An Amazon Charts and Washington Post bestseller, and a Goodreads Choice Award finalist.
“A laugh-out-loud funny, pitch-perfect novel that will have readers rooting for this unlikely, relatable, and totally lovable heroine, The Overdue Life of Amy Byler is the ultimate escape—and will leave moms everywhere questioning whether it isn’t time for a #momspringa of their own.” —New York Journal of … their own.” —New York Journal of Books
Overworked and underappreciated, single mom Amy Byler needs a break. So when the guilt-ridden husband who abandoned her shows up and offers to take care of their kids for the summer, she accepts his offer and escapes rural Pennsylvania for New York City.
Usually grounded and mild mannered, Amy finally lets her hair down in the city that never sleeps. She discovers a life filled with culture, sophistication, and—with a little encouragement from her friends—a few blind dates. When one man in particular makes quick work of Amy’s heart, she risks losing herself completely in the unexpected escape, and as the summer comes to an end, Amy realizes too late that she must make an impossible decision: stay in this exciting new chapter of her life, or return to the life she left behind.
But before she can choose, a crisis forces the two worlds together, and Amy must stare down a future where she could lose both sides of herself, and every dream she’s ever nurtured, in the beat of a heart.
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This was my first book to read by this author.
I throughly enjoyed this book from start to finish. It had lots of good feelings and of course some sad along the way too. But it made me laugh out load in places so that was great. I think this one is for every mother and daughter to read. I have my daughter reading it now and she’s enjoying it too.
Great characters, great setting and I loved that she main character was a librarian. I love books also.
Thank you to NetGally and Lake Union for a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
It’s a big 4.5 stars.
From the description, this book sounded like a fun read – and it did not disappoint. It was fun, funny, at times poignant, and very relatable. My guess is that there are many mother’s out there that crave a #momspringa! I loved the characters – and the weaving into the story of the protagonist’s daughter’s journal entries. As a rom-com fan, I think this would make a great movie.
Once upon a time, there was a girl, who grew into a woman, who married a guy, who had two amazing kids, who woke up one day and was very much….ALONE. I’m not talking in the midlife-crisis-sense sorta way either. I mean in the OMG-where-the-hey-did-my-so-called-beloved-disappear-to-all-of-a-sudden-after-FIFTEEN-years-of-marriage type of alone. Yeah…try figuring THAT one out of the stinking blue.
Admittedly, I adored the cover at first sight, then the title, then once I got around to reading the synopsis, I was sold all over again. Once I began reading, I was in a bit of a conundrum though. I held so much respect for Amy’s decision to attempt to let the kids get to know John after three years off the maps, but honestly I wasn’t certain I could’ve made the same choice. Not that Amy and I were suppose to mirror each other thought for though…but it did give me pause to think about the real life repercussions of saying YES or NO to such an “offer”.
Amy is really and truly a stellar woman, role model, and mom. She’s not perfect though she tries to be, and when things get messy, yes…she does have that moment of what-the-heck-am-I-suppose-to-do-with-this, but she doesn’t give up. Her friends are equally amazing and MAJORLY dependable in a crisis…something we should all strive to have in our lives.
In the end, I TOTALLY suggest taking a #lifespringa and reading this book. I enjoyed getting to know our leading librarian as she got to know herself, and discovered that it was okay to have a life again after “tragedy” has struck. It’s a hard lesson to learn, but one that’s necessary to find our way back to happiness.
**copy received for review; opinions are my own
Amy Byler—and her equally quick-witted author, Kelly Harms—will make you laugh. Then, she’ll make you cry… in a good way. I went into this book expecting a light, fun read, but really, it was so much more: An achingly earnest and refreshingly humorous look at contemporary motherhood, how easy it is for a woman to lose her sense of self, and how we just might get it back. Authentic, fast-paced, and satisfying, from start to finish.
This book explores the highs and lows of motherhood in a unique way. I literally could not put the book down. I was captivated from start to finish. I found myself laughing aloud throughout the book as Amy travels to New York City and new experiences. I also teared up while relating to Amy’s worry and mom-guilt. This book was wonderful and will hit home with all moms.
This book is so much fun! I don’t have kids so I can’t really relate to Amy on that front, but I definitely understand the need for a break from regular life. I love the characters – Lena and Talia are such great friends, and Daniel is amazing. I really enjoyed the author’s style of writing. It’s not over complicated and it’s flows really well. This is the first book I’ve read by this author, but it won’t be my last.
I received an advanced reader’s copy of this book.
I really enjoyed this very entertaining book with great characters and a different storyline. I found myself laughing out loud, but then feeling sad for everything that the main character Amy was going through. I was so caught up in the story that i kept turning the pages to see what might happen next and had a hard time putting it down. I highly recommend this book.
Thank you to Lake Union Publishing, the author and NetGalley for allowing me to read an arc of this book. The review is my own honest opinion.
Congratulations to the author on writing this delightful book, I’m sure it will make the best seller list soon!
I am going to start off by saying that I loved this novel. I am a Mom, a bookworm, and also struggling to get my yOung teen reading (she loves the books when she starts, but geez the struggle to get her to sit down!)…and my life seems to be mostly be about my family. Until a few months ago, any time away was with at least one kid in tow.
Amy Byler has done heat she needs to keep her kids’ lives from changing too much after their father decided he wasn’t coming home from his business trip. Three years later, he realizes his mistake and comes back, asking for a week with their kids. Not knowing what to do with herself, she finds a conference relating to her job as a librarian (she may as well get her Continuing Education credits) and visit a friend she hasn’t seen. She packs her bags and her books, and heads to NYC. Things don’t go as she plans as she meets new people and battles her guilt of doing things just for her.
As she starts to find her way, there are moments that kept me laughing out loud and turning pages. Kelly Harms did a wonderful job at writing the internal struggles Amy faces. Surrounded by wonderful friends, both new and old, books, and fun situations, Harms delivers a novel that is so relatable that you will be pulling for Amy. When it comes down to it, will she choose her new life, go back to her old life, or find a way to meld the two into a new life that is way over due? It will have you asking: What will you do for your #momspringa? Whether it’s a few hours or a few days, everyone deserves the chance to take time for themselves. We just need to remember that!
#tallpoppywriters #bloomreads #momspringa #LakeUnionPublishers @KellyHarmsAuthor
Amy Byler is a Private School Librarian whose husband left her and their two kids three years ago. When he suddenly returns at the end of the school year, he offers to take the kids for the summer so she can get a break and he can reconnect with the kids. Amy takes him up on the offer and goes to her friend Talia’s in New York. What ensues is what every mother always dreams of, a Momspringa! What is a Momspringa? You will just have to read this book to find out. I fully enjoyed this laugh out loud story and the great characters. It is about romance, family, and finding yourself again.
Thank you to Kelly Harms, Netgalley, and Lake Union Publishers for an ARC of this book and this is my honest review.
I had so much fun reading this novel. It’s a story about a middle aged mom, Amy, who has been raising her two children by herself after her husband, John, took off and left with no warning three years earlier. Now he’s back and Amy Byler isn’t so sure that’s a good thing. He wants to reconnect with his kids and Amy isn’t initially convinced about it but her kids, Cori and Joe, want a chance to be with their dad. Amy has a friend who lives in NYC and offers Amy a place to stay. It’s also an opportunity for Amy to present a reading program she’s developed to a convention of teachers. She decides to accept and her #momspringa begins.
I love the character of Amy and her quirky and hilarious wit. The situations and different circumstances she finds herself in made me LOL at times. I enjoyed going on this summer “retreat” with Amy and experiencing the ups and downs she found herself in. This is a great story of a woman finding herself again and starting over after her first husband leaves her. It’s a process of trying to figure out what’s right for her and her children. The emails in between chapters from Cori to Amy were a hoot! They made me laugh, too. I loved them.
I think this book connects with me because I, too, am a mom. There are times when we all need time away and just “me” time. My girls are grown but I sure could relate to wanting a break now and then. This story makes it ok to do that. Moms shouldn’t feel guilty about taking some time to enjoy themselves.
I want to thank Netgalley, Lake Union and Kelly Harms for this entertaining and fun read in exchange for my honest review! GREAT BOOK!
Amy is a single mom and not by choice. Her husband left her and her two young children three years ago. She had to learn to cope. She got a job, she refinanced her house, she even got food assistance. So, to say she is stressed is an understatement. Then she sees her “runaway” husband in the drug store. Yep! You guessed it. He wants to visit the kids. After much debate Amy agrees to let John keep the kids for a week. Amy runs off to NYC! Then the fun begins.
I adored Amy! She has had so many obligations and she has carried such weight on her shoulders that she has put herself on the back burner. When she gets to NYC she has a hard time letting go. With the help of her friends Talia and Lena (Lena is a nun!), Amy realizes she can be something other than a librarian and a Mom! Her transformation just made my day! I wanted her to succeed on so many levels and boy did she ever!
Y’all! This book is super! It hit me at the perfect time and was exactly what I needed to read! There were places I laughed out loud and places I wanted to cry and scream. Add in the literary references, book nerds and the Litsy app and I am head over heels in love with this book.
##tallpoppyblogger ##bloomreads ##tallpoppywriter ##theoverduelifeofamybyler
I absolutely loved this book!! Amy’s husband shows up after having left three years ago and she is presented with the opportunity to have time to herself while he takes the kids for the summer. She goes on a #momspringa, so named by her friend Talia who runs a magazine. What’s a momspringa you ask? Well it is a vacation to find yourself again. Amy Byler takes us on a hilarious journey to New York city. This book is full of snarky comments and is laugh out loud funny. The characters are so realistic that I felt like they were my friends. It explores what we, as women, need. Sometimes that is a break from our day to day lives. I want a momspringa! Great flow throughout with incredible dialogue, this is a book that needs to be read. An absolutely amazing book that will leave you laughing. Go grab it now! Uplifting and full of love this book will knock your socks off! Thank you Kelly Harms for one of the best books I have ever read! 10 stars!!
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I LOVED this book! Every mom, single or married, is going to relate to this one. I certainly did. Who wouldn’t want a week (or more) away from kids, husband/partner, and just from having to be responsible and in charge of EVERYTHING and EVERYONE?! I want to experience a “momspringa” in New York City, actually anywhere, like Amy Byler did. What an amazing experience and much-needed break for Amy after taking care of her kids and home by herself for three years after her husband left her to go work overseas because he couldn’t handle life with a wife and two kids. Yeah. So he comes back, wanting to make amends and become a part of the kids’ lives again, which gives Amy, relunctantly, the chance to get away for a week while loser husband spends time with the kids. Her time in NYC is quite the adventure, meeting a hot librarian, getting a makeover courtesy of her friend Talia and her assistant Matt, and just having the time of her life. I wanted to be Amy!
This was such a fun, laugh-out-loud book that I really am glad to have read. I needed a book like this right now. The writing is excellent, and I absolutely adored these characters (okay, except for loser husband. Ha!). I cannot believe I haven’t read more of Kelly Harms’ books but that is going to change! The Overdue Life of Amy Byler is one that shouldn’t be missed.
I received a review copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
Absolutely a fun book to read! Every mom needs a momspringna! There where a few twist of sadness that I did not see comging, but then isn’t that life? This story is rich with attitude and characters to love! Great for a summer read that will give mom clubs great topics for discussion!
This was a terrific read. I loved the characters, the plot twists, and the great doses of humor. A wonderful book for a summer read.
Loved!
Kelly Harms, Author of “The Overdue Life of Amy Byler” has written an entertaining, witty, delightful and engaging read. The Genres for this Novel is Fiction and Women’s Fiction. This story reminds me of the old Calgon commercial on television, where the wife/mother is having a difficult day, and says “Calgon Take Me Away”. I do know as a mother, wife, teacher, sister, daughter, daughter-in-law, pet/s parent, there were times that I wish someone would gift me some time off to recharge!! I can easily relate to the main character!. The author describes her characters as complex, complicated, and “NORMAL”**** people that we can relate to. (Whatever normal is)***
Amy Byler is a hardworking librarian-teacher and single mother raising her two children. In her job, Amy is trying to create a system of leveled reading materials that meet the individual reader’s needs. Most of all, this would encourage children that need remediation or enrichment to want to read. Amy and her children live in Rural Pennsylvania.
Amy’s husband who had disappeared for several years resurfaces and wants to be part of his children’s lives. He offers Amy the chance to have some time off, so he can get to know his children. Amy goes is able to go to New York City for a reading conference, and re-visit her girlfriend. Amy gets to also enjoy the cultural benefits, and people in New York. Is Amy going to want to go back to Pennsylvania?
Amy is living life, but has some major decisions to make for herself and family. I appreciate that Kelly Harms discusses the importance of family, and friendship, taking care of oneself, having emotional support, and having the courage for change. I would recommend this thought-provoking novel.
A love story to moms, books, readers & librarians….
Moms-get this book, and have a “mini-momspringa “ of your own!
What mom (and many dads) hasn’t dreamt of taking a break?! Because we live in the real world, who can really take a week/month/summer off? But even a little time with a book can be enough to recharge your batteries
This book is heartwarming, full of funny quotes, and should be read by almost every mom at some point-to remind you that it’s ok to take a break, it DOESN’T make you a bad parent. It makes you HUMAN! No, you may not be able to spend months in New York City like Amy Byler…but you can take 5 with this good book!
This was an excellent book, it kept me entertained the whole way through. I can imagine myself living through her life and it makes you imagine if something like that happened to you. I love her two friends and how they complement each other. This is a must read!!!
Such a fun read. Makes me want a Momspringa.