'Jenny James is Not a Disaster' by Debbie Johnson - review

​   'Jenny James is Not a Disaster' by Debbie Johnson was a surprisingly emotional read for me. 

Though her life is not my life, I've never had a house that fell off a cliff or felt I had to run away from home over a partner, I find myself relating to her a lot more than I expected. 

I've had years worth of days like Jenny's 'Very Bad Day.' Like Jenny's Luke.. (though it was never a romantic thing).. I discovered that there were some really kind, selfless people around me who barely knew me and while I won't share here all the things that each of them did for us at the time.. I will say their intervention changed our lives. 

Our paths were different, but through those really awful times and the discovery of those amazing people, I too went through a dramatic series of shifts. My perspectives, my lifestyle, even my family dynamics changed. 

While I'm not sure how Debbie Johnson came to realize the things Jenny learns in the book, she's right. When you lose enough, what's important to you changes.. and getting a chance to experience life in a different way, without the typically structured work weeks and corporate overlords will make you never want to go back. 

I enjoy Jenny's imperfections and the way Luke is kind, but imperfect himself. Her relationship with her son is (mostly) a lot of fun.. with at least a decent amount of respect between them. Charlie is warm and funny, smart and compassionate.. really all the things as parents we hope for. I've been lucky, mine's like that too. 

It was probably unnecessary for Jenny to mirror the behaviors she rebelled against at all, though I understand why the author would choose to do this a little. I just feel like the character was emotionally intelligent enough.. at least at this point in her life.. to understand her situation in hindsight without all that. 

My only complaint is the monologue and inner-monologue at the end feel a bit contrived and Jenny goes on too long in a way that feels like fluff. But overall, I really loved this book. If you want a light, inspiring read with a handsome love interest and well-developed characters, give this one a try.

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