The motif of the MILF is central to the novel. While Eve is initially disgusted by the notion, she eventually explores MILF-related pornography and is turned on by the fact that mother-types are considered sexually attractive and permitted diverse sexual experiences. After Brendan’s departure, and the absolution of Eve’s practical maternal duties, she is pronounced a MILF by an anonymous messenger, Amanda, and Julian; the fact that Eve is an attractive woman of a certain age who has been liberated from her immediate maternal duties makes her a figure of fantasy for both of them. Julian’s idea of Eve is “a porn fantasy come true,” beating “I did it with my best friend’s mom” by becoming a conquest of one’s archenemy’s mother (119).

However, Amanda’s attraction to Eve is rooted in admiration of her, as she says, “I hope I look half as good as you when I’m your age” (116), and perhaps is seeking to fill the maternal void from her own mother’s death. Eve initially finds that the MILF figure allows her sexual possibilities she had not even thought of; however, when she is toying with the possibility of having an affair with Julian, it seems tawdry and cheap.