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Overgrown
You're an angry insomniac with night sweats and memory loss... Hello?'
When a friend has the audacity to suggest that forty-five-year-old landscape gardener Eliza Hamilton is hurtling toward menopause, she is naturally appalled. Menopause is something that happens to other women, older women.
As Eliza tries to negotiate this new and confusing landscape, she also embarks on the biggest challenge of her career so far. But she soon discovers that juggling erratic mood swings with motherhood, demanding family members and domestic drudgery is far from the harmonious scenario she'd envisaged.
If Eliza wants to embrace midlife without the crisis, she must first make some grown up choices and face some uncomfortable truths.
Betsy Price takes the frustrations and fears of midlife and blends them with deliciously dark humour in this coming of middle age novel.
When a friend has the audacity to suggest that forty-five-year-old landscape gardener Eliza Hamilton is hurtling toward menopause, she is naturally appalled. Menopause is something that happens to other women, older women.
As Eliza tries to negotiate this new and confusing landscape, she also embarks on the biggest challenge of her career so far. But she soon discovers that juggling erratic mood swings with motherhood, demanding family members and domestic drudgery is far from the harmonious scenario she'd envisaged.
If Eliza wants to embrace midlife without the crisis, she must first make some grown up choices and face some uncomfortable truths.
Betsy Price takes the frustrations and fears of midlife and blends them with deliciously dark humour in this coming of middle age novel.
- GenresFiction
Paperback
First published March 30, 2020
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews
June 5, 2020
While I liked watching the development and growth of Eliza, the rest of the characters were too superficial for my liking. Expected more depth and humor regarding menopause. This just didn’t connect with me.
June 18, 2020
Hurtling toward menopause is no joke- it is only when you reach this stage you realise how little you know and how under-prepared you are!
I really liked Eliza as a character and could identify with many of her thought processes (or lack thereof), musings and anxieties.
Whilst Eliza is very much front and centre of her own crisis her friends and family are well written bit parts who interact as you would imagine with someone suffering the indignities of menopause (with too much, not enough or zero understanding and compassion!)
Overall a generally very funny book although towards the end the story line veers slightly into more emotionally charged territory that really changes the feel of the writing.
I am still undecided on how I feel about that story line- sensitively dealt with but perhaps unnecessary to bring an additional dimension to Eliza's pain?
I really liked Eliza as a character and could identify with many of her thought processes (or lack thereof), musings and anxieties.
Whilst Eliza is very much front and centre of her own crisis her friends and family are well written bit parts who interact as you would imagine with someone suffering the indignities of menopause (with too much, not enough or zero understanding and compassion!)
Overall a generally very funny book although towards the end the story line veers slightly into more emotionally charged territory that really changes the feel of the writing.
I am still undecided on how I feel about that story line- sensitively dealt with but perhaps unnecessary to bring an additional dimension to Eliza's pain?
June 13, 2021
For Women of a Certain Age
A funny, honest portrayal of a woman struggling in her middle years. A real page turner, with a host of dysfunctional family members to amuse the reader. The relentless, draining demands of modern society are reflected in Eliza's thoughts, fears and concerns. Cannot wait for Me Price's next foray into fiction.
A funny, honest portrayal of a woman struggling in her middle years. A real page turner, with a host of dysfunctional family members to amuse the reader. The relentless, draining demands of modern society are reflected in Eliza's thoughts, fears and concerns. Cannot wait for Me Price's next foray into fiction.
June 2, 2020
Eliza like so many women is overworked and feels undervalued, she is forgetting things, like the car keys, after cycling to pick up the car only to find when she gets there that she hasn't got them, so has to face a gruelling ride back home. She also has to endure lots of irritable moments with her family, tiredness and basically everyone else seems to be having a much better life than she is. (Women of a certain age will definitely identify with this, I know I did). Her family and friends just don't get what is wrong and she finds solace all too often at the bottom of a wine glass. Full of funny moments and scenarios that are all too familiar with lots of women I'm sure, this book is really aimed at those women, they will be so glad that they are not the only ones going through this. Moments when family life and childcare issues seem to be the end of the world and Eliza feels like there's no way out.
This book certainly held my attention throughout, as I felt like it was one of my friends and I had to find out if she was alright and not go into total meltdown at the slightest thing. As the book came to an end I found myself wondering how Eliza and her crazy friends and family would be coping now and you know what, I will miss the antics of them all and their complicated lives.
This book certainly held my attention throughout, as I felt like it was one of my friends and I had to find out if she was alright and not go into total meltdown at the slightest thing. As the book came to an end I found myself wondering how Eliza and her crazy friends and family would be coping now and you know what, I will miss the antics of them all and their complicated lives.
September 12, 2020
So good and so real!
I found this book to be relatable and entertaining. I found myself laughing out loud, nodding in agreement and tearing up as I went along. This is a great read for anyone 40+ that feels like they’ve boarded the crazy train!
I found this book to be relatable and entertaining. I found myself laughing out loud, nodding in agreement and tearing up as I went along. This is a great read for anyone 40+ that feels like they’ve boarded the crazy train!
November 25, 2020
Brilliant read
Loved this book it's my second book.on my kindle fire and I'm the.same age as most of them.lassie so a lot made sense 😂
Loved this book it's my second book.on my kindle fire and I'm the.same age as most of them.lassie so a lot made sense 😂
June 13, 2020
About: Eliza is a 46 year old woman at the brink of menopause...sorry, perimenopause. She is struggling through life with hot sweats and emotional outbursts. This book takes us through her life at menopause - full of friends, arguments and alcohol....yes, she likes her wine!
Likes: this was a very easy read. It was hilarious! Even though I am only 29 I still could relate a lot to her thoughts and feelings and found it a very funny book full of sarcasm and humour!
Dislikes: there was a storyline towards the end that I felt was unnecessary and quite sensitive which could put some readers off. I think storylines should add value to a book and this one didn’t for me.
Summary: overall I would recommend this book as it was really funny and had me laughing throughout. Eliza is just brilliant and had me in stitches. Definitely think this is a book that will be on every woman’s TBR pile this year! Betsy Price is an author to look out for!
Likes: this was a very easy read. It was hilarious! Even though I am only 29 I still could relate a lot to her thoughts and feelings and found it a very funny book full of sarcasm and humour!
Dislikes: there was a storyline towards the end that I felt was unnecessary and quite sensitive which could put some readers off. I think storylines should add value to a book and this one didn’t for me.
Summary: overall I would recommend this book as it was really funny and had me laughing throughout. Eliza is just brilliant and had me in stitches. Definitely think this is a book that will be on every woman’s TBR pile this year! Betsy Price is an author to look out for!
September 25, 2020
I took ages to read this one. It was ok but didn’t ignite my fire to read quickly and I found it a bit dull.
June 23, 2024
Designed to be a book largely focussing on menopause, I found it an honest, fun and detailed look at working mums, relationships, friendships and family life in general!
April 21, 2020
Loved this story. Highly recommend it to women “ of a certain age” 😉. Humorous , poignant. Perfect.
August 22, 2020
The fun side of menopause
It wasn't quite what I expected. More an amusing trip through someone's life who happens to be at that age but completely identify with what she goes through and loved the humour. Susannah is hilarious and I wish my aunt had been like Georgie. Great fun to read and definitely gives the funny side of menopause.
It wasn't quite what I expected. More an amusing trip through someone's life who happens to be at that age but completely identify with what she goes through and loved the humour. Susannah is hilarious and I wish my aunt had been like Georgie. Great fun to read and definitely gives the funny side of menopause.
December 13, 2020
A lovely very light to read story. Some laugh out loud moments and a couple of interesting characters. I thought there'd be more excruciatingly funny moments about the menopause. However I did enjoy some of the anecdotes and could definitely relate to a couple...especially shouting at a random man in a car park.
June 16, 2020
If Betsy Price hasn't gone through the perimenopause then she certainly has done her research well. "Overgrown" shows how many women feel and how those pesky hormones just take over your life. At the same time she has woven a very true to life story of family and friends and how one woman copes with it all.
November 10, 2020
Really enjoyed this book. I can definitely relate to Eliza and what she's going through. Parts had me laughing with tears running down my face, much to my husbands amusement!
June 3, 2020
Eliza is privileged in many ways but often finds it hard to keep track of that as she succumbs to a variety of stresses, dissatisfactions and upsetting bodily and mental changes; almost enough to make it difficult to recognise herself. We've all read many coming-of-age stories: this is a change-of-life story.
This novel is packed full of lively interesting characters, particularly the female ones. There are daily life events, unexpected incidents and twists, a whole spectrum of emotions and plenty of humour. There are friends, family, extended family, work colleagues and clients. We see the support women can offer to one another and the misunderstandings which can arise between them. It is definitely an exciting read with a good pace, and an uplifting, optimistic one.
This novel is packed full of lively interesting characters, particularly the female ones. There are daily life events, unexpected incidents and twists, a whole spectrum of emotions and plenty of humour. There are friends, family, extended family, work colleagues and clients. We see the support women can offer to one another and the misunderstandings which can arise between them. It is definitely an exciting read with a good pace, and an uplifting, optimistic one.
June 2, 2020
Menopause is not exactly a fun subject anyone looks forward to exploring. And forty-six year old Eliza – the heroine of this book – isn’t exactly looking forward to it either. However, when she finds herself drinking heavily, experiencing pronounced mood swings and generally losing her zest for life, she’s left with little choice but to face the fact she’s perimenopausal. Eliza is a great character to engage with: funny, quirky and honest. Her relationships with her husband, young daughter, friends and family are drawn with real warmth and humour. Great characters and Eliza’s sharp, punchy humour are the focus of this novel; her comments on modern life are also so relatable and witty. Take a trip with Eliza on her hugely entertaining, menopausal rollercoaster!
May 31, 2020
Absolutely brilliant...loved it!
I’m going to be honest, I did not know why this book was hard to put down. It was only when I was half way through that I realised. Betsy Price has written about me, my sister and my best friends (not my Mom thank goodness!) and it was as if she knew us! The dedication at the front of the book is “To those who thought they were alone”. If you are 40 something, perimenopausal and feel a bit lost, this book will ground you. Be prepared though you will laugh out loud on minute, feel desperately sad the next and then cringe and want to shout “put down the wine!” a moment later. I am ordering this book today to send to my sister and best friend…I know they will love it and will make them feel not so alone. Thank you Besty Price, loved it….now off for my rainbow salad and glass of pinot :0).
I’m going to be honest, I did not know why this book was hard to put down. It was only when I was half way through that I realised. Betsy Price has written about me, my sister and my best friends (not my Mom thank goodness!) and it was as if she knew us! The dedication at the front of the book is “To those who thought they were alone”. If you are 40 something, perimenopausal and feel a bit lost, this book will ground you. Be prepared though you will laugh out loud on minute, feel desperately sad the next and then cringe and want to shout “put down the wine!” a moment later. I am ordering this book today to send to my sister and best friend…I know they will love it and will make them feel not so alone. Thank you Besty Price, loved it….now off for my rainbow salad and glass of pinot :0).
June 7, 2020
Loved this book. Totally true and so many awful memories. Really glad I read this book made me laugh in so many places. Great characters will look out for book two by this author.
June 3, 2020
For readers of a certain age (yes that includes me) this is a must read! You will feel a plethora of emotions (no change there then) as you read this magnificent book! Get ready to say "OMG that is just me"!
October 26, 2020
Finally a book about women trying to juggle work, family and friends whilst going through the peri-menopause. This tackles negotiating the minefield of relationships during a period of change, as well as topics not normally discussed, such as menopause and miscarriage and being happy with accepting being a good enough person with all the flaws that prevail in humanity. It does offer a message of hope and ends on a positive note, which may not be true to life but has the feel good factor we all need to believe that issues can be resolved or at the very least accepted. This is a funny read but I must admit its so close to the truth that I found myself wincing at times when I recognised how real Betsy Price has captured the reality of being a women hurtling towards 50. I think this should be a compulsory read for anyone struggling with not being perfect!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 17, 2020
I loved loved loved this book!
I cannot remember the last time a book actually made me laugh out loud! This book made me smile, laugh and cry; it was a real emotional rollercoaster .
I feel as if Eliza is a part of my life after I have been through so many experiences with her throughout this book.
I love Elizas sarcasm, attitude and her initial outlook on diet and exercise made me feel as if Betsy Price had written about me!
This book made me realise I’m really a middle aged woman trapped in the body of a 24 year old (I related to and sympathised with so many of Eliza’s thoughts, opinions and feelings)!
This book is well written and hooks you from the beginning so you can’t stop reading!
I would recommend this book to everyone, regardless of their age!
Amazing work Betsy Price!
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟/5
I cannot remember the last time a book actually made me laugh out loud! This book made me smile, laugh and cry; it was a real emotional rollercoaster .
I feel as if Eliza is a part of my life after I have been through so many experiences with her throughout this book.
I love Elizas sarcasm, attitude and her initial outlook on diet and exercise made me feel as if Betsy Price had written about me!
This book made me realise I’m really a middle aged woman trapped in the body of a 24 year old (I related to and sympathised with so many of Eliza’s thoughts, opinions and feelings)!
This book is well written and hooks you from the beginning so you can’t stop reading!
I would recommend this book to everyone, regardless of their age!
Amazing work Betsy Price!
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟/5
June 21, 2020
Loved this novel. The story of perimenopausal Eliza, her emotional and physical issues definitely struck a cord with me. Betsy Price was totally honest and I'm assuming she has first hand experience of this, or she has encounterd this with family and friends. She covers the memory loss, hot flushes, mood swings and alcohol consumption in an open and frank manner
I would recommend this to all women and to men who have a perimenopausal or menopausal woman in their life.
Thank you to TBC Reviewer group for my copy of this novel.
I would recommend this to all women and to men who have a perimenopausal or menopausal woman in their life.
Thank you to TBC Reviewer group for my copy of this novel.
June 19, 2020
Overgrown is a laugh out loud comedy about reaching perimenopause and hurtling headlong towards the menopause. Eliza is in denial, afterall she isn’t old enough to be menopausal yet….or is she? The author takes us on Eliza’s journey in an at times brutally honest way, but with a generous helping of dark humour and some emotionally charged scenes.
Very well written, the story entertained me from the beginning and will certainly ring true with a lot of women!
Very well written, the story entertained me from the beginning and will certainly ring true with a lot of women!
June 20, 2020
I love this book. It had me laughing out loud, then feeling the emotional storyline later in the book. Eliza is not ready to be given the diagnosis of perimenopause, she is too busy with her business, family and friends. The story follows the choices that Eliza needs to make to get her through this strange time while keeping her sanity. Her aunt Georgie is the crazy auntie that we all need in our lives! Can't wait to read Betsy's second book :)
June 22, 2020
Absolutely laugh out loud hilarious!!! The funniest and most accurate - in places 😉 book of 2020. Very relatable and cleverly constructed. Hilarious dark humour. 10/10. Any woman in their 40's or older should read this. I would love to have this on audio book.
July 13, 2020
I feel seen! I laughed so much reading this - definitely a great escape from the world right now!
June 20, 2020
I read the whole book. However, I was slagging and not interested during the first half or so. Maybe it had to do with me not being exactly at that stage of life yet, although that hasn't prevented me from enjoying other stories. Or it may have been the introduction of different characters in each chapter, without me being able to find a defined line story, but rather the telling of seemingly random experiences with each one. That, and the fact that I didn't like that God was mentioned, sometimes in an expression, without being capitalized, and there was a significantly sad event in the main character's life, which in the end she seems to overcome without many troubles, and even being basically glad it happened, which I think may not be sensitive towards people having undergone the same, and for whom it had a major emotional impact, therefore making the process slower and more painful. Although I understand that's the character's personal reaction, maybe something could have been mentioned to not make it hard on readers who have had the same experience, and for whom it was not so, apparently, easy and 'light' to overcome.
After the first half, I did get somewhat into the story (going back to where some characters had been introduced, 'cause I hadn't paid attention, lol), and enjoyed the events and story unfolding more. But, overall, I just couldn't connect with the story as I usually do.
After the first half, I did get somewhat into the story (going back to where some characters had been introduced, 'cause I hadn't paid attention, lol), and enjoyed the events and story unfolding more. But, overall, I just couldn't connect with the story as I usually do.
February 17, 2022
Such a shame. For the most part when reading this book I was going to give it 4 stars but during the last week or so of reading it when I got a moment to spare (which is usually in bed at night!) it felt like a bit of a chore and I just wanted it to hurry up.
There were some very insightful thoughts about women and how their bodies work and also some extremely funny moments which were expressed beautifully and occasionally had me laughing out loud.
Please don’t let my review put anyone off - it’s definitely worth a read, but I’m afraid for me it became a bit one dimensional and predictable.
There were some very insightful thoughts about women and how their bodies work and also some extremely funny moments which were expressed beautifully and occasionally had me laughing out loud.
Please don’t let my review put anyone off - it’s definitely worth a read, but I’m afraid for me it became a bit one dimensional and predictable.
April 3, 2023
An enjoyable and funny novel
I bought this book when I was going through a tough time with the menopause. My anxiety levels were very high, I wasn't coping well, felt like a failure to my family and myself and struggling to keep up with the demands of my job.
The book started off very much in the style of "Motherland. I laughed out loud, recognised a lot of what Eliza was going through and it felt good to know that I wasn't alone in how I was feeling and that it was normal - I was normal. I would recommend this book to all women reaching or going through the menopause.
I bought this book when I was going through a tough time with the menopause. My anxiety levels were very high, I wasn't coping well, felt like a failure to my family and myself and struggling to keep up with the demands of my job.
The book started off very much in the style of "Motherland. I laughed out loud, recognised a lot of what Eliza was going through and it felt good to know that I wasn't alone in how I was feeling and that it was normal - I was normal. I would recommend this book to all women reaching or going through the menopause.
November 1, 2020
Difficult to maintain interest, the first half of the book was decidedly slow and I struggled to keep up with the different characters buy possibly because my mind was wandering (being a woman of a certain age - haha!) although the book was described as humerous, it failed to provide any laugh out loud moments. but there were some moving parts. I felt it finished rather abruptly and the ending a little non descript.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews