Everything is Fine by Gillian Harvey | Review
Everything is Fine by author Gillian Harvey is exactly what I needed this gloomy 2020 autumn. Harvey’s novel is relatable, funny, and heartfelt, with a twist of irreverence. I was oftentimes reminded of Helen Feilding’s Bridget Jones’ Diary if it had taken place in the 21st century at the height of the social media craze where anything posted has the chance of going viral. It’s just under these circumstances that the main character, Jessica Bradley finds herself stuck in the middle of an online persona and her real life, and while she claims everything is fine, that’s far from the truth.
Jessica’s blog, Fit at 30 began as a chronicle as she attempted to get in shape, then one day a post goes viral and the likes, comments, and followers come pouring in. Owner of a modest PR company, Star PR, Jessica finds the online boost has brought free publicity to her business and with it more clients. Jessica quickly becomes addicted to the online fame and recognition but finds that staying fit isn’t all it’s cracked up to be (as some of us can attest to). Along with this realization, she finds her hunky boyfriend Dave is about as deep as Narcissus’ reflecting pool. But with all the new clients who sought her out for her can-do attitude and dedication to personal improvement, how can she come clean that she’d rather drink coffee instead of green tea, eat cookies instead of seaweed, and watch TV instead of run on a treadmill?
On top of her double life, Jessica’s preteen daughter is struggling but can’t seem to grab her mother’s attention between Instagram photos of dinner, playing up her ambiguous relationship with Dave, and managing her business. The mother-daughter relationship is an aspect of the novel that felt incredibly real. Being a single parent while running a business and juggling extracurriculars seems impossible. Jessica feels like she’s failing. However, that feeling of failure sets good parents apart from the bad; if you feel like everything really is fine with your kids and that you’re nailing it all, you might just be missing something grave. Seeing yourself as a failure is the badge of a good parent because it proves you care.
On top of her parenting woes, Jessica is dealing with her boyfriend (Ex-boyfriend? Fiancé? Well, let’s just say it’s complicated) her offbeat client Hugo dubbed ‘the penis guy’, her hilariously mom who is the queen of backhanded comments (her dialogue is some of the best I’ve ever read), and neglecting her lifelong best friend Bea who calls Jessica on all her crap. In the midst of the chaos, a new client appears, Robert Haydn whose book, Remembering Rainbows focuses on rediscovering the unabashed fun of childhood as an adult. This book, while cheesy on the outside, helps Jessica realize that she’s been taking all the wrong things seriously.
Everything is Fine is a fun, witty read. Jessica is currently one of my favorite characters. The shenanigans she gets into are masterful. Harvey’s comedic timing is top-notch, she keeps the laughs coming, and then when you least expect it, she cranks up the feels with real-life issues. Overall, I highly recommend Everything is Fine.
