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Adventures of an Urban Homesteader: The Diary of Kendall Whitney
No one should ever be on a date wondering if they have actual magpie poo mixed with snow in their hair, running down their back, and soaking into their underwear.
After three years under the thumb of a cretinous boss who’s sucked all the joy out of working a 9-to-5 job, twenty-eight-year-old Kendall Whitney has had enough. She flees San Francisco, her annoying roommates, and her overbearing mother, and takes refuge in Bozeman, Montana, where it feels like the big sky’s the limit.
Safely ensconced in her best friend’s guest room, she promptly launches a three-pronged plan: to live alone for the first time in her life, develop a successful graphic design career, and figure out what she wants in a relationship.
She embarks upon Operation Kendall Independence, only to realize that she doesn’t know the first thing about adulting. Hangovers, homemaking, freelancing, friendships, and modern cowboys bent on monogamy . . . it’s enough to send a single girl running for the gin & tonics.
With self-deprecating charm and endearing humor, Adventures of an Urban Homesteader is the raucous and heartwarming diary of a young woman who’s determined to seek stability and security on her own terms, and to make her own safety net in case she fails.
After three years under the thumb of a cretinous boss who’s sucked all the joy out of working a 9-to-5 job, twenty-eight-year-old Kendall Whitney has had enough. She flees San Francisco, her annoying roommates, and her overbearing mother, and takes refuge in Bozeman, Montana, where it feels like the big sky’s the limit.
Safely ensconced in her best friend’s guest room, she promptly launches a three-pronged plan: to live alone for the first time in her life, develop a successful graphic design career, and figure out what she wants in a relationship.
She embarks upon Operation Kendall Independence, only to realize that she doesn’t know the first thing about adulting. Hangovers, homemaking, freelancing, friendships, and modern cowboys bent on monogamy . . . it’s enough to send a single girl running for the gin & tonics.
With self-deprecating charm and endearing humor, Adventures of an Urban Homesteader is the raucous and heartwarming diary of a young woman who’s determined to seek stability and security on her own terms, and to make her own safety net in case she fails.
244 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 9, 2020
16 people want to read
About the author
Brooke L. Davis
3 books4 followersBrooke L. Davis is a writer and wellness coach in Colorado. When she isn't plotting shenanigans for her next novel, she can be found watching sports, hiking and taking photographs in the mountains, and reading tarot. A native of Indiana, she has called Colorado home for over twenty years.
You can learn more about Brooke at https://www.brookedaviswrites.com/
Brooke has also created a FREE Starter Library for you at https://www.brookedaviswrites.com/fre...
You can learn more about Brooke at https://www.brookedaviswrites.com/
Brooke has also created a FREE Starter Library for you at https://www.brookedaviswrites.com/fre...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
March 2, 2021
I got this eARC from Netgalley in exhange for a honest review
This wasn`t for me. I didn`t find it much funny and the main character were feeling annoying and she did not act her age. The story were just there... didn`t exactly make me interest and the love interest she had felt flat and very sudden and random.
This wasn`t for me. I didn`t find it much funny and the main character were feeling annoying and she did not act her age. The story were just there... didn`t exactly make me interest and the love interest she had felt flat and very sudden and random.
November 23, 2020
Honestly, I expected a lot more when I first started reading the book. I wouldn't say I didn't like it completely but there were some parts that I was unable to connect with. I loved the start but I wasn't able to connect with the later part. Overall, this book had everything if you have read Sophie Kinsella's books. Romance, Comedy and family drama.
October 27, 2020
I received an ARC of this book for review. So here are my honest opinions:
I went into the book expecting it to be a frothy rom-com, the likes of Sophie Kinsella's shopaholic series. It does start off on a similar note. A young working girl quits her stressful job and moves to a small town to start her life as an independent woman. Her target is to get a handle on her finances, her love life and living alone for the first time. She has a set of helpful friends to guide her on her adventures.
The book isn't all fun and comedy though. There's a bit of family drama, a lot of relationship mishaps and only some bits focusing on career. As a single woman, living independently and navigating all of life's curveballs on my own, I know there's more to it than just the superficial things we see on the surface. It was an enjoyable read with several passages that had me laughing out loud. The author took some embarrassing mundane tasks and spun them into graphically humorous descriptions. But personally I would have enjoyed more details on Kendall's job front and her emotions. To portray all that with humor or seriousness is just a matter of literary choice.
Pitched as a rom-com, I felt the emphasis was heavily on the 'rom' part. All said and done, I give it 3 stars - on Goodreads that translates to "I liked it"; in a system where strangely 2/5 stars is 'average'.
I went into the book expecting it to be a frothy rom-com, the likes of Sophie Kinsella's shopaholic series. It does start off on a similar note. A young working girl quits her stressful job and moves to a small town to start her life as an independent woman. Her target is to get a handle on her finances, her love life and living alone for the first time. She has a set of helpful friends to guide her on her adventures.
The book isn't all fun and comedy though. There's a bit of family drama, a lot of relationship mishaps and only some bits focusing on career. As a single woman, living independently and navigating all of life's curveballs on my own, I know there's more to it than just the superficial things we see on the surface. It was an enjoyable read with several passages that had me laughing out loud. The author took some embarrassing mundane tasks and spun them into graphically humorous descriptions. But personally I would have enjoyed more details on Kendall's job front and her emotions. To portray all that with humor or seriousness is just a matter of literary choice.
Pitched as a rom-com, I felt the emphasis was heavily on the 'rom' part. All said and done, I give it 3 stars - on Goodreads that translates to "I liked it"; in a system where strangely 2/5 stars is 'average'.
November 15, 2020
Kendall Whitney, an urban homesteader, quits her job in California and moves to Montana for a fresh start. Her goal is to get her life together and finally begin living as an independent woman. To document her transformation, Kendall notes the victories, the blunders, and everything in-between in her diary.
From the premise and title, Adventures of an Urban Homesteader sounds like a brilliantly funny and applicable romantic comedy. Sadly, this was just not the book for me. I didn’t like the protagonist, I wasn’t too fond of the book’s format, and the plot didn’t capture me enough to make this read an enjoyable one.
Firstly, I struggled to believe Kendall is 28 years old. The book dives into her family history which fills her out as a personality, but she’s too immature and clueless to feel authentic. Some of her revelations were annoying rather than funny. There are adult themes dotted throughout but Kendall’s diary entries are like that of a teenager. Her juvenile behaviour was off-putting, which made it really hard to stay interested in her as a narrator. Fortunately, the secondary characters added a refreshing layer to the pages and saved the overall narrative.
I really like the idea of Operation Kendall Independence. It’s very relatable, we have all tried to revamp our lives at some point. And I expected the book to be written in diary form, but it was executed in a way that makes the book feel like a summary. That in turn, tempted me to skip through and skim-read. The foundations of a fun adventure are there, but the chapters are almost abbreviated, so it’s quickly lost.
As a fellow 20-something, I looked forward to exploring Kendall’s journey to independence. But this book didn’t motivate or inspire. The secondary characters contributed to the entertainment factor more than the protagonist and the diary style became exhausting. Overall, Adventures of an Urban Homesteader went from an exciting and engaging adult-coming-of-age to a monotonous and forgettable read.
For more book reviews and posts, check out my blog or follow along on Instagram 📚✨
From the premise and title, Adventures of an Urban Homesteader sounds like a brilliantly funny and applicable romantic comedy. Sadly, this was just not the book for me. I didn’t like the protagonist, I wasn’t too fond of the book’s format, and the plot didn’t capture me enough to make this read an enjoyable one.
Firstly, I struggled to believe Kendall is 28 years old. The book dives into her family history which fills her out as a personality, but she’s too immature and clueless to feel authentic. Some of her revelations were annoying rather than funny. There are adult themes dotted throughout but Kendall’s diary entries are like that of a teenager. Her juvenile behaviour was off-putting, which made it really hard to stay interested in her as a narrator. Fortunately, the secondary characters added a refreshing layer to the pages and saved the overall narrative.
I really like the idea of Operation Kendall Independence. It’s very relatable, we have all tried to revamp our lives at some point. And I expected the book to be written in diary form, but it was executed in a way that makes the book feel like a summary. That in turn, tempted me to skip through and skim-read. The foundations of a fun adventure are there, but the chapters are almost abbreviated, so it’s quickly lost.
As a fellow 20-something, I looked forward to exploring Kendall’s journey to independence. But this book didn’t motivate or inspire. The secondary characters contributed to the entertainment factor more than the protagonist and the diary style became exhausting. Overall, Adventures of an Urban Homesteader went from an exciting and engaging adult-coming-of-age to a monotonous and forgettable read.
For more book reviews and posts, check out my blog or follow along on Instagram 📚✨
October 15, 2020
This book reminded me of the 2015 film It Had to Be You. The protagonist Kendall thinks she knows what she wants. However, she is clueless when it comes to articulating it and trying to achieve it. It is funny (and painful, at times) reading how she blunders through her life, trying to make sense of herself and others.
Kendall's efforts at reaching her goals are aided by a few interesting secondary characters—her friends, landlord and wife, parents, and sister. She learns that not everything needs to go her way for her to reach her goals.
In this book, the author Brooke L. Davis shows how we, regardless of our age and other accomplishments, can have no clear idea about ‘adulting’ or independence. She also manages to convey that this is fine as long as we don’t harm anyone deliberately.
Is this a great read?
No.
Would I read it again?
No.
Would I like to read its sequel?
Yes, because I would like to know what happened to the secondary characters.
Note: BookSirens gave me a free copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
Kendall's efforts at reaching her goals are aided by a few interesting secondary characters—her friends, landlord and wife, parents, and sister. She learns that not everything needs to go her way for her to reach her goals.
In this book, the author Brooke L. Davis shows how we, regardless of our age and other accomplishments, can have no clear idea about ‘adulting’ or independence. She also manages to convey that this is fine as long as we don’t harm anyone deliberately.
Is this a great read?
No.
Would I read it again?
No.
Would I like to read its sequel?
Yes, because I would like to know what happened to the secondary characters.
Note: BookSirens gave me a free copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
February 26, 2021
This was a cute read. It was light and entertaining. I could imagine myself and my best friend in the roles. I enjoy books written as diaries, and this proved to be just as enjoyable. I really liked how the book depicted what it’s really like when we go in search of our independence. It’s not always an easy road. I laughed out loud many times while reading, and would recommend this book.
I think that Kendall was a little immature. It seemed like I was reading a YA book(which is fine, I love YA). For someone who was almost thirty, she didn’t seem like an adult. That would be my only criticism.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
October 19, 2020
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Adventures of an Urban Homesteader by Brooke L Davis was a fun, easy read. It's a cute story about a young lady that moves from San Fransisco to Bozeman, Montana.
However, I did not care for the author's repeated use of some phrases. Mulitple times characters would 'almost spit out their drink'. I understand why it was written, but it was repeated too many times. Also the term 'man-wrappers' when discussing condoms- just call it a condom. These things and a few others, made the book seem slightly juvenile to me.
Those things aside, it was a cute story. I did enjoy reading Kendall's story. Thank you, Ms Davis, for a fun read.
Adventures of an Urban Homesteader by Brooke L Davis was a fun, easy read. It's a cute story about a young lady that moves from San Fransisco to Bozeman, Montana.
However, I did not care for the author's repeated use of some phrases. Mulitple times characters would 'almost spit out their drink'. I understand why it was written, but it was repeated too many times. Also the term 'man-wrappers' when discussing condoms- just call it a condom. These things and a few others, made the book seem slightly juvenile to me.
Those things aside, it was a cute story. I did enjoy reading Kendall's story. Thank you, Ms Davis, for a fun read.
November 29, 2020
Tired of working tirelessly for a boss who doesn't value anyone, family dramas and the hustle and bustle of life in San Francisco, Kendall moves to her best friend's house in Montana, looking for a new life of independence and, who knows, a new love. But would be this process as linear as it seems?
Kendall is one of the most comical characters I have ever met, in fact, she is so clumsy that if we made a list of the most unusual and shameful moments that could happen, she not only would fulfill all the items, she’d actually made things ten times worse. However, one thing that sometimes displeased me was his lack of maturity and over-sensitivity, but the truth is that this is part of the character and helps us to see his great evolution in terms of self-knowledge, self-esteem and personal growth - which was what I liked the most.
With a very fluid narrative, Brooke L. Davis's book is ideal for those moments when we want a light book, with a bit of romance and lots of humor. Without clichés, this book warms our hearts as we read it and leaves us in that lively and cheerful spirit, ideal at this time of the year!
[🇵🇹]
Farta de trabalhar incessantemente para um patrão que não valoriza ninguém, de dramas familiares e da correria da vida em San Francisco, Kendall muda-se para a casa da sua melhor amiga, em Montana, em busca de uma vida nova com independência e, quem sabe, um novo amor. Mas será esse um processo tão linear como parece?
A Kendall é uma das personagens mais cómicas que já conheci, na verdade, é tão desastrada que se fizéssemos uma lista com o que mais inusitado e vergonhoso poderia acontecer, ela não só cumpria todos os itens como ainda piorava dez vezes as situações. Contudo, algo que por vezes, me desagradou foi a sua falta de maturidade e excesso de sensibilidade, mas a verdade é que isso é parte da personagem e ajuda-nos a ver a sua grande evolução em termos de autoconhecimento, auto-estima e crescimento pessoal - que foi o que mais gostei.
Com uma narrativa muito fluida, o livro de Brooke L. Davis é ideal para aquelas alturas em que queremos um livro leve, com um toque de romance e muito humor à mistura. Sem clichés, este livrinho aquece-nos o coração à medida que o lemos e deixa-nos naquele espírito animado e bem disposto, ideal nesta altura do ano!
Kendall is one of the most comical characters I have ever met, in fact, she is so clumsy that if we made a list of the most unusual and shameful moments that could happen, she not only would fulfill all the items, she’d actually made things ten times worse. However, one thing that sometimes displeased me was his lack of maturity and over-sensitivity, but the truth is that this is part of the character and helps us to see his great evolution in terms of self-knowledge, self-esteem and personal growth - which was what I liked the most.
With a very fluid narrative, Brooke L. Davis's book is ideal for those moments when we want a light book, with a bit of romance and lots of humor. Without clichés, this book warms our hearts as we read it and leaves us in that lively and cheerful spirit, ideal at this time of the year!
[🇵🇹]
Farta de trabalhar incessantemente para um patrão que não valoriza ninguém, de dramas familiares e da correria da vida em San Francisco, Kendall muda-se para a casa da sua melhor amiga, em Montana, em busca de uma vida nova com independência e, quem sabe, um novo amor. Mas será esse um processo tão linear como parece?
A Kendall é uma das personagens mais cómicas que já conheci, na verdade, é tão desastrada que se fizéssemos uma lista com o que mais inusitado e vergonhoso poderia acontecer, ela não só cumpria todos os itens como ainda piorava dez vezes as situações. Contudo, algo que por vezes, me desagradou foi a sua falta de maturidade e excesso de sensibilidade, mas a verdade é que isso é parte da personagem e ajuda-nos a ver a sua grande evolução em termos de autoconhecimento, auto-estima e crescimento pessoal - que foi o que mais gostei.
Com uma narrativa muito fluida, o livro de Brooke L. Davis é ideal para aquelas alturas em que queremos um livro leve, com um toque de romance e muito humor à mistura. Sem clichés, este livrinho aquece-nos o coração à medida que o lemos e deixa-nos naquele espírito animado e bem disposto, ideal nesta altura do ano!
January 30, 2021
This whole sobbing sad-sack situation is why I refuse to get sucked into the One argument. Five days ago I decided to see Mike and James despite feeling like I'm in something with Mike that could go somewhere. Mike and I haven't discussed the future, so as far as I'm concerned, we're both playing the field (even though I like the field with him in it a whole lot). Yes, playing the field is the right choice. That's my story, and I'm sticking to it.
The above quote will give you a really clear idea as to whether you'll like this or not. If this is the kind of person with whom you want to spend a year (well, for her it's a year, for me it was about 2.5 hours), then by all means, go for it!
Adventures of an Urban Homesteader is about a 28-year old who refers to dildos as 'fun sticks' and condoms as 'man wrappers' (and completely freaks out when one of her lovers finds a dildo, because apparently it's a bad thing to be the type of woman who'd own one?). She's judgemental, somehow absolutely unable to be honest with anyone, annoying, self-centred and through all 244 pages there was absolutely nothing about her that made me root for her. I'm sure there's an audience for this kind of thing, but it's not me.
The gender conforming lines were also *huge* in this one. While Kendall talks a lot about looking up to Van, her best friend, for being able to live on her own, somehow in her list of people to ask for help when something goes awry around the house... any potential boyfriends automatically rank above Van, as if there is no potential way at all in which Van could be better at owning a house than any man. Even though she talks about meeting up with her friends, somehow I was still left with the impression that she had no female friends at all. And, as a side note, every single person she meets is attractive. That just always bothers me.
Aside from the main character, my main complaint was the so-called diary part. I love epistolaries - it's the reason why I picked this particular book - but just slapping on dates does not a diary make. It might have worked, maybe, as letters to someone she left behind in San Francisco, but I wonder why she didn't just leave out the so-called epistolary element of all. The way it's written, it will turn off both people who loathe reading diaries - because they'll think it's one - and people who love them, because it really isn't one.
I ended up giving it two stars instead of one for a couple of reasons. One, I managed to finish it without skipping a day of reading, which means that even though I couldn't give it more than 30 minutes at a time (due to the Exhaustingly High Energy writing), it didn't bum me out enough to start another book instead. Two, there was some growth (forced and unnatural, but still, growth) and I feel like I should acknowledge that.
I picked this one up as an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
April 24, 2021
Kendall finally gets the nerve to flee San Francisco and her awful boss (nicknamed "The Toad") for a new adventure in Montana. She temporarily moves in with an old friend, makes new friends, begins dating in the hopes of finding "The One," and looks for gainful employment and her own place to stay.
I had a hard time with this book. I liked the messages of taking responsibility and changing a bad situation (her job) and Kendall's realization that she needs to learn to be independent and that even though she wants a serious relationship she does not want to depend on a man. I also liked that Kendall begins realizing that communication in a relationship is important, yet she also has the power and right to slow things down or not be ready for "the next step." So, in subtext, I did like this book. I just couldn't like Kendall. I thought she was irritating and self-centered through the entire book. She had an army of good friends, but all the conversations were about her and how her friends' and dates' decisions affected her life with no consideration for them. Again - yay for her for learning to take care of herself, but I felt she did not deserve the friends she had. For just one example, she was dating two guys - one of them she openly admitted to Ashley that she didn't really like and couldn't see a future with, when Ashley was crushing on him. Kendall just couldn't work up the nerve to end it and yet Ashley is still a good friend and listened to Kendall whine about the guy she liked AND helped her get a job. I suppose that also says something about Ashley, too. At any rate - decent messages in this book, but the characters were, for the most part, not likable.
I had a hard time with this book. I liked the messages of taking responsibility and changing a bad situation (her job) and Kendall's realization that she needs to learn to be independent and that even though she wants a serious relationship she does not want to depend on a man. I also liked that Kendall begins realizing that communication in a relationship is important, yet she also has the power and right to slow things down or not be ready for "the next step." So, in subtext, I did like this book. I just couldn't like Kendall. I thought she was irritating and self-centered through the entire book. She had an army of good friends, but all the conversations were about her and how her friends' and dates' decisions affected her life with no consideration for them. Again - yay for her for learning to take care of herself, but I felt she did not deserve the friends she had. For just one example, she was dating two guys - one of them she openly admitted to Ashley that she didn't really like and couldn't see a future with, when Ashley was crushing on him. Kendall just couldn't work up the nerve to end it and yet Ashley is still a good friend and listened to Kendall whine about the guy she liked AND helped her get a job. I suppose that also says something about Ashley, too. At any rate - decent messages in this book, but the characters were, for the most part, not likable.
November 2, 2020
DNF at 50%
I fully admit that I chose this book for it's title alone. The fact that it was pitched as a rom-com was an added bonus. I love a good rom-com!
I went into this book thinking it would be about homesteading, and that the book would show Kendall's life as she built that homestead. (I watch many homesteaders on Youtube, and I was expecting something along those lines.) That's not what this book is. Not at all. Also I'm also no sure where the comedy part of the rom-com description was. Maybe that came in the second half of the book.
Kendall is a single woman, who quit her job in California, and is off to Montana for a new beginning. She's moving there with no job, no real place to live (crashing with a friend for a couple months), and she knows one person. What is apparent to me is that Kendall didn't do any research prior to this major life change. You would think that she would have researched job opportunities, as well as available housing prior to making the trip. Yet it is obvious she did not do that. How can she expect her new life to get off to a great start when she did no preparation? Kendall also clearly has family issues, which are brought up often.
This book was DNF'd as it just wasn't working for me. Plus I know that if I continue reading a book that I do not like, it will push me into a reading slump and I do not want that. Thank you NetGalley, and the publisher, for providing me an ARC of the book in exchange for review.
I fully admit that I chose this book for it's title alone. The fact that it was pitched as a rom-com was an added bonus. I love a good rom-com!
I went into this book thinking it would be about homesteading, and that the book would show Kendall's life as she built that homestead. (I watch many homesteaders on Youtube, and I was expecting something along those lines.) That's not what this book is. Not at all. Also I'm also no sure where the comedy part of the rom-com description was. Maybe that came in the second half of the book.
Kendall is a single woman, who quit her job in California, and is off to Montana for a new beginning. She's moving there with no job, no real place to live (crashing with a friend for a couple months), and she knows one person. What is apparent to me is that Kendall didn't do any research prior to this major life change. You would think that she would have researched job opportunities, as well as available housing prior to making the trip. Yet it is obvious she did not do that. How can she expect her new life to get off to a great start when she did no preparation? Kendall also clearly has family issues, which are brought up often.
This book was DNF'd as it just wasn't working for me. Plus I know that if I continue reading a book that I do not like, it will push me into a reading slump and I do not want that. Thank you NetGalley, and the publisher, for providing me an ARC of the book in exchange for review.
October 20, 2020
I was given this book as an ARC for an honest review. I have to say that I am happy to do just that. What I really enjoyed about this story was that it was exactly what many of us go through in our search for independence. It was easy and fun to read. Since it was a diary, you got to see how Kendall really felt about things. It was great that she also included what others had to say.
This story is about growing up and living on your own which Kendall did in a huge way. She left San Francisco to get away from a job she hates and all of the family drama to move to Montana which the opposite of where she grew up. She had one friend, no job and no family, but she was determined to make it on her own. As she comes to terms with living alone for the first time in a small house and not an apartment where there is a maintenance person, she learns the joys of home ownership even as a renter. She finds love more than once but learns that relationships in Montana are not the same as in California. Which is something that she learns the hard way. Will she decide that her new home, new friends who are now family and her new life style is what she was looking for or will she go back to San Francisco? To answer that would be to give a spoiler and that would take the fun out of reading this fun story.
This story is about growing up and living on your own which Kendall did in a huge way. She left San Francisco to get away from a job she hates and all of the family drama to move to Montana which the opposite of where she grew up. She had one friend, no job and no family, but she was determined to make it on her own. As she comes to terms with living alone for the first time in a small house and not an apartment where there is a maintenance person, she learns the joys of home ownership even as a renter. She finds love more than once but learns that relationships in Montana are not the same as in California. Which is something that she learns the hard way. Will she decide that her new home, new friends who are now family and her new life style is what she was looking for or will she go back to San Francisco? To answer that would be to give a spoiler and that would take the fun out of reading this fun story.
January 21, 2021
I was disappointed in this book. From the synopsis I expected a funny, heartwarming, relatable read.
It was none of those things.
Kendall is a 28 year old who quits her stressful job and moves to Montana to start fresh and strike out on her own for the first time. As she battles her way through independence, she documents it all in her diary.
Unfortunately, I did not enjoy the book's format, disliked the main character, and was unimpressed by the rather boring plot.
Kendall comes off as very immature and unbelievable as a 28 year old. Her diary entries read like those of a teenager. Her constant guy-hopping made me roll my eyes more than once. Overall there wasn't much to redeem her as a main character.
I think that the idea behind the book is a good one. As a 20-something myself, I expected to be entertained and possibly inspired. However, the execution left something to be desired. Each chapter was so short that it felt like the author was simply summarizing what happened. I found myself skimming through most of the book, partially because of boredom and partially because there wasn't much meat to the book.
Overall, Adventures of an Urban Homesteader has a fun premise but is a sadly forgettable read.
I received a copy of this book for free from BookSirens in return for an honest review.
It was none of those things.
Kendall is a 28 year old who quits her stressful job and moves to Montana to start fresh and strike out on her own for the first time. As she battles her way through independence, she documents it all in her diary.
Unfortunately, I did not enjoy the book's format, disliked the main character, and was unimpressed by the rather boring plot.
Kendall comes off as very immature and unbelievable as a 28 year old. Her diary entries read like those of a teenager. Her constant guy-hopping made me roll my eyes more than once. Overall there wasn't much to redeem her as a main character.
I think that the idea behind the book is a good one. As a 20-something myself, I expected to be entertained and possibly inspired. However, the execution left something to be desired. Each chapter was so short that it felt like the author was simply summarizing what happened. I found myself skimming through most of the book, partially because of boredom and partially because there wasn't much meat to the book.
Overall, Adventures of an Urban Homesteader has a fun premise but is a sadly forgettable read.
I received a copy of this book for free from BookSirens in return for an honest review.
November 13, 2021
*A thank you to Booksirens for allowing me to read. This is my honest and unbiased review*
So, the synopsis for this sounded so good and when I settled in to read I was in the mood for a good laugh, but laugh I did not. Kendall is supposed to be an adult (28 I think) acts like a teenager, for the longest time I thought she was in her late teens, but then they reminded me of her age and I was in disbelief. Her behavior was just so immature, I had a hard time continuing the book. Despite only being 244 pages this book took me ages to finish, because I kept having to walk away from it.
I do like the diary format, as it was expected from the title, but I felt like it could have a bit less in terms of entries. There were times where I just kept thinking, this didn't really need to be here but alas I guess that also made it more believable? The secondary characters is where it was all at, I felt like they actually acted their age and felt like fleshed out characters which I think also contributed to my dislike of Kendall.
Overall, just not the book for me but it could be for you.
So, the synopsis for this sounded so good and when I settled in to read I was in the mood for a good laugh, but laugh I did not. Kendall is supposed to be an adult (28 I think) acts like a teenager, for the longest time I thought she was in her late teens, but then they reminded me of her age and I was in disbelief. Her behavior was just so immature, I had a hard time continuing the book. Despite only being 244 pages this book took me ages to finish, because I kept having to walk away from it.
I do like the diary format, as it was expected from the title, but I felt like it could have a bit less in terms of entries. There were times where I just kept thinking, this didn't really need to be here but alas I guess that also made it more believable? The secondary characters is where it was all at, I felt like they actually acted their age and felt like fleshed out characters which I think also contributed to my dislike of Kendall.
Overall, just not the book for me but it could be for you.
October 28, 2020
This was super cute and light. When Kendall wants to leave her big life in the city she chooses to follow her friend to Bozeman Montana and start a life living on her own. I feel like a lot of us did this this year with the quarantine learning how to be alone and fix things and being scrappy. So it was super relatable. I liked that we were reading her thoughts in her journal and not like a narrator telling the story. I thought her voice was super relatable when trying ot figure out relationships and housing projects.
I found it hard to believe she was 28. It seemed a bit immature how she called condoms man wrappers, and vibrators fun sticks. At first I thought it was funny then she called them that throughout the entire book and it sounded like what a teenager calls a condom because they are embarrassed. But at the same time she was parenting her mom and sister at some point so it was a bit confusing.
Overall I'd give this book a 3.75. It wasn't mind blowing but it was enjoyable and transported me away from this crazy time.
I found it hard to believe she was 28. It seemed a bit immature how she called condoms man wrappers, and vibrators fun sticks. At first I thought it was funny then she called them that throughout the entire book and it sounded like what a teenager calls a condom because they are embarrassed. But at the same time she was parenting her mom and sister at some point so it was a bit confusing.
Overall I'd give this book a 3.75. It wasn't mind blowing but it was enjoyable and transported me away from this crazy time.
October 25, 2020
Kendall Whitney is an almost-thirty graphic artist and journal keeper who uproots her San Francisco life to find peace (and herself) in Bozeman, Montana. Safe from the ultra-urban community in San Francisco--which includes her recently divorced and man-crazy mother and her unpleasant former boss--Kendall quickly finds a community that supports her free-lance career, her ventures into solo living, and her relationships with the men of Bozeman.
This was a feel-good novel written in diary entries that were light, casual, and so much fun. I really enjoyed reading this, and it was a great reminder that adult life can be tough! That said, much of the novel was written with such simplistic language and style, and it felt like a YA novel. Of course, YA is wonderful, but the disconnect between the simple diction and plot and the age of the protagonist was off-putting. I think I would have absolutely loved this book as a high schooler, but it would have been difficult to connect to Kendall. As Kendall's near-peer, I enjoyed reading about her life, but felt like the book was a bit too long for its subject.
Read as an e-ARC from NetGalley. Opinions stated in this review are honest and my own.
Release Date: 9 July 2020
This was a feel-good novel written in diary entries that were light, casual, and so much fun. I really enjoyed reading this, and it was a great reminder that adult life can be tough! That said, much of the novel was written with such simplistic language and style, and it felt like a YA novel. Of course, YA is wonderful, but the disconnect between the simple diction and plot and the age of the protagonist was off-putting. I think I would have absolutely loved this book as a high schooler, but it would have been difficult to connect to Kendall. As Kendall's near-peer, I enjoyed reading about her life, but felt like the book was a bit too long for its subject.
Read as an e-ARC from NetGalley. Opinions stated in this review are honest and my own.
Release Date: 9 July 2020
October 18, 2020
I received a copy of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
This was almost 3 stars for me overall.
This book felt like it was trying to be Bridget Jones' Diary but wasn't quite there. I felt like I had a hard time getting to know Kendall and tell apart her rotation of men in her life. I expected more reflection from the diary format and was hoping for something a little smoother. The embarrassing moments and flukes also weren't super embarrassing which surprised me.
Kendall was endearing at times and the bones of a cozy read are there. The writing style just wasn't for me.
This was almost 3 stars for me overall.
This book felt like it was trying to be Bridget Jones' Diary but wasn't quite there. I felt like I had a hard time getting to know Kendall and tell apart her rotation of men in her life. I expected more reflection from the diary format and was hoping for something a little smoother. The embarrassing moments and flukes also weren't super embarrassing which surprised me.
Kendall was endearing at times and the bones of a cozy read are there. The writing style just wasn't for me.
January 15, 2021
Funny.. Warm.. Cozy... This book is the retelling of "Bridget Jones Diary ".
Kendall was a not so mature 28 year old with a dysfunctional family. She wasn't happy in San Francisco so she decided to move to Montana to start afresh. But she was lucky to have very supportive friends to help her. She experienced ups and downs during the first year while trying to be an 'adult'.
Kendall wasn't a very likeable character but she tried to fix things when she messed them up.
I like the style of the diary entries but some of the phrases that the author used were quite strange.
I received an arc for free and I'm leaving this review voluntarily.
Kendall was a not so mature 28 year old with a dysfunctional family. She wasn't happy in San Francisco so she decided to move to Montana to start afresh. But she was lucky to have very supportive friends to help her. She experienced ups and downs during the first year while trying to be an 'adult'.
Kendall wasn't a very likeable character but she tried to fix things when she messed them up.
I like the style of the diary entries but some of the phrases that the author used were quite strange.
I received an arc for free and I'm leaving this review voluntarily.
October 22, 2020
I received a copy of this book from BookSiren for an honest review
I honestly wasn’t expecting to get into this book in the first few pages but as it went on and I realized Kendall the protagonist is like everyone in their 20s thinking they know for sure what they want but are usually logouts clueless
This is written on form of a diary.
I really like the dynamic between her and her friends and love interest.
With everything currently going on in the world, I really enjoyed how this book made me lost in Kendall’s world and I was sad to see it come to an end
I honestly wasn’t expecting to get into this book in the first few pages but as it went on and I realized Kendall the protagonist is like everyone in their 20s thinking they know for sure what they want but are usually logouts clueless
This is written on form of a diary.
I really like the dynamic between her and her friends and love interest.
With everything currently going on in the world, I really enjoyed how this book made me lost in Kendall’s world and I was sad to see it come to an end
October 31, 2020
4.5 stars!
Thank you to Netgalley and Publisher for allowing me to read an arc of this!
This book had me laughing and crying but overall I felt a lot of similarities to Kendall making it on your own.
This follows Kendall a young woman who moves across the states to get away from city life in San Francisco and moved to Bozeman Montana. Looking for independence in all aspects of life.
It’s a whirlwind of chaos at times but that’s exactly what being a 20 something is! Learning how to get through life.
Thank you to Netgalley and Publisher for allowing me to read an arc of this!
This book had me laughing and crying but overall I felt a lot of similarities to Kendall making it on your own.
This follows Kendall a young woman who moves across the states to get away from city life in San Francisco and moved to Bozeman Montana. Looking for independence in all aspects of life.
It’s a whirlwind of chaos at times but that’s exactly what being a 20 something is! Learning how to get through life.
November 9, 2020
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Hmmm.....I would honestly put that in the 2.5 range. I wanted more depth to all of the characters, but would have settled for it being present with just one. For my taste, everything sat very much on the surface.
I will say that Bozeman, Montana is one of my favorite places. I really did enjoy the places within the book where the location managed to seep in and become almost another character. Those were the strongest points for me.
Hmmm.....I would honestly put that in the 2.5 range. I wanted more depth to all of the characters, but would have settled for it being present with just one. For my taste, everything sat very much on the surface.
I will say that Bozeman, Montana is one of my favorite places. I really did enjoy the places within the book where the location managed to seep in and become almost another character. Those were the strongest points for me.
November 16, 2020
This book drew me in from the first humorous paragraph. But after a few chapters of continuous profanity, etc, I was not so enamored. My rating would have been five stars, rather than four, had it not been for language and morals. Truthfully, I probably wouldn't have finished it, for those reasons, except that I was in the hospital with not a lot to read.
It was well-written, though, and the author has a way with words and is quite entertaining. I just don't feel at all comfortable with things that counter my values.
It was well-written, though, and the author has a way with words and is quite entertaining. I just don't feel at all comfortable with things that counter my values.
December 17, 2020
City Girl Moves To Montana To Find Self
This book is not at all what I expected. Homesteader obviously means something different to the author than it means to me. This is a fun bit of Women's Fiction that is all about finding oneself. There is a lot of comedy. There is a lot about sex, but no graphic encounters. I have a bit of trouble relating to today's twenty-something, but much of this story could belong to a woman of any age. I received this ARC book for free from the author and this is my honest review.
This book is not at all what I expected. Homesteader obviously means something different to the author than it means to me. This is a fun bit of Women's Fiction that is all about finding oneself. There is a lot of comedy. There is a lot about sex, but no graphic encounters. I have a bit of trouble relating to today's twenty-something, but much of this story could belong to a woman of any age. I received this ARC book for free from the author and this is my honest review.
October 22, 2020
My Recommendation
Ha! Laugh out loud funny! I just couldn't get enough of this story. Seriously the funniest book of "adulting" I've ever read. I don't recall becoming an adult being as difficult as it is appears to be for the younger generation. Just put one foot in front of the other... and fall flat on your face---sometimes! Eventually you get the hang of it. It's quite the adventure tale, with romance. Fun book!
I received a Kindle arc from Netgalley in exchange for a fair review.
Ha! Laugh out loud funny! I just couldn't get enough of this story. Seriously the funniest book of "adulting" I've ever read. I don't recall becoming an adult being as difficult as it is appears to be for the younger generation. Just put one foot in front of the other... and fall flat on your face---sometimes! Eventually you get the hang of it. It's quite the adventure tale, with romance. Fun book!
I received a Kindle arc from Netgalley in exchange for a fair review.
November 24, 2020
A good quick easy summer read. An interesting story of the adventures of a singles move across the country and the journey she finds herself on.
I enjoyed the way it was written with date timeline layouts. I loved all the characters and relationships. I did think the ending was a little bit abrupt, maybe an epilogue would be a better wrap up, but overall I really enjoyed it.
Thank you to BookSirens for my free ARC
I enjoyed the way it was written with date timeline layouts. I loved all the characters and relationships. I did think the ending was a little bit abrupt, maybe an epilogue would be a better wrap up, but overall I really enjoyed it.
Thank you to BookSirens for my free ARC
December 5, 2020
I found this book to be a light and entertaining book. The main character comes across as very self-absorbed... but then I remembered that this is a "diary". The me-me-me talk made sense in that context. The supporting characters are good, with a couple of notable strong ones, and overall it was a good story, perfect to read between some of the heavier titles I've been enjoying.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
October 13, 2020
The author is also a wellness coach and maybe that’s why there was so.much.talk.about.relationships. It was tedious. Not a lot of actual character development. Everyone felt pretty flat and interchangeable. Even the “goofs” got turned into unnecessary drama when they should have just been treated as something funny.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
December 24, 2020
It's a great feel-good/real book. Read it in one invigorating sitting. I totally imagined myself and my best friend in the roles. I loved the characters...Just a set of every-day people being themselves in a world we all try to figure out daily. I liked that no one was too perfect to believable. Perfect!
I received a review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received a review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
dnf
December 18, 2020*Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for providing me with a complimentary eARC for review purposes*
This book was not for me. I didn’t like the protagonist, the format or the plot.
This book was not for me. I didn’t like the protagonist, the format or the plot.
November 8, 2020
Adventures of an Urban Homesteader: The Diary of Kendall Whitney by Brooke L. Davis is a cute chit lit book, and my first book by this author. Kendall flees San Francisco and moves to Bozeman, Montana ready for a start over. Kendall is twenty-eight-year-old, but has no idea to be an adult. I did not love this book, but I enjoyed it. I enjoy watching Kendall trying to figure life out. If you enjoy a fun escape book than I recommend this book for you.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
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