I knew when I chose this book for review I had read this author before. What I didn’t realize is that she writes in many genres, like cowboy romance and historical romance, which gave me the impression that this was a romance novel.
This book is somewhat of a romance story but not in any typical manner we are used to. It’s a complex, different version of romance than we are used to seeing. Continue for my full review.
Nice Work, Nora November by Julia London
Publisher: Harper Muse (June 4, 2024)
ISBN-13: 978-1400245734
OVERVIEW:
Nora November is alive—but she wasn’t always. She was once clinically dead, having spent several minutes under water after a terrible surfing accident she doesn’t remember. What she does remember from her time in a coma is her grandfather, who passed away over a year ago. And a beautiful garden. And the most delicious tomato she ever tasted.
Now that she’s awake again her life has been cleaved in two. In the Before, Nora lived like a ghost, drowning under the weight of her parents’ expectations. In the After, she’s determined to accomplish the things she left undone before she died. Her reverse bucket list is simple: She wants to learn to cook and to be a better older sister to Lacey. She wants to quit her terrible job as a personal injury lawyer at her dad’s firm. She wants to bring Grandpa’s now-neglected garden back to life. And she wants to find the guy she met in a corner store months ago—the one she never called but never stopped thinking about.
As Nora’s attempts at a new life prove disastrous at best, her mission to fulfill her reverse bucket list leads her to a reckoning with the truth she almost hid from herself.
Nice Work, Nora November by Julia London Review
I have to say I have mixed feelings about this book. It is written in a parallel perspective between the main character and the guy she fell for at the corner store during a robbery. Nora is struggling to find her way and most of this book is about her journey from broken to renewed.
One thing to mention is that there are a lot of triggers in this book. This character has been through the wringer, physically and mentally. We are witnessing her rebirth into who she really is as she sheds the life she hates and manages her clinical depression.
There are a lot of heavy pieces in this story as Nora works through finding herself with her reverse bucket list. But with the heavy, London adds in light and humor through quirky characters and warm memories. This is where my mixed feelings come in.
Throughout the journey, Nora is working on improving herself, healing relationships, struggling with horrible family emotional abuse, and still hoping to find “The Guy” who impacted her life that she met during a robbery.
We hear from “The Guy” throughout the chapters as he has his own story to tell, but in their parallel journey, they do not meet again until the very end. I cannot stop thinking that he would have been a great support system as she was struggling and changing. I really wish we had gotten more of them together!
Overall, London tackles loads of trauma in an inspirational way. It is difficult to change who you are and reinvent yourself. However, it is addressed in such a manner you find yourself firmly in Nora’s corner, cheering her on!
Nice Work, Nora November supports second chances, reinventing yourself, believing in, and learning to love yourself. You do need to be in a good place mentally to read this book, but is will inspire you!
3.5 STARS!!
Disclaimer: Chris has personally reviewed the product listed above. She has not received any monetary compensation for her review but did receive a free ebook so she could evaluate and use it for this post. Her thoughts & opinions in this review are unbiased & honest and your opinions may differ.
Hi! I’m Chris! Just a Midlife Wife sharing about life’s journey; screaming and kicking through it while supposedly aging gracefully…
Focusing on healthy living, low carb & keto, things I am loving right now, and life in general.