Mom on the Road

By: Allyson Ochs Primack 
Publisher: CreateSpace
Publication Date: February 2015
ISBN: 978-1-5078-0955-6
Reviewed by: Amy Lignor
Date: April 10, 2015

As a reviewer and a reader I am always amazed by twists of fate, and how out of nowhere you can read a book that is basically speaking of your own life. This tale, for all women whether on the road, or not, is one of the most perfect books you can possibly get your hands on. Not only does it tell a story with absolute humor, drama, and all facets of life – it also has that main character who’s learning. They are finding themselves and, happily, it is not a kid right out of high school who needs to “find themselves” long enough so they don’t have to head directly to college.

Maggie Stevens is our main character, and all that can be said about her in order to “sum up” is that she is absolutely human. This is a woman who has not hit menopause; in fact, she is really pre-pre at the age of forty. She is the mother of three which means she knows full well about the yelling, crying and absolute love and hate children can give to Mom.

The road trip that Maggie goes on is more than riveting and absolutely hilarious. In a bus with one of the strangest species on Earth – yes, I mean actors – Maggie makes relationships with cast members (and I wish I could unveil some of these, but I will not ruin a moment of this completely cool story), and talks about everything from the fun of staying with children in hotels to dealing with people who sometimes act as if the cavern where their brain is supposed to be actually echoes.

Maggie makes many real statements in this book; the clearest being the fact that when we turn forty we look in the mirror and don’t understand who’s looking back at us. Forty starts “Act II” of our lives…an Act that we hope to heck is way better than the first. From big, sparkling cities to the drabbest of small towns, the bus journey that Maggie takes is fantastic – always reminding us that whether sparkling or drab, there’s something on every stop of the “tour” we take through our lives that we most definitely have to see.

The author has actually based this on her own journey, when she was with her son working in the “guardian” role on a Broadway Tour. (For anyone who has not seen the blog, www.momontour.com, you have to change that fact right away; it is the funniest thing you will ever have the opportunity to read.) And although reviews are rarely personal, as a single mom who went across the country many, many (too many) times, with a little girl beside me (and, boy, were those hotel stays rough), I have to say that this was one of the most perfect books I have ever read. Now…it’s time you did.

Quill says: Bad News: this book ends. Great News: “Mother Blogger” is coming to the literary scene from this outstanding author! And it will be a “must-read.”

For more information on Mom On The Road, please visit the book's website at: www.momontour.com