Having It and Eating It

bought this book from Barnes and Noble because I wanted to get my order over $25.00 to get free shipping (LOL) and it was a baragin book. Well I am so glad I bought this! The story is about Maggie who is a stay at home mom raising two young boys, whom she had with her live in boyfriend Jake. The two never married because Jake is just not into the whole marrige thing... this urks Maggie a bit... Out one day with the children Maggie runs into Claire, and old friend from school, and upon dragging Jake to a party at Claire's house she begins to envy Claire's life as an unattached woman... Maggie seems torn between wishing Jake would just marry her already and wishing she was a carefree single. While at the party she also learns that the man living downstairs from Claire happens to be the attractive australian gardner who's van she happened to hit a few days or so before... Soon Maggie begins to suspect that Jake and Claire are having an affair... which leads Maggie to do some things she would most likely never do... I loved this book. I loved the irony involved and I feel the author penned the characters in a manner which makes them so loveable and sympathetic to them, especially Maggie... I suggest this book to anyone who loves the Chick Lit genre of books. You won't be let down.

I bought this book from Barnes and Noble because I wanted to get my order over $25.00 to get free shipping (LOL) and it was a baragin book. Well I am so glad I bought this! The story is about Maggie who is a stay at home mom raising two young boys, whom she had with her live in boyfriend Jake. The two never married because Jake is just not into the whole marrige thing... this urks Maggie a bit... Out one day with the children Maggie runs into Claire, and old friend from school, and upon dragging Jake to a party at Claire's house she begins to envy Claire's life as an unattached woman... Maggie seems torn between wishing Jake would just marry her already and wishing she was a carefree single. While at the party she also learns that the man living downstairs from Claire happens to be the attractive australian gardner who's van she happened to hit a few days or so before... Soon Maggie begins to suspect that Jake and Claire are having an affair... which leads Maggie to do some things she would most likely never do... I loved this book. I loved the irony involved and I feel the author penned the characters in a manner which makes them so loveable and sympathetic to them, especially Maggie... I suggest this book to anyone who loves the Chick Lit genre of books. You won't be let down.

Although I figured out very early what would happen regarding one key plot point, I nevertheless recommend this book as a good weekend read. The characters are believable, as are the situations and conversations. There are suspenseful moments, and funny ones, and of course, touching ones as well. Very enjoyable, on the whole. It's of the genre pouring out of England in the past few years -- I think Helen Fielding started the trend with the Bridget Jones books, although the books about Adrian Mole are in the same vein, and predate Fielding by awhile -- humor diarists writing winningly about everyday situations. Jane Green does a nice job, too, and the best recent offering is _I Don't Know How She Does It_. If you read that one, this book will seem a little flat, but still well worth reading.

This is a fun book! It's a guaranteed read to take your mind off of your troubles! This is my first Sabine Durrant book and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I didn't read it to pick at the moral issues ~~ I read it to have a break from nonstop packing and moving woes. And it's a perfect escape!Maggie gave up her career to stay home to raise her two little boys ~~ her boys with her partner, Jake. One day she runs into her schoolhood chum and realized that her own life isn't as together as Claire's. Then to top it off, she suspects Jake is having an affair with Claire ~~ and off this book goes. With hilarious tales of two little boys running amuck in the house and with other people, Maggie begins a journey into self-awareness. And this is a fun hilarious read!At first Maggie puts herself down for being a stay-at-home mom ~~ engrossed with recipes and childcare and local gossip. Then as the story progresses, she begins to realize that she is the envy of the women in her life. And she begins to grow up!This is a must-read for all women ~~ regardless of their marital status or children-status. I think moms with very young children can relate to Maggie's dilemmas with the babies ~~ but everyone can enjoy the stories. Durrant writes with a flair and humor ~~ you can't help but fall in love with the characters and keep on turning the pages. This is the perfect summer read!5-22-03

Reviewing readers who have no children can not POSSIBLY understand this book. No offense. Neither could I have two years ago before the birth of my first child. Now home with two, I COMPLETELY relate with Maggie Owen, our narrator and protagonist.Durrant clearly has experienced motherhood, perhaps even stay-at-home motherhood. It's a different world. It's stifling, but fulfilling in its own wonderful ways as she explains so beautifully.I called friends and family at times to read excerpts that struck me just so. Even staggered down the hall (no, not drinking...laughing so hard I could hardly walk) to read bits to my husband/the father of our children.If you haven't had kids yet, wait to read the book...no...don't...this'll give you a taste of what IS to come.