Book Review and GIVEAWAY: The Apology Project, by Jeanette Escudero {ends 8/11}

Guest review by: Becki Bayley

I like that I’m trying new things. I like that I’m doing things outside my comfort zone. In fact, the moments of solitude, when I’m alone, at home, with nothing to do, nothing pending, just me and my thoughts, they’ve been some of the best days I’ve had since leaving JJF. I never had that before.

While I was working, the moments I was alone were just breaks. Even sleeping at night felt like a break. Breaks from deadlines, from the meetings, the trials, the depos...If I could have worked 24-7 without causing myself physical harm, I probably would have done it. When you spend every waking moment of your life thinking of work, there’s no space for cooking lessons, walking, relationships, inner peace. There’s just the constant hum of stress.

Amelia Montgomery is an amazing litigator, until she’s not. Without the career she’s been in for half her life, who is she?

Official synopsis:

Dear (almost) everyone: Can we be friends again?

Life is about to get complicated for Amelia Montgomery, a prominent litigator in Chicago. She’s been fired for not compromising her principles in a high-profile case and then punching her partner in the nose for the misogynistic comment he made in retort (not her finest moment). Leaving a career that gave her purpose, Amelia can only ask, What next?

Let it be better than her epic failure of a fortieth birthday party: an open bar full of no-shows except for John Ellis, a total stranger and the new associate at her ex-firm. As it turns out, though, he’s very good company—and a wake-up call. With the help of John and a lot of champagne, Amelia considers the people she’s wronged, from old besties to former boyfriends to coworkers. Amelia resolves to make amends—to those who really deserve it.

One apology at a time, Amelia’s looking at the choices she’s made in the past, the new ones she’s making with John, and those she’s making for herself. What next? Maybe a second chance she never expected.

Oh, Amelia, where did Millie go? Amelia realizes that while she was effective, she wasn’t very likable as a lawyer. She wants to find some of the old her, who had friends and did something besides work. She went by Millie then. Some drunken revelations with a new-found acquaintance have her examining which of her old friends she’s been missing in her wildly successful career-filled life.

Her family is a bit concerned that she’s dedicating herself to her new interests and hobbies in much the same way she was obsessed with her career—to the exclusion of a well-rounded life. But with an enormous separation settlement from her old law firm and nothing but time on her hands, she can finally consider what she really wants to be doing.

While Amelia-turned-Millie got a bit annoying in the middle with too much money and time to self-analyze all day long, the ending of the book made up for some of the drag in the middle. I’d give this book 4 out of 5 stars. Some parts tried be too enlightening (maybe to help those of us without unlimited bank accounts with a shortcut to self-awareness?), but I found the ending to be quite satisfying. I’d recommend this as an amusing read, good for those who enjoy modern stories with positive female characters and growth.

{click HERE to purchase—currently free for Kindle Unlimited!}

Becki Bayley is a wife and mom who would rather stay content with what she has than change her whole life for a few piddly million dollars. Get ready for the rest of summer pics at her Instagram, where she posts as PoshBecki.

GIVEAWAY:

One of my lucky readers will win a copy of The Apology Project!

Enter via the widget below. Giveaway will end on Wednesday, August 11th, at 11:59pm EST, and winner will be notified via email the next day, and have 24 hours to respond, or an alternate winner will be chosen.

U.S. residents only, please.

Good luck!

The Apology Project, by Jeanette Escudero