It is a heart-wrenchingly honest account of one woman's journey into motherhood. As I turned the pages, I felt like I was reading Maria's personal diary, filled with raw emotions and vulnerability.

The author's courage in sharing her struggles with depression, pregnancy, and motherhood is admirablez However, I noticed some grammatical errors throughout the book, which slightly detracted from the overall reading experience.

Despite this, Maria's story is deeply relatable. Her emotions, fears, and joys are palpable, making this book a must-read for expectant mothers, new mothers, and anyone seeking insight into the complexities of motherhood.

Maria's writing masterfully conveys the transformative power of motherhood, capturing the intense emotions that come with it.

Overall, "Seasons" is a powerful and emotional read that sheds light on the often-taboo topics of maternal mental health and the challenges of motherhood. Maria's bravery in sharing her story will undoubtedly inspire and reassure many women that they are not alone.

Seasons: Depression. Pregnancy. Motherhood.
by Maria Koval

Maria Koval’s latest offers a deep look into what a mother goes through when depression and anxiety are inflamed by hormones, uncertainty, occasional resentment, and the deep love for the children you can’t stop worrying about. Pregnancy is hard to begin with, but impossible when you’re suffering from big “D” depression.

SEASONS can be taken as the study of a woman fending off a hurricane of emotions during a first pregnancy of twins, you literally are told about all the terrible nuances of what not being in control of yourself does to your self-esteem when your brain is hijacked. Are the twins crying too much? Are they crying enough? Am I doing everything right, wrong, in-between? Am I a good mother?? This narrative is a solid block of every experience in this mom’s life as filtered through mental illness—you get EVERYTHING. And in time, you see how what’s going on in her always active brain wraps itself in the love of her twins and helps her forge ahead to a good result for who she wants to be as a mother, wife, and whole person. Lines like “These two little humans are thieves, they stole my heart” touch you as you see what love can do. For those of us who have kids, all that’s in here is familiar, but at a HIGHER volume. Baby’s “baby”. They do! You drive yourself crazy with worry over SIDS, when to teach your babies to self-sooth (this mom knows all the methods, studying them), and fights hard not to give in to her impulses to save her kids from the trauma of crying. And as mom realizes she needs help and a break; she can’t take one even when her husband is being super dad for the night and letting her enjoy just one hour of her favorite show—which she can barely do as she hears her thieves reaching out faintly with crying.

The protagonist has always suffered from depression, she doubted it was this at first, she can hide her self-diagnosis by reconciling mood swings with what others around her are going through as similar. She lives her life, falls in love, gets married, deals with her personal issues alone, and has a handle on the aspects of her life she can reason through with an amount of introspection few of us can muster, and she seeks help when she seems at her bleakest. This short work can be a valuable reflection of what many others are going through (hidden from view) and give you a shared perspective of how to cope with things that seem unreconcilable. There are good lessons here, and some laughs…live for the laughs and love. You can find your guide in this book.

While reading SEASONS by Maria Koval, I felt like I was a witness to a vulnerable woman's journey through life. Her struggles with depression even before she had children is unsettling. It's scary to think how many people are suffering in silence.
In Seasons, as I turned the pages, I felt like Maria was talking to me directly. This book is an inspirational piece. I found it very brave for her to share her story. Unfiltered emotions, raw feelings, and wise choice of vocabulary, all you will find in Seasons.
The book is divided into three parts, before, during and after. Each part is filled with events from that difficult time of Maria's life. It's definitely an interesting read, and I have to be honest, I have no read another book like this.

SEASONS by Maria Koval

I came across this book through Threads, and I have to say, Maria is one brave person. A woman. A mother. Looking back at my life, I have to admit, that a lot of the things that Maria is talking about in her book, spoke to me too. I am no stranger to depression. I do know how difficult it is to go through something like that, and I am actually grateful for Maria's work. Her book discusses a lot of very important topics, such as depression, anxiety, pregnancy, postpartum struggles. Not to mention, pregnancy with twins! I carried one baby, and thought that I might not make it, but she carried two, and made it out on top. I solute Maria for this. Truly inspiring.

This book is beyond relatable and I am so glad Maria Koval decided to share her story! As a woman who has suffered through many of the same struggles I am beyond appreciative of her bringing awareness to women's mental health. This book helps show that we do not have to suffer alone. While things in life may sometimes feel impossible and the weight feels like we can not move forward we have to keep trying to do the best we can and ask for help when we need it. It is important to remember that no matter what, we are enough, good enough, strong enough, enough just the way we are and any doubts that our brains may replay over and over again trying to say otherwise are all lies. When really in the depths of the struggle it is important to remember this too shall pass.

Seasons by Maria Koval.
I've read this book in one sitting, not because it's a small book, but because it is so gripping and interesting. It is a small book, but it's packed with emotions, feelings, experiences, and ultimately, life. Seasons is a very relatable book for all women out there. This book is uplifting, even though the main topic of this book is depression, I found it to be somewhat refreshing. I will be recommending this book tov all my friends and family.

Wow. Just wow. As a mother of four boys, ages ranging from 17 to 6, I fell in love with this book. So incredibly moving. I felt heard and seen while reading. There were so many battles of motherhood and depression that Maria so beautifully laid on these pages that put me right back in my moments of early motherhood. I feel like I found a peice of myself when I read this. I'm so incredibly moved and touched. I would recommend this book to all expecting mothers, new mothers, mothers who have lost who they are, those who are still trying to discover who they may be, and moms who just want to take a trip down memory lane about their own journeys through motherhood. This book simply and utterly beautiful.

Seasons is a rousing memoire of a mother’s struggle with depression before and after the birth of her twins. With a writing style intimately colloquial, the reality of pregnancy and motherhood are explored with truth, humor, and wit, making an easy but intensely personal read.

Receiving news of pregnancy is often painted as a portrait of pure happiness, but what occurs within the mind when shadows of debilitating doubt obscure full joy? These juxtaposing, complex views – expectant delight merged with the devastating burden of sadness – offers a realistic outlook through a transformative journey, and will be extremely relatable to women who have similarly experienced this magical blessing in their own lives.

Never shying away from the more personal aspects of pregnancy and postpartum challenges, Maria’s immense strength is made evident, her courage exposed word by word. From attending appointments, to contemplations of terror-filled visions, blissful moments of reprieve, to restless nights rearing two children, the undeniable strength arising from parenthood is endearingly powerful.

Women are extraordinarily brave. It’s crucial to understand that experiencing morosity after childbirth is neither a sign of weakness or failure. The fact that Maria birthed twins and published this moving book is a testament to her resilient spirit

As a male reader, this book wasn’t necessarily targeted for my demographic. However, valuable lessons can be gleamed from gravid sentiments, of the great importance of a partner’s empathy, support and care during this most transformative time in a woman’s life. In the end, ephemeral despondency and fear that ail the soul are swiftly dispelled by a child’s smile, by the great privilege of raising life.

Maria, I wish you nothing but love, joy, and success for you and your family. May happy years lie ahead!