Smothered

May 1, 2018

When rich girl Eloise (Lou) Hansen moves back home after college, she becomes the project of her overprotective mother, Shelley, appropriately nicknamed Mama Shell. While Lou's peers vacation in Europe, start successful blogs, or head to graduate school, Lou, once a top student, flounders, unemployed. She sleeps in too much and can't find clean underwear. Meanwhile, her helicopter parent has turned into a bush pilot; Shell obsesses about Lou losing weight and insists it's "relaxing" to locate her daughter 24/7 on her Find My Friends app. Her compulsive shopping and partying compound the problem: Mama Shell's midlife crisis mirrors Lou's desperation to move on from-and out of-her childhood home. In her debut, the author, also an actress, tries for humor in spilling the facts on the good life among the rich and famous in Southern California. Two examples: Mama Shell files a missing person report for her dog Muffin, insisting he's "my baby." Also, Lou jokes about murdering a cloying friend because in prison, "at least I'll have a set schedule with three carbo-loaded meals." VERDICT This book belongs in collections about family relationships and would appeal to readers looking for light and humorous fare.-Georgia Christgau, Middle College High School, Long Island City, NY

Copyright 2018 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Starred review from June 1, 2018
Eloise Lou Hansen just graduated summa cum laude from Columbia University. The world should be her oyster, but she has yet to secure a job or a place to live, leaving her no choice but to move back in with her parents in L.A., hide her boyfriend from her overly critical mother, and spin lies that go out of control. With lists of short-, medium-, and long-term goals, Lou makes it her mission to make it on her own in the real world. Inspired by Chiklis' real life, this hilarious debut, told in the appealing format of journal entries, text messages, emails, receipts, and more, will have readers laughing out loud at the situations and setbacks that find Lou. From attempting to file a police report for a missing pug to a juice cleanse gone wrong, to overexposure in yoga, to one little white lie that turns into national news, readers will root for Lou as she navigates her new life and dynamic relationship with her mother. Perfect for recent grads, mother-daughter duos, and those looking for a fun read this summer. All the heart eye emojis!(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2018, American Library Association.)