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People Pleaser
Not yet published
Expected 23 Apr 26“You’re so desperate to make everybody else happy that you’ve forgotten what makes you happy. You’ve not just forgotten it, you’ve abandoned it, on a bonfire full of all your other hopes and dreams. A bonfire you’re too scared to light in case the neighbours report you to the council.”
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Olivia Greenwood has been trying very hard to please people for a very long time.
But today is going to change Olivia in a big way. A soul-crushing career disappointment, a fiery young woman with a chip on her shoulder and a cigarette in her hand, and one single blue hallucinogenic gummy all lead to a raucous night out and one hell of a hangover. And when Olivia wakes up the next morning, it seems she’s unable to please anyone but HERSELF.
So who actually is Olivia Greenwood, when she’s not trying to be what everyone else wants her to be?
---
Olivia Greenwood has been trying very hard to please people for a very long time.
But today is going to change Olivia in a big way. A soul-crushing career disappointment, a fiery young woman with a chip on her shoulder and a cigarette in her hand, and one single blue hallucinogenic gummy all lead to a raucous night out and one hell of a hangover. And when Olivia wakes up the next morning, it seems she’s unable to please anyone but HERSELF.
So who actually is Olivia Greenwood, when she’s not trying to be what everyone else wants her to be?
- GenresFiction
Kindle Edition
Expected publication April 23, 2026
6 people are currently reading
142 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
December 9, 2025
People Pleaser is funny, heartfelt and painfully relatable in all the best ways. Bryony Gordon has created a heroine who feels so familiar you could swear you have met her at work, at brunch, or even in the mirror.
I loved the humour most of all. Olivia’s voice is razor sharp and genuinely hilarious. I caught myself smirking and chuckling at her dry observations and the unfiltered commentary running through her head. It gives the book a lively energy that makes it very easy to read.
The relatability struck a chord too. Every woman has been made to feel small or has softened herself to fit in at some point. We are shaped by the era we grew up in and Olivia Greenwood’s experiences felt spot on to me. I am ten years younger than her and still found myself nodding along. Watching her character arc unfold and seeing her rediscover who she is was refreshing and comforting.
The side characters were another highlight. They are messy, funny, warm, and a painfully accurate representation of real family dynamics. They added a lot of heart to the story.
It is written in third person which is not usually my preferred tense but I am making an effort to embrace it because some stories are simply better suited to it and I don’t want to miss out on brilliant books.
If you love character-driven stories full of wit, heart, and honest reflections on womanhood, this is one you shouldn’t miss.
Thank you to Bryony Gordon, to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC ahead of its release in April 2027.
I loved the humour most of all. Olivia’s voice is razor sharp and genuinely hilarious. I caught myself smirking and chuckling at her dry observations and the unfiltered commentary running through her head. It gives the book a lively energy that makes it very easy to read.
The relatability struck a chord too. Every woman has been made to feel small or has softened herself to fit in at some point. We are shaped by the era we grew up in and Olivia Greenwood’s experiences felt spot on to me. I am ten years younger than her and still found myself nodding along. Watching her character arc unfold and seeing her rediscover who she is was refreshing and comforting.
The side characters were another highlight. They are messy, funny, warm, and a painfully accurate representation of real family dynamics. They added a lot of heart to the story.
It is written in third person which is not usually my preferred tense but I am making an effort to embrace it because some stories are simply better suited to it and I don’t want to miss out on brilliant books.
If you love character-driven stories full of wit, heart, and honest reflections on womanhood, this is one you shouldn’t miss.
Thank you to Bryony Gordon, to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC ahead of its release in April 2027.
February 6, 2026
Being a recently reformed people pleaser myself, and a similar age to the protagonist Olivia, I really identified with both her and her story. She tries so hard to make everyone else happy, that she has forgotten who she is and what she wants. After a major career disappointment leads to a heart-to-heart with a young woman who has no qualms about challenging everything, Olivia decides that maybe she needs to concentrate on the only person she can really please - herself. I really enjoyed this book and found the premise really interesting. Even if I hadn’t had so much in common with Olivia, she is still a character I would have rooted for. The difficult relationship she has with her parents gave this story even more depth. I liked the character progression we see through the book, but felt that the ending wrapped things up a bit too easily. I especially found the part with her and her mother a bit clunky and oversimplified.
Overall I really enjoyed this book and thought Olivia was a great character.
Overall I really enjoyed this book and thought Olivia was a great character.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This is a hugely entertaining and genuinely laugh-out-loud read, but it also carries a thought-provoking message beneath the humour. Olivia is such a great character and when 'the worm turned' I wanted to stand up and applaud.
Olivia's story really hammered home the way so many women are conditioned to smooth things over, avoid conflict, and put everyone else first. It's a very funny yet insightful read. I'm now off to take a leaf out of Olivia's book! 😂
My thanks to the Penguin Publishers and Netgalley for an ARC In exchange for an honest review.
Olivia's story really hammered home the way so many women are conditioned to smooth things over, avoid conflict, and put everyone else first. It's a very funny yet insightful read. I'm now off to take a leaf out of Olivia's book! 😂
My thanks to the Penguin Publishers and Netgalley for an ARC In exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This book was really lifted for me by the main character, Olivia, and her people pleasing ways. I - and I suspect many others - found her almost painfully relatable, and for that reason alone, the book is worth reading.
The plot was less of a strength, an easy read but veering at times into the slightly silly, and perhaps not always that nuanced in its 'men bad, women good' message. But worth it to spend some time with Olivia!
Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the ARC.
The plot was less of a strength, an easy read but veering at times into the slightly silly, and perhaps not always that nuanced in its 'men bad, women good' message. But worth it to spend some time with Olivia!
Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the ARC.
February 3, 2026
This is only the second book I have read by Bryony Gordon and I found it enlightening relatable
People pleaser epitomises the middle aged women who are juggling work, marriage, home, parents etc etc, trying to please everyone and in doing so totally neglecting yourself!
Olivia a middle aged mum, wife and dutiful employee is passed over for a promotion at work and given a token newly formed job title and this is the catalyst for change!
Olivia decides enough is enough and ably abetted by a random stranger in a pub,she drinks her worries away fortified by a helpful gummy, galvanised by a new found confidence and attitude she has an epiphany and things start to change both at home and work with some hilarious mis haps along the way!
Funny frank empowering and relatable
Thank you NetGalley for this early read
People pleaser epitomises the middle aged women who are juggling work, marriage, home, parents etc etc, trying to please everyone and in doing so totally neglecting yourself!
Olivia a middle aged mum, wife and dutiful employee is passed over for a promotion at work and given a token newly formed job title and this is the catalyst for change!
Olivia decides enough is enough and ably abetted by a random stranger in a pub,she drinks her worries away fortified by a helpful gummy, galvanised by a new found confidence and attitude she has an epiphany and things start to change both at home and work with some hilarious mis haps along the way!
Funny frank empowering and relatable
Thank you NetGalley for this early read
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
[With thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.]
#PeoplePleaser #NetGalley #VikingBooksUK
This is a breezy, bright and slick read that moves with pace and humour, alongside some very relatable characters. Gordon writes with pathos in the best sense of the word, allowing for space to find emotional resonance despite the oftentimes humorous approach to her storytelling.
Pages were photographed for later reflection and on many occasions I found myself pinned to the spot as possibly the ideal targeted reader of this first fictional offering from her.
The novel centres around Olivia, a forty-something year old mother, daughter, wife and people pleaser. Working in journalism, with two teen children and a marriage that feels on it's way to mundacity, Olivia is dissatisfied with her life, but equally trapped by the pressures and approaches she has to it.
Building on a key volta of a night out with a mysterious woman named Rose, after a disappointing day at the office, all bets are off when Olivia decides to stop kowtowing to the needs, wants and expectations of others put upon her. Equally this also goes for the needs and expectations she has for herself.
With humour, witty narrative and a good dose of humanity; what follows is a daring rebellion that Gordon allows readers to celebrate and take gleeful pleasure in as Olivia segues from people pleaser to truth teller - warts and all. From speaking truth to power to addressing her own failings in being who she wants to be, Olivia is instantly likeable and a one to root for. Fold in a healthy dose of mother-daughter angst, family drama and new approaches to food, dressing and the bedroom, you are left with a book that feels very Marian Keyes-esque in tone - just in not quite as an adept finished form when we consider structure of storytelling.
In true Bryony Gordon branding, this is a celebration of saying no to conformity and over-zealous lifestyle expectations often put upon women, whilst also reaching through the comedy and sass of it all to present readers with messages and stark reminders of how we might bring suffering, grief, mental illness and overwhelm of emotions into the light of the everyday and eventually find solace.
Be it in rebellion to family, work or marriage, Olivia becomes a poster girl for the life changing pivot that comes with altering your mindset and beginning to listen to the self - themes, I'm sure we can all agree, are not to distant from the continued dialogue in our hyper-online society today.
The only pinch point was the slightly too neat and somewhat abrupt ending that let the narrative structure and integrity of the novel down slightly. Resolute to be the woman she chooses to be, Olivia's ending to this tale speeds through a series of events and abruptly ends with a slight time jump - maybe a little too neatly packaged.
#PeoplePleaser #NetGalley #VikingBooksUK
This is a breezy, bright and slick read that moves with pace and humour, alongside some very relatable characters. Gordon writes with pathos in the best sense of the word, allowing for space to find emotional resonance despite the oftentimes humorous approach to her storytelling.
Pages were photographed for later reflection and on many occasions I found myself pinned to the spot as possibly the ideal targeted reader of this first fictional offering from her.
The novel centres around Olivia, a forty-something year old mother, daughter, wife and people pleaser. Working in journalism, with two teen children and a marriage that feels on it's way to mundacity, Olivia is dissatisfied with her life, but equally trapped by the pressures and approaches she has to it.
Building on a key volta of a night out with a mysterious woman named Rose, after a disappointing day at the office, all bets are off when Olivia decides to stop kowtowing to the needs, wants and expectations of others put upon her. Equally this also goes for the needs and expectations she has for herself.
With humour, witty narrative and a good dose of humanity; what follows is a daring rebellion that Gordon allows readers to celebrate and take gleeful pleasure in as Olivia segues from people pleaser to truth teller - warts and all. From speaking truth to power to addressing her own failings in being who she wants to be, Olivia is instantly likeable and a one to root for. Fold in a healthy dose of mother-daughter angst, family drama and new approaches to food, dressing and the bedroom, you are left with a book that feels very Marian Keyes-esque in tone - just in not quite as an adept finished form when we consider structure of storytelling.
In true Bryony Gordon branding, this is a celebration of saying no to conformity and over-zealous lifestyle expectations often put upon women, whilst also reaching through the comedy and sass of it all to present readers with messages and stark reminders of how we might bring suffering, grief, mental illness and overwhelm of emotions into the light of the everyday and eventually find solace.
Be it in rebellion to family, work or marriage, Olivia becomes a poster girl for the life changing pivot that comes with altering your mindset and beginning to listen to the self - themes, I'm sure we can all agree, are not to distant from the continued dialogue in our hyper-online society today.
The only pinch point was the slightly too neat and somewhat abrupt ending that let the narrative structure and integrity of the novel down slightly. Resolute to be the woman she chooses to be, Olivia's ending to this tale speeds through a series of events and abruptly ends with a slight time jump - maybe a little too neatly packaged.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Sometimes you just need to put your foot down and see what happens.
Olivia Greenwood has always been a people pleaser, in her lacklustre job as a journalist, as a largely bored wife, and as a friend, a daughter and a mother. Her relationship with her mother is frosty and tense, she has never felt good enough. She has always told herself that if she just behaves herself and doesn't make a fuss, she'll finally be recognised for who she is and get what she deserves.
But years and years of work disappointments later, and she's still waiting. Her final let-down is when the woman that she has been mentoring gets the promotion that Olivia has been eying up for decades and instead, Olivia is offered the role of Chief Party Planner. That night, she gets drunk and spills her innermost thoughts to a stranger, who challenges her to think what might happen if Olivia put herself first for once. Its the catalyst that Olivia didn't know she'd been waiting for, and with more of an 'f*** you' attitude, she finally starts to take her rightful place in the world, insisting that her voice is heard and listened to as well as relaxing some of her self-imposed rules.
The seismic shockwaves caused by Olivia's change of approach ripple through all of the aspects of her life, the children are happy with a more relaxed mum, her work colleagues see her in a different way - her husband is very appreciative of the new Olivia - she even feels confident enough to stand up to a handsy old man on a train who is touching her up. Olivia's outlook on her whole life starts to change- things that seemed important before suddenly lose their significance, and the smaller things start to have a higher priority.
Olivia's emotional journey throughout the story was a real eye-opener, watching her start to realise that she did have value and it was enough to be herself was a beautiful thing to behold (and a lot funnier than I have made it sound!).
The whole book was a joy to read, funny, clever, occasionally smutty - tick, tick, tick!
Olivia Greenwood has always been a people pleaser, in her lacklustre job as a journalist, as a largely bored wife, and as a friend, a daughter and a mother. Her relationship with her mother is frosty and tense, she has never felt good enough. She has always told herself that if she just behaves herself and doesn't make a fuss, she'll finally be recognised for who she is and get what she deserves.
But years and years of work disappointments later, and she's still waiting. Her final let-down is when the woman that she has been mentoring gets the promotion that Olivia has been eying up for decades and instead, Olivia is offered the role of Chief Party Planner. That night, she gets drunk and spills her innermost thoughts to a stranger, who challenges her to think what might happen if Olivia put herself first for once. Its the catalyst that Olivia didn't know she'd been waiting for, and with more of an 'f*** you' attitude, she finally starts to take her rightful place in the world, insisting that her voice is heard and listened to as well as relaxing some of her self-imposed rules.
The seismic shockwaves caused by Olivia's change of approach ripple through all of the aspects of her life, the children are happy with a more relaxed mum, her work colleagues see her in a different way - her husband is very appreciative of the new Olivia - she even feels confident enough to stand up to a handsy old man on a train who is touching her up. Olivia's outlook on her whole life starts to change- things that seemed important before suddenly lose their significance, and the smaller things start to have a higher priority.
Olivia's emotional journey throughout the story was a real eye-opener, watching her start to realise that she did have value and it was enough to be herself was a beautiful thing to behold (and a lot funnier than I have made it sound!).
The whole book was a joy to read, funny, clever, occasionally smutty - tick, tick, tick!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
People Pleaser is a fiercely funny and unexpectedly tender exploration of what happens when a lifelong good girl finally snaps — or rather, wakes up after one chaotic night and discovers she’s no longer capable of moulding herself to everyone else’s expectations. Bryony Gordon brings her trademark honesty and humour to Olivia Greenwood’s story, creating a heroine who feels painfully, hilariously real.
Olivia’s disastrous day — complete with a career blow, a combustible encounter with a rebellious stranger, and a hallucinogenic gummy she absolutely should not have eaten — sets the tone for a novel that is both riotous and quietly profound. Watching her stumble through the aftermath, suddenly unable to people‑please her way out of discomfort, is equal parts cathartic and entertaining. Gordon captures that internal tug‑of‑war between wanting to be liked and wanting to be free with sharp insight and a wicked sense of humour.
What makes the book sing is how deeply relatable Olivia is. Her journey isn’t about reinvention so much as excavation — unearthing the parts of herself she buried under years of being agreeable, reliable, and endlessly accommodating. The emotional beats land with surprising weight, even as the narrative keeps its rom‑com fizz and momentum.
Bryony Gordon has crafted a story that feels like a warm, chaotic hug: messy, honest, and full of heart. Olivia’s voice lingers long after the final page, especially for anyone who has ever apologised for taking up space.
My thanks to Bryony Gordon, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC.
Olivia’s disastrous day — complete with a career blow, a combustible encounter with a rebellious stranger, and a hallucinogenic gummy she absolutely should not have eaten — sets the tone for a novel that is both riotous and quietly profound. Watching her stumble through the aftermath, suddenly unable to people‑please her way out of discomfort, is equal parts cathartic and entertaining. Gordon captures that internal tug‑of‑war between wanting to be liked and wanting to be free with sharp insight and a wicked sense of humour.
What makes the book sing is how deeply relatable Olivia is. Her journey isn’t about reinvention so much as excavation — unearthing the parts of herself she buried under years of being agreeable, reliable, and endlessly accommodating. The emotional beats land with surprising weight, even as the narrative keeps its rom‑com fizz and momentum.
Bryony Gordon has crafted a story that feels like a warm, chaotic hug: messy, honest, and full of heart. Olivia’s voice lingers long after the final page, especially for anyone who has ever apologised for taking up space.
My thanks to Bryony Gordon, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Just the novel I needed to kick off the year and remind myself of the promises I've made to me, myself, and I.
I want to hug the author for writing such a (sometimes painfully) real and relatable novel about people pleasing. We hear those words a lot, but the generalities given only scratch the surface. It is refreshing to read about a 44 years old woman taking her life back. It is NEVER too late.
Bryony Gordon manages to tackle heavy subjects and the consequences of shrinking oneself to fit society or the roles passed on to you in a meaningful way. There are similarities between people-pleaser. I should know, I'm a recovering people-pleaser myself! Whether you find bits of yourself in Olivia (my favorite name, by the way) or you just enjoy her ride, this book is an eye-opener on the unfair weight resting on so many shoulders to be everything to everyone around. Of course, we have a part of responsibility as people-pleaser. It's not black and white, simply due to circumstances. We can learn to fight it. To embrace who we were supposed to be before being suffocated by other people's expectations.
Olivia does just that. She reclaims her power, she owns her years of not making waves, keeping the peace, and she says "no more".
From hilarious moments to tender ones, from great lines to "what?" events, you are bound to have a great time with this novel, its characters, and the warmth poured into each chapter. You might also get inspired...
I want to hug the author for writing such a (sometimes painfully) real and relatable novel about people pleasing. We hear those words a lot, but the generalities given only scratch the surface. It is refreshing to read about a 44 years old woman taking her life back. It is NEVER too late.
Bryony Gordon manages to tackle heavy subjects and the consequences of shrinking oneself to fit society or the roles passed on to you in a meaningful way. There are similarities between people-pleaser. I should know, I'm a recovering people-pleaser myself! Whether you find bits of yourself in Olivia (my favorite name, by the way) or you just enjoy her ride, this book is an eye-opener on the unfair weight resting on so many shoulders to be everything to everyone around. Of course, we have a part of responsibility as people-pleaser. It's not black and white, simply due to circumstances. We can learn to fight it. To embrace who we were supposed to be before being suffocated by other people's expectations.
Olivia does just that. She reclaims her power, she owns her years of not making waves, keeping the peace, and she says "no more".
From hilarious moments to tender ones, from great lines to "what?" events, you are bound to have a great time with this novel, its characters, and the warmth poured into each chapter. You might also get inspired...
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Olivia is a 42 working mother of two whose alcoholic father lives in her shed, whose hard to please mother favours her younger sister and whose husband is obsessed by crossfit. A people pleaser she works hard to make sure everyone else is happy, putting her own needs a sad last but finding validation in their approval. But when a promotion fails to materalise at work, Olivia finds herself on a wild night out with a strange young woman, letting out a life time's worth of anger under the influence of goading remarks, a lot of pints and a cannabis gummy. Rage that doesn't dispell with her hangover. Olivia can only tell the truth and that is life changing.
So, is it any good? In parts. Bits are wincingly true, it's funny in parts. But Olivia is equally annoying as saying what she wants liberated Olivia and passive aggressive people pleasing Olivia - anyone playing their music loud enough for others to hear on the train isn't a badass, they are just an ass. There are a lot of wrapping up every relationship in a nice bow with soliloquies, pages of speeches I ended up skimming. And women struggling to have and hold it all isn't exactly ground breaking news, nor is the sleaziness of men in power or that the tactics of the papers can ruin lives. The Levenson Inquiry was 15 years ago. In fact, the whole book seems strangely dated, as if it should have been written in the noughties when it might have said something new. An okay quick read.
So, is it any good? In parts. Bits are wincingly true, it's funny in parts. But Olivia is equally annoying as saying what she wants liberated Olivia and passive aggressive people pleasing Olivia - anyone playing their music loud enough for others to hear on the train isn't a badass, they are just an ass. There are a lot of wrapping up every relationship in a nice bow with soliloquies, pages of speeches I ended up skimming. And women struggling to have and hold it all isn't exactly ground breaking news, nor is the sleaziness of men in power or that the tactics of the papers can ruin lives. The Levenson Inquiry was 15 years ago. In fact, the whole book seems strangely dated, as if it should have been written in the noughties when it might have said something new. An okay quick read.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Olivia Greenwood has been trying very hard to please people for a very long time. But today is going to change Olivia in a big way. A soul-crushing career disappointment, a fiery young woman with a chip on her shoulder and a cigarette in her hand, and one single blue hallucinogenic gummy all lead to a raucous night out and one hell of a hangover. And when Olivia wakes up the next morning, it seems she’s unable to please anyone but HERSELF. So who actually is Olivia Greenwood, when she’s not trying to be what everyone else wants her to be?
Bryony Gordon is a great writer and this story flows along at a good pace. After the first 20% or so I started to think that this was just another 'woe is me, my life is so hard' story but then WHAM! Olivia changes and the laughs come thick and fast. As Olivia's life moves on the laughs die down a little and we move into a lot of 'therapy speak' and #metoo territory but it's an engaging read with a lot to say about women's roles at home and in the workplace.
My thanks to NetGalley and PenguinGeneralUK for an advance copy in return for an honest review.
Bryony Gordon is a great writer and this story flows along at a good pace. After the first 20% or so I started to think that this was just another 'woe is me, my life is so hard' story but then WHAM! Olivia changes and the laughs come thick and fast. As Olivia's life moves on the laughs die down a little and we move into a lot of 'therapy speak' and #metoo territory but it's an engaging read with a lot to say about women's roles at home and in the workplace.
My thanks to NetGalley and PenguinGeneralUK for an advance copy in return for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
I really liked the first about 60-70% of this book as Olivia found her voice. She stopped trying to please everyone all of the time after a big career disappointment, and spending time with someone she met on a subsequent night out. There is humour, reflection and reality which makes Olivia an interesting character as are her family members. It's good to see her come out of her shell and start to stand up for herself and start putting her own needs forwards, and it makes you laugh in places and empathise in others. However, from about 60-70% in, I found the book became quite cliched and preachy, and Olivia lost her humour and likeability. I realise the subject matter was becoming more serious, but it was almost like a different character and I found myself losing sympathy for her while still having sympathy for her situation.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Olivia has spent her life trying to fit in, ensuring everyone else’s comfort before her own in the belief that people will like her but when she is passed over for a work promotion she was certain she had earned, she goes on a life changing night out on the town with a total stranger and wakes up the next day to a whole new viewpoint on life.
The story has depth, being more than a tale of an overlooked woman having a mid-life crisis because we discover what positive impact the changes in Olivia have on her family and work colleagues. People Pleaser is a fast, fun, sassy, and thought provoking read which explores how liberating it can be to stick up for yourself and stop caring so much what others might think.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC
The story has depth, being more than a tale of an overlooked woman having a mid-life crisis because we discover what positive impact the changes in Olivia have on her family and work colleagues. People Pleaser is a fast, fun, sassy, and thought provoking read which explores how liberating it can be to stick up for yourself and stop caring so much what others might think.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Olivia is a people pleaser. She is a journalist who has been overlooked for promotion. Her boss Stephen gives her the job of organising the centenian celebrations for their paper The Morning.
As they celebrate her and Nina's new promotions, Olivia meets Rose.
Rose tells Olivia some home truths. It's then that Olivia's eyes are opened, enabling her to change the dynamics not just at work but at home also.
I admit, this really isn't my type of book. It was an ok read. I thought the ending didn't have as much of an impact as I was hoping. There was a long build-up to this moment that seemed to fall flat.
There were a couple of poignant moments, especially Olivia's heart to heart, with her mother Tina.
Thanks to Netgalley and Penguin General Uk for the ARC in return for an honest review.
As they celebrate her and Nina's new promotions, Olivia meets Rose.
Rose tells Olivia some home truths. It's then that Olivia's eyes are opened, enabling her to change the dynamics not just at work but at home also.
I admit, this really isn't my type of book. It was an ok read. I thought the ending didn't have as much of an impact as I was hoping. There was a long build-up to this moment that seemed to fall flat.
There were a couple of poignant moments, especially Olivia's heart to heart, with her mother Tina.
Thanks to Netgalley and Penguin General Uk for the ARC in return for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Olivia Greenwood has spent what feels like her entire life making other people happy and catering to their needs - including their view of who she should be. As for making herself happy? Not so much.
But one raucous night when she throws all her inhibitions to the winds leads to some very unexpected and surprisingly positive changes. But it is very possible that the others around her will be less than enamoured with this new version of Olivia...
Funny and relatable, this story will have resonance for many readers, and gets 3.5 stars.
I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
But one raucous night when she throws all her inhibitions to the winds leads to some very unexpected and surprisingly positive changes. But it is very possible that the others around her will be less than enamoured with this new version of Olivia...
Funny and relatable, this story will have resonance for many readers, and gets 3.5 stars.
I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
People Pleaser is an honest, relatable, and often comforting read. Bryony Gordon writes with real openness and vulnerability, and much of the book will resonate with anyone who struggles with boundaries, guilt, and the urge to keep everyone else happy.
For me, it sometimes hit a little too close to home. That’s not a criticism of the book at all, but more a reflection of where I’m at. I tend to read to escape reality, not to get a full-on reality check, and parts of this felt confronting rather than soothing.
Still, it’s a thoughtful, validating book that will make many readers feel deeply seen and understood, especially if you’re in the right headspace for it.
For me, it sometimes hit a little too close to home. That’s not a criticism of the book at all, but more a reflection of where I’m at. I tend to read to escape reality, not to get a full-on reality check, and parts of this felt confronting rather than soothing.
Still, it’s a thoughtful, validating book that will make many readers feel deeply seen and understood, especially if you’re in the right headspace for it.
February 10, 2026
Funny at times especially when people pleaser Olivia Greenwood meets up with a stranger and wakes up with a completely different personality.
Her new outlook on life shocks everyone as she is no longer a woman who can’t say no.
Her new outlook on life shocks everyone as she is no longer a woman who can’t say no.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews