An utterly entertaining read

183 Times A Year is a wonderful debut novel from Eva Jordan. It is a believable and relatable book about the fraught relationship between a mother and her teenage kids. I love how the story is told from a parent/adult and a teenage aspect. The dialogue flits between the two main characters, and the impact is remarkably funny. It definitely connects with a ‘typical’ family and the ups and downs of everyday life. I was deeply surprised by an unexpected heart-wrenching twist to the story that proves, that no matter what conflict exists between parents and teens, they really do love and care for each other. I certainly recommend 183 Times A Year for a good light-hearted read. 5 stars. Alison Waterfield

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Beautiful, funny and poignant

I always say that a good book is one which makes you laugh and cry. This book did just that. I was expecting a fluffy tale about the fragile bond between mother and teenage daughter but I was pleasantly surprised to read a story with real depth.
I absolutely adore Lizzie, her views resonate with my own. I think she’d be a lovely friend to have!
5 stars from me. Aisha Hussain

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Think Lizzie stole my life

Is a sign of a truly good book when you openly sob in public on the bus and do not care.

This is a modern and totally honest story of a mother and daughter relationship, so honest in fact I think Lizzie could be me – even down to where she works. There is not one chapter that did not make me laugh or cry, I was completely absorbed in it.

Shocked to discover this is a debut novel, so well done Eva Jordan for distracting me from my usual psych thrillers.” Battyaboutbooks

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Hilarious and heart warming

“I really loved this. I needed a break from all the doom and gloom in the books I usually favor and this was perfect. I laughed out loud several times and had a hard time putting it down. I cried too. You really get to know the characters and feel for them. Even though I’m getting to the age where I roll my eyes at some things the teenagers in the books do!
Lizzie is the mother to what she accurately states Americans call “a blended family”. She has a teenage daughter, Cassie, and a young boy called Connor. Having divorced her first husband, she found a man named Simon who has a teenage girl of his own, only slightly older than Cassie named Maisy. This book portrays the tremulous relationships between teenagers and their parents… the slammed doors, stress, fights, and unappreciative children… along with the loving moments that make the whole thing worthwhile. Lizzie soaks in the sweet, uncomplicated love and affection she gets from Connor while knowing that when his teenage years hit, he’s likely to be as much trouble as the young ladies of the house. It’s very honest from the first line of the book. They’re not perfect and they don’t pretend to be. When tragedy strikes the family, it could bring them closer and solidly their relationships with each other or tear them apart. You have to appreciate what you have… because you won’t have it forever. This book is a really emotional, enjoyable story and I’m glad I had the opportunity to read it.” Rexy
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Wonderfully crafted debut novel of family life

“The trials and tribulations of family life are all captured beautifully within the pages of 183 Times a Year the debut novel by Eva Jordan. Look closely at the title and you may wonder what lies beneath the title of the book, apparently it is the amount of times a teenage girl will argue with her mother. Now I don’t know if this is a scientifically proven fact but I am sure there are mums out there who will actually think it could well be higher than 183 times a year.

Lizzie is a hard working mother, with a teenage daughter Cassie and a younger son Connor from her first marriage but now re-married her second husband has brought into the family fold his daughter Maisy, Connor seems to be the only child in the family who has a sense of balance but is that because he has not reached the dreaded teen years yet!

Jordan has written the perfect plot for what at first comes across as a dysfunctional family unit with Lizzie’s first husband not in the slightest bit interested in her new husband’s family, so Cassie vents most of the time at anything and most things, there is contained in the story some incredible wit and humour but most of all there is poignant. Each character has been carefully written into the story that reads like the perfect west end stage play as we the reader are invited into the family and watch every drama being played out. The mother/daughter relationship is one that will I am sure will resonate across the country as Cassie throws her toys out of the pram at every turn. I adored Lizzie the mother as she copes with everything that is being thrown at her from all angles and still manages some great humour along the way. Don’t get me wrong there are times as you read through there will be tears as well as laughter.

With Connor at times he was just confused and perplexed at the daily rantings between he sister and step sister you really felt for him at times as he tried to make sense of his family life often there for his mum with a hug and a ‘I love you mum.’ As I read through the first part of the story I just had this feeling we were being led down a path towards something more serious and this plays out as you become deeper into this truly outstanding debut. I am not going to give anything away apart from just how the family bond becomes strong and pulls together, some of the most poignant words spoken come at the end on the story that just fills your heart with hope for the future.

183 Times a Year is an emotional roller-coaster of a ride that details family life contained within 368 pages and is beautifully written debut novel from Eva Jordan that should appeal to men not just women. There are some very emotive comments contained within the story many will ring true for every reader. A highly enjoyable read.” John Fish

“From the opening pages of this wonderful book I knew I was about to read something special…To be able to write from such different perspectives is an amazing feat and I urge you to head over to Amazon to read 183 Times a Year for yourself, then tell your Mam/Mum/Mom/Mother that you love and appreciate her.  Thank you Eva, this wonderful debut novel is such a candid account of family life that we can all relate to.  Be prepared to laugh and to cry, this book is so full of surprises that it’s worth reading all over again.  An absolutely astonishing, thought provoking, hilarious and life affirming debut novel.”

By Michelle Ryles at The Book Magnet

http://thebookmagnet.blogspot.co.uk/2015/10/183-times-year-eva-jordan.html

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A novel that every adult and teen should read

“This is a novel that every adult and teen should read. I think it would give both age groups a better understanding of each other. More than anything though the author has captured 100% the whole family life as it is in the modern day. It truly is a wonderful book that really is a must read.”

By Sarah Hardy at bytheletterbookreviews

https://bytheletterbookreviews.wordpress.com/2015/11/13/183-times-a-year-by-eva-Jordan/

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