Smells Like Tween Spirit

Class Mom #4

by Laurie Gelman

Even with the cutthroat days of being Class Mom behind her, as a freshly minted mat mom of the Pioneer Middle School (PMS) wrestling team, Jen Dixon cannot catch a break.

This year, as her son joins the ranks of the PMS wrestlers, Jen faces mystifying new social dynamics with her trademark combination of reluctance and resigned acceptance. The sights and smells of her son’s wrestling matches are more than enough for her to deal with, but Jen also finds herself fully immersed in sports-mom competitiveness. These parents all seem perfectly unassuming until their kids start to wrestle, and then some become raging momsters.

Jen steels herself for the indignities of middle school life, but she cannot quite fathom the extents to which some kids (and moms) will go for the sweet taste of victory. Add to this some truly bizarre encounters with students from her spin class and deeper challenges managing her parents, and Jen has more gum than she can chew...and even her riotously funny one-liners might not get her through it this time.

Genres: Fiction, Humor, Audiobook, Chick Lit, Contemporary, Realistic Fiction, Parenting

256 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 2, 2022

About the author

Laurie Gelman was born and raised in the Great White North. She spent twenty-five years as a broadcaster in both Canada and the United States before trying her hand at writing novels. Laurie lives in New York City with her husband, Michael Gelman, and two teenage daughters. Class Mom is her first book.

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Reviews

[Melissa (Semi Hiatus Until After the Holidays) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Absolutely adored Gelman's latest offering in the Class Mom series. Definitely read this series in order because there are many characters with continuing story arcs and you'll be totally lost if you start with this one.

I listened to this one as an audiobook narrated by the author and I love her narration. She puts the perfect amount of snark into Jen's voice and so we know when she is kidding and when she isn't. I loved the "Mat Moms" concept in this book because any mom who has had kids in any sort of sport will recognize familiar themes, kinds of parents involved, etc. It doesn't have to be wrestling, being a sports parent has some universal similarities.

There was one part that was quite touching and hit very close to home for me, I definitely shed a couple of tears. Yet overall, this is just a fun, escapist fast read that provided mostly laugh out loud moments. Plus, it made me want to put the 80s station on Sirius XM after all of the great 80s song shout outs.

Ms Gelman, if you need any encouragement to continue the series--count me as a fan and I'll read many more!

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book, all opinions are my own.

[JaymeO · Rating 4 out of 5]

HAPPY PUBLICATION DAY!

Meet the resident funster!

Snarky Jen Dixon is back with an all new adventure. Join Jen as she navigates parenting her son, Max, who joins the middle school wrestling team. Jen not so subtly ingratiates herself into the mat moms crew of PMS (Pioneer Middle School). She also keeps busy by running her spin class and getting to know all of her regulars, helping her adult daughters open a healthy sandwich shop, throwing an epic Halloween party, babysitting her dad who has dementia, being a grandmother to Maude, and trying to get her libido back!

The Class Mom series is not to be missed! If you are looking to laugh out loud, this is the one for you!

I especially enjoyed this latest window into Jen Dixon’s life. I absolutely love the Dixon clan and all of their idiosyncrasies. The books are best read in order, but can also be read individually.

Laurie Gelman, please keep writing more books in the Class Mom series! The fourth book, Smells Like Tween Spirit may be the best one yet!

Click here to view my review of Yoga Pant Nation https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

4.5/5 stars rounded down

Expected publication date: 8/2/22

Thank you to NetGalley and Henry Holt & Company publishing for the ARC of Smells Like Tween Spirit in exchange for an honest review.

[Maren’s Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Is this a series? Yes. Did I start with book four first? Yes. Is this a problem? Definitely not. Although this is a series that builds on itself, it can also be read as a standalone since each book gives a summary of the overall series and what has happened so far.

Full of humor and sarcasm, Laurie German does a great job at showcasing the amount of work that goes into being a mom, especially an older one who is also dealing with a career and aging parents. I laughed, I cried, but mostly, I just wanted more moments with Jen Dixon and her family. Oh, and don’t even get me started on her snarky fake response emails which were by far my favorite part of this book.

I listened to this one on audio and I think it helped enhance the best parts of the book. Read by the author herself, it made the laugh out loud scenes that much funnier. Have I mentioned her emails? I already have book one, Class Mom, cued up and ready to go.

Thank you to Henry Holt for my ARC of this book and NetGalley and Macmillan audio for my ALC in exchange for my honest review.

Favorite line: When telling her husband she feels out of the loop at her son’s school, he lists the ways she can help. “These included going back to the PTA cesspool (I’d rather listen to “Baby Shark” on repeat for the rest of my life)…”

[Lucy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the fourth book in the Class Mom series, and I loved it. I just can't enough of Jen Dixon's snarky remarks and hilarious emails. As in the previous books, there's no shortage of awkward situations for Jen to get into. Especially now that her son has joined the wrestling team at attending Pioneer Middle School (PMS).

If you can, listen to the audiobook. Read by Laurie Gelman herself (same as the previous three books), there's no better way to follow Jen's story!

Full review at LucyKnowsThings.com.

My thoughts on the previous books in this series:
Class Mom
You've Been Volunteered
Yoga Pant Nation

[Elle G. Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Smells like Tween Spirit is the fourth book in the Class Mom series and once again, Laurie Gelman delivered! I love a book that’s relatable to moms everywhere and this one (and the entire series) is exactly that! Laurie Gelman portrays Jen Dixon as a realistic mom with a sense of humor, amazing attitude, and a great heart. She doesn’t take life too seriously, and the way she treats her family and friends is super fun to watch- she’s got a snarky personality that I absolutely adore! So if any of these things sound good to you then you should definitely read this series! As I mentioned, this is book four but if you wanted to go into it as a standalone it wouldn’t be totally problematic. It can stand on its own but it's better read in order!

𝗣𝗘𝗥𝗙𝗘𝗖𝗧 𝗙𝗢𝗥 𝗙𝗔𝗡𝗦 𝗢𝗙:
• Mommy Lit
• Humor
• Women’s Fiction/Chick Lit

𝗠𝗬 𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

[Dee (in the Desert) · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.0 - The fourth installment in the "Class Mom" series - enjoyed it, Jen is always a hoot & she's getting older, along with her now middle-school son, who's wrestling extra-curricular now finds her a "Mat Mom". I do enjoy reading about K.C. as I have lived there before. I also really appreciated the "aging parents" plot-line.

[Chelsey (a_novel_idea11) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Smells Like Tween Spirit is the fourth installment of the Class Mom series. I hadn't read any of the other books prior to picking this one up, and while I could certainly follow along and enjoy the story well enough, I think the background knowledge of the characters and their stories probably would have been helpful.

In this latest book, Jen is tackling her father's advancing dementia, Max's new hobby - the sport of wrestling, and her daughter's new business venture opening a healthy sandwich shop. With Max's new wrestling endeavor, Jen also becomes a mat mom which is a seemingly huge responsibility with weekly pancake breakfasts, other fundraisers, and endless laundry.

I did the audio for this novel and it was a lot of fun. The novel is read by the author herself which I always think is a huge plus because you really get the story the way it's meant to be told.

Because I haven't read the other novels, I wasn't overly invested in the characters and definitely missed out on some subplots where the history wasn't shared.

All in all, this was a cute, quick read and if you've read and enjoyed the other books in the series, I have no doubt you'll love this one too!

Thank you to Henry Holt and NetGalley for a copy of this novel.

[BrandyD · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jen Dixon is about ten years older than me but she is a character with whom I can definitely identify. We are both moms who try to stay below the school-parent radar; like Jen, I've had to learn about parental eldercare; and even my parenting style is similar to hers. Unlike Jen, I can achieve nowhere near her level of comedy, nor do I have the guts she has to voice certain thoughts which might be best left unsaid.
Pretty much, Jen is one awesome, hilarious, very relatable mom/wife and I thoroughly enjoyed her experience as a first year PMS Mat Mom.
I will be reading more by Laurie Gelman. Her clever, thoughtful writing was a treat. I found myself laughing outloud as I listened to the audiobook in the bathtub, as well as ugly-crying in bed.
And btw, her characters had some seriously funny names!
This was narrated by the author and while she doesn't really have the typical voice of a book narrator, listening to her was like listening to a friend sharing her story.
I received an ARC audio copy of this book thanks to NetGalley and the publisher. This review is my own, unbiased opinion.

[Heidi]

The latest installment of The Class Mom Series does not disappoint! Jen Dixon is back and continues to make readers laugh. It is laugh out loud funny and sentimental at times. It is a light and easy read that reminds me of the years my girls were in school. Smells Like Tween Spirit follows Jen and her son to middle school and the world of wrestling. We get to catch up with a cast of familiar characters and the ups and downs they experience. If you haven't read Laurie Gelman's books, give them a shot. You are in for a treat. Thank you to NetGalley and Henry Holt and Co. for the ARC!

[Katherina Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a third in a series and could be read as a stand alone. I would suggest though that you read the others first because you will fall in love with this humor-filled book and want to read the first two anyway. Jen is a 55 year old mom with three children, two adult girls out of the house and a son in seventh grade. This year Jen is a “mat mom” which is the name given to mothers of wrestlers. She also teaches spin class, babysits her granddaughter and helps take care of her dad. Jen and hubby stay embroiled in the family happenings by hosting weekly dinners, and we all know what family dinners can be like. The dialogue is tongue in cheek, sassy and often very funny. She’s the kind of outspoken woman that I aspire to be. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Lisa Leone-campbell · Rating 5 out of 5]

For all of us who thought the wonderfully funny Class Mom series by Laurie Gelman had ended with book 3, oh boy were we happily wrong! In the latest installment, Smells Like Tween Spirit, Jen Dixon is back and as hysterical as ever!

In book 4 we find Jen has left her Class Mom days behind as her young son Max heads off to Middle School, only to find out he has decided to join the wrestling team! Jen decides to join the Mat Moms, a group of women whose sons are on the team and do fundraisers and their stinky laundry. So, as she becomes acquainted with the Pioneer Middle School wrestling moms, (PMS for short) and yes, they DO have t-shirts! she must begin the old get to know their personalities routine feeling out the other moms to find out who the fun ones are and who are the villains.

As if she needs anymore to do now that she is teaching spin classes with a cult following, babysitting her granddaughter, taking care of her aging parents, with her father sinking deeper into dementia, trying to mediate her two daughters’ drama with each other as they try and open a business together and a low libido which has her making excuses to her kind of understanding husband. She even develops a stalker! Well, sort of.

Jen takes us through her holiday seasons which begins with a Halloween party at their house for the wrestlers. Nothing could go wrong there! And a quiet Christmas as her two daughters go elsewhere. It’s then that Jen realizes her life might begin to get much quieter than she really wants!

But Jen is also faced with a sadness she and her readers hoped would never come. But in the real world, this sub-plot is all too painful and is written with perfection causing the reader perhaps a few tears.

With that said, all I can say is Jen Dixon is alive and well and continues to make the readers who love her laugh through her emails and snarky foot in mouth dialogue! Welcome back Jen and thank you Laurie Gelman!

Thank you #NetGalley #HenryHolt&Co. #LaurieGelman #SmellsLikeTweenSpirit for the advanced copy.

[Barbara Powell · Rating 3 out of 5]

I haven’t read any of the previous books in this series, and while it think it may have helped with some of the backstory of some of the characters, I wasn’t really left feeling like I couldn’t keep up with who was who, so this can be read as a stand alone.
In this installment, Jen is dealing with her father’s advanced dementia, her daughters tackling opening a healthy sandwich shop and her son taking up wrestling which leads her to become a “mat mom” which is kind of like a PTA only for the moms of the wrestlers and it involves way more than I would ever want to get myself sucked into. There’s lots of laughs and loads of sarcasm (which is my language lol) but there’s also a good view into family dynamics and growing up & maturing even as an adult- I mean if you’re willing to wear a shirt with PMS (the school’s initials) on it and wrestle one of the other Mat Moms as a fundraiser, you’ve really come a long way.
I listened to the audiobook and I loved having the author tell the story. She was fun and added so much to the story and loved her snark.
Thanks to Henry Holt & Co and NetGalley for this audiobook arc in exchange for my review.

[Emily Christopher · Rating 4 out of 5]

Smells Like Tween Spirit
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Genre: Contemporary Fiction
Format: Audiobook
Date Published: 8/2/22
Author: Laurie Gelman
Publisher: Macmillan Audio
Narrator: Laurie Gelman
GR: 4.23

I requested a digital advanced readers copy from NetGalley and Macmillan Audio and providing my opinion voluntarily and unbiased.

Synopsis: Jen Dixon is handling a whole host of new challenges, from the dreaded seventh-grade science fair to a school fundraiser (again!), Jen faces the somewhat-terrifying new social dynamics of the wrestling moms with her trademark combination of reluctance and exceptional delivery. Learning to navigate this new world while fielding calls from the principal because of Max’s newfound misogynistic behavior, Jen steels herself for the indignities of middle-school life—with her loyal spin class attendees and her bossy four-year-old granddaughter giving her the strength she needs to press on.

My Thoughts: This is the first time I read a book from this author and I adored it. While this is the fourth book in the Class Mom series, I had no problem reading it as a stand alone. It was a quick listen for me in just two days, it could even done at one sitting. Jen is balancing so many things, wrestle mom, spin instructor, aging parents, and being in her 50’s. This was just a cute spin on mom-hood with a tween, premenopausal, and learning to navigate life. The characters were well flushed out and developed with depth, witty banter, charisma, and creatively written. The humor spinner in this book is very relevant, some real laugh out loud moments for me. The author’s writing style was complex, endearing, engaging, and just brilliant. I highly recommend this book for any mom out there, in fact, it would be well served to read the whole series.

[Mary Christoff · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nothing is more fun than diving back into the world of Jen Dixon. Laurie Gelman has done it again with her latest novel, following Jen as she navigates her son Max's dive into the world of wrestling. Along the way she finds herself facing an enemy mat mom, juggling her life as a mother, grandmother, spin instructor, and overall "funster" (this phrase won't make sense until you read the book). Overall, another fun read from Gelman!!

[Meredith · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm going to start this out with the fact this book was going to get 3 stars, but then it made me audibly gag, and that dropped a star. I'm not gonna lie, I did not read what this book was about before I picked it up, and if I had, I most likely would not have read it. However, it's not because its necessarily bad, I'm just a few decades younger than this demographic. I genuinely think a mom out there might read this, relate to it, and love it, which I'm sure many have and I do not blame them.

The one thing I didn't like about this book, however, was how parts of the story was told. Jen (the main character) would be talking about something that happened a few days before, and it was just kind'v confusing when we would be back in the present day. Besides that tho, if you're a mom with experience of having tweens, absolutely go for it, I support your decision.

[Janet | purrfectpages · Rating 4 out of 5]

Smells Like Tween Spirit returns us to the wacky world of the hilarious, Jen Dixon. This time around Jen finds herself navigating a new crop of helicopter moms, as well as taking on the role of “Mat Mom” as her son enters the competitive world of middle school wrestling.

In addition to dealing with the backstabbing life of suburban sports, Jen also juggles another school fundraiser, teaching spin classes, and the drama of her fully grown children. Although Laurie Gelman always manages to crack me up, this time she managed to make me tear up, too. This is because a significant portion of the story is devoted to her father’s dementia. I’ve (luckily) never dealt with dementia first hand, but it is decidedly one of the most heartbreaking things for an individual and their loved ones to go through.

Smells Like Tween Spirit is the fourth installment in the underrated, Class Mom series. While the books don’t have to be read in order, it helps to do so to pick up on the nuanced continuity that occurs in each book. You don’t need to be a mom either to appreciate the humor in this series. So if you enjoy suburban snark with a touch of Generation X, I’d consider signing up for this master class.

[Amanda M (On The Middle Shelf) · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved this new addition to the Class Mom series. The humor and sarcasm in Laurie Gelman's writing is so relatable and on point. I have absolutely loved getting to see how Jen's life has adapted through each book in the series and I can't wait for more!

[Nikki · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh how I have loved this series! I really hope this is not the last I will hear from Jen Dixon. As much as I hate cycling, I really might be swayed to take her spin class. I can’t recommend this series enough to all of the moms out there. If you live in the KC area, you will love it even more. If you enjoy audiobooks, you’ll love this series because Gelman narrates it. I still have burning questions about where she gets all of her insight into all things KC!

[Marcy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Always such a fun read. I love reading these books as I’m sending out my first Room Mom email of
The year to my class.

[Jocelyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to Netgalley and Henry Holt & Co for letting me read and review this ARC!

I'm a big fan of the Class Mom series and when I saw that there was another installment I was excited and this one did not disappoint.

Smells Like Tween Spirit takes us along with the Dixons as Jen and Ron navigate Max being in middle school and joining the wrestling team among all the other struggles life throws at them as well.

I love this series for many reasons, but mainly, I love that we get to see so many levels of real life with the Dixon family. We don't just see the good, but we go through all the rough times with them too. The characters are lovable and the writing is so engaging that I felt emotional for every hard and happy moment they experienced. I also continue to laugh out loud throughout each of these books, Jen Dixon is such a witty character and she has some hilarious thoughts and encounters.

It has also been great to follow the growth of the Dixon family throughout this series. Specifically, this book gives us so much personal growth within each character and it made me fall in love with them even more.

I really hope we get another installment in this series - because I'd love to see Max in high school and see how Jen handles that one because I'm sure it will be hilarious!

[Christi Flaker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jen Dixon is back and dare I say missing her school responsibilities. After taking Max's 6th grade year off from volunteer duties she finds herself joining a group of Mat Moms when Max decides to take up wrestling. His foray into wrestling causes a bit of tension in the ranks as both sisters develop immediate crushes on Coach D. Jen finds a new nemesis in that of a mat mom from a rival school. Add in her father's continued descent into memory loss and suddenly Jen is most certainly not lacking in responsibilities.

True to Jen Dixon's personality there were awkward moments, a few classic emails and plenty of laughs. I enjoyed the new cast of characters that this one brought with it while maintaining a few friends from those elementary school years. If you've read the first 3 books this one will be just as enjoyable for you. Is it just me or am I hoping to hear back from Jen Dixon at least one more time? Maybe Max's senior year? Maybe mentoring her daughter as Maude enters Kindergarten and she becomes a class mom?

Thank you to Henry Holt and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this one in exchange for an honest review.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

**I won an ARC copy via goodreads giveaway**

Once again Laurie Gelman has absolutely DELIGHTED me with this 4th installment of the Class Mom series featuring the lovable, witty, Jen Dixon. I can only aspire to be such a great mom and human being as this strong female lead character - and believe me I certainly will try. I will not give details in this review, but I will say if you enjoyed the first three books, you will love this one too. I gobbled it up in less than 24 hours, which is par for the course as I binged the first three books in only 5 days last year. Funny, heartfelt, genuine.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Elizabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thanks to NetGalley and Henry Holt and Co for the ARC in exchange for my honest review. This book will be published August 2, 2022.

This is my forth book by this author. While it’s not the same time frame as the first 3 (Class Mom, You’ve Been Volunteered and Yoga Pant Nation), it still had the main protagonist Jen Dixon and she’s snarky as ever.

A quick and fun read.

[Greshen · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favorite book series! I want more. I need to see Max in high school and college! Keep them coming, please!

[Jenna · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought the previous book was the last in the series so was glad to see another one. I do like the writer's sense of humor and find some details in the book relatable. For exs., Jen is dealing with her father's dementia, helping her mom & w/her granddaughter.

"There were about twenty women there, none of whom I had ever met before. That's usually a recipe for disaster for me-I've been told I'm an acquired taste. Ron says I really need to work on my filters, but I figure why start now? They'll either get used to me or they won't. My level of caring whether I'm liked or not seems to steadily decline every year along with my resistance to chocolate."
(---I'd be your friend Jen!!! 😜)

"...and I wondered what the hell I had done to her and if I could go to jail for it. I wouldn't do well in jail, I thought to myself. A lot of people take an instant dislike to me."

The first chapter sets it up. Max is now involved w/the school wrestling team which means Jen has now joined that Mommy group. And after the first chapter (which had emails as w/the format of all her books), I thought, "Franny doesn't get her humor. This is gonna be fun."

I laughed out loud at various points. When it got to the explanation about the event in May, I literally started yelling.
My dad looked up, "What's wrong with you?" I replied, "It just got GOOOOD! It's on now, I'm knee-deep in."

(as you can tell, not much excitement lately in my days...and those that also read the book, hit me up w/a smiley face if you agree w/me on the May fundraiser. 😁 )

[Dianne · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars rounded up. This is a fast semi-humorous read. There is a good bit of seriousness to this particular book.

I've followed this series (can only 4 books be considered a series???) from the beginning. These books started out a little sillier than the last two books. But that is fine with me, it just shows me how all of the players are growing. I learned quite a bit about pubescent boys who are training for wrestling. Yikes!

I love the fact that Jen is still her usual irreverent self, this time becoming a Pioneer Middle School (PMS), mat mom. Jen is still teaching spinning, taking care of her granddaughter at times, her father, and her husband and let us not forget taking care of herself. She is a busy new-millennium Grandmom and I wish I had half of her energy and sense of humor.

In this book, we have unfortunate and sad things happening-but we also have some very childish things going on and that was with the adult children/ LOL! It just goes to show you that around your parents you never have really grown up!

*ARC supplied by Henry Holt and Co./Macmillan Publishers, the author, and NetGalley.

[Jane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to LibraryThing, Henry Holt, and especially the author for this ARC.

Max, her son, with Ron, who's now in 7th grade at Pioneer Middle School (yes, PMS which were on the t-shirts the "mat" moms wore), decides to take up wrestling. You can't imagine the horror that Jen has watching this. Max was 10 in Yoga Pant Nation and I think the series started when he was in kindergarten (I need to go back and read her earlier ones).

I loved Jen Dixon, her humor, her silly emails and her family in the 3rd book Yoga Pant Nation but this one was even better with even better emails to the “mat” moms. I laughed almost on every page except for one instance and it was a sad occasion. The one thing that drove me crazy and it must be a Kansas phrase, but I got a little tired of the word "Ya" instead of yes.

It was a fast, fun book and obviously hilarious. I hope she's writing a 5th one. I'd love to see what comes next with not only Max but of her whole family but everyone in this book and they are too numerous to mention.

[Andrea (Chicagobooklover) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jen Dixon is back! Smells Like Tween Spirit is the 4th book in the Class Mom series and with a mix of laugh-out-loud humor and family drama, this would make for a great summer read!

Jen has sworn off the class mom role when Max starts 7th grade but when he joins the wrestling team, Jen decides to help out and becomes a “mat mom” at Pioneer Middle School, or PMS as it says on the sweatshirts! At the same time, she’s trying to get to know her spin class participants, care for her aging parents, support her daughters’ new business, and find time for her husband.

What I love about Gelman’s writing is that through all the humor and sharp wit, we see real life with all its complications. People argue and make mistakes but through it all there is love and laughter. I find these books highly relatable and find myself nodding in agreement multiple times throughout (when I wasn’t laughing of course)!

I have read all of the Class Mom books and they are great! Do they have to be read in order? Nope! This can definitely be read as a stand-alone but I would highly recommend them all!

[Shannon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another instalment in the Class mom series and I enjoyed it just as much as the previous books!!

Full of humor, sarcasm and poignant insights into motherhood and life as a middle aged woman.

This books sees protagonist Jen dealing with a teenage son who joins a wrestling team (thrusting her again into an unwanted volunteer role).

She also is struggling with sexual desire and intimacy in her marriage and explores some interesting ways to help improve things.

While this book is definitely good for a laugh I also appreciated the relatable topics the whole series has tackled and its been fun going on this journey with Jen.

Great on audio read by the author, I for one won’t be sad if there are still more books to come in this series!

Much thanks to @henryholtbooks for sending me a beautiful #gifted copy and @librofm for a complimentary ALC in exchange for my honest review.

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Smells Like Tween Spirit (Class Mom, #4) catches up with Jen "the funster" Dixon and her family a couple years after the events of Yoga Pant Nation (Class Mom, #3). Her son Max, now a 7th grader, decides to join the wrestling team, and Jen, of course, is enlisted to become "a mat mom," expected to do team laundry, attend pancake breakfasts, and fundraise for the team. This series, which starts with Class Mom, is truly hilarious and I don't know why more funny novels aren't published! It's a send-up of upper-middle class suburban motherhood, and the narrator, Jen, is wry, fun, and not afraid to be weird. If I'm being honest, this latest entry didn't knock it out of the park for me, but I'm ride or die with Jen Dixon at this point.