Review & Giveaway: Mom Genes (Forest River PTA Moms) by Hilary Grossman

Big Little Lies meets Class Mom

The meddling moms of Forest River live for a good scandal. Speculation surrounding Claire Conroy’s sex life has fueled the rumor mill for years. Now, when Claire returns home from a trip to Italy separated from her husband of thirteen years, the imaginations of the Lululemon-clad ladies’ who lunch spin into overdrive. As the gossipmongers create their own scandalous backstory for the separation, blaming Claire’s alleged infidelity, she learns the hard way just how mean mommies can be.

Eager to begin her new life as a single mom of three Claire puts her trust in Jackie Martin, the president of the PTA, to help tell her truth and free her of the false accusations and scandal. But the plan backfires, and Claire is put further into the spotlight when an embarrassed mom declares war.

As Claire dusts off her resume, fights the daily urge not to strangle her ex-husband and his new girlfriend, and dips her toes into the dating world one dud at a time will she find the happiness she craves or succumb to the pressure of the mean girls?

My Review:

A book so good, its worthy of its own reality show.

Gossip, rumors and parental politics strike the PTA moms of Forest River once again.  This time they are focused on Claire Conroy’s newly single status.  But Claire doesn’t let them bring her down.  As she deals with her inconsiderate ex, searching for a job and going on one disastrous date after another, I couldn’t help but feel bad for her and laugh a little remembering the bad dates I went on when I was single.  Claire finally finds Mr. Right when she least expects it with an old friend from summer camp days, Holden Schwartz.    

I really enjoyed reading this book.  I was pulled into the story right away.  I previously read Go On, Girl and when I heard there was a new Forest River PTA Moms book coming out, I put everything else aside and got to reading right away.  It was like revisiting old friends again.  I feel this book could be read as a stand-alone, but to get a true feel for the characters, I would recommend reading Go On, Girl first.  Even if you don’t read it first, I am pretty sure you will after you finish Mom Genes.  


Purchase Mom Genes:
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GIVEAWAY

Hilary is running a $50 Gap Brands giveaway on her Facebook and Instagram pages and a $25 Starbucks gifts card on her Facebook page. 

If you liked Mom Genes, be sure to pick up Go On, Girl for free and pre-order Mom Boss from
Amazon 

Review: Mouthful by C.R. Grissom

Life after high school still blows

Between a judgmental beauty advice columnist mom who sends clothes several sizes too small, and social media sex-shaming her senior year of high school, Faith Lacerna needs a self-confidence boost. Being a freshman at Fortis University in Silicon Valley will be fine, as long as she doesn’t attract attention. Except wearing oversized hoodies in sunny California isn’t the best choice for blending in.

When football jock Caleb St. John shows interest, she recommits to studying anything but the hot tight end. Caleb wants to lose himself in football, avoid his unfaithful ex-girlfriend, and – unlike his cheating dad – live his life with integrity. He knows there’s more to Faith than baggy clothes. Her humor and audacity spark more than Caleb’s competitive nature.

Faith doesn’t want to be interested, but Caleb’s kindness and sense of adventure has her hooked. She soon realizes she needs to confront her hurts and fears if she wants to embrace a relationship with Caleb and not let the past intercept her future.

My Review:

This book pulled me in from the start and I had a hard time putting it down. 

Faith Lacerna had it rough from the start.  Her mother left her when she was young and through the years when Faith needed her most, she wasn’t there except to insult her weight and nitpick everything about her life.  Faith grew up with low self esteem and when she finally found a boy that paid attention to her, he used her and posted an embarrassing photo on social media which only made Faith’s life worse.

Faith was glad to start college some place where no one knew who she was or what she had done.  When she met Caleb St. John she still didn’t trust boys, but Caleb had a way of convincing Faith that he was different and really was interested in her.  They started dating and soon fell in love.  But the past reared its ugly head and Faith soon found herself in another embarrassing situation that ruined their relationship.  With the help of her new friends, Faith finally sees what they have all been seeing in her all along.  Now it’s up to her to finally put the past to rest and make amends with Caleb and move forward with their life.     

I really enjoyed this book.  I was able to identify with Faith and the things she went through as I felt the same way growing up.  To this day I still struggle with self-esteem issues and social anxieties.  I liked seeing how Faith was able to move on and finally find love and a new life in college.  I have never read any of this author’s books before and will definitely be looking for more in the future.  She went into depth with her characters and their stories, along with their friends and family issues.  Everything just added up to a unique and inspiring book. 

 

Review: Midnight Son (True Alaskans Book 2) by Michelle Pace

Screams. Flames. Shivering alone in the bitter Alaskan night – That’s all I can remember from before.

I don’t know where I came from or who I am, and I’m fairly certain I don’t want to. I am absolutely certain about Andi Campbell, though; she’s my light at the end of the tunnel, but I can’t tell her that.

Most of True, Alaska, still shuns me because I won’t speak, but not The Campbells – and that would change if they ever found out what Andi and I did when her mother was missing last summer. Andi seems to agree, and we steer clear of each other now.

But Andi’s sister Delilah is getting married, and it’s impossible to avoid one another at Hennessy Cove, the secluded inn the bride and groom booked for their intimate ceremony. From the moment we touch down, something about the place fills me with dread. And every time I cross paths with the smiling innkeeper, I break out in a cold sweat.

Knowing Andi’s sleeping in the room next door just makes that fever worse.

My Review:

Life isn’t always what you think it is.  People aren’t always who you think they are.  And in an instant, your entire world can change.  

Boone and Andi grew up together but they weren’t related.  Boone was found living on the streets and scrounging for food in True, Alaska.  He didn’t know who he was or where he came from.  LuAnn, Andi’s mother, took him in and raised him as family.  Even though Boone was mute, him and Andi became very close.  Andi always knew what he wanted to say or do.   As Boone and Andi got older, an attraction grew between them, but they were afraid to act on it as they were raised like brother and sister.  As adults they still fight the attraction. 

A wild fire is burning out of control and it causes Boone to have a flashback that confuses him.  But there is no time to dwell on it as he is helping evacuate his friend Conner’s house before the fire takes it over.

Andi’s sister Delilah and Conner are getting married at an Inn on Hennessy Island.  When the plane is about to land, Boone has another flashback and it leaves him wondering if the answers he is seeking are on the island.  Will he have time to figure it all out before danger arrives and causes everything to spiral out of control?  And in the heat of the moment, Andi and Boone give in to the temptation they have fought their entire lives.  But will it be enough to keep them together, if they even survive the night?

This was a highly addictive book.  I couldn’t wait to see how the story played out.  When it was over, I craved more.  This is the second book in True Alaskans series.  It can be read on its own, but I would suggest reading True Gold first so you get to know the characters better.  You are going to want to know Delilah and Conner’s story.