Toddlers, Julia remembered hearing someone say, were like big tyrants of tiny countries. Demanding, insatiably needy, and all ego and id, her son was still by far the best boss she’d ever had.
Julia Einstein knew that being a stay-at-home mom had a lot in common with her former job as a celebrity publicist—endless, irrational demands, little to no appreciation, and constant hustle. But it isn’t until her husband is laid off from his job and she’s forced to go back to work and resurrect screen legend Mary Ford’s career that Julia realizes how very much she prefers an actual child to a formerly famous client.
For example, her child doesn’t steal ten-thousand-dollar leather coats from photo shoots. Nor does he require a constant, fresh supply of a soda that is no longer in production. He doesn’t curse at Julia, pronounce her name “Einstein” with a thick layer of disdainful irony, or incessantly poke at her with his index finger while reciting odd variations on childlike rhymes like a psych patient on day pass. With a mortgage looming and three years out of the business, however, Julia knows she has no choice but to make Mary’s comeback a success. Even if it kills her.
Which, at this pace, is a possibility. But if there is one thing Julia has learned from her time off from the office, it’s that sheer determination can solve almost everything. After all, if she can get through suburban living with its uncontrolled clutter and playground politics, how hard can it be to resuscitate the career of an aging, desperate has-been? And get over the fact that her husband is a better stay-at-home mom than Julia ever was?
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"Julia has left the world of celebrities behind to become a full time mom. When her husband is laid off she has to try to pick up where she left off and begins working for a new agency whose major client is an old has been actress (Joan Crawford type) trying to make a comeback. Missing her son, jealous of her husband who gets to stay at home and organize things, and trying to be successful all try to get her down. But once again the powers of a woman win out. Cute."
— Deb (4 out of 5 stars)
" I'm not reading any more books in this particular "genre", the career woman/New Yorker/whatever genre. I couldn't even finish the audio book. And seriously if PR people let their washed up actors who actually need their help physically "poke" them without getting a big slap something is messed up here. just a big "MEH" for this one and I really liked Animal Husbandry. "
— Sandra, 2/19/2014" This book is about a stay-at-home mom who goes back to work. It was very funny and a quick, easy read. "
— Sarah, 2/5/2014" I don't know what I was thinking when I picked this up. I should've been able to relate to the struggles of a Jewish working mother. But I didn't. "
— Katie, 2/1/2014" I loved "Animal Husbandry" and so I was happy to see that Laura Zigman had written a new novel. That being said, I think this wasn't her best effort. The characters are somewhat interesting, at times, but she falls into that inevitable trap that most chick-lit writers do of not being able to write men convincingly. It's a puzzle, because she wrote her male characters fairly well in "Animal Husbandry" and in this one, she just seems to have lost her voice. I won't say it's a bad novel, there are some clever parts, but it is a waste of time if you're looking for something with a little substance or memorable moments. "
— Sara, 1/21/2014" I listened to this on audio. It was okay, but nothing I'd recommend to others. It's the story of a stay-at-home mom who has to reenter the workforce when her husband is laid off. "
— Julie, 1/20/2014" I think, perhaps, that I am just not a Laura Zigman fan. I actively hated Her (another of her novels) and this one was slow and contrived. I've been a SAHM myself but didn't feel any connection at all to the character. Just... blah. "
— Shannon, 1/19/2014" Laura Zigman, fellow alumna of Newton North High School and of the Radcliffe Publishing Course, is as warm and delightful in person as are her books. Many of the situations the heroine experienced while taking this diva on the road rang true to my own publishing experiences. "
— CLM, 1/11/2014" I am currently pulling from the library shelves. This book was a good distraction but no literary work of genius. It was a good beach book. "
— Amanda, 12/12/2013" Not my usual genre, but well written, and the audiobook narration was well done. "
— Kim, 12/4/2013" I honsetly don't remember much about this book other than that a friend sent it to me and I read it. Guess I'd better read it again. "
— Barbara, 11/26/2013" One of the lamer books I've read lately, but I'm reading it at work, and it's easy to put down when I need to. "
— Laurie, 4/24/2013" It was a great book. Quick and Fun to read. "
— Brooke, 4/11/2013" This was a fun read about motherhood and going back to work. "
— Kendra, 1/11/2013" Funny, light story of a stay-at-home mom who goes back to work after her husband loses his job. The husband makes staying home look easy and gets all of her friends organized in their homes, while she deals with an obnoxious new client in the PR world. "
— Jill, 11/12/2012" OK. Julia stays home with her son Leo. Her husband loses his job and she goes back to work as an agent for "has-beens". Has to resurrect the career of Mary Ford. "
— Sue, 9/10/2012" very funny and very real "
— Mary, 5/23/2012" Fast, funny read. Not a big fan of her long over-involved sentences. But overall, the book was entertaining. "
— Nan, 4/6/2012" Clever story about a stay at home mom who returns to the professional working world. Although it's supposed to be mostly comical, I think, it has some poignant truths about marriage and motherhood. It actually tugged at my heart a lot. "
— Laura, 11/29/2011" Decent afternoon read. Nothing particularly special. I would have to say that at least it portrays a mother's true feelings about having to be at work. "
— Tracy, 8/26/2011" Read this last summer. The story is about a stay at home mom, former career woman, who goes back to work after her husband loses his job. While the book wasn't bad, it wasn't great either. "
— Delores, 6/3/2011" A mother goes from being a stay-at-home mom to being the only source of income for her family. The woman's husband becomes a stay-at-home dad while his wife endures a horrible client. A light and fun read. "
— Laura, 4/16/2011" very funny and very real "
— Mary, 12/7/2010" did not keep my interest very well so I only read about half the book. "
— Rebecca, 5/27/2009" I listened to this on audio. It was okay, but nothing I'd recommend to others. It's the story of a stay-at-home mom who has to reenter the workforce when her husband is laid off. "
— Julie, 3/18/2009" Fast, funny read. Not a big fan of her long over-involved sentences. But overall, the book was entertaining. "
— Nan, 2/24/2009" This was a fun read about motherhood and going back to work. "
— Kendra, 2/18/2009" quick read. likable characters. Basic novel about woman going back to work and adjustment on the family. "
— Alissa, 12/7/2008" Read this last summer. The story is about a stay at home mom, former career woman, who goes back to work after her husband loses his job. While the book wasn't bad, it wasn't great either. "
— Delores, 10/15/2008" This book is about a stay-at-home mom who goes back to work. It was very funny and a quick, easy read. "
— Sarah, 9/12/2008" I am currently pulling from the library shelves. This book was a good distraction but no literary work of genius. It was a good beach book. <br/> "
— Amanda, 9/3/2008" I think, perhaps, that I am just not a Laura Zigman fan. I actively hated Her (another of her novels) and this one was slow and contrived. I've been a SAHM myself but didn't feel any connection at all to the character. Just... blah. "
— Shannon, 7/21/2008Laura Zigman lives in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and has been a contributor to The New York Times (Modern Love, Styles, Op-Ed, Home, Vows), The Washington Post (Book World, Health), The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, Huffington Post, and Parade, among other publications, as well as a ghostwriter for numerous projects, a former book publicist, and the author of six novels.
Emily Durante has been narrating audiobooks for over ten years and is also an AudioFile Earphones Award–winning audiobook director. She has been acting since the age of seven and has performed in a number of stage productions at the professional, collegiate, and regional levels.