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Live, Laugh, Kidnap
The only thing Genesis, Holly and Zoe seem to have in common is being stuck in Violet, Montana. Well, that and the fact that Hope Harvest Ministries is trying to ruin their lives.
Genesis lives on a commune that is now an echo of the New Age cult it once was. She’s witnessed power couple Pastor Jay and Ree Reaps transform their sleepy small town into a haven for online Influencers, who flock to Violet, the bible in one hand and Ree’s bestselling ACT LIKE A LADY, PRAY LIKE A BOSS in the other. Now, the Reaps have decided it’s God’s Will™ that they take over Gen’s ranch.
Holly is a begrudging tourist, forced to spend the summer with her estranged father as punishment for her unsavoury behaviour back in LA. To Holly, Hope Harvest is nothing but a gimmicky marketing ploy, but it’s threatening to put her father’s diner out of business and, for some reason, Holly cares.
All Zoe wants is to leave Violet, working thankless shifts at the diner to scrape together enough cash to start a new life with her girlfriend. But Zoe’s mother has lost everything to the church’s multilevel marketing schemes so the little money that Zoe manages to make goes right to debt collectors.
The only solution to their problems is to scam the scammers and protect what’s theirs. It shouldn’t take much – the Reaps’ golden son, an accidental kidnapping, some light blackmail – and the Reaps’ fortune will be in the girls’ much more deserving hands. As long as everything goes according to plan…
Genesis lives on a commune that is now an echo of the New Age cult it once was. She’s witnessed power couple Pastor Jay and Ree Reaps transform their sleepy small town into a haven for online Influencers, who flock to Violet, the bible in one hand and Ree’s bestselling ACT LIKE A LADY, PRAY LIKE A BOSS in the other. Now, the Reaps have decided it’s God’s Will™ that they take over Gen’s ranch.
Holly is a begrudging tourist, forced to spend the summer with her estranged father as punishment for her unsavoury behaviour back in LA. To Holly, Hope Harvest is nothing but a gimmicky marketing ploy, but it’s threatening to put her father’s diner out of business and, for some reason, Holly cares.
All Zoe wants is to leave Violet, working thankless shifts at the diner to scrape together enough cash to start a new life with her girlfriend. But Zoe’s mother has lost everything to the church’s multilevel marketing schemes so the little money that Zoe manages to make goes right to debt collectors.
The only solution to their problems is to scam the scammers and protect what’s theirs. It shouldn’t take much – the Reaps’ golden son, an accidental kidnapping, some light blackmail – and the Reaps’ fortune will be in the girls’ much more deserving hands. As long as everything goes according to plan…
336 pages, Hardcover
First published March 29, 2022
30 people are currently reading
1842 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 172 reviews
May 9, 2022
when an author writes a book i give five stars, they have my loyalty for life.
i'm like a puppy, in that way. or a stalker.
this is significantly more serious than layoverland, the aforementioned book that gelatin-referenced and silly-joked its way up the everest-like mountain that is getting me to give 5 stars, but i still thought it was nice!
gabby noone writes YA that isn't like most YA is now, which is nice due to the fact that i am a huge hater and like approximately 1 in 1,000 new YA releases. it's enjoyable to read a contemporary without a strong focus on romance, and this has a big exploration of religion in it which is unique (if not my fav to be fair).
i am physically incapable of reviewing a book without complaining, so i will also say this took me a while to get into (but then i read most of the book in a day), and that the ending felt abrupt (if there's one thing i want it's to see a megachurch taken the f*ck down), but overall i simply think No One Is Doing It Like gabby noone.
bottom line: why are her books so underrated??? read these already, guys. sheesh.
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tbr review
"This YA novel, inspired in part by 9 to 5, follows three teen girls who get caught up in a rivalry between a New Age cult and exploitative megachurch and come up with a plot to exact revenge on the church: they'll fake the kidnapping of the pastor's golden son, and extort the church for ransom money."
layoverland ruled and this is going to rule.
i'm like a puppy, in that way. or a stalker.
this is significantly more serious than layoverland, the aforementioned book that gelatin-referenced and silly-joked its way up the everest-like mountain that is getting me to give 5 stars, but i still thought it was nice!
gabby noone writes YA that isn't like most YA is now, which is nice due to the fact that i am a huge hater and like approximately 1 in 1,000 new YA releases. it's enjoyable to read a contemporary without a strong focus on romance, and this has a big exploration of religion in it which is unique (if not my fav to be fair).
i am physically incapable of reviewing a book without complaining, so i will also say this took me a while to get into (but then i read most of the book in a day), and that the ending felt abrupt (if there's one thing i want it's to see a megachurch taken the f*ck down), but overall i simply think No One Is Doing It Like gabby noone.
bottom line: why are her books so underrated??? read these already, guys. sheesh.
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tbr review
"This YA novel, inspired in part by 9 to 5, follows three teen girls who get caught up in a rivalry between a New Age cult and exploitative megachurch and come up with a plot to exact revenge on the church: they'll fake the kidnapping of the pastor's golden son, and extort the church for ransom money."
layoverland ruled and this is going to rule.
April 28, 2022
I REALLY liked Noone’s debut ‘Layover Land’ so I was excited about this one but man, I was so disappointed. The beginning starts off with a sex dream with someone who may or may not be her brother? Why? I just wanna know why.
I don’t know about ya’ll but I’m so over books about cults and if I knew that, I would’ve passed on this. Perhaps it’s my fault for skipping the synopsis so I did it to myself but I digress. There was lots of talk about god and religion and that’s just not my thing either. The plot itself was really slow, I almost was going to dnf but I pushed through. Things didn’t start to pick up until after over halfway in the book and even then, it was missing something. I just couldn’t connect to this like I wanted to unfortunately.
I will say there’s some humor that made me chuckle at some point. I also liked the friendship that grew between the three extremely different girls. Their dynamic was really wholesome and I love reading stories about friendship. I also like the title .. That was about it. It’s definitely a light read and Noone delivered in that I’m disappointed to say in the least.
2 stars
I don’t know about ya’ll but I’m so over books about cults and if I knew that, I would’ve passed on this. Perhaps it’s my fault for skipping the synopsis so I did it to myself but I digress. There was lots of talk about god and religion and that’s just not my thing either. The plot itself was really slow, I almost was going to dnf but I pushed through. Things didn’t start to pick up until after over halfway in the book and even then, it was missing something. I just couldn’t connect to this like I wanted to unfortunately.
I will say there’s some humor that made me chuckle at some point. I also liked the friendship that grew between the three extremely different girls. Their dynamic was really wholesome and I love reading stories about friendship. I also like the title .. That was about it. It’s definitely a light read and Noone delivered in that I’m disappointed to say in the least.
2 stars
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September 17, 2021Chekhov's Four Loko
April 22, 2022
If it wasn’t for the Dolly Parton quote at the start, I wouldn’t have caught onto the Nine to Five vibes which made the book even better for me. Like the movie, this book was extremely entertaining. I love the quick pace combined with the small town, the cult, and religion aspects all topped off with chaotic revenge. Zoe, Holly, and Genesis were all funny and headstrong in their own way. I love how despite being completely different, they had a common goal and appreciated each other’s nuances to work together. I love a chaotic girl team with such funny banter and then deep, nuanced conversations. They genuinely felt like teenagers. Even Dustin was a fun addition to the group and I’m glad he was a developed character who was in on it and not just a slight spoiler unintentional kidnapping victim.
August 30, 2024
I judged this by the cover and I was right. slay
February 28, 2022
This book will not be for everyone, but it was totally for me at the perfect reading moment!
I loved the characters, their individual personal struggles, the sense of humor that was brought to alleviate some heavier scenes.
The troubles in each life felt believable without being too over the top.
All in all I give this 4.25 stars and hope you’ll pick it up when it comes out at the end of March!
I loved the characters, their individual personal struggles, the sense of humor that was brought to alleviate some heavier scenes.
The troubles in each life felt believable without being too over the top.
All in all I give this 4.25 stars and hope you’ll pick it up when it comes out at the end of March!
December 4, 2021
This was fun, but I found myself wanting more. Like, I wish the author had just dialed it up more.
April 3, 2022
Brilliant
November 3, 2022
Actual rating: 3.5 stars
December 17, 2023
read this for book club - actually really enjoyed it! a cute and funny read compared to our others 😅
June 11, 2022
This was seriously good. I laughed several times and enjoyed the romance a little (even though my favourite couple-to-be fell apart in 0.001 seconds).
March 4, 2023
There’s a deep message in this hilarious and totally ridiculous story. I loved it
April 3, 2023
Not a perfect book and maybe not even four stars worthy, but I just had a lot of fun reading this book. This book is set in Montana but also could easily be set in Waco as it is about two distinct subcultures: the remnants of a small self-sustaining cult community and the quickly growing megachurch with the pastor, wife, and his kids as the social media stars at the center of it. The social capital of the megachurch family is quickly becoming financial capital and spurring the too fast growth of the small Montana town, to the frustration (and at the expense) of many (exploited) locals. In the center of this are four teenagers— a girl who was kicked out of her private school in LA and moved back to Montana to live with her dad, a girl whose mom has given all their money to the church and now can’t pay the bills, a girl who lives on the cult commune but feels the pull of the megachurch, and the oldest teenage son of the megachurch pastor. Basically, I loved the premise, meh on the execution and pacing, but all in all thought this was a fun unique read. Plus I’ll listen to any podcasts with Gabby Noone as the guest (heard about this book from her appearance on Good Christian Fun).
June 11, 2022
Live Laugh Kidnap
By Gabby Noone
I loved this book's cover and the title and the blurb really made me want to read this riot of a novel about a small town and its overrun by a megachurch more focused on how to scam the so-called believers. I was not very invested in the characters and the writing though quirky and interesting did not hold my attention - heavy themes and not as light as I thought it would be. I believe that readers will enjoy this one who enjoy cultish themes, nuanced teenage characters, small town crazies, and just an overall fun read outside of the usual tropes for a YA read.
By Gabby Noone
I loved this book's cover and the title and the blurb really made me want to read this riot of a novel about a small town and its overrun by a megachurch more focused on how to scam the so-called believers. I was not very invested in the characters and the writing though quirky and interesting did not hold my attention - heavy themes and not as light as I thought it would be. I believe that readers will enjoy this one who enjoy cultish themes, nuanced teenage characters, small town crazies, and just an overall fun read outside of the usual tropes for a YA read.
August 6, 2023
i am actually shocked at how funny i found this like?? the way more serious topics were balanced out with the sheer ridiculousness of the story was done pretty well all things considered. i could totally see this as like a 7 episode miniseries on hulu or smthn
July 1, 2022
I super struggled with this one. I almost put it down in fact. I need to give some background to explain why: Set in rural Montana, there are four main characters: Genesis, who grew up on a farm that is the home of a new age cult; Holly, who, due to bad behavior back home in LA, has been shipped off by her mother to her estranged father's house where she meets Zoe, impoverished waitress whose mother has been duped into spending all their savings on a pyramid scheme marketed by Hope Harvest mega-church; and Dustin, golden child of Hope Harvest's pastor, who wants nothing to do with his family or their ministry. Each of them needs money to break away from their families and start a new life; and they decide the best way to do that is "kidnap" Dustin and collect the reward money when they "find" him (he is in on the plot).
The book opens rather offensively, with Genesis having a sensual dream about Sage, another cult member who may or may not be her half brother, and then proceeds to mock the Christian faith with all the shenanigans happening at Hope Harvest, which includes the pyramid scheme, a youth group gathering promoting modest dressing and staying pure until marriage, and the shunning of the LGBTQ+ population. I know that in reality, there are cults, and pyramid schemes, and corrupt churches, and kidnapping. But this book is marketed as a light-hearted comedy, and I found nothing funny about any of it. So much of what happens in this book are very serious topics, and the author does a great job of shaming everyone, with very little redemption in any of it. Is it funny that a mother is terrified that her son may be hurt or even dead when he goes missing for multiple days, just because her character in the book is a pastor's wife of a church with questionable theology? No it isn't. Is it funny that a teenager is living alone in a house without electricity and running water because her mother, who didn't pay any of the bills, left her alone and is staying at a relative's house instead of taking responsibility? No it isn't. Is it funny that a teenager doesn't even know who her birth father is because she is a part of a cult where everyone parents everyone? No it isn't. Is it funny that a teenager steals money from her mother to buy drugs and then is sent to a father she barely even knows as punishment because mom is having a baby with her new husband and doesn't want to deal with it? No it isn't.
Just to be clear, though I am a practicing Christian, I do not condone the "Christianity" portrayed by Hope Harvest ministries. I feel like the theology pictured here is legalistic, judgmental, manipulative, and not Christ-like. But these types of churches really do exist, and they are quite damaging. They are a type of cult as well, and if you just turn on Netflix, you can watch multiple documentaries on these types of mega-churches built on such legalism and multi-level marketing schemes. It is tragic, and not a laughing matter. The same is true of cults: they are not a laughing matter. It isn't funny that there are real cults (FLDS) where young girls are forced to wear specific clothes (like Genesis) and are married off into polygamous relationships to birth babies at a young age, and raised in a community of many "mothers". People have gone to jail over such things.
Holly and Dustin are some pretty typical teens rebelling against the machine, so probably the least offensive in this book, but the aspect I dislike about both of them is how crazy self-centered they are. I guess all teens are, but consenting to kidnapping? Running away? It's all too heavy to be viewed as light-hearted good fun. Undoubtedly the most alarming of all are the parents in this book. Each of them are so far out of touch with the needs of their children that each should be investigated by Child Protective Services for neglect.
What makes this book a two star instead of a one, is Genesis. She finds purpose and spirituality and also makes her mother think twice about all she has done to her daughter and changes are made. There are also some redeeming paragraphs here and there, like when Zoe continually calls out the hypocrisy of Hope Harvest, and each of the teens admit that they need to start telling the people they care about the truth and open up real lines of communication. But it is not enough that I would recommend this book to anyone. I also wouldn't call it a comedy. I don't remember laughing even once.
The book opens rather offensively, with Genesis having a sensual dream about Sage, another cult member who may or may not be her half brother, and then proceeds to mock the Christian faith with all the shenanigans happening at Hope Harvest, which includes the pyramid scheme, a youth group gathering promoting modest dressing and staying pure until marriage, and the shunning of the LGBTQ+ population. I know that in reality, there are cults, and pyramid schemes, and corrupt churches, and kidnapping. But this book is marketed as a light-hearted comedy, and I found nothing funny about any of it. So much of what happens in this book are very serious topics, and the author does a great job of shaming everyone, with very little redemption in any of it. Is it funny that a mother is terrified that her son may be hurt or even dead when he goes missing for multiple days, just because her character in the book is a pastor's wife of a church with questionable theology? No it isn't. Is it funny that a teenager is living alone in a house without electricity and running water because her mother, who didn't pay any of the bills, left her alone and is staying at a relative's house instead of taking responsibility? No it isn't. Is it funny that a teenager doesn't even know who her birth father is because she is a part of a cult where everyone parents everyone? No it isn't. Is it funny that a teenager steals money from her mother to buy drugs and then is sent to a father she barely even knows as punishment because mom is having a baby with her new husband and doesn't want to deal with it? No it isn't.
Just to be clear, though I am a practicing Christian, I do not condone the "Christianity" portrayed by Hope Harvest ministries. I feel like the theology pictured here is legalistic, judgmental, manipulative, and not Christ-like. But these types of churches really do exist, and they are quite damaging. They are a type of cult as well, and if you just turn on Netflix, you can watch multiple documentaries on these types of mega-churches built on such legalism and multi-level marketing schemes. It is tragic, and not a laughing matter. The same is true of cults: they are not a laughing matter. It isn't funny that there are real cults (FLDS) where young girls are forced to wear specific clothes (like Genesis) and are married off into polygamous relationships to birth babies at a young age, and raised in a community of many "mothers". People have gone to jail over such things.
Holly and Dustin are some pretty typical teens rebelling against the machine, so probably the least offensive in this book, but the aspect I dislike about both of them is how crazy self-centered they are. I guess all teens are, but consenting to kidnapping? Running away? It's all too heavy to be viewed as light-hearted good fun. Undoubtedly the most alarming of all are the parents in this book. Each of them are so far out of touch with the needs of their children that each should be investigated by Child Protective Services for neglect.
What makes this book a two star instead of a one, is Genesis. She finds purpose and spirituality and also makes her mother think twice about all she has done to her daughter and changes are made. There are also some redeeming paragraphs here and there, like when Zoe continually calls out the hypocrisy of Hope Harvest, and each of the teens admit that they need to start telling the people they care about the truth and open up real lines of communication. But it is not enough that I would recommend this book to anyone. I also wouldn't call it a comedy. I don't remember laughing even once.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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October 17, 2022All the reviews I have to do are stressing me out so imma do this short & sweet on my phone okay!!
This was funny for about three seconds and then it was just creepy and slightly uncomfortable. It's very religious and cult focused which... while it was negative it didn't really feel that negative? Like oh don't worry their cult isn't like one of those other cults, they're a cool cult.
I don't like being annoyed when I read and almost all of these characters did things that pissed me off.
Also the beginning of the book started with a girl being horny for her (possible) brother and it was so gross. 😭
There was a lot of girl friendship which I enjoyed but all the shenanigans they got into were purely their own fault which I don't blame them but also I do.
When the main plot thing finally happened (quite a ways in I'd say), I thought we were getting into Spongebob and Mr Krabs think they accidentally kill a food inspector and then bury the body energy but it was really just a dumbass boy makes up a dumbass scheme that I still don't get why any of them thought it was a good idea???
It was a time!! Not really a fun time but a time nonetheless!!
This was funny for about three seconds and then it was just creepy and slightly uncomfortable. It's very religious and cult focused which... while it was negative it didn't really feel that negative? Like oh don't worry their cult isn't like one of those other cults, they're a cool cult.
I don't like being annoyed when I read and almost all of these characters did things that pissed me off.
Also the beginning of the book started with a girl being horny for her (possible) brother and it was so gross. 😭
There was a lot of girl friendship which I enjoyed but all the shenanigans they got into were purely their own fault which I don't blame them but also I do.
When the main plot thing finally happened (quite a ways in I'd say), I thought we were getting into Spongebob and Mr Krabs think they accidentally kill a food inspector and then bury the body energy but it was really just a dumbass boy makes up a dumbass scheme that I still don't get why any of them thought it was a good idea???
It was a time!! Not really a fun time but a time nonetheless!!
April 7, 2022
[Sighs] First DNF of the year. I just don't have the tolerance I used to.
I don't know why I bother picking up YA books- particularly ones about rural communities and religion- when I know there's going to be sociopolitical preaching and gratuitous stereotyping shoved in (GOOD stereotypes, though- the ones that remind you that stepping even a foot outside of a major American city puts you in Redneck Gun-Lovin' LGBT-Hatin' MURRICA country).
I'm just not into another 200 pages of it.
I don't know why I bother picking up YA books- particularly ones about rural communities and religion- when I know there's going to be sociopolitical preaching and gratuitous stereotyping shoved in (GOOD stereotypes, though- the ones that remind you that stepping even a foot outside of a major American city puts you in Redneck Gun-Lovin' LGBT-Hatin' MURRICA country).
I'm just not into another 200 pages of it.
May 5, 2024
This was such a fun read! I thoroughly enjoyed it. Initially, I felt like there were too many characters and the alternating POVs wouldn’t add much, but once I got into it, I found it compelling. I couldn’t put this down! It was fun trying to figure out how all this chaotic fake kidnapping would play out for these kids.
I also appreciated the themes of feeling alone and not being able to be your true self around most people. Some characters were weaker than others—like Zoe’s girlfriend, Delia, seemed pretty flat to me.
All around, an enjoyable and entertaining read!
I also appreciated the themes of feeling alone and not being able to be your true self around most people. Some characters were weaker than others—like Zoe’s girlfriend, Delia, seemed pretty flat to me.
All around, an enjoyable and entertaining read!
June 28, 2022
interesting and i like the idea, but the cult was way less CULTY than i wanted. it was more just a joel osteen type church and then some people that live on a ranch ?? everybody seemed pretty nice for the most part, just hypocritical. was expecting more SPOOKY CULT vibes and less “girls hang out and talk about religion”.
August 20, 2022
Very fun and cute read with tons of twists and turns! You will definitely find yourself laughing and gasping, possibly when reading the same page. Definitely surprised me several times and in short spans of time as well. Certainly kept me in my toes! If you’re a fan of Dolly Parton’s 9 to 5, you’ll have a good time with this book!
February 4, 2024
I struggled between what to rate this. Although this is a funny, quick fave paced read I found it to be a little too predictable and unrealistic. The concept of the story was funny and light and there were definite moments of laughter but it just wasn't quite what I was looking for.
If you're looking for a funny LGBTQ friendly book that's a quick read this was a good one :)
If you're looking for a funny LGBTQ friendly book that's a quick read this was a good one :)
May 20, 2024
I’m I biased bec I love Gabby Noons writing? Yes. Yes I am
I enjoyed the characters interactions with each other and the way they react to things. They still have that naturally comedic feel to them. Not to compare Layoverland (which I will now do) but I realize I really enjoy her writing with environments that can be more inherently comedic.
Will I be reading her next possible book? Yes. Yes, of course.
I enjoyed the characters interactions with each other and the way they react to things. They still have that naturally comedic feel to them. Not to compare Layoverland (which I will now do) but I realize I really enjoy her writing with environments that can be more inherently comedic.
Will I be reading her next possible book? Yes. Yes, of course.
April 8, 2022
Me encantaría colarme en la cabeza de Gaby Noone y poder vivir un poco más en este pueblo, que aloja una comuna hippie semi-incestuosa y a una familia de influencers cristianos que llevan una estafa de MLM.
"Chase the glory of God, not likes and faves online."
"Chase the glory of God, not likes and faves online."
May 3, 2022
AHHHHHHHH GABBY IS A KING!! Somehow better than Layoverland, her perfect debut novel! It’s got it all — hijinks, heart to hearts, late night gas stations, and grocery store sheet cake!! A delightful read!
December 17, 2022
This one is flying under the radar and deserves so much more attention.
So many great discussion points in this one. Faith. Found family. Being true to who you are and not who others think you should be. All wrapped up in quippy dialogue.
So many great discussion points in this one. Faith. Found family. Being true to who you are and not who others think you should be. All wrapped up in quippy dialogue.
July 2, 2022
Fun, funny and cute and def had Saved! vibes as promised. Go gabby!!!!
November 30, 2022
cute and goofy
April 19, 2023
Honestly this book was meh not bad but not anything amazing. Liked the plot but found most of the characters uninteresting and predictable
May 27, 2023
Honestly one of the most enjoyable books I’ve read in a long time. Character development x 4. I’ll be watching for Gabby Noone.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 172 reviews