Book Review | The Divorced Not Dead Workshop

The Divorced Not Dead Workshop by Cece Osgood

Publication Date: January 2015

Book Blurb

THE DIVORCED NOT DEAD WORKSHOP is a hilarious and touching romantic comedy about re-entering the dating world after divorce. Divorced five years ago and blubbering about a recent break-up with Theo, her charming Brit boyfriend, Dorsey Bing brainstorms about holding a dating workshop for divorced men. Too bad she’s an idea person with zero follow-through. That all changes when her go-getter BFF embraces the “divorced not dead” concept by setting up the workshop, putting herself in charge and getting Dorsey to, ever so reluctantly, agree to be her “go-fer.” A snag occurs when Dorsey’s widowed stepfather, Ralph, and his bride-to-be, Audrey, schedule their wedding cruise to Cabo for the very same weekend the workshop is being held. Dorsey and her pal lick that hurdle by choosing to hold the workshop during the cruise. But do things ever really work out as planned. No. No, they don’t.
A startling mishap, rebellious workshop attendees and the arrival of Audrey’s nephew, the handsome but wily Finn Woodall, soon send things topsy-turvy for Dorsey. More trouble arises with the unexpected re-appearance of Theo. Will Dorsey and Theo rekindle their relationship? Or is she smitten with Finn who just might be a back-stabbing weasel? And has the workshop made a difference in what Dorsey desires from life … and love?

Buy Links: Amazon US | Amazon Global

My Review

The title of the novel, The Divorced Not Dead Workshop, is both clever and descriptive of the story plot. Dorsey Bing has been divorced for five years and she’s still learning to move on with her life and open herself to new relationships. She comes up with the idea to create a workshop to ‘desuckify’ divorced men to help them move along with their lives and become better communicators in their next relationships and ultimately better individuals.

Dorsey’s friends sign on for the workshop idea and that’s where the fun and crazy begins. Throw in a sexy ex-boyfriend, a few hilariously diverse workshop attendees, and a few new possible love interests and you’ve got yourself a recipe for lots of laughs. This novel left me laughing and not wanting to put the book down until I was done. I wanted to keep reading to find out what happened in the past that brought all of these people to where they are today and to find out where they would end up.

One of the most important concepts I took from this novel is the idea that we all want to meet someone special but we have to be that someone special too. You have to be comfortable and happy with who you are before you can venture into a new relationship. You have to allow yourself to move on from your past failed relationships [and in this case marriage] and allow yourself to be happy and not let the fear of rejection keep you from opening your heart.

I thoroughly enjoyed this novel. I know you’re not supposed to judge a book by its cover, but let’s be honest, we all do it anyway! The author recently updated the cover of this novel and I have to say it was a major improvement. I’m personally a big fan of girly illustrations rather than pictures of real people. Her updated cover is just too cute! And it goes along  perfectly with this adorable and entertaining story.

When I rate a novel, I think about if it was humorous or entertaining and whether or not it left me wanting to read more, dying to know what happens next. This novel hit all of my expectations for a fun, entertaining read and that is why I give it 5 glowing stars! Definitely adding this author to my list of go to authors. Can’t wait to see what else she’s cooked up for her readers.

My Rating: 5/5 Stars

Bliss Book Promotions provided me with a free copy of the novel in exchange for an honest review. Receiving novels free of charge in no way reflects on my honest opinion and no monetary compensation was provided for my review. I encourage you to write reviews and share them on sites like Goodreads and Amazon!

Connect with the Author – CeCe Osgood

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads | Google+

After college and graduate school, I wrote articles for magazines then ventured into the film industry. For many years I was on the production side until I moved to LA and became a freelance script analyst, evaluating screenplays, novels, and non-fiction books (main client: HBO). I also reviewed scripts for the Nicholl Fellowship, perhaps the USA’s most prestigious screenplay competition sponsored by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences. During this time, I wrote screenplays and had two optioned. But my childhood dream was to be a novelist, so when I moved back to Texas I fought my self-doubt and completed this novel.

Due to my “indie” spirit and hereditary lack of patience, I chose the self-publishing path and now my romantic comedy/chick lit/lighthearted women’s fiction, THE DIVORCED NOT DEAD WORKSHOP, is available as an eBook. It’s about dating after divorce. I wanted to treat the serious subject of divorce and the subsequent anxiety producing re-entry into the dating world with humor and goodwill, two things everyone, I believe, needs for a happier life.