Rowe (Sin Bravely) takes readers into another chapter of her life in this midlife memoir. A chance encounter brings a quirky mother and her adult daughter Joanna into their lives. Rowe will eventually become largely responsible for Joanna’s affairs. But it isn’t easy. Joanna is blunt, stubborn, and jealous of Rowe’s life on “easy street” in a beautiful home with a loving husband—which she makes sure to point out she doesn’t deserve. Rowe navigates this complicated relationship while confronting her privilege and sense of being as she struggles with her mental health. Readers of Rowe’s previous works will appreciate her acerbic wit, mostly directed at herself, while tackling some dark subjects with forthrightness. Although not a necessarily uplifting read, many readers will be able to identify with the challenges that come with living in the modern world and keeping appearances while managing one’s mental health. VERDICT Fans of Rowe’s dark humor and previous memoir will enjoy the next chapter in her life. Caregivers and relations of semi-dependent adults and those struggling with mental health will identify with the tussle of making it through, day by day.
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