midst of these considerations, a jarring incident at her workplace demands her full attention, absorbing her energies.

Despite her newfound responsibilities and the intricacies of her career, Rachel remains devoted to her godchildren, their presence bringing her immense joy. This devotion prompts a crucial introspection: Does her yearning extend to having a child of her own, or is her path more fittingly aligned with her current trajectory?

As her story unfolds, Rachel's journey involves grappling with the desires of her heart, reconciling her independent nature with the alluring prospect of motherhood. In this intricate exploration, the true essence of her desires gradually emerges, laying bare the question of whether a child is the missing piece to her intricate life's puzzle.

The author has a great way of exploring feelings and I found myself truly drawn into Rachel's story.

[Joyce Ellis · Rating 1 out of 5]

So bored with books where the main character is stunningly beautiful, rich and successful. Blah blah. Give me real life please. Gave up after three chapters.

[Jane Gregg · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kindle Unlimited continues to provide.

[Jen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really liked Rachel Elliot who is the main character in this book about a woman who is approaching her 40s and wondering if she’s missed out not having children. A single woman who is very career orientated Rachel starts to question her life choices. I enjoyed this and thought it covered some very relevant topics. An interesting and realistic group of characters and an insight into what working in a man’s world could be like. Thank you to Boldwood Books and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this in exchange for an honest review.

[mrsbookburnee Niamh Burnett · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this book, the authors writing portrayed the ‘what ifs’ of motheredhood perfectly. This is an emotional read, with characters you feel drawn to and shows the expectations society has on women and the choices they make.

[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rachel is single, a fairly high-flying businesswoman with plenty of friends and a good social life. She is godmother to four youngsters; the story opens as she meets the newest of them. She really does not want domestic bliss... except that, as she approaches her fortieth birthday, she begins to wonder if she would be happier and more complete with a baby of her own. So she starts to make plans...

This was totally my kind of book; character-based, well-written, moving at a good, but not over-fast pace. While people like Rachel are far from my own circles, I found her likeable, and was interested, sometimes amused and sometimes quite moved as I followed her story, with many ups and downs before she finally discovers where her future lies.

More than 'chick-lit', but undoubtedly women's fiction. Recommended.

[Harry Tomos · Rating 5 out of 5]

lovely book, the bloke you want to get the girl does and the girl although takes forever eventually gives into those nagging feelings....