Dear Minnie: Conversations With Remarkable Mothers by Stacey Dooley

Book Review Jun 14, 2025

Format: Hardback

Publication Date: 13 March 2025

? My thoughts...

3/5 stars

The main thing that struck me about this book was the optimism that all of these mothers projected, in spite of whatever they were facing. It felt like a reinforcement of the strength that mothers are able to find, no matter the situation they find themselves parenting through. If I'm being totally honest, while it felt hopeful, I also found it quite triggering as that's a side of my motherhood experience that I struggle to connect with and identify with.

I appreciate that this book covered a wide range of motherhood experiences, from surrogacy to loss, and substance abuse to single parenthood - it covers all the big ways in which a mother can consider herself a mother. I think this book would have resonated more with me had it covered more of the mundane and everyday aspects of motherhood.

I appreciate how quick and easy this book was to read, I went cover to cover in a matter of hours without challenge. The author has a way with words that feels very conversational and approachable.

A decent book, but I struggled to connect with it in the way that I'd hoped to.

? Synopsis...

Stacey Dooley asks mothers in a wide-range of situations and circumstances to write a letter about their motherhood experiences, and then interviews them about those letters.

The book touches on many facets of motherhood and explores what it really means to be a remarkable mother.