Book Review: Say Never

By Melissa Amster

In 2012, a new author came onto the scene. Her name is Janis Thomas and she managed to make me laugh, smile, and nod along as she enticed me with her debut novel, Something New (reviewed here). I still remember how well it entertained me while I waited in line to vote on Election Day. Then she managed to charm me even more with her sophomore hit, Sweet Nothings (reviewed here), which also had me craving baked goods. (She included some hot "romantic" scenes in both novels, as well.) So I was thrilled when she contacted me out of the blue to tell me that she had a third novel coming out. When I saw the synopsis, I couldn't wait to have a copy in my hands so I could devour it. Needless to say, the story exceeded my expectations for how great it would be.

Sometimes the last thing you want is the one thing you need… 

Snarky radio personality Meg Monroe thinks she has the perfect life: no husband, no kids, and best of all, an Upper West side apartment three thousand miles from her family and her childhood demons. But when her brother calls to ask for Meg’s help with his three kids, she is forced to do the unimaginable: go home and step into the dreaded role of ‘parent.’ With no maternal skills whatsoever, Meg is thrust into a world of diapers, tantrums, and projectile vomit, and her decision not to procreate is stunningly validated—she could never be a mom. But as the days go by, and she starts to connect with her nieces and nephew, Meg discovers that her family is not the nemesis she feared, and she might not be the person she always thought she was. (Synopsis courtesy of Amazon.)

Say Never was delightful in so many ways. Meg's snarky comments were so funny and rang true many times. I loved seeing life through her eyes. Even though I am a mom of three, I could relate to how Meg felt around kids who weren't her own flesh and blood. I know how to talk to my own kids, but when I talk to other kids, I always wonder if they think I'm speaking some other language or came from a different planet. I also wouldn't tolerate certain behaviors from other people's kids if I can't even tolerate them from my own. There were some really funny and poignant moments that came out of Meg's attempts to "parent" someone else's kids, even though they were related to her.

The characters in this novel were so well-written that they just jumped off the page. I could see everything happening as if it were right in front of me. I even got into the emotions that ran through the story, and would feel all frustrated or elated, depending on how Meg was feeling at the time. The only thing I wish was that it didn't have to end. I felt like the ending was rushed, in that regard. I wanted more time with the characters and even further development of their story. While some elements felt predictable, others took me by surprise. I had one prediction in mind and it didn't even come true, so I was actually glad that it didn't follow the formula I was expecting.

Overall, I LOVED this book and it's definitely on my list of top chick lit novels for 2014. I only wish I could afford the movie rights because I already have a cast in mind and would love to see it play out on the big screen.

Meg: Lake Bell
Danny: Chris Pratt
Matt: Josh Duhamel
Patsy: Jennifer Garner
Damien: Jordan Gavaris
Caroline: Natalie Lisinska
(Yes, I know...two actors from Orphan Black. I'm obsessed! However, they just work really well for these roles)
Cera: Joey King

Thanks to Janis for the book in exchange for an honest review.