Several months ago a publisher contacted me to see if I would be interested in receiving and reviewing a new book by Katherine Center. I agreed, and a few days later Everyone is Beautiful arrived.
The story is fiction, and it is told in first-person by Lanie, a married mother of three boys. The story unfolds with the family’s move to a new town, and how they go about settling into a small, somewhat drab apartment with three boys under the age of five. Being a mother of two small children myself, I could definitely relate to Lanie’s struggles with caring for energetic children 24/7.
The book, in my opinion, doesn’t seem to have much in the way of progression. To be perfectly honest, it doesn’t seem like it goes anywhere. Lanie seems somewhat unhappy about how her life currently is, being at home all of the time with three small children, while her husband is busy with work and tutoring on the side, and later in the book being out of town for a special convention. She is also unhappy with her weight, struggles with confidence and finding other women to relate to, but eventually joins a gym and takes up photography, and manages to keep herself occupied and somewhat happy with her newfound hobbies.
Despite the reviews I’ve read and what the book is supposed to be about, Lanie strikes me as being unhappy and rather sad. I found the book to be somewhat depressing to read, because I can relate to the drudgery of being a mother and devoted housewife (and I work on top of that!), but more so because I didn’t really feel any real love between her and her husband, Peter. They were definitely disconnected.
However, in defense of both the book and the author (fyi, she also is the author of The Bright Side of Disaster, which I absolutely adored!), the story is definitely realistic, and the love the mother has for her three boys is quite evident. The retelling of the boys’ various adventures and such are definitely charming, and some made me laugh out loud.
The book does seem to end on a positive note, which is always a good thing. I am going to go back and read it again, and hopefully gain a different perspective this time around.
Rating: 
Hello, and welcome to In My Bag! My name is Jenn, and this is my product review blog. In My Bag is where I showcase my reviews of many of the products and services I buy and use, as well as the occasional trials, coupons and freebies that come my way. Interested in learning more? 
