The Upside of Over by J.D. Barrett

The Upside of Over

Author: J.D. Barrett

Publisher: Hachette Australia

Release date: June 2018

Pages: 296 pages

R.R.P: $29.99

What happens when one of the country’s most popular identities goes from reading the news to being the news?

Oilvia Law had always been the good girl. Good grades, perfect career, husband, house and hairdo. She's learnt image was everything so she refused to look below the surface of her life. When not at work, her minutes were filled with causes, chairing boards and dining at fabulous restaurants with her equally fabulous husband, David. She kept up the Botox, blow-dries and worked hard. It wasn't enough, but whenever doubt crept in she'd head to a Pilates class or plan a renovation on her trophy house.

Then she turned 45.

Olivia wasn't prepared for David to leave. The fact that they hadn't had sex for two years should have triggered warning bells... It didn't.

In an attempt to fix her broken marriage Olivia exposes herself like never before. But when her confession goes viral. The husband, house and job disappear. The woman who once offered glamorous reassurance and a steady gaze is labelled a princess of perversion. Humiliated, defeated, facing fifty shades of failure, she's left wondering who the hell she really is? Stripped bare, she abandons perfection... and something remarkable happens. Olivia Law just might get her sass back (and this time, it's the real thing).

My Review

Thoughts on the book: The Upside Of Over is the new novel from the author of The Secret Recipe for Second Chances, J.D. Barrett. Olivia had it all: the job, the husband, the fancy house and lifestyle but her and her husband hadn't had sex in over two years and were basically seeing each other for five or so minutes a day. But that's life when you have a busy lifestyle, well it is until you come home from your high-powered news reporter job to find your husband has packed up everything and moved out without any warning. So Olivia being your typical upset woman, drowns her sorrows with a few wines and pours herself out to the camera and sends it to her husband. But that video seems to have found itself in more than just her husband's email. The next day at work, Olivia is suddenly pulled off air to find out she is being fired as her video she sent to her husband has now gone viral. On top of this she finds out they want to sue here for breach of contract and also learns her husband is divorcing her. What else could possibly go wrong? So feeling broken down and exposed, Olivia head up to visit her good friend Darcy and for some rest and relaxation. Here she is forwarded some emails from some women about their own experiences and through this an idea forms. Will these women's stories be able to help Olivia move past her own disaster and bring hope to other women like herself?

A massive thank you to Jordan from Hachette for sending me a copy of The Upside of Over by J.D. Barrett to read and review. The Upside of Over is perfect for fans of Alice Clayton, ChristinaLauren and Jennifer Probst which is properly why I enjoyed it so much. There is the perfect mix of sex and normal everydayness that you need in a novel. So much happens over the 296 pages and the book just flows so well that it feels like you have only just started when suddenly your at the end, which if you ask me was the only big let down as I felt the ending was a little bit rushed and I was left wanting a bit more. But the overall idea of the book was really interesting and the stories that these women share were hilarious and when we find out the owner of the 'Ants' story I couldn't believe who sent it in and therefore couldn't stop giggling. 

Olivia was an amazing main character and of course was my favourite in The Upside of Over. At the start of the novel she thinks she has everything she ever wanted and that her life is everything everyone strives for until it's all ripped out from underneath her. But like everyone else when something bad happens you pick yourself up and more often than not, come out much better on the other side. Olivia's rock bottom was harder than most, but also a lot easier than some, and she certainly had to fight hard to come out the other side. But the hilarious results that followed had me in fits of giggles on numerous occasions, for example when she ends up at the market with her best friend Darcy and ends up stoned from second hand smoke. Olivia's life certainly took a turn for the better after her confession goes viral and I would love to read more about her adventures if J.D. Barrett writes more about Olivia or even Darcey.

Rating: 4/5