If You Were Here follows Amish-zombie-teen- romance author Mia and her husband Mac (and their pets) through the alternately frustrating, exciting, terrifying-but always funny-process of buying and renovating their first home in the Chicago suburbs that John hughes’s movies made famous. Along their harrowing renovation journey, Mia and Mac get caught up in various wars with the homeowners’ association, meet some less-than-friendly neighbors, and are joined by a hilarious cast of supporting characters, including a celebutard ex- landlady. As they struggle to adapt to their new surroundings- with Mac taking on the renovations himself- Mia and Mac will discover if their marriage is strong enough to survive months of DIY renovations.

O.M.G. — I don’t remember the last time I laughed so hard when listening to/reading a book.

It’s probably because I have so much in common with the main character (we’re both authors, both grew up during the 80s watching John Hughes films, both married to men who CAN be handy, but not necessarily in a timely fashion, both Polish with our own Babcia’s) that I was able to so deeply relate to her. I also love how dedicated Mia is to her marriage; she doesn’t trash talk her husband and she’s more concerned about her marriage than her dream house. She understands and appreciates her husband’s quirks and works around/with them rather than being a constant nag.

There are so many fun subplots in the book (Mac and Babcia, Vienna, the novel writing) that the book doesn’t repeat anything or drag on. It just keeps piling on the mishaps, misunderstanding, and humor. The only gripe I have with the book is not enough romance, but that’s a personal preference. A little more of that and the book would have been perfect. I’m already looking for my next Jen Lancaster book to read.

R-rated for language. Get your copy here!