Lanie Coates’s life is spinning out of control. She’s piled everything she owns into a U-Haul and driven with her husband, Peter, and their three little boys from their cozy Texas home to a multiflight walkup in the Northeast. She’s left behind family, friends, and a comfortable life–all so her husband can realize his dream of becoming a professional musician. But somewhere in the eye of her personal hurricane, it hits Lanie that she once had dreams too. These days, Lanie always seems to rank herself dead last–and when another mom accidentally criticizes her appearance, it’s the final straw. Fifteen years, three babies, and more pounds than she’s willing to count since the day she said “I do,” Lanie longs desperately to feel like her old self again. Lanie sets change in motion–joining a gym, signing up for photography classes, and finding a new best friend. But she also creates waves that come to threaten her whole life. In the end, Lanie must figure out once and for all how to find herself without losing everything else in the process.
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"This book falls into the genre "mommy lit" which I didn't know existed until now. Its a cute story and easy read about a woman who moves from Houston, TX to Cambridge, MA with her grad student husband and their three little boys. It follows her journey to regain herself, as someone other than "mom"."
— Lauren (4 out of 5 stars)
" light and fluffy. good story and worth the read just for the last page and her thoughts about women and beauty! "
— A., 2/16/2014" If you're a mom and you wonder sometimes to what happened to your body, life and dreams. It's a very beautiful book, easy to read and uplifting. Read it in one evening "
— Imene, 2/12/2014" This book reminded me that we all lose ourselves in one way or another. "
— Marie, 2/11/2014" Finally, a book with a protagonist that I could really relate to--a mother of small children. Great humor and interesting story. "
— Jody, 2/7/2014" "I devoured Katherine Center's first book, The Bright Side of Disaster, but for some reason I just couldn't get into this book at all. I actually never finished it. Maybe its because I don't have kids and found it hard to relate to the main character. Her children's behavior was outrageous. I don't know that I would recommend this book to anyone which is sad because I recommended Center's first book to several friends. Save yourself the money and frustration. Skip this book." "
— Colleen, 2/2/2014" Simple easy fun read. I really liked the main character in this book. She was funny and I could totally relate to the parenthood ups and downs she had. She was very down-to-earth. "
— Andrea, 1/25/2014" Good for the motherhood "reality," but it was way to predictable and ended up too neat and tidy. A quick, fun read, but if I were to pick a good mommy lit book, I'd take "I Don't Know How She Does It." However, I'm looking forward to making some cupcakes! "
— Kristin, 1/23/2014" Terrific. Realistic. Moving. "
— Jennifer, 1/20/2014" I loved this book. Very sweet, romantic and relatable coming from a mom of 2, working full time and married for 9 years! "
— Desiree, 1/20/2014" This book is about motherhood, finding oneself and is really "real". "
— Amy, 11/10/2013" I read this cover to cover during a 2 hour bath last night. it made me laugh out loud, it made me cry and the ending made me go find my hubster & hold on tight. This was beautifully written. "
— Heather, 10/26/2013" love this. recharged me and took me to the raw parts I tried to forget about early mamahood. I did like the way it made me feel. "
— Amy, 10/8/2013" A friend recommended this book and although it was a good book it was a little too much of reality for me "
— Laura, 10/8/2013" Could not put this down. Made me laugh out loud , loved the ending. Just a story on everyday life and the challenges everyong goes through. "
— Patti, 9/18/2013" I guess I'm on a mommy-lit kick ;) "
— Jamie, 8/2/2013" I really liked this book...it had a good message and makes you stop and think about what you have and reminds you not to take it for granted. "
— Nela, 7/21/2013" I really liked this book, I think I read it in one day. The author puts her real life in the book, I read on her blog that she got a phone with a long cord, fastened to the wall, and then the main character's mom has the same kind of phone... "
— Patty, 6/20/2013" This book is a perfect read for mothers of 2+ kids. I laughed out loud and cried out loud. She bares the truth of a mother's sense of losing identity but finding herself again. "
— Vanessa, 2/15/2013" I both didn't like and loved this book. It is possible if you're me. I didn't like the writing style, but by the end of the book I decided it is direct and honest. I loved some of the essential truths about life, marriage and motherhood the book depicted. "
— Jo, 2/12/2013" I gave this 4 stars mainly because it captures the chaos of my life with young children so clearly - very funny but almost too much at times. "
— Ccharn, 1/6/2013" Fun, quick read and entertaining. It's definitely more of a vacation/beach read, but enjoyable. "
— Sara, 12/14/2012" I loved this book! The story of a mother of 3 moving with her pianist husband from Houston to Cambridge. Day to day mom stuff + a reawakening + a love story. There's so much to relate to and some laugh out loud scenes. Super fun to read. "
— Kelly, 12/8/2012" A must read for any mom that has EVER felt alone, isolated and that NO ONE understands what she goes through everyday!!! I enjoyed reading this book so much!!! It took less than a day to read....I LOVED it!!! "
— Leigh, 12/26/2011" There is a truly cringe-worthy scene in this book that makes me never want to have kids... "
— Emma, 8/27/2011" I really enjoyed this book. I made me want to try new things. However, there was to many swear words!!! especially the "f" word. I would have given it a 5 but the swearing was hard for me to read. "
— Cassidy, 7/17/2011" 3.5 stars, fun book that I'd recommend for a decent fiction read. There's one part I really like where the author talks about how humans are fundamentally imperfect and thus we are perfect in our imperfections. "
— Katelyn, 5/23/2011" This was an enjoyable book with likable characters. The depictions of mothering small children were vivid and authentic and cringeworthy. If you're looking for a fun, easy, satisfying read, this is a good one. "
— Dorothy, 5/15/2011" I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I liked just about everything about it. It was a good quick read, like a snack, that fulfilled it's purpose of tiding me over until my next meal. "
— Rebecca, 5/7/2011" I loved it! As a mom of 1, I could so totally relate to some of the feelings the main character had in the book. <br/>I found myself laughing out loud several times. Just a great book! "
— Kristine, 4/5/2011" I love this funny book about the not so glamorous sides of motherhood, wifehood. I like that it didn't go where it could have predictably gone. I loved that it emphasized that a mother/wife needs personal fulfillment to adequately fulfill her family. "
— Jaime, 3/6/2011" Definately a beach read but really good... and thought provoking . "
— Terri, 3/4/2011" A little fluffy beginning but turned out thoughtful and real. "
— Tamela, 2/4/2011" I must admit this book is one of the few books I've read that made me LAUGH OUT LOUD. I had to put the book down, and laugh. Maybe it's just because I knew exactly where she was coming from and felt like that is my life everyday! Cute story, has the f word several times, but fun to read. "
— Kellie, 1/22/2011" This is a truly inspiring book. Everyone mother should read it (especially with young kids). I loved this book. "
— Susan, 1/10/2011" Mom of 3 boys moves to NYC and life is turned upside down. I thought the author did a great job of portraying the reality of motherhood--good and bad and hard and rewarding. Rated PG-13 IMO, but a fun read. "
— Rebecca, 12/30/2010" Very easy read, grabbed me from the start. Felt like I was reading my own autobiography! Very true to life and a great feel good ending! "
— Monica, 12/30/2010" i love this book.it was about a mom stuck in a place were she was not happy.i love how this book showed the ups and downs of moms,life,and people.this book is for i would say older people.maybe 18-up. "
— Khadija, 11/6/2010" A friend recommended this book and although it was a good book it was a little too much of reality for me "
— Laura, 10/28/2010Katherine Center is the New York Times bestselling author of over half a dozen books, which have made many “best of” lists, including Real Simple, Amazon, and many more. The movie adaptation of her novel The Lost Husband hit #1 on Netflix.
Kirsten Potter has won several awards, including more than a dozen AudioFile Earphones Awards and been a three-time finalist for the prestigious Audie Award for best narration. Her work has been recognized by the National Foundation for Advancement in the Arts and by AudioFile magazine, among many others. She graduated with highest honors from Boston University and has performed on stage and in film and television, including roles on Medium, Bones, and Judging Amy.