Harriet Hates Lemonade is a deeply important and captivating story that will have you questioning your own preconceived notions of unhealthy relationships. The theme of abuse is explored like never before with both overt and subtle plot lines weaving together to facilitate emotion, compassion and understanding. McCollum's voice is steady and impactful, hooking the reader into Harriet's regimented and quirky life. At first, Harriet presents with neurodivergent tendencies, her opinions and actions questionable and insensitive, but as the novel progresses, a deep understanding and compassion for her character forms, shifting your perspective. I laughed, I cried, and I learned. Although exploring difficult themes, the story is refreshing, realistic, and heartwarming.

Bothered by everything and annoyed with everyone, Harriet’s cringeworthy people skills and outright grumpiness make it awfully hard to like her. And what’s more, Harriet doesn’t care. Or so it would seem. Which raises the question - what made her this way?

When Harriet reluctantly gets pulled into a young girl’s harrowing existence, everything she thought she knew about herself turns inside out as she faces her own truths. Author McCollum has created a story where the crass heroine shocks you in a good way and the unlikeliest outcome happens. Harriet Hates Lemonade is a bittersweet read with an impactful ending!

In Harriet Hates Lemonade, Kim McCollum writes with a keen, compassionate eye for the small humiliations and hard‑won joys of everyday life, turning HOA skirmishes, library encounters, and suburban driveways into sites of genuine emotional reckoning. Her prose is warm, witty, and quietly incisive, giving readers a heroine who is at once prickly, hilarious, and deeply vulnerable as she learns that family can be chosen, that community is messy, and that even the sourest moments can be transformed into something unexpectedly, stubbornly sweet.

I loved following how Harriet transforms bit by bit, gaining friendships, a found family and a new chance to pursue the work her husband convinced her to abandon. The novel's end is a beautiful and clever twist showcasing just how much Harriet has changed attitude. A solid recommend from me.

This book was fantastic. Not in a “cute, forgettable weekend read” way.
It kicks off with serious Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine energy. Harriet is rigid about rules, wildly honest, and absolutely uninterested in cushioning her opinions to spare anyone’s feelings. If the truth hurts, that’s clearly a you problem. Watching her navigate social norms she doesn’t understand is equal parts hilarious and cringeworthy (in the best way).

And then... plot twist.

The book quietly takes off its quirky cardigan and reveals teeth.
What starts as a sharp, character-driven story pivots into a thoughtful and unflinching look at domestic violence, both emotional and physical. It’s handled with care, depth, and zero melodrama, which somehow makes it hit even harder. Suddenly you realize this book has been setting you up the whole time and you happily fall for it.

At its core, Harriet Hates Lemonade is about love, resilience, and growth. It’s about Harriet learning that rules don’t protect you from everything, and honesty doesn’t always equal safety.

Smart, sharp, and sneakily powerful, Harriet Hates Lemonade is funny when you least expect it and devastating when you’re not ready. A great read that refuses to stay in the neat little box you put it in.

Sometimes you meet a character and just become entwined their story instantly. Much like Eleanor Oliphant, Harriet Henderson is such a character. You can’t get enough of her.