Saturday, September 20, 2014

ARC Review: Moms Night Out

Moms' Night Out by Tricia Goyer

Publisher: B&H Books, 2014
291 pages, kindle edition
Source: Netgalley

Synopsis:
Moms' Night Out is a novelization of the hilarious family comedy that celebrates real family life—where everything can go wrong and still turn out all right.

All Allyson and her friends want is a peaceful, grown-up evening of dinner and conversation . . . a long-needed moms’ night out. But in order to enjoy high heels, adult conversation and food not served in a bag, they need their husbands to watch the kids for a few hours—what could go wrong?

Chronicling one night out gone awry, three harried moms, their husbands, a sister-in-law with a misplaced baby, a tattoo parlor owner, a motorcycle gang, and a bewildered cabbie all learn to embrace the beautiful mess called parenting. This book spotlights the unfulfilled expectations and serial self-doubts many moms feel . . . then reassures us that the key is raising kids in a loving home. Mom’s Night Out is an endearing, true-to-life comedy.


My Review:
I have a very sneaky suspicion that this book is going to read more like an autobiography than fiction for most mothers. From the opening lines it captures the crazy chaos we call motherhood to a tee. The character of Allyson embodies most of us as she struggles through the wash, rinse, repeat cycle of raising children.

At one point in the story Allyson reveals that her dream when she grew up was to be a wife and mother. Now that the dream has come true, reality has inched in to upset the fairy tale. It seems that no matter what direction she turns she is surrounded by her short comings. The house is a mess, the kids are a mess, and above all else she's a mess. She spends a lot of time wondering how "they" do it. You know who "they" are . . . those "other" mothers. The ones that have the perfect house, perfect kids, and the always put-together perfect look.

Through a divinely inspired and desperately needed moms' night out, Allyson's eyes are slowly opened to the fact that her life and all that it encompasses may be a mess but it is a truly beautiful mess.

I must admit that I'm a little hesitant to read a book after seeing the movie. I'm usually disappointed in one or the other. I'm pleased to say in this instance that isn't the case at all. I loved them both equally and came away from the reading with the same feeling of gratitude that I did from the movie. I'm humbled, honored and grateful that God chose me to mother.

If you are looking for a funny, uplifting, and inspiring story to read for yourself or to give to a friend, you can't go wrong with Moms' Night Out. I think you'll be pleased that you took the time to revel in the beautiful mess we call motherhood.


My Rating:

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