I really enjoyed this one! Hazel’s story felt so real — messy, honest, and full of heart. The twist of not being able to lie anymore pushed her into some tough but meaningful growth. I loved the mix of humor, vulnerability, and second chances. A great read about starting over and finding yourself.

Fine, But Not Finished does a great job of diving into the many parts of our identity and types of relationships. I appreciate that the book begins by showing the history of Jack and Hazel’s relationship.

Even though, I’m not sure I agree with the outcome of some of these relationship this book did a great job of reminding me everyone is human and everyone has their own baggage that they have to deal with.

The author does an amazing job of getting you inside Hazel’s head and her experiences. Overall it was beautifully written and I greatly enjoyed it. My only critiques are I’m not sure the touch of magical realism was necessary. Since it was added and a nice twist I wish it was discussed more or dove into deeper. It seemed like an afterthought.
My other critique I highlighted on page 92 it was somewhat repetitive when Soraya asked twice in a row why Hazel became an editor.
Overall though a great book that I enjoyed.
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC of this novel!

oh Hazel. i was here for your story and willing you on to come out of the definitely not fine place you were in.
because Hazel is fine. but that is simply what she has been telling herself. her marriage is becoming a shambled. shes lost her mum and she just isnt functioning. oh and she is coming up to 40, whoop! so of course the answer, of couuuuurse it for a year long separation.
what comes next is Hazel having to face thing. what comes next is whether she will or even can. what comes next is a few things she will need to start talking about and thinking about. and she does. with bravery i might add and sometimes not but hey we are all Hazels and we are all human. and sometimes its too hard right now. so we hide. and then we find we cant. but that might take time or it might be after an explosive event. but Hazel and with us watching has to go on that ride. and what a pleasure it was to read that( sorry hazel, i know it wasn't such a pleasure for you). as a read it was just so full of heart and emotion. it made me want to scoop Hazel up and everyone i know who might be feeling "fine". along with heart its also so full of charm and wit.
this book got me. and got me good. and im so glad it did.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!

This book immediately captivated me from the very first page. Although I’m not married, I can relate to Hazel’s predicament of feeling disconnected from her surroundings and questioning her life choices.

Hazel’s character is portrayed as raw, unapologetic, and both scared and courageous. She embarks on a journey of self-discovery while striving to make the most of each day.

The writing and storytelling are exceptional, drawing me in and preventing me from putting the book down until I reached the end. The pace is well-paced, and the pages turn effortlessly. I believe that we can all learn valuable lessons from Hazel’s journey of self-discovery.

Fine, But Not Finished was not at all what I was expecting, but I really liked it. From the description, I was expecting a ladies' mid-life crisis book where the protagonist separates from her husband and lives it up for a year. Instead, this book is a deep exploration of how our wants, needs, and relationships change as we go through life. This is a really thoughtful, engaging book which I would highly recommend to anyone.

Fine, But Not Finished" by Rachel Del Grosso is a heartfelt journey of self-discovery and resilience. Hazel Greenwood's life seems fine, but beneath the surface, she's struggling to cope with her crumbling marriage, her mother's passing, and turning 40. After a magical birthday wish forces her to tell the truth, Hazel's world implodes, and she's pushed to confront her reality. Joining a book club, she embarks on a path of self-discovery, questioning her 'fine' existence. With its witty and poignant tone, this novel explores embracing life's messiness and finding strength in vulnerability, perfect for fans of Taylor Jenkins Reid and Camille Pagán.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC of this novel! I’ve read the author’s first novel and was excited to dig into her second, and it definitely lived up to my expectations.

Fine, But Not Finished is a deeply layered novel about marriage, friendship, and self-discovery. There is a tad of magical realism which adds some fun (though not necessarily for the protagonist)! The book opens with some brief history of Jack and Hazel’s relationship, dating back to their initial meeting as college students. As the years pass, we learn their marriage hasn’t been all smooth sailing, and now, they agree to take an extended break to decide whether they really want to stay together.

This isn’t exactly a lighthearted “hall pass” story of a woman cutting loose in midlife. Rather, it’s a thoughtful, introspective examination of how one woman has lost herself in her marriage and how she intends to find herself once more. Readers will cheer Hazel as she ventures out to try new things and explore what it’s like to be on her own, while also cringing at some of her choices that might seem questionable. Both Jack and Hazel are flawed, and they’re both dealing with their own traumas, and I was compelled to keep turning pages and find out exactly what would happen to this marriage before Hazel’s fortieth birthday (when the couple agrees to make a final decision).

The author writes authentically about complicated emotions and family dynamics, and I can’t recommend her work enough. (Plus, if you’re bookish at all, you’ll love the literary themes and mentions of so many novels you might recognize!)