Enticed by the captivating cover and intrigued by the description, I initially had high hopes for "Clover Henry’s Day Off." However, by the time I reached the 80% mark of the book, I was almost ready to DNF it, but instead, I quickly speed-read through to the ending just so that I could mark it as done. Unfortunately, the overall experience led me to settle on a two-star rating.

While the concept held promise, the execution felt somewhat prolonged, with certain segments appearing disjointed, rushed, or unnecessary. Although a specific audience might relate to Clover's myriad challenges, some of her outbursts came across as disrespectful and condescending. Despite appreciating her moments of standing up to those who wronged her, I couldn't fully connect with Clover as a likable character. While there were instances where I rooted for her to level the playing field, the overall narrative left me yearning for more depth. The choice of the entire novel unfolding within a single day struck me as peculiar, and I must confess, the rabbit emerged as the highlight for me.

The narrative of "Clover Henry’s Day Off" undeniably echoed the essence of an adult adaptation of "Ferris Bueller’s Day Off." Being a working adult, it resonated with the universal yearning for breaking free from routine and indulging in a day of unbridled expression.

Despite my initial sympathy for a middle-aged woman seeking a break from the grind and reclaiming her autonomy, Clover's day off unfolded quite differently than I anticipated. Unexpectedly, she revealed a darker side—a malevolent, drug-abusing persona that surfaced during her day of liberation. Instead of the anticipated moments of self-discovery and empowerment, Clover opted for a path of lashing out, participating in illicit activities, frequent drug use, and an unapologetic disregard for consequences. This unforeseen turn shifted my perception of her character; what started with empathy and curiosity transformed into disenchantment as the narrative progressed, defying my initial expectations.

A special thanks to Net Galley for providing the ARC.

I received a digital ARC from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.

I related with Clover right away - not because our circumstances were similar, but just the idea of wanting a day where things are calm and different. I laughed, and cheered through the situations Clover found herself in. I think readers who enjoy books by Cathy Lamb will enjoy this book, too. I look forward to reading more from Beth Morrey.

RATING: ⭐️⭐️⭐️✨

As someone who relates just a little to much to Clover Hendry, I loved the premise of this book and often fantasize about doing the same thing and just taking a day to say and do all the things.

TROPES ⬇️
✨ Ferris Bueller’s Day Off Inspired
✨ Strong Female Lead
✨ Workplace Drama

Clover is a 46 year old professional and people pleaser who is at the end of her rope. One day she snaps and takes the rest of the day off and does and says whatever she wants! And there is a bunny.

I think we all have a little Clover in us. This book was relatable and funny at times and it was nice to see her take charge and damn the consequences. I do think it went a little too far at points, but I still enjoyed the ending when Clover got back to her life with some positive changes.

Thank you Penguin Group Putnam & NetGalley for the ARC!

I can honestly describe this (like many, I'm sure) as the middle aged English woman's version of Ferris Bueller's Day Off. Like that movie, it has authorities to defy, villains to be foiled, minor criminality, and lessons to be learned. But for me, I found it to be unsatisfying.

“I am the rope, holding taut so that other people can cross. But it’s time to cut myself some slack.”
Clover Hendry’s Day Off by Beth Morrey is a feminine, middle-aged version of Ferris Bueller’s Day Off. Instead of faking illness to get out of a day of high school, though, imagine the story begins with a perimenopausal woman who, suffering from a migraine and to-do list too long for even the most capable of us, pops two probably-expired Vicodin and some antihistamines just to get herself to work. This uncharacteristic choice sets her up for something she’s never done before — declaring “F@#! it!” and stepping out for a day completely for herself. Whatever she wants to do or say, Clover does and says with an attitude unleashed from years of pent-up people-pleasing and catastrophizing.

I felt seen by this book more than a few times.

As Clover progresses through her raging release of her day off, every other chapter includes flashbacks or reflections on life-changing phases: growing up with a narcissistic and cold mother, her father leaving them to move to Spain with another woman, meeting her husband and having a disastrous wedding day, the painful birth of her twins, finding her first job in the television industry by becoming a “ghost hunter”. These moments are tinged with enough exhaustion, regret, and indignation toward expectations for womanhood and motherhood that they made me squirm in my seat. I’ve thought some of these thoughts before, and I’ve chastised myself for them.

“I keep thinking back to moments when I let my natural cowardice get the better of me, allowing myself to be ignored, slighted, overlooked, rebuked. My innate fear of rocking the boat condemned me to a life spent tiptoeing around, polite smile plastered on, apologizing and throwing my cloak on the floor for everyone. Mostly my mother, admittedly, but it’s a habit that bled out and infected every part of my existence, until I’d effectively erased myself.”

Other aspects of Clover’s musings or the choices that she made throughout the book I couldn’t relate to at all. Clover’s day off is basically day one of her entering her villain era. I found myself wanting to argue with Clover a few times in this book or, in the very least, exclaim “What are you thinking?!” But then I would stop myself and say: isn’t that a marking of a good story? That you get so invested in a character or a plot that you find yourself reacting with conviction and emotion (even if it is a desire to start yelling at the pages)?

Morrey’s writing is funny as well. Clover has a sharp wit and a sarcasm not to be matched. Plus, some of the events of the day are just so ridiculous — like Clover plowing a riding lawn mower through a group of yoga practitioners in the park because they bullied her out of her picnic spot — that I couldn’t help but laugh. Okay, Clover. You’re acting crazy but you’re pretty cool.

I think there’s something to be learned from reading Clover Hendry’s Day Off, especially if you can relate to hitting your own breaking point. My advice to the reader is to just set the expectation now that it’s all going to feel more than a little bit “unhinged”. But keep holding on for the end of her day off and day one of her new life. It’s beautiful in so many ways.

“It’s not easy making a fuss. Standing up for yourself can be awkward and embarrassing. Causing a scene is mortifying. Saying no is hard.

But I think, finally, I might be getting the hang of it.”

I loved Clover Hendry's day off!! I could relate to her needing a day off. Sometimes life just gets to be too much. The book had me laughing out loud. The escapades that Clover found herself embroiled in were hilarious. I love how she finally was able to speak her mind. I also loved the shift when you realize what has occurred in her life to explain many of the things she did. You were able to really get to know Clover.

This is the mom-com version of Ferris Bueller I had no idea we needed! As a TV producer who's the mother of teenage twins and manages seemingly everything, Clover and I have a lot in common. I need to get my hands on her expired meds because Clover's day off was a hoot. With humor and heart. Morrey hits the mark on what it's like to be a middle aged woman with the world on her shoulders. Who knew a bunny and some shoplifting would hekp alleviate it?

Thanks to GP Putnam for the copy to review.

Clover Hendry’s Day Off
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Author: Beth Morrey

I requested a digital advanced readers copy from NetGalley and Penguin Group and providing my opinion voluntarily and unbiased.

Synopsis: Today is not the day to mess with Clover Hendry.

Clover hasn’t said “No” a day in her life. Until today. Normally a woman who tips her hairdresser even when the cut is hideous, is endlessly patient with her horrendous mother, and says yes every time her boss asks her to work late—today, things are going to be very different. Because Clover is taking the day off. Today, she’s going to do and say whatever she likes, even if it means her whole life unravels.

What made Clover change her ways? Why doesn’t she care anymore? There’s more to this day than meets the eye.

My Thoughts: I loved the premise of this book - take a day off life, no matter the commitments or consequences, a true Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, which by the way, I absolutely loved that movie. Growing up, I watched Ferris Bueller’s Day Off over and over again, so much so, that my VHS tape broke. I myself are middle-aged and there are numerous days that I would love to say screw commitments and just have a day of unfiltered, carefree adventures. Enters Clover Hendry, who constantly would put everyone else’s needs above her own, to the point of her breaking. Her inability to say no to people has caused her own misery, her resolve crumbling bit by bit. Then at her breaking point, she decides to say screw it to everyone, I am off today! What caused this breaking point? What has changed in her life to give off this carefree attitude?

This follows a dual time elapse narration. I believe the book only works because of this, we have to know what led Clover down this path. This novel explores womanhood, in all of its glory, including becoming a mother. Clover gives all of herself to everyone, her job, her sister, her husband, her kids, her own mother, which can be emotionally draining. Clover is people-pleasing, she avoids confrontations at any cost, qualities that I not only recognize, but can relate with and deeply connect with. We explore Clover’s decisions that she has made over her life, the behaviors that carved her path in life, and the struggles she has. The characters were well developed with depth, wittiness, compassion, heartfelt, and were intriguing. The author’s writing style was complex, funny, thought-provoking, heartwarming, and ability to curate such a wonderful character like Clover was impressive. The characters were easy to fall in love with and root along with, especially Clover. I connected with Clover like she was my long lost self and felt immersed into the novel. Some of my favorite scenes were the family interactions, they felt authentic and embodies realism.

I highly recommend this literary genius for an entertaining story of a woman standing in her truth, breaking a bit, and comes back full circle, as it the story of life.

Clover Hendry started her day a little frazzled and she is over it! She decides to leave work and push her responsibilities to the side and do all the things for herself that she hasn't had the time. Being a wife then a working mom has been rewarding but it has also made her put herself last. Join her on her day off!

Beth Morrey’s Clover Hendry’s Day Off is billed as a novel that will be relatable to moms, wives, and professionals everywhere, written in the vein of Ferris Bueller’s Day Off. Finally reaching the boiling point of her life, Clover Hendry throws away all responsibility and takes a day to herself … but that’s where this potentially amusing novel goes all wrong.

When you imagine a middle-aged woman indulging in a little self-care, you might envision her getting beauty treatments, indulging in a calorie-laden lunch, or going on a no holds barred shopping spree. Sure, Clover does all of that … and more. And it’s the “and more” that’s a problem.

Clover apparently has a spiteful, vile, drug-abusing criminal lurking inside of her, because when given a day to herself, she chooses to lash out at other people, partake in illegal acts, use narcotics on multiple occasions, and give zero “you know whats.” The “real” clover Hendry is nasty and foul, and I want nothing to do with her. If this is the woman she has been keeping hidden away from the rest of the world, then great, because she has no place among the rest of us.

My immense dislike of Clover ruined this book for me. It was a slog to get through, and despite a few entertaining moments, the book, overall, was a drag.

I wanted to like this book much more than I did, unfortunately. The premise sounded entertaining - a frazzled working mom’s version of Ferris Bueller’s Day Off. What overstretched working mom hasn’t fantasized about just taking a day off from it all and doing exactly what she wanted while answering to no one? But sadly, the execution of this one just didn’t live up to the premise for me. While some of Clover’s adventures were amusing, others just veered into the obnoxious, illegal and downright cruel. I found myself just longing for the day to be over. Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC of this book.

Clover Hendry is a mom of 16 year old twins and married to a man who, though a great man, can sometimes piss her off. Clover is meek, she doesn't stick up for herself, and hasn't probably ever. But this day is different. She wakes up with a headache and instead of taking her normal pain medication, she takes 2 of her husband expired Vicodin and 3 of some other headache drug. Then, on her train ride into work, after a little snafu, she ends up bonked in the head, laying on the subway floor bleeding from a head wound. And whether it’s the drugs, the head wound, or a combination of both, but something in Clover snaps, and thus begins her day off. She ditches work early, takes a swim at an exclusive pool (that apparently doesn't allow swimming?), dumps a child in a very expensive art piece, dumps a burrito on a bigoted woman's lap, steals a rabbit out of a locked car, steals a priceless statue out of an arms dealer home (after pretending the home was her own), and finally stands up to her wretched mother. And that’s not even everything she does. Clover learns to stick up for herself, she learns to say no, and she learns to apologize and listen as well.

This was a fantastic read. There were so many times that I found myself cracking up at the hilarity of what Clover was doing. But nothing felt like it was outside the realm of reality. So many things felt farfetched but also completely plausible for a woman who is a little off her rocker for the first time. I feel like someone closer to Clover’s age who has maybe experienced some of the same things she has in life would probably enjoy this even more so than I did (and I REALLY enjoyed it), there’s parts of the story that I feel like you can only connect to them if you yourself have experienced them and know what your own reaction would have been. You should read this. Every woman should read this.

I would say that this book was a bit average. It wasn’t bad but it wasn’t great. It’s more for reading at the beach passing time.

I enjoyed the idea of this book and I was cheering for Clover as she traversed around town feeling free to do and say what she wanted. The plot was a bit chaotic and hard to follow as she bounced from one thing to the next. The in between “Clover Hendry personality building” chapters weren’t captivating and I got bored at times.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in return for my honest review.

Clover Hendry’s Day Off - Beth Morrey 4 stars
Thank you to NetGalley and the author for the opportunity to review this book. These are my honest opinions.
First, a breakdown of my rating system:
5 stars - phenomenal book; I’ll recommend this one to everyone, I want to live in this world, and I will read this one over and over!
4 stars - great book. I enjoyed the story and the characters, but I probably won’t reread it.
3 stars - good story and characters. I can’t see myself coming back to this one, but it was an entertaining read
2 stars - hard to finish. The story was not for me, and I had to make myself keep reading.
1 star - DNF. Absolutely could not finish.

Clover Hendry is like most of us women. She fulfills her duties as wife and mother, does more than she should at work, takes everything that is thrown at her (and more), and consistently takes it all with a smile and building volcano of stress, anger, and pressure until it finally is enough. One morning on the train, after a massive headache has unraveled her and caused her to take expired Vicodine, Clover is clocked in the head by a wayward briefcase, and something in her snaps - or clicks into place, whichever way you see it best. What follows is a day of liberation - saying no, standing up to those who can’t or won't stand up for themselves (including herself), and learning how to truly enjoy her life while demanding her true due. As women, we are used to being treated like second-hand citizens by many men and even some other women. Clover is over it! This book covers her best 24 hours in a very long time. If you’ve ever felt like you’ve been repressed and wish you could say what you want and do what you want and it all work out for the best, this book is for you!

Oh, to be able to say what you want and not care about the fallout… If Clover Hendry had tried this in the US, she would have been shot by any one of the people she took on. Instead, we got a wonderful story about someone slowly finding her way again after being pushed down by various issues in her past and her current life situation. Clover grows so much in the story that you can’t help but root for her as you’re laughing hysterically at the latest predicament she’s found herself in. This was a lot of fun.

Clover Hendry is so many of us. She is a wife, daughter, mother, and the one everyone depends on at her job as an assistant producer at a local tv network. She is everyones “go to” for whatever they want, need, forgot to do or really, just don’t feel like doing. She is deeply under appreciated and undervalued and part of it is her fault and some of the world really not seeing her for the power house she is. That is until one day with a bit of pharmaceutical intervention when she has her Popeye moment and declares “I’ve had all I can stand and I can’t stands no more”, walks out of work and all of her responsibilities and has a totally crazy day doing and saying all the things that have she’s been holding in for what seems like ever. It’s an emotional, riotous day for her and for some of those in her path. This is proof that we all need to find balance in our lives and laugh along the way.

I really enjoyed this book. It's obvious that the author wanted to write something where the main character has no scruples about decorum and does whatever she wants (the author says as much in the notes). I think we all have days where we wish we could cast off the expected responses and duties of society and do whatever we feel like. My favorite part is Clover's adventure in the park (no spoilers).

Several parts of this book made me laugh out loud. My only quibble with it was I thought it went on just a tad too long. However, this is a book I'd read again in the future.

My thanks to Penguin Group Putnam and Netgalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I was really hoping to enjoy this book. I am a mom with small kids, a husband and I job. I however as I read this book I felt like Clover went from one extreme to another and many of her actions boarded on criminal. I understand feeling like you want to say no and have a "day off" but as an older women I feel as though Clover should have been more adult in her actions. You can say no /stand your ground in a respectful and kind manner

Clover Hendry always does the right thing. Taking care of her family and never letting anyone down at work. But today is going to be different. Today, Clover is taking the day off.
I don’t want to give too much away, but once Clover stopped living for everyone else, and started living for herself, well most everything that happened was hilarious. As we learn more about Clover’s life, she might also discover enough to make her future better. This was a feel good story that I truly enjoyed.