Described as a collection of stories about women at various stages of their lives grappling with relationship problems (usually involving mothers or men), this had instant appeal for me. I liked the author's voice, she has a rather quirky style that suits these types of stories. Some however worked better than others. I found the ones involving older women, rather than younger, held more authenticity (perhaps because I'm an older woman myself!).

For me there were two that stood out - "Modern Love" about a woman trying to reconcile her attraction to a man who she knows isn't right for her, but who she can't quite seem to give up and "A Tooth for Every Child" about a middle aged woman's fling with a much younger man. The last one in particular had such a ring of truth about it that I couldn't help but wonder if the author was drawing on personal experience. Whether she was or not, it was brilliant - she managed to evoke total sympathy for both the woman and the young man who despite the somewhat predictable ending, you couldn't help hoping might end up together even while knowing as the author does, such things can't happen. (Except maybe in celebrity land and even then they all fall down eventually.) ( )

The crap you'll read to get on the same page as your high school girlfriend.... ( )