Ever find yourself skidding toward the end of the day, gasping for a glass of vino? The day was crazy-busy. The kids drove you mad. The weather is awful. You worked so hard. But, you are a SuperMum and today, you conquered the world. You deserve that glass of rose. It’s your reward. You need it.

In The Wine O’Clock Myth – The Truth You Need to Know About Alcohol and Women, Lotta Dann, the manager of the Living Sober website and bestselling author of Mrs D is Going Without, takes an unflinching look at the modern New Zealand woman’s drinking habits.

In a highly readable, down-to-earth style, she navigates the omnipresence and acceptability of booze in our culture and the social, mental and physical effects it has on women.

She also pitches a hard stare at the reasons we’re drinking at potentially harmful levels. Social media and ‘Big Alcohol’ all go under the microscope in an effort to examine why so many high-functioning women may be unwittingly turning to the bottle just to get through each day. Are we being played, she asks? Is this a rigged game? Is the social glue that holds us together – that dominates our celebrations, gathering of friends, sporting events and is even on hand for mums during their kids’ playdates – really doing us any favours?

Interspersed between interviews with experts and Lotta’s observations and opinions as a recovering alcoholic, are wide-ranging experiences from Kiwi women themselves.

From those who continue to drink after acknowledging some tricky times with alcohol, to those who have fought long, hard battles with the bottle and now live sober lives, a range of voices all share one common problem: a desire to step back and take a long, hard look at their relationship with alcohol.

This book is an important read for anyone who has questioned their drinking. For some, this book will lead into a deep reflection of what alcohol is doing to their lives. For others, it may prompt a break-up with that glass of rose.