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A review by katiereadsthings
The Bad Mothers' Book Club by Keris Stainton
3.0
The Bad Mothers’ Book Club by Keris Stainton is about Emma, who moves to the seaside for her husband’s work, where her life seems to consist of only three things: long walks on the beach (with the dog), early nights (with the kids) and Netflix (no chill). She is often left bored and lonely while her husband works long hours, so when she is cordially invited to join an exclusive, invitation-only book club hosted by local “cool mum” Jools, she jumps at the chance to make new friends. But Jools’ book club comes with a list of rules (do: read the book and be ready to answer discussion questions, don’t: show up late and then spill red wine on the carpet) and after breaking a number of them, Emma is kicked out. Determined not to let the snooty Jools exclude her, Emma sets up her own, rival book club: The Bad Mothers’ Book Club.
This is a fun, easy read about motherhood, friendship and fitting in. The story shifts POVs between Emma, Jools and Maggie, Jools’ ex-best friend. I liked the theme of female friendship, and loved the message that motherhood is messy and imperfect. Each of the women is facing various pressures to be “perfect”, and I enjoyed seeing them embrace their imperfectness by the end. I loved Emma, and could definitely identify with her.
However, while I appreciated how Stainton touched on some heavier topics (eg sexuality, cancer and infidelity), I feel like none of these threads was completely followed through to the end. The story itself didn’t seem to have a big crescendo either. I was expecting a showdown over the rival book clubs but there isn’t one; rather, the story just coasts along until the various mothers all agree that there is no such thing as a perfect mother. It is definitely enjoyable coasting, but just don’t expect there to be a big build up. I was also a little confused by Maggie’s storyline- she didn’t really seem to add anything to the book, and I would have loved to have seen more complexity to Jools instead.
Overall, I’d still recommend this one if you are looking for a light, easy read with some (if you are a parent) definitely relatable moments.
This is a fun, easy read about motherhood, friendship and fitting in. The story shifts POVs between Emma, Jools and Maggie, Jools’ ex-best friend. I liked the theme of female friendship, and loved the message that motherhood is messy and imperfect. Each of the women is facing various pressures to be “perfect”, and I enjoyed seeing them embrace their imperfectness by the end. I loved Emma, and could definitely identify with her.
However, while I appreciated how Stainton touched on some heavier topics (eg sexuality, cancer and infidelity), I feel like none of these threads was completely followed through to the end. The story itself didn’t seem to have a big crescendo either. I was expecting a showdown over the rival book clubs but there isn’t one; rather, the story just coasts along until the various mothers all agree that there is no such thing as a perfect mother. It is definitely enjoyable coasting, but just don’t expect there to be a big build up. I was also a little confused by Maggie’s storyline- she didn’t really seem to add anything to the book, and I would have loved to have seen more complexity to Jools instead.
Overall, I’d still recommend this one if you are looking for a light, easy read with some (if you are a parent) definitely relatable moments.