A touching and deeply funny debut about starting over sober only to discover life’s biggest messes are still waiting right where you left them.

The very last person anyone should worry about is Emma. Yes, hi, she’s an alcoholic. But she’s officially been sober for one entire year. That’s twelve months of better health. Fifty-two whole weeks of focusing on nothing but her nine-to-five office job, group meetings, and avoiding the kind of bad decisions that previously left her awash in shame and regret. It’s also been 365 days of not dating. And with her new dating profile, Emma, 26, of New York is ready to put herself back out there.

Except—was dating always this complicated? And did Emma’s mother really have to choose now to move in with her new boyfriend? Being assigned to plan her office’s holiday party feels like icing on the suddenly very overwhelming cake until her estranged father reappears with devastating news. Icing, meet cherry on top. But then there’s Ben, the charming IT guy who, despite Emma’s awkwardness and shortcomings, seems to maybe actually get her? Sobriety is turning out to be far from the flawless future Emma had once envisioned for herself, but as she allows herself to open up to Ben and confront difficult past relationships, she’s beginning to realize that taking things one day at a time might just be the perfectly imperfect path she’s meant to be on.

Bittersweet and darkly hilarious, Ava Robinson’s debut novel about navigating sobriety and complicated family dynamics is witty, heartbreaking, and profoundly relatable.

I received an ALC of this book courtesy of the publisher via NetGalley. All thoughts are my own.

Novels that deal with alcoholism or addiction and are then marketed as lighthearted, bittersweet, or hilarious sometimes make me cringe, so I was a little hesitant to read this one. After seeing some favorable early reviews, I decided to snag a copy in my Book of the Month box this month, and I’m happy to say I wasn’t disappointed. Tackling the delicate subjects of addiction, sobriety, and complicated family dynamics, the author approaches these topics with a refreshing mix of candor and compassion.

The story centers on Emma, a 26-year-old navigating her second chance at life after achieving a year of sobriety. From the outside, her progress looks impeccable: twelve months without alcohol, a steady office job, and a clean slate. But beneath the surface, Emma finds herself grappling with the messy realities of life. Sobriety hasn’t wiped away her struggles; instead, it has brought them into sharper focus.

One thing that has helped Emma stay so focused over the last year was the unwavering support from her mother and the fact that she kept her secret hidden from her friends at work – never going out to happy hour with them. She’s terrified of admitting that she is in recovery. But then, one day, with the encouragement of her sponsor, she goes out with them and is shocked to find that no one runs screaming – in fact, they’re very supportive, which gives Emma a taste of hope. When Ben, a charming IT guy from her office, catches Emma’s eye, she allows herself to take the plunge, but is she ready for this? What if he leaves her? What if she is too much? What if she can’t do this sober?

What really makes this book shine is Robinson’s ability to capture Emma’s vulnerability without resorting to clichés. Emma isn’t a one-dimensional “heroine overcoming addiction.” She is awkward, flawed, and sometimes painfully honest. Her mistakes are frustrating yet endearing, making her feel real and relatable. What I especially appreciated was that sobriety isn’t depicted as a magical cure-all but as an ongoing process filled with triumphs and setbacks. This honest portrayal makes Emma’s journey feel authentic and resonant.

Emma’s budding relationship with Ben is sweet without being overly saccharine. Ben’s patience and understanding stand in contrast to Emma’s often chaotic inner world, creating a dynamic that is both heartwarming yet complex. I especially loved how Ben was so patient with Emma as she learned how to date while sober. Ben is the first guy she has ever dated or had sex with while not under the influence, so this was new territory for her.

Family dynamics play a significant role in the novel, adding layers of depth to Emma’s story. Her mother’s decision to move in with her boyfriend and her estranged father’s sudden reappearance create emotional tension that forces Emma to confront unresolved issues from her past. Emma’s father’s drinking when she was a child is what led to her parent’s divorce, and to an extent, Emma blames him for her own struggles, so reconnecting with him opens wounds in Emma that she hasn’t had to face while sober.

I both read and listened to the audiobook of this one and thoroughly enjoyed the narration by Karissa Vacker. Her performance effortlessly captures Emma’s vulnerability, wit, and emotional depth, making the listening experience that much more enjoyable.

Overall, this is a story that will make you laugh, cringe, and fill you with hope. I loved the characters and the journey they go on. If you’re a fan of deeply moving stories that honestly but respectfully deal with sensitive subjects then this book is for you. It’s a worthy read for anyone seeking a heartfelt and profoundly relatable story.

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