Peg, Unhinged

by Teri M. Brown

A humorous beach read of midlife, menopause and metamorphosis.

Peg is good at a lot of things. Selling beachfront homes. Raising two kids. Holding her life together with duct tape and dark humor. What she is not good at is menopause, divorce, or watching her soon-to-be ex flirt with women half her age, especially when one of them works in her office.

As hot flashes, brain fog, and emotional landmines take over, Peg finds herself unraveling in increasingly hilarious and inconvenient ways. Her kids are drifting away. Her marriage is in ruins. Her once-unshakable confidence is cracking. And yet, somewhere between a screaming meltdown on the beach and a disastrous real estate showing, Peg starts to realize something unexpected: this breakdown might also be a breakthrough.

Funny, raw, and deeply relatable, Teri M Brown explores midlife, reinvention, and what happens when a woman finally stops holding it all together—and starts becoming herself.

Genres: Womens Fiction, Contemporary

ebook

Published April 21, 2026

About the author

Born in Athens, Greece as an Air Force brat, Teri M Brown came into this world with an imagination full of stories to tell. She now calls the North Carolina coast home, and the peaceful nature of the sea has been a great source of inspiration for her creativity.

Not letting 2020 get the best of her, Teri chose to go on an adventure that changed her outlook on life. She and her husband, Bruce, rode a tandem bicycle across the United States from Astoria, Oregon to
Washington DC, successfully raising money for Toys for Tots. She learned she is stronger than she realized and capable of anything she sets her mind to.

Teri is a wife, mother, grandmother, and author who loves word games, reading, bumming on the beach, taking photos, singing in the shower, hunting for bargains, ballroom dancing, playing bridge, and
mentoring others.

You can join her newsletter list and get her exclusive list The 10 Historical Fiction Novels That You’ve Never Heard of That Will Bring You to Tears: https://deft-pioneer-4478.ck.page/d5f...

Reviews

[Fran Hawthorne · Rating 4 out of 5]

This novel bravely puts the subject of menopause -- unmentionable in polite society, even today -- front and center, with all its embarrassments, awkwardness, and hot flashes.

Even if the subject doesn't interest you, the narrator, Peg, is a lot of fun in her candor and -- oy vey! her mistakes. She is so real that sometimes I wanted to yell at her, and sometimes I was afraid to turn the page, for fear of seeing how she will mess up next.

But the book is, in fact, a page-turner, and the writing flows easily.

[Stephanie Affinito · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am a big fan of Teri M. Brown and have loved every novel she has written: Sunflowers Beneath the Snow, An Enemy Like Me and Daughters of Green Mountain Gap (my personal favorite!). That’s why I knew I’d love Peg, Unhinged, too. In it, we meet Peg, a middle-aged woman struggling through menopause to get it all together: her husband left, she lost her job and she drinks a tad too much. But we don’t just meet Peg, we become her. Since the book is written in first person, we get an inside look at Peg’s life and truly feel what she’s going through. Plus, the book alternates between Peg’s daily living and her heart-felt conversations with God bringing back Judy Blume vibes from my childhood reading and that means readers can connect even more to a woman just trying to hold it all together. Yes, this book talks about big life shifts: divorce, losing your job and license and growing through the biggest hormone shifts of her life, but Peg does so with humor and heart and shows that we can, too.

[Jenn Todling · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you were a fan of Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret, then my guess is you’re more than ready for a menopause-era follow-up. Peg, Unhinged is exactly what women in their 40s and 50s need to feel seen as we head into summer.

With witty prose, we follow Peg through a series of mishaps as she loses her husband, her job, and nearly her sanity—navigating the wild ride of midlife. There simply aren’t enough stories shining a light on a reality that impacts half the world.

And this one? Total page-turner. I devoured all 300+ pages in a weekend.

The character development pulls you in—you find yourself rooting for Peg as she learns (often the hard way) how to go after what she really wants. Along the way, she embraces her changing body, her lower tolerance for heat, and a refreshing decline in caring what others think… ultimately making space for deeper purpose—and even romance.

Add this one to your TBR list.

[Katelyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Right when Peg’s life should be smooth sailing, her youngest just graduated high school, she has been real estate agent of the year four years in a row, she has supportive friends, and she is living in her dream beach house … her life takes a downward turn. Her husband files for divorce, her kids don’t want to speak to her, and those supportive friends, yeah they have their judgmental limits.

I was laughing and tearing up as Peg rode the emotional rollercoaster of her perfect life unraveling. The menopause symptoms adding a cherry to the top of the already flaming dumpster fire of situations she was forced to deal with.

I honestly didn’t care for her initial friends from the get go. They offered support, but I always felt they were surface level friends. Those friends who say they are there no matter what, but when crap hits the fan they don’t stick around for long. But I absolutely adored the new friends Peg made throughout the book, Beth is definitely a keeper!

I loved that Peg realized that maybe her “perfect” life was never perfect to begin with and she makes the choice to learn to love her life and herself just the way she is.

If you are a fan of contemporary women’s fiction, especially if you’ve dealt with the struggles of perimenopause/menopause symptoms this one is one you should check out!

[Adele Royce · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an ARC from this author, and if you like women’s fiction with a super fun, comedic twist, this book is for you. Peg is 50, recently divorced, and going through menopause. While Peg is a successful realtor, she’s painfully aware of a young office rival, who soon becomes her nemesis. Peg does what any self-respecting woman would do: She fights back! But not without painful consequences.
What I loved most about this un-put-downable read is the utter absurdity of Peg’s actions, reactions, and constant drama. And just when you think things are going her way, another cringe-worthy issue creeps up. Brown created a loveable, relatable character in Peg, who you will laugh with, cry with, and root for throughout the novel. I’d suggest grabbing your favorite beverage, pajamas, and cozy chair to devour this addictive beach read.

[Carol El Hawary · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book. Peg is such a relatable character and I suspect many women, particularly those navigating midlife and menopause, will recognise something of themselves in her. There’s that sense of holding everything together… until suddenly you’re not, and then having to work out who you are from that point on.

What I also found striking was the setting. The sea and the coastal landscape aren’t just a backdrop, they feel like characters in their own right, shaping the mood and reflecting Peg’s journey in a really powerful way.

Peg herself is brilliantly drawn. Despite some significant setbacks, not least a truly twatty almost ex-husband, she finds a strength within herself that feels both believable and hard-won. There’s no neat transformation, just a gradual, very human reclaiming of herself.

I also loved the cast of new friends she gathers along the way. They add warmth, humour, and that sense of possibility that makes the whole story feel hopeful without tipping into cliché.

This is a feel-good, thoroughly enjoyable read with real depth underneath it. Highly recommended.

[Darlene Golbitz · Rating 4 out of 5]

This novel of rediscovery in the face of adversity shows that perseverance, self awareness, and establishing goals and priorities can be redemptive. With an homage to Judy Blume, Peg has a dialogue with God which provides clarity. Extreme menopause symptoms and no competent doctor ring true, and learning about the implications of the shelter for abused women providing sanctuary was enlightening. With Teri M. Brown's description of the Carolina beach, sunrises and sunsets, and a touch of humor added to a complex situation, I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book!

[Carol · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a wonderful, nostalgic book. Peg is a very relatable character if you are a GenXer. She's in a stage of her life that is unfamiliar as her relationships are changing along with her body, kids are flying away from the nest, and reinventing one's self is crucial to survival. This is a fun read for anyone entering this stage of life, in the middle of it, or just coming out the other side of it.

[Quirkychic · Rating 4 out of 5]

Delightfully funny and full of hope.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve read Teri M. Brown’s historical fiction and memoir, and I loved them. As far as I’m aware, this is her first foray into contemporary fiction, and surprise! I loved it, too!

Peg McMann thought she had her life all together. Until she didn’t. Her body seems to be conspiring against her, with hot flashes and brain fog making everything harder than it ought to be. Her children no longer want to speak to her. Her soon-to-be-ex is carrying on with younger women in the guise of being a dance instructor. One of those women is her co-worker, Kayla, and when Kayla swipes a lucrative real estate deal out from under Peg, it’s the last straw. Peg snaps in a very public way, and in short order, she’s been fired from her job, taken up day drinking, and found herself slapped with a DUI when she had to make a run to the store for more wine. And the friends she thought were ride or die proved themselves to be more of the fair-weather variety. Peg’s life is falling apart, and she isn’t sure how to regain some measure of control!

Oh, y’all, I could relate to Peg. While I haven’t ever been plagued by horrible hot flashes, I’ve had those moments of brain fog (“Why did I walk into this room? What did I think of three seconds ago that I wanted to Google, and now I can’t remember it?”) and completely irrational irritation with something or someone.

At first, Peg is a comedy of errors. Nothing she does turns out right. I understand that, too – can’t tell you how many times I’ve said, “It seemed like a good idea at the time” about something that’s just gone pear-shaped. But slowly, the tide begins to turn. She makes a new friend, one who really understands and encourages her. Serving at the women’s shelter, she sees opportunities, not just to better her own situation, but to provide an opportunity for another woman to rise. She realizes that perhaps her life isn’t rock bottom and that she’s still got plenty of living to do. She even sees the door open on the possibility of a new romance!

The book is by turns hilarious, painful, and inspiring. It isn’t billed as Christian fiction, but there are interludes between chapters where Peg talks to God. She tells Him exactly what she thinks, and I think that little thread of faith sometimes sustains Peg! I’ve prayed some prayers like Peg’s on occasion, too. If you can’t be straight-up honest with God the Father, who can you be honest with, right?

Peg, Unhinged is lovely and relatable and a lot of fun even when I’m glad some of those things are happening to Peg and not me! Teri M. Brown has another winner here, and I highly recommend it to women who’ve lived through menopause or who will live through it one day.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the author. I was not required to leave a review. All opinions here are mine, and I don’t say nice things about books I don’t actually like.

[READER VIEWS · Rating 5 out of 5]

Peg is in the throes of the dreaded m-word. Between fighting the effects of gravity and breaking out into drenching sweats at the most inopportune times, the mid-life top realtor of Paradise Island is missing her younger years. Worse, her husband (soon-to-be-ex) is gallivanting around with women half Peg’s age, teaching dance lessons, and hopping from job to job— and no one seems to bat an eyelash. In fact, island residents seem to be pointing the finger at Peg as if she’s the problem. (Okay, so maybe hair-pulling of a coworker, leading to her getting fired, and a silly DUI didn’t exactly help Peg’s image.)

As everything around her seems to fall apart, she wonders if Normal Peg is gone for good, replaced by the crazy, sweaty lady glaring back at her in the mirror. Follow along on this emotional, hilariously raw foray into menopause.

Peg, Unhinged by Teri M. Brown, is a hilariously addictive literary novel for women that will resonate with middle-aged female readers. Themes of self-discovery, healing, and re-emergence are woven throughout the pages. Peg’s life is like many of ours, chaotic, messy, and perpetually confusing, but there is a sense of solidarity in shared misery (right?) Midlife plight aside, Brown has crafted an emotionally driven novel, rife with vibrant characters and a witty narrative.

Peg suddenly feels the profound pull of midlife. The author does an excellent job of exploring that midlife epiphany that can be terrifying but incredibly validating. Despite Peg’s failing marriage, career woes, and the sense of alienation in her body, the silver lining is the newfound clarity that menopause brings. Suddenly, things that took up space in her thoughts weren’t quite as important. The push and pull of being everything to everyone (her kids, her husband) all the time has lifted. Peg begins to nurture the parts of herself that have been neglected —such as her faith (the impromptu, sometimes urgent chat with God), her health, and her connection with others. This is Peg’s authentic era, and we’re all here for it!

If you’re looking for a laugh-out-loud, emotionally resonant women’s novel about navigating the second chapter. Peg’s adventures will reel you in. Between the disasters of online dating, surviving a PR nightmare, and wine-infused slip-ups, readers will be rooting for Peg to get it together. Don’t miss out on this literary gem!

[Scott Pearson · Rating 4 out of 5]

As Peg approaches middle age, her life is becoming chaotic. Her subpar husband has decided to leave and seek divorce. Her kids, in late high school and college, are approaching more independence and want little to do with her. A new colleague in her real-estate firm begins stealing her work. All these dynamics compound to bring out the worst in Peg. A drinking habit increases, and she makes the mistake of driving to the store to buy more wine after drinking a bottle. She’s driving off her friends and clearly needs a new equilibrium. Menopausal symptoms seem to amplify each mistake and certainly don’t help rein her worst impulses. What is to become of her?

She does find redemption… eventually… but she must first learn some truth-telling. She also needs some perspective. Thankfully, a mandatory community service project at an abused women’s shelter brings just that. She sees women whose lives have fallen apart due to no fault of their own. Only these women have less resources than Peg does. She also learns to learn from their resilience instead of viewing them as charity cases or victims.

From there, life or God or the universe takes its course. Oppressive circumstances rarely compound forever, especially to someone willing to make the most of their opportunities. She finds compassion – mostly for herself – and a resolve to rebound. New friends rally around her to teach her new perspectives. There’s even a spark of a new love interest in her fate! Menopause, an easy target to blame, becomes something that she can deal with instead of a dominating adversary.

This book is light enough to keep the pages turning quickly while meaningful enough to avoid becoming mere fluff. It’s an easy summer read by the pool, on a vacation, or at the beach. (And yes, the novel’s setting is in a beach town.) It’s a redemption tale more than a romantic comedy, but it has all the signs of a classical comedy: a positive, happy outcome at the end! For readers who are always looking for a little self-improvement along with a page turner, Peg, Unhinged provides good fodder to inspire the heart.

[Chelsie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the perfect mid-life, laugh out loud, I can totally relate to her beach read! Peg might be hitting rock bottom in her midlife and yet she does still have everything going for her. It seems though that lately her life is being driven by this wonderful thing called menopause that all women deal with at some point in their life. She's lost her job after assaulting another employee, her youngest went to live with his father her ex, who has no qualms about being seen with younger women at the local bars, she can't seem to get control over these hot flashes that leave her feeling like she needs a shower, and now she is on the hook for a DUI. How can everything seem to be going so wrong? Doesn't anyone else understand that she isn't herself, she can't control what her body is doing and her ex is doing everything in his power to prove she is the unstable one when he's never held a solid job in his entire life! When she gets assigned community service and chooses a local shelter, she meets many who have lost everything compared to her and yet they are still happy, moving on and trying to get back on their feet without complaining about how hard they have it. What may have been a terrible event in life, may have also been what has saved her and made her realize she hasn't lost it all, but maybe this is life showing her the next phase of her life is for her to take control of. I really enjoyed Peg's character, she was super relatable even at times when you wanted to yell at her. This was a fun beach like read and I enjoyed the storyline, message within and how relatable it was. Thank you to the author for the complementary ebook. This review is of my own opinion and accord.

[Deborah Brasket · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have to admit, I wasn’t fond of poor Peg at the beginning of this novel—too whiny, too self-involved, too crazy-making. So many early scenes had her doing outrageous things that bordered on the slapstick—equally horrifying and hilarious. Which, of course, only added to the enjoyment of the novel. I had to keep tuning pages just to see what this train-wreck of a woman would do next.

Peg’s problem (which she was quick to remind God in her conversations with him) is menopause. Why in the world would he inflict this on half the human race? She exhibits the worst of the symptoms: unbearable hot flashes that occurred at the worst times; crippling brain fog that stymies her; uncontrollable bouts of rage; and deep cravings for sugar and alcohol to self-medicate.

Peg’s other problems: a deadbeat, cheating husband; unsympathetic adult children who want nothing to do with her; and a jealous, scheming co-worker who steals her best client and is also bedding her husband! Who wouldn’t be crazy with all this to deal with?

Despite all the craziness going on, this novel throws light on serious issues, and gives us a character we want to shake and hug at the same time. As the novel develops, Peg grows more self-aware, takes more responsibility for her actions, and comes to realize that her crazy life, while bad enough, doesn’t compare with the lives other women, through no fault of their own, have to deal with– issues much worse than hers: abuse, homelessness, poverty, etc.

By the end of the book, Peg has turned a whole basket of lemons into lemonade. Highly recommended for those who enjoy humorous books and for those who are dealing with their own raging hormones and crave the company of a fellow wayfarer.

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

Peg’s life is a total mess. She is approaching middle age, her husband has left her, a pretty young girl is threatening to take away her title of best real estate agent and dating her ex, and to top it all off she is in menopause and having hot flashes, anger issues and a genuine dislike of the changes that are taking place in her body. Even though the book is initially filled with negatives, I have to tell you that it was a fun read. Peg’s conversations with herself and with God and the way she sometimes looks at life are hilarious.


I started this review with all of the negatives in Peg’s life but as she begins to realize that she is enough, that she shouldn’t believe everything her mind tells her, and that she is loved she realizes that she needs to be kinder to herself and that the changes that happen during middle age are not all negative – in fact some of them are real life changing positives.

I loved Peg as a main character. This was really a coming of middle age book – when she began to look at the positives in her life instead of the negatives – her attitude toward her friends and family and most importantly toward herself began to change and she became a much happier and contented woman. There are parts of this book that most woman who are facing middle age can connect with – life is not always kind to us when we age. What made this book such a great read was that Peg’s conversations with herself were often very funny and there were several times that I laughed out loud at her thoughts and thought process. I’d like to met Peg in real life – I think we could be great friends

[Leslie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this book from the author, but this is my unbiased review. This novel is narrated by Peg, a self-deprecating real-estate agent who provides a vivid example of the concept of “raging hormones.” As Peg struggles with menopausal hot flashes, weight gain, and brain fog, she is also confronted with a series of small and larger catastrophes. Her husband leaves (doing her a favor although she is slow to realize it), her children are unsympathetic, and her friends seem more concerned with their image in the community than with Peg’s plight. She hits nadir when a sly and ambitious younger agent at the office poaches her ex and her listings. Peg periodically complains to God and asks for guidance, but of course her journey must be one of self-realization. Gradually, she stops pitying herself and starts using her considerable organizational smarts to help others. Her life then veers back on course, promising to be better than the sales-driven, frantic existence she had previously identified as success. The author’s tone is light, often finding humor in Peg’s trials, despite tackling some heavy subjects, including alcohol abuse and violence between partners. The humor and promise of a happy ending kept me reading despite the dread of following Peg through months of emotional pain. Book clubs should enjoy this novel, especially if members are midlife women who enjoy main characters of a certain age who find life balance and new relationship beginnings.

[litandcoffee · Rating 5 out of 5]

A middle-aged real estate agent’s carefully constructed life unravels, and forces her to rebuild from the inside out in Brown's latest novel. Peg McMann is not where she expected to be at this stage of life. Her husband has left, her children offer little sympathy, and a younger, ambitious colleague is circling both her career and her ex. With menopause comes an unwelcome trio of hot flashes, mood swings, and mental fog, leaving Peg unsettled, reactive, and reexamining the very foundations of her identity. To those around her, she still projects control and competence. However, beneath the surface, she is coming undone.

Told in a sharp, self-deprecating voice, Peg’s story balances chaos with humor. Her ongoing conversations with both herself and God are witty, candid, and often laugh-out-loud funny, offering relief amid the heavier themes of divorce, aging, and self-worth. Brown captures the dissonance between outward appearances and internal struggle with authenticity and compassion. When everything seems to unravel—her career faltering and her personal life uncertain—Peg begins to shift her perspective. Moving beyond self-pity and impossible standards, she starts to rebuild her sense of self. What emerges is a gentle, realistic path toward purpose and inner balance. With equal parts humor and heart, the novel portrays midlife as a space for growth, where discomfort and uncertainty give way to renewed strength and clarity. A definite winner.

[Brent Lindstrom · Rating 5 out of 5]

I couldn’t put Peg down

I begin by saying this, I am a heterosexual male who should have no natural desire/reason to read a book about a woman going through menopause. Now that I have that out of the way, I’ll say this, I read this book in two days! It was so much fun.

Having read one other book by Teri M. Brown to this point, and recognizing her talent for storytelling, I decided to give this a try, and it did not disappoint. Peg Unhinged is a very fit title. I don’t know if all women struggle with menopause to this degree, but when her life falls apart, not just from that, but from a failing family, regrettable life choices, and more, you almost can’t help but sympathize and scream at her to come to her senses.

While I picked up on a strong moral sense that life isn’t over, even when the whole world, and you yourself are working against you, the characters in this story are what really drew me in. Teri has such a strong ability to put you in a person’s shoes, flawed as they may be, and make you really care about them.

As soon as I finished the book, I told my wife she needed to read it also. I’m telling you too, if you’re debating whether this book is worth spending a few bucks on to read, GO FOR IT! I read a lot of books and I don’t give this high of praise lightly. Thanks Teri for another great read.

[Kendra Saldana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Teri M. Brown has delivered the kind of book you tuck into your beach bag, or have on your nightstand waiting for you to unwind on a summer day. It's an easy read, but don't mistake that for shallow. This is a novel that gives you wit, charm, and laugh-out-loud moments.

At the heart is Peg McMann, a woman navigating the messy, often hilarious reality of a midlife crisis. Add a pending divorce, an empty nest, and menopause into the mix and Peg's journey becomes all the more relatable and entertaining. Brown captures the highs and lows with a light touch, balancing humor and honesty in a way that feels authentic.

What makes the book shine is Peg's voice. Her sidebars with God remind me of Judy Blume's famous pubescent angst novel "Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret." I don't think that is a coincidence. Peg - whose birth name is Margaret - is sharp, self-aware, and unintentionally funny as she questions life choices, or reacts to the absurdities around her. Her perspective keeps the story engaging and fresh.

Beyond the humor, the under-current of self-discovry gives the novel depth. Peg's journey isn't just about unraveling. It's about figuring out who she is now, at this stage of life, and what truly matters moving forward.

[BooksCoffee · Rating 5 out of 5]

A woman’s carefully constructed life comes undone and reassembled in Brown's sharp, darkly funny meditation on midlife, identity, and letting go. Peg is a successful real estate agent and mother. But as menopause descends, bringing with its hot flashes and emotional whiplash, her husband of nearly three decades walks away, her children drift beyond her reach, and even her workplace becomes fraught with rivalry and humiliation.

Brown charts Peg’s unraveling with biting humor and unflinching honesty, from disastrous affirmations to a primal, sand-streaked meltdown on the beach. The story shifts between Peg’s present-day chaos and moments of reflection, balancing humor with a quiet sense of loss. The people around her, especially her unreliable ex and the younger coworker nipping at her heels, bring out the generational and emotional tensions she can’t ignore. In the end, the novel makes a gentle but clear case: falling apart might be the only way forward. A candid, relatable portrait of a woman discovering that losing control may be the first step toward reclaiming herself.

[Alfmom · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wasn't sure what to expect from Peg, Unhinged when I started the ARC, which the author kindly shared with me. I was afraid it would be cute or sweet. Instead the story gave the feeling of sitting down for repeated cups of tea (and some kind of tasty homemade cake) with a great old friend, maybe one who you met as a freshman homeroom... and ate lunch with every day after. A friend with a wry sense of humor and the secret wild streak you wish you had the courage to display. But now that friend's life has be upended, gone awry, awash in waxing and waning hormone tides. And yet, the story's NOT a downer!

Peg has grit and a deep well of resourcefulness in the face of turmoil and betrayal at her job and in her home, with her husband taking it on the lam. Friends are not as reliable and supportive as they should be, if they are real friends. Have no fear, Peg, the readers certainly are, watching you navigate a sea of crap in a shit storm of happenings. And laughing WITH you as you do that!

[Lya Badgley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve long admired author Teri M. Brown—not only for her storytelling, but for the generous spirit she brings to the indie author community, showing up for others even when life is anything but easy. That same honesty and resilience pulse through her latest release, Peg Unhinged.
This is a novel that doesn’t pretend midlife is graceful. Peg is held together with duct tape and dark humor as she navigates menopause, divorce, and the unraveling of the life she thought she understood. Brown leans into it—the hot flashes, the brain fog, the emotional whiplash—and what emerges is both painfully real and unexpectedly funny. The humor isn’t decoration; it’s survival, sharpening the harder edges and making Peg’s missteps feel deeply human.
Many women will recognize themselves here: the loss of footing, the questioning, and the slow, reluctant rebuilding from a more authentic place.
Peg Unhinged is funny, raw, and grounded in emotional truth. If you’re drawn to stories of reinvention that don’t tidy the process into something neat or easy, this is well worth your time.

[Janet Roberts · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this funny, heart-warming book! Teri M. Brown is a master at taking several serious (what could be depressing) subjects and showing the reader a lighter side to the characters dilemma.

Peg is a middle-aged woman and menopause has taken over her life. She sticks her head in the freezer to stop hot flashes, she sleeps through her alarm, and she worries incessantly about her new weight gain. Before menopause, Peg was a very successful real estate agent, always organized, and the breadwinner for her family. Now she feels like she’s falling apart. To add to the trauma menopause is inflicting on her mind and body, her unemployed husband thinks she’s crazy and has left her, taking their son with him. Throughout the novel, as Peg makes life-changing mistakes, she leans on friends, finds new solutions she would never have thought, and learns to love herself again.

I highly recommend this wonderful, relatable (especially, if you’ve been in Peg’s menopause shoes) book!

[S.M. Stevens · Rating 5 out of 5]

You don’t have to have experienced menopause to appreciate Peg, Unhinged, with its laugh-out-loud scenes, groan-inducing bad choices and, ultimately, sympathetic protagonist. But if you have suffered through hot flashes and foggy brain, you’ll appreciate it all the more. Peg’s “change of life” encompasses more than hormonal havoc as she wades through the morass of divorce, trying to figure out if she’s happy or sad about the general situation, and through job upheaval and issues with friends. All of these trials are, of course, intertwined, and partially caused by Peg herself.

Her regular chats with God are where we learn what Peg’s really made of, for those are where she is the most honest with herself, much more so than with her friends, colleagues or romantic interests. “God” becomes the sounding board she needs to probe her thoughts and actions, face up to reality, and find the backbone to make a fresh start.

[Rosie Amber · Rating 4 out of 5]

Peg, Unhinged is a contemporary story that features a woman who is overwhelmed by life and her menopausal symptoms.

Set on a coastal island area along the US Eastern Seaboard, this story is about family, relationships and the dynamic of both old and new friends. Peg is a successful real estate agent, but everything comes tumbling down when her husband leaves. With a mix of rampaging hormones, hot flushes and brain fog, Peg’s life hits some deep lows.

The story has humour and fun alongside the mid-life crisis which Peg faces. I’m sure that many women who have experience of the menopause will find points to nod along to in this story. I don’t want to give away too much of the main plot, but I particularly enjoyed the parts that extended to the local women’s shelter. I must also mention the beach setting; this was a real delight. I could easily imagine living happily in Peg’s neighbourhood. Perhaps I would meet Peg on a morning beach stroll and become one of her new friends.

[Christian Sia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Peg McMann starts this novel as a genuine disaster—fired, divorcing, hiding wine bottles, and parking her car three doors down so her tenant won't see she can actually drive—and that's exactly why you'll root for her until the last page. After a workplace meltdown and a DUI, court-ordered volunteer work at Seabreeze House forces Peg to confront women facing real abuse, particularly Monique, a young mother who becomes her unlikely mirror and eventually her assistant. What readers will adore is watching Peg rebuild her life through these unexpected friendships, a new real estate venture, and learning that "balance" beats "Agent of the Year." The supporting cast shines, from wise-cracking Beth to complicated Monique. By the time Peg crosses that 5K finish line surrounded by her newfound tribe, you'll be cheering through happy tears. It's a messy, magnificent reminder that second acts don't require perfection—just persistence.

[Ruffina Os · Rating 5 out of 5]

The genius of Peg, Unhinged lies in its structure—those snarky, vulnerable letters to God that had me cackling on every single page. Teri M. Brown uses this device brilliantly to let Peg vent about menopause symptoms, memory loss, and questionable life choices while keeping the narrative moving at a conversational clip. The story tracks 49-year-old Peg as her marriage ends, her career evaporates, and a DUI leaves her dependent on Uber and humility. What you'll savor is Brown's ability to tackle heavy topics—domestic abuse, alcohol misuse, workplace sexism—with wit rather than weight. The slow-burning romance with Trevor provides sweetness without sugar-coating, while the found family Peg builds at Seabreeze House adds genuine emotional depth. It's fresh, funny fiction that validates the chaos of midlife while proving that vulnerability isn't weakness—it's actually the only way through to the other side.

[Linda Murphy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed Peg, Unhinged. While there were plenty of laugh-out-loud moments, what stayed with me most was Peg herself. She felt like a real person navigating one of life's most challenging seasons with humor, vulnerability, and resilience.

Teri M. Brown does a wonderful job balancing the lighter moments with genuine emotion. I found myself smiling one minute and reflecting the next. The story is entertaining, but it also reminds us that even when life doesn't go according to plan, new beginnings are still possible.

The characters are relatable, the dialogue feels natural, and Peg's journey is one many readers will recognize in one way or another. I especially appreciated that the book celebrated growth and self-discovery without becoming overly sentimental.

If you're looking for a novel that is funny, heartfelt, and ultimately uplifting, I highly recommend Peg, Unhinged.

[Karen Whalen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m a big fan of Teri M. Brown, and when I received an opportunity to get an advanced copy of Peg, Unhinged I couldn’t wait to get started reading it. All her books are outstanding, but I believe this is my favorite. In this book, Peg is slammed headfirst into a perfect storm of marital collapse, career calamities, crumbling finances, and the relentless tide of the “big M” (menopause). In her frantic, half‑prayer‑half‑complaint conversations with the Divine—similar to Margaret’s in Judy Blume’s Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret—Peg fluctuates between disastrous missteps and soul‑searching epiphanies. You’ll find yourself laughing, gasping, and ultimately cheering for Peg’s journey toward growth, redemption, and self‑acceptance.

[Patti Procopi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Peg is a very successful woman until until suddenly and dramatically she isn’t! She’s a wife, a mother and a very successful realtor but then her husband leaves her, her children won’t talk to her, and she loses her job in a spectacular crazed event. Menopause is the cause of a lot of of what happens to Peg. The hot flashes, the memory loss, and the drastic mood swings affect every part of her life. Just when you think she couldn’t go any lower she adds drinking too much to her list of problems. Peg is not a completely sympathetic character - she makes way too many excuses. But she gets a wake up call and begins to crawl her way back up. A fun romp through the perils of Peg! Grab a copy of this one!