Holly Banks Full of Angst

(Paperback)

Publishing Details

Classifications

Physical Properties

Description

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 neighbourhood mystery right as her own crazy mother shows up in Primm 'to help.' Through it all, Holly begins to realise her neighbours 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

'You will love the time you spend with Holly Banks in the Stars Hollowesque Village of Primm. Holly is the perfect heroine: flawed, impulsive, and self-deprecating but also deeply relatable, lovable, and hilarious.' Suzy Krause, author of Valencia and Valentine

'Seemingly perfect lives are usually anything but, as the eponymous protagonist of Holly Banks Full of Angst quickly learns. A sharp, witty, and altogether unexpected story about how striving can lead you straight to the end of your rope, Julie Valerie's debut is not to be missed.' Camille Pagn, bestselling author of I'm Fine and Neither Are You

Reviews

There are many novels about women struggling to fit into upper-class communities, but debut author Valerie manages to create a story that feels fresh, with sparkling dialogueA unique and over-the-top look at modern motherhood, full of funny and cringeworthy moments. Kirkus Reviews Valeries witty, rollicking novel is an ode to modern motherhoodA charmingly cautionary tale of the pursuit for domestic perfection. Booklist Debut author Valeries excellent take on modern motherhood illustrates a mothers attempts to keep up with the Joneses. Full of humor, including a bout with one too many detox cookies, an online psychic, and a cat doula, Valerie plays out the drama of being a wife and a mother. Perfect for fans of Laurie Gelmans Class Mom series and the TV show Desperate Housewives. Library Journal Julie Valerie does a great job relaying the anxiety that comes with starting your daughter in kindergarten in a new school and a new town. And she does it with the perfect mix of humor and humility. Laurie Gelman, author of Class Mom and Youve Been Volunteered Seemingly perfect lives are usually anything but, as the eponymous protagonist of Holly Banks Full of Angst quickly learns. A sharp, witty, and altogether unexpected story about how striving can lead you straight to the end of your rope, Julie Valeries debut is not to be missed. Camille Pagn, bestselling author of Im Fine and Neither Are You Holly Banks Full of Angst is a must-read for any mother who sometimes feels inadequateand what mother doesnt With themes of new beginnings, the quest for perfection, motherhood, and marriage, Valerie delivers lessons in hospitality, humanity, and hope, gently reminding us that were all works in progress. If youre looking for a fun escape filled with humor and heart, look no further than Holly Banks Full of Angst. Lori Nelson Spielman, New York Times bestselling author of The Life List You will love the time you spend with Holly Banks in the Stars Hollowesque Village of Primm. Holly is the perfect heroine: flawed, impulsive, and self-deprecating but also deeply relatable, lovable, and hilarious. This book is pure fun (but be prepared to cry a little). Holly Banks Full of Angst is the perfect read for anyone who has ever wanted to stick it to the Pinterest Mom. Suzy Krause, author of Valencia and Valentine With wit, whimsy, and an artful sleight of hand turn of more than a few phrases, Julie Valeries frothy cautionary tale of suburbia on steroids is like a finely crafted cocktail: effervescent but complex, sweet but with just a hint of bitter, and packing a potent punch. Ill have what shes having. Josie Brown, author of Secret Lives of Husbands and Wives and the Totlandia series With astonishing wit, razor-sharp dialogue, and pitch-perfect pacing, Julie Valerie has created a masterpiece about motherhood. Holly Banks Full of Angst is absolutely hilarious yet also deeply poignant, with some of the best lines Ive ever read. Both satire and upmarket womens fiction, this novel will be beloved by readers everywhere. Samantha M. Bailey, author of Woman on the Edge Our plucky heroine, full of quippy asides and enough anxiety to keep us all up ruminating at 3:00 a.m., imagines herself the star of her own movie (because of course she dreams of ditching her SAHM life and fulfilling her long-lost film student aspirations). Personally, I would title her movie Mean Girls for Moms, and youd find me at the premiere, front row center! Lindsey J. Palmer, author of Otherwise Engaged, If We Lived Here, and Pretty in Ink Ever wonder what would happen if Liane Moriarty could channel the late Robin Williams Me, neitheruntil I read this astonishing debut, a modern allegorical marvel. Valerie absolutely skewers Parenting While Privileged, and pulls it off without preaching or condescending, thanks to the irresistible, inimitable heroine, Holly, the (questionably) sane person in the insane (but wholly recognizable) world of Primm. I tore through this inventive, compulsive read, pausing only to catch my breath and wipe my eyes at passages so outrageously hilarious, I could not believe what I was reading. So come for the humor, but stay for the honesty. Valerie imbues the narrative with sincerity, and with truths so bald that, at times, the world fell away around me. Im on my feet and clapping: Brava! Sonja Yoerg, Washington Post bestselling author of True Places A fresh voice in fiction, Julie Valerie hits it out of the park with her debut novel, Holly Banks Full of Angst. Wise and witty, its filled with humor that takes some wildly comical turns at times. Lead character Holly Banks, a newcomer to the idyllic village of Primm, is every mom who feels inadequate because her home isnt Pinterest-worthy and shes a less-than-perfect parenttotally relatable, in other words. Her good heart, which shines through even when shes screwing up, ultimately triumphs over her good-intentions-gone-awry. Love, love, love this novel and cant wait to read the next one by Julie Valerie. Eileen Goudge, New York Times bestselling author

Author Bio

Julie Valerie is the founder of the 85K Writing Challenge and serves on the board of directors of James River Writers. Julie earned an editing certificate from the University of Chicago Graham School and has a masters 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. Holly Banks Full of Angst is her debut novel. Follow Julie Valeries Amazon author page, and be the first to learn of new releases and author updates. Learn more about Julie and subscribe to her newsletter at julievalerie.com. Connect with Julie on Twitter and Pinterest at Julie_Valerie, on Facebook and Instagram at JulieValerieAuthor, and on Goodreads at JulieValerie.