Joe is the central character, and although he's fond of his dad, he can see why his mum chucks him out. Dad can't cook or clean and is basically useless. But Joe and his sister Claire want to be a happy family again, so they devise a plan to get their parents back together. Of course, this is all complicated when their mum starts seeing a new guy...
This is a good, funny read - it kept my attention even if I did find the characters a little two-dimensional at times. But then it doesn't set out to break the mould or anything - it's reassuring, even though the ending isn't too pat. And there are some genuinely funny situations, like Joe's birthday party, which made me smile. I thought some of the dialogue was a little stilted (and sometimes the children sounded far too grown up, particularly Claire) but the book is pacy and engaging. Great for the 8-12s.
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