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Lila Mackay Finds Life Very Unfair

Releases
Aug 2026
August 13, 2026
Main Genre
General Fiction General Fiction

About This Book

The No.1 bestselling author of the Why Mummy series is back with her second book for young YA readers!

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In the throes of her first heartbreak, 14yo Emily flees to her dad's house to lick her wounds. To make things worse, she's fallen out with her best friend Poppy about it all. No one can possibly understand how awful she feels.

But through another of her mother's old diaries from the 90s, Emily learns that Lila Mackay's teen love life was also messy, unfair, and filled with misunderstandings that resulted in a dreadful break-up with her first love, Nicky. Emily soon realises how much more important her best friend is than a dumb boy.

But she has a funny feeling that perhaps Nicky was her mum's true love all along. Can Emily reunite with Poppy and work together to give her mum the happy ending she deserves?

Reviews

Readers LOVE Lila Mackay!

"Every time I put it down, my 16-year-old daughter picks it up" – Reader Review

"I can't wait to find out what happens next for Lila as I know there are more diaries to read! Perfect for fans of Lottie Brooks. I was looking for a new series to get into!!" – Nia, 13 years old

PRAISE FOR LILA MACKAY AND THE WHY MUMMY BOOKS

"Took me back so hard to my teenage self that I dreamt I snogged Keanu Reeves" — Jo Middleton

"Witty, relevant and bitingly sarcastic… Gill Sims nails the aspects of modern family life that drive us crazy – but which also make us who we are" – Sunday Express Magazine

‘HILARIOUS' – The Sunday Post

‘Honest and very funny' – The Sun

‘God she's funny' – Jilly Cooper

About the author

Gill Sims is the author of the hugely succesful page, ‘Peter and Jane'. Her Why Mummy series is a Sunday Times bestselling series and her first book was nominated for Debut Book of the Year at the British Book Awards. Lila McKay is Very Misunderstood was Gill's hilarious teen debut and is the source of much book-nicking between teens and their mums.

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First Edition Aug 2026 HarperCollins ISBN 0008513821
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Aug 2026 -- Not Selected ISBN B0FZPBNZ7Q
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