Adult Assembly Required
Author: Abbi Waxman
Genre: Fiction
Rating: ★★★★★
Abbi Waxman’s Adult Assembly Required returns readers to the warm, chaotic world first introduced in The Bookish Life of Nina Hill, but this time the focus shifts to Laura, a young woman who arrives in Los Angeles determined to start over. She comes to the city with two goals: to attend school and to escape the weight of past trauma. When Polly unexpectedly invites her to live in a shared house, Laura finds herself folded into an instant family of quirky, compassionate housemates who slowly help her rebuild confidence, stability, and a sense of belonging.
What makes the novel shine is Waxman’s gift for character. She has an uncanny ability to create people who feel completely real—nuanced, flawed, funny, and deeply human—and then weave them together so naturally that the story reads like a living community rather than a plot device. I loved returning to Nina’s universe and getting absorbed once again in the rhythms of Waxman’s storytelling. Watching Laura heal, find friendship, and eventually discover love made this a deeply satisfying read. A fantastic addition to Waxman’s world.
