Nevermind that there’s a cupcake on the cover. Jen of People I Want To Punch in the Throat’s new book is so good, I just want to eat it.
Everyone needs one of those friends who says exactly what everyone else is thinking but won’t say. I’m often that person in my circles (and yes, sometimes it’s fun to just shock people a bit) but imagine if there was a super circle of people who’ll say what everyone is thinking but won’t say out loud – then Jen would be THAT super circle’s person who’ll take it further than everyone else. And you’ll love her for it.
I can attest to her ultimate lovability despite the fact that a lot of people are scared of her tongue because I actually KNOW her. Like have hung out with her. Like talk to her on a regular basis. She goes there, she’ll take you to task, she’ll call you out. In fact, the first thing you probably ever read by her was a thorough skewering of those damn crazy overachieving elf on the shelf mommies.
And maybe it’s because of that reputation that her new book is surprising in a really warm (but of course hilarious) way. You get a peek behind the curtain. She doesn’t just make you laugh, she lets you in.
I adored the first chapter of the book (You’ve Got Mail!) which is about how she and the hubs met. It’s more of a meet-awkward than a meet-cute but reading it is such great insight into their relationship and what makes it work. They’re two strong personalities who express their love by lambasting but ultimately embracing each other’s quirks. And it’s just so fun to read how it all got started.
I find their relationship so unique and honest that many of the chapters I enjoyed the most have that at their heart (The Husband Inquisition, The Hubs or the Cleaning Lady, Don’t Make Me Choose).
But let’s get down to what’s not surprising. Jen gets angry when other people pretend to be perfect – she’s unapologetically not perfect – and in this book, she takes aim at kindergarten brats and their “lovely” mothers, room moms, party themes, home-shopping parties and parents who do their kids’ homework and projects for them plus a whole lot of other things you’re going to be laughing and nodding in agreement about.
I’m going to stop now because I don’t want to give too much away. Let me just say this: while you’re reading it, you’ll feel like you’re sitting in Jen’s kitchen in your pajama bottoms having a cup of coffee and gossiping about all the things that drive you crazy in life with one of your very best girlfriends. It’s that good.
So don’t hesitate on this one. It’s out September 9 but you can preorder it now so it’s waiting for you that very day.
Just like I do with cupcakes (and cocktails), I devoured the book all too fast and now I’m sad that I’m done. But it’s okay because that’s what the second round is for. Cheers to Jen for a job well done!
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