Lies We Tell Mothers

A True Story

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Pub Date 1 Aug 2019 | Archive Date 29 Aug 2019
Amazon Publishing UK | Lake Union Publishing

Talking about this book? Use #LiesWeTellMothers #NetGalley. More hashtag tips!


Description

Bestselling author of the Bad Mother books Suzy K Quinn reveals the truth behind the lies we tell mothers, one sleepless night at a time.

Suzy and Demi were carefree twenty-somethings. They had fun! They didn’t have responsibilities! And then they decided to have a baby. Goodbye lazy weekends, hello sleepless nights, arguments and an addiction to industrial-strength hot chocolate.

In the midst of this major life change, Suzy discovered that most parenting advice should be taken with a pinch of salt—or ten.

For example:

#1 Lie—Just go with your mother’s instinct. But what if your instinct is telling you to hide under the stairs?

#10 Lie—Your new baby will tell you what it needs. Not if it can’t talk it won’t.

#23 Lie—You should never bribe your children. You will ALWAYS bribe your children.

Follow Suzy on the ultimate make-over—from nervous-wreck new mother to happy families. In this hilarious and refreshingly honest account for parents who prefer the realistic to the utopian, Suzy debunks the myths and takes us all along for the (bumpy) ride.

Bestselling author of the Bad Mother books Suzy K Quinn reveals the truth behind the lies we tell mothers, one sleepless night at a time.

Suzy and Demi were carefree twenty-somethings. They had fun!...


A Note From the Publisher

Suzy K Quinn is a British fiction author, and writes in three different genres: psychological thriller, comedy and romance.

She was first published by Hachette in 2010 with her debut novel Glass Geishas (now Night Girls), then self-published a romance series, the Ivy Lessons, which became an international bestseller, selling half a million copies and becoming a #1 Kindle romance bestseller in the US and UK.

After her second daughter was born, she self-published the Bad Mother’s Diary series, which also became a #1 Kindle bestseller.

Suzy K Quinn’s novels have been translated into seven languages and her books have sold over three quarters of a million copies worldwide.

Suzy lives in Wivenhoe, Essex, with her husband Demi and two daughters. She would love another baby but her pelvic floor says no.

www.suzykquinn.com

www.facebook.com/suzykquinn

Twitter: @suzykquinn

Suzy K Quinn is a British fiction author, and writes in three different genres: psychological thriller, comedy and romance.

She was first published by Hachette in 2010 with her debut novel Glass...


Available Editions

EDITION Other Format
ISBN 9781542044677
PRICE US$14.95 (USD)
PAGES 254

Average rating from 51 members


Featured Reviews

I feel like this needs to be required reading for all people. Not just mom to be. But everyone who is going to be around said mom. Like they should just give this book out at every doctors office. It is amazing to read and say “yep I’ve been there”.

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As a young mom this book is perfect! I love how hilarious and relatable this book is. Suzy K Quinn’s writing style is unique and brilliant. I highly recommend this book and see myself using it in a mom’s book club soon!

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Lies We Tell Mothers was my first experience with author Suzy Quinn. I enjoyed her approachable and humorous writing style and she definitely hits the nail on the head with the struggles and challenges of new motherhood. She had a great balance between honest reflection and not taking herself too seriously. This was a quick and enjoyable read and I look forward to reading more of her work in the future. Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

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If you have young children, or even if you don't, you will love this book. You won't be able to put it down. You'll laugh all the way to the end.

Thanks for author, publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book. While I got the book for free, it had no bearing on the rating I gave it.

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Lots of fun and took me back to my days of being a new Mom! Wish the author would have kept along the track of the “first year”! The stories were great and I can remember relating! There seemed
To be a quick age jump in there that didn’t transition as well as the rest of the book! Thank you for the opportunity to read and advance copy and for the trip down memory lane!

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I do not have kids but I can imagine that this a very accurate portrayal of how chaotic and fulfilling it can be! This book was quite funny but did drag on a bit. I would have liked to see more pictures of the kids included as they really brought levity to the book.

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A mixed bag. I enjoyed the stories of the first year of the author with her daughter and then the timeframe skipped and sped up and the book became a bit more hurried and rushed. A shame because I identified with a lot of the first part of the book - stories such as regretting weaning so early, for example. It felt that the author had a deadline and rushed through the second half of the book in order to meet it. A shame as it could have been a really funny read.

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Excellent book with a clear cut depiction of characters. The storyline is fluid and constant, and my concentration never waived. Highly recommended.

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A hoot! Arranged in chapters each headed by a "lie" about being a mom, this one will make you, most importantly, feel better about yourself. It's nicely written and totally honest without being (and this is important) snarky. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. A great read.

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Even though my daughter is already 7 years old I still can remember her baby time and how much of a shock it was for me. You can go to as many preparation courses and whatevers as you want but nobody will prepare you for this what's really to come when the baby arrives. And because lately the mother - and parenthood books are showing that I was not the only one who experienced the first times with their own babies not feeling like a natural Mother Nature, I love reading them. And this book would probably be the one that I would have written if I had any writing talent.

The book is told through chapters dedicated to lies that are usually told mothers, tackling all the issues in a very direct, honest way. I've recognized many of those lies, oh yes I did... I've read one review totally slashing this book and I think, of course there are people who would give anything for sleepless nights and of course children are blessing but we can't take everything so seriously, right? Even though I have a baby, I am still me, a person, a human being with ups and downs, and this book shows them all - it's so simple.

I adored Demi and his relaxed attitude. Ma own husband maybe wasn't as relaxed but he showed that he's a real man in those hard times and I will owe him for ever.

It was funny, relatable, bitter - sweet and brutally honest, the author really isn't afraid of writing how it is. I laughed, I cringed but most of all, I knew how the author felt. She delivers the difference between the expectations of being pregnant and imagining things and the brutal reality in a light, humorous and sarcastic way. But no matter how hard it is, it WILL get better and I would never had it any other way - and this is also the message in this book. Recommended!

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I usually read thrillers or Jane Fallon books. Purely picked this book based on the cover and title. Bit shallow I know. But I liked this book more than I thought I would. It was very witty and hilarious. Not a mother myself but it gave me an insight to what being one might be like thanks to this book. Would recommend to my friends who have recently become a mum.

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This book will have every mother laughing out loud and nodding her head. We can all relate to some of the anecdotes and many of the feelings, even though we may have very different experiences. Pregnancy and motherhood changes wome. Parenting changes couples and trying to hold on to life "as it was" is not a good idea. Finally, no two women are the same, no two pregnancies are the same and no two babies are the same.

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I loved this book from beginning to end. For anyone who’s had a baby this is so easy to relate to
It made me laugh and cry in equal measure
A brilliant book

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Perfect chick lit! I loved the premise and the characters were well developed! I recommend this for anyone looking for a light and fun read!

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Thank you to Amazon Publishing UK for giving me a copy of this book via NetGalley to read and review.

I really, really like the idea of this book. In the current honest motherhood book climate, it fits right in. I identified with a number of the early chapters, especially around pregnancy, birth (and after birth) as well as the newborn stage of motherhood. I loved how Quinn chaptered her book, and thought it really made it a lot of fun to read her debunk the lies we tell mothers-to-be.

Our experience differed about halfway though the book. I think it became more of a stretch for some of the lies she came up with, and the book could have been shorter rather than including them. Her discussion around her book successes later in the book were inspiring to read, but felt a bit self-involved in a book about motherhood.

That said, it was a fun romp through someone else's experience in early motherhood. And I'm sure I too will be a sobbing mess when my son goes to school for the first time in a few weeks.

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This book should be given as required reading for all new mothers honest open true and completely hilarious. Loved reading laughing my way through all the lies the truths .Will be gifting this to young mothers I know and looking for more books by this author.#netgalley #lakeunionpublisshing.

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#suzyquinn

I give my true and honest review in return for this book, I am in no way affiliated with the author or publishers of this book.


My Review.

Ok, so as a first timer and almost new mum myself, -I am 20 months into my own journey in parenthood- I was so excited when I got approved to review this book on #netgalley. A lot of things within this book really stood out to me more than others, but I thoroughly enjoyed each and every page. I laughed, cried, nodded and shook my head, and finally above all else, I sympathised with Suzy Quinn, because I too have experienced those anxieties and still do to this day.

For anyone else reading my review if you suffer the same, there is help out there for you. Message me if you’re going through it and I will help in any way I can. Post natal depression and anxiety is a hard road to travel, and even harder if you travel alone.

Reading Lies We Tell Mothers hit home with me, in more ways than one. Suzy Quinn, is not just a mother, but she is everything I wanted for myself a few years ago, and I applaud her for being brave enough and strong enough to face those fears.

I noted a couple of things in my kindle notes, but this one was definitely the best.
“Lie #23 you should never bribe your children”

I was sitting in my living room on the couch, with my son fast asleep in my arms when I read this, and laughed so hard I nearly woke him up. My partner asked why I was laughing so I told him. His reply was the very same as I was thinking, and I have since asked friends and family members the same, all with the same reply, “Sometimes bribery is the only thing that works”

My most favourite quote of the book was at the start

“Listening to other poor labouring women screech things like ‘Jesus H Christ I’ve shat the bed’”

All in all I have loved this book from start to finish, it’s a definite 5* from me

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I really loved this book, it was hilarious! I love books that I feel like I can relate to and that stir up emotions in me and this book definitely did that. Right off the bat it had me with tears in my eyes and feeling a sense of belonging and understanding. I don't know how many times I have cried these things to my husband. Why do we tell mothers these lies. It does nothing at all to help them, only leaves them feeling alone and isolated. It was written with the perfect amount of humor to be really funny but still very real and serious. I love that she has shared all of these stories with us; she didn't hold back at all. And I really liked the random comments her husband inserted, they always made me laugh and I would have like even more of them.

Definitely recommend this book to all of the parents out there! However, if you are not a parent I really don't think you would get much of the humor and probably would't enjoy it very much..

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I really loved this book. Although my kids are now 6 and 3.5 yrs old, I still can remember the horrors of childbirth, the long and sleepless nights, and the whole hurricane of emotions that only new mothers can know. I loved authors honesty and realism, but also a feel good end of the novel. It really does get better with time, and although you may never ever be the person you were before kids, you actually never have to be. You will be improved, the parts of old you will eventually come back, but with some extras...And that is wonderful.

I recommend this book to all moms-to-be, new moms and moms with older kids...whether to be a guidance, an insight of how we all go through similar things, or just a reminder of what a big change we mothers go through.

Thank you NetGalley for a free copy of this book in exchange for my personal opinion.

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Each chapter in this book focuses on a lie. The author shares her experiences with her first baby, and later second. The book includes little interspersed comments from her husband, either reaction or how he remembered something differently, and they are great. The book was amusing but very realistic as to the new baby experience. I was hoping for a little more for the toddler and preschool years, but I enjoyed this title and feel like this is info that should be shared.
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

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▪️#partner| Thank you to NetGalley, Amazon Publishing UK, Lake Union Publishing & Suzy K Quinn for the free advanced digital copy! This book is available now!
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🌟BOOK REVIEW🌟
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▪️MY THOUGHTS
✔️I loved this book! This is the 2nd non-fiction book I’ve read this year and it’s really making me want to read more! The book was honest, funny & I’m sure very relatable! Although I’m not a Mom, I enjoyed the writing and stories about motherhood. Being an Aunt - I’ve heard a lot of these “lies” from my sister-in-law and friends and can’t wait to recommend this book to them! I especially enjoyed the little funny tidbits as told by Demi throughout the book. It provided the male perspective in a very funny way. I can’t wait to read more from this author! I recommend this book for mothers and women in general, such a fun read!
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▪️TITLE RUNDOWN
Motherhood
Original
Truth
Honest
Eventful
Relationships
Sweet
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▪️STAR RATING
✔️🌟🌟🌟🌟/5

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Loved this book! What a honest, compelling, and humorous look at Motherhood! As a grandma, it really brought back all the doubts and hard times that I have conveniently forgotten over the years. I highly recommend this book. Thanks to Net Galley and the publisher for the opportunity to read an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

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I laughed way more than what I thought I would in this book - and I knew I was going to laugh a lot BEFORE I started. At times I probably sounded like a pack of hyenas.

A brilliant, brilliant book that may instill fear and/or panic into any pregnant first time mom and howls of laughter from mom's living the reality.

Brutally honest, this book reminds us of all the "lies" we were told pre-pregnancy and pregnancy and how afterwards, if we don't repeat them to others, the human race will die out!

Demi's thoughts/interjections take this book to an even better level - the dad's perspective.

This is a story about how one couple went from a "we" to an "us" on their parenthood path. You'll recognise elements of yourself as parent throughout - reminding oneself that parenting is pretty much the same journey no matter where in the world you live.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for allowing me the chance to read this book.

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Such a great read!
I’m not a mum myself but my sister has recently had her first baby so I could second-hand relate to some parts of the book. It’s so charmingly honest and witty I couldn’t help smiling and outright laughing.
I really loved Demi’s comments throughout the book as well as the photos.
This book is perfect for anyone who has or is going to have a baby in their life.

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What a totally fantastic read, loved every minute of it, was a really funny and told the trials of parenthood perfectly, love her fiction and thought this was bloody fab

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Thank you very much for the chance to read this novel. I enjoyed both the story and the characters presented, it was a humorous, thought provoking, and very relatable in parts! I would happily recommend to others.

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This book was pretty cute actually. It's a fun quick read. The worst part really is how much I can relate to this book being a mother myself!! Thanks for sharing your story!!

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Thank you Netgalley, Lake Union and Suzy Quinn for the ARC of Lies We Tell Mothers.
I recommend this book to any lady that’s thinking about taking that leap and trying for a baby, or any lucky lady that is currently pregnant or in the throws of motherhood.
Lies We Tell Mothers came to me at a perfect time, I am three months postpartum and also have a three year old toddler.
I haven’t laughed so hard at a book in a long time. I can relate to every single chapter of this book and I found some comfort in knowing that I’m not alone. I probably highlighted 70% of this book.
To all the new moms out there, please read this book for some comic relief and some useful advice.
I’m off to make my third cup of hot chocolate! ;)

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Such a surprisingly funny book ! I was able to relate and really enjoy this story. I will recommend this book for sure ! Thanks for sharing !

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Throughout this book I found myself reminiscing the time when I was pregnant with my first child and when she was born. Yes, I too was young and delusional. I found myself reading the book really quickly, nodding at many parts as I was saying to myself me too!
There was a lot of humour in the book and I couldn't help laughing, the one lie per chapter made me want to read more and more.
Suzy wrote an honest book which many of us will relate to. It was well written and so refreshing

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I recently read don’t tell teacher and absolutely loved it. So I was so happy to read another book by the same author

This book could not have more different

I really did not enjoy this book

I have read other reviews where people gave loved it, but I could not connect with any of the charcuterie or the storyline

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Oh what a book! I love how Suzy Quinn writes such a honest and raw book about motherhood. My kids are a little older now so I found myself thinking about my pregnancies, births and those first couple years. Being young and clueless, I can still laugh at myself at things I thought and did. It’s refreshing to read a “mom” book and be like omg yes I did the same thing or omg yes I was just as delusional instead of feeling mom shamed. This book is a must read! It will have you totally giggling throughout!

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Raw and hilarious tale of motherhood at its finest. With two kids of my own, I can totally relate to this book. Funny, uplifting and heartfelt, this book was a joy to read. Fast paced and honest, I highly recommend this book.

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Lies We Tell Mothers is an honest, refreshing and hilarious look into the truth about motherhood and being a parent. No sugarcoated platitudes here, just the straight truth. A book every mother should read!

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I was very happy to receive a copy of the book from NetGalley in return to my honest review. I requested the book because I am currently interested in reading about other women's perspective on childcare.
In her book, Lies We Tell Mothers, the author tries to go over the lies new mothers hear, such as: "Pregnancy is such a special time," "Breast is best," "Your stretch marks will go eventually. Use cocoa butter!" She uses her own experience to refute the lies but not in scientific way but in a "Let me tell you how it actually is" way. The book is well-written and it was a pleasure to read it. Unfortunately, it only lasted 3 days. I might need to pick it up again sometimes. It is a fun and entertaining read. The comments from the author's husband made the book less like a read and more of a " conversation with the friends" situation.
I highly recommend Lies We Tell Mothers to new mothers, wanna be mothers, dads and anybody who is interested!

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Now, I'm someone who doesnt have kids... but I absolutely loved this book! It was so funny and charming and I love how open and honest Suzy was about her life! Although, I'm sure at regular intervals throughout this book, I decided that I definitely dont want children! Haha

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Lies We Tell Our Mothers is a must read for everyone who us a mother or has a mother. It is honest, raw and hilarious. Cant wait to share this book with friends. Thanks netgalley for the opportunity to read this book in arc form, the opinions are my own.

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A great true life read. I think all expectant families should read it. The whole process of motherhood and family life laid bare. It brought back memories.

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five out of five stars for Lies We Tell Mothers by Suzy K Quinn! I loved this book - such a great page turner. with the holidays coming up, this in the perfect read to get a break from reality. thank you to net galley and the publisher, who provide this e copy for free in exchange for my honest review.

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I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. Thank you NetGalley.

This book should be a gift for every new mom. It was comical and highly relatable. We've all experienced bits of this book in our life. Read it, you won't regret it.

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Really liked this book it made me laugh a lot, very true to life and totally honest and eye watering haha a lovely light hearted and funny read

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A hilarious and too true ride through motherhood. Love, love, loved it! Thanks to the publisher and netgalley for the arc.

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Haha, good read. Funny. Witty. Engaging. But a little bit, like, seriously, did you not think this baby thing through??

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I'm not sure why, but for some reason I was very into reading mom books at this time. This one is a nonfiction telling of one mom's journey to coming to terms with her life changing from childless and carefree to mom life.

The start of the story, as any good mom tale goes, starts with the getting pregnant and the story of the birth. All moms love to share these stories. I have never met a mom that hasn't shared some parts of these stories with me. So naturally, this is how this particular book would begin. And at first, I was not here for it. Everything was a complaint. She was about to turn 30 and thought her womb was going to turn to dust. Because she was old. I am an older mom, so I took extreme offense to this statement. My first child was a surprise when I was 34. My second was when I was 37. Putting my thoughts aside I continued on. It only took 6 weeks of trying and they got pregnant. That I don't mind, but the constant complaining and whining of all the things that she could no longer do rubbed me the wrong way again. It took me well over a year, and a miscarriage, before I was able to have my son. So for someone to be so lucky and then complain the whole time never sits right with me.

But I kept reading. And I am glad I did. Because of the above, I took away one book stack. Everything after that was a good read for me. Motherhood is hard. But motherhood is worth it. The start and middle of the story really laid out the lies that mothers are told, and the realities. Lie #23 - You Should Never Bribe Your Children (HAH! Yes you totally should because sometimes you just need to get through a moment). #25 - Second Pregnancies Are More Straightforward. Nope.

Will I look into her Bad Mom series? I probably will. Is this a good mom lit story? Yes it is. Give it a try if you are curious what mom life can be like, but remember - everyone's story is different!

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I really loved this book. I still can remember the horrors of childbirth, the long and sleepless nights, and the whole hurricane of emotions that only new mothers can know. I loved authors honesty and realism, but also a feel good end of the novel.

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Hilarious book relatable to all moms. This book had me laughing out loud at numerous points it wasn’t an amazing book but the laughter helped

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Good read, took me through a range of emotions! I really enjoyed this and have recommended it to some other mams.

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If it weren’t for the last 4% of this book it would have put me off having kids for life...

A very honest and raw account of motherhood, with a subtle sense of humour throughout.

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I love reading fiction-based novels about parenting when told in a way such as it was in Lies We Tell Mothers - painfully blunt, heart-wrenchingly honest, and achingly hilarious! I could relate to so much in this book, which made it even better. I can remember feeling the same emotions, complaining about the same issues, and crying for the same reasons. I wish I had read this while I was going through the same parenting stage, I think it would have made me feel better and more sane knowing that the way I was feeling was normal and that I wasn't crazy. I laughed and commiserated throughout the whole book, I loved it! I am looking forward to reading more by this author.

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