In "Nice Work, Nora November" by Julia London, Nora, after surviving a near-death experience (NDE), creates a "reverse bucket list" to try to do all the things she hadn't done before she died. Her NDE gives her a new perspective on life and how her passionless career and chronic depression impacted her in more ways than she knew how to handle.

Through this book, Nora learns many things about herself and the author does not shy away from showing the struggle Nora must work through in order to begin living a life she doesn't regret. This book is inspiring and difficult to read at the same time. Nora struggles with chronic depression, trying to fit into a family who wishes she was someone else, and the anguish that comes with knowing you can't change the past. Through all of this, she perseveres through her reverse bucket list to do things like learning how to cook, reconnecting with a fellow robbery hostage, and taking care of her late grandfather's garden.

I am glad I read this book but I wish the audiobook had included some TWs at the beginning.

Thank you to Julia London, Netgalley, and HarperCollins Focus for the chance to listen to and review this book.

Nice work, Nora November is a seemingly light romcom with a big impact. The narrator is phenomenal and the energy that the FMC brings to the book is one of bouyant optimism despite some very heavy life experiences. It felt easy to connect to Nora, her struggle within herself and her family dynamics, and her hope in making things better for everyone.

There were plenty of serious topics in the storyline, including alcoholism and clinical depression, but the author tackled them with such grace that it didn’t actually feel heavy. I enjoyed every moment of this audiobook and am looking forward to exploring more from this author!

Thank you NetGalley for an advanced recording in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins Focus for the ARC

I think I had the wrong expectations going into this book, I was expecting more magical realism for some reason. The book deals with darker themes like depression and alcoholism. We follow Nora who's recently "come back from the dead" and now has a more positive view of life. Instead of hiding away and shutting everyone out due to her depression, she tries to engage more with her family and do all the stuff she's always wanted. Additionally she's on the hunt for a man she had a spark with, but never reached out to.

I liked how Nora really tried to stay positive all the time, though it also was a bit frustrating at times. Even though she feels happier now, she's still allowed to be frustrated, annoyed and sad. Especially regarding how her parents treats her. Her mother and father were horrible, which made her standing up to them even more satisfying. Her connecting with her cousin gave some sweet, but sad moments because we see how he's battling his addiction.

I unfortunately didn't care too much for the other POV. In my opinion it didn't bring much to the story.

“Nice Work, Nora November” was a little too over-wrought for my taste. Everything was just too much — the obstacles she faces in her quest to change her life after a near-death experience, her parents. I get the author’s intent but I didn’t love the execution. Karissa Vacker did a good job with the narration; her tone matched Nora’s anxiety perfectly.

The book deals with some heavy topics, including alcoholism, emotional abuse and mental illness.

Thank you to NetGalley for my review copy.

3⭐️

Nice Work, Nora November is a cute story of Nora reinventing herself after a brush with death. London does a good job rebuilding Nora and her relationships as she equates her regrowth to that of a garden plot left by her recently-deceased grandfather. The plot thickens as Nora works through her backward bucket list of things and searches for a man with whom she was briefly trapped with in a store holdup. There are cute moments as they barely miss each other in the community garden that each are using to work through some of their life issues, and the final meet-up is actually cute even though you can see it coming from a mile away even if they don't. I don't want to spoil anything, but there are trigger warnings for death, suicide, and substance abuse. Thank you to Harper Muse and NetGalley for the early listen in exchange for my honest opinion.

** spoiler alert ** I had read two of Julia London's previous books so I was excited to read her newest release, Nice Work, Nora November.

Nora has had a near death experience and has decided to make a radical change to her life. She creates a reverse bucket list.

In my opinion, this is a book of two halves. The first half, it felt like London threw everything but the kitchen sink in to the story. I was annoyed and frustrated. London's overuse of the phrase "NDE" was ridiculous but thankfully that repetition was eliminated.

To just name a few of the issues that London included: Alcoholic family member, body shaming, suicide attempt, near death experience, mommy issues, impossible father, found grandpa dead, started fire in sister's house, fraught relationship with sister and I could keep going.

The redeeming quality of this story was the characters. A quirky set of characters really made this book better. They were outspoken and unique.

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This was a really sweet slow burn romance but also a great book in terms of finding yourself and accepting your life. I liked the narration a lot and was really pleasantly surprised by this read!

This is a touching story about mental health, happiness, and living a life you want to live. The romance aspect is interesting because Nora is looking for a guy she connected with during a corner store robbery but never called. I like that we get both perspectives and that the story focuses primarily on Nora's personal growth after her near death experience, but with the search for Jack and little snippets of his life too. I would have loved more time with them together but I think it was well done how their relationship is built up without them actually meeting up again until later on. I found it to be an easy read with heavy topics if that makes any sense. It was enjoyable and felt realistic and well written. The audio, narrated by Karissa Vacker, flows perfectly and her voice is very clear and easy to listen to. Julia London writes about the aftermath of Nora's NDE where she's actively trying to turn things around and be more present/reliable for the people she cares about, taking chances to find a new job and allow herself to really pursue a new relationship. Nora is working through her depression and completing a "reverse" bucket list but everything doesn't go according to plan -- it's messy and difficult at times but she is determined to see it through. It's an optimistic story about coping with depression.

CW: depression, alcohol addiction, attempted suicide, parental abuse (mostly verbal/emotional but references to physical too)/manipulation.

Thank you Harper Muse & NetGalley for the ALC! All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Nice Work, Nora November tells the story of Nora, who at the beginning of the novel is recuperating from a surfing accident; she had an NDE - a near death experience - where she saw her beloved deceased grandfather and dog and felt a calm peace that had been sorely lacking in her life. I enjoyed Julia London's easy-to-read writing style and I was pulled into the story right away. I liked the way that Nora called her pre-accident life her Before and after being discharged from the hospital, she was living in the After. Nora had many regrets in her After about her Before so she made herself a "Reverse Bucket List" and set about to do the things that she regretted not doing, which included finding Jack, the guy she connected with so well but lost his phone number. This novel has a very interesting cast of characters including Nora's aloof mother, her judgmental father, her loving but exasperated sister, her like-a-brother cousin who struggles with addiction, and a slew of senior citizens she meets at her grandfather's community garden plot. I liked it! I really enjoyed the reader's inflections and voices for the characters.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC audio book in exchange for an honest review.

Nice Work, Nora November by Julia London is a heartwarming exploration of hope and second chances. Nora’s journey is beautifully crafted throughout the book, showcasing her resilience as she navigates the challenges of starting over after a traumatic NDE.

The book explores themes of personal growth and the power of community during a transformative period in Nora’s life. The book is an excellent reminder that new beginnings are always possible and that love and support can be found in the most unexpected places.

Thank you, NetGalley, for the audiobook (the narration was fantastic!). I will be checking out more books from this author in the future!

I really enjoyed this audiobook, both for the storytelling and the narrator. After a near death experience, the MC decides to take control of her life and start doing the things that she wants to do instead of what is expected of her. Unfortunately, these changes aren't as easy to make as she had hoped. There were some moments where the pacing was a bit too slow and the problems a bit too repetitive, but over all, I think this is a great novel that asks the question, what if we just did the things that make us happy. Thank you to NetGalley for an advanced copy in return for my honest review.

Thank you NetGalley and publisher for this arc.

What a cute slow burn book!! I really enjoyed this one! I like the authors writing style.

This was an enjoyable novel about depression, second chances and finding what makes you happy. For several moments, she was clinically dead after drowning, but she’s brought back. During her near-death experience, she speaks with her beloved grandfather, who died the year before, and comes back filled with joy and hope. The problem? Her life is a mess. She has a difficult relationship with her domineering father, who is also her boss. Her mother only cares that she’s lost weight while in a coma. She’s a crappy sister and cousin, and never follows through on anything. Armed with her second change, Nora creates a reverse bucket list, which includes reconnecting with the sweet guy she met during a hilariously inept robbery at a convenience store. She works through situations that have held her back and is a source of her unhappiness. This book is relatable and the characters are well developed shows the importance of going after what you want. Thanks to Netgalley, the author and publisher.

Thank you Harper Muse Audiobooks and netgalley for the advanced reader copy of this audiobook. This novel is a sweet and relatable story about finding yourself and a second chance at happiness (& love). I loved reading about Nora's personal growth and as she stepped into her confidence.

Note mental health is a large part of this storyline

This was an engaging, emotional, and at times humorous read. I listened to the audiobook and thought the narrator did a great job bringing the story to life! I found myself invested in Nora and her journey right from the start. The author did a great job dealing with difficult, heart wrenching subjects, while still managing to have an array of quirky side characters.

I thought the author dealt with Nora’s depression well. Discussions about getting help and support. Nora had such a sweet faculty family. Her parents trying to mold her to what they wanted. I was so happy she was able to find her happiness in the end. I do wish she had found Jack sooner!

I definitely recommend checking this book out! It’s definitely a memorable and unique story.

I definitely would recommend this book, it was a slow burn romance with a detailed and engaging story of how two people find each other. I appreciate when a book helps me understand things better and this book really helped me develop more understanding of depression and how it looked for our MC.

I loved this book! The story was hard and probably deserves a trigger warning with the topic of depression and attempted suicide. I loved the side characters especially the thespians/gardeners. Will recommend this book to friends. Narrator was great as well.

I really enjoyed listening to this audiobook. The author has created an eclectic interesting cast of characters and a terrific story. Nora was born into a family that believes what people see is more important than the reality and flaws of any type are unacceptable. Her parents have spent and continue to spend their lives trying to get their 2 surviving daughters to fit the molds they want them to by bullying, intimidation, judgment, a whole lot of snarky comments and nastiness. They are so misguided and basically horrible people who believe they are right. All of the time. Nora was born with a twin brother who sadly passed away from SIDS. She has spent the entirety of her life being made to feel guilty for being the child who survived and she has finally had enough. She is no longer willing to accept the way her parents treat her, ignore any and everything about her, her depression (sure, because telling people who suffer from mental health issues to buck up always works..yikes) and take a stand to live the life she wants. She is far from perfect, but keeps trying until she finally lets go of others expectations and figures out who she is, wants to be and starts to live her own life, flaws and all. Finally she understands what happiness is. I adored this book. The author has represented depression and addiction not as character flaws, but as what they are. Actual health issues that must be tended to through medications, therapy and acceptance. A wonderfully narrated book.

What a refreshing book!
What a terrific concept!

What happens to you when you die?
What do you feel? See? Hear? Who’s there?

Don’t get your hopes up too high…this is only ONE experience, and it’s in a book (story). And it happens in the first 5 minutes of the book…

But, Nora does die…

We then go on to explore her life. What it’s like. What influences her, or who?
What she does. Who her family is. What kind of stress she has/had…

But. There’s. So. Much. More….

The book revolves around MANY experiences in Nora’s short life, but one more so than the others.

Because one night, Nora was tired, and stopped at a bodega on her way home. As she was going to reach for a salad, she had a hand go for the same salad…at the same time…and they started to talk.
And then, the bodega was robbed…

I’m going to end it there so I don’t give anything away.
BUT, if you want something that’s very different, and deals with a lot in a short time, don’t pass this one up!

5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ for me!
Brought out so many different emotions that I honestly was not expecting!

#NiceWorkNoraNovember by #JuliaLondon and beautifully narrated by #KarissaVacker.

Thanks to #NetGalley and #HarperCollinsFocus, #HarperMuse for an ARC of the audiobook which has already been released, so you should be able to find it on shelves now!

***Trigger warning: Alcohol Abuse. Suicidal tendencies. Verbal abuse. Mental abuse. And, strong unwanted family meddling….***
These are all mentioned in the book, some more so than others, but there seem to be a lot of mind games within this family…

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3.5 stars. I really liked it! It was a cute story with a happy ending. A feel good happy woman’s romance with some unexpected meaningful moments. Fluffy but somehow also deep. Like you’re drinking that chocolate shake but someone snuck in some vitamins without you knowing. 🤣

The narrator was fantastic!