Reviews with content warning for Alcoholism - Hey, Good Luck Out There

I liked some of the characters and it was an interesting story. I just didn't feel that invested in the main character's story. She talked about horrible things that had happened to her and in a way was really honest, but somehow I still felt quite disconnected from her.

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tracey1981's review against another edition

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dark sad tense slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.75

This was showing up on lists of dark humour books. It does have funny moments and some strong writing but ultimately I felt the pacing was off (though contrary to what some other reviewers here said, the second half dragged for me much more than the first). Sometimes it just felt like a string of events without a narrative arc. The author did an excellent job on the narration of the audio book.

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prey4thefemale's review

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challenging funny hopeful slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

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luckyonesoph's review against another edition

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challenging dark reflective slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.25

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kaitlynjeon's review against another edition

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dark informative lighthearted reflective sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

Honestly, this book threw me into a reading slump. It was so heavy and depressing, yet the main character found humor in it in a twisted, regretful way. It did make me laugh at times — especially the contrast between her aggressive, violent journal entries vs. her pacifistic demeanor— but it all felt so morbid to be finding humor in such a traumatic context. It was immensely informative to get such a candid window into life post-rehab and the failures of the system. I hated everything happening to our main character yet wanted to keep reading jusy to stand by with her. Something about the writing really does make you feel like you are in a dialogue with the protagonist, being spoken to directly. I’m glad I read it but it really did leave me very depressed, these feelings spilling over into the next book I tried to read. I am left desperately wanting to read something brighter and happier, just like the future I wish the protagonist.

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briarsreviews's review

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emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Hey, Good Luck Out There by Georgia Toews is an incredible Canadian read following a woman going through rehab and her eventual post-rehab struggles.

Bobbi, our twenty-two year old lead, is a strong but vulnerable protagonist. Her story brings up real social issues of women (and people in general) who experience very real struggles. What happens when you go to rehab and get out? How do you stay sober? How do you manage to keep a job, keep friends, find a place to live, etc.? How do you fit in with the people that just don't understand? Are you fated to forever just have a label?

Georgia Toews' story is breathtaking, heartbreaking, and sophisticated. I truly enjoyed it and recommend you pick it up.

And, like the title says dear readers… "Hey, Good Luck Out There!"

Five out of five. Give it seven if you want.

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