This sequel to Class Mom did not disappoint! There were several laugh out loud moments throughout the book. Excellent writing and storytelling from the author. Albeit the main character is a bit annoying at times. I was teary at the end when her aunt left her all that money.

To: Fellow Readers
From: C Arzu
Date: 10/6
RE: You’ve Been Volunteered Book Review

Hi, Fellow Bibliophiles! I have to admit Class Mom by Laurie Gelman was my guilty pleasure read of 2018. At first, I was skeptical as the subject matter was about the goings-on of a class mom to kindergartners. My Daughter Is in college, how could I ever relate to this? Those days were distant memories. What eventually changed my mind was the fact that the protagonist Jen Dixon was a “middle-aged” woman with two grown daughters. My first thought was, “Is she crazy?”. I was over the moon when I discovered the sequel on NetGalley and requested it right away.
You’ve Been Volunteered begins three years later, and Jen is the class mom (after rocky first run) of Mrs. Randazzo’s third-grade class. Mrs. Randazzo also happened to be the same teacher her Daughters Vivs and Laura had. Jen’s emails are less snarky, but still entertaining this time around. This time we are following her through trials and tribulations of being in charge of Safety Patrol, her Mother’s recovery from Breast Cancer, the ongoing drama with her Daughters, a pregnancy scare, and an exciting proposition.
There is something so refreshing about Laurie Gelman’s writing. Reading You’ve Been Volunteered made me miss the times of being a class mom and involved in the PTA. Her friends seemed genuine and supportive of all the craziness, and I think they’d be a great bunch to have a glass of wine with.
There is a nee Mom on the block with a son that could have played the lead in the Problem Child movies. Soon her shell begins to crack, and we see what her backstory is and why she harbors so much resentment. The story arc of her Husband’s business seemed to drag on a bit, and I was wondering how it would tie into the main story plot.
You’ve Been Volunteered was a delightful read. I loved both books so much; I also listened to them on audio. The author narrates both and gives another dimension to the stories. I can’t wait to see what happens in the next book. There will be a next one, right? Your Bookish in Midlife Reviewer, Crystal

Thank You to Netgalley and Henry Holt and Company Publishing for the ARC copy of this book in exchange for my honest review

Jen Dixon is back in the role of "Class Mom" for her son's third-grade class. This time around Jen is a coupon-clipping, perpetually fund-raising, safety-patrol organizing room mom. Jen is busier than ever these days. Her husband is working hard to expand their business, but while he has Jen on a strict budget, he has introduced her a titan in the business, with the hope that some of his success will rub off on them. Who knew that coupon clipping could take so much time? Jen is also busy trying to keep her two older daughters from repeating the mistakes of her youth. And also handling her aging parents after her mother's battle with cancer? It is time-consuming! But then when she gets suckered into organizing safety patrol at the school, well it is nearly too much! As usual, Jen handles it all in a hysterical fashion that will leave the reader rolling with laughter.

I surprised myself at how much I enjoyed Laurie Gelman's first book, Class Mom. I nearly wet myself with excitement when I got the chance to read You've Been Volunteered. I knew that I was going to be in for a treat when there was a "Note to the fine folks of Kansas City" at the beginning. That was one of my favorite things about Class Mom, but when she has to ask people to stop with the hate mail about inaccuracies, I truly did laugh out loud. It has been almost ten years (!!) since I lived in KC, but the fact that residents are rabid about their hometown pride is something that will never change! Jen Dixon, the character, hasn't changed all that much since her last appearance. She is still as decadent and witty as ever. Her husband introduces her to a fun new couple. What started as a possible mentor and investor, for his business, turned into a true friendship with lifelong friends. And of course a lot of opportunities for laughs. None more than their Las Vegas trip. I found myself laughing out loud trough that whole experience. My only complaint about the whole book, if her husband was so desperate to save money, why didn't she get a part-time job? All that time spent at spin class or having coffee with her friends could have been spent at a part-time job. That is what happens in the real world. Even Johnson County. The book ends in a manner that leaves you to believe there is going to be another book in the works, I mean after the bombshell dropped by her daughter? That is the perfect setup for book number three!

Bottom Line - You've Been Volunteered is another fun and light-hearted read by Laurie Gelman. Full of the same characters you love as well as a few new decadent ones, you won't be disappointed! If you enjoyed her first book, you are going to love her second book. It hits the stores and e-readers on Tuesday, July 23rd!

Details:
You've Been Volunteered by Laurie Gelman
On Twitter
Pages: 288
Publisher: Holt, Henry, & Co
Publication Date: 7/23/2019
Buy it Here!
Thank you to NetGalley for the free book in exchange for a review.

I quick, enjoyable sequel to A Class Mom. I enjoyed revisiting the life of Jen Dixon and the antics of her son's elementary school class.. Nearly everyone has probably experienced being "volun-told" for an activity.

Jen Dixon is the class mom for her son’s third-grade class. It's a thankless job and she is always short on help. To enlist others, she entertains the parents with emails loaded with sarcasm and snark that makes it hard for them to resist. At the same time, Jen finds herself enlisted by the new PTA president to manage the safety patrol during the morning and afternoons. Jen is now faced with the training of additional parents and ensuring that they don’t shirk their responsibilities to their untrained spouses or nannies.

At home, Jen is contending with a budget crisis. Her husband is expanding his sporting good store and has her clipping coupons and decreasing her gourmet coffee consumption. While this is going on, she also needs to address a personal issue. She is perplexed about one of her daughters who continually ignores her text messages and phone calls.

You’ve Been Volunteered by Laurie Gelman was a fun book to read and is the sequel to Class Mom. If you have ever been an elementary school parent, you will love how the author exposes the petty gossip that is generated by the parents and teachers alike. Having been a classroom volunteer and PTA president, this story hit home and was a joy to read.

You’ve Been Volunteered was the sequel to Laurie Gelman’s first book, Class Mom. Oh, how I deeply regret not discovering her first book before this one.I don’t know about the influence of whether it would’ve mattered or not but I found my new favorite character, Jen Dixon.

I haven’t laughed so much in so long. Those emails had me on the floor laughing. She makes being a class mom so much lighter and fun. There’s more to the book besides her being a class mom but that part of the book is so funny. Her sense of humor is page turn worthy. She brings wit, sarcasm that will make you chuckle all the way. Between everything that goes wrong at school, family and friends keep her plate full.

I’m sure many moms out there will relate to her experience. Everything about this was just right. I’m not sure if there will be another book but I hope so. If you want to find a fun character that will make you laugh, add this to your tbr.

Yes. Yes. Yes. Just, freaking yes. This is a real mom. This is a mom with a sense of humor. This is a mom who no longer gives a …well you know. This is a mom who has embraced herself and her flaws despite the high pressure, pinterest driven mom-world we live in. This is my hero.

Jen Dixon is like Lorelai Gilmore but without a filter. I know what you’re thinking, Lorelai Gilmore had a filter? She did, sometimes, but Jen seems to be mostly living life as her best self, though she does occasionally attempt to restrain her hilarious instincts when appropriate. The parent emails alone are fun reading, but the story is well worth the time.

As the mom of two younger children, not only could I relate to this book, but I am using it for inspiration when my kids get into school. Jen is so irreverently honest about being a mother and our stresses. She writes parent emails that are full of truths but will have you laughing out loud. The fact that she couldn’t manage a Signup Genius is me every single time I get one in my email. I never know what I’m doing, and always end up missing information and bringing something redundant. It’s nice to know I’m not alone.

I love finding books with authors and narrators who write like I think, with sentences and plots leading me to believe they’ve planted a camera in my minivan. Down to the Starbucks addiction, Jen is the modern mother. We worry about our kids, don’t know how to let go, can’t stand our kids, want them to never grow up, and can’t wait until bedtime, all in the span of an afternoon. We are irrational women wearing 47 hats, trying to be a mom, friend, volunteer, wife, teacher, daughter, and role model. We give hugs and timeouts. We accidentally teach out kids cuss words, only to have them repeat those words at the worst times (so sorry, pastor, I have no idea where he heard that). Sometimes we are so many things to so many people, that we lose ourselves in these roles.

I can’t say enough about Jen and how much I enjoyed reading from her perspective. I felt like I knew this woman from the first paragraph. The story wasn’t necessarily mind blowing, but it isn’t supposed to be. This is a book attempting to depict real life, as we live it. Its honesty is its charm, so the story shouldn’t be outlandish or thrilling. You tell me the last time you had a thrilling Tuesday night, and no, tacos don’t count. That’s why this book is so good. Like its main character, it’s not trying to be anything but what it is. A feel good, authentic, and witty portrayal of life as a woman with kids trying to enjoy herself and not kill anyone.

What’s Missing

If a book falls short of a 5 star rating, I try to figure out why instead of leaving it to the whim of my feelings. Sometimes, I am successful with this, sometimes I’m not. The only thing missing here were some depth to the supporting characters. I never felt like I got a sense of Ron or of Jen’s daughters. I just needed a little more from them for me to give this book the remaining half star.

Conclusion

If you are a mother, know a mother, or want to become a mother, this should be required reading. You will be entertained, but will also get a new appreciation for women and what they are dealing with daily. Or, maybe, you’ll get a reminder to be yourself in a world that tells you to be anything but. I know, for at least today, I’m going to be me without worrying what others think. Hopefully, I can teach my daughter that lesson.

*Special thanks to Laurie Gelman, Over The River Public Relations, and Henry Holt and Co. for a copy of You’ve Been Volunteered in exchange for an honest review.

Jen Dixon had previously been the class mom for her youngest child, who is now in third grade. There is a lot to juggle between those duties, her two older daughters' lives, her husband trying to curry favor with a potential business partner, and additional duties for the school. She remains irreverent and down to earth even as she tries to handle everything.

You've Been Volunteered is a sequel to Laurie Gelman's first novel Class Mom, which I hadn't read. I don't feel as though I was missing anything by not reading that one, however. Jen dove right in, and there was enough background given into the people she talked to and about in the book. Her best friend and former PTA President had moved away, and the new one wants to be kept tighter in the loop. She also isn't as laid back and ropes Jen to being in charge of the safety patrol as well. As the somewhat stereotypical middle class stay at home mom, Jen has exercise class, calls with her daughters, calls with her parents, and often is sent on errands everywhere. Given her own wilder past, she drinks a lot at those business dinners her husband arranges to try to get investment money. Her e-mails to the class intersperse the text and are really funny to read, especially the one she composed while on spring break with her family while intoxicated.

As a cheery novel, it's funny to read about Jen's antics as she tries to communicate daughters about their romantic lives, angsts over cutting coupons to save money and decry the number of drinks she has on these business dinners. She isn't so overly self-conscious in her interactions, and she is able to handle criticism well. That saves her from appearing self-centered, which is perfect for this kind of story. Any parent roped into class participation, PTA meetings, bake sales, or safety patrol duty will definitely commiserate with Jen!

You’ve Been Volunteered is the second book in the Class Mom series which is brilliantly written by Laurie Gelman. Just like book one, You’ve Been Volunteered was unputdownable! Seriously funny and creatively mirthful, I laughed the entire book. Jen Dixon is back as Class Mom for the 3rd-grade class and she’s up to her old antics. However this time, she has not volunteered for the safety committee, she was “voluntold.”

From Synopsis: “If you’ve ever been a room parent or school volunteer, Jen Dixon is your hero. She says what every class mom is really thinking, whether in her notoriously frank emails or standup-worthy interactions with the micromanaging PTA President and the gamut of difficult parents. Luckily, she has the charm and wit to get away with it—most of the time. Jen is sassier than ever but dealing with a whole new set of challenges, in the world of parental politics and at home.” Jen Dixon is definitely my hero!

Gelman is the master of telling PTAesque stories. Whenever I read “response times will be noted” I nearly cried with laughter. As a 2nd-year PTA President, I have to tell you, her stories brought joy to my world. It was a delight to be able to laugh about it in a light and comedic way. I hope this series never ends!

I received a review copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley for my honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

I was a big fan of Class Mom by Laurie Gelman, so I was excited to read the follow-up: You've Been Volunteered. You don't have to be a parent or teacher to enjoy the antics of Jen Dixon, my favorite class mom, but many will relate to the thankless job she does and the awkward and often hilarious situations she finds herself in. A light, fun read. I hope there's another one in the works!

You've Been Volunteered is the follow up to Laurie Gelman's first fiction novel, Class Mom. As the parent to two grade school-aged children, I find her writing hysterical and super relatable. 

Parenting is hard and sometimes you just need to laugh. Humor can get you through so much and Gelman's writing style is relatable and witty. She is a wonderful story teller who is able to make light of things that most any parent with school-aged children can relate. I also appreciate that she was able to touch upon the challenging part of family life while still keeping this a light and easy summer read.

You've Been Volunteered is a wonderful addition and sticks with Gelman's sassy and quirky writing style. It is the perfect escape reading for this time of the year as summer winds down and the school year is quickly approaching. 

Thank you to NetGalley and Henry Holt & Co. for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I haven’t read a book that has made me laugh out loud this much in a longgggggg time. You’ve Been Volunteered is hysterically relatable, and laugh-out-loud funny. I needed a read like this in my life and I am very grateful I had the opportunity to read it!

Laurie Gelman is an incredibly gifted writer. Her characters are so realistic, you’d almost think this wasn’t fiction. I love the snarky, witty dialogue and shenanigans the characters get up to. It’s so fantastic. I can’t rave enough about it.

I’m kind of sad I didn’t read Class Mom, the first novel in this series, because I think it would have been just as fun. You’ve Been Volunteered works just fine as a standalone though, and I don’t feel like I was missing out on any crucial elements needed to understand.

Be prepared to laugh til you cry! I highly recommend checking You’ve Been Volunteered out!

*I received a copy of this book as part of a blog tour with Over The River PR. All opinions are my own.*

You’ve Been Volunteered
Class Mom, Book #2
Laurie Gelman
5 Stars

Synopsis:
In the eagerly anticipated follow-up to Laurie Gelman’s "irreverent and hilarious" (The New York Post) hit Class Mom, brash, lovable Jen Dixon is back with a new class and her work cut out for her
If you’ve ever been a room parent or school volunteer, Jen Dixon is your hero. She says what every class mom is really thinking, whether in her notoriously frank emails or standup-worthy interactions with the micromanaging PTA President and the gamut of difficult parents. Luckily, she has the charm and wit to get away with it—most of the time. Jen is sassier than ever but dealing with a whole new set of challenges, in the world of parental politics and at home.
She’s been roped into room-parenting yet again, for her son Max’s third grade class, but as her husband buries himself in work, her older daughters navigate adulthood, and Jen’s own aging parents start to need some parenting themselves, Jen gets pulled in more directions than any one mom, or superhero, can handle.
Refreshingly down-to-earth and brimming with warmth, Dixon’s next chapter will keep you turning the pages to find out what’s really going on under the veneer of polite parent interactions, and have you laughing along with her the whole way. (Goodreads)

Review:
This book is so funny and I enjoyed it so much. Although I was never a room mom, I was involved in my children’s classrooms from time to time, and this book brought back so many fond memories.

The writing style flows smoothly and the book is a quick easy read. The author is witty, sassy, irreverent (in the best way) and she had me laughing throughout the entire book. Her emails were funny and sometimes outrageous. But she also takes some more serious subjects (like pregnancy and aging parents) and presents them in a way that did not bring the book down. I think that is something difficult to do.

I would highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys humorous women’s fiction. I have already ordered the first book in the series and I cannot wait to read it. If I could give this book more than five stars I would, that is hard much I enjoyed it.

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher, Henry Holt & Company, and NetGalley, which I greatly appreciate.

Laurie Gelman has created a terrific novel, beautifully paced well-written - an absolute pleasure to read! I would suggest reading her first novel, Class Mom, first as it can only double your enjoyment! A fabulous novel and well worth the five stars I'm more than happy to give it.

Dollycas’s Thoughts

As a last resort, Jen Dixon is again the Class Mom for her son Max’s class. The kids are now in 3rd grade and except for 1 new family, the parents are familiar with the way Jen handles things and her crazy sense of humor.

Her first email starts with: Yes, I’m back despite swearing they would have to drag my cold dead body back to the PTA. She includes a questionnaire from teacher Mrs. Randozzo. Jen’s responses regarding Max and the teacher’s responses back truly had me laughing out loud. And that was just Chapter One!

With a new PTA President and the retirement of the current crossing guard, Jen also finds herself in charge of the 5th-grade Safety Patrol Program. That means many more delightful – NOT – things for her to handle. She also has to deal with her husband, a daughter working at Jenny Craig, a daughter traveling abroad with a band and her aging parents.

Jen Dixon is my idol. She is everything I wish I was while shepherding 4 children through school. Of course, back then we were just exploring all the joys the internet had to offer. I was also part of the 5th-grade Safety Patrol back when dinosaurs roamed the earth so that whole subplot made me smile too. As far as dealing with adult children and aging parents, I have been there, done that too. In fact, I am still dealing with the adult children stuff but their trials and tribulations are not as funny as Jen’s, at least not yet, some never will be amusing but maybe someday I could write a book, fictional of course with the names changed to protect the not so innocent.

Until then, you have to read this book! Laurie Gelman has written a fantastic story. She has taken on some light and heavy issues and allowed Jen to keep her spirit and find the funny. Sometimes that’s what moms have to do to get up and keep going each and every day. I laughed from beginning to end and found a bit of wisdom too.

This book has everything I look for in A PERFECT ESCAPE! A lead character I can believe and identify with, a story that holds my attention, and a book I can’t wait to tell all my friends about. The lighthearted feeling and the off the charts hilarity was just the icing on the top of the cake.

I have not read the first book in this series, Class Mom but I added it to my wish list as soon as I completed this book. I can’t wait to read it or any book by this author. She truly has tickled my funny bone and I want more!

Totally entertaining – a must-read for all moms! Add this book to your Back-to-School lists today!

When CLASS MOM debuted in 2017, I really had intentions of picking it up. My oldest son had started Pre-K and my book club had recently read BIG LITTLE LIES, so riding the wave of those events was kismet to reading then. But as we all know, life happens, so I was super excited to have the opportunity to read the newest installment in the series. School is resuming soon, and what better way to return to that state of mind then by taking a humorous approach!

"Today I have a checklist of about six billion things I need to do before we leave for Vegas. First on the list: stop exaggerating."

The author's tongue in cheek humor absolutely brings these characters to life, especially Jen. Her irreverence is so refreshing and makes her incredibly likeable. Her often inappropriate emails cause quite a few hiccups along the way, but this only helps make her so much more relatable. Those moments are on full display as we move with her through the school year, and as we all know, a whole lot happens in such a short amount of time! From holiday class parties to fundraising events, Jen's levity brings some much needed stress relief, making others more receptive to burgeoning friendships.

"I hope they nama-stay all day, because Max still has to go to college."

For all the funny encounters occurring within the school, the story provides so many fantastic reflections on marriage and child-rearing. Jen's husband, Ron, owns a sporting goods store and decides to embark on a business endeavor that would provide great financial freedom in the long term. In his quest towards receiving a powerful investor, you can bet that hilarity and misunderstanding ensues, culminating in a wonderful example of a friendship truly destined for a lifetime.

This easy to read, fast-paced, and highly engaging book will definitely set a fun tone as we head back into a new school year. You'll laugh, you'll cry, and the pages will fly!

Jen Dixon wields a heavy pen in her communications to pupils mom's in hilarious notes and emails to the parents of her classroom. It's a system of communication and liaison between parents and teacher through a mediator facilitator--the class mom. If that isn't enough duty for an early fifty-something mom of a precocious third grade, eight-year-old going on snarky 14, she has additionally been volunteered for safety patrol coordinator. Oh the joy of it all! You've heard the term "herding cats?"

Her over-the-top emails were termed "stand-up worthy" and I'd say HUZZAH to that! Jen Dixon's communications are laced with irreverent, impatient, sassy, sarcastic just saying it like it is pleas for participation in the various class events throughout the year. And she's usually successful.

Jen is not just dealing with her little son, however, as she's still square in the middle of both her young adult daughters, one of whom is roaming Europe with a band (she can SOOO identify!), the other appearing to have boyfriend problems, and parents who are beginning to reverse the parent/child role.

The novel is peppered with comical prose, wise-crack sayings, one-liners, and those thoughts that come from a history with people you know and love (or tolerate). But it also examines thought-provoking issues such as pregnancy, the aging process and serious illness, finances, and close friends.

While this was the second in the Class Mom series, it can easily be read as a standalone as you get enough well-developed characters to understand and appreciate both the first person and all her support characters, both at home, at school, old buddies and new.

I was given this digital download for a blog tour and was thrilled to provide a read and review and these are my own opinions. Totally recommended--had a bad day? You need this!

Great read. The author wrote a story that was interesting and moved at a pace that kept me engaged. The characters were easy to invest in.

I read her book Class Mom and thought it was hilarious. You’ve Been Volunteered does not disappoint. Jen’s son Max is in third grade and she has been picked to being class mom to his class. She also gets volunteered to be head of the safety patrol by the PTA president. The story deals with how she handles things with her family and school. Her outspokenness sometimes gets her in trouble. A great read especially before school starts.

OMG love. Narrator was just as funny as she was in book one. I recommend this series to all my mom friends that are in the elementary school phase of life. Such a light breezy, sarcastic read. Reads very similar to book one!