Not Even Dark Chocolate Can Fix This Mess

by Kathy Eliscu

Somewhere in Maine, a middle-aged woman is having a serious temper tantrum. “Tink” Casawill is drowning in family and work demands, hormones, a fiancé oblivious to another woman’s flirtations, and…her doctor tells her to cut out caffeine. (WHAT?!?) While attempting to do a good deed, Tink’s life spins out of control and now, “Not Even Dark Chocolate Can Fix This Mess!”

Genres: Fiction

320 pages, Paperback

Published January 1, 2015

Reviews

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

laughed out loud. over and over!! met this author at a maine authors' booth at the boothbay fall foliage festival. so glad i got her book. i know so many people will enjoy her writing.

just read a second time and i'm glad i did. enjoyed it all over again. witty, clever and fun but occasionally sweet and sensitive.

[K.M. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I started reading this book weeks ago, when it first came out, and then I sadly had to put it aside so that I could finish a project (okay, publishing my own book!). But NOT EVEN called to me the whole time, patiently awaiting my return (okay, fine! I lost it! I had to invoke St Anthony to help me find it and now that I’ve finished reading the book, I can see that he had a vested interest in the recovery effort). All I can say is that it was SO worth the wait.
This book is like a page (okay 309 pages-I checked) from my own life. Maybe from your own, too. From the GYN table to the toilet stall (really? Still wrestling with wings or no wings? I win-I quit that shit at age 50! Sorry, TMI? My bad), Tink had me at "hormones". Once I picked the book up, I couldn’t put it down again. I read it all at once.
NOT EVEN chronicles the daily life of Tink, which is a cacophony of ringing phones, buzzing beepers, and pinging answering machines, underpinned by the love of her friends, family, and fiance.
A good life.
A few notes to author:
Kathy, my nursing cap was white with 1 blue stripe! Or was it 2? Dammit, now I have to get up off the couch and go look…
Oh, and that gray hair trauma thing in Chapter 15 (insert zipped-lip smiley emoticon here)? Total empathy for Tink (again, sorry, TMI? My bad).
Also, I have a word to add to the ‘SHUT. UP.’ list (okay, 2 words) for nurses: Best Practice.
SHUT. UP.
There are illustrations in the book. A bonus, like, free gift with (book) purchase (thank you, Kathy Eliscu! And William D. Eldridge!). My favorite one is on page 133. Don’t ask me why! Art is personal, remember?!
Now I have to go. That “little portable whirlpool tub” for tired feet? Gotta get me one of those…
This book? READ IT.

[Peter Bridgford · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really, really enjoyed reading this book! I may be outside the usual gender demographic for it, but I thoroughly enjoyed the author's sense of humor and creativity. There were several laugh out loud moments, and the innovative use of different fonts, print sizes, and artwork on its pages made it a fun read. I took the book on a trip and read it during plane rides and at night, and it was a perfect way to make time go faster. The only downside is that, after reading it, I now have a hankering for a cup of espresso and a nice dark chocolate bar to help with the overwhelming aspects of my own life.

[Cheryl Worswick · Rating 2 out of 5]

I can see where this book may appeal to some, but it just wasn’t my cup of tea. I will say that I enjoyed the last 25% of the book much more than the first 75%. There were some relatable moments but not enough to make me truly enjoy the read.

[Lyndsey Nicole · Rating 2 out of 5]

It gets better. What's not to love about hearing about periods, menopause, dysfunctional families and plenty of other topics in one book???

Honestly, Tink annoyed me at times. She's also funny.

[Judi Valentine · Rating 5 out of 5]

For any woman who has juggled kids, parent care, career, relationship and perimenopause, this book is a hoot. Or any guy who has watched this madness. (Yeah, we can laugh now, thank God).

[Mom · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fast easy read funny!

[Jessica · Rating 2 out of 5]

Too much of the same, like watching a high speed car chase scene in a movie that’s hours long. Not much else happens.

[Carol Fuller · Rating 4 out of 5]

Maybe because I'm 10 years past our hero, I liked this book. Funny but so many true things. And, I agree that technology has not made life easier and has created a more disconnected world.

[Staci Hanson · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you like to laugh then this is a book for you! If sometimes life is overwhelming then this is a book for you! Coffee and dark chocolate can fix most messes but not all!

[Krp · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good book with humor .

[Stephanie Doucette · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very funny & messy!

[Laura Rogers · Rating 2 out of 5]

Maybe I just wasn't in the mood for this book but I put it down after 50 pages (if a book doesn't interest me after 50 pages, I am out of there). Given the other comments, I will try it again and amend my review if I have a better experience.

[Amy Carr · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVE THIS BOOK!!! I believe every woman in America should read this book. There is not a woman I have met that can't relate to this book in at least one aspect! IT's NOT A COOKBOOK but wonderfully delicious! Highly recommended by me and I have gifted many copies! I use my personal one that I have shared with family as a autograph /words of wisdom for my young daughters to find years from now!

[Debi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book!

[Paula Boyce]

Kathy Eliscu is a funny Maine author. She can make being stressed seem funny. Realistically, though, her character, Katrinka, is part of the sandwich generation. She is caring for her aging dad-albeit remotely--grieving her mom's recent death, trying to dodge the marriage proposals of her sweet boyfriend, and giving advice to her adult children. She has quite a juggling act going on. I enjoyed Kathy Eliscu's writing, met her at my library's author visit night, and loved her mother's columns in the Portland newspaper. I'd recommend this book to anyone who is in the mood for a light read and a good laugh!