Review
Stephanie Mack delivers an insightful, entertaining, and nostalgic story with Twenty Something Else. Yours truly is less than a year away from turning 40. And I know I’m not alone when I say I’ve had plenty of “what-if” moments. What if I chose a different career path? I never began a relationship with my now husband? What if I decided to live in another country? So many of us and our minds have wandered down that path. Through main character Sutton, we get to live vicariously through her for the duration of the story.
At first look, Sutton seems to be an average married mom of three, and small business owner. She married her husband, Reid, at a young age and immediately started a family. While she seems to have a fruitful life, she can’t help acknowledge the shortcomings. Her 13-year-old son is being a teenager. Her husband works out of town a lot. And her business is one large client away from failing. Then one message from an ex-boyfriend sends her thoughts spiraling – did she miss out?
As Sutton visits each year of her 20s, she has to figure out who she is and what she really wants. Some lessons are harder than others. And she takes advantage of opportunities for improvement when possible. Twenty Something Else is full of beautiful reconnections, heartbreaking realizations, and make-or-break moments that allow Sutton to see the big picture. I did not expect to get so emotional and reflect on my own reality, sense of self, and the important things in life.
The author paces the story well, includes all the details that send us down memory lane, and sprinkles in some humor as well. One aspect that didn’t necessarily turn me off, but other readers might find helpful to know, is that Sutton’s faith and connection to God was important to her and how she navigated her journey. While I can’t relate to that part of her character, I thoroughly enjoyed Twenty Something Else regardless.
Stephanie Mack joins the Cantina Book Club Podcast to talk about how her family life inspires her work and plans for the future. Keep an ear out for the interview and pick up a copy of Twenty Something Else, available now!
Book
Sutton Layne is almost-forty and fabulous, with a happy marriage, three beautiful children, and a successful interior design business. But there’s plenty of chaos behind the scenes of early midlife. Her preteen son is going off the rails, her husband is bailing on the party he was supposed to throw her, and that thriving business? If she can’t land her next big client, it might all come crashing down. Then a surprise DM from someone in her past sends her spiraling into what-ifs. What if she settled down too young? Walked away from her big break? Never had her great adventure?
Despite her simmering mini-crisis, Sutton can’t wait for the birthday luncheon and pickleball tournament her friends have planned in her honor. But when an accident on the court knocks her out cold, she wakes up somewhere else . . . and is offered the chance to do it all over again. She can revisit her twenties—out of order and on her own terms. And this time around, anything goes: cities, careers, friendships. Even love.
