Big Little Lies meets Class MomThe meddling moms of Forest River live for a good scandal. Speculation surrounding Claire Conroy’s sex life has fueled the rumor mill for years. Now, when Claire returns home from a trip to Italy separated from her husband of thirteen years, the imaginations of the Lululemon-clad ladies’ who lunch spin into overdrive. As the gossipmongers create their own scandalous … scandalous backstory for the separation, blaming Claire’s infidelity, she learns the hard way just how mean mommies can be.
Eager to begin her new life as a single mom of three Claire puts her trust in Jackie Martin, the president of the PTA, to help tell her truth and free her of the false accusations and scandal. But the plan backfires, and Claire is put further into the spotlight when an embarrassed mom declares war.
As Claire dusts off her resume, fights the daily urge not to strangle her ex-husband and his new girlfriend, and dips her toes into the dating world one dud at a time will she find the happiness she craves or succumb to the pressure of the mean girls?
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Mom Genes is a terrifying tale… wait. Let me back up. Grossman has painted such a realistic portrayal of the drama-ridden PTA moms that I’m thinking about homeschooling my child. It’s an impressive level of character detail and development.
One of the things that I like about Claire is that she’s not your basic early 20s chicklit heroine. She’s got three kids. She’s going through a divorce with the type of guy who gives all fathers a bad name. She’s also poised, self-possessed, and driven. She cares fiercely about things, especially her kids, and all of that makes following Claire through her post-separation life intriguing. Every time I had to put this book down, I couldn’t wait to get my hands on it again. Extremely well-written, and I can’t wait to see what’s next for this Mom group!
Behind the carefully curated, picture-perfect existence each woman tries to uphold hides a normal woman, vulnerable to being hurt, betrayed and other realities life throws at them..
Interspersed with emails from a well meaning friend who adds drama to Claire’s life by forwarding her the gossip, we travel along Claire’s path dealing with the bitchiness of other moms, her insensitive ex-husband and her attempt to find herself.
The story seems to run along the same time period as the first book in this “series” – “Go On Girl”. Its not necessary to have read the first book, but it may give you a bit more insight into the group dynamics of the PTA ladies if you have. Judging by the author’s note it seems we may soon travel back to Forest River to delve into another PTA mom’s world.
Life can throw you so many curves that your head spins faster than the meanest pitch that ever was thrown! In Hillary Grossman’s novel “Mom Genes” a woman has to remember who’s her real friends are and who she can rely on when times get tough!
Kids, school PTA, marriage problems and some really cut throat moms give the main character in Grossman’s book some massive migraines. Looking for answers to her problems, this harried mother is turned this way and that but does she stop for friends or love? What will really help her solve her issues? And how much needs to change in her life before the sun comes through the clouds?
I saw so much similar to my own life’s questions from years past played out in the situations found in Grossman’s story. Many women will be able to relate to how the main character is challenged through other people. The writing gives one a familiar, easy to associate with feel as it leads you through to the end.
This is a book, I’m sure, you’d feel good about getting. It has so much to offer everyone !
5
I finished this book last night and I had to seat back and go over my thoughts before I could write my review. Mom Genes is not my typical read, with that being said Hilary Grossman did a great job at drawing me in right away.
It was an addictive read, a bunch of PTA moms equals gossip, rumors and backstabbing. What is more intriguing than that right?
Even though there was a lot of drama there was also laugh out loud moments. This book honestly has everything. I felt like I was reading a reality show in my head and I loved every second of it.
Claire the main character is caught up in the middle of all this drama. Claire was such a well developed character. I really liked her and I couldn’t help but root for her.
Although this is the 2nd book in the series I didn’t feel lost reading it. Everything fall right into place but I will definitely be picking up the first book in the series, Go on Girl and I’m excited to read the 3rd instalment as well.
Mom Genes release date is March 24th, 2020. I highly suggest picking up a copy. You won’t regret it!
I received this book from the author for a fair and honest review.
Mom Genes by Hilary Grossman is book 2 of 3 in the Forest River PTA Moms Series. Although this book is part of a series, I didn’t feel I was missing anything by reading the second book first. I found this book very entertaining and it kept my interest. I thought I was almost done and was going to stay up and finish it but, to my surprise there was an excerpt for Go On, Girl.
I don’t have children and I still enjoyed this novel. It was fun to experience the malicious gossip and back biting that went on. I really liked Claire, she was the main character. With everything going on in her life, she continued to hold her head high and live her life her way. She set a fine example of holding her tongue and not firing back at the gossip mongers. I’m not sure I could have been as big of a person.
This was my first book by Hilary Grossman and I know it won’t be my last. It was a great way to get relief from the stress of our quarantine situation. If you need some good entertainment and humor in your life, grab yourself a copy of Mom Genes.
I received a copy of this book from the author for a fair and honest review.
The Forest River PTA moms are at it again!
When I first started reading this book I was confused because it felt like I had already read this book. What I didn’t realize is that this series covers the same time period but from a different perspective compared to Go On, Girl. Once I had that in my mind, I was off to the races.
Claire is the focus of this book and she takes such a beating on her personal life. Her husband has left her, the moms think she is having an affair, and then let’s not even talk about those blind dates! But that is ok because she got them back with almost no effort in a situation or two. She keeps her cool and sense of humor throughout the book, even when dealing with her soon to be ex-husband, Kevin. He is worthless and a slimeball and deserves nothing for his actions.
While most of the moms ban together, there is one that is out to sabotage everyone. That is Donna. I’m not sure what her issue is but she slanders everyone and slings so much mud. Let’s just say she gets her comeuppance several times in the book. Jackie can be a tough nut to crack, but if she is on your side then you shouldn’t want for much. I can’t wait to read her story in Mom Boss.
This is a fun read and it will leave you shaking your head wondering how people can act this way and get away with it most of the time.
We give this book 4 paws up and if you pick this book up, make sure to read the first book to see the various situations from another angle.
Mom Genes is a great follow-up story to Hilary Grossman’s Go On, Girl. The PTA moms are back and they are just as intense and driven as ever.
Being allergic to drama myself, I was probably surrounded by these types of women during my children’s school days, but didn’t know it. That’s probably why I find these books such fast reads. I love getting the inside peek at the politics of who’s in, who’s out and who is being gossiped about now.
Not only did Hilary Grossman do a great job of capturing the overall feel of the helicopter moms that are the main characters, but she also made them well rounded characters that actually (occasionally and reluctantly) showed their insecurities, weak points and other such things that managed to endear them to me.
When I realized I was getting near the end, I slowed down, trying to make Mom Genes last longer because when it was finished I knew I’d have to wait for the next book! If you enjoy mom stories, tell alls, or books that promise peeks into the other half’s lives, you will enjoy this story. I’d suggest picking up anything by this author because I’m sure you’ll like it.
Thank you to the author for providing an ARC at my request. All thoughts in this review are my own and happily given because I really loved this book.
A book so good, its worthy of its own reality show.
Gossip, rumors and parental politics strike the PTA moms of Forest River once again. This time they are focused on Claire Conroy’s newly single status. But Claire doesn’t let them bring her down. As she deals with her inconsiderate ex, searching for a job and going on one disastrous date after another, I couldn’t help but feel bad for her and laugh a little remembering the bad dates I went on when I was single. Claire finally finds Mr. Right when she least expects it with an old friend from summer camp days, Holden Schwartz.
I really enjoyed reading this book. I was pulled into the story right away. I previously read Go On, Girl and when I heard there was a new Forest River PTA Moms book coming out, I put everything else aside and got to reading right away. It was like revisiting old friends again. I feel this book could be read as a stand-alone, but to get a true feel for the characters, I would recommend reading Go On, Girl first. Even if you don’t read it first, I am pretty sure you will after you finish Mom Genes.
Grossman has done it again with the second book in the Forest River PTA Moms series. Full of scandal and laugh out loud moments, you’ll find Mom Genes is the perfect fit for your next read.