What a cracker of a book! It can fit into so many categories... travel guide, self help book, romance novel, blog, and best of all... a warmhearted humourous tale.
I felt for the character in so many ways and think that she has been through so much in this book, I'm happy that she is finding her joy and living for herself.
The other characters bring it to life and add in moments that really make a reader smile. Betty and Frank certainly steal the show on many occasions.
My absolute favourite part of the book has to be the humour and the banter. Hilarious! I love the double act that Jenny and Charlie have and in fact love most of Jenny's dialogue.
While I have read a few books by this author and given them 5 stars for their ingenuity and heartfelt words, this one is a definite 5 star and buying to keep on the shelf.
Thanks so much to Netgalley and the author and publisher for a temporary copy in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Muse for the opportunity to read an advance copy of this book.

Loved this! It was so funny, yet it also made me tear up, it was a feel good story even with all the tragic elements. The characters were fantastic. The very slow burn between Jenny and Luke was just right. And if all of these places are real, you could actually use it as a travel guide. Loved the mention of Henry Cavill - he is, indeed, a god among men.

This is my first time reading this author and now I have to check out her backlist. Highly recommend!

Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Collins Focus for the ARC of this book. All opinions in this review are my own.

I loved this book so much that I almost devoured it in one sitting. The characters were well developed and easy to root for and the writing was beautiful as well.

After a series of crazy disasters, Jenny, a 30 something single mom to a teenager, finds herself on a cross country motor home trip with her neighbor who she barely know. When Jenny, her son, Charlie and Luke travel she learns a lot about herself and what she wants in life and she forges a beautiful relationship with Luke, despite his complicated history. She also reunites with her estranged family. It's a wonderful read and I highly recommend it. Thanks for the opportunity to review it!

Thank you Netgalley and Harper Muse Publishing for an eARC ♥️😍

Get ready to join Jenny on a wild ride! Her life is unraveling faster than a Norfolk coastal cliffside (yep, that actually happens!). But instead of wallowing in misery, she grabs her son Charlie and their adventurous neighbor Luke (plus his trusty sidekick Betty the dachshund) and hits the road.

As they explore England's hidden gems, Jenny faces her past head-on and starts to piece together a new future. You'll laugh at the witty banter, nod your head to the relatable struggles, and maybe even tear up a bit as Jenny confronts her fears and learns to let go.

This book is like a cozy British road trip in words - you'll feel like you're cruising along with the gang, sipping tea and snacking on scones (OK, maybe not, but you'll wish you were!). It's a heartwarming reminder that life's ups and downs can lead to unexpected adventures and new beginnings. So grab a cuppa, settle in, and join Jenny on her journey to rediscovery!

Debbie Johnson's latest novel, Jenny James Is Not a Disaster, is a heartwarming and relatable story about a single mother who finds herself at an unexpected crossroads. Jenny, a thirty-something single mom, is used to her fair share of bad days. But when her job, car, and home are all lost in one fell swoop, she's forced to face her life's trajectory and what she wants from it. Estranged from her parents and with nowhere else to turn, Jenny and her son, Charlie, find refuge in the camper of their reclusive neighbor, Luke. As the unlikely trio hit the road, Jenny begins to reflect on her past, present, and future. Along the way, Jenny learns to embrace the unexpected, finding both challenges and opportunities in her new nomadic lifestyle. She reconnects with her son, explores her own passions, and discovers a newfound sense of freedom. Johnson's writing is honest and humorous, capturing the complexities of Jenny's character and the challenges she faces. The supporting cast of characters is equally well-developed, each with their own unique story and impact on Jenny's journey. Jenny James Is Not a Disaster is a well-crafted and thought-provoking novel about resilience, self-discovery, and the power of human connection. It's a story that will resonate with readers of all ages and walks of life, reminding us that even in the face of adversity, we have the power to create a fulfilling and meaningful life.

What Jenny experienced at the very beginning of this book was enough to lead any person into the absolute depths of despair. However, she persevered and continued to move forward. She knew that she had to be strong both for herself as well as for Charlie. I found it to be quite admirable especially the fact that when she had Charlie as a very young mother and had nothing, that she created a life for the two of them that was full of love and warmth. Even though they didn't have a lot materially, you could feel how close they were as evidenced by their dialogue and interactions. When they both embarked on the adventure with Luke, not only did Jenny step out of her comfort zone but it felt like her life had color again. She realized how much more there was to see and explore. When she reunited with her parents, she realized how important family is and how dependency on others is not a bad thing. That is how in opening herself up that she fell in love with Luke and reignited her dream of becoming a writer and creating the blog. I would certainly read the sequel of their next adventures!

I usually love a paragraph - the long, flowing sentences, weaving a picture and taking me on a journey.

But I must be honest - I struggled to engage with this.

I was enticed by the idea of a camper trip, because I've had a lot of those last year and it would be my first time engaging with one on the page, but sadly this was not to be.

I may have been put off by the first page, and the conflict between 'breathalyzer' and 'mum'. I couldn't tell if this was supposed to be British or American, and the confusion stayed with me. I don't mind either (or any of the other myriad of countries available!), but I do prefer to know.

As things progressed, the soliloquies grew increasingly tiresome and I found myself skipping ahead to find someone saying something. I found it unemotive, and the most random of things happened without warning or rationale.

Needless to say, it wasn't for me.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

A sweet and heartwarming story about a single mother and teenage son who find themselves after a storm. Jenny is someone you want to cheer for.

Thanks Net Galley and the publisher for the ARC to review.

Who among us hasn't dreamed, at one time, of dropping everything and embarking on a journey? Jenny James did just that—with a little nudge from Mother Nature—and found herself amid a life-changing journey. "Jenny James Is Not a Disaster" by Debbie Johnson follows a 36-year-old struggling single mom who discovers happiness and joy in an unexpected place.

Jenny James is not a disaster, even though her life may have been. After her cottage on the Norfolk coast fell off a cliff, and she lost her job in the same week, Jane is at a crossroads. It's just her and her 18-year-old son - sadly, she is estranged from her family - and she has to decide what to do with her life. When her handsome nomadic neighbor, Luke, who lives in a camper van with his dachshund, Betty, offers them a road trip around England, she accepts. As they frolic around England, she is forced to take a hard look at her life and past choices, stop and smell the roses, and come to terms with her past.

I enjoyed the book very much. It was a less light read than I thought it would be, which is not a bad thing, and full of inspiring life lessons. I loved the humor and banter between the characters, the growing relationships between them, the sharing of backstories that made them close their hearts to love, and the way the heroine reinvented herself. I also loved the descriptions of the various historical sites. I could smell the roses, so to speak, and envision those vivid scenes.

I have to say that the way Jenny went on a trip with someone who was a perfect stranger until then made me raise a brow at first. I also thought that being estranged for about 18 years from her family was unreasonable, as well as her unwillingness to share her story with her son. I loved the resolution of the heroine's issues, though, and the ending warmed my heart. Some scenes were touching, causing me to shed a tear.

The book highlights the complicated relationships between parents and children, and it's done with humor and heartfelt insights. I loved the message that "home is wherever you are happy." The author paints a compelling story of a journey of happiness, self-discovery, and individual pride. With themes of friendship, trust, love, letting go of the past, and self-discovery, the author has woven a tale that I enjoyed reading. The gentle budding romance added to the enjoyment. Highly recommended!

* I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Jenny James Is Not a Disaster by Debbie Johnson is an enjoyable contemporary fiction that left me feeling uplifted and a smile upon my face.

This was a feel-good contemporary fiction that takes the reader along for a ride of overcoming obstacles, finding meaning, looking for that silver lining, and finding hope in a future that now doesn’t seem quite as dark. Jenny, Charlie, and Luke are great main characters, and through their gathered trip, we get to see them truly blossom.

4/5 stars

Thank you NG and HarperCollins Focus, Harper Muse 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 on 7/9/24.

This was quite the road movie, only for it to be a book :) With three enjoyable main characters, especially the banter between Charlie and his mother Jenny was a joy. And him praising her, saying she rocked for leaving her comfort zone on one particular day, something to do with not revisiting a sandwich she just had for lunch (in case I spoil things by revealing too much) almost had me in tears.

Jenny has set everything aside for Charlie and struggles to make ends meet, often feeling like she is not good enough in what she has to offer as a single mother. This means she has some issues with certain people for making her do everything on her own. Indeed, everyone's problems are validated, so is this, seriously.
It was nice to read that things can be somewhere in between instead of being black and white, even if that is easier to deal with since there are so many things in life we cannot control. In the end some people turn out to be quite a surprise.

And yet that is exactly what was a bit much for me in this too good to be true feelgood book. All of the painful loose ends being nicely wrapped up.
Personally, a feelgood book can still have some leftover, unresolved, toxic aspect in the background, despite or especially with a happy-ending for a more real-life feeling, methinks.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of the book.