Confessions of a Domestic Failure

Laditan’s novel will strike a hysterical and compassionate chord with new moms. Once upon a time, Ashley Keller knew what eight hours of sleep was. Now, she’s an exhausted stay-at-home mom to her eight-month-old daughter, Aubrey, while her husband, David, builds his dream advertising agency. When mommy blogger extraordinaire (and Ashley’s personal guru) Emily Walker announces a contest alongside her new book, Motherhood Better, Ashley is thrilled to be chosen to participate in the “Motherhood Better Bootcamp.” Ashley’s desperate to become the dream mom she had always fantasized she would be. Satirizing the unrealistic expectations that society places on mothers to be one and all, Laditan hits the high mark for hilarity and humanity. While at times ungrateful about her life, Ashley still manages to recognize the precious gift she’s been given in Aubrey and the moments of pure love amid the chaos. Laditan writes with a comic gift, giving readers a hilarious send-up of mommy culture in today’s world. (May)