The Overdue Life of Amy Byler by Kelly Harris, Amy has devoted all her life so far to the raising and care of her children. When they were nine and thirteen, her husband left, moving to Korea to get himself more emotionally stable and do what was right for him. Now, after three years he wants to come back and spend a week with the children he abandoned. He prefaces his proposal by apologizing for the hurt he’s caused and saying he wants to repair some of the damage.
When Amy first hears the idea, she is absolutely against the plan. How can she trust him to take care of them after three years of being a single parent? How can she forgive him for the strife she has endured for these three years? What will she do if she take time for only herself? Yet, as her husband shows every possibility for actually being able to manage a week of single parenting she is encouraged by her friends to take the time for herself.
Once she agrees, Amy finds herself in New York, going to a librarian’s conference and rooming with an old friend from her single days, Talia. Talia encourages her to get rid of her mom jeans, put on some clothes from the designer closet belonging to the magazine where Talia works, and spread her wings a little while in the city
Amy agrees and is suddenly swept up in a whirlwind with Talia’s assistant, that he has dubbed her “momspringa”. She gets a complete makeover, experiences some fancy New York restaurants, and is reminded of the person she was before she became “A MOM”. She has a great time at the conference, sharing a new reading plan with other librarians and making new friends including a “hot librarian.”.
As the week comes to an end, her husband and children petition her to give them the entire summer. He has shown himself capable of parenting, plus has offered them camp experiences that are “once in a lifetime” opportunities; diving camp for their teenage daughter and space camp for their almost tween son. With no concrete evidence that this will do irreparable harm to either of the children coupled with the pull of a summer filled with experiences she has denied herself for the past few years, Amy agrees. She is still reluctant to think of it as a momspringa, but she is agreeable to having a few more exciting adventures before she returns home to begin full-time parenting agaiin.
The book, the experiences, Amy reactions were all fully satisfying. This is a book every mother could benefit from reading, even if it doesn’t lead to a full-blown momspringa for them. Even for those moms who have no need to reconnect with another part of themselves, if those moms exist, there is plenty of entertainment and encouragement here. In short, it’s one of the best books I’ve ever read, even though I’m well past the age of seeing it as a guide or challenge to my own life. If there’s nothing in the book for you personally, it’s one you will likely still enjoy just to read about Amy’s experiences.
My thanks to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for providing me with an advanced read copy of this book in exchange for an unbiased review. It’s a book I highly recommend to anyone who enjoys a well-told tale and especially for anyone wanting to read about someone embarking on new experiences.

Amy Byler is a single mother of two. One day her husband goes to Hong Kong for work and never returns. Three years go by and he decides to be a father again. He offers to take the kids for the summer so they can get to know each other again. Amy goes to NYC for a conference and stays for the summer with a friend from college. What follows is a humorous journey to find yourself and to make peace with that person.

The Overdue Life of Amy Byler was such a cute book. It was a light, easy read but it had some substance. I really enjoyed the book nerd elements, and the characters, while somewhat stereotypical at times, were definitely fun. While I'm not a mom, it was still easy to relate to what Amy was going through and I found myself really rooting for her as the story progressed.

This isn’t my usual style of book but I received an ARC in return for an honest review. This is laugh out loud hilarious, It contains a very bookish theme, banter and likeable characters. I really enjoyed reading this.

I chose The Overdue Life of Amy Byler as purely escapist reading, and it fit the bill. I spent an enjoyable weekend with well drawn characters. Kelly Harms writes with humor, and though I am not a mother, I could still relate to the main character's "Momspringa" moments. This novel is a light, gentle read. Yes it kind of pigeonholes "moms" at times, and women's vanity in general, but it hits close to home quite often. If you're looking for an escape from psychological thrillers (as I was) TOLoAB fits the bill quite nicely. I'm already casting the movie in my mind!
I received my copy through NetGalley under no obligation.

A solid 4 star book, I really enjoyed it. I fell in love with the characters and the storyline. Amy is relatable. Every mom dreams of a momspringa ❤️ A great read. Now off to New York.

#arc #netgalley #theoverduelifeofamybyler

I read this book on Mother's Day and I think it was a perfect read for that occasion. We all take our mothers for granted. She doesn't asks for much and is willing to give everything for us. Mother's deserve to go out and have fun. This doesn't equal to them not loving their children or being a bad parent. When we don't think that about our fathers then why are mothers given that of reaction?
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This book talks about a topic (#momspringa) which is not even a thing but should be made into one! All mothers should get a summer off or a week off to be themselves and have fun!
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The reason I gave it three stars was because Amy's children were too perfect. She does talk about the times when they are being regular siblings but during most of the story they seem too understanding and too good to be true.
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I loved that Amy and Daniel both love books, their nerdiness and the references to classics. All their dates/meet ups are so adorable and are a book lover's dream date.
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Thank you so much for approving the ARC for me to review.

The Overdue Life of Amy Byler by Kelly Harms is an Adult Contemporary/Romance which I received as an Advance Reader Copy (ARC) from @NetGalley (& Lake Union Publishing!) in exchange for my honest and unbiased review. (Release Date | 01-May-2019)

SYNOPSIS | Amy Byler is a single mum of two teenage kids as her husband decided 3 years ago that they would be better off without him in their lives so he essentially abandoned them and moved to Hong Kong. Randomly whilst buying some essentials at the drug store she bumps into her husband again. He has returned to rural Pennyslvania and wants to get to know his children again. Amy reluctantly agrees thinking she can use the opportunity to go to a conference in New York but soon finds that she has come a long way from the girl that she used to be.

MY THOUGHTS | I was surprised how much I could relate to Amy. I do not have teenage children, but I do have a 4 year old stepdaughter and I know how easy it is to compromise little and often and ultimately feel like you aren't "you" anymore. I thought this was a lovely story of self-discovery and there was moments where I chuckled out loud. Overall I felt like the writing was witty and the characters were real & most important multi-dimensional. My only criticism is that I often confused the voices of her teenage daughter and her best friend as they both used extremely similar language and grammar.

I received this ARC from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you NetGalley!!

As a mom myself, I could definitely relate to single mom Amy Byler.. I'm sure all of us moms can, right?!
The book was funny, easy to relate to, and geared towards moms!

Read it, you won't regret it.

Smart, savvy writing turns a predictable plot into a humorous and heartwarming read about a single mother’s journey to self-awareness.

Amy Byler is a single mom who does what it takes to provide for her children--in doing so, she has lost herself as she only sees herself as a mother to Cori and Joe. Three years ago, her husband walked out on her and their two teenage children. When he suddenly returns, he attempts to make amends by having their kids stay with him for a week over the summer. WIth no one to take care of, Amy finds herself attending a librarian conference in NYC. While in the city, she reunites with an old friend who convinces her to take a momspringa (a play on the Amish Rumspringa). Away from her children and ex-husband, Amy slowly learns to come to terms with her failed marriage and being a mother. At the same time, she opens her mind to a new kind of life and new love.

Amy’s character is likable and relatable, but her quick wit is what I loved best about her--she has a way with words. Kelly Harm’s witty writing style makes The Overdue Life of Amy Byler a standout. Amy’s snappy banter coupled with witty side characters gives this book a Gilmoreesque quality. In addition, there are tons of literary references that will be sure to make any book nerd smile with glee! This is a light and charming read elevated by Harms' sharp, witty writing!

#momspringa!

This book is so much fun! I don’t have kids so I can’t really relate to Amy on that front, but I definitely understand the need for a break from regular life. I love the characters - Lena and Talia are such great friends, and Daniel is amazing. I really enjoyed the author’s style of writing. It’s not over complicated and it’s flows really well. This is the first book I’ve read by this author, but it won’t be my last.

I received an advanced reader’s copy of this book.

Great read. The author wrote a story that was interesting and moved at a pace that kept me engaged. The characters were easy to invest in.

I wanted to read this book with just the cover alone, the blurb was an added bonus. This is the story of Amy's holiday. It is something that has been pending for a long time and she has well-meaning friends who are trying to give her the best break she could have. Amy is a librarian and there is a concept she shares in a seminar/presentation (something I will let Amy elaborate in the book) that sounded very interesting to me. I am not a librarian and would probably not be in the field in the near future so I cannot comment on the plausibility or authenticity of the plan she formulates but it sounded fascinating. There are a few other things that endeared the book to me:

1.Strong (at the same time, reasonable) friendships. Well written friendships are few in real as well as fictional lives and they should be treasured.
2.Family. I should technically include the friends in this as well, but I specifically mean the relationship Amy has with her children.
3.References to reading as a good way to spend time
4.Last but not least, New York. I sort of lived in the city during my Masters (sort of because I was not very social or adventurous and did not see too much of it) but the reminiscing that Amy does reminded me that I did actually have some good times in the city and actually was fond of a few of the things she mentions, especially the Brooklyn Bridge. 
It was a good book, with some serious conversations and a few not-so-serious ones and I had an enjoyable time with it.

A warm fun delicious read a single mom whose absentee husband appears after three years and tells her he’ll watch the kids she is free to leave take a break.So this wonderful story of Amy Byler tome off from single motherhood begins.Inlaughed enjoyed highly recommend.#netgalley #lakeunionpublishing

This one was full of heart!

A term is used to describe Amy Byler quite a few times in the book - Martyr. She's embraced the life of a single mother perfectly after her husband abandoned her and their two children. Now, he's back. And she's conflicted about whether to trust him or be wary. Should she be happy that he's now determined to be the father to their kids or be insulted that he's not here for her? But ultimately, she lets the mother in her decide it for her. It also helps that she's got two amazingly mature kids who are capable of looking at the big picture. And John, her husband seems genuinely contrite.

After she decides to give him his one week with the children, and visits New York, life takes a turn. She's in for a whirlwind thanks to her two best friends and her desire to make the best of. What follows is a makeover, one night stand, dates, and a #Momspringa. But it's not all smooth sailing. There is guilt for enjoying too much and not missing the tiresome aspects of parenting. There is also turmoil over pent up feelings for her ex-husband who is still legally not her ex. Not to mention her new feelings for Daniel, a single father settled in New York.

The author does a brilliant work of painting all the shades of Amy's character. You find yourself rooting for her really fast and just wanting her to be happy. Then there are alternate chapters where we see her daughter Cory's entries on a reading journal Amy gave her for the summer so that she could write about the books she assigned her. But of course Cory, a teenager, prefers Hunger Games over The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time. Amy's a librarian and is intent on her children getting the same literary enrichment she herself got. Her journal entries are laugh-out-loud hilarious. The transition from a teenager's musings to a woman's journey was just flawless!

Every mother would want Amy's kids. Cory is a hilarious and mature teenager. Joey is eleven and yet has the vocabulary of a grown-up and is just too sensible for his own good. Not to mention the two friends - Talia and Lena, her biggest supporters. This book made me laugh out loud and just want to hug Amy multiple times. I'm not a mother myself but if I ever become one, it wouldn't hurt to be a mom like Amy.

The Overdue Life Of Amy Byler
By
Kelly Harms


What it's all about...

Overworked, overwrought and simply exhausted from caring for her two children alone for three years...Amy goes to a conference in NYC...a library conference. Her husband has returned after an abrupt escape from his family to Hong Kong...three years ago. He couldn’t deal with his life as a husband and father any more. So he plans on getting reacquainted with his kids through his credit card. Amy is on a Momspringa!

My thoughts after reading this book...

The book is lovely...clever and witty and incredibly funny. Amy is made over while she is in NYC...circumstances occur that allow her to spend her entire summer there. She goes on dates, she works out, she becomes a total New Yorker. She meets Daniel and sort of fights falling in love with him but it is inevitable.

What I loved best...

I loved it all. Amy is witty, her kids are witty and as a teacher I loved all of the school humor and references.

What potential readers might want to know...

Readers who love a book filled with clever wit and humor should truly enjoy this book.

I received this book from the publisher through NetGalley. It was my choice to read and review it.



Fondly...Patty L. Magyar

This was a very enjoyable read that hooked me from the very beginning! Amy is a single mom of two children whose husband left her three years ago. When her husband returns offering to watch the children for the summer Amy makes plans in NYC. While in New York, Amy's plans change and what follows is a fun and engaging story I think many moms will be able to relate to!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for my honest review!

At her local drugstore, Amy Byler runs into her husband, who went on a business trip to Hong Kong and stayed for three years. He’s returned to make things right and be the father his children deserve. School Librarian Amy signs up to present her reading program at a conference in NYC, where she plans to reconnect with her college roommate, during the kids’ week with their father. She meets a hot librarian, makes a new friend, and starts a movement. Harms cleverly uses the modern-day epistolary of email and texting in this humorous exploration of a single mom becoming her own woman. Fans of Ann Garvin, Katherine Center, and Kerry Anne King will appreciate Harms’ voice. I received a digital copy of this wonderful story from Lake Union through NetGalley.

Kelly Harms has written a light, fun read about a middle aged librarian who gets a chance to have a summer to herself while her estranged husband re-bonds with his children.

When Amy Byler's husband went on a business trip to Hong Kong three years ago and never returned, she suddenly found herself a single, unemployed mother of two children with a large mortgage and no child support. Life gradually got better once she got herself a job as a school librarian and re-mortgaged the house, but she and the kids have had to budget carefully and she has got used to being a single parent, always on call as driver, carer and worrier.

Out of the blue, her husband has returned with a wish to spend the summer reconnecting with the kids. Angry at first and then hesitant about handing over her kids, Amy goes to stay with her old college friend Talia in New York who is editor of a fashion and lifestyle magazine. She's looking forward to spending some time on her own sleeping in and reading books but Talia decides Amy needs a makeover, an agenda of activities and some hot dates. Talia calls it the 'momspringa' (like the Amish rumspringa) and decides to feature it in the magazine as something all mothers need now and again. Reluctant at first but with encouragement from Talia, her best friend ex-nun Lena and Daniel, the hot librarian she befriends at a librarians convention, Amy soon finds that she is enjoying her new improved self and breaking out of the stasis she has been in for the past three years.

This was an engaging read with interesting characters who love talking about books and plays. Beware though, it may make you want to have a 'momspringa of your own!

A well written funny book with good characters and fun dialog. Not more what more needs to be said, particularly since there are so many other reviews. Recommended.

I really appreciate the copy for review!!