BOOK REVIEW: Snap Out of It by Maddie Dawson
2023 Publication Date January 3

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A Funny and Heartwarming Tale About the Complexities of Love, Loss, and Resilience

Do you ever feel like you need to be reminded of the power of love? If so, Maddie Dawson's latest novel, Snap Out of It, is just what you need. This funny and warmhearted "no romance" love story follows Billie Slate as she navigates her way beyond three marriages, reinventing herself as an on-call performance artist — the Heartbreak Bunny — to help others move on from the pain of love.

Read on to learn more about this wonderful book... and whether it is a match for you...

The Story of Billie Slate
Billie Slate is a strong-willed woman in her early sixties who has been married three times — each time ending in heartache, disappointment, and creating an additional reason to "just say no" to romance.

In an effort to help others avoid the same kind of heartbreak she experienced, Billie starts her own business called The Heartbreak Bunny. She travels around town hopping about and whisking away sad mementos from people’s past relationships. Her message resonates with men and women across the country as she helps them move on from their painful breakups.

As Billie works with her clients, she begins to confront the possibility that love may still have a few tricks up its' sleeve... even for her. This leads her on an emotional journey as she reevaluates whether a lasting romance can ever be found.

It’s a journey filled with laughs, tears, and ultimately a little bit of magic thrown in. After all, love and magic certainly share a mutual element... as they are both often an unexplained mystery.

The Writing Style
Maddie Dawson's writing style is engaging and lighthearted throughout Snap Out Of It. She manages to convey complex themes with an easy-to-follow storyline that will keep readers turning page after page until they reach the end.

With each chapter unfolding like a new adventure, readers will find themselves drawn into the world of Billie Slate as they follow along on her journey to discover if there are still some surprises left in store for her when it comes to love.

Few authors delight me with their beautifully written witty yet insightful dialogue as Maddie Dawson does. It truly feels like she is inside my head revealing the irony and humor in each situation.

When I might succumb to drama, she provides humor... And when I might slide over a moment with laughter, Maddie Dawson turns that moment inside out with a compassionate perspective from a secondary character.

Needless to say... I always feel I have learned more about myself and others after reading a Maddie Dawson book. All while feeling like it has been delivered within a magical bubble!

And with Snap Out Of It, I continue to be a forever fan ever since reading my first novel by this talented author, Matchmaking For Beginners.

The Characters
One of the best things about Snap Out Of It is its characters. Each one brings something unique to the story with distinct personalities, secret history, and quirks that make them stand out from one another.

From Billie Slate herself with her resilience and determination despite all that life throws at her... To Mason Davis, a local newscaster who introduces Billie to a "national audience" and wants nothing more than for Billie to open up and give love a chance again.

Readers are sure to find someone within these pages who speaks directly to them or reminds them of someone in their own life.

Themes That Resonate
Maddie Dawson’s writing style is full of warmth and emotion that makes it impossible not to connect with Billie’s story on some level. We can all relate to feelings of insecurity or doubt when it comes to matters of the heart which makes this book so powerful for its readers.

Beyond the struggles with romance though, there are also deeper themes such as resilience and finding joy in life despite our setbacks that make this book stand out among other romance novels.

Following Billie Slate — a woman in her early sixties who has been married three times — the story follows her journey as she starts her own business as The Heartbreak Bunny with a mission to help the lovelorn finally say "goodbye" to lost love and heartbreak.

With a relatable protagonist and thought-provoking themes, this book is an absolute must-read for fans of romantic comedies.

How does Billie Slate's story about love differ from traditional romantic comedy?
Billie Slate’s story is much more focused on the individual and the journey for self-discovery and inner strength rather than a typical romantic comedy or fairytale where two people must find each other to be happy.

With a focus on learning how to not just survive, but thrive in your own skin without relying on a romantic partner for your fulfillment and happiness.

It’s also unique in that it is focused on an older woman's experience with love, which is rarely portrayed or discussed in popular media. Although there are still plenty of "young woman" sub-plots that Billie brings her unique experience and perspective to.

Perfect for anyone looking for a funny yet heartwarming story about love, loss, and finding yourself again after being broken down by life's experiences.

Written by bestselling author Maddie Dawson in an engaging style full of entertaining characters that speak directly to your soul. This book is sure to leave you feeling hopeful about life... no matter what hardships it throws your way!

Get your highlighters ready... You will be busy bookmarking all of the many passages that you will want to go back to and reference later.

So grab your copy today and get ready for an emotional rollercoaster ride like no other!...✨😎✨

Pages 367
Genre: Best Contemporary Fiction | Best Contemporary Novels
Sub-Genre: Women's Fiction | Second Chance At Love Romance
Time Period: Present Day
Location: Connecticut (US)
Publisher: Lake Union Publishing

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BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Snap Out Of It follows Billie Slate, a resilient and completely unique woman in her early sixties who knows all too well the trouble that can come with falling in love...

After three marriages, she decides to create the Heartbreak Bunny business — an on-call performance art service where she hops around and whisks away any sad mementos from people’s past relationships. Her message resonates with both men and women across the country, quickly going viral and bringing Billie newfound fame and fortune.

As Billie starts to confront her feelings about love, she must decide for herself if there are any tricks that love has left up its sleeve for her.

If you are looking for a funny yet thought-provoking read this season then look no further than Maddie Dawson's Snap Out Of It!

With its relatable characters and genuine themes, this book will have you laughing one minute and crying the next as you root for Billie Slate!

BOOK CLUB DISCUSSION:
• Love is not something that should be defined by societal expectations, but rather by what works best for the individual.
• Everyone has their path to happiness and must first find a way to overcome any past heartache to move forward with joy.
• It's never too late to take risks and make changes in order to pursue what truly brings us joy.

BOOK QUOTE:
"Don't let yourself ever again give yourself over to a love that doesn't fit you... Don't break your own heart!..." — Snap Out Of It by Maddie Dawson

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All my book reviews can be seen at This Is My Everybody | Simple Living | Denise Wilbanks at thisismyeverybody.com/blog/what-book-should-i-read

♡ Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC. I voluntarily chose to review it and the opinions contained within are my own.

This was such a cute and and heartwarming story. You can’t help but fall in love with the main character, Billie. She’s witty and kind. People say that Billie is anti-love, but she claims that she’s anti-wallowing.

One day Billie and her friend, Kat decide to start the, Snap Out Of It business. Billie dresses up as the HeartBreak Bunny and helps people get over their exes, by hopping around their house and gathering momentos. You see, Billie has been heartbroken 3 times and has called off love. She doesn’t like others wallowing.

This story brought the humor. I has dying of laughter throughout most of the book. I loved the story, characters and the writing. I can’t believe this is my first Maddie Dawson book, but it definitely wont be my last. I have Matchmaking for Beginners on my shelf and can’t wait to pick it up!

Thank you NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Snap Out Of It by Maddie Dawson

Billie Slate is dealing with three divorces and a grown daughter who is an influencer. Billie and her friend in a drunkin night come up with an idea to be the heartbreak bunny. Billie helps people clean out the left over things from a relationship break off. Things take off for her after appearing on Mason's show to talk about what she does.

I thought the book was funny at times. I also like the way the author looked at relationships from a different angle. Breaking up in a relationship is hard and separating yourself from it can be even harder. I really like the concept it was really good drunkin idea.

I like that this was different and it makes me think about my own break up wishing for the break up bunny cleaning the messy from my ex's out of my house. I liked how Billie spoke about it all and how things truly work for women.

The story is filled with some twists to Billie having two men sort of pining for her and her daughter is in the mist of her own crisis dealing with her own messy relationship.

Snap Out of It is a book that any romance lover needs to read it is more than romance. I am recommending it to all of you. Be prepared for a little different spin on romance.

Thank you to Netgalley and Lake Union Publishing for a free copy of Snap Out Of it for an honest review. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.

This story was very original and pretty silly overall. It did keep my attention though and I was excited to see where it was going. I even laughed a few times out loud which is not my norm. I loved that the main character was 60 years old and another important character was in his 90s. I get tired of reading rom coms about 20 something’s.

‘“How can you believe in the Heartbreak Bunny and also in romance?’ He shrugs. “I contain multitudes.”’

60-year-old Billie has had three marriages and more than her share of heartbreak. She and her friend come up with an idea for a business one night while they are drunk. As a performance piece, Billie will dress up as The Heartbreak Bunny, and will help jilted lovers heal their broken hearts by removing all vestiges of their ex-lovers from their homes. The business, which is called Snap Out of It, The business skyrockets when one of her performances goes viral, and Billie becomes famous for her services, her wise advice, and her magic rituals. Billie’s perfectionist daughter Louise, who is a wildly popular Instagram influencer, is mortified by Billie’s costume and business, especially as she is struggling with her own disintegrating marriage.
“…[Louise's] disdain for clutter and chaos is a direct, conscious repudiation of my personality.”
Meanwhile Billie’s nightmare first ex-husband Victor (Louise’s father) suddenly re-emerges after his second wife dies, and wants to have a relationship with their daughter and reunite their family.

Though the description sounds wacky and possibly ridiculous, I truly loved this book by veteran writer Maddie Dawson. It was intelligent, wise and funny, and I thoroughly enjoyed every page! Just releasing today!

Paperback 367 pages, Audiobook 12 hours.

Thank you to Lake Union Publishing and Netgalley for the electronic advanced copy of Snap Out of It. The novel is a unique story of Billie who at age 60 reinvests herself as the "Heartbreak Bunny" who will hop into your house removing stray items that remind you of your ex so you can now move on. Her influencer daughter's life isn't so insta-perfect and, of course, Billie's own ex is now a problem. This is a quirky closed-door romance that you should check out.

I really liked this one. The premise of this book was out there but it was exciting and fun. Billie is a 60 year old woman who helps people get over breakups by dressing up as a bunny. That was enough to sell me. We follow along as she helps all different people and we see her unusual house arrangement as well. Her one housemate Calvin was my favorite. He was 90 years old and called himself an immortal! Billie meets a nice guy but is reluctant to believe in romantic love for herself. It was a cute read and I suggest everyone check it out!


Thanks to NetGalley and the Publisher for the ARC.

Thankyou Netgalley for a copy of 'Snap Out of It' in exchange for an honest review.

The premise of this book sounds great and the first few chapters were really engaging. I loved the humour, the writing style, the grumpy characters. However, unfortunately it quickly fell quite flat for me.

I really enjoy a grumpy sunshine trope however this felt like a real problem for me to continue picking up. Perhaps it was my mood. Perhaps it was the character. I'm not sure.

I did like the premise but unfortunately I think I just didn't find the pace fast enough for me.

Billie became a single mom in her 20s, and found her path to live, parent, survive. Living eccentrically, as she turns 60, everything in her life is upended.

This was a cute story showing how paths can cross and that no choice is without risk, with some hilarious moments along the way. I would have liked to have more on the perspectives of some of the other characters along the way.

Thank you to Lake Union Publishing and to Netgalley for the ARC.

Thank you to the author, Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley, for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I wanted to like this book, and it had a lot going for it - Maddie Dawson is an author who writes warm, relatable characters, the heroine is a "more mature" 60-year old rather than a bright young thing, and the premise of her fledgling business idea (helping people get over failed relationships) is timely. However, there were just too many too wildly quirky things going on at once, and I found it hard to connect with any of the characters - which made it a chore to read, rather then the joy I had been hoping for.

Snap Out of It by M. Dawsson, published by Lake Union Publishing, is a stand-alone , slow burn, roamnce novel.
Billie is a woman on the eve of her 60tieth birthday, kind of reminicing. She's divorced twice, widowed once, has a 35 year old influencer daughter and just founded a new business. She's the heartbreak bunny, helping people getting rid of ballast. And then , one day, her first husband makes contact and wants to reconnect. On the other hand , there is Mason, a man who truly deeply loves her - only she's burned one too often and she's rather skittish. Will she get her hea??
An intriguing read that took me a minute to get into, like mentioned a slow burn, a quiet book that touches deep feelings.

Thank you to Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley for the opportunity to read Snap Out of It.

This is a sweet story about heartbreak, moving on, and finding love again. I fell in love with the Heartbreak Bunny’s antics and the chaotic life she lives. After living for so long with her guard up, she finds herself in quite a predicament when she starts spending time with someone new (and trying to navigate feelings even though she doesn’t believe in romance ) and the return of her ex-husband who left her and their daughter so many years ago. I highly recommend this feel-good empowering story!

Cute story about the perils of love told in an interwoven character set up, with Billie as the main voice.

What a quirky yet meaningful read! Billie is 60 and getting paid to dress up as the Heartbreak Bunny, where she hops around helping people get rid of their remaining mementos after a break-up. This premise may sound a little crazy, but the plot actually gets crazier, adding in a whole cast of characters including Billie’s influencer daughter who needs everything to be perfect and Billie’s former husband who can’t capitalize or punctuate a text message to save his life. I was fully wrapped up in Billie’s world, as she earns recognition for her bunny hopping, along with learning about herself. I was expecting this to be a quick read and it was actually more in depth than I expected, making me savor Billie’s experience. Billie is an excellent main character, but the side characters are just as well established, from Calvin to Victor to Louise to Mason to 3M/4M/2M. I couldn’t get enough of them all!
Many thanks to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for the eARC in exchange for my honest opinion. Snap Out of It will publish in early January and I recommend it if you are game for a slightly wacky piece of women’s fiction about the human experience and the importance of a found family, regardless of one’s age.

At 60, Billie has the life experience of two divorces and widowhood under her belt. A drunken night with her best friend leads to the creation of the Heartbreak Bunny, where Billie dresses in a bunny costume and hops around clients' houses helping them get rid of the stuff left behind from failed relationships so they can move forward.

The Heartbreak Bunny gimmick serves as a thread through the story, but I found this book to be like others I've read by this author - it is a story of relationships, found family, and the human experience, with just enough goofiness and magic sprinkled in to keep it fun. The characters are eccentric but flawed and real. The story is paced well, with good bits of humor throughout, and I love the random nuggets of profundity that just randomly surface.

Since it does get a bit woo-woo and kooky, I don't think this book will be for everyone, but I enjoyed it!

Thank you to Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley for providing me with an advance readers copy to review!

Snap Out of It
by Maddie Dawson
Pub Date 3 Jan 2023
Publisher: Lake Union

Billy is a heartbreak bunny. She disguises herself and helps people get out of relationships. One day, her business goes viral. I really love the concept of the heartbreak bunny. The texts from Victor for me just seem out of place especially after a lonv time period of not speaking.

I though of this of more of a humor book than romance. I enjoyed Calvin the 90 year old flirt as he made me laugh.

#NetGalley #bookreview @lake Union #silkybooklover #arc #generalfiction #womensfiction #booklover

I received this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This was a great premise! A bit too quirky into unbelievable for me and didn't hold my interest a such since I can't relate to the MC. I'll probably enjoy it later down the road.

Opening a Maddie Dawson book is like plopping down across from an old friend who immediately closes the space between you. That inimitably wise and funny and ironic and smart voice that absolutely bursts from the page to immerse you in a new world makes everything seem brighter: your senses are heightened.

This is a comic and bittersweet and knowing look at loss and love and life and friendship and all of the ways women are expected to keep a careful count of the threads stitching their complicated lives.


And Maddie Dawson is the best person to paint the human experience in words. Because she warmly and wonderfully stitches it so carefully that you finish the last page and sit back in awe for a moment.

Because what ART!


I will compulsively re-read her forevermore.

The story
Billie is turning 60 when she and her best friend Kat, decide one drunken night that they should start a business helping people get over their heartbreak. Dressed as a bunny, Billie goes into people’s homes and removes objects that the heartbroken person is holding onto. She finds surprising success but it’s no wonder since Billie is full of life and love, despite her own patchwork relationship history.

My thoughts
I have read a few of Maddie Dawson’s other stories and this latest is just as charming and beautiful as the others. Billie lives in a three story home where she brought up her daughter Louise after her husband Victor left her 35 years ago, with various hangers-on, including her 90 year old friend. Louise has her own issues but Billie is a dedicated mom even when it’s not easy. I admire her love of life, her love of community and sharing her wisdom with others. She isn’t perfect but her life makes for an entertaining read! I loved this one ❤️

My rating 4.5/5 - ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ 💫

It was easy to fall in line with Billie with her witt and warmth. I love the premise of the Heartbreak Bunny, and the strength that Billie showed. I also loved that she wasn’t against love per se, but wallowing. It’s a nice idea, finding your own happiness, knowing you can be happy without the significant other. The fact that she took it too far in her own life… well, with her track record, who could blame her? I feel like each of the characters had a good amount of character growth, save possibly Leo and Victor. Neither are actually bad guys… Leo just wasn’t right for Louise, and Victor was…. well, a man-child. It was nice to see him make an effort to get to know his daughter, and to care for her; but I feel like his reasons were all wrong. Louise had always had a bit of a warped sense of self and family on account of not having her father, and what she considered the chaos of living with her mother and various tennants. Honestly, I wanted to shake her more than once, but I do feel like she began to redeem herself-sadly it took most of the book for her to do so. Calvin, the 90 year old hopeless romantic/ tennant, was definitely my favorite. I loved him so much!

Going in, I feel like there are a few things a reader should know.

I do not consider this a romance novel (even if some are listing it as such). It is far more a women’s lit book with family drama, personal growth, and humor.
Be prepared to not like the characters a lot of the time. I, in fact, had issues connecting with Billie for a large part of the book. I never truly connected with Louise. I did love Mason, and I loved the idea of their relationship.
More than being about a romance, I feel like this was about Billie growing and learning that she could have a real and honest romance. This is why I feel like the actual relationship took a backseat behind personal growth.
I love the characters as they were at the end (except Victor- I may be biased against him). While there were oddly long chapters and this wasn’t a fast read (at least for me), it was a fun read that I really liked. This was my first book by Maddie Dawson, but I know I will be looking for more. All in all, I would give this three and a half stars.

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Rating: 3.5 out of 5.
On the adult content scale… there is drinking, language, and sexual content. Nothing over the top, but it was definitely geared towards an 18+ crowd.

I was lucky enough to recieve an eARC from Netgalley and Lake Union Publishing in exchange for an honest review. The views here are my own and won’t match every other reader. Thank you for the opportunity.

The book comes out January 3rd, is it on your radar?