It’s Getting Hot in Here by Jane Costello

A Four-Star Book

Perimenopause is having a moment, finally. We still have a long way to go, but the symptoms and neverending hormone battles are getting some recognition now, including in fiction novels like Jane Costello’s It’s Getting Hot in Here. As a forty-something woman who’s feeling the heat (literally) while balancing a corporate fob and teenagers, I appreciated Costello’s female lead: Lisa Darling, and her story.

Summary of It’s Getting Hot in Here (No Spoilers)

Lisa is a single mum who seems to have it all together. She manages a high-stress career, a surly teenager and an overeager preteen, a mostly absent ex-husband, hormone therapy, and volunteering for the PTA. In fact, Lisa has a bit of a problem saying no, and it’s driving her to the brink. So when her best friend is dealing with cancer treatment and is replaced by an alluring but infuriating U.S. employee, Zach? Lisa immediately sets boundaries to keep her world in order. However, best laid plans fail quickly, and Lisa finds herself in a budding romance with Zach and questioning all that she knows.

But I learned something all women discover, sooner or later. It doesn’t matter how bad something or someone makes you feel, you can’t stay at rock bottom forever. Whatever depths you’re in, at some point you’ll rise to the surface again, like it or not. The only question is whether you fight it or do as my mum liked to say: pull yourself up by your bootstraps and give it a helping hand.

It’s Getting Hot in Here by Jane Costello

(page 75)

What I Enjoyed about It’s Getting Hot in Here

A rom-com about being in your forties and trying to make life work seamlessly is a challenge, but Costello does it well. here’s what I most enjoyed about It’s Getting Hot in Here.

• Lisa Darling: If she was a human, I would want to be Lisa’s friend. She is witty and smart, and she has an enormous heart for others. While  she never completes her to-do list, she prioritizes her kids, even when her moody teenager ignores studying for his exams and decides he wants to be a professional rugby player. She has made mistakes in her life but is honest about her shortcomings. I cheered for Lisa throughout her story, and she reminded me of a more put-together, more mature Bridget Jones.
• Zach Russo: On the surface, Zach is a cocky L.A. tv exec who would be a threat to Lisa’s friend’s job. He’s self-assured and charming, characteristics that grate on Lisa until he starts to show cracks in his perfect L.A. persona. He is a romantic who is willing to step away from what could be a chance at love with Lisa.
• Character Growth: In true rom-com fashion, It’s Getting Hot in Here allows its characters to develop throughout the novel. I won’t give away spoilers, but it’s a fully satisfying read.

My Final Thoughts about It’s Getting Hot in Here

It’s Getting Hot in Here explores the challenges of being a woman who appears to have it all but really needs to learn to set boundaries. Lisa is a strong, engaging character and her journey is entertaining. I recommend this one for anyone looking for a fun but touching romance.