Whitney Gaskell Mommy Tracked

Mommy Tracked

Whitney Gaskell

Bantam, Sep 2007, $12.00

ISBN: 9780553589696

In Orange Cove, Florida, four moms form the Mothers Coming Together group where they can meet to release some frustration amidst peers. Food critic Anna Swann is a divorcee struggling between "mommy time", Anna time and work time. Grace Weaver has a loving husband and three adorable daughters, but fears being fat hoping at any social encounter someone "out-obese" her as she still retains the baby weight psychologically as much as physically. Juliet wants to become a full partner at the law firm in spite of having the twins to take time away from work, but has a chance due to her house-husband Patrick even if it means less time with her family. Chloe is the newest mommy, but fears she is losing her spouse James who shows no interest in her or their son. These four females come together to help each other not just cope, but in raising their offspring and much more.

Rotating perspective between the women, readers, especially moms, will appreciate this amusing salute to motherhood. The four females have distinct personalities and needs, which in turn makes their support group seem real. Well written, this is a warm lighthearted character study that Anna sums up quite nicely with her relativity theory that whatever you do there is not enough "mommy time" to complete the task properly as inefficiency is a way of life.

Harriet Klausner