Some reviews are harder to write than others. This is a hard one. While I clearly know how I feel about the book and my rating, at the same time I want to be fair to the author and the story. I’m afraid this review probably won’t come across in a very positive way, however. And for that, I apologize.

As I started the book I could see that it was going to be heavy on one-liners. I also sensed a storyline that felt more intent on being funny than relating a tale. And the characters in the book marched right into that mold. Rather than portray any believable characteristics they were more interested in impressing the reader with their sometimes foolishness and humor.

Now, this can be fine. But if it continues on for too long, it helps for the humor to be your style and to continually tickle your funnybone.

In Been There, Married That Agnes is a writer who is married to a notable producer named Trevor. She describes her life rather sarcastically since she lives in Hollywood where she believes everyone is fake.

At her book launch party, Trevor ends up being a no-show which of course is a disappointment. And her Uber ride home from the party is a story in itself. But her day manages to get much worse.

When she arrives at her destination she finds that she is locked out of her large, gate-surrounded, home. It seems Trevor is ready for a divorce so he’s locked her out and canceled her credit cards.

My thanks to #NetGalley #StMartins and the author for an ARC to review and offer my opinion.

What Concerned Me
Though some of the lines were funny, as a whole it wasn’t my type of humor.
I felt a few funny lines in a more realistic story would have been more meaningful.
It didn’t feel interesting enough to hold my attention.
I needed a character that I cared about.

What I Like Best
While there really wasn’t much that attracted me to this book, it is very possible that if your sense of humor jibes with the author’s then this will be a book you will enjoy.

Agnes Murphy has it all. She’s married to Hollywood super-producer Trevor Nash. They have an adorable, smart eleven-year-old named Penelope but called Pep. They have a gorgeous house, expensive cars, staff to help with all their needs, and all the things that money could buy. And Agnes’s latest novel is about to be published. Is it possible to have a more perfect life?

When Trevor doesn’t show up to Agnes’ book signing, she thought it was unusual. But he’s busy. He could have gotten stuck in a meeting or something. But when she Ubers back home (her Uber driver recognizes the address and asks her to show his spec script to her husband, of course) and finds that her pass code no longer opens the front gate, she starts to get a bad feeling. Not as bad a feeling as when the security guy shows up and tases her, but still uncomfortable.

As the weeks go by, and she denies the problems in her marriage while Trevor acts like they’re already separated, Agnes tries to figure out where she belongs. Is it with other Hollywood wives and their designer shoes, assistants, stylists, blowouts, Botox, and vaginal rejuvenation? Is it with her father and his new, young, girlfriend who he met at Starbucks and can speak 5 different languages? Is it with the legendary director who wants to start a new life with her? Or with the marriage counselor (their marriage counselor) who hit on her at the end of hers and Trevor’s first session with him?

Thinking it all through, Agnes knows that she won’t be happy with any of those choices. She doesn’t want her marriage to end, but she can’t be the only one in it either, so she knows it’s up to her to find her own place. And she’s got her sister’s help with that. Fin is an ex-con with street smarts and the fearlessness to take on Hollywood. With her cocksure nerve and Agnes’ smarts and contacts, the Murphy sisters just may be able to make something even out of this messy Hollywood divorce.

Been There, Married That is the latest from Gigi Levangie, a Hollywood insider who knows a thing or two about being married to a producer. The novelist who wrote The Starter Wife and the screenwriter who wrote the Julia Roberts/Susan Sarandon Stepmother, Levangie marries a quick wit with a graceful way with storytelling that creates a truly magnificent book.

I adored this novel! Levangie’s astringent skewering of Hollywood and its standards mixed with her bittersweet, dry, super-smart, playing-with-words humor made me want to make her my new best friend. But underneath all that is Agnes’ warmth and a genuine caring about her family, and it made for such a lovely character. All of the characters felt real to me, in a Real Housewives sort of fake way, and I adored them all. I just wanted to stay in this story for as long as possible.

I am a sucker for any book that a publicist calls funny, or any of the synonyms they pull out for funny, but despite that, I find it’s rare to find a book that genuinely makes me laugh out loud, full belly laugh, snort laugh even. Been There, Married That did that for me. And it will again, as it’s going directly into my short list of funny books I turn to for a reread when life just gets the better of me.

This is the book I’ve been waiting years to find!

Galleys for Been There, Married That were provided by St. Martin’s Press through NetGalley, with many thanks.

Since this was the first time in reading this author or even hearing of the name the story caught my eye. Having lived many years in Calif. and just been over a year having moved I could picture alot of the places. Funny too but not so funny after done with this daughter started going through similar stuff but hers mental too the husband that is. Anyways the humor I would say is not everyone's cup of tea but it does fit Hollywood. Alot of times the people there do not make sense so some of this story would seem like that at beginning but it does slowly come out of that. Agnes kept most of my attention seeing how she handled herself with the situations also. It did have me turning the pages just to see what came next. Not my normal reading but was different.

Agnes Murphy Nash thought she was the perfect Hollywood wife to Trevor, her big-shot producer husband. Then, she comes home one day and finds herself locked out—of everything. Trevor wants it all, the house, the money, custody of their daughter, the new girlfriend. However, Agnes is not about to sit still while all this happens. What’s a scorned woman to do? Follow Agnes as she tries her best to come up smiling from this disaster.

This book presents a picture of the so-called Hollywood life we have all come to know and understand through the media, books, movies, etc. It also gives a good picture of the hot-shot producer, who really is not worth the trouble it might take to know and appreciate him. The concept for the book is a good one but the execution by the author was not so well done. In fact, she often seems to be all over the place, even, at times, confusing me. Thus, I found the tale, at times, both humorous and difficult to read through. I doubt that anyone ever grows to like Trevor as they read the book, but Agnes is not all that likable herself, for that matter. It is obvious Agnes grew used to living the fantasy life and had quite a rude awakening when it ended so suddenly. I did enjoy reading the book, as it gave a good perspective on just how good my own simple life is and what Hollywood life could well be like—and made ma appreciate my life more. This is a good book to read for that reason, or if you just enjoy seeing how the Hollywood types live and go about their daily routines. I received this from NetGalley to read and review.

On the surface this book has teeth. The author is a former Hollywood wife, so the parts that deal with insider Hollywood are juicy (you just know they’re based in fact, and it’s fun to think about who might be represented). While these sections work and the satire is clear, it’s an awful lot of that mentality to deal with. I found myself getting irritated with the main character, which made it difficult to root for her. I also did not care for the writing style, as it felt like the author couldn’t stay on one topic for too long. The scenes ping-ponged like the characters’ thoughts. I’m sure other people will enjoy this book, but it was just okay for me. For a full review, please visit my blog at Fireflies and Free Kicks. Thank you to NetGalley for a digital ARC of this book.

Agnes and Trevor are one of the hottest Hollywood couples EVER! Or so Agnes thought!
Agnes has known that Trevor has changed in the past year but, she's been too busy with her new book coming out and their daughter, she really hasn't cared. Life is fine, as long as there are never any bumps in the road = Right??!!
Suddenly, in one day, Aggie finds out that her credit cards have all been cancelled, her code to the gate at her home has been cancelled and, she gets tased by a new security guard while trying to get into her OWN HOME!!!
Conveniently, Trevor is out of town on one of his many trips with his entourage!!! Why should it take 4-6 "assistants" to wade through in order to speak with your own HUSBAND??!!
This is a story of a woman who is used to living in a fantasy world, who suddenly has to deal with the real world, and, the possibility that she will lose everything, including her own daughter!!
At times hilarious, sad, and a how to book on how to deal with divorcing a very powerful rich man who cares about nothing but winning at all costs!

I dont think it was the novel. It was me. I'm so far removed from Hollywood and extreme wealth that I struggled to relate. I wanted to find it humorous but gave up after a few chapters.

I had hoped to bring you a delicious romance for the Tuesday of Valentine's Week. However, Been There, Married That was not at all what I was expecting...

Been There, Married That by Gigi Levangie, promised to be a humorous look at a celebrity marriage gone wrong. I truly thought it would be a funny take on a woman who was rebuilding her life after a celebrity marriage. What I got, instead, was a book about nothing. The characters were flat, there really wasn't a plot other than a lot (a LOT) of attempts at humor. In fact, that appears to have been the goal of the author - to see how many laughs she could get, many of which fell very flat. I love a good Rom-Com but this was neither a Romance or a Comedy. It was like watching a really bad movie where there is one pratfall too many. Basically, I skimmed three-fourths of the book to finish. So, no romance or recommendation here for Been There, Married That.

Unfortunately, this book wasn't for me. I decided to DNF, rather than leaving a negative review that might hurt the author. I was not a fan of the writing style and the humor felt as if it was trying too hard.

I wish the author all the best on her release day. Thank you for the chance to try this book.

Thanks to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for a review copy of this title.

I really struggled to get into this book and ultimately ended up not finishing it. While I appreciated the snarky tone of the narrator, it was just way too much overall and really distracted from the actual story. The author seemed more interesting in making these biting comments about each character than in developing a story. I think there is certainly a group of people that this book might appeal to, but I am not a part of that group.

This is a story about the perfect Hollywood life, or maybe not. Agnes gets a rude awakening when she finds herself locked out of her house, credit cards cancelled and her husband looking to divorce her. Her husband, Trevor, is determined to win at all costs. I didn’t like Trevor and sometimes I wasn’t wild about Agnes, but did have sympathy for her. It is funny at times but also sad, the empty lives that are portrayed in the book. Thank you to net galley for an advanced readers copy. I give this book 3 1/2 stars rounded up to 4.

This is Agnes Murphy Nash's story. From the outside she looks like the perfect Hollywood wife next to her high profile producer husband, Trevor but on the inside Agnes is falling apart. Trevor has asked for a divorce and is making her life a living hell because of his connections. Even life with her eleven year old daughter, Penelope was strained. Throughout the story you get a peek into the lives of Hollywood's rich and famous and if this is truly how they behave I am glad to have the life I live!

Overall I'm not sure what to think of this story. Parts of it were fun and interesting (I loved Agnes sister Fin and the workers in the house) while other parts were all over the place (Trevor). I did read the entire story to find out how the story ends and when it was over I sat there thinking what just happened! I really enjoyed Agnes most of the time. She seemed to have the strength to push forward in her life. I did not enjoy Trevor. At many times I just wanted to punch him in the face!

Agnes Murphy Nash’s life would have been perfect in the outside. A budding author living the Hollwood life, married to a hotshot Hollywood producer until one day, after 10 years of marriage, he decides he is tired of her and wants a divorce. Her credit cards are cancelled and the passcode to their home is changed. Agnes was not going to take this lying down and that is when these crazy antics and laugh out loud moments begins! A fun and enjoyable read not to be taken too seriously. I enjoyed the satirical tone and seeing how Agnes will outwit the disastrous situation she finds herself in. Nice easy read and enjoyable. I enjoyed Grazer’s sense of humor and light hearted look at Hollywood.

Been There, Married That is a cute complicated take through marriage and divorce Hollywood style. There are many times that I wanted to strangle Trevor in this one. As you read you will see why. You will just want to scoop Agnes up and tell her everything will be okay. There are plenty of laugh out loud moments in this one. I enjoyed reading Been There, Married That. I found it very refreshing from what I've been reading of late. This is my first taste of what Gigi Levangie Grazer and I can't wait to read more. I loved Agnes and her journey of starting over. This book is one to pick up.

I received an e-ARC of Been There, Married That from Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

I would give Been There, Married That 2.5 stars. Agnes is a writer and Hollywood wife whose Oscar-winning producer husband leaves her by locking her out of their house while she is at her book launch party. The story started strong with a promising premise and had a number of amusing lines but unfortunately just couldn't keep me fully invested in the outcome. I didn't find any of the characters to be likable and the story line just didn't flow. It felt like the story would have benefited from having the 300+ pages cut down and the plot tightened up.

Yikes! I am of the age that this should have been a great book but this was rough don't get me wrong it had some laugh out loud moments but it also had me cringing a lot!! The whole time I just kept thinking about what I could be reading instead.
So sorry but just because this wasn't the book for me it might be a 5 star for you so give it a go.

My thanks to NetGalley, the author and publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Title: Been There, Married That
Author: Gigi Levangie
Publisher: St. Martin's Press
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: Four
Review:

"Been There, Married That" by Gigi Levangie

My Speculation:

I found this story absolutely one that will have you shaking your head as you continue to read to see what in the world is going on with these two main characters. I'm not sure if I felt sorry for the heroine or not because so many times, it seems like she wasn't using her head with what all was going on in her marriage. And for the life of me, I certainly didn't like her husband. I wished Agnes had paid more attention to what her sister. Fin was trying to get over to her about Trevor. There was some room for laughter but not much for me because I couldn't get over the severe part and craziness of the story that seemed to exist all over the place. I was left almost wondering who to root for, but ok, I did for Agnes. The ending was somewhat strange, but I guess when you have a child [Penelope - Pep] to consider into the big picture, it will be worthwhile to try to be friends? After all that had gone on, it would be hard for me to want to be friends with somewhat like Trevor??? By the end of the story, going and getting him because he needed Agnes, couldn't Trevor have found someone else, and why would she even do that?

By the time I got to the very end of this story, I was left wondering who got want they wanted in this divorce? We can only hope that Pep came out on the better end of that side.

Thank you to Net Galley and St Martins Press for an ARC of this title in exchange for an honest review.

Poor Agnes! Agnes is the perfect Hollywood wife, but when she comes home one day she finds that she is locked out of her home. Plus, there is someone waiting for her to make sure she doesn't get in and is ready to tase her if she tries. Apparently, her husband Trevor (a big shot producer and complete douche bag) wants a divorce. I can tell right here in the first chapter this novel is going to be pure entertainment, nothing heavy or substantial (think Kardashians). The rest of this novel is following Agnes and unraveling what went wrong. To help her sort things out are her entitled and completely out of touch with reality "friends".

This is very funny and so far removed from my lifestyle that it was fun to escape into another reality. Keeping expectations in check when starting this novel will make this an enjoyable, easy-breezy read.

Thank you NetGalley, St. Martins Press, and author Gigi Levangie Grazer for the advance copy.

Campy is the word that comes to mind when I read this ARC of Gigi Levangie’s newest novel. This is a story of a writer and a producer in Hollywood who go through a divorce fraught with all the makings of a sitcom set in Hollywood. I am thinking that this may have been autobiographical in places?! Levangie writes with tongue in cheek references and outlandish examples of the wild anctics that take place in the entertainment world. This book is straight off the Bravo channel and would be a fun read for anyone who likes the Real Housewives Series. Living in Los Angeles, I found her local references fun and I enjoyed this as a glimpse of summer reading in the cold southern California winter. Ha!
#netgalley #BeenThereMarriedThat

Been There, Married That by Gigi Lavangie
I was really looking forward to reading this book. Ah, the lifestyles of the rich and famous. What the powerful elite must put up with. The author has a unique writing style that I enjoyed. Lots of witty sarcasm and humor. However, the story jumped around a lot without a break to indicate the story line or scene was changing. I found this to detract from the story. Overall, the book was an okay read, loved the writing, did not like the way it was organized.