Don’t Make Me Turn This Life Around – ARC Book Review

A witty and unexpected novel about a woman trying to keep her family vacation—and yes, her life—from going south by the Amazon Charts bestselling author of Life and Other Near-Death Experiences.

It’s been thirteen years since doctors declared Libby Ross-Velasquez a goner. Yet here she is—cancer free. So why doesn’t she feel more alive?

Sure, Libby’s husband, Shiloh, has been distant. One of their daughters has a serious health condition. And her father’s death hovers over Libby like a rain cloud. Still, this eternal optimist knows she’s the winner of the existential lottery.

But when her forced cheer isn’t enough to keep her family from catching her blahs, she decides to fly them all to Vieques. The Puerto Rican island is where she and Shiloh fell in love—and where she decided to fight for her life after her cancer diagnosis. Where better to put their problems into perspective?

Then a tropical storm strikes. Libby pretends everything’s fine, even as she fears she’s doomed her family. What she can’t see is that the worst disaster they’ve faced may be the best thing that ever happened to them. But first, they have to get through it.

No. of pages:- 251 pages

Date published:- will be published on 11th May 2021

Genre:- Women’s Fiction

Publisher:- Lake Union Publishing

A heartwarming and an emotional tale of a woman named Libby who was declared cancer free. She felt her marriage to her husband, Shiloh estranged and one of her daughter, Charlotte is suffering from diabetes and she is dealing with her father’s sudden death. She then takes her family to an island in Puerto Rico, where she met and fell in love with Shiloh.

This is a quick read, and is based on Libby’s perspectives. I am warmed to the character of Libby, who takes cares of her family particularly her daughter Charlotte.. The real story actually starts somewhere in the middle of the book when the family gets stranded in the island, having stuck due to the hurricane. I like how in the end, despite the differences between the family members get together to survive in the hurricane and trying to find a way to get out of the island. Shiloh’s revelation in the end was heartbreaking (both good and bad way–not going to give much) and overall, it was a happy ending in the end. The writing was good, the characters, many of them are likable and realistic. It was so cute, heartwarming and emotional a bit story. The part about cancer is realistic and I like how the author make the situation as realistic as possible. Several members of my family died from cancer so this book felt a bit personal as well.

Overall, a tear jerking, heartbreaking book that will make you cry! Worth five stars!

Thank You Netgalley and Lake Union for giving me ARC. The review is based on my honest opinion only.

Camille Pagán is the #1 Amazon Charts and Washington Post bestselling author of seven novels, including This Won’t End Well, I’m Fine and Neither Are You, and Life and Other Near-Death Experiences, which has been optioned for film. Her books have been translated into nearly two dozen languages. Pagán has written for the New York Times; O, The Oprah Magazine; Parade; Real Simple; Time; and many other publications. Learn more about her work at http://www.camillepagan.com.