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Coached
"Fizzy and fun."-- Jacquelyn Mitchard, author of The Deep End of the Ocean and Two if by Sea"Kudos to Holly for creating a character so unbelievable, yet so uncomfortably realistic."--Karan Eleni of The Chick Lit Book Club"It was an interesting story... I also enjoyed the little twist at the end, and I can honestly say I didn't see it coming."-- Sara Steven of Chick Lit Central"I enjoyed peeking inside (RoRo's) mind to see how it ticks."-- Renee Conoulty, author of #militarylife"...will brighten the day of any reader who downloads it."-- Don Sloan, author of The Sisters"If you're looking for a light-hearted, humorous story, pick this book up!"-- Elizabeth of Chick Lit ChickadeesYou've wondered about her. That girl in the office who always breaks the copy machine and starts the microwave on fire. Why is she still working here? How did she got hired in the first place? This is her story. If you like British humor, satire, and cringe-worthy moments, you'll love this comical look at the life-coaching trend. And you may even become a fan of Ro Ro by the end!Rowen "Ro Ro" Walverstein is ready to reinvent herself. She had high hopes for her twenties, but now, three years in, nothing is turning out like she imagined. From her frumpy wardrobe and dead end job to her boring social life, each day is a letdown. When her boyfriend Sherman leaves her, Ro Ro decides it's time to take action and turn her life around.She hires a tough-love life coach named Crystal Class to get her back on track. Crystal is older, wiser, and very pulled together. She's also a little bit unorthodox in her teaching methods. If Ro Ro can survive Crystal's extreme tactics, there's a good chance she could find herself standing on top of that elusive golden mountain of evolutionaryness that Crystal keeps telling her about. But getting up there isn't going to be easy.
190 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 21, 2011
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
September 12, 2016
This review was originally posted on karaneleni.com
Well I'm not sure where to start with this review. I've been waffling between three and four stars since I listened to Coached by Holly Tierney-Bedord (I settled on four. I don't do half stars). Rowen "Ro Ro" is, simply put, an airhead. Oblivious to most of what is going on around her, gets dumped by her "boyfriend" (I put that in quotes because I'm not sure if they really were dating or it was all in her head...maybe I just don't remember.), gets fired from her job and isn't sure why...
While the format of Ro Ro narrating her life via internal monologue and journal entries, almost listening to someone tell their daily story (or overhearing it while people watching), was interesting, I kept questioning whether people were really like this character. Then I'd remember someone I'd met in the past that was like this. People really are oblivious to things like Ro Ro is in her life. And they just. don't. get it. Then I'd laugh and shake my head in disbelief. Kudos to Holly for creating a character so unbelievable, yet so uncomfortably realistic. And the narrator, Julie Kelly, did a great job bringing Ro Ro to life with the valley girl-esque voice.
August 10, 2016
A diary style chick lit story about how (or how not) to better yourself.
RoRo isn't someone I would probably hang out with, but I enjoyed peeking inside her mind to see how it ticks. I thought I was a better life coach than Crystal, but RoRo couldn't hear me. (No RoRo, just because the pop tarts have "fruit" in them, doesn't mean they're healthy.)
I listened to the audiobook. The narrator captured the essence of RoRo perfectly and really brought her to life for me. I received this book free in exchange for an honest review.
RoRo isn't someone I would probably hang out with, but I enjoyed peeking inside her mind to see how it ticks. I thought I was a better life coach than Crystal, but RoRo couldn't hear me. (No RoRo, just because the pop tarts have "fruit" in them, doesn't mean they're healthy.)
I listened to the audiobook. The narrator captured the essence of RoRo perfectly and really brought her to life for me. I received this book free in exchange for an honest review.
January 15, 2020
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy from the Author. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.Coached by Holly Tierney-Bedord is about how one young lady changed her life around and became a better person.
Can Rowen fix everything that she doesn't like about herself?
Rowen
Rowen "Ro-Ro" for a bit in the book, is not always focused on her life. She is at a job that she doesn't like, her so-called boyfriend isn't there anymore, and she just doesn't want her life the way it is. Rowen decided instead of trying it out on her own to go to a life coach. The book is written as a diary-type format. Basically, someone who writes down everything that is going on in their life.
What I like about Rowen is that she felt like she needed this, and it seemed to have been working despite the way that Crystal was going on about it. Another thing that I like is that Rowen was doing a great job of changing things on herself. The one thing that I disliked is that Rowen should have kept those bunnies that she got from her grandpa.
The Romance
Rowen throughout was trying to get her boyfriend Sherman to realize that he doesn't need to go out of state to be happy since Rowen is here where he belongs. Well, it doesn't work the way that she has wanted, and I think that is a good thing. Sherman didn't seem like the type of guy that is right for her. Rowen has seen a guy around that she thinks is cute but doesn't talk to him. She does end up eventually talking to him, and everything has worked out fine for her since. I think that is great of her, and I am glad that she isn't caught up on Sherman since she shouldn't change herself for a guy. Change yourself for you.
The Narrator
Ms. Julie Kelly does a fantastic job of bringing Rowen's voice to life and the other characters as well. I do have to say that this has to be the funniest audiobook that I have listened to just from listening to the narrator's voice change for certain characters. I give Julie Kelly five stars.
Four Stars for Coached by Holly Tierney-Bedord
Coached by Holly Tierney-Bedord is a great read, and I think that Ms. Bedord has done a fantastic job on this one. I can't wait to read more books that she narrates. I am giving this book four stars and recommending it to my chick-lit fiends.
Thank you for dropping by! I hope you enjoyed this audiobook review of Coached by Holly Tierney-Bedord.
Until the next time,
Happy Readings!
This review was originally posted on Baroness' Book Trove
Can Rowen fix everything that she doesn't like about herself?
Rowen
Rowen "Ro-Ro" for a bit in the book, is not always focused on her life. She is at a job that she doesn't like, her so-called boyfriend isn't there anymore, and she just doesn't want her life the way it is. Rowen decided instead of trying it out on her own to go to a life coach. The book is written as a diary-type format. Basically, someone who writes down everything that is going on in their life.
What I like about Rowen is that she felt like she needed this, and it seemed to have been working despite the way that Crystal was going on about it. Another thing that I like is that Rowen was doing a great job of changing things on herself. The one thing that I disliked is that Rowen should have kept those bunnies that she got from her grandpa.
The Romance
Rowen throughout was trying to get her boyfriend Sherman to realize that he doesn't need to go out of state to be happy since Rowen is here where he belongs. Well, it doesn't work the way that she has wanted, and I think that is a good thing. Sherman didn't seem like the type of guy that is right for her. Rowen has seen a guy around that she thinks is cute but doesn't talk to him. She does end up eventually talking to him, and everything has worked out fine for her since. I think that is great of her, and I am glad that she isn't caught up on Sherman since she shouldn't change herself for a guy. Change yourself for you.
The Narrator Ms. Julie Kelly does a fantastic job of bringing Rowen's voice to life and the other characters as well. I do have to say that this has to be the funniest audiobook that I have listened to just from listening to the narrator's voice change for certain characters. I give Julie Kelly five stars.
Four Stars for Coached by Holly Tierney-Bedord
Coached by Holly Tierney-Bedord is a great read, and I think that Ms. Bedord has done a fantastic job on this one. I can't wait to read more books that she narrates. I am giving this book four stars and recommending it to my chick-lit fiends.
Thank you for dropping by! I hope you enjoyed this audiobook review of Coached by Holly Tierney-Bedord.
Until the next time,
Happy Readings!
This review was originally posted on Baroness' Book Trove
September 9, 2015
RoRo wants to reinvent herself, but doesn't know how. Life Coach Crystal Class has the answers -- and they make for the basis of a very funny, heart-warming book about the pleasures and the perils of making life-changing decisions.
RoRo - her real name is Rowen -- feels trapped in her job and adrift in her love life. She spends her free time eating pop-tarts and pizza, and collecting bunny figurines. Her new life coach Crystal scoffs at RoRo's lifestyle, pronouncing her nothing more than a "placekeeper."
"A placekeeper is someone who is eating and breathing, sleeping and taking up space, but not serving a purpose. It's what your body is doing if you aren't fully realizing your goals here on earth."
ThIs firm message galvanizes RoRo into drastic action to make herself "way cooler" and, in the process, reclaim her lost boyfriend Sherman. She sells the bunnies on EBay (along with many other treasured items) to continue paying her life coach, who grows more and more demanding. RoRo struggles to comply -- with often hilarious results.
Friends at her dead-end job are shocked when she shows up with a drastically new hairstyle, and, though she backslides often on the road to self-improvement, playing spider solitaire and Farmville until all hours, she nevertheless doggedly pursues her new goals despite the tough love dispensed by Crystal in their weekly sessions.
"Insults and Results are practically the same word," Crystal intones. "So get used to one if you want to see the other."
Munching Dill Bacon Parmesan chips in an effort to snag the snack man's eye, she quickly discovers that such efforts are not consistent with her new goals, and she continues her quest for betterment, foregoing the temptation to forward insipid email chain letters to all her friends, and exchanging her usual can of Mountain Dew with lunch in favor of coffee with cream -- a more sophisticated selection, she decides.
As the book progresses, RoRo finds herself unemployed, but still gamely moving forward with her self-improvement efforts, enduring more withering criticism by her life coach and chucking whole closetsful of Old Navy items in favor of clothing Crystal claims will elevate her above the ordinary.
But wait -- is all this change and abuse really necessary just to makeover a sweetly innocent young woman who endearingly embodies the ordinary pleasures we all are guilty of indulging? Read this book all the way to its surprising conclusion to find out.
This well-written and perfectly edited book deserves five stars, and will brighten the day of any reader who downloads it. Good job, and continued success to author Holly Tierney-Bedord.
RoRo - her real name is Rowen -- feels trapped in her job and adrift in her love life. She spends her free time eating pop-tarts and pizza, and collecting bunny figurines. Her new life coach Crystal scoffs at RoRo's lifestyle, pronouncing her nothing more than a "placekeeper."
"A placekeeper is someone who is eating and breathing, sleeping and taking up space, but not serving a purpose. It's what your body is doing if you aren't fully realizing your goals here on earth."
ThIs firm message galvanizes RoRo into drastic action to make herself "way cooler" and, in the process, reclaim her lost boyfriend Sherman. She sells the bunnies on EBay (along with many other treasured items) to continue paying her life coach, who grows more and more demanding. RoRo struggles to comply -- with often hilarious results.
Friends at her dead-end job are shocked when she shows up with a drastically new hairstyle, and, though she backslides often on the road to self-improvement, playing spider solitaire and Farmville until all hours, she nevertheless doggedly pursues her new goals despite the tough love dispensed by Crystal in their weekly sessions.
"Insults and Results are practically the same word," Crystal intones. "So get used to one if you want to see the other."
Munching Dill Bacon Parmesan chips in an effort to snag the snack man's eye, she quickly discovers that such efforts are not consistent with her new goals, and she continues her quest for betterment, foregoing the temptation to forward insipid email chain letters to all her friends, and exchanging her usual can of Mountain Dew with lunch in favor of coffee with cream -- a more sophisticated selection, she decides.
As the book progresses, RoRo finds herself unemployed, but still gamely moving forward with her self-improvement efforts, enduring more withering criticism by her life coach and chucking whole closetsful of Old Navy items in favor of clothing Crystal claims will elevate her above the ordinary.
But wait -- is all this change and abuse really necessary just to makeover a sweetly innocent young woman who endearingly embodies the ordinary pleasures we all are guilty of indulging? Read this book all the way to its surprising conclusion to find out.
This well-written and perfectly edited book deserves five stars, and will brighten the day of any reader who downloads it. Good job, and continued success to author Holly Tierney-Bedord.
March 25, 2016
Reviewed for Chick Lit Central (www.chicklitcentral.com)
Here’s what I really loved about Coached: Rowen (or RoRo, as she’s known to friends and family) tells her story through the eyes of none other than....RoRo. Written in diary fashion, she takes us on her journey through the highs and lows of trying to become a better person. I couldn’t help but ask, who gets to say what “better” is, anyway?
Crystal Class, RoRo’s life coach. Through extensive counseling and training, Crystal attempts to transform RoRo into what she feels is a productive member of society. That means changing the type of music she enjoys listening to, the items she likes to to collect for her home, even her clothing and lifestyle are under intense scrutiny. RoRo goes along with it, because she wants so desperately to have what Crystal has, and to be as put together as she is.
And, as life would have it, nothing is ever as it really appears to be, and sometimes, the person who is the most put together is the one who needs the most help, and the one who seems to be chaotic is the one who really has a good grip on things.
I enjoyed the way that Coached isn’t formulaic. I was peeking into someone else’s private thoughts, really getting the goods on RoRo’s struggle, as well as her triumphs, even when she’s unable to see them. I also enjoyed the little twist at the end, and I can honestly say I didn’t see it coming. It’s My Fair Lady meets Single White Female, but only in reverse, somewhat. It was an interesting story, one that could be about any one of us who’s looking to change their lives for the "better".
Here’s what I really loved about Coached: Rowen (or RoRo, as she’s known to friends and family) tells her story through the eyes of none other than....RoRo. Written in diary fashion, she takes us on her journey through the highs and lows of trying to become a better person. I couldn’t help but ask, who gets to say what “better” is, anyway?
Crystal Class, RoRo’s life coach. Through extensive counseling and training, Crystal attempts to transform RoRo into what she feels is a productive member of society. That means changing the type of music she enjoys listening to, the items she likes to to collect for her home, even her clothing and lifestyle are under intense scrutiny. RoRo goes along with it, because she wants so desperately to have what Crystal has, and to be as put together as she is.
And, as life would have it, nothing is ever as it really appears to be, and sometimes, the person who is the most put together is the one who needs the most help, and the one who seems to be chaotic is the one who really has a good grip on things.
I enjoyed the way that Coached isn’t formulaic. I was peeking into someone else’s private thoughts, really getting the goods on RoRo’s struggle, as well as her triumphs, even when she’s unable to see them. I also enjoyed the little twist at the end, and I can honestly say I didn’t see it coming. It’s My Fair Lady meets Single White Female, but only in reverse, somewhat. It was an interesting story, one that could be about any one of us who’s looking to change their lives for the "better".
December 25, 2018
Hardly could finish
I hate to give a bad review - but the first half could have been talking about a 13 year old instead of a 23 year old! Had to force myself to keep reading. Whiney, childish and self absorbed. That would work for the first quarter, but went on and on and on! I did finish it. Wish the last 3\4 would have been about details of finishing the journey.
I hate to give a bad review - but the first half could have been talking about a 13 year old instead of a 23 year old! Had to force myself to keep reading. Whiney, childish and self absorbed. That would work for the first quarter, but went on and on and on! I did finish it. Wish the last 3\4 would have been about details of finishing the journey.
April 22, 2025
Ro Ro, the protagonist of the novella, was very relatable. It was a good read, and I will be checking out more work by this author.
June 15, 2020
This is a hard book to review because the main character, RoRo really isn't likable and doesn't manage to redeem herself through the novel. But I think that is kind of the point. She is completely superficial and blissfully oblivious. At 23 she decides that she wants more in life than what she has and the way to do that is to emulate someone who *looks* like they have the life she wants. So that is how she chooses a life coach.
Reading the book is like watching a train wreck in slow motion. There are some admittedly funny moments, but many are just cringe-worthy as it is obvious what is going to happen yet RoRo just sails ahead unaware. Likewise, the conclusion is not a result her personal growth and actions, but a confluence of events that come out in her favor.
The narration/journal style telling worked well for this book and the narrator captured the feel of the characters perfectly. As a satire of the genre, I think it accomplished what it set out to do.
Reading the book is like watching a train wreck in slow motion. There are some admittedly funny moments, but many are just cringe-worthy as it is obvious what is going to happen yet RoRo just sails ahead unaware. Likewise, the conclusion is not a result her personal growth and actions, but a confluence of events that come out in her favor.
The narration/journal style telling worked well for this book and the narrator captured the feel of the characters perfectly. As a satire of the genre, I think it accomplished what it set out to do.
October 25, 2019
Rowen "RoRo" Walverstein is a 20-something single girl. She's ready to live her best adult life. When she experience heart break, RoRo decides she needs a change and hires a life coach. What transpires next is a series of diary style dialogue that depicts her day to day life. She's quirky and humorous and is your typical 20-something millenial. When she describes what's she's written in her resume, I was shaking my head while laughing out loud.
"Coached" was an easy listen full of personality and funny moments. This was my first Holly Tierney-Bedord read and I look forward to others.
Julie Kelly did a great job with the narration, but I would have liked it more if there were different voice inflections for each character.
"Coached" was an easy listen full of personality and funny moments. This was my first Holly Tierney-Bedord read and I look forward to others.
Julie Kelly did a great job with the narration, but I would have liked it more if there were different voice inflections for each character.
January 9, 2020
I was provided a few copy of the audio book, and took a chance on a new-to-me author.
I liked the style of writing (told in diary format, as if the MC was writing in her diary/journal). I can see many people using this sort of journal to keep track of things they did for themself or for a 'life coach'. At times it was awkward to listen in, but I feel it added more of a realness to the character of "Ro Ro". It was a good fun read.
I liked the style of writing (told in diary format, as if the MC was writing in her diary/journal). I can see many people using this sort of journal to keep track of things they did for themself or for a 'life coach'. At times it was awkward to listen in, but I feel it added more of a realness to the character of "Ro Ro". It was a good fun read.
March 7, 2024
Somewhere below 3 for the book, and a solid 4.5 for the narration by Julie Kelly.
It's written well but it's just hard to like our main character Rowan, who is annoying, not especially smart, and ... annoying. She doesn't understand life and doesn't really grow throughout the book so it's kinda hard to root for her. But it's funny if you're in the right mood.
It's written well but it's just hard to like our main character Rowan, who is annoying, not especially smart, and ... annoying. She doesn't understand life and doesn't really grow throughout the book so it's kinda hard to root for her. But it's funny if you're in the right mood.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 23, 2018
Funny story about a woman who is not very satisfied with her life and meets a coach who tells her how to change it... I like her "voice" and how quirky and hilarious she is. How crazy her life and how hilarious her coach. Really enjoyable read.
May 3, 2018
Coached
The plot is boring and.The characters are boring. Boring. Boring. Boring. .Boring. Boring. Boring. Boring. Boring. Boring. Boring. Boring.. Boring.
The plot is boring and.The characters are boring. Boring. Boring. Boring. .Boring. Boring. Boring. Boring. Boring. Boring. Boring. Boring.. Boring.
November 6, 2022
Cute easy read. Pretty ridiculous and naive MC but at the I couldn’t help but smile at her progress.
September 8, 2016
Coached is a chick-lit and Bridget-Jones-style novella, aimed for young adults or pre-mature new adults. Note, this my review reflect my personal preference and that the above mentioned audience might enjoy this book more than I did.
RoRo is 25 years old and to me she is very immature. I my world you're about to be an adult at this age, but obviously not for RoRo. However, apparently RoRo knows that, because she hires a life coach to help her change a lot of things in her life. Get ready for a life-changing journey - for RoRo that is.
I rolled my eyes many times when it came to the main character and I really couldn't see myself in her. I'm sure others can, but when listening to this I just felt I had been an adult all my life. It didn't make me laugh either.
The book is fast-paced and we get a lot of rambling on about her immature friends, her eating habits, drinking, partying, dressing sexy, make-up, sex-talk and a lot more that didn't really matter.
Narrator Julie Kelly had a very light voice that fitted a 16-yo and I kept seeing RoRo in this age, despite her being much older. I really couldn't get the things to match. Furthermore, Julie Kelly didn't do different voices for different characters, so I was about to give up on the story many times. I'm sure there are passages of the story I have missed because of this.
*This book was gifted to me in exchange for an honest review. Read all my reviews at My Book Hype
RoRo is 25 years old and to me she is very immature. I my world you're about to be an adult at this age, but obviously not for RoRo. However, apparently RoRo knows that, because she hires a life coach to help her change a lot of things in her life. Get ready for a life-changing journey - for RoRo that is.
I rolled my eyes many times when it came to the main character and I really couldn't see myself in her. I'm sure others can, but when listening to this I just felt I had been an adult all my life. It didn't make me laugh either.
The book is fast-paced and we get a lot of rambling on about her immature friends, her eating habits, drinking, partying, dressing sexy, make-up, sex-talk and a lot more that didn't really matter.
Narrator Julie Kelly had a very light voice that fitted a 16-yo and I kept seeing RoRo in this age, despite her being much older. I really couldn't get the things to match. Furthermore, Julie Kelly didn't do different voices for different characters, so I was about to give up on the story many times. I'm sure there are passages of the story I have missed because of this.
*This book was gifted to me in exchange for an honest review. Read all my reviews at My Book Hype
April 12, 2016
This was a cute, little story. Ro-Ro or Rowan is working as an administrative assistant in a job that she hates and she wants her ex-boyfriend back. She decides to go to Crystal the life coach for help. Crystal encourages Rowan to change herself in almost every way possible. Rowan goes along with it because she wants to be cool and she wants to get back her ex.
Rowan was a pretty clueless, but loveable, main character. You have to be prepared for that, as some readers will get annoyed at her. She is still young, only 23, and trying to figure the world out. She is very kind-hearted and sweet, though.
I enjoyed this book. It was a quick read for me and Rowan definitely grew from the beginning of the story to the end, which I love. It was wrapped up a little quickly and easily, in my opinion. Rowan had some funny situations in this story and I found a lot of her thought processes to be hilarious. At one point, she makes a huge list of petitions she wants to write, including things like bras being uncomfortable. LOL. If you're looking for a light-hearted, humorous story, pick this book up!
Rowan was a pretty clueless, but loveable, main character. You have to be prepared for that, as some readers will get annoyed at her. She is still young, only 23, and trying to figure the world out. She is very kind-hearted and sweet, though.
I enjoyed this book. It was a quick read for me and Rowan definitely grew from the beginning of the story to the end, which I love. It was wrapped up a little quickly and easily, in my opinion. Rowan had some funny situations in this story and I found a lot of her thought processes to be hilarious. At one point, she makes a huge list of petitions she wants to write, including things like bras being uncomfortable. LOL. If you're looking for a light-hearted, humorous story, pick this book up!
January 4, 2016
Cautiin i talk about the ending.
I found it hard to like the main character but I kept reading because I wanted to see what would happen to her. She was really naive and dumb at times plus I really questioned the choices she made.
I thought the ending was ridiculous as there is no way I would go to this woman if she was a life coach. At least the author was entertaining in her writing and it was a fast read
I found it hard to like the main character but I kept reading because I wanted to see what would happen to her. She was really naive and dumb at times plus I really questioned the choices she made.
I thought the ending was ridiculous as there is no way I would go to this woman if she was a life coach. At least the author was entertaining in her writing and it was a fast read
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 4, 2016
“This audiobook was given by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review via Audiobook Boom.”
This is a short humorous,quirky listen. RoRo wants to redo her life. Not knowing how she hires a life coach. This is where the story gets interesting. I maybe an older person, but I can relate to 20 somethings trying to find themselves. This kept me hoping for a good outcome!
The narration was well done.The characters were well portrayed.
This is a short humorous,quirky listen. RoRo wants to redo her life. Not knowing how she hires a life coach. This is where the story gets interesting. I maybe an older person, but I can relate to 20 somethings trying to find themselves. This kept me hoping for a good outcome!
The narration was well done.The characters were well portrayed.
July 9, 2012
I really grew attached to Ro-Ro. I wonder how she's doing nowadays.
January 16, 2016
Cute
It was a cute story. It was a quick read. I enjoyed it. Something fun to read with a weIrd twist
It was a cute story. It was a quick read. I enjoyed it. Something fun to read with a weIrd twist
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews