This book started out so funny and I think it was these authors and their great details that can make you laugh at a tragic death. Referring to their Dad’s death by getting plowed by the snow plow as before Popsicle and After Popsicle is hilarious! ( BPP Before Popsicle Passed) This tale is about Grace (who is 35 and sort of lost in her career choices. She has done many things and is looking for her passion) and her Sister, Clair (married to Henry with everything perfect in place). Two sisters, one drunken pact and a choice that changes their lives forever. When Clair gets the news she can’t have a baby, she digs deeps and finds a ziploc with the “pact” and brings it to Grace. As for Grace, she is looking, searching and not having success. Two years ago it was training to be a 911 operator, now it may or may not be baking cookies. when her sister who is married and wanting a child comes to her and says maybe you can be our surrogate, Grace’s life changes. Grace, the free spirit older sister, who promises Clair, that she’d have her baby. They were totally drunk but what shocks Clair and Henry more is the Grace agrees.
Now everyone becomes involved. Diane, Grace and Clair’s Mom is just as funny as these two girls and then the in-laws. Henry’s Mom is a hoot and also known as “The Mayonnaise Queen”. When Grace agrees she is just starting relationship with Jack, a fireman who she has talked to through work for about 6 moths. She tells him and I was shocked, gasped and shook my head when he said he liked the idea of surrogacy.
As we follow Grace, Clair, Henry,Diane, the in-laws and Jack through the journey there is a serious side and an almost wet your pants side. Henry wants to be closer to Grace and he has a compulsive need to give Grace bizarre and overly personal pregnancy gifts. He shows up with breakfast and then a trainer Reid who is going to make sure Grace is healthy. Then there is Grace’s best friend George (a girl) who needs a new drinking buddy, but decides she will go to AA instead.
As the sisters are faced with all of these dramatic life lessons you will laugh, cry and cheer. Grace was awesome as was Jack. There are many quotes below and these are just a sampling of what Happily Ever Before has to offer. A seriously great read.
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The authors STALK them or do I say STORK them:
Aimee Pitta on Twitter: www.twitter.com/aimeevcr @AimeeVCR
The books Twitter: @HappilyEverBefore
The Blog: www.happilyeverbefore.net
Melissa Peterman on Twitter: https://twitter.com/Followtheblonde @Followtheblonde
Meet Melissa
My fave quotes and clippings:
Grace would be the planner and Clair would be the wild child. To be honest, for a short period of time, a time we will refer to as BPP (Before Popsicle Passed),
– Highlight Loc. 440-41
“What if Grace had an inhospitable womb? With the kind of people she’s let in to the place and all the alcohol she’s drank, Grace’s womb probably looked like a hotel room after Tommy Lee trashed it!”
– Highlight Loc. 961-66
He played with Grace’s hand, he liked how if felt in his. “I look at it this way, there are times when a choice shows up out of the blue, from nowhere, and you’re like where the hell did that come from? But, it came to you for a reason. The universe brought it to you because it knew you could handle it. And, maybe you’re the only person who can do this particular thing at this particular time. When you love someone you sometimes have to sacrifice a little bit in order to show them how much you love them, but that’s me and I’m not the one who’s going to have to give up ten months of my life or, may I say, a spectacular body, to have someone else’s kid. So, you need to look into your heart and figure out who is in there and why.”
– Highlight Loc. 1309-11
“Masturbation makes life easier. ‘Nuff said. I read that a woman should have an orgasm a day; it keeps the stress away.” A laughing George sucked down her shake, “you’re serious about this?” “Damn straight sister!”
– Highlight Loc. 1706-7
Last night he attempted Mozart’s “Prague Symphony Number Thirty Eight” and, well, I’m no music critic, but I’ve heard a cat in heat who sounded better than that.”
– Highlight Loc. 2415-16
“We know that,” said Clair. “Do you need condoms? Plus we have to get you a wax. Do you want to buy some sex toys, get some KY Jelly?”
“Grace,” Dr. Yael smiled, “stop thinking. Just be.” “Just be? I’m not sure that’s me,” Grace huffed. “Try saying this whenever you panic about it: just be calm, just be quiet, just be.”
George poured the hot water into a mug and grabbed some concentrated lemon out of the fridge and squirted it in. “She’s been trying to take a shit for over an hour and can’t.”
“She’s all red faced and sweating and she doesn’t look good.” “Call an ambulance, now.” “She doesn’t want one.” George peeked in on Grace who was shit wiggling away in the living room. “She’s doing a shit wiggle—that might help.”
“Be the shit, love the shit, free the shit—just push.” “If I push any harder, I’m going to give myself a stroke. Shut. The. Fuck. Up!”
“Who’s putting this stuff together? Is the store sending someone?” Henry smiled. “Nope, I’m doing it.” He then put down his side of Sal’s box. “Alone?” An alarmed Henry, Sr. asked. “Need I remind you of the camping debacle of ninety-one, the Christmas tree massacre of ninety-five, and the entertainment center crash of just six months ago?”
Reading Renee 
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