Review: Condemn Me Not by Dianne Venetta

Condemn Me Not by Dianne Venetta

Publisher:BloominThyme Press 

Pages: 156 

Format: ebook 

Buy the Book: Amazon 

Goodreads:  The words no mother wants to say, and every mother yearns to hear.

Bound by friendship, two women find themselves at common crossroads, struggling with choices both past and present, career and home. 

Simone Sheridan and Claire Atkins have been friends since college. Upon graduation, they took off in different directions, forging separate paths through motherhood. Neither planned to look back on the road they traveled with regret—yet that's exactly what’s at stake when their daughters issue opposing proclamations with regard to college. 

Both mothers battle the news, but soon come to learn they must change course, or lose the sacred relationship between mother and daughter. But change is not an easy task when Simone and Claire unexpectedly find themselves staring down their choices, confronted by the same question: Where did I go wrong?


Kritters Thoughts:  From before a time I can remember, I have always wanted to be a career woman and wasn't ever sure if creating a family was on my to do list.  I loved reading this book as two best friends are working through life changes with their young adult children as they are trying to leave the nest.  One is a working mom who spent most of her hours at the office while the other was a stay at home mom, although the girls grew up in very different lifestyles each have decided right before high school graduation to take a different path than what their parents had assumed was mapped out. 

I sit on the fence about the whole stay at home mom situation.  I was raised with a  stay at home mom who was there for everything and by everything I mean EVERYTHING.  I can’t remember one moment where she chose something that benefited herself if it conflicted with mine or my sister’s schedule.  Speaking of my sister, she is a stay at home mom and a full time nanny and loves every minute of it – she finds joy in taking care of her home, husband and the family.  With the same token, I know for a fact that I could not handle the job.  I love having a full time job and do not find fulfillment by being domestic.  I want an income and want to help with the household through that avenue, but I am pretty sure I do not want kids because I know I could not give them the childhood that my parents afforded us. 

This was an interesting read for me because it made me reflect on my childhood and the lessons I learned through my parents that I use and some that my sister has taken more to heart.  

Rating: absolutely loved it and want a sequel

Ebook 2013 Challenge: 10 out of 50

Disclosure of Material Connection:  I received one copy of this book free of charge from the author.  I was not required to write a positive review in exchange for receipt of the book; rather, the opinions expressed in this review are my own.