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A review by kelly_inthe419
Adult Assembly Required by Abbi Waxman
4.0
Bumping up to 4.5 stars. I loved the Bookish Life of Nina Hill a couple years ago and was excited to read this new story that includes Nina and her bookstore peeps. Thank you PRH Audio for the complimentary audiobook, which was so well done!
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 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.
I really enjoyed this new cast of quirky, lovable characters from Abi Waxman. Polly is bold and hilarious. Maggie is tenderhearted and empathetic. Nina is just her introverted, bookish self. And then there’s “impossibly handsome” Bob who is clearly Laura’s kindred spirit.
I appreciated the strong mental health aspects of this story too. Laura is dealing with some overwhelming trauma that had been discounted by her family and her ex-fiancé. Laura’s new found family helps her see that it’s ok to seek help, that it’s ok to not be okay, and that being herself is better than being what others want or expect.
The story was somewhat predictable and some POV changes seemed abrupt at times, but overall this is a big, warm hearted story that will leave you smiling.
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 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.
I really enjoyed this new cast of quirky, lovable characters from Abi Waxman. Polly is bold and hilarious. Maggie is tenderhearted and empathetic. Nina is just her introverted, bookish self. And then there’s “impossibly handsome” Bob who is clearly Laura’s kindred spirit.
I appreciated the strong mental health aspects of this story too. Laura is dealing with some overwhelming trauma that had been discounted by her family and her ex-fiancé. Laura’s new found family helps her see that it’s ok to seek help, that it’s ok to not be okay, and that being herself is better than being what others want or expect.
The story was somewhat predictable and some POV changes seemed abrupt at times, but overall this is a big, warm hearted story that will leave you smiling.