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The Unplanned Life of Josie Hale
If you're looking for:
Found family who always look out for you
A second chance romance with your high school crush
All the fried food that'll take your mind off your troubles
A chance to start over and do things your own way
Then The Unplanned Life of Josie Hale is exactly what you need!
When Josie discovers that she's unexpectedly pregnant with her ex-husband's baby (darn that last attempt to save their marriage), she seeks comfort in deep-fried food at the county fair. There she runs into her two old friends, Ben and Kevin. While sharing their own disappointments with adult life, they devise a plan to move in together and turn their lives around. Soon Ben and Kevin make it their mission to prepare for Josie's baby, not least by making sure Josie always has the food she's craving. Maybe all together they can discover the true meaning of family and second chances in life...
Found family who always look out for you
A second chance romance with your high school crush
All the fried food that'll take your mind off your troubles
A chance to start over and do things your own way
Then The Unplanned Life of Josie Hale is exactly what you need!
When Josie discovers that she's unexpectedly pregnant with her ex-husband's baby (darn that last attempt to save their marriage), she seeks comfort in deep-fried food at the county fair. There she runs into her two old friends, Ben and Kevin. While sharing their own disappointments with adult life, they devise a plan to move in together and turn their lives around. Soon Ben and Kevin make it their mission to prepare for Josie's baby, not least by making sure Josie always has the food she's craving. Maybe all together they can discover the true meaning of family and second chances in life...
320 pages, Paperback
First published May 3, 2022
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 270 reviews
May 8, 2022
A family is what you make it.
Josie Hale feels like life is just one dark cloud after another. With more trouble waiting just around the next corner. The latest shocker…she just found her husband cheating and left him. And wouldn’t you know, it would just be Josies’ luck. She just learned she’s pregnant. Her empty-nest parents are downsizing, so staying with them is out of the question.
If only she had somewhere to go.
A chance run-in with two of her former high school friends may give her the opportunity she’s looking for. One of them just happens to be an old crush of hers.
I listened to the audio and struggled to stay engaged. Not sure if it was the storyline or the narration. Maybe a bit of both.
I felt the characters were very immature for their age which irked me to no end! Perhaps just not a good fit for me.
Many five-star reviews here so hope your experience delivers all the stars for you too!
A buddy read/audio with Susanne that left us both a bit underwhelmed.
Thank you to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media
Josie Hale feels like life is just one dark cloud after another. With more trouble waiting just around the next corner. The latest shocker…she just found her husband cheating and left him. And wouldn’t you know, it would just be Josies’ luck. She just learned she’s pregnant. Her empty-nest parents are downsizing, so staying with them is out of the question.
If only she had somewhere to go.
A chance run-in with two of her former high school friends may give her the opportunity she’s looking for. One of them just happens to be an old crush of hers.
I listened to the audio and struggled to stay engaged. Not sure if it was the storyline or the narration. Maybe a bit of both.
I felt the characters were very immature for their age which irked me to no end! Perhaps just not a good fit for me.
Many five-star reviews here so hope your experience delivers all the stars for you too!
A buddy read/audio with Susanne that left us both a bit underwhelmed.
Thank you to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media
May 10, 2022
The Unplanned Life of Josie Hale by Stephanie Eding
Contemporary chick lit / light romance.
Josie finds herself pregnant and recently divorced when her parents tell her she can’t move in with them because they are downsizing. Feeling the pressure, she heads to her favorite food addiction. There she finds her once best friend Kevin and former crush, Ben. They decide the best option is for the three of them to move in together as roommates. It’s the perfect financial solution for all of them.
The story follows the three roommates as they adjust to living together, and as Josie’s pregnancy progresses. Turns out Ben had a crush on Josie too so they become closer during the year.
Cute and charming. Especially the way Ben and Kevin really make their threesome a family. They even have a Family calendar that they coordinate. Adorable. And just fyi, there is nothing more than friendship between Josie and Kevin.
🎧 I listened to an audiobook version narrated by Sophie Amoss who did an amazing job with the voices differences for the three main characters. At one point after a short conversation between Josie, Kevin and Ben, I actually stopped the recording and verified that yes, it was only one narrator. The flow was clean and easy to follow with clear emotions and character traits. I listened to most of this at 1.3 for the best conversational speed.
I received a copy of this from NetGalley and Dreamscape Media.
Contemporary chick lit / light romance.
Josie finds herself pregnant and recently divorced when her parents tell her she can’t move in with them because they are downsizing. Feeling the pressure, she heads to her favorite food addiction. There she finds her once best friend Kevin and former crush, Ben. They decide the best option is for the three of them to move in together as roommates. It’s the perfect financial solution for all of them.
The story follows the three roommates as they adjust to living together, and as Josie’s pregnancy progresses. Turns out Ben had a crush on Josie too so they become closer during the year.
Cute and charming. Especially the way Ben and Kevin really make their threesome a family. They even have a Family calendar that they coordinate. Adorable. And just fyi, there is nothing more than friendship between Josie and Kevin.
🎧 I listened to an audiobook version narrated by Sophie Amoss who did an amazing job with the voices differences for the three main characters. At one point after a short conversation between Josie, Kevin and Ben, I actually stopped the recording and verified that yes, it was only one narrator. The flow was clean and easy to follow with clear emotions and character traits. I listened to most of this at 1.3 for the best conversational speed.
I received a copy of this from NetGalley and Dreamscape Media.
April 24, 2022
Josie's craving for a corn dog leads to the infamous "Corn Dog Pact" with her high school friends: Kevin and Ben. The three are like iron sharpening iron as they push and prod each other to reach for new goals and improve their relationships -- especially with "the littles." Filled with moments that will make you laugh and cry, this life-affirming book will remind you of the blessings we have in those around us. Will definitely be looking for more books by this author.
Thank you to Sourcebooks and Edelweiss+ for a DRC in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you to Sourcebooks and Edelweiss+ for a DRC in exchange for an honest review.
May 28, 2022
Such a cute book! I can totally relate to this as I had a baby then left my ex, so was a mess figuring out motherhood and being a single Mom at the same time. I loved every bit of this! So much cute moments and laughs! I absolutely adore romantic comedies and this one I could totally see being a movie. Josie was great and fun. Kevin and Ben were arguably my fave characters due to their humor and support for Josie. Loved this so much! If you want to laugh alot and have numerous "awww" moments then this book should be your next read!
I received this book from NetGalley and the publishers to read and review. All statements above are my true opinions after fully reading this book.
I received this book from NetGalley and the publishers to read and review. All statements above are my true opinions after fully reading this book.
April 20, 2023
4.25
corndog pact
⭐
Gah, this was the cutest! And the slowest slow burn I think I've ever read, but it didn't bother me at all.
Josie is going through a divorce when she learns she's pregnant. With hardly any money and no place to go she has to move back home to live with her parents.
Josie, Ben and Kevin were high school friends. Now it's 12 years later when they run into each other at the fair. Each of them aren't exactly where they expected to be at this point in their life at age 30. They have a nice chat and decide to move in together and make a pact to have their lives together within a year.
I really enjoyed watching their friendship regrow. And the boys were so cute helping Josie get ready for the baby and making sure she was taken care of ~ expect for all the junk food they ate. They just doted on the baby when he was born too.
I liked that each chapter had a fun title. The Christmas gift that Kevin gave was super cute too. I would not mind a sequel with more on Ben and Josie's relationship, as well as what happens next with Kevin.
Narration:
Sophie Amoss ~ 10 hours 1 minute ~ nice job
*Thanks to Dreamscape Media LLC, Stephanie Eding and NetGalley for the advance audiobook. I am voluntarily leaving my honest review*
Follow me ➡ Heather Adores Books
Gah, this was the cutest! And the slowest slow burn I think I've ever read, but it didn't bother me at all.
Josie is going through a divorce when she learns she's pregnant. With hardly any money and no place to go she has to move back home to live with her parents.
Josie, Ben and Kevin were high school friends. Now it's 12 years later when they run into each other at the fair. Each of them aren't exactly where they expected to be at this point in their life at age 30. They have a nice chat and decide to move in together and make a pact to have their lives together within a year.
I really enjoyed watching their friendship regrow. And the boys were so cute helping Josie get ready for the baby and making sure she was taken care of ~ expect for all the junk food they ate. They just doted on the baby when he was born too.
I liked that each chapter had a fun title. The Christmas gift that Kevin gave was super cute too. I would not mind a sequel with more on Ben and Josie's relationship, as well as what happens next with Kevin.
Narration:
Sophie Amoss ~ 10 hours 1 minute ~ nice job
*Thanks to Dreamscape Media LLC, Stephanie Eding and NetGalley for the advance audiobook. I am voluntarily leaving my honest review*
Follow me ➡ Heather Adores Books
April 21, 2022
I loved this SO much. It's a lovely story about found family and second chances. Josie is in a tough spot - pregnant and divorcing her cheating husband. She moves in with her two old friends until she can get back on her feet.
Josie is so funny. I love how much of a normal person she is. She's self-deprecating and down to earth. Her inner monologues are hilarious. Josie is a delight and I found her to be super relatable.
I adored Kevin and Ben. Kevin is a riot and Ben is a sweetheart. They are the friends we all deserve but rarely find. They are kind people who give Josie so much support - but they are also struggling with the way their lives have gone. Kevin and Ben's relationship with one another is really funny and their dynamic is extremely entertaining. And watching Ben try to develop a closer relationship with his pre-teen daughter was so lovely, it was genuinely one of my favorite parts of the book. Altogether, Josie, Ben, and Kevin make a great trio.
This was a fun, sweet story. I think it is listed primarily as Women's Fiction; on Amazon, it's in the categories of Friendship Fiction, Women's Friendship, and Humorous Fiction. It definitely has a romance element but this book is about many other things than just Ben & Josie's relationship. Their story is a hard-core slow burn - though it's more like 95% mutual pining and 5% romance. They get together at the very, very end, so just a heads up on that in case you're expecting a full-on Romance with a capital R where the love story is the main focus. (It's not but it's really no less romantic for it being so. Trust me.)
I really enjoyed Eding's writing style. Her dialogue is very natural, she writes extremely relatable characters and topics, and is able to incorporate a great sense of humor into the whole shebang. I'd be very happy to try anything else this author writes. This book was SO enjoyable. I highly recommend it!
Thanks to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Casablanca for providing the digital arc.
Josie is so funny. I love how much of a normal person she is. She's self-deprecating and down to earth. Her inner monologues are hilarious. Josie is a delight and I found her to be super relatable.
I adored Kevin and Ben. Kevin is a riot and Ben is a sweetheart. They are the friends we all deserve but rarely find. They are kind people who give Josie so much support - but they are also struggling with the way their lives have gone. Kevin and Ben's relationship with one another is really funny and their dynamic is extremely entertaining. And watching Ben try to develop a closer relationship with his pre-teen daughter was so lovely, it was genuinely one of my favorite parts of the book. Altogether, Josie, Ben, and Kevin make a great trio.
This was a fun, sweet story. I think it is listed primarily as Women's Fiction; on Amazon, it's in the categories of Friendship Fiction, Women's Friendship, and Humorous Fiction. It definitely has a romance element but this book is about many other things than just Ben & Josie's relationship. Their story is a hard-core slow burn - though it's more like 95% mutual pining and 5% romance. They get together at the very, very end, so just a heads up on that in case you're expecting a full-on Romance with a capital R where the love story is the main focus. (It's not but it's really no less romantic for it being so. Trust me.)
I really enjoyed Eding's writing style. Her dialogue is very natural, she writes extremely relatable characters and topics, and is able to incorporate a great sense of humor into the whole shebang. I'd be very happy to try anything else this author writes. This book was SO enjoyable. I highly recommend it!
Thanks to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Casablanca for providing the digital arc.
April 11, 2023
I wanted to squeeze Josie into the biggest hug while reading this!
Unexpectedly pregnant with her ex-husband's baby and facing a financial crisis, Josie is feeling vulnerable and overwhelmed. As you can imagine! But then she runs into Kevin and Ben, two charming friends from high school, igniting a pact to all move in together and turn their lives around.
I loved this trio! Their goofy moments and overall way they completely supported one another made me smile. Their eating habits definitely needed some work (haha!), but Kevin and Ben would do anything for Josie. Their family-like bond was so endearing.
Speaking of Ben, him attempting to strengthen the relationship with his preteen daughter was one of my favourite parts! And as a romance lover, of course I have to mention the rekindling feelings with Josie from their past. Gosh, it was adorable! I enjoyed this one a lot.
(heat level: kissing only)
Unexpectedly pregnant with her ex-husband's baby and facing a financial crisis, Josie is feeling vulnerable and overwhelmed. As you can imagine! But then she runs into Kevin and Ben, two charming friends from high school, igniting a pact to all move in together and turn their lives around.
I loved this trio! Their goofy moments and overall way they completely supported one another made me smile. Their eating habits definitely needed some work (haha!), but Kevin and Ben would do anything for Josie. Their family-like bond was so endearing.
Speaking of Ben, him attempting to strengthen the relationship with his preteen daughter was one of my favourite parts! And as a romance lover, of course I have to mention the rekindling feelings with Josie from their past. Gosh, it was adorable! I enjoyed this one a lot.
(heat level: kissing only)
April 22, 2022
Three childhood friends reunite in their 30s and make a pact to help each other get their lives together. For Josie, newly divorced and pregnant, she has to figure out what single motherhood is going to look like. This was a fun, lighthearted story of friendship and self-discovery that gave me lots of Three men and a baby vibes. Perfect for fans of Josh and Gemma make a baby by Sarah Ready or The temporary roomie by Sarah Adams, great on audio too. Much thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my advance review copies!
July 5, 2022
(free review copy) So unique and an absolute breath of fresh air in the saturated and cookie cutter women’s fiction space. I LOVED this story!
April 28, 2024
What a fun read! While Josie Hale's life takes many unplanned turns, this book handles them in a sensitive and light hearted way. This book will make you wish for friends like Kevin and Ben, who support each other during all the adulting that comes with hitting your 30s.
April 21, 2022
Thank you to Goodreads and Sourcebook Casablanca for this ARC of The Unplanned Life of Josie Hale written by Stephanie Eding.
I absolutely loved this book! I don't always enjoy the romance genre, but this one was completely different. I loved that the main plot point wasn't about how much the characters want to get in bed with each other. It stayed focused on the female main character Josie, and the romance aspect was secondary. Everybody is a hot mess at the beginning of the book, and I really enjoyed reading through the characters evolution toward getting their lives together.
And not to mention, it was funny! There were so many laughing out loud moments and lines throughout this book that it kept it highly entertaining.
I loved it, and I highly recommend this book!
I absolutely loved this book! I don't always enjoy the romance genre, but this one was completely different. I loved that the main plot point wasn't about how much the characters want to get in bed with each other. It stayed focused on the female main character Josie, and the romance aspect was secondary. Everybody is a hot mess at the beginning of the book, and I really enjoyed reading through the characters evolution toward getting their lives together.
And not to mention, it was funny! There were so many laughing out loud moments and lines throughout this book that it kept it highly entertaining.
I loved it, and I highly recommend this book!
Shelved as 'dnf'
March 4, 2023when are we gong to stop depicting grown ass adult men who can’t take care of themselves as endearing?
February 20, 2022
ARC from Net Galley
After Josie Hale finds herself unexpectedly pregnant, divorced, and out of work, she decides to return to her hometown. While wandering around the county fair, she runs into two of her close friends from high school (Ben and Kevin) and decides to move in with them. The trio, all feeling a bit lost, create a pact to get their finances and love life in order as they prepare to welcome Josie's baby into their home.
I picked up this book because the premise sounds inherently queer. Three unattached 30-somethings raising a child together in a shared home (with a vaguely m/m/f sounding relationship dynamic)? Sign me up! In some ways, the book delivers on that premise. Ben, Kevin, and Josie really manage to build a household and a family without being romantically involved with one another (even in the face of outside skepticism). However, it's hard to celebrate this unique family dynamic when it is bogged down with so many other problematic sentiments.
For example, it is indicated several times throughout the text that this living arrangement is temporary for Kevin, Ben, and Josie. Josie at several times seems to suggest that once she has 'grown up' a bit more or gained her independence, she would necessarily move out. This goes relatively unchallenged except for by Ben . There also is a lot of problematic pregnancy talk. Josie speaks very, very disparagingly about her pregnant body. I understand that it can be difficult for pregnant people to cope with the alarming rate of change in their bodies, but considering this book revolved around a pregnancy it felt like a lot especially since it typically went unchallenged.
There were also several other little things that gave me pause. At one point, the phrase "crack the whip" was used (which absolutely should not be permitted in a recently published novel). Hopefully that is removed before publication. I also find it laughable that Josie supposedly worked in an "inner city" Chicago high school for four years but buckles under the weight of some mild classroom management and Izzy's vaguely mean spirited comments. High school (literally anywhere) isn't for folks who can't laugh off a comment or two, so I felt that was fairly mismatched with Josie's experience.
However, overall I still found myself enjoying this book. While it wasn't the queer revelry I was hoping for, it still was a sweet romance that delved deep into found family and what it means to build a home. I'd recommend it to folks looking for a sweet small-town second-chance romance.
After Josie Hale finds herself unexpectedly pregnant, divorced, and out of work, she decides to return to her hometown. While wandering around the county fair, she runs into two of her close friends from high school (Ben and Kevin) and decides to move in with them. The trio, all feeling a bit lost, create a pact to get their finances and love life in order as they prepare to welcome Josie's baby into their home.
I picked up this book because the premise sounds inherently queer. Three unattached 30-somethings raising a child together in a shared home (with a vaguely m/m/f sounding relationship dynamic)? Sign me up! In some ways, the book delivers on that premise. Ben, Kevin, and Josie really manage to build a household and a family without being romantically involved with one another (even in the face of outside skepticism). However, it's hard to celebrate this unique family dynamic when it is bogged down with so many other problematic sentiments.
For example, it is indicated several times throughout the text that this living arrangement is temporary for Kevin, Ben, and Josie. Josie at several times seems to suggest that once she has 'grown up' a bit more or gained her independence, she would necessarily move out. This goes relatively unchallenged except for by Ben . There also is a lot of problematic pregnancy talk. Josie speaks very, very disparagingly about her pregnant body. I understand that it can be difficult for pregnant people to cope with the alarming rate of change in their bodies, but considering this book revolved around a pregnancy it felt like a lot especially since it typically went unchallenged.
There were also several other little things that gave me pause. At one point, the phrase "crack the whip" was used (which absolutely should not be permitted in a recently published novel). Hopefully that is removed before publication. I also find it laughable that Josie supposedly worked in an "inner city" Chicago high school for four years but buckles under the weight of some mild classroom management and Izzy's vaguely mean spirited comments. High school (literally anywhere) isn't for folks who can't laugh off a comment or two, so I felt that was fairly mismatched with Josie's experience.
However, overall I still found myself enjoying this book. While it wasn't the queer revelry I was hoping for, it still was a sweet romance that delved deep into found family and what it means to build a home. I'd recommend it to folks looking for a sweet small-town second-chance romance.
June 20, 2022
Thank you Netgalley and Dreamscape Media for this advance listener copy in exchange for my honest review.
I loved this book. I loved Josie. I loved Kevin. I loved Ben. And most of all, I loved the dynamic between the three. This was just such a fun and uplifting story. I devoured it in one sitting. It was a unique story that I haven't read yet. Lately it feels like a lot of books are following a cookie cutter mold and The Unplanned Life of Josie Hale completely broke that mold. Very refreshing.
Josie, Ben and Kevin are old friends going back to high school. After losing touch for a number of years, they find themselves in each other's lives again, this time as unlikely roommates.
This book had me laughing out loud at times. It was just a fantastic story. I finished with a huge smile on my face. The audio was great too. All in all, 4.5 stars!
I loved this book. I loved Josie. I loved Kevin. I loved Ben. And most of all, I loved the dynamic between the three. This was just such a fun and uplifting story. I devoured it in one sitting. It was a unique story that I haven't read yet. Lately it feels like a lot of books are following a cookie cutter mold and The Unplanned Life of Josie Hale completely broke that mold. Very refreshing.
Josie, Ben and Kevin are old friends going back to high school. After losing touch for a number of years, they find themselves in each other's lives again, this time as unlikely roommates.
This book had me laughing out loud at times. It was just a fantastic story. I finished with a huge smile on my face. The audio was great too. All in all, 4.5 stars!
November 25, 2022
3.5 stars. Sweet, light story about high school friends reuniting at age 30 and making a pact to improve their lives. Funny and upbeat, with lots of junk food.
January 3, 2022
From the Militant Recommender Book Review Blog: http://militantrecommender.blogspot.com/
Josie thought she had her happy ending. Until she found her husband with his assistant at the Veterinary clinic where they worked. This was after they tried to make a go of their marriage one more time! So she packed up, quit her job and left Chicago to head back to the small Illinois town where she grew up and her parents' home. So she never got to tell him the big news. That she was now pregnant. Instead, she's jobless, living with her parents, and feeling pretty pathetic.
To cheer herself up, she goes to the county fair, craving a corn dog, while also trying to keep a low profile from the home town friends she grew up with. No sooner does she park herself on a bench to eat when she is recognized by the last two people she expected to see, her old best friend, Kevin, and her high school crush, Ben.
Joining her table for lunch and catching up, she confesses all that happened to her and what a loser she feels like. Turns out, Ben had an equally sad past few years and Kevin is working for his dad at the family insurance company. The two friends are living in the house Ben bought for his own failed marriage. Kevin comes up with a plan, a pact whereby they would strive to improve their lives in a year. He calls it the "Corn Dog Pact".
Going back to her parents, and thinking things can't get much worse, she finds out they are selling their house and moving into a small condo. There would be no room for her to live, too. She was essentially homeless!
Meeting up again, a short while later, with Kevin and Ben, they make a proposal, that Josie move in with them.
Can this be a solution? Or will it bring more problems? Josie is a spunky, funny and smart young woman. And Kevin and Ben are both the kind of guy any girl would love to move in with! Unless they are jobless,and 3 months pregnant.
This is such an engaging read with characters you will love and root for and cheer on as you follow their stories. I loved this one so much I was sad to finish it, as who wouldn't want to hang with those three? Highly recommended, but be warned... it will leave you craving a corn dog, even if you never had one!
Josie thought she had her happy ending. Until she found her husband with his assistant at the Veterinary clinic where they worked. This was after they tried to make a go of their marriage one more time! So she packed up, quit her job and left Chicago to head back to the small Illinois town where she grew up and her parents' home. So she never got to tell him the big news. That she was now pregnant. Instead, she's jobless, living with her parents, and feeling pretty pathetic.
To cheer herself up, she goes to the county fair, craving a corn dog, while also trying to keep a low profile from the home town friends she grew up with. No sooner does she park herself on a bench to eat when she is recognized by the last two people she expected to see, her old best friend, Kevin, and her high school crush, Ben.
Joining her table for lunch and catching up, she confesses all that happened to her and what a loser she feels like. Turns out, Ben had an equally sad past few years and Kevin is working for his dad at the family insurance company. The two friends are living in the house Ben bought for his own failed marriage. Kevin comes up with a plan, a pact whereby they would strive to improve their lives in a year. He calls it the "Corn Dog Pact".
Going back to her parents, and thinking things can't get much worse, she finds out they are selling their house and moving into a small condo. There would be no room for her to live, too. She was essentially homeless!
Meeting up again, a short while later, with Kevin and Ben, they make a proposal, that Josie move in with them.
Can this be a solution? Or will it bring more problems? Josie is a spunky, funny and smart young woman. And Kevin and Ben are both the kind of guy any girl would love to move in with! Unless they are jobless,and 3 months pregnant.
This is such an engaging read with characters you will love and root for and cheer on as you follow their stories. I loved this one so much I was sad to finish it, as who wouldn't want to hang with those three? Highly recommended, but be warned... it will leave you craving a corn dog, even if you never had one!
October 22, 2022
I think this book's major flaw is that it lacks any self-awareness whatsoever. Josie is an unemployed thirty year old woman living in her parents' home and in the process of divorcing her cheating husband when she realizes a last-ditch effort to save their marriage has left her pregnant. At no point does this woman with no health insurance, no job, and an unstable housing environment, living in a state that guarantees her right to an abortion even consider one, let alone any other option than raising her child. That alone seems so wildly unrealistic to me. She then proceeds to move in with her two high school best friends after reconnecting with the two men at a county fair. Do not expect any excitement out of that premise (much to my chagrin).
But it all somehow continues to go downhill. The book is fiction with a vague romantic subplot: the love interest is a man with a tween daughter who has apparently never heard of a parenting book and was like "oh bummer my daughter hates me and I can't figure out why. Also, Josie, you're sharing a loft space as your bedroom with her when she's here for my random weekends with her in my absolute bachelor pad with no real furniture, food, or dishes. No, still no idea why she doesn't like me." Her mother is overbearing, her third roommate makes a lot of choices about Josie's body for her (give her the damn cup of caffeinated coffee if she says it's fine, Jesus Christ), and Josie's 30 years old and talks about her "bosom." I'm almost thirty and the only time I've said bosom is when trying to convince one of my favorite authors via Instagram DMs that we would be bosom friends. And all of this is done in such a "well they mean well" kind of way that I know the author spent no time thinking critically about the work that this book is or isn't doing.
Anyways, I'm giving this book two stars because I spent a large part of it being irritated that the romance hadn't started yet before I realized it wasn't a romance novel, and that's on me. YMMV, but I'd highly recommending a skip on this one.
Thank you Sourcebooks and NetGalley for the ARC.
But it all somehow continues to go downhill. The book is fiction with a vague romantic subplot: the love interest is a man with a tween daughter who has apparently never heard of a parenting book and was like "oh bummer my daughter hates me and I can't figure out why. Also, Josie, you're sharing a loft space as your bedroom with her when she's here for my random weekends with her in my absolute bachelor pad with no real furniture, food, or dishes. No, still no idea why she doesn't like me." Her mother is overbearing, her third roommate makes a lot of choices about Josie's body for her (give her the damn cup of caffeinated coffee if she says it's fine, Jesus Christ), and Josie's 30 years old and talks about her "bosom." I'm almost thirty and the only time I've said bosom is when trying to convince one of my favorite authors via Instagram DMs that we would be bosom friends. And all of this is done in such a "well they mean well" kind of way that I know the author spent no time thinking critically about the work that this book is or isn't doing.
Anyways, I'm giving this book two stars because I spent a large part of it being irritated that the romance hadn't started yet before I realized it wasn't a romance novel, and that's on me. YMMV, but I'd highly recommending a skip on this one.
Thank you Sourcebooks and NetGalley for the ARC.
May 12, 2022
Admittedly, this is the first "pregnancy trope" romance that I have ever read, but to be honest, it felt more like like a friends-to-lovers read. Either way, this was a fun read!
Josie Hale ends her marriage after she finds out that her husband has been cheating on her. As if that was not a big enough surprise, she soon realizes that she is pregnant with her ex-husband's child. Seeking comfort in greasy fair food in her home town, she runs into two of her old friends. Together, they share how their lives have messed up and come up with a plan to fix all three of their lives.
Special thanks to Netgalley and the author for this ARC in exchange for my honest review. It was a pleasure.
Josie Hale ends her marriage after she finds out that her husband has been cheating on her. As if that was not a big enough surprise, she soon realizes that she is pregnant with her ex-husband's child. Seeking comfort in greasy fair food in her home town, she runs into two of her old friends. Together, they share how their lives have messed up and come up with a plan to fix all three of their lives.
Special thanks to Netgalley and the author for this ARC in exchange for my honest review. It was a pleasure.
May 6, 2022
This one sounded right up my alley, the synopsis said if you like romance and found family this is for you and unfortunately I found it lacking in the romance department. I’m all for a story with no romance but when I’m told it’s a romance I can’t help being disappointed when it’s not. Expectations are so important to me and had I known before I started that this was fiction with a small amount of romance I probably would’ve enjoyed it more. Anyway, take my opinion with a grain of salt because this wasn’t bad by any means, just not what I thought it would be and I couldn’t help feeling underwhelmed in the end. There was so much immaturity with Josie and her two roommates and friends and it was hard to believe three thirty somethings would have such a lack of maturity. I did switch to audio and I love Sophie Amoss narration so that really saved it for me and probably is the only reason I actually finished. I guess I could recommend this to the right reader but that reader isn’t me.
April 28, 2022
Big thanks to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for the advanced copy of this audiobook - it was such a treat! 😍
I absolutely loved Josie, Ben and Kevin. They were a perfect little friend group and so so good for each other. The corn dog pact was so silly in the beginning but ultimately proved to be exactly what all three needed to get their lives back on track. It was just really sweet.
As a whole this book had all the perfect pieces to a comedic fiction/borderline rom-com story. There were our obvious heroes, a couple of villains, some cute kids, lots of laughs and a few tears - a little bit of everything for everyone. And the ending? ✨Perfection✨
The Unplanned Life of Josie Hale drops May 10 and everyone should add it to their TBRs!
I absolutely loved Josie, Ben and Kevin. They were a perfect little friend group and so so good for each other. The corn dog pact was so silly in the beginning but ultimately proved to be exactly what all three needed to get their lives back on track. It was just really sweet.
As a whole this book had all the perfect pieces to a comedic fiction/borderline rom-com story. There were our obvious heroes, a couple of villains, some cute kids, lots of laughs and a few tears - a little bit of everything for everyone. And the ending? ✨Perfection✨
The Unplanned Life of Josie Hale drops May 10 and everyone should add it to their TBRs!
May 3, 2022
Poor Josie. Life has fallen apart after fleeing Chicago upon the disastrous end of her marriage. To top it all off, she now has a baby on the way as the result of a last ditch effort to salvage her relationship. Running into some old high school friends ends in a Corndog Pact and the chance to get her life back under control.
With a mix of humor and a relatable series of unfortunate events, Stephanie wrote a heroine I wanted to root for. Josie deserved all of the good juju and the support found in Ben and Kevin. Definitely would recommend to all of my women's fiction - with a side of a second chance/unrequited love romance - loving friends. Additionally, I cannot wait to dive into all of the fried foods at a local fair this summer.
I both read and listened to an advanced copy. The narration is great and done by Sophie Amoss. She brought Josie to life.
Thank you to Sourcebooks Casablanca and Netgalley for the advanced copy and Dreamscape Media for the alc. All thoughts in this review are my own.
With a mix of humor and a relatable series of unfortunate events, Stephanie wrote a heroine I wanted to root for. Josie deserved all of the good juju and the support found in Ben and Kevin. Definitely would recommend to all of my women's fiction - with a side of a second chance/unrequited love romance - loving friends. Additionally, I cannot wait to dive into all of the fried foods at a local fair this summer.
I both read and listened to an advanced copy. The narration is great and done by Sophie Amoss. She brought Josie to life.
Thank you to Sourcebooks Casablanca and Netgalley for the advanced copy and Dreamscape Media for the alc. All thoughts in this review are my own.
May 10, 2022
I liked this one ! Easy read and a little too long. But overall okay 3/5. Thank you NetGalley for this arc
November 8, 2022
This was everything I wanted. Corndogs, found family and second chance romance. Josie discovers she is pregnant after filing for divorce. She moves in with her two friends from high school and they make a pact to help each other get their lives together. I loved every minute. I just wanted to hug Josie, Kevin is a riot and Ben is a sweetie. I would definitely recommend this book. Thank you to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for an arc in exchange for my honest review.
June 14, 2022
I loved this!
It was super sweet and funny. This story is geared toward the lives of Josie and those she's surrounded by. The romance between her and Ben comes second. The Unplanned Life of Josie Hale is about second chances and finding a family in those you never expected.
Though the romance is a slow burn, the characters were relatable, especially Josie, who added humor to the story despite her situation.
Thank you to Sourcebooks Casablanca and NetGalley for a gifted arc copy.
It was super sweet and funny. This story is geared toward the lives of Josie and those she's surrounded by. The romance between her and Ben comes second. The Unplanned Life of Josie Hale is about second chances and finding a family in those you never expected.
Though the romance is a slow burn, the characters were relatable, especially Josie, who added humor to the story despite her situation.
Thank you to Sourcebooks Casablanca and NetGalley for a gifted arc copy.
May 18, 2022
ARC READ
I loved this story. Josie's life is a mess and to top it off she's single and pregnant and ends up bumping into her high school crush and best friends, they make the best pact and end up living together to make their life better.
I laughed so much throughout this book, Kevin is hilarious especially when hiding from Noel 😂😂
This book deserves five stars all day long!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I loved this story. Josie's life is a mess and to top it off she's single and pregnant and ends up bumping into her high school crush and best friends, they make the best pact and end up living together to make their life better.
I laughed so much throughout this book, Kevin is hilarious especially when hiding from Noel 😂😂
This book deserves five stars all day long!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 21, 2022
With so much promise in the premise this one fell short of expectations. Instead of joy in a found family I often found myself rolling my eyes at how immature all the characters sounded. Are they teenagers? If you’re 30 and pregnant you cannot tell me you don’t know how to feed yourself healthy meals or know that it’s at least important to do so. But that’s just one minor complaint in a sea of many. From the minute they concoct the plan to enter into a pact to the end there are so many groan worthy moments.
The story follows Josie who has found out she is pregnant with her soon to be ex husband’s kid. She doesn’t have a steady job, is being kicked out of her parents house and has no idea how to “adult”. She runs into two of her former friends from high school at a carnival whose lives are also questionably rocky and they decide to enter into a pact to become better adults. As part of this effort they all decide to live together to improve their finances. All three of them bond together and form the stable relationship ships they need to get their lives back on track.
All three of them are annoying and the two men seem like man-childs (children?) which is intolerable. You’re 30, not 20. How do you have just a can of soup in your cupboard. The questions keep coming and there are no good answers. The biggest issue is really there’s no tension or conflict. It’s literally just about three people who grow up and make better choices. The romance is barely simmering and there’s no reason why they shouldn’t be together so the decision to not come together much earlier is weird and forced. It was a relief to be done.
The story follows Josie who has found out she is pregnant with her soon to be ex husband’s kid. She doesn’t have a steady job, is being kicked out of her parents house and has no idea how to “adult”. She runs into two of her former friends from high school at a carnival whose lives are also questionably rocky and they decide to enter into a pact to become better adults. As part of this effort they all decide to live together to improve their finances. All three of them bond together and form the stable relationship ships they need to get their lives back on track.
All three of them are annoying and the two men seem like man-childs (children?) which is intolerable. You’re 30, not 20. How do you have just a can of soup in your cupboard. The questions keep coming and there are no good answers. The biggest issue is really there’s no tension or conflict. It’s literally just about three people who grow up and make better choices. The romance is barely simmering and there’s no reason why they shouldn’t be together so the decision to not come together much earlier is weird and forced. It was a relief to be done.
May 15, 2022
The Unplanned Life of Josie Hale is certainly a slow burn second chance romance. Then lets throw in many humorous moments and a unplanned pregnancy. End result? A funny, quirky and laugh out loud story. Though admittedly a somewhat unbelievable story but, it certainly will keep you engaged.
Definitely loved all the characters! Loved getting to know Josie, Ben and Kevin.
Perfect book to read at the beach or by the pool.
Many thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and author for the opportunity to read this book for my honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.
Definitely loved all the characters! Loved getting to know Josie, Ben and Kevin.
Perfect book to read at the beach or by the pool.
Many thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and author for the opportunity to read this book for my honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.
March 30, 2022
Rtc … I have feelings for this one and may not be all good ones.
June 9, 2022
Josie needs to get her life together...ASAP! After starting a messy divorce with her cheating husband, leaving a secure job, and moving into her childhood home with her parents, she finds out she is now pregnant with her (ex)husbands baby, that he didn't even really want. Josie ends up running into two high school friends, one of which she had a major crush on, and the three of them make a pact; to move in together and get their lives together in a year. Twists and turns come up along the way as Josie fights to keep her baby, get her life together, and possibly find romance.
I was pleasantly surprised by this book! I adored Josie as a main character and found her so relatable. As adults, I think we feel a certain amount of pressure to have stuff figured out by a certain age. When in reality, we are all still stumbling around and going through things that the people on the outside might consider messy or immature. I think this character and book did a great job of showing how, even when stuff totally hits the fan, you can make it work and you can figure it out!
Both her roommates are on their own separate journeys, but are still able to help Josie figure her stuff out. They also provide some great comic relief and love interest.
I did expect this to be a bit more romance-centered, but I was honestly kind of happy that the romance was the B-plot. It allowed the focus to be on Josie coming to love herself, lover her life, and improve herself.
Thanks to NetGalley for randomly selecting me to review this book. All opinions are my own.
I was pleasantly surprised by this book! I adored Josie as a main character and found her so relatable. As adults, I think we feel a certain amount of pressure to have stuff figured out by a certain age. When in reality, we are all still stumbling around and going through things that the people on the outside might consider messy or immature. I think this character and book did a great job of showing how, even when stuff totally hits the fan, you can make it work and you can figure it out!
Both her roommates are on their own separate journeys, but are still able to help Josie figure her stuff out. They also provide some great comic relief and love interest.
I did expect this to be a bit more romance-centered, but I was honestly kind of happy that the romance was the B-plot. It allowed the focus to be on Josie coming to love herself, lover her life, and improve herself.
Thanks to NetGalley for randomly selecting me to review this book. All opinions are my own.
March 22, 2022
Im so weak to such a wholesome story😩
I don't care what people said about this book but for me this one deserved the five stars. One thing that I noticed and liked about this book is that it makes me want to appreciate every little thing in our lives. If we put the situation in another place you would feel like "oh okay that's good for you". But no, they gotta make you squeal in happiness and feel the joy of the moment. Thanks for the pact. Sorry Ben and Josie, Kevin really get the credit this time. The pact thingy is really cute, not gonna lie. It just had to make me feel like I want to make a pact like this too and give stupid motivation to people. And you will definitely fall in love with their friendship
When I said it cute. Ben is cute. All of them are cute. But Ben is the cutest. He just had to be awkwardly cute there and somehow his reaction just stuck in my mind for days after finishing this book. His relationship with his daughter is cute too. Like all the things tjat related to Ben are so damn cute!
I don't care what people said about this book but for me this one deserved the five stars. One thing that I noticed and liked about this book is that it makes me want to appreciate every little thing in our lives. If we put the situation in another place you would feel like "oh okay that's good for you". But no, they gotta make you squeal in happiness and feel the joy of the moment. Thanks for the pact. Sorry Ben and Josie, Kevin really get the credit this time. The pact thingy is really cute, not gonna lie. It just had to make me feel like I want to make a pact like this too and give stupid motivation to people. And you will definitely fall in love with their friendship
When I said it cute. Ben is cute. All of them are cute. But Ben is the cutest. He just had to be awkwardly cute there and somehow his reaction just stuck in my mind for days after finishing this book. His relationship with his daughter is cute too. Like all the things tjat related to Ben are so damn cute!
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