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How can one word upend a life?

A series of setbacks has left adjunct college professor Roz Schmidt one blown tire away from total financial collapse.

Then she lands her dream job as a full-time professor at a local college. Good-bye to robbing Peter to pay Paul. Hello to a sunny new apartment and honest-to-goodness health insurance. The bonus for curvy, self-conscious Roz: her new-found confidence attracts a hunky fireman with romance potential.

Enter the word.

When a student misinterprets a comment, Roz stands to lose everything she’s worked so hard to attain. How can she be right back where she started? Maybe it's time to put her PhD on the shelf and start waiting tables.

Or maybe it's time for Roz to find the strength, and the friends, to remake herself and claim the life she deserves.

This second installment of the Life in Palmyrton women’s fiction series focuses on Roz Schmidt while continuing the story-line of her best friend, Lydia Eastlee, the heroine of Life, Part 2.

364 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 3, 2020

539 people are currently reading
594 people want to read

About the author

S.W. Hubbard

32 books453 followers
S.W. Hubbard writes the kinds of books she loves to read: twisty, believable, full of complex characters, and highlighted with sly humor. She is the author of the Palmyrton Estate Sale Mystery Series and the Frank Bennett Adirondack Mountain Mystery Series, as well as the Life in Palmyrton Women's Friendship Fiction Series. Her short stories have appeared in Alfred Hitchcock’s Mystery Magazine and the anthologiesDead Drift, Crimes by Moonlight, The Mystery Box, andAdirondack Mysteries. When not writing, she hikes with her rescue dog, Libby, and her husband. She lives in Morristown, NJ.

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5 stars
572 (63%)
4 stars
247 (27%)
3 stars
76 (8%)
2 stars
7 (<1%)
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2 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 74 reviews
Profile Image for Nancy.
1,310 reviews
August 5, 2020
I look forward to every new release from S.W. Hubbard, whichever series it's in. This one didn't disappoint. In fact, it was deliciously delightful, even in the hard times. The characters are so real, I feel like I could sit down for coffee with any one of them. (well, maybe in 2021...). I was shocked by a couple of main events in the story...had no idea they were coming. Hubbard treats her characters with respect, and gives her readers material they can sink their teeth into.
Profile Image for Mollie Medico.
5 reviews
June 7, 2021
I love intelligent women

The characters aren’t perfect but they are smart and strong. Their lives aren’t perfect but they all push to do what’s right. Great character development and I can’t wait for the next book!
Profile Image for Cat.
76 reviews
August 4, 2020
Wonderful second in this series.

Just interesting and compelling character development in the newest book (#2) of S.W. Hubbard’s series. Getting to know Roz’s story was just as interesting as Lydia’s in Life, Part 2 (#1). Easily read as a stand alone, I advise starting at book 1 of this series. A great addition and highly recommended!
98 reviews
August 5, 2020
I’ve enjoyed all the Palmyrton books, and was so happy to see a new book (Life, part II) and even happier when I realized that Roz was getting her own story. Loved it (especially Warren) - the only problem was that it ended too soon! Looking forward to book three...
Profile Image for Paola H.
138 reviews16 followers
June 30, 2021
This book was amazing- I loved Roz's story as well as the continuation of Lydia's story. I highly recommend this book and I have preordered the third book in this series in support of S.W. Hubbard and her brilliant writing!
50 reviews
February 23, 2021
So Good!

So happy to have found this author. Her story telling draws you right in. I could definitely be friends with this group of funny smart and intelligent women. Here's hoping for many more books to come. I'm so anxious for the next one and I hope it's soon!
Profile Image for Tiffany.
493 reviews8 followers
July 13, 2022
At the risk of being too personal, this book really resonated with me. Today, I spent an hour on the phone with a friend as waiting in line at a police station trying to issue a complaint that her ex continues to harass her on so many levels. Sometimes midlife stories of women fall flat because the women in the stories have too much privilege, too much money, and the stories resolve too easily. But Hubbard doesn’t make Roz’s story too easy. After sitting with my friend, I was grateful for that.

Roz has had a hard life. After working so hard to earn a full-time faculty position at her local community college, living in poverty, and trying to get stable financial footing (after caring for her dying mother), everything she has is taken away by an angry student and a trending social media campaign against her. Roz is intelligent, hard-working, sassy but also struggling in so many ways. Roz does have a happy ending that felt satisfying.

The more I read by S.W. Hubbard, the more I like. She writes really interesting, compelling stories. Her characters have depth and energy.
4 reviews
August 9, 2020
I read this book in one sitting, and loved it.

When master teacher Roz Schmidt finally gets her dream job as a full-time professor at Palmyrton Community College (where she's been an underpaid adjunct for 12 years), it looks like her financial life is finally back on track. She can pay off the bills she incurred during her mother's losing battle with cancer, and maybe—just maybe—get out of the hell hole apartment she lives in. But an unsubstantiated accusation of harassment from a student with mental health issues tosses Roz's life into chaos and threatens her with the loss of everything she's gained.

Fortunately, though, Roz has friends...

NOTE: Roz's story is book two of SW Hubbard's "Life in Palmyrton" series. For even more pleasure, read "Life: Part 2" first; those great characters come back in this story.
Profile Image for Sandy.
603 reviews
January 19, 2021
S.W. Hubbard is a new author to me but I have enjoyed her books. I found myself annoyed with Roz and her constant belittling of herself and then this morning while looking in the mirror and getting dressed I realized I do the same thing which caused her actions to be a lot more legit. I was so glad she found a man who made het feel beautiful and treated her the way she deserved. I had never heard of ODD before so that was an interesting twist. I was glad that there was more to Lydia's story and I got to find out what happened in her life as well. I also like seeing characters like Sean and Audrey show up in these books. Good book and good author.
350 reviews6 followers
August 8, 2020
I loved S.W. Hubbard’s first book in this series, Life, Part 2. And I didn’t see how she could top it but she did. You find yourself rooting for Roz the whole book, then along comes Warren. What a perfect match. And was glad to still keep up with Lydia and Jim. Great book. Highly recommended. Now we wait for Life, Revised.
Profile Image for Mary Rowe.
2,619 reviews8 followers
August 8, 2020
S. W. Hubbard - You’ve Done It Again!

How, how, how do you describe the vicissitudes of “our” stage of life with such humor, pathos, exuberance and contentment, all in a single book....love, love, love this one. Keep them coming!
270 reviews4 followers
September 7, 2020
Great read!!

Start to finish it grandchild and holds on!!! Really cool characters. Good story.line!!!Good source of Academia & a cool example that friendship doesn't count you money or possessions!!!!
Profile Image for Diana.
4 reviews1 follower
September 15, 2020
A great addition to Palmyrton!

A highly enjoyable story! Not as twisty as some of the other books, but not a dead giveaway either. The characters stayed true to themselves, and I love that even though this is Roz's story, Lydia's story continues also. I was fully immersed in the story and felt everything Roz felt.
Profile Image for Rebecca.
632 reviews5 followers
July 14, 2022
This series is soo good, I guess you could call it Lit-Chic but that is not a good enough description for the painful honesty that these characters show.
5 reviews
August 13, 2020
Best series I've read in a long time

I have truly enjoyed all of the author's stories, and was sorry to reach the final book. All of the story lines are believable and touch me in a different way. Great author!
30 reviews
August 11, 2020
I Was So Happy

To visit Roz and Lydia's world again! Their world is one I feel so at home in and can see these women becoming my friends. I can't wait for my next visit!
Profile Image for Cvneeley.
795 reviews1 follower
September 11, 2020
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Not just a “rom-com” (although there is both romance and comedy) Life Upended covers some weighty issues like Body Dysmorphia, poverty and mental illness. This is the second in a series and already looking forward to #3. Maybe Roz and Lydia can vacation in Trout Run, where another of S W Hubbard’s excellent series is set!
20 reviews
January 28, 2022
I loved this book as much as the first in the series. One of the things I loved most was that the main character in the first book (Lydia) was a big part of the story. So many times they are dropped all together. I've already downloaded the 3rd book on my Kindle.
10 reviews
Read
August 31, 2020
Book

Another good read from this talented author. I have read quite a few of her books and and enjoyed them all. Look forward to reading more
157 reviews3 followers
June 29, 2022
Awesome!!

I could not put this novel down! I had to read it atq once. The characters,story line and angst were truly motivating. This story made me laugh,cry,be angry and also root for the good guys! How often cannot n you do all of this in one book???
Profile Image for Mary Banik.
73 reviews7 followers
January 9, 2021
A A A A+

After reading Lydias story, I honestly couldn't wait to read this, and it definitely didn't disappoint. It just seemed more real life than falling into love, and happily ever after. The characters built nicely, and the story flowed along at a nice place. I've already referred it to a friend or two.
44 reviews1 follower
December 9, 2021
A very lovely afternoon read.

I enjoyed the creative ways that our heroine helped her friend
move forward with her life.
Everyone can use a friend like that.
Profile Image for Dona  Haggerty.
45 reviews
October 1, 2022
Another excellent book by S.W. Hubbard.

I did not want this book to end. But by the time it did, I felt like I personally knew all of the characters. Highly recommend.
25 reviews
January 4, 2021
A very good read

I like the reality of the book and Roz's reactions to her experiences. I have known poverty as a white collar worker and how one blow can strip you bare. The characters were well developed, the story well written. I reccomend it.
170 reviews2 followers
September 15, 2021
Luck

Roz has always dreamed of teaching college English. Her time has finally come and she is excited to be working only one job now. Then something happens, a charge of harassment from a student. Roz is unemployed and faces an uphill battle to get her job back. Her friend Lydia helps her with legal connections. Then Roz gets a job tending bar to cover her living expenses. But is attacked and robbed. It seems that nothing is going her way. But her luck is about to change. . .
Profile Image for Lisa Shower.
664 reviews5 followers
May 14, 2021
A great followup to the first book of this series. I love anything by the author, yet all of her series are unique unto themselves.
30 reviews2 followers
April 20, 2021
A delightful vacation

The second book in a series that transported me to a community where I would love visit, or even live. Characters with kindness , generosity, and independence filled both of these books.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 74 reviews

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