A great debut by Zibby Owens! I couldn’t get enough of Pippa and going on her journey.

I voluntarily reviewed this book.

Ok there was a lot going on in this book! I was entertained and blew through it pretty fast but there wasn’t a lot of character development and the ending went on forever. I did appreciate the little lessons and takeaways that were written in and the whole exploration of the publishing world through Blank and trying to make a change.

As everyone else seems to have picked up on, this book felt a bit lumpy - the plot was uneven and there was a lot of flow and development missing, as though the ideas were there but more as bullet points that were only semi fleshed out.

I liked parts of this short, light comic domestic novel. But the flow from fun to dead-serious marital issues was abrupt, and the plot was overall uneven. I had not heard of Zibby Owens before, but learned that she is apparently a major voice in upholding integrity in the publishing industry. And such issues in the novel come through as awkward editorializing rather than well-blended plot points. There were, however, several sweet mother-child interactions and a pleasant (if unlikely) ending.

This was a quick, quirky read about an author against an impossible deadline. There is a cast of unlikeable, wild characters that are trying to keep up with the Jones's through summer camps, private schools, and various other means.


The plot didn't flow the best and it felt like a checklist rather than fully developed characters. It wasn't my favorite read.

This book was so uneven. Parts were fantastic, parts were very much not fantastic. It read like the debut it was, but I was hoping for more from Zibby. Perhaps her second will be better.

Thank you to the publishers for allowing me to read an e version copy of this book!
I had no clue what to expect from this! I thought this would be about a woman struggling with her marriage and unable to balance being an author, wife, and mother all at the same time. I loved how the story played out and how they advocated for more small time authors- definitely issues we face in the world today. I just knew that Pip deserved so much more than what her marriage for 17 years gave her. It really spoke to me in a way that you DO deserve more than you think and there may be obstacles along the way but it’ll be all worth it in the end.

Blank was a good memoir, useful for anyone trying to navigate the publishing world while also balancing motherhood and anything else that seems to pop up. Very motivating.

This was a super easy, quick read perfect for those who love books about books. If you're curious about the ins and outs of the publishing process, this book gives you an inside peek into that world. Personally, I didn't really connect with the characters or story as much as I would have liked but I think writers might enjoy it.

Thank you NetGalley and Little A for access to the e-copy in exchange for an honest review.

This is the first book I’ve finished in a couple weeks. The plot and writing style were entertaining. The humor was so natural and the laughs just right. I was hoping to understand what was
going on in publishing….why I spend so much time scrolling for literary merit or at least a compelling character driven story that might speak to
what I am going through…and generally finding not much. I love to read and words still seem like something that are a huge big deal on the planet. Of course who wouldn’t love Zoe and Max, kids that seem so mature and hugable in a hard to believe way…it was the Pippa story that was far afield
of what I could believe. AND if I could believe it I would really like this book better than a Blank one. Three and a half stars since I read it thru
to the end in large part due to the Kirkus review and my current favorite question..did I miss something???

A very Los Angeles beach read that feels current. The idea of open house touring being a sideline pastime in Los Angeles is accurate because real estate is at the top of everyone's mind there. While there were definitely a few flights of fancy along the way that required a bit of suspension of disbelief, overall, this was a very enjoyable book, and it was clear that the writer was very attached to her character. There are a few twists along the way but overall this is a fun, breezy look at life in L.A. for those on the fringes of celebrity.

This is a fast-paced contemporary fiction that is, at the same time, a super fun and drama filled family story AND a commentary on the craziness of the publishing industry. This book FLEW and I had no choice but to finish it in one sitting because I couldn’t stop reading! It felt like a soap opera with its twists and turns and that quality made it a really exciting and fun reading experience. There were some times where I felt like it was too over the top, but overall it was a lot of fun.

Blank also had some incredible Jewish rep. This Jewish family’s traditions and customs felt super relatable to my own, and it’s always so nice to see my experience reflected on the pages of a book!

Overall a pretty fun one!

Title: Blank
Author: Zibby Owens
Publisher: Little A
Pub date: 3/1/24

Pippa is an author worrying whether she will be a one hit wonder all while trying to balance family life and handling all the curve balls life is throwing her.

I enjoyed this quick read. The story had me rooting for Pippa and wondering what she would do next. It also showed that authors are human after all and struggle like the rest of us mere mortals. The look behind the publishing curtain, I found interesting and made me want to try to discover even more new authors to support.

Thank you #NetGalley for the opportunity to read this story.

Blank leaves me with few thoughts and feelings but the ones I do have aren’t very good. In the beginning I wasn’t quite convinced by the characters but I wanted to give the book a chance to improve. The “quirky to be funny” is something I dislike and each interaction with the family was that. There was a major plot twist that felt jarring and not in a good way. Also hated the romance that sprouted out of nowhere.

Overall ick

I want to say thank you to Netgalley for an advanced ARC of this audiobook.

I enjoyed this story about the publishing industry and how it's all rigged but at the same time showing, that as long as the cover looks good a lot of people will buy anything. The author in this book wanting to show through her writing just this thing but her life was more complicated then she let's on to people around her ...
I felt for the main character and wanted her to be happy and accomplish her dreams of becoming a great author again, but the pressure of everything does show though the cracks a bit showing thr effects.

Publishing woes. Turning the publishing world on it's head. Making quick work of a new book after the original was scrapped. It's all here! Pippa has a lot of work to do!

Thank you for this advance copy of Blank. Zibby Owens remains a force in the book and publishing world as influencer, bookseller, author and publisher. Interesting to see behind the scenes look at what has been at least partially inspired by life experience.

The first half of the book was okay but the second half was not good. I almost DNF’d. It got too ridiculous and far-fetched, as well as cheesy. It coood have been developed more. I would give it 2.5 stars.

Thank you for the ARC.

Blank was imaginative and original. Pippa is an author with a bestseller struggling to reproduce her earlier success. She was almost finished writing her follow up book when she found out the title AND plot were the same as another authors book coming out. How does that even happen?? Her publisher tells her she has five days to submit her new book or she has to repay the advance she got. Her son comes up with a “novel” idea that will set the literary world on its head! IF she can pull it off.

I loved Pippa. A mom, a wife, struggling in her job. She was real! Loved the twist in this one too. Again, struggle makes her real.

Blank by Libby Owens features a middle aged author named Pippa whose life is a hot mess. She has a marriage that is dead, she can do no right in the eyes of her teenager, and is way past due to turn in her next manuscript. Problem? Her last great idea was stolen and published by her nemesis. She not only has not written a word, she does not even have an idea.

It’s when her son gives her an idea, a fresh way to call out the publishing industry and get her “book” submitted on time, that the novel takes off. Her agent dumps her, but she finds a way in anyway. Without giving any spoilers, I will just say that Pippa figures out quickly who is in her corner and who is not.

Libby Owens creates a character in Pippa that is not always likable. She frequently comes across as a bystander in her own life, but this makes it all the more sweet when she finally finds her agency. The novel was also somewhat uneven in its pacing, but just when things would get a little slow, another bombshell would be dropped and I was pulled back in, happy to continue on the ride.

Thank you to NetGalley and Little A publishers for the ARC in exchange for an honest opinion.