This was a fun read about letting go of things you can’t control, including how you acted in the past or how others think and behave. A good reminder: one foot in front of the other.

Lorna is a character that will stay with me for a very long time. Her pain has just been baked into her soul for so long, she has no idea how to release it and it comes out as just...anger. Watching her try to come to grips with her past and her self was hard and yet so incredibly moving.

Also, we need to talk about Bean. Because I LOVE BEAN. He melted my heart in every scene. His easy friendship with Lorna when she so desperately needed a friend was so pure.

All in all, another brilliant, touching, insightful book by Julia London!

This book has a lot going for it—Lorna Lott is a refreshing protagonist: flawed, driven, and at a crossroads in her life. I really appreciated seeing a woman in her 40s navigating therapy, personal growth, and forgiveness. It’s not something you often get in these kinds of novels, and it added a layer of realism and heart.

The balance between heavier topics—like trauma and strained family relationships—and the more uplifting, humorous moments was well done for the most part. The scenes with Lorna’s quirky young neighbors and their charming father brought warmth and levity to the story.

That said, parts of the book did feel slow, especially in the middle. While the emotional journey was meaningful, the pacing occasionally dragged, and I found myself losing interest at times. Ultimately, while the message—that it’s never too late to change—is powerful and important, the book just wasn’t quite my kind of read.

Still, fans of heartfelt, introspective women’s fiction will likely find plenty to love here.

Another strong read from Julia London on the importance of mental health and finding yourself.

Overall: 4
Spice: 0

Lorna is probably not fine. She is great at her job, but not great at managing people or the rage that seems to bubble up inside her. She knows her childhood was difficult, but she is keeping that all locked up to never examine. That is, until she makes a mistake at work that is a step too far and his sent to a mandatory 30 day wellness program by her employer. With the time off work, Lorna begins to meet her neighbors including 8 year old Bean. Can Lorna survive the program to keep her job and accomplish her goal of owning her grandmother's home or is there just too much to overcome.

Nice Work Nora November was on my best of 2024 list, so I was very excited to get to read this ARC thanks to Harper Muse and NetGalley. Nora was my first book by Julia London, so I wasn't aware of her earlier romance books. These stories seem to be a new direction for her and one that should be considered in the literary fiction genre. Both books handle mental health issues with care and finesse. Lorna had a very traumatic childhood due to her addict sister which is shared in flashback scenes. Her mother's deathbed wish was that Lorna would deal with her anger. As she revisits key people from her life who she feels were wronged by her sister, she gets a new perspective on how she remembers those events. Such a relatable lesson that I connected with! Bean isn't bothered by Lorna's abrasiveness and accepts her as she is - as children often do. He becomes her sounding board and cheerleader. He also comes with an attractive single dad which is a bonus. The portrayal of life with an addict and how each family member handles them differently was a perspective I had not read before and appreciated. I enjoy that these books feature very real characters and very real outcomes. Real life isn't a fairytale, but still a story worth sharing. I highly recommend this book, but be aware of the presence of childhood trauma and life with an addict family member.

When you look at the cover art for this book, what do you see? A stylish young woman in high heels in front of a nice mansion. The words in my head were: whimsy, cute, heart-warming, romance, comedy. Well, I was wrong for a good part of it. I had a prejudice that it was going to be feel-good in a superficial way, but the novel surprised me by its emotional depth, and I couldn’t help but shed a few tears at the end!

Everything is probably fine is the story of Lorna, 43, a successful sales executive, as she bumps into a wall and is forced to change. Her boss is adamant that Lorna will not get the promotion she deserves until she completes a one-month retreat and work on her issues. (Yes, you may raise eyebrows here, let me prepare my resume for any company that pays a month-long introspective vacation to its employees, even their star performers).

Lorna is tough as nail with her team, but also to herself. She has a short fuse because she’s so full of repressed anger, and she has the thickest protective shell, so that anything emotional or intimate simply doesn’t get through to her (Yes, that makes her a not very pleasant main character at the beginning, but that’s where some quirkiness and comedic situations help lighten the mood)

At the core of Lorna’s defensiveness is her sister Kristen, a few years older. Kristen has been an addict almost all her life, and she has not only destroyed much of her own life, but impacted everyone around her, including Lorna, their parents and their grandmother. As Lorna learns to shed her protective shell and revisit turning points of her life and her sister’s, we see how she was repeatedly hurt and how she needs to work hard to forgive others and forgive herself.

I enjoyed that the book managed some balance between light, sunny scenes, and very heavy topics. Some plot lines are very optimistic, but not all of them. Yes, the representation of therapy, in a wellness spa with some weird white guru, is probably too Pollyannaish. But I probably wouldn’t have followed the story with the same pleasure otherwise. I was moved by Lorna’s story, and it helped me consider perspectives on addiction that I had no idea on.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley. I received a free copy of this book for review consideration.

This one was okay, I’ll admit that I liked it more than I had anticipated, however I still found some parts to be extremely slow. I enjoyed the characters, just felt that something was lacking

I went into this expecting a fluffy story based on the cute cover but for a much deeper and more meaningful read about addiction, forgiveness, etc. It was emotional and beautiful!

A wonderful read!
This novel drew me in from the very first page and kept me hooked until the end. The characters were vibrant and relatable, the writing was engaging, and the story had just the right balance of heart and humor. Highly recommend!
Many thanks to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for my ARC. All opinions are my own.

2.75 rounded up to a 3 for me.

Maybe this book just isn't meant for me. It's an easy, predictable read with a character who wants to grate against your nerves but wins you over as she grows. Fine! I love unlikeable-likeable characters. But her growth is so slow, without many other redeeming qualities about her. We have a cast of characters who support her, which allows her to grow into a more dimensional person who works through her trauma. It was just fine, and that's good for some people! But it just wasn't for me.

Thank you to the author, HarperMuse, and NetGalley for the advanced copy.

ARC REVIEW ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Since the beginning I resonated with a few things Lorna said or felt.
Honestly Bean just stole the show from time to time.
The book is easy to read, however I found it kind of hard because I don’t usually read this kind of books. This book is all about second chances and forgiveness.
Overall, I liked Lorna’s growth and development.

Not the usual rom-com I was expecting from the author, and the title. But still a powerful read, showing it is never too late to discover yourself and grow as a person. And it’s never too late for forgiveness.

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

Everything is Probably Fine is a heart warming novel of healing personal trauma and forgiving yourself and others. Lorna Lott is forty-two, one of the best sales people at her job, and awkward, angry, and too blunt. Her treatment of her sales team gets her a visit to wellness treatment program if she wants to keep her job. The forced therapy has Lorna examining her life and the trauma that led her to place she is now. Her loneliness is alleviated by a young boy next door who is as in need of a friend as she is. Lorna begins to heal and make amends for the wrongs she believes she caused. Her journey brings Lorna a new lease on life and new friends to enjoy it with. Memorable and moving, Lorna’s story makes the reader empathize and love Lorna as she begins to love herself for an enjoyable, touching read. My voluntary, unbiased, and non-mandatory review is based upon a review copy from NetGalley.

I went into this book believing I would be reading a lighthearted story. I was pleasantly surprised to find that the story was about self-discovery and forgiveness. Lorna was real and I could relate to her. This book had me thinking long and hard after I finished.

Stuck in a job where she is required to take a month off of work due to her intense way of dealing with coworkers. The main character of the story finds a way to connect with a little boy across the hall when he befriend her dog. Is she copes with her sister’s substance abuse and her mom‘s death it is hard to see what may come of her living arrangements as well as her job.

Review: Everything Is Probably Fine by Julia London
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4 stars)

A slow burn of a character-driven novel that explores emotional growth, childhood wounds, and the uncomfortable but necessary path to healing.

Julia London delivers a quiet yet emotionally resonant story in Everything Is Probably Fine. This isn’t a fast-paced plot-driven tale—it’s a layered journey through the complexities of self-discovery, relationships, and what it means to truly move forward. Lorna is a deeply relatable protagonist, especially for readers who tend to walk through life solo. Her emotional arc felt genuine and earned, and as a fellow loner, I found myself connecting with many of her struggles on a personal level.

London’s writing gently pulls you into Lorna’s world, with moments that are at times raw, tender, and quietly powerful. The pacing may feel slow for some, but it allows room for meaningful reflection and character development.

This is a great pick for readers who enjoy introspective fiction with emotional depth and a focus on personal transformation.

Thank you to NetGalley, HarperMuse, and the author for my copy of this book — all thoughts in my review are my own.

Lorna is my hero … I was worried that I would be depressed and feel too sad for her, but I cheered for her as she triumphs over her demons. I have to say that we all need a Bean …wish he would move in next to me! I really liked this story … it gives us all hope that no matter what you’re going through, there’s always a light at the end of the tunnel.

A slow burn of a character-driven novel that explores emotional growth, childhood wounds, and the uncomfortable but necessary path to healing. Lorna might not be the easiest protagonist to love at first, but her journey is one of real, raw reflection. Bean—the neighbor’s wise and wonderful kid—becomes the unexpected heart of the story, gently steering Lorna toward something brighter.

It’s a little painful, a little heartwarming, and full of the kind of growth that sneaks up on you. If you’re into layered characters, second chances, and stories that hit close to home, this one’s for you.

Everything Is Probably Fine by Julia London is the story of a woman on the path of healing.

Lorna Lott has been attempting to push through life without facing her past trauma, regrets, and grief stemming from her older sisters long standing addiction, however things are not going well. To get the thing that she wants most, her grandmother’s house, she is forced to embark on a journey to face her past and open her inner “bomb-shelter”. She befriends her 8-year-old neighbor Bean, who is the only person who doesn’t seem to find her weird and awkward. This book was……wow 😳😭😍🤣. I’m not sure I knew exactly what to expect going into this read, but I was blown away! Lorna has faced a lot of difficulties in her past and the author does not shy away from the very hard topics of addiction, death, cancer, divorce, anxiety, and grief. The book is written in a way that makes you connect with the characters, especially Lorna, and empathize with them in a way few authors can achieve. Although there are a lot of heavy topics in the book, there are also a lot of funny and lighthearted, truly wonderful moments, which is what made this book so special! 5 ⭐ for sure, do not miss this read!

Thank you to NetGalley, Harper Muse, and the author for this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Everything is Probably Fine for Lorna Lott is a captivating story about personal growth and change. I really loved this one. Lorna’s journey felt so real—equal parts funny, awkward, painful, and heartwarming. Watching her unravel a little (okay, a lot), then slowly piece herself back together through her “apology tour” was oddly satisfying.
Thank you NetGalley and Harper Muse for the arc!

Lorna is a successful sales exec who’s always been seen as the “together” one, especially when compared to her older sister Kristen, who struggled with addiction all their childhood. After a humiliating work incident, she’s sent to a month-long wellness program to reflect on her actions.
Now with her career on hold, she focuses on one goal: unlocking her late mother’s trust to get the money needed to buy back their childhood home, sold to fund her sister’s treatment. But her mother left her a condition; she must first forgive a list of people from her past.

I loved how London approached the toll addiction has on those surrounding the addict with so much nuance. She gave us this main character, Lorna, who’s written as this honest, messy, angry, and deeply-guarded human being to explore the guilt, grief, and the toll of addiction in a very powerful way. Her resentment, guilt, and exhaustion are so vividly written that I felt it as my own.

I also loved the addition of Bean, the eight-year-old, to the story. His purity and emotional honesty contrasted sharply with Lorna’s defensiveness. And his presence reminds us of how naturally children show up for people, how they offer presence without expectation. His friendship with Lorna is what gives this book its heart.

This story hits hard. It’s for the siblings of broken siblings. The ones who carried too much. The ones who tried to fix what they didn’t break. The ones who learned how to survive by staying strong and silent. You did your best. You get to rest now.
And maybe… everything was already fine.

Thank you Netgalley and Harper Muse for the ARC.