Lorna, who leads the sales team at a software company, prides herself on being more hardworking and more capable than anyone else. At 43 and single, Lorna holds not only herself but also others to high standards. Tall and commanding, she’s secretly nicknamed “King Kong” by her team members.

One day, she accidentally sends an email meant as a private joke to her sister Kristen—containing a file mocking her team members—to the entire team instead. As a result, her boss orders her to take a one-month leave to attend a mental health program.

The roots of Lorna’s behavior lie in childhood trauma caused by her sister Kristen, who had struggled with alcohol and drug addiction since the age of ten. Their family had been thrown into chaos by Kristen’s destructive actions. After their constantly fighting parents divorced, the sisters moved with their mother into their maternal grandmother’s large home—a time that was the happiest in Lorna’s life. But after their grandmother passed away, the house was sold by their mother to pay for Kristen’s rehab.

The house has since been renovated into four small apartments. Lorna, who now rents one of them, has been working tirelessly with the dream of one day buying the house back. With a promotion and raise on the horizon, she cannot afford to lose her job. Reluctantly attending the mandated program, she gradually comes to understand the need to confront the trauma buried within her.

Meanwhile, spending more time at home leads her to look after Bean, the 8-year-old boy next door. That connection sparks new relationships with the other apartment residents as well, helping Lorna slowly make peace with her past…

EVERYTHING IS PROBABLY FINE, the latest novel by bestselling romance author Julia London, marks a departure from her usual work, with minimal romantic content. At its core, the book focuses on the profound impact that addiction can have on a family. No matter how many times you try to help, you’re met with betrayal, sometimes losing your own relationships and career in the process. Even if you sever ties to protect yourself, the guilt lingers.

The novel captures these emotional struggles with powerful empathy, making one wonder if London herself has lived through something similar (though, to my knowledge, she hasn’t publicly spoken about it). While certain scenes are heartbreaking and evoke tears, the presence of young Bean brings warmth and levity, keeping the story from becoming too heavy. This is a heartwarming book that highlights the beauty of chosen family—the supportive, loving bonds we build with people we choose, rather than the ones we’re born into.

Everything Is Probably Fine
By Julia London, narrated by Marni Penning

This was just wonderful.

While there’s a budding romance, this isn’t a romance novel—not really. It’s more about Lorna falling in love with herself again. And sure, the setup requires a little suspension of disbelief (not many companies are out here funding month-long wellness programs), but I happily went along for the ride.

I’m a sucker for stories about found family and the kind of unexpected friendships—like one with a child—that slowly transform a person. There’s something deeply moving in the reminder that so many lonely people are only a few real conversations away from building their own community.

The storyline with Lorna’s sister’s addiction is brutal and honest. Addiction doesn’t just wreck the person—it shreds the family too. I couldn’t bring myself to forgive Lorna’s parents (they were awful), but I appreciated how the author made the case that forgiveness can be something you do for yourself, not for them.

Heartbreaking, hopeful, and full of heart. A lovely listen.

Wow! A deep dive into life's emotions and effects after trauma. Julia London did a great job of working through this novel and all the complexities of life.

The impact of a person's addiction on family is traumatic and all consuming. Lorna learned at an early age she would always play second fiddle to her older sister Kristen's addiction and her problems. It has made Lorna hard and untrusting--everyone she should have been able to trust has betrayed her in some way. As an adult, she has retreated into what she thinks of as her internal bomb shelter--always waiting for the other shoe to drop. She keeps to herself, her dog her only companion, until an eight-year-old boy from across the hall befriends her dog and then her.

Bean is the only person who doesn't seem to mind Lorna's gruff awkwardness, and at times, he speaks truth and wisdom beyond his years. When an opportunity to buy her grandmother's house comes up--the only place she has ever felt happy--Lorna is faced with the terms of a trust her mother left She must address the things in her life that have left her so bitter and make amends for them.

As she embarks on this journey through her life with Bean, her small Greek chorus, Lorna begins to realize that events that seemed ruined by her sister's addiction may not have happened as she remembers. And even if they did, her chance to make amends for them is freeing her from the guilt she has felt for her sister's troubles. She begins to accept that there is nothing she could have done to change the course of Kristen's life, but she can change the course of her own. And maybe, her grandmother's house is not the home she thinks it is.

⭐️ Book Review: Everything Is Probably Fine by Julia London ⭐️

At first, Lorna Lott is tough to like. She’s sharp, angry, and so closed off that you can almost feel the heat rolling off her in waves. Marni Penning’s narration captures that beautifully—the tension crackles in every conversation, and you feel the weight of Lorna’s self-loathing and bitterness. Marni was the shining star in this audiobook, bringing every raw emotion and nuance to life.

But this book is all about transformation. Lorna’s journey toward self-acceptance and forgiveness is powerful and deeply moving. Her story is heartbreaking, and the way she’s so hard on herself makes her unexpectedly relatable. When she finally starts recognizing her own worth, you’re right there with her, rooting for her, and falling in love with the person she becomes.

I felt everything reading this novel—rage, sorrow, hope, and joy. Julia London delivers a story that’s raw, real, and ultimately uplifting. A word of caution: there are significant triggers around addiction and anger, but if you’re prepared for those, this book is absolutely worth the read. Highly recommended.

I had read several of Julia London's previous books. They were entertaining from what I can remember so I was excited after reading the summary for Everything Is Probably Fine.

Lorna is struggling in life. She is successful at her job but her coworkers want nothing to do with her. She accidentally sent an email to her coworkers that was intended for her sister. In the email she spoke very unkindly about them and now she is on forced sabbatical to work on her anger issues.

Lorna must face her issues or her "bomb shelter" as Lolo refers to it. It is a story of self awareness and growth and forgiveness.

Is this the best written story? Will it receive all the book awards? Probably not but it is a great book for many different reasons. For me the cast of characters in this story is what earned a 5 stars from me. Lorna, Bean, Agnes aka Aggie, and Micah are just a few of the amazing characters that London created. Also Loran's growth as a human was heartwarming.

The banter and relationship between Lorna and Bean was just priceless. London knocked it out of the park with this book. These characters will stay with me for some time and this will definitely be one of my favorite books of 2025.

Possible triggers: alcohol and drug abuse, vehicular death, "minor" parental neglect

I received an advance copy of the audiobook from Harper Muse Audiobook and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Rating: 5/5 stars

This is the kind of book that stays with you for a long time after you finish reading it.

Lorna is a top dog at sales but a curmudgeon in the social sphere. Nobody else likes her frosty, bitter, domineering, and curmudgeonly personality, but she's built this 'bomb shelter' intentionally. Closing herself off is a way to keep her safe from connecting with others and either disappointing them or having to deal with them disappointing her. Her boss forces her to go on a month-long wellness sabbatical to 'deal with her issues' and confront what's making her so hostile and hard to work with. Lorna reluctantly agrees because she's relying on an upcoming promotion to give her the money to buy her grandmother's house. During the retreat, she's pushed to 'connect with her inner self' (which she thinks is a load of crap) and confront the things in her past that are holding her back. She ends up going on an 'apology tour,' seeking out the people and relationships she believes have been damaged beyond repair as a result of her sister's actions (Kristen, who is an addict). Along the way, she ends up finding surprising connections, having new revelations, and coming to find out that her past and future might be different from what she thought. While she seeks forgiveness from others on the apology tour, she also ends up needing to seek forgiveness from herself.

This story was incredible in the sense that it 'meant' so much. I went into it thinking it was going to be a funny but heartfelt story about a woman who visits some past friends and talks about some antics from the past. It ended up being so much more. It speaks to addiction and the impacts it has on the people who are so desperately trying to help someone who doesn't want help and doesn't want to help themselves. It talks about what 'family' really means, 'who' it 'means,' and how it is found and created. I cared about ALL of these characters immediately. I especially loved little Bean, who teaches Lorna the most about family, friendship, change, and forgiveness.

While Lorna's apology tour and rocky family dynamics stem from her sister's addiction to drugs, I think the turmoil and feelings that Lorna goes through can resonate with lots of other kinds of addiction. As someone who has struggled with mental health in ways that could be considered 'addiction,' this book is going to stay with me as a reflection on how I'm impacting others. Even if Lorna ultimately finds that she has to forgive herself, a lot of what she went through in the past DID result from her sister's addiction and its rippling effects. The book really made me think about that in respect to how my struggles and resistance to change (like Kristen's) are making things difficult for the people around me.

The story left me with a lot to think about, and I think it will be one of the books I don't forget. I'd recommend that everyone read this - in some way, whether it be struggling with a loved one, needing to face and discover why you don't like yourself, needing to forgive others and yourself, etc., I think everyone will feel a deep connection to Lorna's story. There are so many important messages about forgiveness, change, and relationships of all kinds.

It was a super interesting read for me, too, because Lorna was an unlikeable main character, but in a very 'meta' way. The whole point of the story is that she is unlikeable and knows it! That made it gripping because Lorna is simultaneously trying to change while fighting that change. She doesn't want to be unlikeable (and even she doesn't like herself), but she also has purposefully crafted her 'unlikeable' nature as a strategy.

Amidst how meaningful the story was, there also was humor! I really enjoyed the humor, characters, and the subtle romance subplot. The time jumps to the past did a great job of providing insight into how Lorna's life and experiences were impacted by Kristen's addiction and, ultimately, how Lorna came to be how/who she is. I think the narrator of the audio did a good job with giving different intonations for the character and expressing emotions (to note, I listened at a speed of 2). Again, I cared a lot about the characters and felt invested in the story. The pacing was 'just right' for me - not too fast or slow.

To reiterate, this was a really impactful story that I would recommend to anyone (checking trigger warnings beforehand)!

*Thank you NetGalley and Harper Muse for access to an advanced copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

Julia London's new novel Everything Is Probably Fine is an absolute triumph. I'm convinced this novel has the potential to change the world, at least for those who can find a piece of themselves in this story. If you can't tell, I am one of them. It's about a strong woman who has pushed blindly forward her entire life, past things that cause her pain, because she's the one who had to hold things together. Until one day, the lid she's clamped down over it all can't hold it in anymore, and she's forced to deal with things she never wanted to think about again.

In many ways I'm not necessarily proud to admit to, I am like Lorna. We come from broken families, have siblings with substance abuse issues, deal with overwhelm often with anger (at least internally), and are always expected by those we love to be the soft landing space whenever they have problems (creating lots of pressure to constantly have it all together enough for everyone). Though she doesn't realize it, she's at a breaking point: crying often for no apparent reason, avoiding mail piling up in the corner, obsessed with buying back the home where she last had happy memories with her family. The final straw lands at work, and she is forced to participate in a mental health recovery program if she wants to keep the job she genuinely loves.

Lorna's journey is one of clarity, grief, and forgiveness. She is...highly encouraged...to revisit some of her most formative memories. We all know that memory is fallible. We know it, but it doesn't feel like it is. Sometimes some distance and looking at things from the perspective of your now-disconnected self can be eye-opening.

It is both this exploration of the past, and navigating the present with the people who live in the now split-into-apartments building she once lived in with her family. There's a puppy, a charming little boy, and his single-father doing his best. What's not to like?

I absolutely recommend this book! It's not really comparable to Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine, but I feel like they're perhaps kindred spirits. This book is balm to the damage of our souls (big or little). Please read it!

Note:: I received an early copy of this book from the publisher through netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Everything is Probably Fine is one of the best books I've read this year. The fmc Lorna is a woman filled with anger, mistrust and hurt. After being forced on a month long sabbatical from her work she begins to work through her issues stemming from her lifetime of dealing with her drug and alcohol addicted sister and her feelings towards her mother whom she believes always enabled her sister. The subjects of addiction and how families of addicts try to cope with their loved ones inability to stop their behaviours was well written and highlighted how difficult these families have it.
The audiobook of Lorna's story is simply perfect. Marni Penning does a fantastic job in bringing Lorna, Bean and the rest of the characters to life. If I could recommend to everyone to listen to the audio for this book I would.
Thank you to Netgalley and Harper Muse for the arc audiobook to review.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Everything Is Probably Fine by Julia London 🎧📚

If you love emotional, character-driven stories with humor, healing, and a little chaos—this one’s for you. 💔🧘‍♀️💬

Lorna Lott is intense, driven, and not exactly known for her people skills… but after a career meltdown lands her in a 30-day wellness program (and nearly costs her everything she’s worked for), she’s forced to face her grief, guilt, and rage—especially the unresolved pain around her sister’s addiction. 😞🪞

With help from an adorably nosy 8-year-old neighbor and his charming dad 🧒🏼💫, Lorna begins the hard work of making amends—with her past and herself.

🎧 I listened on audio and highly recommend it—Lorna’s inner voice is sharp, vulnerable, and often laugh-out-loud funny. Julia London balances emotional depth with just the right touch of redemption and heart. 💬🧡

Perfect for fans of The Wedding People, The Husbands, or anyone looking for a story about second chances and learning to let go. 🍃📖

A raw and beautifully sarcastic take on mental health, friendship, and figuring out life in the middle of it. Julia London balances heartbreak and humor with sharp insight, and the result feels like talking to your most self-aware friend after a long cry and a good drink. It’s messy, weirdly comforting, and probably exactly what I needed.

Everything Is Probably Fine is a beautifully told story of reckoning, regret, and redemption. I was completely drawn in by Lorna's journey. Watching her confront the past and truly face her demons was powerful and emotional. I am always pulled in by characters who are forced to revisit their choices, and this story, did it with raw honesty.

The pacing was perfect for me, it was not too fast or too slow, and the emotional beats landed with real weight. There is a gentleness to the writing even when the themes are heavy, which made it an impactful read.

The story was already great, but the narration made it exceptional. I would listen to anything Marni Penning reads.

Highly recommend!

Thank you NetGalley and Harper Muse Audiobooks for the chance to listen to this title in exchange for my opinion.

I really enjoyed this audiobook! The narrator does a great job with different voices for different characters. The story was a mix of lightheartedness and some heavy topics as well.

Well I had to give this 5 stars because simply put I cannot fault it in any way I really enjoyed this one; yes I may forget about it in the sense it wasn’t hard hitting per say but it still had a message!

Lorna is a quirky character who I’m sure on some level all listeners would relate to her or those around her. She is career driven and just doesn’t feel she makes friends easily so she keeps her life quiet working living with her dog in her apartment. When things take a turn at work and her boss notices she is at burnout Deb recommends Lorna attend a wellness course daily for 30 days during her working hours (primarily) before her return.

All Lorna wants to do is get the promotion with the pay rise to buy the block of apartments that was once the home she lived in before they were renovated into these apartments, her grandmothers home and hers; a wellness program is not her style at all. She soon realises she doesn’t have a choice due to the massive error she made…

Through this journey we learn of Lorna’s life, her childhood, her character, we meet many other characters in particular a little boy who lives across the hall called Bean and his father Seth who both become a big part of her journey.

This is a lighthearted, humorous, cozy, inspiring easy listen that although it deals with some real life issues it is delivered with care and handled well.

The narration was fantastic all characters were completely unique and Bean is adorable, great read but as an audiobook which I had the pleasure of it’s fantastic!

With many thanks and much gratitude to NetGalley & Harper Muse Audiobooks for the opportunity to listen to this ELC in return for an open honest review. Wishing you best wishes for publication in August 2025 📚🙏🏽❤️🎧

This was the perfect audio book for me! I loved both the story and the narration! I loved the characters, especially Bean. It is such a heartwarming story of Lorna overcoming her anger issues, due in part to the friendship she builds with the young boy who lives accross the hall from her.

If you like books like The Borrowed Life of Frederick Fife, The Wedding People, and Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine; I think you will like this one too!

This is one of my favorite books of 2025! I highly reccommend listening to it!

Everything Is Probably Fine, written by Julia London and narrated by Marni Penning, is a fictional book with great aspects of comedy, drama, family secrets, forgiveness, healing, and recovery.
This book begins with Lorna Lott, and a tough day at work. Lorna is called into a meeting, where she discovers that her fellow employees may have accidentally seen a letter meant to her sister. Which is weird, since Lorna is currently estranged from her sister, but accidents happen sometimes. But because of this letter, Lorna’s boss decides that she needs to work on her emotions and some anger issues, and sends her to a 30 day wellness institute sabbatical. Between the wellness institute, Lorna’s neighbors, and her memories of her mother and sister, Lorna has plenty to do, and plenty ways to grow.
I LOVED this book! Once I started I couldn’t put it down. I loved the characters, the relationships and friendships, the memories, the vulnerabilities shared, recovery, apologies, and the growth of characters, especially Lorna. This book had my heart hurting and my eyes watering, but also filled me with joy as well. I definitely recommend this book, along with a box of tissues, to anyone looking for an amazing and hard read! Thank you to NetGalley and to the author, publisher, and narrator of this book for an ALC in exchange for an honest review.

Wow! Put this on your August 2025 TBR List right now!

Lorna is successful in her job, the head of her team, in line for the VP job, and on top of everything except one thing: her anger. Lorna is mad...all the time and she doesn't even know what about. Her team does well, but they exclude her from team lunches, events, and conversation. When her boss calls her in to her office, Lorna is unsure what to expect. Being told she is being put on Sabbatical for one month and assigned to the company's Wellness Clinic is NOT what she expected.

Over the course of the month, Lorna engages in her wellness treatment and begins to realize that there are so many things she has avoided dealing with. Her sister, Kristen, has struggled with addiction her entire life; her parents both disappointed her-her father, by prioritizing his new life over Lorna, her mother, by prioritizing her sister's strugglers over Lorna's needs; and that is just the beginning. She hasn't been able to address any of these issues the way she needs to, but can she deal with them now?

As she deals with the past, she begins to find a way to engage with the present, with her wellness counselors, with her neighbors, especially that sweet little Bean who has become her dog's favorite person and may be her new favorite person too. The book follows Lorna's journey with intermittent chapters flashing back to Lorna's early life and her present life as she learns to let go and let others in.

If you loved Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine, you will love this too.

I can’t remember the last time that a book had me in tears one minute and laughing out loud the next the way that Julia London’s Everything Is Probably Fine did, and I’m so grateful to NetGalley for this unforgettable audiobook.

Lorna hasn’t acknowledged the role that anger plays in her everyday life until her boss sends her on a 30 day leave to attend wellness classes. Convinced that she doesn’t need yoga or sound baths or therapy of any kind, Lorna makes it clear that she is only participating because her job is on the line. As she delves - unwillingly at first- into her past, Lorna is forced to relive the memories of growing up with a drug addicted sister. Kristen’s disruptive behavior and heartbreaking choices changed the course of Lorna’s life…. which leads to her “apology tour”. With the help of some unexpected new friends, Lorna learns to let go of her anger and forgive not only the people who have hurt her but herself as well.

The narration of Everything is Probably Fine was outstanding. Lorna’s awkward, endearing, self-deprecating, and utterly hilarious voice was brought to life in such a delightful way. Her 8-year-old sidekick and unlikely new best friend stole my heart from his very first interaction with Lorna and her super lovable puppy Agnes…. now affectionately known as Aggie🐶

Everything is Probably Fine is a moving, five-star read that cracked me wide open. I cried multiple times. Lolo is so relatable in her misery—her life is hard and bitter and lonely, and you slowly learn why. The more you understand, the more justified her anger feels. Her journey floored me.

The novel follows Lorna, a woman who’s armored herself in sarcasm, rules, and isolation after a lifetime of playing second to her sister’s addiction. But an unexpected friendship with a precocious eight-year-old named Bean begins to unravel her defenses. When Lorna has a chance to reclaim a place that once made her happy, she’s forced to confront the weight of her past—and reckon with whether she’s finally ready to put it down.

The writing is understated and effective. London doesn't rush emotional growth or soften Lorna’s edges prematurely. Instead, the story lets her evolve at her own angry, hesitant pace.

Tropes here aren’t the rom-com variety. This is a story about grief, guilt, and reluctant healing. The romance is small but sweet—just enough to warm a very cold heart, but not the main event.

Lolo’s character arc is spectacular. She starts as an antisocial curmudgeon with a Precious Moments collection, a dog she doesn’t deserve, and no tolerance for anyone who doesn’t follow the rules. And yet, you can feel the raw compassion buried under her fury. Watching it resurface, piece by piece, is its own kind of miracle.

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and author for a chance to review an ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This book was a deeply emotional and touching read—both heartbreaking and uplifting. It had moments of humor, but also scenes that were truly poignant. The characters were easy to connect with, and Lolo’s journey toward forgiving herself, her mother, and her sister was especially moving and heartwarming.

Thank you, NetGalley, for an audio-ARC of Everything is Probably Fine by Julia London.
Everything is Probably Fine is a heartwarming story about second chances and learning how to forgive yourself. Lorna's life is a giant mess and she blames her sister's addiction. After being sent to a 30-day mandatory wellness spa to deal with emotional issues, Lorna is able to look at events in her life differently. This character driven novel will be a book that I recommend to readers who like Frederick Backman. A feel good story that makes you laugh and cry.

Wow! This book tackles the very difficult subject of substance addiction with amazing clarity and warmth. Lorna’s sad childhood and past causes her to suffer from self- destruction pent -up anger which is affecting her job as a top software salesperson. She has been directed to take 30 days off and attend a wellness program at a posh Austin spa. Getting to the root of her anger is no easy task for Lorna
whose sister Kristen disrupted the girls family life for many years in ways typical of addicts. The tragedy of addiction is not white washed in Everything Is Probably Fine, and yet somehow London conveys the pain as well as the path out of regret, grief, and guilt that family members live with daily. While some may categorize this novel as romance, it is truly a deep dive into the emotional trauma that many family members suffer due to the addiction of a loved one.

With time off work to focus on herself, Lorna befriends her eight year old nextdoor neighbor Bean, who helps Lorna begin to live in the future. Honestly, if you don’t fall in love with Bean there might be something wrong with your heart. Bean and the Corgi Aggie win best characters of the year.

This book is truly time well spent and I highly recommend it.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. Thank you to NetGalley, publisher Harper Muse, and author Julia London for the digital galley.

As someone who has experience family trauma from addiction, this book felt familiar in so many ways. Lorna is a successful and driven 43 year old who works to improve corporate productivity. She is excellent in this sales role, but isn't likeable. The first few chapters felt reminiscent of "I Hope This Finds You Well" by Natalie Sue. I loved that book and wad excited to find something akin. As the story devolves, the story develops into a totally different journey than IHTFUW; however, the trial of letting go of control is similar. Lorna spends most of her childhood and adulthood caught in a tornado whirlwind of her sister Kristen's addiction. I loved Lorna's experience with unpacking her grief, trauma, and self-loathing. Her apology tour helped me relate to her character more. Addiction can fracture and even wreck a family. This narrative accomplished both healing and character development for our FMC. It felt tender and somber in all the right places. Kristen's story unraveled me, emotionally. I'm glad books like this exist to give weight to the disease of drug addiction.

Thank you Netgalley and Harper Muse for this ARC!

This book hit me in the heart in all the best ways. I wasn’t expecting it to move me so deeply—I cried more than once, and not just from sadness, but from the way healing, grief, and hope were woven together so honestly. The emotional depth caught me off guard, and just when I thought I knew where things were headed, a twist landed that completely floored me.

The narration was pitch-perfect, capturing the voice and vulnerability of the main character with such nuance. I can’t quite put my finger on why I loved this book so much, only that I absolutely did. It was the kind of story that lingers with you, not because of one standout element, but because everything—voice, emotion, pacing, character—worked so seamlessly together. I’ll be eagerly watching for whatever this author writes next.

The first couple chapters had me ready for a stereotypical story of a career driven woman who meets someone who helps her find the *true* meaning of life. And I was right, in a way, but there's so much more to the story.

The reader follows Lorna as she goes on a work mandated sabbatical to address her anger issues, but this is just the beginning of her journey to healing. Along the way, she meets the other half of her "grumpy/sunshine" trope, but it's not your typical romantic relationship that usually fits this trope (the dynamic between these two I found to be quite endearing!).

The narrator was a solid pick for the majority of the characters. Her child's voice grated on my ears a little bit, but it didn't detract from my enjoyment of the story overall.

This novel is definitely not a RomCom, or even a Romance in my opinion; I would call this more Contemporary Fiction. Romance is not a central piece of Lorna's story here - her story is about letting go of the past and finding forgiveness for both her sister and herself. The theme of addiction and how it so deeply affects the lives surrounding the sufferer is central to this story. And while this theme can be very emotionally heavy, the author navigated it in a way that doesn’t detract from its seriousness but also doesn’t leave the reader feeling depressed.

Pick this up if you want a story about healing and letting go of the past, complicated family relationships, and a main character you want to see thrive!

I want to thank Netgalley and the author for gifting me the audio version.
I was not really sure when I first started reading this book. I found the MFC completely unhinged and on the verge of annoying me with her constant complaining and anger issues. But then the book got about half way through and I started really liking it. This book is about a women's journey to find where her anger issues come from. It was also about forgiving and asking for forgiveness. The ending really got to me when she got to her last person. I think this hits home for everyone and I really think you will find this book inspiring to find forgiveness in yourself and people from the past... don't get me wrong when I was on my own personal journey in forgiving myself I went to the Lord and asked him and through him my past sins are forgiven and reading my Bible and prayer I became less angry and depressed with myself and past transactions. This book though I think helps with that and is moving and you will not be disappointed.

Lorna has spent her entire life in the shadow of her sister’s addiction. She learns that she cannot trust anyone, herself included, because betrayal is all too common. While trying to get her grandmother’s home back, Lorna begrudgingly develops a sidekick in the 8-year-old next door, Bean. Bean seems to be the only one not impacted by Lorna’s standoffishness, and through their shared love of Agnes, Bean unwittingly helps to guide her through a journey of acceptance.

I love a Contemporary Romance just as much if not more than most (just look at my Goodreads for the receipts), but I truly think calling this book a romance novel does it such a disservice. Sure, there’s a touch of romance, but that’s not even the secondary, tertiary, or quaternary plot line. I quickly readjusted my expectations, which was truly for the better because this book was absolutely beautiful as Literary Fiction. It is a novel about reclaiming the narrative of one’s childhood while dealing with the heartache of betrayal from a loved one living with addiction. In such a rare move, the novel actually doesn’t feature Lorna’s sister much in the present tense, and only rarely shows up in the past to set the scene of Lorna’s heartbreak. For the first time, I was reading about a story of the aftermath of addiction that wasn’t about the caregiver or the dependent of the person with addiction, but rather a sister who served as collateral damage. The storytelling was so rich and deeply moving, and I cannot praise Marni Penning's narration enough! She absolutely captured the essence of Lorna’s tough exterior that hides a terrified and lonely interior, and how Lorna interacts with others in the world through detachment, wit, and occasionally warmth. With the winning combo of Julia London’s storytelling and Marni Penning's narration, I couldn’t put this one down.

Reviewed as part of #ARC from NetGalley. Many thanks to Harper Muse Books for the opportunity to read and review.

Read this book if you like:
🫀 heart, healing, and hope
🏡 messy family relationships
🎈Russell and his Wilderness Explorer patches from Up

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This review will be posted to Instagram @AutobiographiCole on or around the release date!

This story is about a hardworking, awkward, and driven women named Lorna Lott. Lorna works to get her sales team to meet their quotas... but at extent? She is mandated to attend a month long wellness program to help with her anger to keep her job and have the possibility of a promotion. If she gets her promotion, she might be able to buy back her grandmother's house. Grandma's house however, is now four apartments- which Lorna occupies one unit.
While she is going through her wellness program, she learns a lot about herself but also makes a friend with the 8 year old boy next door. He gives her advice and helps her on adventure to get her mother's inheritance.

I had the opportunity to listen to this book on Netgalley (Thank you). This motto is something I say often "Its fine, everything is fine"! This book created feelings of past families, making amends with your past,PRIORITIZING YOUR MENTAL HEALTH, and looking for joys in places your wouldn't normally look! I love the progression, the spicy comments and the awkwardness of the Main Female character. (Some things I relate to) I will have to read/listen to more books by Julia London because I enjoyed this book!

Everything Is Probably Fine by Julia London is a moving and heartfelt novel that explores the long-lasting impact of addiction on families and the difficult journey toward self-forgiveness. The story follows Lorna, who has spent her life feeling overshadowed by her sister's substance abuse and burdened by guilt she can't let go of. Through her unexpected friendship with Bean, a wise and endearing eight-year-old neighbor, Lorna slowly learns to open her heart and confront her past. The audiobook brought these characters to life, making Lorna's emotional growth and the book's themes of healing, connection, and acceptance feel especially vivid and relatable. London's writing handles heavy topics like grief, codependency, and personal growth with sensitivity and warmth, offering a satisfying and uplifting experience that lingers long after the final chapter.

Everything is Probably Fine is an incredibly moving story about forgiveness, healing, and finding peace with your past.

The story follows Lorna as she navigates a deeply personal journey to confront decades of pain, much of it tied to her sister’s struggle with addiction and the lasting impact of family trauma. Lorna’s emotions—especially her anger, grief, and guilt—are portrayed with such honesty that I found myself truly feeling for her every step of the way.

Julia London has crafted a powerful and raw narrative that not only explores Lorna’s growth but also invites the reader to reflect on their own unresolved hurts. It made me pause and think about what I may still be holding onto, and what it would mean to finally let go.

I listened to the audiobook and thought it was beautifully done—the narration added even more depth to an already emotional story.

This is a heartfelt and introspective read that stays with you long after the last page.

Thank you to Harper Muse Audiobooks and NetGalley for my copy.

I have to start out by saying at first I thought this was going to be maybe a three or even a three and a half star read, but what changed my mind and makes it a five star is the fact that I was left still thinking about it after I finished it.

Honestly, I found Lorna, the main character kind of annoying. However, I could still relate to her journey and understood a lot of the emotion she felt, especially towards her sister and her mom. Having had to deal with some of that myself I know it's not easy to overcome and make peace with so I have to give her a bit of a break.

The character that I absolutely LOVED in this story is Bean. If you don't fall in love with Bean, I think there might be something wrong with you. Out of the mouths of babes as they say. I love the friendship they develop and that he is right there with her along her journey. With Bean comes his dad and the other neighbors and they all become the family that Lorna and all of us need.

Overall, it's a heart warming story that provides some great insight into forgiveness and finding peace with people and events in our past that may have lingered and changed us into people we don't want to be and that is what makes this a five star read for me.

Everything Is Probably Fine by Julia London is a thoughtful, character-driven story about family baggage, healing, and learning to let go. Lorna has spent years weighed down by her sister’s addiction and her own guilt—but things start to shift when she strikes up an unlikely friendship with Bean, her wise-beyond-her-years eight-year-old neighbor. Together, they nudge each other toward growth in the most unexpected ways. The audiobook really brings these characters to life, especially Lorna’s gradual transformation. Julia London handles tough topics like grief and codependency with a light but respectful touch, making this a surprisingly uplifting read about second chances and the power of connection.

Thank you to NetGallye and Harper Muse for an early listen to the audio. Thoughts are my own

After an issue at work forces her into a wellness program and a lot of free time, Lorna slowly starts to realize that facing her past, making amends and finding forgiveness is the only way to move forward.

This was so different from what I expected, and I mean that in the best way possible. It's such an emotional journey of forgiveness, self acceptance, and healing. The more I got to know Lorna, the more I grew to like her; it was definitely a slow, but steady, process, and there's such clear growth from the beginning to the end of the story, and it's so beautiful to see and be a part of. There was such a hopefulness running through this whole book that made for an incredibly wholesome read, and I absolutely loved it.

I truly enjoyed the found family aspect slowly building through as the story progressed. While I will admit most of the supporting characters felt a little flat and not fully developed, I didn't really mind it, as I think they played their part well, and I was honestly so focused on Lorna's journey, it was barely a concern. Bean was such a fun character to pair Lorna with, their relationship was so sweet, and he brought out a side of her she didn't even know was there, which was so sweet to witness.

I listened to the audiobook for this one, and I absolutely adored it. The narrator did an incredible job bringing this characters to life in such a distinctive, unique way. It definitely added a lot of emotion to the story, and made it so much easier to connect with it and fully immerse myself in it.

This quiet, heartfelt novel completely surprised me—in the best way. It’s not packed with twists or big reveals, but instead focuses on the everyday ups and downs of life, and that’s exactly what made it so powerful.

I was really moved by Lorna’s journey—from angry and reactive to self-aware and intentional. Her struggle with the emotional fallout of her sister’s addiction felt painfully real, and watching her slowly grow and heal was inspiring. She was so easy to root for!

Bean completely stole my heart. He was such a sweet, wise character, and I loved seeing the world through his innocent perspective. His simple, honest take on life was often the most insightful part of the story.

This book is filled with touching, funny, and honest moments that make you reflect on how our past shapes us—and how we still have the power to change our future. It’s a beautiful reminder that healing doesn’t always happen in big dramatic moments, but in the quiet, everyday choices we make surrounded by the people that support us! Thank you to Harper Muse Audio Books and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC.

A tender and heartfelt story of grief, guilt, and second chances. Everything Is Probably Fine follows Lorna, a woman grappling with the long-term effects of her sister’s addiction and her own emotional walls. With the unexpected friendship of an insightful 8-year-old neighbor, Lorna begins to rediscover connection, healing, and the possibility of a new beginning. 💔🛠️🐶🏡

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Vibes:
💭 Emotional healing
👩‍👧 Found family
💬 Heartfelt and witty
🐾 Animal companionship
📘 Women’s fiction with depth and warmth

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This book was a breath of fresh air. 💕 The author did a phenomenal job handling the difficult subject of addiction and showing what it’s like to have a sibling struggling with something so consuming. It really captured the ripple effect addiction has on families.

Even though the story tackled heavy topics, it still made me laugh out loud at times. I adored the little boy, Bean.. he brought so much heart and levity to the story. His compassion, his sweet relationship with his dad, and his wise little insights were some of my favorite parts. 🙌🏽 You could really feel how much he helped Lorna come out of her shell.

The ending was incredibly satisfying. Watching Lorna grow throughout the story was beautiful, and the conclusion, especially the twist about her grandmother’s house—was just perfect. I absolutely adored this book.

The narrator did such a beautiful job with this book, her voice seamlessly moved between each character, capturing their unique tones and personalities. She truly brought the story to life. I absolutely adored this book.

Thank you NetGalley for an ALC!

What starts out for Lorna as an employer-forced 30 day stint in an anger management program turns into a healing, transformative and life-changing journey of forgiveness and change. Dealing with deep-seeded friend, family and life hurts, experiences and issues, this book drives home just how harmful bottling up feelings and holding grudges and anger can be.

Lorna's "Apology Tour" leads to healing and restoring old relationships, new friendships, a more fulfilling life, and quite possibly a new romance. This book was so good - filled with humor, honesty and emotion this story of the life-changing power of forgiveness and letting go is not one you'll want to miss.

The audio narration was excellent making this an easy listen and an all-around reflective and enjoyable experience. Definitely a five-star hit!

Holy emotional ride batman. This was so well written and the complexities behind difficult family relationships, drug use/abuse, and family trauma was handled so well. This book is one that will absolutely stick with me.

Everything Is Probably Fine" by Julia London is a touching and uplifting story that stayed with me long after it ended.

Lorna has carefully constructed a quiet, solitary life—but when circumstances push her in an unexpected direction, she begins to uncover possibilities she never imagined. The story unfolds through her perspective, blending present-day events with poignant flashbacks that deepen our understanding of her journey.

Marni Penning's narration adds another layer of depth, capturing Lorna’s emotions beautifully and bringing the entire cast of characters to life, especially Bean!

This is easily one of my favorite reads of 2025. I fell in love with the characters and didn’t want the story to end. It had the same emotional warmth and gentle humor that reminded me of A Man Called Otto.

Highly recommended for fans of heartfelt, character-driven fiction.

Thank you to NetGalley & Macmillan Audio for letting me read this ARC.