I wanted to love this..but personally I felt led astray by the blurb, I feel it fails to capture what the story is really about, which is chronic depression and recovery. This book definitely needed trigger warnings and I was confused that Goodreads says this book is “uplifting and heartwarming” and a “story of second chances and the power of finding out what makes life worth truly living”… I found the tone of the story to be much heavier as Lacey struggled with both her physical/mental health and recovery. I also feel the the story was written in a way that perpetuates the narrative that being on antidepressants “cures” your depression which is not true.

**Thank you to NetGalley and for the ARC and chance to read and review. All opinions are my own**

Nice Work, Nora November was not the fluffy, happy story I was expecting. But that doesn’t mean I didn’t like it! When we meet Nora she is restarting life after a head injury. How she goes about creating the life she wants is inspiring to everyone- except her emotionally stunted parents. Along the way she makes some mistakes but she always has a great heart. This book could be triggering to some people. But if you are ready, it is a great story.

The novel is about the coming of age of a woman who took the path of least resistance. When she finds herself waking up after a near death experience and not remembering how she was so badly hurt, she realizes that there were things she wanted to change about herself. She comes up with a reverse bucket list.

Nora November has a number of things facing her. Her family’s perception of what she could, would, and should do. She was boxed in very effectively into her role in her family and in her life. When Nora begins to take control of various parts of her life, her family fights her the way they always did with intimidation, gaslighting and condescending attitudes.

I love how Nora fought for her life and found so many wonderful things with the garden, the baking, the older folks from the playhouse. Nora found a way to make life more like what she wanted, even as she was fearful of losing her job, losing her apartment, and not being able to pay her bills. Her biggest fear was turning back into Nora before the accident.

Nice Work, Nora November by Julia London is an uplifting, hold your head high, and face the future type of read.

Thank you to the author, Harper Muse and NetGalley, for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. My apologies for the delay in posting this review, I am well behind and trying to catch up!

This was a quick read, but with lots of deep and heavy issues hidden within. Written in alternating POVs between Nora, the female main character and Jack, the guy she fell for during a robbery at the corner store, it tells the story of Nora's struggle to shed her old people-pleasing but soul-destroying life that she hates, and find out who she really is and what she wants. As a result of a near-.death-experience that leaves her with memory gaps (what on earth was she doing on that beach, and surfing, of all things), she makes a reverse bucket list.

Her family is one of those emotionally manipulative and abusive ones that is all high expectations, and disappointment and cruelty when you diverge from the path they have mapped out for you. Nora and Jack don't meet back up until the end of the book, and I wish this could have been sooner, as he would have been a wonderful support system for her in her struggles to find herself .

4.5⭐️

Nice Work, Nora November is a lovely story of second chances and realizing what’s really important in life, exploring the past and mental health issues along the way. I was entertained all throughout, and by the end, thoroughly moved as well.

Thank you Julia London, Harper Muse, and NetGalley for providing this ARC for review consideration. All opinions expressed are my own.

I could not put this book down! I was so invested in Nora and her journey after her NDE. London choose well with Nora’s regrets, choosing elements with broad appeal. Nora also faced realistic challenges; I was heartbroken for her on more than one occasion. A touching tale of love and loss, with a reverse bucket list and a missed connection, Nice Work Nora November creates not only hope that we can change but also gives us an idea of what that path might look like.

After a near death experience Nora sets out to rebuild her life . She writes a reverse bucket list and starts working on the list. She has a lot going on in her life and realizes how miserable she was before her NDE. She starts to make changes and also searches for the man she let get away. This was a nice women’s fiction and tells about Nora and also about the man that got away.

thank you netgalley for this e-arc. this was a horrible and pointless story. nora wants to take advantage of everything life has to offer after a near death experience and has good intentions but never really does anything. her parents, sister and cousin are some of the worst created characters i've ever read, none of them had redeeming qualities. nora tries a new activity, gets yelled at and put down by her parents, goes to play basketball with a kid she meets and feels she can help, gets admonished by her sister for wanting to help their cousin with a substance abuse issue saying he can't be saved...ugh.

i wish she met Jack before the very last chapter of the book.. also it was hard to read everything going wrong for Nora, poor girl

Nora's parents are so aggravating but her relationship with her cousin and sister were a wonderful journey to read. Nora's been through a lot and it continues after she was brought back to life. I really related to this book and I'm so glad I read it.

Nora November, an attorney with a dysfunctional family and clinical depression, has a near death experience that gives her a new zest for life. As she sets out to complete her reverse bucket list and find the guy who got away, she gains a new understanding of and respect for herself. This book balances heavy topics (mental health, substance abuse, hints of domestic violence) with the hallmarks of women's fiction/romance and a healthy dose of cheesy but cute garden metaphors. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

Thank you to Net Galley for this e-copy of Nice Work , Nora November by Julia London in exchange for a honest review.This is a powerful, funny and drama filled tale of Nora November, ,an attorney at her narcissistic father’s law firm, who awakes in Austin, Texas after a near death experience with a resolve to change her life and groups everything going forward into the Before and After.She makes a reverse bucket list and tries to change her life while her lurking depression is always threatening to return Can she change her life and maybe find the man of her dreams that got away? Read the book and find out.Full of lots of dysfunctional family trouble.

I went in blind and boy am I glad I did. The story follows Nora who survives a near-death experience. Most of her family and co-workers think she's crazy. It really made me think of all the things that I might want to do if given a second chance to do them. Depression is such a hard thing to manage and I think the story did a fantastic job capturing the feelings of trying to make things write after living in the depression for so long.

Nora’s character is relatable, and her journey resonates with anyone who’s faced adversity. The witty dialogue, quirky characters, and heartfelt moments make this a must-read. Whether you’re a fan of Emily Henry or Harlan Coben, “Nice Work, Nora November” will leave you smiling and contemplating your own bucket list.

I loved Nora taking accountability for things in the past and making an effort to show the people she loved and the things that she loved to do that she could. The characters in general were all very well thought out and brought to life so naturally. I really loved this story.

ɴᴇᴛɢᴀʟʟᴇʏ ʀᴇᴠɪᴇᴡ || NICE WORK, NORA NOVEMBER [thank you to publisher and @netgalley for my #gifted digital & audio copy!]

Title: Nice Work, Nora November by Julia London
Genre: Women’s Fiction
Format: audio
Star Rating: ★★★☆☆
Narrator: Karissa Vacker
Narration: ★★★★☆

ꜱᴜᴍᴍᴀʀʏ:
After nearly dying in a surfing accident, Nora November creates a "reverse bucket list" to accomplish the dreams she neglected while living on autopilot. Burdened by a high-pressure career and chronic depression, she now seeks to fulfill aspirations like learning to cook, tending her late grandpa's garden, and reconnecting with a man she was briefly and intensely connected to during a traumatic hostage situation. With a renewed sense of purpose, Nora embarks on a journey to live life to the fullest.

ᴍʏ ᴛʜᴏᴜɢʜᴛꜱ:
This was a mostly enjoyable listen! However, at multiple points in the story, I wanted to shake Nora and yell, “What are you doing?!” She seems to take two steps forward and then three steps backward through the entire novel. But I did enjoy the relationships that she developed and the parts of herself she discovered along the way.

ʀᴇᴀᴅ ɪꜰ ʏᴏᴜ ʟɪᴋᴇ:
Bucket Lists
Books about Self-Discovery
Low Key Romance
Closed Door Romance
Mental Health Representation
Toxic Family Drama

ᴅᴇᴛᴀɪʟꜱ:
GR: 3.94 ⭐️
# of Pages: 368
Pub Date: June 4, 2024

Nice Work, Nora November, is a fictional book written by Julia London. I feel like this is a hard book to describe, there were parts that were “feel good” and other parts that made me feel lots of emotions. I did not know much about this book before reading it; the cover and title drew me in, but I really enjoyed it! Definitely would recommend trigger warnings for depression/mental health discussion, as well as alcohol abuse.
I loved the characters in this book, and the multiple storylines. I feel like the ending really came together which I appreciate, and I really admired the main characters strength in her relationships with her parents and family. I definitely recommend this book! Thank you to NetGalley and to the author and publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review

A must summer read! There are some harsh realities in this book, alcoholism, mental health, suicide mainly. But they are addressed well and don’t take away from the fun book that this is! Nora has decided she needs a change. She rebuilds relationships with family, finds self love, finds new love and a whole crew of elderly ex broadway stars that need a leg up! The garden is a great catalyst for love and friendships. I really enjoyed this book. Thank you to NetGalley for this free advanced copy. I’m leaving this review voluntarily.

I found Nora to be insufferable. I did not enjoy this and probably would not have finished if I had't been given a copy.



I received an advanced copy. All thoughts are my own.

I really enjoyed reading about Nora, a complex woman recovering after a near death experience. Before her experience, Nora was depressed, working at her father’s law firm and failing to live up to his expectations. After her near death experience, Nora creates a reverse bucket list of things she wanted to change and pursue. One item on the list was to find Jack, a man she met while a hostage at a failed robbery. Jack’s story added depth to the story, as did Nora’s relationship with her Grandpa. Recommended for an uplifting read, even as difficult topics of depression and alcoholism are discussed. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

If you died today, what would you regret? Anything? What if you died and were brought back, would you do anything differently? Nora November, the quirky, brave lead character of this book, gets exactly that. A second chance to live life the way she wanted to and never did. She creates a reverse bucket list and attempts to start working her way through the list. However, will her overbearing family and her need to please derail everything and send her back to a depressive cycle of self-loathing or will she find the will power to keep moving forward? Would you?

Great characters with unique personalities that make them even more realistic. A wonderful plot that will delight and entertain you for hours even while dealing with such strong issues such as emotional abuse, alcohol abuse, breakups and depression. The story still manages to come off a light-hearted read with a strong backbone. All I can say is more, more, more! I can't wait to read something else by this author!

I really enjoyed this book. A little darker than I anticipated, especially given the sunshiney cover, but a really great read start to finish. The romance took a backseat to Nora and Jack's individual stories, which I really enjoyed. While this is definitely Nora's story, I liked the bits of Jack's perspective and his own journey that we got as well.