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The Unbalancing Act
Vada Bower, mom blogger and stay-at-home mother of three strives for perfection. No one would ever suspect this always smiling mini-van princess to be on antidepressants, or to have an internal dialogue that makes the f-bomb sound like a nursery rhyme. Overwhelmed and pushed to her limit, Vada finds herself in a mental institution, The New Outlook Center for Mental and Behavioral Health. It is here where she realizes that her maternal instincts do not have an off switch, and her own mental issues may backfire on her in a way that she never could have imagined.
- GenresFamily
200 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 8, 2013
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59 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
March 11, 2014
Vada Bower just can't get a break. She's the mother of 3 boys, wife of a traveling husband and clearly doesn't have time for herself. She's taking antidepressants reportedly but to me throughout the novel she seems to have very manic tendencies.
This could have been the day in the life of any mother yet Vada ends up in a mental institution because in my opinion she is grossly misunderstood.
Kristen Lynn opens with a most hilarious narrative of Vada attempting to take her kids to a museum and the mischief they ultimately end up conducting. Vada's inner monologue is the basis for most of the humour. The short paragraphs reflect her racing thoughts and her insight into her own shortcomings and opinions of all the characters she encounters, from her nurses to her repulsive roommate.
Her husband always seems to end up at the wrong place, at the wrong time and Vada's impulsive behaviour is misinterpreted as self destructive. Either way her experiences at the New Outlook centre yield new friendships and conflicts that she has an interesting way of resolving. She is a lighthearted character with her family's best interest at heart. The story follows her week at the mental institution and becomes an adventure as she tries to outsmart her counsellors and physicians.
As long as you're not offended by foul language you will find yourself laughing out loud numerous times at Vada's frank and honest statements.
This could have been the day in the life of any mother yet Vada ends up in a mental institution because in my opinion she is grossly misunderstood.
Kristen Lynn opens with a most hilarious narrative of Vada attempting to take her kids to a museum and the mischief they ultimately end up conducting. Vada's inner monologue is the basis for most of the humour. The short paragraphs reflect her racing thoughts and her insight into her own shortcomings and opinions of all the characters she encounters, from her nurses to her repulsive roommate.
Her husband always seems to end up at the wrong place, at the wrong time and Vada's impulsive behaviour is misinterpreted as self destructive. Either way her experiences at the New Outlook centre yield new friendships and conflicts that she has an interesting way of resolving. She is a lighthearted character with her family's best interest at heart. The story follows her week at the mental institution and becomes an adventure as she tries to outsmart her counsellors and physicians.
As long as you're not offended by foul language you will find yourself laughing out loud numerous times at Vada's frank and honest statements.
September 8, 2014
A Hilarous And Dark Comedy of Motherhood
Follow Vada into a mental hospital. As a mother of three boys and a wife, she needs a break. She relives several funny, endearing, and sometimes plain-out creepy situations during her stay at a mental institution.
I loved this book! I spit my tea out while reading about her butt-cheek clinching while the doctor inspected her for injuries from the night before. And I never knew the Golden Girls were really linebackers out to get mental patients. Lol.
Oh my God. Every parent needs to read this book on thier worst parenting days. Vada obviously loves her kids and husband more than life. I think she's the kind of crazy we all won't admit to being...but really are.
The characters had me snorting in laughter, her husband was a great sport, and her kids were adorable. Be forewarned: there is a lot of the F word in here. But I agree with Vada: we should all say the F word more often. But I hope to never run into an overly sexed Bath-Salts-Mary. She was creepy!
Suspence, laughter, and a memoir on motherhood...I don't think it could get much better. A must read!
Laurie Kozlowski
Also posted to Book Escape Reviews www.bookescapereviews.wordpress.com
Follow Vada into a mental hospital. As a mother of three boys and a wife, she needs a break. She relives several funny, endearing, and sometimes plain-out creepy situations during her stay at a mental institution.
I loved this book! I spit my tea out while reading about her butt-cheek clinching while the doctor inspected her for injuries from the night before. And I never knew the Golden Girls were really linebackers out to get mental patients. Lol.
Oh my God. Every parent needs to read this book on thier worst parenting days. Vada obviously loves her kids and husband more than life. I think she's the kind of crazy we all won't admit to being...but really are.
The characters had me snorting in laughter, her husband was a great sport, and her kids were adorable. Be forewarned: there is a lot of the F word in here. But I agree with Vada: we should all say the F word more often. But I hope to never run into an overly sexed Bath-Salts-Mary. She was creepy!
Suspence, laughter, and a memoir on motherhood...I don't think it could get much better. A must read!
Laurie Kozlowski
Also posted to Book Escape Reviews www.bookescapereviews.wordpress.com
December 28, 2015
Holy crow. An overworked mom decides to take a little vacay in the mental hospital. I could relate! She tells so many lies while she's in there that it's a miracle she ever gets out. Slayed myself laughing.
November 28, 2013
This book was incredible! I've never read a book where I laughed so much. Definitely a must read!
November 16, 2014
Loved it!
I think all mothers can relate to this story, Vida is my new Hero lol a must read for mothers that just need a break from the "Craziness"
I think all mothers can relate to this story, Vida is my new Hero lol a must read for mothers that just need a break from the "Craziness"
August 19, 2015
HILARIOUS! This book is right up my alley and I recommend it to all my mommy friends.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews