TOTLANDIA - BOOK 1

“I love a good mommy sendup as much as the next gal, and this peek into the ridiculousness of the San Francisco upper-crust is delightful. Whether or not you've ever had the pleasure (or pain) of joining a playgroup, Brown's tale is as charming as it is cringeworthy. I laughed, I winced, I kept scrolling.” 
—Romantic Times

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“With affairs, pending divorces, secret jobs, and unsavory pasts, each wannabe member hides something that could blow her chances for good. Like the characters in reality shows such as “Dance Moms,” the women in Pacific Heights might be over-the-top, but in the end, the best interests of their kids are (almost) always at heart. Laugh-out-loud funny and sometimes touching, the Totlandia novellas serve as the perfect quick read for busy moms or anyone looking to escape with some gossipy fun.”
—Examiner.com

 

“Josie Brown writes Totlandia with her usual storytelling flair. The dialogue is smooth and flowing. The characters are easy to side with or become angry with, depending on each situation. The scenery is easy to visualize. And we mustn't forget all the sex (blushworthy, at that) and scandal that is a staple of a true Josie Brown novel. It shows that there are mothers who are human and sometimes screw up even with the best intentions at hand. It's like a soap opera for mommies. Guilty pleasure, anyone?”
—Melissa Amster, ChickLitCentral.com

 

“This book is wonderfully written and has more than just drama. There are touching moments, parts that made me laugh out loud, and as I read the story I felt like I was reading a television show!”
—Divine Secrets of a Domestic Goddess

 

“Totlandia by Josie Brown was just a real joy to read. Right away, Brown hooks readers and she doesn’t let go till the last page. I got so involved in each character’s story and was right alongside them cheering for them and feeling all the emotions alongside them.  I loved the variety of characters, the balance of funny and serious moments, and just the wacky story. I cannot wait to see what is next in the series!” 
—The Book CellarX

 

“Brown did it again!  She wrote a book that is both hysterical and original.   She gets at the heart of motherhood and all its glory and shame!  She loves to develop numerous characters and you sure to connect with one, if not all in some way.  She makes you think, with whimsy and fun.  I absolutely adore her writing and I cannot wait to drive into Book Two of this series!”
—Mommy Book Nerd

 

“Totlandia is highly addictive. The fabulous cover is a head-turner, but the storyline itself is what keeps me flipping the pages long into the night. The unique story of each woman speaks to a little part inside all of us. And the high-stakes war of entry into this exclusive club reminds us that the competitive nature of high school cliques is never far behind. I loved Totlandia.“
—ChickLitAndWine.com

 

“The rules for joining are absurd. The mothers are absurd. The concept is absurd. The book is hysterical. It’s short, biting, and full of characters that you want to know more about. There are four spots open for this year, but six mothers vying for the places.  So a Survivor-like contest is decided as a way to winnow out the two extra applicants.” 
– Books, Cooks, & Looks

 

“If you are a fan of the popular Real Housewives shows, it's a good bet you will eat this story up! All I can say is, I'm glad I don't know any of these people in real life! The women of The Pacific Heights Moms and Tots Club are conniving, secretive, vindictive, and desperate, for many different reasons. The stuff of good drama. And there is plenty of it in the first book of the series. Dads need not apply to The Pacific Heights Moms and Tots Club, but one has. He's determined to get his child in and has devised a plan to fool the uptight ladies of the club. There's just one problem – his son's mother. These are the moms of Totlandia. Get to know them today!” —The Writer Revived

 

“This feels very much like Gossip Girl repackaged for young mothers. Will this novel change your life? Absolutely not. Will you learn something deep and profound about the human condition or about yourself? No. Will you pass a few hours in the problems of someone else, someone with much more glamorous problems than your own? Yes. If you dig chick-lit with lots of fashion, backstabbing, and a little sex. I almost hate to admit it, but I can’t wait for the next in the series.” 
—LuxuryReading.com

 

“Picture Desperate Housewives and Sex and the City.  Totlandia would be the baby they’d create.  The book is a blast, packed with humorous punches between these ladies whose very existence relies on their ability to keep up appearances. This author will have you howling as you devour this most recent work. Yeah, she’s that good.  And so are her books.” 

—Stress-Free Baby

 

“I adored this quick read and can't wait to get further into the lives of these women.  There are some really sweet moments mixed in with the catty wonderfulness that Brown always seems to capture.” 
—Mary Jacobs, Bookhounds Reviews 

 

“The way they go about hiding their secrets from the group, plus the way that the other members of the group protect one another, will break your heart one moment and have you giggling to yourself the next. You’ll find yourself warming to these women soon after meeting them and rooting for them, whether or not that means they make it into the Pacific Heights Moms & Tots Club!”

—PlayDateCrashers.com

 

“A really good cast of characters. They all have dirty little secrets. Twists you’ll never see coming.”
—Fresh Baked Books Podcast 

 

“I must say, right from the first page Totlandia made me laugh at some of the predicaments that mothers are placed in when they are dealing with a one-year-old. As a mother of three, I could empathize with Lorna as she chased a diaper through the park, and was forced to haggle with a spoiled four-year-old. And on the other hand, I shed a few tears as Jillian’s world falls apart around her, and she can barely hold the pieces together for her daughters. The author did an amazing job at giving each character a distinct voice and their own trials throughout the book. I don’t think I would ever want to join a playgroup so badly that I would force myself to give in to the demands that membership in the PHM&T club requires, but the author makes each character's reasoning completely understandable and believable. I found myself cheering them on and hoping they make the cut, even though part of my mind was thinking how ridiculous it all was. But really, friendship and support for mothers is a key part of keeping sane when you have little ones to take care of. I know from experience. I look forward to being able to continue with the drama that is the PHM&T club.” 
—Simply Stacie