Cover Image: This Won't End Well

This Won't End Well

Pub Date:   |   Archive Date:

Member Reviews

Annie’s career in science comes to a screeching halt when what “he said” wins out over what “she said” in a HR case at her company. To make matters worse, her fiancé spontaneously leaves for Paris to get some space, and requests she doesn’t contact him. With her work and relationship spiraling, Annie decides to control what she can by not letting any unknowns into her life, despite the curiosity around her mysterious new neighbor and the PI investigating her.

I LOVED IT! Sooo beautiful and well written! This actually didn’t look super interesting to me from the description, but I’m SO GLAD I picked it up. Each character has a great backstory, a full character arc, and awesome chemistry with one another. I think Pagan has a real knack for writing about the nuances and beauty in everyday, ordinary life. Highly recommend you get your hands on this book, which comes out February 25.

I really liked how multi-level marketing was part of a storyline in this novel. I see this all the time online, and loved reading as this novel poked fun at something so prevalent.

Was this review helpful?

This Won't End Well by Camille Pagan is my first foray into her work, but given how much I enjoyed the book, it is unlikely to be my last.
Annie Mercer is not having the easiest of times, she has just resigned from her job due to ongoing harassment from her superior, she is living with her mother who she worries about constantly and now her fiance Jon has flown off to Paris for a month to find himself.. She can't even turn to her best friend Leesa because every conversation they have seems to turn into a sales pitch for the healing crystals and oils that Leesa is flogging. It seems like the safest and simplest course of action is to cut herself off, and try to avoid new people, but she finds herself falling at the first hurdle when she comes to the assistance of a young woman who has just moved in next door. Suspicious circumstances and strange bruises soon have her worrying about the woman's safety, so when she notices a man lurking in the neighbourhood she immediately assumes the worst. When she confronts him, she learns that he is a P.I. working surveillance, and soon she finds herself breaking her self imposed rules once again, at first to help him out on a case, and then because she finds herself enjoying the time she spends with him. All of this does not negate the fact that she is not even sure she is still getting married , or what will happen between herself and Jon, especially when he decides to extend his stay in Paris and invites her to join him there.
Annie is a wonderful character, so easy to relate to in her mix of insecurity about personal issues and confidence when it comes to work and career . She has a real charm that carries the book and keeps the reader engaged in her story and rooting for her to find happiness. While the rest of the characters are by their nature less detailed in their execution, they are still completely believable, and at times definitely frustrating in their actions. Overall a warm and wonderful story , and one I really enjoyed.
I read and reviewed an ARC courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher, all opinions are my own.

Was this review helpful?

I was lucky enough to get an arc of this book (release date 4/25), and I was so excited! This Won't End Well was the third book I have read by Camille Pagán, and I frequently recommend her books. One of my favorite things about Pagán's writing is her mixing the gritty or hard things in life with stories of love, joy, and women finding strength in themselves. She did that again with This Won't End Well!
Three points kept This Won't End Well, from being five stars for me. I missed the style of Pagán's previous books, and it took time to adjust to the journal and email format. I also had a harder time relating to Annie than her other main characters. I couldn't decide if Annie was supposed to be an adult with autism spectrum disorder or if she was simply a highly analytical introvert. Finally, there were more big issues addressed in this story than Pagán usually tackles (racism, Islamophobia, school shootings, PTSD, sexual harassment, and more). I think these topics could've been better addressed if there were fewer issues in this story. Overall, I liked the story and will keep reading and recommending this author!

Was this review helpful?

A truly whiny book. I was sucked in by the beautiful cover and well-written blurb, but the book itself held no appeal for me. It was difficult to like the heroine. I understand why she is angry, but... it was just too difficult to try and connect with her. Also, the first person narration is a challenge for me, personally.

Was this review helpful?

I love Camille Pagán

She's a brilliant, pithy writer whose books are always quirky and deeply relatable. Such is true for This Won't End Well. Told from various diary entries, e-mails, neighborhood newsletters, and an occasional newspaper article, this story is a quick, fun read.

Scientifically-minded Annie is a beautifully fleshed-out character. I truly loved her spectrum-like thinking...reminded me very much of my son. But she's just one of many lovable characters in this novel.

Touching on topics such as PTSD, sexual harassment, depression, hoarding, and growing apart...this is ultimately a story about how sad endings can very much lead to happy beginnings.

I recommend Ms. Pagán's books to one and all!

**Many thanks to the publisher for my review copy.

Was this review helpful?

This Won't End Well is a fun, enjoyable, and quick read about one woman's journey to figure out her next steps in life. Camille Pagán writes such wonderful characters, and it was hard not to like all of them, even the ones we weren't initially supposed to care for.

The book is written solely in journal entries, emails, and newsletters, which I thought might be annoying but after a while, I didn't even notice it anymore because the plot flowed so smoothly. It was a bit predictable, but overall this was a witty and satisfying read.

Was this review helpful?

Annie Mercer is in a rough patch. Her career is floundering after her boss screwed her over, her best friend is too busy pushing her MLM crystal scheme to give Annie real advice, and her fiancé has decided to take off to Paris to find himself. She is resigned to getting by on her own when a mysterious young women named Harper moves in next door. Harper parades around like a movie star, but Annie grows concerned when she notices that things may not be all glamour next door. Annie’s suspicions grow, especially after she quite literally stumbles upon Mo, an amateur PI who has also taken an interest in Harper.
.
I read this book in mid-January and initially gave it a solid four stars. It’s very well written and I enjoyed the characters quite a bit. Annie is flawed and likable, and I really rooted for her! Though the premise sounds like a thriller, I would characterize this novel more as a light-hearted mystery/contemporary drama. I decided to knock a half star off because now, a few weeks after reading it, I’m just not finding this one to be that memorable. Unfortunately for this book, I think that’s also a factor of reading so many AMAZING reads this month and this one not standing out. This is my first Camille Pagan and I am very interested in checking out her other work. I enjoyed it, but ultimately found it to be somewhat forgettable. I still recommend this book to anyone looking for a quick, contemporary read! Thank you @lakeunionauthors and @netgalley for my advanced readers copy! This Won’t End Well will be released on February 25th.

Was this review helpful?

Camille Pagán’s hallmark is a cast of unique characters, exploring relationships and life with honesty, wit, and heart. This book delivers all that in this compelling and relatable story. Annie is a wonderful, quirky character; engaged to a man who unexpectedly heads to Paris to find himself, recently fired from a job, and conflicted about where her life will go from here. This book contains humor, heart, and bittersweet moments. I love how the story was written, through the words Annie writes in her journal, emails, texts, and even hilarious sections told through a series of Listserve notifications! I love the sentiment in this line, which is important to this story, as well as in real life: “I hope everything that comes your way is better than what has gone”.

Was this review helpful?

Camille Pagán writes adorable, quirky, loveable characters like no other, and Annie, the main character in Pagán’s latest novel, This Won’t End Well, is no exception. After Annie’s fiancé informs her that he is spending a month in Paris, alone, and doesn’t want to be contacted, Annie swears off new people. Soon, though, Annie finds herself worrying for the safety of Harper, her new next-door neighbor. Not long after, Annie unexpectedly encounters Mo, a detective, who is surveilling Harper. Before she knows it, Annie has let two new people into her life and that can’t possibly end well.

“If you’re willing to look for joy and open yourself to new possibilities, the end is not an ending at all. It’s a beginning.”

I enjoyed the unique format of journal entries, emails and texts. The emails from the neighborhood association were hilarious and relatable.

If you haven’t read Pagán’s backlist, I highly recommend all of them…she has become one of my go-to author for witty, heartwarming stories.

Thank you to the Tall Poppy Bloggers and author, Camille Pagán for the advanced copy; all opinions are my own.

“I hope everything that comes your way is better than what has gone.”

Was this review helpful?

Imagine a week where you quit your job because your boss has groped you, and your fiance calls from the airport to say he's off to spend a month in Paris, and please don't contact him while he's gone. Annie's reaction is to decide to withdraw from social interaction. Despite her intentions, she enters into two new relationships, and without meaning to, she does a lot of introspection and grows through these experiences.
Camille Pagan's books are endlessly entertaining, and delightfully quick reads. And while feeling light and airy, they each examine relationships in a deep and satisfying way. This Won't End Well would be a great choice for a book club--easy to read and also thought-provoking.
Thanks to #netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this work.

Was this review helpful?

Having read and thoroughly enjoyed "I'm Fine and Neither are You" last year, I was delighted to have been gifted an e-arc of Camille Pagan's latest book, This Won't End Well.

Annie is a 28 year old woman, living with her mum and engaged to Jon. She likes order, structure, plans, and advance notice, and dislikes risk. Her life is upended when she feels she has no choice but to resign from her job as a scientist with a large pharma company because of her boss's ongoing sexual harassment towards her. Jon then decides that he is going to Paris for a month to "clear his head" in advance of their wedding, telling Annie on his way to the airport, and that he doesn't want to be contacted by her while he is away.

Thrown by recent events, she decides to lay low for a while and take some time to get herself together, which includes not meeting any new people. Until a mysterious young woman moves into the house next door. Annie's life slowly changes, for the better, as she discovers not one, but two new friends and eventually through the power of friendship and close knit relationships she discovers her own true self.

Loved, loved, loved this book! Told through diary entries, emails and texts, it is a completely absorbing, contemporary page turner and I found it a joy to read. The writing is witty, insightful, empathetic, and intuitive. I adored Annie as a character. She is totally relateable, courageous and I loved her character progression throughout the book.

This book reminds us of the rewards that can be gained from breaking out of our own way of thinking and feeling the fear and doing it anyway.

5/5 Recommended.

Was this review helpful?

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an advance copy to read & review
A story for anyone who’s ever second guessed a big change -whether personal life or career.
Sometimes, changes come along whether you want them to or not. In Annie’s case, she is forced into a career change, while at the same time her fiancé decides to take a month “to find himself before settling into married life”. What’s a girl to do?? Annie makes lemonade, of course, quickly coming up with plans both to make money and to (hopefully) try and decrease stress in her personal life. But you know the saying-man plans and God laughs. You won’t want to miss this story!

Was this review helpful?

I enjoyed this witty and entertaining novel. The characters were likeable and the plot kept me interested. It was fast paced and kept me captivated for an afternoon.
Many thanks to Lake Union Publishing and to NetGalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

Was this review helpful?

I didn’t love this book the way I did the authors other books. Annie is a scientist trying to make her way by making others happy. I wanted to like her and think she was quirky, but she came off as dry. I wish she had a little more spunk. I loved her relationship with her mom. I was glad Annie grew enough during the book that she was able to go after her own happiness.

Was this review helpful?

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the ARC!
Camille Pagán is one of my favorite authors and she does not disappoint with this book. I love how it is written in email and diary form. And, of course, Annie is 100% lovable as well. Even though it was a bit predictable that she would end up with Mo in the end, I didn’t really mind as they were perfect for each other.
I loved that Annie found the strength to go back to her former employer and tell her story of terrible sexual harassment. Scenes like this keep the book from being a typical romance novel.
Well done, as always, Ms. Pagán!

Was this review helpful?

Thank you Netgalley and Lake Union Publishing for this ARC. I received this book in exchange of my honest opinion.

I was a bit excited since I have heard great things about the author. The plot sounded really good and I was happy that I got a chance to read and review it early.

This story revolves around Annie who has recently lost her job when her boss Todd sabotaged her chemistry career and her fiance wanted some 'space' and 'time' away from her. So he packs a bag and left her alone to go to Paris. She realised that her best friend is not best towards her. In short , this book started with chaos. But that's the beauty of it. I had all the makings of a good book. It is long but doesn't drag and the characters were very funny and humorous. I wasn't bored for a moment. Annie was someone I could relate too. She was a smart girl with a great sense of humor and her antics were so funny. Her chemistry with Mo was unexpected and fun. The author didn't create unnecessary drama between the characters. Even Annie's relation with her fiance was very amiable and affectionate one. It was all pretty proportionate. Another great thing about this book was Annie's mother and her friendship with Harper. I loved Annie. She was logical, smart and so funny. Pagan's new book is unputdownable.

I loved my first ever Camille Pagan book and I had a great time reading Annie's story. The cover is very pretty too. There are certain things towards the end that you won't see coming but you all have to read it to find out about it. Hope you all like it as much as I did. I recommend it to all romance/women's fiction lovers.

Happy reading.

Was this review helpful?

I have thoroughly enjoyed every book by Camille Pagan, and this book was no exception. If you are looking for a Easy,, light read that is just enjoyable , then settle down for a great afternoon. You won’t cry, feel angst, feel great joy, or learn new life lessons. It’s fluff and that’s not a criticism because there are days that I need this. The story goes off on a weird tangent and spying on a neighbor that felt forced but the story definitely needed something to shake things up a bit. The major plot line of fiancé moving out of the country right before their wedding to find himself does not bode well for any relationship and I expected the story to be more about how Annie recovered and rebuilt her life. It was disappointing and unrealistic to perpetuate that relationship without consequence throughout the story.

Was this review helpful?

I have read several books by Camille Pagan, and this book is every bit as good as the other's I've read.

When Annie's fiance John decides he wants to have some space from their relationship by moving to France alone, Annie realizes the loss of her science-based job was not her lowest moment. Taking a break, Annie soon meets her neighbor Harper and Mo, a friend who wants to help Harper.

The dialogue was fun, and the book does take some twists and turns readers will enjoy. All in all, a solid offering from Camille Pagan!

Was this review helpful?

Camille Pagan is one of my favorite authors of contemporary women's fiction, so I was excited to get an advance copy of her latest book, coming out next month, and happy to say it didn't disappoint. At the start of this novel, main character Annie is having a tough time - problems with her job, fiancee, best friend, mother, etc - and decides that she is going to stop getting to know new people. Of course, she inevitably lets a few new people into her life, and ends up figuring some things out about herself as a result. I've certainly read other novels with some variation of that basic premise of a quirky closed off character that ends up opening up to others and changing as a result, but this book still does it in an entertaining fashion, and I also liked how the book is written in the form of e-mails, journal entries, etc. Perhaps not the most realistic book, but a cute quick read.

Was this review helpful?

I found the novel to be well-written and enjoyable though I didn’t necessarily affiliate with the characters.

To say that things aren’t going well for Annie is an understatement. She was fired from a job that she thoroughly enjoyed. Her fiancé, Jon appears to be having an “early” mid-life crisis and takes off to France with a “to-be-determined” return date. Annie lives with her mom. Her best friend is always trying to sell her crap that she doesn’t need or want. And thanks to the pity of neighbors, she accepts housekeeping jobs. Annie’s outlook is bleak until Harper moves next door. She is chic and poised and seems to have some serious secrets. A reporter keeps snooping around and since Annie has an unquenchable curiosity and just so happens to have a lot of free time - she is determined to figure out what is going on.

Inevitably Annie learns more about herself, begins to take some chances and fights for the life that she truly wants.

I received an advance copy of this novel; all opinions are my own.

Was this review helpful?