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The Wrong Side of Twenty-Five
With newsfeeds full of perfect pouts, hot-dog legs and the self-proclaimed hashtag-blessed, it’s hard not to feel inadequate. How has everyone figured out how to live their best life except you?
That’s what Kylie wants to know. She thought she would spend her twenty-fifth birthday having a mini-break not a mini-breakdown. After an evening of finger-food and snide remarks, Kylie decides that things must change. Naturally, Alexa disagrees. She doesn’t think anything needs to change and is quite happy plodding on with her best friend by her side.
So, when everything changes for the better for Alexa, while it’s going from bad to worse for Kylie; will it tear them apart?
That’s what Kylie wants to know. She thought she would spend her twenty-fifth birthday having a mini-break not a mini-breakdown. After an evening of finger-food and snide remarks, Kylie decides that things must change. Naturally, Alexa disagrees. She doesn’t think anything needs to change and is quite happy plodding on with her best friend by her side.
So, when everything changes for the better for Alexa, while it’s going from bad to worse for Kylie; will it tear them apart?
262 pages, Paperback
Published December 27, 2017
About the author
Kate Armitage
1 book12 followersKate Armitage is a writer from England who has three cats, two children and one husband. She lives an alarmingly conventional life which surprises everyone who speaks to her for more than five minutes. She spends her days knee-deep in play-doh and spends her nights elbow deep in manuscripts. Sometimes she lets the children also use the play-doh but only if they promise not to mix the colours.
You can find Kate on social media under @itskatearmitage or through her website www.katearmitageauthor.com.
You can find Kate on social media under @itskatearmitage or through her website www.katearmitageauthor.com.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
April 26, 2018
Loved it - What a wonderful debut novel! A fun story that delves into the lives of two best friends, Alexa and Kylie.. their longtime friendship is in question over misinterpretation’s while experiencing a quarter life crisis. Life is about growth + change, and how we handle it — this is a unique story on how we interpret expectations and pressure on oneself.
A fab book for twenty-something readers, or anyone that enjoys a great story! 5 ☆🌼
A fab book for twenty-something readers, or anyone that enjoys a great story! 5 ☆🌼
April 1, 2019
Behind every successful woman is herself...,Kylie Louise Lee thought how her priorities gone wrong. She was decisive, adventurous and have a raw spirit. But at twenty-five, she didn't still have a solid career, no boyfriend and no mortgage to pay. With her mom, Marie, constantly nagging on her about what kind of life she has, she felt her life was so depressing and thought that she was on the wrong side of twenty-five.
and beside every successful woman is her best friend.
While Alexa Jane Chapman was the complete opposite of Kylie. She was sensible, organised and smart. She was reliable and loved consistency. She was a good friend, always there for Kylie even sometimes she needed to sacrifice her own time and happiness to make her feel better.
But when Alexa's life was turning good for her, having everything thought they need to have on this stage of their lives, nothing seemed going right for Kylie. Would they still be best friends, for better or worse? Or would a lie made them fell apart?
I love the friendship between Kylie and Alexa. They knew that they have each other's back and their relationship was closer than being sisters. They're differences balanced out each other but as I carried on to read the story, I also found out how much they became dependent on each other.
So when they fell out as best friends, I knew it was the right thing because they were able to know who they were as an individual. They were able to explore, met new friends, been in a relationship and found a new job. They were also able to assess how important it was to put their selves first and do the things that will make them happy—they grew, they changed.
The Wrong Side of Twenty-Five is entertaining, spot-on, a pirouette depicting our life in quarter of how am I at twenty-five?—when you thought you should figured everything out or when you need to turn your life in order, everything boils down into a pressure.
Kate Armitage was able to render a story that was reminiscent and effective for those who went through the same or those who are currently having the experience. She was also able to point out the pressure our family or friends put on us, that how women are strong on their own and don't need to be validated by man or how perfect relationships were not perfect at all.
***Thank you to Kate Armitage and HCL Author Services for providing me a copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review!
Links to buy:
Amazon US | Amazon UK
About the Author:
Kate Armitage is a writer from England who has three cats, two children and one husband. She lives an alarmingly conventional life which surprises everyone who speaks to her for more than five minutes. She spends her days knee-deep in play-doh and spends her nights elbow deep in manuscripts. Sometimes she lets the children also use the play-doh but only if they promise not to mix the colours.
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December 27, 2017
The Wrong Side of Twenty-Five was a nice read that kept my interest throughout the book.
Kylie and Alexa are two good characters,their struggling and uncertainties of the future are so relatable.I'm sure I've met them during my life and I'm even more sure I was like them at some point in my life.
I really liked Kate Armitage writing style.I've enjoyed her words that in their simplicity deliver a strong message of self-worth and uniqueness.
There isn't a precise age to fulfill our dreams but we don't have to lose confidence in ourselves and to change in order to fit in.
Copy kindly provided by the Publisher/Author.
November 27, 2017
This book is really funny - as in it's real and it's funny. It has short chapters alternating between the two main characters' points of view. I found myself saying 'just one more chapter' over and over again and before I knew it I'd inhaled this book in a day. The characters are true to life, the writing is easy to read and the message it leaves you with is uplifting and powerful. Highly recommended.
January 7, 2018
Engaging, punchy and brilliant
A fabulous debut from Kate Armitage. I literally could not put this book down. The author captures the raw essence of how life feels as we reach that quarter of a century landmark and portrays it with stunning effect via Kylie and Alexa and the many twists and turns in their friendship. A unique coming-of-age story... and an author who is definitely one to watch!
A fabulous debut from Kate Armitage. I literally could not put this book down. The author captures the raw essence of how life feels as we reach that quarter of a century landmark and portrays it with stunning effect via Kylie and Alexa and the many twists and turns in their friendship. A unique coming-of-age story... and an author who is definitely one to watch!
January 14, 2018
I knew by the second page, I would love this book. It is real and relatable. It is hilarious as well as heart wrenching.
Of the two, I'm an Alexa. She seems to have her act together, sweet and organized, things looking up in her life. Or are they?
Kylie, bless her, is a wreck. I love my friends like her because I can live vicariously through their excitement and chaos. I spent most of the book worried over her continued downward spiral ... but don't lose hope Kylie, things will look up for you. Without spoilers, her story of growth was fabulous and my favorite part of the story.
I myself am on the wrong side of thirty-five, but I thoroughly enjoyed the book. I remember those days! The post college pre "real life" days when expectations weigh you down. (Do we ever really out grow this? Hopefully, I suppose).
Of the two, I'm an Alexa. She seems to have her act together, sweet and organized, things looking up in her life. Or are they?
Kylie, bless her, is a wreck. I love my friends like her because I can live vicariously through their excitement and chaos. I spent most of the book worried over her continued downward spiral ... but don't lose hope Kylie, things will look up for you. Without spoilers, her story of growth was fabulous and my favorite part of the story.
I myself am on the wrong side of thirty-five, but I thoroughly enjoyed the book. I remember those days! The post college pre "real life" days when expectations weigh you down. (Do we ever really out grow this? Hopefully, I suppose).
January 24, 2018
A wonderful new voice in writing. I loved the banter between best friends Kylie and Alexa. This is a book about how deep friendships can go, about misunderstandings, and finding the right man. I really enjoyed it.
December 30, 2017
I really enjoyed this book. As someone who has a significant birthday approaching (not 25, I’ve done that one already) I am also questioning how everyone seems to have their lives together except me, so the blurb for this book resonated quite strongly with me and my life at the moment.
This is a fun read while addressing an important question. What do you do when you reach 25 and your life is not what you thought it would be? An important question because for so many, they ask themselves this at 25, 30, 35, 40, etc. You see the pattern. Many of us, myself include expect to be at a certain point by a certain age and for lots of us it doesn’t quite work out so it was quite refreshing to come across a book addressing exactly that.
I know this is a work of fiction and not scientific research but in this story Kylie turns 25 and questions her life at that point. Her best friend Alexa is already 25 and seems to have negotiated it quite smoothly but for Kylie it brings about questions and change. Change is a normal part of life, it’s how we handle it that makes the difference. Both characters have changes that happen but while Alexa copes with hers, Kylie seems to end up on a downward slope.
This book shows us what friendship is, how easily things can be misinterpreted and what can happen when you get to the wrong side of twenty five. As I’ve said it’s a fun read, the main characters are very realistic and believable. This was a book I was happy to pick up again and again. (I could easily have read it in one sitting but work got in the way!) I had fun with Alexa and Kylie, watching them make decisions and mistakes, cheering when they made the right decision and shaking my head in despair when they didn’t. This is one of those books where I’d like to see a sequel but I think it would be really interesting to revisit them when they turn 30, I’d love to know where they will be in 5 years.
Definitely worth a read, this book comes highly recommended by me.
This is a fun read while addressing an important question. What do you do when you reach 25 and your life is not what you thought it would be? An important question because for so many, they ask themselves this at 25, 30, 35, 40, etc. You see the pattern. Many of us, myself include expect to be at a certain point by a certain age and for lots of us it doesn’t quite work out so it was quite refreshing to come across a book addressing exactly that.
I know this is a work of fiction and not scientific research but in this story Kylie turns 25 and questions her life at that point. Her best friend Alexa is already 25 and seems to have negotiated it quite smoothly but for Kylie it brings about questions and change. Change is a normal part of life, it’s how we handle it that makes the difference. Both characters have changes that happen but while Alexa copes with hers, Kylie seems to end up on a downward slope.
This book shows us what friendship is, how easily things can be misinterpreted and what can happen when you get to the wrong side of twenty five. As I’ve said it’s a fun read, the main characters are very realistic and believable. This was a book I was happy to pick up again and again. (I could easily have read it in one sitting but work got in the way!) I had fun with Alexa and Kylie, watching them make decisions and mistakes, cheering when they made the right decision and shaking my head in despair when they didn’t. This is one of those books where I’d like to see a sequel but I think it would be really interesting to revisit them when they turn 30, I’d love to know where they will be in 5 years.
Definitely worth a read, this book comes highly recommended by me.
January 3, 2018
Reviewed for Chick Lit Central (www.chicklitcentral.com)
I can’t speak for the life experience of all twenty-somethings, but I felt as though Kylie and Alexa really showcased what women in that age bracket go through, at least from my own viewpoint. I can recall not feeling as though I was where I wanted to be at twenty-five, that I wasn’t as successful or accomplished as I felt I should have been. That there were a lot of expectations and pressure put upon me to “grow up” and “prepare for the future”. I’m not even sure if I was quite ready to be a proper adult at that age, a struggle these two young women deal with constantly.
The two personalities are like night and day, with Kylie and her need to reject stability at all cost, and Alexa and her desperate need for order and balance. It’s why their friendship works so well, leaning on one another, Kylie allowing Alexa to let loose a bit and enjoy life, and Alexa literally picking up the pieces of Kylie’s fragmented existence. And when there is too large of a shift in the delicate balance that has supported this relationship for so long, it forces both women to face up to who they are not as friends, but as individuals.
While there are plenty of romantic nuances within The Wrong Side of Twenty-Five, what I appreciated most about this novel is showcasing the inner strength and ability both main characters discover from within. It’s a process, and one they have to come to on their own, and not from outside influences like family, or friends, love interests, society. It can be hard to really go for the life you want to live, even if it means it displeases others, and it was nice to see those interactions, the struggle that segues into that sort of growth and change. Ultimately, we want to see our characters end up with the man they’ve been pining for, or finally stand up to a bully who has plagued them for most of their lives, or discover they can truly find happiness within their deep-desired passions, but it’s in the pot holes and rock-bottom experiences where real growth can begin, and I found those experiences in Twenty-Five to be real and more than relatable for all women, no matter what age bracket you reside in.
I can’t speak for the life experience of all twenty-somethings, but I felt as though Kylie and Alexa really showcased what women in that age bracket go through, at least from my own viewpoint. I can recall not feeling as though I was where I wanted to be at twenty-five, that I wasn’t as successful or accomplished as I felt I should have been. That there were a lot of expectations and pressure put upon me to “grow up” and “prepare for the future”. I’m not even sure if I was quite ready to be a proper adult at that age, a struggle these two young women deal with constantly.
The two personalities are like night and day, with Kylie and her need to reject stability at all cost, and Alexa and her desperate need for order and balance. It’s why their friendship works so well, leaning on one another, Kylie allowing Alexa to let loose a bit and enjoy life, and Alexa literally picking up the pieces of Kylie’s fragmented existence. And when there is too large of a shift in the delicate balance that has supported this relationship for so long, it forces both women to face up to who they are not as friends, but as individuals.
While there are plenty of romantic nuances within The Wrong Side of Twenty-Five, what I appreciated most about this novel is showcasing the inner strength and ability both main characters discover from within. It’s a process, and one they have to come to on their own, and not from outside influences like family, or friends, love interests, society. It can be hard to really go for the life you want to live, even if it means it displeases others, and it was nice to see those interactions, the struggle that segues into that sort of growth and change. Ultimately, we want to see our characters end up with the man they’ve been pining for, or finally stand up to a bully who has plagued them for most of their lives, or discover they can truly find happiness within their deep-desired passions, but it’s in the pot holes and rock-bottom experiences where real growth can begin, and I found those experiences in Twenty-Five to be real and more than relatable for all women, no matter what age bracket you reside in.
February 14, 2018
This author has a witty and fresh new voice which was apparent even as early as the acknowledgements page. Her writing style is young, funny and insightful. She writes in short, sharp chapters which are a joy to fly through. Yet she also manages to intricately describe characters, their worlds, their relationships, their friendships and their work situations, in a way which makes you feel you know them inside out.
January 1, 2018
I was gifted this book for review but my opinions are my own.
I think every female at some point has had some sort of midlife crisis I know I certainly did. I had a plan in my head of what I thought my life would be like when I was 25. I think this is why I found this book so relatable.
I loved both main characters Kylie and Alexa and could identify with them both at various points throughout the book.
If you are looking for a lighthearted read that reminds you of your early twenties then this is the book for you!
I think every female at some point has had some sort of midlife crisis I know I certainly did. I had a plan in my head of what I thought my life would be like when I was 25. I think this is why I found this book so relatable.
I loved both main characters Kylie and Alexa and could identify with them both at various points throughout the book.
If you are looking for a lighthearted read that reminds you of your early twenties then this is the book for you!
May 1, 2018
Although this book is probably aimed at 20 to 30 year olds, it’s funny, observant and I wanted to know what happened to the characters. Well written, great characters you actually like and a good story.
December 29, 2017
The Wrong Side of Twenty-Five is a story about two young women in their mid-20s. When they begin worrying that their lives aren’t what they thought they would be by 25 they begin to wonder what they're doing wrong. Although the two have vastly different personalities, neither of the girls have boyfriends and they're both in jobs that don't make them happy. In addition to battling their new problematic ages, they fall out with one another. During the time they spend apart they learn about themselves as individuals. They learn that life was great before they stopped being friends and even though they're on the 'wrong side of 25' they’ve still got plenty of time to figure out their lives, together.
The novel includes themes of staying true to yourself, being happy with who you are, and being content with where you are in life. Everyone lives their lives at a different pace and no two paths are completely the same. You have to listen to your heart and be true to who you are and what you want out of life. Your life doesn't have to look like what others think it should and your focus shouldn't be on what other people want out of life for you. Everyone has a unique perspective on life and that’s okay. It’s okay to be different, as long as you’re being true to you.
The novel includes themes of staying true to yourself, being happy with who you are, and being content with where you are in life. Everyone lives their lives at a different pace and no two paths are completely the same. You have to listen to your heart and be true to who you are and what you want out of life. Your life doesn't have to look like what others think it should and your focus shouldn't be on what other people want out of life for you. Everyone has a unique perspective on life and that’s okay. It’s okay to be different, as long as you’re being true to you.
April 17, 2018
An impressive debut by Kate Armitage
The Wrong Side of Twenty-Five is the story of the tempestuous relationship between university friends beautiful Kylie and frumpy Alexa. It’s a relationship that makes chaotic only-child Psychology graduate Kylie paranoid. Her celebrity name reflects her mum’s obsessive ambition for her daughter, yet Kylie constantly fails to meet family expectations. Alexa is Kylie’s anxious sensible loveless admin assistant friend who’s walked all over at work. However, her endeavour is rewarded when the big boss, John, makes her his personal assistant. What could possibly go wrong?
The best scenes convey the bond between the two, drinking together and trying on clothes, while the competitiveness is tearing them apart. They’re being compared to each other and everyone else in a constant spotlight with time running out to make that mark. They’re all too aware they’ll have to live with the consequences of the wrong side of twenty-five forever.
The Wrong Side of Twenty-Five is the story of the tempestuous relationship between university friends beautiful Kylie and frumpy Alexa. It’s a relationship that makes chaotic only-child Psychology graduate Kylie paranoid. Her celebrity name reflects her mum’s obsessive ambition for her daughter, yet Kylie constantly fails to meet family expectations. Alexa is Kylie’s anxious sensible loveless admin assistant friend who’s walked all over at work. However, her endeavour is rewarded when the big boss, John, makes her his personal assistant. What could possibly go wrong?
The best scenes convey the bond between the two, drinking together and trying on clothes, while the competitiveness is tearing them apart. They’re being compared to each other and everyone else in a constant spotlight with time running out to make that mark. They’re all too aware they’ll have to live with the consequences of the wrong side of twenty-five forever.
February 4, 2018
Fantastic book. Couldn’t put it down!
June 15, 2018
Practical things every 23+ damsel undergoes, yet depicted very intensively wit sarcasm.
When you are 25, it’s not the boyfriend but the best friend is the necessary stuff tat helps for survival.
Good read though!!
When you are 25, it’s not the boyfriend but the best friend is the necessary stuff tat helps for survival.
Good read though!!
February 1, 2019
Took a long time to get going. Really only started to hold my interest post 65%.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews