Book Review: Six Months to Get a Life

By Sara Steven

Graham Hope had it all - a wife, two perfect children, a detached house in the suburbs and a huge TV. Until today. He now has an ex-wife, lives in his parents' spare room and gets the kids and the dog at weekends. He might be lost and lonely, but Graham is not a victim. Six months from today he will be forty-three. He vows to sort this mess out by his birthday. He gives himself six months to get a life. Will Graham play a meaningful role in his boys' lives? Will his mates take him under their wing? Will he move out of his childhood home? More importantly, will he ever have sex again? For Graham, failure is not an option. (Synopsis courtesy of Goodreads)

Having been married (and divorced) myself, I know the experiences and situations I've dealt with on a personal level. It’s not an easy road to walk on. Graham Hope offered me a glimpse into the male psyche. What’s divorce like from a man’s perspective? I enjoy reading a book that lets me see the other side of the coin, the side we don’t often get to see when dealing with something as traumatic and emotional as a divorce, a separation of family. Ben Adams writes about this and throws in comedic timing to perfection!

I love how Graham refers to his ex-wife as merely that. "The ex." He refuses to say her name because in his eyes, what he’s writing down in his own private journal isn’t about her. It’s obvious he’s still reeling from the split. I appreciate how much he loves his children, how important it is for him to get to see them, even if the ex gets in the way of that at times. He’s trying everything he can (well, he’s a definite type B personality, so he’s not trying as hard as he could be) to get back on his feet, to move out of his parent’s house, to provide for his kids as best he can. All while wondering if there’s someone out there for him to love, and someone who will love him in return.

I thought Six Months to Get a Life would be a comedy full of childish jokes, late night beer fests and a lot of mishaps. While this book has plenty to offer in those categories, I was pleasantly surprised to find that there’s a lot of touching moments mixed in there, too. Character growth is very important to me; Graham did not disappoint. There is a transformation that occurs, and what’s great is how gradual it is. Nothing overnight. He’s a relatable, real-to-life character who you might grow weary with at times and wonder why he can’t get his life together, but he weaves his way in and won’t let go. It’s part of his charm.

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