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johndiconsiglio's review against another edition
3.0
A pair of motherless daughters—SoCal African-American girls, one wild & reckless, the other shy & church-going—become best friends. Over years, they share secrets, boyfriends, betrayals, etc. So, yeah, you’ve been here before. Author Bennett doesn’t ask too much of readers, but she doesn’t dumb-down either. A 2016 bestselling debut, it lacks the bite of her 2020 follow-up Vanishing Half. A Greek chorus of narrating gossipy church “Mothers” doesn’t help. Neither does an abortion storyline that wants to have it both ways. You can take it to the pool.
howifeelaboutbooks's review against another edition
5.0
I love Bennett’s writing style, how it’s all-knowing yet so mysterious at the same time. The story this book told was so layered and well-done, I know I’ll be re-reading it again before long.
lclindley's review against another edition
5.0
An urgent haunting and beautifully written story of love, guilt and entwined lives. I loved everything about this.
rmadams103's review against another edition
5.0
Oh my goodness, I couldn't put The Mothers down. The writing alone is phenomenal, and I will now read anything Bennett writes from here on out. It is just that good. This is a beautifully intricate novel filled with deep characters, wide emotions, and lots of questions. And I loved every second of it.
jdgcreates's review against another edition
3.0
(3.5) As an audiobook this is a high 4, and it was great to listen to so I highly recommend it if you like audiobooks. It was frustrating to experience the dysfunctional bond between Nadia and Luke repeatedly, and then to not know more details about what happened in Nadia's life at the end of the book though!
katmpls's review against another edition
4.0
Nadia and Luke-high school loves, Nadia and Aubrey-high school bffs, Abreu and Luke-married. Story of secrets between all of them. Loved the way story was told. Wish it had ended telling more about where each person goes but I know that’s a choice.
amrbonna's review against another edition
3.0
I enjoyed listening to this book and following the characters as they grew.
emkirschbaum's review against another edition
4.0
It took me a lot longer than usual to finish this book and I’m not sure why. I really liked the characters but often felt the plot went too slowly. But I also really felt the context the characters grappled with was unique in a way I hadn’t read before.
alicebme's review against another edition
3.0
Hmmm. This book had all of the things: suicide, losing your mother, teen sex, teen pregnancy, abortion, giant secret keeping, hypocrite church leaders, cheating with your best friend’s husband, being your parent’s caregiver, leaving your hometown to desperately try to start a new life, child rape, PTSD, infertility... Sweet baby Jesus.
All of that said, I’m looking forward to another book from this author. Maybe the next one will have mostly nice things?
All of that said, I’m looking forward to another book from this author. Maybe the next one will have mostly nice things?