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We're All A Mess, It's OK: A Collection of Funny Essays and One-Liners About the Struggles of Everyday Life

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More than one hundred contributors share their failures, setbacks, and most embarrassing moments.

Life is riddled with pain, disappointment, and failure, but given enough time, they're folly. Covering everything from horrible internet dating experiences, strange co-workers, vacations that went awry, and the worst holiday gifts of all time, We're All A Mess, It's OK captures life's most absurd moments honestly.

194 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 19, 2018

655 people are currently reading
151 people want to read

About the author

Amy Lyle

2 books35 followers
Amy Lyle is an author, comedienne/actor and screenwriter that grew up in Marietta, Ohio, which is in the heart of Appalachia, known for a population that is partial to moonshine and prone to acts of violence.

Obsessed with comedians and comedic writers such as Jenny Lawson, Tina Fey, Carrie Fisher, Kristin Wiig, Amy Poehler, Joan Rivers, Ellen DeGeneres, Chelsea Handler, Wendy Williams, Mitch Hedberg, Wanda Sykes, Chris Rock, Kevin Hart, Will Ferrell, Carol Burnett, Lucille Ball and Roseanne Barr, she developed a writing style that is self-deprecating, hilarious and slightly neurotic.

Amy has self-diagnosed herself with many conditions including: OCD (uncontrollable, reoccurring thoughts vacillating from cleaning to running away), misophonia (having intense angry reactions to lip-smacking), Tourette’s Syndrome (yelling out random words), Sedatephobia (finds silence vexing and scary), apraxia (difficulty pronouncing words) and IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome). She’s taking many, many natural, herbal supplements.

Amy and her (second) husband, Peter, are having many issues raising their four teenagers and large dog together in the suburbs just north of Atlanta.

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5 stars
84 (30%)
4 stars
60 (22%)
3 stars
76 (28%)
2 stars
31 (11%)
1 star
20 (7%)
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
Profile Image for TL *Humaning the Best She Can*.
2,351 reviews167 followers
October 10, 2025
Read for free with Kindle Unlimited
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Boy I'm glad these didn't happen to me! Telling my mom about some of these had her shaking her head.

Second embarrassment was strong with a handful of stories and fart humor and the like won the day 😄 🤣.

Would recommend, fun read to pass the time and to get some laughs in this crazy reality we live in.

Profile Image for Bernard Shuford.
101 reviews
October 27, 2025
Hilarious, to put it mildly.

Some of these stories made me laugh more intensely than I have in a long time. So funny. I would say well written, but that's not the point....
Profile Image for Alain Davis.
30 reviews2 followers
December 4, 2018
If you need a book to make you laugh – you’ve come to the right place! Do you have a friend that’s been feeling blue? Send them this book!! Seriously! I laughed so hard reading this book, I *may* have peed my pants. This book covers everything, from being mistaken for that ugly actress, to meeting a new boyfriend’s dad (only to realize he’s the doctor that treated you for an embarrassing medical condition) to dogs eating icky baby diapers. Truly, this book is hilarious!! There is even a really awesome recipe in here for brownies. Mmmm…brownies. Anyways, give it a try – have a laugh. This author does a wonderful job of helping us remember that we’re all human, we’re all just trying to figure it out, one day at a time. We’re all perfectly imperfect!
Profile Image for Shannon McCafferty.
Author 1 book3 followers
June 12, 2020
The first time I read this book I laughed so hard I almost wet myself. I then read aloud bits and pieces to my best friend. We laughed so hard together our stomachs hurt. I read it again while traveling. Then I lent it to a friend and never got it back. It’s now one of my go-to gift books. Delightfully composed with stories that kept me in stitches.
Profile Image for Deborah Sue.
3 reviews1 follower
January 6, 2019
There's a story for every situation in here. I laughed my way through most of the book. Anyone will find a story they can relate to and a story that brings back memories of a similar, personal experience. You'll laugh, groan, and maybe face palm. But if you need a pick me up on a rough day or to be reminded that everyone does ridiculous things at some point, this is the book to turn to.
Profile Image for Erin Allen.
515 reviews1 follower
November 9, 2024
Booooooring and I don’t recommend.

This book is filled with “funny” essays and one-liners that highlight the grainier sides of being human and imperfect. It covers everything from horrible dating experiences, the strange vacations that went array, to the worst holiday gifts.

I felt like most of these stories I had heard before and didn’t find many of them funny or shocking 🤷🏻‍♀️.
Profile Image for BookeryBliss.
337 reviews36 followers
May 2, 2019
After spending a week in the hospital and having to continue IV infusions at home, I was feeling pretty bummed and overwhelmed.

I started reading Amy's books and couldn't help but laugh and giggle reading through them.
Full of hysterical stories and relatable blunders, these fun and witty books were a perfect treat during my recovery.

I immediately ordered more copies and plan to gift them to my friends. I think most people need to be reminded that we aren't alone in our blunders, plus you'll get a few chuckles out of the comical expressions.

They say laughter is the best medicine and I can say that these definitely brightened my day!
Profile Image for Susan Katz.
Author 28 books4 followers
September 5, 2019
A few good laughs toward the end, but in general not nearly as humorous as a book by Jenny Lawson. Some of the stories just seemed stupid to me, but maybe I was just in a mood! Good for some light-hearted reading to ease stress!
Profile Image for Amanda.
6 reviews
November 7, 2019
Quick, fun read!

I enjoyed every story in this book; laughing out loud at several. I definitely recommend for a light read, or a quick read if you're trying to meet your GoodReads Reading Challenge goals 😉
4 reviews1 follower
August 10, 2021
Fun Read…gave mo a lot of smiles and chuckles😊

This was a very enjoyable book. Very relatable! It made me chuckle. I loved it enough to check Amazon for any additional books written by Amy. Thanks for giving me cause to smile.
Profile Image for Disha.
Author 23 books59 followers
January 20, 2019
Could not complete reading it. Did not like it.
Profile Image for Cynthia Bower.
269 reviews1 follower
January 27, 2019
So funny

If you need a laugh or to know you just aren't along in this big crazy world 🌎 , this book is for you!
Profile Image for Liz.
15 reviews5 followers
March 10, 2019
There's new fun on each page. I loved reading about so many people's hilarious situations.
Profile Image for Gregory Williams.
Author 8 books112 followers
November 30, 2019
Cute set of short stories of life’s imperfections and the way we navigate through daily absurdities with a good sense of humor and perspective.
Profile Image for Jaime karol.
25 reviews4 followers
January 26, 2020
We’re all a little weird

If you think you have quirks, meet the people in this book. It was a funny read and definitely made me forget my worries for a bit. What could be better?
Profile Image for Cara Bristol.
Author 108 books939 followers
March 28, 2020
I thought this book was laugh aloud funny; I spit on my Kindle several times. Various contributors share their embarrassing moments. If you need a laugh, I recommend this book.
Profile Image for Nikki Barr.
36 reviews3 followers
May 23, 2020
It's ok

It's a quick read. Some of it is laugh out loud funny and much is just ho-hum. Still I enjoyed reading it.
9 reviews2 followers
August 16, 2020
Funny read

Great short stories that make you laugh out loud. If you want a quick read and something to make you smile this ones for you.
Profile Image for Amber.
26 reviews
December 27, 2020
Good laughs

So many laugh out loud moments. Good laugh for a blah day, well any day really. We truly are all a mess
Profile Image for Kirsten Schlewitz.
409 reviews30 followers
July 7, 2022
This...is funny? After slogging through fifteen minutes of notes shorter and far less amusing than I'd find on Twitter, I gave up without even cracking a smile.
Profile Image for Darcy Markee.
20 reviews
March 27, 2024
Mini essays make good bathroom read

Great to open up this book while waiting for appointment or it would make a convenient bathroom read. Some stories are super funny.
3 reviews
November 3, 2024
funny and relatable

I laughed way too hard at the expense of the story telling, but all of them seem like something I have or would do.
Profile Image for A K Wilson.
29 reviews3 followers
June 11, 2024
Couldn’t relate more!

This book is full of epic stories that brings a giggle to each one. It’s something I think almost everyone can find one that they can relate too. It keeps a readers interest and so refreshing read something so positive !
Looking forward more from this epic author! ✍️
10 reviews
March 20, 2020
Funny and easy to read book to read.
1 review
May 10, 2023
Horrible. Not even remotely entertaining or funny. Couldn’t finish.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews

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