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Nice Work, Nora November: A Novel about Second Chances
Now that Nora is not dead, only one question What does she want to do with her life?
Nora November is alive—but she wasn’t always. She was once clinically dead, having spent several minutes under water after a terrible surfing accident she doesn’t remember. What she does remember from her time in a coma is her grandfather, who passed away over a year ago. And a beautiful garden. And the most delicious tomato she ever tasted.
Now that she’s awake again her life has been cleaved in two. In the Before, Nora lived like a ghost, drowning under the weight of her parents’ expectations. In the After, she’s determined to accomplish the things she left undone before she died. Her reverse bucket list is She wants to learn to cook and to be a better older sister to Lacey. She wants to quit her terrible job as a personal injury lawyer at her dad’s firm. She wants to bring Grandpa’s now-neglected garden back to life. And she wants to find the guy she met in a corner store months ago—the one she never called but never stopped thinking about.
As Nora’s attempts at a new life prove disastrous at best, her mission to fulfill her reverse bucket list leads her to a reckoning with the truth she almost hid from herself.
Women’s fiction with just a hint of light romanceStand-alone novelPerfect for fans of Linda Holmes, Matt Haig, and Abi WaxmanBook 100,000 wordsIncludes discussion questions for book clubs
Nora November is alive—but she wasn’t always. She was once clinically dead, having spent several minutes under water after a terrible surfing accident she doesn’t remember. What she does remember from her time in a coma is her grandfather, who passed away over a year ago. And a beautiful garden. And the most delicious tomato she ever tasted.
Now that she’s awake again her life has been cleaved in two. In the Before, Nora lived like a ghost, drowning under the weight of her parents’ expectations. In the After, she’s determined to accomplish the things she left undone before she died. Her reverse bucket list is She wants to learn to cook and to be a better older sister to Lacey. She wants to quit her terrible job as a personal injury lawyer at her dad’s firm. She wants to bring Grandpa’s now-neglected garden back to life. And she wants to find the guy she met in a corner store months ago—the one she never called but never stopped thinking about.
As Nora’s attempts at a new life prove disastrous at best, her mission to fulfill her reverse bucket list leads her to a reckoning with the truth she almost hid from herself.
Women’s fiction with just a hint of light romanceStand-alone novelPerfect for fans of Linda Holmes, Matt Haig, and Abi WaxmanBook 100,000 wordsIncludes discussion questions for book clubs
365 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 22, 2024
117 people are currently reading
7668 people want to read
About the author
Julia London
190 books3,137 followersJulia London is the New York Times and USA Today best selling author of more than two dozen romantic fiction novels. She is the author of the popular historical romance series, the Cabot Sisters, including The Trouble with Honor, The Devil Takes a Bride, and The Scoundrel and the Debutante. She is also the author of several contemporary romances, including Homecoming Ranch, Return to Homecoming Ranch, and The Perfect Homecoming.
Julia is the recipient of the RT Bookclub Award for Best Historical Romance and a six-time finalist for the prestigious RITA award for excellence in romantic fiction. To keep up with all the Julia London news, please visit http://www.julialondon.com. Follow her on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/julialondon
Julia is the recipient of the RT Bookclub Award for Best Historical Romance and a six-time finalist for the prestigious RITA award for excellence in romantic fiction. To keep up with all the Julia London news, please visit http://www.julialondon.com. Follow her on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/julialondon
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 470 reviews
June 4, 2024
Nice Work, Nora November by Julia London
Contemporary women’s fiction with secondary romance focus.
After experiencing a near death situation, Nora November has a whole new outlook. She also has a bucket of regrets and a bucket list of changes or things she wants to do this time around. She wants to learn to cook. Play basketball. And find the man she spent hours with during a hostage situation. This time, she’s going to work against the chronic depression and work towards happy.
🎧 I listened to an audiobook of this book narrated by Karissa Vacker who does a marvelous job on the performance. The pressure and happy come through clearly in the narration, as does the hope. Of course I cried along with Nora in certain points. Her strength also comes through effectively making me cheer her on all that much more. The story is easily followed in this narration, so recommend this format for an effortless but emotional wringing few hours of listening.
I did listen to this at my preferred speed of 1.5.
Nora finds out what’s important to her and goes after it this time around. It’s an emotional journey reconciling those she may have slighted in the before time against new priorities and a happier outlook. It’s not an easy journey but it is heartfelt. And heartbreaking. And ultimately, the feel-good path.
I received a copy of this from NetGalley and publisher Harper Muse.
Contemporary women’s fiction with secondary romance focus.
After experiencing a near death situation, Nora November has a whole new outlook. She also has a bucket of regrets and a bucket list of changes or things she wants to do this time around. She wants to learn to cook. Play basketball. And find the man she spent hours with during a hostage situation. This time, she’s going to work against the chronic depression and work towards happy.
🎧 I listened to an audiobook of this book narrated by Karissa Vacker who does a marvelous job on the performance. The pressure and happy come through clearly in the narration, as does the hope. Of course I cried along with Nora in certain points. Her strength also comes through effectively making me cheer her on all that much more. The story is easily followed in this narration, so recommend this format for an effortless but emotional wringing few hours of listening.
I did listen to this at my preferred speed of 1.5.
Nora finds out what’s important to her and goes after it this time around. It’s an emotional journey reconciling those she may have slighted in the before time against new priorities and a happier outlook. It’s not an easy journey but it is heartfelt. And heartbreaking. And ultimately, the feel-good path.
I received a copy of this from NetGalley and publisher Harper Muse.
April 7, 2024
3.5 stars
~~~~~~~~~~~~
I have to say I have mixed feelings about this book. It is written in a parallel perspective between the main character and the guy she fell for at the corner store during a robbery. Nora is struggling to find her way and most of this book is about her journey from broken to renewed.
One thing to mention is that there are a lot of triggers in this book. This character has been through the wringer, physically and mentally. We are witnessing her rebirth into who she really is as she sheds the life she hates and manages her clinical depression.
There are a lot of heavy pieces in this story as Nora works through finding herself with her reverse bucket list. But with the heavy, London adds in light and humor through quirky characters and warm memories. This is where my mixed feelings come in.
Throughout the journey, Nora is working on improving herself, healing relationships, struggling with horrible family emotional abuse, and still hoping to find “The Guy” who impacted her life that she met during a robbery.
We hear from “The Guy” throughout the chapters as he has his own story to tell, but in their parallel journey, they do not meet again until the very end. I cannot stop thinking that he would have been a great support system as she was struggling and changing. I really wish we had gotten more of them together!
Overall, London tackles loads of trauma in an inspirational way. It is difficult to change who you are and reinvent yourself. However, it is addressed in such a manner you find yourself firmly in Nora’s corner, cheering her on!
Nice Work, Nora November supports second chances, reinventing yourself, believing in, and learning to love yourself. You do need to be in a good place mentally to read this book, but it will inspire you!
~~~~
* I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
* full review - https://amidlifewife.com/nice-work-no...
~~~~~~~~~~~~
I have to say I have mixed feelings about this book. It is written in a parallel perspective between the main character and the guy she fell for at the corner store during a robbery. Nora is struggling to find her way and most of this book is about her journey from broken to renewed.
One thing to mention is that there are a lot of triggers in this book. This character has been through the wringer, physically and mentally. We are witnessing her rebirth into who she really is as she sheds the life she hates and manages her clinical depression.
There are a lot of heavy pieces in this story as Nora works through finding herself with her reverse bucket list. But with the heavy, London adds in light and humor through quirky characters and warm memories. This is where my mixed feelings come in.
Throughout the journey, Nora is working on improving herself, healing relationships, struggling with horrible family emotional abuse, and still hoping to find “The Guy” who impacted her life that she met during a robbery.
We hear from “The Guy” throughout the chapters as he has his own story to tell, but in their parallel journey, they do not meet again until the very end. I cannot stop thinking that he would have been a great support system as she was struggling and changing. I really wish we had gotten more of them together!
Overall, London tackles loads of trauma in an inspirational way. It is difficult to change who you are and reinvent yourself. However, it is addressed in such a manner you find yourself firmly in Nora’s corner, cheering her on!
Nice Work, Nora November supports second chances, reinventing yourself, believing in, and learning to love yourself. You do need to be in a good place mentally to read this book, but it will inspire you!
~~~~
* I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
* full review - https://amidlifewife.com/nice-work-no...
May 20, 2024
Nora November is a lucky woman. For several moments, she was clinically dead after drowning, but she’s brought back. During her near-death experience, she speaks with her beloved grandfather, who died the year before, and comes back filled with joy and hope. The problem? Her life is a mess. She has a difficult relationship with her domineering father, who is also her boss. Her mother only cares that she’s lost weight while in a coma. She’s a crappy sister and cousin, and never follows through on anything.
Armed with her second change, Nora creates a reverse bucket list, which includes reconnecting with the sweet guy she met during a hilariously inept robbery at a convenience store. But Nora suffers from depression, and her attempts at recreating a better life are very realistically fraught with insecurity and questions. Julia London deftly balances Nora’s mental health struggles with her determination to live life to the fullest and come through for the people she loves. Nice Work, Nora November is the perfect blend of women’s fiction and romantic comedy.
June 10, 2024
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
Thank you, thank you, thank you HarperCollins Focus - Harper Muse and NetGalley for this perfect audiobook.
I really didn´t expect something like this.
Nice Work, Nora November presents itself like our friendly usual rom-com, but it´s much much more.
Nora died. She was considered dead for minutes, and when she came back, she knew her life could not continue as it was.
Before she struggled with depression, before she was in a job she hated, before she was fading away from life.
But now, she is in the After, and she will live at her best, care for the people around her, and find new passions and hobbies.
Unfortunately, it´s not that simple. Nora knows what she wants, but depression is a disease she will always have to battle, her family legacy is the only job she always knew and apparently, she cannot cook or garden, at all.
This book had so much mental health representation and it was done beautifully. I would still consider it as a ´light´ because the author manages the impossible.
Julia London writes about depression and loss, alcoholism, and burnout in a super delicate way, that sometimes made me smile even though the heaviness of the scene.
I loved how she didn´t redeem some characters who were too far away from redemption. It´s so classic in a book with a dysfunctional family that eventually the parents, or whoever it is the toxic part, have a change of heart and redeem themself, but London doesn´t do it. Nora´s father is a narcissist and so many other things and he will always be. Nora´s mother lived for what other people think of her and arriving at 60 with that mentality it´s difficult to change overnight, so she doesn´t.
And even Nora, after such a changing experience comes back in full swing, but she fails, and fails, and fails again, because that is life. Life is difficult.
Jack's character was refreshing and I even love how their love story didn´t really happen, but was just there, waiting to be found.
It´s funny how the two main characters actually never directly interact in the present and how they really just interacted once in the past. They are so utterly perfect for each other that it was obvious they were going to make it.
Regarding the audiobook, I love Karissa Vacker's voice and I have zero complaints. In this case, I didn´t even mind there wasn´t a male voice actor, because this book wasn´t written as a love story for two people, this book was about how complicated it is to be in this world and how easily we can be sinking in something we hate and fear.
Thank you, thank you, thank you HarperCollins Focus - Harper Muse and NetGalley for this perfect audiobook.
I really didn´t expect something like this.
Nice Work, Nora November presents itself like our friendly usual rom-com, but it´s much much more.
Nora died. She was considered dead for minutes, and when she came back, she knew her life could not continue as it was.
Before she struggled with depression, before she was in a job she hated, before she was fading away from life.
But now, she is in the After, and she will live at her best, care for the people around her, and find new passions and hobbies.
Unfortunately, it´s not that simple. Nora knows what she wants, but depression is a disease she will always have to battle, her family legacy is the only job she always knew and apparently, she cannot cook or garden, at all.
This book had so much mental health representation and it was done beautifully. I would still consider it as a ´light´ because the author manages the impossible.
Julia London writes about depression and loss, alcoholism, and burnout in a super delicate way, that sometimes made me smile even though the heaviness of the scene.
I loved how she didn´t redeem some characters who were too far away from redemption. It´s so classic in a book with a dysfunctional family that eventually the parents, or whoever it is the toxic part, have a change of heart and redeem themself, but London doesn´t do it. Nora´s father is a narcissist and so many other things and he will always be. Nora´s mother lived for what other people think of her and arriving at 60 with that mentality it´s difficult to change overnight, so she doesn´t.
And even Nora, after such a changing experience comes back in full swing, but she fails, and fails, and fails again, because that is life. Life is difficult.
Jack's character was refreshing and I even love how their love story didn´t really happen, but was just there, waiting to be found.
It´s funny how the two main characters actually never directly interact in the present and how they really just interacted once in the past. They are so utterly perfect for each other that it was obvious they were going to make it.
Regarding the audiobook, I love Karissa Vacker's voice and I have zero complaints. In this case, I didn´t even mind there wasn´t a male voice actor, because this book wasn´t written as a love story for two people, this book was about how complicated it is to be in this world and how easily we can be sinking in something we hate and fear.
April 29, 2024
An uplifting message underneath this story, but the journey to get there was a bit tedious for me. After a near-death surfing accident, Nora November uses her second chance at life to complete her "reverse" bucket list. And objectively I loved the endearing simplicity of said list. But with so much focus on restoring her grandfather's garden, it wasn't very riveting to read about.
The romance had a lot of potential. The fate-like way Jack was unknowingly there with Nora throughout the book was precious. But with their chemistry based on only a few hours of interaction from the past—during a hostage situation, I must add (so odd?)—it all came together in a way that felt too good to be true.
And lastly, her family was the epitome of awful. I loved seeing Nora stand up for herself, but these people felt like caricatures. It cheapened the emotional connection I was so desperately trying to feel. On top of that, the insensitive reveals used to emphasize Nora's mental health only added to my frustration. Sadly, I was not a fan of this one.
(heat level: kissing only)
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own
The romance had a lot of potential. The fate-like way Jack was unknowingly there with Nora throughout the book was precious. But with their chemistry based on only a few hours of interaction from the past—during a hostage situation, I must add (so odd?)—it all came together in a way that felt too good to be true.
And lastly, her family was the epitome of awful. I loved seeing Nora stand up for herself, but these people felt like caricatures. It cheapened the emotional connection I was so desperately trying to feel. On top of that, the insensitive reveals used to emphasize Nora's mental health only added to my frustration. Sadly, I was not a fan of this one.
(heat level: kissing only)
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own
September 24, 2024
A sweet story of a woman who had a near death experience that inspired her to reevaluate her life. She creates a reverse bucket list, leading her to new opportunities, possibilities, and a second chance at living life on her own terms.
June 2, 2024
A near death experience has Nora November re-evaluating her life decisions as she tries to track down the guy that got away and rectify past regrets. Moving, heartfelt and with AMAZING depression and anxiety rep, this book was great on audio and highly recommended for anyone who has struggled with life. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital and audio copy in exchange for my honest review. Perfect for fans of authors like Rachel Lynn Soloman!
CW: suicide attempt, alcoholic side character, infant SIDS death (occurs off page in the past)
CW: suicide attempt, alcoholic side character, infant SIDS death (occurs off page in the past)
January 4, 2024
➛ 4 stars!! ⭐️
❤️🩹 ”it was a great surprise, therefore, to discover that death was, in fact, deliciously warm, like the first spring day after a long winter or the warmth she remembered feeling in her grandmother's kitchen.”
this book hit me hard, you know? unexpected tears and all. nora, the female main character, felt like a mirror of my struggles. reading this was like a wakeup call. it made me realize it's time to take charge of my life, make my own decisions, and be true to myself 🙃. julia london's got some magic in those pages ❤️🩹🫂
writing 👼 . . . refreshing and easy. it felt like a long text from a friend. but, damn, the ending was rushed 😭. i loved the beginning, but the pacing in some spots and the finale needed some extra love. still, i'd give it a solid 4 stars 💓
plot 👼 . . . nora had an accident while surfing and almost died, and now she's on a mission to live her best life ✨. the reverse bucket list – cooking, being a better sister, ditching a terrible job, reviving grandpa’s garden – it's a journey of self-discovery and reckoning with the truth. it's powerful stuff.
norajack 💌 . . . cute, but not the main focus. they met during a robbery, missed their chance at love, but nora's determined to find him. her social media quest to locate him is heartwarming. they're adorable, even if we didn't get enough of them ☹️💘
nora 💌 . . . loved her. i related to her struggles, the parental pressure, and feeling like you haven't accomplished much. her journey after the near-death experience was inspiring 🤲🏾. she made her own decisions, took risks, and stood strong. i'm taking a page from london’s book for my own bucket list! 😋
jack 💌 . . . a bit more like a side character to me, but still charming. the story's more about nora's growth than their romance.
🧸 overall, choose your peace over everything. it's a heartwarming, uplifting story about self-discovery with a touch of romance. julia london, you created a wonderful character in nora november, and i'm grateful for that 🥹. this book's a gem for those in the mood for some soul-searching 💕
so, if you're feeling stuck and want a change, nora's journey is like a kick in the inspiration pants. totally recommend it, but hey, if you can't relate, might not hit the same 🤷🏾♀️
🎧 notes !! . . . i would like to thank netgalley, harper muse, and the author for providing me with a complimentary copy of this book. opinions expressed in this review are completely my own! ❤️🩹
❤️🩹 ”it was a great surprise, therefore, to discover that death was, in fact, deliciously warm, like the first spring day after a long winter or the warmth she remembered feeling in her grandmother's kitchen.”
this book hit me hard, you know? unexpected tears and all. nora, the female main character, felt like a mirror of my struggles. reading this was like a wakeup call. it made me realize it's time to take charge of my life, make my own decisions, and be true to myself 🙃. julia london's got some magic in those pages ❤️🩹🫂
writing 👼 . . . refreshing and easy. it felt like a long text from a friend. but, damn, the ending was rushed 😭. i loved the beginning, but the pacing in some spots and the finale needed some extra love. still, i'd give it a solid 4 stars 💓
plot 👼 . . . nora had an accident while surfing and almost died, and now she's on a mission to live her best life ✨. the reverse bucket list – cooking, being a better sister, ditching a terrible job, reviving grandpa’s garden – it's a journey of self-discovery and reckoning with the truth. it's powerful stuff.
norajack 💌 . . . cute, but not the main focus. they met during a robbery, missed their chance at love, but nora's determined to find him. her social media quest to locate him is heartwarming. they're adorable, even if we didn't get enough of them ☹️💘
nora 💌 . . . loved her. i related to her struggles, the parental pressure, and feeling like you haven't accomplished much. her journey after the near-death experience was inspiring 🤲🏾. she made her own decisions, took risks, and stood strong. i'm taking a page from london’s book for my own bucket list! 😋
”be a good daughter. be a november. doesn't matter how you feel. doesn't matter what you want. what matters is that you are a november.”
jack 💌 . . . a bit more like a side character to me, but still charming. the story's more about nora's growth than their romance.
🧸 overall, choose your peace over everything. it's a heartwarming, uplifting story about self-discovery with a touch of romance. julia london, you created a wonderful character in nora november, and i'm grateful for that 🥹. this book's a gem for those in the mood for some soul-searching 💕
so, if you're feeling stuck and want a change, nora's journey is like a kick in the inspiration pants. totally recommend it, but hey, if you can't relate, might not hit the same 🤷🏾♀️
🎧 notes !! . . . i would like to thank netgalley, harper muse, and the author for providing me with a complimentary copy of this book. opinions expressed in this review are completely my own! ❤️🩹
June 12, 2024
I enjoyed this, but it wasn't completely satisfying.
After nearly dying, Nora decides to change her life. She stands up to her abusive father and pushy mother, looks for a new job, tries to find the man who got away, takes up basketball again, and gardens.
There were definitely some wins. I loved how she stood up to her parents, but her father was both physically and emotionally abusive and NO ONE TALKS ABOUT IT! Like, seriously, why did no one talk about this? I wanted her father to get his comeuppance so bad, but there are NO CONSEQUENCES for him!
Jack is lovely and we get to hear about him in parallel with Nora... but this isn't really a romance. There isn't much to their relationship other than flashbacks at a fated meet-cute and Nora trying to find him again. They don't meet up until the very very end.
I hated the way the author addressed mental health in relation to Nora's responsibility towards her alcoholic cousin. It felt so unhealthy. In general, the mental health rep was a bit sketch. She had chronic depression but just got over it after her near death experience. I can't tell you how many times she said "I've changed"... and she really had.
The money stuff doesn't make sense. I kept thinking that someone was doing some unethical crap and we'd learn there was something going on with why she wasn't getting jobs or why certain bills were coming or something... but we don't.
The narrator does a great job at voicing the characters. This is dual 3rd person POV with a single female narrator.
I received this audiobook for free as an advanced reader copy.
After nearly dying, Nora decides to change her life. She stands up to her abusive father and pushy mother, looks for a new job, tries to find the man who got away, takes up basketball again, and gardens.
There were definitely some wins. I loved how she stood up to her parents, but her father was both physically and emotionally abusive and NO ONE TALKS ABOUT IT! Like, seriously, why did no one talk about this? I wanted her father to get his comeuppance so bad, but there are NO CONSEQUENCES for him!
Jack is lovely and we get to hear about him in parallel with Nora... but this isn't really a romance. There isn't much to their relationship other than flashbacks at a fated meet-cute and Nora trying to find him again. They don't meet up until the very very end.
I hated the way the author addressed mental health in relation to Nora's responsibility towards her alcoholic cousin. It felt so unhealthy. In general, the mental health rep was a bit sketch. She had chronic depression but just got over it after her near death experience. I can't tell you how many times she said "I've changed"... and she really had.
The money stuff doesn't make sense. I kept thinking that someone was doing some unethical crap and we'd learn there was something going on with why she wasn't getting jobs or why certain bills were coming or something... but we don't.
The narrator does a great job at voicing the characters. This is dual 3rd person POV with a single female narrator.
I received this audiobook for free as an advanced reader copy.
June 6, 2024
This was a lot to unpack. You know how they say, "It's about the journey, not the destination." I think that applies to this book. Alot of unpacking of very triggering topics that some may not be able to handle reading about (d3ath, su!c!de, d3ath of parent, depression, etc). It's deep, the author tries to "lighten it up", but again a lot to unpack. Poor Nora has been through so much in every sense of the word. This is her journey to becoming renewed while working through things she wishes she did when she could have. While it's a decent story with deep meanings, I feel like it was a bit stretched out. I also feel the guy from the robbery could've been a great help along the journey, but he comes in at the end. I feel his character could've changed the whole dynamic and helped support Nora through the process of everything, but again, it wasn't written that way. It's a lot, it's deep, and has good deep meanings underneath it all... but it's also a long journey, so I now understand and see why many gave 2-3 star reviews. I enjoyed the premise just execution made it quite extensive to push through.
I received this ARC audiobook from NetGalley and Harper Muse to listen/review. All of the statements above are my true opinions after fully listening to this audiobook.
I received this ARC audiobook from NetGalley and Harper Muse to listen/review. All of the statements above are my true opinions after fully listening to this audiobook.
July 14, 2024
Nothing like a near death experience to help you change your life. I liked how the FMC really developed and found herself over the course of the book. Sure, she had chemistry with the MMC when they first met but I don’t think she would have been truly happy with anyone back in those days because she wasn’t truly happy with her life. It was a great reminder that timing is everything and sometimes having to wait is great because you’re much more ready for something later on.
November 13, 2025
This book had far more depth than I had expected. Perhaps it was the singsong voice of the narrator, or the quirky humor of the situations that arose - but I did not think I was looking at a book that was going to manage the complicated and devastating nature of depression the way that it did. And thank God for the larger than life characters (like Catherine Henry) and insanely funny situations that peppered the book. Imagine both our hero and heroine, who met because they were trapped for hours in a convenience store, while Darth Vader was attempting to rob it ~ both become entangled into an aging theater troupe of elderly actors, who they met while tending gardens they unwittingly inherited. The plot reminded me of a movie I saw 20 -40 years ago and loved, called Till There Was You. Our hero and heroine who are clearly destined for one another are intertwined in so many ways, that you are wondering how its actually going to be that they are finally going to meet! And all the time they are circling one another, with intertwining journeys of their lives that they must rise to, while the other is just a hair's breath away dealing with similar struggles. The movie was made before the Internet (must be) so the book had to incorporate that element. Because in this day and age, its unheard of not to be found. In the movie, how our couple actually meets after all of that intertwine is so quirky and off the wall, that it forever made me smile. Obviously I am still thinking about it to this day. And also in that movie, there are old people trying to save their home. And a charming crumbling atria garden in the center of a busy world city, where corporations are taking over and infiltrating. But in the book, our couple finds their way to one another as it all builds to a creshendo, and after each are having their journeys led them to this moment.
Its hard not to love Nora November. She is such a wonderful character. At least the new Nora is. Watching her struggle to reclaim herself, and be fully accountable, was heartbreaking. As she fights every day to truly live, and push past the darkness, the author does not pussyfoot around depression. The author takes it seriously, and shows its devastating effects, and on the people that are affected, who are perennially disappointed and frustrated. Its not an easy path back, and our heroine and the author show Nora's pluck and spirit and fight for herself and for her life. Its not just a simple love story. Its a life story. Two characters dealing with themes of loss in different ways. Yes, in so many ways this old charming movie came to mind.
How a person chooses to live and come back to life is a central theme in the book. And in it you have a neglected garden, an oppressive father, an aging troupe of actors being forced from their homes, and a young woman struggling to believe she could be more than the ghost of herself. Having experienced an NDE, a near death experience, her whole life changes and she finds that life is worth fighting for. That she is worth fighting for. I found it beautiful and inspiring, and I did not think they skirted the issue of depression. I felt they dealt with it head on and dealt with it with sensitivity and depth. While still giving our character the ability to shine through. Oh do we all root for Nora November. I actually really loved it. I loved her spunk and seeing how it all came together. There was a grand opportunity for "trope" here, and the author did a nice job having us see the fun in it as well as how seriously she takes the issue of depression and loss. 4 stars from me.
Its hard not to love Nora November. She is such a wonderful character. At least the new Nora is. Watching her struggle to reclaim herself, and be fully accountable, was heartbreaking. As she fights every day to truly live, and push past the darkness, the author does not pussyfoot around depression. The author takes it seriously, and shows its devastating effects, and on the people that are affected, who are perennially disappointed and frustrated. Its not an easy path back, and our heroine and the author show Nora's pluck and spirit and fight for herself and for her life. Its not just a simple love story. Its a life story. Two characters dealing with themes of loss in different ways. Yes, in so many ways this old charming movie came to mind.
How a person chooses to live and come back to life is a central theme in the book. And in it you have a neglected garden, an oppressive father, an aging troupe of actors being forced from their homes, and a young woman struggling to believe she could be more than the ghost of herself. Having experienced an NDE, a near death experience, her whole life changes and she finds that life is worth fighting for. That she is worth fighting for. I found it beautiful and inspiring, and I did not think they skirted the issue of depression. I felt they dealt with it head on and dealt with it with sensitivity and depth. While still giving our character the ability to shine through. Oh do we all root for Nora November. I actually really loved it. I loved her spunk and seeing how it all came together. There was a grand opportunity for "trope" here, and the author did a nice job having us see the fun in it as well as how seriously she takes the issue of depression and loss. 4 stars from me.
August 13, 2024
Nora November wakes up from an NDE (near-death experience) and has a new lease on life. She creates a "reverse bucket list" with things that she wanted to do after she died (since technically she was dead for a few moments after the NDE surfing accident). This list includes playing basketball, learning how to cook, gardening, and quitting her job... Oh, also-did I mention that her boss is her dad? Nora is a lawyer at November & Sons, established by her grandfather and currently managed by her father. Nora had a twin brother who died when they were very young, so Nora felt a responsibility to be the son her father lost and take over the company from him one day. However, she realized that she didn't like it and decided to do something about that. Nora adored her grandfather, and embraces the hopes he had for her when he was still alive. That's the ultimate plot of this story: thirty one-year-old Nora November growing into the person she wants to be and I loved it.
There was no part of it that ever felt like it dragged for me. I thoroughly enjoyed all of it! I thought that Nora and Jack's side story was sweet! The old neighbors in the community garden were probably some of my favorite characters-the lady was so sassy hahaha! This was a nice, easy story to listen to and I'd recommend it everyone!
There was no part of it that ever felt like it dragged for me. I thoroughly enjoyed all of it! I thought that Nora and Jack's side story was sweet! The old neighbors in the community garden were probably some of my favorite characters-the lady was so sassy hahaha! This was a nice, easy story to listen to and I'd recommend it everyone!
May 31, 2024
Thank you so much to Harper Muse/Harper Colllins Focus for the audiobook!
THIS BOOK! If the song LIVE LIKE YOU WERE DYING by Tim McGraw was a book, it would be this book.
The moment that stopped Nora November on a dime was a NDE (near death experience, often abbreviated as such in the book), a surfing accident. When she wakes up and realizes how close she came to death, she decides it's time to really start living and makes what she calls a "reverse bucket list" of things she wants to do after she (almost, but technically kind of already) died.
Nora November is a name and a character I definitely won't forget. I went into this blind and was SO surprised by how DEEP this book was. The cover is fun and cutesy, but this book was rich and emotional in so many unexpected ways. It's not often that a romance/women's fiction book has a twist that shocks me (esp when my fav genre is thriller), but I did NOT see this coming!
In my opinion, the romance was a side-plot but it still was adorable, swoon-worthy and closed-door. Another side-plot had to do with some seriously toxic family drama (my fav), so with all that going on, I was never bored!
Like I said, this book dealt with HEAVY topics and contains a lot of content that could be very hard for some readers! Feel free to reach out to me for specific CW.
I definitely recommend for a thought-provoking and ultimately uplifting read!
The audiobook was narrated by Karissa Vacker who, like always, knocked it out of the park and took it to the next level! I 100% recommend the audio version of this one!
This will be available on June 4th!
THIS BOOK! If the song LIVE LIKE YOU WERE DYING by Tim McGraw was a book, it would be this book.
The moment that stopped Nora November on a dime was a NDE (near death experience, often abbreviated as such in the book), a surfing accident. When she wakes up and realizes how close she came to death, she decides it's time to really start living and makes what she calls a "reverse bucket list" of things she wants to do after she (almost, but technically kind of already) died.
Nora November is a name and a character I definitely won't forget. I went into this blind and was SO surprised by how DEEP this book was. The cover is fun and cutesy, but this book was rich and emotional in so many unexpected ways. It's not often that a romance/women's fiction book has a twist that shocks me (esp when my fav genre is thriller), but I did NOT see this coming!
In my opinion, the romance was a side-plot but it still was adorable, swoon-worthy and closed-door. Another side-plot had to do with some seriously toxic family drama (my fav), so with all that going on, I was never bored!
Like I said, this book dealt with HEAVY topics and contains a lot of content that could be very hard for some readers! Feel free to reach out to me for specific CW.
I definitely recommend for a thought-provoking and ultimately uplifting read!
The audiobook was narrated by Karissa Vacker who, like always, knocked it out of the park and took it to the next level! I 100% recommend the audio version of this one!
This will be available on June 4th!
July 6, 2024
4.5⭐️
Nice Work, Nora November is a lovely story of second chances and realizing what’s really important in life, exploring the past and mental health issues along the way. I was entertained all throughout, and by the end, thoroughly moved as well.
Karissa Vacker did an excellent job narrating the audiobook.
Thank you Julia London, Harper Muse, and NetGalley for providing this ARC for review consideration. All opinions expressed are my own.
Nice Work, Nora November is a lovely story of second chances and realizing what’s really important in life, exploring the past and mental health issues along the way. I was entertained all throughout, and by the end, thoroughly moved as well.
Karissa Vacker did an excellent job narrating the audiobook.
Thank you Julia London, Harper Muse, and NetGalley for providing this ARC for review consideration. All opinions expressed are my own.
June 25, 2024
4.5 STARS
What would you do differently if you were given an unexpected second chance at life? That’s exactly the scenario that main character Nora November finds herself in after a near death experience gives her a whole new perspective on life.
As she recovers from nearly dying, Nora starts to think about her life and feels like all she really has is a long list of regrets and missed opportunities. She decides to make it her mission to live a better life moving forward. To accomplish this, she creates a reverse bucket list filled with all of the things she has always wanted to do, including learning how to cook, learning how to take care of her late grandfather’s garden, and perhaps most importantly, try to find a man she felt a deep connection to when a robbery at the corner store forced them into close proximity for hours. He’s the one who got away and Nora deeply regrets not seeking him out sooner.
I really loved everything about this story. Nora’s journey gave me so much to think about with respect to my own life. I think her regrets are just so easy to relate to, which made it all the easier to root for her to accomplish everything on her list, especially finding that second chance at love. The story does tackle some weightier topics such as depression, but it’s also a story that is full of heart and humor.
Karissa Vacker narrates the audiobook and does an amazing job, as always. I listened at 1.75x and found it to be both entertaining and easy to follow along with.
Because of the way it resonated with me emotionally, Nice Work Nora November is one of my favorite reads of the month and I highly recommend it!
Thanks to HarperMuse for the gifted review copies.
What would you do differently if you were given an unexpected second chance at life? That’s exactly the scenario that main character Nora November finds herself in after a near death experience gives her a whole new perspective on life.
As she recovers from nearly dying, Nora starts to think about her life and feels like all she really has is a long list of regrets and missed opportunities. She decides to make it her mission to live a better life moving forward. To accomplish this, she creates a reverse bucket list filled with all of the things she has always wanted to do, including learning how to cook, learning how to take care of her late grandfather’s garden, and perhaps most importantly, try to find a man she felt a deep connection to when a robbery at the corner store forced them into close proximity for hours. He’s the one who got away and Nora deeply regrets not seeking him out sooner.
I really loved everything about this story. Nora’s journey gave me so much to think about with respect to my own life. I think her regrets are just so easy to relate to, which made it all the easier to root for her to accomplish everything on her list, especially finding that second chance at love. The story does tackle some weightier topics such as depression, but it’s also a story that is full of heart and humor.
Karissa Vacker narrates the audiobook and does an amazing job, as always. I listened at 1.75x and found it to be both entertaining and easy to follow along with.
Because of the way it resonated with me emotionally, Nice Work Nora November is one of my favorite reads of the month and I highly recommend it!
Thanks to HarperMuse for the gifted review copies.
July 4, 2024
After a near death experience Nora sets out to rebuild her life . She writes a reverse bucket list and starts working on the list. She has a lot going on in her life and realizes how miserable she was before her NDE. She starts to make changes and also searches for the man she let get away. This was a nice women’s fiction and tells about Nora and also about the man that got away.
November 13, 2025
Наистина реалистична и точно затова тъжна книга. За пределите си, които тестваме ежедневно - умението да оцеляваме в среда, където не цъфтим, а вехнем. Без достатъчно самочувствие, подкрепа, кураж и удовлетворение от онова, което сме принудени да правим/работим, за да плащаме сметки, да се харесваме, да не разочароваме... И, ако има пример за безполезни опити за вписване в среда, където не ни е мястото, то това е Нора Ноември. Някъде бях чела, че никога няма да можем да си поемем въздух там, където не ни е писано да бъ��ем! Вярно! Правилно! Точно!
Беше трудно за четене! А предполагам, че би било трудно и за гледане на живо! Как целият ентусиазъм и желание за оптимистично развитие на Нора пропадаха.Наистина ли е възможно човек да не умее нищо извън сферата, в която се е забил с цел печелене на пари? Или с цел просперитет? И всичко, до което се докосне в опита си да се разсее, да се развие настрани, да е провал? Проследявайки характера на Нора, може да се съглася, че е възможно! Депресията не е шега работа! Паническите кризи- също! Тормозът от страна на семейството и бащата - акула във фамилната адвокатска фирма е убийствен. Самата Нора е спорно способен адвокат - взема изпита за православност от втория път и така или иначе не намира интерес в правните казуси, унижаващи хората. Бленуваното й желание да се научи да готви е провал! Възраждането на градината на дядо й е мисия невъзможна! Разсеяна, неуверена и с не достатъчно желание да се задълбочи!
Има такива хора! Които целите са желание, цели, ентусиазъм и говорене за намеренията си. И когато се стигне до реализирането им.... нула! Наистина реалистична и точно затова тъжна книга. За пределите си, които тестваме ежедневно - умението да оцеляваме в среда, където не цъфтим, а вехнем. Без достатъчно самочувствие, подкрепа, кураж и удовлетворение от онова, което сме принудени да правим/работим, за да плащаме сметки, да се харесваме, да не разочароваме... И, ако има пример за безполезни опити за вписване в среда, където не ни е мястото, то това е Нора Ноември. Някъде бях чела, че никога няма да можем да си поемем въздух там, където не ни е писано да бъдем! Вярно! Правилно! Точно!
Беше трудно за четене! А предполагам, че би било трудно и за гледане на живо! Как целият ентусиазъм и желание за оптимистично развитие на Нора пропадаха.Наистина ли е възможно човек да не умее нищо извън сферата, в която се е забил с цел печелене на пари? Или с цел просперитет? И всичко, до което се докосне в опита си да се разсее, да се развие настрани, да е провал? Проследявайки характера на Нора, може да се съглася, че е възможно! Депресията не е шега работа! Паническите кризи- също! Тормозът от страна на семейството и бащата - акула във фамилната адвокатска фирма е убийствен. Самата Нора е спорно способен адвокат - взема изпита за православност от втория път и така или иначе не намира интерес в правните казуси, унижаващи хората. Бленуваното й желание да се научи да готви е провал! Възраждането на градината на дядо й е мисия невъзможна! Разсеяна, неуверена и с не достатъчно желание да се задълбочи!
Има такива хора! Които целите са желание, цели, ентусиазъм и говорене за намеренията си. И когато се стигне до реализирането им.... нула! В някои моменти балонът на самочувствието ни ще засмучи въздух. Ще се огледаме, както Нора Новембър, и ще видим планини от сметки. Ще открием провал в някои нови стари опити да се проявим. Но, ако поне семейството ни не чака като гладни лешояди в публиката да закуси с нашето мъртво самочувствие, нещата пак ще тръгнат... нанякъде.
В Nice Work, Nora November има една тема, която ние много старателно се стремим да не обмисляме. И да не обсъждаме. Освен, ако по някакъв нещастен начин не сме принудени. Срещата със смъртта. Краят на живота ни. Краят на идеята, че можем да кроим планове занапред. Много жестока тема! И наред с борбата да отстояваме себе си, дори лутайки се в търсенето, темата за края на живота превръщат книгата в такава, в която ще подчертаваме строфи постоянно.
Ирония, реализъм, класически наблюдения, философски размисли и дори лека романтика се смесват в историята от Julia London.
* "
She immediately understood that she was not acting like a November, a family in which you learned early on to be happy no matter how you felt. "
/ Nice Work, Nora November
Julia London
Беше трудно за четене! А предполагам, че би било трудно и за гледане на живо! Как целият ентусиазъм и желание за оптимистично развитие на Нора пропадаха.Наистина ли е възможно човек да не умее нищо извън сферата, в която се е забил с цел печелене на пари? Или с цел просперитет? И всичко, до което се докосне в опита си да се разсее, да се развие настрани, да е провал? Проследявайки характера на Нора, може да се съглася, че е възможно! Депресията не е шега работа! Паническите кризи- също! Тормозът от страна на семейството и бащата - акула във фамилната адвокатска фирма е убийствен. Самата Нора е спорно способен адвокат - взема изпита за православност от втория път и така или иначе не намира интерес в правните казуси, унижаващи хората. Бленуваното й желание да се научи да готви е провал! Възраждането на градината на дядо й е мисия невъзможна! Разсеяна, неуверена и с не достатъчно желание да се задълбочи!
Има такива хора! Които целите са желание, цели, ентусиазъм и говорене за намеренията си. И когато се стигне до реализирането им.... нула! Наистина реалистична и точно затова тъжна книга. За пределите си, които тестваме ежедневно - умението да оцеляваме в среда, където не цъфтим, а вехнем. Без достатъчно самочувствие, подкрепа, кураж и удовлетворение от онова, което сме принудени да правим/работим, за да плащаме сметки, да се харесваме, да не разочароваме... И, ако има пример за безполезни опити за вписване в среда, където не ни е мястото, то това е Нора Ноември. Някъде бях чела, че никога няма да можем да си поемем въздух там, където не ни е писано да бъдем! Вярно! Правилно! Точно!
Беше трудно за четене! А предполагам, че би било трудно и за гледане на живо! Как целият ентусиазъм и желание за оптимистично развитие на Нора пропадаха.Наистина ли е възможно човек да не умее нищо извън сферата, в която се е забил с цел печелене на пари? Или с цел просперитет? И всичко, до което се докосне в опита си да се разсее, да се развие настрани, да е провал? Проследявайки характера на Нора, може да се съглася, че е възможно! Депресията не е шега работа! Паническите кризи- също! Тормозът от страна на семейството и бащата - акула във фамилната адвокатска фирма е убийствен. Самата Нора е спорно способен адвокат - взема изпита за православност от втория път и така или иначе не намира интерес в правните казуси, унижаващи хората. Бленуваното й желание да се научи да готви е провал! Възраждането на градината на дядо й е мисия невъзможна! Разсеяна, неуверена и с не достатъчно желание да се задълбочи!
Има такива хора! Които целите са желание, цели, ентусиазъм и говорене за намеренията си. И когато се стигне до реализирането им.... нула! В някои моменти балонът на самочувствието ни ще засмучи въздух. Ще се огледаме, както Нора Новембър, и ще видим планини от сметки. Ще открием провал в някои нови стари опити да се проявим. Но, ако поне семейството ни не чака като гладни лешояди в публиката да закуси с нашето мъртво самочувствие, нещата пак ще тръгнат... нанякъде.
В Nice Work, Nora November има една тема, която ние много старателно се стремим да не обмисляме. И да не обсъждаме. Освен, ако по някакъв нещастен начин не сме принудени. Срещата със смъртта. Краят на живота ни. Краят на идеята, че можем да кроим планове занапред. Много жестока тема! И наред с борбата да отстояваме себе си, дори лутайки се в търсенето, темата за края на живота превръщат книгата в такава, в която ще подчертаваме строфи постоянно.
Ирония, реализъм, класически наблюдения, философски размисли и дори лека романтика се смесват в историята от Julia London.
* "
She immediately understood that she was not acting like a November, a family in which you learned early on to be happy no matter how you felt. "
/ Nice Work, Nora November
Julia London
December 31, 2024
This novel was so much better than expected! It is both classic chic-lit and yet actually has depth and takes on serious topics, such as depression, abusive parents, difficult work situations, suicide, alcohol abuse, financial instability.
The characters also felt refreshingly real. By which I mean that the protagonist, Nora, is described as someone who suffers from severe bouts of depression and the rest of her life is made up of working long hours for a job that is breaking her spirit. In other rom-coms, despite all this, she somehow would have had an extensive social network or at least a solid bestie. But I like that she wasn't given that because it felt so much more authentic that way.
So all in all, a fun and yet good read. The only part that drove me bonkers? Her finances. Yes I am weird. But also, it made no sense. We are told Nora's law school and just about everything in her life was paid for by her parents, including free furniture for her small apartment in a less-than-great part of Austin. So no debt and because she is constantly at work and has no friends, she spends very little money. And lives in a reasonable two-bedroom in Austin. And has worked as a senior partner at a law firm for the last five years. Even if we are giving her the most modest salary for that position, she is earning, what, $150,000 a year? So about $750,000 in the last five years. With almost no expenses and food from a corner store.
And yet the entire plot revolves around her pressure to find a new job, but that she only has a week or two because she has NO SAVINGS. And then a week in her credit card is declined? Like, WHAAAAA? How would this be possible? Tell me she has a shopping problem or goes on lavish trips or has an amazing apartment and then sure. But the plot lines of being super frugal and somehow having no money as a lawyer? What are you on, dear author? And how did no editor catch this and be like, yo, this is a weird way to add pressure to the plot given that you made her a senior lawyer. Yes, again, I am weird to care, but it also just felt like such a lazy move to not think of a better way to create drama.
So read the book, but be prepared (if you are a money nerd as well) to roll your eyes at all mentions of money.
The characters also felt refreshingly real. By which I mean that the protagonist, Nora, is described as someone who suffers from severe bouts of depression and the rest of her life is made up of working long hours for a job that is breaking her spirit. In other rom-coms, despite all this, she somehow would have had an extensive social network or at least a solid bestie. But I like that she wasn't given that because it felt so much more authentic that way.
So all in all, a fun and yet good read. The only part that drove me bonkers? Her finances. Yes I am weird. But also, it made no sense. We are told Nora's law school and just about everything in her life was paid for by her parents, including free furniture for her small apartment in a less-than-great part of Austin. So no debt and because she is constantly at work and has no friends, she spends very little money. And lives in a reasonable two-bedroom in Austin. And has worked as a senior partner at a law firm for the last five years. Even if we are giving her the most modest salary for that position, she is earning, what, $150,000 a year? So about $750,000 in the last five years. With almost no expenses and food from a corner store.
And yet the entire plot revolves around her pressure to find a new job, but that she only has a week or two because she has NO SAVINGS. And then a week in her credit card is declined? Like, WHAAAAA? How would this be possible? Tell me she has a shopping problem or goes on lavish trips or has an amazing apartment and then sure. But the plot lines of being super frugal and somehow having no money as a lawyer? What are you on, dear author? And how did no editor catch this and be like, yo, this is a weird way to add pressure to the plot given that you made her a senior lawyer. Yes, again, I am weird to care, but it also just felt like such a lazy move to not think of a better way to create drama.
So read the book, but be prepared (if you are a money nerd as well) to roll your eyes at all mentions of money.
March 15, 2024
It was an uncommon read for me.
On one hand, I really liked the dysfunctional family’s dynamic and all the drama that unfolded throughout the story. Nora’s parents and sister, especially, are sometimes horrible to her but it did not bother me with the sister as much as it did with the parents. I thought the sister was rude but honest and I valued her honesty. Nonetheless, her parents were just terrible to her. There was nothing but selfishness and concern for their image behind their rough words. Nora’s relationship with her grandfather was healthier and sweeter. Nora’s evolution throughout the story was also interesting to read, even though she was sometimes a bit too optimistic for me. It felt forced.
On the other hand, I did not care very much about the «romance» aspect of the plot. It disconnected me from the plot a little, and it felt way too rushed and insta-lovey for me.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
On one hand, I really liked the dysfunctional family’s dynamic and all the drama that unfolded throughout the story. Nora’s parents and sister, especially, are sometimes horrible to her but it did not bother me with the sister as much as it did with the parents. I thought the sister was rude but honest and I valued her honesty. Nonetheless, her parents were just terrible to her. There was nothing but selfishness and concern for their image behind their rough words. Nora’s relationship with her grandfather was healthier and sweeter. Nora’s evolution throughout the story was also interesting to read, even though she was sometimes a bit too optimistic for me. It felt forced.
On the other hand, I did not care very much about the «romance» aspect of the plot. It disconnected me from the plot a little, and it felt way too rushed and insta-lovey for me.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
June 17, 2024
Thank you Harper Muse Audiobooks and netgalley for the advanced reader copy of this audiobook. This novel is a sweet and relatable story about finding yourself and a second chance at happiness (& love). I loved reading about Nora's personal growth and as she stepped into her confidence.
Note mental health is a large part of this storyline
Note mental health is a large part of this storyline
April 29, 2025
This book is marketed as a romance but it’s not a romance. This is book is about Nora November and her life before the NDE and after.
I loved this book. She went out of her comfort zone. It was hard and it wasn’t easy but she persevered. I thought the author wrote about depression and dysfunctional families so well.
Highly recommend.
I loved this book. She went out of her comfort zone. It was hard and it wasn’t easy but she persevered. I thought the author wrote about depression and dysfunctional families so well.
Highly recommend.
November 8, 2025
Such a cute read! I’m so glad I got to meet the author and have my book signed. I really enjoyed it — it was so relatable and a great reminder to live life to the fullest, not anyone else’s.
March 9, 2024
Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of this story in exchange for my honest review! Meet Nora November: lawyer in her father's law firm, daughter to smothering/indifferent/judgmental parents, grieving her grandfather's death, and generally stuck in her unhappy life until she has an NDE (near death experience). We follow her as she adjusts to her new "After," and as she struggles to remember just how and why she died. As she works to reconcile her new lease on life with her old self, she comes to understand that her old "Before" life is like a familiar but ill-fitting coat that everyone seems to want her to continue to wear. Those readers who struggle with the lows of depression will recognize Nora's constant fight to pull herself out of her self-doubt and sadness. In her "After," Nora looks for Jack, having met and clicked with him during a hostage situation in her "Before." Jack, who works as a hospice/palliative care aide, has his own difficulties coping with the heaviness of his job, and also must strive to look for brightness in the dark. With two elderly parents in hospice I may not have been in the best headspace for this book, with its themes of death and sadness and regret. But I couldn't help but focus instead on the inter-twined themes of love and hope and redemption in amongst the despair. I feel, so much, for Nora and I so admire her perseverance in the darkness. I was rooting for her to keep going and find her way, and to keep looking for the silver linings even when life threatens to drag you down. Both she and Jack are aided by a great cast of supporting characters as they both work towards becoming who they want to be. I loved this book!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 8, 2024
Loved this story. You meet Nora when she wakes up after a Near Death Experience, as she tries to rejoin the living she makes a Un bucket list of things to do and try now. I felt her depression and the search for Jack were real. I kept thinking of her after I finished. Super good.
June 6, 2024
Nora November nearly drowned, in fact she was clinically dead for a few minutes. When she emerges from her coma she decides she needs to do things differently, to really live her life now that she has a second chance, so she creates a reverse bucket list of things she wants to do after she (technically) died.
She wants to make peace with the memory of her late grandfather by tending his garden patch (allotment) which she has shamefully neglected since his death. She wants to learn to cook, to be a better friend to her sister Lacey and to her cousin Gus, who struggles with addiction. She wants to find the guy she met in a corner shop during a robbery and reconnect, she wants to start playing sport again. But most of all, she wants to leave her soul-destroying job at her family's personal injury law firm where her father has dictated her life.
Jack Moriarity is a hospice and palliative nurse, helping those with incurable diseases take their final breaths. Although it is his calling, he finds the deaths can take an emotional toll. One of his patients left him a plot of the local community garden and Jack has found it therapeutic to garden. He regrets losing the number of the woman he met at a convenience store one night, they really connected in a way he's never felt before.
So we see Nora and Jack leading parallel lives, always close but never quite managing to meet, while Nora attempts to put her reverse bucket list into action. But things never go quite to plan and she is in imminent danger of slipping back into her former depression, especially when her parents refuse to acknowledge the truth about her accident.
This was a weird book for me to review, not least because I had imagined that this was more of a romance than women's fiction, which having reread the blurb was 100% my own imagination. It was very slow, at about 85% on my Kindle everything was still going wrong. And yet ... it rang true, far truer than a romance where everything would miraculously work out perfectly in the end. Overall, it wasn't what I thought it was going to be, but I enjoyed it.
I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley.
Bumped for release.
She wants to make peace with the memory of her late grandfather by tending his garden patch (allotment) which she has shamefully neglected since his death. She wants to learn to cook, to be a better friend to her sister Lacey and to her cousin Gus, who struggles with addiction. She wants to find the guy she met in a corner shop during a robbery and reconnect, she wants to start playing sport again. But most of all, she wants to leave her soul-destroying job at her family's personal injury law firm where her father has dictated her life.
Jack Moriarity is a hospice and palliative nurse, helping those with incurable diseases take their final breaths. Although it is his calling, he finds the deaths can take an emotional toll. One of his patients left him a plot of the local community garden and Jack has found it therapeutic to garden. He regrets losing the number of the woman he met at a convenience store one night, they really connected in a way he's never felt before.
So we see Nora and Jack leading parallel lives, always close but never quite managing to meet, while Nora attempts to put her reverse bucket list into action. But things never go quite to plan and she is in imminent danger of slipping back into her former depression, especially when her parents refuse to acknowledge the truth about her accident.
This was a weird book for me to review, not least because I had imagined that this was more of a romance than women's fiction, which having reread the blurb was 100% my own imagination. It was very slow, at about 85% on my Kindle everything was still going wrong. And yet ... it rang true, far truer than a romance where everything would miraculously work out perfectly in the end. Overall, it wasn't what I thought it was going to be, but I enjoyed it.
I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley.
Bumped for release.
March 24, 2024
How I read this: Free ebook copy received through Edelweiss
I enjoyed this book. It's very down to earth, but the challenges the main character faces don't get wholly magically resolved. Even after the happy ending, she needs to face reality, which was refreshing for me in a book that's about changes, a new lease on life and finding that special person. It had some good themes about change and how hard to can be, and I found some things very relatable. It was a good read.
I thank the publisher for giving me a free copy of the ebook in exchange to my honest review. This has not affected my opinion.
Book Blog | Bookstagram | Bookish Twitter
I enjoyed this book. It's very down to earth, but the challenges the main character faces don't get wholly magically resolved. Even after the happy ending, she needs to face reality, which was refreshing for me in a book that's about changes, a new lease on life and finding that special person. It had some good themes about change and how hard to can be, and I found some things very relatable. It was a good read.
I thank the publisher for giving me a free copy of the ebook in exchange to my honest review. This has not affected my opinion.
Book Blog | Bookstagram | Bookish Twitter
January 7, 2024
What an unlikable cast of characters… it’s hard to say who is worse, honestly. I wanted to sympathize with Nora but I don’t feel we get a good understanding of who she was before the accident - everyone accuses her of letting them down and being scatterbrained and it feels almost out of character for a lawyer (even a begrudging one) and also for a 32 year old. The romance in the story was outlandish and silly in my opinion and almost unnecessary. Having Jack as a subnarrative also felt unneeded and I really disliked Catherine as a character, who then becomes the glue to bring them together. All in all, this just was not the book for me.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
June 6, 2024
Fans of Emily Henry will appreciate this story, which also reminded me a bit of Pineapple Street by Jenny Jackson.
"Nature seeks to heal what is broken."
Nora November has died and come back to life. Literally.
After waking up in the hospital after a drowning accident, Nora has clear recollections of seeing her beloved (though deceased) grandfather on the other side. The time she spent with him inspires her to begin her second chance at life with a new outlook, and a revived determination to make her life matter.
Before her accident, Nora was working a passionless job in her father's law firm, battling severe depression, regularly letting the people she cares most about down, and bending to all the whims and demands of her condescending and belittling parents. She had not held up her promise to her late grandfather of keeping up with his beloved community garden plot, and worst of all: she missed out on the chance with who she believes might be the man of her dreams.
After her accident, Nora is determined to set things straight. She sets out on a mission to find the guy she met (and had incredible chemistry with) during a hostage situation a few years prior, gets to work in her grandfather's garden, and explores all the other hobbies and talents she's put off for so many years.
Will Nora find love, meaning and purpose to her life? Are the relationships she let sour during her bouts of extreme depression salvageable? Will she find the courage to stand up to her parents and pave her own road ahead into her future?
The book also has chapters told form the perspective of the "one who got away," Jack. Despite this, he still felt like a secondary character in the story arch, and that was ok. Jack is every girl's dream: sensitive, hard-working, compassionate, and funny. You are definitely rooting for this couple to reunite throughout the entire book.
This book was a "fluffy" read, but a well-written one and thoroughly enjoyable. A true Rom-Com of a novel, it was also refreshing to find a love story that was still PG rated and focuses more on character development without filling the pages with sex. The book could honestly have been a little shorter than what it was, but I never got bored or wanted to quit on it.
I want to thank the author for painting what it's like to suffer from clinical depression in a very honest light. I think it's hard for outsiders to understand the catatonia that often comes with depressive spells, and this author does the condition justice in a respectful, honest, yet hopeful way.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an ARC of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.
TW: depression, verbal abuse, alcoholism, domineering father
"You can't grow the good stuff when life is choked out by weeds."
"Nature seeks to heal what is broken."
Nora November has died and come back to life. Literally.
After waking up in the hospital after a drowning accident, Nora has clear recollections of seeing her beloved (though deceased) grandfather on the other side. The time she spent with him inspires her to begin her second chance at life with a new outlook, and a revived determination to make her life matter.
Before her accident, Nora was working a passionless job in her father's law firm, battling severe depression, regularly letting the people she cares most about down, and bending to all the whims and demands of her condescending and belittling parents. She had not held up her promise to her late grandfather of keeping up with his beloved community garden plot, and worst of all: she missed out on the chance with who she believes might be the man of her dreams.
After her accident, Nora is determined to set things straight. She sets out on a mission to find the guy she met (and had incredible chemistry with) during a hostage situation a few years prior, gets to work in her grandfather's garden, and explores all the other hobbies and talents she's put off for so many years.
Will Nora find love, meaning and purpose to her life? Are the relationships she let sour during her bouts of extreme depression salvageable? Will she find the courage to stand up to her parents and pave her own road ahead into her future?
The book also has chapters told form the perspective of the "one who got away," Jack. Despite this, he still felt like a secondary character in the story arch, and that was ok. Jack is every girl's dream: sensitive, hard-working, compassionate, and funny. You are definitely rooting for this couple to reunite throughout the entire book.
This book was a "fluffy" read, but a well-written one and thoroughly enjoyable. A true Rom-Com of a novel, it was also refreshing to find a love story that was still PG rated and focuses more on character development without filling the pages with sex. The book could honestly have been a little shorter than what it was, but I never got bored or wanted to quit on it.
I want to thank the author for painting what it's like to suffer from clinical depression in a very honest light. I think it's hard for outsiders to understand the catatonia that often comes with depressive spells, and this author does the condition justice in a respectful, honest, yet hopeful way.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an ARC of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.
TW: depression, verbal abuse, alcoholism, domineering father
"You can't grow the good stuff when life is choked out by weeds."
June 2, 2024
I loved this big-hearted, thoroughly sweet book about second chances, fate and what we make of our one - or more - chance(s) at life.
Nora November has just survived a near-death experience (NDE) after drowning in the ocean. The brief time she spent in the afterlife was beautiful, with visits from her grandfather and childhood dog. But it wasn’t her time, and soon she finds herself waking up in a hospital room, where her wealthy, vapid family seems mostly happy to have her back, if only so she can get back to work at the family law firm, an ambulance-chasing outfit that she’s in line to take over one day, though this doesn’t exactly align with her personal values. She also knows that she is a somewhat sorry stand-in for the heir her father actually wanted, her twin brother who died as an infant and is now the name behind much performative philanthropy from her family.
With a second chance at life — time is now divided distinctly into “the before” and “the after” — Nora decides to make a reverse bucket list. What did she want to do before dying that she hadn’t gotten around to? And then she goes for it, all of it, often with stunningly terrible and hilarious results. But hey, she’s trying. And she’s trying hardest to find Jack, the guy she met in a corner store robbery/hostage situation and should have called. She’s trying to find him so hard that her story eventually ends up on the news and Taylor Swift’s social media. Their meet cute and missed connections are delightful. The senior thespian/gardening group with which both become involved separately are delightful. Nora standing up for herself, her values and who she wants to become in “the after” is everything.
There were several moments where I could picture a theater audience standing up and cheering for this heroine. This, much like Nora’s fictional story in the book, would make a great movie. I also want to call out Karissa Vacker’s perfect narration. She is one of the best. This publishes this week on June 4. Thank you, #NetGalley, #HarperCollinsFocus, #HarperMuse and #JuliaLondon for this terrific advance listen!
Nora November has just survived a near-death experience (NDE) after drowning in the ocean. The brief time she spent in the afterlife was beautiful, with visits from her grandfather and childhood dog. But it wasn’t her time, and soon she finds herself waking up in a hospital room, where her wealthy, vapid family seems mostly happy to have her back, if only so she can get back to work at the family law firm, an ambulance-chasing outfit that she’s in line to take over one day, though this doesn’t exactly align with her personal values. She also knows that she is a somewhat sorry stand-in for the heir her father actually wanted, her twin brother who died as an infant and is now the name behind much performative philanthropy from her family.
With a second chance at life — time is now divided distinctly into “the before” and “the after” — Nora decides to make a reverse bucket list. What did she want to do before dying that she hadn’t gotten around to? And then she goes for it, all of it, often with stunningly terrible and hilarious results. But hey, she’s trying. And she’s trying hardest to find Jack, the guy she met in a corner store robbery/hostage situation and should have called. She’s trying to find him so hard that her story eventually ends up on the news and Taylor Swift’s social media. Their meet cute and missed connections are delightful. The senior thespian/gardening group with which both become involved separately are delightful. Nora standing up for herself, her values and who she wants to become in “the after” is everything.
There were several moments where I could picture a theater audience standing up and cheering for this heroine. This, much like Nora’s fictional story in the book, would make a great movie. I also want to call out Karissa Vacker’s perfect narration. She is one of the best. This publishes this week on June 4. Thank you, #NetGalley, #HarperCollinsFocus, #HarperMuse and #JuliaLondon for this terrific advance listen!
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