Once Upon A Nervous Breakdown

by Patrick Sanchez

Patrick Sanchez delivers a hilarious, moving, and all-too-true snapshot of a generation of women stretched between extremes, frazzled by time and tides, and determined to make everything work without losing themselves in the process. Jennifer Costas has her hands full. She's the single mother of a five-year-old son; her full-time job is only getting busier; her force-of-nature college roommate recently showed up on her doorstep in need of a place to stay . . . indefinitely; her increasingly cranky "old-world" mother answers the phone every morning with, "I'm not dead" and her newly out-of-the-closet ex-husband is constantly late with his child support payments while he tries to get his new restaurant, Gonads (think gay Hooters) off the ground. She feels guilty about not making "stay-at-home mom cookies" and wary about tip-toeing into the dating scene carrying thirty-six years' worth of baggage. Having it all means juggling it all, and Jennifer's trying desperately not to drop anything. But just when Jennifer thinks she's operating at maximum capacity, her mother's health begins to fail. Faced with taking care of her mother in addition to her son, keeping her career on track, and maintaining some semblance of a social life, Jennifer's in for the ride of her life-one that will challenge her sense of humor, her sense of self, and her sense of sanity. "A wonderful read! I loved it" -Alisa Valdes Rodriguez, New York Times bestselling author on Tight "A frank comedy of manners that exposes both the highs and lows of the modern quest for youth and beauty" -Kirkus Reviews on Tight Patrick Sanchez grew up in the Maryland suburbs of Washington, D.C. After surviving twelve years of Catholic school, Patrick attended George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia, where he majored in psychology (with a minor in naps, The Price Is Right, and The Young and the Restless). Prior to his career as a novelist, Patrick worked as a profess

Genres: Chick Lit

316 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 2007

Reviews

[Sara · Rating 2 out of 5]

So terribly boring. DNF

[Erin *Proud Book Hoarder* · Rating 4 out of 5]

Once Upon a Nervous Breakdown is the sort of book that weaves side-splitting comedy, tearful drama and bizarre situations almost seamlessly. Jennifer Costas is a single mother, recently divorced from her out-of-the-closet husband, trying to raise a small son and juggle a full career. Her old college roommate, an activist with wild ideas about almost every aspect in life, moves in for an indefinite amount of time. The roommate and sexually-active neighbor encourage young Jennifer to enter the dating arena again. And last, but certainly not least, Jennifer must care for her increasingly dependent aging mother.

There were moments in the reading where I giggled for a minute straight, especially with the adorably promiscuous neighbor and her bizarre antics. Jennifer is a character who’s easy to fall in love with. Her sense of humor is strong, although she could learn to laugh at life a little more. Her ways of thinking are old-fashioned and she’s a bit too strait-laced, yet she’s open-minded enough to attempt to accept her ex-husband inviting her to see his cross-dancing performances. As a mother she’s completely devoted to her son, yet of course because of hectic scheduling must buy pre-made cookies rather than bake from scratch. Her mother and she get into the typical fights, but she’s there for her as often as she’s needed.

Many women can relate to Once Upon a Nervous Breakdown - divorce, raising a child, taking care of elderly parents, all while trying to proceed ahead in the business world. Sacrifices must be made, priorities set and adhered to, yet allowances must be spent to keep yourself whole.

The drama of this book (I won’t spoil it) is quite sad. I cried hard at the end, being vested in the characters and the situation. Sanchez writes these scenes well, portraying a serious aspect of life many of us have to face. It’s a touchy situation that requires the right level of writing style, which he ultimately finds. The ending is a bittersweet finale, making everything right as rain again, or as well as it can be after Jennifer’s life.

Pace-wise, it’s hard to get bored as Jennifer must tackle oncoming obstacles. Some situations ease on their own as life problems tend too, while others keep pushing themselves in her face until she has to make hard decisions. In either case, I was laughing, sympathizing, or crying right along with her. This is the sort of book that makes you come alive emotionally and ultimately walking away with a warm feeling inside.

[April Wood · Rating 5 out of 5]

"I'm a mother, you're a mother. We take care of people. That's what we do."

Jennifer Costas is on the verge of a nervous breakdown. She is a single mother to her five year old son, her gay ex-husband is late on child support due to trying to get a restaurant up and running titled "Gonads", (think gay Hooters), and her mother's health is failing... Throw in a few wacky dates, and she is close to being fitted for a strait jacket.

Once Upon a Nervous Breakdown really pulls at the heart strings. One minute you are laughing out loud and the next you are reaching for a box of tissues. I really enjoyed this story, and I have one of those lovely "book hangovers" now from it. I don't know how Author Patrick Sanchez was able to get inside the female mind so deftly, but he did and I would recommend this book to anyone who is interested in a moving book about a 30 something going through some serious emotional turbulence, and coming out on top.

5 stars!





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[Sheila · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jennifer is a divorced single mom, with a young son, an ex-husband behind on his child support and a mother whose health is declining. The book is an easy read. The characters were well developed.
I've read this book several times, but this last time the main character Jennifer really irritated me. She is so selfish and was oblivious to everything going on in her life. I feel she could have made some adjustments in her life to make it easier.

[Shontel S · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good book about a divorced overworked mother with an ailing parent. This is a quick read with the feeling of one woman's day-to-day experiences for a few months. Most of the characters and situations are extremely relatable with the exception of a couple that seems a bit over the top. Despite the subject matter, it's a funny book.

[L V · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reviewed by: Bela

When I first read the prologue, I was instantly reminded of Fran Drescher’s "Happily Divorced"; however, unlike the title of the show, Jennifer Costas is not happy. In fact, she has too much on her plate—from dealing with the divorce from her gay ex-husband, to taking care of her 5-year old son, to spending time with her elderly and lonesome mother, to having to put up with all the dating advice from her two friends. Who wouldn’t go crazy?

Jennifer is somebody that anyone can relate to. I totally agreed when she mentioned that mothers that make crafts and bake good all day are clearly the ones who don’t work (this was when her son was bugging her to make cookies from scratch for a bake sale.) Jennifer didn’t have time to wipe her a**.

It was sad how she was the only person her mother could depend on, which only filled her with even more obligation. I find it ironic how parents eventually become the children with their constant petulance and neediness.

Ben seemed like a totally nice (normal) guy, at first, but I agreed with Jen when she didn’t want to add more drama in her life. With all the crap she had going, who would? And what if it becomes a thing? What if he turns out to be gay too? Who would seriously be okay to go to a drag-queen show!?

Her two friends are definitely characters you remember. Desma is a political, vegetarian pain in the neck; and Claire is such a “free lover.” Should Jen be hanging around with these broads?

Some of Jen’s dates were hilarious! I especially liked the one going through the “heterosexual rehab.” The only thing I didn’t like was that it got too racy sometimes.

I LOVED the sense of humor blended with the sarcasm. This is a real-life story of drama and stress. You can’t help but have a nervous breakdown yourself as you’re reading it. You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, and you’ll feel right at home.

[Tree · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book has a lot of heart. This is the second Sanchez book I've read and will certainly be reading him again.

He has a gift for dialouge and accurately and humerously putting himself in a woman's place.

His characters are over the top, but you love every minute of it.

[Leslie Hickman · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is one that caught my eye at the library just wandering through the shelves. I was pleasantly surprised. I almost decided to return it the day after I checked it out without reading it, BUT I had problems sleeping and said why not. I am glad I could not sleep. It was a delightful read.

[Laura Petitone · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. It was an easy and fast read. I am not a fast reader and I finished it in three days! I suggest it to anyone who wants something entertaining that will make you both laugh and cry!

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

A light and easy read with humorous charcters. There is a seriousness to the book towards the end. It was enjoyable and I would classify it as a "beach" read.

[Mike · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author is a good friend and I really enjoy his writing style and characterizations.

[Brittney · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty slow read, took me forever to get trhough it. But an overall good story line.

[Dawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

A light and fun book. 20 - 30 year olds coping with growing up in a humorous way - juggling career,
love and dealing with aging parents.

[Sherri · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good book but it pulled at my heart's personal matters.