The Mother Load

by Keeley Bates

This momedy tells the story of three women at different stages of marriage and motherhood. Former lawyer Sophie is the mother of two young children and a workaholic husband. Much to her chagrin, her pastimes now include fantasizing about Disney princes and the destruction of an evil queen, her tongue-clucking mother-in-law. Sophie’s older sister Emma shares a home with their 70-year-old, pilates-loving father and is single mom to a 12-year-old boy with a deadbeat dad. Sophie’s sister-in-law Bridget is a happily married pediatrician trying to conceive a child of her own through fertility treatment while remaining committed to her patients. Each woman struggles in her own way to balance her role as wife, mother, sister and daughter with her desire for personal fulfillment. ‘The Mother Load’ is a comical tale about the complexities of modern motherhood.

Genres: Chick Lit, Fiction

261 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 21, 2012

About the author

Keeley Bates is the author of humorous women's fiction. She published her first work, Hostel Takeover, in September 2011 and her next novel, The Mother Load, is expected in June 2012.

Reviews

[Amanda · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book had some interesting and funny elements but there were things about it that kept it from being a solid story. First, the book needs edited. There are facts that get twisted along the way & names that occasionally change. Also, the plot line was flat. I was taught to look for some sort and plot peak and/or conclusion and this story felt lacking in both. I enjoyed the characters and as I said there were interesting and very funny parts but as a cohesive, complete story this seemed lacking.

[Beverly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Was able to read this in one day! A little hard to keep track of the characters moving in and out of the girl's lives. A little disappointed at how abruptly it ended. Gave it the three stars because it held my attention enough for me to want to see how each girl's life would change, but not sure it is really that great.

[Lori Pittari · Rating 5 out of 5]

Laugh out loud read. Very enjoyable

[Sharjez · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was an interesting book, but some things were just not quite right. Am I the only one who notice Dr. Harmon being called by another name in one chapter (Riley)? Or that her sister in law was pregnant with her 4th child, hoping for an "heir to the throne"'after 3 girls, then when she has the baby, it talks about the in-laws taking care of the three boys and how Pamela finally got her little girl? Then the book seems to end abruptly. The author knows how to tell a story and make the characters come alive. Edit the book a little and it's a 5 star read.

[Hayley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. It is a story about motherhood primarily but also relationships and family. I laughed out loud many times and welled up a couple of times too. I found myself thinking 'that sounds like me/my life' several times. I want to be in Sophie's book club. It sounds like a blast! The characters are likable, believable and feel very real. I would recommend this book.

[Becky Kline · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is terrific! Well written, easy to read and very real. Each of the characters are authentic and you.see their lives at their different ages. Some of the chapters are 'tears in the eyes funny' while some are sad. Be ready for a good read.

[Jessica · Rating 1 out of 5]

Don't. Bother.
Nothing happens in this book. There is zero story to it.

[Angela · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was an ok read on the whole but at times a dull read. I didn't like the main characters very much either but it did have a few humorous incidents.

[Judy · Rating 2 out of 5]

I liked the book up until the end. The ending is so disappointing, like the author lost interest and just wanted to stop writing.

[Denise · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyable read. No violence. Satisfying plot line.

[Lita · Rating 2 out of 5]

Couldn't finish this one. The story was too stilted for my tastes. It didn't come alive for me and I couldn't connect with the characters. Gave up after maybe 40 percent.

[Coyney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Must say I really enjoyed this book, opened my eyes to parents with kids with autism

[Dioly Castillo · Rating 5 out of 5]

A different book, loved it

Loved each of these characters and loved how they ended up. A real life book, with different stories and humor, what's not to like?

[Cathleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a fun book to read. All the chapters were written using the 3 main characters: Emma, Sophie and Bridget. This made for such an interesting read as you delved into the minds of each of these characters and saw the perspectives from all 3 of them.

Sophie the stay-at-home mom of 7 year old Owen and 5 year old Molly. Sophie is married to Neal, an attorney. Sophie was a practicing attorney prior to giving birth to Owen. Sophie is quirky, has an interesting way of thinking and presenting herself.

Emma. Sophie's sister, Eric her 12 year old nephew and Max her father all live together in Emma's house since her divorce. Emma is a teacher and struggling to keep her head above water.

Bridget, Sophie's sister-in-law and her husband Ted are trying to conceive their first child. Bridget is a busy pediatrician and Ted is a freelance artist.

Florence and Charles her mother and father-in-law are brought into the story in different places and provide some comic relief. Sophie's constant inside-her-head responses to Florence "the nemesis" is a riot.

This book has some wonderful characters and make for a fun read.

[Elaine · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have already read Hostel Takeover by Keeley Bates, which I really enjoyed but unfortunately this one just didn't quite come up to the same standard.

This is a story about three women in the same family and their relationships. There is not too much by way of a plotline as the story concentrates on the dynamics in those relationships - mother/daughter, daughter/father, sister/sister, and daughter in law/mother in law etc. Whilst it is a pleasant, feel good book that can be read in a few hours and there are many moments (particularly concerning Florence, the mother in law) when you will be nodding your head in agreement thinking "been there", the story seems to lack something and is more "a year in the life of " than anything else. There are a few editing glitches and a couple of really irritating inconsistencies that could do with being ironed out.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I got this book for free off Amazon (thanks to Bookbub!). Each chapter is told from 3 different women's perspectives: Emma, Sophie and Bridget. Emma and Sophie are sisters, and Bridget is Sophie's sister in law.
Sophie has 2 kids and is happily married to Neal. Emma is a single mom (divorced) and has a 12 year old son. Bridget is married to Ted and a pediatrician. They are going through the process to get pregnant by way of hormone shots.
It's interesting to see each woman's point of view and what each are dealing with in their lives. It was an easy read, and I know if had a day to just read, it would have been completed. :)

[Liza · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story's of Emily, Sophia, Bridgett (I may be missing a sister/sister in law.) Emily is a mother of a preteen boy, is divorce and her dad lives with her in her small apartment. Sophia is Emily's sister. Mother of 2, married to a man who seems to spend too much time "at work". Bridgett is their sister in law(?) who is a pediatrician desperate to become a mother.

The story was okay. They way they related to each other was very entertaining so it was definitely a quick read. But I did find myself confused as to who's story I was on. I found myself constantly thinking back to when I was first introduced to each character to remember who was who.

[Rachel · Rating 2 out of 5]

I downloaded this one from a Book Bub email. I can say I read the whole thing, but there were moments when I really didn't care for the story at all.
Sometimes the humor is bawdy and in bad taste. There were disorienting moments when there were so many new names on the page, I couldn't remember who was who.
The story line that kept me reading was Bridget and Ted's struggle to have a baby. That one felt the most relatable, and even though it isn't something I've personally dealt with, I felt it was well-written.
Overall, I don't think I would end up recommending this one to anyone I know, so I'm giving it a low star rating.

[Janet Pawelek · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute, easy read. Amazed that the mistakes in the book (one girl was pregnant. At the beginning of the book it said she had three girls and finally they were going to have their boy. When she had their baby, it was a girl and she joined her three brothers. Hmmm,), were allowed to get by the editorial staff, but it was a quick, fun read that passed the time. Disappointed in the ending.

[Lin Bucler · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book showed different aspects of motherhood. The flow of the material caused me to have difficulty keeping each character straight. The story was a lot about not much with interesting tid bits here and there. It held my interest enough that I wanted to see what happened with the characters but I started just skimming pages the last quarter of the book. Not my favorite book.

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

I laughed and cried while reading this, more laughter than tears. The characters felt real, like family. The dialogue between them made me feel like I was chatting with them. I could relate to their struggles, accomplishments and failures. This book was fast paced and entertaining to read.

[Beth Gilroy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun book that delved into various female relationships. Several female characters at different phases/stages of life interact and ultimately make wise discoveries about life and themselves. Most women experience how each of these ladies feel at some point. Good book!

[Stacie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this book to be equal parts good and bad. The good things: it was funny at times and depicted the ways women think/act pretty realistically. The bad things: It was poorly edited and too predictable at times. Overall, it was a quick and mindless read. Perfect for beach reading!

[Elaine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun to read, especially on a long plane trip. Made me feel good, which is always great when reading a book. I noticed some inconsistencies as well (see other reviews). Seems odd the editor didn't catch that.

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this one! A light and funny read!

[Katelitwin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very light, easy read but I loved the characters and how real each was throughout the story. This is real life, real family, and real relationships in every phase of adulthood.

[Dineen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I laughed. I cried. I read it in a day. I could identify with all the women in this book, in one way or another. Quick read, but a good read.

[Alisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

A not-too-heavy read about common problems facing women - motherhood & marriage, infertility, single parenting, dealing with parents & in-laws. With satisfying resolutions for each character.

[Veronica · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the storyline, but it didn't grab me, so I had to keep going back to it.

[Amber Harrell · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book! I identified with most of the women in the book. It made me appreciate my mother-in-law much more than I did before reading it. It was a light funny quick read.