Alexandra Potter

**I received an advanced listener's copy from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review**

Reminiscent of the "chick lit" novels popular in the last 1990s and early 2000s, Potter's novel focuses on Nell Stevens, a down-on-her-luck woman of a certain age who has one incredibly rough year. Told through Nell's voice in small chapters highlighting each month, this novel covers humor and sorrow and what it means to pick up the pieces and move on from tragedy and loss.

I was a heavy reader of said "chick lit" novels over twenty years ago, and I immediately picked up on the similarities in style. My reading habits have changed, so while I was not necessarily fully engaged with the novel and the writing style, I could appreciate the level of growth Nell has in the novel. Potter does a really good job as Nell navigates tough choices and almost soul-searching explorations of herself, her feelings, and her overall mental health. I found I could relate to bits of Nell's life. You cannot but help cheer on Nell by the end of the novel.

The voice narration was great; I enjoyed listening to this story and probably stayed more engaged in it thanks to this audio version.… (mer)

More Confessions picks up where the first book left off. Nell is in a happy place with her relationship and her work, the world is just emerging from lockdown and she's got her brilliant friends, including Cricket, the octogenarian she met through her job writing obituaries.

Nell is such a relatable forty-something. She's at the point where life inevitably starts to change for women and it becomes a fork in the road moment for her where she has to decide what's important to her. Cricket is the most brilliant character. I think we should all aim to be Cricket when we grow up. Best of all, she's aging gracefully but she's still sassy, accepting her aging as a privilege rather than a curse. The two women complement each other perfectly.

Nell has been likened to Bridget Jones but I got more of a sense of Carrie Bradshaw about her. The conversational writing style, the podcast and journalism, the asking of the big questions and not necessarily getting (or expecting) an answer felt very reminiscent of S&TC to me. I love Bridget, I love Carrie, and I love Nell. This is a big book but it's such an easy read, one which made me laugh out loud, smile wryly and empathise with all the characters.

A fantastic book about the highs and lows of all that life throws at us, full of wisdom, humour, friendship and love.… (mer)

Re-Print

I'm not sure how I feel about this novel. I don't know if I should be offended or jump up and down with glee. I suppose I could say I'm a 65 (soon to be 66) year-old f**k up since I never had kids. But I know I'm not. I have to question why age 40 seemed to be the catalyst since I found my 40's to be the best years of my life---but that is just me.

What I didn't like was the angst. I understand why it was needed; I grasp the fact that it is used to get the point across that Nell felt like a failure because she didn't have what she thought was 'the' perfect life. And for this, I blame the internet! For the first 3/4 of the book, I just felt so totally depressed both for Nell and for myself! If it wasn't for 80-something Cricket and Nell's landlord Edward, I might have given up on this book before I finished.

What I did like was Cricket-I adored her. She proves that with age comes wisdom and belief in yourself. You still may f**k up, but it is on your terms now! The ending was a little pat, one that could be seen a mile away, but I applaud the author's trip down this road.

The happy ending wasn't as perfect as some would have liked, but I think it strengthened the book. It would have been too much had Nell's life turned into that false interpretation of what a happy life should be.

This book is a little deep to be a typical beach read, but it is still worth it.

*ARC supplied by the publisher Harper, the author, and NetGalley and Edelweiss.… (mer)