Living with CJ: Chronicles of Life, Laughter, and Lessons from a 50-Year-Old Man and a 5-Year-Old Boy

by John Green

230 pages, Paperback

Published March 9, 2026

Reviews

[David]

Green’s story conjures many memories for me. I believe that many, if not most, people who have experienced divorce feel a sense of failure. And when they take the risk of trying again, the stakes are very high. Greens particular story, whether autobiographical or not, captures many of the feelings the people go through when entering into a second family structure. In the story, the protagonist finds himself in love with a person who has her own family and he has to find a way to fit into that dynamic, to add value to the lives of his partner’s children, and to continue to work in the issues that he has from his first family. And Green describes the experience with candor, a sense of humanity, and, importantly with a sense of humor. It helps that the story covers numerous calamitous events, loss of aging parents, COVID, and relational abuse. And at the same time, offers insights in the day-to-day life activities that parents inherit when blending families. In some ways, Green’s story offers grace to divorced parents who are looking for love and acceptance as they move forward with their lives. It’s also important to note that Green offers an authentic view that doesn’t wrap up all the loose ends, but rather leaves them untied, much like real life. It’s a book that isn’t trying to be high literature, but it is charming.

[Sara D]

A sweet story about life, estrangement, and starting over. Quick read, written by an old friend.