Hangovers & Hot Flashes

by Kim Gruenenfelder

“Filled with emotional depth and biting wit and threaded through with brains and heart. Kim writes friends you love and root for, people you’ll miss when you regretfully finish this wonderful book.” — Quinn Cummings, author of Notes From the Underwire Michelle, Zoe and Alexis are friends who have one thing in common. They are all in their 40s and wondering the same “Now what?” Zoe, the mother of 17 year-old twins about to abandon her for college, misses the romance of her twenties, and desperately wants just one last first kiss. Thinking outside the box, she convinces her husband Carlos to embark on an open marriage. Which leads to a new set of problems and How does she pick a “non-skeevy” swinger’s club, do men of a certain age even want sex with no strings attached, and does ordering a glass of Syrah these days really signal to would be suitors that you just want to f*@# them in their car? Most importantly, will getting to be with someone else help or hurt her marriage? And if that someone else is an ex who effortlessly morphs into a fantasy man who after all these years finally says and does all the right things, how does Zoe choose between the life she has and the road not taken? Michelle has made it her routine on her way home to stop one block from her house, park, stare into space, and dread the next few hours of her life. She’s tired of juggling her very full time job as a real estate agent with the full time job of parenting two kids without much help from her husband, Steve. She's also tired of not having sex and the daily silence that has replaced their fighting. Michelle doesn’t have a road not taken, but she’s at a fork in that road. Does she take the easy path, and spend the rest of her life with a man she loves but no longer likes? Or go the hard Divorce. Living life with one income, single parenting, lonely Thanksgivings, and kids who may never forgive you. And how does somebody start dating again when all the rules have changed since she took herself off the market years ago? Alexis is the self-made multi-millionaire we all aspire to be. She’s the creator of a slew of hit TV shows and the head of a wildly successful production company. She’s got the dream car, the stunning house on the beach in Malibu, the black AmEx. Everything is going exactly according to plan, and there’s a lot to be happy about. But she also has Connor, her on-again/off-again boyfriend of twelve years. Plus she’s going through early menopause, and now wonders how she forgot to have kids. Her life plan is suddenly thrown into further disarray when Connor shows up with a stray dog, which he leaves with her. Which is just the beginning, as that mangy mutt leads to a teenaged dog walker, a middle-aged widower, and her Sunday morning brunches possibly being replaced by church. So what do you do when nothing in your life is working the way you saw it in your head, and the unplanned life might make you happier? Knowing their girlfriends will always have their backs, Michelle, Zoe and Alexis confront their new realities with honesty and humor, while trying to find happiness amidst hangovers and hot flashes.

Genres: Contemporary, Chick Lit

384 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 11, 2018

About the author

Kim Gruenenfelder grew up in and around Los Angeles and began her career in TV at the age of nineteen. In addition to her books A Total Waste of Makeup, Misery Loves Cabernet and There's Cake in My Future, she has written feature films, episodic teleplays and two stage plays. She lives in Los Angeles, California. She loves her fans and can be reached through her website and on Facebook.

http://us.macmillan.com/author/kimgru...

Reviews

[Mary-Lisa Russo · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was completely a "LOL" book! A smashingly good read that was bold yet realistic. These ladies over 40 were raw in their conversations and uttterly hilarious in their sarcasm and eye-rolling complaints. I actually learned some things I had no idea about. (Looking forward to the future with wary eyes lol.)

I enjoyed the funny bantering and the ups and downs between the characters who were fleshed out by the author in a way that kept me engaged and reading past 2:00am despite needing toothpicks to stay awake. (It's blessedly introvert season for me.)

The author is blessed with a wonderful ability to make everyday conversations interesting and deeply engaging for the reader. You know a book is entertaining when 'you-just-cannot-put-it-down.'

You won't regret acquiring a copy of this book and falling into the writing world of Kim Gruenenfelder.

5/5

[Kim Gruenenfelder Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wrote it. If I didn't give it a five star review, I would look like an idiot. Now I just look like a narcissist. My book is a romantic comedy featuring 3 women in their 40s, and I'm really proud of it, mostly because I don't think enough people are writing light books about middle aged women. Michelle is going through a divorce, Zoe is navigating a 20 year marriage and Alexis is trying to figure out how to navigate dating after all these years. Oh, and Alexis accidentally gets a dog. A lot of people seem to like the dog. It's an Amazon exclusive: after 5 traditionally published novels, I went a new route. Ebook is 9.99, but if you want to know when the ebook goes on sale for 2.99 later this month, email me at kim@kimgruenenfelder.com, and I'll keep you posted.
Thank you for looking!

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

After enjoying some of Kim Gruenenfelder's previous novels, I was excited to dig into Hangovers & Hot Flashes. I definitely received a treat as soon as I opened it. The first chapter had me laughing out loud right away! The momentum carried throughout the story as I got to know Alexis, Zoe, and Michelle.

The story was thoroughly enjoyable. I especially liked reading about women closer to my age who are navigating relationships and/or marriages and still don't have all the answers. They had an interesting perspective on the Italy vs. Holland concept. I've heard it used by people who have kids with disabilities in the past, but in the case of this novel, it was used in a broader scope.

My only minor issue with this novel is that the title didn't fit as well as it was intended to. I didn't feel like anyone really had hot flashes and the only one hungover wasn't anyone from the group of friends. Perhaps tying the title into the Italy vs. Holland concept would have worked better. Like something about a detour in life. Aside from that, it felt like all three women were built up as extremely attractive. If you're going to talk about women in their mid-forties, give them some of the health and beauty issues we realistically struggle with.

Overall, Hangovers was completely engaging and I felt connected with all three women, even though I couldn't relate to everything they were going through. I would love to revisit with them in future books, the same way the women from There's Cake in My Future had a follow up story in Keep Calm and Carry a Big Drink.

Movie casting suggestions:
Zoe: Charlize Theron
Alexis: Elizabeth Banks
Michelle: Susan May Pratt
John: Aaron Eckhart
Steve: Kerr Smith
Carlos: Danny Pino
Connor: Jonathan Scarfe
Tom: Patrick Wilson
Kris: Darcy Rose Byrnes

[Melissa Riggs · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this book during the 2020 National Quarantine. At first, I thought I wouldn't make it past the first few chapters-it seemed to hit to close to home...moms facing empty-nests, long-time marriages that have lost their thrill and I was actually finding myself angry that the characters were able to go do things together rather than virtually. But as with all Kim Gruenenfelder's books, I found myself drawn in. laughing and crying with my new best friends who are really only characters in a book. Do yourself a favor and pick this one up!

"Michelle, Zoe and Alexis are friends who have one thing in common. They are all in their 40s and wondering the same thing: “Now what?”

[Noel Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it!

Couldn't put it down. Loved that the characters are all in their 40s. It was funny and very relatable. Can't wait for your next one!

[Karen Curley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I I got this book at midnight and was finished with it around 4pm! It’s a very entertaing and fast read. I fell in love with all of the characters immediately! Great read!

[Faa Brimmo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Funtabulicious!

This book is funtabulicious. I laughed, guffawed, and yes, even chortled ;-) I gasped, yelled at the characters, cackled and applauded. A splendid read that I cannot wait to enjoy a second time :-)

[Erica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kim does it again! Likable characters in true life situations. It doesn’t get easier when we get older, just older 😊❤️

[Anna Taylor · Rating 3 out of 5]

I hate to give this three stars but this book was kind of a mess and really needed a lot more editing. The ending was problematic, and the main theme of the book "girlfriends will always have your back," was barely distinguishable because it was all about needing a man to be happy. Insert judgemental face here.

Kim Gruenenfelder is at her best when she focuses on one narrator, like in A Total Waste of Makeup or My Ex's Wedding. Her books with three narrators aren't as strong, and this one, being self-published, really needed tighter editing.

As stated, the theme just didn't come through. The only time the three narrators were even together were in the first and last chapters, although they had a couple (literally maybe two) conversations the rest of the novel. This was actually three different stories in one book, not one melded story. They also kept mentioning OTHER friends, who we barely saw, which was completely unnecessary. Kayla, Carla, Rebecca - they weren't important.

Little details were left out that made things confusing. Are Zoe's kids twins? It's never mentioned, but clearly they're both teenagers. When Zoe reminisces about when they were little, she calls them babies together, making you think they were born at the same time.. When they go off on a college tour together, I finally assumed that they were, in fact, twins, but not knowing that simple trivial fact was annoying.

Also, Zoe's previous career as a comedian is brought up WAY too late for anyone to care about it. Her current career as a podcaster is barely relevant in her life.

Holland?! This inside joke is mentioned TWICE before it's explained, leaving you confused.

And this is super trivial, but the cover was terrible. Beautiful, 20ish looking woman with the freaking tiniest waist you've ever seen. How about a drawing of an actual 40 something on the cover, since that IS the audience?

Spoilery complaints:

Why in the HELL would Michelle jump right into another relationship literally a day after her marriage broke up? She asks Nick to be her actual boyfriend. Girl, take some time to rediscover who you are outside of a relationship and maybe examine why your last one failed before you commit to another? And with kids in the house? I really hated that. Let's teach women it's OKAY to be single for awhile.

Zoe, who is an absolute mess, finally realizes she doesn't need an open relationship, so tries to come clean to her husband that she kissed her ex. He gets upset and decides to go for a walk, and she's like "if you leave, don't come back!" WHAT THE ACTUAL HELL? This makes no sense whatsoever.

Alexis and John. Alexis is told by a male friend that she's being TOO ALPHA for John which is why he's losing interest. Just, WHAT? This is NOT what we are supposed to be preaching to other women! Just because you're in your 40s doesn't mean you have to settle for someone who's not okay with you being who you are.

Here's the positive: Gruenenfelder gets women, of any age. Her characters, while a bit messy, are relatable, and generally enjoyable to read. Tunny, the dog, was an absolute delight and the highlight of the book, because she is a master of comedic scenes.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kim Gruenenfelder has done it again. I stumbled on her books a few years back and immediately read everything she had at the time. I anxiously await her new books and finish them in a day or two.

I loved the characters in this book. They were very relatable. Especially as someone who married young, had kids and then divorced. I found myself on several occasions thinking I have said that, acted like that, lived that. I loved the friendship between the women - I could see similarities to my tribe of women.

Thank you for such a great read. I look forward to your next book! (No pressure!)

[Parisan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this so much. I may be single and just 30 but it was an entertaining read. I have to say I downloaded it simply because I love Kim’s other books but based on the title I wasn’t too thrilled about reading it. Once I finally did though I loved it! Zoe pissed me off to no end despite having the best husband but finally she came around to see the light. Alexis was my spirit animal though. She was kick ass yet vulnerable and all around very relatable for me personally.

Please keep writing more books Kim!!

[lescee mills · Rating 5 out of 5]

This writer is one of my favorites! In this book I love how she addresses different relationships, their roles and goals. You get to experience the life of four friends in different times of their lives in their forties. She tells their story so well you feel compassion for each one, no matter what your own relationship goals are. It a great read and it left me feeling good that something like this written. You will not be disappointed.

[Fluff Smut & Murder · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Kim... I love Kim's books....I only wish she wouldn't have jumped into my mind and my marriage to put exactly what I'm going through at this exact moment in time onto the pages of an incredible book so that I could see different perspective... Actually its exactly what I needed... and it was the perfect end of summer beach read I was looking for...

THANK YOU!

And they say chick-lit is a dying genre......

[Christine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you! Thank you!

There are not enough words to describe how I felt, reading this book. Your best yet!! And yes, editors, publishers, etc., 40+ women *do* want to read about other 40+ women.

[Tam · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book felt relatable, and was filled with laughs. A very fun read. Yeah, sure, we can argue about the realism of some of it, but in the end this is a romcom and not a realistic life drama. And was, therefore, fully enjoyed as such.

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute. Entertaining. Mindless fluff.

[Amy Russell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great, fun, fast read!

[Miriam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Light and funny.

[Cindy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked this and I'm past 40's! It was such a nice, honest, comical and emotional read. I would recommend to any woman in her 40's and up.

[Denise · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfect middle age what the hell am I doing read.

Read, laugh, cry and reflect. Enjoy this book. You will see life from all different views and reflect on your own life choices.

[Ronnie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyed it

[Leslie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great!

Another funny book by a fantastic author. Had me laughing out loud more times than I can remember. Love her!

[Melaina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Always love this author. Never disappoints when it comes to laughs. Definitely a great book for those 40-somethings

[Aleigh Whitehead · Rating 4 out of 5]

Took a bit for this book to take off for me and keep the characters right, but once it did, it was good.

[Suzanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been a huge fan of Kim Gruenenfelder since her first novel, and she continues to hit it out of the park with her newest novel, Hangovers & Hot Flashes.

The book follows three best friends, all in their 40’s and at a crossroads in life. KG’s characters are super relatable, and easy to see as your own friends - I often found myself wanting to just give them a hug and hang out with them!

I found Hangovers & Hot Flashes to be everything you want in a chick lit novel and more!

I would recommend this to all my chick lit/Women’s Fiction loving friends out there!!

[Lisa Maddison · Rating 5 out of 5]

It makes me forget where l am and laugh out loud!

Thank heavens for these books - just as lm thinking lm out there, along comes a novel that shows me lm not alone.
I think l identify with all the characters.
Kim Gruenenfelder is very talented in identifying how women feel and turning an ‘oh no moment’ into a ‘well l got through that with a grin’ moment.
Her books make me smile and they seem to be far too short.