The Skunks was a really enjoyable read. I appreciated the eccentricity of the writing and exploration of characters.

A bit too navel gaze-y for my taste, but there were some gems throughout. The author is clearly very talented.

"It's terrifying that the world is looking at you closer than you are looking at yourself . "

The skunks by Fiona Warnick is a coming of age story of Isabel who after completing College has moved back to her hometown. She takes up all sorts of jobs ans ends up watching a house for a couple who's kid she was in school with. She even had a crush on & had a brief affair with him.

While her life goes on, she notices a family of skunks outside the place and starts keeping an eye on them. The intermingled story of skunks with the main story was a kind of weird to be honest and I couldn't really make any connection but maybe that's my fault.

Even though it is pleasant, the skunks wouldn't stay long in my mind as something extraordinary. You won't remember characters coz they are easily forgettable and nothing outstanding about story either.

The audiobook narration by Mara Wilson ( if you remember the form from Matilda she is the same, and I like her narration) is pleasant to listen to. But even then it faded as soon as I finished the book.

Audiobook - 3.5 stars
Book - 2.5 stars

Thank you dreamscape media and Netgalley for the audiobook ARC in exchange of an honest review.

i love books featuring messy weirdos, but i am wary of it being a trend. the skunks is an example of this trope being used just for the sake of writing something that tries to be quirky.

Thanks to Dreamscape & NetGalley for providing an audio ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This little, odd failure-to-launch story is narrated by Mara Wilson, of child-actress fame (Matilda, anyone?). She does an OK job but nothing spectacular. She's fine.

Less fine is this book. It seems like the author is trying to distinguish the story by adding in a parallel story of skunks who are living nearby where the story takes place. Every few chapters we get an update on the skunks, and one what one skunk in particular is thinking and feeling (until, suddenly, we don't and we switch to another skunk). Anyway, as a device, it's not really working for me. It feels clunky and added-on, like an ugly bow on a mediocre hairstyle.

The story itself is kind of boring, Isabel has graduated college and come back to her hometown, but has orchestrated a house-sitting gig with the parents of the boy she had an extremely brief fling with in high school. He hasn't made much of anything of himself, yet Isabel feels drawn to him for reasons that are not well-expressed. But then she feels drawn to other people, and there are consequences. Nothing dire (heaven forfend there be any actual drama here to harsh Isabel's floating in space), and honestly she doesn't seem all that distressed by anything, or even to care much. It feels like she is living life by rote, willing something to happen. If that's the point of the book, I missed it, and I didn't find it to be an enjoyable journey; more frustrating.

The Skunks is a really interesting coming of age audiobook. It's set over the course of one summer, following the life of Isabel and the life of a skunk. The summer after she finished college, Isabel is housesitting for the parents of a friend from high school. She is listless in her hometown, wondering what her friends who moved to Philadelphia are doing. She sees three baby skunks in the backyard and becomes obsessed with them as she tries to avoid spending too much time thinking about boys. Isabel's story is intertwined with the story of the eldest skunk as she grows older and learns more about the world. I really enjoyed this character study of Isabel and it was interesting to watch her grow as a character. This book will appeal to readers who enjoy really character driven books and coming of age stories.

The Skunks was an easy flowing read. Well written and not very long. Great narration. I had to be in the mood for a casual read on this one, when my normal go to is suspense. This was different for me, not bad, just not my normal jam. I think many readers will like this. Thanks NetGalley.

Fiona Warnick's delightful and idiosyncratic debut novel resonates with the common experience of many Gen Z’ers who, upon completing college, find themselves adrift, seeking to navigate the uncertainties of what lies ahead. In this narrative, Isabel, the protagonist, returns to her hometown where she has taken on a summer house-sitting, working at a yoga studio and babysitting. The house she watches over happens to belong to a couple whose son, Eli, was Isabel's high school crush. This summer marks the end of Isabel's youth, and Warnick uses the season to delve into themes of young love, friendship, and the complexities of human relationships, all portrayed through Isabel's often awkward interactions with those around her. Warnick also introduces a whimsical element by incorporating Isabel's imaginative ponderings about a family of juvenile skunks living beneath her summer abode. These musings add depth to Isabel's journey into adulthood, infusing the narrative with gentle humor and charm. Overall, Warnick's novel is a character-driven, heartwarming tale that will leave readers feeling uplifted and joyful.
Mara Wilson's narration was spot on!
Thank you NetGalley and Norton Publishing for ARC and ALC's of The Skunks.

Isabel has just finished college, and following her graduation, has moved back home for the summer. While she is keeping busy with the odd jobs of summer, housesitting, babysitting, and being a receptionist at a local yoga studio, she feels like she has "failed" by coming back to her hometown. So when Isabel discovers three baby skunks in the yard of the house she is watching for the summer, she uses them as a kind of signal that she should find out as much as she can about the skunks.

The book is well-written, and goes through two points of view, one of Isabel and her summer activities, and two a parallel of the lives of the adolescent skunks, as they leave the comfort of the known and into the unknown. Although I found the book to be well-written, and relatable, I found that there was something missing in the story. The audio quality was good, and easy to listen to, with good narration. I would say that reader that enjoyed coming of age novels like "Catcher in the Rye" and the like, could find some enjoyment in this novel, but it just wasn't my cup of tea.

The Skunks by Fiona Warnick

A soft quirk of a novel that explores that in between period from college to the world of adulthood.

Isabell is graduated, back home and doing anything and everything, house sitting, baby sitting, working part time, when an encounter with three skunks sparks a deep rumination on her life, past crushes, friendships, family and the what’s next.

Warnick charms us with nostalgia, Isabel is observing the world privately but letting us in on the secret, adding the skunks and a point of view from their perspective was odd but I also kind of loved it and how it tied into the story.

This is a book that doesn’t command attention but instead is a beautiful walk through a transitional period in life that I think any adult has experienced. I loved Isabel’s observations of the world, I could feel her changing with each page, rediscovering through her new lens as she looks towards her future. The ending didn’t come full circle but left us with a crescent ready to be made full.

Overall, I didn't connect with this book very much. The story didn't really grab my attention, and it felt disjointed at times. I did enjoy the narration by Mara Wilson.

I have really been enjoying books with little to no plot lately and The Skunks was perfect. I listened to the audio, narrated by Mara Wilson, and I couldn't stop listening; I finished in less than 2 days. The Skunks follows Isabel's life as she is house-sitting after college graduation and we also get a story about a skunk, how could you not love this?! Even though there isn't a lot going on in the book, it's very reflective and meandering and lovely. Highly recommend and I will be looking out for more by this author!

Thank you NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for the ARC of The Skunks.

The Skunks by Fiona Warnick and narrated by Mara Wilson is a whimsical exploration of coming of age in the purgatory between college and adult life. Isabels observations of the skunks, naming them, and applying their behaviour to daily life as she housesits is very sweet, although I have to admit, the shoebox in a freezer almost threw me right off!

The narration is mellow and meditative an it was a pretty quick listen that is good for a quiet afternoon adn just what I needed today so props to this one for that

There was a lot to explore in this book and it was almst as if it was being written as it was experienced and I really enjoyed that authenticity

Thank you to Netgalley, Dreamscape Media, the author Fiona Warnick and narrator Mara Wilson for this whimsical ALC. My review is left voluntarily and all opinions are my own

I'm a huge fan of analogies, personification & anthropomorphism, anything that makes you stop and go "how in the hell was this in front of me the whole time, yet my brain never connected the two". Fiona knocks this out of the park for me.

Feeling connected and similar to skunks wasn't on my bingo card for this year, yet here we are. From the teen drinking to the "first times" of growing up, more than once I was worried these skunks may have gotten ahold of my teenaged inner monologue somehow - the accuracy and nostalgia is uncanny.

It isn't often a book can make me simultaneously question modern ideals and laugh out loud. I'd highly recommend Skunks to anyone who enjoyed No One Is Talking About This by Patricia Lockwood or The Nursery by Szilvia Molnar.


(Thank you bunches to NetGalley & publisher Dreamscape Media for the ARC Audiobook!)

Thanks to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for the Audiobook ARC!

The Skunks feels like a more realistic coming-of-age story. The protagonist is house-sitting for the summer, trying to figure out what to do with the 'rest of her life' and has some interesting experiences with interesting people. And uses a trio of skunks living nearby to help her process everything. I'm making it sound much more dull than it actually is though; there are some pretty funny moments in this book, and some very relatable situations. Definitely worth the read!

Mara Wilson's nearly lethargic narration matches the MC's own lethargy exactly. Overall, there seemed to be a bigger metaphor happening with the POVs from the skunks interspersed throughout the story but it was lost on me. I emphasized with Isabel as a newly graduated college student and not knowing what the next step will be but I also couldn't be bothered to care what her next step would take her. It's a quick listen clocking in under 5 hours and Wilson is always enjoyable but I don't expect this one to linger.

Skunks left me feeling a bit lost. It seemed like a mishmash of ideas put together, missing the mark it aimed for. I think it wanted to be a unique coming of age, but it got too caught up in being quirky, especially with the strange focus on skunks, that it missed the mark for me.

There were parts I connected with, like the feelings of first crushes and the awkwardness that goes along with that. And there were lines that genuinely made me laugh out loud - I wish there would have been more cleverness and charm throughout. But the skunks felt out of place and confusing. I'm sure there's a deeper meaning, but I definitely didn't get it.

Still, there were moments of beauty in the character development and the writing itself. Listening to Mara Wilson's narration added a touch of magic to the story.

Overall, Skunks is a mix of coming-of-age and magical realism. It might not hit the mark perfectly, but there are glimmers of charm for those willing to explore its quirks. If you enjoy weird girl lit fic, you might give it a try.

Thanks to NetGalley, Tin House Books and Dreamscape Media for access to the arc.

After graduating from college, Isabel returns to her hometown to house-sit for the summer. As she contemplates her future, she finds herself frequently observing three skunks in the yard, using them as a metaphor to reflect on her own life and relationships. This quirky new-adult novel is both delightful and thoughtful, skillfully addressing significant questions about life and identity.

The Skunks explores a meandering journey through the complexities of post-college uncertainty, skillfully capturing Isabel's internal struggles and existential thoughts. While the narrative deviates from traditional plotlines in favor of a more literary approach, Warnick's talent is clear in her ability to craft poignant storytelling that highlights the depths of human experience. Readers looking for a more traditionally structured and directed plot may struggle to keep up with this story. But the beauty of Warnick's prose is undeniable, making this novel a testament to her storytelling expertise.

This book felt like a warm hug. The narrator did a great job at keeping that same vibe. The tone and pacing perfectly encapsulated the feeling of the story.

There were so many little moments in this book that made me want to be more aware of the present and appreciate the tiny things in life more. It felt like walking through the woods chit chatting about life with a friend. Stream of consciousness with more substance and structure.

The skunk chapters were just a fun little addition. Not super important, but kept with the story.

I feel like it’s impossible to explain WHY I love this book so much, but I kind of want to snuggle it and love it forever.