Why Mummy Drinks at Christmas

‘I romped through ‘Why Mummy Drinks at Christmas’, and I absolutely adored it’ – Jilly Cooper Tis’ the season to get trollied! Mummy has always loved Christmas. Sure, the kids turn into demons, the dinner gets burnt to a crisp and Aunt Louisa’s general staggering inappropriateness sends Mummy reaching for the nearest maximum-strength festive tipple, but nevertheless, for her, Christmas is always special. This year, she wants nothing more than to perfectly fig up the pudding and sit by the fire reading aloud from A Christmas Carol to a rapt, rosy-cheeked audience. But, just like all Mummy’s best-laid plans, this year’s Festive Vision is in danger of being totally derailed by her chaotic family. There’s not much chance of any action under the mistletoe, and the kids are just not playing ball. Can Mummy find her silver lining after all and bring the whole family together for one moment of harmony, so they can finally proclaim ‘Verily You Are the Queen of Christmas’? Or should she get stuck into the festive spirits and just let it all go? In this humorous and biographical fiction, Gill Sims, the Sunday Times bestselling author, brings to life the chaotic yet endearing reality of family life during the festive season. The top-notch narrative explores the complexities of marriage, friendship, and the inevitable divorce, all wrapped up in the spirit of Christmas. For fans of Alexandra Potter (More Confessions of a Forty-Something F**k Up), Kristen Bailey (Great Sexpectations), Sophie Kinsella (What Does it Feel Like?), Anna Jefferson (Winging It), and Sebastian Fitzek (The Package). HarperCollins 2023