No Hard Feelings
- 336 pages
- 12 hours of reading
Hungover, underpaid, and overwhelmed, Penny finds herself in a place she never expected as she nears her late twenties. This sharp, witty exploration of adulting blends humor with a touch of sweetness. Penny's life revolves around validation from emotionally unavailable men, biscuits, and cheap wine. While her friends thrive—Annie is climbing the corporate ladder, Bec is engaged, and Leo is dating—Penny feels stuck, waiting for her on-again, off-again boyfriend Max, a long-promised promotion, and her Valium to kick in. Determined to change her situation, she resolves to make things work with Max, impress her demanding boss, quit her ineffective therapist, and stop panicking in the work toilets. Yet, she soon finds herself back to doomscrolling on Instagram and drowning her sorrows in cheap wine, all while battling self-criticism. As her goals seem increasingly out of reach, Penny grapples with the challenge of discerning what’s truly right for her amidst her bad habits. The narrative captures the essence of self-doubt and the absurdity of striving for happiness in your twenties, balancing humor with poignant reflection.