While I am still some years away from midlife, I enjoyed this book! I found a lot of the stories she was sharing extremely relatable. I think anyone could benefit from reading it. If you are 20-40, you can take her advice to learn and grow before midlife. If you are middle-aged, you can relate to many stories and find comfort in the similarities and experiences.

*I read ad advanced copy of this book in exchange for a promotion.

With acerbic humor and refreshing honesty Jen Mann makes menopause easier to handle. It’s not like laughter can make hot flashes go away, but it’s good to know you’re not alone with all of the suckiness of hormone ridiculousness. I didn’t know the author before, but I’m definitely a fan now.

Highly recommend

Thank you Netgalley for this ARC for an exchange for an honest review.

I thought it was great. Check it out for yourself.

Thank you Netgalley, Ballantine Books, and Author Jen Mann for this ARC.

I had never heard of Jen Mann or her blog previous to reading this book. I was pleasantly surprised. She's quite funny and refreshingly real. I think this is a crucially important book for women as well. I remember puberty and no one had told me what I was to expect then either. So, to have this guide that gets personal, is part self-help, and has its moments of laugh-out-loud funny (I wish there had been more), is a big deal.

I am woman, hear me roar!

Midlife Bites by Jen Mann is like a balm for the Gen X soul. As an “elder” Millennial born in the early 80s, I’m a smidge younger than the intended audience, but I immediately related to Jen Mann’s writing, as a wife and mother nearing 40. From the gate, she is completely vulnerable and honest. It’s really comforting to know that other women are going through the same struggles as me. Our lives may be seemingly on track in many ways, but we get stuck in the day-to-day and aren’t necessarily who we want to be. It’s incredibly easy to lose ourselves when constantly caring for others. There simply doesn’t seem to be enough time or energy to focus on our own needs.

Each chapter focuses on an issue that is common for middle aged women to face, from heavy expectations at home to enduring relationships to professional success. Mann has put together wisdom from her own life using snark, hilarious and heartfelt examples of the issues she’s faced and what she’s done to help with them. I loved the honestly and tone of this book. There is some cursing, but it seems more natural than performative like too many self-help books these days. I was having a tough week when I started it and was immediately sucked in and felt understood. It gives tips on bettering ourselves with certain issues and embracing who you are, but isn’t heavy-handed or preachy. I’ve started to consider what changes I can make in my own life to lighten the load, assert my needs, and find motivation and confidence to be better.

Thank you Random House / Ballantine Books and NetGalley for providing this ARC.

I had not heard of the author before I saw this book, but based on the description I had hopes for a funny & thoughtful consideration of this season of life. But this is more like a collection of glib blog posts. None of the themes are developed, and each chapter is over almost before it starts. There was a lot of personal sharing, “I’ll swear if I want to!” word choices, and bragging about the author’s skill in online community building. But the whole thing just felt like a bunch of blog posts slapped together without further reflection or development. I thank NetGalley & the publisher for giving me a chance to check it out.

I'm, familiar with this author because I'm a member of the Biters FB group. After thinking It's just me, nobody else does THAT, it was great to find my tribe, women going through the same thing who thought THEY were all alone, too. This book is an overview of the joys and irritations of midlife, with liberal use of the f-bomb. It's also a reminder to Be Happy, Do things that Make you Happy, and Don't worry If People don't like you, that's not any of your business. It's useful information for females of any age, but during 'this' time of life, it's especially reassuring to know that you're not alone. Funny, irreverent, this book kept me giggling. Definitely recommend.

Thank you #Netgalley for granting my wish! I was so excited to get a copy!

As a fan of Jen Mann, this book did not disappoint. I always appreciate her honesty and casual writing style. You feel like you are sitting with a girlfriend over a glass of wine sharing about what is going on in your life. This time, Jenn talks about waking up and being in a "funk" but she didn't know who to share with. She mentioned to a doctor who blew her off. Then she decided to post on her social media page where she receive and outpouring of support and comments from women experiencing similar things. She was not alone in this journey of unknown. Cheers to Jen for making midlife crisis for women a topic that should not be ashamed off.

Midlife Bites by Jen Mann is a wonderful memoir/self-reflection/guide to the turbulent years that can be associated with the “second awakening” that can take place during the “middle ages”. I loved it!

I am always a fan of wit, sarcasm, sassy-ness, and being cheeky, so when that is used to help dispel some of the murky waters of the middle age years that take place in a woman’s life to help let us all know that we are not alone, well I am all for it. Granted I have not reached 40 yet, it will not be long till I can truly experience all of these issues and not just tipping my toes as were at the moment.

So many of these concepts of identity crisis, emotional changes, second-guessing, self-searching, physical changes, and relationship alterations are never discussed as if they are some sort of dirty secret, and that needs to change. I am so glad Ms. Mann had the courage to fly this flag and let us all know we are not alone and we can figure this all out together!

Excellent!

5/5 stars

Thank you NG and Random House Publishing Group/Ballantine for this wonderful arc and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.

I am posting this review to my GR and Bookbub accounts immediately and will post it to my Amazon, Instagram, and B&N accounts upon publication.

Midwife Bites is a humourous and relatable book that takes on the myriad of topics surrounding midlife for women. Jen Mann's writing is entertaining and also feels like a conversation with a good friend. As I get closer to this stage of life, I can see the challenges and also the victories of this period of life and I love that Mann is talking about all of this. Sharing openly and honestly is one of the most wonderful ways we can connect and grow with one another, and Mann is leading the lead for this audience. From "taboo" topics, to feelings almost everyone can relate to, Mann covers it all. Highly recommend!

Midlife Bites is absolutely fantastic. Having never read anything by Jen Mann before, I wasn’t exactly sure what I would get. I assumed it would contain some of the typical self-help narration. I was wrong. Midlife Bites is far superior because of her blunt, no-BS tone.

Midlife Bites is a collection of essays gives the reader some insights in her midlife crisis journey. Each chapter has advice and what worked and what did not work for her. What sets this book apart from other self help books is in the topic. We all have heard about midlife crisis in men but women? Mann wants to be sure this topic doesn’t get swept aside or hidden. Midlife Bites is hilariously honest, authentic, and powerful and one every woman should read.

Full Disclosure: I received a copy of Midlife Bites: Anyone Else Falling Apart, Or Is It Just Me? written by Jen Mann by wishing for it from Ballantine Books via NetGalley. Wishes do come true!

This book couldn't have come into my life at a better time. I'm turning 47 this week! I've been yelling for years that nobody tells women what is really in store for them as they get older. Has your body got some surprises in store for you!!! Joy and happiness? You might have to kiss those goodbye in exchange for...hello darkness, my old friend. Get ready to be angry...a lot. Yep, I want to punch people in the throat too. Then here comes Jen Mann writing what has been inside my brain for certainly all of my forties and probably a chunk of my thirties. She's not afraid to tell you the truth. Your body will betray you (sometimes in public). She saw a need and created a Facebook group for women to find support as they navigate mid-life and beyond. She exposed the secret that women have mid-life crises just like men only we don't buy fancy sports cars and run off with much younger women.

If you find yourself on the cusp of 40 or any point after and nobody has had "the talk" with you yet, do yourself a favor and get a copy of this book. You'll be glad you did.

Bonus points for Stan the Mann (Jen's dog).

Extra bonus points for accepting me into the Midlife Bites Facebook group. I have found more of my people.

Humerous, fun read! I'm not quite at an age to be considered mid-life just yet, but this was so relatable!! Jen Mann covers topics most women are going through, but may be afraid to talk about it....anything from friendships, kids, relationships, sex, growing old, etc.... Her stories were enjoyable and I found myself thinking..."that's exactly how I feel!" This wasn't a book I would typically read, but I'm glad I did. I enjoyed it.

Midlife Bites
Anyone Else Falling Apart, Or Is It Just Me?
by Jen Mann
I am in my 60ish age now. I enjoyed some of this quite well. Some seemed at my age it was more what happens when kids leave, you can stand or you can become a new you. It was a good read, touching on mid-life.

This book was written for me... Seriously, this was such a great book. Laughed alot (and maybe teared up a time or two) , Always on the lookout for authors book!

Thanks to author, publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book. While I got the book for free, it had no bearing on the rating I gave it.

I enjoyed Jen Mann’s latest book as I have enjoyed all of her irreverently humorous books. I hope she never stops writing.

Jen Is the snarky yet honest mouthpiece of so many women in our often ridiculous society who have no audience themselves. She has created a middle-aged tribe and this book needed writing.

Thank you to Jen Mann and NetGalley for this STC.

If I could give this book more stars, I would! So hilariously funny and relatable! Such a fun and fast read. Love Jen Mann’s writing!

Thank you NeGalley and Ballantine books for granting my wish to read this book!

Thank you Ballantine Books and NetGalley for this fun, exciting new novel!

This book gets five shiny stars!
Midlife Bites was seriously a great, fun, entertaining story! I can't think of one negative thing to say.
This book is full of humor and life!
The characters omg so fun to follow along and read about! Talk about enjoyable?! This book is it!
You will fall in love with this book! I might read it again before the pub date its that good!

Thank you so much for the opportunity to read this amazing book

I will post to my platforms closer to pub release date!

This was such a fun read! Super interesting for ALL ages. I took this as advice for the future and some advice for now. Jens Gem's are hilarious and had be laughing out loud.

Thank you for the advanced copy.

Midlife Bites is the first Jen Mann title that I've read; now, I must go back and read the others. Smart, funny, sarcastic, and amazingly loud (even in print), Jen writes about feelings that we all have.

Women, at midlife and beyond, face a whole new set of challenges that other people just don't understand. Jen writes for these women, saying all the things the rest of us only think. As a plus, Midlife Bites is laugh out loud funny!

I love this book, so much that I've read it twice already! I would highly recommend this title to any woman over 35.

In the interest of full disclosure, I received a free copy of this book to review from Net Galley.

#MidlifeBites#NetGalley