Life on the Refrigerator Door is the first book by Alice Kuipers. This very brief novel is basically a series of notes exchanged between 15-year-old Claire and her mom.
Claire and her mom are both incredibly busy, and rarely get to spend time with one another. So they leave notes for one another on their refrigerator door, which is apparently, the only way they can effectively communicate.
When Claire’s mom is diagnosed with breast cancer, they must find ways to make the most of their remaining, though hectic time together. In the form of post-its, I guess.
The concept of Life on the Refrigerator Door is certainly cute and endearing, but it just doesn’t work. Why can’t mom and daughter call, text, or email one another as well?
This book seemed so charming at first when I picked it up, but it’s very depressing. Its synopsis is far warmer than it actually is. I also picked up on some odd messaging that rubbed me the wrong way—it seems as though the book is forgiving of those who put all else above family, when family should always come first.
Another thing that bothered me about Life on the Refrigerator Door were the vibes I picked up about Claire and her mom’s relationship. It seemed cold, generic, and basic, as if they lack any closeness. Also, this book didn’t make me feel empathetic toward the characters. If anything, I felt sorry that their lives were so sad.
My recommendation? Skip this one. It’s far too depressing and doesn’t make a whole lot of sense.
Other books by Alice Kuipers include:
- 40 Things I Want to Tell You (2012)
- The Death Of Us (2014)
- Me and Me (2017)
What did you think about Life on the Refrigerator Door? Did you love or hate it? Was it meh?
Last Updated on January 26, 2026 by Sarah Ann
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