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Recovering from Life

Debra McKenna (Goodreads Author)

4.13 · Rating details · 16 ratings · 7 reviews

Recovering from Life is the tale of 39-year-old, red-headed spitfire Stephanie McCarthy's rollicking road to redemption. A gifted freelance writer in Northern California, Steph works days hawking frozen foods while her life limps along. Until her husband, Kenny, disappears into the crack ghetto. His descent into addiction catapults Steph onto a wild ride that feels unendur ...more

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Kindle Edition, first, 244 pages

Published August 31st 2013 by KDP

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Nov 21, 2014 Dennis Dupuis rated it really liked it

Shelves: first-reads

This was a fun and painful read. There's no shortage of heartbreaks dealt out by "humans" we've all come across as life presents itself, while humanity springs from unexpected places, and humor carries the day. Guaranteed to bring a smile to your face. I was a Goodreads Give Away winner and am glad of it. Thanks Debra.

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Oct 23, 2013 Deloris Claiborne rated it it was amazing

It was a great read. I just could not put it down.

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Apr 04, 2014 Wall-to-wall books - wendy rated it it was amazing

LOVED this book! I almost read the whole book in one sitting. You know how I sometimes say that a book is like a roller-coaster with the ups and downs? Well this book was like a race car! I felt like I got in the driver seat on page one and sped at 200 mph all through the book (and I mean that in a good way!). This story was non-stop excitement.
I know I am always saying "This book should be turned into a movie" but... THIS book should seriously be turned into a movie, or a series even - I would LOVED this book! I almost read the whole book in one sitting. You know how I sometimes say that a book is like a roller-coaster with the ups and downs? Well this book was like a race car! I felt like I got in the driver seat on page one and sped at 200 mph all through the book (and I mean that in a good way!). This story was non-stop excitement.
I know I am always saying "This book should be turned into a movie" but... THIS book should seriously be turned into a movie, or a series even - I would watch it. I kept picturing Katherine Heigl (as in One for the Money) as the main character.

The character development is excellent! These two girls Stephanie and her friend Lee are awesome. I definitely want them on my side if I ever get into trouble (or if I ever want to get back at my ex). Stephanie is just a powerhouse, wonder-woman, take-no-crap, my kind of woman! I even like the "thug" she had helping her. What a riot everyone was!

Here's a few lines -
"Do you have decaf?"
Do I have decaf? I was in recovery: I "did" coffee. It was the only drug I had left. I had decaf, regular, half-caf, regular with cinnamon, decaf with vanilla, and mocha flavored. ~ Ha! my kind of gal!

"God, I thought, I should have read Divorce for Dummies. Or, more like Marriage for Dummies. If there wasn't one, maybe I could write it. I felt like the most inept woman who'd ever aimlessly wondered the earth."
"Tell me there are men out there in their forties who know what they want and aren't afraid to get it."
Lee moaned, sounding in pain again "I'm not so sure about that From what I've seen, by forty they're either bitter, emotionally dead, or twitchy. They practically have a grad mal seizure if something significant happens. That's why I was thinking of a younger man."
Now I whimpered "I just had one of those, remember? He was the worst yet."
"Oh, we're doomed..."

This story is hilarious! I would consider this book to be Chick-Lit/Woman's fiction. This story is literally dripping with snark and sarcasm, my kind of book. I really hope the author writes more. I will be waiting in line to buy her next book! ...more

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Feb 14, 2014 Kari rated it liked it

Recovering from life was a story about a woman who was stuck in the middle of trying to figure out how to juggle the stressful life she was being dealt along with staying healthy and putting her self first. Stephanie had her life figured out...she had the husband, the dog, the house, and just started on building her career path of becoming a full time editor for a magazine. Yes, she had some bumps in the road, but both her and her husband were survivors of substance abuse and were moving forward ...more

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Apr 21, 2014 Jennifer rated it liked it

The story of a married women, who finds out her husband is back taking drugs and has completely ruined her financially and emotionally. The story is about her getting her life back on track.

Over all I enjoyed the book, there were some funny moments but also a few moments where I was shaking my head at the stupid things the main character did. Shaking my head and saying out loud why are you doing that?!

The secondary characters are well written and do not drag the story down, but instead help the ...more

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Apr 03, 2014 Kathleen Kelly rated it it was amazing

Recovering from life is about a woman who finds out her husband is back into drugs, cheating on her and has stolen from his company. A humorous look at a woman's fight back from the humiliations that she has suffered at the hands of her husband. With no money and a job she loathes, she moves in with her bestie and proceeds to get her life back on track. Along the way she comes across some sketchy characters, laughable situations and struggles that only she can realize the way out of. Can she rec ...more

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Dec 03, 2013 Jacqueline rated it really liked it

RECOVERING FROM LIFE is an entertaining tale of recovery from ruin, as told by Stephanie McCarthy. Steph is an intelligent and sweet 39-year old suffering through the fallout of not only putting her husband first, but also handing him the reins to her life. Hers is a story most women can relate to in one way or another; in her quest to better her life and marriage she has neglected herself and essentially assisted in creating it's collapse. Stephanie manages to wade through it all with wit and h ...more

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About Debra McKenna

Debra McKenna

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After completing a degree in English and graduate work in Creative Writing, I became a feature writer and editor for city magazines in Sacramento, Denver, Lake Tahoe and Las Vegas for over nine years. Recovering from Life is my first novel.

visit http//:www.debramckenna.com ...more