Mean Moms
- Judith D Collins
- Sep 21
- 4 min read
By: Emma Rosenblum
Narrator: January LaVoy
ISBN: 9781250364203
Publisher: Macmillan Audio
Publication Date: 07/29/2025
Format: Audio
My Rating: 5 Stars (ALC)
A deliciously satisfying and suspenseful story about what happens when a clique of wealthy Manhattan private school moms start getting a taste of exactly what they deserve, instead of just what they can pay for.
Meet Frost, Morgan, and Nell—a wealthy, gorgeous group of New York City moms, the queen bees of downtown Manhattan. Their children attend Atherton Seminary, the top private school in the city, and their social lives revolve around elaborate themed parties.
On the first day of school, the arrival of a new mom and mysterious beauty from Miami named Sofia shakes up their world. When Sofia quickly integrates herself into their clique, inexplicably bad things start to happen to the women. Frost is the victim of a hit-and-run electric scooter incident. Nell's dream of launching a fashion line is thwarted when the clothing samples cause people to break out in a rash. Morgan's new sound bath spa is robbed at gunpoint by a moped-driving thief. Morgan declares it all a "negative event cluster," but the other women aren't so sure.
Is someone at school out to get them? Another mom with a vendetta? Let’s not forget to mention the handsome headmaster, Dr. Broker, who every mom has a crush on (and one of them might be sleeping with).
Spanning the course of one eventful Fall in New York, ending with a Surrealist New Year's Eve Ball—and a possible death, Mean Moms is part satire of upper crust mom-ing and part mystery, interrogating the line between friendship and jealousy, and getting at the question of: What would happen if the woman standing next to you at school pick up was actually a sociopath?
My Review
Bestselling author Emma Rosenblum is back with a bang! Following her hits, Very Bad Company and Bad Summer People (all 5-stars), with her third novel and latest gem, MEAN MOMS.
From the misadventures of the rich and powerful, this wickedly fun murder mystery dives into the lives of some seriously naughty moms, and trust me, you won’t be able to put it down!
So, let’s talk about the characters…
Meet Frost, Morgan, and Belle—these fabulous, wealthy moms rule the roost in Manhattan. Their kids attend the elite Atherton Academy, the crème de la crème of private schools, and their social calendar is packed with over-the-top themed parties.
But hold on, everything changes when Sofia, a stunning new mom from Miami, shows up on the first day of school. As she effortlessly blends into their tight-knit group, things start to go south for the other moms. Is there a hidden agenda lurking in the school?
Set over a thrilling school year in New York, MEAN MOMS is a sharp satire on the world of elite parenting, mixed with a juicy mystery that explores the fine line between friendship and jealousy. It really makes you wonder: what if the woman standing next to you at school pickup is a total sociopath?
Here’s my take…
Just like Emma's previous books (I always go for the audio version!), this one is packed with drama, gossip, and all the scandal you can handle, featuring those rich, mean moms we love to hate.
The book’s mean moms more than earn their title, as they look down on anyone who doesn’t share their socioeconomic privilege, backstab each other in deliciously catty fashion, and respond to the presence of a homeless man at school drop-off by forming a committee called Atherton Parents Against Persons Experiencing Homelessness.
WILDLY ENTERTAINING! With its clever, sarcastic humor, backstabbing antics, and a peek into the world of power and privilege, you’ll find yourself questioning if you’d really want friends like these!
And let’s not forget the audiobook…
As always, the incredibly talented January LaVoy delivers a stellar performance. She’s a seven-time Audie Award winner, Grammy nominee, and an AudioFile Golden Voice, making this a highly entertaining listen that will have you chuckling into the early hours.
Recs...
If you’re a fan of Emma Rosenblum and her previous works (and January LaVoy) or if you loved Big Little Lies, The White Lotus, and Palm Royale, then MEAN MOMS is a must-add to your reading list!
Special thanks to Macmillan Audio and #MacAudio2025 via Google Play for providing an advanced listening copy in exchange for my honest thoughts.
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
My Rating: 5 Stars
Pub Date: July 29, 2025
MEAN MOMS
VERY BAD COMPANY
BAD SUMMER PEOPLE
About the Author
Emma Rosenblum is chief content officer at Bustle Digital Group, overseeing content and strategy for BDG’s lifestyle, parenting, and culture & innovation portfolios, including Bustle, Elite Daily, Romper, NYLON, The Zoe Report, Romper, Scary Mommy, Fatherly, The Dad, Gawker, Inverse, and Mic. Prior to BDG, Emma served as the executive editor of ELLE. Previously Rosenblum was a senior editor at Bloomberg Businessweek, and before that a senior editor at Glamour. She began her career at New York magazine. She lives in New York City, with her husband and two sons. Bad Summer People is her first novel.
