Helpful Score: 3
Second novel from the author of "The Bright Side of Disaster" could be classified as "mommy lit" , but is more than that. Although the story starts out slow, it picks up midway. Lanie is a wife and mother to three small boys who gave up her career when she started a family. When Lanie finally decides to find her "old self", the story gets interesting when Lanie discovers a passion for photography. This is an engaging read, but I found that I didn't enjoy it as much as her debut novel.
Helpful Score: 3
This was a wonderful book. More than chick lit, this was mommy lit with substance and a heart. I could completely relate to the main character, Lanie - I too have 3 boys close in age (mine are 8 and under) and it was eerie how much of Lanie's story paralleled my own life!
This story was real, and honest, and true to life. It wasn't candy-coated like so many chick lit/mommy lit books are. We don't all have pristine houses with matching furniture - we decorate using garage sales finds and thrift store treasures because we're living on a budget - just like Lanie. Our kids don't have a nanny and do embarrassing things, or aggravating things, or messy things - but we love them with all our hearts - just like Lanie. And our marriages aren't perfect, misunderstandings happen, and feelings get hurt - but we do everything we can to make things right and hope for the happy ending - just like Lanie. This story was REAL, and that's what made it so wonderful.
Just a great down-to-earth book, and an engrossing read. Highly recommended!
This story was real, and honest, and true to life. It wasn't candy-coated like so many chick lit/mommy lit books are. We don't all have pristine houses with matching furniture - we decorate using garage sales finds and thrift store treasures because we're living on a budget - just like Lanie. Our kids don't have a nanny and do embarrassing things, or aggravating things, or messy things - but we love them with all our hearts - just like Lanie. And our marriages aren't perfect, misunderstandings happen, and feelings get hurt - but we do everything we can to make things right and hope for the happy ending - just like Lanie. This story was REAL, and that's what made it so wonderful.
Just a great down-to-earth book, and an engrossing read. Highly recommended!
Can I just say how much I love this author? Every single book is a winner. Well written complex characters that you fall in love with, a story you fall in love with, and an ending that might not be what you expect but is always just right. And of course a beautiful message. Here: everyone is beautiful. Every wrinkle stands for laughter, the extra pooch stands for a life well lived, etc.
