good mystery about a couple and staying in a house and the other couple there. kept me on my toes . good mystery and figuring stuff out.

Vivian husband's mitch decides that he wants a divorce and makes her life so interesting. loved her friends and the neighbor.

This is a heartwarming and humorous novel that will resonate with readers who are looking for a relatable and uplifting story about self-discovery, friendship, and the transformative power of embracing change, making it a perfect fit for fans of women's fiction and contemporary stories about midlife transitions.

What I loved most about Vivian Quackenbush (FMC) was her journey of growth and empowerment. After being blindsided, she doesn’t just survive—she thrives. Her transformation into a confident, self-assured woman was inspiring. She takes bold steps to rediscover herself, from traveling across the country solo for the first time to rewarding herself for small victories through her quirky merit badges (yes, badges for things like getting lice out of hair—hilarious and so relatable!). It’s a reminder that every win, big or small, deserves to be celebrated. 🎊🥳

The addition of a supportive mother figure added so much heart to the story. It’s not often you see such a positive portrayal of mother-daughter relationships in chic-lit, and I loved how it grounded Vivian’s journey with warmth and humor.

The plot itself was a great balance of heartfelt moments and fun, quirky side stories that kept me hooked. Kilpatrick’s writing is sharp and engaging, with just the right mix of humor and depth. It’s a story of rediscovery, resilience, and, ultimately, learning to stand up for yourself after years of compromise. 🤌🏻🤌🏻

If you’re looking for a story with a strong, relatable female protagonist and a unique take on starting over, Nobody’s Perfect is a must-read. 💖💖

Nobody's Perfect by Sally Kilpatrick is a moving, funny, and heartfelt novel about a wife and mother grabbing hold of a second chance she never saw coming.
I really enjoyed this book. It was funny and sweet. It was an entertaining and light read.

4.5 stars

I have read, and enjoyed, all of Kilpatrick's books, and this is one of my favorites. If you are looking for an entertaining story full of family, friends, second chances, and trying to navigate this thing called life, then this book is one to check out.

The characters are realistic and relatable. There are many scenes where Kilpatrick makes the reader feel that they are part of the story, sitting there with the ladies in the cul-de-sac. This did feel more like women's fiction than romance, but I actually appreciated that fact.

Kilpatrick is a go-to author for me, and I look forward to her next book.

Vivian Quackenbush thought she knew what was going to happen after her son, went off to college, but instead she was blindsided but what she found in her husband's sock drawer. Her husband was planning on divorcing her, she hadn't worked since she became a mother, she wanted to keep her house, and when she confronted him, he did want a divorce, and he had it all written out how it would go. Was he in for a surprise?
Her life did change, and life, and her son, had a hand in what happened next. She made a video, and overnight she went viral. She was in demand, she had offers, that she went for. But as time went by, she started seeing what it was costing her. There are many crossroads she faces, decisions she must make, discovering the person she is now, the changes she needs to make, where her journey is taking her now. This is a story of losing the life you thought was a good life that was going to keep moving forward, to having to figure out how to put your life back together the way it is now. Mistakes are made, she learns a lot, and she finally learned that if she was listening and seeing her mother, she would have known her mother was showing her to value yourself, and to know your worth, and she lives her life that way, too.
I received an ARC from Montlake through NetGalley.

📚: Nobody’s Perfect by Sally Kilpatrick
⭐️: 4/5

Think of Vivian Quackenbush’s life as suburban normality. In her 40s, with her son recently starting college. She lives on a cul-de-sac street surrounded by friends. She’s thinking about what the empty nest chapter means for her and her husband Mitch…

…Mitch, who just let her know he wants a divorce. (And he’s never liked her chicken salad. How rude!)

This book was a fun, find-yourself-again read with a motherhood subplot. Vivian’s a bit (a lot?) eye roll inducing, but the laughs along the way made for a fun read. Her mother and friends are solidly written secondary characters - and honestly, I want more Connie by the end of the book!

Big thanks to Montlake Publishing via @netgalley for the digital ARC in exchange for an honest review. Nobody’s Perfect is out today, 12/1!

Vivian, a stay-at-home mom, is blindsided when her husband of nearly 25 years, Mitch, reveals he’s been planning a divorce for years. With her son off to college, her seemingly content life crumbles. She leans on her two best friends and her mother, though their relationship is strained due to her mom’s history of five divorces.

Vivian’s modest YouTube channel takes an unexpected turn when a drunken rant about her divorce goes viral, thrusting her into an overwhelming new reality. While she begins to prioritize herself, it sometimes comes at the cost of those around her.

The story explores themes of self-discovery, resilience, and the challenges of starting over. While the ending offers closure, it could have been more impactful with a stronger epilogue.

I’m dying here; this book is hilarious! Besides the scumbag husband part - he wants a divorce after all Vivian has done for the family. From amazing friends to her supportive and experienced in divorce, mother - I’m moving to the Oregon Trail Neighborhood to hang with these ladies! Vivian’s reaction to her husband’s epiphany is genius. Potatoes? Read the book. Earning badges for adult life - everything from Homeowners Association Badge to the Etiquette Badge - I know you don’t get it, just read the book. I would never steer you wrong, and I honestly can’t imagine one person who wouldn’t laugh at this stuff. There are feel-goods, too, like her realization of how much of a poop she’s been to her mom. Just when things begin looking up, they tank again. It’s an all-round book that takes home the… wine! Excuse me, but I need to find more books by this author!

I thought Vivian was relatable. Her emotions dealing with the bombshell her husband Mitch dropped were valid. While I don’t like airing my personal life to the world, I liked how she decided to deal with Mitch. She had anger on top of her heartbreak, and I liked how this book explored both. I found the light-hearted humor funny and the side characters of Vivans’s friends and her mom were written well. I liked seeing how their relationships were impacted during Vivian day of fame. Her experiences during that time made her look at her life and relationships in a different light. And I loved her new neighbor and daughter. The scenes involving them were heartwarming.

Thank you @superwritermom @suzyapprovedbooktours for the gifted copy.

Thank you NetGalley, Montlake and Sally Kilpatrick for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

3.5 rounded up.
Vivian is a stay at home mom with her son off to college and Mitch, her husband of almost 25years, talking about early retirement. Unexpectedly, she finds paperwork for a DIY divorce.

Her world is rocked when he tells her he’s been thinking about this for 4 years. She was happy….well, more like content and settling if she really thinks about it.

She has 2 BFF neighbors and her mom who comes to support her. The relationship with her mom was interesting as they haven’t been very close and Vivian has been trying to prove she could maintain her marriage while her mom has been divorced 5 times.

Vivian had a small following on YouTube sharing mom hacks, then after posting a tipsy rant about her divorce and lying husband she goes viral. It was refreshing and sad to see how easily that can wrap you up in fantasy.

This book took me on a journey. The beginning of the story I really felt for Vivian. Then I really struggled when she seemed to be prioritizing herself ant the expense of others. Ultimately, I was happy with the ending but it felt a little lack luster. I think if the epilogue was a little meatier I would have been happier.

No spice. I think this is far more woman’s fiction than romance.

The challenges of starting over make you stronger👍

4-4.5🌟 stars
The plot was entertaining despite its serious subject matter and I really enjoyed Vivian's journey from industrious housewife and devoted empty nester mother, to embittered, betrayed wife, to social media sensation and beyond. All started by the accidental discovery that her husband of 25 years is considering divorce. Her relationship with her oft-married mother Is complex and touching, and subdivision besties upped the relatability.

This was an inspiring example of women's fiction that sped by with some mean girls but also plenty of women empowerment. I especially liked Vivian's ready support for her friends and neighbors and her winetasting trip to Napa, which ends up with her marginalization by Instagrammer influencers and the way she gravitates to Marisol, a promising vintner who is overshadowed and discounted by the more commercially-courted brands. My first read of a Sally Kilpatrick work: think I'll be looking for more from her.

Thanks to Montlake and NetGalley for sharing a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest opinion.

Not my usual read but I felt pulled into this book as I felt drawn to Vivian's journey of change and uncertainty. I was definitely cheering for Vivian throughout as she discovered herself, her worth and her needs.

This is all about what you do when your plans go sideways. Or upside down. Vivian is stunned when her husband Mitch says he wants a divorce after 25 years of marriage and it hits just as she becomes an empty nester. So what to do but make videos and award mom badges! This is poignant and funny at the same time with good characters (well maybe not Mitch). Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. A good read.

Relatable. I think if you are a woman, wife, parent, or friend there will some part of this story that resonates with you. If you live or have ever lived in a planned community with a Home Owners Association you will nod your head at that annoying rule following know-it-all nosy neighbor who won’t even let you enjoy your outside wine time.

I loved each and every character in this book. I even appreciate the main character’s (Vivian) husband (Mitch) who sets into motion the story by asking for a divorce.

It’s a story of mass self realization and growth. It’s for all of us that’s had to dig deep to figure out that the status quo isn’t for the best and yes, maybe your parent was right after all. It’s about friendship and the celebration of newness even when it’s hard.

I loved this one.

A good story about surviving divorce, middle age, and female relationships. Vicki Quackenbush finds divorce papers that her husband was serving her and her world shatters. But she is a survivor and with the support of her mother & friends, she comes out stronger than ever. Thank you to NetGalley and Montlake books for this advance read. Look for this on December 1st publishing day!

There’s something about second chances, I just love them. Don’t you?
I had so much fun reading this story, I loved Vivian’s character and the way she handled her second chance, and of course her supportive mother another strong female character.
This is one of those stories that’s easy to read with relatable characters, lots of drama and funny moments. I had a great time reading it.

Thank you Suzy Approved Book Tours for this tour invite.

𝗡𝗼𝗯𝗼𝗱𝘆’𝘀 𝗣𝗲𝗿𝗳𝗲𝗰𝘁 by Sally Kilpatrick releases December 1, 2024.

A quick, light-hearted read with some serious undertones, I highly recommend this book for any mid-life readers who are at a crossroads in their life.

I have never read a Sally book but if they are all this fun...I need to read more!

Vivian gets a blow when she straightens her husband Mitch's sock drawer. He wants a divorce. Vivian is famous in her circle for her Mom Badge channel (I absolutely loved that you could earn a "badge" for pretty much anything and call the badge whatever you felt like!) on YouTube and after a drunken video goes viral, her world is turned upside down.

I LOL'd so much at Mitch and his self-centeredness. He was pretty ridiculous and demanding. He felt that Vivian had to fit into this mold that she didn't want to fit in. Vivian wasn't perfect and made some mistakes, but don't we all?

I loved her friends by her side. I love that all these things that she goes through make her finally SEE her mother in a different light. They had a good relationship but it could have been better. I loved how Vivian jumped in to help the new neighbor Parker and his daughter Cassidy. I loved that Parker gets Vivian to see how wonderful she is and how much more free she is without Mitch.

I’m almost disappointed that Vivian’s mom scouts channel isn’t actually a real thing, because it sounds pretty entertaining! This is a book about identity and personal growth, women supporting women and in a way, how society has changed. I really enjoyed reading about Vivian’s journey and the ending was a beginning too. Excellent book - once I got into it, I struggled to put it down. Thank you to the publishers and #netgalley for allowing me to read an advance copy.