This to me was quite different than other Abbi Waxman books. Most of her books have a lot of female comradery, maybe even a bit of found family, and a "sweet" romance. This one had a lot of melodrama, not a lot of comradery and quite a bit of spice, which was unexpected. Honestly I didn't mind that part, but I really didn't like the whole plot line and found the main character to be pretty unlikeable.

Women in STEM rule! This was a fun read that was well written with well developed characters. Had a bit of everything- love, fun, heartache. Look forward to more from this author

Christa Comes Out of Her Shell by Waxman was an incredibly fun read - this was the perfect book to read on vacation. I enjoyed it - the writing, the humor and everything else.

A fun, and farsical, rom/com, like if Bridget Jones went into STEM. A very enjoyable story which might be a little too over-the-top for some readers. A typical Waxman story with a MC you can cheer for and a cast of real, well-developed supporting characters.

we love women in STEM!!! this one (my first read from waxman) was lighthearted, humorous, and heartwarming. loved seeing christa come out of her shell, grow in her confidence, explore romance, and balance her career, too. cute!!

Abbi Waxman's books have, to a one, always been emotionally ensnaring in the sneakiest of ways--think you're coming for a lighthearted romance/bit of fiction, get bowled over by the emotional quotient of her writing and the depth of the characters. I loved the set-up for CHRISTA COMES OUT OF HER SHELL--wayward scientist of the family is lured back into the family fold from the remote island where she conducts her research by the sudden reappearance of her father, long presumed dead. Waxman's trademark wit and talent for writing slightly absurd, very hilarious situations comes through here. But the romantic plotline and the emotional resolution didn't deliver for me in quite the way that her previous books have. Still adore her writing and cannot wait to see what comes next, and would recommend this for a lighthearted romp for anyone with a good sense of humor!

This is the first book of Waxman’s that I thoroughly enjoyed. It was funny, and quirky with a lot of female characters who become entirely fed up and actually do something about that.

Christa studies sea snails on an island in the middle of the Indian Ocean. Her dad is the fiction equivalent of Steve Irwin. He’s the zoologist and the three daughters are the camera-ready side show. His wife is the brains behind it all. Then he disappears in a plane crash in Alaska. He resurfaces years later with a ridiculous story to tell. But he’s so charismatic people believe him. But Christa can’t. I laughed out loud in spots and really felt for her in others.

Thank you, NetGalley, for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was a good contemporary book! A great MC in Christa, and very well written. I would say try reading the book if you think it sounds good! (I would recommend checking trigger warnings, as difficult subjects are mentioned in this novel.)

I received an e-ARC from the publisher.

Thank you to Netgalley and the Publishing Company for providing me this Digital Advanced Readers Copy of the book!

My thanks to Netgalley and Berkley for an advance copy of this book.

Christa Comes Out of Her Shell is a quirky romance about a marine biologist living on a small island in the Indian Ocean studying sea snails. Christa's work is turned upside down when her father a famous TV naturalist who was thought dead 25 years ago after a plane crash turns out to be alive. She returns home to Los Angeles and the spotlight she gave up as a teenager as she meets with her family but wonders if she'll lose herself in the chaos. New romance blossoms in between the drama and pulling Christa from her solitary life, but overall, I had a good time reading it!

Christa Liddle has lived on an island in the middle of the Indian Ocean for the past few years, studying snails for her graduate degree. She is happy and loves being on the island but must return home to LA after her missing father turns up alive. Her father, Jasper, was famous for his animal shows and disappeared in a plane crash when Christa was two.

She has very few memories of him and in the aftermath of him missing, her mother took over his shows and brought Christa in front of the cameras as well. Christa had a tumultuous childhood growing up in front of cameras and got into trouble because of it. She is once again thrust into the spotlight with her father appearing on the media circuit, trying to make amends. It doesn't help that her older sisters feel like she got all the attention growing up and her father is pressuring her to join him on a new show. While all this is happening, she reunites with Nate, her childhood friend and instant sparks.

I really enjoyed this book. Having your father show up after 25 years of being missing was a great plot point and I was rooting for Christa and the rest of her family. She was a quirky protagonist that got thrust into the spotlight again but with more family support. I really liked reading about the dynamics between the sisters - seeing as how Christa was so much younger than them. Her mother was a force. I also liked the new romance between her and Nate.

Thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for this eARC. Christa Comes Out of Her Shell is out now.

(3.5⭐️) Many thanks to my friends at @berkleypub and @prhaudio for the free #gifted copies of this book.

When Christa’s father turns up out of the blue after going missing decades before, she is thrust out of her quietly satisfying life into a stress filled media frenzy.

This premise and the fact that I adored the Bookish Life of Nina Hill had me eager to get my hands on this book.

One thing is certain: Waxman has a way with zany characters! Christa, a scientist that studies snails, was living her best solitary life amongst the marine life on a remote island. (Introverts unite!) So, it was no surprise that she was a completely and totally awkward character, particularly in social circumstances. Her thought process, sometimes noted in the footnotes, often had me in stitches.

Brimming with family drama, the dysfunction in this family was oftentimes comical. But occasionally the antics went beyond the realistic into the absurd. Still, it kept the storyline interesting and juicy.

The title is spot on for this read. Christa’s growth throughout the book is its strengths. With a focus on leaving the past behind, I appreciated the way Christa evolved into herself and found her voice. And by the end, she had definitely come out of her shell.

The Bookish Life of Nina Hill is my favorite read by Waxman. But this book continues to show Waxman’s talent for writing warm storylines that entertain.

🎧 With dual narration from Jesse Vilinsky and Jonathan Todd Ross, the audiobook was a treat to listen to. Vilinsky’s portrayal of Christa felt genuine and vibrant, adding to the eccentricities written into her character. Vilinsky’s depiction was engaging and kept me fully tuned in to the story. The “In the News” segments were adeptly portrayed by Jonathan Todd Ross, making them feel authentic to an actual broadcast. (Watch out Lester Holt!)

Abbi Waxman is a really great author and I have enjoyed everything she has written so far! I really like this book and can't wait to read whatever she releases next!

Thank you to netgalley and the publishers for providing me with an arc for an honest review.

The Liddle family had a wee bit of Irwin vibes, but then took a very dysfunctional turn. I didn't like the way they treated Christa. She was a little bit wishy washy when it came to knowing what she wanted, but I was still rooting for her and her happiness at the end.

I always know when picking up an Abbi Waxman novel that there will be quirky and there will be fun. Christa Comes Out of Her Shell was no different.

Christa adores her life studying snails on an island in the middle of the Indian Ocean. When family calls and asks her to come to LA because her missing father of over ten years has been found alive, she must go- leaving her snails for now. Christa, known as the "wild child" back in the day, immediately has cameras and reporter's mics thrown in her face. Luckily, she has her Mom, sisters and handsome family friend Nate to help her navigate the messy waters together, especially when secrets come out... for she, must finally come out of her shell.

I found myself laughing and highly invested in Christa's story, especially the family dynamics that were at play. Every single time I felt that the novel/plotline would go one way, I was surprised to find another twist thrown in that I was not expecting. While some may classify "Christa" as a romance because it does have that, it's also about finding your family once more when life turns to chaos and learning that you can lean on them. Some of the sexual scenes however; were unnecessary and I wanted more about Christa's love of life/science. Beautiful backstory, maybe a little off-putting with some of those romantic entanglements. But, of course, I am waiting anxiously for Waxman's next- as I know it'll be just as delightful!

This was fine, but I had trouble connecting with it. It is not a bad book, but it was just not for me.

There is just something fun about Abbi Waxman's writing. her characters are always so well developed and Christa is no exception. Christa likes her quiet life, but her once famous father who was believed to be dead shows up and throws her life into a tailspin. this was a good, fun, light read. perfect summer book!

one of my favorite romantic comedies, and one that makes the weirdest zany plot (supposedly dead dad pops up in Alaska and wants a broadcasted family reunion, and shit keeps hitting the fan) feel believable and real and utterly delightful.

Christabel Liddle has been famous since childhood. Just not really by choice. Her dad, Jasper, did animal shows for PBS until he disappeared in a plane crash when Christa was two. After many months, he was presumed dead. Christa made lots of TV appearances with her mom after her dad was gone, got into lots of trouble during her teens, and made quite a name for herself in the public eye. Since growing up, she has become a zoologist and stayed out of the spotlight living on an island in the Indian Ocean. Until her dad suddenly reappears after 25 years and Christa travels home to LA to be with her sisters and mother to figure out where her dad has been this whole time. Christa is once again thrust into the spotlight, and doesn’t know whether to trust her dad or not. She also might be falling in love. It’s a tough time to be Christabel Liddle!

I loved this book full of strong women characters that aren’t afraid to be themselves and voice their opinions. I also liked all the science and animal facts in the book. A interesting book for many reasons! Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Dysfunctional family drama, a quirky second chance romance, and a touch of smart comedy—this is the summary of another heartwarming and entertaining Abbi Waxman novel that never fails to surprise with its well-constructed, nerdy, and absolutely lovable main characters and their inner struggles.