"Snappy Motherhood!"

First we had "chick lit" and now it's time for "mommy lit." So Jennifer Coburn sojourns into the land of the dispossessed, the world where mothers lose all sense of self-identity and dedicate their totally fettered lives to their offspring. This is no light matter, yet Coburn manages to lend the familiar nursing and wailing infant scenarios more than a spark of wit.

What is far more crazy is the relationship that the narrator, Lucy Klein, has with her husband or perhaps it would be more appropriate to say two people living in the house as husband and wife while he brings home his girlfriend - all so that he can experience the fatherhood he never had. Hmm, what's the matter with this picture and will Lucy wake up to some rather normal feelings? Or is this also a new rage, sort of like swapping roles?

Lucy is also writing for some rather classy magazines while she is mothering and befriending her dud husband, Jack.

There are multiple funny moments such as when the spectacular Barney appears at a birthday party - a wee bit drunk - and of course disaster strikes!

All of this and more make for an interesting and amusing read, perhaps not as plausible as Coburn's first masterpiece, but definitely a new take on being a "mommy" to both infant and spouse!

Fascinating!

Reviewed by Viviane Crystal on January 24, 2006

Reviewed by Viviane Crystal
Courtesy Crystal Reviews
Posted March 12, 2006

Summary

House in the 'burbs: check. Baby on the way: check. Rock- solid marriage: Can I get back to you on that one...? People say my timing with a wisecrack is flawless, but my real-life "special moments" sensor is clearly on the blink. Then again, so is Jack's, and this whole thing is his fault. I know...it takes two to make a baby. But it only takes one to ask for a divorce. And Jack was the one who asked—ten minutes before I announced my pregnancy. But Jack had a plan. We would raise the baby together and stay married in name only, free to see other people while still providing a stable home for our child. Co-parenting, Jack called it. My label for it was something slightly less sophisticated. So why did I find myself agreeing? I could blame any number of things, including hormones, panic, and the prospect of moving back in with my complete diva of a mother. In any case, here am I, Lucy Klein, cuddling my adorable son while my sort-of husband cuddles his adorable...girlfriend. Okay, fine—it's a totally bizarre arrangement. Still, this may not be the weirdest thing that happens in my life this year. Between trying to maintain my city-girl attitude while languishing in New Jersey, surviving children's parties featuring Barney and bloodshed, making it through my cousin Kimmy's wedding to herself, and trying to get at least one date (just to prove that I can), my hands are pretty full. But if there's one thing I'm determined to learn from all of this, it's how to be a great mom without losing myself in the process...