Julia London

“Family was funny that way. Either you were in it. Or you weren’t. There was no halfway.”

-5 stars-

Spice:
1/5

Yes just yes.
This book was amazing!! It had me laughing, it had me crying, and most of all it had me wanting to stare at a wall and just process what I just read.
I've seen a lot of mixed reviews on this book, but I'm just going to come out and say it: I loved it. When I say I cried. I can't even tell you. This book had some really heavy topics while integrating amazing humor that show more made me laugh.
I loved Lorna and just her personality!! I freaking loved the way she and Bean developed such a close relationship. That whole thing just made my heart warm so much. I think Lorna had just the right amount of sass, humor, and trauma. When I say trauma, I mean a BUNCH of crap things she had to deal with, with her sister, Kristen.
I loved the strong mental health rep in here! It was such an amazing element to this book that just made it better! The way Julia London wrote this book just spoke to my soul. The writing just was so good and made me feel like I legit needed to stare at a wall for a couple of hours.
I will warn you, Everything Is Probably Fine, is heavy... And I wouldn't actually necessarily classify it as a romance. Sure, there was a cute romance twist but don't go into this book thinking it's Romeo and Juliet.
Overall, this was just such a good read all around. After reading Everything Is Probably Fine, I can really see why Julia London is a best selling author. She made the characters come alive in the book. I loved every single second of it!

“She tells herself everything is probably fine but then...” show less

I found this book incredibly compelling. Loving someone new while still grieving the loss of a soul mate feels entirely possible to me. And although in this scenario the love for the second person is genuine, it is intertwined with grief and gratitude and simply not the same as an all-consuming first love. In the second case, she’s come to love someone romantically whom she already loved as a person where the first was an attraction that built into love. The loves are both real, but not show more the same. The story explores the emotions of the three lovers in the triangle as well as those of a widow who watches things unfold from the side. Their combined stories are riveting. Although I think this book is mischaracterized as a romance (it is much more a traditional novel, with a chick lit flavor), it is very well crafted and I highly recommend it. show less

Everything is Probably Fine by Julia London is a charming and heartfelt novel that had me hooked from the very beginning. I listened to the audiobook, narrated by Marni Penning, whose flawless delivery, clear character differentiation, and mastery of the dry humor elevated the entire experience. She captured the wit, warmth, and vulnerability of the story perfectly.

The book follows Lorna Lott, whose short fuse at work earns her a mandatory trip to anger management classes. This unexpected show more sabbatical from her job forces her to slow down and spend more time at home, where she meets Bean, the precocious eight-year-old boy who lives across the hall.

As the story unfolds, we discover that much of Lorna’s anger stems from her difficult relationship with her drug-addicted sister. Watching her journey toward understanding and healing—while building an unlikely but touching friendship with Bean—was both moving and uplifting. Their connection reminded me strongly of the dynamic in A Man Called Ove—full of reluctant affection, wry humor, and moments of quiet beauty.

The supporting cast is equally delightful, each character playing a role in showing Lorna that she’s not as isolated as she believes. The pacing is brisk, the dialogue is sharp, and the humor is perfectly balanced with emotional depth.

As someone who rarely rereads books, I can honestly say I would love to experience this story again—especially in audio format. It’s funny, relatable, and deeply human—a truly enjoyable listen from start to finish.

Thank you to NetGalley and HarperMuse Audiobooks for this ARC. show less

A sparkling ride!

What an untidy, meandering, convoluted, and strangely joyous tale!
Emma Clark’s abusive husband Albert, the Earl of Dearborn had decamped to Africa, leaving Emma to wander Butterhill Hall and manage the estate alone.
Months later a man turns up to give Emma the news Albert has died in Cairo from yellow fever. Said gentleman then promptly has some sort of attack and dies on Emma’s receiving room floor.
Emma’s stunned. What to do? She knows her sister-in-law Adele, will show more toss Emma out of Butterhill Hall when she learns of Albert’s death, so Emma says nothing. Almost a year is gone when Luke Olivien, the Weslorian Comte ve Marlaine, son of the Duke of Astasia, turns up to deliver Albert’s pocket watch to Emma. Luka is an anthropologist. He’s been travelling with Bedouin tribes studying their migratory habits and trade routes.
Emma does all she can to avoid having Luka tell her that Albert is dead. She ignores him, flees from him, changes the topic. Finally, like Scheherazade, she spins tales to prevent him from telling her.
Luka is fascinated by this charming, free spirit. He enters into this strange game of catch can.
Emma is drawn by Luke’s care, his gorgeousness and kind heart
The story floats on through the dawdling, halcyon days of summer, enlivened by Emma’s madcap actions, as she frantically tries to bring to fruition all the changes she’s made to the estate. She wants to leave it flourishing for her young brother-in-law and heir, Andrew.
Emma knows that Adele will want to destroy her changes, sending the estate back to it’s poorer state. To Adele her brother Albert could do no wrong—but he did.
Emma also knows she will be banished from Butterhill Hall, thrown out!
In one crazy moment, Emma decides to throw a house party and ball in honour of Luka. Her last hoorah before the truth is revealed. (I must admit to feeling a pang of dismay for her long suffering and stoic butler, Feeney.)
Will Emma ever acknowledge her husband is dead? And what of Luka who learns that his father has been arrested for treason in Wesloria and that he’s also a suspect.
The foolish bravery of Emma is both troubling and magnificent. The acceptance by Luka of who Emma is, is wonderfully romantic!

A Harlequin Trade ARC via NetGalley.
Many thanks to the author and publisher. show less