Conville & Walsh

‘Why are we hiding behind the washing?’ At first Jack thinks me crazy. That this is just another of my moments when I say: ‘I know, let’s...’ but then his face slowly fills with dread. ‘I’m scared,’ he says, ‘you’re making me feel scared...’

One single mother, numerous wayward lovers, and a very persistent son – Maria Roberts is on the verge of falling in love, and falling apart. She hadn’t seen her son’s father, Damien, since he viciously attacked her seven years ago. Now Damien has made an unwanted appearance just as boyfriend du jour, Ifan, moves into her home.

Maria is all set to rewrite her life as ‘happy ever after’, but nothing goes to plan. Earth is in the unwieldy grip of climate change and eco-warrior Ifan is determined to save it – at the same time as he ruins Maria’s life. Then there is her son Jack, who insists upon his right to see his daddy, Damien – no matter what. Adding weight to the tightrope, Ifan is adamant they have a non-monogamous relationship. As twenty-nine year-old Maria chases towards thirty, she falls in love with 1… 2… 3… 4… is it even possible to love four men? Can a woman have more men on the go than pairs of shoes?

So it’s all a bit of mess, with heartbreaking and unexpected consequences.

Self-deprecating humour makes this memoir a seductive and highly commercial read. Set in Manchester and London, and blending moments of darkness with comedy and love, the story charts the hardship of being a single mother and the sadness of a nine-year old boy growing up without his father. SINGLE MOTHER ON THE VERGE will appeal to fans of Bridget Jones, How to Be Good, and Don’t Let’s Go to the Dogs Tonight.