I love how the title of this book ‘When it All Went to Custard’ is from a uniquely Kiwi saying and places the setting of the story squarely in rural New Zealand. When things ‘turn to custard’, it means that circumstances have become out of our control (despite best-laid plans) and there is an epic fail involved. It’s similar to the British ‘went pear-shaped’ term - originally RAF slang meaning a plan goes horribly wrong or failed. I prefer our ‘custard’ term as it really conveys the hopelessness of trying to control the situation - just visualise custard spilt all over the floor and trying to use your hands to scoop it up when your fingers are wide apart!

Jenny’s day isn’t going well, and then her usually reserved and grumpy neighbour Andrew arrives to announce he has just found her husband Dave in bed with his wife. Jenny is surprised to feel slightly relieved as the marriage wasn’t going that well anyway, but there are their two children to think of and the lease her and Dave have on her parent’s farm. Dave took care of the farm while she works part-time at the local council as a building control officer, juggling the workload by taking work home, helping on the farm, and running after a six and four year old.

Her life pretty much ‘turns to custard’ as Dave leaves, the farm helper turns out to have been neglecting his duties (and the animals!) and eventually does a moonlight flit, her retired Dad has to help out, her bewildered children try and cope with the changes, the farm is running at a loss, and Dave’s other extramarital affairs come to light. Then the manipulative Dave decides he might want to come back, but he already has another girlfriend who seems to want a baby...

Neighbour Andrew's brother Harry comes on the scene to help run the farm, and the two form a close friendship. Harry has his own issues - a broken heart and how to ‘come out of the closet’ to Andrew. With Jenny’s parents considering selling the farm she may lose her home and much-loved garden and it looks like Andrew may also have to sell his farm to pay out his now ex-wife.

Juggling these issues, along with refereeing between the children, being a parent helper at fundraising events, sewing costumes for school plays, general small county town-isms, a possible romance, and coping with a manipulative sausage dog called Tessa is what women everywhere will empathise with. Into the mix are Hawkins witticisms and quirky sense of humour (‘You’re about as cold and hard as a toasted marshmallow. Pull yourself together, woman’ p. 163). Loved this book as much as I did Hawkins other titles - easy to read and cosy - would read again! ( )

“…what’s yellow and very dangerous?….Shark-infested custard “

Having enjoyed Dinner at Roses and Chocolate Cake for Breakfast, I was delighted to have the opportunity to read Danielle Hawkins fourth novel, When It All Went to Custard.

Learning of her husband’s affair with their neighbours wife, Jenny Reynolds is surprised to realise that the end of her marriage will be a relief. In the wake of the separation her priorities are ensuring the happiness of her two young children, and figuring out how to keep the family farm she loves.

Between her ex-husband’s attempts at emotional blackmail, nonsensical knock knock jokes, a lazy farmhand, a lonely old man plying her with chokos, a demanding sister, a high-strung dog, her part time job as a building control officer, and an attractive, and now single, neighbour, Jenny tries to hold it all together and find her footing.

Hawkins has a talent for creating charming and relatable characters, her personal experience of the joys and hardships of farming provide authenticity to the setting, and her skill with genuine dialogue results in great pacing.

Laden with warmth, honesty and humour, When It All Went to Custard is an engaging contemporary story of family, farming and romance in rural New Zealand. ( )