In a world where therapists look like the Real Housewives of Equinox, where friends dispense Xanax like Pez, and where a woman’s status is directly linked to the how few carbs she eats…can one Hollywood wife take back her life? Agnes Murphy Nash is in big trouble. When she returns home one evening only to find the locks changed on the gates of their mansion, the security guard breaks the news: … guard breaks the news: her famous producer husband has filed for divorce. And he’s not going to play fair. Trevor Nash wants custody of their tween daughter, Pep, but only for the sake of appearances. And Agnes can’t let him win.
With the help of her ex-con sister, a Hollywood psychic, a ballsy female lawyer, and a host of friends and “frenemies,” Agnes realizes that when he changes the locks, she needs to change the rules. But a crisis can lead to opportunity, and for Agnes, this gigantic betrayal brings her to a crossroads that will have her asking herself what she really wants out of life, who she really wants to be, and which man she really loves.
Told with Gigi Levangie’s sparkling dialogue and wit, Been There, Married That is a drop-dead hilarious battle of wills that will make you laugh out loud, cringe, and keep turning the pages to see what crazy disaster will happen to Agnes next…and how she’ll rise from the ashes.
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Title: Been There, Married That
Author: Gigi Levangie Grazer
Genre: Contemporary Romance
My Rating: 3 stars
Levangie is a new-to-me author and I have to say, going in, I didn’t know what to expect. Definitely wasn’t this. I could see where she was going; the story had potential. But after a while, nothing made sense. That said, here’s what I liked and disliked:
*Loved the character’s; that’s what made me want to press on. I rooted for Agnes. I also loved the humor aspects.
*Didn’t like how mechanical the writing was.
*Didn’t like how the storytelling was a bit over the place. Felt it needed some elements to tie it together, and why my rating is 3 stars.
DISCLAIMER: This is strictly my POV. Please don’t let this deter you from reading yourself. You may like it.
*I received this ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*
This was one hysterical read. It kept a smile on my face and my attention riveted long past my bedtime. The characters were funny, the language easy to follow, and the world building presented a kooky view from inside the golden world of a Hollywood marriage. Written in the first person, it’s in the style of one wacky and delightful pseudo memoir.
I requested and voluntarily read an advanced review copy provided by the publisher via Netgalley and I offer my honest opinion in response.
This story is a little different from my usual fare. I liked the premise of it so it had it’s good and not as good parts. The main character, Agnes Nash is a fun character. I liked her sister Fin too. The story line got a little wonky at times so I kinda got a little lost here and there. The snark was fun and made me laugh though.
This is the first book I’ve read by Gigi Levangie and when I started, I wasn’t sure what I was reading. I felt like Agnes was taking me on a schizophrenic journey without a real direction. Her marriage is falling apart in the world of Hollywood but as all the signs were pointing to this destruction, she wasn’t really acknowledging the reality of the situation. There are a lot details about the world of a Hollywood producer’s wife but I was frustrated that she wasn’t taking charge of her life before her husband did. Trevor is a self-involved, selfish man and when he doesn’t get his way, he plays dirty. Now, by the end of this crazy tale, I ended up enjoying the journey. Agnes showed real growth when she was forced to fight for her daughter. She finds out who her true friends are while building a career for herself to support her daughter. I’m glad I kept reading because the payoff for me was worth it to see her discover herself. I voluntarily read an ARC of this book and this is my honest review.
This was an overall entertaining book, though I had a very difficult time getting into it or feeling engaged. It was a slow read and the scenes written were all over the place, making it confusing and scattered. I expected it to be “…a drop-dead hilarious battle of wills that will make you laugh out loud, cringe, and keep turning the pages…” I rarely laughed and it definitely did not keep me turning the pages. I wouldn’t recommend it.
By the description, I was really looking forward to this book, then I started reading it. From what I did read, this book was more full of sarcastic comments more than humor, and it gives me yet another reason to dislike Hollywood. The reasons for Trevor to not want to be married to Agnes any longer was absurd, Don’t even get me started on the daughter, totally mishandled by both parents. I rarely don’t finish a book, but I just couldn’t take it anymore and stopped at 14%. Disappointing for sure…..
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC copy of this book.
Been There, Married That is the first book I’ve read by author Gigi Levangie Grazer. The blurb was funny and her other books seem to have been well-received, so I had high hopes. I like to alternate serious with lighter books, and thought this would be a good, funny read to sneak in during the holidays. Well, I was disappointed.
I’m not part of the Hollywood scene and have not “Been There, Married That” so couldn’t relate to what that life is like. But I also couldn’t escape into the story, which was what I was hoping for. Instead, this is a story full of really unlikeable characters you can’t work up any sympathy for or care about and really, really uneven writing. Instead of following a plot line it reads more like a tryout for a comedy show, an endless stream of witty remarks, almost unacceptable thoughts and actions, and Agnes’ constant asides. I really did not want to be that much in her head.
I was provided an advance copy by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.
The cover/title and description of the book sounded like one I’d really enjoy However this just wasn’t one that was my cup of tea. I’m sure there are people who will love it…I just didn’t get into it. Thanks to NetGalley for an honest review in exchange for an e-ARC
This is a laugh out loud fast paced book, you definitely need to pay attention when reading it. I thought it was well written and a good storyline. I enjoyed the characters and it was a good read. I look forward to reading more stories by this author .
I read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book All thoughts and opinions are of my own.
Thank you NetGalley and St. Mark’s Press for letting me read this story.
Been There, Married That seemed like such a promising book when I read the synopsis and I was really looking forward to reading it. I’ve been reading some pretty heavy books lately and a fun, snarky book seemed like the perfect antidote to those.
Unfortunately this was not the book for me. Usually I will say something like if you enjoy this type of book, this is a good fit for you, but I don’t really know who this book would appeal to. I very much dislike leaving poor reviews because I know how much hard work goes into writing a book, to say nothing of the effort that goes into marketing. In this case though, I feel like I have to leave this review.
The story is all over the place and the humor wasn’t really humorous, in my opinion. It came off more as a bitter type of humor or a trying too hard type and it didn’t sit well with me, nor was I amused. I do think the idea is a good one, but I think this project needed a very strong editor that could have convinced the author that either a rewrite was needed or an extensive editing job.
If you like humorous reads, give this a shot and it may resonate with you.
I requested an ARC and was approved – thank you to Netgalley, the publisher and author. My thoughts in this review are my own.
At first glance, Gigi Levangie’s ‘Been There, Married That’ has all the hallmarks of a zany, entertaining examination of a Hollywood marriage gone sour. Unfortunately, in practice, the novel is a lot more meandering and over-the-top with superficial characters.
When Agnes Murphy Nash discovers that her husband, Trevor, has changed the locks, she realizes that her “perfect” marriage is quickly deteriorating. Multiple misadventures then ensure as her gaslighting husband tries to “win” the divorce. Thus, the novel is more of an exploration of Agnes and all of the crazy misfortunes that befall upon her on her way to divorce.
‘Been There, Married That’ tries desperately to be funny, but mostly isn’t. (And in some cases, I’d argue that the “humor” comes a little short of being politically correct; there were moments that I felt uncomfortable reading because of this.) The plot is choppy and jumps around nonsensically, making it quite difficult to follow. I also didn’t feel like there was enough exposition on any of the (numerous) characters in the book. So I didn’t have any sort of feelings or connections to any of them. I had to put it down multiple times and give myself a pep talk to finish.
In the end, the ideas are there, but the execution isn’t. Thank you, NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Yeah I hated it, every bit of it, Agnes was so annoying that you not only didn’t like her you didn’t feel sorry for her and that my friends is a first for me regarding a situation like this. Trever just as bad, I gave up half way because at that point I couldn’t care less.
Rcvd and ARC at no cost to author..(netgalley) Voluntarily reviewed with my own thoughts and opinions.
I finished this because I’m tenacious like that. Not a romance in my opinion. Maybe a reverse romance. I didn’t like the story at all, it was depressing. Who can be the biggest ahole in Hollywood? Agnes was spineless and naive, who just kept cracking zingers and floated along the fast track to divorced, penniless idiot. Trevor had mommy issues and was ridiculously childlike. I guess that’s the Hollywood of which I shall maintain my ignorance happily. In the end, all that counts is making movies?
I received an ARC through Netgally and am voluntarily giving my honest opinion
This is my first book by Gigi Levangie. I found this book funny for the most part, but the rapid fire one-liners and snarky comebacks got a bit tiring. Agnes tells her Hollywood insiders perspective on being a wife to a wealthy movie mogul until he’s done with her. Trevor the producer soon-to-be-ex has very few, if any redeeming qualities. It’s hard to understand the amount of utter nonsense she puts up with and the blasé attitude toward possible infidelity in her own home. Yes, it’s fiction, but it’s got to ring true, people in LA can’t possibly be that jaded. There is a lot of LA and movie industry specific humor packed into this story that was funny by way of making them all caricatures of real people.
The people I wanted to see the most of were their pre-teen daughter Pep and Agnes’s sister Fin, the house maids were pretty entertaining too. I tried really hard to love this book, but it was just too big of a stretch for me. Trevor and his lawyers were calculated and horrible to Agnes causing her a panic attack and they both ask her out after it’s all over with? *smh* Levangie needed a better editor to help whip this book with potential into a really funny one.
Been There, Married That is a book about the trials of being married to a Hollywood producer by Gigi Levangie. Or is it a warning? Before I get started, let me say here, I’m old. There’s lots of Hollywood speak and slang and hashtagging going on in the beginning of this book, at times I had no idea what the author was trying to convey. I’m also a bit stubborn, I don’t think I should have to use urban dictionary as a translator. Agnes is married to Trevor with a teenage daughter. This is basically the story of her divorce. It’s mildly funny is some spots. I liked a few of the characters, not so much the rest of the cast. The dialog was easier to read in the last third of the book, but like I said, if you’re old like me, you’ll need that urban dictionary for the beginning. Been There, Married That is a complete book, not a cliff-hanger.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book that I received from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
My Review
Smart, snarky humor blends with real life trauma in this Hollywood wives adaptation!
Agnes Murphy Nash thought she was living the dream; Hollywood producer husband, mansion in the hills, and socialite friends, until it all came crashing down with just one word- divorce.
Suddenly, she’s persona non grata at the swanky restaurants she’d practically made famous. The friends have disappeared into the woodwork, her credit cards have been canceled, the mansion is for sale. But worst of all, her ex is suing her for full custody of their beautiful child.
This means war.
It’s been a long time since I’ve enjoyed a book so much. Agnes has plenty of reasons to curl up with a bottle of gin and the pharmaceutical of the day, but instead she’s a fighter and there is no way her no-good philandering husband (who she’d vowed to love forever) was going to win the battle.
Over her dead body.
Favorite Lines
Nothing bad can happen if you wear a scarf; it’s like garlic to vampires.
The day was hot and dry, the city in a drought that would never end, much like my divorce.
I give Been There, Married That 5+ lovely kisses- I’ll be looking for more of this writer’s work!
“I voluntarily read an ARC of this book which was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.”
I really thought I would love this book but it was just trash. I rarely hate a book but I could only get 3/4 of the way through this book and had to stop. I loved the cover thought the story sounded cute but in reality the author just wrote long drawn out not funny story. Seemed as though the author was trying way too hard to get us to laugh. I was gifted this book from Netgalley. I was asked to leave an honest review and I have.