Clover Hendry’s Day Off is a laugh out loud funny and heartwarming tale of one women’s journey to find her voice.

Clover is an assistant producer at a small tv network as well as a wife, sister, daughter, and mother of teenage twins. She is the one who takes care of everything and never says “No.”

One day, after taking some possibly expired medication, she decides it is time to speak up for herself and the fun begins. Starting at work, she begins to express herself in a manner that her colleagues are not expecting. The rest of the day follows with a rabbit rescue, some shoplifting, an encounter with her school skipping daughter and other adventures.

Over the course of one day, Clover learns to put herself first and, in the process, begins to mend her family relationships and finally put the past behind her.
Clover is a relatable and realistic character, and the story is completely engaging. The reader will cheer for Clover. -Jennifer C.

As a huge fan of The Love Story of Missy Carmichael, I was thrilled to receive an ARC of Beth Morrey's newest release.

Clover Hendry's life is not her own. A mother of two teenagers, a wife, a sister, a daughter, and an employee. Clover just cannot seem to keep all the balls in the air. One day thanks to a bad headache, Clover goes out of character and takes some pain meds that her husband has tossed in a jar.

This small decision results in a day like Clover has never had before. The entire story is set in one day of Clover's life and it is a rollercoaster ride.

Was the story outlandish and too crazy to be realistic?
Absolutely.
Did I laugh out loud multiple times while reading?
You bet I did.
Was this a book of escapism?
Definitely.
Could I relate to Clover going off script and going a bit crazy?
I think any overworked, overwhelmed mother, wife, or employee could relate.

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Possible triggers: Parental neglect, parental abandonment

I had really high hopes for this book. The basic premise sounded like a fun romp, which was just the kind of book I was looking for. It certainly starts out as a fun romp, but takes a dark turn towards the end that didn't feel like where it should have went. I enjoyed it, but ended up disappointed.

Clover Hendry is ready to do what she wants and tell everyone what she really thinks of them, at least for one day. Clover is a married mother of two working in the TV industry, and she has had it. She done with being a people pleaser and done being taken advantage of. She takes one day to herself and lets loose, what could possibly go wrong?

“Ferris Bueller’s Day Off”, but our protaganist is a perimenopausal 46 year old woman who needs to say NO to people for once. This book was not the fun romp I thought it was going to be though I did enjoy it very much. I expected more madcap adventures ala “Ferris”, but Clover really gets back at some people that have wronged her in the past. Some of her antics seemed mean spirited and even criminal but I can still see why she would do them. She is just done with the world right now, we would all like to do what she did. I know some readers will have a problem with all the antics that she pulls, but I decide to treat it like a fantasy “what if” read. The one issue I had with the book was the lack of comeuppance Clover received. Sometimes apologies don’t solve everything. Overall I had a pretty good time with this book and would recommend to woman this age in order to live vicariously through Clover, even if just for a day.

Thank you NetGalley and Putnam for my ARC.

(3.5 stars, rounded up)

Content warnings: homophobia, animal cruelty, dysfunctional family, sexual harassment

Let's be honest... I picked up this book because of the bunny on the cover, even though he's looking a little haughty and giving some major side-eye. But I don't recommend you read this book for the rabbit because he only shows up about halfway through the novel. But you should definitely read this novel for Clover.

Clover Hendry has so many irrational fears it's hard to list them all, but she has lived her life beholden to her fears and others' expectations... Until today. She takes potentially-expired medication for a headache and then suffers a minor head injury.

Clover's inhibitions are gone -- she's saying what's on her mind, walking out of her job because meetings are a waste of time, and doing things Clover Hendry would never do. Be prepared to laugh with (at?) Clover as her antics escalate throughout the day, becoming increasingly more wacky.

The grown-up Ferris Bueller entertains as she sticks it to the people who try to ruin her day, but as the novel progresses Clover begins to take a turn into a darker, meaner version of herself. Then all of a sudden, it's not fun anymore. She uses her lack of inhibitions to seek revenge in very public ways, and the reader may stop identifying with Clover when things start getting real.

Outside of the plot, Clover isn't a very good bunny mom so don't emulate her if you want a pet rabbit. Actually, don't emulate her at all if you value your job, your friends, and your freedom. It's funny at first, but you'll be glad you're not Clover by the end.

Recommended for readers who like character-driven novels. There's more than enough plot when you consider that this novel takes place within 24 hours, but Clover's progression and her relationships are the core of the book.

Representation: gay side character

I received an electronic galley copy of this title from the publisher through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Read the review here: https://guenevol.wixsite.com/novelmaven/post/clover-hendry

Thank you Putnam Group for the review copy of Clover Hendry's Day Off; I also had an audiobook copy from the PRH audio influencer program (and the narration was great, I listened to the middle-part on audiobook).

This is a fun read, I appreciate, and celebrate, a book that is about women in midlife, the joys of perimenopause (so relatable), the feelings of being pulled to always touch base with (children, spouse, friends, siblings, parents...the caring up and caring down and being the sandwich generation)... the desire indeed to take a day off, no explanation given (or needed though so many expect women to always give a reason/have a reason... the reason is BECAUSE). I appreciated a slightly edgy dark humor vibe in places, the kind of internal dialogue I can relate to while in the end Clover was often making herself still present to and with others even as she yearned for... a break.

I laughed a few times, was reminded of Bridget Jones chaotic life a bit at times (though this book is also very much it's own thing and not in that style of those books), and felt myself thinking what would my day off end up feeling like. What resonated was the Clover felt constantly reminded/pulled back into her daily life despite planning a break... it does feel that way doesn't it at times?