If you've read the first few chapters and found the unusual writing style quirky and endearing, I'd advise you to read on. If you found it frustrating (or annoying), I'd ask you not to give up on it so easily. There's a really heartfelt story about loss and dealing with grief brewing right beneath the unusual surface.

This is one of the only books I can think of where the plot is happening around the main character. Audrey is the driving factor of the plot, but there are many off ramps that the reader is bound to say "Wait! We're moving past the real story! Slow down!". It's all there if you have the willingness to look for it. Admittedly, I missed a bunch of stuff on my first reading, and I'm curious about what a re read would reveal.

Sometimes the quirky jokes and word play are a little bit too on the nose or clever for their own good. Most of the time, it works. There are some genuinely funny jokes in here. Jessica Grant has a wonderful imagination. Some of the turns of phrase are so odd that I had to smirk to myself. Who thinks up this stuff?

It's a fast read due to the light hearted tone, but it did feel a little long towards the end. I was surprised by how much it moved me towards the end of the book. It offered me most of what I want out of a book: humor, unique writing style, dark comedy and a turtle that can talk.