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Eventually Julie
Julie has had enough! At 27, she feels overwhelmed with the "shoulds" her family pile on her, and an office job that she detests. It doesn’t help that she’s carrying her "baggage of unfinished business" with her, weighing her down even more… making it impossible to see clearly and dig herself out of the rut her life has become.
When she finally decides to take action, a chance encounter presents her with an opportunity to deal with her messy past, so she sets off to Paris to find the answers that can set her free, and live a life full of meaning and passion. Julie loses herself in the sights and smells, and in the beauty of travelling in one of the most romantic cities in the world. She opens her heart to love, and begins to be true to herself… until she discovers a secret that sets her right back to where she began; uncertain about life — about love!
When Julie arrives back home to Sydney, she needs to make some serious decisions, or risk missing out on true love… and finally having the career she always wanted.
Join Julie and her delightful and witty friends on a journey of fun, adventure, and passion. Set in and around Sydney, as well as London and Paris, Eventually Julie is a “finding yourself” romance that deals with being stuck in a rut and eventually finding the right ingredients to live a life that is true.
When she finally decides to take action, a chance encounter presents her with an opportunity to deal with her messy past, so she sets off to Paris to find the answers that can set her free, and live a life full of meaning and passion. Julie loses herself in the sights and smells, and in the beauty of travelling in one of the most romantic cities in the world. She opens her heart to love, and begins to be true to herself… until she discovers a secret that sets her right back to where she began; uncertain about life — about love!
When Julie arrives back home to Sydney, she needs to make some serious decisions, or risk missing out on true love… and finally having the career she always wanted.
Join Julie and her delightful and witty friends on a journey of fun, adventure, and passion. Set in and around Sydney, as well as London and Paris, Eventually Julie is a “finding yourself” romance that deals with being stuck in a rut and eventually finding the right ingredients to live a life that is true.
330 pages, Paperback
Published May 14, 2017
5 people are currently reading
662 people want to read
About the author
Anthea Syrokou
5 books108 followersAnthea Syrokou is an author who grew up and resides in Sydney, Australia. Her love for writing was planted at a young age when she studied Greek mythology. Anthea's love for literature continued well into her teenage years when she enjoyed reading novels by many of the great English writers.
As a young adult, she immersed herself in reading women’s contemporary fiction and classic literature, and writing about topics that many could relate to, in a witty, light-hearted way, which became a passion — one that she takes very seriously.
Anthea has a BA degree, majoring in psychology and industrial relations, and a diploma in counselling. She also studied Greek literature at university and has worked in direct marketing, and insurance and investments.
Anthea is currently working on her new novel in the literary fiction genre which will be released in early 2026.
When she isn’t writing or reading, Anthea enjoys travelling, yoga, spending time with her family, and escaping to the vineyards. A quiet house with some jazz playing in the background, surrounded by a few lit scented candles is her idea of relaxation. Even though Anthea dreams about hosting the “perfect” dinner party, she is more likely to be found at a cosy, candlelit restaurant. She lives with her husband and their two sons, and often jokes that she may be the only writer who doesn't own a cat.
As a young adult, she immersed herself in reading women’s contemporary fiction and classic literature, and writing about topics that many could relate to, in a witty, light-hearted way, which became a passion — one that she takes very seriously.
Anthea has a BA degree, majoring in psychology and industrial relations, and a diploma in counselling. She also studied Greek literature at university and has worked in direct marketing, and insurance and investments.
Anthea is currently working on her new novel in the literary fiction genre which will be released in early 2026.
When she isn’t writing or reading, Anthea enjoys travelling, yoga, spending time with her family, and escaping to the vineyards. A quiet house with some jazz playing in the background, surrounded by a few lit scented candles is her idea of relaxation. Even though Anthea dreams about hosting the “perfect” dinner party, she is more likely to be found at a cosy, candlelit restaurant. She lives with her husband and their two sons, and often jokes that she may be the only writer who doesn't own a cat.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
September 9, 2017
Engaging and nearly bereft of the chick-lit tropes readers so often find in this genre, I found this quietly wonderful. What I mean by that is rather than showering you, it soothes, leaving a pleasant feeling. While it is a romance, that isn’t at the heart of this as much as the protagonist, Julie, moving forward, getting back in touch with her own values and expectations, rather than those of family and friends. In the process, it illuminates that we’re all, men and women, pretty much doing the same thing; trying to make our way toward an inner contentment. Because of that, it doesn’t have the silliness or flashy tropes of many chick-lit romances, but it does have a realness and likability hard to resist.
One of the nicest things about this book — besides the protagonist, Julie — is that unlike so many books in this genre, men are accurately portrayed as decent human beings. Imperfect and fallible, just like the protagonist, but overall human beings trying to find their way just like their counterparts. No one is a jerk here, a two-timer, an abuser, or any of the other standard tropes. That was refreshing. Once I got a feel for the narrative, which was more like a tranquil soak in the tub rather than a hot shower, I settled in for a gradual and engaging story that much more often than not rang true. Misunderstandings in the past played a role, but it didn’t feel like a device inserted only to drive the story. The perceptions of the protagonist about those events from college, and how they’ve affected her life, in fact change over the course of the book as she begins to realize that much of what she perceived had more to do with her own mindset at the time. It is her lingering in the past, in fact, without realizing she had been, which has stunted her spirit, and dampened her happiness.
Eventually Julie has a nice start as she overhears talk concerning cutbacks in the superannuation division, meaning she may soon be out on her ear. There is a wonderful dynamic of her close friends, and her family, which both ring true. And again, Julie’s perceptions early on, gradually change as she does. Much of the book is set in Australia, and it is on a trip to Hunter Valley that Julie runs into Scott, the college love who broke her heart. She quickly discovers, however, that even that may not have been as it seemed. But is it a wonderful door opening just as another is closing? A trip to Paris and London brings surprises, but it won’t be until Julie is back in Australia that she figures out what she wants to do, and with whom she is most happy doing it.
Characters like Maria, George, Cassandra, Tanya and Stacy, all have their own little moments which intertwine with Julie’s narrative as they interact, and prevent this inaugural literary endeavor from becoming a one-note narrative. If you’re looking for a steamy romance, this isn’t your book, and if you’re looking for fluff, this also may not be for you. If, however, you like something pleasant and engaging, something nice, in the best sense of that word, you’ll enjoy reading this as I did. Paris and London make for nice color, but they aren’t really what the book is about, and don’t play as much of a role as the characters, especially Julie’s personal growth.
I only occasionally dip into these waters, usually in the cozy mystery genre. Too often it’s a one-and-done for me. But Eventually Julie — her friend Maria runs an organic products store called Eventually You — was very nice, even refreshing in many aspects. It was like a finely made sweet confection from the candy shop — lollies, here in Australia — which doesn’t overwhelm your tastebuds with sugar, but lingers longer once it’s gone. For me, this fell firmly at the better end of this often mind-bogglingly frivolous genre, and I definitely intend to read the next book from author Anthea Syrokou.
One of the nicest things about this book — besides the protagonist, Julie — is that unlike so many books in this genre, men are accurately portrayed as decent human beings. Imperfect and fallible, just like the protagonist, but overall human beings trying to find their way just like their counterparts. No one is a jerk here, a two-timer, an abuser, or any of the other standard tropes. That was refreshing. Once I got a feel for the narrative, which was more like a tranquil soak in the tub rather than a hot shower, I settled in for a gradual and engaging story that much more often than not rang true. Misunderstandings in the past played a role, but it didn’t feel like a device inserted only to drive the story. The perceptions of the protagonist about those events from college, and how they’ve affected her life, in fact change over the course of the book as she begins to realize that much of what she perceived had more to do with her own mindset at the time. It is her lingering in the past, in fact, without realizing she had been, which has stunted her spirit, and dampened her happiness.
Eventually Julie has a nice start as she overhears talk concerning cutbacks in the superannuation division, meaning she may soon be out on her ear. There is a wonderful dynamic of her close friends, and her family, which both ring true. And again, Julie’s perceptions early on, gradually change as she does. Much of the book is set in Australia, and it is on a trip to Hunter Valley that Julie runs into Scott, the college love who broke her heart. She quickly discovers, however, that even that may not have been as it seemed. But is it a wonderful door opening just as another is closing? A trip to Paris and London brings surprises, but it won’t be until Julie is back in Australia that she figures out what she wants to do, and with whom she is most happy doing it.
Characters like Maria, George, Cassandra, Tanya and Stacy, all have their own little moments which intertwine with Julie’s narrative as they interact, and prevent this inaugural literary endeavor from becoming a one-note narrative. If you’re looking for a steamy romance, this isn’t your book, and if you’re looking for fluff, this also may not be for you. If, however, you like something pleasant and engaging, something nice, in the best sense of that word, you’ll enjoy reading this as I did. Paris and London make for nice color, but they aren’t really what the book is about, and don’t play as much of a role as the characters, especially Julie’s personal growth.
I only occasionally dip into these waters, usually in the cozy mystery genre. Too often it’s a one-and-done for me. But Eventually Julie — her friend Maria runs an organic products store called Eventually You — was very nice, even refreshing in many aspects. It was like a finely made sweet confection from the candy shop — lollies, here in Australia — which doesn’t overwhelm your tastebuds with sugar, but lingers longer once it’s gone. For me, this fell firmly at the better end of this often mind-bogglingly frivolous genre, and I definitely intend to read the next book from author Anthea Syrokou.
July 6, 2018
I had decided to read Anthea Syrokou's Eventually Julie after reading a review of the next in the series. Being methodical I had to start with the first book, especially having realised the importance of information gained that recently reading Anthony Trollope's Barchester Chronicles which brought me that epiphany.
First and foremost my choice of books are generally older but this year I have found several modern authors who I can depend on as worthwhile reading experience and Anthea Syrokou has found a place there too! Besides just loving older books, I come to count on them as basically a read that would not let say embarrass me with to explicit romance scenes and nice to see zero bad language. Yes, believe it or not I cringe at even steamy book covers, so even Anthea Syrokou's choice in book covers was adorable to my eyes. 🌸
The first chapter was a work place scene where we were introduced to our heorine, Julie. As I read this part which was interesting but I was not sure of the book but as soon as I got chapter 2, I was becoming addicted and wanted to know all about Julie, her friends and family. The characters pull you into their lives and you want to know more. I could have read this nonstop but life does not work out that way many times. After finishing I see that chapter one played an important part of the story.
I was thinking this would be a really light read about friends but what it made the reader look at life differently and had many profound moments. I really liked the ending but wondered if people would really be so understanding. I liked the characters so much I am going to read the next book, "The Greek Tapestry" so I can hear more about them.
This is a perfect read for a true romantic and has lot of heart to it.
The story; Julie and friends from college learn things unknown 5 years later and now what to do? That is all I will give away, it is best to find out what happens when you read and can experience it all yourself. 😊
I must add that I learned somethings reading this that I had not known before but the most interesting to me I will give you with a conversation with my husband. Please be kind to me after hearing!😊
I said "Did you know that in Australia it is winter now?" (thinking I was so brilliant googling this)
He said "Yes." ( and he explained the scientific reasoning)
I said, "Oh, I had no idea."
He said, "You must have been absent in school that day." 😮😊 LOL ( I must say he told me kindly.)
Being a Classic TV fan, I had to add that Miss Landers told Beaver (Leave it to Beaver) after he played hooky with Larry, that he might have learned something that day at school that was important for him to learn in life.
A wonderful heart warming romantic read! 💕💕💕
First and foremost my choice of books are generally older but this year I have found several modern authors who I can depend on as worthwhile reading experience and Anthea Syrokou has found a place there too! Besides just loving older books, I come to count on them as basically a read that would not let say embarrass me with to explicit romance scenes and nice to see zero bad language. Yes, believe it or not I cringe at even steamy book covers, so even Anthea Syrokou's choice in book covers was adorable to my eyes. 🌸
The first chapter was a work place scene where we were introduced to our heorine, Julie. As I read this part which was interesting but I was not sure of the book but as soon as I got chapter 2, I was becoming addicted and wanted to know all about Julie, her friends and family. The characters pull you into their lives and you want to know more. I could have read this nonstop but life does not work out that way many times. After finishing I see that chapter one played an important part of the story.
I was thinking this would be a really light read about friends but what it made the reader look at life differently and had many profound moments. I really liked the ending but wondered if people would really be so understanding. I liked the characters so much I am going to read the next book, "The Greek Tapestry" so I can hear more about them.
This is a perfect read for a true romantic and has lot of heart to it.
The story; Julie and friends from college learn things unknown 5 years later and now what to do? That is all I will give away, it is best to find out what happens when you read and can experience it all yourself. 😊
I must add that I learned somethings reading this that I had not known before but the most interesting to me I will give you with a conversation with my husband. Please be kind to me after hearing!😊
I said "Did you know that in Australia it is winter now?" (thinking I was so brilliant googling this)
He said "Yes." ( and he explained the scientific reasoning)
I said, "Oh, I had no idea."
He said, "You must have been absent in school that day." 😮😊 LOL ( I must say he told me kindly.)
Being a Classic TV fan, I had to add that Miss Landers told Beaver (Leave it to Beaver) after he played hooky with Larry, that he might have learned something that day at school that was important for him to learn in life.
A wonderful heart warming romantic read! 💕💕💕
Read
November 25, 2018Julie is stuck in rut, unhappy with her job, her life in general. She has been following expectations and not her heart. One day an unexpected encounter with a person from her past opens her eyes and her passport to Paris. While trying to grasp the past she is holding onto is she missing the future ? I can't tell you but we all know that sometimes things don't work out like you wanted but that doesn't mean the change isn't better.
I enjoyed the story, the trip to Paris was amazing. The details and writing made it feel real. The development of the relationships was well done and realistic. But, the details about her clothing, what she was wearing, the textures, colors combos, it was too much. There was one whole page on her outfit, Why ? She was not a clothing designer, he was not a clothing/fashion guy? the detailing threw me way out of the story and just didn't fit. There was another section of the story that just got annoying, the counseling. Her roommate is studying to be a counselor so much of her thoughts/behaviors were psychoanalyzed by her not the one studying it. It read like a counseling outline for a textbook. it was just weird and robotic.
Yes, I am reading the next book. I am curious to see if this new author loosened up a bit and let her characters breath.
I enjoyed the story, the trip to Paris was amazing. The details and writing made it feel real. The development of the relationships was well done and realistic. But, the details about her clothing, what she was wearing, the textures, colors combos, it was too much. There was one whole page on her outfit, Why ? She was not a clothing designer, he was not a clothing/fashion guy? the detailing threw me way out of the story and just didn't fit. There was another section of the story that just got annoying, the counseling. Her roommate is studying to be a counselor so much of her thoughts/behaviors were psychoanalyzed by her not the one studying it. It read like a counseling outline for a textbook. it was just weird and robotic.
Yes, I am reading the next book. I am curious to see if this new author loosened up a bit and let her characters breath.
January 22, 2018
4,5 stars
Julie has had enough and decides to take control of her life. She’s lost her office job and relationship with her family isn’t the best either. When she goes to a family trip with her sister, she meets her first love Scott and as they have a past to sort out, they decide to meet again. Scott and their common university friends are going on a trip to London and Paris and Julie decided to join them. Julie and Scott finally have time for themselves and it’s the perfect moment to work out their past. Back home in Sydney she a lot of decisions to make, what to do with her career, how to better the relationship with her sister and what happens with Scott?
It was such a good book, I thoroughly enjoyed it. I liked the setting in Paris and London, but it was refreshing to read about Sydney. I very much enjoyed the characters, I loved the strong bond between the friends and family as well. Sometimes the storyline can be predictable more or less, but not this case, I liked how the story flowed smoothly and kept the interest until the last page. I really enjoyed it and I’m eagerly waiting for the next book in the series.
Julie has had enough and decides to take control of her life. She’s lost her office job and relationship with her family isn’t the best either. When she goes to a family trip with her sister, she meets her first love Scott and as they have a past to sort out, they decide to meet again. Scott and their common university friends are going on a trip to London and Paris and Julie decided to join them. Julie and Scott finally have time for themselves and it’s the perfect moment to work out their past. Back home in Sydney she a lot of decisions to make, what to do with her career, how to better the relationship with her sister and what happens with Scott?
It was such a good book, I thoroughly enjoyed it. I liked the setting in Paris and London, but it was refreshing to read about Sydney. I very much enjoyed the characters, I loved the strong bond between the friends and family as well. Sometimes the storyline can be predictable more or less, but not this case, I liked how the story flowed smoothly and kept the interest until the last page. I really enjoyed it and I’m eagerly waiting for the next book in the series.
August 9, 2019
3.5★s for me.
”It’s never too late to follow your dreams, right?”
Julie is a people pleaser, who keeps her feelings and ambitions in check. She’s a “good” girl, who does what she feels is “expected” of her. This is in no way a criticism of Julie, as so many of us (especially women) are hardwired this way.
A redundancy at work, and a chance encounter with her ex on a weekend away, allows Julie to take the chance on the trip of a lifetime to Paris.
These events allow Julie to spread her wings and make the journey of discovering what and more importantly who should be part of her life. What brings her joy, what makes her happy.
I enjoyed the dynamic between Julie and her two flatmates Maria & Cass. Julie’s story intertwined with theirs, and the events that were going on in their lives. And how supportive they all were of each other. So refreshing to read a book with positivity in it.
I also really enjoyed reading the descriptions of George St, the QVB, the Strand Arcade, Circular Quay. Spot on! I could well imagine walking past Julie in any one of these locations.
I'm looking forward to finding out where Julie’s dreams take her.
”It’s never too late to follow your dreams, right?”
Julie is a people pleaser, who keeps her feelings and ambitions in check. She’s a “good” girl, who does what she feels is “expected” of her. This is in no way a criticism of Julie, as so many of us (especially women) are hardwired this way.
A redundancy at work, and a chance encounter with her ex on a weekend away, allows Julie to take the chance on the trip of a lifetime to Paris.
These events allow Julie to spread her wings and make the journey of discovering what and more importantly who should be part of her life. What brings her joy, what makes her happy.
I enjoyed the dynamic between Julie and her two flatmates Maria & Cass. Julie’s story intertwined with theirs, and the events that were going on in their lives. And how supportive they all were of each other. So refreshing to read a book with positivity in it.
I also really enjoyed reading the descriptions of George St, the QVB, the Strand Arcade, Circular Quay. Spot on! I could well imagine walking past Julie in any one of these locations.
I'm looking forward to finding out where Julie’s dreams take her.
May 4, 2018
I related to so much in EVENTUALLY JULIE – well except the romance crisis bit, I was lucky and found the right man very quickly and never wavered from him and after 41 years I’m pretty certain I made the right choice!!! BUT the relationship between Julie and her sister – is me and mine to a T!!! And the dissatisfaction with work and being too scared to make a leap of faith is also me. So the story struck a lot of chords.
And that is why this book worked for me – yes there is romance, and while it does play a part, the main thrust of the story is Julie getting in touch with her own desires, finding out what she wants to do with her life and actually making things happen instead of just going along with the expectations of family and friends. She had to change her mindset, stop being a people pleaser and start being a Julie pleaser, and then work out how to do it. She does get help and advice along the way.
Finding out she has lost her job at the start of the book is the trigger she needs to maybe change direction – and when her sister drags her off kicking and screaming to the Hunter Valley for a family weekend Julie bumps into her first love Scott. So much unfinished business with this relationship, and the spark is still there, which quickly leads to Julie flying to London and Paris with him and another couple. While in Paris another piece of the ‘what to do with herself’ puzzle falls into place. On her return to Australia the story then follows how she makes things happen. Of course not as easy as it sounds – there is still a lot of book to go before the ending is reached – and a lot of misunderstandings to overcome.
The characters are all very well fleshed out – and I loved the relationships between Julie and her two flatmates Maria and Cass, these two gave perfect support to Julie; while Julie’s story was the focus – we were also given back stories of the two flatmates. As EVENTUALLY JULIE is the first in a series called ‘Julie and friends’ I hoped that this meant that each of the flatmates would get her story told, and was pleased to see that her next book The Greek Tapestry is about Maria – I will certainly be grabbing myself a copy of this!
Overall the story wasn’t predictable as a lot of these romance type books are, there was a lot of depth to it and were a few twists that added to the story. I loved the descriptions of the different settings which each gave a perfect sense of place; on top of this there was humour, pathos and drama all in balance with each other. I laughed, I nodded and I shed a tear as I worried about the direction I thought the story was sometimes going with the different characters.
With thanks to the author for my copy to read and review.
And that is why this book worked for me – yes there is romance, and while it does play a part, the main thrust of the story is Julie getting in touch with her own desires, finding out what she wants to do with her life and actually making things happen instead of just going along with the expectations of family and friends. She had to change her mindset, stop being a people pleaser and start being a Julie pleaser, and then work out how to do it. She does get help and advice along the way.
Finding out she has lost her job at the start of the book is the trigger she needs to maybe change direction – and when her sister drags her off kicking and screaming to the Hunter Valley for a family weekend Julie bumps into her first love Scott. So much unfinished business with this relationship, and the spark is still there, which quickly leads to Julie flying to London and Paris with him and another couple. While in Paris another piece of the ‘what to do with herself’ puzzle falls into place. On her return to Australia the story then follows how she makes things happen. Of course not as easy as it sounds – there is still a lot of book to go before the ending is reached – and a lot of misunderstandings to overcome.
The characters are all very well fleshed out – and I loved the relationships between Julie and her two flatmates Maria and Cass, these two gave perfect support to Julie; while Julie’s story was the focus – we were also given back stories of the two flatmates. As EVENTUALLY JULIE is the first in a series called ‘Julie and friends’ I hoped that this meant that each of the flatmates would get her story told, and was pleased to see that her next book The Greek Tapestry is about Maria – I will certainly be grabbing myself a copy of this!
Overall the story wasn’t predictable as a lot of these romance type books are, there was a lot of depth to it and were a few twists that added to the story. I loved the descriptions of the different settings which each gave a perfect sense of place; on top of this there was humour, pathos and drama all in balance with each other. I laughed, I nodded and I shed a tear as I worried about the direction I thought the story was sometimes going with the different characters.
With thanks to the author for my copy to read and review.
August 12, 2019
A wonderful read full of surprising twists and turns, this author brings her main character Julie's story of self actualization to life while including a full cast of engaging characters, from family to friends and co-workers, plus some handsome love interests.
Beautiful descriptions set the scene of Julie's daily life living in Sydney, Australia, as well as during her travels abroad to London and Paris. I enjoyed being like a fly on the wall during all of Julie's experiences, which I feel provide the reader with an opportunity to perhaps consider and evaluate their own relationships, goals, hopes, and dreams.
Overall, I very much enjoyed the style of the writing and was entertained as I also was given some food-for-thought. I highly recommend Eventually Julie and look forward to reading more of Anthea Syrokou's books.
Beautiful descriptions set the scene of Julie's daily life living in Sydney, Australia, as well as during her travels abroad to London and Paris. I enjoyed being like a fly on the wall during all of Julie's experiences, which I feel provide the reader with an opportunity to perhaps consider and evaluate their own relationships, goals, hopes, and dreams.
Overall, I very much enjoyed the style of the writing and was entertained as I also was given some food-for-thought. I highly recommend Eventually Julie and look forward to reading more of Anthea Syrokou's books.
November 7, 2018
Eventually Julie by @AntheaSyrokou ...At first, I had a bit of a hard time getting into the swing of the book, but after a while, I had a hard time putting it down. I associated with the main character, Julie quite a lot. Feeling like her life took the wrong turn, and trying to find exactly what makes her happy. It's kind of where I am now, so I really was interested on how the story played out. The characters are fun and evolve nicely. There are ups & downs, and surprising turns just like in real life. At one point, I couldn't believe the way the author took the story, but at the end it really worked out well. A good read. I need to read more by Anthea.
November 26, 2017
The Blurb :
Julie has had enough! At 27, she feels overwhelmed with the ”shoulds” her family pile on her, and an office job that she detests. It doesn’t help that she’s carrying her “baggage of unfinished business” with her, weighing her down even more… making it impossible to see clearly and dig herself out of the rut her life has become.
When she finally decides to take action, a chance encounter presents her with an opportunity to deal with her messy past, so she sets off to Paris to find the answers that can set her free, and live a life full of meaning and passion. Julie loses herself in the sights and smells, and in the beauty of travelling in one of the most romantic cities in the world. She opens her heart to love, and begins to be true to herself… until she discovers a secret that sets her right back to where she began; uncertain about life — about love!
When Julie arrives back home to Sydney, she needs to make some serious decisions, or risk missing out on true love… and finally having the career she always wanted.
Join Julie and her delightful and witty friends on a journey of fun, adventure, and passion. Set in and around Sydney, as well as London and Paris, Eventually Julie is a “finding yourself” romance that deals with being stuck in a rut and eventually finding the right ingredients to live a life that is true.
My Thoughts :
This has been one of the nicest books that I have read all year!. Chick Lit at its finest id say!.
There is so much about this book to like.
Julie is suddenly made redundant from her job, has issues with her sister and decides she needs to start living life. After a family trip to Hunter Valley, Julie bumps into her first love Scott, both realising there is some unfinished business they arrange to meet up. One meeting then leads to a trip London and Paris. It was refreshing to see London through the eyes of a tourist and that is one point in the book I throughly enjoyed. I loved how Anthea Syrokou sets the scene in Paris, allowing us to take in vividly the sounds, smells and parisian delights that are to be had. Paris and London will leave you in a world of your own.
Back home in beautiful Sydney, Austraila, Julie has many choices to make. Will she follow her heart or will she take a leap of faith?. Will first love Scott have her heart or will ever present George finally capture her heart?.
Julie really came into her own in this story and I felt we had been on a journey with her, she matured and decided to take risks. She had great best friends in Maria and Cassanda. With a whole host of charactors to be had, this forms one of those stories that will stay with you for a long time and one I hope to pick up again in the future. I hope there is not long wait for the next book as I cant wait to read more of the lives of this fabulous group of people.
I was actually routing for the ending that was and called this early on in the story.
One of my favorite quotes in the book is when Julie receives a gift of a bird figurine resting on a branch. Work colleague George tells her, “Just don’t hold on too tightly to the branch. If it’s too difficult to hold onto it, it may not be the right branch.
** This has been reviewed for Whispering Stories blog, thank you for the copy **
July 17, 2019
“Eventually Julie” by Anthea Syrokou is a super fun romantic escape that takes readers to Sydney, London and of course, to Paris!
At 27, Julie has had it with the job she hates, a messy past and the “shoulds” foisted upon her by her family. When an opportunity comes to go to Paris, she jumps on it and soon finds herself entranced by the beauty and sights of the City of Light, where she opens herself to love ... only until a secret sends her back to square one.
Returning home to Sydney, she’s faced with making serious decisions ... will she follow the right path to true love and the career she always wanted? A “finding yourself” story with romance that is highly recommended!
Pub Date 02 Sep 2017
Thanks to Kobo Writing Life and NetGalley for the review copy. Opinions are fully mine.
#EventuallyJulie #NetGalley
At 27, Julie has had it with the job she hates, a messy past and the “shoulds” foisted upon her by her family. When an opportunity comes to go to Paris, she jumps on it and soon finds herself entranced by the beauty and sights of the City of Light, where she opens herself to love ... only until a secret sends her back to square one.
Returning home to Sydney, she’s faced with making serious decisions ... will she follow the right path to true love and the career she always wanted? A “finding yourself” story with romance that is highly recommended!
Pub Date 02 Sep 2017
Thanks to Kobo Writing Life and NetGalley for the review copy. Opinions are fully mine.
#EventuallyJulie #NetGalley
May 23, 2017
“Enough!” says Julie.
She’s overwhelmed with the “shoulds” from her family. Tired of “shoulding on herself,” Julie takes action.
I loved this story. Here’s a woman that refuses status quo and goes for life. There’s miscommunication along the way that makes for a few comical scenes.
Then there was Paris. I felt like I was there. Taking in every word, I read slowly during this part. Lost in the sights, sounds, and smells, Paris came alive.
There was so much in this book I enjoyed, vacations, cruises and love. What I enjoyed the greatest: “Keep true to your values.” Not going to tell you if Julie did that, but the message sounded loud and clear. Great read.
She’s overwhelmed with the “shoulds” from her family. Tired of “shoulding on herself,” Julie takes action.
I loved this story. Here’s a woman that refuses status quo and goes for life. There’s miscommunication along the way that makes for a few comical scenes.
Then there was Paris. I felt like I was there. Taking in every word, I read slowly during this part. Lost in the sights, sounds, and smells, Paris came alive.
There was so much in this book I enjoyed, vacations, cruises and love. What I enjoyed the greatest: “Keep true to your values.” Not going to tell you if Julie did that, but the message sounded loud and clear. Great read.
August 8, 2018
I really liked the main character, Julie, as she struggles to find her place and passion in life. More of a chick-lit feel to it but still a fun read.
Many thanks to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for my ARC. All opinions are my own.
Many thanks to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for my ARC. All opinions are my own.
April 6, 2018
She couldn’t see things clearly in the present because her past wasn’t clear.
Julie, a young adult career girl from Sydney, Australia is at crossroads in her life. And she doesn’t want to be. Julie faces issues with her family and sister, she’s lost her office job through a work redundancy, and her love life is tattered. In many ways this is a coming of age story as Julie learns take control of her life. Julie has misunderstood her past. Can she now create what her life eventually should be like?
Author Syrokou writes in a clear and compelling way and her scenes of Paris and London are vivid and dynamic. She has created warm and memorable characters, such as Julie’s university friends from her past, her housemates and her co-workers.
Julie decides to break from her own life with a trip to Europe. Traveling helped her to clarify her vision of herself. She begins to solve her career problems as she takes positive steps to discover her true interests and passions. Julie sees that her love of beauty, as shown in her living area and her clothing is an asset. I enjoyed reading the descriptions of her clothing and house. She felt proud that she was following her heart and not just settling for another office job.
Much of this readable story contains similar gems of advice for mindful living. Julie learns to be true to her own values. “I guess I’ve allowed myself to become the person I thought others expected me to be.”
But her past and present relationships with men prove harder to fix. Julie must learn to grow up and put aside her childish reactions and hurt feelings, which is why I see this book as a coming of age story. Isn’t it silly how people waste time, hiding how they feel from each other
One of my favorite passages of this book is when Julie receives a gift of a bird figurine resting on a branch. The man who loves her tells her, “Just don’t hold on too tightly to the branch. If it’s too difficult to hold onto it, it may not be the right branch.
Although at times the dialogue was too much, overall I was entranced by this heartfelt story and I recommend this book. I am looking forward to future books in the series.
Julie, a young adult career girl from Sydney, Australia is at crossroads in her life. And she doesn’t want to be. Julie faces issues with her family and sister, she’s lost her office job through a work redundancy, and her love life is tattered. In many ways this is a coming of age story as Julie learns take control of her life. Julie has misunderstood her past. Can she now create what her life eventually should be like?
Author Syrokou writes in a clear and compelling way and her scenes of Paris and London are vivid and dynamic. She has created warm and memorable characters, such as Julie’s university friends from her past, her housemates and her co-workers.
Julie decides to break from her own life with a trip to Europe. Traveling helped her to clarify her vision of herself. She begins to solve her career problems as she takes positive steps to discover her true interests and passions. Julie sees that her love of beauty, as shown in her living area and her clothing is an asset. I enjoyed reading the descriptions of her clothing and house. She felt proud that she was following her heart and not just settling for another office job.
Much of this readable story contains similar gems of advice for mindful living. Julie learns to be true to her own values. “I guess I’ve allowed myself to become the person I thought others expected me to be.”
But her past and present relationships with men prove harder to fix. Julie must learn to grow up and put aside her childish reactions and hurt feelings, which is why I see this book as a coming of age story. Isn’t it silly how people waste time, hiding how they feel from each other
One of my favorite passages of this book is when Julie receives a gift of a bird figurine resting on a branch. The man who loves her tells her, “Just don’t hold on too tightly to the branch. If it’s too difficult to hold onto it, it may not be the right branch.
Although at times the dialogue was too much, overall I was entranced by this heartfelt story and I recommend this book. I am looking forward to future books in the series.
May 1, 2024
I was swept right up into this book! It grabbed me from the first page.
“Eventually Julie” is a wonderful, well-written book. It is the perfect choice for those who like top-notch chick lit, romance, stories of personal growth, travel, and great writing. The author, Anthea Syrokou, describes people and locales so succinctly with all the senses that the reader can join the story with ease and joy.
The author centers this coming-of-age story around Julie and her tribe of friends and family. It’s been about five years since Julie graduated from university, but she hasn’t been able to find closure from the perceived betrayal of her first true love. Julie has an excellent job in a large corporate firm. She is an excellent employee, but she also has an enormous chip on her shoulder that makes her misperceive situations through her wounded and mistrustful heart. She struggles enormously with inner conflict, over-achieving, and tension between some of those closest to her. She is loved and cherished by her close friends and family, but they all see Julie’s wounded heart, which she thinks she has kept hidden from everyone.
Julie's world starts to fall apart when her dept. at the corporate offices gets down-sized. She has already started to acknowledge an internal feeling nagging at her that something isn’t right with her life, and she pinpoints this feeling to her fears and lack of honesty with herself when she realizes how grateful she is to lose the job that was draining her and keeping her away from pursuing her true passions.
Confronting the wounds of misperceptions, Julie embarks on a journey to find closure in parts of her life that have hindered and thwarted her personal growth. Through her unwavering conviction to heal, Julie's journey gives her the courage to confront her deepest fears. This emotional courage liberates her, allowing her to find closure, let down her defenses, and embark on her true, authentic life.
Great story! It's the perfect weekend read.
“Eventually Julie” is a wonderful, well-written book. It is the perfect choice for those who like top-notch chick lit, romance, stories of personal growth, travel, and great writing. The author, Anthea Syrokou, describes people and locales so succinctly with all the senses that the reader can join the story with ease and joy.
The author centers this coming-of-age story around Julie and her tribe of friends and family. It’s been about five years since Julie graduated from university, but she hasn’t been able to find closure from the perceived betrayal of her first true love. Julie has an excellent job in a large corporate firm. She is an excellent employee, but she also has an enormous chip on her shoulder that makes her misperceive situations through her wounded and mistrustful heart. She struggles enormously with inner conflict, over-achieving, and tension between some of those closest to her. She is loved and cherished by her close friends and family, but they all see Julie’s wounded heart, which she thinks she has kept hidden from everyone.
Julie's world starts to fall apart when her dept. at the corporate offices gets down-sized. She has already started to acknowledge an internal feeling nagging at her that something isn’t right with her life, and she pinpoints this feeling to her fears and lack of honesty with herself when she realizes how grateful she is to lose the job that was draining her and keeping her away from pursuing her true passions.
Confronting the wounds of misperceptions, Julie embarks on a journey to find closure in parts of her life that have hindered and thwarted her personal growth. Through her unwavering conviction to heal, Julie's journey gives her the courage to confront her deepest fears. This emotional courage liberates her, allowing her to find closure, let down her defenses, and embark on her true, authentic life.
Great story! It's the perfect weekend read.
July 5, 2018
All things work out if you take the time to sort them out, is what I got from this book. Julie's carried a heavy load of hurt and it's prevented her from moving on and being confident in herself and her relationships. It doesn't help that her relationship with her sister and mom is also quite rocky. When life shakes things up and she loses her job, she finally finds the strength to seek out those adventures she'd always yearned for. I liked this book, I wavered when she wavered and felt such conviction when she did that I couldn't help but admire her passion. Did I mention that I got to read this courtesy of NetGalley, well, my weekend's off to a great start having read two of Anthea's books. The romance gods are satisfied.
July 18, 2018
This was such an inspiring and delightful read with a lot of substance. The main character, Julie, finds herself in a rut. Following the expectations of others, she needs to take control of her life and take the reins. Together with her flatmates, Cassandra and Maria, Julie decides that she will no longer play the victim.
I enjoyed so many things in this sweet and insightful novel: the warm relationships between friends, the family dynamics, and of course the romance. The relationship that Julie has with her sister, at times, was so humorous and at other times, it was so touching and heartfelt. Author Syrokou has a background in psychology/counselling and it seems that she definitely knows what makes her characters tick. All characters evolve in a realistic way. I also loved the exchanges Julie has with many of her colleagues.
Similarly, I enjoyed the different settings. The author describes the settings the characters find themselves in so eloquently and beautifully. I felt like I was in Paris, enjoying a crepe with Julie and the other characters. The depictions of London and Sydney were also so vivid and a joy to read about, as were the descriptions of the vineyards at Hunter Valley - very visual and lovely.
If you're looking for a clever, insightful, and fun read in the women's fiction genre, full of warm, well-developed characters, set in majestic surroundings, I definitely recommend this well-written book.
I enjoyed so many things in this sweet and insightful novel: the warm relationships between friends, the family dynamics, and of course the romance. The relationship that Julie has with her sister, at times, was so humorous and at other times, it was so touching and heartfelt. Author Syrokou has a background in psychology/counselling and it seems that she definitely knows what makes her characters tick. All characters evolve in a realistic way. I also loved the exchanges Julie has with many of her colleagues.
Similarly, I enjoyed the different settings. The author describes the settings the characters find themselves in so eloquently and beautifully. I felt like I was in Paris, enjoying a crepe with Julie and the other characters. The depictions of London and Sydney were also so vivid and a joy to read about, as were the descriptions of the vineyards at Hunter Valley - very visual and lovely.
If you're looking for a clever, insightful, and fun read in the women's fiction genre, full of warm, well-developed characters, set in majestic surroundings, I definitely recommend this well-written book.
January 10, 2018
*Book provided by the author in exchange for an honest review*
Anthea Syrokou takes you immediately into the heart of the story with her writing. It’s engaging and relatable.
We follow 27 year-old Julie, who doesn’t like her job, has a difficult past, when it comes to relationships and many other things.
She decides to take action and travel to Europe, to see London and Paris. It makes her see clearly again and she can think about her life. I loved, how Anthea Syrokou included Paris and London in her writing. I felt like being there with Julie.
There is also the fact that runs into her ex Scott again, the one who broke her heart. The are a lot of unresolved issues there, so it’s actually a good thing.
When Julie is back home in Sydney, she needs to make some important decisions. There is Scott, or will the lovely George win her heart?! Her best friends Maria and Cassandra and also her sister are by her side, helping and doing their magic. They are such a great bunch of characters, lovely to follow around.
The writing is very compelling and gripping. However, the storyline was a bit predictable for me and I some of Julie’s decisions, I didn’t like.
All in all, it’s a great book, full of wonderful characters, a lovely ending and fascinating style of writing!
4.5/5
Anthea Syrokou takes you immediately into the heart of the story with her writing. It’s engaging and relatable.
We follow 27 year-old Julie, who doesn’t like her job, has a difficult past, when it comes to relationships and many other things.
She decides to take action and travel to Europe, to see London and Paris. It makes her see clearly again and she can think about her life. I loved, how Anthea Syrokou included Paris and London in her writing. I felt like being there with Julie.
There is also the fact that runs into her ex Scott again, the one who broke her heart. The are a lot of unresolved issues there, so it’s actually a good thing.
When Julie is back home in Sydney, she needs to make some important decisions. There is Scott, or will the lovely George win her heart?! Her best friends Maria and Cassandra and also her sister are by her side, helping and doing their magic. They are such a great bunch of characters, lovely to follow around.
The writing is very compelling and gripping. However, the storyline was a bit predictable for me and I some of Julie’s decisions, I didn’t like.
All in all, it’s a great book, full of wonderful characters, a lovely ending and fascinating style of writing!
4.5/5
May 9, 2019
Life is full of many changes. Some are good and some are bad. What if you don't really like the job that you have and want something more? What if you are afraid to make the change? Then, of course, there are the co-workers who seem to want to undermine you at every turn. Enter the ex from her past. Should she give him another chance? This is what Julie is dealing with. Sometimes things are not what they seem. Sometimes you need to discover what lies beneath and then take a step forward.
I really enjoyed this story. It was entertaining and well-written. The characters were great and the story moved at a really nice pace. It was a very nice romance story.
I really enjoyed this story. It was entertaining and well-written. The characters were great and the story moved at a really nice pace. It was a very nice romance story.
March 12, 2018
I think we all have an Eventually moment in our lives, and that’s why I enjoyed this story that addresses the late twenties. Sometimes we forget that coming of age stories happen all throughout our lives! Thanks Anthea!
April 29, 2023
This was a painful read and I won’t bother with anymore. The ultimate end was obvious from page 2 so the other 717 pages were totally unnecessary. The heroine made we want to slap her.
March 26, 2020
I received an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
You can receive your copy here :https://www.amazon.com/Eventually-Jul...
This is an Australian author. Most books that I read that are by authors that are not from the US tend to be very different and hard to relate to, but this book was not that case. This is the first book in a three-book series, so far.
We begin the book with poor Julie struggling with her job and her overhearing that there will be layoffs. She is embarrassed at her job, when they accuse her of having too much work on her plate. The next day, she receives an urgent email calling for an urgent meeting first thing on Monday in a conference room. These are NEVER good meetings; they ensure that you cannot go back to your desk and gather your things.
Julie ends up taking a “Values Questionnaire” from her friend. Julie is just not having the best weekend. Her sister wakes her up early the next morning wondering where she was. Julie was supposed to go on a family trip with her sister and family. Julie desperately tried to get out of this trip, but was unsuccessful. She hurriedly gets up and dressed and heads over to her sister’s house, who she doesn’t really get along with, but she heads over there purely for her niece and nephew. The trip is full of concessions on Julie’s part starting with music.
Thankfully, Julie brought this “Values Questionnaire” on her trip with the family. Five sheets of questions! That is a lot, but not as much as my 18-page tax questionnaire. Julie has quite the exciting weekend with lots of plot twisting that happens while on her family getaway. She returns to only find out that her entire department is being relocated to another city and they are all going to be let go. Julie is pretty excited to try new things, travel, etc.
We are then taken on the journey of Julie finally finding herself. You will not be disappointed with this book. I look forward to anything else this author writes.
You can receive your copy here :https://www.amazon.com/Eventually-Jul...
This is an Australian author. Most books that I read that are by authors that are not from the US tend to be very different and hard to relate to, but this book was not that case. This is the first book in a three-book series, so far.
We begin the book with poor Julie struggling with her job and her overhearing that there will be layoffs. She is embarrassed at her job, when they accuse her of having too much work on her plate. The next day, she receives an urgent email calling for an urgent meeting first thing on Monday in a conference room. These are NEVER good meetings; they ensure that you cannot go back to your desk and gather your things.
Julie ends up taking a “Values Questionnaire” from her friend. Julie is just not having the best weekend. Her sister wakes her up early the next morning wondering where she was. Julie was supposed to go on a family trip with her sister and family. Julie desperately tried to get out of this trip, but was unsuccessful. She hurriedly gets up and dressed and heads over to her sister’s house, who she doesn’t really get along with, but she heads over there purely for her niece and nephew. The trip is full of concessions on Julie’s part starting with music.
Thankfully, Julie brought this “Values Questionnaire” on her trip with the family. Five sheets of questions! That is a lot, but not as much as my 18-page tax questionnaire. Julie has quite the exciting weekend with lots of plot twisting that happens while on her family getaway. She returns to only find out that her entire department is being relocated to another city and they are all going to be let go. Julie is pretty excited to try new things, travel, etc.
We are then taken on the journey of Julie finally finding herself. You will not be disappointed with this book. I look forward to anything else this author writes.
October 17, 2024
Have you ever woken up one day and realized your life is in a rut, and you're not quite sure how you got there? Julie knows just how you feel! After overhearing a private conversation at work, Julie realizes neither her career nor her love life are quite where she envisioned them. Determined to take back control of her own destiny, Julie suddenly finds herself revisiting the past with her old flame, Scott. Is it a second chance at true love? Or will George, the coworker that's never quite far from her thoughts, no matter how hard she tries to ignore him, step in and steal her heart instead?
Eventually Julie, the first book in the Julie & Friends series, is a well-written rom-com that explores many familiar themes for women today, such as the bond of friendship, contentious relationships with family, figuring out what you want out of life, and, of course, love! The book explores these themes in a very thoughtful way, and I enjoyed following along with Julie as she gains back her confidence and starts re-ordering her own life and priorities.
The ending of the book was a little too perfect and unrealistic in how the different relationships were resolved and the interactions between people were handled going forward. But the heroine is very relatable and likeable, and you only want the best things for her as she reinvents her life. Her love interests are also both pretty likeable, but I had a definite favorite, and I was overjoyed to see Julie go for it with him!
Overall, I really enjoyed reading about Julie as she re-asserted herself and cheered right alongside of her as she takes a chance on her career and her love life, and I would recommend it for fans of contemporary romance and strong heroines!
Eventually Julie, the first book in the Julie & Friends series, is a well-written rom-com that explores many familiar themes for women today, such as the bond of friendship, contentious relationships with family, figuring out what you want out of life, and, of course, love! The book explores these themes in a very thoughtful way, and I enjoyed following along with Julie as she gains back her confidence and starts re-ordering her own life and priorities.
The ending of the book was a little too perfect and unrealistic in how the different relationships were resolved and the interactions between people were handled going forward. But the heroine is very relatable and likeable, and you only want the best things for her as she reinvents her life. Her love interests are also both pretty likeable, but I had a definite favorite, and I was overjoyed to see Julie go for it with him!
Overall, I really enjoyed reading about Julie as she re-asserted herself and cheered right alongside of her as she takes a chance on her career and her love life, and I would recommend it for fans of contemporary romance and strong heroines!
April 7, 2018
Eventually Julie (Julie & Friends, #1)
Anthea Syrokou
Coming of age stories happen throughout our lives, for Julie its at age 27 and she's had enough. This very relatable story of a young woman with a job she hates, her relationship with her family is strained, relationship status not good. She's one who "does what she's supposed to" and "keep things happy" with family, work and relationships. The things women are "expected" to do in society. So many if us can relate. I know I can.
So, when she has a chance encounter and it leads her to Paris, supportive friends and a time for her to travel, spread her wings and become who she is and wants to be. The sights, the smells, the romantce of Paris. (The author does the city well! )
I love the positivity in this story. The real and relatable experiences and seeing Julie find out who she is and wants and needs to be in one of the most beautiful cities in the world.
If you want a cute, fun story that will leave you smiling it's Eventually Julie. I'm looking forward to Book 2 in the series The Greek Tapestry. 3.75 stars.
Anthea Syrokou
Coming of age stories happen throughout our lives, for Julie its at age 27 and she's had enough. This very relatable story of a young woman with a job she hates, her relationship with her family is strained, relationship status not good. She's one who "does what she's supposed to" and "keep things happy" with family, work and relationships. The things women are "expected" to do in society. So many if us can relate. I know I can.
So, when she has a chance encounter and it leads her to Paris, supportive friends and a time for her to travel, spread her wings and become who she is and wants to be. The sights, the smells, the romantce of Paris. (The author does the city well! )
I love the positivity in this story. The real and relatable experiences and seeing Julie find out who she is and wants and needs to be in one of the most beautiful cities in the world.
If you want a cute, fun story that will leave you smiling it's Eventually Julie. I'm looking forward to Book 2 in the series The Greek Tapestry. 3.75 stars.
July 12, 2018
Julie was at a crossroads. Although she had a well paying job and lived with two flat mates she cared about - there was something missing. That something seemed to materialize while on a family trip. She hadn’t seen Scott since Uni. After he betrayed her with Tanya, whom she thought was her best friend, she never spoke to him again. She couldn’t deny the fact that she’s never had another serious relationship since. Her mother and sister also reminded her constantly. Was this a sign?
~ I almost didn’t finish this because it was so cliche. I enjoy Australian writers but this book was way too juvenile and predictable.
~ I almost didn’t finish this because it was so cliche. I enjoy Australian writers but this book was way too juvenile and predictable.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 9, 2019
This is the first book in the series, and I must say, it was such a well written book. I thoroughly enjoyed reading about Julie and her plight: her career and family woes, and her relationship problems. It was so interesting to see Julie in many of the interesting settings like Sydney. I felt like I was right in the heart of the city and other places I know so well. Her trip to Paris complements the novel beautifully. The descriptions of this romantic city are exceptional. However, the heart of the story is about Julie and her need to be true to herself. This is a delightful story of self-growth. I loved it!
July 24, 2018
Exhausting
I couldn't finish this book. It was self conscious and obsessive. I got a quarter of the way through with no sign of any action or Paris. The reviews are misleading. Wasted $.
I couldn't finish this book. It was self conscious and obsessive. I got a quarter of the way through with no sign of any action or Paris. The reviews are misleading. Wasted $.
August 27, 2018
This was the first book I've read from this author. It was an OK chick lit read. I was looking forward to an exciting travel novel but was let down by the superficial and obsessive stance of the main character. Didn't really care for it.
#eventuallyjulie #NetGalley
#eventuallyjulie #NetGalley
October 3, 2024
Eat, pray, snore
Eventually Julie by Anthea Syrokou is, indeed, a ‘finding herself’ book. I went into it thinking it was a romance novel, but it was laden with minutia about accounting work, clothes, aromatherapy and mom and sister woes. Frankly, the stuff that seems to define women everywhere that I could never resonate with.
I’m not sure who the book is aimed at, as it’s just a ‘cozy’ bumbling about after getting laid off with very low stakes except due to her own shallow ineptititude. In classic literature, she’d be a ‘tragic’ hero—one who realizes she’s the cause of her own downfall by the end of the book. However, I had a really hard time feeling altruistic towards the main character, even if I could relate to the waffling.
Likewise, she seems to vacilate between romantic interests, and we never get a sense like she was interested in them more than as fashion accessories for life. Girl, if I knew any men that interested in interior design, fashion, and men’s skin-care/fragrance, I’d start questioning his own brand of romantic and identity confusion.
I wish there’d been more developmental editing. So much of this book dragged on without things to drive or elevate the plot, so it plodded along in minutiae rather than intrigue, and felt like I was being told the plot of a soap-opera I didn’t care about at the middle-school lunch table.
I get the whole thing was about ‘finding herself’, but it didn’t read as naivety and youth so much as a highly immature, petty person more concerned with aesthetics than substance. So, I suppose it’s fitting where she found her calling, but I’m not sure finding your dream career-path defines maturity as a person.
Eventually Julie by Anthea Syrokou is, indeed, a ‘finding herself’ book. I went into it thinking it was a romance novel, but it was laden with minutia about accounting work, clothes, aromatherapy and mom and sister woes. Frankly, the stuff that seems to define women everywhere that I could never resonate with.
I’m not sure who the book is aimed at, as it’s just a ‘cozy’ bumbling about after getting laid off with very low stakes except due to her own shallow ineptititude. In classic literature, she’d be a ‘tragic’ hero—one who realizes she’s the cause of her own downfall by the end of the book. However, I had a really hard time feeling altruistic towards the main character, even if I could relate to the waffling.
Likewise, she seems to vacilate between romantic interests, and we never get a sense like she was interested in them more than as fashion accessories for life. Girl, if I knew any men that interested in interior design, fashion, and men’s skin-care/fragrance, I’d start questioning his own brand of romantic and identity confusion.
I wish there’d been more developmental editing. So much of this book dragged on without things to drive or elevate the plot, so it plodded along in minutiae rather than intrigue, and felt like I was being told the plot of a soap-opera I didn’t care about at the middle-school lunch table.
I get the whole thing was about ‘finding herself’, but it didn’t read as naivety and youth so much as a highly immature, petty person more concerned with aesthetics than substance. So, I suppose it’s fitting where she found her calling, but I’m not sure finding your dream career-path defines maturity as a person.
October 2, 2022
This book was so refreshing and insightful. I thoroughly enjoyed the scenes in Sydney, London and Paris. The friendship between Julie and her friends was so uplifting. It was great to see that she had a sounding board throughout all her family, career, and relationship woes. Anthea Syrokou writes beautifully with many lovely prose and vivid descriptions. Her writing made me feel for the characters and I was so invested in the story and what happens to not only Julie, but her friends and her family as well. I could really relate to the pressure Julie had to find meaning in her life. That's what the core of this book was about - finding meaning in life.
There was, of course, some romance, and the topic of family dynamics was also explored. The author is really knowledgeable in the topic of finding yourself and the book is sprinkled with many counselling terms but it is done to steer the story and it also complements the story. The relationship that Julie has with her sister was at times hilarious but also so realistic. I cannot say enough about the author's wit and her ability to describe various settings with such grace. It left me wanting more. I am definitely a fan of Anthea Syrokou's writing. I'm glad I discovered an author in this genre who deals with topics in a mature and intelligent way, while also making it a fun and enjoyable read.
There was, of course, some romance, and the topic of family dynamics was also explored. The author is really knowledgeable in the topic of finding yourself and the book is sprinkled with many counselling terms but it is done to steer the story and it also complements the story. The relationship that Julie has with her sister was at times hilarious but also so realistic. I cannot say enough about the author's wit and her ability to describe various settings with such grace. It left me wanting more. I am definitely a fan of Anthea Syrokou's writing. I'm glad I discovered an author in this genre who deals with topics in a mature and intelligent way, while also making it a fun and enjoyable read.
September 24, 2024
This is a nice story with a cast of likeable characters who are well drawn and relatable. It follows Julie, a twenty seven year old who is stuck in a job she hates and the realisation that she has lost the passion and spark that she had back in her university days. Through a series of events she is forced to make some life changes and eventually finds her way back to her old self via a trip to Paris and meeting up with some key players from her past.
I think many people can relate to Julie's dilemma, bogged down in the realities of everyday life and still stuck on "the one" who broke her heart several years before. I understand what the author set out to do in telling this story, showing how being self aware can help you pivot and change your life in a fairly short time frame. Where the story falls down a little is in the details - there is just way too much detail, especially in some of the dialogue and self reflection. Some of the writing is also a bit formal for this genre. This includes the psychology terms that were used throughout. Again, I understand what the author was trying to convey with Julie coming to understand her situation but it comes across in some places like an actual self help book rather than a fiction novel.
Overall a positive story with a good message if you don't get too caught up in the details.
I think many people can relate to Julie's dilemma, bogged down in the realities of everyday life and still stuck on "the one" who broke her heart several years before. I understand what the author set out to do in telling this story, showing how being self aware can help you pivot and change your life in a fairly short time frame. Where the story falls down a little is in the details - there is just way too much detail, especially in some of the dialogue and self reflection. Some of the writing is also a bit formal for this genre. This includes the psychology terms that were used throughout. Again, I understand what the author was trying to convey with Julie coming to understand her situation but it comes across in some places like an actual self help book rather than a fiction novel.
Overall a positive story with a good message if you don't get too caught up in the details.
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