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Don't Make Me Turn This Life Around Kindle Edition

4.2 out of 5 stars 2,101 ratings

A witty and unexpected novel about a woman trying to keep her family vacation—and yes, her life—from going south by the Amazon Charts bestselling author of Life and Other Near-Death Experiences.

It’s been thirteen years since doctors declared Libby Ross-Velasquez a goner. Yet here she is—cancer free. So why doesn’t she feel more alive?

Sure, Libby’s husband, Shiloh, has been distant. One of their daughters has a serious health condition. And her father’s death hovers over Libby like a rain cloud. Still, this eternal optimist knows she’s the winner of the existential lottery.

But when her forced cheer isn’t enough to keep her family from catching her blahs, she decides to fly them all to Vieques. The Puerto Rican island is where she and Shiloh fell in love—and where she decided to fight for her life after her cancer diagnosis. Where better to put their problems into perspective?

Then a tropical storm strikes. Libby pretends everything’s fine, even as she fears she’s doomed her family. What she can’t see is that the worst disaster they’ve faced may be the best thing that ever happened to them. But first, they have to get through it.

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Editorial Reviews

Review

“Pagán combines realistic midlife concerns with likable characters, showing that perfection is an illusion and that it’s the difficult times that truly bring us together. Fans of Maddie Dawson and Allison Winn Scotch will enjoy vacationing with the Ross-Velasquez crew.” Booklist

“Pagán delivers a relatable motherhood journey and all of the struggles that middle age bring to us. Bigger than that are the beautiful reminders of the importance of family, especially in times of struggle, that we really need right now.” MomAdvice

“A funny yet oh-so-relatable narrative.” POPSUGAR

“The Amazon charts bestselling author Camille Pagán writes with depth and soul about what makes a family whole.” Good Morning America

“An impressively crafted and deftly written novel, Don’t Make Me Turn This Life Around by author Camille Pagán is an inherently compelling read from first page to last. With having a special appeal to readers who appreciate humor and family dynamics.” —Midwest Book Review

“A powerful story of family and hope—have tissues at the ready!” Woman’s World

“With her trademark wit and charm, Camille Pagán invites us back into the lives of Libby and Shiloh thirteen years after we first met them in Life and Other Near-Death Experiences. Don’t Make Me Turn This Life Around is rich, raw, and real, a new favorite…Readers like me can’t help coming back for more of Pagán’s gorgeously written stories. I loved it!” —Kerry Lonsdale, Wall Street Journal and Washington Post bestselling author

“Oh my goodness! Camille Pagán has achieved such an exquisite, delicate balance, writing a profoundly moving novel that expresses both the beauty and heartbreak of loving other people. Don’t Make Me Turn This Life Around is everything: funny and warm and scary and sad and reassuring—just like real life. I read this in one sitting because I simply couldn’t stop.” —Maddie Dawson, bestselling author of Matchmaking for Beginners and A Happy Catastrophe

“Camille Pagán’s latest page-turner brilliantly captures the nuances of marriage and family while tackling the tough challenges along the way. Libby is every wife and mother, and when life throws her a curveball, she finds the courage to keep moving…and keep believing. With wit and wisdom, Don’t Make Me Turn This Life Around will have you laughing and crying along with these perfectly flawed characters and asking yourself, What does it mean to have enough?” —Rochelle Weinstein, bestselling author of This Is Not How It Ends

“Pagán masterfully guides us on a stormy journey through a morass of middle-age malaise and deposits us on the other side with charm, humor, truth, and a few lessons about the power of love and unbreakable family ties.” —Andy Abramowitz, author of A Beginner’s Guide to Free Fall

“Camille Pagán pens another hit with the compulsively readable Don’t Make Me Turn This Life Around. I trust Pagán’s storytelling, and in her latest, she masterfully guides us through a woman’s journey through real ups and downs in marriage and motherhood.” —Tif Marcelo, author of Once Upon a Sunset

“Camille Pagán once again gives us a heartfelt and relatable story about a woman on the edge. This time, Libby knows she should be feeling euphoric about beating cancer for good—and instead she finds the limits of her unrelenting optimism. She can’t stop her tween daughters from arguing, make her work more fulfilling, or insulate her marriage from the pressures of middle-age. Don’t Make Me Turn This Life Around is a lovely novel about banishing ‘shoulds’ and welcoming the adventures and inevitable pain of growing just a little bit older.” —Kathleen West, author of Minor Dramas & Other Catastrophes

Don’t Make Me Turn This Life Around is a delightful blend of humor and tension. Poignant, layered, and achingly real, we’re treated to a true-to-life protagonist we can both laugh and cry with as she navigate the anxieties of marriage and motherhood as middle age approaches. I devoured this charming, not-to-be-missed novel in a single sitting, and found myself hating to say goodbye to characters that had started to feel like friends.” —Barbara Davis, bestselling author of The Last of the Moon Girls

About the Author

Camille Pagán is the #1 Amazon Charts and Washington Post bestselling author of seven novels, including This Won’t End Well, I’m Fine and Neither Are You, and Life and Other Near-Death Experiences, which has been optioned for film. Her books have been translated into nearly two dozen languages. Pagán has written for the New York Times; O, The Oprah Magazine; Parade; Real Simple; Time; and many other publications. She lives with her family in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Learn more about her work at www.camillepagan.com.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B08JLXV8SD
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Lake Union Publishing (May 11, 2021)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ May 11, 2021
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 2.1 MB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 255 pages
  • Page numbers source ISBN ‏ : ‎ 1542026474
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.2 out of 5 stars 2,101 ratings

About the author

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Camille Pagán
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Camille Pagán writes about love, relationships, and life's what-ifs. She’s the #1 Amazon Charts and Washington Post bestselling author of ten books, including Good for You, I’m Fine and Neither Are You, and Life and Other Near-Death Experiences, which has been optioned for film. Her work has appeared in The New York Times, O: The Oprah Magazine, Real Simple, Time, and many others.

When Camille's not working on her next story, you'll find her with her family, at the beach with a book, or talking shop with other writers. Be the first to hear about her new novels by visiting www.camillepagan.com/subscribe.

Customer reviews

4.2 out of 5 stars
2,101 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find this book heartwarming, with one review noting it's full of lessons about life and love. The writing style is smooth and relatable, and customers appreciate the humor that makes them laugh and cry. Moreover, the book is fast-paced and makes for a wonderful summer read, with one customer highlighting how it explores family connections and love. Additionally, customers praise the character development, with one review mentioning the main character's experience with cancer.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

64 customers mention "Heartwarming story"54 positive10 negative

Customers find this book heartwarming, with one customer noting it's a wonderful book on both love and loss, while another mentions it's a life-affirming adventure.

"An OK read, not great but a nice mindless break from more intense and detailed things I’d been reading, especially since I’d already met the main..." Read more

"...There are many more examples I could give you of characters and paralleling storyline...." Read more

"What a wonderful couple of books! They made me LOL and cry, just as life itself. These were the first books I read by this author and am now hooked...." Read more

"...I recommend this deeply engagement, even suspenseful, new novel. FIVE STARS ALL THE WAY." Read more

53 customers mention "Readability"53 positive0 negative

Customers find the book wonderful and captivating, describing it as a great summer read.

"...A wonderful novel, most of which I listened to over a single day. The narrator(s) did a great job, bringing each character to life really well...." Read more

"...I listened to the audio version narrated by Amy McFadden. The performance was well done and easy to listen to with the emotional tension and voice..." Read more

"...Death Experiences" years ago and find this to one of the best sequels in a long time but it could completely be read as a stand alone...." Read more

"An OK read, not great but a nice mindless break from more intense and detailed things I’d been reading, especially since I’d already met the main..." Read more

35 customers mention "Writing style"35 positive0 negative

Customers praise the writing style of the book, finding it well-crafted and relatable, with one customer noting how the dialogue drives the story forward.

"...The performance was well done and easy to listen to with the emotional tension and voice variations." Read more

"...For as deep as it gets in some places, it is still as easy as a beach book to read...." Read more

"...This one can be read totally on its own or with that one. Now on to my review… This book was SO DEPRESSING...." Read more

"I loved seeing how Libby’s life continued after the first book. It was real - and I love that...." Read more

23 customers mention "Character development"23 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the character development in the book, with one customer noting how it explores the depths of emotions, and another mentioning the main character's experience with cancer.

"...The narrator(s) did a great job, bringing each character to life really well. The characters are all great, from Libby to Pedro...." Read more

"...Libby is such a compelling character, they all are really, that she feels like someone I know and she has such a refreshingly real take on the good..." Read more

"...What a beautiful story and unforgettable characters. It’s as if they became my friends and now miss them. Well done." Read more

"...It was intensely introspective, exploring the depths of the characters emotions." Read more

9 customers mention "Humor"9 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the humor in the book, with some mentioning it made them laugh and cry.

"...Milagros is my favorite; funny, wise and active for her advanced years. She and Hector are so sweet together...." Read more

"I love Camille's sense of humor, she takes on some pretty heavy material and helps to put into a positive outlook without feeling trite or preachy...." Read more

"...Camille Pagán’s latest “Don’t Make Me Turn This Life Around” is hilarious and heart wrenching, hopeful and honest...." Read more

"...Her sense of humor and quick wit is evidenced in all of them and I highly recommend her books. I eagerly await her next one!!" Read more

8 customers mention "Pacing"8 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the book's pacing, finding it fast-paced, with one customer noting its quick wit and another mentioning the gorgeous black sand beach setting.

"Don’t Make Me Turn this Life Around by Camille Pagan Chick lit...." Read more

"...I loved that it moved so fast I feel like I didn't have time to guess what was on the next page and I loved even more that it was fresh enough..." Read more

"...If you’re looking for a fast-paced, beautifully written, heartwarming story with an uplifting message and characters that feel like friends, this is..." Read more

"...You will feel like you are there on the gorgeous black sand beach, Mosquito Bay, and her friend , Milagros, home...." Read more

8 customers mention "Sweetness"8 positive0 negative

Customers find the book sweet, with one mentioning that Hector and his partner are endearing together, and another appreciating the catchy title.

"...She and Hector are so sweet together. I love that Paul sucked up his fear and went to rescue his sister. Wonder Twin powers, right?..." Read more

"...It was sweet, and scary, and just the right amount of sorrow to make me realize all the things life throws our way isn't always bad...." Read more

"Lovely, lovelly novel covering the details of life on the wrong track but heading toward the right cross over to correction...." Read more

"Cute catchy book title made me want to read this book. The authors writing style read smoothly . Story was good but somewhat predictable...." Read more

6 customers mention "Message"6 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the book's message about family connections and love, with one customer noting how it offers sage advice and makes readers feel understood.

"...This novel explores family connections and love. It covers loss and determination to fight...." Read more

"...I find her stories very comforting. They are like a good friend, offering sage advice with a heavy dose of compassion...." Read more

"...Me Turn This Life Around is one of those books that makes you feel incredibly understood...." Read more

"This was a refreshingly unpredictable book. The author tackles family issues and deftly takes the reader on a journey with unpredictable twists and..." Read more

Rather depressing but has a nice message
3 out of 5 stars
Rather depressing but has a nice message
Don’t Make Me Turn this Life Around is the first book I’ve read from author Camille Pagan. Apparently and earlier novel she wrote (Life and Other Near-Death Experiences) is a companion novel to this one as it features the heroine prior to marriage and kids. I didn’t know this, so I hadn’t read it before reading this one, but it did NOT ruin the experience for me. This one can be read totally on its own or with that one. Now on to my review… This book was SO DEPRESSING. The story deals with issues like cancer, children’s diabetes, loss of a parent, divorce, marriage issues, and even natural disasters. I went into it thinking it would be a lighthearted novel about beating cancer and taking a vacation with the family to celebrate (with mishaps and all the funny moments) but it wasn’t this at all. Don’t get me wrong, I love the message this one sends (hope, living for today etc.) but because I wasn’t expecting what this book IS I didn’t love it as much as I could have. I think it’s important that authors and publishers are really careful when describing a book because it can make or break the ratings! So, would I recommend this one? Yes. I mean, I liked it for what I was and read it in a day, but I didn’t love because it made me feel so down. I wish I had known that going into it as I probably would have waited to read it when I was in the mood for it. 𝗠𝗬 𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚: ⭐⭐⭐
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Top reviews from the United States

  • Reviewed in the United States on July 9, 2024
    Told from Libby's POV, this novel gives a no-holds-barred look into her life. She's a survivor, and decided long ago to be grateful even when things are obviously not going well. As she navigates her sexless marriage with Shiloh while keeping her twin tweens Isa and Charlotte from murdering each other, she stuffs her negative feelings deep inside. An unhealthy practice which almost costs her everyone she holds dear when she insists on taking a family vacation and they get stuck due to a dangerous weather system.

    Life gets real quickly when the power dies and her family must pull together to ensure their survival. Her first world problems don't seem so bad when she discovers the island never fully recovered from a prior storm and doesn't have the infrastructure to support the people's needs. No generator or hospital could be a death sentence for Charlotte, a diabetic. One more thing for her to deal with after losing her last parent, her beloved father, who raised her and her twin Paul. She'll dig deep for her courage as she fights to send her family to safety, taking comfort in the presence of a scrappy stray dog named Pedro. Sometimes we just need someone to listen to work through the mess in our heads. Given the time to gain clarity, Libby realizes the cause of her inner hurt and takes the steps to overcome it, learning to acknowledge the bad things and not gloss over them in the guise of eternal gratefulness. Sometimes you gotta let it out and make it hurt.

    A wonderful novel, most of which I listened to over a single day. The narrator(s) did a great job, bringing each character to life really well. The characters are all great, from Libby to Pedro. Milagros is my favorite; funny, wise and active for her advanced years. She and Hector are so sweet together. I love that Paul sucked up his fear and went to rescue his sister. Wonder Twin powers, right? Isa and Charlotte step up admirably, for each other and for Milagros, when crisis hits. Libby and Shiloh should be proud.
  • Reviewed in the United States on June 1, 2021
    Don’t Make Me Turn this Life Around by Camille Pagan
    Chick lit.
    Libby Velasquez has received her 10 year free from cancer diagnosis but before she can share the news with her family, there are many other life issues that she needs to deal with. A family vacation may be just the thing they all need.

    The title made me think it would be more a humorous outlook but it was more a life story on learning to deal with death. At one point Libby is asked if she might be depressed which she empathetically denies. Yet she later admits to secretly crying everyday.
    Ah, folks, that’s one of the signs of depression. Don’t feel ashamed to talk to your doctor if you can’t seem to move beyond a death or feel like you need to hide your everyday crying.

    In the whole, it was a woman’s story of surviving life and learning to live to the fullest.
    Anxious and worrying through most but an uplifting message at the end.

    I listened to the audio version narrated by Amy McFadden. The performance was well done and easy to listen to with the emotional tension and voice variations.
    5 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on June 6, 2021
    I did less reading throughout the pandemic than I did before it , ironically, and this was the book that got me back to reading and wanting to read more. It seemed like everything I picked up was too much or too little but this is one of those priceless "just right" novels that I didn't want to set down until I was done and also didn't want it to end. (Maybe don't start it on a work night, just saying...) I read "Life and Other Near Death Experiences" years ago and find this to one of the best sequels in a long time but it could completely be read as a stand alone. Libby is such a compelling character, they all are really, that she feels like someone I know and she has such a refreshingly real take on the good and bad that comes her way and it comes through in lines like, "coasting is just quitting in slow motion" - so true (but no more spoilers even though I want to quote all the lines I loved)! There are plenty of laugh out loud parts too. For as deep as it gets in some places, it is still as easy as a beach book to read. That said, don't take it on a beach vacay if you're prone to anxiety :). I loved that it moved so fast I feel like I didn't have time to guess what was on the next page and I loved even more that it was fresh enough that my guesses would have been wrong. I seriously hope the author reads this review and that she writes book three because I cannot wait to find out what happens "next" even though the ending was really high on my favorites list!
  • Reviewed in the United States on June 21, 2021
    Don’t Make Me Turn this Life Around is the first book I’ve read from author Camille Pagan. Apparently and earlier novel she wrote (Life and Other Near-Death Experiences) is a companion novel to this one as it features the heroine prior to marriage and kids. I didn’t know this, so I hadn’t read it before reading this one, but it did NOT ruin the experience for me. This one can be read totally on its own or with that one. Now on to my review…

    This book was SO DEPRESSING. The story deals with issues like cancer, children’s diabetes, loss of a parent, divorce, marriage issues, and even natural disasters. I went into it thinking it would be a lighthearted novel about beating cancer and taking a vacation with the family to celebrate (with mishaps and all the funny moments) but it wasn’t this at all. Don’t get me wrong, I love the message this one sends (hope, living for today etc.) but because I wasn’t expecting what this book IS I didn’t love it as much as I could have. I think it’s important that authors and publishers are really careful when describing a book because it can make or break the ratings!

    So, would I recommend this one? Yes. I mean, I liked it for what I was and read it in a day, but I didn’t love because it made me feel so down. I wish I had known that going into it as I probably would have waited to read it when I was in the mood for it.

    𝗠𝗬 𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚: ⭐⭐⭐
    Customer image
    3.0 out of 5 stars
    Rather depressing but has a nice message

    Reviewed in the United States on June 21, 2021
    Don’t Make Me Turn this Life Around is the first book I’ve read from author Camille Pagan. Apparently and earlier novel she wrote (Life and Other Near-Death Experiences) is a companion novel to this one as it features the heroine prior to marriage and kids. I didn’t know this, so I hadn’t read it before reading this one, but it did NOT ruin the experience for me. This one can be read totally on its own or with that one. Now on to my review…

    This book was SO DEPRESSING. The story deals with issues like cancer, children’s diabetes, loss of a parent, divorce, marriage issues, and even natural disasters. I went into it thinking it would be a lighthearted novel about beating cancer and taking a vacation with the family to celebrate (with mishaps and all the funny moments) but it wasn’t this at all. Don’t get me wrong, I love the message this one sends (hope, living for today etc.) but because I wasn’t expecting what this book IS I didn’t love it as much as I could have. I think it’s important that authors and publishers are really careful when describing a book because it can make or break the ratings!

    So, would I recommend this one? Yes. I mean, I liked it for what I was and read it in a day, but I didn’t love because it made me feel so down. I wish I had known that going into it as I probably would have waited to read it when I was in the mood for it.

    𝗠𝗬 𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚: ⭐⭐⭐
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    Customer image
    14 people found this helpful
    Report

Top reviews from other countries

  • Kate P
    5.0 out of 5 stars Fab
    Reviewed in Australia on May 13, 2023
    Great follow up book to Life and other near death experiences. As usual a real perspective shifter and crazy ride.
  • jonesy7
    2.0 out of 5 stars Boring and cringe
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 22, 2021
    I read the first book and loved it so couldn’t wait to read the 2nd book to see what happens next...

    Very disappointed! Libby played on my nerves... the way her and her brother communicate is cringe and do any 40+ people talk like that? That’s without her “issues” with her husband in the bedroom

    Way too wordy... conversations cliche and not necessarily and (spoiler alert) way too heavy on the cancer storyline... along with the diabetic daughter and being trapped on an island in a hurricane... surely she has to be cursed!!

    It seems like this books ending was left open fir a 3rd... but I wouldn’t bother.
  • Amazon Customer
    4.0 out of 5 stars Another good read
    Reviewed in Australia on September 19, 2021
    I love all Camille Pagan’s books. I simply buy them when there’s a new one without worrying what it’s about. I know it’ll be good. She has a knack for her books all being different. I didn’t particularly like the main character in this one but she had a good arc and there was great development. Definitely worth a read.

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