Marta Zinsser runs a successful advertising agency out of her home in Seattle. Recently relocated from New York City—or returned home from NYC, depending on how one looks at it—she and her ten-year-old daughter, Eva, are getting a crash course in how to live in wealthy suburbia.

Marta not only marches to her own beat, she is her own drummer. Forget the fancy shoes and luxury cars. Marta adores her combat boots, restored classic pickup truck, and sweet Harley ride—much to Eva’s dismay. It’s hard enough to fit in to a new school, but trying to live among snobs, but with a mom who is the definition of weird, the poor kid can’t get a break.

In an effort to make peace with Eva, Marta tries to do what a “good” mom is expected to do. At the risk of alienating her hard-working ad staff, she tries to get involved with the career homemakers who run the local PTO. While attempting to keep a grip on her sanity, she keeps running into someone who may qualify as the man of her dreams—until she learns about his secret.

Hilarious and moving, this is a story about both the need and absolute refusal to blend into a crowd. Jane Porter’s enjoyable voice continues to shine in this, her third novel. Like her characters, she doesn’t believe in conforming to the social norm. Why do that when you can be yourself?

Marta is most definitely a Porter character: vibrant, smart, cute (as opposed to the dreaded knock-out gorgeous label), passionate about what matters, and oh-so-wonderfully flawed. These are women those of us in the real world can relate to.

There are a few scenes where Marta’s over-the-top personality is a bit excessive, but don’t let it slow you down. This book is great fun for working AND stay-at-home moms, as well as anyone else wishing for a sneak-peek into our club.