Some people describe the first year after becoming a mom as the craziest time of a woman’s life. I would be one of those people. My own memories seem almost unbelievable after nine years, a vague flurry of tears, laughs, and sleep-deprivation headaches. There’s just something about suddenly having this tiny, helpless human being enter your life that turns the entire world as you once knew it on its head. Perhaps it’s all hormonal, but it’s most definitely real.
In Samantha Wilde’s debut novel This Little Mommy Stayed Home, the first year of motherhood for Joy McGuire features all the usual suspects- a much-maligned flabby post-delivery belly, a rabid pursuit of more than one solid hour of sleep at a time, and the terrifying presence of chunks of hair in her shower drain each morning. But while those things may have been somewhat predictable, the strained marriage, increased challenges with a meddling mother-in-law, and overall transformation of her core identity came as a complete surprise.
The image of new motherhood as a period of frazzled nerves and circles under the eyes isn’t exactly new to contemporary fiction, but there’s something about Joy McGuire that makes her stand out from the crowd. Even when she’s exhausted and confused, she lives in these pages with an ever-present cloud of laughter around her. Her sense of humor is by far her most flattering quality, because while she certainly takes to motherhood, she also begins to behave in ways that confound even her throughout the novel. With a story told in the first person narrative style, it’s often easy to forget that only one perspective is being presented, but even considering this, there are certain people in Joy’s life who are obviously not supporting her in appropriate or reasonably expected ways, providing at least some explanation for the path she finds herself on. By the end of the novel, the reader is left wondering what will happen in Joy’s life once the laughter subsides and the reality she finds before her is finally addressed.
For this still-frazzled mom, This Little Mommy Stayed Home had me laughing out loud before I finished the first paragraph. (Seriously, one little passage about the doctor’s frank and surprising declaration upon completing the post-delivery stitching had me gasping for air. Very, very funny stuff here.) Beyond the clever title and absolutely adorable cover lies an all-too-realistic story about the ways in which life can take some unforeseen twists and turns once two become three.
We’re thrilled to offer two signed copies of This Little Mommy Stayed Home for giveaway! Please leave a comment here to be entered (U.S. only, please).
The winners of All in the Family are #11 Katie, #14 Benita G., and #3 Margaret.
5 Minutes for Books staff reviewer Dawn stays home, still finds herself wondering what happened to her 24 year old self, and tries to keep the humor factor high in her life, especially on her blog, my thoughts exactly.
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A copy of this book will be under the Christmas tree for my youngest daughter who is a stay-at-home mother, a professional who left her job to raise her two children, the hardest job she’s ever had (her words, and mine!)
I have been wanting to read this.
thanks
I would love to read this book-:)
Looks like a great book!
I’ve had my eye on this title for a while now… unfortunately my local library system doesn’t carry the title and purchasing isn’t in my budget right now, so please enter me!
Would love to read this!
We posted about this giveaway at Winning Readings: http://winningreadings.blogspot.com/2009/11/this-little-mommy-stayed-home.html
janemaritz at yahoo dot com
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This sounds SO good! Love the title. Thanks for the chance…
Would love to read this book!
Thanks!
My daughter is a single mom and I am sure this book will help lighten her load by bringing her some laughter.
Sleep deprived Mommy would love a chance to win this book! Thanks!
I’ve been planning to get this book, would be wonderful to win it!
This sounds like a fabulous book. sounds a lot like my first year!!
I would love this book! Thanks for the chance to win. 😉
Sounds like a great book! I would love to read it!
My sister-in-law is about to be a mommy for the second time, and I think she’d really enjoy this book (after I finished it! 😉 )
I would love to enter. This sounds like a fun book!
This book sounds great! Right now I am 11 weeks pregnant with our first baby : )
I’d love to read this book. Thanks!
Sounds like a cute book!
I would love to enter this giveaway, thank you so much!
Sounds like another great book!
I’d love to be entered in this book giveaway. Thanks
ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com
sounds like a great book
What a great giveaway! This is really a treat.
bgcchs(at)yahoo(dot)com
sounds cute i’d love to read it!
I’d like to give this book to my cousin who’s expecting her first baby.
Sounds like a great book! I’d love to win a copy.
My sister would love this – I think she’s finally through enough of the first few years to appreciate the humor.
This sounds like something I’d love to read!
I would love to win this book. thanks for the great reviews every week! and giveaways,too! 🙂
artandjen at juno dot com
What a fun read!
Sounds like my kind of book! I hope I win!
This sounds like a great read!!!
This looks like such a cut ebook to read! 🙂
looks like a fun and relatable read
Sounds like a fun read!
This would sure be great to read.
This book sounds really good. I would love to read it.
Who wouldn’t want to read something that helps remind us we are not alone? Please enter me.
Rachel Langston
Fabulous review. Looks like a great read.
Just found your blog via 2Toddlers and Me. I will definitely be back.
🙂
Sounds great! I am so excited to have a growing list of books I am excited to read. Thanks!
this book looks like it is right up my ally!
I’m sold. Great review. I love books about motherhood, especially funny ones as I can always use a good laugh.
I’m sure it will be a wonderful book. I would love to give this to my sister.
Oooh, this sounds like a great book. I can totally relate to the main character!
Sounds like a great book! I have totally been there, done that, got the spit up on T shirt to prove it. Thanks for a great giveaway!
Charissa
With an eight month old and a twwo year old, I haven’t gotten any book reading time in ages. This sure would hit the spot!
I’m always up for humourous depictions of motherhood! 🙂
I would love to get this for my Daughters, and future daughter inlaw… Sounds like a great book.
Sounds like a wonderful book! (would bring back memories from LONG ago for me. LOL)
I would love to give this book to my granddaughter who is due in April with my 1st great grandchild.
gourdsrmylife(at)yahoo(dot)com