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The Bookish Life of Nina Hill #2
Adult Assembly Required
When Laura Costello moves to Los Angeles, trying to escape an overprotective family and the haunting memories of a terrible accident, she doesn’t expect to be homeless after a week. (She’s pretty sure she didn’t start that fire — right?) She also doesn't expect to find herself adopted by a rogue bookseller, installed in a lovely but completely illegal boardinghouse, or challenged to save a losing trivia team from ignominy… but that’s what happens. Add a regretful landlady, a gorgeous housemate and an ex-boyfriend determined to put himself back in the running and you’ll see why Laura isn’t really sure she’s cut out for this adulting thing. Luckily for her, her new friends Nina, Polly and Impossibly Handsome Bob aren't sure either, but maybe if they put their heads (and hearts) together they’ll be able to make it work for them.
A young woman arrives in Los Angeles determined to start over, and discovers she doesn’t need to leave everything behind after all, from Abbi Waxman, USA Today bestselling author of The Bookish Life of Nina Hill.
A young woman arrives in Los Angeles determined to start over, and discovers she doesn’t need to leave everything behind after all, from Abbi Waxman, USA Today bestselling author of The Bookish Life of Nina Hill.
374 pages, Paperback
First published May 17, 2022
504 people are currently reading
29.7k people want to read
About the author
Abbi Waxman
11 books4,636 followersHi there. I'm a chocolate loving, dog loving writer living in Los Angeles. I sit down if I can, and lie down whenever possible. If you enjoy my book and would like a personalized, signed bookplate to go in it, email me your name and address and I'll send you one! abbi@amplecat.com
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November 18, 2022
Adult Assembly Required by Abbi Waxman
We are back in the world of Nina Hill. You don't have to read the author's previous books to enjoy this one but some of the characters in this book do feature heavily in past books. Having moved from New York to Los Angeles to get away from her overbearing family, a family that doesn't understand her career and relationship choices, Laura misses her dear grandmother, who seems the only one she is able to relate to...at least grandmother is only a phone call away.
Bachelor's degree in hand and about to enter grad school to become a physical therapist, Laura has only been here one week when her apartment building has a fire and she's out of a home and anything she didn't have on her back at the time of the fire. That's when she meets Polly, employee of the book store co-owned by Nina Hill. Polly knows her boarding house has a room available so she sweeps Laura to her home and we meet the dogs, cat, and people that Polly lives with. What a wonderful place, large, homey, with a garden and a pool and with a gardener/boarder so hunky he's called impossibly Handsome Bob.
Not that Laura is interested in meeting anyone dateable. She's broken up with her fiancé, someone she's known since she was a child, and he's taking it so badly he doesn't believe she's broken up with him. She's also struggling with the emotional aftermath of a serious car accident that left her body scarred and her mind flashing back to the accident whenever it thinks Laura could be threatened. But Laura is in a safe place now, with people who embrace her, accept her, but are also willing to help her move forward and grow. Not that demanding, overbearing mom and smothering, life crushing ex fiancé are ready to let her go.
The story is funny, heartwarming, sweet, without too much of anything as far as I'm concerned. I see room for more from these characters that I've come to enjoy so much. One of my favorite things about this story is how Laura's new friends want to protect her but are also willing help her spread her wings. Each one of her housemates has their own problems, quirks, and fears and they aren't going to hold those things against her. We also get little tidbits of insight into what the dogs and cat are thinking. Waxman knows dogs and cats and I could read an entire book from the POV of the dogs and cats, if only she would write one.
Pub May 17, 2022
Thank you to Berkley and NetGalley for this ARC.
We are back in the world of Nina Hill. You don't have to read the author's previous books to enjoy this one but some of the characters in this book do feature heavily in past books. Having moved from New York to Los Angeles to get away from her overbearing family, a family that doesn't understand her career and relationship choices, Laura misses her dear grandmother, who seems the only one she is able to relate to...at least grandmother is only a phone call away.
Bachelor's degree in hand and about to enter grad school to become a physical therapist, Laura has only been here one week when her apartment building has a fire and she's out of a home and anything she didn't have on her back at the time of the fire. That's when she meets Polly, employee of the book store co-owned by Nina Hill. Polly knows her boarding house has a room available so she sweeps Laura to her home and we meet the dogs, cat, and people that Polly lives with. What a wonderful place, large, homey, with a garden and a pool and with a gardener/boarder so hunky he's called impossibly Handsome Bob.
Not that Laura is interested in meeting anyone dateable. She's broken up with her fiancé, someone she's known since she was a child, and he's taking it so badly he doesn't believe she's broken up with him. She's also struggling with the emotional aftermath of a serious car accident that left her body scarred and her mind flashing back to the accident whenever it thinks Laura could be threatened. But Laura is in a safe place now, with people who embrace her, accept her, but are also willing to help her move forward and grow. Not that demanding, overbearing mom and smothering, life crushing ex fiancé are ready to let her go.
The story is funny, heartwarming, sweet, without too much of anything as far as I'm concerned. I see room for more from these characters that I've come to enjoy so much. One of my favorite things about this story is how Laura's new friends want to protect her but are also willing help her spread her wings. Each one of her housemates has their own problems, quirks, and fears and they aren't going to hold those things against her. We also get little tidbits of insight into what the dogs and cat are thinking. Waxman knows dogs and cats and I could read an entire book from the POV of the dogs and cats, if only she would write one.
Pub May 17, 2022
Thank you to Berkley and NetGalley for this ARC.
June 11, 2022
In the name of my nerdy bookish brain cells, this book ticked all my geeky boxes I have been developed in years by memorizing weird facts and detailed knowledge about movies and books as an occupational hazard!
I fell in love with Nina Hill before: the most relatable soul twin character the author she’s created! And now at this book: she doesn’t only bring back Nina, she also gave us bunch of most adorable, quirky, eccentric, entertaining, lovable characters!
Even the most of the supporting characters earned my full love: especially down to earth, exotic, witty Maggie who is renting her house to bunch of newcomer Angelenos!
The main characters seem like Laura and Bob but I think Polly stole their limelight! She was incredibly outstanding, unique, vivid, hilarious character you want to hang out in real life and add your close friends circle!
Laura has so many similarities with Nina from quirkiness department: they were both women of singular focus. As Nina is obsessed with books, movies, popular culture and meme-able, Laura is obsessed with sports,bones,muscles and achieving a full range of motion.
Laura is coming from extra scientist family: a mother who is professor in the psych department specializing in pigeons and her father is a professor in the biology department studying the mechanics of flight. Even her brothers are into science! So her choice to go to grad school for being physician is highly criticized by her over protective mother! And her insistence to move to LA while she cannot drove because of traumatic accident which is the reason of her PTSD and panic attacks, her decision to leave her fiancée who she has known since they were kids also make complicated their relationship.
And as a sign as soon as she arrives to LA, leaving her life in Manhattan behind, she finds out the apartment building she’s rented a flat is already burned down! So she coincidentally finds herself at the bookstore Nina works, meets with Polly who decides to take her the house whose landlord is sixty years old, unique, caring, one of a kind woman Maggie.
She meets with her other eccentric, friendly roommates including incredibly handsome gardener Bob she falls at the first sight and guess what ? Their feelings are mutual. Bob is a little reserved about his past, growing at a house dominated by women including his big sisters.
As Laura deals with her past tragedy and family issues, he also deals with his past decisions and lost chances.
At some parts of the book I wanted to scream at the character and pull them into each other because it was so obvious they were so good when they were together and attraction was palpable! So I wished they could come clean about their feelings sooner.
I also enjoyed Polly and Asher’s storyline!
Overall: it was incredible to return back Nina’s world and meeting with lovely characters.
I’m giving my highly deserved, nerdish, hilarious, heartfelt, bookish five full stars!
Special thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for sharing this amazing digital reviewer copy with me in exchange my honest opinions.
I fell in love with Nina Hill before: the most relatable soul twin character the author she’s created! And now at this book: she doesn’t only bring back Nina, she also gave us bunch of most adorable, quirky, eccentric, entertaining, lovable characters!
Even the most of the supporting characters earned my full love: especially down to earth, exotic, witty Maggie who is renting her house to bunch of newcomer Angelenos!
The main characters seem like Laura and Bob but I think Polly stole their limelight! She was incredibly outstanding, unique, vivid, hilarious character you want to hang out in real life and add your close friends circle!
Laura has so many similarities with Nina from quirkiness department: they were both women of singular focus. As Nina is obsessed with books, movies, popular culture and meme-able, Laura is obsessed with sports,bones,muscles and achieving a full range of motion.
Laura is coming from extra scientist family: a mother who is professor in the psych department specializing in pigeons and her father is a professor in the biology department studying the mechanics of flight. Even her brothers are into science! So her choice to go to grad school for being physician is highly criticized by her over protective mother! And her insistence to move to LA while she cannot drove because of traumatic accident which is the reason of her PTSD and panic attacks, her decision to leave her fiancée who she has known since they were kids also make complicated their relationship.
And as a sign as soon as she arrives to LA, leaving her life in Manhattan behind, she finds out the apartment building she’s rented a flat is already burned down! So she coincidentally finds herself at the bookstore Nina works, meets with Polly who decides to take her the house whose landlord is sixty years old, unique, caring, one of a kind woman Maggie.
She meets with her other eccentric, friendly roommates including incredibly handsome gardener Bob she falls at the first sight and guess what ? Their feelings are mutual. Bob is a little reserved about his past, growing at a house dominated by women including his big sisters.
As Laura deals with her past tragedy and family issues, he also deals with his past decisions and lost chances.
At some parts of the book I wanted to scream at the character and pull them into each other because it was so obvious they were so good when they were together and attraction was palpable! So I wished they could come clean about their feelings sooner.
I also enjoyed Polly and Asher’s storyline!
Overall: it was incredible to return back Nina’s world and meeting with lovely characters.
I’m giving my highly deserved, nerdish, hilarious, heartfelt, bookish five full stars!
Special thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for sharing this amazing digital reviewer copy with me in exchange my honest opinions.
May 28, 2022
this started off okay but i quickly lost interest.
i like the message of the story just fine, its the execution that was a miss for me. honestly, most of these characters are supposed to be college students in their 20s, but they act like theyre middle aged! just the way they talk, the way they deal with things, the way they express their interests is more fitting for their parents than it is for them.
it feels like AW wrote a womens fiction novel meant for moms, but changed the age of her characters last minute and forgot to adjust accordingly. :/
↠ 2.5 stars
i like the message of the story just fine, its the execution that was a miss for me. honestly, most of these characters are supposed to be college students in their 20s, but they act like theyre middle aged! just the way they talk, the way they deal with things, the way they express their interests is more fitting for their parents than it is for them.
it feels like AW wrote a womens fiction novel meant for moms, but changed the age of her characters last minute and forgot to adjust accordingly. :/
↠ 2.5 stars
May 17, 2022
“Sometimes you recognize an important moment, other times it passes unnoticed”
Sometimes you have to have the courage to end a relationship which isn’t making you happy, so you can find one that does.
And, sometimes you have to leave everything you know behind, to discover the place you are meant to be.
After a car accident that almost takes her life, Laura Costello reevaluates what is important to her, and moves to Los Angeles to attend grad school, and complete her training as a physical therapist.
An apartment fire leaves her homeless in her first week, and somehow, she ends up dripping wet in the rain , and on the doorstep of the bookstore co-owned by Nina Hill. (of The Bookish Life of Nina Hill). She is ushered inside, toweled off, and offered tea and then, after she shares her story, a room at the boarding house where Polly, one of the bookseller’s lives.
It comes complete with a hot dinner when you want it, two resident dogs and a resident cat. “Because food makes everything better. As do dogs. Both are most definitely “universal improvers”! “
She is given a private bedroom room on the first floor, but she will have to share the bathroom with another tenant who the others refer to as “Impossibly Handsome Bob”
Laura is immediately drawn to Bob, despite his PPST, (I will let you discover what that means on your own 🤐) but since she has just left an ex -fiancé behind, she tries to convince herself, and all of the others, that they are “just friends”. Nobody buys into that, except for Bob, unfortunately, who thinks he is out of her league.
With cameo appearances by Nina Hill, who recruits Laura to join her trivia team, we will spend time with this wonderful cast of characters and watch Laura put herself back together and become the adult she always wanted to be.
And, if she finds her HEA in the process, and her room becomes available….well, I would not mind taking her place!
Other books featuring these characters include:
The Garden of Small Beginnings
The Bookish Life of Nina Hill
The Bookish Holidays of Nina Hill
This HUMOROUS, UPLIFTING, FEEL GOOD, story about new beginnings and second chances, is available NOW!
Thank You to Elisha at Berkley for the invitation to read this, through NetGalley. It was my pleasure to offer a candid review!
Sometimes you have to have the courage to end a relationship which isn’t making you happy, so you can find one that does.
And, sometimes you have to leave everything you know behind, to discover the place you are meant to be.
After a car accident that almost takes her life, Laura Costello reevaluates what is important to her, and moves to Los Angeles to attend grad school, and complete her training as a physical therapist.
An apartment fire leaves her homeless in her first week, and somehow, she ends up dripping wet in the rain , and on the doorstep of the bookstore co-owned by Nina Hill. (of The Bookish Life of Nina Hill). She is ushered inside, toweled off, and offered tea and then, after she shares her story, a room at the boarding house where Polly, one of the bookseller’s lives.
It comes complete with a hot dinner when you want it, two resident dogs and a resident cat. “Because food makes everything better. As do dogs. Both are most definitely “universal improvers”! “
She is given a private bedroom room on the first floor, but she will have to share the bathroom with another tenant who the others refer to as “Impossibly Handsome Bob”
Laura is immediately drawn to Bob, despite his PPST, (I will let you discover what that means on your own 🤐) but since she has just left an ex -fiancé behind, she tries to convince herself, and all of the others, that they are “just friends”. Nobody buys into that, except for Bob, unfortunately, who thinks he is out of her league.
With cameo appearances by Nina Hill, who recruits Laura to join her trivia team, we will spend time with this wonderful cast of characters and watch Laura put herself back together and become the adult she always wanted to be.
And, if she finds her HEA in the process, and her room becomes available….well, I would not mind taking her place!
Other books featuring these characters include:
The Garden of Small Beginnings
The Bookish Life of Nina Hill
The Bookish Holidays of Nina Hill
This HUMOROUS, UPLIFTING, FEEL GOOD, story about new beginnings and second chances, is available NOW!
Thank You to Elisha at Berkley for the invitation to read this, through NetGalley. It was my pleasure to offer a candid review!
May 18, 2022
In this delightful new rom-com, Abbi Waxman has revisited our delightful friends Nina, Polly and Liz from The Bookish Life of Nina Hill. This time she's added a new face to the bunch: Laura Costello, a recent LA transplant from NYC, who they meet when she shows up in Knight's Bookstore soaked and crying after a decidedly horrible day that included a fire that's left her homeless. When Polly takes Laura under her wing and finagles her a room in the luxe, slightly illegal, boarding house she shares with tenants Anna, Libby and Bob, and a very wise, kind psychotherapist landlady named Maggie, Laura discovers that "home" is a lot more than the four walls you live in.
First, let me say I LOVED The Bookish Life of Nina Hill, so I was thrilled to revisit, Nina, Tom, Polly and Liz, and while hilariously quirky, outspoken Polly plays a substantial role in this one, as well as trivia-loving, awkward and kind Nina, this is Laura's story this time around. Laura is no repeat of Nina. She's tall, athletic, outdoorsy and a bit more outgoing and relaxed with others, but she's also bearing the physical and emotional scars of a bad accident, oppressive mother, and a clingy, douchebag ex-fiance, who've left her struggling mentally and trying to find her footing for the future.
Enter Bob, the gardening whiz.
Bob is so ridiculously good-looking he's been coined Impossibly Handsome Bob by the others, and while he's a gorgeous, kind, intelligent bottle of "Yum, YES please!", he's also painfully awkward with women he finds attractive, which becomes a problem when Laura, his new roomie across the hall, catches his eye. She, on the other hand, is not looking for love, but when has that ever mattered?
There's charming characters, entertaining banter, awkward interactions, friendship and nuggets of insightful wisdom, and all-in-all I thoroughly enjoyed it. My only complaint is that it follows the rom-com playbook TOO faithfully, leaving little room for surprise, down to the eye-rollingly overused ending trope. I didn't mind that much, since we all know what we're getting with rom-coms, don't we? Nevertheless, I adore the Nina Hill universe, and now I have even more friends in it to hopefully look forward to in future books!
★★★★
Thanks to Berkley Publishing, NetGalley and author Abbi Waxman for this ARC. I’ve given my opinions honestly and freely. It’s due to be published on May 17, 2022.
First, let me say I LOVED The Bookish Life of Nina Hill, so I was thrilled to revisit, Nina, Tom, Polly and Liz, and while hilariously quirky, outspoken Polly plays a substantial role in this one, as well as trivia-loving, awkward and kind Nina, this is Laura's story this time around. Laura is no repeat of Nina. She's tall, athletic, outdoorsy and a bit more outgoing and relaxed with others, but she's also bearing the physical and emotional scars of a bad accident, oppressive mother, and a clingy, douchebag ex-fiance, who've left her struggling mentally and trying to find her footing for the future.
Enter Bob, the gardening whiz.
Bob is so ridiculously good-looking he's been coined Impossibly Handsome Bob by the others, and while he's a gorgeous, kind, intelligent bottle of "Yum, YES please!", he's also painfully awkward with women he finds attractive, which becomes a problem when Laura, his new roomie across the hall, catches his eye. She, on the other hand, is not looking for love, but when has that ever mattered?
There's charming characters, entertaining banter, awkward interactions, friendship and nuggets of insightful wisdom, and all-in-all I thoroughly enjoyed it. My only complaint is that it follows the rom-com playbook TOO faithfully, leaving little room for surprise, down to the eye-rollingly overused ending trope. I didn't mind that much, since we all know what we're getting with rom-coms, don't we? Nevertheless, I adore the Nina Hill universe, and now I have even more friends in it to hopefully look forward to in future books!
★★★★
Thanks to Berkley Publishing, NetGalley and author Abbi Waxman for this ARC. I’ve given my opinions honestly and freely. It’s due to be published on May 17, 2022.
December 8, 2022
"Adult Assembly Required" by Abbi Waxman is another fun story with great characters and lots of heart♥️📚
Main character, Laura Costello is a bit of a mess. She’s part of a family of academic over-achievers, has an ex-boyfriend who doesn’t understand “NO”, and suffers from panic attacks. She's newly relocated to L.A. for grad school, where her apartment building burns down but with help from friends she's just met, she finds a room to rent at an upscale, yet slightly illegal, boarding house. The best part of her current living arrangements is living downstairs and sharing a bathroom with “Impossibly Handsome Bob”. Yep, life could be a whole lot worse!
This is my fourth Abbi Waxman book and I enjoyed the heck out of it! If you've ever read one of her books you know that she introduces new characters with every new story, then peppers them with characters from previous books. There's also lots of humor, relevant social issues and a story that will warm your heart.
What I like best about this one is how the author takes her time with the relationship between Laura and Bob. I'm a bit done with the 'hop-in-the-sack-right-after-hello' kind of thing. So if you don't like a slowly building relationship this is not the story for you!
If you're looking for a nice respite in between heavier reads, Abbi Waxman is your girl! I have one more from her backlist to read and then I'll just have to painfully wait for her to publish her next one. Please, Abbi Waxman, don't make me a wait too long!
Thank you to Elisha at Berkley for a widget of this ARC through NetGalley. It has been my pleasure to give my honest and voluntary review.
Main character, Laura Costello is a bit of a mess. She’s part of a family of academic over-achievers, has an ex-boyfriend who doesn’t understand “NO”, and suffers from panic attacks. She's newly relocated to L.A. for grad school, where her apartment building burns down but with help from friends she's just met, she finds a room to rent at an upscale, yet slightly illegal, boarding house. The best part of her current living arrangements is living downstairs and sharing a bathroom with “Impossibly Handsome Bob”. Yep, life could be a whole lot worse!
This is my fourth Abbi Waxman book and I enjoyed the heck out of it! If you've ever read one of her books you know that she introduces new characters with every new story, then peppers them with characters from previous books. There's also lots of humor, relevant social issues and a story that will warm your heart.
What I like best about this one is how the author takes her time with the relationship between Laura and Bob. I'm a bit done with the 'hop-in-the-sack-right-after-hello' kind of thing. So if you don't like a slowly building relationship this is not the story for you!
If you're looking for a nice respite in between heavier reads, Abbi Waxman is your girl! I have one more from her backlist to read and then I'll just have to painfully wait for her to publish her next one. Please, Abbi Waxman, don't make me a wait too long!
Thank you to Elisha at Berkley for a widget of this ARC through NetGalley. It has been my pleasure to give my honest and voluntary review.
April 26, 2022
The wonderful Abbi Waxman returns the reader to Los Angeles, the offbeat, comic, bookish world of Nina Hill and the return of many of the quirky characters we encountered there. Only this time the protagonist is Laura Costello, a physical trainer from NYC coming for grad school, escaping her over-protective, over-controlling, judgemental academic family who refuse to accept her life choices, and leaving behind an ex-fiance, Nick. This is the first time Laura has stood on her own two feet, but her apartment building has burned down, leaving her homeless when she enters completely drenched into Nina's Knights bookstore. Here she finds herself landing on her feet and being taken care of, with the adorably hilarious Polly offering her a room at her landlady Maggie's home of cats and dogs, and including oh, yes, Impossibly Handsome Bob, a gardener, and man of few words.
Laura feels completely at home in Maggie's house with their shared house dinners, as she simultaneously finds herself taken into Nina's circles where before she knows it, she is part of the trivia quiz team with her knowledge of sports and science. She feels a strong attraction to Bob, but is certain he is out of her league, besides she is not ready to jump into another relationship, plus there is the shame she feels at the trauma she still experiences after a car crash, a trauma so severe that travelling in a vehicle is a nightmare, and driving itself seems an impossible dream. Laura and Bob gravitate towards a comfortable relationship that involves shooting hoops, gardening, and relaxing by watching and discussing sports matches, baseball and more. However, whenever others raise the topic of Bob, she goes into self preservation mode of distraction, deflection and denial.
Laura and Bob's romance is a low key and slow burn of a romance, the heart of this joyous narrative is the power of the numerous friendships that emulate the tenacity and strength of a family which are showcased here. Laura slips with ease into the group of new characters that enter her life and support her, she reciprocates by in turn offering support to them. She is in new territory of taking responsibility for herself, eventually finding the resilience to begin to address her mental health issues with the help of Maggie and Bob. This is such a funny, intelligent, entertaining and heartwarming read, Waxman creates a LA world and characters you just never want to leave. Highly recommended. Many thanks to the publisher for an ARC.
Laura feels completely at home in Maggie's house with their shared house dinners, as she simultaneously finds herself taken into Nina's circles where before she knows it, she is part of the trivia quiz team with her knowledge of sports and science. She feels a strong attraction to Bob, but is certain he is out of her league, besides she is not ready to jump into another relationship, plus there is the shame she feels at the trauma she still experiences after a car crash, a trauma so severe that travelling in a vehicle is a nightmare, and driving itself seems an impossible dream. Laura and Bob gravitate towards a comfortable relationship that involves shooting hoops, gardening, and relaxing by watching and discussing sports matches, baseball and more. However, whenever others raise the topic of Bob, she goes into self preservation mode of distraction, deflection and denial.
Laura and Bob's romance is a low key and slow burn of a romance, the heart of this joyous narrative is the power of the numerous friendships that emulate the tenacity and strength of a family which are showcased here. Laura slips with ease into the group of new characters that enter her life and support her, she reciprocates by in turn offering support to them. She is in new territory of taking responsibility for herself, eventually finding the resilience to begin to address her mental health issues with the help of Maggie and Bob. This is such a funny, intelligent, entertaining and heartwarming read, Waxman creates a LA world and characters you just never want to leave. Highly recommended. Many thanks to the publisher for an ARC.
May 19, 2022
4+
I don’t read a lot of books in this genre but when a new Abbie Waxman is out, I’m there! Her books are always an intelligent mix of rom, with plenty of com, some great characters, interesting dynamics and an issue or two. An added bonus with this one is if you liked Nina Hill she’s back, although the central character is Laura Costello who arrives in Knights, dripping wet and standing in the PG Wodehouse section. Laura is having a very bad day so delightfully attired Polly takes her under her wing and to Maggie‘s house where she rents a room and what luck, there’s one available for Laura! Let the fun begin!
This book is really smart, clever, very engaging, full of quips from quick lips with fabulous characters (not you Nick, Laura‘s ex who is a pain in the proverbial) many of whom are wonderfully quirky. I am sold. I’d absolutely love to move into Maggie’s LA household which is the friendly, comforting warm embrace that Laura desperately needs. The house animals too are such personalities, they have their own characters, they’re funny and I adore this part of the story telling. They’re wise are animals!
The novel has a bit of everything, it’s a bit sad in places especially when you grow to understand what baggage Laura is carrying, it’s very sweet (not saccharine though I hasten to add), it’s brilliantly nerdy and that’s not just Nina (!) and it’s acutely observed. Some of the dialogue is excellently whip smart and I especially love it when it feels like two boxers are sparring! I’d say Laura wins that one! You go through a whole journey of emotions which takes you to a yes, predictable but lovely ending and so who cares if it is expected?
Overall, a wonderful and diverting read which I thoroughly enjoy.
PS a bar with beer and donuts? Only in Los Angeles. I hope. As a Brit maybe you can see me shuddering!
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Headline for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.
I don’t read a lot of books in this genre but when a new Abbie Waxman is out, I’m there! Her books are always an intelligent mix of rom, with plenty of com, some great characters, interesting dynamics and an issue or two. An added bonus with this one is if you liked Nina Hill she’s back, although the central character is Laura Costello who arrives in Knights, dripping wet and standing in the PG Wodehouse section. Laura is having a very bad day so delightfully attired Polly takes her under her wing and to Maggie‘s house where she rents a room and what luck, there’s one available for Laura! Let the fun begin!
This book is really smart, clever, very engaging, full of quips from quick lips with fabulous characters (not you Nick, Laura‘s ex who is a pain in the proverbial) many of whom are wonderfully quirky. I am sold. I’d absolutely love to move into Maggie’s LA household which is the friendly, comforting warm embrace that Laura desperately needs. The house animals too are such personalities, they have their own characters, they’re funny and I adore this part of the story telling. They’re wise are animals!
The novel has a bit of everything, it’s a bit sad in places especially when you grow to understand what baggage Laura is carrying, it’s very sweet (not saccharine though I hasten to add), it’s brilliantly nerdy and that’s not just Nina (!) and it’s acutely observed. Some of the dialogue is excellently whip smart and I especially love it when it feels like two boxers are sparring! I’d say Laura wins that one! You go through a whole journey of emotions which takes you to a yes, predictable but lovely ending and so who cares if it is expected?
Overall, a wonderful and diverting read which I thoroughly enjoy.
PS a bar with beer and donuts? Only in Los Angeles. I hope. As a Brit maybe you can see me shuddering!
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Headline for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.
June 13, 2022
3.5 stars
This was a light and entertaining read. Quirky characters, a friends-to-lovers romance, and healing from trauma are all themes. I enjoyed meeting the characters, their easy banter, and their support of one another. I can’t say why exactly but, for me, it didn’t quite have the charm and humor of her past books and the romance was a little too lukewarm. Enjoyable while reading, but forgettable. I recommend it for when you want a light easy women’s fiction read.
I do enjoy this author and eagerly await her next book.
This was a light and entertaining read. Quirky characters, a friends-to-lovers romance, and healing from trauma are all themes. I enjoyed meeting the characters, their easy banter, and their support of one another. I can’t say why exactly but, for me, it didn’t quite have the charm and humor of her past books and the romance was a little too lukewarm. Enjoyable while reading, but forgettable. I recommend it for when you want a light easy women’s fiction read.
I do enjoy this author and eagerly await her next book.
March 20, 2022
Abby Waxman is the perfect author when you need something heartwarming, light and fun, but not insipid or silly.
Laura Costello has just moved to LA, looking to start anew after ending her engagement. She’s also looking to escape her overprotective family and ex-fiancé. But within a week, her apartment building has burned down and she’s homeless. Next thing she knows, she’s made several new friends, she’s moved into an illegal boarding house and joined a trivia team. Did I mention there’s also a cute guy in the mix?
I love Waxman’s writing. She’s a master of the perfect turn of phrase to capture a situation. She also creates characters that are quirky yet totally believable. There was a bit of romance here, but not overwhelming. More importantly, there are a variety of friendships, of people holding each other up and helping each other out. These are folks I’d love to be friends with.
I’m not sure this is considered a sequel to The Bookish Life of Nina Hill, although Nina does overlap between the books. This can easily be read as a stand-alone.
My thanks to Netgalley and Berkley Publishing for an advance copy of this book.
Laura Costello has just moved to LA, looking to start anew after ending her engagement. She’s also looking to escape her overprotective family and ex-fiancé. But within a week, her apartment building has burned down and she’s homeless. Next thing she knows, she’s made several new friends, she’s moved into an illegal boarding house and joined a trivia team. Did I mention there’s also a cute guy in the mix?
I love Waxman’s writing. She’s a master of the perfect turn of phrase to capture a situation. She also creates characters that are quirky yet totally believable. There was a bit of romance here, but not overwhelming. More importantly, there are a variety of friendships, of people holding each other up and helping each other out. These are folks I’d love to be friends with.
I’m not sure this is considered a sequel to The Bookish Life of Nina Hill, although Nina does overlap between the books. This can easily be read as a stand-alone.
My thanks to Netgalley and Berkley Publishing for an advance copy of this book.
May 15, 2022
3.5 stars, rounded up
This is a delightful follow-up to The Bookish Life of Nina Hill, it features many of the same characters, so it's important to read that one first or you might get lost in the sheer number of them.
I really enjoyed this rom-com, with Laura who has recently moved to LA from the east coast to attend grad school for physical therapy. She had experienced some trauma, and after a fire at her apartment building leaves her without a place to live, Polly, who works in the bookstore with Nina Hill, offers to introduce Laura to her landlady who rents out rooms in her home. Laura moves in and gets acquainted with the rest of the residents, including "Impossibly Handsome Bob." Laura and Bob click, but they are both a bit shy about pursuing a relationship, so they start as friends. As friendship blossoms into more, neither one is bold enough to admit their feelings to the other. What can they do?
This enjoyable book explores many different angles of relationships, from friendship to romance to family. I loved the witty banter and snarky sarcasm, as well as the respect the characters show for one another. There are some hilarious one-liners that caused me to laugh out loud on more than one occasion, and the cats and dogs add another layer of humor to the tale.
The one thing that I didn't care for with this book was the head hopping. It seemed like whoever was speaking, that's whose head we were in and we see what they are thinking, etc. It is very jarring when two characters are having a back and forth conversation and all of each of their thoughts are open for the reader to see. After a while, I got used to it, but it did make me realize that most books you are only in one head for an extended period of time, whether it be by the chapter or throughout the entire book.
Overall though, this is a fun book with interesting characters. There's some depth, yet the romance and the humor prevail and endear the reader to root for a positive outcome for all.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book, all opinions are my own.
This is a delightful follow-up to The Bookish Life of Nina Hill, it features many of the same characters, so it's important to read that one first or you might get lost in the sheer number of them.
I really enjoyed this rom-com, with Laura who has recently moved to LA from the east coast to attend grad school for physical therapy. She had experienced some trauma, and after a fire at her apartment building leaves her without a place to live, Polly, who works in the bookstore with Nina Hill, offers to introduce Laura to her landlady who rents out rooms in her home. Laura moves in and gets acquainted with the rest of the residents, including "Impossibly Handsome Bob." Laura and Bob click, but they are both a bit shy about pursuing a relationship, so they start as friends. As friendship blossoms into more, neither one is bold enough to admit their feelings to the other. What can they do?
This enjoyable book explores many different angles of relationships, from friendship to romance to family. I loved the witty banter and snarky sarcasm, as well as the respect the characters show for one another. There are some hilarious one-liners that caused me to laugh out loud on more than one occasion, and the cats and dogs add another layer of humor to the tale.
The one thing that I didn't care for with this book was the head hopping. It seemed like whoever was speaking, that's whose head we were in and we see what they are thinking, etc. It is very jarring when two characters are having a back and forth conversation and all of each of their thoughts are open for the reader to see. After a while, I got used to it, but it did make me realize that most books you are only in one head for an extended period of time, whether it be by the chapter or throughout the entire book.
Overall though, this is a fun book with interesting characters. There's some depth, yet the romance and the humor prevail and endear the reader to root for a positive outcome for all.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book, all opinions are my own.
September 4, 2022
2.5 stars
When Laura moves to Los Angeles for grad school (and to escape her overbearing family) her first week there and her apartment burns down. Taken in my a stranger, Laura finds herself in a boarding house with several other interesting young people. But most notably is Impossibly Handsome Bob who is way out of Laura’s league. Through her time at this house Laura begins to heal from trauma in her past.
I think…. I think Abbi Waxman just isn’t the author for me. I wasn’t super impressed with her Nina Hill book and then this one was just an underwhelming dud. One of the most forgettable books I’ve read in a long time, I forgot many of the characters names while I was reading the book. I listened to the audio from my public library and it was mostly enjoyable, except it was easy to tune out and I found myself wanting to listen to music on my commute instead. I normally give authors three chances but I think I am tapping out on this author after this one.
When Laura moves to Los Angeles for grad school (and to escape her overbearing family) her first week there and her apartment burns down. Taken in my a stranger, Laura finds herself in a boarding house with several other interesting young people. But most notably is Impossibly Handsome Bob who is way out of Laura’s league. Through her time at this house Laura begins to heal from trauma in her past.
I think…. I think Abbi Waxman just isn’t the author for me. I wasn’t super impressed with her Nina Hill book and then this one was just an underwhelming dud. One of the most forgettable books I’ve read in a long time, I forgot many of the characters names while I was reading the book. I listened to the audio from my public library and it was mostly enjoyable, except it was easy to tune out and I found myself wanting to listen to music on my commute instead. I normally give authors three chances but I think I am tapping out on this author after this one.
May 6, 2022
Remember Nina Hill? She's back as a supporting character in this new release from Abbi Waxman. We all loved Nina and her list-making, book-loving ways. Now we get to know Laura Costello. Laura likes to run, watch sports, and is planning to go to grad school for physical therapy. Laura has moved away from her east coast science-obsessed family while still recovering from the trauma of a car accident. Her mental outlook is a bit shaky. Fortunately she stumbles into Nina's bookstore and coworker Holly scoops Laura up and brings her home to a boarding house full of supportive, heartwarming characters. I wholeheartedly prescribe this book for anyone who is feeling strung out by too many thrillers or stressed by life in general. Laura and her quiet, grace-filled manner will set your mind at ease while you are rooting for her to find her way in L.A.
Thank you to Berkley and Edelweiss+ for a DRC in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you to Berkley and Edelweiss+ for a DRC in exchange for an honest review.
June 4, 2022
Right off the bat I will say: while it isn't required to read to enjoy this book, I definitely recommend reading
The Bookish Life of Nina Hill
before diving into this one. You won't be too lost if you don't, but you will definitely encounter some spoilers for that one if you read this one first, so I just wanted to make sure to mention that lol. Now that I've gotten than PSA out of the way, this was so lovely!! This one had a very similar vibe to Nina Hill, and it honestly makes me hope that Abbi Waxman continues to publish more and more books following the bevy of side characters we meet in this series (???? I don't see that this is being marketed as a series but it *feels* like a series lol) because they're all so dynamic and interesting in their own rights. Anyway tldr: this book was a delight and I definitely recommend checking it out if you're interested in reading a delightful little Los Angeles-based story of love and found family!
CW: fire, car accidents, ptsd, panic attacks, earthquakes, disordered eating, alcoholism, driving anxiety
CW: fire, car accidents, ptsd, panic attacks, earthquakes, disordered eating, alcoholism, driving anxiety
June 6, 2022
It’s hard to love yourself while simultaneously striving to become the best you you can be, which implies your current version could use some work. Laura couldn’t decide what was worse—the mental contortions needed to balance these competing self-images or the emotional pretzeling required to feel happy about it.Laura Costello decides to leave the East coast and move to Los Angeles to go to grad school, leaving behind an overbearing ex-fiancé and a family of scientists who disapprove of her choice to become a physical therapist. Through a bit of bad-luck-turned-good, she quickly falls headlong into the Waxmanverse, meeting a variety of characters from The Bookish Life of Nina Hill and The Garden of Small Beginnings. Soon, Laura’s got a new place to live with a friendly, quirky group of people, and a love interest in the form of Impossibly Handsome Bob.
…
She wasn’t perfect, she wasn’t cured, she still had issues and problems and worries ... but she was doing her best, and her best was getting better every day. It was more than enough for anyone.
I wasn’t drawn into Adult Assembly Required as I have been Ms. Waxman’s other novels. Laura and Bob’s relationship moves really slowly, as does the subplot involving her recovery from a serious car accident. And the balance of the story is a bit off. I think it either needed to spend more time on the other budding relationships and a bit less on Laura and Bob, or focus more exclusively on Laura and Bob. Instead, it lingered in like a 80-20 ratio that wasn’t quite satisfying.
But that said, Adult Assembly Required is a charming story about a young woman finally overcoming a series of challenges from her past and putting herself on a new path towards what she wants in life. And it’s fun catching up with Nina Hill, Liz, Polly, Lily, and Edward, and meeting new characters like Maggie, Anna, Libby, and Asher, who will likely turn up again in a future novel.
June 24, 2022
And a 1.5 Star miss at that. I feel terrible giving this such a low rating as I have never given Abbi Waxman less than 4 Stars prior to this latest release, but in all honesty I would have rounded down to 1 rather than up if it weren’t for those previous experiences.
The story here is about all of the inhabitants of a “share house” of sorts with a bunch of tenants who rent rooms from the owner of a big ol’ house in Los Angeles. What it all boils down to is these aren’t people I would want to be friends with and I never connected with the story whatsoever. I am not an avid gardner (pretty much the opposite with a certified black thumb), I am not a bird lover (seriously – New Yorkers who love pigeons??? Rats with wings!), I have less than zero interest in droning on and on about all things kinesiology. Heck, they even managed to ruin barroom trivia! And having Nina Hill pop in proved that magic might only strike once because she wasn’t nearly as enjoyable this second time around. Frankly, all the characters and the never-ending dialogue regarding the above-referenced subjects and more all bored me to tears and yet was simultaneously exhausting. I could never have survived in a room with these rapid talking, stream of consciousness conversation having extroverts. Not to mention the unforgiveable. All of this worthless knowledge being spewed about and the supposed baseball superfans called umpires “referees.” Referees????? But membrane transport systems just rolled off the tongue. Nope.
ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you, NetGalley!
May 18, 2022
Oh, dear.
Did the author receive a book contract with an inflexible deadline, a promise to pay by the word, and an order to replace earlier creativity and charm with inauthentic whimsy and artificial superfluity?
Was there no editor to note the difference between an omniscient point of view versus madly random and disorienting head hopping?
Were there no beta readers to state that the daily minutiae of living is not at all interesting to read about?
Was there no workshop to thumb down the hackneyed watching one’s self in the mirror trick for description and the gorgeous but don’t know I’m gorgeous cliched trope?
Come now, better than this. The Bookish Life of Nina Hill was stunning. What happened here?
DNF at 13%. Simply could not go on. It was proving to be massively boring.
Did the author receive a book contract with an inflexible deadline, a promise to pay by the word, and an order to replace earlier creativity and charm with inauthentic whimsy and artificial superfluity?
Was there no editor to note the difference between an omniscient point of view versus madly random and disorienting head hopping?
Were there no beta readers to state that the daily minutiae of living is not at all interesting to read about?
Was there no workshop to thumb down the hackneyed watching one’s self in the mirror trick for description and the gorgeous but don’t know I’m gorgeous cliched trope?
Come now, better than this. The Bookish Life of Nina Hill was stunning. What happened here?
DNF at 13%. Simply could not go on. It was proving to be massively boring.
April 21, 2024
"Recovery isn't that linear, any more than life is."
Oh, the way this book made me feel. I loved The Bookish Life of Nina Hill so much, and had so many expectations picking this one up. I love when stories continue in the world following a different character, especially because we get to see snippets of another. I loved Nina so much I just could not believe I could love another the same.
And then I met Laura.
The thing about Laura is that I'm nothing like her whereas Nina and I are absolutely the same. I think this book needed to grow on me for that precise reason. I decided to love her for all the same reasons Nina did. Laura is always moving, always encouraging, always saying exactly what you need to hear. She's that friend that is always rooting for you, but never for herself.
I loved that Nina was cheering for her, and cheered right beside her.
You see, Laura was in a pretty bad accident and never learned how to properly deal with the trauma that came from it. Her family told her it wasn't necessary and her terrible boyfriend agreed. So she up and left. In doing so, she made friends with people that encouraged her to take care of herself, not pushed her to "be better" as her family expected of her.
Rationalizing the idea of going to see a doctor when something physical ails you really helped Laura to see that therapy is just another way of figuring out something that doesn't work on its own. She's been through so much in such a short space of time, and being told that it's okay to ask for help about it must have been such a relief.
My two absolute favorite things about this book, though, were when Nina and Polly stayed on the phone while Laura truly drove for the first time. And when Bob helps Laura to drive for the first time since her accident by taking her to a parking lot and offering to sit with her while she tries. TRIES.
He asks, "Do you want to swap back?" after she simply sits behind the steering wheel and she is shocked enough that she manages to do so much more.
This is a story about healing, true friendship, and what you can become with a community of love... and I LOVED it.
Oh, the way this book made me feel. I loved The Bookish Life of Nina Hill so much, and had so many expectations picking this one up. I love when stories continue in the world following a different character, especially because we get to see snippets of another. I loved Nina so much I just could not believe I could love another the same.
And then I met Laura.
The thing about Laura is that I'm nothing like her whereas Nina and I are absolutely the same. I think this book needed to grow on me for that precise reason. I decided to love her for all the same reasons Nina did. Laura is always moving, always encouraging, always saying exactly what you need to hear. She's that friend that is always rooting for you, but never for herself.
I loved that Nina was cheering for her, and cheered right beside her.
You see, Laura was in a pretty bad accident and never learned how to properly deal with the trauma that came from it. Her family told her it wasn't necessary and her terrible boyfriend agreed. So she up and left. In doing so, she made friends with people that encouraged her to take care of herself, not pushed her to "be better" as her family expected of her.
Rationalizing the idea of going to see a doctor when something physical ails you really helped Laura to see that therapy is just another way of figuring out something that doesn't work on its own. She's been through so much in such a short space of time, and being told that it's okay to ask for help about it must have been such a relief.
My two absolute favorite things about this book, though, were when Nina and Polly stayed on the phone while Laura truly drove for the first time. And when Bob helps Laura to drive for the first time since her accident by taking her to a parking lot and offering to sit with her while she tries. TRIES.
He asks, "Do you want to swap back?" after she simply sits behind the steering wheel and she is shocked enough that she manages to do so much more.
This is a story about healing, true friendship, and what you can become with a community of love... and I LOVED it.
May 26, 2022
This one grabbed me as much as a slow burn about two people who bond over sports could. I appreciated all the appearances from beloved characters from The Bookish Life of Nina Hill! They really added some pizazz.
POLLY NEEDS TO BE NEXT or I will sue
POLLY NEEDS TO BE NEXT or I will sue
January 22, 2023
It was nice to revisit the world of Nina Hill, even though I didn't remember as much of Book 1 as I thought I did 😆. I loved all the characters in this story, especially the way they all supported each other.
Full review at LucyKnowsThings.com.
Full review at LucyKnowsThings.com.
August 16, 2022
3.5
A whole lot of cute with a happy ending!
A whole lot of cute with a happy ending!
May 21, 2022
4.25 - Back to the bookstore world of Nina Hill with characters both new & old + really cute animals along with a love letter to the City of Angeles. Enjoyed it a lot & hope the author gives us another sequel or two!
August 8, 2023
3/3.5 stars
Adult Assembly Required was a cute, fun read with a bunch of quirky characters.
The main characters of Bob & Laura were likely the most normal of all the characters in the book and I thought they were perfect for each other. I can see why they became such good friends regardless of the love chemistry going on between them.
Adult Assembly Required doesn’t break your heart or have loads of sexual chemistry snapping off the pages. I enjoyed the simplicity of the book and it was a nice break from the typical romance formula.
It was a nice, easy read with characters who supported each other and had lots of witty dialogue.
Adult Assembly Required was a cute, fun read with a bunch of quirky characters.
The main characters of Bob & Laura were likely the most normal of all the characters in the book and I thought they were perfect for each other. I can see why they became such good friends regardless of the love chemistry going on between them.
Adult Assembly Required doesn’t break your heart or have loads of sexual chemistry snapping off the pages. I enjoyed the simplicity of the book and it was a nice break from the typical romance formula.
It was a nice, easy read with characters who supported each other and had lots of witty dialogue.
July 21, 2022
This was a really fun, charming and utterly heartwarming read that’s full of endearingly quirky (and completely relatable) characters that I absolutely loved. It is a standalone but it does follow several characters from Abby Waxman’s previous novel, The Bookish Life of Nina Hill —I’ve yet to read it but given how much I enjoyed Nina’s character I’m definitely planning to pick it up soon.
It follows NY native Laura, who after an awful couple of years (recovering from the physical and psychological effects of a terrible car accident) decides to start life afresh in LA. Things don’t start out too well (her new apartment building burns down) but it leads her to meeting several quirky characters and a found family in the tenants of generous Maggie’s family home turned boarding house.
I loved how supportive soo everyone was and how lighthearted and uplifting this was to read, there’s several loveable cat and dog characters too with their own quirky adorable personalities which I adored. The tenants: including Nina’s friend Polly were all a very warm,close knit group and I really liked how easy it was for naturally shy and awkward Laura to feel comfortable with them.
The exploration of mental health, and the insight into psychological trauma and PTSD-related panic disorders was so well written and really highlights the importance of mental health which has been stigmatised for soo long. It also explores the complicated ties of family and familial relationships—both through Laura and Maggie, it was interesting to see two very different perspectives explored (one of a daughter and sister, the other that of a parent.)
I absolutely loved Laura and her transformative journey of acceptance and self confidence was soo good—not to mention her blossoming, slow-burn relationship with impossibly handsome Bob which I thought was utter perfection. Bob was an absolute cinnamon roll of a character, I loved him!
Overall, an uplifting, relatable and utterly quirky read that fans of Eleanor Oliphant or Nina Hill are going to Love—I highly recommend!
It follows NY native Laura, who after an awful couple of years (recovering from the physical and psychological effects of a terrible car accident) decides to start life afresh in LA. Things don’t start out too well (her new apartment building burns down) but it leads her to meeting several quirky characters and a found family in the tenants of generous Maggie’s family home turned boarding house.
I loved how supportive soo everyone was and how lighthearted and uplifting this was to read, there’s several loveable cat and dog characters too with their own quirky adorable personalities which I adored. The tenants: including Nina’s friend Polly were all a very warm,close knit group and I really liked how easy it was for naturally shy and awkward Laura to feel comfortable with them.
The exploration of mental health, and the insight into psychological trauma and PTSD-related panic disorders was so well written and really highlights the importance of mental health which has been stigmatised for soo long. It also explores the complicated ties of family and familial relationships—both through Laura and Maggie, it was interesting to see two very different perspectives explored (one of a daughter and sister, the other that of a parent.)
I absolutely loved Laura and her transformative journey of acceptance and self confidence was soo good—not to mention her blossoming, slow-burn relationship with impossibly handsome Bob which I thought was utter perfection. Bob was an absolute cinnamon roll of a character, I loved him!
Overall, an uplifting, relatable and utterly quirky read that fans of Eleanor Oliphant or Nina Hill are going to Love—I highly recommend!
May 30, 2022
I have enjoyed Abbi Waxman's novels in the past, but this one missed the mark for me. I liked it starting out, but quickly felt like it was missing Waxman's usual wit and charm. I didn't really connect with the characters or plot, but will continue to watch out for Waxman's next release!
February 13, 2022
(free review copy) If you read and loved Waxman’s “The Bookish Life of Nina Hill”, you will definitely need to get your hands on this one! Set in the same world, but with a different main character (set directly after Bookish Life ends) this is a rich and special story about starting over and overcoming past trauma. And yet another love letter to Los Angeles. Loved it!
January 30, 2023
“anything’s interesting when it’s explained by someone who cares about it.”
May 16, 2022
Adult Assembly Required by Abbi Waxman is a bookish book that I enjoyed. Although not part of a series, this book follows the author's previous book, The Bookish Life of Nina Hill and we get to see the continuation of some of the characters from that book.
Laura Costello has moved to Los Angeles from New York City to start a Physical Therapy degree program, and also to escape her overprotective parents and an ex-fiance that isn’t sure he’s an ex. After just a few days, her apartment building burns down and she finds herself homeless in a strange city. After a soaking rainstorm, she stumbles into a bookstore and meets Nina and Polly. They immediately take her in and find her a room at Polly’s boarding house, owned by a lovely woman that houses several quirky and interesting tenants including Impossibly Handsome Bob, who works in the boardinghouse garden in exchange for rent. Laurs soon finds herself part of this unconventional group of friends as they help her navigate adulthood.
I really enjoyed Adult Assembly Required and loved the friendships and all the quirky characters the most. It’s really a story about friends and supporting each other with a side of romance. The banter between these characters is fun and made the book easy to read. The romance is a slow burn romance, that was perhaps a bit too slow burn for me. However, Bob and Lauren did make a cute couple and I enjoyed their friendship and later (much later) their romance. Besides the side human characters, there are several dogs and cats at the boarding house and at the bookstore that have their own personalities and even had their own POV for short bits of the book. The author knows her cats and dogs, and their POVs were hilarious.
I recommend Adult Assembly Required to anyone who enjoys quirky bookish characters. I received a complimentary copy of this book. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Laura Costello has moved to Los Angeles from New York City to start a Physical Therapy degree program, and also to escape her overprotective parents and an ex-fiance that isn’t sure he’s an ex. After just a few days, her apartment building burns down and she finds herself homeless in a strange city. After a soaking rainstorm, she stumbles into a bookstore and meets Nina and Polly. They immediately take her in and find her a room at Polly’s boarding house, owned by a lovely woman that houses several quirky and interesting tenants including Impossibly Handsome Bob, who works in the boardinghouse garden in exchange for rent. Laurs soon finds herself part of this unconventional group of friends as they help her navigate adulthood.
I really enjoyed Adult Assembly Required and loved the friendships and all the quirky characters the most. It’s really a story about friends and supporting each other with a side of romance. The banter between these characters is fun and made the book easy to read. The romance is a slow burn romance, that was perhaps a bit too slow burn for me. However, Bob and Lauren did make a cute couple and I enjoyed their friendship and later (much later) their romance. Besides the side human characters, there are several dogs and cats at the boarding house and at the bookstore that have their own personalities and even had their own POV for short bits of the book. The author knows her cats and dogs, and their POVs were hilarious.
I recommend Adult Assembly Required to anyone who enjoys quirky bookish characters. I received a complimentary copy of this book. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
November 19, 2023
It just didn’t hit as well as the first couple of books featuring these same characters. The flow was really bad and I honestly just didn’t buy the romance. It just felt like it wasn’t very important to the overall story at all. That said people who are fans of Nina Hill will love a peek at her and Polly. Honestly this should have been Polly’s story which is why I think I didn’t love this.
Full RTC.
Full RTC.
May 6, 2022
I think Adult Assembly Required is not a bad book, but it sits firmly in the Not For Me category.
Overall, it feels like a sitcom. A series of non-events, and if you squint there's a through line plot.
If you're looking for low stakes contemporary to just turn your brain off to, you might have a good time with this one. It's very much like real life, where there aren't constant life-altering decisions or massive conflicts or dramatic exits, but rather a series of small happenings that build up who you are, with the occasional opportunity for some flair.
It's realistic and I do believe it's heartfelt, but it's just not what I look for in books.
And I can't neglect to mention that in 352 pages the author uses the word "literally" 44 times and I cannot believe no one thought that was maybe a few too many...
Overall, it feels like a sitcom. A series of non-events, and if you squint there's a through line plot.
If you're looking for low stakes contemporary to just turn your brain off to, you might have a good time with this one. It's very much like real life, where there aren't constant life-altering decisions or massive conflicts or dramatic exits, but rather a series of small happenings that build up who you are, with the occasional opportunity for some flair.
It's realistic and I do believe it's heartfelt, but it's just not what I look for in books.
And I can't neglect to mention that in 352 pages the author uses the word "literally" 44 times and I cannot believe no one thought that was maybe a few too many...
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