Publication date: May 19, 2020
Genre: Contemporary Fiction Rating (1-5) 4.2
If I could summarize this book in just a few words, I would say ‘NYC stay-at-home mama DRAMA’. Claire is our main protagonist, and she is hired to be a musician for a playgroup on the Upper East Side, after she was kicked out her band that conveniently became famous once she was out of it. While she at first feels inferior to these women who have it all together, she slowly realizes that maybe they aren’t as put together as they would like the world to think.
The story follows Claire’s viewpoint, as well as from the viewpoint of some of the moms. I’m not a mom myself, but I think mothers could relate really well to this book. The characters are struggling with the comparison game, whether it comes to themselves or to the development of their baby. They are struggling with making it seem like they have this motherhood thing down easy, and want to document a perfect life for the world to see. And maybe their biggest struggle is when other moms are taking a certain supplement or following a certain wellness routine for the benefit of their child, they automatically jump on the bandwagon. And this will now lead me into a mini rant. How about we all stop showing the picture perfect lives we want people to think we have online, and rather show the real stuff? Admit when a day has been hard and you’ve wanted to tear your hair out. Maybe instead of only posting photos with your hair and makeup done and your child in a perfectly put together outfit, post a photo of both of you first thing in the morning. Who cares if such and such a person on Instagram uses a $30 face wash or buys supplements and vitamins from a certain company? Trust me, the CeraVe for $7.99 at your local grocery store works just fine, and the vitamin section has plenty of good options. Stop comparing yourself to other people who seem like they are so happy based off their social media feed, and know that they struggle too. We are only human. Ok. Now back to the book review ? The writing flowed very well, as did the storyline. There are some things that may not have been necessary, like steamy rated R romance scenes, but there were only really 2 or 3 of them, so not extremely bothersome to me. Overall, it was a nice, witty, page-turner of a book, so head to your local library or local indie bookstore, and pick up this fun novel! Synopsis from publisher: ”After her former band shot to superstardom without her, Claire reluctantly agrees to a gig as a playgroup musician for wealthy infants on New York’s Park Avenue. Claire is surprised to discover that she is smitten with her new employers, a welcoming clique of wellness addicts with impossibly shiny hair, who whirl from juice cleanse to overpriced miracle vitamins to spin class with limitless energy. There is perfect hostess Whitney who is on the brink of social-media stardom and just needs to find a way to keep her flawless life from falling apart. Caustically funny, recent stay-at-home mom Amara who is struggling to embrace her new identity. And old money, veteran mom Gwen who never misses an opportunity to dole out parenting advice. But as Claire grows closer to the stylish women who pay her bills, she uncovers secrets and betrayals that no amount of activated charcoal can fix. Filled with humor and shocking twists, Happy and You Know It is a brilliant take on motherhood – exposing it as yet another way for society to pass judgment on women – while also exploring the baffling magnetism of curated social-media lives that are designed to make us feel unworthy. But, ultimately, this dazzling novel celebrates the unlikely bonds that form, and the power that can be unlocked, when a group of very different women is thrown together when each is at her most vulnerable.”
Happy Reading!!!
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AuthorHi, I'm Genny! You can always find me with a book in my hand. Dystopian, Fantasy, and Historical Fiction are among my favorite genres. I hope you enjoy the reviews I provide and can help you pick out your next book! Archives
October 2020
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