Harriet Hates Lemonade

by Kim McCollum

Meet Harriet. But don't be surprised if she isn't interested in meeting you.

Harriet has life all figured out, and she doesn't hesitate to inform others of their shortcomings. Though her attempts to become president of the homeowner's association failed, that doesn't stop her from berating "off-leash-dog-man" or reporting the neighbor who had the audacity to leave their Easter decorations up an entire week past the holiday. The problem is, unbeknownst to her, Harriet's rigid rules and judgmental opinions are not her own.

Her ordered life plunges into chaos when a twelve-year-old neighbor knocks on Harriet's door seeking help because the girl's father is physically abusing her mother. Reluctantly, Harriet comes to her neighbor's aid and, in the process, recognizes her own insidious abuse which has unwittingly shaped her isolated, rigid existence. To escape her crushing loneliness, she must learn to break free from the patterns of control and isolation that have defined her life and learn to connect with people she previously viewed as heathens.

Genres: Fiction, Book Club, Contemporary

313 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 12, 2026

About the author

Kim McCollum graduated from Barnard College with a major in Japanese and was soon navigating the hustle and bustle of Wall Street. When her first child was born, she stayed home to raise her children. Once they headed off to school, Kim finally found time to pursue her passion for writing. Her award-winning debut novel, WHAT HAPPENS IN MONTANA, was published in January 2024, and her short stories have appeared in several publications. She lives in Bozeman, Montana, with her supportive husband, Brian, and their blended menagerie of five kids and three spoiled pets.

Reviews

[Sharon_🌺 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kim McCollum’s “Harriet Hates Lemonade” title and cover grabbed my attention,right away.
I hate lemonade,too.
Different strokes for different folks.
But sometimes…if you think differently…look at things through another person’s perspective, really see people…
When life hands you lemons, you make lemonade.
This book is so much more than that.
Be like Harriet! She’ll show you what I mean.
🍋 🍋🍋🍋🍋
🌺 Read what you love!🌺

[Elizabeth of Silver's Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

Even though Harriet hates lemonade, you can’t hate Harriet.

Harriet is a bit odd and sort of a recluse, but she actually is comical with her thoughts, her particular ways of doing things, and her way of avoiding people.

This book is entertaining and will make you laugh and also make you think about life choices.

Harriet complains about everything. She even complained about the music that was left on the Library phone while she was waiting for the librarian to come back. She said that music is more suited to a jazz club than a library.

If you need a pick me up, this book will do it even though domestic abuse is addressed and Harriett gets involved.

Harriet also learns some things about herself when she attends domestic abuse classes with her friend.

The most important thing she learns is that everyone needs friends, support, and connections - the things that she lost while married to her now deceased husband.

Will Harriet find all she has missed over the years and be happy and relaxed? 5/5

Thank you to the publisher for a copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

[Veronica ⭐️ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Harriet Hates Lemonade is an entertaining story that expresses the importance of friendship. In the same vein as A Man Called Ove the curmudgeon Harriet learns that life is better when you loosen up and share it with friends.

I really liked Harriet's character. She was all bluster and lacking in tact, saying exactly what she thought. Many readers may not like Harriet's abrupt manner but I knew she didn't mean to offend, she was just stating facts and I found it all very amusing.

Harriet Hates Lemonade is an easy read even with the heavy themes of domestic violence, gaslighting, manipulation and control. These themes are offset by lighter themes of friendship, community and personal growth.

The story starts off with humour and I was taken unaware as it slowly escalates to scenes of domestic violence and then turns to a heartwarming story of new friendships.

[Katherine Hayward Pérez · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was immediately concerned for Harriet when she was hospitalized. This was a different way to start a book. I quickly got a feel for her personality. To me, her reactions seemed understandable. I immediately liked her. Her home was presented early on in the novel. I liked her dog and his importance to her. From the start, I was wondering why she might hate lemonade, and where the original book title came from. The reason is interesting and unexpected.

Through the seemingly simple, yet highly effective subplot of her wanting to confront the neighbor whose dog caused her fall, we cleverly get to know others in the neighborhood. There are different subplots, and they’re connected in a brilliant way which made me want to keep moving through the story.

Harriet is strong, determined, and fights for what she wants. I felt for her that she’s a widow and that her husband, Les, had ALS. The inclusion of this diagnosis was interesting, as I have physical disabilities too. I always like books that raise awareness of a disability or medical condition.

Harriet Hates Lemonade is a rollercoaster in terms of themes: home, belonging, fitting in or standing out, love, trust, manipulation and more. It’s happy, sad, shocking, revealing and unforgettable. It, and Harriet, as well as the characters and location, are unique.

Thanks to Harriet and her outlook on life, there are some fun, and even funny, parts.

I really had a sense of wondering who to trust at times, though. I felt both relaxed and uneasy on Harriet’s street with everything that happens in the book. To me, the street, and neighborhood, had a Desperate Housewives Wisteria Lane feel to it, which I liked, as that added to the false sense of security and added suspense.

Do we really know our neighbors?

5 stars.

One of the best books of my year.

Thanks to Kim McCollum and Nicole from Women on Writing for my eARC in exchange for an honest and voluntary review and a slot on the blog tour for this title.

[Leslie aka StoreyBook Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I started reading this book, I wasn't sure that I was going to like Harriet. She was very stiff and regimented and had flexibility issues. She is also very "matter of fact." However, as the story progressed and we learned more about her life, her actions started to make a lot more sense. This also gives us hope that people can change with time.

The interactions between Harriet and her neighbors can be considered humorous if you have ever belonged to an HOA or have heard stories about them. However, I loved watching the characters' growth, particularly Harriet's. My heart also broke for her new neighbors across the street. The situation that they endure might be hard to read for anyone who has dealt with abuse or is easily triggered. 

As the story progressed, we watched Harriet adapt to new situations, perhaps a little better than before. While she attends a support group for her neighbor, what she observes starts to hit close to home. Was her life not as idyllic as she thought? 

There are ups and downs in this story, and it has a happy ending despite the subject matter. 

We give the book 4 paws up.

[Caroline Valitutto Linares · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book seemed to take the main character of “A man called Ove” combined with the style of Kitridge (referenced in book) and plug a prompt into ChatGPT to generate a poorly written manuscript. Lacking descriptive details for imagery, scenery and no character descriptors beyond Harriet, one of my main pieces of literary feedback for the other is to “show, don’t tell.”

I was disappointed in the lack of accountability to domestic abuse themes - the author needed to do more research if she was going to attempt this very complicated and delicate topic. There were several areas of the story with huge gaps that felt rushed. Unrealistic dialogue, relationships and behavior had this entire story feeling like it was written by AI trying to relate to the human condition. If you’re going to write about abuse, infertility, addiction, violence and therapy you’ll need to go a little deeper than surface level. I’m still wondering how after a long bout of depression and alcoholism Harriet just decides to quit drinking on a dime and “be better” for Audrey.

Overall, I gave this book a 2 star rating because the discussion we had in my book club illuminated some thought provoking lines in the book regarding guilt and betrayal when discussing domestic violence and abuse that resonated with me as authentic and realistic. This book had a lot of potential, but we felt as a 10+ person book club that the author tried to do too much and focused on the wrong details leaving the key themes and relationship details largely in the dark. I’m inspired to write on this topic and prove that it can be tactfully communicated in a more impactful way. Luckily there are lots of other books and resources that educate and do justice to the experience of DV, if you’re looking for one that would satisfy what is severely lacking in this book I would suggest Stephanie Land’s Memoir “Maid: Hard work, low pay and a mothers will to survive.”

[M.L. Jamieson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Harriet Hates Lemonade is a deeply important and captivating story that will have you questioning your own preconceived notions of unhealthy relationships. The theme of abuse is explored like never before with both overt and subtle plot lines weaving together to facilitate emotion, compassion and understanding. McCollum's voice is steady and impactful, hooking the reader into Harriet's regimented and quirky life. At first, Harriet presents with neurodivergent tendencies, her opinions and actions questionable and insensitive, but as the novel progresses, a deep understanding and compassion for her character forms, shifting your perspective. I laughed, I cried, and I learned. Although exploring difficult themes, the story is refreshing, realistic, and heartwarming.

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

I won this book through a Goodreads giveaway in exchange for an honest review. Thanks to Black Rose Writing for choosing me.

I didn't like Harriet initially, and then suddenly I did. She came off a little bit entitled and sometimes rude, but when you spend time with her and get past her rough edges, you realize she's actually a great character.

Spend time with her, get to know her, it's worth it.

[Doreen · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 Stars

This book examines emotional abuse.

Harriet Henderson, 52, lives in Bozeman, Montana. After the death of her husband Les, she continues to live by his rigid rules and judgmental opinions. Her isolated, dreary existence, however, comes to an end when Robyn and Chris Carter and their 12-year-old daughter Audrey move into the neighbourhood. One day Audrey asks Harriet for help because she fears for her mother because of Chris’ violent behaviour. Reluctantly, Harriet steps up and decides to help Robyn find safety for herself and her daughter. When she accompanies Robyn to meetings of a support group for abused women, Harriet begins to re-evaluate her own marriage to Les, a man who’d been controlling and unyielding with lots of rules and consequences and demands.

At the beginning, Harriet is unlikeable. She is adamant that rules are followed; she has frequent clashes with neighbours because she doesn’t hesitate to report people who break the rules of the local homeowners’ association. She lacks social skills and bluntly criticizes others, showing no regard for their feelings. As we learn about her life with Les, we come to understand why she behaves as she does and we feel some sympathy for her. As she starts to reflect on her relationship with Les and to take steps, however tentatively at first, to change her attitude towards and treatment of others, we cannot but cheer for her.

To see the transformation in Harriet is heart-warming, though the narrative arc is predictable. From the beginning I found myself thinking of books like A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman and Major Pettigrew’s Last Stand by Helen Simonson. It is not surprising that Harriet reads Elizabeth Strout’s books featuring Olive Kitteridge.

The book offers a lot of information about emotional abuse. I had never heard of the narcissistic cycle of abuse: love bombing, devaluing, discarding, and hoovering. Harriet’s slow realizations about her own marriage emphasize how victims do not always recognize emotional abuse tactics; Harriet, for instance, thinks of abuse only in terms of violent physical behaviour.

The plot is clunky for a number of reasons. Pace, for instance, is uneven. At the beginning, pace is slow. Then there’s a dramatic event, after which the pace quickens considerably. Some changes, like Harriet’s descent into alcoholic states of near unconsciousness, happen so fast as to be unbelievable. Some events seem illogical. Why would Audrey run away from Isla’s? Audrey would show no interest in the trial? Custody hearings can be scheduled virtually overnight? Then there are gaps which affect narrative flow. Characters are mentioned frequently and then are never mentioned again until needed to move the plot. Harriet’s dog is mentioned repeatedly at first and then he virtually disappears for a time. The same is the case for Tammy.

The novel’s examination of emotional abuse is commendable. Harriet’s journey of discovery, about herself and her marriage, is interesting and well developed. It is the later sections that are weaker; narrative structure is clumsy so the overall impression is underwhelming.

Note: I received an eARC from the publisher via NetGalley.

Please check out my reader's blog (https://schatjesshelves.blogspot.com/).

[Book Reviewer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Harriet Hates Lemonade follows Harriet Henderson, a rigid and lonely widow in Bozeman, Montana, who breaks her ankle after a showdown with a neighbor’s off-leash dog and suddenly cannot outrun her own life anymore. Stuck at home with her beloved dog Bibbo, she clashes with new neighbor Robyn and Robyn’s young daughter, then slowly notices that something is very wrong inside their house. As Harriet gets pulled into their struggle with an abusive husband and into group meetings at Harmony House, she starts to recognize patterns from her own marriage to Les and the ways she has buried those memories. The story tracks Harriet’s halting attempts to help Robyn find safety, her growing bond with Audrey, and her reluctant softening toward community, small kindnesses, and even a few messy surprises. Underneath the neighborhood gossip and petty HOA battles sits a clear through-line about the cycle of emotional abuse and the work it takes to break it.

I really loved how the writing lets me sit deep inside Harriet’s prickly head. The narration stays close to her thoughts and habits, so her sharp comments about neighbors, librarians, and lemonade stands made me laugh even when she was objectively being awful. Scenes like the humiliating hospital pickup, the underwear-in-the-grocery-bag mix-up, and the crusade against the off-leash dog feel both funny and sad at the same time. The prose itself is clean and unfussy, and the humor feels natural, not forced. I also appreciated the sensory details around aging and the house, from the cave-like wood paneling to Harriet’s irritation with her own body, because they grounded the story in a very tangible midlife reality.

The ideas in the book hit me harder than I expected. The sessions at Harmony House walk through the cycle of narcissistic abuse, love bombing, devaluing, and hoovering, and the explanations are clear without turning the novel into a pamphlet. I found myself wincing as Harriet initially resists the word “abuse” and defends Les with religious language and talk about old-fashioned vows, because that denial felt painfully believable. The story shows how emotional abuse hides inside “rules,” jokes, and backhanded remarks, and why leaving is not a simple act of will. I liked that Robyn’s journey does not follow a neat straight line and that Harriet’s support is clumsy and sometimes controlling, since that messiness mirrors real life. The book also nudged me to think about community and neighborliness, how easy it is to hide behind privacy and routine, and how risky it feels to butt into someone else’s marriage even when every instinct screams that something is wrong.

Harriet Hates Lemonade will suit readers who enjoy character-driven contemporary fiction, small-town settings, and complicated, not-always-likable women who have to unlearn a lifetime of bad lessons. If you have liked books in the vein of A Man Called Ove or Olive Kitteridge, or if you are interested in stories that unpack domestic abuse with compassion and plain language, this novel is a strong pick for you and for book clubs that like big feelings and big discussions.

[Rachael Stray · Rating 4 out of 5]

Harriet Henderson is one of those characters you don’t immediately like — and then suddenly, you can’t stop thinking about her.

Abrasive, blunt and rigid, she’s a 52-year-old widow who lives by rules, routines, and a very narrow view of how the world should behave.

Particularly in the opening chapters, she’s difficult, judgemental, and emotionally closed off… and yet, that’s exactly what makes her so compelling.

Because it quickly becomes clear that Harriet isn’t unkind by nature — she’s learned it.

Her behaviour is conditioned, shaped and inherited.

Her late husband Les still lives rent free in her head, still issuing rules, still setting boundaries for a life that no longer exists.

Her dog Bibbo is the centre of her world, and when her neighbour Kevin refuses to leash his dog Rocky, Harriet goes to war via the home owners association with a ferocity that feels ridiculous… until you realise it was never really about the dog.

As new neighbours Chris and Robyn Carter and their daughter Audrey move in across the street, Harriet’s carefully controlled world starts to fracture.

Slowly, unwillingly, she becomes entangled in their lives — helping Robyn seek support, protecting Audrey, and in the process being forced to confront her own past, her own trauma, and the emotional architecture of her own marriage.

What starts as a sharp, character-driven, slightly quirky story quietly takes off its cardigan and reveals teeth.

This book handles the theme of abuse with real care and intelligence.

There’s a clear trigger warning here — not physical abuse, but emotional and verbal abuse — and the novel does something important by showing how devastating and insidious that kind of control can be.

The isolation, the rules, the erosion of identity, the way it traps women in relationships that don’t leave bruises but leave scars all the same.

It’s handled without melodrama, without spectacle, and somehow that makes it hit harder. The realisation sneaks up on you: this book has been setting you up all along, and you fall for it willingly.

There’s poignancy, warmth, and a deep undercurrent of sadness here, but also humour, heart, and real emotional payoff.

Harriet’s journey is one of redemption and second chances — not in a glossy, sentimental way, but in a quiet, human one.

She learns that rules don’t protect you from everything. That honesty isn’t always safety. That control isn’t the same as love.

At its core, Harriet Hates Lemonade is about resilience, growth, and the slow unlearning of harm.

It’s about connection. It’s about kindness arriving from unexpected places. And it’s about a woman learning — late, imperfectly, bravely — how to live differently.

Smart, sharp, and sneakily powerful, this is a novel that starts small and ends deep. Funny when you least expect it, devastating when you’re not ready, and emotionally generous without ever being soft.

A quietly brilliant four-star read that refuses to stay in the neat little box you put it in.

With thanks to the publishers for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Renee Roberson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I adore a good "found family" story, and when I saw this book’s comparison to "A Man Called Ove" I was immediately interested. Even knowing what type of protagonist I was dealing with going in, this book touched me way more than I expected. Harriet is only about three years older than me, and her loneliness is apparent from the opening scenes, even while she’s yelling at her neighbor who dares to let his dog run off leash.

Since her husband’s death a year earlier, it’s Harriet and her sweet dog Bibbo against the world. She’s not friendly with any of her neighbors, in fact, she's appointed herself the unofficial neighborhood watch. But when she hurts her ankle while out walking Bibbo and is forced to wear a corrective boot, she finds herself in a bind. Who is going to drive her back and forth to her doctor’s appointments? How can she safely walk Bibbo in the Montana snow? Harriet and her husband never had children of their own and her brother, who she hasn't spoken to in years, lives halfway across the country.

When new neighbors Robyn, Chris, and their pre-teen daughter Audrey move in across the street, Harriet takes it upon herself to watch their every move, and is surprised when Robyn brings her a lasagna. A few days later, Audrey knocks on Harriet’s door to ask for help because her parents are fighting and she’s scared. She opens up to Harriet and shares this is a regular occurrence in their home.

Because Harriet sees things as only black and white, she demands Robyn leave her abusive husband. Robyn tries to explain that it’s not that easy, and she has no resources. When Harriet takes Robyn to a local support group for domestic violence survivors, she learns abuse can manifest itself in more ways than just the physical sense.

Harriet is blunt and to the point, but she’s also a fierce and intelligent woman who can’t help but make friends in her new phase of life. There’s Lucille, from the local library, Richard, a former colleague of Harriet’s, the neighbor who finally acquiesces and puts his dog on a leash, Robyn, her daughter Audrey, and others along the way.

Through her new friendship with Robyn, Harriet is challenged to look outside of herself and provide support to her new friends. I couldn't put this book down as I read about Harriet’s self discovery, her internal turmoil, and above all, her caring nature that was kept from so many people for years.

If you love Clare Pooley’s ensemble casts, "The Borrowed Life of Frederick Fife," and other similar stories, you will find yourself rooting for Harriet to finally reclaim the life she deserves in "Harriet Hates Lemonade."

[Crystal Otto · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm not sure how you buy books - but using whatever method you prefer, stop whatever you're doing, put Harriet Hates Lemonade in your cart, click the buy button, and thank me later! No really, I'll wait here until you've done that.

...

...

Ok - hopefully it's on it's way to your house and shipping doesn't take too long. While you wait, let me tell you why I think everyone needs to read this book:

I wanted to read this book because the cover of the book is just too perfect to pass by. Yes, that's the first thing that drew me in but once I started reading, I carried this book with me EVERYWHERE! Now, my 5th grade daughter is reading it and then my next door neighbor wants to be next. And of course, there's you...because you ordered it, right?

Harriet Hates Lemonade sucked me in. We all know a Harriet or can be a bit of a Harriet. She's the gal who says whatever is on her mind and doesn't seem to notice when it is not well received. Harriet is blunt and to the point. Harriet reminds me of some older women I know and love - they've got really big hearts but their filters are faulty. Harriet will tell you that your yard is a mess, that you put on a few pounds, or that your car is filthy and she won't apologize if she hurt your feelings. And yet you absolutely love her. She's like lemonade - sometimes it hits a little bitter and sometimes it hits a little sweet. I can't tell you much more because the twists and turns of this story are what makes it so fabulous - like life, it's absolutely unexpected! And like lemonade, sometimes the unexpected makes you pucker...

McCollum's writing style is incredibly engaging and she's a fabulous story teller! Harriet Hates Lemonade has given me so many things to think about in my own life and my relationships and I'll remember this book always! I hope your copy arrives soon so you can thank me and while you're waiting for that, I'm going to see if I can get my hands on a few other titles by this talented author!

[Janine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sometimes you meet a character and just become entwined their story instantly. Much like Eleanor Oliphant, Harriet Henderson is such a character. You can’t get enough of her.

Harriet is a curmudgeonly widow at 52. She’s a rule follower and blunt talker. Les, her dead husband of one year, still lives in her head - and he gave her a lot of rules. Her dog, Bibbo, is the center of her life so when she keeps confronting her neighbor, Kevin, with is dog, Rocky, not on a leash, Harriet is determined to get the condo association on him. Around the same time new neighbors, Chris and Robyn Carter, and daughter, Audrey, move in across the street. The book then goes on to envelop Harriet in their lives. Helping Robyn seek help and protecting Audrey, Harriet must confront her own demons. I don’t want to give this lonely story away, but suffice it to say, you will be glad you read this book.

While this book tackles the important theme of abuse - trigger warning - but not physical abuse, the message about the devastating effects of emotional and verbal abuse which many people don’t know about can be equally traumatizing and more likely to keep women in these fractured relationships as Harriet soon learns. This abuse results in isolating and controlling the woman. The author nicely shapes this in the book and your heart is touched.

I really liked this book. It’s character driven with a purpose of showing with knowledge and insight you can change. Harriet has such a heart beneath that severe exterior. I loved Harriet. She’s up in that vaulted pantheon of characters you keep with you because you identify with them.

Thank you NetGalley and Black Rose Writing for allowing me to read this amazing ARC.
#harriethateslrnonade
#kimmccollum
#blackrosewriting

[BookWormBecky · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5

Stickler, tizzy, leash…

*Thank you Nicole Pyles for including me on this tour!

Widowed, 50something Harriet is abrupt and methodical, failing to consider other’s feelings. She often causes discomfort in others in social situations. She seldom acts spontaneously and is ruled by her rules, strictly controlling herself.


Until the day she is asked for help by a new neighbor. She becomes involved in helping the neighbor escape abuse.


A tale of 2nd chances, friendship, found family, forced connections, and self-discovery.

Will significant life changes transform Harriet? What will happen to her “shield against chaos and unpredictability?”


THOUGHTS:

*All the feels. An emotional read.

*Main character is full of blunt criticisms, insensitive comments, and obsession with her rigid rules.

*I have seen this book compared to A Man Called Ove (Otto). Both MC are grumpy, isolated, rigid, judgmental, and curmudgeonly. Both focus on found family. Ove focused on grief while Harriet focused on helping a neighbor escape abuse.


*Harriet’s names, such as “off-leash man” reminded me of my college days. We had names for people like “cake man” and “Smiley Bob” for people whose names we didn’t know. (Bob’s standard line was to all - “What’s your name, Where are u from, What’s your major?”). I haven’t thought about that for years!!

*Humorous fiction/ women’s fiction/ friendship fiction. A character-driven story.


*Beautifully written. Delicate subject handled in an appropriate manner.

[Diane Nagatomo]

For years, Harriet’s entire adult life had revolved around her husband Les, who died of ALS a few years back. She has no friends—because the two of them only needed each other. And besides, the outside world was full of rule breakers and idiots. But now, having broken her ankle (because one local resident didn’t follow the neighborhood association rules about keeping their dog on a leash!), she can no longer function by herself. As difficult as it is for her, she needs some assistance, especially when she can’t drive. A new family moves in next door, and unaware of Harriet’s reputation for being the neighborhood pain in the you-know-what, Robyn Carter does the neighborly thing by bringing Harriet a pan of lasagna and offers to help in any way she can. Harriet is barely civil to her but after seeing Robyn is in an abusive marriage, she does what she can to help her and her daughter. After all, that is the right thing to do. For the first time in decades, Harriet not only sees a future for herself that is less lonely, but also realizes the life she had been living may not have been the one she had wanted for herself.

Kim McCollum’s new book, “Harriet Hates Lemonade,” was a wonderful read. Even though it dealt with some rather heavy topics, I laughed and I cried throughout the whole thing. I loved Harriet’s transformation and my heart went out to her and to her newfound friends. I am so fortunate to have received an ARC of this novel and my opinions are my own.

[Bolt Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was fantastic. Not in a “cute, forgettable weekend read” way.

It kicks off with serious Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine energy. Harriet is rigid about rules, wildly honest, and absolutely uninterested in cushioning her opinions to spare anyone’s feelings. If the truth hurts, that’s clearly a you problem. Watching her navigate social norms she doesn’t understand is equal parts hilarious and cringeworthy (in the best way).

And then... plot twist.

The book quietly takes off its quirky cardigan and reveals teeth.
What starts as a sharp, character-driven story pivots into a thoughtful and unflinching look at domestic violence, both emotional and physical. It’s handled with care, depth, and zero melodrama, which somehow makes it hit even harder. Suddenly you realize this book has been setting you up the whole time and you happily fall for it.

At its core, Harriet Hates Lemonade is about love, resilience, and growth. It’s about Harriet learning that rules don’t protect you from everything, and honesty doesn’t always equal safety.

Smart, sharp, and sneakily powerful, Harriet Hates Lemonade is funny when you least expect it and devastating when you’re not ready. A great read that refuses to stay in the neat little box you put it in.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. Thank you to Black Rose Writing and NetGalley for the ARC.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Harriet transformed by tragedy🏘

What a great story, with lots of poignancy and heart. I didn't expect to, but I warmed to this abrasive heroine quickly because it became so obvious that her behavior was learned, not innate. It's ultimately a story of redemption and second chances.

Harriet starts out so outspokenly set in her ways and judgmental, not even aware of how her dead husband had been manipulating and purposefully isolating her throughout their 30 year marriage. When Harriet doesn't like something, she lets others know and can be way too rigid and insistent about changing things to her satisfaction. She is estranged from her brother, has few acquaintances and no real friends, and takes pride in her self sufficiency, just as her husband taught her to be. But her young pre-teen neighbor gets her involved in her family's drama and Harriet breaks out of her solitary shell, showing great generosity and a huge capacity to love and nurture.

I loved following how Harriet transforms bit by bit, gaining friendships, a found family and a new chance to pursue the work her husband convinced her to abandon. The novel's end is a beautiful and clever twist showcasing just how much Harriet has changed attitude.

A solid recommend from me.

Thanks to Black Rose Writing and NetGalley for sharing a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest opinion.

[Roopa Unnikrishnan · Rating 5 out of 5]

"In Harriet Hates Lemonade, Kim McCollum writes with a keen, compassionate eye for the small humiliations and hard‑won joys of everyday life, turning HOA skirmishes, library encounters, and suburban driveways into sites of genuine emotional reckoning. Her prose is warm, witty, and quietly incisive, giving readers a heroine who is at once prickly, hilarious, and deeply vulnerable as she learns that family can be chosen, that community is messy, and that even the sourest moments can be transformed into something unexpectedly, stubbornly sweet.

Widow, rule‑follower, and self‑appointed neighborhood watchdog, Harriet Henderson has built her life around control: tidy routines, strict HOA rules, and just enough distance to avoid being hurt again. When a broken ankle, an off‑leash dog, and a relentlessly kind new neighbor, Robyn, collide, the careful order of Harriet’s world begins to crack—letting in both chaos and unexpected light. As Harriet stumbles into a late‑in‑life friendship and then into the terrifying possibility of becoming guardian to Robyn’s daughter, Audrey, she is forced to confront her own grief, her brittle ideas about self‑reliance, and what it really means to be neighborly."

- Roopa Unnikrishnan, author of The Jasmine Murders, The Mermaid Murders and The Career Catapult.

[Allyn Oliver · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars. This is an interesting and unique story about resilience, examining the lies we tell ourselves, found family and starting over. Harriet lost her husband a year ago and while she lives for routines and rules, she also seems to realize it's not a life, but just an existence. As she gets involved in her new neighbor's abusive relationship, she begins to learn about spousal abuse and starts to look at her own marriage in a new light. Maybe some of these rules she's following aren't really her rules after all?

Overall, I enjoyed this book and think it would make for great discussion in book club. I enjoyed Harriet and her inability to filter her thoughts before she speaks. It read a little bit like a pamphlet at points and I think could have been a bit more fleshed out in some areas, but it is worth the read.

This book will be available Feb. 12th.

Thank you to Net Galley and Black Rose Writing for the ARC!

[Suki J · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Black Rose Writing and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

3.75 stars.

Harriet, a blunt, forthright woman in her fifties and recently widowed is living a quiet life after the death of her husband. She has no friends and likes it that way.

One day a new neighbour knocks on her door and Harriet finds herself reluctantly getting to know her and her daughter. Harriet's husband Les had liked things a certain way, and been very insistent that his wife follow her rules, and the more she gets to know her neighbour the more this thinking is challenged.

The book looks at emotional abuse in a sensitive way, and the aspects of realisation and moving on rang true to me, and I found these to be the most successful parts of the story.

I unfortunately found the dialogue to be fairly unrealistic, and there was a lot of tell not show. On the whole however I did enjoy reading this book.

[Jennie Reads Plenty · Rating 5 out of 5]

All the stars✴️✴️✴️✴️✴️🥰

I absolutely loved this book.

Harriet is very cantankerous and very by-the-book. Total HOA rule follower, complains about everything, and honestly if you’ve ever dealt with people like that it’s actually kind of funny at first.

It starts off like that and then takes a turn into something a lot heavier with the domestic violence storyline. That part was hard to read and pretty sad, but it felt real and not over the top.

I really liked watching Harriet slowly change. She goes from judging everyone to actually letting her guard down and stepping up. It turns into a found family / friendship story and I loved that

I didn’t expect to love this as much as I did, especially because I stumbled upon it on Kindle unlimited.. I never heard of it prior. This will probably be one of my top favorite books this year. If you liked A Man Called Ove, this feels like the female version of that. Highly recommend!!

[Susan Foster · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kim McCollum got so much right in this book!
I quickly came to care for the flawed but relatable characters, and their backstory is interwoven throughout the plot with perfect pacing. Through the character's experiences, McCollum educates the reader about abuse (physical and emotional), but she counterbalances it with lighter themes of friendship, resilience, humor, and hope. The result is an entertaining, enjoyable story with a plot that held my interest from beginning to end.
As a Montanan, I love Harriet's observations about life in Bozeman, such as when she asks, "Did they really need a Town Pump on every corner?" That is just one line in the book that made me laugh out loud! It's refreshing to see Montana depicted as it is, not with the "Yellowstone" reputation it has acquired. ;)
I'm looking forward to Kim McCollum's next book!

[Pynkbyrd · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you enjoy books like Elinor Oliphant or The Cactus or even Britt-Marie was here, you will likely enjoy this. Harriet is a very rigid, middle-aged woman who is a bit of a terror around her HOA. Some might even say a Karen. Harriet is just used to rules. Her husband made sure she followed them, too, but he has passed away. One day a 12 year old girl knocks on her door and tells Harriet that her father is abusing her mother and despite not wanting to get involved, she does. Everything changes in Harriet's world.

This was such a wonderful book, despite the abuse. Despite first impressions, Harriet is a person you will always want in your corner. This is a story about resilience and friendship and love.

I can't wait to read more from this author.

[Elizabeth E. · Rating 5 out of 5]

In her second novel, Harriet Hates Lemonade, Kim McCollum treats the heartbreaking issue of abuse with sensitivity and an empowering focus on what supporting each other through tragedy can teach us. She gives us a memorable and unlikely heroine in Harriet, a middle-age widow with a strong penchant for following the rules, who is both exasperating and lovable at the same time. Through Harriet’s journey of realization about her past, foisted upon her by the needs of her new friend, Robyn, and the messiness of her neighbor’s lives, McCollum showcases the blessings and beauty of human connection, the rewards of helping others, and the redeeming power of being resilient and open to change at any age. And she even makes us laugh while doing it!

[Justin Connor · Rating 5 out of 5]

I bought this book on a Saturday at Barnes & Noble and even had the chance to meet Kim that day. By Wednesday, I had already finished it because I simply couldn’t put it down. Every chapter left me wanting to know what would happen next.

This is a beautifully written story that explores the depth of human emotion—grief, love, and the complexity of interpersonal relationships. The characters felt real and layered, and the way the author captured the nuances of loss, connection, and healing was incredibly moving.

It’s the kind of book that stays with you after you finish it, prompting reflection on relationships, resilience, and the ways people navigate difficult moments in life. Thank you, Kim, for writing such a heartfelt and powerful story. 💕

[Lucille Guarino · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bothered by everything and annoyed with everyone, Harriet’s cringeworthy people skills and outright grumpiness make it awfully hard to like her. And what’s more, Harriet doesn’t care. Or so it would seem. Which raises the question - what made her this way?

When Harriet reluctantly gets pulled into a young girl’s harrowing existence, everything she thought she knew about herself turns inside out as she faces her own truths. Author McCollum has created a story where the crass heroine shocks you in a good way and the unlikeliest outcome happens. Harriet Hates Lemonade is a bittersweet read with an impactful ending!

[Cam Torrens · Rating 5 out of 5]

Author McCollum delivers a touching and subtly powerful sophomore novel about self-discovery and unexpected connection. When Harriet’s carefully ordered life is disrupted by a neighbor in need, she’s drawn into a journey that challenges everything she thought she knew about herself. What begins as a small act of kindness becomes a turning point, awakening Harriet to new roles, relationships, and possibilities.

Here's what McCollum has done—she’s shown how even the most unlikely people can find renewal and purpose when they’re willing to break their own rules.

A beautiful read in the style of Gail Honeyman's "Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine." Highly Recommend!

[Ruth Stevens · Rating 5 out of 5]

In Harriet Hates Lemonade, Audrey—a modern-day version of the orphaned “Anne with an E”—meets Harriet, a cranky and opinionated Olive Kitteridge-type stuck in a self-imposed existence of isolation and rigid rules. When the two are thrown together by tragic circumstances, Harriet must re-examine all her firmly held values and beliefs of the last 30 years. Can she free herself from the past? Can she come to accept that abuse takes many forms? And can she learn to embrace the joys of “found family’?

Author McCollum serves up a flavorful brew of tension, humor, uncertainty, and high emotion. Keep a box of issues handy! You’ll need it for this engaging and ultimately heartwarming story.

[Farah G · Rating 3 out of 5]

Harriet is very satisfied with herself, if not always her life - and she would be satisfied with that as well if she weren't surrounded by idiots who never seem to know what the right thing to do even is!

So, of course, she has to tell them. And if that sometimes makes Harriet less than popular, that's just too bad, isn't it?

And she continues like this, until something that happens forces her to reevaluate not only what constitutes a real crisis, but also just how high the cost of her judgemental approach to life is.

This is an astute and oddly touching story that earns itself 3. 5 stars.

I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review