The Tribulations of August Barton

August Barton #1

by Jennifer LeBlanc

August Barton could never have mentally prepared himself for his freshman year of college: not only has his anxiety increased, but his parents are divorcing, his new roommate thinks Augie is the biggest nerd in existence, and his grandma, a retired prostitute named Gertie, has taken to running away from her nursing home. Augie just wants to hole up in his dorm room with his Star Wars collectables and textbooks, but Gertie is not about to let that happen. What ensues is a crazy ride including naked trespassing, befriending a local biker gang, and maybe-just maybe-with Augie defeating his anxiety and actually getting the girl.

Genres: Contemporary, Young Adult, Fiction, Audiobook, Humor, Coming Of Age, Ebooks

174 pages, Paperback

First published October 25, 2016

Reviews

[Althea ☾ · Rating 3 out of 5]

♡ this review is featured on audiobook empire ♡

”The future shortly became the past, and one could never predict how things would turn out. What was important was the current moment—this moment, right now,”

Augie + Isaac = my favorite kind of friendship

The Tribulations of August Barton is a coming of age novel that has both quirky and relatable characters. I found myself laughing in more parts than one.

— overall thoughts: 4.5 —

The entire cast of characters were fantastic and I fell in love with each one of them. Except maybe Rose, she was not exactly my favorite love interest and I wasn’t able to relate to her character that much. I do like the fact that the plot also focused on other characters aside from August like his grandma and relatives. The character interactions might have been one of my favorite scenes!

Surprisingly, the jokes hit me at all the right points which I did not expect. The writing style was great and fit the tone that the book was aiming for very well.

It was fascinating to watch August’s subtle character development, especially within the limited pages of a novella. Although, I found the representation of Augie’s anxiety to be a little bit too stereotypical and over the top. However, being inside Augie’s head was still extremely relatable and there were parts that even I saw myself in him. There were some scenes that didn’t seem realistic but given that the book is a humor contemporary I am assuming that it has something to do with that.

There were timeline skips that went a little bit over my head but it was easy to catch up to what was going on.

I absolutely love that song that Augie sang at one point. It sounded so authentic and fit the mood, the narrator did a splendid job. James Oliva’s voice is exactly what I would imagine August’s voice to sound like in real life so that was great. The sound effects were spot on. It helped me feel more submersed into the story. Even though it was a novella, the ending still left me fulfilled and it was a great experience.

The pacing was just right for a contemporary but I never found myself getting bored. Which has been happening to me a lot recently but I am glad to say that The Tribulations of August Barton managed not to get myself yawning.

I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a short and light coming of age novel that doesn’t shy away from saying what needs to be said. I might just check out the rest of the August Barton series now!

*I received this audiobook at no-cost from Audiobook Empire. The gifting of this audiobook did not affect my opinion of it.*

⟹ INSTAGRAM | BLOG | KO-FI | BOOKSIRENS ⟸

[Tasha Mahoney · Rating 4 out of 5]

Story: 4
Narration: 4
Overall: 4
This story was certainly not what I was expecting! I was expecting it to be a little bit crazy, awkward and funny. What I actually got was all that and much, much more. I thoroughly enjoyed this book which at one point had me laughing and ugly crying.

For a relatively short audiobook it certainly contained a full, well penned, funny and emotional story.

Augie starts college and is absolutely dreading it. Especially when he meets his jock room mate. Augie likes Star Wars and has anxiety and panic attacks Isaac is loud and loves to party.

Things take a turn when Augie's retirement home escaping, proudly ex-prostitute grandmother insists that she and Augie attend one of the college parties where Augie encounters the girl of his dreams and finds out that his gran is really pretty cool (and embarrassing)

While Augie planned to spend college keeping to himself, thanks to his growing relationships (especially with his wonderful grandmother) he actually finds himself, learning coping strategies to deal with anxiety and finds a determination to try to get the girl.

Throughout this wonderful audiobook we meet Augie's mum Diane, his grandmothers best friend who is another ex-prostitute called Auntie Toons, a biker gang, and an elite restaurateur amongst other fantastic characters. He finds that first impressions are indeed not reliable and which is highlighted early on when he get to know Isaac a bit better.

This is a funny journey through college life but what ultimately shines through is that it is a story of love, friendship, support and learning to take risks.

I have 1 criticism- sound effects. I hate them in audiobooks and James Oliva is perfectly versatile enough to not need them. Thankfully there were not too many and I still thoroughly enjoyed Jennifer LeBlanc's charmingly and skilfully penned, journey.

The narration was brilliantly done with consistent voice characterisation, expressions of mood and situation and along with the hugely talented writing of Jennifer LeBlanc a wonderful talent for bringing the funny and the emotional together seamlessly.

'Rock on Toons'
(Trust me, if you take the time to listen to this and find out what those three words mean and why they are a wonderful sign off for this review then you will not regret it.)



I received this audiobook as part of my participation in a blog tour with Audiobookworm Promotions. The tour is being sponsored by Jennifer LeBlanc. The gifting of this audiobook did not affect my opinion of it.

[Constantine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating: 4.0/5.0

I needed a short light story to add to my current reads and I found this book available on NetGalley. I decided to read it and see how intriguing it can get.

This was a funny light-hearted story of August Barton, a teen who is suffering from anxiety and panic attacks. The story follows this teenager who is heading to college and experiencing several things for the first time. This novella is all about how relationships work between different people. You have Augie's relationship with his newly made friend in the college Isaac, then his relationship with his mother Diane and Grandma Gertie and his new love interest Rose.

Although this is just a novella but I find the characters very interesting and well written. I love the ex-prostitute grandmother's character the most. She was funny and very witty and somehow sounded to me like the character Blanche Deveraux from the sitcom The Golden Girls, mince the prostitution thing of course. I would have loved if the story revolved around her more. I think her relationship with her grandson was really beautiful, but I think the author did not give much attention to the relationship between her and her daughter Diane. We don't know what went wrong other than Diane not approving the life style of her mom. Perhaps in the second book of the series we get to know more?

This is definitely the book of choice if you are looking to add to your monthly or weekly TBR a quick yet entertaining and funny story with interesting characters. The cover might not be very appealing but it reflects a scene from the story. The book ends on a sort of a funny cliffhanger too!

[Carol (StarAngel's Reviews) Allen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book – The Tribulations of August Barton
Author – Jennifer LeBlanc
Series – August Barton #1
Publication Date – October 25, 2016
Genre – Contemporary Humor
Rating – 4.5 out of 5 Stars

Complimentary copy generously provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.

My Thoughts - Story
What a fun and quick read that had me laughing and following along with Augie and Grandma Gertie. I found this story so engaging with Gertie helping Augie deal with his fear of coming out of his comfort zone.

The secondary characters were an integral part of this story and the author did a wonderful job of developing them into Augie’s story.

Even though you may not like reading books with teenage males being the main character, the author incorporates so much of the other characters that you end up being endeared to Augie and his crew of misfits!

The only problem I had with this book is how quickly it ended. I wanted more of Augie and his antics!

This is a great debut story from Ms. LeBlanc.

Reason for Reading – Author Request/Blog Tour
Story – 5 out of 5 Stars
Steam – N/A
Angst – 4 out of 5 Stars
Writing – 5 out of 5 Stars
Content Flow – 5 out of 5 Stars
Would Read More from Author? Yes
Recommend To – Everyone who loves a “coming of age” story with a bunch of laughs

[Lelia Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Your first day as a college freshman can be nerve-wracking, for sure, but Augie really isn’t looking forward to it. Nerdy and shy, he isn’t the least bit prepared for his new roommate, the very loud and boisterous Isaac, and is scared to death of going to his first college party. Things back home—only 15 minutes away—aren’t great either what with his mom and stepdad heading for divorce and his mom’s mom, Grandma Gertie, stashed away in a nursing home. Augie is very fond of Gertie and she’s the reason he’s planning to go into gerontology. Still, what’s about to happen with him and Gertie and a girl named Rose and Gertie’s pal, Auntie Tunes, is way beyond even his worst fears. I mean, how did he end up with Gertie as his date to that party?

This story is pure fluff and I loved it, laughing all the way through. Ms LeBlanc has created the most motley and wonderful cast of characters, every single one of them coming to life but, what really seals the deal is the narrator, James Oliva. Holy moly, this man is fabulous with the most wide-ranging collection of voices I’ve ever heard and I immediately knew who each character was as soon as Mr. Oliva opened his mouth.

Well done, Jennifer LeBlanc and James Oliva! I can’t wait for the next book, The Revelations of August Barton 😉

[Suze · Rating 5 out of 5]

Augie is moving into his college dorm room and is uncertain about his roommate and the experiences he'll have. He isn't exactly the popular type, he's a nerd with anxiety issues and doesn't know how to behave himself in social situations. Augie's grandmother knows a way to fix these issues though. Gertie is a retired prostitute with a widespread reputation and she knows exactly how she can get Augie out of his shell. She isn't prepared to let her grandson become a boring studious guy without any friends.

Gertie has plans for her grandson, but first Augie needs to break her out of her nursing home every time they go somewhere together. Gertie makes sure his first party is a success, she helps him with his love life and she has the most fascinating friends in interesting and useful places. With the help of his grandma college might not be so bad after all. Will Augie have a chance to make friends and win the heart of the girl he likes and what's the price he has to pay for hanging out with Gertie all the time?

The Tribulations of August Barton is a delightful original story. Augie is adorable, he doesn't have sleek moves, but he's friendly, quirky and smart. He also treasures his grandmother and they're quite a pair. Gertie is a true spectacle. She has plenty of pizzazz, she still has looks, crazy people skills and plenty of pluck. She does whatever she likes and people love her for it. Augie and his grandmother are both main characters to fall in love with. They're wonderful and when they are together nothing is ever boring. I totally loved this amazing duo and enjoyed every single one of their adventures.

Jennifer LeBlanc has a great sense of humor. I laughed out loud many times while reading The Tribulations of August Barton. Because of Augie's endearing and wise character in combination with his grandmother's fierceness excitement is guaranteed. The Tribulations of August Barton is one big adrenaline rush. I loved Jennifer LeBlanc's creativity and really enjoyed reading this heartwarming story.

[Melissa Chung · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've been looking at this novella sitting on my shelves for a few months now. Pick it up the book would say. I was too busy picking up other things. Today I decided. Today is the day! So I started. A book that causes me to have emotions whether it be anger like "Animal Farm" or tears like this one deserves a high rating. This novella was great. 4.5 stars!

August Barton is heading off to college for the first time. First time away from home. First time drinking, kissing, doing the tango. A bunch of firsts for our main character Augie who suffers from anxiety and just when we think Augie can't be awkward enough...bam he isn't.

Augie is studying to be a Gerontologist. His grandma Gertie is is an old folks home and like he tells his roommate Issac, he doesn't LOOOOVE old people he just wants to make their way of life better. While in college August meets the girl of his dreams. Rose... his ballerina girl (she's not really a ballerina).

The Tribulations of August Barton was a heartwarming story of love, family and friendship. It was everything you need in a tiny little package. This novella is only 141 pages. I laughed out loud a few times. Cried a few times and was truly happy when I finished the last page. Gertie, Tunes and Issac were all so good for August. They made him grow as a person. Everyone grew in this book, which was refreshing. "The brave man is not he who doesn't feel afraid but he who conquers his fear". That quote is this book in a nut shell.

I gave this book 4.5 stars because it can be a teeny weenie bit cheesy at times and we all know how much I love cheese... but seriously great read. I can not wait for book 2!

[Carol · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was sent to me by the author in exchange for an honest review.

The Tribulations of August Barton was such a fun and light read. And I definitely needed that after reading Bully by Penelope Douglas.

This novella takes place in a span of five months, and we follow our main character August and his Grandma Gertie through many adventures. We also get to meet quirky people along the way.

A more in depth video review will be coming soon.

[Jonas Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having previously read the paperback version, I was lucky enough to get a copy from the author. I thoroughly enjoyed this version. LeBlanc's writing and Oliva's narration come together wonderfully in this audiobook, giving an even better richness to the characters and tension during some of Augie's panicking moments.

[Catrina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading The Tribulations of August Barton is a heartwarming and enthralling way to spend an afternoon. I enjoyed Augie’s story and how love, both romantic and familial, helped him learn and grow in unexpected ways. I can’t wait to see what the gang gets up to next!

[iamnotabookworm · Rating 5 out of 5]

I give this book 4.5/5 big toy cars.

This is a coming of age story of August Barton. Finally, he has the confidence to come out of his shell and do the things he never thought he would ever do. Of course, his new (mis)adventures were courtesy of his very cool and lively Grandma. What a hoot this book is. An absolutely enjoyable story that will let you forget your worries temporarily with all of Grandma Gertie's stories and antics. This story just proved that there's nothing wrong with hanging out with old people, some of them may just turn out to be just what our soul needs--a taste of adventure and penchant for breaking the rules.

One thing that struck me in this story was Grandma Gertie's character. She is not ashamed of her being a former prostitute. I think she is even proud that she was the "Floozy of Freemont Street". I guess her saying that was without malice but with a conviction that she did her best during a very hard time. Hard times call for desperate measures. She rolled with the punches to survive. A very admirable trait. She also said that being a prostitute, she also tried to help the men who came to her. She listened to them and helped them navigate the issues and problems that beset them. To her, she did not just offer physical relief but also sorted out the emotional and psychological needs of her customers. But I am not advocating that it is okay to be a prostitute.

In a way, I could relate to August. I was once shy and very unsure of myself. At times, I still am. I feel like I wanted the floor to swallow me whole, especially in very awkward situations. I did not have a strong self-esteem growing up. I never wanted attention directed at me. I would gladly hide in the shadows and be the one behind the scenes. So, I found it very easy to associate with August and how it feels to be in an environment outside of the comfort zone. Unlike August, I did not have a highly-spirited grandma who would push me beyond the limits of my safety and comfort. Whatever confidence I found now and love for adventure, I painstakingly have to work through and it helped a lot being around people who made me want to be the best of who I am. People who are oozing with positivity that I can't help but be like them.

I learned one new term or word in this story--Gerontology, which I never ever heard before. If it's the first time you heard this word, then welcome to the club. Gerontology means the study of caring for old people, how to improve the ways to care for them. And if you are wondering how that came into the story, then better read this book. When I found out the relevance of this word to the whole tale, I was very surprised and felt that it was still premature to conclude, but I was already drawn to this cute, unassuming and clueless August character.


I also loved the ending. It was a perfect ending of all the grand comedic endings of great proportions. I never saw it coming. I was absolutely tickled and it left me with a promise that more misadventures of August and Gertie and her cohorts are yet to come. More are coming and I am so so so freaking looking forward to them.

I give this book 4.5/5 toy cars. I adored the characters of this story. They were perfectly written with very unique personalities in mind that were very memorable. Every time I think about this story or one of the characters, I would surely have a smile on my face as I reminisce the hilarious and shocking (I mean it in a good way) situations in this book. I can't help but shake my head in disbelief, at the same time, be amused at all the funny and awkward situations August had to face, compliments of his Grandma and her daring accomplice--Tunes. There was never a dull moment in this story. I would love to see this in the big screen. I am sure this is going to be a hit and a riot! I was right! Just looking at the cover and the title of this book, it already said a lot and it holds a promise (aside from the very fantastic ending) that you will never be sorry for picking up this book.


...how time was as infinite as the space above. The future shortly became the past and one could never predict how things would turn out.

- Jennifer LeBlanc, The Tribulations of August Barton -


Thank you again, Giselle, of Xpressobooktours for the copy.

[C.E. Clayton · Rating 4 out of 5]

“The Tribulations of August Barton” is a sweet, kind of coming-of-age novella. Except it aims to show how the college experience has helped Augie find his voice, and with the help of his ex-prostitute grandma, Gertie, get a hold of his anxiety during a period of change. Augie may not have ventured very far to go to college (hey I didn’t, either) but it’s not about the distance. It’s about putting yourself in new situations and meeting new people, broadening your horizons in every sense of the word, and Augie definitely does that! Everything from his first time getting drunk, to falling in love, to even streaking in freezing temperatures, August finds his footing more than most in college. But throughout all of Augie’s adventures, there is this undercurrent of appreciating your elders, and spending time and enjoying the elderly while we have access to them that I found to be quite beautiful.

I really enjoyed August and his interactions with his grandma, the true love and appreciation they have for one another despite his mother’s tense relationship with Gertie. I loved how Gertie’s positive influence—even with her colorful past—really inspired Augie to do more for elderly care, and I loved how he didn’t shy away from volunteering or making any of these elders smile while they sat forgotten in a nursing home. It was a truly lovely message. Gertie is a lot of fun, even if I found her antics a little too second-hand embarrassing for my tastes (seriously, I have a big problem with second-hand embarrassing things, it’s why I can’t watch The Office). Sometimes that created a disconnect for me, but that’s mainly because Augie’s college experience doesn’t look like mine at all, which is fine! But just know that going in, you’ll have more fun with Gertie’s antics that way.

All in all, this was a very sweet and funny novella staring a young man who handles his anxiety wonderfully. I think a lot of people will resonate with that, plus it’s shown in such a normalized and positive light to where it didn’t come across as a cheap trope at all. So well done to LeBlanc for that! I think my only complaint is that I wanted more relationship building from the other characters—Isaac, Rose, and Tunes in particular. I wanted to see more of their friendship in action so I could really feel connected to them, which is why I’m giving this 4 stars. But this is a novella, so light and fast relationship building (outside of Augie and his grandma, of course) is to be expected. If you are looking for a fun, totally fluffy, new adult read that you can knock out over a lazy weekend, then come meet Augie! And thanks to the author for sending me a copy for an honest review!

[ErinTurnsPages · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my goodness I haven’t laughed at a book like this in such a long time. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The author filled it with so many vivid and unique characters, I can’t imagine where she came up with them all or how she managed to seamlessly toss them together into a rich and entertaining story. The characters truly made this book, though the stories behind them come a close second. The relationship between Augie & Rose is one for the books, and the ever changing relationship between Gertie & Diane is one that, unfortunately, I think many people have experienced on some level. Including myself. And Roses journey is one that many have experienced in varying forms as well. I don’t think there’s a specific genre that I could place this in, so it will be one I’ll be recommending to many.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author via Voracious Readers Only in exchange for an honest review.

[Danielle Dexter · Rating 4 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this novella. Why? Because LeBlanc created such relatable characters that I quickly became invested in from the very beginning.

While I loved August "Augie", his grandmother Gertie stole the show! She was hilariously written and the dynamic between her and Augie was what truly won me over.

I wouldn't call this book YA as I feel that some of the elements are above that age range, but it's definitely a book that I would recommend as a short, funny and insightful quick read.

LeBlanc also takes the time to really showcase the effects of anxiety with her character, Augie, which only adds to his relatable character.

Bravo!

[Sean McMahon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This coming of age story is a wonderful gem! Not my usual genre, but I throughly enjoyed it.

I found myself wanting to check in with the characters whenever I wasn't reading it, which for me is a sign of a great story.

I jumped between the paperback and audiobook and have to say the audio artist James Oliva absolutely crushed it. He added an extra dimension to the story and characters that really elevated the experience for me.

Brutally honest, wonderfully descriptive and well written, I throughly enjoyed my time with August Barton, and I'll definitely be digging in to the next installment.

And the payoff at the end?! It had me smiling from ear to ear.

[Erik Therme · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Tribulations of August Barton is a whimsical coming-of-age tale about Augie, a young man struggling to find his place in the daunting world of college. Aided by new friends and his quirky grandmother, he embarks on a journey to discover his true self.

[BookishOwlette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Better than what I was expecting. By a hundred.

[Emily Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was sent an e-copy of this book in exchange for an honest review, via Voracious Readers Only

This short book, or should I say novella, was everything I needed right now. It's funny, heartwarming, everything! The author, Jennifer LeBlanc, has such a lovely writing style. You can vision each scene vividly, which I love.

Now, I do not know much about American Colleges, as I live in the UK and went to university in Huddersfield. I do see that the 'party life' is slightly different, but I can feel August Barton's anxiety when it comes to attending parties. I was always, and still am, the 'awkward' one at parties, and I sort of saw myself in August, because of that. I loved August as a character; he's nerdy, studying as bizarre degree (Gerontology), socially awkward, he has everything! And I love him.

My favourite character was Gertie. Gertie is August's Grandma and she is hilarious! The 'Floozy of Fremont street' is such a comedic character. At times, she reminded me of all my grandma's (I have 2 Grandma's, a step-nana, and a great grandma that sadly died in 2010). She is not only funny, but she is caring. She cares for her grandson, and even though her and her daughter did not get along very well, she still cared about them.

I do wish this book was longer though. There were some scenes that felt rushed. For example, meeting Tunes. I think that whole section felt rushed, and the character wasn't as developed as other characters. Also, the chemistry with Gertie and Dianne, August's mother. I wanted to see more of them and their history. Also, the introduction of a character called Duncan, a child genius. I wanted more between August and Duncan, because those couple of scenes they are in together were amazing - you can feel August's frustration! But, I wanted more.

That being said, I loved this book. It's got troubled romance, annoying but charming roommates, hilarious old people, family traumas! Everything in 175 pages! I cannot wait to pick up the second book and see how August is doing in his relationship, in college, to see how Gertie and Dianne are getting on. I am looking forward to reading it.

Plus - my mother's maiden name is Barton, so great choice of name Jennifer LeBlanc!

[Molly E. · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Tribulations of August Barton
August Barton is a young man venturing away from home to college and a world of experiences he’s not sure he wants. He’s plagued with anxiety and doubt that hold him back. In this coming of age novel the reader will meet “Augie’s” cast of family and friends who will keep you entertained. His grandmother definitely stands out as my favorite character. She’s a former working girl turned nursing home escapee and YouTube poster. The stuff she says is hilarious and I just love her role in his life. It reminds me when my own grandmother used to hang out with my friends in our 20s.
This story is fun and relatable. I love the inclusion of anxiety playing a role in August’s life. I know this is something a lot of people will connect with. It gives the reader a firsthand experience of what anxiety feels like for some.
It’s fun to watch August find his strength and confidence as he goes on adventures and has experiences, even negative, that begin to pull him from his shell. He finds a love interest that further pushes him from his comfort zone. I also adore is charismatic roommate, Isaac, who just won’t take no for an answer or let August shut himself in.
This is a fun and fast read that gives you relatable and fun characters and will make you laugh. I definitely recommend!

[Kathrine Banks · Rating 4 out of 5]

I recieved a free copy of this book through voracious readers only and I was glad I did. The Tribulations of August Barton is a story of a young man finding out about himself and growing up. We need more Augies in are lifes and romance books he was a sweet nerdy character that actually cared about the people in his life. The story starts him starting collage and fighting anxiety, he meets new friends develops a strong relationship with his life of the party grandma, Gertie who I hope Im like when older(without the dirty stories but with the tutu) finds love with Rose a little troubled but nice girl who Augie treats like a princess. Who doesnt want that? This book is short but full of life, mental health problems, family drama, death and star wars references. It was well written but it was fast paced and i would of liked at times a little more detail into the characters. The things that Augie went through to over come his anxiety and gain friends and a better relationships with his family members was funny and entertaining. Even death was treated in good taste and humour teaching us the importance of enjoying life. Overall a good read 4 stars

[Dawn Hosmer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely adored this coming of age/new adult story! The characters were memorable and delightful. The author did a fabulous job of realistically describing what living with anxiety is like and it was great to see Augie, a college freshman, learn to cope with his anxiety in healthier ways. Ultimately, this is a story about discovery of one's self which is often a scary, anxiety-ridden process. The author also kept it realistic in the story - Augie's anxiety didn't magically disappear, he just learned ways to deal with it so he could live a fuller life and not be crippled by it.

I enjoyed this journey with Augie and his friends/family. If you want a heart-warming read with characters who make you laugh (and wish you knew in real life) then this is the book for you! I look forward to reading the sequel and following Augie on his journey.

[Heather Pitman · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Tribulations of August Barton was a fun quick read. As someone who suffers from anxiety and panic attacks, I related to Augie. Jennifer LeBlanc writes about challenging occurrences, but does so with humour and respect. Everyone is touched by or knows someone who is touched by mental illness, divorce, addiction and death. LeBlanc brings light to topics that are rarely written about. My favourite character in the book had to be Tunes. She made me smile, laugh, and cry. Tunes and Gertie make me miss my grandparents. I recommend this novella to everyone. I received a complimentary copy of the book from the author via Voracious Readers Only.

[Sydney Mann · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fun and quirky coming of age story about a panic attack-prone young man and his first year in college. Augie Barton is endearing, but he has the support of a colorful cast of characters that include his vivacious grandmother, her best friend, and his cool roommate, Isaac. It took a brief, serious turn near the middle that didn’t fit the rest of the light-hearted tone, but it was an engaging story sprinkled with lots of hijinks and outlandish scenarios. I laughed out loud on more than one occasion as much as I cringed for Augie. Note: More NA than YA due to adult situations and references to drugs, sex and prostitution.

[Alicia Huxtable · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book, with its quick witted elderly characters, who you would assume are actually the main characters, to the anxiety ridden Augie. There's no end to fun shenanigans in this book

[Jen Brockman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Super cute, fast, easy read. Lots of laughs!

[Kristen Draper · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book! Very funny and Heartwarming!
Love Augie and Grandma Gertie!!

[Esther Haddie's Haven · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Tribulations of August Barton
Floozy of Fremont Street

I don't think I've ever laughed so hard before. Well, actually, I have. But that's besides the point. This book is simply amazing. It's funny, it's got its moments when it makes you think about possible consequences. And its got sweet romance wrapped in there. I adored Gertie, August's grandmother. She's a hoot, that one. Jennifer LeBlanc is an amazing author and I cannot wait to read more from her.
I have read this book before, but I've didn't experience it quite like this. James Oliva did a fantastic job with his narration. It was like a movie. And though he's a little older, Augie reminded me of Adam Goldberg (The Golbergs). His voice did anyway. It was so well done. Each scene was describe and the proper emotion was felt. If the next August Barton book has this same narrator, I will not hesitate to add it to my library.

I received this audiobook as part of my participation in a blog tour with Audiobookworm Promotions. The tour is being sponsored by Jennifer LeBlanc. The gifting of this audiobook did not affect my opinion of it.

[Kirsty Stanley · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is such a fun novella and one which I am going to label Adrian Mole crossed with American Pie with added older ladies behaving badly.

August ‘Augie’ Barton is a college freshman. Though his college is in his home town, he goes for the full college experience, meeting his dorm mate Isaac, love interest Rose, getting a killer hangover and taking his gran to his first college party, all on day one!

And it is the inclusion of granny Gertie that makes this story a cut above. She is hilarious, causes many many tribulations for Augie but also helps him develop his confidence with women, in life in general, and in managing his anxiety. She’s his Yoda.

If you are familiar with the ‘let out a breath I didn’t realise I was holding’ line that features in many many YA books, and on this point I am kidding you not, there is literally a ten second chapter in the audiobook that is entirely Augie passing out because he didn’t release said breath - I so hope it was done ironically. It certainly made me laugh.

Audiobook narrator James Oliva provides a very exuberant performance, complete with (occasionally unnecessary) sound effects, but I loved how differentiated and vivid all the characters were through his narration.

This is a cast of colourful larger than life characters who are all loveable enough for me to imagine what fun we’d have if they were real. Augie is particularly adorkable and sometimes its just great to see the truly nice guy come out on top. Despite the humour there are some serious topics explored and this light touch works really well.

The sequel isn’t available on audio yet but hopefully it will be added soon because I do think the narration adds to the joy. If you simply can’t wait for the revelations of the sequel, it is available on kindle or in paperback now.

I was gifted a copy for the purposes of an honest review.

[Carmela devito · Rating 5 out of 5]

There's a line from an Eagles song that perfectly describes August Barton's life at the beginning of this novel:"got a world of trouble on my mind" This is just a small sample of what August is dealing with:adjusting to college,a divorce announcement,an eccentric former prostitute grandmother Gertie who can't seem to stay in her residence, panic attacks and a major crush on his lab partner Rose. Gertie, despite her erratic but humorous behavior, helps Augie immeasurably with both Rose and his future once he graduates. There is so much to love about this novel-it's warm, funny and just a delight. I loved this. I received a free digital copy of this from Voracious readers in exchange for an honest review

[Lori R. · Rating 4 out of 5]

**3.5 stars**

This was a quick & quirky, light-hearted read. August Barton is in college, suffers from anxiety and panic attacks, and has the hots for a gal named Rose. Enter Grandma Gertie. This pink-haired, tutu-wearing septuagenarian (who was also a former prostitute) helps him deal with certain things and how to handle stressful situations.

The author is a good storyteller and I found myself smiling often throughout. Awkward circumstances, serious moments, and shenanigans galore had me enjoying this fun, little novella.