The Onesies: Summer

Totlandia #4

by Josie Brown

IN BOOK 4 OF THE TOTLANDIA SERIES:

As summer sizzles in Totlandia, emotions boil over for the newest members of Pacific Heights Moms & Tots Club, whose trust in each other is sorely tempted by Bettina and her club politics.

When Jillian's vindictive joke backfires, she learns the true meaning of forgiveness.
Jade’s betrayal puts her in a dangerous downward spiral with no bottom in sight—until she finds friendship and redemption where she least expects it.

Lorna faces the biggest trial in her marriage, and makes an important decision that may end it for good.

While Ally may regret the choices made she to get accepted in the club, her exile puts new opportunities in her path, thanks to Brady and his ceaseless desire to win her over—with Barry's help, who is playing his own little game with the Top Moms Committee.

But it's Bettina who suffers the ultimate punishment—one that changes her life, and the livelihood of the club, forever.

Friendship. Lies. Seduction. Betrayal.
Welcome to Totlandia.

Genres: Chick Lit, Contemporary

228 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 5, 2013

About the author

Josie Brown's forty-two novels are now in the hands of over two million readers.

She has been published by St. Martin's Press, Simon & Schuster, HarperCollins Publishers, Penguin Books.

Read Josie’s books. You’ll get a good idea of her sense of humor. https://www.JosieBrown.com

You'll also find Josie on
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/JosieBrownCA
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/josiebrownau...
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/josiebrownn...

Visit her podcast, where she discusses writing with other authors:
http://bit.ly/AuthorProvocateurApple

Josie is the author of these novels:

The Housewife Assassin Novel Series, including
- Handbook (Book 1)
- Guide to Gracious Killing (Book 2)
- Killer Christmas Tips (Book 3)
- Relationship Survival Guide (Book 4)
- Vacation to Die For (Book 5)
- Recipes for Disaster (Book 6)
- Hollywood Scream Play (Book 7) [2014, Signal Press]
- Killer App (Book 8) [August 2014, Signal Press]
- Hostage Hosting Tips (Book 9)
- Garden of Deadly Delights (Book 10)
- Tips for Weddings, Weapons, and Warfare Hosting Tips (Book 11)
- Husband Hunting Hints (Book 12)
- Ghost Protocol (Book 13)
- Terrorist TV Guide (Book 14)
- Deadly Dossier (Book 15 - SERIES PREQUEL)
- Greatest Hits (Book 16 )
- Fourth Estate Sale (Book 17 )
- Horrorscope (Book 18 )
- White House Keeping Seal of Approval (Book 19)
- Assassination Vacation Tips (Book 20)
- Antisocial Media Tips (Book 21)
- Manners, Missiles & Mayhem (Book 22)
- Gambit (Book 23)
- Underwater Assets (Book 24)

The Candidate (Steamy Political Thriller)

Extracurricular - 3 episodic Novels (2020; Signal Press)

Totlandia - 8 episodic Novels (2014-2017; Signal Press)

The Baby Planner
[2011, Simon & Schuster]

The Housewife Assassin Gets Lucky (written with Deborah Coonts)

Secret Lives of Husbands and Wives
[2010, Simon & Schuster 2014 Signal Press]]

Hollywood Hunk (Book 1 - True Hollywood Lies)
[2005, HarperCollins; 2010 Signal Press]

Her novel, Secret Lives of Husbands and Wives (Simon & Schuster), is being produced by Jerry Bruckheimer as a dramatic series for NBC-TV.

She is also the author of three non-fiction books: The Complete Idiot's Guide to Finding Mr. Right [Penguin/Alpha]; Marriage Confidential: 102 Honest Answers to the Questions Every Husband Wants to Ask, and Every Wife Needs to Know [Signal Press]; and Last Night I Dreamt of Cosmopolitans: A Modern Girl's Dream Dictionary [St. Martin's Press]

Before becoming a full-time novelist, Josie also worked in advertising (JWT, DDB/Needham, BBM&B) and radio (WPLO-AM, Atlanta; WZGC-FM, Atlanta).

As a journalist, Josie has interviewed Maya Angelou, Brenda Blethyn, Julian Bond, Kenneth Branagh, Jackie Collins, Costa-Gavras, Craig Ferguson, John Gray, Derek Jacobi, Debbie Reynolds, and John Woo. Her celebrity interviews and relationships trends articles have been featured in Los Angeles Times Syndicate International, Redbook, and Complete Woman, as well as AOL, Yahoo, AskMen.com, Divorce360.com, and SingleMindedWomen.com, where she serves as the Relationships Channel editor.

Josie's interviews for her podcast, Author Provocateur, and for the International Thriller Writers magazine THE BIG THRILL include such notable authors as David Baldacci, Samantha M. Bailey, C.J. Box, Allison Brennan, Lee Child, Deborah Coonts, Robert Dugoni, Barry Eisler, JT Ellison, Liz Fenton and Lisa Steinke, Tess Gerritsen, Andrew Gross, Kristan Higgins, Jon Land, John Lescroart, John Lutz, James Rollins, Hank Phillippi Ryan, Brad Thor, and Debra Webb.

Although born and raised (a Southern expression) in and around Atlanta, Georgia, Josie is proudly one-hundred percent Puerto Rican: her father was born in Ponce, and her mother was from Humacao. Does this make Josie a Georgiarican? She thinks so, and proudly claims that title.

She now lives in San Francisco with her husband and two children.

Reviews

[Josie Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dear Readers,

I truly love the heroines of Totlandia--Jillian, Lorna, Ally and Jade. As I go through the journey of writing their intertwining stories, each of them becomes a part of me--and yes, there is a part of me in each of them as well.

I want to be as self-assured as Lorna, but I have her insecurities, and sometimes her blind spots, too. The part of me that is successful is Ally, but I've been known to miss out on the personal milestones that make our life journey even sweeter. Like Jade, I've had my own unspeakable shames, and have loved the wrong man at the wrong time. And like Jillian, I've been devastated with loss, but have always been bound and determined to live the life I want, despite of it.

And yes, sometimes I can be as bitchy as Bettina.

I take that back. NO ONE is as bitchy as Bettina!

I hope their stories have resonated with you, and that they've become as real to you, as they are to me.

Thanks for taking the time to discover them. I hope they've made you laugh as much as they have for me. And if you've shed a tear along the way, hey, you're not alone. I cried, too, believe me.

Enjoy this next step of their journey in friendship, family and life.

Josie Brown
author, Totlandia / The Onesies, Book IV Summer

[Sharisse Coulter · Rating 5 out of 5]

In the fourth book of Josie Brown's Totlandia series, we're back in posh Pacific Heights with the crazy antics of the mothers (and fathers) of the Pacific Heights Moms & Tots club. From dictatorial manipulation to adultery, and a splash of S&M, this book keeps a reader hooked all the way through. Despite the exaggerated setting, it is an extremely relatable story that explores the drama of love, marriage, friendship and parenting with a comedic hand that is typical of all Josie Brown's books.

[Samantha Bailey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have long been a fan of Josie Brown, and the second this series came out, I devoured each and every one. The Totlandia books are delicious, addictive, hilariously funny, and also highlight important issues around motherhood and community. Brown writes with such a deft hand, developing loveable characters you want to be friends with and villainous ones you love to hate. I highly recommend this series!

[Dee Haddrill · Rating 4 out of 5]

Yay for good triumphing over evil!!!! Evil mothers that is LOL Great resolution to all the storylines, happy-ever-afters abounding. Funny, heartwarming... This is a story you won't want to miss! Josie Brown, you're awesome!

[Jamie Puleo · Rating 4 out of 5]

This series was a great diversion for any mom. Silly, sexy, over the top at times, and a perfect diversion from real life. Definitely a satisfying end to the series.

[LisaEllen · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's crazy but I just loved these books!

[Ashley FL · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very sad the next one isn't out for a while year!!

[Oralia Sandoval Ortiz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book.

[Allyson Maclay · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love the ending can not wait any longer to know what happens going to start twosies right away

[Chris Blackton · Rating 5 out of 5]

All I can say is that I can’t wait to read the next in series. Finishing this book is like the cliffhanger ending of a tv series!

[Carmen Morales · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this series

I can't get enough. I am totally happy with reading these books. Looking forward to the next few books in the series which I have already purchased

[Mary BookHounds · Rating 5 out of 5]

MY THOUGHTS
ABSOLUTLEY LOVED IT

So spring has turned to summer and the moms on probation have completed all of the challenges put forth by Bettina, the sadistic leader of the Pacific Heights Moms & Tots Club. Ally and Jillian have launched a pie shop that is turning around Jillian's life. Jade has managed to keep her history secret - or so she thinks. Lorna has accepted that her son has Autism but won't quit the club because she has seen him respond so well to the small interactions there. And then, all hell breaks loose.

When Bettina confronts Ally about her fake marriage to Barry, she kicks her out of the club and when Jade is confronted by the other moms, she admits that she told Ally's secret. Barry, a determined lawyer, Ally's neighbor and sperm donor, try to help her get over the loss of membership, he confronts Bettina in a unplanned meeting at an art museum. He threatens to take down the whole group because of their unfair rules and procedures. The other side of this coin is what is going on with Jade. She has pissed off her ex by her betrayal of Ally and now her secret is known to Bettina, but she has no clue.

Even though all of these women have joined this club to ensure success for their children, they are finding that the club may not be all that wonderful for them. This one ends with a spectacular cliffhanger that will be driving me up the wall for the next three months. These books have everything right. There is fast dialogue, a bit of naughty situations, wonderful descriptions of how the other half lives and fast paced. These should really be a television series. Maybe Netflix is listening to me?

[Heidi · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is summer in San Francisco. Jade, Lorna, Ally, Jillian and their offspring face new barriers and challenges. Not just in regards to the Pacific Heighs Moms & Tots Club, but also on a personal and professional basis. Is Bettina (owner of the club) as untouchable and superior as she thinks?

If you follow my blog, you will know that I really enjoy reading the Totlandia series. Book 4 is the newest edition. Although you could read this book as a stand-alone, I would highly recommend reading the first 3 parts beforehand. Otherwise you might struggle to keep up with the characters and most importantly the escapades they have already been through.

I feel that Totlandia, Book 4 features the characters as a lot more mature. The way they interact with each other and around one another seems to be a lot more controlled. I especially liked the focus of Jillian’ and Scott’s (her ex-husband) relationship. They have certainly been through a lot. Can they both come out stronger in the end?

The superficial character traits (especially from the other club members) are even more prominent in this book. I thought I knew it all by now, but there were still some connections that took me by surprise. Josie brilliantly manages to keep up the reader’s interest throughout.

There were already some extremely steamy scenes in the other Totlandia parts, but in Book 4 those scenes were partly taken to the extreme (I thought that these went a bit far – but this is obviously only my personal opinion).

[Patrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Let me tell you about how Josie Brown ruined my life and got me hooked on crack.

It was September 2nd 2013 when she reeled me in with her first dose of Josie Brown brand crack. The first dose is always free. This one was in the form of a free Amazon download "Totlandia: The Onesies, Book 1." ... my favorite price "free-ninety-nine." I'm too cheap and would never pay $4 for a 150 page e-Novella.

I paid $4 each for the next 3 effing novellas. What can I say, I'm an addict now and it's Josie Browns fault for offering me that first free dose.

As a disclaimer, I am a mans man who does NOT enjoy chick-lit at all. Please do not be fooled, "The Onesies" series is not chick-lit. It is a drug.

Now when I look at my Goodreads year in review, I see powerful "Man Books" The bloody wars of Genghis Khan and the destruction left in his wake. There are also high flying adventure books... and then there is Totlandia... with their diamond encrusted child things covers. Damn-it! Goodreads asked me if I want to share my year in review on Facebook. A feature normally utilized to show your friends how you are better read and smarter they are. Well... I did, but now... ehhhhhh, maybe I will sit this one out, and share these guilty pleasures with my Goodreads folks.

Delightfully Trashy. Enjoy. I don't give out many 5 stars and am still unsure why I am giving this book 5. It didn't make me sit and think... but never once was I disinterested and like I drug I also couldn't stop (turning that pages). Well done Josie.

[Samantha March · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This Totlandia books have seriously done a number on me! I started the first one not sure how I would like them, being a non-mother myself. But I was immediately hooked on this crazy group of women and the mommy group they belonged to. I’ve been having fun reading about them throughout the seasons, and the fourth book really took the cake in over the top for me. Friendships that we’ve read in the other books that seem like true friendships (rare in this series, trust me!) are breaking apart, the mom and tots club seems to be heading for disaster, and we think Bettina might finally get a taste of her own medicine – about time! The sex scenes are also pretty steamy, especially with the addition of a new man into the cast. If you haven’t read any of the books in the series I recommend you start at the first and work your way into them. They are fab and not to miss!

[Mrs Mommy Booknerd http://mrsmommybooknerd.blogspot.com · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this series. It is my guilty pleasure. You can get lost and wrapped up in the lives of Jillian, Lorna, Ally and Jade. Weather you love them, see yourself in them or if they drive you nuts you will be engaged cover to cover. This is a series to be read. They are quick and fun reads, but they also have meat. They are not mindless, they have depth! I love starting and finishing a book in the same day! But now I am left craving the next book in the series! 4 stars

[Caroline · Rating 2 out of 5]

This series went downhill fast. It seems like Josie Brown read 50 Shades of gray near the end of book 3 and decided to take an entirely different approach for the last book. I'm disappointed. It would have been better if she cut of the sloppy sex scenes and went into more depth of the events that were being built up during the length of the book. So many characters and events that were introduced just seemed so pointless.

[Lauren · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've enjoyed the series for the most part, despite inconsistencies and typos. This installment really left me weary though. Even though there were plenty of hooks to get you into the next book, I still felt like everything was wrapped up too neatly and ended up too saccharine for me. I'll probably continue to the next book but I think I need a break from the PHM&T crew.

[Dawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

My mouth is open!!!!! I wasn't expecting that at all. Oh Bettina, how I love/hate you so :-). I'm happy how everyone's circumstances turned out...but Bettina, oh Bettina, I need to know what will happen to you

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

http://www.chicklitcentral.com/2013/1...

[Ashley · Rating 1 out of 5]

Could have done without the victim-blaming, imo.

[Faye · Rating 3 out of 5]

A group of women trying to be members of a snooty mom's and tots group are the center of this book. There is some humor, but the push to be "high class' becomes boring.

[bubblegumpopper · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ending felt really rushed. The pacing of the books went downhill at book 2 and never quite recovered. Still, fun
light reads

[Gina Schwartz · Rating 2 out of 5]

More of the same here. I think I am stopping this series now.

[Janna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Review coming. Satisfying in many ways.