Back in the Burbs, by Avery Flinn & Tracy Wolff

If you’re looking for a palate cleanser after reading something dark or heavy, I’d love to suggest Back in the Burbs, by Avery Flynn & Tracy Wolff.

Mallory is a 35-year-old divorcee who caught her ex-husband cheating and lost her job (her ex was her employer). Jobless and living with her parents, Mallory agrees to take ownership of the house she unexpectedly inherited from her late Aunt Maggie…a move that was HIGHLY discouraged by her family. Aunt Maggie’s house is in disrepair and Mallory has quite a project on her hands in addition to her unsupportive parents, verbally abusive ex-husband, and a (very handsome) rule following neighbor. All of these elements, plus a few surprise turns, make this one a book that was easy to read and hard to put down.

This one was a slow burn with LOTS of humor! So many laugh out loud moments. While Mallory definitely deals with some very adult problems, I appreciated there was enough levity written into the story to balance out the hard stuff. I particularly loved the growth Mallory goes through throughout the book. I loved her transformation from meek and underappreciated daughter/ex-wife to independent & confident single woman. Here for it all!

While romance and love are definitely big themes in this book, I’d also say that it’s about second chances & starting over…especially for Mallory. Someone coming into their own after life keeps handing them potentially soul crushing setbacks. You’ll run the gamut of emotions with this one and if a little spice and steaminess make you blush, prepare to be a little red through parts of this book. I’d definitely rate this one R.

Such a fun, quick read! I’d definitely recommend…especially if chick lit is your thing 🙂

3.9 out of 5 stars

TW: divorce; marital affair; death of a loved one; mental illness