#MMBBR #GuestReviewer #LessonsFromThePrairie by @MelissaAFrancis ‏via #partner @HachetteBooks ‏#reviewcopyprovided

ABOUT THE BOOK:

For fans of the beloved TV show Little House on the Prairie, a self-help book by Melissa Francis, bestselling author of Diary of a Stage Mother's Daughter and child star of Little House, revealing important life lessons inspired by a childhood on set.

Melissa Francis was only eight years old when she won the role of a lifetime: playing Cassandra Cooper Ingalls on the world's most famous prime-time soap opera, Little House on the Prairie.

Now in Lessons from the Prairie, she shares behind-the-scenes stories from the set, and lessons learned from the show's dynamic creator, Michael Landon, that have echoed throughout Melissa's adult life. With novel insights on hard work, making mistakes, and even spirituality, Francis shares inspirational and practical life lessons that will appeal both to her current TV fans, and fans of one of the most adored TV shows of all time.

COLETTE'S REVIEW 

This book was not at all what I expected, but I loved everything about it. I was intrigued by the title, having been a huge Little House on the Prairie fan since I was a young girl. I have read all the LHOTP books twice (once as a YA and once about a year ago). Well, this book only refers to the show a few times, connecting the author to her work/life standards beginning at a young age. Beyond that, it's just a genuine look at adulting and being authentic, rather than faking it to be what society has you believing is right/wrong/attractive/etc.

Regardless of the slight letdown I had when I figured out this book wasn't about LHOTP at all, I was cracking up on nearly every page. The author has a genuine, conversational writing style that made it feel like we were just hanging out, sipping iced tea, and sharing life's little secrets. She is raw, candid, and real; laying it all out, telling it like it is.

There were several times when I found myself nodding, thinking, "YES!! THAT'S SO TRUE!!" One example was when she's talking about just accepting the wrinkles and not trying to hide the cellulite. An even better example was when she was discussing parenting. She said early in the book that motherhood isn't for sissies, then later, "I'm not pretending to be Superwoman. I'm not even a fan. And to be honest, I'm not sure Superwoman has very many friends," then goes on to say, "To Superwomen and wannabes everywhere, lose the cape. And if someone offers one to you, use the damn thing to clean up the next spill. Because when we constantly vow to look fabulous leaping tall buildings in a single bound, we stumble past the joy that's right in front of us, on level ground: the love, pleasure, and joy of the messy, imperfect life we already have." Seriously...who can argue with her on that?!?!

She touches on motherhood, marriage, pregnancy issues, surrogacy, Catholic school, a less-than-stellar mother figure. Her overall message is to be true, be authentic, be present in the moment, and connect with people around you. But her delivery is much more humorous and relate-able!!