I Thought My Mother Sometimes Can Be Annoying :)

TITLE: Smothered
AUTHOR: Autumn Chiklis
PUBLISHER: Wednesday Books
PUBLISHING DATE: August 7, 2018

FROM GOODREADS: A humorous debut crossover young adult novel about what happens when entering the "real world" means moving back in with your mother, inspired by actress and celebrity Autumn Chiklis' real life.

Eloise “Lou” Hansen is graduating from Columbia University summa cum laude, and she's ready to conquer the world. Just a few minor problems: she has no job, no prospects, and she’s moving back into her childhood bedroom. Lou is grimly determined to stick to a rigorous schedule to get a job and get out of her parents’ house. Shelly “Mama Shell” Hansen, on the other hand, is ecstatic, and just as determined to keep her at home. Who else will help her hide her latest binge-shopping purchases from her husband, go to SoulCycle with her, and hold her hand during Botox shots?

Smothered is a hilarious roman à clef told via journal entries, text messages, emails, bills, receipts, tweets, doctor’s prescriptions, job applications and rejections, parking tickets, and pug pictures, chronicling the year that Lou moves back home after college. Told from Lou’s point-of-view, Smothered tells the story of two young(ish) women, just trying to get it right, and learning that just because we all grow up doesn’t mean we necessarily have to grow old. (After all, what is Juvaderm for?) 

MY THOUGHTS:  I don't know what else to say about "Smothered" other than it was a quick fun read and definitely the perfect thing to read while on vacation.  Lou Hansen has just graduated from Columbia University.  While looking for a job, she moves back home to California, to live with her family.  Lou knows that "adulting" is going to be hard, and while she knows her mother will be interfering and crossing boundaries at every turn, she has no idea how badly.  In addition, Lou has been hiding a secret from her parents in the form of her boyfriend, Theo, whom her mother saw once and nicknamed him "the serial killer."  

"Smothered" was told in diary form and includes texts, emails and instagram posts.  I love books in this form from time and time and most usually find them fast and fun reads.  Chiklis does a wonderful job at weaving social media into a new graduates life, just as I imagine would  happen.  In addition, there is humor and snarkiness abound.

I won this book from a Goodreads giveaway and I have to admit, it was the author's name which immediately caught my attention.  I used to love "The Shield" when it was on TV and wanted to see what his daughter could do.  I have to say Autumn stands on her own and I look forward to future books by her.  However, while reading the book, I couldn't help but wonder if the father in the book was patterned after her own.  

If you want a summer read that is relaxing and at times can make you laugh out loud, then consider picking up "Smothered."

RATING: 4 Paws

BOOKER T's THOUGHTS:  Man, I thought my brother was a handful at times but he's nothing compared to the two pugs in this book - Baguette and Muffin.  While they were definitely loved and well cared for, someone needs to teach them some manners...and obedience.  Not only were they constantly eating furniture, it was almost impossible for them to go out in public without getting lost or causing havoc.  I'm so glad Cass is nothing like them.  They are pretty cute though and hey, at least they aren't cats.