So this is a little of a slow burn but not less delightful to read and revisit a couple characters from The Bookish Life of Nina Hill as we follow Laura who has moved to La from NYC. After a few set backs she finds herself living with some delightful supportive friends as this story takes off for Laura on her journey to overcome a bad experience and maybe find a bit of romance.
I enjoyed the quirky characters , the friendship storyline was wonderful.

“Being an adult is accepting help when you need it.”

Adult Assembly Required is a fun and engaging follow up to The Bookish Life of Nina Hill by @abbiwaxman . You will recognize many characters and be introduced to a few new ones.

Laura had an epiphany while recovering from a terrible car accident. She doesn’t want to be an academic and follow in the family footsteps. She wants to be a physical therapist and she wants a new life away from her family. Right after moving across the country to start grad school, there is a fire in her apartment complex where she loses most of her belongings. This is how she ends up at the boarding house owned by Maggie.

Laura has issues she knows she needs to work through as she moves on with her life. The lovely residents and friends of the boarding house are there for her each step of the way…including when her ex-fiance shows up wanting her back.

I hope you love these characters as much as I did!

4 stars

4.5 Stars

If you haven’t met Nina Hill and her friends, you really should. They are fun, engaging, and adorable and their stories are addictive. I read The Bookish Life of Nina Hill a few years ago and I adored it. I saw Nina Hill as my bookish twin, so when I heard that Abbi Waxman’s newest novel featured the same characters and a few new ones, I knew that I had to read it and I wasn’t disappointed.

The protagonist is Laura, a young woman just arrived in Los Angeles to start grad school. Laura has left New York in search of a new beginning, but things don’t look very good when, after only a week, her apartment is destroyed by a fire. Distressed and soaked from the rain, Laura wanders into Nina’s bookstore where she finds hot tea, dry clothes, and new lodgings in a shared house owned by kind and unique Maggie. So, Laura finds herself surrounded by new friends, recruited in Nina’s trivia quiz team, and attracted to one of her roommates, Impossibly Handsome Bob. However, she must deal with a past tragedy that still haunts her and family issues as both her parents and her former fiancée pressure her to go back to New York.

Laura is a very likable and relatable character. Witty, smart, and lovable, she is very similar to Nina when it comes to single-focused interests. In fact, she is obsessed in sports and bones and muscles (she wants to be a physician). A few years back, she was in a car crash that has left her with panic attacks while her family is convinced that she can’t make it on her own, but Laura is determined to start a new life.

With just a few exceptions, the novel features a cast of fabulous and quirky characters. Bob, handsome and sweet with his own problems to face; Polly, hilarious and outspoken; Maggie, caring and funny; and, of course, Nina, with her obsession for books and movies and the random facts she constantly spills.

I love the novels by Abbi Waxman. She is an incredible author who creates well-written stories with unique characters. Even though you don’t need to read The Bookish Life of Nina Hill before Adult Assembly Required, it’s not a read to miss, while Adult Assembly Required is really an engaging, hilarious, heart-warming story which features themes of mental health, family, friendship, and slow-burning romance that I found both frustrating and entertaining. A must-read for all romance lovers!

I loved getting back to Nina and her friends. There are also new characters that I grew to adore.

Laura finds herself coming from the east coast to Los Angeles before her grad school. She is also running away from a broken engagement and a mother who doesn't get why she wants to be a physical therapist instead of a professor like the rest of her family.

She meets Polly who introduces her to Nina and Liz at the bookstore where she works and lets Laura know of a room in the house where Polly boards. The house is full of interesting people and she slowly learns that there are people who will take care of and love you just for who you are, flaws and all.

Laura had some PTSD from a car accident she was in and this manifests a few times in this book. I thought the way that the house full of people she lives with are so understanding. There are some (like her ex-fiance) who just tell her to "get over it". I really hated the way her ex treated her in this regard. Mental health problems just don't go away.

I like the blossoming friendship between Laura and one of the housemates Bob. They are attracted to each other but they also have a bit of a hard time showing it. I felt just like Laura in all my relationships I've ever had. I like how this book shows that adulthood is just messy and we just need to figure out the way we are going to navigate it-with the help of others or try and get by by ourselves.

Meet Laura. She has recently broken up with her fiancé and decides to move cross country from New York to LA. During the move her apartment building burns down and she is taken in by some friendly bookshop workers. In this book the characters are fun and interesting. They worked hard to get Laura to understand what she wants out of life. The author touched on PTSD and mental health so yay! My issue was that the book skipped between third person and second person. Overall its a good book. I gave it a 4 because though its a good book but not something I will be rereading.

This book can completely be read as a standalone, but I would say one of my favorite things about it is that it is a return to the world of Nina Hill, and since I am familiar with those characters, it was really fun to have them along for the ride. Nina and Polly are so quirky and wonderful, and I just love that they are who they are, and accept others as they come–quirks, faults, and hang-ups included. Our main character Laura fit right in with this crew, and it was so fun to be carried along for the ride as she went from tons of self-doubt and insecurity towards accepting herself and learning to follow her own heart in life. And I’m sorry, the point of view of “Impossibly Handsome Bob” was just about the cutest thing I’ve ever read.

I really enjoyed reading about the house that Polly and Laura and Bob live in, and it’s especially fun that Waxman throws in some little tidbits from the perspective of the pets (cats & dogs) who live in the house. It just adds a little fun and made me smile! Also, Maggie, the owner of the house, was such a soothing character. I would like to have my very own personal Maggie, please and thank you. I loved reading about this quirky group of friends, and how they all looked out for/took care of Laura but also gave her the chance to really spread her wings.

So if you are looking for something sweet and fun, with a swoon-worthy romance, but even more, with a great gang of friends who it’s easy to cheer for, then look no further. This is a great read to kick off the long days of summer. Go pick it up!

I began this week feeling cynical about everything, from life to books, and then Abbi Waxman's Adult Assembly Required came along and made me sigh, grin, and laugh my head off every few pages. My faith in humanity may still be bruised, but my hope for modern literature is restored. And I now have a new batch of literary friends to visit when I feel low or want to debate the merits of various organizational systems.

Waxman does a fantastic job juggling a larger than life ensemble with the more intimate story of Laura's growth. While centered around Laura, the story makes room for her new friends to shine, too. They may be a part of her book, but they clearly have lives of their own going on and aren't on pause until their own books come (or since their own books finished, in some cases). I fell in love with each and every one of them, and their vibrancy and wacky humor reminded me of all my favorite people. It's been a while since I've seen an ensemble done so well, and you can bet I'll be coming back for more.

The main subplot to Laura's journey is a romance with one of her new housemates, Impossibly Handsome Bob — or, as I like to call him, Impossibly Adorable Bob. It's insta-crush for both of them, but not in a cringe way. They're just two kind souls who find rare comfort in each other's company and stumble their way into true love. Laura is more on the reserved side and, coming off a couple of life-changing, traumatic years, is understandably slower to open herself up to romance. Bob, on the other hand, is shy but surprisingly open with himself, and he basically has heart-eyes from the moment he sees her. And because he's right to crush on her (Laura is amazing) and because he's so hilariously, adorably awkward about it, even in his own head, I love him with my whole heart.

In conclusion, I loved this book. It's sunshine and joy and random and nerdy in the best way, with a warm heart beating at its center as our heroine embraces her found family and learns to move forward and give herself grace. It was exactly what I needed this week, and I can't recommend it highly enough if you enjoy found families and the best literary references.

My thanks to NetGalley and Berkley for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Having really enjoyed The Bookish Life of Nina Hill, I was excited to hear that this book takes place in that same world and Nina is a featured character. This book is about Laura, who moves to L.A. from NYC in order to start over. She ends up at Nina's bookstore and is taken in by Polly, who helps her find a place to live - in a house that is divided up and inhabited by the most interesting people you could imagine. They are all so quirky! There were parts that had me laughing out loud as well as rolling my eyes at how quirky these people are.

Although Laura is the main character, there is an omniscient narrator who describes everyone's thoughts, shifting viewpoints often, and even personifying the household dogs. The viewpoint shifts could be disconcerting at times, but I didn't mind overall.

Laura is dealing with PTSD after a car accident and is scared to drive or even be a passenger in a car. Part of the story is her working through this fear, as well as how her relationship with Bob helps her do so. This was a sweet aspect of the book.

I wrote down the following quote: "'I thought being a grown-up meant not needing help with anything.' 'No,' said Nina, 'being a grown-up is accepting help when you need it.'"

4.5 stars = I loved it! Would re-read.

This was delightful and FUNNY. I loved the characters. I was impressed with how the author told such a broad character story while keeping the focus on Laura (and Bob). I think if this had solely been about Laura and Bob, it wouldn't have been as satisfying and rich of a reading experience. Waxman fans should not miss this! (Language, PTSD)

I completely adored this book full of quirky characters, miscommunications and awkward situations. A story of family, friendship and love. Oh Abbi Waxman, how have I missed out on your bookish gems?

Laura moves to LA to pursue a degree to become a physical therapist following an accident that has left her traumatized. After a mishap at her apartment, she is quickly befriended by Polly, a book store employee. Polly is able to secure Laura a room at the house she rents.

We quickly learn about Laura's past love interest and her strained relationship with her family while she builds great friendships with her new neighbors. One of them, Bob, has really captured her attention, and they are both socially awkard enough to miss all the signs pulling them together. Literally ALL THE SIGNS

Loved every single thing about this book. Apparently many of the characters of the Bookish Life Of Nina Hill are featured in this book including the namesake. Guess what just got added to my TBR?

In case you were not clear yet, all the stars

I wasn’t sure about this book when I started it, mainly because there were so many characters and the writing was a bit different than what I’m used to. But it didn’t take me long to really get into the story! And I even managed to figure out all the characters, which is a miracle for me.

I loved the mental health representation. The main character has PTSD, and a secondary character has social anxiety. Also, the characters were so imperfect and real. There were several moments where a character said something and I stopped and thought, “Wow, I’m not the only one that feels this way”. It brought me a sense of comfort that I didn’t know I could find in a book.

Oh, and the humour! I’ve never read such a funny book before.

Thank you to Berkley Publishing Group for my gifted copy! This review is posted on my Goodreads and on my Bookstagram account (@janinesbookcorner).

Abbi Waxman knows how to write women's fiction books that you can relate to. And Adult Assembly Required brings us closer to ourselves when we leave the nest and branch out on our own.

Laura may be out of her element when she moves across the country from her family and her past. But she is determined to make it on her own. She wants to face reality without dealing with her past (which won’t work in my opinion). She just needs to find a new home since her former place went up in flames.

Lucky enough, she finds a trusted companion when she walks into an indie bookstore. And she will get to meet more and more people when she moves into a new home with multiple roommates. It may sound stretchy at first, but she was lucky to find good people who would have an impact on her life.

There is a lot to say about this book, but the most important thing to know is the multiple POVs. It’s not really clear who POV you are reading from at first, but then you will know. Just keep that in mind and you won’t get confused. It flows together steamy.

Thanks #NetGalley @BerkleyPub #BerkleyWritesStrongWomen #BerkleyBuddyReads for a complimentary eARC of #AdultAssemblyRequired by Abbi Waxman upon my request. All opinions are my own.

Laura arrives in Los Angeles hoping to start over but as a result of an apartment fire, she finds herself homeless after one week. Fortunately, she meets Polly and her friends including Nina (The Bookish Life of Nina Hill) and impossibly handsome Bob. Polly takes her in and invites her to rent a room at the boarding house where she lives. Laura joins a trivia team, struggles with PTSD (from a tragic car accident), finds courage, and appreciates support and encouragement from her new “found family.”

Readers depend on Waxman for witty banter, writing that sparkles, and some quirky characters, and a side of romance. Adult Assembly Required doesn’t disappoint and might be an ideal choice for poolside or beach reading this summer.

I adore the eclectic, colorful, quirky cast of characters (boarders who become friends) that Waxman brings together for this story. Although Nina, from The Bookish Life of Nina Hill, makes an appearance, Lauren is the focus of the story. She is in Los Angeles to escape her overprotective family, a possessive ex-fiance, and difficult memories of a car accident that has left her with physical scars and PTSD.

Thoughtful themes include starting over, taking risks, acceptance, supportive community, healing, encouragement, friendship, trust, and mental health.

“I thought being a grown-up meant not needing help with anything.”

“No,” said Nina, being a grown-up is accepting help when you need it.”

I’m warmly recommending Adult Assembly Required for fans of Abbi Waxman, for readers of women’s fiction who appreciate a smartly written romcom with substantial themes, memorable characters, and a heartwarming story. This heartfelt story might be perfect for book clubs and for your beach bag!

Content Consideration: references to a car accident, PTSD, mental health

I really enjoyed this one. Although it's not necessary to read the authors previous books, I had read the Bookish Life of Nina Hill and I'm glad that I did. A lot of the same characters came up in this book. The characters were well done, with enough depth and uniqueness. There was a good amount sass and sarcasm, which I love in a rom-com. The only issue I had was the POV switching. It felt like it bounced around a bit.

I really enjoyed this book! It was a slow burn, low key love story. I enjoyed the quirky, heartfelt characters.
It was very Melrose Place meets Friends and I loved it.

I'm a big Abbi Waxman fan so I couldn't wait to get my hands on a copy of her latest novel, Adult Assembly Required. I'm thrilled to report that it's a fabulous read, full of wonderful characters, a heartfelt storyline, and of course plenty of Waxman's signature humor.

The story follows Laura Costello, a young woman who, after a devastating car accident that nearly cost her her life, has moved from NYC to L.A. in search of a fresh start. Against her parents' wishes, she has broken off her engagement to her fiance, Nick, and has applied to graduate school to become a physical therapist. Laura's journey hits a speed bump almost as soon as she arrives in L.A., however, when the apartment building she is staying at catches fire, leaving her homeless. She wanders into a bookstore where she meets Polly, who practically adopts her, taking her to the boarding house where she lives because she knows a room just came available. Laura has no idea how much this chance encounter is going to change her life!

I don't want to spoil anything so I'm just going to say this book is the perfect read for you if you enjoy any of the following:

1. Sympathetic, loveable characters who, with the help of good friends, overcome adversity to find their own path forward, and in the process, realize they're stronger than they ever thought possible.

2. Found Families - The residents of Maggie's boarding house, along with Polly and Nina from the bookstore, become the family and support system that Laura never had with her own family or with her fiance. This hilarious crew has her back no matter what but also occasionally gives her the push she needs to get out of her comfort zone.

3. Cameos galore! If you're a Waxman fan, you'll immediately recognize that Nina and Polly are from The Bookish Life of Nina Hill, and there are also cameos from The Garden of Small Beginnings when Laura goes on a gardening date with her neighbor Bob and meets Edward, Lily, and Lily's daughter, Claire. It was so much fun to revisit all of these beloved characters!

4. Slow burn romances. The romance takes a backseat to Laura's personal journey, but it's still there and it's adorable.

"Adult Assembly Required" by Abbi Waxman is another fun story with great characters and lots of heart♥️📚

Main character, Laura Costello is a bit of a mess. She’s part of a family of academic over-achievers, has an ex-boyfriend who doesn’t understand “NO”, and suffers from panic attacks. She's newly relocated to L.A. for grad school, where her apartment building burns down but with help from friends she's just met, she finds a room to rent at an upscale, yet slightly illegal, boarding house. The best part of her current living arrangements is living downstairs and sharing a bathroom with “Impossibly Handsome Bob”. Yep, life could be a whole lot worse!

This is my fourth Abbi Waxman book and I enjoyed the heck out of it! If you've ever read one of her books you know that she introduces new characters with every new story, then peppers them with characters from previous books. There's also lots of humor, relevant social issues and a story that will warm your heart.

What I like best about this one is how the author takes her time with the relationship between Laura and Bob. I'm a bit done with the 'hop-in-the-sack-right-after-hello' kind of thing. So if you don't like a slowly building relationship this is not the story for you!

If you're looking for a nice respite in between heavier reads, Abbi Waxman is your girl! I have one more from her backlist to read and then I'll just have to painfully wait for her to publish her next one. Please, Abbi Waxman, don't make me a wait too long!

Thank you to Elisha at Berkley for a widget of this ARC through NetGalley. It has been my pleasure to give my honest and voluntary review.

While this book didn't knock me completely off of my feet like Nina Hill, I still found it quite enjoyable!

For me, Waxman's character work is fantastic. She really knows how to get into the flaws of her characters and show us how they grow as people. I've always been able to find at least one person that I can identify with or something that has a similar struggle to myself and I definitely left this book, much like it's predecessor, feeling a little lighter.

I don't know that there was a whole lot of plot here, and that, for me is where this book didn't life up to TBLONH. I'm not sure what the end goal was other than Laura leaving behind her trauma and figuring herself out. Which on it's own is fine, but there was quite a large cast of characters and I think maybe there was just a little too much going on for any one thing to feel like it was a major plot thread.

Overall, I had a great reading experience and I'm hoping for a Polly book in the works!

This book, Adult Assembly Required by the wonderful Abbi Waxman is available now. Go get it.
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Why? Because it is another great book along the lines of The Bookish Life of Nina Hill. In fact, Nina is one of the characters that make up a great, quirky bunch in this heartwarming book. The characters show such acceptance, support, encouragement and camaraderie that I am ready to move out to California, beg Maggie the landlady for a room in this amazing boardinghouse, and join their trivia team.
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The main characters are perfectly imperfect which makes them real and relatable. The romances, there are two actually, have just the right amount of sizzle and steam for an easy, entertaining read.
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If you want to smile, read this book. In my opinion, this is chicklit done right! It is a refreshing, cute romcom with a full cast of memorable characters. I hope to see them all again in future books!

Review will be posted on 5/20/22

Laura Costello has had some bad luck. Not only did she leave New York to start over in Los Angeles, while she attempts to restart her life, but her apartment building burns down along with all the stuff in it. She is now homeless. Could this get any worse? She wanders into a local bookstore, clearly distraught, and happens upon one of the co-owners, Polly. Polly, even though she doesn't know Laura well, wants to help her out and offers her an open room at the (illegal, but perfectly respectable) boarding house she lives at. So, Laura is quickly swept up into this new world filled with quirky people, trivia teams, a charming landlady, and a hot gardener. Even though Laura has assimilated into this new world somewhat well, she still has a lot of issues to deal with starting with her post-traumatic anxiety surrounding the reasons why she left New York as well as an ex-boyfriend she left behind. Laura deals with it all in Adult Assembly Required by Abbi Waxman and readers can't help but hope she gets it right this time around.

Laura is a quirky character that I enjoyed from the beginning in Adult Assembly Required. Waxman has a knack for writing realistic characters that are a bit different, but in a lovable way. Laura has anxiety and some PTSD, so many readers will appreciate that she a complex person. Waxman also has her deal with her issues in a realistic way, which I appreciated. I did enjoy the fact that Laura interacts with characters from The Bookish Life of Nina Hill, including Nina herself, which was a lot of fun as I adored that novel.

The secondary characters in Adult Assembly Required are also well done. I enjoyed their side stories and especially the setting of the bookstore. I will never tire of a good bookstore setting! Laura also has a chance for romance and did I mention there's Bob, a hot gardener? But her ex-boyfriend complicates things further for her. Do you see a pattern here? Adulting is hard. Laura is determined to figure things out before she starts school, which is what initially brought her to Los Angeles.

Waxman is one of the best when it comes to witty dialogue complete with quirky characters that you can't help but love. The dialogue and flawed characters are what brings me to Waxman's novels, so if you appreciate a story like that, then Adult Assembly Required is a good choice for you. While I didn't enjoy this novel as much as The Bookish Life of Nina Hill, it was still a charming read about starting over.

So, are you a fan of Abbi Waxman? Is Adult Assembly Required on your summer TBR list? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below.