Jenny James Is Not a Disaster

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.

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.

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!

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 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!

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.

5 star read! It checked so many boxes- the perfect book to grab off your shelf when you’re not sure what you’re in the mood to read. Very enjoyable, and I was over the moon to have a chance to read it. Huge thank you to NetGalley and Harper Muse for the advanced copy. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. Publication date July 9, 2024.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC.

Jenny is a single mother of an eighteen-year-old son working in a carpet store. Her life up until now has been quiet, mundane, and relatively uneventful - until the worst week of her life - and she watches her house slide into the ocean. It doesn’t help that her ancient car doesn’t start, her son is moving on to university, and her job is made redundant. What happens next for her is every kind of unknown, but sometimes the beauty of the unknown is what you can find there.

This is my favorite adult book I’ve read this year. I absolutely loved this story and its characters - Jenny, her son Charlie, and Luke, the unassuming, motorhome-living neighbor - and it just lifted me up. The banter is dynamite, and the whole thing is so, so funny while still dealing with unbelievably heavy issues; it is sort of an Eat, Pray, Love for real people. The lower-middle class struggle is real and relatable, especially the fact that one second you are hanging on, the other you are without any support system at all. This book is about finding yourself, forgiving yourself, dealing with and recovering from unimaginable grief, and trusting people to take care of you. I loved this book - I have already recommended it to anyone who will listen!

Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Muse for allowing me to read an ARC of Jenny James Is Not a Disaster by Debbie Johnson, in exchange for my honest review.

I absolutely adored this book! I loved all of the characters, the witty banter, the descriptions, everything! I related to Jenny in that, as mothers, we are learning on the fly. We don't always have the answers, and (shhh) we are not always right. I admired her for stepping back and thinking from the other person's perspective.

This book was wonderful from start to finish, and I definitely recommend it to others.

I look forward to reading more by Debbie Johnson.

I received an advance copy of this book from NetGalley with the understanding I would share a review of the book.

You can tell a lot about a person by how they handle bad times, even disasters. The main character of this book, Jenny James, responds to a series of ‘unfortunate’ events mostly with humor. I doubt I would do the same in her place. It is difficult to say any more about this book without revealing too much. I found the characters and situations compelling and throughly enjoyed reading it.

Jenny James is not a Disaster is a story that touches multiple fiction genres: a romantic comedy, English RV travel guide, a Blog and raising a teenager. After more than one life altering disasters leave Jenny and her 18-year old son, Charlie homeless, they and recent friend, Luke, embark on a RV trip through England. Along the way, Jenny reunites with her estranged family and Luke starts making peace with his tragic path. The book is a page-turner and filled with great dialogue. I enjoyed every word and every page! Thank you to NetGalley and HarperMuse for an early read in exchange for a fair review.

Have you ever had one of those days? Be honest, we've all been there. Hopefully just not quite as completely as Jenny James.

The author does a marvelous job of developing the characters. I fell in love with Jenny and her son and was rooting for them throughout the book. As Jenny struggles to make ends meet and be a good mum to a teenage boy, you'll be right there offering her a glass of wine at the end of her day. Humble and charming, Jenny's can-do attitude serves her well but when the unthinkable happens... well, you just have to read the book to find out. You'll enjoy the highs and lows of life's unplanned challenges and the joys and anxieties Jenny faces as she deals with her past decisions, tries to slog through her present predicaments, and, just possibly, finds a spark of hope as she examines her future.

I read this book in one sitting (a luxury I don't often have) and enjoyed every minute of it. I hope Debbie Johnson will allow us to go along on many more adventures with the remarkable Jenny "not a disaster" James because I can't wait to read more.

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