Adult Conversation

by Brandy Ferner

April is a thoughtful yet sarcastic mother of two who tries her best to be a caring, connected mom in a middle-class culture where motherhood has become relentless. April rages at modern motherhood’s impossible pressures, her husband’s “Dad privilege,” and her kids’ incessant snack requests. She wants to enjoy motherhood, but her idealist vision and lived experience are in constant conflict with one another. Is she broken—or is motherhood?

Desperate for an answer, she seeks out a therapist, and lands with an unexpected woman whose validation and wisdom gives April the clarity to reclaim herself and even start designing clothes—her pre-motherhood passion. But when the ever-elusive babysitter cancels last-minute, April finds herself back at square one. She seeks guidance, but her therapist is now dealing with her own crumbling marriage—and instead of counseling April, she convinces her to speed off to Las Vegas with her to help catch her husband cheating. With a little weed, alcohol, and topless pool hopping, plus a male stripper and some much-needed autonomy, the two find lost pieces of themselves that motherhood swallowed up. But neither one is prepared for how tested—and tempted—they will be, or for the life-altering choices their journey will force them to make. Who is guiding whom anymore?

Genres: Fiction, Chick Lit, Audiobook, Novels, Womens Fiction, Parenting

280 pages, Paperback

First published May 5, 2020

About the author

I am a mother, wife, and the creator of the Adult Conversation podcast, social media pages, and blog. My book and writing has been featured in The New York Times, Good Morning America, HuffPost, Romper, CafeMom, TODAY Parents, and more. In addition to writing and fulfilling my kids’ endless snack requests, I’ve spent the past decade working as a doula, childbirth educator, and birth trauma mentor, ushering clients through the intense transition into motherhood. The insight gained from watching moms crack wide open — literally and figuratively — and my own experience as an independent woman who suddenly traded autonomy for snuggles, led me to say out loud the things that modern mothers are thinking. Sometimes it’s serious, sometimes it’s comedic, but it’s always honest. I currently live in Southern California, and my love language is sleep.

Reviews

[Lucy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Clever, witty, and funny!

April is witty, sarcastic, and exhasted. She's completely exhausted from the incessant demands of being a stay-at-home mom. She's become so consumed by motherhood that she's lost her identity (and filter!).

In a funny, relatable, and sometimes inappropriate way, April tells us about her life as a mom. Being a stay-at-home mom is the life she chose, but she didn't realize how hard it would be. She'd expected motherhood to be fun outings and adorable pictures. Instead, she's constantly changing diapers, preparing snacks, and being depended on for everything by her family. As much as she loves her family, their constant demands and expectations have taken over her life. The book cover perfectly depicts what's going on in April's head at all times 😬.

I enjoyed the snarky humor, relatable characters, and realistic situations. This story definitely made me laugh. While I didn't find the last few chapters (Las Vegas) as entertaining, I really enjoyed this story overall. If you enjoy snarky humor (think Laurie Gelman's Class Mom series), you'll love this one!

I listened to the audiobook, which is fantastically narrated by the author herself.

[Regina · Rating 5 out of 5]

A stay-at-home mom deals with crap – both literal and figural – from her kids, her husband, and life itself.

This book is hilarious. Since humor can be subjective, I’ll admit the author has given the main character my exact brand of it. She’s sarcastic, witty, immature at times, and often inappropriate. She’s also relatable, even to a childless woman like me. I found myself wanting to gift this book immediately to my mom friends, and I can’t wait to see what the author writes next.

Recommended for anyone in search of a funny, lighthearted read (who won’t mind an occasional F-bomb here and there).

*I received an Advanced Reader Copy from #NetGalley & #shewritespress in exchange for an honest review.

[Asheley T. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this over Mother's Day weekend and loved it.

April is disorganized and harried. She feels like her days are filled with constant snacks, play dates, and bedtime stories. She thinks often about the days before-before she had her children, when she and her husband had plenty of time to do the activities that they both love. Of course she loves her kids! But April wonders if she's the only one that feels like she's barely functioning or if other mothers feel the same way.

I remember feeling that way sometimes. Overtired and like my life was not my own anymore. So it was easy for me to smile and laugh my way through April's story. In the beginning, her kids are little hellions. I just wanted April to establish some rules and make them behave at least a little bit, but honestly I'm not sure that she knew how. In the story, they were constantly all over the place, getting into things they had no business getting into and demanding attention, even when April was trying to engage with other adults. I desperately wanted April to create some order around her so her children would respect her and see that she was the one in charge. When she finally went to a counselor, I was thrilled for her.

At about the halfway point, the book turns sharply from focusing on April and her day-to-day interactions with her family to a very Thelma-and-Louise type of friendship between April and her counselor, June.

I have a hard time imagining a life where kids are so, so wild and into everything with the frequency that April's were. It's also fairly abnormal that a person would have a relationship like April develops with her counselor. (I'm being vague on purpose, but hello shenanigans.) I think the point of this story is that all moms DO feel this way sometimes and that it often takes real intentional work for moms to realize that they are whole, complete, 100% people outside of taking care of their families. April has to work on creating time and space for herself so she can give back to her family, and she has to work on cultivating relationships with like-minded friends.

There were a few times that April's circumstances or conversations really kicked me in the gut. A time or two, I felt my eyes stinging a little bit from feeling so SEEN. I think other moms will feel the same way when they read this one.

I totally recommend this as a fun, light-hearted read, especially for those that are mothers to young kids and even older ones like mine. Truly, women and men who are not mothers will also find this a enjoyable read. There's a lot of gold in here.



I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This did not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. Thank you, She Writes Press!

Find this review and more like it on my blog, Into the Hall of Books!

[Jewel · Rating 2 out of 5]

While reading this book I was thinking how is it that I’m sitting here half way across the world reading a book set in a different culture, different country and I’m connecting with it on so many levels

All the stuff about parenting I got it.

But after a few chapters the book lost its charm, every time April was alone with the kids and husband I connected, every time someone else came in the picture I totally lost interest

Especially Danielle, she was very annoying

And the whole June and Las Vegas episode was trying so hard to be funny but was so boring

Writing wise it was good and I totally understood April and her struggles, I also liked the ending

If that Vegas thing didn’t happen I would have probably rated the book a little higher.

This review is for a free copy courtesy of Netgalley

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book speaks to so many of the hard, maddening, and beautiful truths of modern motherhood while also managing to be hilarious. Reading it is like feeling heard by your best girlfriend who then manages to make you laugh anyway and then tells you a crazy story to put things in perspective.

[Jesse Reads · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book had no plot.

Unfortunately, this just missed the mark for me. There was no plot to be had here. I was looking forward to the narrative the summary promised, but it ended up not showing up until about 75% through the book, and then it was over and done within pages. The lead up was a day to day account of the trials and tribulations of a stay at home mom as she wrestles with the blatant inequality and oppression that is inherent to modern day marriage and motherhood culture. And I get that, and I completely support this message. It is unfair that moms are made to feel guilty if they don't feel like motherhood is the most fulfilling thing in the world. I'm a mom too, I understand that and related to a lot of what she was going through. I was nodding along and laughing out loud because a lot of the things that the main character was experiencing and feeling, I've gone through the same thing. The mom-shaming, the lack of equality and double standards inherent to parenting roles, the pressure of moms to give up career ambitions, the stress on everyone fitting into this cookie cutter ideal of what a perfect wife and spouse is - these themes were addressed again and again and I appreciate and applaud the emphasis here that not all moms are created equal and we shouldn't all be expected to live up to impossible standards because that kind of pressure is soul crushing.

But from a literary standard, as an objective reviewer of words and sentences and plots, I unfortunately did not enjoy the execution of the story.

The formula was practically beaten to death - something annoying happens involving her kids, snarky inner dialogue rant about motherhood, self-deprecating humor, maybe pop culture reference thrown in, and then observing the inequality in parental roles which was typically just a jab at her husband who seems like an alright guy if not a little clueless. This just repeats over and over again. It's fine, but formulaic and gets stale quick. And to top it all off I just didn't understand the message that was trying to be conveyed. It felt like it was one book with one clear message from the start and then it suddenly becomes this whole different book with a different message and no cohesion. The story and the message just felt jumbled, like it got away from itself and it all wrapped up too quickly for me to be satisfied that the build up was meant for anything.

Thank you to netgalley for providing a digital copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Sara Hosey · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great read! I laughed on almost every page--Ferner does an amazing job capturing the many small and large indignities of mothering small children. This book is so well-observed and such a fun romp. Five stars!

[M · Rating 3 out of 5]

A three star book with four star truths.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to Partner Books Forward for this ARC in exchange for an honest review. The book releases Tuesday, May 5.

I texted a picture of the first page of Brandy Ferner's Adult Conversation, about the protagonist's inability to have a few minutes alone in the bathroom, to Sara and Ashley and just said "Page 1 of Adult Conversation is promising. 😂” Their responses? "Heehee. I like that!" and "😂😂😂 So painfully like my own reality. 😳💩🤣” That conversation, friends, sums up my feelings about this book: it's funny, I like it, and it's SO much like the reality of the lives of mothers everywhere.

The novel is about April, a stay-at-home mom of a two year old and an eight year old whose only time alone is when she goes to the dentist for a filling. Her husband Aaron loves her and tries to be understanding and helpful . . . but he doesn't REALLY get it. He doesn't understand why April doesn't want to be affectionate or why she gets upset when he has to work late or why she worries so much about what the kids are eating.

Ferner brilliantly immerses the reader in April's daily struggle. And yet, it's hilarious. And painfully true. The fact that she can't go to the bathroom without her daughter melting down over the closed door between them? Yep, I've been there. The fact that she agonizes over every second of screen her kids have and yet her husband blindly lets them zone out in front of a movie or video game? Been there, too.

The book eventually shifts when April decides that something must change and starts seeing a therapist. I loved the relationship that develops between these two women and the ways that April starts to understand herself. While I won't spoil anything, I will say that I enjoyed the first half of the book more than the second, which departed (for me) a step too far from honest reality, but the humor and insight are consistent throughout.

Whether you're a mother yourself or just want to understand a modern-day mom's life, I would absolutely recommend picking up Brandy Ferner's Adult Conversation.

[Mikalyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an early copy of this book.

This book was great. I laughed so much, and the entire time I could completely relate to April. This was definitely an unexpected wonderful book

[Dkbbookgirl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Any mom can relate
A new mom- w young children- will laugh and cry at the same time!!

[Reading Our Shelves · Rating 5 out of 5]

Full review at: https://readingourshelves.wordpress.c...

This book starts out as expected – frazzled mom juggling two kids and all the craziness that comes with that (like goldfish crackers and Baby Shark). If you’re a mom who is in that phase now, or can remember it vividly, you will definitely see yourself in many of her daily struggles! I know I laughed out loud at some of the random, everyday stuff she brings up.

But, this story doesn’t just stay in that lane. Oh, no, it gets wild.

April decides to go out of her comfort zone and find a therapist. Just the act of going is a challenge, as it requires her to put on real pants and get someone to watch the kids.

There is a very harrowing scene just over half way through the book that definitely made my heart start racing. This incident brings her closer to her therapist, despite rules of professionalism.

As these women’s lives become more intertwined, things get both scary and fun. (If you know the name Calvin Broadus, and what his “supply” might be… it’s involved. Just sayin’. Cue up your favorite nineties hip-hop while reading.)

April comes to a place where she can appreciate her life. She still needs to work on some things, for sure, but she’s getting there.

[Jaime McNitt · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this book entertaining on so many levels. The character of June was very relatable and funny. Her experiences are consistent with so many of us moms that somehow survived those early years of parenting. I enjoyed how she allows us revisit those emotions we felt toward our kids and spouse in a constructive way. She validates the dichotomy of motherhood- the love & gratitude we feel for our family against the resentment in what it strips us of as women. She has many laugh-out-loud anecdotes and pearls of thought for women. Not only can a mom of our generation take away these pearls but also the generation that raised us. Older women will see the infinite amount challenges surrounding raising a child now versus 40 years ago. I hope that our mothers can take away a new appreciation for what we are doing here and therefore open dialog about what can be done to help women out. Overall, I think this writer's goal is to open up this dialog in a safe and humorous space. We need to respect and discuss what modern motherhood looks like so we can move forward in a healing manner. Thank you Brandy for such a fun and meaningful read. Great bookclub book!

[Laura Mullane · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book hits right to the core of what it means to be a mother today, amid the cacophony of conflicting advice, images, and expectations. It was so relatable that I could feel my heart race along with the main character's as she's confronted with a canceled babysitter right when she needs to attend a critical work function, and I teared up at her frustration with herself when she feels like she's not enough. But the heartrending parts are balanced with equally hilarious ones that had me laughing out loud and texting the excerpts to my friends. Brandy Ferner has written a heartfelt, entertaining, and, most importantly, real account of motherhood--something that is too often lacking when we talk about our experiences as parents. I highly recommend it.

[Jill Doula · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! Adult Conversation is a novel like no other. Hilarious, raw, unapologetically authentic, it captures the ups and downs, the joys and sorrows, the exuberant joy and heart crushing devastation that comes with motherhood.

Brandy Ferner has captured in under 300 pages what many mothers experience as the navigate the deep waters of giving birth to and raising their children, and in turn being forced to give birth to new identities, having to leave behind parts of themselves that they didn’t know was even part of the deal.

I felt seen as a mother for the first time in a long time and that is a gift I am grateful for.

Just go read it! You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, you’ll holler support and shout “YESSSSS” and find yourself wishing you could be April’s friend too. It’s a treasure. Trust me.

[Jackie Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brandy Ferner is in the throws of motherhood and takes us there with her. The struggle is too real, especially the evaporation of her autonomy. Sprinkled throughout the storyline and delivered with humor are real life solutions to what ails her, namely her needy (aren’t they all?) children, a husband who is aware but unaware, creative juices that are longing to live free, and an underlying rage at barriers to a fulfilling balance of all of the above. Thankful to escape to Vegas on an overnight escapade with her therapist of all people, the reader roots for April to find what she is looking for. Herself. The journey is worth the read.

[Shanna Bengtson · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I first started reading this book, I'll admit I felt anxious. I had to put it down a couple times during the first couple chapters. It's a visceral experience (this speaks to the author's skill at setting a scene and creating a relatable character right out of the gate). Ferner has a knack for pulling the reader into the sometimes-hilarious, sometimes-enraging, always-exhausting chaos of a stay-at-home mom's existence. As a mom of one Big and one Little-transitioning-into-a-Big, I'm a few years removed from the madness (thank goddess). And I wasn't ready to go back! But back in I went because I had already imprinted with April, I was promised hilarious hijinks, and I needed to see her get some goddamn redemption (or at least a Vegas lap dance)! Without giving too much away, I will say that I flew through the rest of the novel, laughing out loud at times, tearing up at others, and damn near choking on my vodka tonic at one point! April is the representation of the modern mommyperson who is struggling to maintain a sense of self while drowning in the raging sea of never-ending minutiae. It's a hysterical, thoughtful ride and I highly recommend. In fact, I'm going to buy this book as a Mother's Day gift for a few of my friends who are "in it" right now. I also think this would be an excellent book for men-who-value women to read - it's an eye-opening, honest, and raw encounter. I'm excited to see more from this author in the future!

[Lauren · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you're a mom, especially a new mom, or an expectant mom, read this book. If you're a dad or going to be one, read this book. The protagonist exemplifies what most women experience when a child enters the picture - a loss and mourning of the former self, the realization that her life is upended in ways that no one could possibly understand if they haven't been through the same thing, the loss of privacy, of "aloneness", intermingled with intense love for one's children and the sometimes overpowering feeling of guilt that comes from wanting to have even a sliver of space and time carved out for herself. It shows how even a willing, progressive partner can fall painfully short. But this book wasn't depressing. As we follow the protagonist's evolution, it becomes empowering. And it's terribly funny. Because if we can't laugh at how ridiculous motherhood is, then what is left? I underlined many, many passages that were as valuable to deciphering my own complex emotions as therapy has been. Read this book. I devoured it in a little over a day. You won't regret it.

[Becca · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ferner's book is a super fun, super honest read. I can definitely see why some people say it gave them flashbacks to hard parts of early motherhood. As someone who does have little kids right now, it did feel like it focused on the negative a lot, which was hard because reading time for me is a chance to have some time for myself. But I think this is important to remind people who are past that stage or to convey to people who haven't been there how intense it can be. The humor and honesty were also refreshing. I was soon redeemed, too, as the second part of the book is total wish-fullfilment fun, with a satisfying ending. There were "hell yeah" moments and laugh out loud moments. It felt like listening to a good friend tell me a wild story.

[Amanda Messick · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a cute story about a modern mom trying to do it all. While feeling overwhelmed and underappreciated her life takes some unexpected twists and turns.

[Sarah the reading addict · Rating 4 out of 5]

I absolutely love April. Her Character is so real. She tries to juggle Mum life and her life and constantly hungry kids.

Through therapist visits she realises she can be the same person she was before she became a mother.

I can really relate to this because I used to want to be a clothes designer, but ending up in Las Vegas with her therapist is hilarious. This is full of comedy, truth, friendship and relationships.

It deals with some difficult topics in an easy going way and I think it's a great book

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great novel that accurately portrays the difficulty of balancing identity and motherhood and marriage through the eyes of the narrator, a mom to a 2 yr old and 8 yr old. With vivid descriptions of the monotony and grossness and hilarity and often exhausting nature of being a stay at home parent, Ferner genuinely aces the inner monologue of many mothers who are simply touched-out and feeling a loss of identity during this difficult part of life. I loved it, even if the ending went a little off the rails weird, it was certainly entertaining and a fun read. 4 stars- recommended to stay at home parents in the thick of it.

[Erica Shoults · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley and She Writes Press for the ARC provided.

April is a wife and mother of two, and she is drowning in the pressure. She is the project manager of her home with no one to delegate to. At the end of her rope, she seeks help from a therapist as well as broadens her support system and begins to untangle the twisted web of parenthood.

I related so much to the main character in ways both large and small. I loved April! This was a great novel and I really loved that it wasn't as mundane as most motherhood centered novels are, rather it was realistic and hilarious.

[Tara · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 stars- This light book is about the struggles of moms with young children, mom guilt about time away and work, and depression and identity struggles. But it's a comedy. It gave me a little PTSD from that time in my life and I found it funny and insightful. I have mixed feelings about a latter storyline with a friend (foil for her) but otherwise enjoyed this book.

Thank you to Netgalley for the free, advance copy.

[Maria · Rating 3 out of 5]

A super funny book about the truth of motherhood! Complete with the "helping" husband (but not helping enough, putting work before family time), some more-than-necessary mom friends, a therapist, and even a Thelma-and-Louise-style trip to Vegas. Laughs guaranteed!

[Gail · Rating 4 out of 5]

“If there was one thing I wished I had been told before becoming a mother,” narrates Brandy Ferner’s protagonist April, “it was that even with all the immediate, whine-soaked, child-induced atrocities violating my personal space and sanity as a stay-at-home mom for eight straight years, the one person who would consistently dole out the final push over the edge would be my husband.” As this line indicates, Adult Conversation is a novel, but it’s also a manifesto. It is a serious take by someone who’s branded herself a humorist. These dualities turn out to be the book’s strength—and its Achilles heel. 

The first two-thirds of Adult Conversation reads like a long blog post on the overwhelm and unsustainability of modern middle-class motherhood written by a spitfire: “One side of my hair hung a little longer than the other, and at a sharp angle, for when I needed to feel edgy at Bed, Bath, and Beyond,” Ferner writes. This self-aware sassiness seemed forced to me, distracting from, rather than enhancing, the frank reflections Ferner wrapped it around:

"His morning routine, his leaving the house, his job, his luxury of coming home late if needed, his weekend surfing, all looked nearly the same as it did before the kids. I, on the other hand, was filling my days with wiping a$$, bleaching vomit, feeling shame about conventional fruit, and generally serving as everyone else’s snack b!t@h."

There’s no doubt Ferner captures the mindset behind maternal burnout, complete with feeling judged by a compliment from a working mom friend and balking at hiring a babysitter (i.e., “paying somebody money to do a job that I signed up to do”). She excels in illustrating just how one can appreciate and resent a partner in the same breath: “I knew plenty of my friends’ husbands wouldn’t say yes. And yet, beneath my gratitude, there was irritation. It wasn’t directed personally at Aaron, but at the way motherhood turns even the nicest husbands into overlords…. Thank you, Aaron, and also, f@c& you. For holding the cards. For making me ask.”

In fact, Ferner does such a thorough job illuminating the cumulative impact of the mundane that she gets a bit redundant and neglects to provide a plot. Then, with a clumsiness that tips her hand, Ferner produces some action. Without giving anything away, I’ll just say there are oversights, little things such as, you know, how the law works. Those holes plus the unevenness in tone (I suspect Ferner too found April most authentic when making sober ruminations but then remembered she was supposed to be cheeky and tossed some of that in) combined with other pet peeves (e.g., having April toss around the words “abusive” and “disastrous,” making the only mother-of-color the lax one, and hinting at distaste for clichés while still employing them) left me unsatisfied.

Still, Adult Conversation adds value. Ferner puts the condition down on paper in a format not many have yet tried. Many stay-at-home parents will see their experience reflected and validated. More importantly, they’ll be left with a more feminist note ringing in their ears than the one struck in popular nonfiction books like How Not To Hate Your Husband After Kids and Fair Play. “The frenzied framework of modern parenthood wasn’t going to change," Ferner writes, "so we had to—he had to—if we wanted to survive it, together.”

[Laura McToal · Rating 2 out of 5]

Constantly striving to be the 'perfect' mum, the pressures and guilt begin to build. Every time April fails to buy organic it goes on her list of failures. Every time her husband texts to say he will be home late from work she feels more isolated by motherhood.

Infuriated by the impossible standards of being a mom, and her husband's refusal to see his "Dad Privilege", of not having to worry about childcare if he works late, because he has her - the unpaid servant of His Lordship and the fruit of his loins whilst being mostly oblivious to her struggles but also irritated when he is forced to accept that she has had a bad day.

Ultimately April wonders if there is something wrong with her. Is how she feels normal or is there a therapy or medication she needs to make her feel normal?

There is plenty to love about this book. It has light-hearted, funny moments that resonate with the horror stories I hear from other parents. April also has a quite moving personal development throughout and her whole package makes her an endearing character who is enjoyable to read about.

Where I am less keen is with the weird Thelma and Louise type relationship she develops with her therapist. The whole arc of this section is bizarre. The idea is for April to re-discover herself and forge some independence and separation so that she can have some time away - where she is doing her own thing once in a while. However, she ends up in a bizarre co-dependent friendship with her therapist.

I received a pre-release copy of #AdultConversation by Brandy Ferner for free from #NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Published by #SheWritesPress this book is available from 05/05/20.

[Stacy40pages · Rating 4 out of 5]

𝐀𝐝𝐮𝐥𝐭 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐛𝐲 𝐁𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐲 𝐅𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐞𝐫. Book 43 of 2020. Thanks to Netgalley and She Writes Press for the eArc for an honest review. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⁣
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April is a stay at home mom of two kids, having a very hard time. She misses the meaning she had from a career, an unhampered child free marriage, and most of all.. adult conversation. Making the decision to see a therapist specializing in mothers starts to change her perspective and her life, in unpredictable ways. ⁣
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I alternated between three and four stars for this book. If I was going on plot and story alone, it would be three stars. What saves this book is the humor. Any mom of young children will appreciate it. As a mother, so many parts resonated with me; From the struggle to poop uninterrupted, to the constant “can I play my iPad”, this was my life. We cringe with April as her two-year-old slaps her in the face and she’s judged by bystanders. That said, I think the plot was a little lacking. Most of the action and material occurred very late in the book and climaxed too quickly.⁣
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If you’re a mother of small children or want some accurate insight on what it’s like to be a stay at home mom, read this book. It comes out 5/5. ⁣
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“ 𝘐 𝘥𝘪𝘥𝘯’𝘵 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸 𝘪𝘧 𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘤𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘥𝘪𝘦 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘭𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘪𝘳 𝘬𝘪𝘥 𝘵𝘢𝘭𝘬 𝘢𝘣𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘷𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘰 𝘨𝘢𝘮𝘦𝘴, 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘪𝘵 𝘧𝘦𝘭𝘵 𝘱𝘰𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘣𝘭𝘦.”⁣
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“𝘚𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘦𝘴 𝘮𝘢𝘳𝘳𝘪𝘢𝘨𝘦 𝘧𝘦𝘭𝘵 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘢 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘯𝘵 𝘱𝘪𝘯𝘨-𝘱𝘰𝘯𝘨 𝘮𝘢𝘵𝘤𝘩 𝘣𝘦𝘵𝘸𝘦𝘦𝘯 𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘳𝘦𝘥𝘦𝘮𝘱𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴.”⁣
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Instagram reviews - Stacy40pages

[Buffyanna · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found April to be an instantly unlikeable protagonist who does a disservice to contemporary moms everywhere by representing their fatigue and frustration in a consistently sarcastic, entitled, and judgmental fashion. She describes the typical daily activities of a stay at home mom in an angry, holier-than-thou tone. She further unabashedly paints her offspring and spouse as the villains while she herself is the virtuous martyr whose deep well of nurturing is under-appreciated and over-imposed upon.

*”I can’t regain my sanity as a mother because in my quest to get it back, I push it further away. Trying to make money to buy the help I need just makes me need more help.”*

Having gone through the stages of motherhood that April is experiencing, I know that she’s not even exaggerating. Sometimes the job is truly hard and you really wish someone else understood that. But, I just did not enjoy April at all. The first three quarters of the book was one long uninterrupted complaint.

Then, in the last quarter, the focus shifts from April to her therapist, June, who is having a marital crisis of her own. This well-timed but bizarre sequence serves to give April an opportunity to flex her independence and gain perspective on her own tribulations. This review earned one addition star, from “I forced myself to finish this” 2 stars, to “I liked it a little” 3 stars, because April demonstrated some growth in insight and acceptance in the final pages.

(NetGalley ARC review)

[Shelleyrae at Book'd Out · Rating 3 out of 5]

Adult Conversation is an engaging and funny novel about a woman’s struggle with contemporary middle-class motherhood.

“Modern motherhood looked so much like anxiety, which was which?”

April doesn’t understand why she is finding full-time motherhood so difficult. She adores her children, eight year-old Elliot, and two year-old Violet, but is increasingly overwhelmed by her family’s endless demands on her time, energy and sanity. Desperate for advice she reaches out to a therapist who helps her to find some perspective

Ferner’s observations of motherhood are wry and honest. I well remember feeling exhausted, frustrated, and ‘touched’ out after a long day of caring for young children so I immediately empathised with April. Her concerns are so close to what my own were in the early years, and though the anxiety of wondering if you are doing it ‘right’ never goes away, thankfully time offers perspective.

April’s shift in perspective comes not only from the wise advice of her therapist to take time for herself without guilt, but an unlikely adventure in her company to Vegas. It’s perhaps a little absurd, with a rather shocking twist, but the trip is illuminating for April.

Told with wit and warmth I enjoyed Adult Conversations, I believe most mothers will relate with at least some aspect of April’s experience, and her desire to meet the needs of her family without sacrificing herself.