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Claire Casey's Had Enough
Back in the day, Claire had dreams. She was going to be somebody! Now a forty-something mom of three (four if you count her husband!), drowning in laundry and PTA chores, with a job she can’t stand, she's finally had enough . . . A hilarious, heart-warming mom-com, perfect for fans of Sophie Kinsella and Fiona Gibson.
Claire Casey has reached her breaking point. For years, she’s juggled it kids, husband, career, and a never-ending list of responsibilities. But when the man who’s supposed to be her partner—who promised he wouldn’t let his phone die and would pick her up from the airport—completely forgets about her, Claire snaps.
It’s the final straw. Claire is done. And so are they.
Sort of… maybe. (It’s not easy saying goodbye to sixteen years of marriage, okay!)
Still, Claire’s determined to reclaim her life. She’s tired of being the overworked, worn-out mom in her forties. She wants to be hopeful, vivacious Claire again.
Attending her college reunion reconnects her with a former flame, Alex. And while flirting with him over email is innocent, his invitation to meet for drinks at a swanky hotel is not!
As Claire begins to rediscover the woman she was, she’s forced to confront the harsh reality that recapturing her sense of self could blow up her marriage… Now Claire must decide—risk the unknown or rebuild the life she has, flaws and all?
Told over the course of a day in the life of this relatable heroine, Claire Casey's Had Enough is a laugh-out-loud mom-com that listeners will adore!
Claire Casey has reached her breaking point. For years, she’s juggled it kids, husband, career, and a never-ending list of responsibilities. But when the man who’s supposed to be her partner—who promised he wouldn’t let his phone die and would pick her up from the airport—completely forgets about her, Claire snaps.
It’s the final straw. Claire is done. And so are they.
Sort of… maybe. (It’s not easy saying goodbye to sixteen years of marriage, okay!)
Still, Claire’s determined to reclaim her life. She’s tired of being the overworked, worn-out mom in her forties. She wants to be hopeful, vivacious Claire again.
Attending her college reunion reconnects her with a former flame, Alex. And while flirting with him over email is innocent, his invitation to meet for drinks at a swanky hotel is not!
As Claire begins to rediscover the woman she was, she’s forced to confront the harsh reality that recapturing her sense of self could blow up her marriage… Now Claire must decide—risk the unknown or rebuild the life she has, flaws and all?
Told over the course of a day in the life of this relatable heroine, Claire Casey's Had Enough is a laugh-out-loud mom-com that listeners will adore!
Audible Audio
Published June 3, 2025
13 people are currently reading
2351 people want to read
About the author
Liz Alterman
7 books470 followersLiz Alterman lives in New Jersey with her husband, three sons, and two cats.
Her work has appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post, Parents, McSweeney's, and other publications.
She spends most days microwaving the same cup of coffee and looking up synonyms.
For information on events and new releases or to have Liz join your bookclub, visit lizalterman.com.
Her work has appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post, Parents, McSweeney's, and other publications.
She spends most days microwaving the same cup of coffee and looking up synonyms.
For information on events and new releases or to have Liz join your bookclub, visit lizalterman.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 111 reviews
June 6, 2025
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3.5 Stars
I have never read a Liz Alterman book before, and this was such a treat. I had never heard of the term mom-com before either, but that’s what the publisher is calling this one. I think any mom could relate to Claire Casey. Claire has kids, a hubby and a job, plus most of the responsibilities that go into running a home and family. One day her husband forgets to pick her up from the airport, and she decides she’s had enough. Claire decides to take a break and prepares for her College reunion. That’s when she reconnects with her old boyfriend, Alex. This story is told to across one day in the life of Claire, with flashbacks of her former self. Will Claire leave her 16-year marriage for good, or will she and her hubby, Paul, rekindle what they once had? You’ll have to read the book to find out.
The book shows an interesting look at the life of a mother and wife who is pushed to her limit. The story is real and oh so relatable. The descriptions of routine mom and wife duties and Claire’s resentment shone through, and even made her breaking point make me feel sympathy towards her. I didn’t find that she was whiny and complaining just to hear her own voice; she had reason to. I like that her flirtations were via email and not an out-and-out affair. It made Claire feel young again at a time when she was hurt and angry. Overall, this was a thought-provoking read that will make you ask yourself, Have I had enough?
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.
The Book Review Crew Blog
3.5 Stars
I have never read a Liz Alterman book before, and this was such a treat. I had never heard of the term mom-com before either, but that’s what the publisher is calling this one. I think any mom could relate to Claire Casey. Claire has kids, a hubby and a job, plus most of the responsibilities that go into running a home and family. One day her husband forgets to pick her up from the airport, and she decides she’s had enough. Claire decides to take a break and prepares for her College reunion. That’s when she reconnects with her old boyfriend, Alex. This story is told to across one day in the life of Claire, with flashbacks of her former self. Will Claire leave her 16-year marriage for good, or will she and her hubby, Paul, rekindle what they once had? You’ll have to read the book to find out.
The book shows an interesting look at the life of a mother and wife who is pushed to her limit. The story is real and oh so relatable. The descriptions of routine mom and wife duties and Claire’s resentment shone through, and even made her breaking point make me feel sympathy towards her. I didn’t find that she was whiny and complaining just to hear her own voice; she had reason to. I like that her flirtations were via email and not an out-and-out affair. It made Claire feel young again at a time when she was hurt and angry. Overall, this was a thought-provoking read that will make you ask yourself, Have I had enough?
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.
March 10, 2025
Claire Casey’s Had Enough
Plot:
Claire Casey hits her breaking point when her husband forgets to pick her up from the airport, prompting her to rethink her marriage. Reconnecting with a former crush at her college reunion, Claire begins rediscovering herself but faces the tough choice between embracing change or staying in her imperfect marriage.
My Thoughts:
This book had many relatable moments that linked with motherhood and being in a relationship. It challengers the idea of is the grass greener somewhere else. I was reading all the way to the end of the book and still had no idea which direction the book would end up. I can’t say the ending made me please but the alternative ending didn’t seem appealing either. I was hoping there was more motherhood struggles to relate to. The middle of the books seemed focused on her former crush which lost on me for a bit. Overall I was drawn to the storyline to keep picking up to see how the plot would play out.
Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read this.
Plot:
Claire Casey hits her breaking point when her husband forgets to pick her up from the airport, prompting her to rethink her marriage. Reconnecting with a former crush at her college reunion, Claire begins rediscovering herself but faces the tough choice between embracing change or staying in her imperfect marriage.
My Thoughts:
This book had many relatable moments that linked with motherhood and being in a relationship. It challengers the idea of is the grass greener somewhere else. I was reading all the way to the end of the book and still had no idea which direction the book would end up. I can’t say the ending made me please but the alternative ending didn’t seem appealing either. I was hoping there was more motherhood struggles to relate to. The middle of the books seemed focused on her former crush which lost on me for a bit. Overall I was drawn to the storyline to keep picking up to see how the plot would play out.
Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read this.
July 1, 2025
Kindle.
You know when you start a new streaming series and within five minutes of the first episode you're totally hooked and you binge it to the end of the season and get pissed off because you have to wait until September for the next season to release?
That's how I felt about Liz Alterman's latest book. I just did NOT want it to end. I was having so much fun watching Claire race around the hood, trying/failing to pull her life together while all around her people kept tugging on her sleeve. OMG. Work. Kids. Texts. Food. Husband. Mother. Neighbors. School nurses. It was all so hysterical, moving, and TOTALLY RELATABLE.
What an amazingly authentic mc Claire is! From her thoughts to her actions to her re-actions, I felt like I really got to know her. I understood her. I love when a book does that.
I sort of knew where the story was heading, but it made no difference. The journey was worth every step.
You know when you start a new streaming series and within five minutes of the first episode you're totally hooked and you binge it to the end of the season and get pissed off because you have to wait until September for the next season to release?
That's how I felt about Liz Alterman's latest book. I just did NOT want it to end. I was having so much fun watching Claire race around the hood, trying/failing to pull her life together while all around her people kept tugging on her sleeve. OMG. Work. Kids. Texts. Food. Husband. Mother. Neighbors. School nurses. It was all so hysterical, moving, and TOTALLY RELATABLE.
What an amazingly authentic mc Claire is! From her thoughts to her actions to her re-actions, I felt like I really got to know her. I understood her. I love when a book does that.
I sort of knew where the story was heading, but it made no difference. The journey was worth every step.
November 21, 2025
I received an advance reader copy of this book to read in exchange for an honest review via netgalley and the publishers.
Claire Caseys Had Enough is a fun, relatable mom-com book all about Claire who's had enough of her life; juggling kids, responsibilities, a career and a husband who's become a 4th child in her life. When her husband forgets to charge his phone, leaving her stranded at the airport after a works trip, Claire has hit her limit and snaps. Claire longs to grab more for herself in life and be more who she was before - she's tired of just being a mom who's overworked, underappreciated, and feeling worn out. When Claire meets Alex again at her college reunion, she begins to experience and rediscover her old self, but after sixteen years of marriage is it worth it to throw away all those years and a family she's worked hard to make on something that could be....
This was such a fun read that was so relatable to myself and will relate to so many mums who are 40+ and feeling as overwhelmed, underappreciated, and fed up with daily life. I connected with Claire on so many levels, and the story definitely makes you think about things we can often take for granted in life.
Claire Caseys Had Enough is a fun, relatable mom-com book all about Claire who's had enough of her life; juggling kids, responsibilities, a career and a husband who's become a 4th child in her life. When her husband forgets to charge his phone, leaving her stranded at the airport after a works trip, Claire has hit her limit and snaps. Claire longs to grab more for herself in life and be more who she was before - she's tired of just being a mom who's overworked, underappreciated, and feeling worn out. When Claire meets Alex again at her college reunion, she begins to experience and rediscover her old self, but after sixteen years of marriage is it worth it to throw away all those years and a family she's worked hard to make on something that could be....
This was such a fun read that was so relatable to myself and will relate to so many mums who are 40+ and feeling as overwhelmed, underappreciated, and fed up with daily life. I connected with Claire on so many levels, and the story definitely makes you think about things we can often take for granted in life.
June 15, 2025
"IT'S A LOT" is a comment I frequently hear from my millennial sons.
And that is the best phrase to describe this book.
It was not only "A LOT," it was WAY TOO MUCH.
Too much complaining from a frazzled and unappreciated forty-something mom of three.
Quite frankly, listening to this mom's nonstop complaints was exhausting and not the reading experience I was seeking.
The publisher's blurb positioned this book as a "hilarious, heart-warming mom-com, perfect for fans of Sophie Kinsella."
The author's humor escaped me.
😭😭😭
In addition, I failed to see the similarities between this author and Sophie Kinsella.
I listened to the audiobook read by Stephanie Rose.
The narration was good but not great.
I was not the right reader for this book, and I encourage you to read this book's positive reviews.
Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
May 21, 2025
This book had me laughing out loud more than once. Every email, text, and phone call seems to crank up Claire’s stress—and it’s relatable AF. The witty, "mom-com" tone and clever domestic humor make this a perfect palate cleanser.
But there’s also emotional depth as Claire stumbles through the chaos of her present. She’s forced to reflect on the dreams she abandoned, the choices she made, and all the “what ifs.” Would a different path have made her feel less stuck?
I thoroughly enjoyed this one! Claire’s story is sharp, funny, and surprisingly heartfelt. It captures the messiness of midlife, marriage, and self-discovery in a way that feels honest and cathartic. If you’ve ever felt like you’re losing yourself while trying to do it all, this one’s for you. It's a perfect summer beach read!
But there’s also emotional depth as Claire stumbles through the chaos of her present. She’s forced to reflect on the dreams she abandoned, the choices she made, and all the “what ifs.” Would a different path have made her feel less stuck?
I thoroughly enjoyed this one! Claire’s story is sharp, funny, and surprisingly heartfelt. It captures the messiness of midlife, marriage, and self-discovery in a way that feels honest and cathartic. If you’ve ever felt like you’re losing yourself while trying to do it all, this one’s for you. It's a perfect summer beach read!
February 2, 2025
As a mom of 4, I felt this book was so deliciously chaotic and hilarious while resonating with everything that is MOM LIFE!
It was fun to read and connect to a mom that was in her 40s and dealing with the hot mess daily situations of having multiple kids. 😆 But it was so much more than just that! Sometimes when the feeling of not being seen and unappreciated becomes too much to handle in the chaos of life, love and work.. you have had enough! ✋🏻 Trying to find that person that you were before kids and married life, the ‘what ifs’ and ultimately figuring out that who you have become can be even better, when you take the time to reflect and work on yourself.
Told through ‘day in the life’ snippets of time and flashbacks to memories that give a reflection of how things have come to be. It made this a quick read and allowed a complete feel of Claire’s inner monologue and into this story.
‘𝐈𝐟 𝐈 𝐦𝐚𝐲 𝐛𝐞 𝐬𝐨 𝐛𝐨𝐥𝐝, 𝐝𝐞𝐚𝐫, 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐡𝐨𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐨 𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐚𝐧 𝐨𝐥𝐝 𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐨𝐫 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐚𝐧 𝐨𝐥𝐝 𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐟?’👏🏻
Claire also befriends Bea who I absolutely adored and felt that she helped bring Claire full circle.
𝘐 𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶, 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘐 𝘥𝘰𝘯’𝘵 𝘸𝘢𝘯𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘧𝘦𝘦𝘭 𝘪𝘯𝘷𝘪𝘴𝘪𝘣𝘭𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘺 𝘭𝘰𝘯𝘨𝘦𝘳. 𝘞𝘦 𝘯𝘦𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘧𝘪𝘹 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴. 😭👏🏻
It was fun to read and connect to a mom that was in her 40s and dealing with the hot mess daily situations of having multiple kids. 😆 But it was so much more than just that! Sometimes when the feeling of not being seen and unappreciated becomes too much to handle in the chaos of life, love and work.. you have had enough! ✋🏻 Trying to find that person that you were before kids and married life, the ‘what ifs’ and ultimately figuring out that who you have become can be even better, when you take the time to reflect and work on yourself.
Told through ‘day in the life’ snippets of time and flashbacks to memories that give a reflection of how things have come to be. It made this a quick read and allowed a complete feel of Claire’s inner monologue and into this story.
‘𝐈𝐟 𝐈 𝐦𝐚𝐲 𝐛𝐞 𝐬𝐨 𝐛𝐨𝐥𝐝, 𝐝𝐞𝐚𝐫, 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐡𝐨𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐨 𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐚𝐧 𝐨𝐥𝐝 𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐨𝐫 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐚𝐧 𝐨𝐥𝐝 𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐟?’👏🏻
Claire also befriends Bea who I absolutely adored and felt that she helped bring Claire full circle.
𝘐 𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶, 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘐 𝘥𝘰𝘯’𝘵 𝘸𝘢𝘯𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘧𝘦𝘦𝘭 𝘪𝘯𝘷𝘪𝘴𝘪𝘣𝘭𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘺 𝘭𝘰𝘯𝘨𝘦𝘳. 𝘞𝘦 𝘯𝘦𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘧𝘪𝘹 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴. 😭👏🏻
June 10, 2025
Poor Claire can not catch a break and her family is unaware of how hard they make her life. It was a fun read and so good laughs along the way
May 11, 2025
Claire is DONE! She is overwhelmed with her kids, her job, and life in general. She feels unseen and like her husband doesn't help, he just puts it on a list. After asking him to move out and reconnecting with some college friends, Claire finds her voice. Claire was very relatable and i understood most of the everyday problems she faced.
Read
April 22, 2025If you have read and liked Laurie Gelman’s entertaining books you will like this one. The story is told over the period of one day with flashbacks to prior years. Claire is disillusioned with her life at the moment. The working mom of three children with a husband she feels isn’t pulling his weight is unsure if she should stay in her marriage. Seeing her old college boyfriend has amplified her questions about her life choices. Claire’s chaotic and busy life was fun to follow with so many harried, poignant, and humorous mom moments. I enjoyed the writing and the pacing of the story. I did get frustrated with some of Claire’s decisions at times but that is what made the book more interesting. Overall it was an enjoyable read that you should add to your summer TBR.
August 18, 2025
I’m probably not the intended audience for this book, but it didn’t quite click for me. It captures that feeling of “is this all there is??” well, but kind of at the expense of the book going anywhere. The choice to chronicle one ridiculous, awful day interspersed with flashbacks was interesting, but it kind of prevented me from feeling like there was an actual journey going on for Claire. The writing was pretty good and there were some really funny lines, but the story felt really underwhelming and I wasn’t a fan of the ending.
June 9, 2025
Thank you NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for the audio ARC!
4 ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
🎧 AUDIOBOOK REVIEW 🎧
I loved this book! The narrator was great. The audio was great. It flowed nicely and the narrator did a great job.
This story was so great. It was so relatable. Claire is literally all of us in one way or another. As a mom of 4 Claire resignated with me so much! Highly recommend.
4 ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
🎧 AUDIOBOOK REVIEW 🎧
I loved this book! The narrator was great. The audio was great. It flowed nicely and the narrator did a great job.
This story was so great. It was so relatable. Claire is literally all of us in one way or another. As a mom of 4 Claire resignated with me so much! Highly recommend.
May 21, 2025
Claire’s frustration is relatable. Liz Alterman writes the struggles of motherhood so well! Her latest takes place over the course of a day in a fun mom-com! If you like realistic & fun womens fiction, read this!
September 27, 2025
There’s very few books I openly belly laugh at, but my word, this book had me visibly belly laughing. The humor in this book was unreal. Thank you for the great time Liz Alterman. This book was 🤌🏻.
June 9, 2025
Some what realistic protrayal of life. Married with a husband that seems to do nothing around the house and demanding children with school and health issues, Claire has had enough. Claire and Paul are the parents of 3 boys. Paul works in IT and Claire at 46 writes online as an Influencer for a company that discusses and compares numerous products and items that relate to children. Claire is always trying to meet her deadlines. This story is Claire’s second “coming of age” tale. Just when she felt that her life was crashing down all around her, she had the temptation of a reconnect with her ex from her college years. Funny and relatable, this story was an easy read and a refreshing breath of fresh air. I enjoyed how it was paced and found myself nodding my head along to parts of the frustration Claire was feeling. Explains many things that makes a marriage as well as what might pull one away. This one will have you nodding and laughing at the same time. Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and Liz Alterman for the opportunity.
June 11, 2025
Here is a book to keep your eye out for in June. It will make your hectic days seem more like a piece of cake, unless you are like me and recognize some of your own life in Claire Casey’s Had Enough by Liz Alterman.
Casey gets home from a business trip and her husband isn’t there to pick her up, he doesn’t answer his phone, and she can’t get in the house until the next morning after sleeping in a hammock and getting soaked by the sprinkler. He was asleep on the couch in his boxers, he and their boys have left the house a mess. Claire has had enough of being everyone’s last priority. Her marriage is over, maybe, it’s complicated.
When Claire starts talking to an old flame she feels that spark of who she used to be. What follows is a whole day of Claire juggling work, three boys, community expectations, family expectations, and struggling with what might be.
It was funny, frustrating at times when I just wanted Claire to be better organized, but I am not, so I am not one to judge. It was very entertaining and quick to read.
Casey gets home from a business trip and her husband isn’t there to pick her up, he doesn’t answer his phone, and she can’t get in the house until the next morning after sleeping in a hammock and getting soaked by the sprinkler. He was asleep on the couch in his boxers, he and their boys have left the house a mess. Claire has had enough of being everyone’s last priority. Her marriage is over, maybe, it’s complicated.
When Claire starts talking to an old flame she feels that spark of who she used to be. What follows is a whole day of Claire juggling work, three boys, community expectations, family expectations, and struggling with what might be.
It was funny, frustrating at times when I just wanted Claire to be better organized, but I am not, so I am not one to judge. It was very entertaining and quick to read.
May 15, 2025
Thank you to Liz Alterman for the ARC! We are all buzzing over “Claire Casey’s Had Enough” at Book Lovers The Buzz. And after reading it, I can see why!
Claire Casey is a mom of three, and is used to being the “keeper” of the family - a career, PTA mom, in the trenches, doing all the things for everybody. But when her husband, Paul, forgets to pick her up at the airport, Claire has simply had enough! She and her husband take a break, giving Claire time to reevaluate her life.
I felt like Claire Casey myself these last few weeks (seriously, why are there SO many activities crammed into the last month of school?!) Between work, school, PTA and family, I could easily relate to reaching that breaking point. Thankfully my husband has never left me stranded like Claire’s did (and he also drove me to meet Liz Alterman a few years ago so bonus points for him!)
Funny and relatable, this story was an easy read and a refreshing breath of fresh air. I enjoyed how it was paced and found myself nodding my head along to parts of the frustration Claire was feeling. She was a strong and funny FMC who was easy to root for.
I have loved all of Liz’s previous books, which were thrillers but this “mom com” is right up there with them! Brilliantly written, laugh-out-loud, if you have ever been a busy mom you will enjoy this one.
“Claire Casey’s Had Enough” releases June 3, 2025. This review will be shared to my instagram blog (@books_by_the_bottle).
Claire Casey is a mom of three, and is used to being the “keeper” of the family - a career, PTA mom, in the trenches, doing all the things for everybody. But when her husband, Paul, forgets to pick her up at the airport, Claire has simply had enough! She and her husband take a break, giving Claire time to reevaluate her life.
I felt like Claire Casey myself these last few weeks (seriously, why are there SO many activities crammed into the last month of school?!) Between work, school, PTA and family, I could easily relate to reaching that breaking point. Thankfully my husband has never left me stranded like Claire’s did (and he also drove me to meet Liz Alterman a few years ago so bonus points for him!)
Funny and relatable, this story was an easy read and a refreshing breath of fresh air. I enjoyed how it was paced and found myself nodding my head along to parts of the frustration Claire was feeling. She was a strong and funny FMC who was easy to root for.
I have loved all of Liz’s previous books, which were thrillers but this “mom com” is right up there with them! Brilliantly written, laugh-out-loud, if you have ever been a busy mom you will enjoy this one.
“Claire Casey’s Had Enough” releases June 3, 2025. This review will be shared to my instagram blog (@books_by_the_bottle).
August 24, 2025
Thank you NetGalley for the advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review!
Claire Casey’s Had Enough by Liz Alterman is a sharp and witty novel that follows one woman's breaking point. Claire is stuck in a life that no longer brings her joy. Her husband is inattentive and irresponsible, her two children constantly test her patience, and she feels completely drained by the daily grind. The story takes place over the course of a single day, which is a unique and effective storytelling choice. Instead of feeling repetitive or slow, the plot moves quickly and keeps the reader engaged.
What makes this novel stand out is Claire herself. She is funny, flawed, and deeply human. Her thoughts and actions feel honest, and her frustrations are both relatable and often darkly amusing. Her unexpected reunion with an old flame from twenty years ago adds another layer of complexity to her day, pushing her to question where her life has gone and what she really wants.
Although the book had many strong moments and clever humor, I personally found it hard to relate to Claire’s situation. As someone in their twenties without children or a marriage to manage, I am likely not the intended audience. That said, I truly appreciated the honesty of the novel. Life does not always go as planned, and Alterman is unafraid to explore that truth with both heart and humor.
Overall, while not entirely for me, Claire Casey’s Had Enough is a well-written and engaging story that will likely resonate with readers who see themselves in Claire’s shoes.
Claire Casey’s Had Enough by Liz Alterman is a sharp and witty novel that follows one woman's breaking point. Claire is stuck in a life that no longer brings her joy. Her husband is inattentive and irresponsible, her two children constantly test her patience, and she feels completely drained by the daily grind. The story takes place over the course of a single day, which is a unique and effective storytelling choice. Instead of feeling repetitive or slow, the plot moves quickly and keeps the reader engaged.
What makes this novel stand out is Claire herself. She is funny, flawed, and deeply human. Her thoughts and actions feel honest, and her frustrations are both relatable and often darkly amusing. Her unexpected reunion with an old flame from twenty years ago adds another layer of complexity to her day, pushing her to question where her life has gone and what she really wants.
Although the book had many strong moments and clever humor, I personally found it hard to relate to Claire’s situation. As someone in their twenties without children or a marriage to manage, I am likely not the intended audience. That said, I truly appreciated the honesty of the novel. Life does not always go as planned, and Alterman is unafraid to explore that truth with both heart and humor.
Overall, while not entirely for me, Claire Casey’s Had Enough is a well-written and engaging story that will likely resonate with readers who see themselves in Claire’s shoes.
May 2, 2025
This book is my life 100%! If you are the primary parent or are the caregiver of your friend group, this book will speak to you! When Claire leaves the house she has to make sure her kids are ready for school and all after school activities, permission slips are signed, kids are fed and clothed, you get the idea. When her husband leaves the house he leaves the house. Sound familiar???? Well Claire has had enough! Most of the book takes place on one day in early September, right when back to school is in full swing. In alternating chapters Claire visits her past to college before she was married.
This is a hilarious story and at the end I had to look back and make sure this all happened in one day. What a day Claire had!! Highly recommend for a great read!
This is a hilarious story and at the end I had to look back and make sure this all happened in one day. What a day Claire had!! Highly recommend for a great read!
May 5, 2025
Claire Casey’s Had Enough
By: Liz Alterman
Pub Date: June 3, 2025
Publisher: Severn House
Tour: Book Lovers THE BUZZ
This novel will resonate with moms. Sometimes life gets monotonous and you put yourself last. Whether your drowning in laundry, cooking, carpooling or not feeling appreciated life happens and sometimes we need to reset.
Claire and her husband end up taking a break. This will give them time to re-evaluate and perhaps find what they each need. I found this novel fun to read and realistic.
By: Liz Alterman
Pub Date: June 3, 2025
Publisher: Severn House
Tour: Book Lovers THE BUZZ
This novel will resonate with moms. Sometimes life gets monotonous and you put yourself last. Whether your drowning in laundry, cooking, carpooling or not feeling appreciated life happens and sometimes we need to reset.
Claire and her husband end up taking a break. This will give them time to re-evaluate and perhaps find what they each need. I found this novel fun to read and realistic.
May 22, 2025
Claire is struggling with her husband and sons. Being a mother myself, I can relate to her in so many ways. I like that this book was funny and very well plotted. If you’re a mom, this is a must read! I’ve enjoyed Liz Alterman’s other novels, but this one was very different in the best way!
Many thanks to NetGalley and Severn House for my gifted copy.
This review will be shared to my Instagram account (@coffee.break.book.reviews) in the near future.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Severn House for my gifted copy.
This review will be shared to my Instagram account (@coffee.break.book.reviews) in the near future.
June 19, 2025
3.5 ⭐rounding up for relatability
Welcome to the world of the Mom-Com! Claire Casey's Had Enough brings us face to face with the reality of overworked underappreciated moms by taking readers on a day in the life of frazzled mom Claire. To give a complete picture the novel includes flashbacks to different moments in Claire's life as she's pondering what's next.
Something's gotta give.
All too often it's the mom. How often do moms not value the power of the word "No"? I've been there. I've also been there when I've said it and been swarmed by grown adults in shock that someone would have the audacity to use it. 😳 Hmm, maybe that's why so many kids have boundary issues? 🤔 Anyway, I understood Claire.
Claire is a busy mom of three who has been doing it all for so long she's lost sight of her identity beyond motherhood and she's become frustrated in the process. Who could blame her? Her husband couldn't be bothered to keep his phone charged knowing her plane was arriving late. So, there she is stranded at 2am at the airport forced to uber home and sleep in a filthy hammock because no one would get up and answer the door. I didn't even blame her for being mad and asking the overgrown man-baby to leave.
In one of the flashbacks, we see Claire meet an old flame from college who is divorced and interested in exploring a relationship with newly separated Claire. They have a flirtation via e-mail with the hopes of more. Maybe. I liked that Claire didn't jump into dating a bunch of random guys as soon as the door shut on her husband. She was still prioritizing her sons and thinking long and hard about what it would take to repair her marriage.
I could relate to the moments of not knowing whether to laugh or cry. Mom guilt is real. Showing a day in the life of a mom I thought was brilliant because while, some of it is exaggerated for comedic effect and Claire does bumble a bit; it was relatable for the most part. I've had days that taught me to travel with a full change of clothes, scissors, flashlights, and an entire roll of paper towels. I feel you, Claire!
I listened to the audio narrated by Stephanie Rose. It sounded like she put her all into the material.
Will she move on? OR Will the couple repair their marriage?
The ending was a little meh for my taste. Something felt incomplete about it, but maybe that made for a more realistic take.
Thank you to Dreamscape Media for providing an ALC via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
Welcome to the world of the Mom-Com! Claire Casey's Had Enough brings us face to face with the reality of overworked underappreciated moms by taking readers on a day in the life of frazzled mom Claire. To give a complete picture the novel includes flashbacks to different moments in Claire's life as she's pondering what's next.
Something's gotta give.
All too often it's the mom. How often do moms not value the power of the word "No"? I've been there. I've also been there when I've said it and been swarmed by grown adults in shock that someone would have the audacity to use it. 😳 Hmm, maybe that's why so many kids have boundary issues? 🤔 Anyway, I understood Claire.
Claire is a busy mom of three who has been doing it all for so long she's lost sight of her identity beyond motherhood and she's become frustrated in the process. Who could blame her? Her husband couldn't be bothered to keep his phone charged knowing her plane was arriving late. So, there she is stranded at 2am at the airport forced to uber home and sleep in a filthy hammock because no one would get up and answer the door. I didn't even blame her for being mad and asking the overgrown man-baby to leave.
In one of the flashbacks, we see Claire meet an old flame from college who is divorced and interested in exploring a relationship with newly separated Claire. They have a flirtation via e-mail with the hopes of more. Maybe. I liked that Claire didn't jump into dating a bunch of random guys as soon as the door shut on her husband. She was still prioritizing her sons and thinking long and hard about what it would take to repair her marriage.
I could relate to the moments of not knowing whether to laugh or cry. Mom guilt is real. Showing a day in the life of a mom I thought was brilliant because while, some of it is exaggerated for comedic effect and Claire does bumble a bit; it was relatable for the most part. I've had days that taught me to travel with a full change of clothes, scissors, flashlights, and an entire roll of paper towels. I feel you, Claire!
I listened to the audio narrated by Stephanie Rose. It sounded like she put her all into the material.
Will she move on? OR Will the couple repair their marriage?
The ending was a little meh for my taste. Something felt incomplete about it, but maybe that made for a more realistic take.
Thank you to Dreamscape Media for providing an ALC via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
June 24, 2025
If you’re in your 40’s, married, have kids, have a job outside the home, and have no idea what happened to your life while you muddle through daily chaos, this book is for you! Bonus points for being set in my home state.
Claire is a struggling 40-something Mother of 3 and wife to Paul. She tells us things used to be great. She recently started writing for a mother’s website and went out to an Ohio expo with the intention of writing about it for her next column. Her plane is late getting back. Despite many, many phone calls to her husband, he never answers the phone even though he promised to pick her up. She gets home, bangs on the doors and can see her husband asleep on the sofa. No one can hear her and the doorbell is broken - one of the many broken things in their home Paul says he will fix, but never does. She spends the rest of the night outside in the rain.
This is our setup. The rest of the book is following Claire as she struggles through separation from her husband, her job, reconnecting with an old college boyfriend and honestly making you laugh the whole time. Claire is charmingly chaotic and I loved every second of it!
This is a double second chance romance, which is interesting. Claire is smart and good at her job even though it’s ridiculous (I once wrote for a mom blog so I can relate). Her kids are wildly different from one another, and the youngest seems to be the most challenging. She has friends who aren’t real friends, parents (one of which just developed a concerning medical condition), in laws, Bee (or B or Bea - I was given the audiobook, so I am not good with spelling) who is also thinking of a prior love interest. The college boyfriend is Alex. Claire reconnects with him online and reads all his posts. She sees this great guy who’s got everything together. The flashbacks show a different kind of guy, even through her rose colored glasses, I didn’t like him one bit.
It all ends well, but Claire goes through a lot of chaotic situations and is riddled with anxiety on the way to that ending.
If you like the writing of Janet Evanovich, this is similar in tone and pace, just not subject matter.
The narrator is fantastic! Everyone has a unique voice and you can really feel the tension and chaos of Claire’s life through her performance.
I would like to thank Dreamscape Media for their generosity and trusting me with another one of their audiobooks through NetGalley. I received an Advanced Listener Copy of this audiobook. All opinions are my own.
Claire is a struggling 40-something Mother of 3 and wife to Paul. She tells us things used to be great. She recently started writing for a mother’s website and went out to an Ohio expo with the intention of writing about it for her next column. Her plane is late getting back. Despite many, many phone calls to her husband, he never answers the phone even though he promised to pick her up. She gets home, bangs on the doors and can see her husband asleep on the sofa. No one can hear her and the doorbell is broken - one of the many broken things in their home Paul says he will fix, but never does. She spends the rest of the night outside in the rain.
This is our setup. The rest of the book is following Claire as she struggles through separation from her husband, her job, reconnecting with an old college boyfriend and honestly making you laugh the whole time. Claire is charmingly chaotic and I loved every second of it!
This is a double second chance romance, which is interesting. Claire is smart and good at her job even though it’s ridiculous (I once wrote for a mom blog so I can relate). Her kids are wildly different from one another, and the youngest seems to be the most challenging. She has friends who aren’t real friends, parents (one of which just developed a concerning medical condition), in laws, Bee (or B or Bea - I was given the audiobook, so I am not good with spelling) who is also thinking of a prior love interest. The college boyfriend is Alex. Claire reconnects with him online and reads all his posts. She sees this great guy who’s got everything together. The flashbacks show a different kind of guy, even through her rose colored glasses, I didn’t like him one bit.
It all ends well, but Claire goes through a lot of chaotic situations and is riddled with anxiety on the way to that ending.
If you like the writing of Janet Evanovich, this is similar in tone and pace, just not subject matter.
The narrator is fantastic! Everyone has a unique voice and you can really feel the tension and chaos of Claire’s life through her performance.
I would like to thank Dreamscape Media for their generosity and trusting me with another one of their audiobooks through NetGalley. I received an Advanced Listener Copy of this audiobook. All opinions are my own.
June 10, 2025
As a midlife mom juggling kids, career, carpool chaos, and the mysterious vanishing of left socks (seriously, where do they go?), Claire Casey’s Had Enough felt like reading a slightly more dramatic version of my own Tuesday. It’s witty, raw, and peppered with enough “OMG, yes!” moments that I found myself laughing out loud in the school pickup line—getting a few looks from other moms in the process.
Claire, the frazzled forty-something protagonist, is so many of us: overextended, underappreciated, and drowning in a life she barely recognizes anymore. Between her three kids (four, if you count her well-meaning but completely clueless husband), an uninspiring job, and an airport pickup fail that could’ve happened to any of us, she finally reaches her breaking point. Sound familiar? Yeah, it did to me, too.
The book is told over the course of a single day—which makes it both a quick, bingeable read and an emotional rollercoaster. From snapping at her husband (been there), to reuniting with an old flame (not yet, but hey, never say never), to rediscovering her spark, Claire’s journey feels painfully real and wildly entertaining.
There are truly funny moments here—some had me clutching my coffee in giggle fits—and the author absolutely nails the chaos of modern motherhood. The dialogue is sharp, the inner monologue is painfully accurate (especially the mental to-do list that never ends), and Claire’s story will resonate with any woman who's ever muttered, “If one more person calls my name…”
That said, the 3.5-star rating comes from a few bumps. At times, the book leans a little too heavily into cliché territory, and while Claire’s rediscovery of self is empowering, her emotional pendulum can swing so fast it’s hard to keep up. I also found myself wanting more resolution by the end—some threads felt rushed or conveniently tied up. I’m undecided on how I feel about the full day
Still, for moms in the thick of it, Claire Casey’s Had Enough is a comforting, comical mirror. It won’t change your life, but it’ll make you laugh, and maybe—just maybe—remind you to chase a little more of who you are, beyond the laundry and lunches.
** if you listen to audiobook, note there are a few F bombs (loved this!) and a few adult moments (but definitely could have had more**
Claire, the frazzled forty-something protagonist, is so many of us: overextended, underappreciated, and drowning in a life she barely recognizes anymore. Between her three kids (four, if you count her well-meaning but completely clueless husband), an uninspiring job, and an airport pickup fail that could’ve happened to any of us, she finally reaches her breaking point. Sound familiar? Yeah, it did to me, too.
The book is told over the course of a single day—which makes it both a quick, bingeable read and an emotional rollercoaster. From snapping at her husband (been there), to reuniting with an old flame (not yet, but hey, never say never), to rediscovering her spark, Claire’s journey feels painfully real and wildly entertaining.
There are truly funny moments here—some had me clutching my coffee in giggle fits—and the author absolutely nails the chaos of modern motherhood. The dialogue is sharp, the inner monologue is painfully accurate (especially the mental to-do list that never ends), and Claire’s story will resonate with any woman who's ever muttered, “If one more person calls my name…”
That said, the 3.5-star rating comes from a few bumps. At times, the book leans a little too heavily into cliché territory, and while Claire’s rediscovery of self is empowering, her emotional pendulum can swing so fast it’s hard to keep up. I also found myself wanting more resolution by the end—some threads felt rushed or conveniently tied up. I’m undecided on how I feel about the full day
Still, for moms in the thick of it, Claire Casey’s Had Enough is a comforting, comical mirror. It won’t change your life, but it’ll make you laugh, and maybe—just maybe—remind you to chase a little more of who you are, beyond the laundry and lunches.
** if you listen to audiobook, note there are a few F bombs (loved this!) and a few adult moments (but definitely could have had more**
April 3, 2025
I didn't really like this book, and contemplated DNF'ing it several times. Yes, Claire is overwhelmed and gets no support from her husband. He legitimately makes her life harder by not fulfilling things that he promised her he would. I mean, at the very start of the book he promised to pick her up from the airport, then fell asleep and didn't do that, nor did he answer his phone or the doorbell when she eventually made her way home, forcing her to sleep in the back yard. And then tasks around the home that he says he'll "get to", go undone until they reach a crisis point. (Hey, shocker, you can't just ignore a slow leak in your bathroom if you don't want major water damage to happen to your home).
So, sure, Claire's husband is not a supportive partner. But she also makes some pretty dumb decisions that make her life harder. She spends so much time mooning over her old college boyfriend that she's recently reconnected with that she ignores responsibilities to both her job and her kids. When you have 5 minutes before you have to leave to pick up your kids from school, and the other kid currently has a lice treatment on his head, this might not be the best time to try dying your hair???
My other problem with this book was the difficulty in following the timeline. Rather than traditional chapters, the book is split into sections with a large heading of date and time. This is because the main action of the story happens primarily within one day, with several sections being flashbacks to earlier in Claire's life (mostly college). However some of the "present day" scenes start with a couple of sentences about what she's currently doing before Claire slips in to remembering something that happened a number of months/years ago, and so the timeline of that particular section doesn't at all match it's heading. This makes it really difficult to tell if, say, the conversation that is happening between Claire and her neighbour is happening in the present or the past.
My recommendation would be to save your time and read a different book.
So, sure, Claire's husband is not a supportive partner. But she also makes some pretty dumb decisions that make her life harder. She spends so much time mooning over her old college boyfriend that she's recently reconnected with that she ignores responsibilities to both her job and her kids. When you have 5 minutes before you have to leave to pick up your kids from school, and the other kid currently has a lice treatment on his head, this might not be the best time to try dying your hair???
My other problem with this book was the difficulty in following the timeline. Rather than traditional chapters, the book is split into sections with a large heading of date and time. This is because the main action of the story happens primarily within one day, with several sections being flashbacks to earlier in Claire's life (mostly college). However some of the "present day" scenes start with a couple of sentences about what she's currently doing before Claire slips in to remembering something that happened a number of months/years ago, and so the timeline of that particular section doesn't at all match it's heading. This makes it really difficult to tell if, say, the conversation that is happening between Claire and her neighbour is happening in the present or the past.
My recommendation would be to save your time and read a different book.
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July 14, 2025
Thank you to Netgalley, Liz Alterman, and Dreamscape Media for the ALC of the audiobook!
"If you go, you'll know. If you don't, you'll always wonder."
Hehe, I actually quite loved this. Claire Casey is the epitome of woman-of-a-certain age. Husband isn't enough, kids are draining her, and life just isn't life-ing as it should. When she attends her college reunion, she toys with the idea of an affair with her former flame and sets herself on a journey of what turns out to be self-actualization. I really like what Liz Alterman did here, and I just know that a lot of people could find themselves in Claire Casey's character. You don't have to be a mom (like me), or married with a questionable husband (like me) but you can feel a little lost or stuck in your life as it is and want better.
"She didn't need him to stand under her window holding a boombox and declaring his love in front of the neighbors, but she expected something. Anything. He did nothing. Well, actually, he texted. And that made things worse."
(And I quote myself here what I said at the beginning: "Ugh, if this is love, I DO NOT want it.")
I would absolutely recommend this to everyone.
"I think of us kind of like a story, too. We're in the middle, the conflict, the toughest part. It'll get better. At least, I like to think it will. Who knows, maybe it'll actually get worse for a while. Have you met our kids? We'll have three teenagers in the blink of an eye. And already... they can be a lot."
Stephanie Rose delivered an impeccable performance as the narrator. She communicated Alterman's written-word humor so well that she had me giggling so bad.
Example: Claire bit her lip to avoid screaming "Cool it, pal! You have lice, not leprosy!" is such a funny bit that it almost surpasses her whole family continuously calling her estranged husband "Coupon" due to his overdone frugality.
Also? RIP Bed, Bath and Beyond.
"If you go, you'll know. If you don't, you'll always wonder."
Hehe, I actually quite loved this. Claire Casey is the epitome of woman-of-a-certain age. Husband isn't enough, kids are draining her, and life just isn't life-ing as it should. When she attends her college reunion, she toys with the idea of an affair with her former flame and sets herself on a journey of what turns out to be self-actualization. I really like what Liz Alterman did here, and I just know that a lot of people could find themselves in Claire Casey's character. You don't have to be a mom (like me), or married with a questionable husband (like me) but you can feel a little lost or stuck in your life as it is and want better.
"She didn't need him to stand under her window holding a boombox and declaring his love in front of the neighbors, but she expected something. Anything. He did nothing. Well, actually, he texted. And that made things worse."
(And I quote myself here what I said at the beginning: "Ugh, if this is love, I DO NOT want it.")
I would absolutely recommend this to everyone.
"I think of us kind of like a story, too. We're in the middle, the conflict, the toughest part. It'll get better. At least, I like to think it will. Who knows, maybe it'll actually get worse for a while. Have you met our kids? We'll have three teenagers in the blink of an eye. And already... they can be a lot."
Stephanie Rose delivered an impeccable performance as the narrator. She communicated Alterman's written-word humor so well that she had me giggling so bad.
Example: Claire bit her lip to avoid screaming "Cool it, pal! You have lice, not leprosy!" is such a funny bit that it almost surpasses her whole family continuously calling her estranged husband "Coupon" due to his overdone frugality.
Also? RIP Bed, Bath and Beyond.
May 19, 2025
📖 Casey’s Had Enough by Liz Alterman
A searing exploration of modern womanhood—where the weight of expectation meets the breaking point of resilience.
✨ Literary Analysis
**💥 Protagonist as Everywoman: Claire Casey embodies the quiet desperation of middle-aged women—her unraveling is both deeply personal and universally resonant.
**🍷 Dark Humor as Survival Tool: Alterman’s razor-sharp wit cuts through domestic drudgery, transforming mundane moments into biting social commentary.
**🏡 Domesticity as Microcosm: The suburban home becomes a battleground for identity, where PTA meetings and marital spats reveal seismic emotional fractures.
**⚡ Pacing as Psychological Unspooling: The novel oscillates between simmering tension and explosive release, mirroring Claire’s internal collapse.
**🌱 Redemption in Rebellion: Claire’s journey from self-effacement to self-assertion is messy, imperfect, and profoundly cathartic.
⭐ Star Breakdown (0-5)
Character Development: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5) (Claire is a masterclass in complex, flawed humanity.)
Narrative Structure: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5) (Brilliantly paced, though some transitions feel abrupt.)
Thematic Depth: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5) (A trenchant study of gender roles and emotional labor.)
Prose Style: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5) (Alterman’s wit dazzles, though occasionally overshadows nuance.)
Emotional Impact: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5) (Leaves the reader both gutted and galvanized.)
Overall: 4.8/5 - Like a Molotov cocktail disguised as a mimosa—sweet, sharp, and utterly incendiary.
🙏 Thank you to NetGalley and Liz Alterman for the advance review copy. Casey’s Had Enough is a triumph—a novel that doesn’t just scrutinize the female experience but sets it ablaze.
(Note: Best read with a stiff drink and a charged phone—you’ll need to text your friends.)
A searing exploration of modern womanhood—where the weight of expectation meets the breaking point of resilience.
✨ Literary Analysis
**💥 Protagonist as Everywoman: Claire Casey embodies the quiet desperation of middle-aged women—her unraveling is both deeply personal and universally resonant.
**🍷 Dark Humor as Survival Tool: Alterman’s razor-sharp wit cuts through domestic drudgery, transforming mundane moments into biting social commentary.
**🏡 Domesticity as Microcosm: The suburban home becomes a battleground for identity, where PTA meetings and marital spats reveal seismic emotional fractures.
**⚡ Pacing as Psychological Unspooling: The novel oscillates between simmering tension and explosive release, mirroring Claire’s internal collapse.
**🌱 Redemption in Rebellion: Claire’s journey from self-effacement to self-assertion is messy, imperfect, and profoundly cathartic.
⭐ Star Breakdown (0-5)
Character Development: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5) (Claire is a masterclass in complex, flawed humanity.)
Narrative Structure: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5) (Brilliantly paced, though some transitions feel abrupt.)
Thematic Depth: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5) (A trenchant study of gender roles and emotional labor.)
Prose Style: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5) (Alterman’s wit dazzles, though occasionally overshadows nuance.)
Emotional Impact: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5) (Leaves the reader both gutted and galvanized.)
Overall: 4.8/5 - Like a Molotov cocktail disguised as a mimosa—sweet, sharp, and utterly incendiary.
🙏 Thank you to NetGalley and Liz Alterman for the advance review copy. Casey’s Had Enough is a triumph—a novel that doesn’t just scrutinize the female experience but sets it ablaze.
(Note: Best read with a stiff drink and a charged phone—you’ll need to text your friends.)
March 5, 2025
Synopsis: Mother of three, Claire, is stressed and exhausted from juggling all her responsibilities – housework, childcare and working as a writer for Mamarama, an online women’s magazine. Married to Paul for 16 years, she still loves her husband but is frustrated and angry with his procrastination and failure to share the load. One day she wakes up and reaches the end of her patience, telling Paul to get out, which he obligingly does. Then Claire sees her old college flame at the 10-year reunion, the one that got away. Will Claire give the man she married a second chance, or start over with her old love?
Thoughts: Claire’s life is pure chaos. Her house is a mess, her son has lice, she is separated from her husband, and she is struggling to satisfy her overachieving millennial boss at Mamarama. If you have ever bemoaned the state of your life as a working mother and wife, you will probably be able to relate to Claire Casey. The author is able to encapsulate the frantic pace of working motherhood - down to combing through a child’s hair with a lice comb, plucking sweaty sports gear out of the laundry bin, and fobbing off pushy parent organizers trying to force others into baking cupcakes. It rings true, even if it exaggerates the chaos just a little. There is plenty of humour as well as poignant moments. I will admit I found it a bit stressful to read at times, or perhaps that was just my PTSD from child rearing. And Claire is a little too clumsy and hapless at times. However it is a fun read and bookish friends that enjoy something lighter with a bit of acerbic wit should enjoy this novel.
Thoughts: Claire’s life is pure chaos. Her house is a mess, her son has lice, she is separated from her husband, and she is struggling to satisfy her overachieving millennial boss at Mamarama. If you have ever bemoaned the state of your life as a working mother and wife, you will probably be able to relate to Claire Casey. The author is able to encapsulate the frantic pace of working motherhood - down to combing through a child’s hair with a lice comb, plucking sweaty sports gear out of the laundry bin, and fobbing off pushy parent organizers trying to force others into baking cupcakes. It rings true, even if it exaggerates the chaos just a little. There is plenty of humour as well as poignant moments. I will admit I found it a bit stressful to read at times, or perhaps that was just my PTSD from child rearing. And Claire is a little too clumsy and hapless at times. However it is a fun read and bookish friends that enjoy something lighter with a bit of acerbic wit should enjoy this novel.
May 31, 2025
Claire and Paul are the parents of 3 boys. Paul works in IT and Claire at 46 writes online as an Influencer for a company that discusses and compares numerous products and items that relate to children. Claire is always trying to meet her deadlines.
Coming home from a conference where Paul promised to meet her at the airport, she is furious when she cannot reach him to come get her. Taking a Uber, she finds him asleep on the sofa with headphones on. His phone is obviously dead. She didn’t take her keys knowing Paul would pick her up. She had no choice but to sleep in the hammock outside. The next morning, she tells Paul she has had enough of his irresponsibility and that he has to leave. Four months later, he is still gone staying at his parents’ house.
When Claire went to a recent college reunion, she ran into Alex with whom she had a brief relationship. He tells her that when he is next in her town, perhaps they can meet up for a drink. Well, that day has come and he wants her to meet for a drink at a nice hotel. Does she do it?
This is a story of a busy Mom get her sons to their activities and keep up with all the demands of her own school volunteer activities. All this combined with the demands of her job, the house and caring for her parents. There are some really funny incidents that all Moms can laugh at and commiserate with. The big question is do you leave the marriage that you’ve worked so hard for or do you stick it out? I’m glad how it ended. For me that was the perfect choice. Enjoy!
Copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Coming home from a conference where Paul promised to meet her at the airport, she is furious when she cannot reach him to come get her. Taking a Uber, she finds him asleep on the sofa with headphones on. His phone is obviously dead. She didn’t take her keys knowing Paul would pick her up. She had no choice but to sleep in the hammock outside. The next morning, she tells Paul she has had enough of his irresponsibility and that he has to leave. Four months later, he is still gone staying at his parents’ house.
When Claire went to a recent college reunion, she ran into Alex with whom she had a brief relationship. He tells her that when he is next in her town, perhaps they can meet up for a drink. Well, that day has come and he wants her to meet for a drink at a nice hotel. Does she do it?
This is a story of a busy Mom get her sons to their activities and keep up with all the demands of her own school volunteer activities. All this combined with the demands of her job, the house and caring for her parents. There are some really funny incidents that all Moms can laugh at and commiserate with. The big question is do you leave the marriage that you’ve worked so hard for or do you stick it out? I’m glad how it ended. For me that was the perfect choice. Enjoy!
Copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.
July 27, 2025
As a never been married never had kids old lady, I am definitely not the target for this book, and yet parts of it really resonated with me. I am also a retired school teacher who has taught every grade from K through community college, so I understand some of the main characters frustrations from the other side. I wish I could let Claire Casey know that the "back to school/open house" nights are as stressful for the eachers as they are for the parents. This book came at a time when I, like Claire, was feeling out of touch with who I used to be. All at once cars and appliances are breaking down and I dread replacing them because I know my next stove is not going to need to last for 34 year like the previous one did because I'm not going to last for 34 years, and dreading trying to figure out the dashboard of today's cars that look more like the cockpit of a fighter jet than the plain old utilitarian controls. I've kept my car for 18 years because I'm afraid I'll never figure out all the screens and blue tooth devices and lose those 18 years of muscle memory that can reach for anything I need on the dashboard without having to take my eyes off the road. Well, I learned how to negotiate all those new dashboards of previous 6 cars. No reason why I can't do it again. I used to enjoy learning new technology. I used to tackle and solve problems and fight for what I wanted. I don't know when I just sort of gave up and quit trying. Claire's search for her old fighting spirit is helping me find my own. Thank you Clair. Thank you Liz Alterman.
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