Stretch Marks: A Novel - Softcover

Mia is a granola-eating, sensible shoe wearing, carbon footprint conscious twenty-something living in a multicultural neighborhood in Chicago. Her mother, Babs, is a stiletto-wearing Zsa Zsa Gabor type who works as an activities hostess on a Caribbean cruise line and if you guessed there s some tension there, you d be right. Factor in an unexpected pregnancy and Mia s idealistic boyfriend Lars is such a visionary he doesn t believe in the institution of marriage and the mother-daughter relationship is, well, stretched very thin. As is Mia s sanity when Babs shows up to help.

Actually, Mia has a whole neighborhood of quirky characters who want to help, including her BFF Frankie, a magenta-haired librarian; Silas, the courtly gentleman of indeterminate age who lives downstairs; and Adam, proprietor of the corner grocery store where Mia shops. But it s Adam endearing, kind, possessed of a perfect smile and impeccable Persian manners who ultimately charms Babs and rescues Mia from more than one mother-induced meltdown. Could it be that Mia and Babs might actually be able to get along?

With Kimberly Stuart s trademark irreverent humor and a surprising and satisfying take on romance, Stretch Marks is an authentic but tender story about family, grace, and the importance of a good grocer.