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  • Confessions of a Forty-Something F--k Up

  • By: Alexandra Potter
  • Narrated by: Sally Phillips
  • Length: 11 hrs and 53 mins
  • 4.6 out of 5 stars (1,833 ratings)

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Confessions of a Forty-Something F--k Up cover art

Confessions of a Forty-Something F--k Up

By: Alexandra Potter
Narrated by: Sally Phillips
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Summary

Hilariously read by Sally Phillips, star of Smack the Pony, Bridget Jones Diary and Miranda - Confessions of a Forty-Something F--k Up is a must-listen for anyone whose life isn’t working out quite how they’d planned.

Now a major TV series: Not Dead Yet, starring Gina Rogriguez (Jane the Virgin), Hannah Simone (New Girl) and Lauren Ash (Superstore).

Nell Stevens’ life is a mess. When her business goes bust and her fiancé with it, Nell’s happy ever after in California falls apart and she moves back to London to start over. But a lot has changed since she’s been gone. All her single friends are now married with children, sky-high rents force her to rent a room in a stranger’s house and in a world of perfect Instagram lives, she feels like a f--k up. Even worse, a forty-something f--k up.

But when she lands a job writing obituaries, Nell meets the fabulous Cricket, an eighty-something widow with challenges of her own, and they strike up an unlikely friendship. Together they begin to help each other heal their aching hearts, cope with the loss of the lives they had planned, and push each other into new adventures and unexpected joys.

Because Nell is determined. Next year things are going to be very different. It’s time to turn her life around.

A book for anyone who’s ever worried life isn’t going to plan, Confessions of a Forty-Something F--k Up by Alexandra Potter will make you laugh and it might even make you cry. But most importantly, it will remind you that you’re not alone, because we’re all in this together.

©2020 Alexandra Potter (P)2020 Macmillan Publishers International Ltd

Critic reviews

The new Bridget Jones for our Covid-ridden times (Celia Walden, Telegraph)
Brilliant! Laughing out loud (Emma Gannon)
Feistily funny . . . and so relatable (Fabulous magazine, The Sun on Sunday)

What listeners say about Confessions of a Forty-Something F--k Up

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I had my doubts ... but it’s just well written 👍🏽

I’m a 40 something bloke from the U.K. stuck in lockdown in Afghanistan! I listen to a book a week but never really post. 5mins in I thought this is a chick flick I’ve wasted my money, I’m so glad I stuck with it. I now know about cricket and monty, Fiona and the rest of the crew. A well written yarn filled with smiles, and nodding agreement even a tear of two. Brilliant stuff. 😉

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50 people found this helpful

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A must read for every woman

The most uplifting, joy-provoking book I’ve listened to after this incredibly difficult year. If you feel you’ve singlehandedly messed up your life- it makes you feel very much not alone.

The Narration by Sally Phillips is stunning- funny, sad and able to penetrate even the most depressed soul.

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17 people found this helpful

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Absolutely loved it!

Absolutely loved this book. Could not stop listening - reminded me a bit of Bridget Jones but excellent story! Both laughed and cried whilst listening.

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13 people found this helpful

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A relatable funny book

Loved this from start to finish, I now don't feel like such a forty something f**k up as I did before!

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10 people found this helpful

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Loved it!

As a single woman in my 40’s who has never married (yet!) or had children I loved this book! Very funny, well written and insightful and was truly brought to life by Sally Phillips as the narrator.

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Absolutely a great listen!

Sally Phillips really made it such addictive listening! Absolutely love her voice!
Very relatable to so many, an inspiration and so funny too! A must read! Great book!

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6 people found this helpful

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Dull and boring

Unlikeable central character. None of the characters have any depth. Middle class whining. Gave up after a couple of hours. Wanted to return it but Audible don't accept returns for paid for books, only those bought with a credit.

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5 people found this helpful

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Love it couldn’t put it down

I really enjoyed this book found myself laughing out loud to it
This is a keeper which I find I read again

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brilliantly relatable

Brilliantly relatable, likeable characters and really well performed. I absolutely loved it! would recommend to any woman in this age range.

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A book you can relate with!

I absolutely loved this book and for some escapement from the current situation it was just what I needed!
I laughed...cried and can defo recommend it!

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  • Lucy Magee
  • 05-01-22

Just what I needed!

This book has literally given me back my hope! I am a self confessed 30 something fk up - a starving artist about to be divorced & moving back to Ireland after living in California for the last 7 years! I felt like such a failure but after reading this book I feel like there is hope.. & some beauty & inspiration even in my life & my story! I am so grateful I came across this book & I even cried when it was over!!! Thank you for this! Lucy xox

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6 people found this helpful

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  • Colleen Cahoon
  • 25-10-21

Funny relatable and enjoyable

loved it. the narrator did a fantastic job. I laughed, I cried and related to it!

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3 people found this helpful

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  • Amanda
  • 10-10-21

Did not want it to end!

I stumbled upon this book accidently and am so glad I did. The writing and narration were perfect. It made me laugh out loud. I love Nell and Cricket and wanted to remain in their world! What an unexpected gem of a listen this was. highly recommend.

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3 people found this helpful

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  • DesertRatCityMouse
  • 29-09-22

Great fun!

This audiobook was a lot of fun and so relatable. I thoroughly enjoyed both the story and the performance. I normally listen to classics or police procedurals, but was intrigued by the title because I happened to be feeling a bit like a forty-something f**k up. I laughed, smiled, and empathized with the characters (I hope to become Cricket one day). I’m glad I took a chance. Thank you, Ms. Potter, for the creativity and bravery!

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2 people found this helpful

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  • Lu.ferg
  • 01-06-21

Inspirational without pressure

I absolutely felt every word on a deep level being that I too am as the title eloquently states a 40 somthing fkUp , but now I realize I am not alone and it's never too late to be what you might've been .

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  • Jennifer
  • 11-10-22

Wonderful Listen

The narrator performance was extremely lovely. There were moments where it even caused me to tear up. The emotion in the voice was phenomenal.
The plot of the story is interesting. It helps put life into certain perspective that one often forgets about. It’s also quite modern with the topics it talks about. I try to keep the review vogue so that I don’t spoil anything for future me listeners/readers.

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1 person found this helpful

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  • Shira
  • 25-09-22

Great narration, laugh aloud at times

Enjoyable. The narrator does the novel justice. If you like Bridgette Jones Diary, check this one out.

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1 person found this helpful

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  • DNK
  • 19-09-22

Loved it

This book felt like listening to a funny friend talk about our lives. I wondered if someone had been following me around and taking notes. I loved it!

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1 person found this helpful

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    3 out of 5 stars
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  • janet b.
  • 07-12-21

LOUD/low/LOUD/low

I'm at chapter 18 and would enjoy this story except that the volume goes from almost silent to too loud so I am constantly adjusting the volume up and down. I may have to stop listening to this story because of that - even if I wished to continue - don't want all this bothering over volume levels.

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  • Linda Sirianni
  • 08-07-23

Laugh out loud with heart

If you are in your forties — you will relate to this no matter where you are in life.

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