There was a lot I liked about this book. If you’re on social media at all I think you could find something to relate to with the cast of characters in Instamom. The book follows social media influencer, Kit Kidding and the life she has chosen for herself and how she finds herself changing her mind. That the lifestyle she thought she had chosen for herself may not be what she ultimately wants.

I loved how a major theme of this book was about supporting women!! Stay at home mom? Working mom? Career woman? Child free by choice? Child free not by choice? Support each other! Bottom line, don’t judge someone else’s life choices. I loved the peek into an influencers life and the social commentary that came with it, both the positive and the negative. I loved that our main character loved books and how they played a role in her life. A lot here that I could relate to.

I have to admit as much as I loved our main character, I also wanted to shake her sometimes! She had a habit of running from situations and I wanted better. There was a part of the book where Kit visits a homeless shelter and I would have loved to see the author circle back to that in the novel. It seemed like it could have been a pivotal moment, but then doesn’t get brought up again.

Overall, a fun read and one that will make you examine your life and your choices and how you may or not represent that on social media.

With the prevalence of social media now it was interesting to read a book which an influencer as the main character. This had more depths than just a standard romance which I enjoyed.

Instamom wasn't what I thought it was when I picked it up without reading the blurb, but I've really liked it.

I've to tell you I loved the cover and the title and I thought it was a rom com, chick-lit kind of story and while it was fun at times, it also was a meaningful tale. I laughed and teared up as well.

Kit Kidding is an influencer and an advocate for the women who don't want to be mom and want to be childfree. Her life is kinda stagnant and fake, apart for her group meetings, until she meets Will MacGregor, an attractive and handsome caterer with an adorable daughter, who will make her reconsider her life choices.

I liked the main characters. Kit and Will are very opposites, you can see they are nice and lovely but they don't trust each other easily. It was a pleasure to see their relationship grow organically from a fling to something more and the ending was perfect for them.
For me Kit's speech is commendable because everyone have the right to choose a path without being judged and if you find this kind of freedom you won't feel bad for changing your thoughts along the way.

Chantel Guertin conveyed a deep message in a great way, with her practical writing and good flow.

I highly recommend it but be careful if being or not being a mom make you uncomfortable.

This was an interesting read and while the novel feels like it’s about mom life, it’s much more of a commentary on modern mom life with social media involvement and influencer status.

This was a solid three star read for me and while I liked it, it’s not one that I feel I’ll revisit.

This book about Kit an influencer and single dad Will was a fun read. It took a bit to get into the story but once the romance developed between Kit and Will, I had to finish the book in the same day. I was always curious about how the insta-influencers could have an actual genuine life outside of all of the promoted posts and I see thru this book that it’s very hard. I did enjoy Kit’s inner voice and how she evolved as a character. This is the perfect summer read if you want a romance that doesn’t follow the typical storyline. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for giving me a chance to read and enjoy this book.

I actually adored this story, so much. 💜😍 It gave me all the right feels and it was such a heartwarming story. Kit and Will make it easy to see how love can be messy, but worth it.

What a spectacular debut novel! Kit Kidding is an instagram influencer who's platform revolves around her fun, fab, childless life. She has a steamy one night stand with Will, but then finds out he is a single dad to Addie, who's mother died of cancer. She's never wanted to have children, and this could definitely be the deal breaker for them. But Will is persistent, and she does have feelings for him, but this could completely change her, and her career, and she's torn on what to do.

I really enjoyed this book!! It was so fantastic and I loved getting to read it early thanks to Netgalley! Please pick this one up ASAP!!!

I had a hard time getting into this book but once i did, i enjoyed it. The end was predictable but all in all a good read!

The eye-catching cover for this one first caught my attention and so I thought that I'd give this one a try - my first experience with this author. Canadian Instagram influencer, Kit Kibbling, has literally made a career out of a choosing a child-free lifestyle - even though it has ended romantic relationships for her. Still, she's enjoying her life - even if it isn't quite as fulfilling as it had been when she first started out in the social media business. When she meets a new guy - one with a daughter - it starts to throw her whole worldview askew.

This is pretty much a romance novel, though it does tackle some women's issues and motherhood overall. There are some sweet - and steamy! - scenes here. It's a fast=paced read and one that filled my morning as the installation of new windows took place while dealing with some unexpected water in our basement. I do think that this would make a good discussion starter, particularly with an all-female book group. Probably my favorite part of the book was Kit's passion for books and reading. Her dream garage full of books is adorable sounding (though it does seem like you would need permits of some kind - but maybe not in Canada?), but I did think that there were a few story elements left hanging. Plus, Kit's not always likable and Will makes some mistakes, too - though I think these flaws do help bring them both more fully to life. I'd definitely read more from Guertin in the future!

1.75 stars

I went into this story expecting a fun opposites attract romance but sadly this was not it. I thought the concept was interesting, which prompted me to dive right in, but as the story moved along I felt myself getting more and more frustrated, which is the opposite of why I read! I did think the author did a good job in setting the main points of the story, but towards the middle of the story some key factors got lost in the shuffle--like character development and connection.

Will was annoying in his constant judgement of Kit's career choice and his unrealistic expectations regarding Kit and how she should handle life with a child. Even a woman who has not decided to be childfree gets overwhelmed about handling certain situations and for him to put such expectations on Kit when they hadn't even defined their relationship was ridiculous. I'm a mother of 3 and I still fumble my way through! Towards the end (after Kit pointed out some hard truths about his behavior), he showed some growth but as they say, too little too late to convince me.

Then there was Kit. I understand that being an influencer requires some form of illusion. The right look, everything just so, scheduled post, etc. but I'd like to think that the best influencers are the ones who keep it real on some level. IMO, Kit lived a total lie--from her fake destinations to her rented furniture--everything about how she lived (except her childfree declaration) was fake. So how was I supposed to take her seriously? She lacked common sense and was mainly preoccupied about how others would perceive her, especially if she were to suddenly change her stance in being childfree. I appreciated the author's effort in portraying "the challenges and victories of being a strong, fearless woman navigating life and love in the age of social media", but by dragging out Kit's growth until the last few chapters her message got lost along the way. Because as with Will, when Kit finally showed some depth I didn't care anymore about the outcome of the story.

Ultimately, Kit and Will's relationship outside the bedroom was toxic. They were immature, full of judgement and delusional in thinking their romance was viable.

All in all, not the story for me.

I think some people might find this humorous and light but it just wasn’t for me. Thanks to the publisher and netgalley for this copy for review.

Chantel Guertin writes fun, flirty dialogue and has a knack for capturing the terrifying world of social media influencers. Unfortunately, I had too many issues with the protagonist and with the depiction of the childfree movement to truly enjoy Instamom.

The most disappointing part of Instamom was Kit’s championing of the childfree movement. I fully support women who choose to be childfree, and there are many reasons to make this choice – each and every one of them valid. However, from the very beginning, Kit seemed to only be part of the movement because of how popular it made her on social media. She never spent any time around children and never seriously explored her own decision, so the first time she’s ever forced to spend time with a child, she seems bewildered that children aren’t monsters that are actively trying to destroy your life. The first time Kit spends time with Addie, Kit acts much more childish than Addie does. Even though Kit acts selfish, inflexible, and rude, Addie continues to be herself and is super helpful. Then, when Kit does start to explore her feelings about children and being childfree, she continues to make impulsive and impetuous decisions that hurt others and gets upset when they don’t like her.

I found Kit to be very rigid; everything was black and white to her, and she seemed very judgmental of other characters who were more flexible. Her self-entitlement and victim complex made it challenging to enjoy the story. Everyone is allowed to change their mind as they are presented with more information; there is nothing wrong with choosing to have children or to be in a relationship with someone with children when you’ve previously decided to be childfree. But it’s not okay to judge others for their own decisions either way, and this is something Kit is more than willing to do at all times. When she’s a leader in the childfree movement, she has a very holier-than-thou attitude towards parents; Kit seems to think their lives are nightmares of their own choosing and that parents aren’t worth her time. But then, once she starts considering she may be okay having children in her life, she suddenly starts judging the other women in the childfree movement. Suddenly Kit’s deciding who has valid reasons for being childfree and who is making excuses or mistakes.

Kit’s attitude drove me crazy from the first chapter- she has the same hypocritical view of other influencers. When she makes money by being an influencer, it’s because she has something important to stay (just ignore her fitness posts because she doesn’t exercise and her cooking posts because she doesn’t cook), but when other influencers are around, she’s judging their content and thinking about how shallow they all are. Pick a lane, woman!

Will and Addie deserve better than Kit – I don’t care how good the chemistry between Will and Kit is.

Instagram influencer Kit has built her brand inspiring other women who don’t want to have children. She meets chef Will at a function and sparks instantly fly. When they are assigned to work together on a campaign, she discovers he has an eight-year-old daughter, Addie. How can Kit maintain an authentic online presence as a child-free advocate if she is dating a single dad?
The crux of the story comes down to whether Kit will stay in the box she has constructed for herself or whether her desire to be with Will can change her mind. Or from a more feminist perspective, will she ditch her long-held belief because a hot guy turns up on the scene?
Kit is a character that many women will relate to – a dogged determination not to be made to feel less like a woman because she doesn’t want to be a mother as well as being pulled in a different direction career-wise.
For me, she was a somewhat selfish character who surrounded herself with other child-free women while the female characters with children were portrayed as bitter and antagonistic. It felt like a missed opportunity not to have a likeable friend with kids in the cast to show that there doesn’t need to be such a big divide between the two groups. Will also didn’t feel like a worthy love interest although his daughter was a great little character.

I loved this book! I thought Kit was hilarious, and I instantly fell in love with Will. These two very different personalities were perfect together throughout this book. It was well written, light, and a great summer read. If you are looking for a light-hearted romance, I would definitely recommend Instamom.

The premise sounds intriguing and current. However, after a few chapters, it just wasn't for me.

Many thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for the ARC.

Kit Kidding is a kid-free-by-choice advocate with a book deal, nationwide social networking groups and huge social media presence, Will MacGregor is confident, flirty (and gorgeous) chef - who also happens to be anti-social media. And a single dad. See where this is going?? 💕

Kit was immediately endearing to me as a character and I appreciated her confidence and self-assuredness for her lifestyle and curated brand. While I live a much different life than her character, for a brief period in college I was pretty firm in my beliefs that I didn’t want to have kids and I could absolutely appreciate her reasoning and thought process. (Spoiler alert, I’m a mom of 3 and am not against having more) I also enjoyed the look behind the curtain of her influencer life and seeing her navigate the concepts of her online life, her real life and how much of the two intersect.

I’m a sucker for fun, flirty banter and these two didn’t disappoint in that department. I love a good forced proximity trope and enjoyed how the 2 of them came together. Does my Hello Fresh subscription have a chef add on option, because that would be wildly convenient!

While I didn’t necessarily love the pace of Kit’s overall journey, and my love for Will as a character dwindled as the book went on, I absolutely appreciated Kit’s honesty as a character, and how the book also addressed many of the reasons that women live childless lives - by choice or chance. This was a fun, quick read and one I would definitely recommend!

Instamom is a thought provoking, tug at your heartstrings story wrapped in a light and fluffy package. The character development is superb. I fell in love with Kit and Will instantly. Kit is written in a way that is completely relatable and I appreciate that the author didn’t make her choices simple. I felt the pull to be what is expected, to stay on your chosen path. While I also felt the growth and joy that is possible when walking away from choices no longer serving you.

Instamom is a quick read that I highly recommend. Lots of laughs and love.

Engaging and fun to read. I enjoyed the premise and it was incredibly readable. I found myself wanting to turn the pages. Enjoyed! Really sweet ending.

Instamom may at first glance appear to be an easy-breezy rom-com, but it is far from it. I really connected, not only with the characters, but with the negative effects of social media saturation. I also enjoyed Kit’s journey, as she grows personally and professionally, learning to love herself, Will, and his adorable daughter Addie. The love story is beautiful, complicated and steamy - perfect for anyone looking fir a vicarious thrill. Thank you NetGalley for my copy.