'Brilliantly witty and marvellously observed...' Cathy Kelly

'It's just a phase,' they said. 'These are the happiest years of your life,' they said...

Mother of one and professional writer Saoirse (pronounced Seersha, not Searcy - thanks a bunch Game of Thrones!) is still adjusting to the demands of motherhood, four years after the birth of her daughter, Anna.

Living in the claustrophobic London suburb of Woodvale, and being surrounded by passive-aggressive mum-wars, isn't helping. Neither is her increasingly pent-up anger at her once-perfect husband. Her only comrade in arms, best friend Bea, is the one thing keeping her sane.

When Saoirse's agent asks her to pitch for a book, she is horrified to discover the topic is motherhood. How can she possibly write a 'warts and all' account of being a mother without giving away what it's really like?

Laugh-out-loud funny, painfully well-observed, but with an unmistakable warmth and unforgettable characters, this is the perfect read for anyone who desperately needs a break! The novel may or may not have been inspired by real life... For fans of Motherland!

Praise for Emma Murray:

'Emma Murray's Time Out is a brilliantly witty and marvellously observed novel about young motherhood when there's always someone ready to tell you that you're doing it all wrong.' Cathy Kelly

'Emma tells it how it is with real honesty, and it made me laugh out loud.' Janet Hoggarth

'Witty, fun, beautifully-written. Very highly recommended. Excited to see what comes next from Emma Murray.' Jessica Redland

What readers are saying about Time Out:

'Time Out was exactly what I needed right now, it's Hilarious, Witty, Brilliantly Written, Authentic, Compelling, Uplifting and so very relatable.The characters are superbly written, and I really hope we get to read more from Saoirse.'

'This book is a reminder of the importance of a support system: old friends, new friends, parents, and sometimes even a kind word from a stranger.'

'I really related to the Saoirse, the main character in this book. I loved her humour, her insecurities, her strengths, her flaws and of course most importantly how she formed a fantastic friendship over a morning bottle of Prosecco.'

'Emma Murray has written a 5-star 'how-to' book on being part of the village ... 'it takes a village to raise a child' but it also takes that village to raise up a mom!'

'A fabulous read that had me hooked and also made me feel glad that my children were born prior to the arrival of Facebook and social media. But a refreshing read and one I would definitely recommend.'