'Domesic Violets (P.S)' by Matthew Norman

Official Book Summary (now included - go democracy!):

Tom Violet always thought that by the time he turned thirty-five, he’d have everything going for him. Fame. Fortune. A beautiful wife. A satisfying career as a successful novelist. A happy dog to greet him at the end of the day. 

The reality, though, is far different. He’s got a wife, but their problems are bigger than he can even imagine. And he’s written a novel, but the manuscript he’s slaved over for years is currently hidden in his desk drawer while his father, an actual famous writer, just won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction. His career, such that it is, involves mind-numbing corporate buzzwords, his pretentious archnemesis Gregory, and a hopeless, completely inappropriate crush on his favorite coworker. Oh . . . and his dog, according to the vet, is suffering from acute anxiety.

Tom’s life is crushing his soul, but he’s decided to do something about it. (Really.) Domestic Violets is the brilliant and beguiling story of a man finally taking control of his own happiness—even if it means making a complete idiot of himself along the way.

A title like 'Domestic Violets' is a rare find: timely, pointedly funny, and told from a perspective ringing so close to home I feel like I might have been reading the journal of an old friend. Rich and engaging characters and scenes brimming with such an uncanny realism it begs the question of how much of this is an author's memoir and how much is fiction (a question Matthew Norman actually takes time to address in the afterwards). To think that it's sat on my Kindle unread for so long is an embarrassment.

Bottom Line: This one is perfect for those of us who have ever had a desk job, dreamed to be different, or found ourselves acting like our parent but you might consider steering clear if don't like Jennifer Aniston movies*. 

*For some I couldn't help but picture Tom Violet as Vince Vaughn from 'The Break-Up' and I'd never read anything like this book, hence the best parallel being a silly, kinda sappy, romantic comedy. (Sorry 'bout that) 

Love what you see here? Don't miss the weekly book reviews, monthly reading suggestions and free book title giveaways by subscribing here or by following me on Twitter @TheJessle