I hate to leave a review before actually finishing, but I could not get through this. It started off good, but the pacing is quite slow and felt like it dragged on.

In Light of Recent Events by Amy Klinger is a contemporary read that follows one woman's survival in a 1990s American workplace.

Now, that intro might not sound all that fantastic, but the book is a great, relaxing, contemporary read. There's lots of drama and question marks throughout the book that all get brought to a close with a nice, red bow tied on top at the end. Imagine you're a woman in the 1990s workplace. You know how the 90s weren't the greatest for women empowerment. Now, this chick is sleeping with the boss, has a best work friend named Pooter, and we all know how those two relationships can boil and fizzle in a water cooler workplace. And then add in an old friend popping by who just happens to be a Hollywood superstar... and he needs a hiding spot. The quarrels and drama unfolds while Amy highlights workplace culture, friendship, and the troubles with fame.

The book is a series of events, as if we are just taking a snapshot of the lives of these characters. It highlights a lot of struggles we all have with the workplace, which is also why it can seem so frustrating but also incredibly comedic. It almost felt like this was an episodic chapter of Audrey's life and we should be seeing more soon. Regardless, the book was engaging, fun, and made me eye roll at SO MANY relatable scenes. If you've worked the office life, you could probably put some familiar faces to these characters (the good and the bad ones).

Enjoy the quick, fun read and escape into this book. It's a great read!

Four out of five stars.

I received this book for free from Amy Klinger in exchange for an honest review. ( )

This was a really enjoyable read. The different glimpses into the characters lives and emotions was well done. In a way, it’s a bit of a reflection or meditation on everyday human experience. Some events maybe be utterly banal, some rather wild, but inevitably they all keep happening. I also appreciated the subtle nostalgia of the 90s setting: people unable to call or text constantly, leaving notes, having CD or Record collections. A joy to read. ( )

Audrey, the main character, of this book, seems to be perpetually drifting. She’s not especially attached to her job, a mid-level position at a publisher in the Jersey suburbs where she grew up. She’s having an affair with her married boss. Her female friendships aren’t close. She does seem close to her male coworker “work spouse” but later events cause a rift. Her family is in flux, with her widowed dad getting together with a new woman. Into this unsettled life comes a glamorous movie star who was childhood friends with her brother. He’s back in town on family business, and ends up spending time with her while trying to hide from the press. But not a lot happens there either. ( )

I won this ebook in a LibraryThing Early Readers Giveaway, As always this did not impact my review.

This is a lovely little bit of chick lit, better written and with less absurd angst than most. There is some angst, but this is by no means a tear-jerker. There is some sex, but this is most definitely NOT a romance. There are friendships, but not mostly of the forever variety. There are complicated family dynamics, but they don't feel trumped up. Its a slice of life that revolves around a weird series of life-altering coincidences. And it is funny -- Audrey, the MC, is funny and that makes all the difference. Legitimately fun reading for a lazy 2nd booster recovery ( )