This book should have been titled “A Day in the Life of EVERY MIDDLE-AGED MOTHER EVER!” It resonates with so many important women in my life. From venting sessions on Zoom with my cousin, a 44-year-old perimenopausal mother of two boys (ages 11 and 15), to text messages from my best friend, who is navigating the challenges of being a single mother working full-time, managing the delightful attitude of her “12 going on 20” son, and – being the habitual people-pleaser that she is – just doesn’t know how to say no and somehow always ends up volunteered for everything under the sun. I plan to buy this book for both of them as a “just because” gift.

While the younger crowd may enjoy a glimpse of what lies ahead, this book is definitely written as a warrior cry for women in their mid-forties and older – women whose bodies seem to have a mind of their own, whose kids are making them buy hair dye in bulk to hide the gray, and who just need a quick reminder that they are not alone in the insanity of their everyday lives.

With barely a minute to breathe – and that’s being generous – Lisa Darling is doing her best to handle it all, especially when her HRT kicks in! Planning PTA events? Check. Killing it at work? Check. Playing chauffeur, math tutor, seamstress, chef, and housekeeper to her two boys while maintaining a somewhat civil relationship with her ex-husband? Check and a high five. There seems to be nothing Lisa can’t do these days – except keep her focus around Zack Russo. Temporarily stepping in while her co-worker and best friend completes her radiation therapy for breast cancer, Zack quickly becomes both a thorn in Lisa’s side and the star of her late-night fantasies. Determined to blame it on perimenopause, Lisa just needs to survive the next six months; then Rose will be back, and Zack can return to LA. So what if he seems just as drawn to her as she is to him? Two ex-husbands are enough to prove that her judgment (and her whacked-out hormones) when it comes to men should not be trusted!

What I enjoyed most about this book is that Jane Costello doesn’t beat around the bush. If she hints at something that has a deeper story or more to it, you don’t have to wait until the end of the book for a big reveal. She tells you fairly quickly what happened. In fact, it is absolutely amazing how much she reveals in the first quarter of the book. It’s refreshing because it feels more real and natural for the character rather than forcing a dramatic, highly anticipated reveal later down the line. This approach allows the reader to settle into the book, reading as if we are listening to a girlfriend while hanging out – giving her the space to just be, vent, and breathe without judgment.

As I said before, this book is essentially a diary detailing the day-to-day life of Lisa Darling. We see her at work, interacting with colleagues and tackling projects and presentations. We are with her when she spends time with her friends, supporting Rose her best friend – through her treatments. We see how she navigates her relationship with her ex-husband, copes with co-parenting, and struggles as a single mother. On the outside, she is determined to be everything to everyone, but her to-do list just keeps getting longer and longer. Her free time is consumed by tasks she has postponed, leaving her no time to simply exist outside of her roles, to be selfish, or to just relax. We witness what women in her situation have mastered hiding: the self-doubt, the need for reassurance, and the judgment – whether self-imposed or delegated by others.

I loved that the story wasn’t depressing or sad. It didn’t bring you down or make you feel sorry for Lisa. If anything, you walk away feeling empowered, as the book pulls back the mask of someone you admire and says, “See, she is struggling just like you – don’t let the smile fool you. You’ve got this!” I already appreciated my mother, but looking back, I don’t know how she did it all!

The book was steamy, but just barely. There were sultry moments between Zach and Lisa, but the word choice and brief, workaround descriptions kept them from being truly spicy. Consider it open-door, but with a very heavy filter – you get the gist of what is happening in the scene, but none of the in-depth details. It’s perfect for someone who prefers closed-door romances or little to no spice in their books. Don’t get me wrong, the moments they kissed were out of this world! I always appreciate an author who can make a simple connection feel explosive.

I also enjoyed the play on words in the title, as you quickly learn that perimenopause isn’t the only thing making her hot under the collar. I loved that we were able to see Zach as a single parent as well, admiring the struggles and sacrifices he goes through to be there for his daughter – opposite Lisa’s ex-husband, Brendon, who treats their kids like a weekend hobby or an afterthought. The comparison and contrast between these characters, along with the description of the men in Lisa’s past, help you understand why Zach is the perfect man for her. The struggle she has fighting her attraction to him is absolutely hilarious, and the running dialogue in her head kept me giggling. Everything, of course, was because her HRT therapy “needed to be adjusted.” The number of apps she had for everything had me cracking up!

Don’t even get me started on Jeff, Nora, and Rose. She had the best support group in her life, and they fiercely had her back. If Lisa’s quick wit didn’t have me laughing, her friends definitely did – especially Jeff and Rose.

I applaud Jane for writing a character who is sincere, vulnerable, real, and relatable. Whether it’s the never-ending to-do list, the obligations pulling her in multiple directions, decisions driven by fear, or hesitations rooted in self-doubt, a woman of any age can look at Lisa Darling and see herself – either where she was, where she is, or where she may one day be. I had already guessed how the book was going to end, but I still enjoyed it all the way to the very last page. If I were to take away anything from Jane’s book, it would be this: show yourself some grace and don’t be afraid to put yourself first. You can still be there for others, but if you give every little piece of yourself away, there will eventually be nothing left – then what? Trust yourself and your capabilities. You are doing the best you can, and no one can ask more of you than that.