I married a guy who loves the outdoors. Camping? Sure. Rowing? Absolutely. Hiking? Definitely. Spending a weekend without wi-fi? Easy-peasy. But moving into the playhouse in our backyard? That would be the moment I’d wonder if he was having a midlife crisis. In Courtney Maum’s Alan Opts Out, that is exactly the kind of leap that Alan Anderson takes in this book. It’s a modern satire about ambition, consumerism, and suburban life that kept me giggling throughout the story.
4/5 stars ★★★★☆
Read the summary of the book here!
Genre: Fiction / Humor
Pages: 352
Published on: June 2, 2026
📚 Alan Opts Out — Vibe Scorecard:
😂 Humor: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ The idea of a grown man choosing a backyard playhouse as his escape plan is ridiculous in the best way. The look at suburban life made me laugh the most.
🏡 Suburban Satire: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
If you enjoy reading about society’s obsession with success and appearances, this book delivers.
❤️ Emotional Depth: ⭐⭐⭐☆☆
There are thoughtful moments about marriage, family, and happiness.
🤔 Makes You Think: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆
You may find yourself asking: Do I really need everything in my house? Is all this stuff actually making me happy?
📖 Book Club Potential: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
So many conversation starters: ambition, marriage, consumerism, happiness, and whether “opting out” is actually possible.
From the publisher: In this timely and comedic take on ambition, consumerism, and the sticker price of privilege, an ad exec who bombs the biggest pitch of his career decides to forgo capitalism and live off the land of his suburban Connecticut home. Perfect for readers of Rufi Thorpe and Taffy Brodesser-Akner.
My Thoughts on Alan Opts Out:
Humor:
You have to love a good satire on human life, especially in the suburbs. I kept thinking, “This is ridiculous.” Then I kept laughing and thought about how this could really happen. It makes you wonder What if I walked away from this life that I built? After thirty years of teaching middle school, I understood Alan’s desire to question whether the daily stress was worth it. I wouldn’t trade my personal life for anything, but like Alan, I occasionally wondered if there was another way. The fact that Alan’s job was to convince people to want things, and then he decides to give it all up is what made the story interesting.
Characters:
The family relationships were my favorite part of the book. Maum did a wonderful job of making them so realistic. Alan’s family was messy, chaotic, and yet, Maum also created the feeling of love between them. As a teacher of teenagers, the characteristics of Alan’s two daughters were spot on.
The “Queen Anne” group that Vivian, the mom, strived to get into was both horrifying and hilarious at the same time. The suburban social competition was next level. It made me dislike the mom a lot, but I could actually see it happening in real families.
Alan, though? I would totally hang out with him. I love how he was willing to question things and make changes, even if it meant looking crazy in his neighborhood. He was an influencer without being on social media. Not an easy task! Instead of convincing people to buy things, he was unintentionally convincing them to question everything.
Pacing:
The pacing of the story was mostly good, but it did slow down for me a little in the middle. The ending was satisfying and wrapped up the story nicely.
My Rating:
I gave this book four out of five stars. Overall, Alan Opts Out was a well-written book that had humor and an interesting storyline. It had a funny outlook on suburban life and consumerism. It made me laugh quite a few times, it’s weird, and it made me think. You might even start looking at that playhouse or shed in your backyard a little differently from now on.
Where to Buy Alan Opts out and More:
Purchase Alan Opts Out here!
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What to Read Next!
If you enjoyed Alan Opts Out by Courtney Maum, I would add these three incredible books to your TBR list next:
- Good Joy, Bad Joy by Mikki Brammer | Buy on Amazon
- Read my full review here
- Why it’s similar: Like Alan, Joy decides that the life she is living may not be the one that she really wants. Both books look at how life could be different for the main characters. They also both blend humor and heart into the story.
- One Little Mistake by Miranda Rijks | Buy on Amazon
- Read my full review here
- Why it’s similar: Both books look at how maintaining appearances in an upscale neighborhood could be your downfall. If you enjoyed the dynamics of The Queen Anne group, then you will enjoy this book also. Both books examine the fear of not measuring up to those around you.
- Falling Apart and Other Gifts From the Universe by Catherine Ryan Hyde | Buy on Amazon
- Read my full review here
- Why it’s similar: This one isn’t satirical, but if you liked the emotional side of Alan Opts Out and characters who start to rethink their success and happiness, then you will enjoy this book as well.
Disclosure: Thank you to NetGalley, Little, Brown and Company, and Courtney Maum for my free copy of this book. This is my honest opinion.
To learn more about Courtney Maum.
Let’s Chat!
What’s your idea of the perfect escape? A cabin in the woods? A beach house? A quiet weekend away? Or are you ready to move into the backyard playhouse? 😉 Let me know in the comments below!
