What a wonderful and vibrant read! Carolyn does an excellent job capturing the challenges of what it’s like to be a modern wife, mother and daughter…and does so with humor and realness and some excellent 80s references. I could see bits of myself and my friends in Ramona and was able to really connect to the characters and story. I laughed and I cried. Highly recommend!!

This is a light hearted funny story that really grasps what it is like to be a mom. There were several passages that made me laugh out loud. When they brought the class pet home and she fell, it was such an “I Love Lucy” moment! She took some heavy topics and still made it hilarious!

This was ok, but the character's decisions at times did not make sense to me at all. It was light and maybe even too light for me.

This story is a wild ride and I laughed, I cried, I loved it. The writing is great, and the pace is so consuming that I stayed up late to finish it same-day. Brilliant! Also, I sincerely hope that Christopher's name is a nod to Under the Cherry Moon, as that one is my personal favorite of the Prince films.

This book is a perfect fit for readers who enjoy lighthearted, relatable, and humorous stories about women's lives, relationships, and family, particularly those who appreciate the witty and entertaining writing style of authors like Maria Semple and Jennifer Weiner.

Trying to prepare for a category 4 hurricane with two children in tow is enough of a catastrophe for one person, so imagine coming home to also find your husband having an affair.. Ramona is such a relatable and human character - the over worked, under appreciated, always tired mom who’s just trying to get through life. There could have been slightly more character development in the book, but overall I enjoyed it.

Carolyn Prusa's None of This Would Have Happened If Prince Was Alive is a witty, poignant, and insightful novel that masterfully blends humor and heartache. Set against the chaotic backdrop of a hurricane bearing down on Savannah, Georgia, the story follows Ramona, a woman grappling with the disarray in her personal life while the world around her mirrors her inner turmoil.

Ramona’s life is in shambles. Her marriage is on the rocks, her job is precarious, and she’s struggling to hold it all together for the sake of her two young children. As the storm approaches, so too does the storm within Ramona’s life, pushing her to confront the issues she has been avoiding. Prusa deftly captures the messy, unpredictable nature of life through Ramona’s perspective, making her a relatable and deeply human protagonist.

The novel’s title, a nod to the beloved musician Prince, is both a reflection of Ramona’s longing for simpler times and a clever metaphor for the unpredictability of life. Prusa weaves Prince’s music and legacy into the narrative, using it as a touchstone for Ramona’s emotions and memories. This connection to Prince adds a layer of nostalgia and poignancy, resonating with readers who understand the impact of music on memory and identity.

Prusa’s writing is sharp and engaging, balancing humor and seriousness with ease. The dialogue is snappy and authentic, bringing the characters to life and making their interactions feel genuine. The author’s ability to infuse humor into even the most challenging situations adds a lightness to the story without undermining the gravity of Ramona’s struggles.

One of the strengths of the novel is its exploration of the complexities of modern womanhood. Ramona’s journey is a testament to the resilience and strength required to navigate the demands of family, career, and personal fulfillment. Prusa does not shy away from depicting the messiness of Ramona’s life, and this honesty makes her journey all the more compelling.

The supporting characters in the novel are equally well-drawn, each adding depth and nuance to the story. From Ramona’s quirky coworkers to her well-meaning but often misguided friends, each character contributes to the rich tapestry of the narrative. The relationships between these characters are depicted with warmth and realism, enhancing the emotional impact of the story.

As the hurricane reaches its peak, so does the tension in Ramona’s life. Prusa skillfully parallels the external chaos with Ramona’s internal struggle, building to a climax that is both satisfying and thought-provoking. The resolution of the novel is hopeful yet realistic, reflecting the complexities of real life and the ongoing nature of personal growth.

In conclusion, None of This Would Have Happened If Prince Was Alive is a delightful and deeply moving novel that showcases Carolyn Prusa’s talent for storytelling. It is a book that will make readers laugh, cry, and reflect on their own lives. With its relatable protagonist, engaging narrative, and heartfelt exploration of life’s challenges, this novel is a must-read for anyone who has ever felt overwhelmed by the chaos of life.

Savannah, Georgia - Ramona is having a difficult time - a category 5 hurricane is coming; she just caught her husband having an affair with another woman; her mother is refusing to heed the mandatory evacuation; her boss is demanding she work on a project during the hurricane; and she’s trying to keep her two kids, one who still isn’t potty trained, a teenage neighbor, and the class Guinea pig safe. As if losing Prince wasn’t bad enough! I loved the Prince references and the comedy of errors that Ramona encountered, however, as someone who has lived through multiple deadly hurricanes, I found Ramona’s decisions irresponsible and dangerous; I can’t imagine any mother putting her family in harm’s way like she did. Unfortunately, this tainted the book for me, so I can only give it 3/5 stars.

This book is laugh out loud funny! For every woman who feels like she does everything and her husband does nothing, you will relate to this book. I could see a little of myself in the main character, Ramona. There are flashbacks to Ramona’s past helping to better understand her. This was a quick read. There were references to Prince’s music but the book was not about him!

A hurricane is heading to Savannah, but Ramona's life is already category 4 chaos.

Overall, the book was a quick and enjoyable read: however, if you are an anxious person, the chaos may be too much for you to fully enjoy the story.

I enjoyed the way the author weaved in Ramona's earlier life and how thay lead her to where she is today. It spoke to what a lot of us think - was the grass greener when we were younger?

An absolutely chaotic ride with a woman whose life seems to be spiraling out of control — oh and did I mention there's a category four hurricane on the way?

This one was a bit hard for me to finish.

I don’t think I connected to the character at this time and felt like the story was a bit disjointed in areas.

The premise was cute and I feel like maybe in a different time this would have hit differently for me.

Not everything Ramona did made sense to me, but the book was a wild ride and very relatable. It was real.

I laughed. I got frustrated. I sang Prince songs.

“He [Prince] doesn’t know what it feels like to be left in a world that used to have a tiny guitar-wielding deity shrouded in lush fabrics emanating freedom, sexuality, vulnerability, and funkiness and now it doesn’t.”

“What would Prince want me to do? Squat down and cover my head to shield myself from Hurricane Matthew? Or do I let the storm awaken my dormant powers like Prince at the Super Bowl, so I rise up, tear off this flimsy costume made up of people I think I should be, to become myself?”


Thank you NetGalley and Atria Books for this digital arc in exchange for my honest review which is not affiliated with any brand.

Eehhh... I wasn't a fan. This story includes adultery which is generally a topic I prefer to avoid but it sounded interesting enough for me to give it a chance. I wasn't horrible or anything, just really was not the right book for me.

Yall this was bad. So bad it took me forever and a day, ok over a year, to finish. The summary seemed like this was a book about a woman who one day takes charge of her life and makes changes so she can live the life she's always dreamed of. What we got was terrible kids, a cheating husband, and a mom who uses vaguely homophobic language and has the absolute oddest and just gross dialogue. I get the mom character is supposed to be and older woman who just says whatever she wants but come on. And trust me I'm no prude, she's just odd. And surprise surprise, Ramona never changes!! I kept waiting for the "take control of your life and make it better" part but it never came. The fact she didn't kick her cheating husband to the curb immediately was just insane as well. I just could not relate and spent the whole book just mad at Ramona for being so dumb. Just not my cup of tea at all.

⭐️/5

I received an advanced copy for free and am leaving this review voluntarily. Thank you to NetGalley, Atria Books, and Carolyn Prusa.

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest opinion.

DNF at 28%. The title definitely gripped me; I’m always down for anything Prince. Unfortunately, I struggled to find the connection between Prince and our protagonist’s life - past or present.

I can appreciate that Ramona is supposed to represent everywoman trying to juggle life, but it didn’t not read as such for me. The writing was clunky at times, which made our protagonist feel more disheveled and lost than was probably intended. Combined with the homophobic language that I think was meant to be veiled in what I assume is traditional southern culture, this read just didn’t land with me.

Ramona feels like she is doing everything for her family and on top of it has a micromanager of a boss. In one day Ramona has a whirlwind of a day that happens from having to leave work early to pick up her child, to a hurricane coming through in Savannah and walking in on her husband having an affair. Ramona takes the bull by the horns and handles the craziest forty-eight hours on and adventure that no one in her family will forget.

The book had moments of laugh out loud moments, but at points it dragged on a bit. I did feel like the main character had her own issues that were going on that she wasn't dealing with at all. Instead of facing her personal life head on she turned to others to give her the answer.

Thank you #NetGalley for the advance copy

BOOK REVIEW

None Of This Would Have Happened If Prince Were Alive by Carolyn Prusa

⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️💫

“It’s hard to remember who you are when you love other people so fiercely.”

This is truly a charming debut novel. It hits the nail right on the head if you are an over worked, under appreciated, exhausted and working mom that loves your family so dang much. It touches on gender double standards and workplace discrimination.
The few chapters during a “hurricane party” made me laugh out loud because as someone who lived in Florida for five years, I can confirm that during my first hurricane, all I did was duct tape my windows and drank a bottle of spicy tequila and a twelve pack of bud light with my roommates. 😅🤣
It is also a beautiful homage to Prince (because who doesn’t love Prince) and tells the story of Ramona who through his songs.
The ending left me unsatisfied though, and I would have loved to have more closure for Ramona.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for giving me an eARC of this book in return for an honest review.

This book was chaos and all over the place. The aspect of Prince didn’t make sense to me. It felt a little awkward in some places when Prince was randomly mentioned. The main story line is about a mother who is trying to balance work, kids, and marriage and then her life is upturned when she finds out her husband was cheating on her. While trying to figure her life out there is a hurricane happening and she’s trying to figure out the best way to get through it. Overall, it was a mediocre storyline and all the Prince portion was unnecessary.

I was going to read this book no matter because of the title.

I had no idea what is was bout and I’m glad I didn’t read the blurb. I enjoyed this book! Ramona definitely has you hooked and is the most enjoyable main character I have read in awhile AND her life is falling apart. But she is relatable and I loved that.

Don’t skip this one!

Thank you NetGalley for the chance to read and review.