This book hit me harder than I expected it to. It wasn’t a sad book per se but having one child that is about to leave for college and the other child right behind her the next year I am finding myself in a space where I question what my purpose is. My whole life has been dedicated to the needs and desires of my children and I don’t know what to do with myself once they are gone and we are empty nesters. This is what Rita is where Rita is finding herself in this book. I related so hard to this book that it scared me to think about what my life would look like in the future. Rita finds herself trying to rekindle her marriage as she notices that without the everyday hustle and bustle of their children, they don’t have much to talk about amongst each other. Is this what we have to look forward to?

This was an excellent book about a topic that I am sure so many people (not just mothers) can relate to. Read this one and be prepared for what is do come.

And Now, Back to Me, is a memoir that delves into the intricate emotional terrain of motherhood as Rita Lussier copes with the departure of her youngest child from the family home. After dedicating 27 years to her role as a parent, Rita anticipates a feeling of peace, only to encounter a sense of disorientation. The abrupt transition to an empty nest compels her to reassess her relationships, career, and her sense of self. As she embarks on the journey of reinvention, she communicates her experiences with both humor and shows some vulnerability. Through her experience, we get insights as to how she deals with parenting her adult children and how she deals with supporting her aging parents.

Ms. Lussier utilizes relatable anecdotes and conveys a notion that parenting is a lifelong endeavor, underscoring the significance of love and friendship during substantial life transitions. This memoir is engaging, with forthright reflections that many can relate to. The themes of love, loss, and self discovery are interwoven throughout the novel. Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the advance review copy in exchange for my review.

This is precisely the book I need as my only child graduates from high school! I enjoyed it so much. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.