Theodora’s Baby: Faith, Joy & Chocolate

Penny Culliford
Zondervan (2006)
ISBN 0310265584
Reviewed by Kim Peterson for Reader Views (3/06)

In the third book of the series, Theodora continues her diary. And her husband Kevin doesn’t want her to document their lives. But how is the newlywed wife to give up the tradition of recording her thoughts, feelings and hilarious opinions on paper? He tore out the description of their Greek honeymoon, but the outcome of their time in paradise is about to fill the pages. Theodora and Kevin are expecting a honeymoon baby!

Theodora, who isn’t drawn to babies, feels ill-equipped to be a mother. She is also unprepared for how her single friends change their interaction with her, or how some members of the congregation at St. Norbert’s church respond. And, her life’s altered timeline interferes with her desire to engage in a ministry. Her commentary as she moves from shock to acceptance to excitement will delight female readers who have been there, done that.

Never having been a parent I couldn’t relate to Theodora’s maternity woes. But I have been around enough pregnant relatives to appreciate her sense of humor about the inevitable changes in body and lifestyle. Oh, the horror of chocolate-induced nausea! Do friendships really have to change so much once a little one is on the way?

Set in England, occasional terms like wellies, spuds and bangers, joggers, and jumpers had me searching the context to determine what the author meant. But, all in all, the book is great sport dishing up chick lit attitude from across the pond. Quirky, irrepressible Theodora comes to terms with God’s plan for this baby and reunites with chocolate.

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