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Amazing!
From the winner of the Bisexual Book Award and Author of the Year comes the story of a woman whose carefully constructed world detonates late in life—and who discovers that reinvention, desire, and truth have no expiration date.
When 62-year-old Nina Thorne’s husband of thirty years asks for a baby—and might be cheating with a chatbot—her life explodes. At the same time, she receives an email from her long-dead mother’s account. Is it a scam, a glitch, or a message from beyond? Seeking answers, Nina journeys from Silicon Valley to Portland to Mexico. Along the way, she reconnects with her estranged sister, encounters her former girlfriend, supports her transgender daughter, and navigates the surreal world of mediums and AI companions. What she does not expect is that her sister will finally break the silence their mother kept for decades. Nina must choose between clinging to the past or forging a new future.
"AMAZING! is a book that's easy to devour, a page-turning dive into the crisis of a woman whose world is turned upside down--long marriage gone in an instant, career over, and all the plans she'd been expecting to enjoy--gone. We follow Nina as she grapples with the mess of her life, finds allies, makes bad decisions (and some good ones), and tries to figure out who she is and how to live her next chapter. It was a book that took me by surprise--fresh, wise, and unexpectedly moving; the work of a writer at the height of her powers." --Barbara O'Neal, author of THE LAST LETTER OF RACHEL ELLSWORTH
When 62-year-old Nina Thorne’s husband of thirty years asks for a baby—and might be cheating with a chatbot—her life explodes. At the same time, she receives an email from her long-dead mother’s account. Is it a scam, a glitch, or a message from beyond? Seeking answers, Nina journeys from Silicon Valley to Portland to Mexico. Along the way, she reconnects with her estranged sister, encounters her former girlfriend, supports her transgender daughter, and navigates the surreal world of mediums and AI companions. What she does not expect is that her sister will finally break the silence their mother kept for decades. Nina must choose between clinging to the past or forging a new future.
"AMAZING! is a book that's easy to devour, a page-turning dive into the crisis of a woman whose world is turned upside down--long marriage gone in an instant, career over, and all the plans she'd been expecting to enjoy--gone. We follow Nina as she grapples with the mess of her life, finds allies, makes bad decisions (and some good ones), and tries to figure out who she is and how to live her next chapter. It was a book that took me by surprise--fresh, wise, and unexpectedly moving; the work of a writer at the height of her powers." --Barbara O'Neal, author of THE LAST LETTER OF RACHEL ELLSWORTH
- GenresFiction
287 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 1, 2026
About the author
Kate Evans
8 books264 followersKate is the author of the best-selling memoir duo: WANDERLAND: LIVING THE TRAVELING LIFE and CALL IT WONDER: AN ODYSSEY OF, LOVE, SEX, SPIRIT & TRAVEL, named "Best Memoir" at the Bisexual Book Awards--where Kate was also lauded as "Writer of the Year" by the Bi Writers Association.
Her new novel, AMAZING!, came out in May 2026. Barbara O'Neal, author of "The Last Letter of Rachel Ellsworth", calls it "fresh, wise, and unexpectedly moving; the work of a writer at the height of her powers."
Her other books include the novels FOR THE MAY QUEEN & COMPLEMENTARY COLORS; two poetry collections; and a book about teaching. Her stories, poems and essays have appeared in more than 50 publications.
With Mary Janelle Melvin, she co-authored a French Revolution historical romance, REVOLUTIONARY KISS (under the pen-name Mary-Kate Summers).
Recipient of a PhD from the University of Washington and an MFA from San Jose State University--where she is Emeritus Faculty--she has taught writing and literature in California, China, and Japan. As a writing coach and editor, she helps writers unleash and shape their stories. She also leads writing workshops worldwide.
Half the year she lives in Mexico. The other half, she wanders.
Her new novel, AMAZING!, came out in May 2026. Barbara O'Neal, author of "The Last Letter of Rachel Ellsworth", calls it "fresh, wise, and unexpectedly moving; the work of a writer at the height of her powers."
Her other books include the novels FOR THE MAY QUEEN & COMPLEMENTARY COLORS; two poetry collections; and a book about teaching. Her stories, poems and essays have appeared in more than 50 publications.
With Mary Janelle Melvin, she co-authored a French Revolution historical romance, REVOLUTIONARY KISS (under the pen-name Mary-Kate Summers).
Recipient of a PhD from the University of Washington and an MFA from San Jose State University--where she is Emeritus Faculty--she has taught writing and literature in California, China, and Japan. As a writing coach and editor, she helps writers unleash and shape their stories. She also leads writing workshops worldwide.
Half the year she lives in Mexico. The other half, she wanders.
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
August 16, 2026
"Everyone thought I had a great marriage. ... I'd told no one that it had been waning recently. I'd barely admitted it to myself."Nina Thorne THOUGHT her life was going aces - a fantastic career as a professor, a loving daughter, and a doting husband - but she's realizing that her house of cards is precariously stacked.
Her husband is furtively chatting with AImee (a chatbot) and while Nina unpacks that concerning tidbit, Matt drops another bombshell. At 72 years old, he wants a biological child and not with her.
"My heart was hammering and my whole body was sweating. I needed a draught of fresh air ... but I was frozen in place."
Reeling from the doubly whammy, Nina also receives an email (potentially) from her mother. The catch? Her mother passed away just a little while ago.
With her marriage imploding, and her worldview rocking, Nina makes the only decision that makes sense...she runs. But is she running away from her husband or to her destiny?
"I liked the idea of life continuing beyond death, but the stern librarian in my brain peered at me over half-glasses."
Overall, I was rather pleased with this one! This is my first book by Kate Evans but now I'm thinking that I might have to pick up another!
"Energy buzzed through my blood, electrifying my limbs."
Right from the get-go, Nina was a compelling main character to follow and made the story an interesting one to read. I liked the depth of character and the complexity of her situation.
It's not just the fact that her husband wants a divorce after thirty years of marriage - it's the fact that he wants a biological child, hiding his "relationship" with AImee, and becomes increasingly irate when demanding for Nina to sign the divorce papers.
I was curious how that was all going to play out - especially as the story went on and we delved into the further compounding complexities of gender expression, sexual orientation, and familial secrets.
That being said, without going into spoilers, I do feel like some of the things that were set up could have been pushed a bit more, that the ending felt a bit too neatly wrapped up and I could've used a few unraveled ends.
And sometimes it felt like the book's tension lulled and relaxed a bit too much for my taste BUT all in all, this was a quite a good story!
With thanks to the author for sending me a free copy in exchange for an honest review
June 29, 2026
This novel is packed with a lot going on from the very first page.
Nina, a college English professor on the verge of retirement, is still struggling with the grief of losing her mother when she receives an email that appears to be from her. The subject line simply reads: Amazing! What follows is the beginning of an unexpected journey of self-discovery that takes both Nina and readers in directions neither could have anticipated.
As if grief weren't enough, Nina is also forced to confront a devastating betrayal by her older husband, shattering the comfortable vision she had imagined for her retirement years. Suddenly, the future she thought she knew no longer exists, and she must find a way to reinvent herself.
What makes this story so compelling, however, is not just Nina's personal crisis. The novel thoughtfully explores family secrets, identity, reinvention, gender fluidity, and the expectations we place on ourselves and those we love. Nina's relationship with her transgender daughter adds another layer of depth and complexity to an already rich narrative.
Filled with strange, quirky, and unforgettable characters, this novel takes readers on an unusual adventure across multiple locations as Nina searches for answers, healing, and a renewed sense of purpose and family at age sixty-two. Her journey is both humorous and poignant, proving that it is never too late to question who you are or discover who you might still become.
Entertaining, thoughtful, well-crafted, and fast-paced, this contemporary-style novel balances heart and humor while delivering a meaningful exploration of life's unexpected detours.
I was given a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I would like to thank the author and Wanderland Books for providing this copy for our Little Free Library Shed.
Nina, a college English professor on the verge of retirement, is still struggling with the grief of losing her mother when she receives an email that appears to be from her. The subject line simply reads: Amazing! What follows is the beginning of an unexpected journey of self-discovery that takes both Nina and readers in directions neither could have anticipated.
As if grief weren't enough, Nina is also forced to confront a devastating betrayal by her older husband, shattering the comfortable vision she had imagined for her retirement years. Suddenly, the future she thought she knew no longer exists, and she must find a way to reinvent herself.
What makes this story so compelling, however, is not just Nina's personal crisis. The novel thoughtfully explores family secrets, identity, reinvention, gender fluidity, and the expectations we place on ourselves and those we love. Nina's relationship with her transgender daughter adds another layer of depth and complexity to an already rich narrative.
Filled with strange, quirky, and unforgettable characters, this novel takes readers on an unusual adventure across multiple locations as Nina searches for answers, healing, and a renewed sense of purpose and family at age sixty-two. Her journey is both humorous and poignant, proving that it is never too late to question who you are or discover who you might still become.
Entertaining, thoughtful, well-crafted, and fast-paced, this contemporary-style novel balances heart and humor while delivering a meaningful exploration of life's unexpected detours.
I was given a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I would like to thank the author and Wanderland Books for providing this copy for our Little Free Library Shed.
June 24, 2026
I was sad when Amazing! ended because I had become emotionally invested in the characters. I felt as though I knew these people, and the emotional moments sometimes brought me to tears with their sense of loss, while at other times they made me laugh with relief or joy as the mysteries unfolded.
I especially enjoyed the beautifully described settings, particularly the desert and the sea. The main character's struggles were powerful and relatable, reminding me of people I know. What moved me most were the moments of insight and personal growth she experienced throughout the story. I felt connected to her as she learned profound life lessons and gained a deeper understanding of herself.
I found a great deal of wisdom in this book, seamlessly woven into the narrative. It reminded me of truths that I, too, have learned through difficult experiences. When I finished the book, I felt both satisfied and hopeful, reminded of the power of healing and the realization that we are often more in control of our destiny than we believe.
I especially enjoyed the beautifully described settings, particularly the desert and the sea. The main character's struggles were powerful and relatable, reminding me of people I know. What moved me most were the moments of insight and personal growth she experienced throughout the story. I felt connected to her as she learned profound life lessons and gained a deeper understanding of herself.
I found a great deal of wisdom in this book, seamlessly woven into the narrative. It reminded me of truths that I, too, have learned through difficult experiences. When I finished the book, I felt both satisfied and hopeful, reminded of the power of healing and the realization that we are often more in control of our destiny than we believe.
August 19, 2026
I’m all about later-in-life reinvention for women. Amazing! explores all of them; betrayal, guilt, self-discovery, loss, sexuality.
The story keeps the reader hooked from beginning to end. It’s as if the author took a bite out of each of our lives as women navigating our 60’s and beyond and wove them together, not just as a story but a lesson on humanity.
The story keeps the reader hooked from beginning to end. It’s as if the author took a bite out of each of our lives as women navigating our 60’s and beyond and wove them together, not just as a story but a lesson on humanity.
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June 14, 2026Amazing! is a fast-paced, thought-provoking read. On the surface, its protagonist, Nina, is navigating a surprise divorce and retirement from a career in academia, as AI and technology are reshaping education. In this novel, Evans deftly explores contemporary questions of gender identity and sexuality, donor insemination, feminism, divorce and step-parenting, aging, and the complex relationships we have with our family members and ourselves. Threaded throughout is a mystery involving an email sent from her deceased mother's old email address.
As a woman Nina's age, I found much of her journey uncannily familiar. The challenges, revelations, and shifting definitions of career and family that Nina encounters echo experiences within my own life and among my queer and chosen families. Evans captures the disorientation of living through a period of rapid cultural change and resulting new possibilities, while maintaining the deeply human stories at its center.
Amazing! embraces life's contradictions - grief and humor, mystery and realism, loss and reinvention. Like the best conversations with dear friends, it left me entertained, reflective, and eager to see how it would all turn out for each of the characters Evans so lovingly imagines here.
As a woman Nina's age, I found much of her journey uncannily familiar. The challenges, revelations, and shifting definitions of career and family that Nina encounters echo experiences within my own life and among my queer and chosen families. Evans captures the disorientation of living through a period of rapid cultural change and resulting new possibilities, while maintaining the deeply human stories at its center.
Amazing! embraces life's contradictions - grief and humor, mystery and realism, loss and reinvention. Like the best conversations with dear friends, it left me entertained, reflective, and eager to see how it would all turn out for each of the characters Evans so lovingly imagines here.
May 29, 2026
This book is so well written and the story so suspenseful it was hard to put down. As an "over 50" woman, much of the protagonist's reflections resonated tremendously. It's a many layered plotline in which the protag0nist must dealt with a surprise from her husband of 30 years, her retirement from academia, her relationship to alcohol, and a mysterious family history. The author also seamlessly managed to weave topical issues like AI, human rights abuses by the current US administration, and gender fluidity into the story. A thoroughly entertaining novel and worth every minute spent viewing the world through Nina's eyes.
June 24, 2026
Amazing! Is a fast-paced, engaging read. But the novel is also much more than that. The story dives into the mysterious and the magical, along with dipping into the dizzying realm of AI and technology, especially as they contrast with former methods of engaging with the world. Evans explores what might be called retirement coming-of-age with a frankness that is bold and refreshing. She tackles sexual attraction head-on, describing the messy, regrettable, and delicious aspects with equal measure. Nina, the protagonist, wrestles with her relationship to alcohol in one of the most honest depictions I’ve ever read. And my favorite thing, this author provides take aways I can use in my life, like remembering to breathe to a count of 5 in/5 out in moments of rage and when driving to experience the “rapture-of-the-freeway, a distortion of time.”
At its core, Amazing! is a story about family, and all the confusing ways we might experience it. There is something here for everyone, for Evans has created characters--main, supporting, and hardly visible--who manifest the richness of living with and loving other humans.
At its core, Amazing! is a story about family, and all the confusing ways we might experience it. There is something here for everyone, for Evans has created characters--main, supporting, and hardly visible--who manifest the richness of living with and loving other humans.
June 28, 2026
I may be a bit biased because I have known the author Kate for quite a long time now but omg I loooved this book! Kate has a way of writing her characters that make me feel they all have a part of me in them and they become my friends. I didn’t want to let any of them go. Liz could be a whole book herself. The layers throughout the storyline are interwoven so well and I was 100% invested in what was going to happen. The main character is phenomenal and I cheered her on the whole way! I am of the age now where I truly related to Nina’s discovery process of who she is at a soul level. This novel is a testament to peeling back the layers and discovering who you are and loving who that woman is!
July 3, 2026
A riveting contemporary novel filled with painful and joyful discoveries. Evans is a wonderful writer. A nicely tangled plot unfolds across exquisite California and Baja backdrops. A very satisfying read.
June 20, 2026
Rising to the challenges of loss, broken bonds, and betrayal are the themes of this absorbing page-turner of a story. When Nina Thorne finds her marriage and professional life suddenly blown apart, following on the heels of losing her mother, she's thrown into paralysis and self-doubt. But then she gets a puzzling email that purports to be from her dead mom, and she spins out onto the road in a frantic search for truth. As her journey unfolds, she encounters helpers along her way, and petals of self-discovery flower to guide and nurture her on expedition into a mysterious future. Think Women Who Run with the Wolves as a road trip, or Eat, Pray, Love set on the West Coast. Love, friendship, and ultimately joy abound in Nina's new life. Enthusiastic five stars!
August 3, 2026
3.5 rounded up
June 16, 2026
A well crafted, modern day story that took me to so many of the places I love!
The characters are very human and their evolving stories kept me engaged…no perfect angels and no villains, just people on life’s journey.
Kate wove a great story while exploring human frailty, modern issues and spiritual experiences.
I finished feeling glad to have read this tale but wishing to find out what will be Nina’s next chapter.
The characters are very human and their evolving stories kept me engaged…no perfect angels and no villains, just people on life’s journey.
Kate wove a great story while exploring human frailty, modern issues and spiritual experiences.
I finished feeling glad to have read this tale but wishing to find out what will be Nina’s next chapter.
May 13, 2026
I was hooked from the beginning when the narrator, a college English teacher on the verge of retirement, gets an enigmatic email from her recently deceased mother. When she discovers her husband is harboring a secret and her comfortable marriage is based on lies, the story takes on even more mystery. The endearingly flawed narrator is shattered, furious, and uncertain what comes next. Top that off with a video game addicted daughter and an unreliable sister who has dropped out in Mexico, and the choices get dicey. An engaging, page-turning story about a woman’s mid-life wake up call, Amazing! is full of clever twists and turns, layers of family relations, and relatable female characters. Anyone who has had their plans fall apart and been plunged into the unknown will recognize something of themselves in the wine drinking, impulsive, change resistant narrator faced with a second coming of age she didn’t see coming.
May 18, 2026
Amazingly fun read!
I love how Kate explores transformation in our 60s . She expertly touches on identity, relationships and sexuality as Nina navigates a hug life transition.
I love how Kate explores transformation in our 60s . She expertly touches on identity, relationships and sexuality as Nina navigates a hug life transition.
May 12, 2026
This book is vivid, gripping, exciting and endearing. You will be right next to Nina, the main character, as she goes on a wild coming of age later in life journey! Block off some hours or the whole week because you wont be able to put it down!
May 25, 2026
I hated the first page of this, but after that, I loved this book, and now I wish it wasn’t over. Nina is 62 and thinking about retirement from her job as a literature professor when everything in her life changes. She receives an email from her dead mother. Impossible, but it seems so real. Then her husband says he wants out of their 30-year marriage. A lot more happens, but I don’t want to spoil it. Suffice it to say, Nina is suddenly cut loose from everything she depended on, and that frees her to go on an adventure that shows her a new way to approach life. We meet delightful characters, including her trans daughter Ana and Ana’s friend Sig, Nina’s sister Liz, who lives off the grid in Mexico, and Willow, an “intuitive” Nina meets in Mount Shasta City, and Ben, a former student who would be easy to love. As for her husband, well, he has his reasons for the sudden request for a divorce. I loved the settings—Silicon Valley, Portland, and Mexico, beautifully described and familiar to me. Overall, this was a fun read, and I recommend it—once you get past page one.
May 16, 2026
This blurb from best-selling author Barbara O'Neal says it all:
"AMAZING! is a book that's easy to devour, a page-turning dive into the crisis of a woman whose world is turned upside down--long marriage gone in an instant, career over, and all the plans she'd been expecting to enjoy--gone. We follow Nina as she grapples with the mess of her life, finds allies, makes bad decisions (and some good ones), and tries to figure out who she is and how to live her next chapter.
"It was a book that took me by surprise--fresh, wise, and unexpectedly moving; the work of a writer at the height of her powers." --Barbara O'Neal, author of THE LAST LETTER OF RACHEL ELLSWORTH & WHEN WE WERE MERMAIDS
"AMAZING! is a book that's easy to devour, a page-turning dive into the crisis of a woman whose world is turned upside down--long marriage gone in an instant, career over, and all the plans she'd been expecting to enjoy--gone. We follow Nina as she grapples with the mess of her life, finds allies, makes bad decisions (and some good ones), and tries to figure out who she is and how to live her next chapter.
"It was a book that took me by surprise--fresh, wise, and unexpectedly moving; the work of a writer at the height of her powers." --Barbara O'Neal, author of THE LAST LETTER OF RACHEL ELLSWORTH & WHEN WE WERE MERMAIDS
July 7, 2026
This book will have you quickly turning the pages, following along on a journey of later-in-life reinvention. Traveling along with 62-year-old Nina as she faces old fears and breaks free from a mind-numbing existence into a truly amazing new life offers inspiration and hope, for it's never too late to change your life (even if you hadn't wanted to). The beautiful descriptions of Baja California, the relationship between the sisters, and the way everything comes together in the end were highlights of the novel.
June 20, 2026
I found this book uncomfortable to read in places because it felt like Evans had been eavesdropping on my life. So much of it seemed familiar and true. There are obviously some universal truths about women of a certain age at a certain time in their life!
I enjoyed Nina's journey (when I wasn't throwing things at the wall with her) and was happy to find some peace at the end.
If you like good villains, Amazing! has one. A really good one you love to hate.
I enjoyed Nina's journey (when I wasn't throwing things at the wall with her) and was happy to find some peace at the end.
If you like good villains, Amazing! has one. A really good one you love to hate.
August 10, 2026
What a fun and surprising read! Kate Evans writes with wry humor, deep honesty and a ton of edgy attitude, ziplining from the sublime to the ridiculous with her signature off-handed style. This is storytelling on steroids: a page-turner that dips and dives into the occult, alt romance (including with a chatbot), deep family dysfunction and secrets that are uncovered to reveal – well, read to believe. It’s Amazing!
May 1, 2026
When I found out Kate had a new book coming out, I immediately preordered. What a fabulous gift she's given us.In a genre swimming with young hot sweeties, she brings us OLD hot sweeties. Three cheers for senior women finding their groove and the ability for Kate to make this story for everyone, age and gender irrelevant.
May 18, 2026
In Nina Thorne the author has created a character so realistic that I found myself thinking about her during the day, when the rest of life demanded my attention, before I could come back to her in the evening and find out what she'd been up to, like catching up with a close friend. That's probably because Nina was me 20 years ago, going through a heart-breaking divorce, so I could relate to all her hijinks—the drinking, the sex, the last minute road trips when life became unbearable. But Kate Evans has Nina dealing with other 21st century conundrums like chatbot affairs and transgender children. She skillfully weaves together three narrative threads, creating a suspense that will have you racing back to the book to find out how Nina's navigating today's adventures. Buy this book for your friend who's going through a break up.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews