Ah, to be a young and wealthy woman growing up in a gated community in 1960s Los Angeles. Sounds like a dream, doesn't it? Heather Haldeman takes us inside that dream, and holds our hand through the tumultuous decades she, her mother, and sister face when their perfect, glamorous dream falls apart — and as her mother must decide what is worth leaving behind in order to continue leading the lifestyle she's familiar with. Sexy, enticing, and devastating all at once.

I inhale memoirs like this. It takes me back to watching TV movies in the 80s about husbands leaving wives and the women were left to struggle. Haldeman had a much different childhood than I did. She is very candid with her feelings and many of,the awful things her parents said to her as she was growing up. My jaw dropped when I read the parts about what her father did. I was glad to read she later found a father figure in her stepfather. I enjoyed the mom shorts at the beginning of each chapter. Although it was amusing to read how her mother would get dolled up to go on a man hunt so she could marry well, but it was also,sad. That’s all her mother knew and she landed on her feet. I was very interested to read she married the son of HR Haldeman. I enjoyed this memoir. I enjoyed seeing all,the pictures the author has shared on Instagram. It’s also a wonder how times have changed especially with regards to smoking in the last 50 years.

Moving Memoir of Growing in 1960s California
This is a memoir about growing up in the 1960s in California. But, it has very little to do with the cliché version of 1960s California. This is about being the younger child in a very dysfunctional family. The mother is immature and insecure, the father is tuned out and the girls are left to their own devices too often. The author is candid in her portrayals of her loved ones and in the emotions that spilled everywhere. It is like watching a train wreck to read this book. Fortunately for almost all, time heals and happiness is found by most. I finished the book and actually read the acknowledgments which is very unusual. It was more like an epilogue and I suggest all readers of this book also read that part. I finished with a smile on my face and the desire to hug the author in my heart. I received this ARC book for free from Net Galley and this is my honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley and Apprentice House Press for the opportunity to read Kids & Cocktails Don't Mix and provide an honest review.

Heather Haldeman is a gifted storyteller and her insightful memoir explores the complexities of relationships between parent and daughter, siblings and among blended families. Haldeman is raw and honest as she chronicles her abandonment by her father and the tangled relationship she had with her sister, mother, as well as her subsequent step-fathers and step-siblings. I respected Haldeman's decisions to draw boundaries, learn from her mistakes and those of others as well as create for herself the life she wanted and deserved. I will widely recommend this book and wish Heather Haldeman great success with this memoir.

Wow. What a story. This is definitely not your typical coming of age story. What a life the author has lived and she tells her story with raw honesty. You will experience her highs and lows and she writes with feeling and humor. Would have been nice to have some pictures included. A very enjoyable read.

Thanks to Netgalley, the author and publisher for an e-arc in exchange for my honest opinion.

Mother daughter relationships are complex yet a draw for many. This one is sincere, funny, enjoyable and heartfelt. Share with a loved one who might enjoy it too.

Great book. The Mother, daughter interaction makes me feel like maybe my Mom and I aren’t as bad as I thought. This is a laugh out loud type of book. I totally enjoyed it. I am buying a copy for my sister because I know she will enjoy it as well

I found this book personally interesting, since I’m roughly the same age as the author, and also grew up in Los Angeles. It was fun to read small details about places and things that I’d forgotten about. While the author’s life story (and her family’s) is certainly fascinating and unique, at times I wondered if it would have been better told as a fictionalization, to allow for some editing and tighter pacing, as there were times when the story seemed to get bogged down with details. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I love this memoir which is achingly sincere and heartwarming. I’ve never laughed so loud than I reading this. I highly recommend this book.