Customer Reviews

Stretch Marks: A Novel

5 star:		(17)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I've been a fan of Kimberly Stuart's mom-lit ever since I read BALANCING ACT and BOTTOM LINE. This author never fails to keep me thoroughly hooked and entertained. At first I assumed that STRETCH MARKS would be book #3 in the Heidi Elliot series, so it took me a few pages to get accustomed to Mia, a hip urban social worker who unexpectedly finds out she's pregnant from her live-in boyfriend.

Throughout the book, I was drawn to Mia, especially her courage in the face of numerous trying circumstances. She's alone after her boyfriend skips town, yet she finds companionship through her quirky best friend Frankie and her hilarious mom, Babs. There were so many laugh-out-loud scenes with Babs and Mia, such as when Babs joins Mia's yoga class for the first time.

I think this would make a great gift for moms-to-be, who can relate to Mia's ups and downs throughout her pregnancy. I also enjoyed reading through the point of view of a vegetarian since I have many family members who are vegetarian! I found myself wanting to eat healthier and try a little yoga after seeing how Mia controlled her own stress through her healthy lifestyle.

I'd highly recommend any of Kimberly Stuart's books for moms who want something fun to read while taking a break from the kids!

No review I write will be eloquent enough to do justice to Stuart's novel. Stuart paints portraits of her characters with Vermeer's virtuosity. Each one is a multi-faceted being who you can neither truly love or hate, but all of whom you can recognize in your everyday life. The story arc is refreshingly unique, subtle, simultaneously entangled and harmonious. She brings soulful dignity and grand levity to subjects otherwise considered taboo. The musical and pop culture references, fashion digs, and self deprecating humor sprinkled through out the book provides treats for all generations. The variety of issues that Stuart dares to tackle such as: polar opposite politics, racial relations, single's sexual realtionships, Christianity/religion versus agnosticism, etc. is bold, but somehow neither offensive, strictly conclusive, nor condemning, but definitely thought provoking and gracefully considered. The book simultaneously leaves the reader with a greater inclination to both attempt to understand God and to empathisize with persons whom may have radically different beliefs than their own. Stuart is an exceptional author with unparalleled talent when it comes to genuinely capturing both the ridiculousness and benevolence of human nature. I would truly be puzzled by a person who did not appreciate nearly all elements of this book.

When I picked up Kimberly Stuart's STRETCH MARKS at the start of the day today, little did I know I'd become so engrossed in this book and its characters that I'd be completely powerless to put it down!

In this wonderful story of love, family, commitment and friendship, Ms. Stuart introduces us to characters who are both endearing and yet not without their own personal flaws. Mia, unexpectedly pregnant, makes the courageous decision to raise her child on her own, all the while holding out hope that her seemingly commitment-phobic (yet very hot) former live-in boyfriend Lars will change his mind and come back to her and her as yet unborn child. While blind to the fact that Lars doesn't want the picture perfect family she envisions, it takes Mia a while to clue into the fact that -- in reality -- she is surrounded by a loving and supportive cast of characters who truly do become the family she has craved.

I loved the subplot of the mended relationship between Mia and her deliciously out-there mom Babs. I couldn't help but be inspired by teenage mom Flor's gutsyness and self sacrifice. I rooted for Adam the entire book and was happy with his character's eventual outcome. In short, this book drew me in with characters I grew to know and love in quick fashion.

A quiet, yet significant spiritual undertone underpins the plot line and sets this book apart from typical Chic Lit fare. Author Kimberly Stuart is never heavy handed with her message, but rather serves up a dose of inspiration with great flare and wit. Now, I need to get busy reading her others novels!

The timing of receipt of the book was good but the condition of the book was not what I expected. It was not in "excellent" condition...very worn. None the less...it is readable but would have appreciated a nicer copy.

I love this author and she's from my home state! I've read all her books to date. She pens a true to life story with a lot of laughable verbage.

Mia and her mother, Babs, could not differ more. Mia dresses retro, cares about the energy crisis, goes to yoga religiously and lives a pure vegetarian lifestyle in Chicago. Her mother, while morally conservative, sports plastic surgery, works as a social director on a Caribbean cruise ship and is passionate about steak. They drive each other crazy!

But when Mia gets pregnant, her live-in freeloader boyfriend jumps ship. Actually, he kinda slithers off into the night. Babs to the rescue. She drops everything and moves into Mia's apartment building to "help." Can anything can bring these opposites together? The promise of a new baby, one they both already adore, may be their only hope.

Delightful characters fill this book! From Frankie, the librarian with technicolor hair (Mia's best friend), to Silas, the mysterious gentleman who lives downstairs, and Adam, the hottie who runs the local grocery store. Each contributes their own charm to the story.

Consistent with the author's style, this book is subtly infused with inspiration. It is witty, intelligent and funny, all while being perfectly authentic -- the opposite of preachy.

You'll love it -- I promise.

And so does the publisher. If you don't like the book, you can send it to them under their "Good Read Guarantee!"

Final Thoughts: Kimberly Stuart's books are like chocolate: take one bite and you'll need another. I can't get enough!

I could not put this book down. I enjoyed getting to know each character and the description of them made me feel as I was there as well. Kim, you did an amazing job writing this. I have been telling every female I can about this book. Any woman could relate to some part of this story. I always enjoy reading a good book but this one made me sad when I was done. I wanted to read more. I guess I'll just have to wait for the next great book Kim writes.

A very conscientious person, Mia recycles; she doesn't eat meat, is a card carrying member of PETA and works as a social worker looking to salvage the world for everyone. Like most mothers and daughters, Mia and her mom have a strained relationship. It's much easier to deal with Babs, her mother, from a distance. Happily involved with Lars, her live-in boyfriend, Mia`s life is comfortable, for the most part. Mia's core is knocked off center when she learns that the flu she's been battling is actually an embryo.

Suddenly she finds herself abandoned by Lars, pregnant and wondering exactly how she`ll survive. Babs shows up unannounced and immediately jumps full speed into Mia's chaotic life. While the two easily bump heads, especially over their past, Mia soon discovers that Babs' arrival in her life was right on time.

Although the soon to be dad is M.I.A., Mia has an excellent support system readily available to fill the voids.

"Stretch Marks" is laugh out loud funny, clever and fascinating. While reading the story I found myself completely occupied. I loved that the subplots weave themselves into the story and don't dismiss the main idea of the story. Truthfully, I worried if "Stretch Marks" would be a book that I could connect with. Based in Chicago, my hometown, I too was a single mom and was lucky enough to have also found the beauty of being loved by a man who knows himself and the girl of his affections well and chose to build a life together. Definitely recommendation worthy!


Reviewed by: Crystal

Stretch Marks is a thoughtful and funny look at the change that occurs in a young woman's relationship with her mother when she becomes pregnant. The main character, Mia, is a liberal, yogo practicing, vegetarian that loathes her mother. After her parents' divorce and her father's death soon after, Mia felt abandoned by her mother and never forgave her. When Mia finds herself pregnant and left alone by the baby's father, her mother, Babs, swoops in to rescue her, except Mia doesn't exactly want the help. Their journey is an enjoyable one with humor, a little romance, tears, and lots of great characters, from Silas the old gentleman who lives on the first floor of Mia's building to Frankie, Mia's best friend who's hair color changes every chapter. I really enjoyed this book, and while I wouldn't completely characterize it as a Christian book, it is very clean with no foul language or detailed intimacy scenes. There is some mention of religion and Mia's struggle with the institution of religion itself, but no scripture references or devotional type messages within the story.

Stretch Marks was a very relaxing read, and the story flowed so easily from one chapter to the next that I easily lost track of time while reading.

Stretch Marks by Kimberly Stuart is a humorous look at the way pregnancy changes and stretches a woman. Mia is very happy with her life, for the most part. While her job as a social worker doesn't always fulfill her need to change the world, she pays close attention to her carbon-footprint, eats organic, does yoga, and has a live-in boyfriend, Lars. Everything changes when her unexplained nausea and fatigue turns out to be a pregnancy and Lars leaves in the night. While Mia tries to make a new life for herself and the baby-to-be, her mother, Babs shows up to help. Babs is Mia's antithesis with her frosted hair, artificially enhanced features, and love for meat, leather, and plastics. Mia will be stretched to her limit making peace with Babs, her new body, and just maybe the cute guy at the grocery store. Several reviews are slamming Stuart for keeping the faith bubbling below the surface without the overt mentions that most Christian fiction has in spades, but I think that this makes Stretch Marks far more marketable to the secular reader. Stuart portrays Babs' faith and church realistically and gently sands down Mia's agnostic edges without ever alienating the reader. The novel is funny and moving and full of spot-on mother/daughter angst. Mia is a delightful character who will shatter readers' preconceived notions of tofu-eating/free trade buying/climate change activist.