The Overdue Life of Amy Byler

By: Kelly Harms

Narrated by: Amy McFadden

Length: 10 hrs and 17 mins

Publisher's summary

An Amazon Charts and Washington Post bestseller, and a Goodreads Choice Award finalist.

“A laugh-out-loud funny, pitch-perfect novel that will have readers rooting for this unlikely, relatable, and totally lovable heroine, The Overdue Life of Amy Byler is the ultimate escape - and will leave moms everywhere questioning whether it isn’t time for a #momspringa of their own.” - New York Journal of Books

Overworked and underappreciated, single mom Amy Byler needs a break. So when the guilt-ridden husband who abandoned her shows up and offers to take care of their kids for the summer, she accepts his offer and escapes rural Pennsylvania for New York City.

Usually grounded and mild mannered, Amy finally lets her hair down in the city that never sleeps. She discovers a life filled with culture, sophistication, and - with a little encouragement from her friends - a few blind dates. When one man in particular makes quick work of Amy’s heart, she risks losing herself completely in the unexpected escape, and as the summer comes to an end, Amy realizes too late that she must make an impossible decision: stay in this exciting new chapter of her life, or return to the life she left behind.

But before she can choose, a crisis forces the two worlds together, and Amy must stare down a future where she could lose both sides of herself, and every dream she’s ever nurtured, in the beat of a heart.

©2019 by Kelly Harms. (P)2019 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved.

Enjoyable narration. Story is an easy read.

I listened to the audio version of this book, narrated by Amy McFadden. I enjoyed the narration. I felt McFadden conveyed the emotions of characters as described by the author. Her narration of Talia’s liveliness and Lena’s wit was spot on. The narration of the male voices was agreeable.

“A laugh-out-loud funny, pitch-perfect novel...” yada, yada. I do wonder why publicists continue to flog books with such exuberance. I rarely find books live up to such praise and my disappointment is greater when they don’t.

And that’s the situation I find myself in with THE OVERDUE LIFE OF AMY BYLER by Kelly Harms. The book is not bad; it’s at times better than OK, but I did find it an average read overall.

This is Amy Byler’s story, yet I found her to be one of the least interesting characters in the book. Amy’s journey from suburban mother with saintly status to a woman who experiences “life” and is reborn is not a new one. Like many other book characters before her, she takes advantage of a convenient set of circumstances to head off on a voyage of self-discovery. Her money woes are fixed, her childcare issues are resolved, men love her, people think she is so clever, she has a makeover that elevates her physical looks and yet she still retains that certain something that I suppose readers are meant to find endearing.

I found her friends Talia and Lena, and Daniel, her love interest, to be much more interesting. Further, I would have liked to know more about her husband John’s story. At what point does a man choose to leave his family, and especially in such a callous way? What made him want to come back 3 years later? I know we learn some of this throughout this book but I would have preferred more.

The book is an easy read and ticks the box as escapist fiction. It’s fluffy. Even trying to tackle serious issues, it never loses this fluffiness.

Narration: 4 stars
Story: 2.5 stars

I tried

I couldn't get through this story. The characters were annoying in my opinion and the dialogue was over done with more explaining the characters traits and less showing with actions. the story didn't feel organic at all.

Simple and sweet!

The story has no big plot twist, or tons of drama. It’s simply just about life. Life of a single mom finding herself again. It was an enjoyable story. I think ninety percent of that is thanks to the narrator. Amy McFadden did such an amazing job.

Junk!

Don't waste your time and/or money! Extremely shallow poorly written and read. Sorry I lasted as long as I did. Disgusting trash!

Long trip w/great book!

On a trip across 2 states and back again in 24 hours, I listened and enjoyed this book immensely. Part of me wants a momspringa. Desperately. Just for a short time, but wow. What a gift for this very believable/relatable character!

Mumspringa should be the title

The narrator was good and the voices of the characters were well preformed. I'd recommend if you cannot be very focused (as it's easy to follow). 100% for teens or to read something light. Even good for people studying English (as it has easy vocabulary)

Light reading with a cocktail.

A bit slow in places, but light, enjoyable and relaxing. Perhaps a read next to the pool with a cocktail. Enjoyed the narration but I definitely did not find it laugh out loud material!

Slow starting book but gets much better

I almost gave up on this book because it started slowly, I wasnt connecting with the characters at first and the narrators voices sounded very similar so it was hard to discern who was talking until you understood each character. Once the book got moving it was pretty good. As a single mom who has had to sacrifice alot because my ex refuses to do his part, I can totally relate to some of this. Some of it was a little unrealistic and some was really fun. I would recommend it for a light summer read.

This. Book. Is. Awesome.

Whether you are a new mom, old mom, working mom, stay at home mom, any kind of mom period, this book is for you!!! It is an incredible story of the wonderful difficulties of motherhood and the break we all need! It is food for thought, it is laughter, it is drama, it is romance, it is just downright good. Probably one of my favorite reads! Real enough so that I can relate to the characters and lighthearted enough for me to laugh at least once during each chapter! It’s terrific. Thank you to the author and thank you to the narrator! Beautifully done.

Silly

None of the dialogue is credible.

I tried to stick with it, but it’s just too irritating.

loved this book

Great characters, lovely story and good pace. perfect escapism without being too cheesy. recommend.

it picked up half way into the book

the first half was a struggle for me .
it picked up and had an OK finish