A Year in Her Life

A Year in Her Life by Alice Benson ticked all the boxes as a solid, socially progressive book. The storyline follows a year in the life of a young socially progressive woman, desperately searching for her soulmate. While she is looking for a man, she us open to sexual fluidity, reasoning that love comes in different forms.
Bonnie is fortunate to have landed the perfect job, working in Transitions House, a shelter for abused and homeless women. While surrounded by women, scared by abusive relationships, Bonnie seems to overlook the signs of abusive behaviour when it comes to her own relationships.
Set in the simmering tensions of the 2016 Election Race, Bonnie finally meets her hearts desire, the slightly older Jane. Although her friends caution her to take things slowly, Bonnie is quickly swept into Jane’s world, where the truth is as much distorted as it isin the election campaign.
Exploring a lot of topical issues such as Black Lives Matter, White Supremacy, and Racial Invisibility, this is definitely not a book for Trump or Republican supporters. The text is peppered with words such as perserverate and heteronormativity, makes this book seem a little like a Sociology Paper, however one can only give credit to the author for exploring, difficult and easy to sweep under the carpet themes. This book is as much about social awareness of woman’s rights as it is about storytelling.
I read this book from the viewpoint of a gay woman, looking for a little light relief from the never ending storyline of boy meets girl type scenario. I am interested in who is telling our stories and are they real or just designed to titillate the non-gay reader. This book was certainly not what I was expecting and too much resonated with me. Things I wish I could forget.
The fact that the book was set within a now historical period of US history, it was easily understood, as the coverage of political campaigns in the United States gets almost as much coverage here as in the author’s own country. Even from an Australian viewpoint, the Election year seemed as chaotic here as it seeded to the author.
I gave this book 3.5 Stars for the content, rounding it up to 4 Stars for being courageous enough to air controversial issues. Well done Alive Benson, Black Rose Writing and thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an unbiased review

A year in Her Life was difficult for me to read. There are a ton of issues going on in this one. Since this takes place in 2016 it talks a great deal about the climate of the USA during the election period of Donald Trump. Also one of the MC's works at a women's shelter that deals with abused women. For the most part I thought the book was well written (there were a few grammar issues - ie missing words that I caught) and gave a insightful glimpse at mental abuse and all the things that go with it. I wasn't sure I was going to make it to the end, but I am glad I finished it.

I give this one 4 stars.

I received a free digital copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.


What a well written novel! Alice Benson does an amazing job at exploring tons of deep social topics such as Black Lives Matter, White Supremacy, Women’s Rights, and racial invisibility. A Year in Her Life was such a great controversial read that I highly suggest to anyone (unless you are a Trump Supporter- actually.. Ya’ll should jump in on this too LoL)


Bonnie’s character is super relatable. We have all been Bonnie at one time or another. I feel like one of the most important parts of Bonnie’s journey, was how she did not recognize the abuse in her own relationships while despite working with abused women.


All and all, this was a great book. I believe everyone should give this a read. Thank you so much to Alice Benson, Black Rose Writing, and NetGalley for a copy of this book for review.

4.5⭐

A Year In Her Life by Alice Benson. Published 11th September 2019. A Year In Her Life by Alice Benson. Published 11th September 2019.