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Things Will Calm Down Soon
Welcome to the hectic world of beauty and business in this highly relatable novel following a talented hair stylist turned entrepreneur who is juggling family dramas, workplace near-catastrophes and relationship crises. Things will calm down soon ... right?
Hair stylist Kit Cooper is at the top of her game. She does the shows in Milan and Paris, tends to pop stars and celebrities, and has styled enough campaigns and magazine covers to last a lifetime. But Kit is ambitious. Restless. She can't help what's next?
One day, frustrated she can't find the perfect product for a look, she wonders ... could she make it herself?
THINGS WILL CALM DOWN SOON takes Kit from idea to founder of a highly successful hair-care company. Amid spreadsheets, influencers, product launches and a parade of potential investors, Kit is juggling an eager young team, needy family members, a charismatic but unreliable romantic partner, single parenting and far too many school WhatsApp messages. She is certain, positive, things will calm down soon, because how can life possibly keep going at this pace?
As the founder of Go-To Skincare, Zoe Foster Blake has learned a lot in her decade of business. THINGS WILL CALM DOWN SOON blends her love of fiction with the knowledge she has acquired in business, entrepreneurship, and mergers and acquisitions. Part entertainment, part founder insight, THINGS WILL CALM DOWN SOON is an entirely new breed of illuminating storytelling.
Hair stylist Kit Cooper is at the top of her game. She does the shows in Milan and Paris, tends to pop stars and celebrities, and has styled enough campaigns and magazine covers to last a lifetime. But Kit is ambitious. Restless. She can't help what's next?
One day, frustrated she can't find the perfect product for a look, she wonders ... could she make it herself?
THINGS WILL CALM DOWN SOON takes Kit from idea to founder of a highly successful hair-care company. Amid spreadsheets, influencers, product launches and a parade of potential investors, Kit is juggling an eager young team, needy family members, a charismatic but unreliable romantic partner, single parenting and far too many school WhatsApp messages. She is certain, positive, things will calm down soon, because how can life possibly keep going at this pace?
As the founder of Go-To Skincare, Zoe Foster Blake has learned a lot in her decade of business. THINGS WILL CALM DOWN SOON blends her love of fiction with the knowledge she has acquired in business, entrepreneurship, and mergers and acquisitions. Part entertainment, part founder insight, THINGS WILL CALM DOWN SOON is an entirely new breed of illuminating storytelling.
Kindle Edition
Published October 1, 2024
About the author
Zoë Foster Blake
22 books610 followersZoë Foster Blake is an Australian author, columnist, editor, and cosmetics entrepreneur.
She took off her WAG sash in 2009 after almost a decade in the world of football, and far too many pies and beers in the grandstands. She was the Beauty and Lifestyle Editor at Cosmopolitan magazine before becoming Beauty Director at Harper's BAZAAR. Zoë is currently the Editor in Chief of online beauty destination www.primped.com.au, and could really go some nachos. Her first novel, Air Kisses, was published in 2008; and her dating book, Textbook Romance (written in conjunction with her husband, Hamish Blake) was published in 2009.
She took off her WAG sash in 2009 after almost a decade in the world of football, and far too many pies and beers in the grandstands. She was the Beauty and Lifestyle Editor at Cosmopolitan magazine before becoming Beauty Director at Harper's BAZAAR. Zoë is currently the Editor in Chief of online beauty destination www.primped.com.au, and could really go some nachos. Her first novel, Air Kisses, was published in 2008; and her dating book, Textbook Romance (written in conjunction with her husband, Hamish Blake) was published in 2009.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 167 reviews
October 4, 2024
I want to like Zoe’s books but I simply do not…Self-centred and unlikeable characters, too much irrelevant business talk, and boring writing, however, a good mind numbing holiday read.
October 28, 2024
I was surprised by how much I enjoyed this! It was a lot more business jargon than I expected but found it fascinating to go inside the journey of a founder! Inspiring, stressful, and fun!
October 7, 2024
I have been a fan of Zoe Foster's writing from the start, however this book was dry, boring and uninteresting. Great if you want to learn how to aquire or sell a business 🤷♀️
November 11, 2024
This book was interesting to see some insight into how the business world works with stuff I never would have even thought goes into running a business. However, I just didn’t vibe with it. It wasn’t really relatable to me, and I thought it was slightly predictable. That said, for women running business’ etc I’m sure it is a very valuable book to read.
December 19, 2024
4⭐️ I found it hard to put this down. Zoe made the world of business accessible and fascinating and so cleverly portrayed the overwhelm of the protagonist.
I laughed out loud at several times during this book, particularly at the parent chat sections.
I laughed out loud at several times during this book, particularly at the parent chat sections.
October 15, 2024
Oh my gosh felt so much second hand stress reading this. Good though! Also makes me never want to start a business whoops
November 24, 2024
I so wanted to love this one but it feel flat for me.
While it was interesting to have a peep behind the curtain of small business, I feel Zoe could’ve executed this messaging better by perhaps writing a memoir instead?
All the business jargon and lengthy meeting scenes ultimately were a bit dry.
While it was interesting to have a peep behind the curtain of small business, I feel Zoe could’ve executed this messaging better by perhaps writing a memoir instead?
All the business jargon and lengthy meeting scenes ultimately were a bit dry.
November 4, 2024
4.5 rounded down as I hated how the chapters would end on cliff hangers but then skip ahead in the next chapter. In saying that, I loved the business jargon and getting to see the insides of a start up company - could definitely tell that ZFB was channeling a lot of experience from Go-To and as a loyal OG fan, I loved it!!!
November 10, 2024
A very fun and easy book. No heavy themes and deliciously chick-litty. Very readable and a perfect palate cleanser after the new Sally Rooney. I’m a big Zoe Foster-Blake fan and I liked her fluid writing style - nothing felt forced. Some interesting lessons about business in here too. This would be a great summer beach read.
November 21, 2024
This got me out of a massive reading slump over the last couple months (I’m halfway through too many books). I enjoyed all the business jargon and felt like I was getting an insight into Zoe’s M&A journey, which was interesting although triggering! Lolled at the due diligence chapters, a bit close to home
October 29, 2024
Was interesting to read a story from the perspective of a business founder trying to grow their business etc, but couldn’t help but be thinking too much of the parallels to the authors own life! An ok read, but didn’t find the story particularly interesting overall!
November 9, 2024
well written? yes.
a memoir disguised as fiction? also, i believe, yes.
maybe worthwhile if you’re considering starting your own business, otherwise i would encourage you to give this one a miss 🤷♀️
a memoir disguised as fiction? also, i believe, yes.
maybe worthwhile if you’re considering starting your own business, otherwise i would encourage you to give this one a miss 🤷♀️
November 25, 2024
I was confused why I heard so many bad things about this book, I didn’t mind the pacing & learning about business. But why did the last chapter give a “and then I woke up from my dream” energy ????
January 3, 2025
I love Zoe so I wanted to love this just as much but it didn’t quite hit the spot for me. It was a lot more business-y than expected which I would have found much more interesting having heard it straight from Zoe about go-to. Felt like there wasn’t enough space for the relationship/motherhood/family stuff to properly develop and now that I’m writing that, I wonder if that was intentional to demonstrate the sacrifices of being a founder? Anyway, after reading this, I don’t think I’d like to be one lol
November 14, 2024
There were parts of this book that I really enjoyed but I found other parts so boring and dry and I couldn’t connect with the characters very well
December 27, 2024
A very easy and entertaining read! I loved that it jumped right into the world of business from almost the outset. Flew through the book as the writing is super easy to digest, even regarding a topic I know nothing about. Would recommend!
December 1, 2024
DNFd half way through. I just don’t care. It was a boring story that could have been a cute ‘slice of life’ type of novel, but was just bogged down by bland, i dimensional characters, and plot points you just don’t find interesting in the slightest
December 1, 2024
Struggled with the second half of the book. Was a bit too business heavy for me, but was also interesting seeing the processes. Also the minimal romance part too didn’t help.
December 24, 2024
10/10 do not recommend. Really like ZFB but this is such a boring read with way too much business detail content. The specifics on the business sale is soooo boring!!
December 27, 2024
This book was absolutely nothing like I had expected. It was written really well and it would be a lie to say I didn’t find some enjoyment in it but overall it was a lot of business jargon, a lot of meetings and just work, work, work. Which I understand was the point of the book itself but plot points felt weak and sidelined to meetings and deals and just random facts about investing and running a company. Boring. I wish the characters had more time to shine, Rat had such interesting things happening to her and such a wild personality and yet we only got to hear about anything remotely worth being in a story in the last 30% of the book. A little disappointed
October 27, 2024
The book I didn’t know I needed to read when I picked it up.
It is filled with strong female leads, complex business transactions, family chaos and lonely turning points that may feel all too familiar to any woman who has worked in M&A for any length of time.
It was a strong reminder to always remember there is a world outside of the corporate stress that is forced upon you and if people won’t take you at your timeline or on your terms they may not be the people you want to be doing business with.
Always surround yourself with good people!
It is filled with strong female leads, complex business transactions, family chaos and lonely turning points that may feel all too familiar to any woman who has worked in M&A for any length of time.
It was a strong reminder to always remember there is a world outside of the corporate stress that is forced upon you and if people won’t take you at your timeline or on your terms they may not be the people you want to be doing business with.
Always surround yourself with good people!
November 5, 2024
2.5 stars, not bad just not my cup of tea with all the business talk
October 16, 2024
3.5 ⭐️
A bit of a rocky start for me as this is not my usual preferred style; a little bit fluffy, some swift pivots to plot, a lot of description about clothes and hair colour, and a heavy dose of telling over showing in some parts.
However, I did end up enjoying the story, the snappy pace and the different threads scattered throughout.
I appreciated the insights to being a founder and business owner and the challenges with striking a balance between work and home life.
Overall, I think if you’ve followed Zoe Foster Blake and her Go To skincare range you will find this book interesting, particularly - if like me - you’re curious about which parts might be inspired by her own experiences selling her company. It is heavily focused on the business / merger / acquisition angle, so if this isn’t your thing you might find the story a little slow or hard to engage with.
A bit of a rocky start for me as this is not my usual preferred style; a little bit fluffy, some swift pivots to plot, a lot of description about clothes and hair colour, and a heavy dose of telling over showing in some parts.
However, I did end up enjoying the story, the snappy pace and the different threads scattered throughout.
I appreciated the insights to being a founder and business owner and the challenges with striking a balance between work and home life.
Overall, I think if you’ve followed Zoe Foster Blake and her Go To skincare range you will find this book interesting, particularly - if like me - you’re curious about which parts might be inspired by her own experiences selling her company. It is heavily focused on the business / merger / acquisition angle, so if this isn’t your thing you might find the story a little slow or hard to engage with.
September 12, 2024
This novel was unique to any I had read before with its business focus. Zoë Foster Blake's experience really shone through. I found it really interesting, and it felt really genuine. Kit and the other characters included were complicated, layered, and unique. As a reader, I enjoyed following Kits journey of growing her business, pursuing balance in her personal and family life, and seeing how she developed as a person over time.
Thank you to NetGalley and Allen & Unwin for the copy of this eARC
Thank you to NetGalley and Allen & Unwin for the copy of this eARC
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January 3, 2025DNF - I really wanted to like this: I was a fan of Go To in the early days & love a story about a female founder.
Unfortunately the combination of fiction & ‘business’ fell flat for me. Large sections read like a cut and paste from business books & podcasts, and I didn’t get much from the story or business ‘insights’.
Unfortunately the combination of fiction & ‘business’ fell flat for me. Large sections read like a cut and paste from business books & podcasts, and I didn’t get much from the story or business ‘insights’.
November 5, 2024
I luuuuuuuuurve Zoë Foster Blake, and I love her writing style. This novel definitely lived up to writing expectations, but I struggled with the business themes. This book will DEFINITELY find its audience amongst those that are more business-centred (interested/savvy?), and I certainly did learn just how complicated starting a business is! My hat is OFF to the phenomenal female entrepreneur’s of the world, absolute weapons that they are.
December 18, 2024
This was pleasantly and unexpectedly refreshing for me. I loaned this as an audiobook, thinking it was going to be non-fiction and got quite shocked to find that it was a narrative inspired by Forster-Blake’s business ventures. The story was different to anything I’ve read before and the character was flawed in a relatable but not sad girl fiction kind of way. I enjoyed the business jargon and felt like I was learning something from the storyline while it was still very lighthearted and bingeable.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
December 18, 2024
An epic, girl boss, business adventure. I loved this book. It’s a great insight into the rare opportunity most founders would only dream of. But hey - you can’t be what you can’t see - and I’m sure this will inspire so many female founders.
January 3, 2025
Easy to read and a good reflection of the struggles for females in business who are striving to ‘do it all’. Dragged a little in parts and tried to tackle a lot of themes, which led to some being tied up loosely.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 167 reviews