u/Rare-Question5422

I currently live in a small town in the deep south. I grew up on the West Coast in a very large city. So moving here was definitely quite the adjustment. I'm very happy here overall, but of course there are many cultural differences. One thing that I've noticed is the obvious shift from a more democratic atmosphere to an extreme conservative Bible belt atmosphere. The MAHA mom scene is quite active.

I'm a young mother and involved in the community quite a bit. I come across many other young mothers as well and the amount of MLM's here is astounding. When I say I live in a small town, we have a population of about 7000. Right now we have four "nutrition" shops that sell Herbalife. I've come across many essential oil huns. It seems to be the norm around here. So many people participate in MLM's even if it's just purchasing the products.

I'm definitely seeing a correlation between small towns, MLM's and the Maha movement. I'm not sure if it's because MLM's mainly target women especially stay at home moms. Many of the mothers here are stay at home moms compared to large cities. Not sure if anyone else has noticed this?

I definitely get judged for using "chemicals" and vaccinating my child lol.

*** contains spoilers!!!'

I have never in my life, even considered posting about a book I've read. This book truly broke me. Almost 700 pages and there were so many times I thought of putting this book down, but I had just gone too far and needed to know how this story ended. First off, I thought this book would be a slam dunk, considering the overwhelmingly positive reviews on Goodreads. Obviously I was sorely mistaken. After googling the book, I see that it is more divisive than what appears on good reads.

First off there are a few pros. The beginning of the book I would say about the first 30% was very hopeful. I enjoyed the world building and the FMC. Her internal dialogue was very interesting and the magic itself was intriguing as well. The first interaction between the FMC and the MMC was great as well in my opinion.

It seems like after that, everything went downhill. Number one; the MMC is a miserable jerk. There is hardly anything redeeming about him. You would think that, considering every other chapter is written in his POV, it would help the reader understand him. All it did was make me loath him even more.

He's a selfish and immature horn dog. There's no chemistry between him and the FMC. The smut was very confusing. Considering the FMCs entire personality, revolved around killing and stopping abusers, the rough and borderline non consensual sex scenes were so contradictory????

His internal dialogue was nothing short of grating. All he ever thought about was wanting to have sex with her. She would be telling him something super deep or trying to connect with him in an intimate way, and he would just think about her boobs? It gave "written by a man".

And then… He killed Gaven. The reasoning behind this decision literally made no sense. Multiple people told him not to do it and he did it without any remorse at all. Her only father figure. And he kept on talking about how she wouldn't care?? And then she really didn't care and just forgave him? None of it made sense and nothing he did was redeemable from that point on.

I also felt like towards the end it was extremely rushed. There was a bunch of random last-minute lore. Like he's a vampire now?? This should have been two books or at least the magic system should've been simplified.

I finished this book strictly because I had given so much time and energy into it. I'm truly so disappointed because I really think this could've been a phenomenal story. Please let me know if I'm the only one. Again, I know books are subjective. But this was one that was so bad and I started to question my sanity, considering all the raving reviews.

I want to start off by saying that I have never really considered myself "progressive" until I moved to the Deep South and became a mother. The amount of MAHA mothers here is astounding. And they are not uneducated but just so poorly misinformed. My main issue is just the complete hypocrisy of "morality".

For example, they will flip a lid over a homosexual relationship in a TV show or someone deciding to listen to their doctor and vaccinate their children; but they see no problem in ordering hordes of clothing from SHEIN and using generative AI?

It's so odd. I'm not here to shame anybody, but they have no problem shaming progressive mothers. I've known a few crunchy moms. And I can tell you there is a distinct difference between a crunchy mom and a MAHA mom.

I literally had somebody shame myself and my husband for carrying my son's water in a plastic reusable cup for his formula. My husband looked at her and asked if their water dispenser was plastic. She said yes, but that's different???

I'm truly curious about the psychology behind this. Because they seem to be so staunch and passionate about certain things like sunscreen and vaccinations, but couldn't care less about the effects of bulk consumerism and AI.

Again, I know this all sounds very judgmental, but this is just truly an observation I've seen. I wonder the thought process leading up to these opinions and are they all mean girls?

My partner is 32 years old and DX-medicated. I've noticed an interesting phenomenon when it comes to any household chores or day-to-day responsibilities. It seems that he becomes defensive when I ask or remind him to do something that he said he would do, but then if it does not get done and I take over the responsibility, he gets upset about that as well?

I'm usually very understanding when it comes to procrastination and even forgetfulness. As, I am not diagnosed with ADHD, but I am often forgetful and procrastinate. What bothers me is the defensiveness and irritability.

For example, I am a stay at home Mom so I take on a majority of the household work and chores. Which I do not mind doing. But I am also pregnant. So I am unable to clean the two litter boxes that we have. Earlier this week I asked him to clean the litter box and he said he would. In the middle of the week I asked him again and he said he would. Yesterday I asked him again if he would, and he got defensive and kind of frustrated and said he would.

This morning I woke up and neither of his litter boxes were clean, so I started to clean them. As soon as he heard me clean them, he came out and was frustrated with me and told me that he was going to do it and that I needed to stop. I guess I just get exhausted. It's a lose lose situation. If you don't do it, and I don't do it, how will it ever get done?

This is a main theme throughout our relationship. Other than that, he does pull his weight and he's a very active father to my daughter. I love him dearly and he has really come a long way since the start of our relationship. I guess I'm just wondering if there is a way to overcome this tension when it comes to household responsibilities.

****Update: it just happened again with another household task. Twice in one day!!! I'm on a roll