Am I Allergic to Men? (Callaghan Sisters #5) by Kristen Bailey

ABOUT THE BOOK

You think you’ve got it bad? I lost my memory, I’m so single I’ve basically got an allergy to men, and my own cat despises me.

‘Lucy! If you can hear me, squeeze my hand!’ That’s the first thing I hear when I wake up in hospital. Then my sister drops a bombshell: I’ve been in a coma.

It gets worse. In my head, it’s 2009 and I’m seventeen. Somehow, I need to remember the last decade…

Plan A: Track down my exes. Highlights include a one-night stand with someone in a Batman costume, and balcony sex that gave the neighbours a nervous breakdown.
Plan B: Get flirty. Lowlights include a fling with someone hairier than a yeti.
Plan C: Figure out why I have more exes than underwear. Am I allergic to men?

As I piece together my past, I find a mysterious note: Oscar, 9th February. Determined to work out what it means, I uncover a secret I’ve been hiding from everyone.

When the truth comes out, will my memory return? Will I get my life back? And will I ever find the cure to my singledom?

MY REVIEW

I couldn’t wait for Lucy’s story considering she is the fearless funny Callaghan sister and it didn’t disappoint. In fact, she tried to take on a bus and lost her memory. Reverting back 12 years to the age of seventeen, Lucy discovers cellphones, sexting, and who the mysterious Oscar is.

Lucy’s 17-year-old self is overwhelmed trying to find and understand her 30-year-old self by going along with her sisters’ good intentions to jog her memory. From going back to her old school and confronting her bitchy headteacher Mrs. Willett to meeting her interesting flatmates, her loveable actor co-workers and friends, and her wanker exes. What she discovers is her love and thankfulness of her wonderfully supportive family including her four sisters, her Mum and Dad, and her 9 nieces and nephews.

Lucy shows us her vulnerable side as she struggles to get her memory back. What we find is that she is courageous, she’s a free spirit, she pulverizes bullies and she lives life to the fullest. She’s inappropriate but hilarious. She’s a talented actor, dancer, and the best Aunty ever. But most of all she would lay down her life for her family as they would do for her. After all, who clashes and crashes better than the incredible Callaghan family? The whole slide armageddon at the park is priceless. And what says love more than a mum replacing all of her adult daughters’ ratty knickers. LOL moments galore!!!!

I also appreciate the great send-off with the epilogue updating us on the Callaghan’s futures. I will miss this whacky family with their unconditional love and their incredible hearts.

I absolutely adore this insightful and memorable series. If you love heartwarming family dynamics and hilarious hijinks, please pick up this wonderful series. It won’t disappoint. See my other reviews for Kristen Bailey under my Author Directory.

Thank you to Ms. Bailey for giving me the opportunity to read this book with no expectation of a positive review.

Callaghan Sisters Series

1. Has Anyone Seen My Sex Life? (2020) – My review
   2. Can I Give My Husband Back? (2020) – My review
   3. Did My Love Life Shrink in the Wash? (2021) – My review
   4. How Much Wine Will Fix My Broken Heart? (2021) – My review
   5. Am I Allergic to Men? (2022)

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Mother-of-four, gin-drinker, binge-watcher, receipt hoarder, enthusiastic but terrible cook. Kristen also writes. She has had short fiction published in several publications including Mslexia & Riptide. Her first two novels, Souper Mum and Second Helpings were published in 2016. In 2019, she was long listed in the Comedy Women in Print Prize and has since joined the Bookouture family. She writes women’s fiction and she hopes her novels have fresh and funny things to say about modern life, love and family.