Let me just start by saying this book gets it. Kareen McKinnon has managed to bottle up the chaos of life’s inevitable curveballs, sprinkle in a bit of sass, and somehow turn it all into an incredibly practical guide for bouncing back. Well That Was Fun…Now What? is not your typical self-help book dripping with toxic positivity or clichés about how “everything happens for a reason.” It’s refreshingly real, sometimes hilarious, and filled with tools you can actually use when life decides to go full soap opera on you. From burnout to reinvention, McKinnon tackles the messiness of failure and growth with humor and honesty, leaving you feeling seen and, most importantly, equipped to handle the mess.

What I loved most about the book was its tone. It’s like having a wise, funny friend who’s been through the wringer but still knows how to laugh about it. Take the chapter on burnout, for example. McKinnon doesn’t just tell you to “listen to your body”; she calls out our modern obsession with ignoring limits, comparing it to “trying to charge your phone with positive thoughts.” She talks about how burnout sneaks up on you. Her tips on creating a “personal dashboard” for warning signs felt so doable and even kind of fun.

The writing is so conversational that you almost forget how much practical advice you absorb. One standout section for me was about reframing your mindset after failure. McKinnon doesn’t sugarcoat anything. She openly acknowledges that when you’re in the middle of your own personal dumpster fire, the last thing you want is someone chirping about silver linings. Instead, she frames it as “rearranging the furniture in your mind.” That metaphor hit me hard because, yeah, the emotional clutter doesn’t go away, but maybe you can move it so it stops tripping you up.

What surprised me most were the stories sprinkled throughout. Real people, real screw-ups, and real comebacks. Sarah turned her failed startup into a consulting gig where she makes more money teaching others what not to do. Or Marcus, who became a 50-year-old intern after his career derailed and ended up running a successful digital marketing firm. These stories reminded me that reinvention isn’t just possible; it’s messy, awkward, and sometimes better than what you had planned. Plus, McKinnon doesn’t romanticize these comebacks. She’s clear that they result from hard work, stubbornness, and asking for help.

Well That Was Fun…Now What?: A Real Plan For Recovery From Setbacks is perfect for anyone who’s had their life turned upside down—whether it’s a breakup, career disaster, or just the sheer weight of existing in a chaotic world. If you like your advice practical, your humor sharp, and your growth messy but meaningful, this is your next read.

Pages: 63 | ASIN : B0DTTD6M46