MY BOOK

“I appreciated [the author’s] commitment to honesty, and the way she peeled back the layers of the realities of a global life, from excitement to despair, and the ways that it impacted both her and her daughters. That unflinching honesty is what transforms the book from a linear expat experience into a personal journey, neatly entwining the physical with the personal. Far from glossing over difficult topics that might paint her in a negative light, Cook faces them head on, dissecting them in between moves.
Part German bluntness, part English stiff upper lip, infused with a healthy dose of Americana, she hit the perfect note. A must read for anyone who is thinking of moving abroad–in any direction.”

“I was already very much enjoying this book, reading about the different moves and the challenges of establishing a new life in a new country when I saw part of my own story come to life on the pages. As a parent of a child who did not experience the “standard” teen years, I was captivated by the honest, raw and insightful descriptions of the author’s children’s own struggles and how she, as their parent, navigated that very trying part of their lives. I highly recommend this book. It is filled with stories of adventure, finding humor in everyday things, and how everything changes when your kids are in trouble.”

“Just like ‘Anna Karenina’ opens with “All happy families are alike; each unhappy family is unhappy in its own way”, one can say that all happy expats are alike, each unhappy expat is unhappy in its own way. That’s what Transcontinental Overload made me think about – it’s about several expat transitions, each a unique experience, yet all with the common thread of finding oneself, reinventing oneself. The writing is very engaging, funny at times, and honest throughout. Expat readers will relate to the stories, and the non-expats will hopefully understand what it’s all about. Although they may not laugh at this line – “The German lady at the checkout was so refreshingly hostile that I took an instant liking to her”.”

“What an incredible story. I felt like I grew up alongside that family. The author has a true gift for storytelling—raw, honest, and beautifully transparent. I’m so grateful I picked this up, and will be recommending it to everyone. Easily the best book I’ve read this year—and I read a lot. Highly recommend!”

“This memoir is excellent! I love it. So raw, I laughed, worried, and felt peace as Stephanie’s story unfolded. I started the book the day before Thanksgiving and couldn’t put it down. I kind of wanted to cancel my Thanksgiving gathering just so I could keep reading it.”

“Oh, how I wish I’d read this book before landing in the U.S.—it would’ve saved me from a few “Wait…what?” moments and at least three unnecessary trips to Target. It captures so many layers of American life: eye-opening, heart-warming, occasionally heartbreaking, and often laugh-out-loud funny. I recommend it to every expat setting foot in the U.S., but even longtime foreign residents will recognize themselves here—and probably nod along the way Germans do when something is so obviously true.”

“Transcontinental Overload isn’t just another expat memoir, it’s a beautifully written account of what happens when a temporary adventure becomes a lifelong journey. The story starts with a move from England to California, then onto Texas, and finally to the east coast and New Jersey (with a brief return to England), but what stays constant is the author’s sharp eye for cultural nuance and her ability to find meaning in all the chaos. There’s no gloss here, just truth, and it’s what makes the book so relatable. By the end, you feel like you’ve lived every move, meltdown, and moment of grace alongside her. Really enjoyed it!”