Needs Work is one of those books that is difficult to describe without making it sound even stranger than it is. Phil has lost his job, his marriage is falling apart, and he returns to Cleveland to live with his difficult father. From there, the story becomes a darkly funny mixture of family drama, workplace satire, war memories, bizarre waffles, talking dogs, and a reality that keeps slipping out of place.

I really enjoyed the offbeat humor and Phil’s narrative voice. Some scenes are completely ridiculous, but underneath all that absurdity is a thoughtful story about PTSD, grief, regret, and the life a person might have lived had they made different choices. Phil and his father have a relationship that is often cruel and frustrating, yet there are moments of genuine affection between them that give the story its emotional weight. I also liked how the novel connects work with identity, purpose, and the question of whether someone can rebuild a life that feels completely broken.

At times, the constant surrealism and long comedic detours made the story feel a little uneven, and I occasionally had to stop and figure out what was real. Still, the ending brought the different pieces together in a surprisingly hopeful and satisfying way. Needs Work is strange, messy, funny, and heartfelt—and somehow all those things work together.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review..

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