Customer Reviews

Odd Mom Out

5 star:		(25)
4 star:		(13)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

The ad agency Marta Zinsser works for has sent her to Seattle with her pre-teen daughter, Eva. This isn't Marta's first time in the Emerald City. She grew up here. At the same time, the city's now full of pearls-wearing, twin-set clad, Mercedes-driving alpha mommies, and she's definitely out of place. Eva wishes for a mom that was a bit more traditional. Marta worries about losing her sense of identity and additional heartbreak as she copes with the realities of bringing up a child on her own. She's not looking for a man, but Luke Flynn's been looking for her his whole life.

I love Jane Porter's books. Whenever I open one, I know I'm going to walk in someone else's shoes for awhile, and I also know I won't put it down till I finish it. Marta's combat boots became pretty familiar to me as I read about the struggles of a single mom who spends her days juggling as fast as she can. I'm not a mom, but I found that Marta experiences the same insecurities and fears as all women do.

Jane's characters leap off the pages of her books and lodge in your heart. "Odd Mom Out" is her best book yet. I can't wait for the next one.

This book is definitely five stars and after you read this one read "Mrs. Perfect" as a sequel. You will really be glad you did as it rounds everything out. Both are five star books individually. Great story line. I could sure relate to it as the "Odd Mom Out" because I became a police officer at a time when not many women went into law enforcement plus I was already a mother of two. I could see myself in both of these books at different times of my life so found both of them enjoyable reads. Five star ratings!

Marta is the odd-duck heroine of the book, and her character really resonates with me. She hasn't a clue how to fit in, and mostly can't be bothered with external influences that tell her how to be rather than just being herself. That is until her daughter begins to point how nice it would be to have a more normal mom. The story is much more textured and engaging than what I've described; I'll let the author tell her own story.

I recommend this book to anyone who has been baffled by the social structure, the A list, mean girls, and just trying to be yourself amidst lots of pressure to fit in. Beautiful book. Nicely injected with romance for the strong woman, but most of all a story of loving oneself and finding your place in the world.

Enjoy!

I don't normally write a review, but I really enjoyed the writing style of this author. I've been having a hard time finding an author that I don't cringe at corny, over the top, moments. This author impressed me with the 'realness' of the characters. It was a believable story line and I wasn't disappointed after reading it. While I cannot relate to the main character as we don't have much in common I was able to understand her thoughts and emotions. Very good book overall and am looking forward to purchasing another of Porters' books.

Jane Porter is advertized as the author of Flirting with Forty. I've not read it. But if she writes Flirting with Fifty I surely will.

Odd Mom Out is such a fun read. Poor Marta simply doesn't fit in and doesn't want to either. But she desperately needs to fit in with the local moms soon for the sake of her child. What Marta doesn't realize is that she needs to be needed too, and not just by a daughter that's growing up too fast.

Gradually Marta learns that those who fit in might not be quite as normal or happy as they look, and those who don't won't necessarily be as different as they seem either. Meanwhile her daughter reads How to be Popular and drives her mother spare. Oh, and there's the handsome sexy motor-bike enthusiast who might be another not-fitting-in parent, if Marta could just get the chance to find out.

And there's the job. Yes, Marta's a working mom, and a happily single Mom, and a super-Mom. She runs her own company and she runs her own life, except that there's just too much juggling going on. I loved getting to know her, and her daughter, and Luke, though I wanted to scream sometimes--why couldn't she see? It felt like screaming at a friend.

My favorite scene? Well, there's the one where the parents' association are discussing raising funds for their kids' school, and Marta wants them to share with the other side of town. But the mommy mafia is diverting the conversation to laser treatments... I think I wouldn't fit in either.

Sometimes there seemed to be just a few too many twists. But why should it be simple. Marta's story is alternately hilarious and touching and sweet, and I really enjoyed reading it. Thanks again to Hachette Book Group and Nights and Weekends.

I loved this book. This book got me back into reading. I bought it b/c my sister was expecting so I just started buying books that had mom in it. Come to find out this one was fiction and pretty cool. I'm a single biker chick and my sister is the perfect mom/daughter etc. So I really identified with the character. Gave it to my sister and she got a good chuckle out of it too.

I didn't read romance books until I stumbled upon this one. The protagonist's struggles are so relatable, while still wrapped in a quick and entertaining read. But what makes this book and this author special is that Porter's subsequent novel, Mrs. Perfect, tells the story of the nemesis in this book. By taking two characters that translate into the lives of many, the two stories urge us to step into the shoes of another. And that is a lesson I did not expect from this genre.

I really liked this book. As someone who's been an outsider all of my life, I could empathize with Marta. Women truly do behave like those snooty Moms in the Seattle suburbs. I'd definitely read other novels by Jane Porter, her writing is very breezy and entertaining. I only gave the book four stars, however, because the ending fell a little flat for me. The author for some reason just "dropped" the whole plot line about the catty moms--which was so entertaining, and just focused on Marta's romance. I think Porter could have done more with that ending, such as having a showdown with Marta and Taylor Young, where all of the moms actually see Marta with her daughter and new boyfriend, and some envy results from it! I'm surprised that didn't happen. There was no closure with Marta and the other mothers.

This book is very entertaining, as are all of Jane Porter's books. It gives perspective on working moms, and is a great love story. I enjoyed it more than any book in a long time. This book has a very strong lead character who doesn't fit in to the "norm" of where she lives. I found that we all have a little of "Mrs. Perfect" as well as the "Odd Mom Out" in us. You really just have to get to know what is behind the facade to find this out. I highly recommend this as all of Jane Porter's books.

I got this book AFTER reading her next "Mrs. Perfect" and enjoyed it just as much. Jane Porter has a great ability to pull out the things that make up our everyday living and turn them from something frustrating to humorous - almost any situation seems better when you realize you're not the only one to feel totally overwhlemed by it!