I wanted to like this one, but I just couldn't get into it. The town, Primm, Holly Banks inhabits was unfamiliar--too fairy-tale-like in it's simplicity and disconnectedness to real life. If it had felt more like a fairy tale setting, I could have settled in, but it felt like a Truman Show version of real life, too phony to be believable. And why is this main character's life so chaotic? She seems so scattered, but unnecessarily so (she has a good husband and one kindergartener, and one poorly-behaved dog, sounds dreamy). I felt like it was the book version of an infomercial where the chef is making a comically sloppy mess of pouring pancake batter just so we want to buy the contraption that will save our cooking future.

I absolutely loved Holly Banks is Full of Angst. It had me laughing out loud, and was just such a great story. While I liked this sequel, I have to say I was a little bit disappointed. I didn't feel this one had the same humor as the first and thats why I had loved the original so much! I did enjoy catching up with all our favorite characters, but I just wish we had the same humor as the first book.

Thank you Netgalley for approving me for reading this book.

I really enjoyed this book, poor Holly can't catch a break and it's so nice to go through her new life in a new place with her. Holly's character is wonderful.

This is a lovely easy read book and I loved it from start to finish.

I haven't read the first book in this series but I don't think that was necessary to still enjoy this second book.

I loved the book. The story and the characters were intriguing. I really enjoyed the book. What I liked the most about how Holly Banks tried to fit in and adapt in her new life in the small town setting. It was an absolutely charming read.. Must Read. Highly recommended.

I was sent a copy of this book by Netgalley & the author in exchange for my honest thoughts.
Holly Banks seems to have a lot of bad luck & sometimes the way it happens is hilarious. I love all of the characters & Holly's antics. This book is a fast read & it doesn't drag. This has definitely become one of my favorite series of all time. Its light & fun & it's worth the read. I love it

I received a copy of this book to review from Netgalley. Thank you for the opportunity.
This was a fun and sweet easy to read book. I really enjoyed the previous book so I couldn't wait to visit the village of Prim again. The characters are likable and some are caricatures of some stereotypes. The humor is paired with a lot of heart so is perfect for anyone looking for a nice, escape from the stresses of life.
However, at times the humor seemed forced and so wasn't as funny as the first book. I felt that the author tried to include too many events which didn't really relate well to each, thereby interrupting the flow of the book.
On the whole a good book.

I was looking forward to reading this book, however I really struggled with it. I found there were a lot of characters in a few pages and it was hard to keep up with who was who.
Holly Banks and her family moved to Primm, where all the streets are divided into enclaves. She has achieved her dream, or so she thinks.
So starts Hollys life in Primm.
There are lots of characters in this book, Caleb, an aspiring filmmaker, who urges Holly to follow her dream. Greta, Hollys mother, who comes for a short break and stays much longer.
Penolope, the real estate agent, who rally’s the town after a chilli thrip infestation. Maeve Bling, who lives beside Holly and leaves notes reminding Holly of the enclaves rules.
Best of all, is Hollys dog, Struggle, who has a penchant for digging and escaping from the back yard. Struggle digs up the town lawn and finds a disc, which has been lost for years.
So the book continues with Holly wanting to be as good as everyone whom she lives beside. Achieving her dream, after a bumpy road.

Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for providing me with an e-arc of this book in exchange for an honest review.

4/5 Stars!

The Peculiar Fate of Holly Banks picks up in the village of Primm, a suburban neighborhood that promised the quiet, luxurious life made for families. And yet, The Village of Primm is everything is everything that horrifies us about suburbia. Nosy neighbors, "hello notes," strict rules, and never quite feeling like you belong in your own community. Holly is a normal mom, trying to take care of a rambunctious 5-year-old, dealing with PTA, a husband that needs her for everything, a dog that doesn't listen, all while struggling to develop a new career, and somehow her mother has managed to move into her home and make her life even more complicated.

This is the perfect book for anyone looking for a light read; it's full of humor and easy to connect with! I didn't read the first book in the series and I don't think it's necessary to read before picking up The Peculiar Fate of Holly Banks.

At first I thought Holly Banks had moved into the neighbor of the Stepford wives or something worse. I'm not a fan of HOAs, but Holly's seemed impossibly strict. Her ambitions and dreams to have the perfect home and venture into a new business as a filmmaker would stretch the most resilient red cape. Add to this her mother, Greta, a delightful character and an over-zealous five year old daughter, Holly more than has her hands full. Another hyper-active character is their dog, Struggles, who digs up an ancient artifact that sets off the town's mystery bringing the local news and social media venues to her front door. Can Holly's ideal of success be accomplished without having a nervous breakdown or go bankrupt?

To be honest, I didn’t realize that this is a sequel, although it’s clear from the blurb, yet I somehow overlooked that fact. Additionally, I’m finding that during the pandemic that campy first world problem stories feel overly trivial right now. Didn’t finish this one, unfortunately, and would start with the first book if I were to pick it up again.

accidentally, i requested this book not realizing it was a sequel. i hate making this mistake and i apologize for the publisher and author. if i get my hands on the first one i will be reviewing it on my bookstagram asap. thank you.

Holly has a chocolate lab named Struggle. I thought that was such an odd name. I liked Holly but couldn't get hooked into the story. I didn't care for the descriptions.

This book had many really funny parts and has a cast of witty and quirky characters that readers will be sure to be drawn to. I'll admit it was a bit slow to start for me and took me some time to get into it, but once I hit my reading groove I loved it.

this is a sequel to the first book in this sereis. duology? i dunno. but i didn't read the first one, so this one was just meh for me personally. but hey, maybe you'll love it. some books work for people and some just don't.

Loved this book, but now I'll have to definitely go back and read the 1st book (Holly Banks, Full of Angst.) I liked the village of "Primm" and the drama but... I think my favorite part is Emma and her school drama. I can relate to Holly in some ways. You can tell Holly as a wife, mother and aspiring filmmaker tries to handle life best as she can. Even with all the drama, this is a fun read!

Thank you, NetGalley for giving me a chance to read this book.

I really enjoyed this story. I went back and read the first story In the line so I knew what was going on. Holly Banks is an enjoyable character and the Stepfordlike community they live in so colorful.

Holly can’t catch a break. Since she moved to the Village of Prim, she’s had to keep up with everyone in town. She gets “Hello” notes on her mailbox when she breaks the HOA’s rules. Suddenly she and her dog, Struggle, are caught up in a town mystery that much be solved.

This is second book in the Village of Prim series and I loved it as much as the first. Holly is caught up with town issues and keeping up with everyone. I liked this book because it focuses more on Holly and what she wants out of life. It’s a great light hearted read because of Holly attitude on everything. Sure a helicopter is parked on her lawn and she gets the dreaded “Hello” note but she takes it in stride and focuses on bigger things.

I would highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a light read and if you were a fan of the first book in the series. I can’t wait for the next book!!

Setting and story are what drive this slightly mysterious novel forward. The main character Holly Banks has a lot going on in her life and community. I loved her dog Struggle and his antics most of all!

Wanting to find out more about Holly Banks, then step right in. Julie Valerie does another tremendous job keeping us captivated with this one. The second installment to the series and I already want more.

Village life at its best, newcomers, nosy neighbours and a mystery to solve. Holly, recently moved with her family gets caught up trying to establish her business while supporting her family, wayward dog and still help the community with their open house tours. Fast-paced with likeable characters - a brilliant read.