Things Will Calm Down Soon

by Zoë Foster Blake

Welcome to the hectic world of beauty and business in this highly relatable novel following a talented hair stylist turned entrepreneur who is juggling family dramas, workplace near-catastrophes and relationship crises. Things will calm down soon ... right?

Hair stylist Kit Cooper is at the top of her game. She does the shows in Milan and Paris, tends to pop stars and celebrities, and has styled enough campaigns and magazine covers to last a lifetime. But Kit is ambitious. Restless. She can't help what's next?

One day, frustrated she can't find the perfect product for a look, she wonders ... could she make it herself?

THINGS WILL CALM DOWN SOON takes Kit from idea to founder of a highly successful hair-care company. Amid spreadsheets, influencers, product launches and a parade of potential investors, Kit is juggling an eager young team, needy family members, a charismatic but unreliable romantic partner, single parenting and far too many school WhatsApp messages. She is certain, positive, things will calm down soon, because how can life possibly keep going at this pace?

As the founder of Go-To Skincare, Zoe Foster Blake has learned a lot in her decade of business. THINGS WILL CALM DOWN SOON blends her love of fiction with the knowledge she has acquired in business, entrepreneurship, and mergers and acquisitions. Part entertainment, part founder insight, THINGS WILL CALM DOWN SOON is an entirely new breed of illuminating storytelling.

Genres: Fiction, Book Club, Audiobook, Contemporary, Chick Lit, Adult Fiction

385 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 1, 2024

About the author

Zoë Foster Blake is an Australian author and the founder of Go-To skin care. Yes, she is writing this in third person.

Zoë writes mostly for young women, because she thinks they're wonderful and deserve nice books.

Zoë has published five fiction titles, THINGS WILL CALM DOWN SOON, AIR KISSES, PLAYING THE FIELD, THE YOUNGER MAN and THE WRONG GIRL (made into a network TV series in Australia).

Zoë has also written four non-fiction titles: a dating and relationship guide called TEXTBOOK ROMANCE, (written with Hamish Blake), AMAZINGER FACE, a compilation of beauty tips and tricks, BREAK-UP BOSS, (also an app) and LOVE!, essays from a decade spent writing relationship advice. She published CLEAN SLATE, an Audible Original about infidelity in a seemingly perfect marriage in 2020.

She also writes picture books: NO ONE LIKES A FART, which won the ABIA Children’s Picture Book of the Year in 2018 because farts are where it’s AT, BACK TO SLEEP, FART AND BURP ARE SUPERSTINKERS (titled NO ONE LIKES A BURP in the US), SCAREDY BATH, BATTLE MUM, HAPPY FARTER’S DAY, and BEST PRESENT EVER.

When she's not updating her goodreads bio she's writing her new novel, out Oct 2026.

Reviews

[Hannah Kate · Rating 2 out of 5]

I want to like Zoe’s books but I simply do not…Self-centred and unlikeable characters, too much irrelevant business talk, and boring writing, however, a good mind numbing holiday read.

[Hannah Griffith · Rating 1 out of 5]

10/10 do not recommend. Really like ZFB but this is such a boring read with way too much business detail content. The specifics on the business sale is soooo boring!!

[Sarah Heather · Rating 1 out of 5]

I have been a fan of Zoe Foster's writing from the start, however this book was dry, boring and uninteresting. Great if you want to learn how to aquire or sell a business 🤷‍♀️

[Grace Bucknell · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was surprised by how much I enjoyed this! It was a lot more business jargon than I expected but found it fascinating to go inside the journey of a founder! Inspiring, stressful, and fun!

[Joss Robinson · Rating 2 out of 5]

well written? yes.
a memoir disguised as fiction? also, i believe, yes.
maybe worthwhile if you’re considering starting your own business, otherwise i would encourage you to give this one a miss 🤷‍♀️

[Hannah Purvis · Rating 1 out of 5]

I so wanted to love this one but it feel flat for me.
While it was interesting to have a peep behind the curtain of small business, I feel Zoe could’ve executed this messaging better by perhaps writing a memoir instead?
All the business jargon and lengthy meeting scenes ultimately were a bit dry.

[Hayley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh my gosh felt so much second hand stress reading this. Good though! Also makes me never want to start a business whoops

[Cathy Lang · Rating 4 out of 5]

4⭐️ I found it hard to put this down. Zoe made the world of business accessible and fascinating and so cleverly portrayed the overwhelm of the protagonist.
I laughed out loud at several times during this book, particularly at the parent chat sections.

[Mikaela G · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 rounded down as I hated how the chapters would end on cliff hangers but then skip ahead in the next chapter. In saying that, I loved the business jargon and getting to see the insides of a start up company - could definitely tell that ZFB was channeling a lot of experience from Go-To and as a loyal OG fan, I loved it!!!

[Lauren Pitt1 · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was interesting to see some insight into how the business world works with stuff I never would have even thought goes into running a business. However, I just didn’t vibe with it. It wasn’t really relatable to me, and I thought it was slightly predictable. That said, for women running business’ etc I’m sure it is a very valuable book to read.

[Anna Logan · Rating 4 out of 5]

An enjoyable read set in the world of business. The backdrop adds an interesting layer to the story and gives insight into the starting and managing a business. I feel like I learnt a lot - I’ll be ready to start my own million dollar business soon surely. The dialogue stands out as genuine and witty, making the characters feel authentic. While the plot is fairly straightforward, it’s written with a warmth and humour (as expected from Zoe) that keeps it very engaging and light/easy to get through.

[Annie Gummer · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐️ Loved it - all the ebbs and flows of business and life!

[Jessica Martin · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was absolutely nothing like I had expected. It was written really well and it would be a lie to say I didn’t find some enjoyment in it but overall it was a lot of business jargon, a lot of meetings and just work, work, work. Which I understand was the point of the book itself but plot points felt weak and sidelined to meetings and deals and just random facts about investing and running a company. Boring. I wish the characters had more time to shine, Rat had such interesting things happening to her and such a wild personality and yet we only got to hear about anything remotely worth being in a story in the last 30% of the book. A little disappointed

[Carla Boniolo · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very fun and easy book. No heavy themes and deliciously chick-litty. Very readable and a perfect palate cleanser after the new Sally Rooney. I’m a big Zoe Foster-Blake fan and I liked her fluid writing style - nothing felt forced. Some interesting lessons about business in here too. This would be a great summer beach read.

[Meghan Coomber · Rating 4 out of 5]

This got me out of a massive reading slump over the last couple months (I’m halfway through too many books). I enjoyed all the business jargon and felt like I was getting an insight into Zoe’s M&A journey, which was interesting although triggering! Lolled at the due diligence chapters, a bit close to home

[Nicole Murray · Rating 3 out of 5]

Was interesting to read a story from the perspective of a business founder trying to grow their business etc, but couldn’t help but be thinking too much of the parallels to the authors own life! An ok read, but didn’t find the story particularly interesting overall!

[Alexandra Hocking · Rating 2 out of 5]

I’ve given this book 2 stars because I persisted and finished it. I reserve 1 star for books I can’t finish. But this book was dull and I wouldn’t recommend it. It felt autobiographical and, honestly, I would’ve been far more interested in reading ZFB auto bio instead of a fictionalised version.

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’m unsure on my thoughts on this book. I found it hard to get into but once I did I found it was an easy read. Although I just feel insanely stressed and that I never want to start a business ever. 3.5 stars ⭐️

[Kahlia Billiet · Rating 2 out of 5]

There were parts of this book that I really enjoyed but I found other parts so boring and dry and I couldn’t connect with the characters very well

[Georgia Mullins · Rating 4 out of 5]

Likes
✅ Pacing - fast and easy to read
✅ The characters
✅ The insight into business deals
✅ The relationships
✅ The juggle of parenting and running a business
✅ The family dynamics

Dislikes
❌Toni
❌How the book jumped in time - 6 years from Part 1 to Part 2 and also how chapters ended and then would jump months ahead.
❌I would have liked the pregnancy to have been hashed out more in Part 1. I didnt like that at the end of Part 1 she told Ari she was pregnant and then we jumped forward 6 years.

[Emma · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was confused why I heard so many bad things about this book, I didn’t mind the pacing & learning about business. But why did the last chapter give a “and then I woke up from my dream” energy ????

[Carlz · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book I didn’t know I needed to read when I picked it up.
It is filled with strong female leads, complex business transactions, family chaos and lonely turning points that may feel all too familiar to any woman who has worked in M&A for any length of time.
It was a strong reminder to always remember there is a world outside of the corporate stress that is forced upon you and if people won’t take you at your timeline or on your terms they may not be the people you want to be doing business with.
Always surround yourself with good people!

[Annie Deeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love Zoe so I wanted to love this just as much but it didn’t quite hit the spot for me. It was a lot more business-y than expected which I would have found much more interesting having heard it straight from Zoe about go-to. Felt like there wasn’t enough space for the relationship/motherhood/family stuff to properly develop and now that I’m writing that, I wonder if that was intentional to demonstrate the sacrifices of being a founder? Anyway, after reading this, I don’t think I’d like to be one lol

[Jade Scouller · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really wanted to enjoy this but I found the story so boring. None of the characters stood out and I felt like I wanted more depth to them. All in all, I would have much preferred a straight up memoir from Zoë!

[Rhiannon M · Rating 3 out of 5]

Struggled with the second half of the book. Was a bit too business heavy for me, but was also interesting seeing the processes. Also the minimal romance part too didn’t help.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m a big fan of ZFB’s writing, I enjoy how she makes her characters relatable and easy to read.

Things will calm down soon follows Kit on her journey from hair stylist to business mogul. Whilst this is obviously fiction, I feel like there were definitely insights into Zoe’s trials and tribulations of her Go-To empire!

I adored how Kit was described as wearing effervescent clothing and maintained her individual style. She cared so deeply for her family, her business and her employees and i honestly felt bad that she was burning out.

The supporting characters were also well written and essential to the storyline.

I loved that this wasn’t a love story, well- you could argue it was a love story for Kit’s life. Prioritising what and who she truly loved and how to be happy.

Honestly, what can’t Zoe do? How I would love to pick her brain over a cocktail!🍸

[Elyse · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very much enjoyed this! Good balance of a bit of romance on the side with a good insight into women in business in the beauty industry, felt like I was reading about Zoe’s life if she was in another universe.

[Emily Conaghan 🐛 · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️

[Hayley Lynch · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very easy and entertaining read! I loved that it jumped right into the world of business from almost the outset. Flew through the book as the writing is super easy to digest, even regarding a topic I know nothing about. Would recommend!

[Cassie Hamer]

This book really drew me in. It was like doing a highly entertaining crash course in business set up and I found it quite fascinating. Foster-Blake writes with authenticity and freshness about a world she knows well.