Absolutely loved the plot of this book. Med is a relatable and likeable character and his life is relatable with being out of work, balancing a marriage and fatherhood, and the need to find himself. It was heartwarming and encouraging to see him find himself through joining a tennis club and reconnecting with Roland. Of course everything is thrown into chaos and I was worried for him as he navigates the pressures of life that men can face. We don’t often get books that cover these topics so this is a true treasure. Loved the humor mixed in the storyline and the overall look at domestic life as we know it today. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Review will be posted on Instagram and Amazon on pub day and links added to NetGalley.

Thank you to NetGalley, Astra House, and Ashton Politanoff for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

While Dad Had a Bad Day is framed as a dark comedy about domestic life, its surrealist elements run deep, shaping the tone and narrative in unexpected ways. Ned is having difficulty squaring his idealized notion of masculinity with his current circumstances as a laid-off, stay-at-home dad. His self-reflection leads him to seek meaning through reliving his glory days of tennis at his childhood country club. Tennis works as an apt metaphor for Ned’s idea of what it means to be a ‘manly man'. Its solitary nature, strict boundaries, and focus on dominance, control, and winning by any means necessary reflect the emotional isolation and performative masculinity he tries to project, both to others and to himself. Roland functions both as a cautionary tale and as a glimpse into Ned’s emerging reality.

As a reader, it's easy to empathize with what Ned is going through. It's also crushing to then see Ned's efforts lead him to spiral and betray what he truly wants: to be a good father, husband, and man. I loved this book!

this was such a great read. quick-paced, funny in unexpected ways, and surprisingly tender. it actually reminded me a bit of a miranda july book - that same mix of offbeat humor and quiet heartbreak.

i loved how easy it was to connect with ned and how well it captured that feeling of being lost after a major life shift. tennis almost felt like its own character at times, but it was written in a way that never left me behind. and the ending? loved! satisfying, a little tense, and exactly what i was hoping for. huge thanks for the advanced copy!

Picked this up for the tennis but stayed for the sad-dad vibes... I absolutely loved it. It’s rare to find a novel that blends literary depth and dark humor so seamlessly, but Politanoff nailed it.

The story follows Ned, a recently laid-off father struggling to navigate stay-at-home life, parenthood, and a fading sense of identity. When he dusts off his old tennis racquet, he reconnects with a former version of himself, one hungry for competition, and control. What begins as a harmless pastime slowly twists into obsession, a sharp reflection on masculinity, dominance and the need to win at all costs.

Politanoff’s prose is beautifully measured and quietly propulsive. Funny, sad, relatable and deeply human, Dad Had a Bad Day is a moving meditation on fathers, sons, friendship, and the fragile sense of purpose we all chase. I couldn’t put it down.

Thank you to NetGalley and Astra House for the eARC in exchange for my honest review.

This book was unhinged in the best possible way. The main character is so deeply morally grey it’s almost comical, except it isn’t, because you’re too busy watching him completely unravel. His obsession with tennis becomes this dark, consuming force, and watching him self-destruct is both horrifying and fascinating.

The prose is straightforward and razor-sharp, which works perfectly for the story’s descent into chaos. I actually found myself gasping out loud during some of his more questionable decisions (which happened often). The tennis scenes are vivid and strangely hypnotic whether or not you care about the sport, you’ll be pulled in.

I loved every wild, spiralling moment of this. It’s unsettling, darkly funny, and unforgettable.

This novel is sharp, funny, and surprisingly tender. Ned’s midlife unraveling—sparked by one old tennis racquet and it feels both painfully relatable and darkly hilarious, especially as he chases the thrill of competition while everything else in his life wobbles. The blend of father-son moments, messy male friendships, and the strange intensity of rec-league tennis gives the story a really unique charm. It’s a thoughtful, witty look at what happens when someone tries to reclaim a past self without losing the present

Review: Dad Had a Bad Day by Ashton Politanoff

Dad Had a Bad Day is one of those quietly compelling novels that pulls you in right away. It’s deeply readable, and I found myself constantly wondering what Ned would do next, what new scheme or turn his restless mind would take.

Politanoff does a remarkable job of walking the tightrope between sympathy and shock. I often felt genuine compassion for Ned, even as I was appalled by some of his choices, especially in how they affected his son. The novel captures, with subtle precision, the struggles of modernity and identity: what happens when one partner loses work and the sense of purpose that came with it. Society expects Ned to get back out there, to find a job, to do what’s “right” for his family. But instead, he defies those expectations and chooses, perhaps for the first time, to live on his own terms.

The trouble is, he does so in secrecy, leaving his wife to shoulder the emotional and practical weight of their shared life alone. That contradiction is what makes the novel so human. It explores the gray space where our choices can be both courageous and selfish, admirable and destructive.

Few readers will fault Ned for wanting to pursue his dreams, but many will question the way he does it, and that’s exactly what makes this book resonate. Politanoff has written a story that embraces moral complexity without judgment, reminding us how messy it can be to follow one’s heart in a world full of expectations.

Dad Had a Bad Day doesn’t offer easy answers, and that’s its strength. It’s a deeply relatable, quietly subversive story about what it means to take a stand and the personal cost that sometimes comes with doing so.

This novel was such a smart, funny, and surprisingly moving look at midlife, masculinity, and the strange ways we try to find meaning when life starts to feel small.

After losing his job, Ned is stuck in domestic limbo, taking care of his young son, feeling invisible next to his wife’s career, and quietly unraveling. When he rediscovers his old tennis racquet, he also rediscovers the version of himself he used to be. Joining his childhood tennis club behind his wife’s back starts as a small rebellion. It quickly spirals into obsession: league rankings, team rivalries, and one mysterious disappearance that pushes him right to the edge.

What I loved most was how the story balances humor with heartbreak. It’s part existential crisis, part sports novel, and part domestic comedy. The writing is sharp and self-aware but never cruel. You really feel Ned’s desperation to win something again, even if he’s not sure what it is.

It’s about the messiness of fatherhood, the fragile pride of men, and how competition can be both a mirror and a trap.

A darkly funny, tender portrait of a man trying to serve his way out of sadness—and learning that victory isn’t always what you think it is.

The publisher provided ARC via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

As a tennis fan, I was eager to pick this up and it did not disappoint. There are plenty of humorous moments, especially in the interactions between the main character and his son, but the story also takes a darker turn as we watch him slowly unravel. It’s literary fiction with a touch of suspense, keeping you unsure of just how far things will spiral. As someone who played tennis in my youth, I found the character’s relationship with the sport and its lasting impact especially relatable. Overall, this was a dark, compelling, and deeply engaging read.

A former tennis star, Ned has not picked up a racket in years. Adrift after losing his job, Ned's days are now spent taking care of his six-year-old son and halfheartedly looking for a new job. So Ned decides to rejoin his former tennis club, without telling his wife. Soon tennis, the club, and his new role as captain of the club's men's rec league team take over Ned's life — bringing back old memories and leading him to neglect his family.

This was an interesting and insightful examination of mid-life, failing to meet one's own expectations, and how that shapes one's relationships with their family, friends, and their own self-conception. It is a richly layered novel for modern times.

A dark, compelling tennis-themed tale mixing humor and suspense as a father unravels—engaging, relatable, and sharply written.

Winningly specific character study of a dad’s downward spiral in a tennis club. Zesty, funny, a breeze to read, about “masculinity” without being cartoonish or morally vague, brief but punchy!

This was intense! Thoroughly enjoyed watching the protagonists life crumble as he re-discovers his passion (obsession?) with tennis. Ned's neglect of his relationships, his responsibilities, his life, as he loses himself in a dark spiral in search of glory somehow comes across as rational, even relatable when objectively it's anything but. Beautifully written and oddly funny.

A darkly funny and deeply moving novel about Ned, a recently unemployed father who stumbles back into his old passion for tennis. After finding his childhood racquet in the garage, he secretly rejoins his former club, escaping the monotony of “sad dad” domestic life. As he reconnects with old friends and takes on new responsibilities, the story explores themes of identity, family, and the fragile balance between duty and desire. Politanoff blends humor with poignancy, creating a portrait of midlife reinvention that is both relatable and bittersweet

“Dad Had a Bad Day” by Ashton Politanoff is a small masterpiece—tender, sharp, and unexpectedly uplifting. Politanoff captures everyday emotion with humor and heart, turning a simple premise into something quietly profound. The writing feels warm and precise, offering both laughter and a surprising emotional punch. A joy to read and even better to share.

really fun and effective book with some fantastic vibes throughout and excellent plotting. 5 stars. tysm for the arc.

As someone who is getting back into play tennis after playing a ton in my teens, this book hit a particular chord with me. On its surface, it’s about a guy struggling with real life who finds escape in something he used to excel at and enjoy. But he has his demons and captaining a team of other dudes with baggage creates more problems. Dealing with being an unemployed dad seems tough, especially in this case. I enjoyed seeing how he handles these junk balls that life throws him. It’s not a masterpiece, and to people who don’t like tennis, it might just be another book about a guy who never figured out how to deal with his trauma. But to me, it was a cautionary tale about using hobbies as bandaids for real world problems. Well done and one I’ll be recommending to my tennis buddies.

Unhinged, chaotic, perfect. A propulsive plot, excellent character development, with incisive commentary about the search for identity (or, a crisis of identity) in middle age. Delightfully precise writing on fatherhood and tennis. Thank you Astra House for the ARC.

What the heck Ned? I kept thinking this throughout the book, especially at first when he secretly joins the club and then even more so towards the end of the book. Ned was entertaining at first, his actions were funny but questionable but as he spiralled, I couldn’t believe what he was doing. I understand how he wanted to feel himself again, especially with tennis being something he could control and be good at compared to the rest of his life, especially the relationship with his son who I felt took the brunt of his obsession. At times the dialogue was confusing and I had to backtrack to figure out who was saying what but I really enjoyed the writing style. I had a lot of fun learning about tennis, the pressures of competitive sport and seeing Ned struggle with his identity. Glad I picked this up after seeing the cover. It’s made me want to pick up badminton again.

Thank you NetGalley and Astra House for the ARC.

A midlife crisis novel for tennis fans!! It's an exploration of masculinity that is thought-provoking, but also funny. I wasn't expecting the sort of surrealist touches but they added an unexpected element that kept me turning the page!!

Well, Dad Had a Bad Day comes with quite a few bad days - and if I’m being honest, I enjoyed that. I liked the snappy short chapters, the accessible (and often funny) writing and - as an active tennis player myself - the many references to the sport throughout the book.

The story though is as much about getting through difficult times and trying to be a good father, as it is about how a lifelong passion can turn into both comfort and escape.

What bothered me slightly is the constant jumping back and forth in time. The pacing keeps things moving and interesting, but the time shifts aren’t always clear, which made parts of the story harder to follow.

Ps. You don’t need to be a tennis player to enjoy this book, but I do think some familiarity will add to the experience. (And I hope Ned beats Federer one day).

I enjoyed the tennis and I felt appropriately troubled following a dad unravel. Dad had a Bad Day is about Ned, whose lost his job, and is married to a workaholic with a elementary school son, who channels all of his frustration into being the captain of his tennis club’s competitive team. Tennis allows Ned to return to the elements of his competitive life before family and project all of his frustration. The writing muscular and a bit propulsive. The tennis is fun to read and the dynamics of club culture seem realistic and immersive. I imagine tennis guys will find this relatable (how many men play meaningful tennis and read lit fic is an open question). Where I struggled was with Ned’s home life. All the bad behavior he encourages his kid to do during the matches is fun and believable. That Ned has this much freedom (he’s unemployed but his wife is mysteriously absent traveling for work) sometimes felt implausible.

I may not be the ideal reader for this one, there weren’t any parallels to my ow life but I really enjoyed it nonetheless.

Politanoff infused this story with heart and humor and I loved the character arc we saw unfold. Redemptive stories are a sweet spot and I think this one was clever and real.