Clover Hendry is usually a yes girl, but she is fed up. She decides to have a day where she does whatever she wants, no matter the consequences, and really take the opportunity to live her life.

This book was marketed as a premenopausal Ferris Bueller's Day Off and honestly, I don’t see it. While I appreciated Clover finding her voice and learning to say no, I didn’t find her funny and she seemed way too immature to be someone in her mid-40s. I do think others will enjoy her adventures and the chaos of her no day, but this just wasn't for me.

Thank you to Putnam Books and NetGalley for the advance copy.

DNF at 36 percent This book was not for me the main character annoyed me so much and at first the acts of rebellion were kind of fun and liberating but then it just got painful to read. I would like to thank NetGalley and the publishers for a chance to read this book for an honest review.

Book Review: Clover Hendry's Day Off 🐇
By: Bethany Morrey
Published: January 2024
Rating: 🦄🦄🦄

Thank you Net Galley for my digital copy of the book in exchange for my review.

💻From GR: "Today is not the day to mess with Clover Hendry.
Clover hasn’t said “No” a day in her life. Until today. Normally a woman who tips her hairdresser even when the cut is hideous, is endlessly patient with her horrendous mother, and says yes every time her boss asks her to work late—today, things are going to be very different. Because Clover is taking the day off. Today, she’s going to do and say whatever she likes, even if it means her whole life unravels."
💬My thoughts: First of all, let me start with the good stuff. This book was easy to read. It had a great flow and was funny. It had very Ferris Bueller's Day Off vibes with a pre-menopausal mom of twins. I also really loved the anxiety rep. Some of Clover's thought spirals were so very relatable to me as I also have anxiety. She was honest and I really liked that.
Now for what I didn't love...it's maybe minor, but maybe not. The story is all based around Clover going out of her norm and taking care of herself, learning to say no, and gaining the courage to tackle challenges she didn't feel able to before. That's awesome. But 2 of the major challenges held very little space in the book. (With as little spoilers as possible) one had to do with her mother and another with a sexual assault. Both pretty major and they weren't given much time. I just wish they'd been talked about more, especially since the sexual assault would have had a huge impact on her life after her mom. Anyway. It was a good book. Overall I enjoyed it, but I also don't know if I will remember what it's about in a few weeks. But there was a cute bunny so that helped.


#netgalley #cloverhendrysdayoff #review #Monday #bookreview #midlife #rabbit #anxietyrep #mentalhealth #bookreading #readmore #bookworm

Clover Hendry’s Day Off by Beth Morrey is the story of Clover, a working mom in mid-life, who has not had an actual day off, possibly ever. One day, her 46 years of worry and anxiety about doing all the things, and doing them correctly all the time, results in a series of events which lead her to do an about-face. Clover Hendry is taking the day off and taking back her life, at least for one glorious day.

As a woman in mid-life myself, the premise of Clover Hendry’s ability to finally put herself first caught my attention. However, from the opening pages, Clover seemed unhinged, and to such an absurd degree that I had trouble staying engaged with the story. I picked it up and put it down a few times before I finally settled in. What ultimately grabbed my attention was not how completely off the rails Clover goes, but learning her backstory through the flashback chapters. This gave me insight into Clover’s day of reckoning, and allowed me to have empathy for her, despite some of the rather questionable things she does on her “day off”.

I did like this book in the end, but would have enjoyed it more if Clover’s day off adventures had not been quite so unhinged and completely unbelievable. Clover was not always likeable, but I think that was probably the author’s intention. Girls and women, especially of a certain generation, are often raised to be nice, agreeable, and to make everyone around them feel at ease. Clover turns that societal norm on its head and might just find the hidden Clover in the process.

I recommend Clover Hendry’s Day Off to readers who enjoy digging into a character’s back story, like a snarky sense of humor and appreciation for the absurd, and don’t mind a main character who makes some questionable decisions along the way.

3.25 Stars

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Group Putnam for the ARC of Clover Hendry’s Day Off by Beth Morrey, in exchange for my honest review.

Clover is a delightful everywoman and I found her relatable and spunky. The writing is light and humorous and parts of this book kept me turning pages with an amused ‘what’s she gonna do next’ anticipation. The sexual assault storyline stuck out to me—it didn’t fit as well with the overall vibe of the book and took me out of the story. Aside from that plot point, this is a funny, charming read about a woman who decides to take a day off.

This is fun. Clover is a strong protagonist from the get-go, which is excellent because this book is really a one-woman show. I liked the concept of saying “fuck it” for a day, especially in the way that it interrogated the physical and emotional labor that is expected of women, especially mothers, outside their regular jobs. Clover’s escapades are quite funny, though I started to get uncomfortable with just how far she was pushing it as the day went on — which was the author’s smart way of illustrating the point that we have to find a balance between being overly accommodating and being flat-out mean so that we can stand up for ourselves without taking others down.

I was psyched about this book. So excited that in addition to getting an ebook, when I realized I wasn’t going to get to it by pub date I felt so confident that I’d like it, I went ahead and ordered a physical copy because 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙘𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙧 𝙞𝙨 𝙜𝙤𝙧𝙜𝙚𝙤𝙪𝙨 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙖𝙙𝙤𝙧𝙖𝙗𝙡𝙚 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙥𝙧𝙚𝙢𝙞𝙨𝙚 𝙬𝙖𝙨 𝙧𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩 𝙪𝙥 𝙢𝙮 𝙖𝙡𝙡𝙚𝙮.

Unfortunately, I could not for the life of me get into this book. The MC is a drug abusing woman in her 40s who takes a day for herself, like yaaaas let’s go girl BUT ends up with her being a complete jerk. Some of the antics were a little funny but the awfulness of her as a person overshadowed everything redeeming about this book.

The MC was so unlikable and she ended up just being downright nasty. Gave me the ick.

At some point the book sorta read to me like random words on a page. Like I couldn’t keep my brain focused because I was so checked out.

So cute! And I love a fun book about someone beyond her 20s! Clover seems like the girl you can definitely relate to, and I loved seeing her story through! Definitely recommend this when you're wanting something fun and empowering.

DNF at Chapter 3

Not only was the ARC horrifically formatted, but books like this make light of people that suffer from anxiety and in 2024, it's tasteless.

Calling someone who needs at a minimum therapy but more likely medication, "neurotic" is tone deaf. This is why people don't seek help.

I couldn't continue if I tried after she was convinced she was a goner in the train....Clover needs help

This one ended up being a book that I disliked. Mainly because I couldn't stand the heroine and spending most of the book in her head didn't make for an enjoyable read.

#NetGalley #CloverHendrysDayOff
An easy read of chick lit fun. Clover Hendry is having an interesting day, and you get to go along with her to see her start living, instead of just existing! A great novel to put life into perspective.

This book was okay. I honestly was pretty annoyed by Clover. It wasn't very believable that she would just flip her entire personality one day and be a new person. It wasn't terrible, but not a favorite.

The premise of the book sounded promising. A woman saying and acting on “No, not going to do it anymore,” seemed like it would be a fun ride. I found myself disliking Clover starting with the Vicodin. There were a few entertaining parts, but I couldn’t get past my dislike of Clover and just wanted her day off to end.

Thank you to NetGalley, PENGUIN GROUP Putnam, G.P. Putnam's Sons, and Beth Morrey for the eARC.

Thank you G. P Putnam's Sons for the eARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts are my own!

This story follows Clover Hendry is 46 and the day she decides to stop keeping plates spinning and finally gives herself the day she has needed for so long. Today is not the day to mess with Clover Hendry. Clover hasn't said "No" a day in her life. Until today. Normally everyone gets all of Clover leaving none for herself. Today Clover is taking the day off. She is going to do and say whatever she likes, even if it means her whole life unravels. What made Clover change her ways? Why is she deciding not to care anymore? There's more to this day than meets the eye.

This story is a joy to read and empowers women to make sure they take care of themselves. For so many of us women, we are told to be everything for everyone. Which often times makes us forget to take care of our own needs. This story is a great example of putting yourself first. Though a somewhat extreme example this story shows that even if everything goes down in flames because you put yourself first it will work out.

Content: Mention sex and sexual experiences a few times, innuendo, swearing (many f words)

Read if you enjoy-
Ferris Bueller's Day Off
Self Empowerment
Women's Fiction
Humor
Mother experiences

A funny, joyful story of Clover Hendry, who never says no and never really has the chance to do anything she wants to do, because she is too busy doing for others. I loved it. A female, Ferris Bueller? Just the story I needed to read on a cold, cloudy, Winter day!

Enticed by the captivating cover and intrigued by the description, I initially had high hopes for "Clover Henry’s Day Off." However, by the time I reached the 80% mark of the book, I was almost ready to DNF it, but instead, I quickly speed-read through to the ending just so that I could mark it as done. Unfortunately, the overall experience led me to settle on a two-star rating.

While the concept held promise, the execution felt somewhat prolonged, with certain segments appearing disjointed, rushed, or unnecessary. Although a specific audience might relate to Clover's myriad challenges, some of her outbursts came across as disrespectful and condescending. Despite appreciating her moments of standing up to those who wronged her, I couldn't fully connect with Clover as a likable character. While there were instances where I rooted for her to level the playing field, the overall narrative left me yearning for more depth. The choice of the entire novel unfolding within a single day struck me as peculiar, and I must confess, the rabbit emerged as the highlight for me.

The narrative of "Clover Henry’s Day Off" undeniably echoed the essence of an adult adaptation of "Ferris Bueller’s Day Off." Being a working adult, it resonated with the universal yearning for breaking free from routine and indulging in a day of unbridled expression.

Despite my initial sympathy for a middle-aged woman seeking a break from the grind and reclaiming her autonomy, Clover's day off unfolded quite differently than I anticipated. Unexpectedly, she revealed a darker side—a malevolent, drug-abusing persona that surfaced during her day of liberation. Instead of the anticipated moments of self-discovery and empowerment, Clover opted for a path of lashing out, participating in illicit activities, frequent drug use, and an unapologetic disregard for consequences. This unforeseen turn shifted my perception of her character; what started with empathy and curiosity transformed into disenchantment as the narrative progressed, defying my initial expectations.

A special thanks to Net Galley for providing the ARC.

I received a digital ARC from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.

I related with Clover right away - not because our circumstances were similar, but just the idea of wanting a day where things are calm and different. I laughed, and cheered through the situations Clover found herself in. I think readers who enjoy books by Cathy Lamb will enjoy this book, too. I look forward to reading more from Beth Morrey.

RATING: ⭐️⭐️⭐️✨

As someone who relates just a little to much to Clover Hendry, I loved the premise of this book and often fantasize about doing the same thing and just taking a day to say and do all the things.

TROPES ⬇️
✨ Ferris Bueller’s Day Off Inspired
✨ Strong Female Lead
✨ Workplace Drama

Clover is a 46 year old professional and people pleaser who is at the end of her rope. One day she snaps and takes the rest of the day off and does and says whatever she wants! And there is a bunny.

I think we all have a little Clover in us. This book was relatable and funny at times and it was nice to see her take charge and damn the consequences. I do think it went a little too far at points, but I still enjoyed the ending when Clover got back to her life with some positive changes.

Thank you Penguin Group Putnam & NetGalley for the ARC!

I can honestly describe this (like many, I'm sure) as the middle aged English woman's version of Ferris Bueller's Day Off. Like that movie, it has authorities to defy, villains to be foiled, minor criminality, and lessons to be learned. But for me, I found it to be unsatisfying.

“I am the rope, holding taut so that other people can cross. But it’s time to cut myself some slack.”
Clover Hendry’s Day Off by Beth Morrey is a feminine, middle-aged version of Ferris Bueller’s Day Off. Instead of faking illness to get out of a day of high school, though, imagine the story begins with a perimenopausal woman who, suffering from a migraine and to-do list too long for even the most capable of us, pops two probably-expired Vicodin and some antihistamines just to get herself to work. This uncharacteristic choice sets her up for something she’s never done before — declaring “F@#! it!” and stepping out for a day completely for herself. Whatever she wants to do or say, Clover does and says with an attitude unleashed from years of pent-up people-pleasing and catastrophizing.

I felt seen by this book more than a few times.

As Clover progresses through her raging release of her day off, every other chapter includes flashbacks or reflections on life-changing phases: growing up with a narcissistic and cold mother, her father leaving them to move to Spain with another woman, meeting her husband and having a disastrous wedding day, the painful birth of her twins, finding her first job in the television industry by becoming a “ghost hunter”. These moments are tinged with enough exhaustion, regret, and indignation toward expectations for womanhood and motherhood that they made me squirm in my seat. I’ve thought some of these thoughts before, and I’ve chastised myself for them.

“I keep thinking back to moments when I let my natural cowardice get the better of me, allowing myself to be ignored, slighted, overlooked, rebuked. My innate fear of rocking the boat condemned me to a life spent tiptoeing around, polite smile plastered on, apologizing and throwing my cloak on the floor for everyone. Mostly my mother, admittedly, but it’s a habit that bled out and infected every part of my existence, until I’d effectively erased myself.”

Other aspects of Clover’s musings or the choices that she made throughout the book I couldn’t relate to at all. Clover’s day off is basically day one of her entering her villain era. I found myself wanting to argue with Clover a few times in this book or, in the very least, exclaim “What are you thinking?!” But then I would stop myself and say: isn’t that a marking of a good story? That you get so invested in a character or a plot that you find yourself reacting with conviction and emotion (even if it is a desire to start yelling at the pages)?

Morrey’s writing is funny as well. Clover has a sharp wit and a sarcasm not to be matched. Plus, some of the events of the day are just so ridiculous — like Clover plowing a riding lawn mower through a group of yoga practitioners in the park because they bullied her out of her picnic spot — that I couldn’t help but laugh. Okay, Clover. You’re acting crazy but you’re pretty cool.

I think there’s something to be learned from reading Clover Hendry’s Day Off, especially if you can relate to hitting your own breaking point. My advice to the reader is to just set the expectation now that it’s all going to feel more than a little bit “unhinged”. But keep holding on for the end of her day off and day one of her new life. It’s beautiful in so many ways.

“It’s not easy making a fuss. Standing up for yourself can be awkward and embarrassing. Causing a scene is mortifying. Saying no is hard.

But I think, finally, I might be getting the hang of it.”