I simply adored this essay collection from Ann Leary. (And now I need to go find her fiction) Maybe it's because I'm a similar age, love my dogs, and have also finally grown out of my need to please people, but her essays made me laugh again and again. They also made me think. Can't ask for more from a book. I hope Ann has more essays in her because her blend of kindness, snark, and authenticity is just perfect. thanks to Net Galley for the opportunity to read this book - what a treat!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing this book in exchange for an honest review.
This book will make you laugh. Ann Leary has a great sense of humor. Each chapter is very different from the last, which makes it fun to read about different points in her life.
I now want to go read her other books.

Since I don’t know Ann Leary, the next best thing is getting to feel like I know her through her books. I loved her first memoir and I adore this book of essays. Her stories read similarly to how a good friend would talk to you. Open, real, nothing held back, relatable. With wit and keen observation, Leary conveys big and small issues from difficulties in her marriage to letting go of the house where she raised her kids (full of memories) to tales about her kids to her love of animals in a warm and engaging way that you never want the book to end.

Thank you to NetGalley and Simon Element for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This is a book I didn’t want to end! I picked it up at 2:30 am thinking I’ll read a story or two and go back to sleep. Sleep? Are you kidding? I read straight through until the sun rose. And when it did I thought, I will have to have the audiobook too. Ann Leary will make you laugh out loud, tear up and have goosebumps (spoiler alert it involves bats). Her stories reveal how she really feels about the people, animals and places she loves. And upon closing the book, I thought each one of them is very very lucky.

Ann Leary is very funny. She and I have much in common: people pleasing, anxiety, racing intrusive thoughts and more. Good times! Leary is very upfront with her struggles, and her honesty is both refreshing and relatable.

I enjoyed reading about the author’s life. I’ve heard of Denis Leary, her famous husband, but I have not watched anything he’s been in. It was intriguing to read little insights about red carpet events, schmoozing in Jack Nicholson’s bar with other famous people, and how she reacts to fans who approach her husband (hint—it’s all funny).

I recommend this! It has a little bit of everything, and I guarantee you will laugh.

Thank you to NetGalley, Simon Element and Marysue Rucci Books for the advance copy in exchange for my honest feedback.

I did enjoy this book. It kept me wanting more and more and was an easy, quick read. However, I found it confusing. I don’t know if I’m just not use to reading essay type novels rather than chronological novels. Just as I would read one chapter and figure out what part of her life she was discussing and then in the next essay she would bring you to a time in her life that preceded the previous chapter. Also,I guess the title and description of this book is misleading to me. Some of the chapters really had nothing to do with her self awareness as being a people pleaser. Leary wants to stop being a people pleaser and put her self first for a change. But there was more to this book than Leary realizing these blemishes in her human makeup. . Her quirky storytelling and the content of her chapters were really laugh worthy especially the bat stories. I feel I can relate to her life and empathize with her personal struggles. I would definitely like to read some of her other books.

Ann has such a talent for telling a story. I felt like I was right there with her as she wrote some of these essays. I enjoyed how we got to see her find her voice and become a recovering people pleaser. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

Hilarious book. You can't miss this one.
Thanks to author, publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book. While I got the book for free it had no bearing on the rating I gave it.