Living My Best Li(f)e by Claire Frost

Today I am so happy to be part of the blog tour for Living My Best Li(f)e by Claire Frost.

Thank you so much to Anne Cater from Random Things Tours, SimonSchusterUK and the author for a copy of the book, which I have reviewed honestly.

Book Description

This heart-warming and funny novel is the perfect balm for the
Insta-weary mind – get ready to shatter the illusion that is
#LivingMyBestLife.
Bell never thought she’d be facing her 40th birthday single.
Recently dumped by her boyfriend of ten years, she’s struggling
to move on with her life – and surrender the fleecy pyjamas she’s
been living in since January. Sick of being bombarded by #blessed
on social media and feeling like her life doesn’t live up to
everyone else’s, she decides it’s time for a change; time to find
out who she really is, not who she thinks she should be.
Millie is a successful online influencer posting under the handle
@mi_bestlife, but as a single mum trying to make ends meet and stay ahead of the younger generation snapping at her heels, her Instagram feed is far more #BestLie than #BestLife. With internet trolls attempting to bring her down and an ex who cares more about playing football than seeing their son, Millie begins to wish her life was
more like her filters.
It isn’t until Millie and Bell’s paths cross that the two women begin to realise what they’re missing. Will Bell finally learn to live life for herself? And will Millie see that she needs to start living for the moment and not for the likes?

Amazon Purchase Link

My Thoughts

I loved reading this refreshing new story about two very different women who meet by chance and go on to form a great friendship.

We first meet Bell when she is struggling to come to terms with the end of a long term relationship. Bell thought she had her whole life mapped out until she is suddenly dumped by her boyfriend. With her 40th birthday approaching fast Bell is encouraged by her friends to find a project and gain back her confidence. It is lovely to watch Bell blossom over the course of the book, she is relatable, kind and just the type of person you would love as a best friend.

Then there is Millie who is a social media influencer and single mum to Wolf (who is just adorable). Followers admire Millie for the glamourous photographs she posts of herself and her son. In actual fact, Millie’s life is far from how it is portrayed. She is hounded by trolls, struggling as a single parent and having trouble making ends meet.

The book highlights the effects of social media and the huge pressure that is placed on people to be @Insta Ready’  and to be ‘living your best life’. I loved the easy writing style and fresh, funny approach, which just makes you want to know more about Bell and Millie’s lives. This is an uplifting debut about friendship, community and having the courage to be yourself.

 

Author Bio

Claire Frost grew up in Manchester, the middle of three sisters. She always wanted to
do a job that involved writing, so after studying Classics at Bristol University she started
working in magazines. For the last 10 years she’s been at The Sun On Sunday’s Fabulous
magazine, where she is Assistant Editor and also responsible for the title’s book
reviews. She can mostly be found at her desk buried under a teetering TBR pile.

 

 

 

ADVANCE PRAISE FOR LIVING MY BEST LI(F)E:

‘A fun, fresh debut that manages to be both quirky and deep as it portrays today’s obsession with
social media against a joyous backdrop of friendship and community’
MILLY JOHNSON

‘A wonderfully refreshing read. We could all do with embracing a less filtered life – I loved it!’
HEIDI SWAIN

‘Frank, funny and fearless in her observations on friendship and the lies we tell ourselves and each
other, Claire Frost is a new voice to watch’
STACEY HALLS