Let me start by saying this manual saved me from throwing my shiny new Echo Dot out the window. As someone who still struggles with TV remotes, Alexa’s endless commands felt like learning Klingon. The step-by-step breakdowns? Chef’s kiss. No tech jargon, just ‘press this, say that’ simplicity.

BUT – major plot twist – it’s VERY America-centric. Found myself Googling UK alternatives for half the ‘smart home’ features. The book casually mentions controlling your thermostat like we all live in smart McMansions. My 1980s radiator laughed.

Where it shines: The troubleshooting section is gold. That moment when Alexa randomly starts playing German polka music at 3AM? Fixed in two pages flat. The ‘hidden commands’ chapter also revealed Alexa can tell dad jokes (quality content).

Biggest surprise? It made me realize smart devices assume we’re all tech wizards living in 3023. The book tries to bridge that gap but occasionally misses the mark for non-US users or tech newbies.

Verdict: Worth it for setup and core functions, but adjust expectations – this isn’t an Alexa Bible, more like a ‘For Dummies’ guide with some brilliant moments.