I requested to read this book because I was hooked by the title. Women focus so much on the marriage and the kids that it is difficult to believe that you can have all of you have dreamed of, but still yearn for something more. “After Happily Ever After” is the story of Maggie Dolin who faces midlife and a multiple of crises.

Maggie Dolin has a lot going on in her life. Her teenage daughter, Gia, is gearing up for college while her dad, whom she shared a poignant relationship with, is in an assisted living facility because of Parkinson’s. Meanwhile, Maggie struggles with relating to her mother, whom she talks to by phone every day. Gia nor her husband (who ironically happens to be a psychologist who has plenty of time for his patients, but not his wife) fail to notice (or appreciate) all of the sacrifices that Maggie makes.


Everything about this novel was affecting. Because I had to watch my dad fade away, day by day, I really related to Maggie having to say goodbye to her father bit by bit as his conditions deteriorates. Even her husband, who could easily come across as a villain, has reasons for his distance. I was shocked to discover that this was Leslie Rasmussen’s novel as her ability to capture the awkwardness and dysfunctional that makes us human is awesome.

Four and a half stars for sure!

Thanks to the author, the publisher and Netgalley for my advanced copy.

Oh the seasons of life we go through as we get older...here we have Maggie, a stay-at-home mom, in her 40’s, faced with many different issues. A marriage where she feels neglected and not fulfilling, a 17 yr old daughter, who will be leaving for college soon, and her father in a nursing home with declining memory. There are other aspects of this novel that I will not give away here.

As an empty nester with a long marriage and my parents in a nursing home, I could relate to many parts of this book. It was an enjoyable read and kept me engaged with the characters and story.

The author, Leslie Rasmussen, sums her book up perfectly... “And lastly to all the moms who are left with an empty nest and a journey to find themselves once again. This book is for you.

Thank you NetGalley and She Writes Press for a complimentary advance digital copy in exchange for an honest review. #AfterHappilyEverAfter #NetGalley

An accurate description of like as the family grows and moves on. The second act in a family and how we address it.

I thoroughly enjoyed this. When it started it reminded a little bit of Austenland and there is even a mention of the film here, but it really does create its own universe. Both Julia and Luke were a bit whiny at times but both characters had some stuff to work through before they are able to get to the light. It was a nice touch too that other characters’ experiences at Notting Hill helped Julia learn about herself and realize that ultimately it’s not the grand gestures that matter but the little ones that do

Maggie Dolin is forty-five and isn’t dealing with getting older very well. Seventeen years ago, she gave up her job in publishing to raise her daughter, Gia—but now her only child is about to leave for college, and Maggie isn’t sure what her new purpose will be.

Y'all this book is amazing! This was such a cute read! I tore through this in one evening! Maggie is an awesome character and I loved her role here! I enjoyed the way this writing wss so now I'm on the hunt for more of Leslie's books. :)

Maggie Dolin has spent the last years taking care of her family. Her beloved daughter Gia is ready to leave for college, so the empty nest situation is a real fact in her near future. Her husband's mind seems to be living miles away from her. Midlife crisis arrived in full swing. So, when her father's health takes a step down, her world finally collapses.
I was very interested in this book, and it was no disappointment. The author developed the finest characters one could hope, making the reader absolutely comfortable with them. The pace is fantastic. Personally, I loved the epilogue. It was in a way surprising but yet familiar. Fulfilling.
In a few words, a good story very well written.
I hope to read more from this author.
Thank you Netgalley for the chance to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

Loved this book! It was such a deep look at one family and how life, time and choice shapes each person. It was so well done.

I enjoyed this book that deals with a middle-aged woman coming to the point in her life where she asks herself, "is this all there is." Her marriage is unraveling, her father is losing his memory, her daughter is leaving to go to college and her mother unexpectedly passes away-turmoil is the order of the day. She meets a younger man whom she thinks can make her life better, but when she finds out who he really is, she realizes how wrong she has been, There is a twist at the end that you won't see coming.

Maggie Dolin is a dues paying member of the Sandwich Generation. She’s caught between the needs of her teenage daughter, Gia and those of her aging parents. Gia is about to leave for college and Maggie is anxious about becoming an empty nester. She and her mother have a distant, prickly relationship that makes daily calls bothersome. Her father, whom she is very close to, has Parkinson’s and is in an assisted living facility. Her day careens from the early morning calls from her mother to making her daughter’s lunch to afternoon visits to her father. In between, there is the constant flow of laundry, meal planning, shopping and cooking. Neither her daughter nor her husband Jim, a psychologist, seem to notice all she does for them. Maggie’s feelings of being ignored are setting her up for a major mistake. Although she steps away from a dangerous path, she realizes changes must be made.

After Happily Ever After is beautifully written novel that describes emotions incredibly well. Although Maggie is the main narrator, several passages give voice to Jim and Isaac, Maggie’s father. Isaac’s thoughts as he sinks into dementia are heartbreaking as is Maggie’s grief, losing him bit by bit, word by word, day by day. And Jim, the incommunicative husband, is not a vague villain. He has worries and problems of his own that are affecting his actions. It is hard to believe that After Happily Ever After is a first novel. I can’t wait to see what Leslie Rasmussen does next. 5 stars.

Thank you to NetGalley, She Writes Press and Leslie A. Rasmussen for this ARC.

Not my normal style of book, but the description really interested me, and I read it in just 2 sittings!

Maggie Dolin is in her mid forties and facing the reality of the empty nest, when her daughter will go off to college. This book is set about 6 months before that actually happens, but the realisation of what it will mean is already causing Maggie to try and understand what her role will be once Gia leaves the family home. Maggie gave up her career to be a stay at home mother, so the business world has moved on without her. There are other stressors in her life - her father’s illness, her husband’s apparent distance, among others - which all contribute to these feelings of uncertainty of her place in the world.

I would really recommend this book, it made me cry in a couple of places, but it also made me smile. I also have a teenage daughter thinking about going to college, though I have another year or so to go, but it made me think about how different things will be when she goes.

I look forward to reading this author again.

Like I said in my review on goodreads I am in shock that this is a debut novel. It is just that good!!
I resonate and rooted for Maggie wholeheartedly throughout the duration of the book. Leslie is a skilled author who makes you utterly fall in love with the majority of the characters in the book specifically Maggie's father. I went through a rollercoaster of emotions. Looking forward to reading more of Leslie's work in the future