Break-up Boss

by Zoë Foster Blake

Break-ups suck. But you don't have to suck at break-ups. Break-ups are awful, and tough, and they're very real, but that doesn't mean they get to take over your whole life. YOU can take charge. YOU can be the boss of your break-up. YOU can choose to see it as a gift. And you must.

Break-up Boss gives you all the tools and techniques (and lots of lectures - cute!) to deal with each stage of your break-up. This is a Real Life, no-nonsense picture of a break-up, and an enthusiastic, empowered and positive view of how to deal with it.

Genres: Nonfiction, Self Help, Audiobook, Personal Development

224 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2018

About the author

Zoë Foster Blake is an Australian author and the founder of Go-To skin care. Yes, she is writing this in third person.

Zoë writes mostly for young women, because she thinks they're wonderful and deserve nice books.

Zoë has published five fiction titles, THINGS WILL CALM DOWN SOON, AIR KISSES, PLAYING THE FIELD, THE YOUNGER MAN and THE WRONG GIRL (made into a network TV series in Australia).

Zoë has also written four non-fiction titles: a dating and relationship guide called TEXTBOOK ROMANCE, (written with Hamish Blake), AMAZINGER FACE, a compilation of beauty tips and tricks, BREAK-UP BOSS, (also an app) and LOVE!, essays from a decade spent writing relationship advice. She published CLEAN SLATE, an Audible Original about infidelity in a seemingly perfect marriage in 2020.

She also writes picture books: NO ONE LIKES A FART, which won the ABIA Children’s Picture Book of the Year in 2018 because farts are where it’s AT, BACK TO SLEEP, FART AND BURP ARE SUPERSTINKERS (titled NO ONE LIKES A BURP in the US), SCAREDY BATH, BATTLE MUM, HAPPY FARTER’S DAY, and BEST PRESENT EVER.

When she's not updating her goodreads bio she's writing her new novel, out Oct 2026.

Reviews

[Elloise · Rating 5 out of 5]

I could not recommend this enough if you’re going through a breakup. It’s incredible & helped me so much!

[Annabel loves 2 read]

You bet I’m counting this toward my 2022 reading goal

[Madeleine Campbell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Um yes I’m counting this towards my yearly reading goal thank you

[Zoe Caldwell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Obviously for use on a needs basis, but if your in the “needs basis” bucket - she’s a goodn’!

[Emilie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Zoe is a ray of sunshine through her use of language and her congeniality. This book is a gift to those who have a lot of post-break up emotions to pour out but recognise the limits of their friends' time and capacity to listen to obsessive overthinking.

Zoe correctly identifies that this book is more targeted to people who have been broken up with than those who have done the breaking up. This angle shines through in the less than wholesome behaviour that she suggests her reader shows to the homogenous Ex.

While I believe this approach can be important where the right path is cleanly moving on, it is perhaps not fitting in situations where a breakup came from a place of mutual care and affection that precipitated the decision to end a relationship. I don't believe it is necessary to brand an Ex as a persona non grata in all situations and believe that recognising that you can care deeply for a person and mourn them in your life is not mutually exclusive with a functional breakup.

It is a quick and easy guide to breaking up for young people who are angry. And I know there are a lot of those so props to tapping into a thirsty market.

[Olivia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wish I could gift this excellent book to everyone struggling to get through a break up. I love that Break Up Boss is separated into different sections depending on how the reader is feeling and can be started at any point, as every break up and relationship is different. It is easily digestible for those who aren’t big readers and manages to make fantastic points while still being humorous at times.

[Bianca Kezia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thoughtful, tough but kind advice and sharing from a wealth of knowledge and empathy, Blake has written a book that prooooooooobably should mandatory highschool/life reading.

Eye opening and yet reassuring.

[Nikki Brown · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is the perfect fun life coach you might need if you are suffering through a breakup, like any self help book there are real spots of gold that will resonate with you. I also lover her lil insults throughout 😂

[Anastacia Shepherd · Rating 5 out of 5]

Can’t rate this book enough got me through my breakup and got me my bf back LOL

[Sienna lambert · Rating 3 out of 5]

*audiobook
All the things you need to lovingly hear after a break up. Necessary, gentle, blanket advice. Might listen to 10 times before the year is done.

[V · Rating 4 out of 5]

So I impatiently bought the app while the book was arriving in the mail. Read/used the whole app within 2 days. And then read the book to find it to be exactly the same!! Like word for word. Personally I'd recommend the app (not sure if it's available worldwide, but definitely in Australia). The app is way easier to use, more interactive (love the fake text your ex function), much more helpful when going through break up meltdowns, and cheaper since it's digital.

Nevertheless, Break-up Boss is brilliant. The language and content is marketed to young women so might not work for everyone. But I quite liked it and have recommended it to my girl friends. ZFB speaks with conviction and her mantra to tackle breakups with "Grace, dignity & indestructible strength of character" is not only going to inspire fervent young girls of the hashtag generation, but also frustrated women in their 30s. If you have a sister, friend, daughter going through a haunting break up, do them a favour and gift them this book!

[Ashlea · Rating 5 out of 5]

BUY THIS BOOK. BUY IT NOW. This book literally saved me from self imploding after a really difficult break up. Zoë’s writing style is so relatable, cheeky and to the point. Whilst reading this I laughed, I cried and I filled in almost an entire journal exploring myself and the lessons learnt from the break up itself, myself, and this book. You don’t have to read it front to back and can skip to sections depending on how you’re feeling. Miss them? There’s a chapter for that. Hate them? One for that too. Want them back? Yep, she’s got it all covered. This book helped me become more self aware and explore what was going on for me, rather than them. Because at the end of the day, we can only control ourselves. Buy it for yourself or have one on backup for friends/family. It is a lifesaver.

[Alisha Henderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

awesome book for those dealing with the initial raw stage of a break up. if you are starting to move on it is still a nice reminder of where you were vs where you are now.

[Keets · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fitting for my first book of 2024 💛🤞🏼 new beginnings. Feels like a chat with a big sister/bestie 🫶🏼

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

How lucky am I I finally get the opportunity to round out ZFB’s catalogue (sense my sarcasm through the screen, please).

All heartache aside, I was excited to finally put this little pink pocket rocket to the test after hearing such good things for so many years - and it’s exactly what it promises.

Perfectly balancing the validation one needs post-break up with the soul crushing honesty even our best friends aren’t willing to shell out, it’s a beacon of truth offering a life raft to those of us engulfed in the joys of broken-heartedness.

Bravo ZFB, and yay to another relic for my Zoe shrine (joking, not joking).

[Lexy · Rating 3 out of 5]

The entirety of this book felt like Zoë was sitting next to me, talking to me and (occasionally) shaking me to emphasise her point. This book has lots of advice for dealing with the various stages of a break up - most of which is common sense but nevertheless helps put things in perspective when it’s written down (I may need to read it a few more times before I actually implement her tips). The main message is that a break up is an opportunity to life your best life for you and use your singleness to do the things you want to do, which is a positive and healthy way to look at things.

[Jodie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I came to this book after breaking up with my BF and feeling lots of regret. The book is definitely more targeted towards people who have been broken up with. I felt like a lot of the messages it sends (like "you gave your whole raw self to this person and it wasn't enough for them") was a bit triggering because I feel like I am "the ex" she refers to in the book and it fueled my guilt a bit. There were a few helpful things in there though so I definitely got a bit out of the book. It just felt like it was targeted to a very particular kind of break-up.

[Carrissa Dalglish · Rating 5 out of 5]

Going through my first break up at 28 and most of my friends having not been through break ups as adults and all of them currently in longterm relationships has felt quite isolating.

This book gave me what I was searching for in a friend. A month ago I felt crazy, hopeless and like I’d never feel like a human again. I’ve reread bits and pieces of this book every few days since the break up and it has saved me in moments of crisis.

If you are going through a break up you need this book. My only complaint is that I didn’t read this sooner.

Thank you Zoë.

[Resa Simanu · Rating 2 out of 5]

As someone who has been through an extremely terrible breakup I think it’s safe to say that this book does offer great tips and insights on how to deal with the pain and move on but it was not my cup of tea. There are too many quirks and informalities about this book that I found annoying. I would have just preferred a psychological formal approach to a breakup but this book was more like getting breakup advice from a teenage girl.

[Chantal · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a good read. Some very handy hints and tips that should definitely be followed. Some things you would know anyway, but we all need those reminders! The one about not contacting them, especially after few drinks. Ha ha!
This is well written with a few funny parts, that I am sure we can all laugh at, as some of us have done these things.
Thanks for the book - it was good, put a smile on my face and reminded me, that we all survive breakups.

[Amelia Dorey]

Really enjoyed this! It definitely would've hit more a few years ago (when a breakup was fresher) but nevertheless, I really appreciated the author's insights. Listening to the audiobook was especially nice, it just felt like chatting to a supportive older sister figure. I can see myself returning to different sections of this in the future (hopefully not out of personal need but as a guide to how I can better support friends going through breakups)!

[Lola · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. It felt like I was being spoken to but an extremely wise but also down to earth older sister, aunt and friend. Zoe has the knowledge of past experiences and drinking her dumb bitch juice but also wise understanding of what we all need to hear. My break-up and life in general was made easier because this book and I am forever thankful to Zoe 🥰

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great book. Truly great and so easy to read. Every page puts a huge smile on my face and it puts all your experiences into perspective. Break-up's aren't the end of the world, they never will be. Your life can only get better here on out :)

[Jade Gabriel · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great book that approaches the shitty truths that happen post relationship in a genuinely funny and heartfelt way
Zoe's voice in the audio book gives a personal touch that I didn't know I needed
Would highly recommend

[Shanice · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a joy! I found it so comforting & really gave some brilliant advice. It’s written in a way where the advice can fit a broad range of situations, but you can still take home some wisdom. I finished it & then started from page 1 again - this time with my highlighter & journal on hand!

[Leah · Rating 5 out of 5]

The bible for all breakups, seriously, you need this book!

[Ashton · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s a cute book. Zoe is a great writer. I didn’t gain any knowledge from this book, but have relied on Zoe’s kind motivation when I needed a gentle nudge.

[Jess · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book you can read the entirety of, or can just take what you need from it! Fantastically written :)

[Bec Hunt · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wasn’t applicable to me right now. Always helps to keep tips on the back burner.

[Bethany Hull · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book - shes nailed it ! Great to read in the raw stages of a break up but also great to read as you are coming out the other side. Highly recommend !!