While at first I loved this book... Clover felt very relatable, but then it took a turn. At first I thought, yeah you go girl, you deserve this day! But then she was doing some REALLY whack things that felt not just normal "out of character" things but just WAY out of character and quite frankly, just mean. I think it also ended rather abruptly, and we don't even see her have a conversation with her husband about her life changing day. It missed the mark for me, unfortunately.

Thank you Netgalley and Putnam books for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Do you try to help everyone around you leaving little time for your own needs and wants? Have you ever just had enough? If so, you will love Clover Hendry's Day Off, a humorous look at one middle aged woman’s first day of putting herself first.

Clover is a British television producer, a wife and a mother. But today she just wants to be Ferris Bueller. Free, free at last…but does she go too far? Undoubtedly! But this is fiction, people, not a how to self-help book. Don’t emulate Clover—just enjoy the ride.

Clover Hendry's Day Off Is a fun, escapist tale that will pick up the spirits of any person that needs a break from their own life. 4 stars!

Thanks to G.P. Putnam’s Sons and NetGalley for a digital review copy of the book.

Sometimes a book just touches your heart and makes you smile; Clover Hendry's Day Off by Beth Morrey did that for me. I think we all wish we had a day where we could do and say everything we want to and or have wanted to and not fear the repercussions. Clover Hendry, a loving wife to Robbie, and mother of teen twins, Hazel and Ethan is a tired and harried TV producer, always trying to follow the rules and take care of others. One hectic morning, after taking 2 outdated Valium she does just that- including essentially telling her boss to go to hades and leaving the office for the day. The book is funny and touching; I found Clover to be an endearing character. She finds the day empowering in many ways, yet learns some lessons and gains some insights along the way. She finds the courage to address a wrong that was committed against her years before, I often found myself cheering her onward. I thoroughly enjoyed Clover Hendry's Day Off; if you are in the mood for an entertaining read I highly recommend it. Thanks to NetGalley and G. P. Putnam's Sons Publishing for an opportunity to read an ARC of Clover Hendry's Day Off, their kindness in no way influenced my review.

It’s book review time! This month, I stepped back into that weird literary/women’s fiction genre. I just call it slice of life, but apparently that’s wrong. I don’t they have to make it complicated. Whatever. I went with Clover Hendry’s Day Off by Beth Morrey. It was released yesterday (the 30th) from G.P. Putnam’s Sons. As usual, I must thank them and NetGalley for access to an ARC in exchange for an honest and unbiased review. Let’s do the thing!

Clover Hendry’s Day Off follows (you guessed it!) Clover Hendry as she finally says screw everything and takes a day to do as she pleases. Skipping work and pampering herself and causing trouble wherever she ends up. Why not? All she has done her entire life is say yes to people and take everything on herself. She’s never taken a break or stopped to breathe. But that all changes right now. Will the world implode around her if she’s just a little bit selfish? It’s time to find out.

Before we go into the review, there will be spoilers. I try to stay vague most of the time, but once in a while, specific things need to be mentioned. If this is on your TBR list, you’ve been warned.

The plot is super cute until it isn’t. As someone who imagines the worst and people pleases and all that, I immediately liked Clover. I appreciated her breakdown. But what started out as fun and relatable, quickly devolved into a petty slog. Yes, slack off work for an art show and good meal. No, don’t dump a random kid in an art installation when his parent is there, but not paying attention. Yes, stick up for your gay friend when someone is being a bigot, but when your friend says stop, you stop. Definitely don’t steal a statue from a house your bestie is watching because you’ll just be getting her in trouble. Some of the stuff made no sense. And then there was the whole rape revenge thing that was supposedly the trigger for this whole breakdown. It felt trite and completely unnecessary. Clover had plenty of reasons to go off the rails. Tossing in the rapist dude just felt like overkill. And then when revenge is had, it’s brushed off like nothing happened in favor of more family drama. There’s just too much going on and not enough room for everything to feel natural. For such a short book, it’s like they tried to jam every possible plotline into it and it becomes a checklist instead of a story. Shitty boss, check. Distant children (bonus for twins), check. Narcissistic mother, check. Etc.

Honestly, the only character we really get to know is Clover. She starts out great, then becomes annoying, and finally mellows out a bit. But everyone else are just cardboard cutouts and that’s sad. It’s part of the reason I usually avoid literary type fiction. It’s not uncommon for books like that to focus on one character and just leave the others as stereotypes. It’s fine, but meh.

The writing is actually really enjoyable. Before the plot became a slog, I was seriously considering giving this 4 stars because it was fun and it was a smooth, quick read. It was a fitting style for the story.

Ultimately, Clover Hendry’s Day Off starts out great and then fizzles out. But I did enjoy the writing enough that if I run across other books by Beth Morrey, I’d give them a chance.

Overall, I gave it 3 out of 5 stars. It’s fun enough, but there are better stories like this out there. If it sounds like your thing, try it. If it’s not your typical genre, try something else first.

Oh how I wish I could be Clover Hendry! She is the ultimate badass in this book. She is doing what we all wish we could do. Blow off work, break the rules, just not give a damn about anything. While giving off Ferris Bueller vibes, Clover's story is all her own. From taking a midday swim to breaking a rabbit out of a stranded car. You are in for a ride with this book. Beth Morrey does a fantastic job at telling Clover's story. I would highly recommend this book. Thanks NetGalley and G.P. Putnam's Sons for the advanced copy!

Clover is a 46 year old woman who decides that she’s “not going to to take it anymore”(reminiscent of the 1976 movie, Network, especially since Clover also works in the television industry). The story takes place in a 24 hour period starting with Clover waking up with a headache, taking a strong pain killer then finding that her husband loaded the dishwasher wrong. Clover basically spends her day leaving work after telling her boss what she thinks of him and traveling the city being “assertive” with everyone she meets.
This is a very different book, refreshing and funny in some ways but really over the top in my opinion. I enjoyed the beginning of the book more and cheered Clover on when she did things like stand up for herself when a couple of men tried to take her taxi. But as the day progressed, she got more and more outrageous and was downright rude, aggressive and caused major damage with no remorse. While Clover’s assertiveness could be applauded, when she overdid it, became aggressive and went off the rails, there was an implication of her actions being attributed to a hormonal, menopausal woman and that just sends a message that most women want to avoid. So overall, despite some humorous moments that I enjoyed, I didn’t care much for the book.

📚 #BOOKREVIEW 📚
Clover Hendry’s Day Off by Beth Morrey
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ / Pages: 336 / Genre: Fiction

Clover Hendry is tired. She’s tired of being used as a doormat at work, she’s tired of her mother putting her down her entire life, and she’s tired of being tired from having nightmares every night of someone trying to break into her home. And one day she just snaps. She wakes up without the usual weight of being nice and doing what everyone else expects her to say and do. On this day, she says what she really feels and does what she wants. She walks out of work and just goes for it. She does and says all the things she’s always wanted to. And at the end of this very long day, she’s addressed pretty much everything in her life that has been weighing her down.

I really enjoyed this book. Although, I don’t really agree with all the things Clover did that day but that’s what made it all so incredibly unpredictable. It did get a big confusing sometimes though. She’ll start bringing up the past but you don’t realize it’s a past memory for a bit, so in that sense the writing is a bit chaotic but that matches up with how Clover is feeling and being that day so it all fits together. All in all, a very satisfying and enjoyable read.

Thank you @netgalley, @putnumbooks, and @BethMorrey for the advanced copy of this book. I loved it!

CLOVER HENDRY'S DAY OFF by Beth Morley is the perfect antidote to the same old, same old of middle age successful life with its compromises, swallowing truth, and doing the best you can to do the impossible. At once laugh out loud funny and dead serious, Clover is a powerful, memorable heroine I'd love to call friend -- and hear more about what she thinks and is doing. A deeply enjoyable romp of a read! I received a copy of this book and these opinions are my own, unbiased thoughts.

As a happily married mother of 16 year old twins with a demanding career as a TV producer, Clover is spread too thin and, after an…unusual morning, she decides to take the day off. For one day, Clover sheds her usual conscientious, anxious, accommodating self and operates completely without filter or thought for consequences. It’s a totally unique premise, if a bit hard to believe at moments, and I especially loved Clover’s interactions with her sister, coping with their difficult mother together. Morrey tackles some surprisingly heavy topics toward the end of the book, and for me, the contrast with lighter moments of humor lent them extra gravity. Fans of Ferris Bueller, meet Clover Hendry!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced review copy in exchange for an honest review.

Billed as a premenopausal Ferris Bueller’s Day Off and I have to say that was pretty accurate! Clover is a yes woman. She never says no until one day she realizes enough is enough. This was a fun romp as Clover discovers there is power in reclaiming her ability to say no.
.
Thank you #penguingroup and #NetGalley for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

Clover Hendry’s Day Off by Beth Morrey is a narrative of a day in the harried life of Clover Hendry. She is a wife, the mother of sixteen-year-old twins, and an assistant television producer. She takes care of everyone and rarely says no, is always accommodating and tends to avoid confrontation. Clover is exhausted from trying to please everybody and is tired of being taken advantage of in her professional life. She rarely stands up for herself. As the one caring for everyone else, her own needs are usually secondary. She was taught to be passive and compliant. Good girls didn’t cause trouble or create scenes. These were traits she carried into her adult life.

The story occurs over a single day and is told in flashbacks, alternating between present day and the past giving the reader an idea of what made Clover who she is today. On the day the story began, Clover’s morning didn’t start off well. She had an irritating migraine and was already overwhelmed with the responsibilities of her day. Before leaving home, she took some pain medication, and an antihistamine. On the train heading to work, she was struck in the head with the briefcase of a passenger causing her to pass out. That hit to the head seemed to change everything. Gone was the agreeable Clover. In her wake emerged a Clover who was ready to stand up for herself and would not be silenced. It facilitated a freedom she never experienced. It provided the catalyst Clover needed to think of her own needs and take a break from caring for others. She goes about her day doing what every she wanted and saying what she feels. As the day progressed, chaos ensued with lots of comic humor following in her wake.

This was a delightful read. It was warm, entertaining, and funny. The author created a relatable well-developed character faced with real life issues. There were hilarious moments that made me laugh out loud and instances that were poignant and thought provoking. It will keep you turning the page to see what comes next. This was my first read by the author and will seek out more of her work. I highly recommend Clover Hendry’s Day Off it is a witty and entertaining story.

My thanks to NetGalley, Beth Morrey, and Penguin Group/G.P. Putnam’s Son for providing the advance reader’s copy. The opinions expressed are strictly my own.

I have a mixed reaction to this book. There were times when I laughed and times when I was perturbed at the main character's actions. Overall really cute and who wouldn't love a day off from their responsibilities (I know I sure would)! You have to go into this book with a suspension of disbelief to justify some of Clover's actions.

Thanks to Beth Morrey, PENGUIN GROUP Putnam, G.P. Putnam's Sons, and Netgally for allowing me to read this ARC.

𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐤 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐍𝐞𝐭𝐆𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐏𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐮𝐢𝐧 𝐆𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐩 𝐏𝐮𝐭𝐧𝐚𝐦 𝐏𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐢𝐜 𝐀𝐑𝐂 𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐝 𝐢𝐧 𝐫𝐞𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐧 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐚𝐧 𝐡𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐲 𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰.

𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐩𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞: 𝐉𝐚𝐧𝐮𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝟑𝟎, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟒

Clover Hendry’s day off is a hilarious and empowering story about a 46 year old mom who spends a day doing something I believe many fellow people pleasers only dream of- saying no. Clover spends the day doing what she wants to do- even if it means making others uncomfortable or shirking her responsibilities (very Ferris Bueller-esque).

𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 𝐈 𝐋𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐝:
* 𝐂𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐢𝐬 𝐚 𝐟𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐨𝐰 𝐭𝐰𝐢𝐧 𝐦𝐨𝐦, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐬𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐟𝐥𝐚𝐬𝐡𝐛𝐚𝐜𝐤𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐰𝐢𝐧𝐬 𝐦𝐚𝐝𝐞 𝐦𝐞 𝐜𝐡𝐮𝐜𝐤𝐥𝐞.
* 𝐈 𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐝 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐂𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐝 𝐮𝐩 𝐛𝐞𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐩𝐮𝐥𝐥 𝐨𝐟𝐟 𝐝𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐝𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐠 𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐝𝐚𝐲. 𝐈 𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐬𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐛𝐞𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐝 𝐚 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐥 𝐨𝐟 𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫, 𝐛𝐮𝐭 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐩𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐥𝐲 𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐛𝐲 𝐡𝐨𝐰 𝐦𝐮𝐜𝐡 𝐠𝐨𝐨𝐝 𝐜𝐚𝐦𝐞 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐢𝐭

𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 𝐈 𝐃𝐢𝐝𝐧'𝐭 𝐋𝐨𝐯𝐞:
* 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐟𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭 𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐨𝐧 𝐧𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐬𝐞𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐛𝐞 𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐦𝐮𝐜𝐡 𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐦 𝐨𝐟 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐜𝐢𝐨𝐮𝐬𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬, 𝐰𝐡𝐢𝐜𝐡 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐝𝐢𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐮𝐥𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐟𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐨𝐰
* 𝐈 𝐟𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝 𝐂𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐨 𝐛𝐞 𝐚 𝐭𝐚𝐝 𝐮𝐧𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐰𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐞 𝐈'𝐦 𝐠𝐥𝐚𝐝 𝐬𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐨𝐝 𝐮𝐩 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐟, 𝐬𝐡𝐞 𝐭𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐢𝐭 𝐚 𝐛𝐢𝐭 𝐟𝐚𝐫 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐦𝐞

It took me a bit to warm up to this novel, but overall, I enjoyed this story and think it was a nice light-hearted read. If you’re looking for a funny read, or maybe a pathological people pleaser like myself, check it out when it’s released!

Another rough start to a workday, with hectic family goings on makes Clover take one of her husband's meds (buried in the trash bin), and the day starts off with a rough fall... it sends perimenopausal Clover into a total personality change, no filter, DGAF. At first I laughed along but at a point it got to be too extreme and much with lasting impacts to resonate.

Thank you to Netgalley and Penguin Group/GP Putnam for the ARC.

Clover Hendry has finally had it ala Ferris Bueller’s Day Off , Clover just says enough. Clover is 46, has a Mom that is hypercritical, works as a TV producer for not enough money, is mom to twins who are teenagers. Clover is going to do what she wants and say what she wants to who she wants today.

This is an amusing and heartfelt novel. I loved when Clover commanders a lawn mower at a park and rolls over the yoga parcipants mats. I kept visualizing the scene and just laughing.

I don't want to give away too much. All I can say read this and enjoy Clover's Day Off. You will want your own day off, I know I did.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher, PENGUIN GROUP Putnam, for an ARC. The review is my own.

Clover Hendry's Day Off-a standalone

By Beth Morrey- new author for me

Rating: 3.5/5 ⭐⭐⭐ ½

📄Page Count: 336

Setting: UK

Publication 1/30/24, Read 1/27/24

🙏🏾Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher G.P. Putnam's Sons for this ARC💚 ! I voluntarily give my honest review and all opinions expressed are my own.

🤷🏾‍♀️What to Expect:
✔️ women's/adult fic
✔️ Ferris Bueller's Day Off inspired
✔️ post pandemic
✔️family/work drama

⚠️ mental health issues, drug use, sexual harassment/sexual a*sault

Summary: Clover is a married mother of teenage twins and has a career as a TV executive producer creating shows. Clover has finally had it. She activates her "day off" where she'll say and do whatever she wants-without hesitation, fear, or embarrassment.

The characters:

♀️MFC Clover Hendry-46, going through midlife crisis/perimenopausal and burnt out. Usually she's a people pleaser, a "yes" person who does everything for everyone and puts herself last.

Robbie-Clover's husband. He's a lawyer who rides a bike

Hazel and Ethan- 16, Clover's twins

Susie- Clover's BFF

Rose-Clover's mother is very judgmental and dismissive.

Marigold/Maz-Clover's younger sister, in therapy for anxiety due to her relationship w/ her mother. Admits she got married to a Scot name Calum Fraser w/o telling anyone.

Vincent-Clover's boss

Bigwig- A rabbit Clover finds and gifts to her mother.


🤔 My Thoughts: I wish to do this for myself one day. Having the freedom to do and say whatever you want is the dream. Clover has other motives for her "day off," but I thought she just needed therapy and a vacation. I hate to say it but she came off as mean and disrespectful, especially with her colleagues who helped her tell her truth. I thought the revenge p*rn video was over the top, but Clover needed to have her say, even if it was twenty years later. I'm torn because was this all just license for revenge, or was it a needed release of pinned up regrets?

This was a cute story at the beginning, I totally relate as a mom and someone who runs the household to wanting a day off. I didn’t agree with everything the MC did throughout the book as part of her day off and the ending fell a little flat to me.

Thank you to NetGalley and G.P. Putnam’s sons for my advanced readers copy in exchange for my honest review.

Read if you like:
😡 Fed Up Women
🐇 Bunnies
🚘 Ferris Bueller’s Day Off
😂 LOL moments

I don't know how many times I watched "Ferris Bueller's Day Off" when I was a kid with my older siblings but this book definitely took me back vibes wise!

Here comes Clover Henry, representing every middle-aged woman dealing with numerous struggles, constantly putting others' needs before her own until she reaches her breaking point.

She never says no to anyone, even though she feels utterly miserable, slowly crumbling from within. But finally, she decides to give zero sh*ts and flips a bird to the universe, taking a day off! What has changed? What pushed her limits so far that she changed her mind?

This novel is an absolutly so funny as it explores womanhood, motherhood, and finding one's place in the world.

I highly recommend this lighthearted, highly entertaining, and incredibly engaging novel! Thank you so much to the publisher for my ARC in exchange for my review!

I really enjoyed the beginning of this book and found Clover a unique character that you wanted to root for in all that she was doing. There was something liberating about how she was taking charge and just doing what she wanted for once, but as the book continued on, I became bored and disconnected. It seemed like it just kept getting progressively more out there and then I was completely thrown off by the incident at the party. Unfortunately, the book just didn't strike the right chords overall for me personally. I can certainly see where others would enjoy the book and would not have the same opinion that I did, since I initially really enjoyed the unique character and storyline.

Clover Hendry’s Day Off by Beth Morley #sixthbookof2024 #arc

CW: discussion of past sexual assault

From NetGalley:
A hilarious and empowering perimenopausal Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, about Clover Hendry, 46, and the day she decides to stop keeping the plates spinning, say F@#! it all, and finally get hers.

Clover is a 46 year old working mother who has an accident one morning, and decides, the hell with it, I’m taking the day off. The next 24 hours are filled with amusing vignettes in which Clover does what she wants, says what she wants, and doesn’t take any shit from anyone. It was nice to see her stand up for herself and take back some power. These funny chapters are partnered with more serious, introspective chapters talking about family, responsibility, unpaid labor, and other things every woman deals with. This was a quick entertaining read (with some past trauma discussion) and I hope to take a lesson from Clover and apply it to my own life.

Thank you to @netgalley and @putnambooks for the advance copy. (Pub date 1/30/24)

#cloverhendry #cloverhendrysdayoff