There's No Coming Back from This

A Novel

By: Ann Garvin

Narrated by: Andi Arndt

Length: 9 hrs and 56 mins

Publisher's summary

“The show must go on” takes on a whole new meaning for one single mom in a witty and emotional novel by the USA Today bestselling author of I Thought You Said This Would Work.

It seems lately that Poppy Lively is invisible to everyone but the IRS.

After her accountant absconded with her life savings, newly bankrupt Poppy is on the verge of losing her home when an old flame, now a hotshot producer, gives her a surprising way out: a job in costumes on a Hollywood film set. It’s a bold move to pack her bags, keep secrets from her daughter, and head to Los Angeles, but Poppy's a capable person—how hard can a job in wardrobe be? It's not like she has a choice; her life couldn't get any worse. Even so, this midwesterner has a lot to learn about the fast and loose world of movie stars, iconic costumes, and back-lot intrigue.

As a single mom, she's rarely had time for watching movies, she doesn't sew, and she doesn't know a thing about dressing the biggest names in the business. Floundering and overlooked, Poppy has one ally: Allen Carol, an ill-tempered movie star taken with Poppy’s unfiltered candor and general indifference to stardom.

When Poppy stumbles upon corruption, she relies on everyone underestimating her to discover who’s at the center of it, a revelation that shakes her belief in humanity. What she thought was a way to secure a future for her daughter becomes a spotlight illuminating the facts: Poppy is out of her league among the divas of Tinseltown.

Poppy must decide whether to keep her mouth shut, as she's always done, or with the help of a scruffy dog, show the moviemakers that they need her unglamorous ways, whether the superstars like it or not.

©2023 Ann Garvin (P)2023 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved.

Critic reviews

“Brought vividly to life in a true and memorable 'theatre of the mind' experience by the vocal talents of narrator Andi Arndt…[this] will have a special and particular appeal to fans of Women's Friendship and Domestic/Family Life Fiction.”—Midwest Book Review

“As a novelist, author Ann Garvin has an impressive and genuine flair for the kind of narrative driven storytelling style that will keep readers with an interest in romantic comedy simply riveting from first page to last.”—Midwest Book Review

“Charming, witty, and real, There’s No Coming Back from This will have you laughing, cheering, and looking at your own past through Poppy-colored glasses.”—Sara Goodman Confino, bestselling author of She’s Up to No Good

Coyld not put down

This book was great, the evolution of the main character awesome. A really well written and captiving story.

No Coming Back

I was totally engaged with this story and really enjoyed it. I found Poppy Lively to be funny and a little unpredictable.

Fully enjoyed this book

The narration was great and the main character was pretty funny. I wish the author would write a follow up to this one.

Light and funny

It was light and funny and kept my attention throughout. Satisfying. Good story line. Likable characters.

Easy PG (nearly G) story

Cute story. Interesting plot that isn’t one that’s overused. Fun characters. I’d listen again. I love Andy Arndt’s narration.

A perfect palate cleanser

A fun and humorous story- while predictable- had an entertaining story. Liked the behind the scenes story about the hardworking crews that work tirelessly behind the scenes.

So fun!

This book was so fun. I chuckled a lot. It was VERY relatable as Poppy and I are in the same stage of life.
Narration was great. It’s hard for me to find one that isn’t annoying and I really liked this one!

Loved this book.

Great story. The things I didn't like about the protagonist were the same things she didn't like about herself, so her journey to self actualization is satisfying to witness. The narration is good for the most part, but sometimes the tone of the main character's narration comes off a little too childish for a 50 year old woman. I know the character is supposed to be good natured, sometimes to a fault, but that's not the same thing as sounding like a teenager. She was voiced almost identically to her 18 year old daughter, which, during just a few moments in the book, pulled me out of the story. But overall, this book is great. I love the way the author slowly humanizes everyone in the story. The ending is incredibly neat. The former MFA student in me turns her nose up at endings that are neatly wrapped in a bow. But the everyday reader in me loves a happy ending, especially after becoming so invested in the character.



***SPOILERS AHEAD***



I do think the resolution of the tax debt was overly convenient. It's the reason she is in any of this mess at all, and at the end, suddenly "oh never mind that's not a problem anymore." I would've loved to see that resolved sooner in the story. Maybe after everyone comes together to expose Three, but before the plan is completely executed. That would have spoken to the breadth of her motivations and her growth as evidenced by her willingness to boldly continue, even after that element of desperation was lifted.

Funny, heartfelt, exciting.

Poppy is a character you can’t help but root for the whole time. Her super power is kindness but in Hollywood that is not always what is needed.

Light hearted

I enjoyed the story. It was fun and light hearted. I needed to get to the end.