Take a Look at Me Now by Kendra Smith is a book about a woman coming to terms with being a 41 year old woman experiencing the empty nest for the first time. She is unhappy in her life and even less happy in her marriage. The book promised some self discovery as well as some romance. It also carried the message of Alzheimer's and how Maddie's aunt (by marriage) is diagnosed and the sad reality of an Alzheimer diagnosis. I enjoyed what little I got to read about Aunt Olive and really wish more of Olive's life was talked about.

Sadly, for me the book just fell flat. A lot of the book felt like an overview. Weeks and months would pass by in a chapter and it just did not feel natural to me. I found that I was not interested in Maddie, nor what she ultimately decided to do. I appreciate that other people like this type of story, perhaps it is just not for me.

I received a copy of this from NetGalley and the publisher for an open and honest review. All opinions are 100% mine.

This was such a heartwarming read about a woman who reclaims her life after losing her way. I loved Maddie and found I really related to her. And, of course, I loved the romance between Maddie and Gregor!

This was my first read from Kendra but it definitely won't be my last! Five deserved stars from me.

Mediocre Maddie? More like irritating and immature! Who keeps such a massive secret from both the father and son and expects everything to be okay? And then he forgives all the lies and married her?

This was such a cute romance. I absolutely loved it and devoured it in one sitting! Off to find more books by this author.

I did not finish this book. I was not enjoying what I read of it and find that I should be spending my time on books im enjoying

Thanks to the author publishers and Netgalley for a free ARC of this ebook.
This book tells the story of Maddie, a 40's something empty-nester, how her life unravelled and a number of associated characters. It is a story of many words (fat too many) and many happenings. There is too much action and not enough substance. There is a decent tale in there somewhere, but it is swamped in unnecessary and repetitive details. Where I take issue is with the excessive use of adjectives, and incessantly bloated language.e.g.
"a raspberry flush creeping up her neck'," aubergine clouds rolling in'. 'hot steaming tea', 'a huge bright canary yellow,... WHEEL CLAMP!! (NO, its just a wheel clamp). I found this book hard work to get though, it was implausible and the characters were unrealistic. I can't recommend it.

I had high hopes for this book based on the cover, title and the blurb on the front of the book. After I finished, I realize the reason the book felt so long, and like many different stories in one, is due to the main character Maddie living a lifetime in one year. I really loved Maddie and Olive. I felt there was a lot of repetition in the book, which frustrated me as the reader.

Take A Look at Me Now by Kendra Smith

Warms the heart!, Beautifully written story about two long lost loves trying to reconnect.

"Out with the old... Maddie Brown has spent most of her life putting everyone else's needs above her own. But with her marriage crumbling and her nest scarily empty, she realises it may be time to spread her own wings"......

Kendra Smith has done a bang up job have having the reader truly connect with this cast of characters! As you read, you feel this sense like you are part of the group. There for the good times and many low times that life throws at you. What a beautiful story. Im lucky to have been able to experience this ARC.


Thank you #TakeaLookatMeNow #NetGalley and #aria for allowing me read this book in exchange for my honest review

The story of Maddie, a forty year old who suddenly comes to a realization that she has been living a drab and dull existence with an equally drab and dull wine-salesman husband when she actually believes herself to be a lively and energetic person.

All her emotions come brimming to the surface when her only child travels to Bali for his Gap year and newly lonely Maddie chances upon her ex-boyfriend at a reunion party.

As the title goes with a series of crashes Maddie finally gets her life sort of on track albeit with the help of a great aunt aka fairy godmother who helps her out in many a “situations”.

The abundance of unnecessary details were quite frustrating at times like who cares what a nurse on duty at a hospital in Bali is wearing at 5AM (just the uniform description if you’d like to know).

The story is far too long by a hundred pages or so and the writing felt lackluster.

All I can say is I’ve read better books.

Thank you Netgalley and Aria Fiction for the ARC in return for an honest review.

If one's looking for an easy, light read, Smith's novel is ideal; with plenty of drama, laughs, and emotion "Take a look at me now" is a gentle, contemporary and engaging story.

This book was such a good read, I couldn't put it down! The story and the characters were so well written it felt as if you were actually in the story!

Take a Look at Me Now by Kendra Smith is a well written book with a captivating storyline and characters I could easily connect with.
Meet Maddie. She's a 41 year old woman who forgot to live her own life. Now that her son is away on a gap year and she met the one that got away - Greg - she becomes a new chance.
I read the book, cover to cover, in one sitting, I had to know what happens to the characters. I liked everything about the book, 4,5 beautiful stars.