Member Reviews

I LOVE Katherine Heiny - she can do no wrong, writes so gently and with such humour about all of the little things that come with making a life. Loved this so much.

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I forgot to give feedback when I first read this a while back, but I remember feeling so moved by the language and the nuance of providing care to someone that you love.

Thanks again to NetGalley and the publisher!

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Nice story from start to finish but a slow burner for me. More deeper meaningful friendships than love but was an ok read.

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I could not get into this book, ultimately it was not form me and I could not finish it. It may be one for other readers

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This must be my favourite book of 2023 so far. It's the story of Jane, Duncan, Jimmy, Aggy, Frieda and others over a period of two decades or so. It's a story of ordinary lives, with highs and lows, captured gently with tenderness and humour. I absolutely loved Katherine Heiny's prose and I will be on the lookout for her other books.

Thank you to the publisher and to Netgalley for a digital ARC in exchange for an honest and impartial review.

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A love story with so much emotion. Highly recommend. Thank you to both the publishers and NetGalley for gifting me the book

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I was so, so excited for a new full length Heiny, and this didn’t disappoint. She is the author I recommend most and most often, and now I’ll be recommending early morning riser as well as standard deviation.

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Jane fell in love quickly with handsome charmer Duncan who thought they were just having a thing, he seems to have slept with everyone within a 20 mile radius. There seems little emotional room in Duncans life which seems to still heavily include the ex wife, her husband and his work colleague Jimmy. This is a humourful light read with quirky characters who are dependant on one another and become more of a melded family in a mundane small town life. It is funny, warm and heartwarming and felt like a warm hug. Thank you to Netgalley UK, Harper Collins and Katherine Heiny for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

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Unusual love story. More about deep friendships that take a while to realize. Some interesting characters who are very believable, with scenarios that I’m sure do happen in small communities. However, this book seemed a bit run of the mill, pleasant characters, with sad and funny happenings, but not memorable.

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Superb writing, this is one you don't want to miss!
With a big heart, quirky characters, and humour, it is one to be savored.

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this was a well written LOL funny in parts book. I have read her other books but I liked this the most! Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher.

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I love Katherine heanys work she’s a truly brilliant comic writer , standard divination is a triumph , early morning riser is her usual style whip smart and full of whit and dry humour , nothing ever really happens in her novels they are more a story of human behaviour not fast paced or a gripping page turner but you go with the flow . I didn’t love this one early morning riser as much as her previous works but still a great enjoyable read

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A lovely book, which had so much joy in it, it was a pleasure to read.

Thank you NetGalley for my complimentary copy in return for my honest review.

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A pleasure to read - so many characters in a small town. All believable in their own right but coming together to make a whole

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What can be said about the genius of Katherine Heiny that hasn't already been said? Other than to note that this was my introduction to her writing and I went and bought Standard Deviation straight away as well. She has such a skill for comedy and pathos and I look the way she observes the world and tells us about it. Brilliant.

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I loved this book and immediately went to seek out her other novel Standard Deviation, (which I would highly recommend too). Her writing is so precise and detailed but so gentle and easy to fall into. The characterisation is brilliant - Jane, Duncan and Jimmy all felt real- flawed and human and messy. One of the best books of 2021.

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An emotional, heartening and life affirming book about life in a small lake side town. Seen through the eyes of second grade teacher Jane and over several stages of her life. I enjoyed her previous novel Standard Deviation and the collection of short stories, an author I want to read more of.

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I loved this from the very beginning, funny, light and tender with its approach to its characters but with real grit at its heart. I have recommended it to everyone i know, it is so appealing and broad-reaching in what it covers and how it feels about the characters. Beautiful and well worth all the praise it has already received.

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My second Katherine Heiny read and thoroughly enjoyed it as much as the first! Heiny has a way of creating characters that stay with you after you've finished reading

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A downright fantastic, heartwarming book that was not only witty but also held so much charm.
Jane, a second grade teacher, moves to Boyne City a small town in Michigan. She meets and falls for Duncan, a local handyman and carpenter who has slept with nearly every female in town. Over the years, Duncan and the other small town characters become a firm part of Jane's life. Every one of them is endearing and quirky.

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