A review by thecaffeinatedlibrary
No Hard Feelings by Genevieve Novak

emotional reflective
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.5


No Hard Feelings is an emotional debut with a main character that is so loveable and relatable I felt the immediate need to give her a hug (and also my younger self). A special mention to the audiobook narrator, who gave such a vivid voice to Penny that at times it made me shiver.

I initially worried that I wouldn’t be able to relate to Penny, but as the story grew and Penny showed herself and her anxieties in the pages (headphones?) I felt that my own anxiety and experiences were very seen. I loved the exploration of adult friendships, and their changing dynamics as we grow older. I also loved that Genevieve touches on how important these friendships become to us, that they become family and how much it stings when change happens (purposeful or otherwise).

I did find the pacing to be a bit off sometimes, however which occasionally pulled me out of the story a bit. 

Penny needs a hug.
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