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Johanna Porter Is Not Sorry
The headlines dubbed it the art heist of the decade…
Twenty years ago, Johanna Porter was a rising star in the art world. Now she’s an unknown soccer mom. When an invitation arrives for an elite gallery opening for her former lover, the great Nestor Pinedo, Johanna wants to throw it in the trash where it belongs. But with some styling help from her daughter, she makes an appearance and comes face-to-face with the woman she was before the powerful and jealous Nestor ruined her.
La Rosa Blanca is a portrait of Johanna herself, young and fierce and fearless—a masterwork with a price tag to match. When she cuts it out of its frame, rolls it up and walks out, Johanna is only taking back what was stolen from her.
Hiding out with La Rosa Blanca in a shack on the Chesapeake Bay, Johanna digs into the raw work of reviving her own skills while battling novice-thief paranoia, impostor syndrome and mom guilt. But Johanna doesn’t just want the painting—she wants to paint again. To harness her powerful talent, she must defy everyone’s expectations—most of all her own—for what a woman like her should be.
Twenty years ago, Johanna Porter was a rising star in the art world. Now she’s an unknown soccer mom. When an invitation arrives for an elite gallery opening for her former lover, the great Nestor Pinedo, Johanna wants to throw it in the trash where it belongs. But with some styling help from her daughter, she makes an appearance and comes face-to-face with the woman she was before the powerful and jealous Nestor ruined her.
La Rosa Blanca is a portrait of Johanna herself, young and fierce and fearless—a masterwork with a price tag to match. When she cuts it out of its frame, rolls it up and walks out, Johanna is only taking back what was stolen from her.
Hiding out with La Rosa Blanca in a shack on the Chesapeake Bay, Johanna digs into the raw work of reviving her own skills while battling novice-thief paranoia, impostor syndrome and mom guilt. But Johanna doesn’t just want the painting—she wants to paint again. To harness her powerful talent, she must defy everyone’s expectations—most of all her own—for what a woman like her should be.
288 pages, Unknown Binding
First published March 7, 2023
50 people are currently reading
6829 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 199 reviews
April 4, 2023
What a debut!! 👏👏 Johanna Porter IS Definitely NOT Sorry… In fact… I think it’s safe to say she also give ZERO F’S🤣 … and that is why I love her. 🤷♀️
Why did I adore her? Well…she is sassy… snarky and a little bad ass if I may say so!! 😉👏👏 Johanna was at the top of her game 20 years ago… taking the art 🖼 world by storm… working with the icon himself… Nestor Pinedo… until she dare stand up for herself against that delight of a man… 🙄… and he DESTROYS her career…but karma is in fact a bitch..😏… and Johanna is back to get what is hers!! You go girl!! 🙌🙌
This girl is ditching her soccer ⚽️ mom yoga pants… for an Oscar de la Renta dress 👗👠👜… and off to to dabble in art 🖼 theft…😎… and getting revenge… 😘
Fun.. sassy… with some real life drama mixed in… some serious soul searching…addiction… and … love…🥰🥰 This book had all the stuff real life does… well except I hope you all aren’t art thieves..😬…if you are..🤫🤫🤫
I was rooting for Johanna all the way!! Fun with a great story… I suggest you all need Johanna in your life! 😉
I received a gifted copy and loved it!
Why did I adore her? Well…she is sassy… snarky and a little bad ass if I may say so!! 😉👏👏 Johanna was at the top of her game 20 years ago… taking the art 🖼 world by storm… working with the icon himself… Nestor Pinedo… until she dare stand up for herself against that delight of a man… 🙄… and he DESTROYS her career…but karma is in fact a bitch..😏… and Johanna is back to get what is hers!! You go girl!! 🙌🙌
This girl is ditching her soccer ⚽️ mom yoga pants… for an Oscar de la Renta dress 👗👠👜… and off to to dabble in art 🖼 theft…😎… and getting revenge… 😘
Fun.. sassy… with some real life drama mixed in… some serious soul searching…addiction… and … love…🥰🥰 This book had all the stuff real life does… well except I hope you all aren’t art thieves..😬…if you are..🤫🤫🤫
I was rooting for Johanna all the way!! Fun with a great story… I suggest you all need Johanna in your life! 😉
I received a gifted copy and loved it!
April 13, 2023
Audiobook Rating: 3.5/5
Book Rating (after sitting on it more): 4/5
I knew absolutely nothing about Johanna Porter Is Not Sorry by Sara Read when I saw it on my library's Hoopla, loved the cover, and decided to listen to it. I can't say I expected it to be a romance and while that part threw me off, I had a lot that I really enjoyed about this book. It is a debut novel with a female MC over 40, and I personally love reading books that have older characters versus people in their 20s and 30s. I am getting closer to 40 myself and while I couldn't relate to the kid aspect, there were still pieces of Johanna that I could totally see in myself. I understood her actions especially after we learn more about her backstory, and she is a wonderfully flawed but strong female character.
I am still a little torn when it comes to the audiobook, and I can't quite decide how much I liked having Marni Penning as the narrator. She got really screechy for lack of a better word at times, and though I would say the scenes probably called for it, that wasn't a very enjoyable thing to hear in your ears. I wish she would have laid off a bit on that, but otherwise, I did like her voice and her narration for Johanna. I would still say reading Johanna Porter Is Not Sorry is probably the way to go here, and I may have liked it even more if I had gone that route. I loved the art piece to the story and the focus on Johanna overcoming her fears and expectations. She was such a sassy and fun character which was nice to have since there is also addiction and some rather deep soul-searching going on. My vote is that this is a really solid debut from Read and I will be keeping my eyes open for her next novel!
Book Rating (after sitting on it more): 4/5
I knew absolutely nothing about Johanna Porter Is Not Sorry by Sara Read when I saw it on my library's Hoopla, loved the cover, and decided to listen to it. I can't say I expected it to be a romance and while that part threw me off, I had a lot that I really enjoyed about this book. It is a debut novel with a female MC over 40, and I personally love reading books that have older characters versus people in their 20s and 30s. I am getting closer to 40 myself and while I couldn't relate to the kid aspect, there were still pieces of Johanna that I could totally see in myself. I understood her actions especially after we learn more about her backstory, and she is a wonderfully flawed but strong female character.
I am still a little torn when it comes to the audiobook, and I can't quite decide how much I liked having Marni Penning as the narrator. She got really screechy for lack of a better word at times, and though I would say the scenes probably called for it, that wasn't a very enjoyable thing to hear in your ears. I wish she would have laid off a bit on that, but otherwise, I did like her voice and her narration for Johanna. I would still say reading Johanna Porter Is Not Sorry is probably the way to go here, and I may have liked it even more if I had gone that route. I loved the art piece to the story and the focus on Johanna overcoming her fears and expectations. She was such a sassy and fun character which was nice to have since there is also addiction and some rather deep soul-searching going on. My vote is that this is a really solid debut from Read and I will be keeping my eyes open for her next novel!
March 8, 2023
When Johanna Porter was in her early twenties, she was a rising star in the art world. Extremely talented, her fame only rose when she became involved with a man who would become her mentor. His name was Nestor, and he was truly a misogynist. Although 30 years, her senior, the pair became a couple, and Nester acted as her mentor. However, things took a tragic turn for Johanna and her career was wiped away right in front of her eyes.
Now twenty years later, mother to teenaged Mel, an invitation to an art exhibit changes the entire trajectory of Johanna’s life. She makes a decision that could cost her everything, and this leads her to take life in a completely different direction. She leaves home, including a steady job, with her daughter in the care of her ex-husband, all with the desire to explore her talent. While Mel is in good hands, and this includes constant communication between the two, Johanna finally decides to take a look at what she really wants in life.
It doesn’t take her long, but she meets a surgeon who is on medical leave and his name is Mitchell. Mitchell will have a huge impact on Johanna’s life. Meanwhile, she has to deal with the repercussions of that dreadful decision that she made the night of the art exhibit. In fact, Johanna will be forced to look over her shoulder for a long time to come. Johanna in no way regrets her actions. In fact, what she did only fuels her desire to become the artist she knows she can be, despite the great loss she suffered two decades ago.
While this book is mostly focused on Johanna’s courage and growth, it hits on a very heavy topic that involves one of the characters. In fact, this may be the very first book where I have read about addiction in the way that it was handled in this stellar book. About halfway through this story, I wondered how in the world the author, Sara Read, would resolve the two major issues that demanded resolution in a way that me as a reader would be convinced, and indeed satisfied. I must say, that the job was well done. Very well done. The discussion questions at the end of this book will no doubt lead to some very good conversations. Although it has been a few days since I completed this book, I continue to think about what the characters experienced in this book. No doubt this will stay high on top of one of my favorite reads for 2023.
Many thanks to Graydon House and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.
Please enjoy my YouTube video review - https://youtu.be/TwtuI_Sadl0
Now twenty years later, mother to teenaged Mel, an invitation to an art exhibit changes the entire trajectory of Johanna’s life. She makes a decision that could cost her everything, and this leads her to take life in a completely different direction. She leaves home, including a steady job, with her daughter in the care of her ex-husband, all with the desire to explore her talent. While Mel is in good hands, and this includes constant communication between the two, Johanna finally decides to take a look at what she really wants in life.
It doesn’t take her long, but she meets a surgeon who is on medical leave and his name is Mitchell. Mitchell will have a huge impact on Johanna’s life. Meanwhile, she has to deal with the repercussions of that dreadful decision that she made the night of the art exhibit. In fact, Johanna will be forced to look over her shoulder for a long time to come. Johanna in no way regrets her actions. In fact, what she did only fuels her desire to become the artist she knows she can be, despite the great loss she suffered two decades ago.
While this book is mostly focused on Johanna’s courage and growth, it hits on a very heavy topic that involves one of the characters. In fact, this may be the very first book where I have read about addiction in the way that it was handled in this stellar book. About halfway through this story, I wondered how in the world the author, Sara Read, would resolve the two major issues that demanded resolution in a way that me as a reader would be convinced, and indeed satisfied. I must say, that the job was well done. Very well done. The discussion questions at the end of this book will no doubt lead to some very good conversations. Although it has been a few days since I completed this book, I continue to think about what the characters experienced in this book. No doubt this will stay high on top of one of my favorite reads for 2023.
Many thanks to Graydon House and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.
Please enjoy my YouTube video review - https://youtu.be/TwtuI_Sadl0
December 10, 2022
This book is amazing. Johanna is a 40-something soccer mom who’s not afraid to use the F bomb. When she happens upon her ex lover… And a vision of her past self in the form of a painting he did of her at her height as an up and coming painter, before he took away her career— she does the only sensible thing and steals it. Did I mention it’s worth millions of dollars? And now she is a felon on the run?
This is a twisty heartfelt adventure with a woman who has decided to take what she wants from the world… But hopefully she doesn’t get caught in the process!
This is a twisty heartfelt adventure with a woman who has decided to take what she wants from the world… But hopefully she doesn’t get caught in the process!
March 7, 2023
Johanna Porter is a divorced woman with one daughter who lives with her father during the week. She teaches art at a local private school and appears to have a good life. When she receives an invitation to an exhibit opening, she is shocked. It is the work of her former mentor and lover from years ago, when she was an up and coming artist, the man and his daughter ruined her art career. She decides to go and while there sees the one piece of art that has called to her, as well as stifled her all her life since it was painted, "La Rosa Blanca". Pineda had painted her when she was angry, yet couldn't walk out on a modeling session. Without thinking, or realizing what she was doing, she cuts it out of its frame, rolls it up and walks out, Johanna is only taking back what was stolen from her.
I can't call this a coming of age story, but it is a story where the main character, Joanna, finally comes into her own. She decides what she really wants out of life, what she has grieved for years and goes for it. She is troubled at the beginning and it takes strength to stick to her decision with others (her daughter Mel and ex-husband) trying to pull her back, tell her to wait, convince her not to give up her job etc. I wasn't sure if she was going to make a go of it as she had a lot against her, especially her own insecurities. She finally uses her anger to push her and she begins a metamorphosis. There is a bit of a romance storyline, but if is part of her growth and Mitchell has his own demons. They are an interesting fit together and he pushes her to move forward as much as he can. They are partners in crime as he also knows about the painting. The characters are all realistic and well described, so I felt I knew them all. Each played an important part of the story. As other reviewers have mentioned this story is raw, it has some vulgarity which almost had me closing the book with all the "F bombs" dropped in the first page, deals with some heavy topics such as addiction to pain medication, accidental overdose, infidelity, but overall this is Joanna's story. I wasn't sure if I liked her at the beginning but I sure respected her at the end. She is strong, loyal, loving, a great mother and a woman who fought to become what she knew she was meant to be. A debut from Sara Read, which will have me watching for more books by this talented author.
I can't call this a coming of age story, but it is a story where the main character, Joanna, finally comes into her own. She decides what she really wants out of life, what she has grieved for years and goes for it. She is troubled at the beginning and it takes strength to stick to her decision with others (her daughter Mel and ex-husband) trying to pull her back, tell her to wait, convince her not to give up her job etc. I wasn't sure if she was going to make a go of it as she had a lot against her, especially her own insecurities. She finally uses her anger to push her and she begins a metamorphosis. There is a bit of a romance storyline, but if is part of her growth and Mitchell has his own demons. They are an interesting fit together and he pushes her to move forward as much as he can. They are partners in crime as he also knows about the painting. The characters are all realistic and well described, so I felt I knew them all. Each played an important part of the story. As other reviewers have mentioned this story is raw, it has some vulgarity which almost had me closing the book with all the "F bombs" dropped in the first page, deals with some heavy topics such as addiction to pain medication, accidental overdose, infidelity, but overall this is Joanna's story. I wasn't sure if I liked her at the beginning but I sure respected her at the end. She is strong, loyal, loving, a great mother and a woman who fought to become what she knew she was meant to be. A debut from Sara Read, which will have me watching for more books by this talented author.
April 5, 2023
Thank you NetGalley, Sara Read & Graydon House for a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
First things first - TW: addiction
This book was written very well! I loved the premise as it was something I haven't really read before and it kept me intrigued! There were some slow parts in the beginning, but once it picked up... IT PICKED UP!
The character development is one of my favorite things about this book. After reading and finishing, I felt like every person in this book had closure and had grown in some way. They were all well described and each had their own story.
Lastly, there is a scene in this book that is very soul crushing and it was written extremely well. I am someone who struggles with reading about addiction as I have seen and dealt with too much of it in my life, but Sara Read... I commend you on the writing of this. It was very realistic and how things really go. I felt like I was totally immersed in this story.
An amazing debut & I will definitely give Sara Read more attention when more novels get published!!
First things first - TW: addiction
This book was written very well! I loved the premise as it was something I haven't really read before and it kept me intrigued! There were some slow parts in the beginning, but once it picked up... IT PICKED UP!
The character development is one of my favorite things about this book. After reading and finishing, I felt like every person in this book had closure and had grown in some way. They were all well described and each had their own story.
Lastly, there is a scene in this book that is very soul crushing and it was written extremely well. I am someone who struggles with reading about addiction as I have seen and dealt with too much of it in my life, but Sara Read... I commend you on the writing of this. It was very realistic and how things really go. I felt like I was totally immersed in this story.
An amazing debut & I will definitely give Sara Read more attention when more novels get published!!
March 28, 2023
4.5 stars. A sort of coming-of-age-at-midlife tale. When Johanna Porter was 23, a relationship with a very successful older artist derailed her promising art career. The career and her self-image never recovered. Now, 20 years on, this even more successful artist and his adult daughter have extended an olive branch--of sorts--to Johanna, with wildly unintended consequences.
With the funny title and cartoonish cover, you could be forgiven for thinking that this is a light comedy. While there are some lighter themes and comic moments, I found this book to be significantly more substantive--and more interesting--than I expected. Johanna is an empathetic protagonist, but supporting characters Mitch and Pillar were fascinating, especially the latter. The backdrop against the art world, while not profiled in depth, was interesting. And while Johanna takes some fairly nutty actions, her issues and problems are not played for laughs.
Sara Read is a new author to me, and based on this introduction, I'll definitely be looking forward to what comes next!
With the funny title and cartoonish cover, you could be forgiven for thinking that this is a light comedy. While there are some lighter themes and comic moments, I found this book to be significantly more substantive--and more interesting--than I expected. Johanna is an empathetic protagonist, but supporting characters Mitch and Pillar were fascinating, especially the latter. The backdrop against the art world, while not profiled in depth, was interesting. And while Johanna takes some fairly nutty actions, her issues and problems are not played for laughs.
Sara Read is a new author to me, and based on this introduction, I'll definitely be looking forward to what comes next!
March 3, 2023
I love when books that weren’t even on your radar totally blow you away!! I absolutely LOVED this book. Thank you so much for the ALC @librofm !! This is perfect for Finlay Donovan fans with an art heist instead of dead bodies and a great love story!
⚠️CW: pain pill addiction, accidental drug overdose
⚠️CW: pain pill addiction, accidental drug overdose
March 18, 2023
Premise is more interesting than the actual book. I felt myself pretty disappointed in how slow this book was, the dull romance, and how little it actually has to say about the way women are treated as "muses" and looked down upon in the art world.
June 24, 2023
2.8 stars
It was just meh. Not the worst book I’ve read, but not a page turner either.
It was just meh. Not the worst book I’ve read, but not a page turner either.
February 15, 2023
Johanna Porter is a divorced mom in her mid-40s currently teaching art at a local private school while grieving the loss of her former high profile art career. When an out-of-the-blue art gallery invitation arrives from the person who single-handedly ruined her career, Johanna is intrigued. On display at the gallery is a painting of Johanna done by her former lover when her career was at its peak. In a moment of rage (or is it a mid-life crisis?), Johanna rips the canvas from its frame and flees the gallery. Escaping to her father's home in Chesapeake Bay, Johanna finds her asking what happened to the young woman in that portrait? What happened to her art career? And, when will the police arrive to arrest her?
Johanna is a bold female character and it took some time for me to understand and/or appreciate her at first. Her personality and language comes on strong in the beginning but I appreciated how the author captures the softer side of this character and her character development throughout the book is really well done. Ultimately, I found this book to be very entertaining. I may not relate to the main character but I can certainly appreciate her re-examination of life in her 40s, particularly after motherhood and its affects on the balance of career and family.
This book went into a direction and focused on some heavier topics that I was not expecting but it all made the book compelling and hard to put down. I also appreciated the discussion questions at the end and think this would make an excellent book club book.
Thank you to @Netgalley and the publisher for the gifted copy in exchange for my honest review.
Johanna is a bold female character and it took some time for me to understand and/or appreciate her at first. Her personality and language comes on strong in the beginning but I appreciated how the author captures the softer side of this character and her character development throughout the book is really well done. Ultimately, I found this book to be very entertaining. I may not relate to the main character but I can certainly appreciate her re-examination of life in her 40s, particularly after motherhood and its affects on the balance of career and family.
This book went into a direction and focused on some heavier topics that I was not expecting but it all made the book compelling and hard to put down. I also appreciated the discussion questions at the end and think this would make an excellent book club book.
Thank you to @Netgalley and the publisher for the gifted copy in exchange for my honest review.
April 12, 2023
Wants to be Finley Donovan, falls short in every way
September 25, 2024
I was weary going in but I think this book seperated really well into acts. The start was definitely stronger than the ending in my opinion, but it's a solid 3.5/5 stars for me. Johanna was a good narrator for the most part and she felt very real and vibrant, you really cared about her and the characters around her. A really solid book that I'm glad I enjoyed as much as I did.
February 24, 2023
With thanks to Edelweiss and HarperCollins for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This book really took me by surprise, in the best of ways. I expected a fun caper, and received a boldly told story of self-healing and self-determination.
The title protagonist of "Johanna Porter Is Not Sorry" is a middle-aged, divorced soccer mom, who was once the next big thing of the art scene. At the height of her budding painting career, she was cast out by a jealous ex Nestor Pinedo, who was at the time a famous painter with the power to make her and break her. He breaks her, ending her career. Two decades later, she steals a multi-million dollar painting he once painted of her.
The theft, an act of unplanned rebellion, becomes an unexpected catalyst for Johanna's re-birth: her mid-life crisis, through multi-layered catharsis, leads to her self-actualization.
Johanna is a delightfully bold character, which is not something you would expect of a once cowered young woman. The story is told in the first person, allowing for that boldness to come through potently, and still showcasing her softer side (mainly through her relationship with her daughter).
The reader cannot help but root for Johanna to get her life back on track. Most of us can relate to the the feeling of self-doubt when chasing our dreams. The writing of the novel is as courageous as Johanna is, strong and distinct, forging ahead despite inherent fear and doubt. The narrative is filled with moments of self-healing, moments when Johanna (literally) gazes at her own reflection, deconstructs the lies she has allowed others to shroud her in, and redraws her own portrait, one strong line at a time. She recognizes that she is the only one with the power to decide how she is made to view herself, which, in larger terms, speaks to a woman’s worth, and her own ability (and responsibility) to find and define it.
At the same time this book is unafraid to tackle serious subjects, it is also fun, and it is eccentric, with a romance subplot as soft as it is rooted in the real world.
It's an all-around great book. You should read it.
This book really took me by surprise, in the best of ways. I expected a fun caper, and received a boldly told story of self-healing and self-determination.
The title protagonist of "Johanna Porter Is Not Sorry" is a middle-aged, divorced soccer mom, who was once the next big thing of the art scene. At the height of her budding painting career, she was cast out by a jealous ex Nestor Pinedo, who was at the time a famous painter with the power to make her and break her. He breaks her, ending her career. Two decades later, she steals a multi-million dollar painting he once painted of her.
The theft, an act of unplanned rebellion, becomes an unexpected catalyst for Johanna's re-birth: her mid-life crisis, through multi-layered catharsis, leads to her self-actualization.
Johanna is a delightfully bold character, which is not something you would expect of a once cowered young woman. The story is told in the first person, allowing for that boldness to come through potently, and still showcasing her softer side (mainly through her relationship with her daughter).
The reader cannot help but root for Johanna to get her life back on track. Most of us can relate to the the feeling of self-doubt when chasing our dreams. The writing of the novel is as courageous as Johanna is, strong and distinct, forging ahead despite inherent fear and doubt. The narrative is filled with moments of self-healing, moments when Johanna (literally) gazes at her own reflection, deconstructs the lies she has allowed others to shroud her in, and redraws her own portrait, one strong line at a time. She recognizes that she is the only one with the power to decide how she is made to view herself, which, in larger terms, speaks to a woman’s worth, and her own ability (and responsibility) to find and define it.
At the same time this book is unafraid to tackle serious subjects, it is also fun, and it is eccentric, with a romance subplot as soft as it is rooted in the real world.
It's an all-around great book. You should read it.
November 6, 2022
All at once raw and sweet, Johanna Porter Is Not Sorry begins as a benign narrative of mid-life crisis and quickly spins into a face-paced tale of chaotic catharsis. With a tempo that ebbs and flows seamlessly between daring acts born of Johanna’s search for emotional justice and poignant moments of self-healing and love, Sara Read reminds us that even in times of great change normal life continues to spin on. Just as I caught my breath following Johanna’s flight to the coast (canvased doppelganger in tote), I was met with a pickle jar meet-cute that reminded me our heroine is as human as her reader. I am always touched by a book that can combine excellent plot development with characters of depth and dimension: Come for the action, stay for the humanity. Johanna Porter is sarcastic, illogical, sexy, vulnerable, and brave and she is not sorry. Thank you to Sara for the ARC of this book.
March 18, 2023
This starts with such a bang I couldn’t rush through. Johanna may not be sorry, but she has emotions. And what emotions!
This is a story of past regret, and not so much redemption as marching forward and grabbing hold and not letting go. It’s emotional, with a love interest but also with mom-daughter vibes and creator-artist vibes. I loved the surprising setting, the often snarky voice, the lifey problems, and the full circle. Johanna, I’m definitely not sorry either. ❤️🔥🙌‼️
This is a story of past regret, and not so much redemption as marching forward and grabbing hold and not letting go. It’s emotional, with a love interest but also with mom-daughter vibes and creator-artist vibes. I loved the surprising setting, the often snarky voice, the lifey problems, and the full circle. Johanna, I’m definitely not sorry either. ❤️🔥🙌‼️
December 29, 2022
This novel, about a woman who steals a valuable painting and has to face the consequences, is sassy, smart, and surprisingly affecting. I got swept away both by the story, as I rooted for Joanna to get her life back on track, and by the writing, which is beautiful and literary without being pretentious. I loved the mother/daughter relationship and the romance subplot. Five enthusiastic stars. Thanks to the author and her publisher for letting me read an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
Disclosure: I am friends with the author, but I would have loved this book even if I didn't know her.
Disclosure: I am friends with the author, but I would have loved this book even if I didn't know her.
July 15, 2023
2.5⭐️ The MC was just too much for me..an immature histrionic wreck. So much whining and whinging (sp? I’m not British lol). Maybe if I read it in print vs audio though. The narrator was all that too..very grating to my ears. I don’t understand all the positive reviews. The cover doesn’t match the actual tone of the book..I felt misled so maybe that’s it?🤷♀️🤷♀️🤷♀️
May 4, 2023
This was my fault bc I didn’t realize the genre and I almost never enjoy romance or chick lit and thought it was a mystery. But also it just got worse and worse and never ended.
February 16, 2023
Book Summary:
It's hard to believe that once upon a time, Johanna Porter had a dream. Those dreams would have taken her rising art career and turned it into something new and bright. Unfortunately, those dreams didn't exactly happen. She's just one of several unknown soccer moms in her area suffering from the impostor syndrome and worse.
However, Johanna is not content to let this slide. She's picking up her art again, which means chasing after her artistic dreams with new fervor. She needs to do this if she ever wants to hope to be the person she once dreamed of. Her own person.
My Review:
Johanna Porter Is Not Sorry is the perfect book for anyone tackling impostor syndrome of the feeling of impossibility when chasing their dreams. While Johanna's story may feel larger than life, the simple truth is that much of her struggles will resonate with readers. It certainly hit me hard!
If you love fictional novels with a touch of life lessons, this is the book for you. Likewise, this book is fun and quirky, unafraid to tackle real subjects in a fictional world. I enjoyed every minute of it, and I hope that we'll see more from this author soon.
Highlights:
Fiction
Comedy laced tale
Impostor Syndrome
Thanks to Graydon House and #NetGalley for making this book available for review. All opinions expressed are my own.
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It's hard to believe that once upon a time, Johanna Porter had a dream. Those dreams would have taken her rising art career and turned it into something new and bright. Unfortunately, those dreams didn't exactly happen. She's just one of several unknown soccer moms in her area suffering from the impostor syndrome and worse.
However, Johanna is not content to let this slide. She's picking up her art again, which means chasing after her artistic dreams with new fervor. She needs to do this if she ever wants to hope to be the person she once dreamed of. Her own person.
My Review:
Johanna Porter Is Not Sorry is the perfect book for anyone tackling impostor syndrome of the feeling of impossibility when chasing their dreams. While Johanna's story may feel larger than life, the simple truth is that much of her struggles will resonate with readers. It certainly hit me hard!
If you love fictional novels with a touch of life lessons, this is the book for you. Likewise, this book is fun and quirky, unafraid to tackle real subjects in a fictional world. I enjoyed every minute of it, and I hope that we'll see more from this author soon.
Highlights:
Fiction
Comedy laced tale
Impostor Syndrome
Thanks to Graydon House and #NetGalley for making this book available for review. All opinions expressed are my own.
Quirky Cat's Fat Stacks | Quirky Cat's Comics | The Book Review Crew | Monkeys Fighting Robots | Storygraph | Bookhype | Bookstagram | Twitter | Tumblr | Reedsy
March 5, 2023
Johanna has decided to face her past and go to this dang party. She received this invitation and it threw her for a loop. But, she puts on a second hand evening gown and she faces her former lover, Nestor Pinedo, the famous artist. The evening does not go as planned. Johanna derails and goes insane for a brief period of time. She steals the portrait of her young self that Nestor painted of her. She has no idea what came over her. But this has changed her thought process and she is bound and determined that he will not get this back!
I love, love, love Johanna. And I will let y’all in on a secret, this story does not match this cover. This is more serious than the cover looks and I enjoyed every minute of it! I expected more of a romantic comedy but that is not what this book is at all. This book covers a multitude of situations like parenting, theft, drug addiction, childhood trauma and a loss of dreams…just to name a few!
I love it when a book surprises me (probably why I don’t read the blurb!). And this one did. I was very much engrossed in Johanna’s life. And trust me…you will be too!
Need a really good escape…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today!
I received this novel from the publisher for a honest review.
I love, love, love Johanna. And I will let y’all in on a secret, this story does not match this cover. This is more serious than the cover looks and I enjoyed every minute of it! I expected more of a romantic comedy but that is not what this book is at all. This book covers a multitude of situations like parenting, theft, drug addiction, childhood trauma and a loss of dreams…just to name a few!
I love it when a book surprises me (probably why I don’t read the blurb!). And this one did. I was very much engrossed in Johanna’s life. And trust me…you will be too!
Need a really good escape…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today!
I received this novel from the publisher for a honest review.
June 20, 2023
Johanna's a high school art teacher and single parent to a teenage soccer star, but twenty years ago she was a rising art talent. Her mentor, and lover, ruined her career after she asserted her independence, and also wounded her confidence. When she's invited to a showing of his art, Johanna is confronted by a famous nude painting of her at the height of her youth, and she snaps. She runs away to a family cabin and tries to regain her love, and talent, for her art. This debut novel has lots of drama, sex, and personal development, and had a good ending. I liked the descriptions of Johanna's struggles to regain mastery of her materials and the feelings of rapture when she paints.
April 28, 2023
I picked this up as a book-of-the-month at a local bookstore and had no knowledge of it going in. I was surprised when I started reading to discover that it was more romance than I’d expected, but i probably should’ve known from the cover! I really enjoyed it! The MC is over 40, strong, snarky, and talented. Not your typical romance MC. It is well written and a lot of fun to read with an entertaining, original storyline. But still holds all the lightness to just sit back and enjoy.
July 19, 2023
What do you do when your past potential knocks on your door? Now in her forties, a single mom, divorced and teaching at a high school, our protagonist is given the opportunity to revisit the elite art world, a world she was positioned to dominate twenty years prior. What good is there in imagining what might have been? Is there a possible way back to who she used to be? How can she recover all that was taken from her?
Okay, I almost didn’t finish this one. It got a little slow in the middle; at times I felt the author was trying to tackle too much at once. I may have skimmed and skipped a few pages, but I’m really glad I didn’t give up. The end was completely worth it.
I loved the premise. The journey held some beautiful twists. I did not “laugh out loud” as some endorsements promised. It was much more of an introspective drama for me. And an empowering, hopeful, healing one at that.
Content warnings: sex, addiction, cursing, predatory behavior
Okay, I almost didn’t finish this one. It got a little slow in the middle; at times I felt the author was trying to tackle too much at once. I may have skimmed and skipped a few pages, but I’m really glad I didn’t give up. The end was completely worth it.
I loved the premise. The journey held some beautiful twists. I did not “laugh out loud” as some endorsements promised. It was much more of an introspective drama for me. And an empowering, hopeful, healing one at that.
Content warnings: sex, addiction, cursing, predatory behavior
March 25, 2023
I couldn’t stop reading! Johanna Porter is Not Sorry became a beach read for me but it’s so much more. Funny and insightful, this very real look at the challenges (and joys) being both mother and artist is so compelling. Did I mention funny? I love the voice here so much.
Want to read
July 24, 2022this sounds amazing and it’s not-so-lowkey giving me white collar vibes
March 29, 2023
I’m not sure how I stumbled upon this book but I read a review that said the mc said f*ck a lot and I was all sign me the f*ck up.
I’m not sure how to characterize this book nor can i pinpoint why I liked it. But I liked it.
I’m not sure how to characterize this book nor can i pinpoint why I liked it. But I liked it.
May 8, 2023
What a fantastic read! I was fully absorbed in this story the entire way through.
July 28, 2023
This? Everything I love.
Art.
Strong female main character.
Redemption.
Mystery.
Reclaiming her power and talent as an artist.
It’s just a really good book.
Art.
Strong female main character.
Redemption.
Mystery.
Reclaiming her power and talent as an artist.
It’s just a really good book.
August 6, 2023
This book’s inciting incident is almost unbelievable but you do believe in because of Sara Read’s deft prose — from the get-go Johanna’s story flows like a river to , well, the Chesapeake Bay, a charming character itself, backgrounding events & action & emotion. Will she ever be caught? Will her art hunger be sated? Sex is there in all its glorious & colorful character-revealing ways. Thank goodness. She uses every tool in her writing toolbox t& we believe every word.
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