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A Thirty-Something Girl
Life has been anything but kind, and everything that can go wrong has. At an age when life should be coming together, and questions should start to be answered, Hope finds herself feeling very alone and terribly confused. As her life spirals out of control, she realizes she needs help. And she needs it quickly.
With the love and support of some dear friends, Hope slowly begins to find her true self, and along the way, she meets someone. Someone who makes her feel like living to see another day might just be worth it.
But with happiness, comes pain. Pain from a past that simply won't be forgotten. Walking a dangerously fine line between joy and utter despair, Hope wonders if happy endings really do exist. And if they do, is there one waiting for her?
With the love and support of some dear friends, Hope slowly begins to find her true self, and along the way, she meets someone. Someone who makes her feel like living to see another day might just be worth it.
But with happiness, comes pain. Pain from a past that simply won't be forgotten. Walking a dangerously fine line between joy and utter despair, Hope wonders if happy endings really do exist. And if they do, is there one waiting for her?
224 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 13, 2011
21 people are currently reading
1116 people want to read
About the author
Lisa M. Gott
1 bookLisa M. Gott writes contemporary fiction and poetry that examines what it means to be human. Her stories explore grief, reinvention, connection, and the beauty and hope that can be built from our broken pieces. Her work often blends lyrical prose with emotional depth, inviting her readers to slow down, breathe, and learn to sit comfortably with the uncomfortable questions and emotions we often avoid.
She is the author of A Thirty-Something Girl, a story of friendship, love, and survival after loss. Her upcoming novel, Once Upon a Tomorrow, is a character-driven novel about reinventing ourselves in the face of fear and the unexpected ways we find belonging.
Lisa writes uplifting stories grounded in emotional truth that can feel both like a mirror and a balm. She believes that reading, much like music and nature, can invite us to reconnect with ourselves. She lives in Delaware, where she spends her time daydreaming with a cup of coffee, walking with her husband through local parks, and surrendering to the outrageous demands of her cat.
She is the author of A Thirty-Something Girl, a story of friendship, love, and survival after loss. Her upcoming novel, Once Upon a Tomorrow, is a character-driven novel about reinventing ourselves in the face of fear and the unexpected ways we find belonging.
Lisa writes uplifting stories grounded in emotional truth that can feel both like a mirror and a balm. She believes that reading, much like music and nature, can invite us to reconnect with ourselves. She lives in Delaware, where she spends her time daydreaming with a cup of coffee, walking with her husband through local parks, and surrendering to the outrageous demands of her cat.
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November 15, 2015
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My Review
First of all, let me say this. The absolute accuracy with which the author Lisa M. Gott portrayed depression in this book was spot on. Whether or not the situation is of your own making, or not, the emotions for the most part remain the same. After 30 year old Hope finds her life in a shambles, after a pregnancy loss, financial struggles and a divorce, she finds herself caught up in a never-ending vortex of depression. With the help of friends, she is given a chance to pull herself together and meets Sam, who understands what Hope is going through. Throughout this book Lisa M. Gott gives us the insight into an illness which is becoming more and more common in a world where the pressures to succeed in everything we put our hands to is high. The back of the book says is all, " happiness is actually a very simple concept: it is a choice. A choice we must remember to make each and every day."
About the Author
Lisa M. Gott is a contemporary literary fiction author. Her stories tell of the human spirit – sometimes sad, sometimes not – most can relate to them on some level or another. When she’s not feverishly weaving words, you can find her enjoying nature, spending time with her incredible husband, and sometimes sipping a latte. Okay, maybe more than sometimes.
Connect with the Author
Blog: http://lisamgott.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LisaMGott
Twitter: @LisaMGott
Goodreads: http://bit.ly/1FptwGX
Amazon: http://amzn.to/1H82Khc
Link to Giveaway Details
http://bit.ly/1VaRzyv
Purchase the Book
This review was originally posted on #karmaforlife
First of all, let me say this. The absolute accuracy with which the author Lisa M. Gott portrayed depression in this book was spot on. Whether or not the situation is of your own making, or not, the emotions for the most part remain the same. After 30 year old Hope finds her life in a shambles, after a pregnancy loss, financial struggles and a divorce, she finds herself caught up in a never-ending vortex of depression. With the help of friends, she is given a chance to pull herself together and meets Sam, who understands what Hope is going through. Throughout this book Lisa M. Gott gives us the insight into an illness which is becoming more and more common in a world where the pressures to succeed in everything we put our hands to is high. The back of the book says is all, " happiness is actually a very simple concept: it is a choice. A choice we must remember to make each and every day."
About the Author
Lisa M. Gott is a contemporary literary fiction author. Her stories tell of the human spirit – sometimes sad, sometimes not – most can relate to them on some level or another. When she’s not feverishly weaving words, you can find her enjoying nature, spending time with her incredible husband, and sometimes sipping a latte. Okay, maybe more than sometimes.
Connect with the Author
Blog: http://lisamgott.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LisaMGott
Twitter: @LisaMGott
Goodreads: http://bit.ly/1FptwGX
Amazon: http://amzn.to/1H82Khc
Link to Giveaway Details
http://bit.ly/1VaRzyv
Purchase the Book
This review was originally posted on #karmaforlife
May 28, 2015
Whew. Allow me a moment or two to wallow while I gather my wits, my tears and my heart that fell down after reading this book. Gah, I never thought I’d cry so much by just reading a book! And an ugly cry at that.
A Thirty Something Girl is about Hope but contrary to her name, she seemed to have lost hope in her life after a series of unfortunate and tragic events. On-going divorce, extra-marital affairs, financial crisis, miscarriage, just to name a few. She got friends, alright – Clara, Grace and Emma, but despite the love and support they gave her, she still felt alone, sad and miserable. She battled depression that really wore her down. She was a tortured soul.
And then he came. The man in the beach, running in the middle of the night. The man who woke her senses, who dwelt in her mind. Hope started writing a book, and she named the characters Elizabeth and Sam. Sam – who happened to be the same man from the beach. With Sam, hope arose, hope lingered in her heart. Hope became hopeful.
What happened next was something that brought smile to my lips. I loved Sam and how he nurtured and cared for Hope. I loved how he related to some with her, how he understood her depression, how he fitted right into her world. Until the inevitable came. A job abroad. A death in her circle. And a little bundle of surprise that really changed and shocked her world.
Despite all the tears I bled from reading this book, I liked it a lot. I liked how some things made me realize about my life and the future. Deep inside, Hope’s story stirred something in me that is inexplicable and indescribable. A Thirty Something Girl is a book filled with moments that pour out emotions and feelings. Lisa M. Gott made me cry. And I liked it.
A Thirty Something Girl is about Hope but contrary to her name, she seemed to have lost hope in her life after a series of unfortunate and tragic events. On-going divorce, extra-marital affairs, financial crisis, miscarriage, just to name a few. She got friends, alright – Clara, Grace and Emma, but despite the love and support they gave her, she still felt alone, sad and miserable. She battled depression that really wore her down. She was a tortured soul.
And then he came. The man in the beach, running in the middle of the night. The man who woke her senses, who dwelt in her mind. Hope started writing a book, and she named the characters Elizabeth and Sam. Sam – who happened to be the same man from the beach. With Sam, hope arose, hope lingered in her heart. Hope became hopeful.
What happened next was something that brought smile to my lips. I loved Sam and how he nurtured and cared for Hope. I loved how he related to some with her, how he understood her depression, how he fitted right into her world. Until the inevitable came. A job abroad. A death in her circle. And a little bundle of surprise that really changed and shocked her world.
Despite all the tears I bled from reading this book, I liked it a lot. I liked how some things made me realize about my life and the future. Deep inside, Hope’s story stirred something in me that is inexplicable and indescribable. A Thirty Something Girl is a book filled with moments that pour out emotions and feelings. Lisa M. Gott made me cry. And I liked it.
December 16, 2011
I love this book. It has real life moments inside. Its heart warming with a places you just laugh. The emotional ride varies. As a reader you'll be put in a place where you begin to instantly feel for the character and want to cry with Hope. You will want to laugh at her friend interactions with each other. You'll want to be the one cheering for a good outcome and be sad when life gets in the way. Its real! Its a easy- fasted paced-that had me staying up all night wanting more. I can honestly say that this is one of the best books I've read in 2011 and I'm a Young Adult-adult reader. The characters are so easy to see in one's mind. They are so vivid with problems you will be cheering them on until the end. The friendships are relatable and Hope's fears. I've experienced some of her same fears which caused an enjoyment that I have a string of similarity in Hope. So go on and read A Thirty-Something Girl you won't be disappointed at all.
April 12, 2015
Hope has been in denial of her own depression for years, then when her world collapses around her, she finally admits what has been going on and turns to her friends for support. This is Hope's journey of how she put her life back together and found a more positive outlook with a touch of romance and a real life happily ever after.
I'm a thirty-something girl and though I haven't been in Hope's situation, I still found her a very relatable and likeable character. I loved her close knit group of friends and how supportive they were of each other. It was a quick, easy read but still had depth. This story made me laugh and made me cry.
I listened to the audiobook edition, which I received free from the narrator in exchange for an honest review. I think she did a fabulous job and her voice was well suited to this story. I listened to the whole book in one go, I cleaned the house and took the kids to the park, all with my bluetooth headphones on.
I'm a thirty-something girl and though I haven't been in Hope's situation, I still found her a very relatable and likeable character. I loved her close knit group of friends and how supportive they were of each other. It was a quick, easy read but still had depth. This story made me laugh and made me cry.
I listened to the audiobook edition, which I received free from the narrator in exchange for an honest review. I think she did a fabulous job and her voice was well suited to this story. I listened to the whole book in one go, I cleaned the house and took the kids to the park, all with my bluetooth headphones on.
February 16, 2012
Being a mid-twenties woman, and going through a difficult time in my life, I immediately connected with the character during the first few chapters of the book. However, as the story developed, the events became highly unrealistic and unplausible. Maybe Im too cynical, maybe my lack of hope for my own future makes me partial to not believing in such fairtytale events. I dont know. Anyway, it was a good, easy, fun read.. Plus it was only $0.99 on my ereader lol
April 21, 2015
I feel like I read this book in like five minutes.
I'm typically a very fast reader, but this is one of those books that you read while you're cooking with hazardous chemicals and when you have 3.7 minutes before your appointment and you consider how safe reading at a stoplight would be. It's unputdownable.
Stull captures you with her engaging, literary style from the first pages, and develops her characters via these multi-layered lyrics of all different colors: light to dark. I love the believable friendships she forms, the hope that Hope gives her reader, and the collective weave of survival and how we attain it.
When I see a potentially wonderful novel with the label "Romance" or "Women's Fiction" attached I tend to cringe based on the negative rap these genres have and the books I have read in them, but this book isn't like that. This is a powerful literary, romantically-written tale that strikes the stigmas of a good romance down. It is packaged beautifully with a gorgeous cover and solid storytelling, and it has achieved favoritism amongst my shelves. Hope is relatable, and she has a beautiful mind, and she makes you cry because in certain moments you are kind of her and her best friend at the same time, and you just want to take care of her as you would take care of someone you love. She is lovable, and I don't think that's because I'm a thirty-something girl myself (almost), but because she just is, and I think that the men who read this novel would fall in love with her a little bit too, and I think that's sort of the point: that this book can be enjoyed by everyone.
Hope's life is sad yet she herself is funny and the novel has the darkly beautiful quality that makes you want to read it again in an effort to capture the artistic air it has in your own life. It's the kind of book that envelops your existence until you're done and it takes a while to get it back.
It is the epitome of a book hangover. I would highly recommend it.
I'm typically a very fast reader, but this is one of those books that you read while you're cooking with hazardous chemicals and when you have 3.7 minutes before your appointment and you consider how safe reading at a stoplight would be. It's unputdownable.
Stull captures you with her engaging, literary style from the first pages, and develops her characters via these multi-layered lyrics of all different colors: light to dark. I love the believable friendships she forms, the hope that Hope gives her reader, and the collective weave of survival and how we attain it.
When I see a potentially wonderful novel with the label "Romance" or "Women's Fiction" attached I tend to cringe based on the negative rap these genres have and the books I have read in them, but this book isn't like that. This is a powerful literary, romantically-written tale that strikes the stigmas of a good romance down. It is packaged beautifully with a gorgeous cover and solid storytelling, and it has achieved favoritism amongst my shelves. Hope is relatable, and she has a beautiful mind, and she makes you cry because in certain moments you are kind of her and her best friend at the same time, and you just want to take care of her as you would take care of someone you love. She is lovable, and I don't think that's because I'm a thirty-something girl myself (almost), but because she just is, and I think that the men who read this novel would fall in love with her a little bit too, and I think that's sort of the point: that this book can be enjoyed by everyone.
Hope's life is sad yet she herself is funny and the novel has the darkly beautiful quality that makes you want to read it again in an effort to capture the artistic air it has in your own life. It's the kind of book that envelops your existence until you're done and it takes a while to get it back.
It is the epitome of a book hangover. I would highly recommend it.
April 15, 2012
Stull’s protagonist, Hope, hasn’t just experienced a hint of darkness. She was thrown straight into a hole. Even if she had the right equipment, dirt was caving in faster than she could shovel. She didn’t believe hope was waiting on the other side. She couldn’t get out of her own way. Her flaws trumped her worth.
We’ve all been there at one time or another, because darkness comes in so many different forms. Whether it’s a relationship or marriage dissolving, losing the ones we love, getting axed from the job of our dreams, or finding a way out without a light. Each of these situations causes emotional turmoil. Some choose to let these moments become their end. The strong ones allow them to only be their beginning. For those who fight, it’s how you survive and the tools you use that define your character. For Hope, she can allow her past to only be a memory or she can allow it to be the foundation of her future.
“Stop apologizing for being yourself.” This is one of the lines that stood out the most and something, I believe, we can all learn from. We can’t change who we are. Our traits must be embraced and loved. We can stop history from repeating itself by learning from our mistakes. But it’s that layer of protection that prevents us from making the same mistakes twice.
Stull’s characters experience tragedy, love, loss, and redemption. While more information began to unfold, all I could do was hold on with both hands. This story hit me. It brought out dark emotions and those are the ones that affect me the most. It was fiction based on fact, and it was well done!
We’ve all been there at one time or another, because darkness comes in so many different forms. Whether it’s a relationship or marriage dissolving, losing the ones we love, getting axed from the job of our dreams, or finding a way out without a light. Each of these situations causes emotional turmoil. Some choose to let these moments become their end. The strong ones allow them to only be their beginning. For those who fight, it’s how you survive and the tools you use that define your character. For Hope, she can allow her past to only be a memory or she can allow it to be the foundation of her future.
“Stop apologizing for being yourself.” This is one of the lines that stood out the most and something, I believe, we can all learn from. We can’t change who we are. Our traits must be embraced and loved. We can stop history from repeating itself by learning from our mistakes. But it’s that layer of protection that prevents us from making the same mistakes twice.
Stull’s characters experience tragedy, love, loss, and redemption. While more information began to unfold, all I could do was hold on with both hands. This story hit me. It brought out dark emotions and those are the ones that affect me the most. It was fiction based on fact, and it was well done!
July 10, 2014
See more of my reviews on my blog Thoughts At One In The Morning.
My Thoughts:
After reading the synopsis, it seemed like just the book I could relate to in real life. When I started reading Hope's story, I discovered she and I, although facing different issues, still had a lot in common. She had uncertainty and confusion on where to go next when certain things were falling apart. I could feel her pain, and wanted to see her find a better place.
As the story went on though, I found myself getting frustrated with where it was leading. Not that the places it went were bad. My issue was with seeing everything perfectly falling into place in most aspects. Sure, we want the protagonist to get everything they want in life. On the other hand, life isn't THAT easy. It takes effort and rarely gets handed to us on a silver platter. So, it felt a little unrealistic to me, that aspect of the story. Also, the part that happens in the end was a little bit of a surprise and came out of nowhere, so it kind of threw me.
A Thirty-Something Girl has a lot of heart. I felt myself standing right there with Hope, wishing for change. Seeing her find love again and get to a better place was inspiring. L.M. Stull did a great job with making you feel for the character. Despite my above issues, I still think it was a good story and a nice message of hope.
My Rating: Pretty Good
My Thoughts:
After reading the synopsis, it seemed like just the book I could relate to in real life. When I started reading Hope's story, I discovered she and I, although facing different issues, still had a lot in common. She had uncertainty and confusion on where to go next when certain things were falling apart. I could feel her pain, and wanted to see her find a better place.
As the story went on though, I found myself getting frustrated with where it was leading. Not that the places it went were bad. My issue was with seeing everything perfectly falling into place in most aspects. Sure, we want the protagonist to get everything they want in life. On the other hand, life isn't THAT easy. It takes effort and rarely gets handed to us on a silver platter. So, it felt a little unrealistic to me, that aspect of the story. Also, the part that happens in the end was a little bit of a surprise and came out of nowhere, so it kind of threw me.
A Thirty-Something Girl has a lot of heart. I felt myself standing right there with Hope, wishing for change. Seeing her find love again and get to a better place was inspiring. L.M. Stull did a great job with making you feel for the character. Despite my above issues, I still think it was a good story and a nice message of hope.
My Rating: Pretty Good
April 26, 2015
"A Thirty-Something Girl" is an interesting story. It's about a young woman named Hope who finds herself in a failed relationship that her and her husband had both participated in. With the help of her friends, she slowly begins to think she can overcome the seemingly difficult situation.
She eventually lands a new job as a free-lance editor and meets a man named Sam. The only thing is, when she first met him, she didn't catch his name and while writing in her journal later she coincidentally gave him the very same imaginary name.
I felt this was a good listen. It was sobering with a depressing feel at first but it goes along with the territory of breaking up. What I took away from it was the importance of keeping a journal and having close friends and giving oneself time to heal, especially when a situation such as this arises.
Overall, I had mixed feelings about this story but with a little Faith, it had a bittersweet ending.
About the narrator: Lori Faiella has a beautiful soft voice. She has good control and tone and stayed consistent throughout the story. She also has good character differentiation. I always knew who was speaking.
Audiobook gifted in exchange for review
She eventually lands a new job as a free-lance editor and meets a man named Sam. The only thing is, when she first met him, she didn't catch his name and while writing in her journal later she coincidentally gave him the very same imaginary name.
I felt this was a good listen. It was sobering with a depressing feel at first but it goes along with the territory of breaking up. What I took away from it was the importance of keeping a journal and having close friends and giving oneself time to heal, especially when a situation such as this arises.
Overall, I had mixed feelings about this story but with a little Faith, it had a bittersweet ending.
About the narrator: Lori Faiella has a beautiful soft voice. She has good control and tone and stayed consistent throughout the story. She also has good character differentiation. I always knew who was speaking.
Audiobook gifted in exchange for review
February 4, 2018
For the second time this week, I've read a book that I don't know how to feel about.
To me, this read like a combination of romance and self help book. I think I get what the author was trying to do, but it didn't land for me.
Hope (I haven't read a more incorrectly named character) has LITERALLY EVERYTHING in her life go wrong in a span of about 6 months. Name a major life altering problem. And she's dealing with it. It felt forced to me, like the author was trying to cast as wide a net as possible to impact as many people she could.
There was insta-love. Like pulling the L word out on the second date. With a man who is way too perfect and in touch with his feelings and also going through ALL THE THINGS so he completely understands her and only wants Hope to be the best that she can be. They don't even have sex because neither one is ready. For months.
I did really like the self help advice that was sprinkled liberally through the text. The need to actually deal with feelings, being okay with yourself before you can be okay with any one else. And ways that Hope went about doing these things. And even the reality that people back track and have ups and downs through the process.
To me, this read like a combination of romance and self help book. I think I get what the author was trying to do, but it didn't land for me.
Hope (I haven't read a more incorrectly named character) has LITERALLY EVERYTHING in her life go wrong in a span of about 6 months. Name a major life altering problem. And she's dealing with it. It felt forced to me, like the author was trying to cast as wide a net as possible to impact as many people she could.
There was insta-love. Like pulling the L word out on the second date. With a man who is way too perfect and in touch with his feelings and also going through ALL THE THINGS so he completely understands her and only wants Hope to be the best that she can be. They don't even have sex because neither one is ready. For months.
I did really like the self help advice that was sprinkled liberally through the text. The need to actually deal with feelings, being okay with yourself before you can be okay with any one else. And ways that Hope went about doing these things. And even the reality that people back track and have ups and downs through the process.
November 7, 2017
Moved quickly
Great and quick read. The relationship of Hope and Sam moved too quickly for my taste. It did not seem believable.
Great and quick read. The relationship of Hope and Sam moved too quickly for my taste. It did not seem believable.
October 14, 2020
Rounded up from 3 1/2 stars. Tough subject matter, but important. A good listen.
January 10, 2016
In this complex, empathetic novel, author Lisa Gott weaves a compelling story about a young woman washed up on the shores of despair on her thirtieth birthday. She then goes on to portray the power of friendship and the intrinsic, yet hard-won, value of self-empowerment in rising from the depths.
Hope is surrounded by three of her best friends when the emotional floodgates burst wide open. Impending divorce, unemployment, foreclosure -- all these things and more have happened to Hope in the past few months, and she hasn't told a soul. Her friends jump in to support her.
But they've all got troubles of their own -- as Hope knows all too well..
Emma wants to get married and start a family. But her boyfriend just "isn't ready." Clara and her husband have tried for five years to have a baby -- and are anxiously awaiting the due date. Grace's brother was driven by mental illness to kill himself several years ago, his wife died of cancer, and Grace and her husband have adopted the two boys from the marriage. Emma, a practicing psychiatrist whose job it is to help people feel better, feels lonely all the time.
Nevertheless, they all rally around Hope in her time of need. Then, the unexpected happens. She meets Sam.
He's not like anyone she's ever met before. He's handsome, funny, sensitive -- and, to some degree, broken, like her. Sam's wife committed suicide and he blames himself -- or, at least did for a long while. For Hope's part she's, well, hopelessly attracted to him. But, after a couple of demure dates that seem to turn torrid in spite of their best intentions, they agree to take it slowly for awhile.
Then, Hope finds a job; Sam finds one as well. Only problem is, his is two states away.
Can their fragile new love survive separation? Will her friends still be there to support Hope through this newest crisis? And what precious secret do Hope and Clara share? You'll be well-rewarded by reading all the way to the end.
This excellent piece of fiction is so much more than your average chick-lit. Male readers will find plenty to which they can resonate as well. And the writing is so good. At a critical juncture, for example, Hope examines herself in a mirror:
"My eyes don't scan my body, picking out each and every problem. Instead, I take a step back and admire the beautiful woman I see; a woman who, against her own odds, made it. A woman who, although frightened, still has the undeniable urge to keep going. A woman with an insatiable desire to live."
And my favorite line, when she and Sam have tried unsuccessfully to make love for the first time:
"I wasn't mentally ready for it. . .I really wish they sold memory bleach."
There's a lot to like in this romantic, articulate book. Five stars to A Thirty-Something Girl, and thanks to the author for presenting us with such a lovely literary gift.
This book was made available free of charge in exchange for my honest review.
Hope is surrounded by three of her best friends when the emotional floodgates burst wide open. Impending divorce, unemployment, foreclosure -- all these things and more have happened to Hope in the past few months, and she hasn't told a soul. Her friends jump in to support her.
But they've all got troubles of their own -- as Hope knows all too well..
Emma wants to get married and start a family. But her boyfriend just "isn't ready." Clara and her husband have tried for five years to have a baby -- and are anxiously awaiting the due date. Grace's brother was driven by mental illness to kill himself several years ago, his wife died of cancer, and Grace and her husband have adopted the two boys from the marriage. Emma, a practicing psychiatrist whose job it is to help people feel better, feels lonely all the time.
Nevertheless, they all rally around Hope in her time of need. Then, the unexpected happens. She meets Sam.
He's not like anyone she's ever met before. He's handsome, funny, sensitive -- and, to some degree, broken, like her. Sam's wife committed suicide and he blames himself -- or, at least did for a long while. For Hope's part she's, well, hopelessly attracted to him. But, after a couple of demure dates that seem to turn torrid in spite of their best intentions, they agree to take it slowly for awhile.
Then, Hope finds a job; Sam finds one as well. Only problem is, his is two states away.
Can their fragile new love survive separation? Will her friends still be there to support Hope through this newest crisis? And what precious secret do Hope and Clara share? You'll be well-rewarded by reading all the way to the end.
This excellent piece of fiction is so much more than your average chick-lit. Male readers will find plenty to which they can resonate as well. And the writing is so good. At a critical juncture, for example, Hope examines herself in a mirror:
"My eyes don't scan my body, picking out each and every problem. Instead, I take a step back and admire the beautiful woman I see; a woman who, against her own odds, made it. A woman who, although frightened, still has the undeniable urge to keep going. A woman with an insatiable desire to live."
And my favorite line, when she and Sam have tried unsuccessfully to make love for the first time:
"I wasn't mentally ready for it. . .I really wish they sold memory bleach."
There's a lot to like in this romantic, articulate book. Five stars to A Thirty-Something Girl, and thanks to the author for presenting us with such a lovely literary gift.
This book was made available free of charge in exchange for my honest review.
February 27, 2016
I read this book as an ARC for an honest review. Honestly, it was not one of my favorites. I had a hard time feeling this story. Hope is our main character and a woman who is just broken. At the young age of thirty she has lost everything the first 30 years brought her. A marriage, career, house, love, and even the loss of an unborn child. I would be broken too, and far too depressed to wake up everyday. Hope feels the same. When her parents shut her out, she only has her 3 best friends to turn too, and they welcome her with open arms and a box of kleenex. Hope takes some time to find herself again at her friend's summer house, where she eventually meets a new man.
The reasons I had a hard time with this book is the pity party that Hope would not let go. Yes, she had every reason to have a pity party for herself, but the book never went over the emotion of sad. When you read books that are sad and depressing, they usually have a little upturn at some point, but this book always carried the emotion of sad, pitiness and depressed state throughout the whole book.Then we have Sam, the man she meets. Sam also has some haunting memories he's trying to escape, but I did not feel their relationship. It went too fast, they went from meeting to saying I love you within a 24 hour period. I almost got lost, I thought I missed a chapter as the pacing almost did not add up.
I do believe the our author has a way with words, she has this way to flow her sentences to match the exact emotion that needs to be drawn out of each character. I also loved the friendship of the 4 best friends. All women need friends like that, they are not just friends, but more of a family than your own family. Lying on the bathroom floor and drinking wine and eating cake, that is something woman do, with all the grace we have!
The ending...oh the ending. This was my favorite part of the book. I won't say much as I do not want to say any spoilers. A huge surprise, but thinking about it, it does add to the sad state of the story. It was bittersweet, I hated that ending,but loved it at the same time.This story shows you how life works when you least expect it. Sometimes blessings do come out of tragedy.
ARC provided by author in exchange for an honest review. Reviewed by Sabrina from Alpha Book Club
The reasons I had a hard time with this book is the pity party that Hope would not let go. Yes, she had every reason to have a pity party for herself, but the book never went over the emotion of sad. When you read books that are sad and depressing, they usually have a little upturn at some point, but this book always carried the emotion of sad, pitiness and depressed state throughout the whole book.Then we have Sam, the man she meets. Sam also has some haunting memories he's trying to escape, but I did not feel their relationship. It went too fast, they went from meeting to saying I love you within a 24 hour period. I almost got lost, I thought I missed a chapter as the pacing almost did not add up.
I do believe the our author has a way with words, she has this way to flow her sentences to match the exact emotion that needs to be drawn out of each character. I also loved the friendship of the 4 best friends. All women need friends like that, they are not just friends, but more of a family than your own family. Lying on the bathroom floor and drinking wine and eating cake, that is something woman do, with all the grace we have!
The ending...oh the ending. This was my favorite part of the book. I won't say much as I do not want to say any spoilers. A huge surprise, but thinking about it, it does add to the sad state of the story. It was bittersweet, I hated that ending,but loved it at the same time.This story shows you how life works when you least expect it. Sometimes blessings do come out of tragedy.
ARC provided by author in exchange for an honest review. Reviewed by Sabrina from Alpha Book Club
July 2, 2012
I have continued my recent foray into women's literature and have just turned the final page on Lisa Stull's "A Thirty Something Girl".
And, once again, I came away from the reading experience very satisfied and convinced that my attraction to women's literature is growing ever more solid with each entry that I delve into.
Stull's novel is, at once an attractive reading experience and one that is visceral. Having staged the tome through the first person perspective of her protagonist, Hope Jackson, Lisa has produced a remarkable voice that is confronting, heart wrenching, uncomfortable whilst being simultaneously perceptive, engaging, ironical, sexy and philosophical. We as the reader live through the eyes of Hope as she traverses the threshold of turning 30 and examining her life which as, up until now, coped with more than it's fair share of up's and down's. And, regardless of her gender, I found myself in empathy with Hope on more than a few occasions as she describes certain human foibles that both women and men alike share. It was a little confronting at times just how 'on the mark' Lisa was with her observations about the human condition and love.
The cast of supporting characters around Hope were an eclectic and attractive mix of friends and enemies who were all very well drawn and who I got to know and like very much. They are people I'd like to be around and get to know and, indeed, I identified a number of similar characters in my own circle who share the traits I found in the story.
Setting is another stand out in Lisa's novel. I am a very visual reader and I really enjoy being able to see the settings in a story. That can only be achieved through solid writing, the construction of place and atmosphere and Lisa achieves this soundly. Each time I delved back in to the story, I was easily transported. It was very satisfying.
The flow of the story was good too, although I found things progressing a little quickly in some instances and was wanting a little more fleshing out of certain scenes or progressions of scenes. But on this point, I don't sheet this home to the author, rather I think this is more a reflection of what I wanted from the story.
There are twists to the story that are revealed in a really good way. Some of them I kind of cottoned onto early, while others were quite unexpected. I enjoyed them all.
Lisa Stull has produced a lovely, lyrical and quite a sexy novel which I really loved and will be reading again. It is a worthwhile addition to your shelf or device.
And, once again, I came away from the reading experience very satisfied and convinced that my attraction to women's literature is growing ever more solid with each entry that I delve into.
Stull's novel is, at once an attractive reading experience and one that is visceral. Having staged the tome through the first person perspective of her protagonist, Hope Jackson, Lisa has produced a remarkable voice that is confronting, heart wrenching, uncomfortable whilst being simultaneously perceptive, engaging, ironical, sexy and philosophical. We as the reader live through the eyes of Hope as she traverses the threshold of turning 30 and examining her life which as, up until now, coped with more than it's fair share of up's and down's. And, regardless of her gender, I found myself in empathy with Hope on more than a few occasions as she describes certain human foibles that both women and men alike share. It was a little confronting at times just how 'on the mark' Lisa was with her observations about the human condition and love.
The cast of supporting characters around Hope were an eclectic and attractive mix of friends and enemies who were all very well drawn and who I got to know and like very much. They are people I'd like to be around and get to know and, indeed, I identified a number of similar characters in my own circle who share the traits I found in the story.
Setting is another stand out in Lisa's novel. I am a very visual reader and I really enjoy being able to see the settings in a story. That can only be achieved through solid writing, the construction of place and atmosphere and Lisa achieves this soundly. Each time I delved back in to the story, I was easily transported. It was very satisfying.
The flow of the story was good too, although I found things progressing a little quickly in some instances and was wanting a little more fleshing out of certain scenes or progressions of scenes. But on this point, I don't sheet this home to the author, rather I think this is more a reflection of what I wanted from the story.
There are twists to the story that are revealed in a really good way. Some of them I kind of cottoned onto early, while others were quite unexpected. I enjoyed them all.
Lisa Stull has produced a lovely, lyrical and quite a sexy novel which I really loved and will be reading again. It is a worthwhile addition to your shelf or device.
January 10, 2012
Following the novel’s protagonist Hope, I went through her emotional ups and downs. She was like someone I know in real life, or rather, a combination of a few people I have met over the years. I was taken into her confidence and went on a journey with her, a journey of soul-searching, self-awareness and rediscovery of what truly matters in life.
Lisa’s fictional character Hope, had we meet in real life, would have been quite different from me, in terms of our backgrounds, the way we were brought up and the fundamental cultural differences with respect to time and space. However, I feel that the author has created a memorable character which many women, no matter where they came from, could relate to in one way or another. Facing many of life’s trials and tribulations, Hope has had her own share of cards dealt by the hand of fate and subsequently she felt undermined, abandoned, unloved, hence allowing herself to sink into a dark pit of depression, losing her self-esteem and her confidence. She needed to find herself again, and she needed validation from other people. Fortunately for her, she had friends who loved her and supported her; but would she find the man of her dreams? Would she get another chance of happiness which she so dearly craves, more than anything else?
It is obvious that this book came from the author’s heart and soul, and it is brilliantly presented, with a beautiful cover, raw emotions, likeable characters, sometimes sad, sometimes optimistic, sparkling with wisdom that derive from astute observations of real life. It is a little gem of a book - my first thought was that oh this was going to be a Sex and City type of chick-lit, but as I read on, it took a more personal slant and I was led into a more memoir-type story, which I know I have been ‘accused of’ writing myself. It is an intimate look inside a Thirty-Something Girl’s head, into her delicate heart’s desire and what it takes to get that second chance in love, romance, and ultimately in life itself.
I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys an engaging emotional fast read. For my full review, please visit my blog: http://www.junyingkirk.com/?p=1297.
Lisa’s fictional character Hope, had we meet in real life, would have been quite different from me, in terms of our backgrounds, the way we were brought up and the fundamental cultural differences with respect to time and space. However, I feel that the author has created a memorable character which many women, no matter where they came from, could relate to in one way or another. Facing many of life’s trials and tribulations, Hope has had her own share of cards dealt by the hand of fate and subsequently she felt undermined, abandoned, unloved, hence allowing herself to sink into a dark pit of depression, losing her self-esteem and her confidence. She needed to find herself again, and she needed validation from other people. Fortunately for her, she had friends who loved her and supported her; but would she find the man of her dreams? Would she get another chance of happiness which she so dearly craves, more than anything else?
It is obvious that this book came from the author’s heart and soul, and it is brilliantly presented, with a beautiful cover, raw emotions, likeable characters, sometimes sad, sometimes optimistic, sparkling with wisdom that derive from astute observations of real life. It is a little gem of a book - my first thought was that oh this was going to be a Sex and City type of chick-lit, but as I read on, it took a more personal slant and I was led into a more memoir-type story, which I know I have been ‘accused of’ writing myself. It is an intimate look inside a Thirty-Something Girl’s head, into her delicate heart’s desire and what it takes to get that second chance in love, romance, and ultimately in life itself.
I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys an engaging emotional fast read. For my full review, please visit my blog: http://www.junyingkirk.com/?p=1297.
January 18, 2012
I’m not the world’s fastest reader, but I cannot remember the last time I breezed through a book as quickly as I did A Thirty-Something Girl. From the first sentence to the last, I inhaled L.M.’s words as if they were air.
Does this mean there wasn’t a lot of substance? Absolutely not. Written in first person point of view, Hope Ellena Jackson, a thirty-something girl lives through more twists and turns in a year than many of us encounter in a lifetime. At almost any point in the book, I was riding a wave of frayed emotions – either my stomach was in knots or my inner cheerleader was doing high-kicks.
You see, I really liked Hope. I liked her relationship with her girlfriends, her romantic interest, and her broken past. In her, any woman can find something to relate to. Hope is that part of us who must come to terms with life’s misfortunes. Some of them are of our own making; others are by circumstance. Either way, Hope has to deal with the consequences. In the process, she cements her friendships, opens her heart, and finds love.
L.M.’s book is a testament to the type of stories she wants to write. In A Thirty-Something Girl, she spins a generous tale about the resilience of the human spirit. Hope is her vehicle to illustrate that we all have the ability to rise above life’s hardships. As with her main character’s journey, it’s never a straight line to a happy ending, but while moving toward it, we learn what we are truly capable of.
My strong suspicion is that L.M. wrote A Thirty-Something Girl from a very personal place—perhaps her own life experiences from this past year. Hope is a thinly veiled metaphor, and there is clever wordplay strewn throughout the book using her name.
L.M. has written a book for all ages. It’s not just for thirty-something girls; it’s for twenty-somethings who can learn valuable life lessons, and those older who can take comfort in the wisdom of their decisions.
It’s for all of us who implicitly know that life is what we make of it, but sometimes a thirty-something girl like Hope comes along and reminds us.
Does this mean there wasn’t a lot of substance? Absolutely not. Written in first person point of view, Hope Ellena Jackson, a thirty-something girl lives through more twists and turns in a year than many of us encounter in a lifetime. At almost any point in the book, I was riding a wave of frayed emotions – either my stomach was in knots or my inner cheerleader was doing high-kicks.
You see, I really liked Hope. I liked her relationship with her girlfriends, her romantic interest, and her broken past. In her, any woman can find something to relate to. Hope is that part of us who must come to terms with life’s misfortunes. Some of them are of our own making; others are by circumstance. Either way, Hope has to deal with the consequences. In the process, she cements her friendships, opens her heart, and finds love.
L.M.’s book is a testament to the type of stories she wants to write. In A Thirty-Something Girl, she spins a generous tale about the resilience of the human spirit. Hope is her vehicle to illustrate that we all have the ability to rise above life’s hardships. As with her main character’s journey, it’s never a straight line to a happy ending, but while moving toward it, we learn what we are truly capable of.
My strong suspicion is that L.M. wrote A Thirty-Something Girl from a very personal place—perhaps her own life experiences from this past year. Hope is a thinly veiled metaphor, and there is clever wordplay strewn throughout the book using her name.
L.M. has written a book for all ages. It’s not just for thirty-something girls; it’s for twenty-somethings who can learn valuable life lessons, and those older who can take comfort in the wisdom of their decisions.
It’s for all of us who implicitly know that life is what we make of it, but sometimes a thirty-something girl like Hope comes along and reminds us.
March 2, 2012
"Maybe hidden under the dark & heavy layers of despair and doubt lies a shred of Hope." L.M. Stull's debut novel "A Thirty-Something Girl" is a story of self-discovery, life & death and true friendship. The protagonist Hope, a newly turned 30 year old, has had a string of bad luck that would cripple the best of people. With the aid and support of her close friends, Hope begins on a journey and stumbles across someone who will end up helping her along the way. Old wounds will be healed, new ones will be inflicted, but the true gem is the mantra "pick yourself up, dust yourself off and keep on going".
The friendship between Hope, Clara, Grace & Emma has a "Sex & The City" feel to it. All 30 something's, Hope's love of shoes, the beach house, and high profile jobs such as University Professors, Editors and Litigators makes this 30-chic chick lit relevant, up-to-date and fresh. The female comradery is a refreshing break from the warring cattiness that occurs sometimes in female centric novels. "A Thirty-Something Girl" is a fast, easy read with great flow. Stull succeeds in creating the rawness of human emotion, especially when at the end, Hope hears devastating news, and she succumbs with genuine grief and shock.
The downside to this novel however was there was not enough build up. Many of the situations were under-developed and easily solved. I had hoped that Hope would tackle hands on the issues that she herself had caused, yet aside from finding a new beau, her friends took care of these issues for her. For a story about self-discovery, the protagonist did very little. There were also some storylines that I wish had been delved into much more, like her past, her tense relationship with her parents, and more information on her relationship with Jeff.
In a world where everyone is out for #1, LM Stull writes a novel that renews the faith that there are true friends, such as Clara, Grace & Emma, out there that would really give you the shirt off their backs.
The friendship between Hope, Clara, Grace & Emma has a "Sex & The City" feel to it. All 30 something's, Hope's love of shoes, the beach house, and high profile jobs such as University Professors, Editors and Litigators makes this 30-chic chick lit relevant, up-to-date and fresh. The female comradery is a refreshing break from the warring cattiness that occurs sometimes in female centric novels. "A Thirty-Something Girl" is a fast, easy read with great flow. Stull succeeds in creating the rawness of human emotion, especially when at the end, Hope hears devastating news, and she succumbs with genuine grief and shock.
The downside to this novel however was there was not enough build up. Many of the situations were under-developed and easily solved. I had hoped that Hope would tackle hands on the issues that she herself had caused, yet aside from finding a new beau, her friends took care of these issues for her. For a story about self-discovery, the protagonist did very little. There were also some storylines that I wish had been delved into much more, like her past, her tense relationship with her parents, and more information on her relationship with Jeff.
In a world where everyone is out for #1, LM Stull writes a novel that renews the faith that there are true friends, such as Clara, Grace & Emma, out there that would really give you the shirt off their backs.
July 20, 2016
I felt conflicted about this book from the moment I started reading it. Somehow, it is beautifully honest and strangely unbelievable, all at the same time. I found the plot and the love story to be hopelessly unrealistic, while the main character's feelings felt achingly real. It's sort of like a walking contradiction. Except that it doesn't walk.
The writing was honest in its simplicity. Gut-wrenchingly honest, in fact. The author clearly captures the cyclical experience of depression - the way it can seem to lift one day, only to return with a stronger sense of hopelessness the next morning. This might frustrate some readers, as Hope seems to constantly return to the same fears and insecurities, but I found it refreshingly real. At times, it felt as if I was reading lines that were lifted from my own journals and I felt an instant sense of connection with the main character. Hope is lost, and her confusion jumps so vividly off the page that it's hard not to empathize with her.
But the actual events of the story left me cold. Hope's life is simultaneously too tragic (almost melodramatic) and too easy for me to believe. First, she is subjected to a series of traumatic losses, all of which are revealed by chapter four. She has basically lost everything except her friends. But then, as the story progresses, she finds miraculous blessings dropped into her lap: Oh, it's not all sunshine and roses. She still struggles to deal with her situation, her emotions, her sense of loss. But I kept feeling like she never had to work for anything. Things happen to her. Things are given to her. But she never truly does anything. And that was my biggest problem. While I sympathize with her feelings, I'm left feeling unsatisfied by her "happy ending" because she didn't have to actually work for it.
The writing was honest in its simplicity. Gut-wrenchingly honest, in fact. The author clearly captures the cyclical experience of depression - the way it can seem to lift one day, only to return with a stronger sense of hopelessness the next morning. This might frustrate some readers, as Hope seems to constantly return to the same fears and insecurities, but I found it refreshingly real. At times, it felt as if I was reading lines that were lifted from my own journals and I felt an instant sense of connection with the main character. Hope is lost, and her confusion jumps so vividly off the page that it's hard not to empathize with her.
But the actual events of the story left me cold. Hope's life is simultaneously too tragic (almost melodramatic) and too easy for me to believe. First, she is subjected to a series of traumatic losses, all of which are revealed by chapter four. She has basically lost everything except her friends. But then, as the story progresses, she finds miraculous blessings dropped into her lap: Oh, it's not all sunshine and roses. She still struggles to deal with her situation, her emotions, her sense of loss. But I kept feeling like she never had to work for anything. Things happen to her. Things are given to her. But she never truly does anything. And that was my biggest problem. While I sympathize with her feelings, I'm left feeling unsatisfied by her "happy ending" because she didn't have to actually work for it.
February 25, 2012
This book, to be honest, was quite hard for me to read. Not because of the writing, I feel like the author captured the emotions and situations very well. It was hard for me to read because, I have been right where Hope was. Maybe not totally, but I know what it feels like to be cheated on, to loose a husband, to have to start you life over. I know what it feels like to hide the hurt and plaster a smile on your face. I have TOTALLY been there. I could relate to hope when she slept for 3 days straight and wanted nothing more than to just disappear. I think more women have been there then care to admit to it. Its a dark and scary place and we see just how dark it is as we read about Hope's struggles with everyday things.
Even as she starts trying to put her life together, we see her struggle with something as simple as making a call to a possible employer. Her fear consumes her. She only sees ugliness when she looks into the mirror. She doesn't eat. When she is invited to a party at a neighbors house, she can't bring herself to walk through the door. Her life is a seeming never ending sea of darkness, and her only want for the future is to know true happiness. She yearns to be needed by someone who needs her as well.
She finally begins to find some of that happiness in Sam. He is struggling with his own heartaches, but they find that the pain is easier when they are together. Sam becomes her stability even with the pain they are both dealing with. Together, the future seems to have a light at the end of the tunnel, and together the fight to make it there. Things are looking up until Sam is offered a job out of town. At only the mention of the interview, Hope looses exactly what her name implies, every ounce of hope.
Will she be able to continue to heal after Sam is gone or will she fall back into her depression? I guess you will just have to read and find out.
To read more of my review, check out my blog at www.shhhmommysreading.blogspot.com
Even as she starts trying to put her life together, we see her struggle with something as simple as making a call to a possible employer. Her fear consumes her. She only sees ugliness when she looks into the mirror. She doesn't eat. When she is invited to a party at a neighbors house, she can't bring herself to walk through the door. Her life is a seeming never ending sea of darkness, and her only want for the future is to know true happiness. She yearns to be needed by someone who needs her as well.
She finally begins to find some of that happiness in Sam. He is struggling with his own heartaches, but they find that the pain is easier when they are together. Sam becomes her stability even with the pain they are both dealing with. Together, the future seems to have a light at the end of the tunnel, and together the fight to make it there. Things are looking up until Sam is offered a job out of town. At only the mention of the interview, Hope looses exactly what her name implies, every ounce of hope.
Will she be able to continue to heal after Sam is gone or will she fall back into her depression? I guess you will just have to read and find out.
To read more of my review, check out my blog at www.shhhmommysreading.blogspot.com
February 28, 2021
Dnf cause I have a hard time connecting with the character and believing all the good things happen to her like a friend letting her stay in a beach house with a fully stocked fridge, a neighbour inviting to a party after meeting her for the first time but especially I don't buy a random guy kissing her on the bench during their first conversation. Ok maybe I'm too cynical or particularly unlucky but I say if you have someone to fall back on and someone who cares about your depression then you have very little to be depressed about. I would rather see a character who has only herself to rely on sure maybe it would be a less feel good type of story but a lot more believable for me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 20, 2015
I'm not exactly sure how this book got on my TBR list.
When I was younger, I was an amatuer athlete. I played competitivly into my forties. I was the poster boy, and man, for stoicism. Cry? Not me, not even when my Dad and Mom died. At Mom's funeral, I almost cried but sucked it up to be a good, manly example for my two sons.
I'm a combat vet. I commanded an artillery battery and we got our share of mortar and incoming rockets and I had to write too many, "Dear Mrs." letter If something bothered me emotionally, I put it into a metal safety deposit box in my head and shut the vault door.
To shorten a long story, that vault got to heavy to carry. I became depressed, but chose to hide it and kept on smiling.
I got by with that for a few years, but finally broke. I saw suicide as the only logical (sick) way out. I finally sought help and have been trying to recover for some years. I can relate to how Hope felt, and I can now relate to Sam crying.
I think LM Stull has produced a great first book, but I feel like she gave short shrift to the depression recovery process. Kate had symptoms of clinical depression, and with counseling, medication to make up for the mind's physical damage, it takes years years to recover. Even if Kate didn't have clinical depression, she recovered remarkably (and unbelievably) fast. Some women take much longer to overcome post partum depression.
In my system, this book got 9 of 10 possible rating points. On this scale that's 4.5, rounding does the rest.
When I was younger, I was an amatuer athlete. I played competitivly into my forties. I was the poster boy, and man, for stoicism. Cry? Not me, not even when my Dad and Mom died. At Mom's funeral, I almost cried but sucked it up to be a good, manly example for my two sons.
I'm a combat vet. I commanded an artillery battery and we got our share of mortar and incoming rockets and I had to write too many, "Dear Mrs." letter If something bothered me emotionally, I put it into a metal safety deposit box in my head and shut the vault door.
To shorten a long story, that vault got to heavy to carry. I became depressed, but chose to hide it and kept on smiling.
I got by with that for a few years, but finally broke. I saw suicide as the only logical (sick) way out. I finally sought help and have been trying to recover for some years. I can relate to how Hope felt, and I can now relate to Sam crying.
I think LM Stull has produced a great first book, but I feel like she gave short shrift to the depression recovery process. Kate had symptoms of clinical depression, and with counseling, medication to make up for the mind's physical damage, it takes years years to recover. Even if Kate didn't have clinical depression, she recovered remarkably (and unbelievably) fast. Some women take much longer to overcome post partum depression.
In my system, this book got 9 of 10 possible rating points. On this scale that's 4.5, rounding does the rest.
May 5, 2013
A Thirty-something Girl is an emotionally packed/draining book.
With Hope, our main character starting out all doom and gloom, I can understand why people might start this but never finish it. It's a bit like a sad-bomb was let off in the opening chapters, and sadness and unbelievable hurt was strewn from the chandelier.
If you make it past this and continue on, you get some explanation, albeit a rather completely far fetched and too unbelievably complex reason. I felt that too much had 'gone wrong' for hope that it all became too unrealistic.
What I did like was how much her friends loved her, were there for her and offered support in various ways. The book was interspersed with a lot of very positive and inspirational words. It would be a good book to read if you were feeling a bit down (but you'd have to skip the first part).
I felt that the romance/ love interest in the story was too melodramatic, too rushed and while containing realistic reactions given their pasts, ultimately too 'fairytale'
There were some typos, but only a couple (mostly misuse of there/their/they're and similar).
The ending... Oh, the ending. I just don't know what to say about that. I simultaneously like it and hate it. It felt surreal, fragmented and yet sort of completely right too. I can't offer you much more than that I am afraid.
With Hope, our main character starting out all doom and gloom, I can understand why people might start this but never finish it. It's a bit like a sad-bomb was let off in the opening chapters, and sadness and unbelievable hurt was strewn from the chandelier.
If you make it past this and continue on, you get some explanation, albeit a rather completely far fetched and too unbelievably complex reason. I felt that too much had 'gone wrong' for hope that it all became too unrealistic.
What I did like was how much her friends loved her, were there for her and offered support in various ways. The book was interspersed with a lot of very positive and inspirational words. It would be a good book to read if you were feeling a bit down (but you'd have to skip the first part).
I felt that the romance/ love interest in the story was too melodramatic, too rushed and while containing realistic reactions given their pasts, ultimately too 'fairytale'
There were some typos, but only a couple (mostly misuse of there/their/they're and similar).
The ending... Oh, the ending. I just don't know what to say about that. I simultaneously like it and hate it. It felt surreal, fragmented and yet sort of completely right too. I can't offer you much more than that I am afraid.
April 7, 2012
A Thirty-Something Girl is a story about a woman in crisis working her way back to the world of the living. Hope is not looking forward to turning thirty. Making matters worse, her husband of ten years has left her for another woman, she's lost her job, miscarried a baby, lost all her money in the stock market and her condo is about to be foreclosed upon. Fortunately, Hope has great friends.
With the love and support of her friends, Clara and Emma, Hope slowly begins to pull her life back together and realize her true potential. We follow our extremely likeable, and often times humorous protagonist through the at times painful, but ultimately rewarding emotional ups and downs of leaving a shaky past behind and finding a new career and a new soul mate in a brighter future.
As a male reader I have to say I found myself falling for Hope, and at times feeling jealous of Sam, the love interest. In Hope Jackson, Ms. Stull has created a very realistic character with hopes, fears and passions all of us can relate to. I'd recommend this novel to anybody who has ever felt like giving up, but has been able to overcome life's obstacles with the love and assistance of true friends. L.M. Stull is a writer of great talent. I look forward to many other great works by her.
With the love and support of her friends, Clara and Emma, Hope slowly begins to pull her life back together and realize her true potential. We follow our extremely likeable, and often times humorous protagonist through the at times painful, but ultimately rewarding emotional ups and downs of leaving a shaky past behind and finding a new career and a new soul mate in a brighter future.
As a male reader I have to say I found myself falling for Hope, and at times feeling jealous of Sam, the love interest. In Hope Jackson, Ms. Stull has created a very realistic character with hopes, fears and passions all of us can relate to. I'd recommend this novel to anybody who has ever felt like giving up, but has been able to overcome life's obstacles with the love and assistance of true friends. L.M. Stull is a writer of great talent. I look forward to many other great works by her.
October 23, 2016
This is a bittersweet story of two people who have endured much heartache and turmoil in their lives, and what happens when their paths eventually cross. It’s a tale that beautifully illustrates the idea that no matter how difficult one’s life has been, the past is the past, and the future can still hold a great abundance of both love and goodness. It’s about making the conscious decision to live a happy life.
There was so much in this book that struck at personal chords for me. While learning about all that both Hope and Sam had gone through, though my personal experiences differ somewhat, I could feel the pain and desolation they carried with them. I can’t imagine any reader not being able to relate to these characters in some way. As I read and learned more about each of the characters’ pasts, how they dealt with their here and now, and what they decided to do about their futures, I felt a strange mix of both frustration and compassion for them. They are both so painfully human, and I felt each one of their stories deeply.
Lisa Gott writes from the heart. Her style is genuine, her words emotional and lovely. I was touched by this book and look forward to reading more from this author.
There was so much in this book that struck at personal chords for me. While learning about all that both Hope and Sam had gone through, though my personal experiences differ somewhat, I could feel the pain and desolation they carried with them. I can’t imagine any reader not being able to relate to these characters in some way. As I read and learned more about each of the characters’ pasts, how they dealt with their here and now, and what they decided to do about their futures, I felt a strange mix of both frustration and compassion for them. They are both so painfully human, and I felt each one of their stories deeply.
Lisa Gott writes from the heart. Her style is genuine, her words emotional and lovely. I was touched by this book and look forward to reading more from this author.
December 23, 2011
L.M. Stull, in her debut novel Thirty-Something Girl, has penned a literary classic. Strong words for what could be called a Chick-Lit Romance, but true none-the-less. The realistic emotion portrayed throughout creates more of a personal essay / memoir feel than fiction. The characters are as Hemingway demanded "more real than real." I was immediately drawn into the life of Hope, a woman trying to survive turning thirty as her life implodes. This novel could well be used as a textbook of well written prose. If you are a writer, in any genre, read it. This is how it is done.
As a reader, I totally lost myself in the story - relating more to Hope's trials, failures, fears, and triumphs than you would think a 50 year old man would. The writing drew me in and captured my heart. I cried with Hope and cheered for her. I totally could not put the story down, even reading it at work on my cell phone when I didn't have my Kindle handy. A Thirty-Something Girl is my Must Read of the year. Get it now. Give it to someone you love for Christmas. Author L.M. Stull is someone to watch. I can't wait to read what she writes next.
As a reader, I totally lost myself in the story - relating more to Hope's trials, failures, fears, and triumphs than you would think a 50 year old man would. The writing drew me in and captured my heart. I cried with Hope and cheered for her. I totally could not put the story down, even reading it at work on my cell phone when I didn't have my Kindle handy. A Thirty-Something Girl is my Must Read of the year. Get it now. Give it to someone you love for Christmas. Author L.M. Stull is someone to watch. I can't wait to read what she writes next.
January 23, 2012
Two stars means "It was okay," per Goodreads. I want to separate the book from the author and say that I give the author herself five stars as a human being. That said, the first several chapters were a tough slog and perpetuated the same depressing thing over and over in a slow-motioned, flat, simplistic way. I wondered if it was a YA book with its lack of vocabulary, use of first-person, and the way every detail was documented. I craved plot. But the protagonist kept saying and doing the same things chapter after chapter. By the 13th Chapter, the main character began to cheer up but the writing was still weak. Uses of "ugh," "um," and "err" in dialogue and a written letter were extraneous. There were many proofreading errors throughout, especially in Chapter 7 of the e-book. "Three days has passed" instead of "had." I had to put the book down at Chapter 13. A five-star review is Jane Austen or Edith Wharton or Virginia Woolf. There is always the next book in which an author has another chance to improve, and I will gladly read and review the next book with honesty and perspective.
June 23, 2012
Hope is a young woman who turns 30 just as her life is falling to shambles. This story is her road to recovery; the trials she faces as she tries time and time again to not only start living her life, but coming to terms with the fact that she deserves a great life. One that she has always wanted despite the mistakes she has made in the past. The novel chronicles her struggles as she overcomes a stifling depression. Her journey is heart breaking and honest. The novel reads more as a journal rather than as fiction. Hope's story is one that will hit home with anyone who has struggled to understand their own place in this crazy world we live in. Her story is one of hope, and I don't think it too ironic that she shares her name with the one emotion she lacks but comes to find over the course of the novel.
You can find my full review over at my blog : areadersaddiction.blogspot.com
I apologize for the slips in my original posting. I read and re-read the post but apparently not close enough. Now I appear to have a better grasp on English grammar! Once again I prove that I need quiet in order to concentrate and can not have anything going on around me to distract me.
You can find my full review over at my blog : areadersaddiction.blogspot.com
I apologize for the slips in my original posting. I read and re-read the post but apparently not close enough. Now I appear to have a better grasp on English grammar! Once again I prove that I need quiet in order to concentrate and can not have anything going on around me to distract me.
June 22, 2012
Contest Here: http://thetbrpile.weebly.com/1/post/2...
The characters in this story are very well developed. It feels very realistic that there are no quick fixes and although Hope is moving in the right direction, it is two steps forward and one step back. I really liked how Hope met Sam and how their relationship evolved. How these two broken people find comfort and strength in each other is delightfully written. I was very caught up in Hope and Sam’s individual stories and their story together, which was why I was disappointed with the last third of the book. Things have been carefully set up throughout the book then all of a sudden multiple big things are happening very fast and they are wrapped up and handed to the reader without any of the emotion and beautiful writing seen in the first part. Therefore I rated this 3.5 stars but I would recommend A Thirty-Something Girl, so I increased it to 4.
The characters in this story are very well developed. It feels very realistic that there are no quick fixes and although Hope is moving in the right direction, it is two steps forward and one step back. I really liked how Hope met Sam and how their relationship evolved. How these two broken people find comfort and strength in each other is delightfully written. I was very caught up in Hope and Sam’s individual stories and their story together, which was why I was disappointed with the last third of the book. Things have been carefully set up throughout the book then all of a sudden multiple big things are happening very fast and they are wrapped up and handed to the reader without any of the emotion and beautiful writing seen in the first part. Therefore I rated this 3.5 stars but I would recommend A Thirty-Something Girl, so I increased it to 4.
May 16, 2012
When I began reading this book, I felt like I was looking at me. Lost. Alone. Confused. Broken. The main character, Hope, is numb from several life-changing experiences that would challenge someone if they only had one of them. Through her friends who give amazing support (God, I wish I had friends like that!), Hope is able to find just that - hope for a new beginning. The process is long and difficult, and she tends to wrestle with negative thinking sometimes (i.e., she assumes all is lost and a failure, and pushes good things out of her life). But Hope finds new love, a new jobs, a new life in spite of tragedy, and that is what I love about this book.
Additionally, the voice of Hope is authentic. She is definitely young (well, to me 30 is young) but still discovering who she is. This is played out well in the story and Stull does a great job of it. Awesome! :-)
Additionally, the voice of Hope is authentic. She is definitely young (well, to me 30 is young) but still discovering who she is. This is played out well in the story and Stull does a great job of it. Awesome! :-)
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