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Village of Primm #1
Holly Banks Full of Angst
A laugh-out-loud debut novel for anyone who’s tried to live the perfect life—and learned the hard way there’s no such thing.
Holly Banks could not have made a worse first impression on the seemingly perfect moms in her new affluent community, the Village of Primm. Turns out wearing pink piggy pajama bottoms while dropping off her kindergartener late to the first day of school wasn’t her best look.
Not to mention Holly’s worried her husband may be having an affair, she can’t get her daughter to stop sucking her thumb, her hard-won film degree is collecting dust, and to top it all off, the power-hungry PTA president clearly has it in for her…
To make matters even worse, Holly’s natural eye for drama lands her smack-dab in the middle of a neighborhood mystery—right as her own crazy mother shows up in Primm “to help.” Through it all, Holly begins to realize her neighbors may be just as flawed as—and even wackier than—she is, leaving her to wonder: Is there such a thing as a perfect mom?
Holly Banks could not have made a worse first impression on the seemingly perfect moms in her new affluent community, the Village of Primm. Turns out wearing pink piggy pajama bottoms while dropping off her kindergartener late to the first day of school wasn’t her best look.
Not to mention Holly’s worried her husband may be having an affair, she can’t get her daughter to stop sucking her thumb, her hard-won film degree is collecting dust, and to top it all off, the power-hungry PTA president clearly has it in for her…
To make matters even worse, Holly’s natural eye for drama lands her smack-dab in the middle of a neighborhood mystery—right as her own crazy mother shows up in Primm “to help.” Through it all, Holly begins to realize her neighbors may be just as flawed as—and even wackier than—she is, leaving her to wonder: Is there such a thing as a perfect mom?
373 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 1, 2019
5391 people are currently reading
6806 people want to read
About the author
Julie Valerie
2 books201 followersStandalones in a connected series, Holly Banks Full of Angst, Book One in the Village of Primm series, released December 1, 2019, with Lake Union. The Peculiar Fate of Holly Banks, Book Two in the series, releases November 24, 2020, also with Lake Union.
Julie earned an editing certificate from the University of Chicago Graham School and has a master's degree in education, a bachelor of fine arts in fashion, and certification in wilderness first aid. She enjoys books, the study of wine, hikes on the Appalachian Trail, and travel. Julie married her college sweetheart, and they live in Virginia with their four children and two English labradors.
Learn more about Julie and subscribe to her newsletter at https://julievalerie.com.
Follow Julie Valerie's Amazon author page, and be the first to learn of new releases and author updates https://amzn.to/2Vb9gGi.
Follow Julie on BookBub at https://www.bookbub.com/authors/julie....
Connect with Julie on Twitter and Pinterest @julie_valerie. On Facebook and Instagram @julievalerieauthor.
Julie earned an editing certificate from the University of Chicago Graham School and has a master's degree in education, a bachelor of fine arts in fashion, and certification in wilderness first aid. She enjoys books, the study of wine, hikes on the Appalachian Trail, and travel. Julie married her college sweetheart, and they live in Virginia with their four children and two English labradors.
Learn more about Julie and subscribe to her newsletter at https://julievalerie.com.
Follow Julie Valerie's Amazon author page, and be the first to learn of new releases and author updates https://amzn.to/2Vb9gGi.
Follow Julie on BookBub at https://www.bookbub.com/authors/julie....
Connect with Julie on Twitter and Pinterest @julie_valerie. On Facebook and Instagram @julievalerieauthor.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 892 reviews
November 6, 2019
This book, like most of the Amazon First Reads that I have been unfortunate enough to download, was not worth finishing. It was supposed to be funny, but what little I read was increasingly upsetting. I should have selected the children's book about the little grey blob instead.
September 22, 2020
5 stars ⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thank you to Julie Valerie and Lake Union Publishing for the advanced electronic copy of this amazing debut book that gave me so much joy and happiness the entire time I was reading.
I felt like Julie Valerie entered my brain and knew exactly what all my hidden insecurities were about taking on the most important job in the entire universe, and that is becoming a mother. Holly Banks Full of Angst is a definite must read. You will enjoy the story line, and the many laugh out loud moments that Holly finds herself in. I am certain you will be able to relate. I guarantee it.
Holly is everyone of us trying to navigate our multiple hats every day - a mother, a wife, a daughter, a member of our school community and a neighbor in an upscale community. For Holly, that would be the community of Primm –perfectly lined homes with Pinterest worthy porches, manicured lawns and topiaries, and of course, every family’s dream is the amazing school system where everyone is dying to get their child into. Julie Valerie was able to connect and creatively write all these pressures we put on ourselves in such a glorious and hilarious way.
Julie Valerie wrote such an amazing cast of characters too that surround Holly’s life. There is Mary-Margaret St. James, the PTA president, who is someone you will love to hate. Greta, Holly’s mother, who needs some rescuing from time to time, but the love for her daughter and grand-daughter is some of the sweetest parts of this book. And let us not forget about the psychic reader, and their out of this world email exchanges. There are so many more like the peahen, the apple brigade, the realtor, and others you will enjoy getting to know.
This book was an absolute delight of a read and was truly an escape for me. It was fun and funny, it was light-hearted, and heart-warming too. I loved the pacing – it read very quickly and you will not want to put this book down. The dialogue was so creative including the non-curse words, the dash lines for when you are talking and no one hears you situation for example, and the different scenarios Holly ends up in. How can you not root for Holly who is trying her best to keep it all together?
Pick this book up when it releases Dec. 1st and be ready to have a great time with Holly and her posy. I look forward to the next book in this series!!!
Thank you to Julie Valerie and Lake Union Publishing for the advanced electronic copy of this amazing debut book that gave me so much joy and happiness the entire time I was reading.
I felt like Julie Valerie entered my brain and knew exactly what all my hidden insecurities were about taking on the most important job in the entire universe, and that is becoming a mother. Holly Banks Full of Angst is a definite must read. You will enjoy the story line, and the many laugh out loud moments that Holly finds herself in. I am certain you will be able to relate. I guarantee it.
Holly is everyone of us trying to navigate our multiple hats every day - a mother, a wife, a daughter, a member of our school community and a neighbor in an upscale community. For Holly, that would be the community of Primm –perfectly lined homes with Pinterest worthy porches, manicured lawns and topiaries, and of course, every family’s dream is the amazing school system where everyone is dying to get their child into. Julie Valerie was able to connect and creatively write all these pressures we put on ourselves in such a glorious and hilarious way.
Julie Valerie wrote such an amazing cast of characters too that surround Holly’s life. There is Mary-Margaret St. James, the PTA president, who is someone you will love to hate. Greta, Holly’s mother, who needs some rescuing from time to time, but the love for her daughter and grand-daughter is some of the sweetest parts of this book. And let us not forget about the psychic reader, and their out of this world email exchanges. There are so many more like the peahen, the apple brigade, the realtor, and others you will enjoy getting to know.
This book was an absolute delight of a read and was truly an escape for me. It was fun and funny, it was light-hearted, and heart-warming too. I loved the pacing – it read very quickly and you will not want to put this book down. The dialogue was so creative including the non-curse words, the dash lines for when you are talking and no one hears you situation for example, and the different scenarios Holly ends up in. How can you not root for Holly who is trying her best to keep it all together?
Pick this book up when it releases Dec. 1st and be ready to have a great time with Holly and her posy. I look forward to the next book in this series!!!
November 4, 2019
Almost all those editorial reviews praising this book on the amazon page has the word “wit” or “witty” in it. Yeah I guess you could say this has wit, but it was the desperate, trying too hard kind.
I felt like this book was telling me “Aren’t I so funny!!?!” every few pages.
No. No, you aren’t.
I didn't finish this. DNF around 30% you couldn’t pay me to try to finish this thing
I felt like this book was telling me “Aren’t I so funny!!?!” every few pages.
No. No, you aren’t.
I didn't finish this. DNF around 30% you couldn’t pay me to try to finish this thing
November 30, 2019
3.5 stars!
Are you looking for a lighthearted read? One that never takes itself too seriously? Holly and her family recently moved to the town aptly named Primm. Enter PTA President, Mary Margaret St. James. She has high demands of her school’s moms, and she has Holly in her sights. This felt like a satire on trying to be the perfect mom and trying to fit in within the mom crowd, and I found the drama and escapades to be a nice escape.
I received a complimentary copy.
Many of my reviews can also be found on instagram: www.instagram.com/tarheelreader
Are you looking for a lighthearted read? One that never takes itself too seriously? Holly and her family recently moved to the town aptly named Primm. Enter PTA President, Mary Margaret St. James. She has high demands of her school’s moms, and she has Holly in her sights. This felt like a satire on trying to be the perfect mom and trying to fit in within the mom crowd, and I found the drama and escapades to be a nice escape.
I received a complimentary copy.
Many of my reviews can also be found on instagram: www.instagram.com/tarheelreader
September 21, 2020
Do you ever think that a book was just simply meant for you to read when you did? I had been having a really stressful few weeks at work when my copy of Holly Banks Full of Angst arrived and when I started reading it, I immediately knew it was just what I needed. Holly is beautifully imperfect and filled with the sort of hysterical hijinks that just made me forget my worries and relax for awhile!
This book truly had me laughing out loud at every turn. I did a mix of audio and physical book this time, and the audio narrator was so perfect, that even when I switched to the physical book I could picture the tone she would use for each character in my head. Holly Banks is a mother who tries so hard to fit into the life that she can’t quite achieve, and with spectacularly funny failures at every attempt, she warmed her way into my heart.
The house in the Village of Primm was not cheap, and Holly soon realizes that buying at the top of their finances will have a price. Namely, that it is not enough to live in the Village of Primm in order to belong, there are a lot of expectations. From the way she decorates her house and porch (she can’t live up to the expert decorator and mom extraordinaire who lived their prior to her, and the other residents make sure she knows it!) to the way she dresses (pajamas are maybe not the best thing to wear out of the house, even if you think you won’t be seen!), Holly is wonderfully imperfect!
And then Holly finds out that she has to not only be on the PTA at her daughter’s school, she needs to serve as the PTA secretary to the intimidating and perfect Mary-Margaret St. James. Mary-Margaret is probably the best character in the book to me (well, besides Holly). She is a real piece of work! Polite, bubbly, and a bit mean-spirited if you are Holly, Mary-Margaret makes sure to point out that Holly volunteering to bring the napkins is the worst sort of volunteering (everyone knows those napkin moms!)
Holly can’t worry, though, about her pig pajamas that everyone saw, or the 14 cherry pies she offered to bake, or the school bus she hit in front of all the kids and parents, because she has bigger problems. Her husband may be having an affair. She saw him in Wendy’s with his attractive boss, after all, laughing and laughing. And she also wonders quite poignantly why it is that the female parent has to be the one giving up their career and interests, serving on the PTA, volunteering to bake for the school, and not getting to have a life outside of their child and husband. This theme was powerful, through all of the hijinks and funny scenes, the comment on the role women are forced to play in the home resonated.
And finally, there is a bit of a mystery going on. I won’t spoil it, but let’s just say the Village of Primm is about to realize how fragile their perfect, privileged lives are…
Thank you to Kat Carter and Lake Union Publishing for my copy. Opinions are my own.
This book truly had me laughing out loud at every turn. I did a mix of audio and physical book this time, and the audio narrator was so perfect, that even when I switched to the physical book I could picture the tone she would use for each character in my head. Holly Banks is a mother who tries so hard to fit into the life that she can’t quite achieve, and with spectacularly funny failures at every attempt, she warmed her way into my heart.
The house in the Village of Primm was not cheap, and Holly soon realizes that buying at the top of their finances will have a price. Namely, that it is not enough to live in the Village of Primm in order to belong, there are a lot of expectations. From the way she decorates her house and porch (she can’t live up to the expert decorator and mom extraordinaire who lived their prior to her, and the other residents make sure she knows it!) to the way she dresses (pajamas are maybe not the best thing to wear out of the house, even if you think you won’t be seen!), Holly is wonderfully imperfect!
And then Holly finds out that she has to not only be on the PTA at her daughter’s school, she needs to serve as the PTA secretary to the intimidating and perfect Mary-Margaret St. James. Mary-Margaret is probably the best character in the book to me (well, besides Holly). She is a real piece of work! Polite, bubbly, and a bit mean-spirited if you are Holly, Mary-Margaret makes sure to point out that Holly volunteering to bring the napkins is the worst sort of volunteering (everyone knows those napkin moms!)
Holly can’t worry, though, about her pig pajamas that everyone saw, or the 14 cherry pies she offered to bake, or the school bus she hit in front of all the kids and parents, because she has bigger problems. Her husband may be having an affair. She saw him in Wendy’s with his attractive boss, after all, laughing and laughing. And she also wonders quite poignantly why it is that the female parent has to be the one giving up their career and interests, serving on the PTA, volunteering to bake for the school, and not getting to have a life outside of their child and husband. This theme was powerful, through all of the hijinks and funny scenes, the comment on the role women are forced to play in the home resonated.
And finally, there is a bit of a mystery going on. I won’t spoil it, but let’s just say the Village of Primm is about to realize how fragile their perfect, privileged lives are…
Thank you to Kat Carter and Lake Union Publishing for my copy. Opinions are my own.
November 29, 2019
Over the top and unrealistic. I love the idea of a down-to-earth mom trying to navigate the weirdly competitive and judgmental PTA at her kid’s new school. But this was so ridiculous it stopped being entertaining. Every character was one-dimensional and uninteresting to me. I wasn’t invested in the story at all.
December 3, 2019
Peacocks. And Pies. And My Little Pony.... Oh my!
This was such a fun feel good story that made me smile, laugh, and crave some pie!
LRTC
This was such a fun feel good story that made me smile, laugh, and crave some pie!
LRTC
December 23, 2020
Too much...
I thought I’d relate to this book but the characters were so over the top.
I’m from a “ keeping up with the Joneses” type of place like Primm but I chose to move to the “Southern Lakes” type of town to raise my kids because I’m so very far from the “Perfect Mom” type and I loathe people who try to portray themselves as such.
So I thought I’d identify with Holly and her struggle against the Stepford PTA moms, but both sides were unlikeable in my opinion.
Mostly it was because it was painful to read the discourse between Mary-Margaret and Holly: I was incredulous that someone as outspoken as Holly on other occasions (like the tooth pulling incident with her husband’s boss!) would really let herself be muted by such inane ramblings.
I thought I’d relate to this book but the characters were so over the top.
I’m from a “ keeping up with the Joneses” type of place like Primm but I chose to move to the “Southern Lakes” type of town to raise my kids because I’m so very far from the “Perfect Mom” type and I loathe people who try to portray themselves as such.
So I thought I’d identify with Holly and her struggle against the Stepford PTA moms, but both sides were unlikeable in my opinion.
Mostly it was because it was painful to read the discourse between Mary-Margaret and Holly: I was incredulous that someone as outspoken as Holly on other occasions (like the tooth pulling incident with her husband’s boss!) would really let herself be muted by such inane ramblings.
July 18, 2019
Holly Banks Full of Angst is a must-read for any mother who sometimes feels inadequate—and what mother doesn’t? With vivid scenes that make us laugh and cringe in equal measures, Julie Valerie’s depiction of motherly angst is palpable. Valerie creates in Holly Banks a wholly relatable, refreshingly genuine protagonist, shamed by the seemingly perfect suburban mothers surrounding her. With themes of new beginnings, the quest for perfection, motherhood and marriage, Valerie delivers lessons in hospitality, humanity, and hope, gently reminding us that we’re all works in progress. If you’re looking for a fun escape filled with humor and heart, look no further than Holly Banks Full of Angst.
May 30, 2019
Ever wonder what would happen if Liane Moriarty could channel the late Robin Williams? Me neither—until I read this astonishing debut, a modern allegorical marvel. Holly Banks Full of Angst is as whimsical and charming as its namesake, but don’t dare mistake it for simple fluff. Valerie absolutely skewers Parenting While Privileged, and somehow pulls it off without preaching or condescending, thanks to the inimitable goofball heroine, Holly, the (questionably) sane person in the insane (but wholly recognizable) world of Primm.
Come for the humor, but stay for the honesty. Some passages were so outrageously hilarious, I could not believe what I was reading. Others rang with so much truth, the world fell away around me. I’m on my feet and clapping: Brava!
Come for the humor, but stay for the honesty. Some passages were so outrageously hilarious, I could not believe what I was reading. Others rang with so much truth, the world fell away around me. I’m on my feet and clapping: Brava!
November 26, 2019
Never. Reading. A. Free. FirstRead. PrimeBook. Ever. Again. 🤦♀️
December 1, 2019
Thank you to Julie Valerie and Lake Union Publishing for the advanced electronic copy of this amazing debut book that gave me so much joy and happiness the entire time I was reading.
I felt like Julie Valerie entered my brain and knew exactly what all my hidden insecurities were about taking on the most important job in the entire universe, and that is becoming a mother. Holly Banks Full of Angst is a definite must read. You will enjoy the story line, and the many laugh out loud moments that Holly finds herself in. I am certain you will be able to relate. I guarantee it.
Holly is everyone of us trying to navigate our multiple hats every day - a mother, a wife, a daughter, a member of our school community and a neighbor in an upscale community. For Holly, that would be the community of Primm –perfectly lined homes with Pinterest worthy porches, manicured lawns and topiaries, and of course, every family’s dream is the amazing school system where everyone is dying to get their child into. Julie Valerie was able to connect and creatively write all these pressures we put on ourselves in such a glorious and hilarious way.
Julie Valerie wrote such an amazing cast of characters too that surround Holly’s life. There is Mary-Margaret St. James, the PTA president, who is someone you will love to hate. Greta, Holly’s mother, who needs some rescuing from time to time, but the love for her daughter and grand-daughter is some of the sweetest parts of this book. And let us not forget about the psychic reader, and their out of this world email exchanges. There are so many more like the peahen, the apple brigade, the realtor, and others you will enjoy getting to know.
This book was an absolute delight of a read and was truly an escape for me. It was fun and funny, it was light-hearted, and heart-warming too. I loved the pacing – it read very quickly and you will not want to put this book down. The dialogue was so creative including the non-curse words, the dash lines for when you are talking and no one hears you situation for example, and the different scenarios Holly ends up in. How can you not root for Holly who is trying her best to keep it all together?
Pick this book up when it releases Dec. 1st and be ready to have a great time with Holly and her posy. I look forward to the next book in this series.
I felt like Julie Valerie entered my brain and knew exactly what all my hidden insecurities were about taking on the most important job in the entire universe, and that is becoming a mother. Holly Banks Full of Angst is a definite must read. You will enjoy the story line, and the many laugh out loud moments that Holly finds herself in. I am certain you will be able to relate. I guarantee it.
Holly is everyone of us trying to navigate our multiple hats every day - a mother, a wife, a daughter, a member of our school community and a neighbor in an upscale community. For Holly, that would be the community of Primm –perfectly lined homes with Pinterest worthy porches, manicured lawns and topiaries, and of course, every family’s dream is the amazing school system where everyone is dying to get their child into. Julie Valerie was able to connect and creatively write all these pressures we put on ourselves in such a glorious and hilarious way.
Julie Valerie wrote such an amazing cast of characters too that surround Holly’s life. There is Mary-Margaret St. James, the PTA president, who is someone you will love to hate. Greta, Holly’s mother, who needs some rescuing from time to time, but the love for her daughter and grand-daughter is some of the sweetest parts of this book. And let us not forget about the psychic reader, and their out of this world email exchanges. There are so many more like the peahen, the apple brigade, the realtor, and others you will enjoy getting to know.
This book was an absolute delight of a read and was truly an escape for me. It was fun and funny, it was light-hearted, and heart-warming too. I loved the pacing – it read very quickly and you will not want to put this book down. The dialogue was so creative including the non-curse words, the dash lines for when you are talking and no one hears you situation for example, and the different scenarios Holly ends up in. How can you not root for Holly who is trying her best to keep it all together?
Pick this book up when it releases Dec. 1st and be ready to have a great time with Holly and her posy. I look forward to the next book in this series.
November 2, 2019
I have discovered that I am satire impaired. While others found this book to be witty and clever, I thought it was boring and silly. It might have worked in 1950 but 2019 women are more diverse and less likely to act like desperate middle schoolers. I'm not sure what the author thought she was satirizing because there are precious few of us who have the time or energy to play these games when we are just hoping go keep our heads above water and our families safe.
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December 12, 2019
Holly Banks isn’t a perfect mom. But she surely isn’t a bad one. Even though she brings her daughter late to the first day of kindergarden.
And hits the bus while being there.
In Pyjamas.
This was a fun, light read. It reminded me a little bit about the whole background story in "Bad moms".
But it wasn’t a story for me. I was absolutely stressed out when I read what happened in Hollys life.
Like absolutely. Stressed. Out.
And I didn’t really warm up with the whole style of the book.
The writing was fine, but sometimes I thought it was a little bit slow.
All in all it’s an okay book.
January 30, 2020
I was sent an eARC of this book from the publisher through netgalley to review.
Getting straight to the point, this was just over the top, cringey, forced humour with a very simplistic plot. I have seen a couple other reviews likening this to the movie Bad Moms and I could definitely see why within the first couple of chapters. I might have actually enjoyed this if it was a movie but at the same time I think it's been done so many times that I could guess what was happening next and it just made me roll my eyes constantly at how cliché it all was.
I couldn't like any of the characters because there was either barely any involment with them in the story to be able to actually form an opinion or the other characters were going on long monologues where I just glazed over everytime they were talking.
I really wish I could have liked this one because I thought it would be the type of sarcastic, witty humour I adore but instead it was just awkward for me to read... I mean I kept getting second hand embarrassment from everything Holly or Mary Margaret did.
Getting straight to the point, this was just over the top, cringey, forced humour with a very simplistic plot. I have seen a couple other reviews likening this to the movie Bad Moms and I could definitely see why within the first couple of chapters. I might have actually enjoyed this if it was a movie but at the same time I think it's been done so many times that I could guess what was happening next and it just made me roll my eyes constantly at how cliché it all was.
I couldn't like any of the characters because there was either barely any involment with them in the story to be able to actually form an opinion or the other characters were going on long monologues where I just glazed over everytime they were talking.
I really wish I could have liked this one because I thought it would be the type of sarcastic, witty humour I adore but instead it was just awkward for me to read... I mean I kept getting second hand embarrassment from everything Holly or Mary Margaret did.
March 20, 2020
Surviving Anxiety
This is not my usual sort of book, there are parts of the book that are really good, and if you have partner who is a home carer many of the things in this book are spot on. The main downside of this book is it is a bit too slow for me. In this type of story I can understand why or even expect it, but not to my taste.
Holly Banks have moved to the village of Primm. Being an anxious person anyway she now has to contend with:
Meeting new people
A new place
Unpacking
A husband working all the time including weekends
Her child starting kindergarten
The other moms
Her mom
A narcissistic PTA president
Everything you think that can go wrong will go wrong. I like the use of tech and social media in the book. Will the village of Primm change Holly or will she make her own mark.
Part of what I did not like about this book is that a lots seemed undone by the end of the book, but reading the acknowledgments and writers page I understand this to be a series of having multiple plots to work with.
This is an ok book about real life problems. The real life aspects are the strongest thing about the book. I felt myself getting anxious on MMStJ parts and her hip hip speeches and voicemails. I would give this book 3.5 stars I rounded it down as towards the end of the book I was more reading to finish then out of actual enthrallment. As stated this is not my preferred genre, but I did not hate the book even enjoyed the majority of it.
This is not my usual sort of book, there are parts of the book that are really good, and if you have partner who is a home carer many of the things in this book are spot on. The main downside of this book is it is a bit too slow for me. In this type of story I can understand why or even expect it, but not to my taste.
Holly Banks have moved to the village of Primm. Being an anxious person anyway she now has to contend with:
Meeting new people
A new place
Unpacking
A husband working all the time including weekends
Her child starting kindergarten
The other moms
Her mom
A narcissistic PTA president
Everything you think that can go wrong will go wrong. I like the use of tech and social media in the book. Will the village of Primm change Holly or will she make her own mark.
Part of what I did not like about this book is that a lots seemed undone by the end of the book, but reading the acknowledgments and writers page I understand this to be a series of having multiple plots to work with.
This is an ok book about real life problems. The real life aspects are the strongest thing about the book. I felt myself getting anxious on MMStJ parts and her hip hip speeches and voicemails. I would give this book 3.5 stars I rounded it down as towards the end of the book I was more reading to finish then out of actual enthrallment. As stated this is not my preferred genre, but I did not hate the book even enjoyed the majority of it.
July 22, 2022
This story is about Holly, whose struggle to don several hats all the while questioning her own individuality is the central theme of the book. It is an amalgamation of sweet and hilarious moments that make the story all the more relatable. Holly is perfect in her own imperfect way. Having moved to a new place and taking on the role of a school mom is a constant struggle and adventure for her. The book comes with a strong message of how women are expected to give up on their aspirations to be "good wives and mothers" while the men don't even have to flinch after marriage and continue with their earlier lives. Holly is trying to be the best mother while keeping up with the perspectives of the people of the town but her struggles are too real. Overall, it was a fun book. Looking forward to reading the sequel.
December 1, 2019
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ / 5
Holly Banks Full of Angst by Julie Valerie is a debut novel that I had so much fun reading! Valerie has a very unique writing style and while sometimes it was a little confusing, I loved that it was different from everything I have been reading lately, and it was a nice departure from thrillers!
Holly Banks Full of Angst is book one in the Village of Primm series, and what a great start it was. Holly Banks is such a funny character and even though I don't have kids, I can imagine that a lot of the pressures she was feeling were very real. Honestly I could picture myself as her, taking my kid to the first day of kindergarten in pajamas only to rear end a bus and spend HOURS at the school. I think a lot of women will find this book very relatable, and maybe not everything is believable (see chasing the president of the PTA across school grounds and spewing chewed up cookies at her), but I love the antics of the characters.
Holly Banks Full of Angst touched on career, the difficulty of moving to a new area, kids, and the pressure to conform and be 'Pinterest worthy' among other things, and I was actually pleasantly surprised at the depth I got from the book. It was also super lighthearted though and there are plenty of moments that had me laughing. Plus it was a pretty quick read, and there was a lot going on which was really nice because that meant I didn't want to put it down.
Song/s the book brought to mind: Secrets by Mary Lambert
Final Thought: I have been seeing reviews call Holly Banks Full of Angst satire and I would have to agree. If you have ever felt pressure to be the perfect mom, or even if you aren't a mom and want something to read between heavier books then I highly recommend this one! It was a very well-done debut, and I already can't wait to read the next book in this series!
Thank you to the publisher for my advanced review copy via NetGalley. All opinions and thoughts are my own.
Holly Banks Full of Angst by Julie Valerie is a debut novel that I had so much fun reading! Valerie has a very unique writing style and while sometimes it was a little confusing, I loved that it was different from everything I have been reading lately, and it was a nice departure from thrillers!
Holly Banks Full of Angst is book one in the Village of Primm series, and what a great start it was. Holly Banks is such a funny character and even though I don't have kids, I can imagine that a lot of the pressures she was feeling were very real. Honestly I could picture myself as her, taking my kid to the first day of kindergarten in pajamas only to rear end a bus and spend HOURS at the school. I think a lot of women will find this book very relatable, and maybe not everything is believable (see chasing the president of the PTA across school grounds and spewing chewed up cookies at her), but I love the antics of the characters.
Holly Banks Full of Angst touched on career, the difficulty of moving to a new area, kids, and the pressure to conform and be 'Pinterest worthy' among other things, and I was actually pleasantly surprised at the depth I got from the book. It was also super lighthearted though and there are plenty of moments that had me laughing. Plus it was a pretty quick read, and there was a lot going on which was really nice because that meant I didn't want to put it down.
Song/s the book brought to mind: Secrets by Mary Lambert
Final Thought: I have been seeing reviews call Holly Banks Full of Angst satire and I would have to agree. If you have ever felt pressure to be the perfect mom, or even if you aren't a mom and want something to read between heavier books then I highly recommend this one! It was a very well-done debut, and I already can't wait to read the next book in this series!
Thank you to the publisher for my advanced review copy via NetGalley. All opinions and thoughts are my own.
December 7, 2019
One Star. I wanted to like this book. It was supposed to be a funny and light-hearted story about an overstressed, struggling mom whose daughter just started kindergarten in a "Stepford Wives" community, but it was just over the top and stupid. I forced myself to finish the book. I wanted to punch all of the main characters in the throat - Holly Banks, her husband, her mother, Mary-Margaret PTA Asshole President, and Plume, some peahen mascot BUSH? of Primm.
Strange, tried too hard to be funny and it was overthe top stooooooooopid. Thankfully it was a free choice from amazon.
Strange, tried too hard to be funny and it was overthe top stooooooooopid. Thankfully it was a free choice from amazon.
November 21, 2019
Holly Banks Full of Angst is a charmingly hilarious story that highlights the craziness that life becomes when juggling marriage, kids, and over the top PTAs.
Holly Banks and her husband moved to the idyllic and utterly pretentious Village of Primm. If you’ve ever seen Stepford Wives, it’s definitely Stepford. Their five year old daughter Ella is just starting kindergarten, and if being new to town isn’t bad enough, Holly is crumbling under the pressure of being a Primm school mom.
While I may not have kids, I still found this book incredibly relatable and accurate when it comes to societal expectations. Holly is that type of mom that is normal. She is not a world class baker or a DIY phenomenon. She constantly feels inadequate, overworked, and under appreciated. However, she is a fantastic mother that has a great sense of humor and is full of grit. Holly is a reminder that life doesn’t have to be picture perfect; rather, it’s our loved ones that makes it perfect.
Now, I said that this book is like Stepford Wives and that’s because of Mary-Margaret St. James. She’s the head mom and in charge of the PTA. Imagine Regina George of Mean Girls growing up to be a mother and in charge and you’d pretty much have Mary-Margaret. This woman is the ultimate power trip. Her mentality is that if you aren’t making everything from scratch, have the perfect yard, and sewing all of your children’s costumes then you don’t belong in Primm. I don’t know how Holly didn’t kick the woman in her teeth.
Overall, this is a fun, light-hearted read that reminds us that none of us are perfect and we aren’t alone in feeling that way. Life is about enjoying time with your loved ones and Keeping up with the Joneses so to speak…just isn’t worth it.
Thank you to the author and NetGalley for providing an eARC. This did not influence my review. All opinions are my own.
Holly Banks and her husband moved to the idyllic and utterly pretentious Village of Primm. If you’ve ever seen Stepford Wives, it’s definitely Stepford. Their five year old daughter Ella is just starting kindergarten, and if being new to town isn’t bad enough, Holly is crumbling under the pressure of being a Primm school mom.
While I may not have kids, I still found this book incredibly relatable and accurate when it comes to societal expectations. Holly is that type of mom that is normal. She is not a world class baker or a DIY phenomenon. She constantly feels inadequate, overworked, and under appreciated. However, she is a fantastic mother that has a great sense of humor and is full of grit. Holly is a reminder that life doesn’t have to be picture perfect; rather, it’s our loved ones that makes it perfect.
Now, I said that this book is like Stepford Wives and that’s because of Mary-Margaret St. James. She’s the head mom and in charge of the PTA. Imagine Regina George of Mean Girls growing up to be a mother and in charge and you’d pretty much have Mary-Margaret. This woman is the ultimate power trip. Her mentality is that if you aren’t making everything from scratch, have the perfect yard, and sewing all of your children’s costumes then you don’t belong in Primm. I don’t know how Holly didn’t kick the woman in her teeth.
Overall, this is a fun, light-hearted read that reminds us that none of us are perfect and we aren’t alone in feeling that way. Life is about enjoying time with your loved ones and Keeping up with the Joneses so to speak…just isn’t worth it.
Thank you to the author and NetGalley for providing an eARC. This did not influence my review. All opinions are my own.
November 27, 2019
I normally don't 1 star books (on the if you don't have anything nice to say theory). However, I wanted to pinpoint exactly what I didn't like about this book. I was at an author's talk once and the moderator described how she loved "competency porn," which is to say that heroines who knew what they were doing, in at least one area of their lives, made for good reading. (I believe it was Sarah Wendell of Smart B*tches, Trashy Books.) And done right, which is extremely hard, the hapless heroine can be endearing; I'm looking at you Brigid Jones (although I note that she was more together than she gave herself credit for, that was part of the joke). But this book. The heroine, Holly Banks, appears to have no redeeming qualities. She has exactly zero of her sh*t together. She can't unpack, she can't get her one child off to kindergarten, she can't say no to her leach of a mother, she gets overly sentimental about the most ridiculous of things, and she appears to be bringing nothing to the table. How am I supposed to root for her? And it's clear I, the reader, am supposed to like this character. Thank you, but no.
December 30, 2019
One Half Star
Free for a book is pretty good, right? Kindle Unlimited, Kindle First Reads, ARC's, Library books, etc.
Some times these freebies are just the best books, sometimes they are pretty good but they have issues which you can overlook. This book just made me want to tear my eyeballs out and then get drunk.
This was the most stomach roiling, un-witty, un-funny book I have ever tried to read.
The kid was a brat, the mother was a wimp, the PTA President was...I don't even know what to call her without swearing, and the husband was a piece of poop.
Mind you I only got through one-quarter of the book before I gave up. I'm thinking the fans that loved this book might have been paid off LOL! (just kidding...maybe) Actually, to each his own.
I could have given it no stars but I decided on the half star because it was free.
Free for a book is pretty good, right? Kindle Unlimited, Kindle First Reads, ARC's, Library books, etc.
Some times these freebies are just the best books, sometimes they are pretty good but they have issues which you can overlook. This book just made me want to tear my eyeballs out and then get drunk.
This was the most stomach roiling, un-witty, un-funny book I have ever tried to read.
The kid was a brat, the mother was a wimp, the PTA President was...I don't even know what to call her without swearing, and the husband was a piece of poop.
Mind you I only got through one-quarter of the book before I gave up. I'm thinking the fans that loved this book might have been paid off LOL! (just kidding...maybe) Actually, to each his own.
I could have given it no stars but I decided on the half star because it was free.
December 27, 2019
This one just wasn't for me.
The plot sounded full of really good ideas, but something didn't work for me.
I couldn't relate to or become invested in it and had to force myself to finish it.
The plot sounded full of really good ideas, but something didn't work for me.
I couldn't relate to or become invested in it and had to force myself to finish it.
October 8, 2019
“Apple pies are too easy for this town,” Greta said. “If it was easy— it wouldn’t be Primm.”
What was the last book you read that made you laugh out loud? Well, Holly Banks Full of Angst by Julie Valerie was just that read for me! Holly Banks and her family have just moved to the community of Primm, with its prime real estate and highly sought-after school system. During her 5 year old’s first week of Kindergarten, Holly faces a multitude of mishaps: she can’t seem to get her daughter to the bus on time, her parenting skills are called into question by her cable guy, she suspects her husband of having an affair, and she faces off numerous times with overbearing mom, Mary-Margaret St. James (the PTA version of Regina George from Mean Girls). Holly just wants to be the best mom she can be without losing her sanity. Can she keep it all together? Or will the move to Primm push her over the edge?
I’m almost 100% positive that Holly and I would be fast friends in real life. There were so many of her inner monologue moments that I know I’ve had before. I loved her sass, her sense of humor, and her tenacity. And the sweet relationship she had with her daughter was so heartwarming
Make sure you check this one out when it hits shelves December 1st!
Thank you so much to NetGalley, Lake Union Publishing, and Julie Valerie for a digital ARC in exchange for my honest review!
What was the last book you read that made you laugh out loud? Well, Holly Banks Full of Angst by Julie Valerie was just that read for me! Holly Banks and her family have just moved to the community of Primm, with its prime real estate and highly sought-after school system. During her 5 year old’s first week of Kindergarten, Holly faces a multitude of mishaps: she can’t seem to get her daughter to the bus on time, her parenting skills are called into question by her cable guy, she suspects her husband of having an affair, and she faces off numerous times with overbearing mom, Mary-Margaret St. James (the PTA version of Regina George from Mean Girls). Holly just wants to be the best mom she can be without losing her sanity. Can she keep it all together? Or will the move to Primm push her over the edge?
I’m almost 100% positive that Holly and I would be fast friends in real life. There were so many of her inner monologue moments that I know I’ve had before. I loved her sass, her sense of humor, and her tenacity. And the sweet relationship she had with her daughter was so heartwarming
Make sure you check this one out when it hits shelves December 1st!
Thank you so much to NetGalley, Lake Union Publishing, and Julie Valerie for a digital ARC in exchange for my honest review!
March 19, 2019
I was lucky enough to receive an ARC of this book and I could not put it down. I loved the time I spent with Holly Banks in the Stars Hollow-esque Village of Primm—an eerily immaculate town with unwritten but unbendable rules and fast-talking caricatures of people we all know in real life. Holly is the perfect heroine: flawed, impulsive and self-deprecating, but also deeply relatable, lovable, and hilarious. This book was pure fun (but I cried a little).
November 4, 2019
This book was my selection for November Amazon First Reads. It was supposed to be ”funny,” even hilarious, said some. For my taste, the story is tedious and meaningless, or it's simply not my kind of reading material. In either case, it was the wrong choice for me.
September 30, 2021
Some amusing moments, but this book had ME in angst while reading it. Next please - I'll take some escapism over stories rehashing the stresses of modern life... ha ha ha
October 21, 2019
Thank you Julie Valerie and Netgalley for the advanced copy.
OK, I don't even know where to start with this review! It was hilarious and is a must read for any mom striving to keep up with those other perfect PTA moms (you know who they are). I found myself snort laughing so often because not only was the book funny, but I could relate to Holly Banks in so many ways.
Holly moves to a new neighborhood, the Village of Primm, which I pictured as one of those picture perfect wealthy communities in Connecticut or the suburbs of NYC. Where the moms wear designer workout clothes, drive designer SUVS, have perfectly perfect houses and kids and husbands. So anyway, Holly moves in and her daughter immediately starts kindergarten...so Holly is thrown into the world of...PTA moms. Specifically Mary-Margaret St. James, who I wanted to throat punch approximately 394873985723045720 times before the end of the book. She was an AWESOMELY awful character, stereotypical crazy ass PTA president. Loved it.
Anyway, Holly has to navigate a new town, a new lifestyle, a new school, and is quite the hot mess doing so. I will definitely recommend this book to anyone wanting a good laugh! The best part is that I could totally see this happening in real life...that's how nuts some people can be!
OK, I don't even know where to start with this review! It was hilarious and is a must read for any mom striving to keep up with those other perfect PTA moms (you know who they are). I found myself snort laughing so often because not only was the book funny, but I could relate to Holly Banks in so many ways.
Holly moves to a new neighborhood, the Village of Primm, which I pictured as one of those picture perfect wealthy communities in Connecticut or the suburbs of NYC. Where the moms wear designer workout clothes, drive designer SUVS, have perfectly perfect houses and kids and husbands. So anyway, Holly moves in and her daughter immediately starts kindergarten...so Holly is thrown into the world of...PTA moms. Specifically Mary-Margaret St. James, who I wanted to throat punch approximately 394873985723045720 times before the end of the book. She was an AWESOMELY awful character, stereotypical crazy ass PTA president. Loved it.
Anyway, Holly has to navigate a new town, a new lifestyle, a new school, and is quite the hot mess doing so. I will definitely recommend this book to anyone wanting a good laugh! The best part is that I could totally see this happening in real life...that's how nuts some people can be!
October 9, 2019
A big thank you to @julievalerieauthor @netgalley and @lakeunionauthors for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of this novel!
Holly Banks Full of Angst will hit bookstores on December 1, 2019
Holly Banks is ready to settle in to her new home in the quaint Village of Prim .
Everything is so perfect in Prim! Beautiful homes, Pintrest worthy porches and scrapbooking, pie making, PTA Moms.
Holly on the other hand is stressed out with unpacking, getting her daughter ready for Kindergarten, keeping up with her mother’s gambling antics… oh yea and wondering if her husband is having an affair. Holly’s adventures as she tries to fit into her new community get more and more hilarious and outrageous. I really enjoyed Holly’s inner monologues. She’s quirky and relatable and I often found myself giggling and laughing out loud.
A sweet, funny, lighthearted read! 3.5 Stars
I’ll look forward to the next book in the Village of Primm series!
Holly Banks Full of Angst will hit bookstores on December 1, 2019
Holly Banks is ready to settle in to her new home in the quaint Village of Prim .
Everything is so perfect in Prim! Beautiful homes, Pintrest worthy porches and scrapbooking, pie making, PTA Moms.
Holly on the other hand is stressed out with unpacking, getting her daughter ready for Kindergarten, keeping up with her mother’s gambling antics… oh yea and wondering if her husband is having an affair. Holly’s adventures as she tries to fit into her new community get more and more hilarious and outrageous. I really enjoyed Holly’s inner monologues. She’s quirky and relatable and I often found myself giggling and laughing out loud.
A sweet, funny, lighthearted read! 3.5 Stars
I’ll look forward to the next book in the Village of Primm series!
October 14, 2019
First, I want to thank @netgalley and Julie for the digital copy of this book! I absolutely adored this book and as a mom with anxiety this spoke to me on a level that so many women hide, moms are mean and you’re always being judged. I loved how the ending turned out because once you let go and start being yourself you see we are all in this together just trying to do our best for our kids without losing ourselves. I hope there’s more to come and thank you again for a wonderful story of real life! Forever on Holly’s side!
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