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Life After Coffee
High-powered Amy O’Hara’s career as a coffee buyer sends her around the world for weeks at a time—until she gets laid off. Now neither she nor her husband, a talented but unemployed screenwriter, are earning any income. For the first time in her life, Amy faces the daunting responsibilities of being a stay-at-home parent—and quickly realizes two things: she may be the world’s most incompetent mother…and she’s going to need a lot more caffeine.
Suddenly Amy’s days are no longer filled with meetings but with messy playdates, dirty dishes, and put-together PTA moms, while her husband finds work. And as their family dynamic begins to change in both fun and frustrating ways, she’s asking herself the big questions: Can her marriage survive this kind of role reversal? How do you clean puke off a car seat? And what does she really amount to when the job she thought defined her is removed from the equation? It might just be the best thing that ever happened to her…
Suddenly Amy’s days are no longer filled with meetings but with messy playdates, dirty dishes, and put-together PTA moms, while her husband finds work. And as their family dynamic begins to change in both fun and frustrating ways, she’s asking herself the big questions: Can her marriage survive this kind of role reversal? How do you clean puke off a car seat? And what does she really amount to when the job she thought defined her is removed from the equation? It might just be the best thing that ever happened to her…
267 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 13, 2016
752 people are currently reading
1378 people want to read
About the author
Virginia Franken
2 books95 followersVirginia Franken was born and raised in the United Kingdom. After traveling the world as a professional dancer, she now lives in Los Angeles with her family. She works as a copy editor by day and gets most of her writing done when she should be sleeping.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 231 reviews
February 2, 2017
For Amy, life after coffee consists of really getting to know her two young children for the first time and learning to handle life as a stay-at-home Mom. Something that doesn't come easy as she used to be a coffee buyer travelling the world until she was sacked. Life is made more difficult because Amy was also the family's breadwinner while her husband took care of house and kids and attempted to write and sell a screenplay, without any success.
Maybe I would have appreciated this book more if I had read it two decades ago while I was attempting the whole job-kids-family-life-balance thing. I was expecting this to be funnier than it was. Unfortunately, I found all the adults in this book utterly annoying and most of all, Amy, the protagonist. Couldn't find an ounce of sympathy for her. Self-absorbed, whingeing, and with an exaggerated sense of self-worth. I actually felt sorry for her poor husband though he wasn't without fault either. Nothing wrong with the writing and I would certainly read another book by Virginia Franken, but this one just wasn't for me.
Teri Schnaubelt, the narrator of the audiobook, performed this very well though.
Narration 4 stars. Story somewhere between 2 and 3.
Maybe I would have appreciated this book more if I had read it two decades ago while I was attempting the whole job-kids-family-life-balance thing. I was expecting this to be funnier than it was. Unfortunately, I found all the adults in this book utterly annoying and most of all, Amy, the protagonist. Couldn't find an ounce of sympathy for her. Self-absorbed, whingeing, and with an exaggerated sense of self-worth. I actually felt sorry for her poor husband though he wasn't without fault either. Nothing wrong with the writing and I would certainly read another book by Virginia Franken, but this one just wasn't for me.
Teri Schnaubelt, the narrator of the audiobook, performed this very well though.
Narration 4 stars. Story somewhere between 2 and 3.
December 16, 2016
This was a fun fast read! As a SAHM it was kind of funny to picture a mom try to figure it all out by winging it!
September 25, 2016
I loved, loved this book. The world needs more of these kind of books. It’s funny and fast-paced; it’s great.
The premise is that Amy has a five-year-old son and three-year-old daughter, but Amy has spent most of the five years since she had her first kid traveling the world sourcing the finest coffee beans while their father stays at home as the primary caregiver. He’s a screenplay writer, but he’s infuriated the Hollywood community because he won’t make any changes to his work, so he’s never actually brought in income. When Amy loses her job (right at the beginning of the book—this isn’t a spoiler), her husband Peter decides now is his time to really finish the latest screenplay he has been working on, and he leaves Amy to figure out how to raise the children on her own while he hangs out at a coffee shop to write.
Amy attempts to deal with her kids: angry Billy—he’s furious that she’s left them so much—and clingy Violet. She deals with mothers who think she’s a horrible mom because what mother would dare leave her children behind while she gallivants through places without plumbing or roads?
What’s great about this book is that it never pounds you on the head with how you should think about full-time mothers or mothers who work outside the home. You feel Amy’s frustration at her husband Peter and her fear about what they are going to do for money—her field is small and the jobs are few because of the blight ravaging coffee beans worldwide. It doesn’t glorify motherhood or married life.
Amy is a character that is admirable in so many ways. She doesn’t judge other women (although she makes comical observations that reflect just as much on who she isn’t as who they are). The fact that she wears unfashionable clothes and doesn’t wear make-up because she doesn’t need it when she’s traveling and doesn’t have time for it when she’s home only makes me like her more.
Even when there is sexual tension between Amy and her ex, who became a Hollywood success story with the power to launch Peter’s screenplay career, it’s not overdone—the reader is left to her own imagination.
I can’t wait to read more books by Virginia Franken. Thanks to Netgalley and Lake Union Publishing for the opportunity to review this novel.
Please see more of my reviews at: http://theresaalan.net/blog/
The premise is that Amy has a five-year-old son and three-year-old daughter, but Amy has spent most of the five years since she had her first kid traveling the world sourcing the finest coffee beans while their father stays at home as the primary caregiver. He’s a screenplay writer, but he’s infuriated the Hollywood community because he won’t make any changes to his work, so he’s never actually brought in income. When Amy loses her job (right at the beginning of the book—this isn’t a spoiler), her husband Peter decides now is his time to really finish the latest screenplay he has been working on, and he leaves Amy to figure out how to raise the children on her own while he hangs out at a coffee shop to write.
Amy attempts to deal with her kids: angry Billy—he’s furious that she’s left them so much—and clingy Violet. She deals with mothers who think she’s a horrible mom because what mother would dare leave her children behind while she gallivants through places without plumbing or roads?
What’s great about this book is that it never pounds you on the head with how you should think about full-time mothers or mothers who work outside the home. You feel Amy’s frustration at her husband Peter and her fear about what they are going to do for money—her field is small and the jobs are few because of the blight ravaging coffee beans worldwide. It doesn’t glorify motherhood or married life.
Amy is a character that is admirable in so many ways. She doesn’t judge other women (although she makes comical observations that reflect just as much on who she isn’t as who they are). The fact that she wears unfashionable clothes and doesn’t wear make-up because she doesn’t need it when she’s traveling and doesn’t have time for it when she’s home only makes me like her more.
Even when there is sexual tension between Amy and her ex, who became a Hollywood success story with the power to launch Peter’s screenplay career, it’s not overdone—the reader is left to her own imagination.
I can’t wait to read more books by Virginia Franken. Thanks to Netgalley and Lake Union Publishing for the opportunity to review this novel.
Please see more of my reviews at: http://theresaalan.net/blog/
April 28, 2017
This was the kind of book that had me ignoring other things in my life in order to finish it. While I was initially intrigued by a cute cover and compelling title, Life After Coffee is actually a story about the reality of working-mom dynamics, the breakdown of the family, and all the ways we are torn as women by what is needed and expected of us. Put all that against the occasional backdrop of Africa and it had this travel-loving, working-mom hooked. Highly recommended!
December 21, 2022
Real Rating: 2.5* of five, rounded up for some pretty funny lines
Pearl Ruled (34%)
The Publisher Says: Last week, high-powered coffee buyer Amy O’Hara was trekking through the Ethiopian cloud forest on the verge of a discovery that could save the coffee bean from extinction. This week, she’s unexpectedly fired.
Suddenly Amy’s days are no longer filled with meetings and upscale tastings, but with put-together PTA moms, puke-ridden playdates and dirty dishes. Her husband has locked himself in the garage in order to write the Great American Screenplay, while both kids are steaming mad at her because she insists on dressing them like normal people and won’t give up sending them to school with healthy lunches.
It’s becoming clear that Amy may just be the world’s most incompetent mother, and she’s beginning to wonder if the only thing she’s good for is bringing home the bacon. When salvation appears in the form of a movie mogul ex-boyfriend who wants to employ her husband and rekindle their relationship, Amy starts to find she’s sorely tempted. . . .
One thing is certain: whatever happens, she’s going to need a lot more caffeine.
I RECEIVED A DRC FROM THE PUBLISHER VIA NETGALLEY. THANK YOU.
My Review: It was the title. The title made me do it. And by gawd I slugged it out through nine chapters! I can not be accused of short-changing this story in the attention department.
I think I've mentioned how little I like the sexist and stupid "dumb-ol'-dad" plot...the one where the breadwinner comes home and, for reasons best known to comedy writers of the last century (or those stuck there), becomes incompetent and borderline moronic.
Here we are in a brand new century and here's that plot again! Only this time it's extra-funny stuff because it's Mom who's the clueless schmoe! Barely seems to know her kids. Definitely doesn't know the other mothers whose lives center on their own kids, or get what the power politics are.
Honestly, whether well done or not, this stuff's tired and needs to be laid to rest. This version's got tolerable writing. I am not the audience for it. I don't like to think most of y'all are, either, but you know your own tolerance for tired old comedy tropes from Bachelor Father and Married...with Children.
Pearl Ruled (34%)
The Publisher Says: Last week, high-powered coffee buyer Amy O’Hara was trekking through the Ethiopian cloud forest on the verge of a discovery that could save the coffee bean from extinction. This week, she’s unexpectedly fired.
Suddenly Amy’s days are no longer filled with meetings and upscale tastings, but with put-together PTA moms, puke-ridden playdates and dirty dishes. Her husband has locked himself in the garage in order to write the Great American Screenplay, while both kids are steaming mad at her because she insists on dressing them like normal people and won’t give up sending them to school with healthy lunches.
It’s becoming clear that Amy may just be the world’s most incompetent mother, and she’s beginning to wonder if the only thing she’s good for is bringing home the bacon. When salvation appears in the form of a movie mogul ex-boyfriend who wants to employ her husband and rekindle their relationship, Amy starts to find she’s sorely tempted. . . .
One thing is certain: whatever happens, she’s going to need a lot more caffeine.
I RECEIVED A DRC FROM THE PUBLISHER VIA NETGALLEY. THANK YOU.
My Review: It was the title. The title made me do it. And by gawd I slugged it out through nine chapters! I can not be accused of short-changing this story in the attention department.
I think I've mentioned how little I like the sexist and stupid "dumb-ol'-dad" plot...the one where the breadwinner comes home and, for reasons best known to comedy writers of the last century (or those stuck there), becomes incompetent and borderline moronic.
Here we are in a brand new century and here's that plot again! Only this time it's extra-funny stuff because it's Mom who's the clueless schmoe! Barely seems to know her kids. Definitely doesn't know the other mothers whose lives center on their own kids, or get what the power politics are.
Honestly, whether well done or not, this stuff's tired and needs to be laid to rest. This version's got tolerable writing. I am not the audience for it. I don't like to think most of y'all are, either, but you know your own tolerance for tired old comedy tropes from Bachelor Father and Married...with Children.
October 7, 2016
Hilarious, fun and so relatable LIFE AFTER COFFEE is a must read! I seriously was laughing out loud several times. Franken has found a way to perfectly capture daily dialogue of both family and self. It is such a refreshing take on life...the real side of life, not the side that people try to show the world, but the real day-to-day stuff that makes us human. It is so fun to read a book that shows characters with imperfections, but those you cannot help but root for, laugh with and cherish the time you got to spend with them through the pages of the book. A perfect Fall read and a great choice for book clubs.
September 16, 2016
My Rating:
4.5
Favorite Quotes:
She is so beautiful that ‘beating them off with a stick’ isn’t going to cut it when she’s older. Peter and I are going to have to keep her in a smooth-sided cloud-high tower surrounded by a team of elite ninjas.
‘Mommy! Come and wipe my butt!’ Knowing better than to ignore a demand when Violet’s wearing the tiara, I race to the bathroom to find her in downward dog, bottom offered toward the sky. There’s poop on the seat, the sink, her butt, her hands, the floor; I think I even see some on one of the pink bits of the tiara.
Like I’m going to return to that library ever again. Even if the zombie apocalypse was upon us and the library was the only fortified structure in town, I’d rather risk my entire family becoming zombie hamburgers than enter through those swinging doors ever again. Time for Twos and I are done.
That was almost a decade ago. Somehow seems longer. Actually, it counts as about half a century when you factor in parenting years. Parenting years, of course, being like dog years: you just age faster.
Besides, the fact that I flat-out fail the pencil test these days is reason enough to conceal my body from anyone who isn’t legally contracted not to run away from it.
My Review:
As the breadwinner of the family, when Amy lost her job the whole family went off the rails. She was forced to become acquainted with her demanding, precocious, and manipulative pre-school aged children and discovers that she is completely lacking in parenting skills. Her early attempts were lame and abysmal at best - before she gave up and gave in. I smirked, snorted, laughed aloud, and snickered as a read this mirth filled missive of a clueless career woman coming face to face with her prickly, lazy, irresponsible, and tantrum-prone family - and I mean all of them were obnoxious the majority of the time, Amy and husband in particular - but then, we all have our moments. As the stress of being at home and without income continues to mount, Amy becomes more and more desperate and impulsively makes risky decisions and many missteps that could be the end of everything or a new beginning. Ms. Franken’s writing was wickedly witty, clever, and stealthfully insightful.
4.5
Favorite Quotes:
She is so beautiful that ‘beating them off with a stick’ isn’t going to cut it when she’s older. Peter and I are going to have to keep her in a smooth-sided cloud-high tower surrounded by a team of elite ninjas.
‘Mommy! Come and wipe my butt!’ Knowing better than to ignore a demand when Violet’s wearing the tiara, I race to the bathroom to find her in downward dog, bottom offered toward the sky. There’s poop on the seat, the sink, her butt, her hands, the floor; I think I even see some on one of the pink bits of the tiara.
Like I’m going to return to that library ever again. Even if the zombie apocalypse was upon us and the library was the only fortified structure in town, I’d rather risk my entire family becoming zombie hamburgers than enter through those swinging doors ever again. Time for Twos and I are done.
That was almost a decade ago. Somehow seems longer. Actually, it counts as about half a century when you factor in parenting years. Parenting years, of course, being like dog years: you just age faster.
Besides, the fact that I flat-out fail the pencil test these days is reason enough to conceal my body from anyone who isn’t legally contracted not to run away from it.
My Review:
As the breadwinner of the family, when Amy lost her job the whole family went off the rails. She was forced to become acquainted with her demanding, precocious, and manipulative pre-school aged children and discovers that she is completely lacking in parenting skills. Her early attempts were lame and abysmal at best - before she gave up and gave in. I smirked, snorted, laughed aloud, and snickered as a read this mirth filled missive of a clueless career woman coming face to face with her prickly, lazy, irresponsible, and tantrum-prone family - and I mean all of them were obnoxious the majority of the time, Amy and husband in particular - but then, we all have our moments. As the stress of being at home and without income continues to mount, Amy becomes more and more desperate and impulsively makes risky decisions and many missteps that could be the end of everything or a new beginning. Ms. Franken’s writing was wickedly witty, clever, and stealthfully insightful.
October 19, 2016
So, is there life after coffee? Amy is a laid-off coffee bean buyer who realizes that stay at home life isn't what she thought it could be. Figuring out how to be a full time mother again has its challenges. I'm not a huge coffee drinker, but I was intrigued by the premise of Life After Coffee. The debate over working mother versus stay at home mom is decades old and both sides have their strengths and weaknesses. This book does make you think about personal priorities.
I so wanted to love this book, but in the end, I just didn't. I found it kind of hard to connect with the characters. The opening was amusing and I felt bad for Amy. But as the book progressed, I had a hard time liking any of the adults in the book. The kids were definitely a product of their parenting and I felt most sorry for them. I found all of the characters selfish and just ended up being annoyed by them. I also was really put off by what Amy even contemplated with Matt. That is such a deal breaker for me.
I did end up liking the ending. I felt like the whole family ended up with the life that would give them the success needed to make it together. Even though this wasn't s story for me, it is well written and I do recommend giving it a try.
I so wanted to love this book, but in the end, I just didn't. I found it kind of hard to connect with the characters. The opening was amusing and I felt bad for Amy. But as the book progressed, I had a hard time liking any of the adults in the book. The kids were definitely a product of their parenting and I felt most sorry for them. I found all of the characters selfish and just ended up being annoyed by them. I also was really put off by what Amy even contemplated with Matt. That is such a deal breaker for me.
I did end up liking the ending. I felt like the whole family ended up with the life that would give them the success needed to make it together. Even though this wasn't s story for me, it is well written and I do recommend giving it a try.
May 10, 2021
Oh my word. What wholly unlikable people are found in this book. Amy is snarky, haughty, and condescending. Her parental stupidity is embarrassing, and news flash... you live Pasadena, if you’ve been out of toilet paper for a week, you’re a moron because it’s sold at every corner drugstore.
Peter seems like super dad at first, until he shows his arse and you realize he’s just as much of a tool as Amy.
These kids are brats. I’ve raised three boys and not once, ever, did any of them shriek for applesauce (or anything else) and get their way. Ugh.
Amy further shows her true shallowness with her runaway trip with her ex. She only ditches him when he proves to be a worse ass than her, not because ya’ know, running off and leaving your kids while your spouse isn’t home, to test the waters of your affair, is WRONG.
I couldn’t wait for this one to end.
Peter seems like super dad at first, until he shows his arse and you realize he’s just as much of a tool as Amy.
These kids are brats. I’ve raised three boys and not once, ever, did any of them shriek for applesauce (or anything else) and get their way. Ugh.
Amy further shows her true shallowness with her runaway trip with her ex. She only ditches him when he proves to be a worse ass than her, not because ya’ know, running off and leaving your kids while your spouse isn’t home, to test the waters of your affair, is WRONG.
I couldn’t wait for this one to end.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 19, 2018
I did not care for this one. I found the protagonist quite annoying and it was hard to listen to all the whining from such a privileged person. Don't get me started on the savior complex.... I also didn't find the other characters that likable or believable. I also didn't like the plot, or the ending, quite frankly. So no, I did not enjoy this book and do not recommend this book. LOLOLOL!
June 21, 2018
5/5 ⭐
Fun, quick and quirky. This book made me lol multiple times. To give the mom credit she really had no clue what she was doing, but that's what makes the story great I guess. I honestly wouldn't be much better if I had kids that I had no clue how to parent.
Fun, quick and quirky. This book made me lol multiple times. To give the mom credit she really had no clue what she was doing, but that's what makes the story great I guess. I honestly wouldn't be much better if I had kids that I had no clue how to parent.
November 11, 2016
Life After Coffee by Virginia Franken is the story of one woman’s journey from globetrotting coffee hunter to homebound mom. The story opens with Amy O’Hara late for her flight as she heads out for a six week work trip. She is a coffee buyer for a local coffee grindhouse, Mateo’s. She is leaving on the day of her son’s birthday party. But on the way to the airport, she gets called back by her boss to inform her that she has been laid off as Mateo’s has been bought out. Amy goes home to the birthday party where the other parents there don’t realize who she is. When she informs her husband, Peter, about her job, he jumps at the chance to go back to work and have Amy stay at home. Peter dreams of selling a screenplay and dives into it, leaving Amy to her own devices. Will Amy find her way in her new role as stay at home mom? Will she be able to get back to work? Will Peter sell his screenplay?
Unfortunately, I did not finish Life After Coffee to answer these questions. Amy is an out-of-touch mother who irritated me. I got through seven chapters before I couldn’t take anymore. I couldn’t stand the cussing. I understood why Amy was trying to be realistic about her husband’s dream of selling his screenplay; however, there are better ways to be realistic without deflating the person himself. As a woman who dreamt of being a mother and has struggled to have children, I couldn’t relate to Amy. Amy was a mother by birth only and not in action. Maybe she is able to find her motherly spirit but I found myself not caring to find out. I also found some of the dialogues of the children too unrealistic for a 5 and 3 year old. If this book seems to be your taste, then I recommend you give it a try. You may like it. I, however, could not enjoy it.
Life After Coffee
is available on Amazon in paperback and on the Kindle
and
on Barnes and Noble in paperback and audiobook
Unfortunately, I did not finish Life After Coffee to answer these questions. Amy is an out-of-touch mother who irritated me. I got through seven chapters before I couldn’t take anymore. I couldn’t stand the cussing. I understood why Amy was trying to be realistic about her husband’s dream of selling his screenplay; however, there are better ways to be realistic without deflating the person himself. As a woman who dreamt of being a mother and has struggled to have children, I couldn’t relate to Amy. Amy was a mother by birth only and not in action. Maybe she is able to find her motherly spirit but I found myself not caring to find out. I also found some of the dialogues of the children too unrealistic for a 5 and 3 year old. If this book seems to be your taste, then I recommend you give it a try. You may like it. I, however, could not enjoy it.
Life After Coffee
is available on Amazon in paperback and on the Kindle
and
on Barnes and Noble in paperback and audiobook
September 16, 2016
Amy O'Hara is a buyer for a company in the coffee industry. Seeing how she is forced to travel all the time, there is no point in her trying to focus on finding a work-life balance. She has none to speak of because she leaves her two children with her husband back at home, in Los Angeles, while she consistently searches for the perfect coffee bean, the one that can save them all from extinction. Just when she is about to make this discovery, she gets sacked. That's when she finds out that her family life isn't all fun and games, and that she will have to make a commitment and spend considerably more time with the kids and with her spouse, at least for the time being. All of the sudden, she finds herself at the mercy of her children, one of whom is a needy toddler and the other is trying to cope with his behavioral issues. Both Billy and Violet have suffered a great deal due to the constant absence of their mother, and that can be seen in the way they interact with the people around them, be they individuals they meet in the street or other kids of their age they come in contact with at kindergarten... Read more:
http://www.booksforwhat.com/2016/09/l...
http://www.booksforwhat.com/2016/09/l...
August 13, 2016
I enjoyed "Life After Coffee" by Virginia Franken.and I want to thank NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced ARC. I would recommend this amusing and unpredictable novel.The characters are unusual,quirky and likeable. After losing a high powered executive position in the coffee industry ,travelling for high quality fair market coffee beans,, the heroine Amy is forced with the reality that she is now a full time mother. Despite the fact that Amy had faced adverse and dangerous situations in her former job, the biggest challenge is at home. Unaware that her 5 year old son is lactose intolerant, she makes cheese sandwiches.Her 3 year old daughter has learned how to manipulate by throwing tantrums. The children are precocious. The son reminds me of Dennis the Mennis.Her husband is still writing the "perfect screen play," for many years, earning no income.I found myself laughing at so many absurd situations.In my opinion, the author shows the importance of family, love,responsibility,and hope.
December 30, 2016
I love the cover, this is the 1st book I have read by Virginia Franken, loved it, couldn't put it down. Such funny moments, touching at times too. I will be checking into more of Virginia's books asap for my TBR list. WAIT??!!? I just noticed, this is Virginia's 1st & only book? Say it is not so? Well, I guess I will be waiting for more reads, hopefully soon?? please? ( :
January 8, 2017
When I read a book that is this bad, it makes me question the faith I put in Goodreads ratings. Oh my. This was so bland, so predictable and so blah. I actually read 50% just because I was mildly curious to see how the couple was going to get it together. If anyone finished this, you can put me out of my misery by letting me know if they ever got over their pathetic situation.
December 31, 2016
Best book I have read in a very long time!
Best book I have read in a very long time! I loved the honesty and bravery of the story. I loved the realism of what mothers who work have to go through. It was a great ending!
Best book I have read in a very long time! I loved the honesty and bravery of the story. I loved the realism of what mothers who work have to go through. It was a great ending!
January 14, 2017
At times I found this text a little wordy and predictable but overall I sympathised with the protagonist's plight. It was heart wrenching as she realised what she was missing with her children. All in all an easy read that, in the most part, was very enjoyable!
January 9, 2017
This was one of my favorite reads this year so far!
May 5, 2023
Lighthearted
This was an enjoyable read. I appreciated the humorous moments. Amy was such a goofball. She just couldn’t get anything right. I know a lot of moms feel like they fall short in the parenting game. Amy really did. Her disconnect from her children wasn’t relatable for me. Her two children were such brats. Their antics were exhausting. In the midst of her parenting fails, she made her love life a complicated mess too. I just wanted to shake her. I really liked her funny explanations to justify all of her nonsense. This was a nice break from the dark thrillers that I’ve read lately.
This was an enjoyable read. I appreciated the humorous moments. Amy was such a goofball. She just couldn’t get anything right. I know a lot of moms feel like they fall short in the parenting game. Amy really did. Her disconnect from her children wasn’t relatable for me. Her two children were such brats. Their antics were exhausting. In the midst of her parenting fails, she made her love life a complicated mess too. I just wanted to shake her. I really liked her funny explanations to justify all of her nonsense. This was a nice break from the dark thrillers that I’ve read lately.
January 17, 2024
White saviorism, racism, poor writing. The writer didn’t trust the audience to extrapolate anything, so all of the main character’s inner thoughts were overexplained. The conclusion left much to be desired, as the main problem of the book wasn’t actually solved at the end. Arguably, there was a much more interesting story here that could’ve been told but was traded in for surface-level characters whose actions didn’t line up with their motivations or inner monologues at all.
August 10, 2018
This was super adorable!
August 23, 2019
Funny and fast-paced, I loved this book!
February 17, 2023
I'm undecided on how I feel about this one which means it's a realistic look at life, motherhood, complicated relationships, and work. I liked it, was indifferent and annoyed, hated it, then liked it again.
October 9, 2023
DNF at 26%
This is another one of “those books” written for a certain type of American mother that I’m not. I don’t find comedy in entertaining or enjoy the woe is me momming is so hard bits.
Included w KU. I did audio.
This is another one of “those books” written for a certain type of American mother that I’m not. I don’t find comedy in entertaining or enjoy the woe is me momming is so hard bits.
Included w KU. I did audio.
May 4, 2017
I'm a coffee lov-ah from way back and was in the mood for a light read.
Enter Life After Coffee.
My favourite part of this book was the humour. Franken gives readers some great one-liners, and delightful snippets of witty, dry humour. My favourite kind. The tone of the book is light even though some bigger issues are broached --- stay-at-home versus working-outside-the-home moms, parenting roles, fidelity, finances ...
While I generally enjoyed Franken's writing style I can't say I liked her characters. They were the weakest part of the book and were an unlikable bunch. They needed more depth and some rather big reality checks since Amy and her husband Peter had a complete disjoint when it came to priorities. Amy is unapproachable to her kids and adults around her and I became increasingly irritated seeing her utter lack of common sense when it came to her kids. She's gone for weeks at a time not entire years.
Peter didn't fare much better. He starts off as this Super parent in the eyes of his kids and fellow parents but when his wife, and sole breadwinner of their household, loses her job he suddenly abandons his kids, become a selfish jerk and focuses only on his screenplay. He's a grown man who has no concept about finances, how to behave professionally and has his head in the clouds (or up a particular orifice) much of the book.
Throughout the book, I felt bad for the two kids, ages 3 and 5, who didn't seem to have one full parent out of the two selfish ones they were given. Sadly, they were a product of their parenting and environment and their language and behaviours felt all over the place in terms of maturity and age-appropriateness.
This is a hard book to rate. It was a quick, light read with some rather witty observations about motherhood and it was interesting to see the behind-the-scenes of the coffee world. I liked the wee twist and enjoyed the ending BUT the characters were one-dimensional and an unlikable lot. If more time was spent giving the characters more depth I would have enjoyed the book so much more. I'm giving this book a generous 3 stars.
Enter Life After Coffee.
My favourite part of this book was the humour. Franken gives readers some great one-liners, and delightful snippets of witty, dry humour. My favourite kind. The tone of the book is light even though some bigger issues are broached --- stay-at-home versus working-outside-the-home moms, parenting roles, fidelity, finances ...
While I generally enjoyed Franken's writing style I can't say I liked her characters. They were the weakest part of the book and were an unlikable bunch. They needed more depth and some rather big reality checks since Amy and her husband Peter had a complete disjoint when it came to priorities. Amy is unapproachable to her kids and adults around her and I became increasingly irritated seeing her utter lack of common sense when it came to her kids. She's gone for weeks at a time not entire years.
Peter didn't fare much better. He starts off as this Super parent in the eyes of his kids and fellow parents but when his wife, and sole breadwinner of their household, loses her job he suddenly abandons his kids, become a selfish jerk and focuses only on his screenplay. He's a grown man who has no concept about finances, how to behave professionally and has his head in the clouds (or up a particular orifice) much of the book.
Throughout the book, I felt bad for the two kids, ages 3 and 5, who didn't seem to have one full parent out of the two selfish ones they were given. Sadly, they were a product of their parenting and environment and their language and behaviours felt all over the place in terms of maturity and age-appropriateness.
This is a hard book to rate. It was a quick, light read with some rather witty observations about motherhood and it was interesting to see the behind-the-scenes of the coffee world. I liked the wee twist and enjoyed the ending BUT the characters were one-dimensional and an unlikable lot. If more time was spent giving the characters more depth I would have enjoyed the book so much more. I'm giving this book a generous 3 stars.
October 8, 2025
I really try not to give a book only two stars, but there was infidelity and some questionable parenting, etc. it kept me interested enough to keep two stars
December 13, 2022
I don't usually write reviews. I barely update that I've actually finished the books at this point. Anyway... I pretty much hated this book. Okay, that's not true. I finished it, so I didn't hate it. I strongly disliked every single character except the kids. The kids were the only voices of reason in the whole book. When the THREE YEAR OLD and the FIVE YEAR OLD are the voices of reason in the book and that's an accident? I got questions... At the same time? I don't want to know, because I want to get out of the world of this book as quickly as possible.
The Wife... I honestly do believe you can have it all. I think you can raise kids and have a marriage and a career. Women do it all the time. But not like this. I have no use for this woman as a character. In reality, I'd have no time for her in my life.
The husband. I don't even know where to start. Yes I do... Divorce. Start with divorce. Send him back to his mama. With a box.... In a box... whatever.
The rich Ex... F. that guy entirely.
Anyway... THE KIDS... the kids get it. The kids are sensitive, terrible, hurt, kind, loving and acting out. They see everything like kids are supposed to. They ground the book and are the only reason I kept reading... I hope the kids turn out all right. They'll need so much therapy. I hope they put their useless parents in a budget friendly nursing home one day.
The Wife... I honestly do believe you can have it all. I think you can raise kids and have a marriage and a career. Women do it all the time. But not like this. I have no use for this woman as a character. In reality, I'd have no time for her in my life.
The husband. I don't even know where to start. Yes I do... Divorce. Start with divorce. Send him back to his mama. With a box.... In a box... whatever.
The rich Ex... F. that guy entirely.
Anyway... THE KIDS... the kids get it. The kids are sensitive, terrible, hurt, kind, loving and acting out. They see everything like kids are supposed to. They ground the book and are the only reason I kept reading... I hope the kids turn out all right. They'll need so much therapy. I hope they put their useless parents in a budget friendly nursing home one day.
August 24, 2017
This book is a winner! I would love to give it 4.5 stars if I could. I like the fact the book is fiction, but deals with a real life struggle in a humorous and heartfelt way.
The book is about a working mom and a stay at home dad. The mom travels a lot for her job and is often away from her two kids for weeks at a time. Without warning her job is gone and she has to face being a mom. I won't give away anymore of the plot.
What I liked most about this book is how relatable it is. The struggle of being a working mom is real!! The sometimes snobbishness of stay at home moms, the politics of play groups and competitive parenting...all true to life. As a working mom myself, I really loved the main character and the way she grows throughout the book. Her husband was annoying in his relaxed attitude towards the family's financial trouble. I wanted to smack him and say get a job at freaking Target - do something to help your wife and family.
I also like the way the book ended. A lot of times a book ends with some fantasy, happy happy ending, which is never true to life. No spoilers, but instead of the family becoming millionaires and living happily ever after, they took an unconventional path and learned to appreciate life and each other.
Lastly, I got this book for free through Kindle unlimited, but it was so enjoyable that it would have been worth paying for. Can't wait to see if this author will write another book.
The book is about a working mom and a stay at home dad. The mom travels a lot for her job and is often away from her two kids for weeks at a time. Without warning her job is gone and she has to face being a mom. I won't give away anymore of the plot.
What I liked most about this book is how relatable it is. The struggle of being a working mom is real!! The sometimes snobbishness of stay at home moms, the politics of play groups and competitive parenting...all true to life. As a working mom myself, I really loved the main character and the way she grows throughout the book. Her husband was annoying in his relaxed attitude towards the family's financial trouble. I wanted to smack him and say get a job at freaking Target - do something to help your wife and family.
I also like the way the book ended. A lot of times a book ends with some fantasy, happy happy ending, which is never true to life. No spoilers, but instead of the family becoming millionaires and living happily ever after, they took an unconventional path and learned to appreciate life and each other.
Lastly, I got this book for free through Kindle unlimited, but it was so enjoyable that it would have been worth paying for. Can't wait to see if this author will write another book.
August 19, 2016
First, I would like to thank Netgalley for providing me with a digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I can almost always find qualities in a character that I can associate with. In this book, however, I connected with the main character Amy on a much deeper level. It may have started with my almost snobbish love of good coffee, but the more I read the more I realized that with a few slight changes, this could be the story of my life. It's not a deep, insightful read by any stretch, but it hits a little closer to home than I first thought it would. A real life mom trying to find the balance between work and home and often failing miserably... at least in her own eyes. A woman that is socially awkward, has a bit of a potty mouth and just wants to succeed in life and look pretty doing it!
There is a point, about 2/3 of the way through the book that I became very disappointed in some of Amy's choices, and if you decide to read the book and get to that point as well, all I can say is stick with her. Stay by her a little longer and finish it out.
I can almost always find qualities in a character that I can associate with. In this book, however, I connected with the main character Amy on a much deeper level. It may have started with my almost snobbish love of good coffee, but the more I read the more I realized that with a few slight changes, this could be the story of my life. It's not a deep, insightful read by any stretch, but it hits a little closer to home than I first thought it would. A real life mom trying to find the balance between work and home and often failing miserably... at least in her own eyes. A woman that is socially awkward, has a bit of a potty mouth and just wants to succeed in life and look pretty doing it!
There is a point, about 2/3 of the way through the book that I became very disappointed in some of Amy's choices, and if you decide to read the book and get to that point as well, all I can say is stick with her. Stay by her a little longer and finish it out.
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