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The Daddy Diaries

Joshua Braff (Goodreads Author)

3.68 · Rating details · 117 ratings · 31 reviews

Joshua Braff delivers an authentic, funny and honest tale about modern family life. Jay and Jackie uproot their family of four from San Francisco after Jackie loses her job but finds a lucrative new one in St. Petersburg, Florida. Jay, a one-time copywriter and aspiring author, now plays househusband, caring for his troubled thirteen-year-old son and precocious daughter as ...more

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Paperback, 288 pages

Published May 5th 2015 by Prince Street Press

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Average rating 3.68 ·

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· 117 ratings · 31 reviews

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May 13, 2015 Mrs Mommy Booknerd http://mrsmommybooknerd.blogspot.com rated it really liked it

Shelves: review-copy-provided-for-mmbbr

A refreshing book on the roles of father in both the family and society! Rich with observations and filled with truth and humor Braff has captured my heart. I just loved reading a book from a point of view often not covered and find it was a delight to read! 4 stars!

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Mar 19, 2015 Mary rated it really liked it

Shelves: review-book, arc, contemporary-fiction

Jay and his wife Jackie recently moved their family to Florida from California for her job. Jay will stay home with the kids while she brings home the paycheck. He reflects on that occasionally but, overall, he embraces his role in the family.

Jay’s kids (13-year-old son and 10-year-old daughter) take to their new location quite differently. His son is sullen and removed while his daughter has a new best friend and busy social life. My heart went out to Jay as he tried so hard to help his son who ...more

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May 05, 2015 Esther rated it it was amazing

I loved this book because it felt comfortable. The author helps you visualize the characters so well it's like you know them. Every one is flawed but in a relatable way and not so much that you can predict what comes next. I loved his prior two books but this book was so much different. You will enjoy it.
...more

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Dec 25, 2015 Sheryl Sorrentino rated it really liked it

I’d give The Daddy Diaries a solid 3.75. If you’re familiar with the Australian TV series House Husbands, Joshua Braff’s "take" on the subject could easily become the U.S. adaptation.

What I liked: The tender scenes between diarist Jay and his depressed son, Alex. The fact that the economic role reversal between Jay and wife Jackie is not a source of friction—Jay is secure enough in his manhood to appreciate his wife for who she is and what she brings to their family. He supports her work (which I’d give The Daddy Diaries a solid 3.75. If you’re familiar with the Australian TV series House Husbands, Joshua Braff’s "take" on the subject could easily become the U.S. adaptation.

What I liked: The tender scenes between diarist Jay and his depressed son, Alex. The fact that the economic role reversal between Jay and wife Jackie is not a source of friction—Jay is secure enough in his manhood to appreciate his wife for who she is and what she brings to their family. He supports her work (which entails a good amount of travel) by functioning as the dedicated stay-at-home dad. I also found it a nice—as well as realistic—touch that Jay, as primary parent, is not so keen on the idea of making a third child, despite his wife’s claim that “someone is missing from their dinner table.” Finally, DD posits an arguable social angle about parents’ vs. children’s rights when it’s not in the best interests of a minor child to live with her parents or follow their misguided mandates.

Not so Much: I found the character development to be somewhat flimsy. I would have liked to see the author focus more on the multiple causes of Alex’s depression (teenage “angst”/family history/the move to Florida, etc.) and less on the St. Petersburg “parental party scene.” Alex’s mental health and the parent/teen relationship are the grounding notes of this story, and are far more compelling than the numerous instances (and there are too many of them) where Jay “falls victim” to impromptu partying and drinking. In my world, responsible parents don’t run off to bars at the slightest twist of an arm—especially when, for all intents and purposes, they are functioning as single parent. Childhood friends and siblings don’t just “pop up” unannounced from several states’ distance and demand that you go out drinking with them. Rich divorcees don’t spontaneously open their homes to scores of parents and kids for flirtatious poolside antics. Maybe that’s the way they do things down in Florida, but personally, Jay’s vulnerability to such distractions lowered my respect for him.

That said, The Daddy Diaries is a book you have to finish to fully appreciate. The funniest scenes are in the first third, and the most emotionally-charged ones appear toward the end. My daughter gave me this book for Christmas figuring I would like it, and she was right. All in all, it's a sensitive and worthwhile family drama by a fellow independent Bay Area author.
...more

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Sep 26, 2015 Andre rated it it was amazing

^^Thank you to the author/publisher for sharing this book with me. I received this book free of charge in return for an unbiased review.^^

The novel examines the life of a family who have just moved and are trying to settle down in their new environment. I did get the feeling that much of it seemed true because of the meaningful way it was written. Jay goes through the motions of the joy of moving and the frustration that comes with it. As he comes to terms with each family member's reaction, the ...more

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Apr 02, 2015 Melissa Newling rated it it was amazing

I'm a big fan of this author's work, and this book is no exception. It's the the story of a man committed to his fatherhood, marriage, family and friendships. Even when it's painful, hard, and messy. At times heart wrenching but equally humorous. Loved it. ...more

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Dec 02, 2015 Leslie aka StoreyBook Reviews rated it liked it

Shelves: books-to-review, 2015

I think I would give this 3 1/2 stars. The book is billed as being funny, but I really didn't think that was the case. It is an honest look at a stay at home dad dealing with a teenage son that is moody and dealing with normal teen angst (as we can all remember especially if you have a teenager), along with his young daughter (who isn't a teen yet!) and a wife that wants a 3rd child.

I was very annoyed with several characters including Ray and Lizzie who aren't married but have a daughter togeth ...more

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Oct 04, 2015 Cardoza rated it it was amazing

A wonderful book that will have you laughing till your sides split. Because it involved family dynamics, this book will also bring tears to your eyes. The humour is apparent but it is also bittersweet as this small family undergoes major changes in their location, lifestyle and relationships with each other. If you are a person who has faced ups or downs with your family, this will be the most true to life book that you will read.

Joshua Braff's has a funny, tender, sentimental and sharp writing ...more

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Sep 28, 2015 Micky P rated it really liked it

Joshua Braff successfully creates four characters that any reader can relate to because whether teenager or adult, events in this book are what everyday people experience. The Daddy Diaries kept me interested from page one to the end. The chapters flowed smoothly and I could not find a single editing error. Personally, I think families need a lot of compromise and patience. This is exactly what Joshua Braff shares in a light-hearted, humorous manner.

Focusing on yourself while focusing on others ...more

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Jul 23, 2015 Tolly rated it really liked it

Normally this isn't something I would pick up, I like books by female authors, and I don't love diary style books, but it was recommended in a review and I thought I could try it.

It is a different perspective on high end living. I liked the insights of the main character, dealing with depression and such. The dynamics of his friendships and his brother were interesting also.

And it was funny! ...more

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Jul 23, 2015 Nancy Shepherd rated it really liked it

Recommends it for: adult readers

Recommended to Nancy by: Goodreads

I received "The Daddy Diaries" free through Goodreads first reads program. What a different view of the stay-at-home dad! Jay has been handling the care of his 2 children while his wife is the breadwinner. When her job becomes iffy, they move the family from California to Florida. Not a good move for a 13-year-old boy, especially one with issues of his own.
We watch as Jay grows into his rightful place as head of his family. This is not an easy path, but he finally "gets it." ...more

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Jun 11, 2015 Kayo rated it it was amazing

This book really pulled me in. Just another "normal" family trying to make it.
Liked the writing style, and it was very compelling. Nice! ...more

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Jul 22, 2017 Teressa rated it it was ok

I had a misconception about what this book would be like.It was a story of a stay at home dad and I thought that it would be an uplifting story for stay and home dads.Instead it was full of sexual stuff,including the dad showing his 12 year old a nude centerfold.The dad was 40 something,but all of his friends acted like they were still in high school and never grew mature..There was a lot of cussing,considering the story revolved around children and home life.I just did not really like this book ...more

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May 15, 2018 Nicola rated it liked it

I don't understand why some reviews of this book say it's humourous. This book is NOT funny. This book made me sad and very annoyed with Jay. I waited the entire book for him to find his moral compass and take some action. The good things about this book were that he wasn't a "doofus daddy" character, a trope I am so sick of. Another is that his writing is very enjoyable. He's skilled at painting characters through dialogue alone and, with the addition of interjections by his inner monologue, I ...more

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Aug 19, 2018 Allison rated it liked it

Didn’t love it. Didn’t hate it. The story focuses a lot on a petulant teen who isn’t very interesting. I didn’t care for him so most of the book was meh for me.

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Dec 15, 2015 Gary Garth McCann rated it liked it

Shelves: fiction

(My review reproduced here from Late Last Night Books)

STAY-AT-HOME DADS: BRAFF’S THE DADDY DIARIES AND PERROTTA’S LITTLE CHILDREN I’ve bought three books because of tweets. Joshua Braff’s The Daddy Diaries was one. I expected a stay-at-home dad with an infant or toddlers, in the vein of Tom Perrotta’s Little Children. But the children in Joshua Braff’s novel aren’t little. The protagonist’s daughter is 10, his son 13.

The family has recently moved from the San Francisco Bay area to St. Petersburg (My review reproduced here from Late Last Night Books)

STAY-AT-HOME DADS: BRAFF’S THE DADDY DIARIES AND PERROTTA’S LITTLE CHILDREN I’ve bought three books because of tweets. Joshua Braff’s The Daddy Diaries was one. I expected a stay-at-home dad with an infant or toddlers, in the vein of Tom Perrotta’s Little Children. But the children in Joshua Braff’s novel aren’t little. The protagonist’s daughter is 10, his son 13.

The family has recently moved from the San Francisco Bay area to St. Petersburg, Florida. In a Huffington Post blog interview, the author talks about being isolated as a stay-at-home dad-with-little-ones in his California neighborhood, and just when more dads began showing up there, moving to Florida and being a lone wolf again. The Florida location in The Daddy Diaries serves as an isolating factor not only for the father but also for his teenage son, whose depression is one focus of the book. Another focus is the father’s best buddy from high school, who’s now a druggie boozer capable of not remembering last night’s abusive behavior. Protagonist daddy Jay struggles to remain a friend and also to rescue his troubled pal’s daughter from a home life no one could wish for a kid. Then there’s the sexually ambitious mother of a friend of Jay’s own daughter. St. Petersburg’s mansions with swimming pools, the beach, sunshine, bikinis, provide a setting for temptation. What does a man do when a woman shows him her pair while his wife is across the country on business? Florida also provides color: our family’s new street is below sea level and their house has to be sandbagged when it rains hard.

The Daddy Diaries impressed me enough that I wanted to write about it here because it’s genuinely a book of character, not plot. Character studies are the most difficult books to write, I think. They also happen to be my favorite form of fiction. Braff does such a good job of it. Brushing my teeth, I found myself looking forward to my nightly read in The Daddy Diaries.

The only other novel I’ve read about a stay-at-home dad is Tom Perrotta’s Little Children. Perrotta’s Joe College is among my favorite books, and his The Wishbones ends as well as any novel I’ve read. In Little Children Todd, handsome stay-at-home dad of a toddler, plays night football when his wife thinks he’s studying for the bar at the library and, during his afternoons at the playground and neighborhood pool, when and where his wife thinks he is, encounters a “bikini”—a halter-top, at most—in the form of a mom unhappy with home life. There’s also a child molester in the neighborhood, which strikes me as a distraction and possibly as the author looking for more plot. I would have preferred that Perrotta instead had enriched his characters. The people populating Little Children aren’t touching or memorable, as the characters of his Joe College and The Wishbones are, or as is protagonist Jay in Braff’s The Daddy Diaries. ...more

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Dec 19, 2016 Yonina rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

A great vacation read

Excellent writing about writing, family, and role reversals. Love in spite of crazy friends, relatives, and moving a family across the country. All written from a stay-at-home dad's perspective. I didn't want it to end! ...more

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Mar 11, 2015 Lynnie rated it liked it

3 1/2 stars but rounding down for Goodreads.

I've read several of Joshua Braff's books & enjoyed most of them; the Daddy Diaries is no exception. It's a character study, detailing the life of a recently relocated family- the stay-at-home dad, the sweet, still enamored with her parents daughter, the sullen teenage boy, & the hard working wife (& of course, their friends, neighbors & family). Truthfully, it's a book for parents because it's inevitable that you'll recognize some part of yourself (o ...more

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Dec 14, 2016 Sue Kozlowski rated it it was amazing

Shelves: comedy

I really enjoyed this book. It was a quick, easy read but I enjoyed the frankness and honesty of the writer. The story revolves around a stay-at-home Dad and his experiences with his teenage son and younger daughter. The writer doesn't reveal any secrets or new approaches to raising teens, but he just openly describes his feelings as he struggles along with his teen. ...more

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Nov 04, 2015 Alex rated it it was ok

Shelves: 2015-reads

With its fast dialogue and its focus on liberal-minded, upper-middle class folks negotiating family dramas (i.e. depression, friends who just don't understand, etc.), The Daddy Diaries reminded me of Jonathan Tropper's work, particularly This Is How I Leave You and Plan B. Tropper has plenty of fans, so if you dig him, you'll likely dig this book. As for me, I found the prose of The Daddy Diaries generic and the tone irritatingly precious.
...more

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Aug 11, 2015 Nicki rated it liked it · review of another edition

Okay but a bit odd

Weird friends, moody teen, traveling wife.. Could have been good but it was just okay. Was not the best use of my reading time.

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Aug 18, 2015 Michaela rated it really liked it

An easy to read book about the life of a stay-at-home dad. Full of humour and truth.

I got this book for free through Goodreads First Reads.

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Sep 06, 2015 Randi rated it liked it

Sweet story about life with a stay-home dad. Approaches both funny and challenging situations with strong family-centric values.

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Sep 11, 2015 Suzanne rated it liked it

Super quick read for me (two airplane flights)! Good story, simply told.

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Dec 02, 2015 Pam marked it as did-not-finish

Shelves: library

This book just isn't for me. I read to escape, and it's just a little too real. ...more

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Jan 17, 2016 Rachel rated it liked it

See my review at http://www.thereportergroup.org/Artic... ...more

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Apr 24, 2016 Robin rated it it was amazing

I love everything about Joshua Braff's books. I enjoy his clear writing style, his storytelling, and the raw emotion of his characters. The Daddy Diaries did not disappoint. ...more

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Sep 09, 2016 Michael Salinsky rated it liked it

Enjoyable easy read. Joy and agony of being a parent are palpable. People of Tampa not portrayed favorably - I suspect author had tough stretch there.

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Feb 09, 2016 Opci rated it really liked it

Very good, honest book. A great read.

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Jul 08, 2016 Bob rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Realistic issues, well described. that made me glad I had daughters.

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About Joshua Braff

Joshua Braff

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Joshua Braff is an American author. His first novel, The Unthinkable Thoughts of Jacob Green, described by some as a Jewish coming of age tale, was published in 2004 by Algonquin Books of Chapel Hill, and drew some comparisons to J.D. Salinger. He contributed a short work entitled "Exit 15W" to the collection of shorts about New Jersey entitled "Living on the Edge of the World" after his hometown ...more