Class Mom by Laurie Gelman
Review by Lauren
Source: personal copy; all opinions are my own
Official Summary (add to Goodreads): Jen Dixon is not your typical Kansas City kindergarten class mom–or mom in general. Jen already has two college-age daughters by two different (probably) musicians, and it’s her second time around the class mom block with five-year-old Max–this time with a husband and father by her side. Though her best friend and PTA President sees her as the-wisest-candidate for the job (or oldest), not all of the other parents agree.
From recording parents’ response times to her emails about helping in the classroom, to requesting contributions of-special-brownies for curriculum night, not all of Jen’s methods win approval from the other moms. Throw in an old flame from Jen’s past, a hyper-sensitive -allergy mom,-a surprisingly sexy kindergarten teacher, and an impossible-to-please Real Housewife-wannabe, causing problems at every turn, and the job really becomes much more than she signed up for.
Review: No, I am not a mom myself, but I don’t think you need to be to enjoy this funny novel. I actually brought this book with me for the Women’s Wellness Weekend back in September. It was a great book to just kick back and relax with. It definitely makes you laugh – which is a positive – and it has me excited to check out the sequel, You’ve Been Volunteered.
I loved that Jen Dixon was so unapologetically herself. She’s probably the oldest parent in her son’s kindergarten class, as she already has two college aged daughters. I thought Jen was relatable in a lot of ways, and she’s definitely not perfect. There’s a high school crush that reappears and Jen can’t help but flirt. Everyone’s marriage is different, but what Jen was doing wasn’t exactly okay with me because it was kept from her husband. Don’t worry – there’s no actual, physical cheating! Regardless, there were plenty of times I wanted to yell at Jen. At the same time, I still really liked her, and I think that makes her realistic. It was a pretty quick read with a lot of humor and heart.
I love this! Okay and so unrelated to the book, but your meme! I love LOVE that show! It is one of our favorites around here for the very same reason, she is unapologetically herself! This sounds fun and definitely like something I need to read.
I LOVED THIS BOOK!! I want the sequel. I should add that to my list. But yes- my 6 years as PTO President was summed up by this book!!
I loved this book. Someone in my book group called what she was doing “cheating” and I was like, well she shouldn’t have been flirting with this guy, but she did not cheat! lol.
This book sounds interesting but as soon as I saw the MC was married and there was an old flame in the picture I was wary because emotional cheating is a thing! But the fact you still want to read the sequel says that the writing must have been good and although I’m still a little hesitant about the flirting I do think it looks good.
I have been wanting to read Gelman’s books, so I am glad this was as funny as I thought it would be. And, it’s great to hear that it was enjoyable for those without children as well.
Sounds fun! 🙂
Oh my gosh I was the old parent! It was so fun to be so less stressed about it the 4th time around. I need this book!
At my age, pretty sure I’m never going to get to be a mom or experience any of this, I just don’t tend to enjoy reading about that. It makes me kind of sad. But it does sound like it was a funny book. Maybe some day I’ll give it a try. Great review!
This looks like a lot of fun, despite some frustrating parts. Glad you enjoyed it (:
While it does sound like fun, I feel like I will be yelling at Jen, too. I don’t know. Definitely straddling the line between laugh out loud and throw the book away. Lol.
I loved this book so much, it seriously made me laugh out loud at so many points. I agree though at times I wanted to yell at Jen! I forgot there was a sequel, I might need to look for it to get back into reading a bit again!
Sounds like a cute, funny book. I saw another blogger talking about how funny and good this one was. Glad you enjoyed it!
It sounds like Jen’s actions and choices could be frustrating – but also pretty realistic.
Hmmm, these books keep crossing my path. Might need to check one out. Thank you for the review. BTW, did you read and review The Book of Boy? Someone did and I thought it was you or Dara but can’t find the review. Anyway, I told my PC about it and he is reading and very much enjoying it. So thank you.
When I read the synopsis for this book, I was worried that it was a cheating storyline. Sounds like it doesn’t go all the way there, but I’d probably still be frustrated with it. But it does seem like a funny book!