The Feminist EarthMother PartyGirl, Joni Page | Book 54, May 2025

The Feminist EarthMother PartyGirl, Joni Page | Book 54, May 2025

I first found Joni on Instagram — one of those lucky scrolls that actually leads somewhere good — and with my recent focus on local authors (I’ve just read Andrea Thompson and Andrew HC McDonald), it was a no-brainer to order in Joni’s debut novel. It’s officially my eighth book for May and the fourth in a row released in 2025. Who even am I?

This weekend the kids and I are heading to an event with my mum, stepdad, my partner, his two kids, and potentially my mother-in-law. It’s rare to get everyone together, and I’m genuinely excited.

In more exciting news — my back is feeling normal!!! Which means I can finally start using the rowing machine. Let’s ignore how many times I’ve stubbed my toes on door frames this week pacing around the house with a book in one hand, subsequently my foot in the other. Reading while mobile: good for the mind, bad for the barefoot.

On the domestic front, my Afterpay is the only thing getting a work out in this house… Transparency: this isn’t impulsive, dopamine chasing, algorithm-driven chaos. We’re renters, so I’ve been curating furniture that fits our space now and will work wherever we land next. Over the last 6–8 months, the bedrooms, lounge room, office, and patio have all had a refresh or are in progress. It’s been a slow and intentional shift toward how we actually live day to day.

This week I finally committed to a floor lamp for the lounge (because I hate our down-lights — truly, who designed this lighting plan?). The bunny lamp got a glow-up with a sage green shade that replaced the ugly one it came with. My son’s new storage is on the way, and I even found the cutest tea box that matches the rest of our home. Little wins that make a big difference. I can’t wait for my deliveries!

Remember that bathroom to-do list from Christmas? Five months later, I’ve tackled it. I rearranged the bathroom rack to better suit the kids’ shower toys and our daily go-to items. I also bought a ceramic pot for my partner’s fern — the bathroom doubles as our unofficial plant rehab zone thanks to its perfect humidity and light. The pot fits snugly in the odd-shaped shower without risking exposure to soap or water.

The bathroom has finally landed on an earthy green-and-brown theme — towels, bath mats, and yes, a new shower curtain. I can’t believe I found one I actually like at Kmart, especially after a year of online searching, buying, hanging, hating, and donating. I’m still undecided about adding a plant-hanger tension pole for that weird shower corner — the kids (well, one kid in particular) might be too chaotic for it to survive. We’ll see.

I’ve also been spending more time in the garden, watering plants and soaking it in. My mum took the tall back table to make space for something new I’ve had in mind. With my back on the mend and a few domestic boxes ticked, I feel like I’ve finally shifted some stagnant energy.

And honestly? This is classic Taurus energy. My home is my sanctuary. It’s a constant mix of evolving interests, practical needs, kids growing up, and a sprinkle of ADHD that turns it all into the perfect domestic-chaos. And I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Back to the Book!

From the first pages, The Feminist EarthMother PartyGirl had me grinning. Candice is a character that speaks straight to the version of me in my 20s — the one who thought she had everything “sorted,” only to look around and realise she’d misplaced herself somewhere along the way.

Joni Page writes with humour, tenderness, and a clear understanding of the messy intersections between identity, ambition, love, and healing. The story kicks off after Candice “fails” a personality test — a fictional assessment tool invented by Page, inspired by real psychological principles. The author’s note had me hooked immediately: “I have a keen interest in psychological theories and assessment — they have often been a guide and comfort when I needed to get clear about a problem.” SAME.

Candice’s journey through identity confusion, her work with Jamie (who gets all the best one-liners), her evolving connection with Ziggy, and the ensemble of friends, family, and fleeting characters makes this novel feel like a warm, witty patchwork of real life. Even when things are falling apart, they’re falling toward something.

Here’s a gem of a moment between Candice and her boss:

Jamie: “What are you working on?”

Candice: “Orgasm.”

Jamie: Roars with laughter “Your own?”

Candice: “No.”

Jamie: “Then work on that instead of research.”

Thoughts + Reflections

The book touches on deep topics — disappointment, unmet expectations, relationships, professional shifts, and even the impact of childhood and family dynamics — without getting bogged down in heaviness. It’s light and fun but layered, and the characters feel familiar in the best way.

I particularly loved how different people in Candice’s life — like Buff, Zane, and the woman in the bathroom — appear just long enough to hold up a mirror. Each one nudges Candice toward understanding herself better, not through grand revelations, but through the accumulation of tiny, sometimes absurd, often touching moments.

Ziggy walks the tightrope of professional vs personal with grace (mostly), and I appreciated that his character wasn’t just a love interest, but part of Candice’s broader journey of emotional growth. The same goes for Kat — bold, brash, and maybe too quick with her opinions — but ultimately a friend who calls Candice to action.

By the end, I felt like Candice hadn’t solved everything (because who does?), but she had arrived somewhere more grounded, more self-aware. And isn’t that the goal?

Favourite Themes from the Book Club Questions

1. Why does Candice emphasise romantic relationships?
   

I think many of us — especially in our 20s — chase a version of ourselves through the relationships we keep. Candice learns that it’s not about the person beside you, but the one you meet when you’re alone.

1. Kat’s life summary — harsh or helpful?
   

Probably a bit of both. Sometimes we need someone else to reflect the version of our life we’ve stopped questioning. Even if it’s not totally accurate, it forces us to reassess. Kat’s opinion might’ve come from her own priorities, but it lit a fire under Candice.

1. “We’re all fine despite the damage.”

That line stuck with me. I think it speaks to the way we all patch things together with routine, humour, and just enough healing to carry on. But as the book shows, sometimes “fine” isn’t enough — sometimes, growth needs intentional reflection.

If you’re into personality theory, domestic chaos, and books that feel like catching up with an old friend over wine and accidental wisdom — add The Feminist EarthMother PartyGirl to your list.

Highly recommend, especially if you’ve ever had to find your way back to yourself.