This was an interesting read. It wasn't, in my opinion, overly dramatic or overly romantic. There is a nice balance between drama, romance and even sense of humour.
I found the issues, struggles and angsts of the main character to be quite realistic and relatable for not-so-young readers, too.

I really enjoyed reading this book! It was a cute romance and the plot was very well written. The characters were adorable and I loved their storyline. The setting feels like a real place and the characters feel like real people.

Do you want to feel good about being older? Read a Lifetime in 30 Days. It definitely puts things in perspective.

3 ☆
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Honey, Vanna was really going through it in this book! From her estranged husband passing away in a boating accident to dealing with his mom and planning his funeral! Honey, just know Vanna is a strong woman because Caleb's mom would have received some strong words from me. But oh, it gets better. At Vanna's estranged husband Caleb's funeral, Vanna is arrested on embezzlement charges. No, this isn't funny, but it's definitely one of those moments where you laugh to keep from crying, lol. I liked this book so much, but it's kinda not realistic because who at 40 acts the way Vanna was acting? I wouldn't know because I'm not close to 40, but she acted more like late 20s, early 30s. Sorry, not sorry. We sometimes got over-descriptions of stuff we didn't need. It's the first book by this author, but it won't be the last.
𝐑𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞 Dec.24
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Thank you, Netgalley, and Montlake for the eBook in exchange for my honest review.

Vanna is 39 years old - separated, but not divorced - and getting ready for her FFSF (freakin forty and still fly) birthday month celebration. Things turn sour when her not-yet-ex-husband is found dead and she gets arrested for embezzlement and we get to see how she navigates the 30 days before the big 4 0 navigating this unexpected mess.

As a 39 year old, with about 30 days to go to my 40th birthday i was getting ready to enjoy some light hearted fun. but, boy… this book did bot deliver for me.

i could not relate to the female lead. for the life of me, I've never met a 40 year old that behaves in this way. 20 year olds? Sure! early 30s? Maybe!

Vanna’s character is what I describe as an aggressive feminist who will walk all over men in an effort to defend her independence, pride and general sense of entitlement, while playing victim #1, taking zero responsibility for her life. Reading about all her hardship and injustice got old real fast, especially since her coping mechanism usually entailed with gathering more women around her, shopping, partying and booing about why her amazing FFSF month is being spoiled, but her ex-husband’s death, her bitchy MIL, the embezzlement charges. Her new love-interest turns out to be a rich doormat with never ending patience for her aggressive bullshit, that keeps dropping everything to save her.

I honestly just could not with this book!!

2 stars for a generally good premise and interesting side characters.

I was expecting more from this book. I'm 38 so the big 40 is coming right at me, however even though the main character is turning 39 she felt more like a young adult than a near 40 year old woman. The story in it's all is okay, I was just expecting more. It wasn't fast paced and way too many flashbacks in my opinion.

Quick summary of the book;
When a woman embarks on the next phase of her life, it’s all she can do not to break under pressure in a smart, cheeky, and bighearted novel about moving on. Savannah Carlson has one month before she hits the big four-oh. With her best friends, Jamaica and Ronni, she’s making every weekend toward that milestone count—party-wise. Vanna’s plans go awry when her shady, no-good, unreliable, estranged husband, Caleb is in a boating accident. The real sucker punch lands when Vanna is arrested for embezzlement at his funeral. Her man certainly is the gift that keeps on giving.

I'm not sure what I was looking for when I started this book, but I don't think I found it.

I found the idea of the book quite intriguing- a 39-year old woman ready to put her past behind her once and for all by going all out in celebrating the big 4 O with her best friends. Until her past hits her in the face in the form of a dead body and a lawsuit. I also enjoyed the vivid portrayals of the people closest to her. The characters were vibrant and full of life. But the enjoyment of the book stopped there.

I found the writing to be far too simple and far too descriptive at times. This book could easily be half its length if you remove all the unnecessary details that don't contribute anything but a higher word count. It just felt like I was getting bombarded with random niche details for no good purpose. The main character was also hard to emotionally connect with, partly because of where the story picks up from. Despite the pity we're meant to cultivate towards her, I found it hard to admire her determination to always keep going. Constant repetitions of her horrible past and the ever constant pep talks plus the affirmation cards... it was all too much for me. The character voice also felt far from unique besides from a few mannerisms; it felt like she could be a typical high-school girl and I wouldn't even know the difference.

How on earth is this woman turning 40 in a month? I'm no ageist but freakin' forty and still fly... really??

All in all a good idea for a book carried out with poor execution.

(Thanks to the publisher for the copy)

A Lifetime in 30 Days by new to me author A.C. Arthur, published by Montlake is a packed story. The heroine has a lot going on, nearing 4 o, having some partying to do, burying her ex-husband, you get the picture. But karma isn't finished and she gets another wrench thowrn her way.
An ok read, I enjoyed the story.
Blurb: When a woman embarks on the next phase of her life, it’s all she can do not to break under pressure in a smart, cheeky, and bighearted novel about moving on.
Savannah Carlson has one month before she hits the big four-oh. With her best friends, Jamaica and Ronni, she’s making every weekend toward that milestone count—party-wise. Vanna’s plans go awry when her shady, no-good, unreliable, estranged husband, Caleb is in a boating accident. The real sucker punch lands when Vanna is arrested for embezzlement at his funeral. Her man certainly is the gift that keeps on giving.
Talk about mixed emotions. Grief over good years wasted with the wrong man. Fear of that felony hanging over her head. And even some bliss given her long-simmering attraction to an old acquaintance that’s coming to a sweet boil. She has her faith, her cheerleading, Granny, and her besties to help her through the most trying times of her life.

With its blend of humor, friendship, and resilience, this book is a testament to embracing life’s twists and turns with grace and a smile. It’s a feel-good story that captures the essence of finding joy and strength in the face of adversity. I enjoyed reading it.

A.C. Arthur's "A Lifetime in 30 Days" is a stunning modern book that, in a shockingly short amount of time, describes the essence of personal transformation. The protagonist of the book undergoes a significant transformation in a span of 30 days, which distinguishes the work from other long-form novels and makes for an enjoyable and enticing read.

The narrative centres on a character whose life drastically changes in the course of a single month. Every day and decision feels crucial because of the intensity and sense of urgency created by this compressed schedule. Arthur's writing captivates readers with its ability to capture the intensity of each moment and the depth of the protagonist's feelings. Arthur is a genius at telling a story which is clear and powerful at the same time. The book moves quickly enough to maintain the story's momentum while giving readers just enough emotional and psychological depth to make their eyes water. The protagonist's quick growth and the high stakes of their adventure highlight how pivotal life events may be beneficial.

However not everyone will enjoy the fast-paced nature of the book. In contrast to more progressive storytelling techniques, some readers may find the fast character development and resolution to be a little hurried. Despite this, A Lifetime in 30 Days is a pleasant and thought-provoking experience for individuals who appreciate a skilfully knit story with instant emotional effect.

In summary, A.C. Arthur's A Lifetime in 30 Days is an engaging and experimental book that looks into the significant effects of significant life changes in a short period of time. For everyone curious about the significance of turning points and life-changing occurrences, this book is worth reading because of its unique perspective and significant emotional content.

I absolutely loved the Afterparty so I knew this one would be just as week written and an absolute blast! I could so relate to the content and wanting to squeeze everything in before a big milestone birthday and everything that comes along with that both good and bad. Such a great book!