The Rollercoaster Year is the diary of Jill, an apparently ordinary middle-aged woman, a kind of ‘everywoman’ juggling work as a graphic designer and her roles as wife, mother, housekeeper and household drudge. The book is an account, in diary form, of her inner world and what happens to her when she decides to take a year off work to rethink her life. Slowly but surely, she discovers her own creative abilities, learns to value herself more and starts to spread her wings. This is an engrossing read—lively, amusing and totally credible. Hester Thomas’ writing is all the more skilful for its apparent effortlessness. She has a gift for writing conversations which seem natural, her characters are sometimes quirky, sometimes interesting, and always convincing and the plot has many inventive twists. Entertaining, thoughtful and optimistic : I recommend this book. Martha Leigh

Whether this is your world or not, you will be drawn in to the everyday extraordinary of Jill’s life. As she sets off to find purpose though study and a series of new encounters and opportunities, you become her intimate friend through her diary as she finds a new version of herself. It is also very funny. Much has been said about the imbalance within the marriages of professional people where one partner has a career that consumes the career of the other. This book allows you to feel what that is like. Although Jill has decided to have a year off, that is only half true, in this story her stressed professional life is abandoned while her responsibilities as a mother and manager for the house, as well as wife to George continue as before, occupying a great deal of her time. Rather than seeing the rewards and maturity of a long career she is back at the beginning, studying, being interviewed and carving out a new professional identity again. Many women will see parallels as Jill works, deals with family and elderly relatives and suffers the grief of a cherished child leaving home. The humour and wit of her labours and efforts, and the joy of success both small and significant in finding new friends and a new career in an art gallery provide hope to anyone who has juggled their way to this turning point.

Hester Thomas skilfully creates characters you care about when reading this book. I enjoyed it very much. Whilst touching on several core issues of female identity towards the end of active parenthood, it remains a comforting read throughout, and all ends well.

Everyone knows someone like Jill Baxter, many will identify with her, but few could tell her story with such wit and wisdom. It’s not only Jill who is in for a rollercoaster year. Readers should be prepared to feel her joyful highlights and her deep disappointments, but they should also sit back and relish Hester Thomas’ biting yet touching observations of family life.

Buckle up and brace yourself for a rollercoaster ride through a year in the life of Jill Baxter. Jill feels like flesh and blood, thanks to the author's skillful writing. You care about her; you want her to be happy. You share her triumphs and frustrations as she juggles her many commitments, whilst trying to find space for herself. Beautifully written, The Rollercoaster Year will bring a tear to your eye one moment and make you laugh out loud the next!