Jennifer Colby-Kittler is the boss. They even call her The Jenneral. But married life is hard, even when you call the shots. When the sizzle in her and husband Russ' romance goes AWOL, Jenn calls in the big guns. They're going to forge ahead and have a second child whether Russ likes it or not. The only problem is that Russ is leaning toward not.
When the Kittler's new baby mission doesn't go according to Jenn's plan, the tension grows, and a mutiny in their marriage unfolds. Jenn's sister (the lovable Kait from Project Kaitlyn, book one in the Sweet Water Circle series) and friends intervene, forcing her to explore her inner being by attending yoga classes hosted by a dreamy new instructor. Jenn reluctantly agrees, needing to learn to how to let go of control before a civil war leads to divorce. But when the guru falls for her (desperately wanting to also explore her inner being) and an old flame finds out that Jenn's marriage is under attack and attempts to plant his flag, Jenn doesn't know which path to choose.
Can Jenn learn to let go before her life spirals out of control? Should she save her marriage before it's too late, start over with someone new, or go it alone? (Synopsis courtesy of Goodreads)
Having read the first book in the Sweet Water Circle series, I couldn’t wait to find out more about Jenn’s experiences. We’re given a glimpse of the discontentment she feels within Project Kaitlyn, but nothing could have prepared me for “The Jenneral” and her Peter Pan-like husband, Russ! I couldn’t help but relate to the situation, having experienced something similar myself in a former life. On the one hand, Jenn feels as though her husband isn’t attracted to her anymore, and is choosing everything else over her. Yet, she isn’t delving deep enough into the situation to find out where his reactions stem from.
At the very beginning, I thought, “She should totally leave Russ.” But through the majority of the story, what I felt the most was compassion for this couple, and at times, heartbreak. We get to know more about Russ as the pages go by, and even through the Peter-Pan exterior lies a man who has had to live his life under The Jenneral’s thumb and has many charming qualities that go unnoticed and under-appreciated. Yet, those same attributes can be said about Jenn, too. And in the center of it all is Cooper, their adorable son.
I really love the dialogue between the characters in Jenn Reinvented. It’s not overly-flowered or fancy. It made me feel like I was right there in the room with the couple, or sitting with the Sweet Water Circle, trying to talk some sense into Jenn while she watches her regimented life slip away from her. And through it all, there is humor. I loved the quips and witty comebacks, the inside jokes that are shared with the reader so they’re in on it, too. It is through the humor where Jenn really shines, trying to navigate a life that might include Russ, someone else, or no one at all.
No matter what, Jenn will always have her Sweet Water Circle, and I think that was my favorite aspect here. The bonds of friendship, and sisterhood. They are going to be there to support her, no matter what, and it made me even more appreciative of the wonderful girlfriends I have in my life, too. I laughed a lot, I even got a little teary-eyed here and there, and ultimately, I felt like I learned a lot about Jenn and Russ, in unexpected ways. I can’t wait for the next book in the series! A well-deserved five-star experience!
Thanks to Rachel's Random Resources for the book in exchange for an honest review.
Grayson Avery is the author of The Sweet Water Circle Series, a romantic comedy series that focuses on childhood friends in their 30s and 40s as they help each other navigate the stormy waters of dating, marriage, divorce, and a whole lot of inappropriate, naughty, and downright hysterical situations.
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