Nice Work, Nora November

I received a copy of this book from Netgalley for a honest review.
Nice Work Nora November by Julia London was amazing, it touched me deeply and I'm so glad I got to go on the ride with Nora. I'm sad that the story is over and my only comment was I felt the ending was a bit rushed otherwise, this was so good

Nora November is a character. After her near death experience, she really begins to live her life. Well paced, descriptive and creative. I enjoyed it immensely.

I was not expecting to laugh out loud (and cry) as much as I did in Nice Work, Nora November. The ups and downs of Nora’s journey after her near death experience were such an enjoyable read. They make you question, how you doing on your own bucket list? What are you not making time for? Countless times the descriptions brought me to tears as they were so relatable.

The cast of secondary characters are fantastic. I gasped when this became a dual POV book. I did not seeing that coming and it was absolutely wonderful. Jack’s perspective, the stories of the families he met along the way and the senior gardeners/thespians helped to keep the book just light enough while the main character works through her journey. The flare and [sometimes brutal] honesty they bring to the book is great!

Make sure to read the trigger warnings for this book before you dive in. There are many serious struggles and situations discussed that, if you aren’t in the right headspace could be very hard on your heart.

Thank you NetGalley, the publisher and author for the ARC. I’m so grateful for the opportunity to read this!

Overall I really enjoyed this book, especially as it drew me in right away and I wanted to find out more about Nora immediately. So many different taboo topics that are brilliantly dealt with.

In "Nice Work, Nora November" by Julia London, readers are taken on a captivating journey through the life of Nora, a young woman who experiences a profound transformation after a near-death experience. The novel begins with Nora awakening from a coma, having survived a tragic surfing accident that left her clinically dead for several minutes. What follows is a remarkable story of self-discovery, resilience, and the pursuit of a life truly worth living. London skillfully delves into Nora's fragmented memories, where she recalls her time in a coma and vividly remembers her late grandfather and an enchanting garden, along with the taste of the most delicious tomato she ever experienced. These recollections become pivotal in Nora's newfound determination to embrace life fully and confront the unfulfilled desires and expectations that haunted her prior to the accident. The novel poignantly portrays the stark division between Nora's life "Before" and "After." In the "Before," she existed as a mere ghost, burdened by the weight of her parents' expectations, suffocating under the demands placed upon her. However, in the "After," Nora embarks on a reverse bucket list, driven by a desire to learn how to cook, be a better sister to Lacey, and revitalize her late grandfather's neglected garden. Additionally, she becomes consumed by the thought of a chance encounter with a mysterious man she met months ago and cannot forget. London masterfully captures the essence of Nora's journey as she navigates the challenges of her new life. Despite her best efforts, Nora's attempts at embracing her newfound purpose often lead to disastrous outcomes. It is through these failures that she finds the strength to confront the truths she had been hiding from herself. As readers accompany Nora on her quest for self-discovery, they are invited to reflect on their own lives and the importance of pursuing genuine happiness. London's writing effortlessly transports readers into Nora's world, creating a deep emotional connection with the protagonist. The author's vivid descriptions and nuanced storytelling evoke a range of emotions, from sorrow to hope, as Nora's transformation unfolds. "Nice Work, Nora November" is a thought-provoking and heartwarming novel that explores themes of resilience, identity, and the pursuit of a life well-lived. Julia London's compelling storytelling and relatable characters make this book a captivating read. Through Nora's journey, readers are reminded of the power of embracing second chances and the importance of living authentically.

Nice Work, Nora November was SUCH a good book! Nora legally died for several minutes and is now living in the “after.” Her memory hasn’t fully recovered but she knows that she feels better and lighter than “before.” She is determined to keep her attitude and to move forward with her reverse bucket list. As she begins reengaging with her family, coworkers, and therapist she starts to realize how the “before” wasn’t so great for her. She starts to remember her depression, how she felt about her career and how complicated / difficult her family can be. She discovered what is important to her, her happiness and sanity since dying. I enjoyed reading about her determination in making sure she does things right this time. She is living for herself.

I enjoyed this book. I loved how Nora had a second chance to start over in her life. I loved how she had a list of things she wanted to accomplish, including finding the one that got away. Most of all I loved how it covered mental illness. No one should be ashamed of it. I'm grateful that netgalley and the publishers let me read this in exchange for an honest review.

Nice Work, Nora November had me hooked from the very first chapter. It starts with one of the most beautiful and comforting explanations of death that I honestly stopped reading for a few weeks just to marinate on that. When I jumped back in, I was immediately hooked.

Nora November was a high strung lawyer from an elite law firm owned by her father. An encounter with a NDE (near death experience) brought her back to the world with a refreshing and inspiring new look on life. She started living her life for herself after the NDE and this book follows the challenges that can arise from trying to make big changes.

I was rooting for Nora November throughout the entire book. I felt like she was a friend of my own and I wanted the best for her. I do feel like the book at the end was a little rushed. All of the characters (well most) were so likable that I would not be mad if there were tiny little novellas following that goes into their lives. Julia London truly made such a likable world with this one.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. And my opinion is that I cannot wait for this book to be in the world so everybody can get their hands on it!!

Nice Work, Nora November is a fast and interesting read laced with a lot of 'aha" moments for me. Nora has a terrible accident one day and is dead for a few minutes upon afterwards she is determined to shake up her life and really start living. She starts her own backwards bucket list, determined to find a job she loves, be a better sister and find the man she met in a store one day and can't get out of her head. I related a lot to Nora as she felt like before her accident, she was trying to live to please others but never really felt like she got it right. I loved her interactions with Jack and the journey she takes on her quest to find the man that got away. I went into this book expecting a fun and lighthearted fast read but ended up taking stock of some of my life decisions in the process.

It's an unexpected joy to find a book that so poignantly describes mental illness.

After a near-death experience (affectionately called an NDE), Nora November has a new lease on life. She writes a "reverse bucket list" for all the things she wants to do after her death, including but not limited to regrowing her grandfather's garden, learning to cook, playing basketball, making amends with her sister, and finding her one that got away.

And she fails at all of it. She lacks a green thumb and kills a fellow gardener's beloved plants in the process. She almost burns her sister's kitchen down. She injures herself playing basketball for the first time in over fifteen years since she's now in her thirties. And her sister doesn't forgive Nora right away for the ways Nora checked out during depressive episodes. Depression may explain why Nora was not a good sister, but it doesn't forgive the hurt. I loved that message so much.

I feel like there are a lot of times that literature, particularly romance-adjacent literature, tries to "solve" mental illness. A partner fixes it, the meds are a miracle, etc.. This isn't what happens here. Nora has to work so hard to keep from backsliding, and it made me feel seen as someone who has to work daily to continue to be happy or content. She fulfills the dreams of her reverse bucket list in unique ways, after trying and failing over and over again. Much of her fulfillment comes with surrounding herself with good people and letting go of the negative ones. It's an uphill battle, but a worthy one.

In short, there's a lot of strong messages here. Ones that I needed and ones that many could use.

Wow! Very thought provoking read. Nora November has a near death experience while “surfing” while on vacation. After months of brain and physical rehabilitation she returns to life as an attorney. Only problem is she does not want her old life back. Nora goes on a mission for a reverse bucket list. Very moving read. I was given an advanced reader copy of this very well written book by NetGalley and I am freely sharing my review.

After nearly drowning, when Nora wakes up from her coma, she decides she’s going to do things differently. She makes a bucket list of items of what she wants to do after she almost died. They are mostly small things like learning to cook and taking up the garden plot that her late, beloved grandfather died. There are some harder things, such as being a better sister and a better cousin, which in the Before times, she struggled with since depression made seemingly easy tasks insurmountably difficult. Oh, and she wants to track down the guy she was trapped with for several hours while they were held hostage during a botched robbery.

This is fun and fast and light and a nice reminder that if there are things you would like to do with your life, you only have a limited time to do them. There are also extraordinary coincidences, but again, fast and fun, so we won’t worry too much about real-life accuracy.

NetGalley provided an advance copy of this novel, which RELEASES JUNE 4 2024.

What a great read! I could not put this ebook down once I started reading it. I will definitely recommend this book to be brought into my library for my patrons.

My friends. I think 42 is too old to be staying up all night reading, don't you? If you agree with me, I urge you to start reading this earlier in the day. Believe me when I tell you, you won't be able to put this down and go to bed. You will be 100% submerged in this book and won't be able to walk away until it's over.

Honestly, I loved this book so much. I loved Nora, who is recovering from her Near Death Experience and is determined to make changes in her life. But life has a way of pulling you right back to the person you were before. She is so wonderful and thoughtful and caring, willing to face her fears and the worst parts of herself...I love her so much!!

And Jake. I just want to hug him. I love cinnamon rolls, and he is the gooiest. Surrounded by death every day, but determined to find a way to give back, to find joy and peace. And so supportive!! I love him!!!!

Also, the story overall does such a brilliant job of dealing with mental health, trauma, and toxic families. It also touches on some emotional and physical child abuse in a way that is sensitive and thoughtful. An absolute brilliant book. All the stars.

Nice Work, Nora November tugged at my emotions. It is the kind of story that draws you in and doesn’t let go. It begins with Nora’s Near Death Experience. Nora is in a beautiful garden with her deceased grandfather who was the one person in her life that gave her love and support. Her dog, Roxie who had crossed the Rainbow Bridge, was also there to greet her. It was so wonderful she didn’t want to leave. But she did! Upon rejoining the living Nora’s reflection on her life (Before) was in need of a great deal of help. In the (After) Nora created a reverse bucket list to help change all the negatives. The biggest of which was finding a new job away from her domineering, narcissistic father at his Personal Injury Law firm in which he insisted she be his future replacement, something she always despised. Nora suffered from severe depression. No one seemed to understand why she let people down. In the Before it ruled her life and she was determined in this new After she would become a better person and make things up to those she let down. She has many struggles as she works her way through her reverse bucket list. The shadow of her grandfather seems to help her at the hardest of times. One item on her list was to find Jack. She met him in the Before when they both had been taken hostage and really hit it off. It had seemed like love at first sight but they lost touch with each other. This back story of Nora and Jack as hostages is a real feel good part of this story. Her life in the After was full of many regrets but she stood up to each one and bravely looked them in the face, gave it her all and kept getting up if knocked down again. Her perseverance was not only amazing but very inspiring. There are side characters that lighten the story like the senior thespians who really need Nora’s help and her grandfather’s garden plot which she had ignored in the Before and now made a point of learning how to care for. I couldn’t help but admire Nora’s tenacity and courage working her way through her new After to a life worth living. I really enjoyed this book and believe you will too. Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and author for an ARC. All opinions are my own.

I really enjoyed this book. It was different than anything else I've read recently. I couldn't put it down! I will keep an eye out for this author's future work!

Nice Work, Nora November is a thoughtful, engaging, and ultimately hopeful tale.

Following a near-death experience, Nora November undergoes a profound transformation in her perspective on life. Reflecting on her former self, she devises an 'anti-bucket list' to guide her towards genuine purpose and happiness.

Though there is a romance subplot, what stands out is Nora's independent growth. Her character is resolute and flawed, and her methods for navigating depression and setbacks are relatable. While I would have liked to have more insight into 'Nora before,' there were scattered glimpses throughout.

Nora's bond with her grandfather, his community garden, and his gentle encouragement sprinkled throughout the narrative are both charming and heartwarming. Despite grappling with weighty themes (I would recommend checking trigger warnings), the story maintains a delicate balance with moments of levity, rendering it both enjoyable and contemplative. The overarching themes of hope, embracing imperfection, self-care, compassion, and staying true to one's purpose really resonated with me.

Thank you Harper Muse and NetGalley for a copy of this book. Opinions expressed are my own.

So most of us have some sort of goal in our minds during our lives. We dream of what we will be, or do, or have, and live our lives accordingly. Sometimes, however, we fall into the dreams that others have in mind for us. When an accident causes Nora November to experience death for several minutes, she has an epiphany on her "return" to life and decides to change her direction and do things she's not done in her life because of the constraints of others. You'd think this would be easy. And you'll have to read the book to find out how it goes! I loved it. Thanks NetGalley for the advance copy. Happy to leave an honest review.

This story is not one I would have normally expected from Julia London, but I loved it! It is real. It is modern. It will not go away. Unlike so many books I read, enjoy and move on to the next. Nora November is staying with me. It speaks of the challenges of women who work in a male dominated industry, and who are tolerated, not welcome, no matter how talented or capable. It speaks to the challenges of mental health, abuse, addiction, and people who totally ignore all of those very real day to day issues. The characters are very real, they could be anyone you know, and feel like you do know them. This is billed as fiction, but is a valuable read for today’s world.

Nora November is a depressed lawyer who has a near death experience or NDE as she calls it. She vows to change her life and creates a reverse bucket list of all the changes she needs to make. Her family is not on board with this at all. Her number one priority is to find the guy she shared a hostage situation with. She feels that he's the One for her but didn't act on it at the time. Another priority is fixing her relationships with her sister and cousin plus salvaging the garden plot her grandfather had. This is a great story of a person living with depression and trying to take control of her life. I really enjoyed this book. It is well written and delved into a topic that most books don't.

Nice Work, Nora November by Julia London
I wasn't sure when I started this book - but it didn't take long to get me hooked. Nora's NDE, dead grandfather/his garden and her reverse bucket list. "The corner store guy" Jack and her search for him and all the near misses. This book was a little dark - covering depression, alcoholism, family dysfunction - but Nora's journey finding her way. Loved the senior's, basketball, James the assistant and the HEA.

Thank you to NetGalley and publisher.

I love books that take us on a character's journey and this was right up my alley. Thank you for letting me be part of of your "nice work" Nora.

Well done, Julia London. This novel took me on an emotional journey, for sure. There should definitely be a note in the beginning to let readers know about the difficult topics addressed in the story, but the catharsis of following Nora’s journey from the first page to the last was worth dealing with the painful emotions it brought up inside me. It is a beautiful story about living life and loving who you are and what you have to offer!

Unlike any previous Julia London books I’ve read, Nice Work Nora November still bears her stamp in the high quality of the writing, the excellent characterisation and the intriguing plot. Nora is, of course, the star of this story and she’s certainly got some challenges to overcome as she tries to fulfil the tasks she’s listed on her reverse bucket list. Stuck in a job she hates, facing massive medical bills and with parents who belittle her, it’s a wonder that Nora has any drive at all to bring joy into her life, but even when she’s feeling at her bleakest, she soldiers on. I loved watching her slowly discover the self confidence she’d had bled from her in her life before her near death experience. She's resilient, persistent and definitely a character to cheer for.
Nora is not a sole performer in this story however. There’s Jack, the corner store guy that she spends much of the story searching for. He adds plenty of interest as we see glimpses of his work life at a palliative care facility and his quirky notes to Nora in the community garden where they’ve each inherited a plot. I desperately wanted these two to find each other and loved Nora’s efforts. While these two are central to the story, thr supporting cast—self-centred characters like Nora’s thoroughly unpleasant father and thoroughly likeable characters like Nick from the garden centre and Catherine and Walter from the community garden—all add richness and depth to a story I couldn’t put down. This is definitely a keeper!

Nora November's story is before a traumatic event happened and after it happened. Sometimes, things happen, so it makes you stop and think about things. When she woke up from a coma, she knew she wasn't the same person she was before, but she kept feeling like she was failing everything. Her journey leads her to meet new people, new things she discovers she likes to do, and things she actually is good at. Instead of trying to live her life the way others think she should live it, she slowly sees that she has to be who she truly is. It was after she remembered the accident, that she stood up for herself, with her father. Her journey really is different from who she was before, and it is helping her become the person she is meant to be. Sometimes you have to give up the life that was planned and accept what life wants you to have.
I received an ARC from Harper Muse through NetGalley.

What if you could do your life all over again? Would you do things the same or would old patterns be too hard to overcome? Enter Nora November who has come back from the dead. She struggles with the constant disfunction of her family. Can she break free? Can she find the guy she met during a robbery? Can she bring Grandpa's garden back to life? Can she make amends for the times she failed her sister and cousin? Can she struggle through crippling anxiety? All will be answered if you read this novel. Beautiful character development. Great story line. I couldn't put it down.

Heavy topics were present throughout the book, depression, addiction and suicide the tone in which it was written was very hopeful and optimistic. The romance was just the icing on the cake, Jack and Nora briefly met before the book starts and spend the entire book in Nora’s case searching for Jack via social media, tv news outlets, while Jack is wondering if Nora didn’t call him because she thinks he ghosted her. Nora working on her mental health, setting boundaries and completing her reverse bucket list and also repairing relationships she let down while she was depressed was the focus.

Nora November is a very compelling character. We get lots of time to know her and her life as she tries to change her life for the better. She struggles through seeing herself as others see her and trying to improve important relationships. Nothing is magically resolved here; Nora has to try, fail, and try again. Along the way, she makes new friends and finds herself. I found the whole thing very realistic and uplifting.

I loved this book so much! Nora November is trying to reinvent herself after a Near Death Experience and she is such a terrific character. She struggles but she really finds her voice through all of this and an inner strength she didn't know she had.

Her parents are appalled that she isn't the same person she was and they are rapidly losing control of her.

It's an amazing story about family as well as found family, love and the strength to start over. Thank you for Netgalley, the author Julia London and the publisher for an advanced copy. I'm so glad I read it and I will definitely be looking for more from this author.

Nice Work Nora November – Julia London
This was a different type of book for Julia London. I hesitated reading it, but it grabbed me from the first page. Meat of the story starts right away. Nora is single and a lawyer in the family law business. She doesn’t appreciate suing innocent people so the rich can get richer and her firm can get a big cut.
She has many things happening in her life, but almost dying changes her in lots of ways. This book explores her journey and deals with many real world problems – family dynamics, clinical depression, alcoholism and others. She does it by introducing us to a cast of interesting characters. Some are the “good” side of humanity and some show the “bad” side.
I was given an “arc” copy. It was not a light read, but I found it very riveting. A second chance at life is something many of us have considered. What would you do if you could change your life?? Would you?? If so, what would you change?? This book deals with how Nora answers those questions and how others around her also are changed.

Nice Work, Nora November
Rating: 5 stars
Thank you to the author/publisher for the NetGalley ARC. All opinions are my own.

This book made me cry several times. Nora is dealing with so many things in her life and we are there for the ride with her. Her family relationships were so heart breaking and toxic (parents).
I'll be honest and say that it was not an easy read. At the center of the story is grief and mental health. We see Nora trying her best at giving herself a second chance at life and how her "before" self has created a chasm between those that she holds dear. It was sad to see how she still made mistakes while trying to make up for her previous ones.

Overall it is a wonderful story where we find ourselves rooting for Nora and cheering her on as she finally is able to live the kind of life she always hoped for.

Wow. As a long time reader of Julia London, this blew my already high expectations out of the water. "Nice Work, Nora November" on the surface, might not have been a book I would have immediately picked up for myself if not for Julia London's name on the cover. I couldn't be more pleased with the experience of reading this book however. This book encompasses the feeling you have after a life changing moment, or in Nora's case, a life changing incident. I closed this book ready to re-evaluate my own life and "bucket list" in an attempt to find a version of the same path Nora is on.

From the start, Nora finds herself waking to a new reality where she had almost died in a surfing accident. Moving forward from there, we journey with Nora as she takes stock of her life so far and where she wants to go from here. She creates a "reverse bucket list" that includes what you would assume would be basic tasks for most people. But to her, and us as the reader, we see them for what they are, an attempt to re-enter life, to be present and involved. Not only with others but within herself as well.

In starting this journey, you would think you know where this book is going, but it takes another swerve when most of what Nora tries to do/create fails epically, involving many side characters that made this read even better. She starts to succeed, but slowly, inching her way forward. You root for her, though even as I did so, I was comparing it to my own life and taking stock in the moment of how I also wanted to move forward. I'm sure I can't be alone in comparing some of her story to how depression can infiltrate your life and the lives of your family and friends. Watching her pull herself out of that, one tug of the rope followed by another while trying not to fall back was very inspiring.

Julia London had me remembering why I've always loved her books, there's always so much heart, even in the sadness and especially in the joy. Why aren't you reading this one yet??

My opinions are my own and freely given.

Nora November is a book about dealing with depression and panic attacks. After a near death experience, Nora is set on a path of making amends to the people that matter in her life. It's not going to be easy. Trust when broken is never easy to gain. Along the process she is also trying to find the one man that really got her. In her downward spiral, she thought it wasn't real. The search is on. Jack works in hospice care. He deals with death all the time. One of the patient left him a plot in the Community Garden. This is the place to learn to grown vegetables and find some peace. He also remembers Nora but he lost her phone number. With the help of the seniors at the Community Garden and social media, they are reunited. Also, Nora is taking control of her life. She's doing things that help people and brings her joy.

A wonderful read.

Nice Work Nora November was an interesting take on a near death experience (NDE). I have to say in the beginning I was a bit irritated with Nora because she was such a mess. But her idea of a “reverse bucket list” and her joyful hopefulness hooked me in. I loved the description of her NDE. It was peaceful and amazing and she was able to talk to her deceased grandfather. When she came out of her coma, she vowed to do the things she hadn’t taken the time to do in the “Before.” Along the way she loosens herself from her toxic parents, and finally finds her joy in all the things she really wanted from life. It’s one I’ll think about for awhile, and that makes it a 5 Star read!

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Muse. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

This was a really fun and quirky story. The story had strong main characters and some pretty humorous secondary characters. The spunky theater group was some of the best of those characters. Nora’s reverse bucket list helped to bring humor to an oft times sad subjects. It’s a story of missed connections, connecting with loved ones, and redemption after some hard knocks. It’s a wonderful story and I really enjoyed reading it.

I’ve been reading Julia London for over ten years, and Nice Work, Nora November , in my opinion is certainly much different than her previous books, both historical and contemporary romance. I say this in a good way, although there is a bit of romance, this is a story of a woman literally getting a second chance at life and happiness after a near death experience. There is the typical Julia London witty writing and very likable characters along with heavy subjects that Nora is dealing with. This turned out to be a very rewarding reading experience for me. I highly recommend reading about Nora’s journey. Many thanks to Julia London’s team for this advanced copy.

NICE WORK, NORA NOVEMBER is out in the world, and I couldn't be more thrilled! I have always loved novels by Julia London for her fun characters, humorous dialogue and interactions, and great storylines. With NICE WORK, NORA NOVEMBER, London has taken her writing to the next level. She has tackled difficult issues with both sensitivity and straightforwardness that will have you feeling all the feels for Nora.
Nora was brought back after being dead for several minutes. With a second chance, she realizes it's an opportunity to do all the things she should have done before, so she creates a reverse bucket list. Trying to achieve everything on it is an adventure, and not always a good one as things never go according to plan.
Nice Work, Julia London! I adored Nora November and can't wait for everyone to read it! Now to work on my bucket list.
Thank you to the publisher for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of the novel. All opinions are my own and freely given.

This started out as a cute book with a fascinating premise: Nora cheats death and decides to make changes in her life. But somewhere along the way, it really resonated with me. Maybe it was the fact that while Nora looked professional and put together on the surface since she’s a lawyer, but deep down, she’s a mess. There’s a lot about depression and mental health as well as alcoholism and dysfunctional families but it all comes together so well and makes you cheer for the new Nora. A great read!

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!

What would you do differently if you were given an unexpected second chance at life? That’s exactly the scenario that main character Nora November finds herself in after a near death experience gives her a whole new perspective on life.

As she recovers from nearly dying, Nora starts to think about her life and feels like all she really has is a long list of regrets and missed opportunities. She decides to make it her mission to live a better life moving forward. To accomplish this, she creates a reverse bucket list filled with all of the things she has always wanted to do, including learning how to cook, learning how to take care of her late grandfather’s garden, and perhaps most importantly, try to find a man she felt a deep connection to when a robbery at the corner store forced them into close proximity for hours. He’s the one who got away and Nora deeply regrets not seeking him out sooner.

I really loved everything about this story. Nora’s journey gave me so much to think about with respect to my own life. I think her regrets are just so easy to relate to, which made it all the easier to root for her to accomplish everything on her list, especially finding that second chance at love. The story does tackle some weightier topics such as depression, but it’s also a story that is full of heart and humor.

Because of the way it resonated with me emotionally, Nice Work Nora November is one of my favorite reads of the month and I highly recommend it!

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

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.

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.

Absolutely loved - this is book is a contemporary women's fiction with secondary plot line that is a unique spin on a second chance romance. This book is very heavy and some readers may find some of the topic matter difficult to read. With all that being said, this book was so well written, Julia London carefully handled these sensitive topics.
Nora November, one of the main characters, is a bit of a mess, a relatable mess. She has a near death experience, suffers from depressed, and is struggling with being true to her authentic self. I think there is some element of Nora that different readers can relate to. Plus her path forward isn't simple; it goes up and down, and then back up and down again. Nora is quirky, earnest, and just wants to do the right thing, but doesn't always know how to go about it. I don't think I have ever routed for a main character as much as I have for Nora.

Nora November died. Well, technically, she was dead for several minutes, but now she's not. And her life will never be the same.

Now that she's not dead, Nora is taking on the life she wants courtesy of her reverse bucket list-- all the things she wants to do now that she's alive. Can she move on from her stifling job as a personal injury attorney at her family firm? Can she figure out who she is beyond the smothering expectations of others?

"Nice Work, Nora November" is an unputdownable read that takes a look at not only Nora is, but who Nora wants to be. It's an often silly and fun, always poignant exploration of one woman finding the truth of who she is. A departure from Julia London's usual period romances, this marks her entry into the world of Contemporary Fiction. I highly recommend this for fans of authors like Katherine Center, Ali Hazelwood, Matt Haig, and Julia Whelan.

Nora had an NDE (Near Death Experience) that has her questioning everything about her life. But the more she questions, the more she realizes that it wasn't just the NDE, but the deep well of depression she's been in for years due to letting her awful parents dictate her life. So she's on a quest to fulfill her reverse bucket list and find the things that actually make her happy to be alive. Number one on that list is finding the handsome stranger who was with her when they were held hostage during a convenience store robbery.

It's easy to relate to Nora's situation even if you've never had a NDE because being unsure of where you are in life and feeling stuck and unsure of how to fix it is something that almost everyone experiences at one time or another. Her desire to change things while everyone and everything seems to be against her is also familiar. So reading about her taking charge of her life even when things seem dire was a nice little bit of inspiration that I wasn't expecting but deeply appreciate.

I do feel that there should be some kind of warning for how awful her parents are in every single respect. The dad is physically, verbally, and emotionally abusive while the mother is verbally and emotionally abusive while both are somehow also totally distant and cold.

The romance is a bit on the light side while also being front and center of almost everything because Jack and Nora truly are meant to be and they're getting set on converging paths by everything that they go through. It was a treat to read them interacting with each other without even realizing it.

This one is getting all the possible recommendations that I can give it because (even with the caveat of warning about abusive parents) it's sweet, fun, and inspiring.

Delighted thanks to NetGalley and Harper Muse for the inspiring read!

I received an ARC of this book from Netgalley and Harper Muse in exchange for an honest review.

I adored this book!

After a near-death experience, Nora November wants to do things differently in her second chance at life. She creates a reverse bucket list of all the things she wants to do now that she's died; it is a list of regrets from Before that she wants to rectify.

Unfortunately, her attempts at cooking, playing basketball, being a better sister and cousin, gardening, and quitting her job are disasters. And she's having no luck finding the "corner store guy," a man she shared an intense connection with when they were held hostage together months ago during a corner store robbery. Oh, and she cannot remember her drowning accident at all. She worries she will sink back into the depression and anxiety that she has suffered from most of her life.

We follow along as Nora navigates her new life and learns that satisfying her regrets may not look like she intended, but she can get there anyway. Told in mostly from Nora's point of view with an occasional chapter from Jack (the guy), this book is a delightful read peppered with an eclectic and wonderful cast of supporting characters.

Nice Work, Nora November by Julia London is a poignant and quirky story about second chances, self-discovery, and the delicate art of rebuilding a life after it’s been shattered. The novel follows Nora November, a woman who has been given a second chance at life after a near-fatal surfing accident. Having spent several minutes clinically dead, Nora awakens to a world where everything feels different—because, in a way, it is. No longer content to live under the weight of her parents’ suffocating expectations, Nora decides to tackle the “reverse bucket list” she’s created for herself—a list of things she wants to do now that she’s been given another shot at life.

Nora’s journey is one of growth and self-empowerment. The list she’s set out to accomplish seems simple on the surface: learn to cook, be a better sister, quit her soul-sucking job at her father’s law firm, restore her grandfather’s neglected garden, and—perhaps most significantly—track down a man she briefly met before the accident. As Nora begins to fulfill these personal goals, she faces a series of comedic and heartwarming setbacks that make her realize that change isn’t as easy as it seems.

What sets Nice Work, Nora November apart is its blend of humor and emotional depth. While Nora’s attempts to reinvent herself are often laugh-out-loud funny (whether it’s a disastrous cooking experiment or a series of awkward encounters with family), there’s a genuine emotional core to her journey. The garden she’s trying to revive becomes a metaphor for her own healing process, and her attempts to reconnect with the people in her life—including her estranged sister, Lacey—add layers to her character and the novel’s theme of reconciliation and redemption.

Julia London’s writing is sharp and engaging, and Nora is a relatable, endearing protagonist. Her imperfections and missteps make her journey feel real, and readers will find themselves rooting for her as she navigates this second chance at life. The romance subplot adds an extra spark to the story, but it’s Nora’s personal growth that takes center stage, making this a deeply satisfying read about starting over, finding joy in the little things, and learning to live fully after life’s harshest trials.

Fans of character-driven stories with a healthy dose of humor and heart will love Nice Work, Nora November. It’s a story about not just surviving life’s obstacles, but finding the courage to live authentically and with purpose—no matter how many tomatoes it takes to get there.