Author:       Jane Porter

Publisher:    5 Spot/Hachette

ISBN:          978-0-446-69923-5

Website:      www.janeporter.com

Type:         Fiction:Women’s Fiction/ChickLit

Pages:        410 Trade Paperback

Purchase:    $10.97 @ Amazon.com (HERE)

The Story

“Marta Zinsser grew up in a conservative, old Seattle suburb and couldn’t wait to leave for New York, where she thrived as an independent woman with no need for men — even when she decided to have a baby.“

“Ten years later when her mother becomes ill, Marta realizes that this may be her daughter’s last chance to get to know her grandmother and returns to Seattle, taking up residence on the affluent, technology-drenched Eastside, filled now by snobby old money families and even snobbier nouveau riche.

“Enrolling Eva in the local school, Marta accedes to her daughter’s wishes and agrees to join the PTA despite being horrified by the fancy moms that dominate it. With wealthy husbands, massive homes, nannies, no jobs, and their own hierarchy, the fancy moms have no intention of letting a bohemian mom like Marta in to their private circle.

“Will Marta be able to carve a niche for both herself and Eva? And when gorgeous maverick Luke Flynn appears in Marta’s line of vision, will she find love after keeping it at arm’s length all this time?

(Above excerpt is from www.janeporter.com)

The Review

This is the third of five books that I have written by Jane Porter.  To date, I have reviewed  Flirting With Forty and Mrs. Perfect.    Mrs. Perfect was the story of Taylor Young, the seemingly perfect blonde PTA Mom.  In her story, she ends up taking a job at Z Designs, a company owned by Marta Zissner.  This is the story of Marta Zissner and she is everything that the “Stepford Wives” of Bellevue, Washing are not!  The combat boot sporting, Harley Davidson rider is unlike all the other mothers who spend their days volunteering at their childrens’ school.  Marta is a single mom of a wonderful, curious and brilliant daughter Eva.  Eva is everything that Marta isn’t.  Eva’s mission is to have friends and be popular; Marta’s mission is to be true to thyself and not worry about social status.  Eva is convinced that she can transform the lives of both her mother and herself so that they will become a part of the “popular crowd” at school.  But, more than that, Eva wants to have a daddy to call her own.  Being the product of a single mom’s quest to have a baby via a sperm donor, she doesn’t know what life is like having a dad in her life. 

I think that I am most definitely the “Odd Mom Out” in my world.  I’m nothing close to the lovely, sweet, and picture perfect wives of my school community.  I’m quirky, eccentric, moody, and direct.  They are pretty, sociable, and so involved.  I’m always intimidated by those moms that have it all… the husband, the house, the gorgeous kids.  I’ve been a single mom since my twins were 18 months old.  I’ve spent the majority of my time being a working mom and trying to do a decent job of raising my girls.  It hasn’t been easy.  We’ve hit several bumps on the road.  Being a single mom isn’t the easiest option and having a wonderful husband and father as a part of a family is something that I long for… just haven’t been blessed with.   Maybe someday?

So, as far as Odd Mom Out, I could most relate to the heroine in this story of all the books I’ve read by Jane Porter.  I understood how Marta felt and really pulled for her success in finding love and solving her career dilemmas.  I adored the character of little Eva.  In fact, I think she is my favorite character in the book.  She is such an independent, smart little cookie!  LOVED HER!       

On Sher’s “Out of Ten Scale:”

As the self-proclaimed “Queen of ChickLit,” I have to say that this book does not disappoint!  Odd Mom Out has all of the traditional “Jane Porter” flavor amidst an entirely new storyline.  I can really relate to the single-mom aspects of this story and it was a fun reading adventure for me!

For the genre Fiction:Women’s Fiction/ChickLit, I am going to rate this book a 9 OUT OF 10.

A Reminder on Jane’s Latest…

As I mentioned in my review of Mrs. Perfect, Jane has written a new book.  Here’s what it’s about:

 Coming July 22nd, 2009!

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