What do you think?
Rate this book
Crazy Busy Guilty
There’s life Before Baby and life After Baby. Any idiot knows that. I knew that. Except I didn’t know what life After Baby would really be like. Georgie Henderson is discovering that in the 21st century being a Good Working Mum means answering emails at midnight while you purée vegetables and line up play dates and French lessons for your four-month-old daughter. Georgie’s ex, Jase, gets 100 per cent of the credit for 5 per cent of the work, and her best friend, Nina, is on a "self-discovery" journey that involves a young bartender and a plan to become an artisanal florist. And all Georgie’s mother wants is for Georgie to find a man. Preferably the one who is the father of her child.
288 pages, Paperback
Published June 1, 2020
About the author
Lauren Sams
5 books33 followersLauren Sams is a writer and author who has worked in magazines for ten years. She writes for Cosmopolitan, ELLE, marie claire, Sunday Style and Daily Life. She lives in Sydney with her husband, daughter and two dogs.
She's Having Her Baby is her first book, and she is currently working on a sequel.
Elaine Benes is her spirit animal.
For weekly musings from Lauren, sign up to her Tiny Letter here: http://tinyletter.com/laurensams.
She's Having Her Baby is her first book, and she is currently working on a sequel.
Elaine Benes is her spirit animal.
For weekly musings from Lauren, sign up to her Tiny Letter here: http://tinyletter.com/laurensams.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
March 17, 2019
I enjoyed reading She's Having Her Baby, now Georgie Henderson has had her baby. Crazy Busy Guilty, makes a change as it is literally quite comical reading. There's life before a baby and life after a baby. Georgie, just like all new mothers, Georgie didn't know what to expect, and didn't know what it would really be like after having a baby. Before she could go to bed, wake up and eat, or go where ever she wanted to when she wanted. But now Georgie's life was different, attending to her beautiful baby. Is so funny with Georgie finding out if her baby is hungry. Every mother worries about their newborn. I recommend both books She Having Her Baby, and Crazy Busy Guilty.
February 4, 2026
Readers first meet Georgie Henderson in She’s Having Her Baby when, after agreeing to be a surrogate for her best friend, Nina, Georgie finds herself pregnant with her ex-boyfriend’s baby. This book is the follow-up after Georgie has Pippa and her journey of now figuring out how she can have the uber successful career as a magazine editor and be a good mother. She’s faced with unsympathetic bosses, women who project the perfect mother image, problems with breast feeding and wondering when Pippa will finally sleep through the night so she can get a decent night of sleep herself.
This story was wickedly hilarious, deeply heartfelt and completely relatable. Georgie isn’t the first woman to walk this path and she certainly won’t be the last but her observations were highly intuitive and perfectly applicable to the times we are living in. I loved the interpersonal relationships George has and the changes having a baby brings to her life and felt a lot of empathy for her.
The story is highly character and relationship driven and the author does a wonderful job of creating characters the reader will absolutely adore. Additionally, the audiobook format narrated by Lucy Goleby was stellar. Her performance and delivery of the numerous character’s dialogue really illustrates the various personalities in this story and made the reading experience of this book even better. I really hope this author writes more because the experience of meeting Georgie and tagging along on this unexpected adventure is well worth the price of admission.
My Final Verdict: I highly recommend this book to readers who love women’s fiction mixed with humor and filled with characters and situations that we all can relate to.
Thank you to the publisher, Legend Press, who provided an advance reader copy of this book via NetGalley.
This story was wickedly hilarious, deeply heartfelt and completely relatable. Georgie isn’t the first woman to walk this path and she certainly won’t be the last but her observations were highly intuitive and perfectly applicable to the times we are living in. I loved the interpersonal relationships George has and the changes having a baby brings to her life and felt a lot of empathy for her.
The story is highly character and relationship driven and the author does a wonderful job of creating characters the reader will absolutely adore. Additionally, the audiobook format narrated by Lucy Goleby was stellar. Her performance and delivery of the numerous character’s dialogue really illustrates the various personalities in this story and made the reading experience of this book even better. I really hope this author writes more because the experience of meeting Georgie and tagging along on this unexpected adventure is well worth the price of admission.
My Final Verdict: I highly recommend this book to readers who love women’s fiction mixed with humor and filled with characters and situations that we all can relate to.
Thank you to the publisher, Legend Press, who provided an advance reader copy of this book via NetGalley.
April 22, 2019
‘There is life before and after a baby’, says the author and I think everybody can wholeheartedly agree with that. You have seen other people’s children or did some babysitting, but in those cases you could always give the kids back to their parents after a short period of time. There are lightyears between that and having your own little ones.
You love them, of course, but sometimes you do wish you have a magic wand and could make them disappear for a while. You never imagined how much work they are, but they also bring a lot of joy.
Every mum should be able to make a choice : does she or does she not want to stay at home with her kids. It’s not because you go out to work that you do not love them, but it’s also true you miss out on a lot of little ‘first time’ things.
Whilst reading this book I often had to laugh because the author really has the knack for describing situations in a very funny way. It are situations I recognized and at the time you felt sometimes more like crying than smiling, but now the memory puts a smile on your face and you are like : ‘Yes, that happened to me too!’. The story is so real, it seems like you read parts of your own life as a new mum.
Going out to work does not make you a bad mum, staying at home does not make you a better mum. Choose what you feel the most confortable with and you will find a solution for everything. Happy mum makes happy baby.
If you are in the mood for a laugh, love and friendship, you are in for a treat. 5 stars.
Thank you, Lauren Sams and Legend Press.
https://bforbookreview.wordpress.com
You love them, of course, but sometimes you do wish you have a magic wand and could make them disappear for a while. You never imagined how much work they are, but they also bring a lot of joy.
Every mum should be able to make a choice : does she or does she not want to stay at home with her kids. It’s not because you go out to work that you do not love them, but it’s also true you miss out on a lot of little ‘first time’ things.
Whilst reading this book I often had to laugh because the author really has the knack for describing situations in a very funny way. It are situations I recognized and at the time you felt sometimes more like crying than smiling, but now the memory puts a smile on your face and you are like : ‘Yes, that happened to me too!’. The story is so real, it seems like you read parts of your own life as a new mum.
Going out to work does not make you a bad mum, staying at home does not make you a better mum. Choose what you feel the most confortable with and you will find a solution for everything. Happy mum makes happy baby.
If you are in the mood for a laugh, love and friendship, you are in for a treat. 5 stars.
Thank you, Lauren Sams and Legend Press.
https://bforbookreview.wordpress.com
April 1, 2019
I was delighted to read the follow up to She’s Having Her Baby and once again Sams delivers a cute read with the likeable Georgie and Nina. This time we follow Georgie in life after having her baby and the stresses that come from juggling work with motherhood.
To be perfectly honest, I did not find this book as funny as its predecessor. I did chuckle at times, but did not laugh out loud like before. I think this is because the writer is encapsulating the hardships of new motherhood and I could really relate to the predicaments that Georgie experiences. If you have ever wondered how you could manage work with motherhood, then Sams personifies it this novel, trying to make a distressing issue for many, lighthearted and fun. You find yourself totally sympathising (some readers may even empathise,) with Georgie as she struggles with her emotions at leaving her six month baby to return to a full-time job. Needing the money, Georgie agonises over trying to get a speedy routine together to get her to work on time, whilst perpetually questioning the bond she has with her daughter and her fitness as a mother.
It is these issues and Georgie’s desperation to meet everyone’s expectations, that really pulled on my heartstrings. I recognised many emotions that I too had experienced as a mother, and desperately wanted to tell Georgie that everything was going to be ok. The writer covers so many areas that new mums would understand and relate to and I think, for me, this lessened the comedic value of the plot.
Georgie and Nina’s friendship continues to be present in this story, with the new characters of Meredith and Neil. The warmth that radiates through this story shows that Georgie does have a support network and that Meredith’s demands are totally unrealistic and unreasonable. A caricature of a demanding boss, Meredith combines many archaic traits that would not be deemed acceptable in the workplace today. However, this stereotype probably combines what many women have been subjected to and the relentless pressure that comes with trying to juggle everything.
As I desired, everything came good at the closing of the novel. The way that Sams concludes this read made me feel that perhaps she will not be pursuing this series into a trilogy. I wonder whether a third book would be as original or creative, but I would love to catch up with Georgie, Nina and Pip once more.
I enjoyed the escapism that this novel provided and continued to love Georgie and Nina, despite everything that is thrown their way. Still reminding me very much of Sophie Kinsella, it would be great to see what this writer produces next.
I received a free copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review. With thanks to everyone at Legend Press and Lauren Sams for allowing me to participate in this blog tour.
To be perfectly honest, I did not find this book as funny as its predecessor. I did chuckle at times, but did not laugh out loud like before. I think this is because the writer is encapsulating the hardships of new motherhood and I could really relate to the predicaments that Georgie experiences. If you have ever wondered how you could manage work with motherhood, then Sams personifies it this novel, trying to make a distressing issue for many, lighthearted and fun. You find yourself totally sympathising (some readers may even empathise,) with Georgie as she struggles with her emotions at leaving her six month baby to return to a full-time job. Needing the money, Georgie agonises over trying to get a speedy routine together to get her to work on time, whilst perpetually questioning the bond she has with her daughter and her fitness as a mother.
It is these issues and Georgie’s desperation to meet everyone’s expectations, that really pulled on my heartstrings. I recognised many emotions that I too had experienced as a mother, and desperately wanted to tell Georgie that everything was going to be ok. The writer covers so many areas that new mums would understand and relate to and I think, for me, this lessened the comedic value of the plot.
Georgie and Nina’s friendship continues to be present in this story, with the new characters of Meredith and Neil. The warmth that radiates through this story shows that Georgie does have a support network and that Meredith’s demands are totally unrealistic and unreasonable. A caricature of a demanding boss, Meredith combines many archaic traits that would not be deemed acceptable in the workplace today. However, this stereotype probably combines what many women have been subjected to and the relentless pressure that comes with trying to juggle everything.
As I desired, everything came good at the closing of the novel. The way that Sams concludes this read made me feel that perhaps she will not be pursuing this series into a trilogy. I wonder whether a third book would be as original or creative, but I would love to catch up with Georgie, Nina and Pip once more.
I enjoyed the escapism that this novel provided and continued to love Georgie and Nina, despite everything that is thrown their way. Still reminding me very much of Sophie Kinsella, it would be great to see what this writer produces next.
I received a free copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review. With thanks to everyone at Legend Press and Lauren Sams for allowing me to participate in this blog tour.
March 26, 2019
Women's contemporary fiction are usually a hit and miss for me, but this book was absolutely hilarious, entertaining AND had a simple, but important message to tell.
I found myself more than a few times laugh out loud. The humor is great and I can highly recommend this to any mother-to-be or already mum.
This book was better than the latest Sophie Kinsella or Kasey West books. Hands down.
I will be keeping an eye out for more of this author.
Thank you so much Netgalley. This was a treat.
I found myself more than a few times laugh out loud. The humor is great and I can highly recommend this to any mother-to-be or already mum.
This book was better than the latest Sophie Kinsella or Kasey West books. Hands down.
I will be keeping an eye out for more of this author.
Thank you so much Netgalley. This was a treat.
July 19, 2019
I loved this book! And now reading that this was a sequel - I'm going to have to find the first one immediately!
This book speaks to my mommy-lit soul. For any working mom who has struggled with any type of guilt, to try and be everything to everyone and losing themselves in the process, this book is for you.
In this story, we meet single mom Georgie, who has just had a baby and has now returned to work as an editor of a magazine. We see the struggle to maintain the work-life balance while also trying to date and maintain her friendships that may be crumbling around her. And how can she be the best mom she can be when her phone won't stop ringing with her boss on the line?
This book will speak to parents of any kind (single, in a relationship, etc). It was a fast read that I would classify as a great "beach read!" And if you listen to the audio book, you get the added bonus of an Australian accent!
I received this e-book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
This book speaks to my mommy-lit soul. For any working mom who has struggled with any type of guilt, to try and be everything to everyone and losing themselves in the process, this book is for you.
In this story, we meet single mom Georgie, who has just had a baby and has now returned to work as an editor of a magazine. We see the struggle to maintain the work-life balance while also trying to date and maintain her friendships that may be crumbling around her. And how can she be the best mom she can be when her phone won't stop ringing with her boss on the line?
This book will speak to parents of any kind (single, in a relationship, etc). It was a fast read that I would classify as a great "beach read!" And if you listen to the audio book, you get the added bonus of an Australian accent!
I received this e-book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
April 23, 2019
While I admit, I'm older than the target reader (my kid's 19!) I still am a sucker for books with newborns and the struggle with being a mom - I remember these days like they were yesterday. The struggle of balancing being a mom with a full time job - its so real and everyone's story deserved to be heard.
George is adorable, if not a little pigheaded and determined to do so much on her own. I'm glad she pulls her head out towards the end and creates the village she needs to stay sane. I would have loved to see a little more of the romance aspect of the book than just recap at the end...
And shout out to the Wiggles - I'm glad to know they're still an Australian institution!! My daughter was in LOVE with them - and Anthony was pretty hot when she was 3...but my favorite was Captain Feathersword - is he still around?????
George is adorable, if not a little pigheaded and determined to do so much on her own. I'm glad she pulls her head out towards the end and creates the village she needs to stay sane. I would have loved to see a little more of the romance aspect of the book than just recap at the end...
And shout out to the Wiggles - I'm glad to know they're still an Australian institution!! My daughter was in LOVE with them - and Anthony was pretty hot when she was 3...but my favorite was Captain Feathersword - is he still around?????
April 3, 2019
Crazy Busy Guilty by @laurenssams
Published by @legendpress
This book is a woman fiction yet it could be written by any mother. It is so realistic.
Trying to maintain a job with motherhood and juggling life in general is so so hard.
This is an emotional, very real and honest book.- A great read and a must for an book collection. 🌟🌟🌟🌟 #crazybusyguilty #legendpress #laurensams #bookcommunity #bookstagrammer #ilovetoreadbooks #bookreviews #bookblogtour #gifted #reading #booknerd #booklover #booksbooksandmorebooks #readersofinstagram #lovetoread #literatureisbeautiful #greatread #bookbloggerslife #bookreviewer #livingthedream
April 4, 2019
*** I received an advanced e-copy from Net Galley in exchange for my honest review
Georgie is a young singe mom struggling with the work/home balance. Wherever she is, she feels pulled to be the other place. Her boss is horrible and unrelenting; half the time she doesn't even seem to remember Georgie has a baby. When Georgie has a breakdown while interviewing someone, she realizes she needs to re-think her priorities and make some changes.
This book was a lot of fun. I think anyone who has ever been a new mom will be able to empathize and laugh along with Georgie. Perfect for lovers of chick lit, and all moms out there.
Georgie is a young singe mom struggling with the work/home balance. Wherever she is, she feels pulled to be the other place. Her boss is horrible and unrelenting; half the time she doesn't even seem to remember Georgie has a baby. When Georgie has a breakdown while interviewing someone, she realizes she needs to re-think her priorities and make some changes.
This book was a lot of fun. I think anyone who has ever been a new mom will be able to empathize and laugh along with Georgie. Perfect for lovers of chick lit, and all moms out there.
April 5, 2019
I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for letting me read this book.
The most standout thing about this book is how real it is. The struggle with juggling both kids and career is difficult and the author raised some thoughts I’d had myself many a time. The quote about life before baby and life after baby is so true. This book was entertaining, honest and very easy to read. I was sad about the friendship deteriorating however that was realistic also unfortunately. It’s very hard to have it all.
The most standout thing about this book is how real it is. The struggle with juggling both kids and career is difficult and the author raised some thoughts I’d had myself many a time. The quote about life before baby and life after baby is so true. This book was entertaining, honest and very easy to read. I was sad about the friendship deteriorating however that was realistic also unfortunately. It’s very hard to have it all.
March 30, 2019
In a follow up to She’s Having Her Baby, Georgie us trying to juggle a work life balance along with raising her daughter Pip.
As she returns to the workforce her boss SEEMED perfect. Throughout the book, her boss Meredith seems more like Miranda Priestly from Devil Wears Prada.
As she returns to the workforce her boss SEEMED perfect. Throughout the book, her boss Meredith seems more like Miranda Priestly from Devil Wears Prada.
August 18, 2022
I can definitely relate as a mom chasing a career but still trying to be a good mom. I really like the flow of the story; the realization, revelation and the relationship of the characters.
I liked the character development towards the end.
I liked the character development towards the end.
April 14, 2019
Crazy, Busy, Guilty is the sequel to the hilarious and relatable book She’s Having Her Baby by Lauren Sams. The novel is again focused on protagonist Georgia who, now with a six-month-old baby, must navigate her new life while trying her best to remain... read the full review here: https://www.amybucklesbookshelf.co.uk...
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews