Cold Turkey : How Much Chaos, Crowds, and Colorful Adventure Can One Woman Take?

Amanda Morris is in over her head.

She thought she was signing up for second graders and sweet tea. What she got instead was eighth-grade sass, aggressive towel slappers, and the chaos of navigating a new job, new language, and new culture—all in the heart of Istanbul.

Armed with nothing but her sense of humor and a wildly inaccurate phrasebook, Amanda stumbles her way through a year at the Istanbul International School. Between misfired hand gestures, run-ins with grumpy bus drivers, and an unexpected brush with Turkish romance, Amanda’s journey is as unpredictable as the city itself.

Cold Turkey is a laugh-out-loud novel about culture shock, courage, and finding connection where you least expect it. Set against the rich, vibrant backdrop of Turkey, this story offers equal parts hilarity and heart as Amanda learns how to survive—and maybe even thrive—in a world that never stops surprising her.

Perfect for fans of laugh-out-loud fiction, armchair travelers, and anyone who's ever felt like a foreigner—even at home.

What Readers Are Saying

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "Better than a travel guide..."
"A wild adventure in Istanbul! Amanda’s naivete and tenacity made this book both hilarious and relatable. I learned about the heart of the city while watching her grow."

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "A fun, insightful, and educational read"
"This book made me laugh, and I loved the ending. A must-read for anyone going overseas—no matter the country."

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "An engaging and funny book"
"This was so enjoyable I couldn’t put it down. A funny, clean, light-hearted story that transports you to Istanbul and makes you laugh out loud."

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "Well, that was a lot of fun!"
"I loved the sense of humor, even during the challenges. It’s good to laugh at ourselves and not take life too seriously. A delightful read!"

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "Chaos and growth"
"I loved the romantic tension, but was glad it wasn’t the focus. An enjoyable read with great character growth."

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "Take this book on your next overseas trip!"
"A splendid story about diving into a new culture and growing to love a new country. Laugh-out-loud funny and deeply relatable."

JODI COWLES is an American author who spent eight years living (and mostly loving) life with her husband and daughter in Istanbul, Turkey. Spending more than half her adult life living and working in seven different countries, her time abroad expanded her vision of the world and allowed her to collect stories along the way. Armed with an endless supply of culture-clashing mishaps, inappropriate marriage proposals, and language barrier misfires, Jodi's writing gets to the heart of the matter: the human connection present in every country and culture.