Thank you Netgalley for the ARC of this book. This was such a satisfying read. The story of a woman finding herself through a lot of life bad turns was well done. A bit of a slow burn but worth it in the end.

Loved this story of a woman reinventing her life after she and her spouse lose their jobs, have no money, and a teenage daughter… She goes home to figure it out.

Reinventing Emily Brown by Jodi Gibson is the story of a middle aged woman whose life is completely coming apart. She completely starts over and revisits her past in her old hometown. In some ways, this is a middle aged coming of age story. Readers of women’s fiction should enjoy this book. I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher with no obligations. These opinions are entirely my own.

Emily Brown is questioning everything in her life. When one thing knocks her down, something else is right behind it kicking her when she's down. As she tries to make some sense in her life, she seems to screw up at every turn.

Reinventing Emily Brown is for everyone who ever questioned "is this it?" It's a great reminder of what's truly important in life.

Who doesn’t enjoy a book about middle aged woman (ish) reinventing herself with a sea change in a delightful small coastal town? A slow burner of a read but an enjoyable one. As someone with a daughter on the cusp of teenage hood I found that aspect of the story a little too close to home, I’m a little older than Emily but I related to a lot of what she was feeling with regards to life and love and found her thoughts/reactions authentically real. Thanks for the read, Netgalley.

Reinventing Emily Brown was simply show-stopping and I don’t know where do I even start?? I simply and irrevocably loved and adored this book.

I connected with this book on so many levels, in Jodi Gibson’s new novel the main character Emily returns to her home town when her life at almost 40 takes a turn she wasn’t prepared for.

It will be the choices that she makes from this point on that will lead to her future happiness. And as the story unfolds some choices don’t go to plan.

I also enjoyed the chapters from Mary’s point of view. Mary is Emily and her sister Lucy’s mother and while her daughters both still need her she has her own battles that she wants to keep to herself as not to worry her family.

I wasn’t sure about Simon, Emily’s childhood sweetheart, his reaction to some situations left me a bit perplexed, his uncle however brought back memories, I remember as a kid watching a certain cooking show on the ABC!

I really enjoyed reading this one, the journey each of the characters took in overcoming their own struggles in life was very realistic and imparts quite relatable.

I really liked this book, it was different than anything else I've read which was a breath of fresh air. I will be recommending this to my friends, and auto buy this author!

I love reading a book about second chance in life especially if it involve an adult woman? Reinventing Emily Brown is indeed a heartwarming story. But it was quite slow and quite hard to get into. The character is not really that likeable as well (her daughter is testing my patience)


Thank you to Netgalley for this advanced review copy.

An incredible book and a new auto-buy author added to my list.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for and advanced copy of the book.

Absolutely loved this book!

The authors writing style is amazing!

I look forward to reading more from them!

I found this was quite a slow read for me to get into and I was willing it to speed up a bit. I still enjoyed it but it’s not a book I’d recommend to myself for an afternoon read. Could easily be read with another book.

"Reinventing Emily Brown" by Jodi Gibson is a refreshing and heartwarming story that's all about second chances in life and love. This book takes you on a journey with Emily Brown, a relatable protagonist who's facing the turmoil of a failing marriage, unemployment, and homelessness. She's accompanied by her feisty teenage daughter, Hayley, as she returns to her childhood home in Curlew Bay.

As she contemplates the unexpected twist her life has taken, we're drawn into the story of a woman who's at a crossroads. The book also explores the complexities of family dynamics, particularly the tension between Emily and her sister, Lucy. These relationships feel real and add depth to the story. Jodi Gibson's writing is easy to digest, and it effortlessly combines lightness with the portrayal of challenging themes like alcoholism and family drama.

The story is a rollercoaster of emotions, with its fair share of humour, heart, and a touch of mystery. The plot keeps you engaged, and the unexpected twists in Emily's life, especially the rekindling of her childhood romance with Simon, add a layer of intrigue. It's a story that keeps you turning the pages, making it hard to put down.

While the book is an absolute delight, there are no major dislikes to mention. If anything, the relatability of the characters and their struggles is one of the book's greatest strengths. It touches on the very human experience of running from problems instead of facing them, and the complexities of mother-daughter relationships. This relatability is what makes the story so engaging.

I totally recommend this book. It's perfect for readers (of any age) seeking to reinvent themselves, or anyone who enjoys women's fiction with a healthy dose of humour and heart. I'd compare it to novels by authors like Marian Keyes or Jojo Moyes. Jodi Gibson's storytelling is simply outstanding, and I can't wait to explore more of her work.

Thoroughly enjoyed this novel of Emily, nearly hitting her forties and finding that life has not gone the way she expected or wanted.
With her marriage in disarray and finances gone, she flees home with her teenage daughter to the sleepy town she grew up in but here the secrets of why she left have to be faced.
This was an easy read with likeable characters. Loved the family dynamics and as the era of Emily’s Mum, I can certainly relate to Mary.
Family, regrets, finding yourself and being true to your values are themes running through the story.
I’ve read all of the authors books and enjoyed every one of them….little hidden gems.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy to read.

A sweet book with nice characters. The doggo was super cute. However it was a little bit slow. I would have liked a little more drama to happen. But overall good.

I can't say that I loved this book--something about it just didn't quite click with me. Perhaps if I had read this book in a different time and place, I might have a different opinion. I loved the idea and the premise of the story--who doesn't like a book full of second chances? But I just didn't find the characters entirely likeable or believable. Still, it had it's funny moments and this book could be a good way to fill an afternoon or two.
Thank you Netgalley and to the publisher for an ARC. My opinion is my own.

I loved the premise to the book. It's what caught my attention but 20% in and I didn't find it interesting at all. Nothing captured my attention. Unfortunately, I could not finish it because I did not want to read any further.

This was a sweet read! It felt a bit slow to start, but once I really got into it, I enjoyed the story! I think the cover artwork is great, and the color was super eye-catching!! It's also always fun to read anything set in Australia!

Thanks to Netgalley for the advanced copy to review.

I was looking for a book with relatable characters and a storyline that embodied the challenges of women in mid-life. I found that in Jodi Gibson's book Reinventing Emily Brown, The main character is so true to life; she faces real life challenges so common to women in today's society. I enjoyed the focus on relationship and choices that define our lives. I received a free copy of, Reinventing Emily Brown, by Jodi Gibson, from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I enjoy reading this book! I love Australia, and the Melbourne area is beautiful. Thus, reading this funny book and enjoying the description of the places and people was a trip. Emily was just a comic character, but sometimes, she lost herself in many motherhood obligations. I do recommend this book.