This wonderful book made me laugh out loud multiple times which is always a big thing for me when reading. It's more than that though, it's relatable. I felt like I could have been the main character in different stages of my life. One of the characters of the story is the Umbridge of their world. If you can write a story that makes me feel that strongly towards a character than you're doing something right! I also really enjoyed the pop culture references. Read this book. You won't be disappointed

This lighthearted debut was a struggle for me. I found the storyline lacking and the narrative style incredibly young. I expected a rom-com but it didn't really pay off. I did read to the end but I'm not sure it helped, it seems more geared towards stay at home mums that want some easy and light entertainment.

DNF 39%
This was just... wierd? I had hoped it was going to be interesting... but it was not... It was just lots of babbling for my taste. Sadly. But it might be more of a cup of tea for others.

I thought I’d relate to this book but the characters were so over the top.

I’m from a “ keeping up with the Joneses” type of place like Primm but I chose to move to the “Southern Lakes” type of town to raise my kids because I’m so very far from the “Perfect Mom” type and I loathe people who try to portray themselves as such.

So I thought I’d identify with Holly and her struggle against the Stepford PTA moms, but both sides were unlikeable in my opinion.

Mostly it was because it was painful to read the discourse between Mary-Margaret and Holly: I was incredulous that someone as outspoken as Holly on other occasions (like the tooth pulling incident with her husband’s boss!) would really let herself be muted by such inane ramblings.

First, the cover art is so nice! The cover art really drew me to this book.

The characters made this book great! I really enjoyed reading about Holly! She was very likable and charming.

The pacing was a little slow. I ended up DNF about 40% in.

This book was a major disappointment. I just couldn’t gel with it.
I was expecting some humour but didn’t get that at all.

Thank you to the publisher for my eARC copy of this book. Unfortunately I didn’t love this book and therefore didn’t finish, I just didn’t connect with this one. Not for me, sorry.

I absolutely loved this book and can't wait to read more from the author!
If you're looking for a hilarious read you should totally pick this one up, thank me later.

Amazing and fun book. Holly Banks is a book every woman and mother should read. I laughed out loud throughout the entire book. Julie Valerie has a great debut and can only go up from here. Highly recommend

A lovely story of mother and daughter discovering a new town and making a new life for themselves. This book's humour missed the mark with me at times but I still found it a mainly enjoyable read.

I'm not a parent but I have moved to a new town at times throughout my life so I did really relate to that aspect of this book.

I didn’t finish this book. It was supposed to be funny and I didn’t get that from this book. I wish it was for me because I was excited to read it. But it was wasn’t.

Holly and family have moved to plume. A quaint neighbourhood with a wraparound porch and prestige school. Everything is going to be perfect! Isn’t it. Hilariously dramatic tale
It took me a little while to get into this book, some of the back and forth with Holly and PTA mom Mary Margaret went on for quite a while. Once I did though I flew through the book and loved Holly’s quirks and the drama of trying to be the perfect Mom/wife in a perfect village.

I loved this book!!! I think that I laughed so much at Holly's antics because I am a momma and wife and can relate to the school and other parents.

Truly I really enjoyed Julie's writing style and I cant wait to read the next one in the series. Well done.

I was able to read this book thanks to NetGalley. I really enjoyed this one. It was a quick read snd I enjoyed the story. I have recommended it to many friends. Thanks again to NetGalley die the chance to read snd review this book.

There’s no such thing as a perfect life and Holly Banks embodies that with the most outlandish and hilarious MC that will leave you feeling pretty good about just how well you might actually have it all together in comparison.
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I have to admit I started this one with more “oh no she didn’t” head shakes than I anticipated but somewhere along the way as I laughed my way through all the antics, Holly endeared herself to me. ⁣
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Though this takes it to a whole different level - I’m pretty sure most of us can see a bit of ourselves in Holly. The ever present self doubt, the worry you aren’t doing it all right or as well as other moms - I have definitely been there. Silver lining - most moms feel the same way. Loved the mystery element and Holly's hilarious antics while trying to uncover the truth. This book doesn't take itself too seriously and that's one of the things I loved about it. It's a fun read but hits on some serious emotions in a way you don't expect.

I wanted to like this book but it never quite gelled with me. The humor fell flat for me and it left me wanting more.

I am a sucker for mom books. This one sounded perfect for me. A mom who misses the school bus in the morning on her only child's first day of Kindergarten? Check! A mom who drops her kids off wearing embarrassing pajamas? Well, I just picked up my kids lunch wearing my PJ's, so CHECK! Can't get your kid to stop sucking her thumb? Mine sucks on her first 2 fingers, so check and check on that one. Feeling like your husband is having an affair? Well...not anymore. He's house-bound thanks to the pandemic, so that one I cannot relate to, but I've been there before. A crazy mom you have to take care of? Not to the same degree as Holly, but yes!

When the story was focused on Holly and trying to fit in with the mom's in her new neighborhood, I really enjoyed it. I related to it and chuckled at the stories of having a million clipboards to sign up with the PTA. I have a kid who just started kinder, and I feel like I'm missing out on this because of the pandemic. I could relate to just wanting to fit in, or go home to unpack and try to make a house their home.

But then there were pages of weird dialogue between Holly and the PTA president, who was written in such a fashion to be unauthentic. That would take me out of the story, where Mary Margaret would start to babble nonsensical things, and Holly would respond with "--." Ummm...what? Then the 2 women would get into a war of sorts that was supposed to be funny, but I found it distracting. After a while, I was skipping through these pages. I found myself rooting for the PTA president, which was not what the intent was.

The side story of the husband was another section I found myself skipping over.

There are so many 5-star reviews for this one, where people are saying they found it hilarious and related to it. I guess I'm in the Cookie Monster minority.

Such a fun read about a young mom who is trying so hard to assimilate herself into a new town!
Holly isn’t the only one who ends being full of angst - the reader also becomes anxious because the situations that she finds herself in are so comical ! On the same hand you can’t help but feel for Holly even though you’re laughing at her - because you are so thankful that it is not you caught up in these situations !
The quirky characters add to the fun tone of this book and it is just so much fun that you just have to keep reading !!!
The Primm Village ladies group are a hoot and I’m sure you all will recognize at least one woman within your own internet circle of friends who could very well be one of those women !
If you’re wanting a fun fun read then do yourselves a favour and add this one to your shelves !!!

Every day, parents struggle to do it all—juggling family and work and (maybe) a social life. And in Holly Banks Full of Angst, the first Village of Primm novel by author Julie Valerie, a young mom moves to a new town and finds the challenges—and the other moms—to be too much to handle.

Full review published on NightsAndWeekends.com and aired on Shelf Discovery

This book made me laugh out loud so many times! Holly and her family has just moved to a small town, a competitive neighborhood. This is perfect for anyone but especially anyone who has experienced this. Have you ever dealt with the busybodies at school? What about the overzealous overachievers? Can Holly get it all together as far as her family and the new school thing? I can’t wait for the next book.