Everything Is Just Fine by Brett Paesel

☆☆☆☆
Kindle Edition, 384 pages
Expected publication: April 9th 2019 by Grand Central Publishing
About the Book:
Coach Randy is working mightily to keep it together, and not simply with his vaguely unhappy wife, distant child, and a new boss who's eliminating half the sales force. This season's soccer parents are a demanding bunch. Diane's wine-fueled group e-mails are almost unintelligible; team mom Jacqui's enthusiasm for the league verges on manic; a divorced couple can barely conceal their murderous rage at each other; and another mom is laser-focused on schooling everyone on what constitutes a healthy snack option. All the secrets and lies bubbling below the surface of their membrane-thin civility threaten to combust when Alejandro, a young, foreign assistant coach refuses to play by the Beverly Hills code, which is to mind your own business and don't look too deeply into anyone's soul. Especially your own. Brett Paesel brings hilarity and huge heart to a world that looks enviable and shiny on the outside but is, in truth, filled with aching for connection on the inside.

Can we please take a moment for some cover love!? ♥️♥️♥️

This is truly a book for anyone who has or has ever had a child in minor league sports, mine played baseball and hockey. Whatever your perspective, you will laugh out loud at the familiar situations and characters. Brett Paesel has written a thoroughly enjoyable and wickedly funny book, which is difficult to put down. Whether you are in a good mood and want to tickle your funny bone, or you’re despondent and want to be cheered up, Everything Is Just Fine will lift your spirits at the same time that it will remind you about what’s really important in life. This is a fun, poignant, and clever read and the subject matter was so relevant in today's society. Towards the end we get a little darker perspective, and that was OK. It really balanced the book out.

I didn't think I would enjoy a lot of email exchanges but this book was a delight to read. The writing is excellent - very descriptive and written in a conversational tone. The narrative bounces between the main characters and you truly feel like you are in conversations with them. Ms. Paesel has the ability to take ordinary events, exaggerate them slightly and the results are hilarious while also drawing attention to the ridiculousness of life in general.

Paesel's writing is serious, but witty without heaviness, and is poetic, visually beautiful, emotionally moving and deeply philosophical. Such a great story - a little "slice of life" as I like to say. Very well done.

Thank you NetGalley, Grand Central Publishing and Brett Paesel for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an impartial review; all opinions are my own.