Mean Moms: A Novel

Let me start by saying Mean Moms is exactly what you’d expect if Gossip Girl grew up, got a Botox membership, and decided to join the PTA out of sheer spite. It's dramatic. It's ridiculous. It’s a little bit like watching a car crash in slow motion—if the car was a Bentley, the driver had an oat milk latte in hand, and the crash was caused by someone’s bad aura.

We’ve got Frost (yes, that’s a real name, not a weather pattern), Morgan (who says “sound bath” like it’s a religion), and Belle (whose fashion line causes rashes—nothing says couture like hives). They’re the queen bees of Manhattan’s private school mom scene, which apparently involves themed parties so elaborate they could double as dress rehearsals for a Real Housewives reunion.

Enter Sofia, the new mom with an accent, mystery, and enough passive-aggressive energy to power a SoulCycle class. She’s beautiful. She’s perfect. She’s… suspiciously nice. Which, in rich mom circles, is clearly a red flag.

Soon, bad things start happening—like electric scooter hit-and-runs (yes, really), moped robberies (this is apparently Fast & Furious: PTA Drift), and sabotaged fashion shows. Morgan blames Mercury in retrograde, but everyone else starts wondering if Sofia’s weapon of choice is charm followed by psychological warfare.

Is it a mystery? Kind of. Is it a satire? Almost. Is it hilarious watching these designer-clad women slowly unravel like a homemade scarf caught in a Roomba? Absolutely.

The plot is unhinged in the best way, and every scene feels like it should come with a glass of overpriced rosé. It’s catty, campy, and full of characters you love to hate but wouldn’t trust to water your plants. And while we’re promised suspense, the “twist” isn’t so much jaw-dropping as it is, “Oh. Okay. That tracks.”

Bottom line: If you like your thrillers with a side of Botox, brunch betrayal, and emotional sabotage in Lululemon, this book is for you. It’s not good good, but it is entertaining good. Just don’t expect to walk away feeling smarter.

In short: come for the drama, stay for the pettiness.

Chaotic energy at its finest! This audiobook leaves no detail unattended; if the phone rings, you will hear it, and it adds to the immersive charm. With a large cast of characters, the story could easily feel overwhelming, but instead, it flows seamlessly, keeping you hooked from start to finish. It's captivating, hilarious (mainly because you're not the one living through it), exuberant at times, and downright chaotic at others. What makes it especially delightful is how it pokes fun at the eccentricities of the wealthy—equal parts jaw-dropping and laugh-out-loud funny. The audiobook production is phenomenal, with accents, personalities, and scenarios brought to life so vividly you can't help but feel like you're in the middle of it all. New York as the backdrop is almost too fitting, elevating the drama and absurdity. And then there's January LaVoy—her narration is a performance in itself, worthy of five stars and a standing ovation. She doesn't just read the book; she becomes the book. Thank you to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for providing me with this audiobook in exchange for my honest review.