Blog Tour: Almost Adults by Ali Pantony

Author: Ali Pantony Published: June 2019 Pages: 320 Rating: 4 stars

Ever managed to kill a succulent after just a few days?
Got seven reminder letters on the kitchen table because you forgot to pay your council tax?
Become a hot mess who’s falling apart because they’ve been broken up with?

Almost Adults is perfect for anyone who suspects they may not have this whole ‘adulting’ business sussed.

Mackie, Edele, Alex and Nat (aka the MEAN Girls) are four best friends in their late twenties who are trying to navigate the chaotic predicament we call adulthood. Nat has been dumped by her boyfriend of seven years leaving her to feel lost and worthless. Alex is paranoid that her own boyfriend, Craig, is no longer interested and is looking to follow suit. Edele is unemployed, living at home and is coasting on by not sure what path to take. Then finally, on the surface with her morning runs and meal-prep, you would think Mackie has it all figured out. But Mackie, much like myself, is clumsy, socially awkward and desperate to move on to bigger and better things in her career. With their distinct personalities and individual setbacks, I’m certain any reader could identify with one, if not all, of the women.

Each chapter alternates between their personal POVs offering up a wider sense of their quirks and slices of life. From heart-rending breakups to dismal unemployment, the girls are all dealing with their own snags and drawbacks. Nonetheless, that doesn’t prevent them from dropping everything to support one another. My favourite moments were the small heartfelt favours. For instance, Edele spending the last of her money to fill Nat’s fridge with her favourite meals and snacks. Although, something I did find slightly sappy was their declaration of love for one another, maybe that’s just my Edele streak showing. I’d personally rather roast my friends than tell them I love them. That being said, their loyalty was admirable and encapsulated the beauty of female friendship.

Moreover, Pantony covers some hard-hitting topics which any twenty-something can relate to. From therapy to loss of loved ones, she doesn’t sugar-coat any of the girls’ situations. Rather, she presents them at their most insecure, at their most vulnerable while also demonstrating their diligence to overcome their setbacks. There are no miracles, rather, it’s the incredible power of friendship that steers them through. No matter what happens in life, they will always have each other. Interlaced among this, the humour and cultural references made me laugh out loud making it all the more engaging.

Almost Adults is a book many of us can relate to. That awkward stage where we’re expected to have our lives sorted out yet are still clueless when it comes to bleeding radiators or testing smoke alarms. Pantony accurately taps into how difficult and bewildering adulthood can be.

Now, I’m left wanting to meet up with the girls at their local pub and have a glass of wine and a good old goss’. Ali Pantony has painted a beautiful picture of female friendship that made for a truly uplifting, heart-warming read.

Thank you, Ali Pantony, and Ebury Publishing for sending me an advanced copy of Almost Adults in exchange for an honest review!

*Purchase the book here!
Add the book to your Goodreads shelf!

What are your favourite books about friendship?

Be sure to check out other reviews on the blog tour too!

*Amazon Affiliate link