Rating: 
Summary: Depressing!
Review: The Girlfriend's Guide to Pregnancy was my life-saver. I absolutely adored that book; it was funny but realistic. So when my due date began to approach, I was thrilled to purchase this book and start reading. Well, what a mistake! This book contains all the "real dirt" of baby/motherhood, true. But in this case, I think that too much honesty (or is it too much whining) can be detrimental. The author drones on and on about the negatives (I think there is one up-beat chapter about baby-love) and frankly, I was flat out depressed after every reading session. This book scared me to death and had me convinced (and not in a joking/funny way) that I would not sleep, eat, bathe or leave the house for months after the baby was born, all the while being dressed in stained, ragged clothes while my husband regularly wanted gourmet dinners served on time! Not a pretty picture for a first-time Mom who has no idea what to expect, and who is already feeling scared and vulnerable.
Rating: 
Summary: What a waste....
Review: What's with Vicki ....the book is neither wise nor witty...just nuerotic and annoying after a point.....just note that all the girlfriends including vicki had paid help ..and still whine so much! ...well i too have a live-in nanny for my 3 month old daughter and believe me it takes most of the stress out of mothering...so what is vicki talking about! ...and to insist that all women have baby blues...not to mention the obession with weight...it is a wonder that vicki liked ANY part of motherhood at all. DONT waste your money on this one...it sucks.
Rating: 
Summary: Like a wacky friend you roll your eyes at but love...
Review: I adore her "Guide to Pregnancy" and she figuratively "held my hand" through some scary prenatal testing. When all the big "serious" tomes were scaring me, I literally underlined Vicki's assurances and read them non-stop for a week. This installment is weaker than the Pregnancy guide but still quite enjoyable. To be frank, Vicki does tend to laugh at some of the parenting choices I hold tantamount - breastfeeding, co-sleeping, etc. -- but she does so from her OWN perspective, not claiming any "expert" status to back up her "not for this girl!" line of thinking. In that manner Vicki is like a warm, wacky, friend who you have over for coffee and who will say absolutely outlandish things - causing you to say "oh that Vicki!" and roll your eyes at her silliness and frame of mind even as you love her for being, well, HER.
Rating:
Summary: Wise-Maybe, Witty-No
Review: After laughing my way through the Girlfriends' Guide to Pregnancy, I was disappointed to work my way through this book with hardly a chuckle. Without the wit, this book serves as a guide to the first year of baby's growth and there are many better guides out there. Trusty Dr Spock, or the Sears' guides to infants and babies are much better.
Rating: 
Summary: Loved this book....
Review: As a first time mother of a six week old baby, this book was one of the best highlights of my postpartum life. After reading some of the other reviews it seems some people took this book a bit too seriously... it may not present the glamorized idea of motherhood that so much of society seems to cling to, but it's REAL. It's real life coming from a real mom who tells you in a funny and honest way what this mother stuff is really like. And you know what? She's been exactly right so far! It's helped me to feel that I am not alone in this, that alot of other women have experienced that same things and that it's OK... that more than anything is what you need to hear. I would recommend Vickie's books to anyone who's expecting... you will definitely enjoy them!
Rating:
Summary: Sarcastic and rude to moms who care
Review: This book definitely had some funny parts. I smiled and even giggled once or twice. However, the only reason I finished reading this book was because I wanted to see how many times the author could offend me and mock my parenting choices. This book is rude to so many. It is not at all breastfeeding friendly. It is also not conducive to intuitive parenting. She glosses over some important guidelines for babies and moms. If you want a little humor and don't mind a grand dose of sarcasm and belittling, then this is the book for you.
Rating:
Summary: Gather around girlfriends, this is good spirited advice
Review: I had to write a review after I read some of the other reviews. As a parent expecting my third child, I found this book to light-heartedly reflect on many of the fears of parenthood. At this time in your life one may need help finding laughter after feeling unsure caring for your new family (husband and baby). I just found this book and have been giving it as a gift. If your feelings are hurt by this book, wait until your child does not test into the preschool of your dreams! Get over it. This book is a good fun read. Leave it out for your husband to find.
Rating:
Summary: Not what I expected
Review: After reading and loving the pregnancy guide, I was so looking forward to this book. Halfway through, I got bored. And the breastfeeding/formula perm comment was completely narrow minded and insensitive, especially when you're a first time mom struggling with the adjustment, and have the baby blues, and breastfeeding die hards are surrounding you. I expected a nonjudgemental outlook by Iovine and was sadly disappointed. By the way, I know lots of people who formula feed and I live in Chicago, not exactly perm central. All in all, big disappointment. I won't be buying the toddler guide.
Rating:
Summary: Funny and useful
Review: The only book I've found that talks directly to the post-pregnancy mom. No other book I've found told me what to expect after my baby was born (hair loss! ) and the author does so with good humor. Sure, she treads on some toes every now and then, but I just skip past that and read on. This was a great laugh for me and my husband and has been a useful resource to me.
Rating:
Summary: Get over yourself, Vicky!
Review: To answer the previous reviewer: I happen to be a size 4, and I still don't like this book. I realize that not everyone 1) can or wants to be a 4, and 2) new motherhood is about bonding with your baby; not about obsessing about how your clothes fit! Vicky offended me with her attitudes on other things, such as "everyone gets postpartum depression" and "formula is popular in areas where women are still getting perms." (That last one is so rude I can't even think of an appropriate comeback.) Regarding Vicky's obsession about her weight, it's interesting to note that her husband used to live with Stevie Nicks. Perhaps Vicky is insecure about that relationship and compares herself to Stevie (who is not a size 4, but is a nicer person) to make herself feel better. That may explain why her husband didn't find her attractive when she was pregnant, and Vicky justifies his behavior by stating that every man finds pregnant women repulsive. (No, Vicky, just the loser you happen to live with.) Pardon the harsh points of this review, but this woman made me angry. If you're pregnant and scared by this book, don't worry, motherhood is fantastic! Vicky, if you're reading this, please come off your high horse and try to relate to the rest of us. Besides, if motherhood is such a downer, why did you have four kids?
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