Mom’s Perfect Boyfriend – Crystal Hemmingway

A comedic blend of romance and mother-daughter boundary issues, Mom’s Perfect Boyfriend is an engrossing read. 

Despite the author’s note in the beginning claiming “this story is true”, it also claims to be a work of fiction … so I’m going to go the fiction route. Otherwise I’m simply not sure how to react to this book. In fact, I’m still processing it. 

The Writing:

Hemmingway expertly layered the book development – there is a lot going on within these nearly 300 pages. I liked that the story moved so quickly, however, because it didn’t drag. Crystal, Lisa, and Margot all felt real to me by the time I had finished reading. 

Margot could easily be a mother in the reader’s life, sticking her nose where it doesn’t belong and completely ignoring traditional social cues. Crystal is the aspiring writer of this tale, and I loved how diverse the story became as we read Crystal’s work while simultaneously reading Hemmingway’s. As for Lisa, she didn’t stand out as much as Crystal and Margot, but at some point everyone faces the fear/realization they have become their parents, which helped make her more relate-able. 

Unique Style:

Alas, I would be remiss if I did not mention the style this book is written in. A combination of letters, emails, text messages and pieces of Crystal’s work, really make for a unique combination. It does take some adjustment, but if you enjoy reading books written in a letter writing style then definitely give Mom’s Perfect Boyfriend a chance. 

Mom’s Perfect Boyfriend is a perfect quick and quirky read for those who are tired of cliched endings and love to see character growth and change. I would recommend this book to those readers who want something lighthearted, yet not corny. 

Disclaimer: I received this book for free from LibraryThing in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.