Reading this felt less like a traditional narrative and more like an intimate documentary. By offering the dual perspectives of both authors, the book provides a balanced and realistic look at "cohabitation." It explores how two distinct personalities—with different habits and tastes—can create a harmonious sanctuary together.
There was a beautiful sense of familiarity in their daily struggles and triumphs, which made the reading experience feel incredibly heartwarming. It wasn't just about friendship; it was about the logistics of sharing a life, from splitting chores to managing their "maximalist vs. minimalist" conflict. For anyone who values independence but fears loneliness, this book serves as a perfect blueprint. I’d give it a solid 9/10—a refreshing, modern take on what "home" can truly mean.
Then, at the beginning of 2022, we got the big push we needed to start. Monika and LipJ, two dancers from the survival show Street Woman Fighter, were cast in the reality TV programme DIY Family. The two were members of the same dance crew, Proudman, and like Hana and me, have been living together for years. Before the show was broadcast, the producers called us to explain that they were creating a show focusing on found families, and asked for permission to name their show after the phrase ‘DIY family’, which they’d come across in our book. Imagine our surprise when we turned on the TV to see LipJ recommending our book to the world! This is our moment! Now’s our chance! We named our podcast and recorded our first two episodes, ‘DIY Family? Here’s Where it All Started’ and ‘Being in Your Forties Isn’t So Bad’