3 Stars - Boy moms beware!
I purchased When You Can’t Call Mom to send with my son as he headed off to college. Before ordering, I specifically read that the book was intended for both genders, so I expected the content to be inclusive. Unfortunately, that was not my experience. While the advice itself is generally useful, much of the book is written using she/her pronouns, making it feel as though it was primarily written for daughters rather than sons. I contacted customer support to express my disappointment and was told that only one page was “truly feminine” and that I could simply tear that page out. I found that response dismissive and unhelpful, especially considering the overall tone and language throughout the book. If you’re buying this for a daughter, you may be very happy with it. However, if you’re looking for a version that feels equally appropriate for a son, I would recommend looking elsewhere. Based on both the product and my customer service experience, I would not purchase from this company again.
By Melissa C.
Response from Penned & Co.· Jul 23, 2026
Thank you for taking the time to share your honest feedback. We’re truly sorry to hear that the book did not meet your expectations and that your experience with our customer support left you feeling disappointed. We also apologize that our response to your concern did not reflect the level of care and understanding you deserved. That was not our intention, and we’re sorry that it came across as dismissive. Thank you again for your thoughtful review. We genuinely value your feedback and will take it into consideration as we continue to improve both our products and our customer experience.