If you've not read The Bookish Life of Nina Hill by the same author, don't worry, neither have I. But I want to now! The two books share a few characters and while I think you would understand the dynamic between some of the group in Adult Assembly Required a little better, it's not vital to know the previous book as the author very gently feeds in any background info which is useful.

As the description above explains, Laura has arrived in LA and finds herself with very few personal belongings when a fire rages through the apartment block where she's staying. Fate steps in to ensure she's looked after when she tumbles into Nina's bookstore for shelter during a hefty rainstorm. The gregarious Polly swiftly takes her under her wing and introduces her to Maggie, the landlady of the house-share which then features strongly in the remainder of the book.

The residents are all exactly the type of people you'd want to house-share with - friendly, supportive, inclusive but without being overbearing. They're an eclectic mix of ages and backgrounds but the blend of personalities is an absolute triumph. It's easy to see why Laura has skedaddled her way to the other side of the country when her family deign to contact her - not to mention the obnoxious ex-fiancé who just can't seem to get the message that Laura has most definitely moved on with her life (or is desperately trying to if people will let her).

This is a heart-warming story of how strangers can become your new family. There's the ongoing "will they/won't they" relationship between Laura and Impossibly Handsome Bob which has you willing them to be brave and honest with each other and there are some delightful animal residents at Maggie's mansion who threaten to steal the show however my favourite character in the whole book has to be the fabulously straight-talking Clare. Whilst still in her formative years she's happy to share her nuggets of worldly wisdom on just about any subject with anyone - whether they're factually correct is irrelevant. She just tells it how she sees it, which has some interesting results.

An ideal beach/poolside read, I thoroughly enjoyed this book which had me chuckling along in some chapters and wanting to slap a couple of the characters in others.

Pop a copy in your hand luggage, you won't be disappointed.

Headlines:
Found family
Quirky, eclectic characters
Slow-burn

I enjoyed this story from Abbi Waxman that is interconnected to her previous Nina Hill book. That said, this can be read and enjoyed as a standalone. The story centred on a found family of boarders in a LA house owned by the generous Maggie. The house-sharers were a strange but mostly lovely bunch, add in some pets, a garden and it made for a warm vibe.

Laura, the protagonist was recovered physically from a serious car accident but not recovered psychologically. This book gave a credible insight into panic disoreder related to PTSD while not detracting from the full characterisation of Laura outside of her mental health problems. Bob (insanely handsome Bob) was a gardener, landscaper who was so incredibly humble and unsure of himself. These two left everything unsaid, they were awkward and yet formed such a firm friendship.

This book took place over nearly a year and so any connections, friendships and more were tangible and not rushed. I really appreciated the bonds in this book, those between Laura and her friends and then Laura and Bob. This was something of a slow burn that almost took me to frustration but brought me back from the edge.

If you like quirky characters, pets and a lack of egos, this is a read I would recommend.

Thank you to Headline books for the review copy.

This book gives the enviable dilemma of reading it quickly as you can’t put it down or trying to read it slowly as you don’t want it to end. Another Instagrammer commented that she wanted to be friends with all the characters, I want that and to move into Maggies house share.

If you enjoyed Nina Hill then this continues the story and it is as brilliant if not more.

The wonderful Abbi Waxman returns the reader to Los Angeles, the offbeat, comic, bookish world of Nina Hill and the return of many of the quirky characters we encountered there. Only this time the protagonist is Laura Costello, a physical trainer from NYC coming for grad school, escaping her over-protective, over-controlling, judgemental academic family who refuse to accept her life choices, and leaving behind an ex-fiance, Nick. This is the first time Laura has stood on her own two feet, but her apartment building has burned down, leaving her homeless when she enters completely drenched into Nina's Knights bookstore. Here she finds herself landing on her feet and being taken care of, with the adorably hilarious Polly offering her a room at her landlady Maggie's home of cats and dogs, and including oh, yes, Impossibly Handsome Bob, a gardener, and man of few words.

Laura feels completely at home in Maggie's house with their shared house dinners, as she simultaneously finds herself taken into Nina's circles where before she knows it, she is part of the trivia quiz team with her knowledge of sports and science. She feels a strong attraction to Bob, but is certain he is out of her league, besides she is not ready to jump into another relationship, plus there is the shame she feels at the trauma she still experiences after a car crash, a trauma so severe that travelling in a vehicle is a nightmare, and driving itself seems an impossible dream. Laura and Bob gravitate towards a comfortable relationship that involves shooting hoops, gardening, and relaxing by watching and discussing sports matches, baseball and more. However, whenever others raise the topic of Bob, she goes into self preservation mode of distraction, deflection and denial.

Laura and Bob's romance is a low key and slow burn of a romance, the heart of this joyous narrative is the power of the numerous friendships that emulate the tenacity and strength of a family which are showcased here. Laura slips with ease into the group of new characters that enter her life and support her, she reciprocates by in turn offering support to them. She is in new territory of taking responsibility for herself, eventually finding the resilience to begin to address her mental health issues with the help of Maggie and Bob. This is such a funny, intelligent, entertaining and heartwarming read, Waxman creates a LA world and characters you just never want to leave. Highly recommended. Many thanks to the publisher for an ARC.

When Laura Costello arrives in downtown Los Angeles, her life has somewhat fallen apart.

Her apartment building has caught fire, her engagement to her high school sweetheart has been broken off, and she's just been caught in a rare LA downpour and has no dry clothes.

But when she seeks shelter in Nina Hill's local neighbourhood bookshop, she finds herself introduced to the people who will become her new family. And as Laura becomes friends with Nina, Polly and Impossibly Handsome Bob, things start to look up.

Proving that - even as adults - we all sometimes need a little help assembling and re-assembling our lives. . .

It’s definitely an unforgettable story and it just gets more beautiful and moving as it goes on.

This was a great story all about struggling with your past, whilst moving onto your future, with a side of friends to lovers romance. It kept me wanting to come back for more, and was well paced throughout. My only qualm is that it felt there were several unanswered questions at the end which a better epilogue could’ve answered

4+

I don’t read a lot of books in this genre but when a new Abbie Waxman is out, I’m there! Her books are always an intelligent mix of rom, with plenty of com, some great characters, interesting dynamics and an issue or two. An added bonus with this one is if you liked Nina Hill she’s back, although the central character is Laura Costello who arrives in Knights, dripping wet and standing in the PG Wodehouse section. Laura is having a very bad day so delightfully attired Polly takes her under her wing and to Maggie‘s house where she rents a room and what luck, there’s one available for Laura! Let the fun begin!

This book is really smart, clever, very engaging, full of quips from quick lips with fabulous characters (not you Nick, Laura‘s ex who is a pain in the proverbial) many of whom are wonderfully quirky. I am sold. I’d absolutely love to move into Maggie’s LA household which is the friendly, comforting warm embrace that Laura desperately needs. The house animals too are such personalities, they have their own characters, they’re funny and I adore this part of the story telling. They’re wise are animals!

The novel has a bit of everything, it’s a bit sad in places especially when you grow to understand what baggage Laura is carrying, it’s very sweet (not saccharine though I hasten to add), it’s brilliantly nerdy and that’s not just Nina (!) and it’s acutely observed. Some of the dialogue is excellently whip smart and I especially love it when it feels like two boxers are sparring! I’d say Laura wins that one! You go through a whole journey of emotions which takes you to a yes, predictable but lovely ending and so who cares if it is expected?

Overall, a wonderful and diverting read which I thoroughly enjoy.

PS a bar with beer and donuts? Only in Los Angeles. I hope. As a Brit maybe you can see me shuddering!

With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Headline for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.

This was a quick, easy and fun read that I finished in one sitting. Well written with a good stoey and loveable characters. A really enjoyable read,