A Good Year for Bad Decisions: JANUARY

by Tess Marlowe

A sharp, funny, emotionally honest story about bad timing, worse decisions, and the messy magic of starting fresh.

Some women start the new year with a juice cleanse. Erin started hers with a divorce.

By Christmas morning, it was the marriage was over. No big drama—just a quiet agreement that neither of them was happy, and hadn’t been for a long time. So Erin packs a bag and moves in with her best friend, his husband, and their toddler twins, hoping to figure out her next chapter.

But starting over is harder than it looks. Especially when a work trip with the boss she’s been low-key crushing on for years leads to one night that changes everything—and a return to the office that’s nothing like she imagined.

With every brush-off and sidelong glance, Erin starts to question everything she thought she wanted. Her job. Her love life. Her idea of a future.

She doesn’t know what comes next. But she’s about to find out.

206 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 9, 2025

Reviews

[Randi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the message of this story:

It’s okay to start over.
Say yes to things you’re afraid of.
Make yourself happy before anyone else.

Excited for February’s book to come out!

[January · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Good Year for Bad Decisions: JANUARY by Tess Marlowe (2025)
A Good Year for Bad Decisions #1
+201-page Kindle Ebook story pages 1-198

Genre: Contemporary Women's Fiction

Rating as a movie: R for adult content

Featuring: Titled Chapters, 2025, Divorcée, Chicago, Illinois; Quadragenarian, Found Family, Friendships, Human Resource Specialist, HR Department, Detroit, Michigan; Workplace Setting, Forbidden Romance - Boss, Starting Over, Sex - Off-Camera, Self-Actualization, Author's Note - Link to Book 2

My rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️½🍷📃

My thoughts: 🔖Page 105 of 201 We Are Not Reading Into This - It had a great start but it's kinda meh at the moment it is very Bridget Jones.

This had a really good start but somewhere along the way I got a little uninterested, And then after I returned it somewhat got better once everything blew up I looking forward to seeing how it gets better in February it definitely didn't go the way I expected it to go but I wasn't too surprised since this is, I'm assuming, a year long series. I think I'll enjoy them more once I'm reading one month but I'm gonna do two this month. I actually enjoyed getting to know Erin.

Recommend to others: Sure. These little novellas are perfect little appetizers.

A Good Year for Bad Decisions
1. A Good Year for Bad Decisions: JANUARY (2025)
2. A Good Year for Bad Decisions: FEBRUARY (2026)
3. A Good Year for Bad Decisions: MARCH (2026)
4. A Good Year for Bad Decisions: APRIL (2026)

Songs for the soundtrack: "Auld Lang Syne" by Robert Burns, "Brush Like A T-Rex Magic Toothbrush Timer," "New Year" by Sugababes, "Larger Than Life" by Backstreet Boys, "Blank Space" by Taylor Swift, "Better In Time" by Leona Lewis, "9 to 5" by Dolly Parton, "Crush" by Jennifer Paige, "Love Is in the Air (Ballroom Mix)" by John Paul Young, "Can’t Get Enough Of You Baby" by Smash Mouth, "Orinoco Flow (Sail Away)" by Enya, "On My Own" by Reba McEntire featuring Martina McBride, Linda Davis, and Trisha Yearwood "Starting Over Again" by Dolly Parton

Books and Authors mentioned: The Chronicles of Narnia series by C.S. Lewis, Cinderella by Charles Perrault, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J. K. Rowling, Goldilocks and the Three Bears by Robert Southey

Memorable Quotes: He smirked. “I prefer ‘support group with snacks.’” A honk startled us as someone drove too close. Carlos’s reflexes were feline; he swerved and kept talking without missing a beat. “So what’s the plan, Miss Newly Single?” “Survive New Year’s Eve without crying into your throw pillows.” “Reasonable. And January?” “Find a place. Maybe sign up for yoga. Or pottery. Something to keep me from Googling my ex.” “Darling, yoga will make you flexible, not fulfilled. You need adventure. Scandal. Preferably something that requires a disclaimer.” “I’m forty-one, not nineteen.” “Exactly why you’ll do it better.”

[Erin Newton · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars. This has a great vibe for January. All about new beginnings and decisions for change. It’s uplifting but also feels realistic. Erin did make a couple poor decisions but they felt right in the moment—and then they weren’t. I’m excited to see where her story goes, feeling hopeful and optimistic

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

4⭐️ | 📖 | What a cool premise for a book series! Releasing one book each month for the entire year is fresh and brilliant. I loved January with its message that it’s OK to start over. I love the bad decisions Erin did make, because that’s living! Can’t wait to read these every month this year. The characters are already relatable and fun.

[doctorbeeps · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great read! Cozy with likeable characters. It’s refreshing to see a strong female lead who isn’t doing everything for a man’s approval or attention.

It’s perfect to start the year with all of the possibilities Erin faces for the rest of her year. Will definitely be reading February ASAP.

[Terri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved it

I was torn between giving 4 or 5 stars, because it ended with me wanting it to keep going! I decided I shouldn't dock it a star for that. Really cute, and hopeful, and very enjoyable.

[Lisa Schwartz · Rating 5 out of 5]

great read

I loved this book. Great story. Loved the strong woman character that is not afraid to start over
Addicting found myself, immersed when I was reading the book.

[Jess · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5

[S · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a great idea for a series. I’m going to enjoy reading along on Erin’s adventures in her new life this year.

[Nicole Bolig · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can feel this is going to be a great series! It’s almost like it’s me in Erin’s shoe so her journey will be interesting. Good for her though I’m taking that step and starting over and I’m so glad she has her bestie and their little family to help along the way….. Here’s to February and hopefully no more Blake even though I did kinda like him.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book and found Erin’s career change relatable. I’m already looking forward to the February book.

[Lauren · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was adorable and so much fun to read. And I love a fmc that is older and starting over!

I think this is gonna be a fun series. I'm already looking forward to February's story!

[Hillary Garrett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun read to start the new year