"No Kidding" by Wendy Tokunaga is a modern and witty take on the hot topic of a San Francisco Bay Area, thirty-something woman who wants to be "childfree," and the fallout that goes along with that. But her book isn't just about a woman who doesn't want to succumb to the "baby boom," it also tackles the themes of mother/daughter relationships, and a young woman's self-empowerment. And of course, it is also a great romance.

Tokunaga writes eloquently about so many situations we've all encountered – from a baby-crazed office to mandatory attendance at half a million baby showers. You will see some of yourself in the lead character, Audrey Mills, who is dealing with babies at every turn! Her mother wants desperately to become a grandmother, and even her live-in boyfriend is starting to hint at “little Dougs and Audreys” running around.

Her story is woven around the theme that women need to choose their own destiny to make themselves happy. Indeed, too many women “lead lives of quiet desperation,” to quote Thoreau, because they spend so much time making everyone else happy – their true dreams and wishes get lost in the shuffle.

Witty conversation, colorful descriptions, and vivid detail make her book jump off the page and spring to life! The enchanting romance scenes are sure to curl your toes too!

Wendy Tokunaga’s novel, “No Kidding,” has won an Honorable Mention Award for mainstream/literary fiction in Writer's Digest's 10th Annual Self-Published Book Awards. The announcement will appear in the August 2003 issue of Writer's Digest. Childfree, Romance, Women's, "Grrl," and Feminist sites have all embraced it, as well as many readers who just want an entertaining read. You can get more info at the “No Kidding” website – see “Related Links” in the upper right corner of this screen.

All in all, it was a great read – something Married No Kids regulars are sure to enjoy!

BLURB FROM THE BACK COVER:

What happens when everyone around you is blissfully popping babies like so many rabbits, your mother wants a grandchild more than anything else in the world, but you're just not interested? Meet Audrey Mills, a 35-year-old Silicon Valley techie who has a loving live-in boyfriend, a decent job, and a passion for old movies, but who suffers from a sort of divine discontent. Something's missing in Audrey's life --- one she has spent trying to please her former Hollywood actress mother, her competitive sister and everyone else but herself --- and she's determined to find out what it is now. Enter Tyrone Power look-alike, Aldo. He's not only handsome, he's smart, fun, and most of all, devastatingly sexy. Should Audrey risk giving up the security and love she already has for this charmer who seems too good to be true? Audrey starts to realize that life isn't a dress rehearsal and you sure can't call "cut" the way you do in the movies. Will she be able to write her own happy ending?