Title: Reinventing Emily Brown
Author: Jodi Gibson
Published: September 19th 2023
Publisher: Verb Publishing
Pages: 342
Genres: Fiction, Contemporary, Women’s Fiction
RRP: $29.99
Rating: 4 stars
For readers of Beth O’Leary, REINVENTING EMILY BROWN is a delightful story exploring the theme of second chances in both life and love. Told with a seamless blend of humour and heart, readers are invited along with Emily, her teenage daughter Hayley, and her mum Mary, as they navigate the challenges and expectations faced by women in today’s society while uncovering their own personal values along the way.
When life knocks Emily Brown, it knocks her hard.
Broke, homeless, and teetering on the edge of divorce, Emily finds herself on the doorstep of her childhood home in the coastal hamlet of Curlew Bay, with her disgruntled fifteen-year-old daughter in tow.
Contemplating how her once successful life has unravelled so completely, Emily realises she can either wallow in despair or, as her mother would say, ‘take the bull by the horns’. Determined to prove she’s not a complete and utter failure, Emily hatches a daring, albeit feeble, plan: a reinvention of epic proportions.
Despite her concerted efforts at a fresh start, Emily’s plans are constantly thrown into disarray. Hayley is hell-bent on making each day a battleground, Emily’s usually reliable mum, Mary, is acting oddly out of character, and Emily’s ‘perfect’ sister, Lucy, is hiding something behind her flawless façade. Throw in a cantankerous basset hound and a disastrous foray into the beauty industry and Emily is left wondering if she’s made the biggest mistake of her life.
Little does she know, her greatest challenge lies in Simon, her childhood sweetheart. As their lives are once again entwined, the secret Emily has guarded fiercely for years is now poised to shatter everything she’s tried so desperately to build.
Will Emily choose the easy way out and flee to the city like she did all those years ago?
Or will she discover the courage to confront the ghosts of her past and learn to embrace the true Emily Brown?
Review:
Contemporary fiction author Jodi Gibson returns with a new tale that charts the trials and tribulations of an endearing main character experiencing a mid-life dip. Emily Brown, the titular character of Australian author Jodi Gibson’s latest release, teaches us a thing or two about failure, loss, change, recovery, reconnection and life satisfaction.
Meet Emily Brown. Emily is suffering a marriage, career and life crisis all at the same time. With no option but to return to her childhood home, Emily brings her teenage daughter with her to Curlew Bay, a place that holds many memories for this struggling woman. Time back home in the seaside town of Curlew Bay provides Emily with the breathing space to reflect on her life as it stands. Emily soon devises a grand plan around her rebirth process. She will return happier, healthier and wealthier than before. However, this new start is thwarted from the very beginning. After some new employment mishaps, along with pressure from her teenage daughter, Emily is struggling. Even Emily’s ever-reliable mother is acting very odd indeed, along with her perfect sister Lucy. When Emily encounters Simon, her old love, life throws her yet another curveball. Will Simon help or hinder Emily’s new life plan?
Ask the Author podcast host and writing mentor Jodi Gibson makes a welcome return to the 2023 publishing scene with her latest book, Reinventing Emily Brown. With a gorgeous and eye-catching hot pink cover, featuring the image of a super cute basset hound, I was excited to add this new title to my school holiday reading list. Funny, connective, sympathetic and heartwarming, I enjoyed Reinventing Emily Brown.
It is really refreshing to see a main character take to the stage who is a mid-life age representation. This allowed me to connect to the leading lady much faster than other contemporary fiction titles I have read of late where the lead is much younger than me. It was great to see Jodi Gibson give a voice to the mid life crowd and I thought she captured the issues that plague our age category very well. From parenting a teenager in modern times, to marriage pressures, financial stresses, career problems and family issues, Reinventing Emily Brown is an authentic life lit title. I found I was able to sympathise with Emily very early on in the piece and I was keen to see this lead succeed yet again in life. The character journey and reinvention process of Gibson’s prime protagonist is fraught with many mishaps, mistakes and emotionally trying moments. Emily’s story reminds us that a little patience, reflection, resilience and inner strength is needed at certain times of our life. However, the process will eventually make us stronger and even happier. I appreciated the life lessons contained in Reinventing Emily Brown.
Gibson’s characterisation, especially of her core protagonist Emily was on point. Emily is supported by a bevy of credible secondary characters such as her mother, sister, daughter, husband and ex childhood sweetheart Simon. The cast add plenty to Emily’s eventful tale and I valued the interplay between each of these characters with the lead. I must also give a big plug to Fred the basset hound. Fred’s scene was utterly hilarious and I could picture every step in this disaster situation in my mind. Thanks to Jodi for crafting such a funny character and memorable situation. My final word goes to the setting. Curlew Bay was depicted vividly on the pages of Reinventing Emily Brown. I got some great vibes from this coastal retreat. Thanks to Jodi Gibson for taking me to Curlew Bay, it was a delight!
A genesis story told with realism, genuine warmth and fun, add Reinventing Emily Brown to your reading list today!
Reinventing Emily Brown by Jodi Gibson was published on 19th September 2023. Details on how to purchase the book can be found here.
To learn more about the author of Reinventing Emily Brown, Jodi Gibson, visit here.
*I wish to thank the author, Jodi Gibson, for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
