No Hard Feelings by Genevieve Novak is a light hearted and warm story about Penny and her friends Annie and Bev who are all approaching 30 years old (actually 27 but 30 sounds more dramatic). Penny’s fixation on her on-off boyfriend Max causes everyone issues! While the scenario isn’t new, this quite common but also serious issue, is pursued in an amusing way.

While the people involved in the story are around their 30s the story does have universal appeal; many woman can find not having a partner quite challenging and can relate to sticking with who you know despite any drawbacks. Making mistakes in life is normal.

Absolutely loved that the story was set in Melbourne!

A very readable book that I read quite rapidly as it certainly held my interest and while the plot was probably predictable, that didn’t matter one bit. Just loved it!

This review is based on a complimentary copy from the publisher HarperCollins Australia via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

‘Can anyone ever really be self-aware? I used to think so, but now I’m not so sure. I liked to think that so much time listening to the voice in my head had taught me who I am and why I think and feel like I do, but it turns out I have no idea’

What direction is your life moving in? I adore books that place you front and centre, holding hands with a lead character as you navigate side by side the ups and downs of daily living. It begs the question whether anyone truly knows where they are going - in this book in your late 20s - but this is so well written it could be applied to the many stages of one’s life.

‘The rear-view mirror is for learning lessons, and everything I want is on the road ahead.’

This book is so refreshingly honest and so incredibly raw at times that I challenge anyone not to sigh and say “… ahhh, I can relate to that”. If you are getting older - and let’s face it, we all are …. 30s, 40s, even the reflective 50s - you are sure to find something in this story as you read of Penny's dilemmas. It’s just so relatable as uncertainties and insecurities can be felt by all people at any age of their life.

‘I’m always happier in my memory than I am in real life.’

So clever is Genevieve’s writing, however, that it is not solely an introspective inquiry. As much heartfelt and yearning as this story contains, it is equally bursting with laugh out loud humour. Best of all No Hard Feelings takes place in my home town of Melbourne. I am getting off the tram with Penny or walking down Collins Street in the CBD. So some pages I am laughing, others I am crying and others still shaking my head in frustration at some of the decisions Penny makes. Yet I know in all honesty I cannot be too harsh because we have all made such mistakes.

‘Mostly I’m angry at myself for falling into this again. There’s surely nothing worse than watching yourself make predictable mistakes.’

This book was such an unexpected surprise. It was such a great read that I highly recommend it no matter what your age, with relatable characters that will engage you on many levels. You are sure to laugh, sure to cry but walk away the richer knowingly appreciative of how expertly Genevieve captured and conveyed such relatable human emotions.

‘Am I really being my best self? Is this self-compassion? Is this healthy adult behaviour?’

Big thanks to fellow blogger, tesssmithwrites for her review which had me go back to take another look at this book and would have missed out on if not for her amazing review. Thanks T. Be sure to check out her review also over at Instagram.

‘It’s not the end of bad habits and the constant buzz of anxiety in my ear. That might never come. But maybe I’ll try to stop thinking about endings all together, and just enjoy these belated new beginnings instead.’











This review is based on a complimentary copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. The quoted material may have changed in the final release.