Just when you thought the definitions of the American family had become as broad and diverse as they could be, here comes Dani's hilarious look at her own."- Dan Bucatinsky , Emmy Winning Actor Sometimes, the relationships you never saw coming are the ones that burrow into your heart and you refuse to give up. I ntentionally child-free, Dani falls in love with Julian, a divorced father of two. Now, she must embrace a lifestyle she's purposely avoided or return to her single life, eating oatmeal for dinner, standing at the kitchen sink half-naked while listening to gospel music. Julian makes her feel like she's the heroine in a trashy romance novel, and they move in together. There, she's presented with a Whitman's Sampler of motherhood. The alternating weekends with his kids, Nicole and Tyler, are like babysitting-only without compensation. In time, she welcomes more responsibility and invests in the kids' well-being. And just when she falls in love with Nicole and Tyler, Julian pulls the rug out and dumps her for a natural blonde. It's not a traditional divorce, and Dani is unsure if she has the right to see the kids. But she will not be ignored nor abandoned, and she fights for a place in the kids' lives, which includes Marie-the ex of her ex. With Nicole and Tyler's insistence that Dani remains in their lives, and with Marie's help, they prove their far-reaching tenacity for love, friendship, and family. "Alpert's prose is smooth... appealingly humorous in this chatty tell-all... the memoir effectively shows how the author grew as a person... earnest look at what makes a family."- Kirkus Reviews "The Girlfriend Mom is a fast-paced, laugh-out-loud memoir. You can tell Alpert has spent time doing stand-up comedy. There are no holds barred: She goes into exquisite (and intimate) detail on everything from her initial lack of parenting skills to her sex life to her relationship with the ex-wife... Reads more like a very funny novel." - Karen Croke , The Journal News "... a laugh-filled memoir... darkly funny... Narrated with honesty and wit, the book airs grievances and frustrations with nuance, flair, and comedic sensibilities... The comedy of awkward moments is emphasized, as when her boyfriend's son steals her dildo. Astute observations and juxtapositions enliven scenes. Each person in Alpert's story is multidimensional, evincing a deep understanding of human foibles and compassion for others. Uncertainty and heartbreak are imparted in an unflinching manner, resulting in satisfying, bittersweet lessons." - Wendy Hinman , Foreword Reviews " Not just a 'Mom's' memoir. A strikingly honest and genuine tale which breaks down preconceptions of what family means and the resilience it takes to maintain meaningful connections... fresh and familial. The prose is dynamic and conversational and it's where Alpert's comic wit really shines. It's clear the changes of Alpert's own perspective in the way the reader jumps from laughing, crying, hating, and loving her who is so naïve yet so resilient in the fight for love. What could have been a whining ex-showbiz memoir is a thoughtful and defying story on the importance of family, no matter what you define it as... would be at home on the shelves of any bookstore."- SPR Book Awards "Uncensored and fearless. A gutsy book written with heartbreaking honesty and humor. A real (hilarious) look at the modern family!"- Heather Dubrow, The Real Housewives of Orange County "Witty, engaging, and sweetly sharp, she's a new comic voice to reckon with. Her boobs are real, and so is her attitude."- Ali Wentworth , actress and New York Times bestselling author "Dani is one funny lady, and like many comics, she uses her life as a prime source for her material." - Yona Zeldis McDonough, Lilith Magazine "Refreshing, real and utterly amusing memoir. This book has all the plot twists, character depth and conflicts of fiction, but made all the more engaging by the truth of it. The best part is the witty and completely entertaining presentation of the author's parenting conflict. Ultimately inspiring, it will take you on a no-holds-barred journey to get there." - Scattered Books "Nora Ephron's spirit comes to mind. It's clear that she never stops thinking... I laughed much, and felt the tears coming on, too."- Greg Stewart , TV Producer Dani Alpert is an award-winning writer. The Girlfriend Mom, is the winner of the 2020 Story Circle Network Sarton/Gilda Award in honor of the comedian Gilda Radner. Her work appears in numerous outlets. Her essay, You Can Leave Your Hat on Norman Lear was a finalist in the 48th New Millennium Writings for nonfiction.