The Good Mothers
- Judith D Collins
- 3 days ago
- 10 min read
By: Caitlin Weaver
Narrator: Anne McDonagh
ISBN: 9781837001682
Publisher: Storm Publishing
Publication Date: 01/15/2026
Format: Other
My Rating: 5 Stars (ARC)
With an eight-year-old son struggling with ADHD and nowhere else to turn, soon-to-be-divorced mom Lacey answers a life-saving ad: “Seeking responsible single mom to join our household. Motherhood can be lonely and we support each other!”
When she arrives at Wildwood Lane she finds a ramshackle house with a welcoming bright yellow door and a wraparound porch with its cozy couch and scattered toys. And inside, three mothers who have forged their own rules for survival.
As Lacey battles her conspiracy-theorist ex-husband for custody while juggling a new, make-or-break job, she discovers these women offer more than shared childcare, communal dinners and late nights bonding over wine after the kids’ bedtime. They're building something revolutionary: a chosen family where women don’t just survive—they thrive.
But when her enigmatic housemate comes up with a risky plan which could secure her financially and protect her son’s future, she faces an impossible choice: How far will she go to protect the family she’s found?
A fierce, tender novel about how sometimes women have to break the rules to build the life they really want. Perfect for readers who loved Big Little Lies and All They Need to Know.
About the Author
Caitlin Weaver is the bestselling author of suspenseful, emotionally layered domestic dramas that are perfect book club reads. She also covers topics including health, style, parenting, and business for outlets like Well+Good, Business Insider, Huff Post, Scary Mommy, and more.
Caitlin lives in Atlanta with her family. When she’s not writing you can find her on the tennis court, struggling with the NYT crossword puzzle, or reading “just one more” story to her kids.
Follow her on Substack and Instagram where she talks books and writing. Caitlin loves speaking with book clubs. To have her join yours virtually click here.
Connect with Caitlin:
Exceptional Authors.
Standout Books. Elevator Talk.
Behind the Book & the Author
INTRIGUING QUESTIONS. INQUIRING READERS WANT TO KNOW
Welcome to the February 2026 edition of #LitLiftMiniAuthorChats, part of the #AuthorElevatorSeries! Today, we have the pleasure of welcoming bestselling author Caitlin Weaver, here to share her captivating and heartfelt new novel, THE GOOD MOTHERS.
Who wouldn’t want to be part of a Mommune? Especially, this one.
I absolutely loved this book and am thrilled to discover another talented author from Atlanta to add to my collection. Trust me, readers—you’re going to adore this one! Don’t forget to check out her previous works as well (see the titles above).
is now available in paperback, e-book (including Kindle Unlimited),
and audio format, narrated by the talented Anne McDonagh,
published by Storm Publishing.
Join us as we embark on a delightful elevator (LIFT) ride to explore the behind-the-scenes details of the book and learn more about Caitlin.
Welcome, Caitlin!
Behind the 📖Book
Q. Give us your best ELEVATOR PITCH for THE GOOD MOTHERS.
When Lacey moves into a house of other single mothers, she finds the supportive community she’s been seeking—but the women are not what they seem. As her life unravels, Lacey must decide how far she’s willing to go to protect her son, and the family she’s found.
Q. DESCRIBE your novel in three words.
Relatable, high stakes, addictive.
Q. TOPICS: Name 1-3 topics or themes addressed in the novel?
1. The Good Mothers explores the power of found family. Specifically, how women create alternative support systems when traditional ones fail them. The community of moms Lacey finds becomes her lifeline—a place of emotional safety, shared labor, and solidarity. But chosen families are complicated, too. The book asks what we owe the people who help us when we need it most, and what we’re willing to sacrifice in return.
2. Lacey’s story is fundamentally about a woman discovering the limits of “doing everything right.” She follows all the prescribed rules she thought would lead to a fulfilling life, yet still ends up broke, functionally homeless, and fighting to keep custody of her son. The Good Mothers is about a one woman’s need to break the rules in order to reclaim her power.
3. Lacey’s journey lays bare the exhausting, often invisible burdens placed on mothers today. Her experience reflects the impossible standards modern mothers face: to parent perfectly, provide endlessly, and never falter.
Q. SETTING: Place, timeline (s), season, etc. where the book is set and why selected.
I love my husband, but I’m not going to lie: I often fantasize about living with my girlfriends. The setting of the “mommune” was born straight from my own daydreams—a warm, slightly chaotic house with a big wraparound porch, toys scattered across the yard, and a bright, welcoming kitchen where the moms gather at the end of long days for a glass of wine (or two). I wanted to create a space that felt lived-in, imperfect, and deeply comforting, where the home itself becomes a character and a refuge.
Q. DID YOU KNOW? Name 3-5 things that readers may, (or may not know) about your book, or are not included in the book.
1. I was already deep into the first draft of this book when the New York Times published an article about women living communally. My phone immediately blew up—every group chat I’m in with my girlfriends was sharing it. It turns out my fantasy of living in a house with my closest friends is actually a widely shared dream!
2. My dream casting for the movie version of The Good Mothers is Brie Larson as Lacey, Baek Ji-won as Regina, Tracy Ifeachor as Nanette, Gal Gadot as Tavia, Chris Pratt as Simon, and Damian Lewis as Reid.
3. I significantly changed the ending to the book during revisions. What originally happened? I’ll never tell…
Behind the ✍🏻Author
Q. DID YOU KNOW? Name 3-5 things that readers may, (or may not know) about YOU, the author.
1. The Good Mothers is my fifth book—and I think it might be my favorite.
2. I would move into a mommune in a hot second.
3. In the book, Lacey is the mom to a neurodivergent son—as am I. I hope I did the experience justice.
4. I write a Substack that looks at books through the lenses of feminism and pop culture. I ask important questions, like which Kardashian is actually the Jane Austen heroine we deserve.
Q. BOOK REC: A book you would recommend.
So many!! I read widely across genres so it’s hard to pick just one. But the book I would take with me to a desert island is Beartown by Fredrik Backman.
Q. ELEVATOR: If you were stuck in an elevator with someone, who would you want it to be? (celebrity, relative, influence, author-dead or alive).
Margaret Atwood—she has a brilliant mind and does not shy away from a good gossip session.
Q. UPCOMING: Currently working on, or upcoming project?
I’m currently working on my sixth novel, which comes out in fall of 2026. It’s about a woman whose carefully constructed “new” identity collapses when her hidden role in a notorious crime resurfaces, pulling her into a dangerous confrontation with the man she betrayed.
Thank you, Caitlin, for sharing your time with us today!
A truly captivating & fun elevator ride! Love the movie cast! 🤞🏻We're eagerly looking forward to your next book, which promises to be just as intriguing.
My Review
THE GOOD MOTHERS by Caitlin Weaver intricately crafts the poignant story of Lacey, a fiercely determined single mother who finds herself at the heart of an emotional and tumultuous custody battle that hangs in the balance like a fragile thread.
Amidst this harrowing struggle, Lacey embraces a groundbreaking and unconventional lifestyle known as a "mommune," where the warmth of community support and the strength of collaboration create a nurturing tapestry for parenting in a modern, shared environment.
As she deftly navigates the myriad challenges of motherhood, her journey transforms into one of resilience and unwavering hope—a quest for belonging in a world that often feels isolating, enriched by the bonds of a newfound family that stands beside her through every trial and triumph.
About...
Wildwood Lane:
Lacey is at the end of her rope. Facing a difficult divorce and homelessness, Lacey answers an ad for a shared household for single mothers. She moves into a ramshackle house with a huge porch, which seems cozy and loving on Wildwood Lane, with her eight-year-old son, Elliott, who has ADHD.
The "Mommune" Dynamic:
Lacey joins three other mothers who have created their own "chosen family". A Mommune. They share childcare, communal meals, and emotional support, providing Lacey with a sense of stability she lacked.
The Custody Battle:
Lacey is in a fierce legal battle with her ex-husband, Judd, a conspiracy theorist determined to take full custody of Elliott and keep him from his important medications, and does everything he can to manipulate, control, and undermine her and her parenting.
Regina’s Risky Plan:
One of the housemates, Regina, approaches Lacey with an "enigmatic" and "risky plan". This offer is framed as a way to secure Lacey's financial future and protect Elliott's custody, but it carries significant legal and moral risks.
Lacey must decide how far she will go to maintain the family she has found at Wildwood Lane and, as a mother, protect her son.
Key Characters
Lacey:
The protagonist is a soon-to-be-divorced mother trying to balance a new "make-or-break" job with parenting.
Elliott:
Lacey’s son, whose ADHD struggles are a central focus of her parenting journey.
Regina:
An "enigmatic" housemate who drives the book's "mystery" element with a secret backstory and a dangerous offer.
Judd:
Lacey's ex-husband is the primary antagonist in her custody battle.
My thoughts....
I absolutely adored THE GOOD MOTHERS!
Having navigated the tumultuous waters of divorce many years ago, along with all the challenges of single parenting and dealing with an ex-spouse, I am truly passionate about the concept of mommunes, think it is a super idea, and love the empowerment of women.
The thought-provoking, well-written domestic suspense portrays the Mommune community living as both heartwarming and inspiring, showcasing how it helps struggling mothers find their path and provides a much-needed support network through sisterhood.
However, the narrative also delves into the nuanced legal limitations that accompany such arrangements. While the novel presents this communal living as a groundbreaking solution, it simultaneously uncovers the internal and external pressures that can complicate these unconventional lifestyles. It's that intricate balance of hope and realism that makes the story so compelling, making it ideal for book clubs and further discussions.
The author brilliantly portrays Lacey's son, Elliott, who is neurodivergent, drawing from personal experience to highlight the challenges of navigating co-parenting with an ex-spouse. The support from the women in Lacey's life proves to be an invaluable blessing for both her and her son.
The women of Wildwood Lane craft their own rules, determined to thrive in a world that often leaves them merely surviving. Their journey is fraught with moral dilemmas and heart-wrenching choices, particularly for Lacey, who finds herself at a crossroads. Regina’s ambitious plan compels Lacey to confront the depths of her resolve—how far is she willing to go to protect the family she has embraced? This internal struggle pits her unwavering moral compass against an all-consuming desperation to retain custody of her beloved son.
As the intricate plan begins to unfold, the narrative takes a dark turn, intensifying with rising anxiety and suspense. Lacey's path is fraught with complexities, forcing her to navigate the perilous repercussions of defying societal norms and expectations. Each step into the unknown brings with it a palpable tension, heightening the sense of danger that lurks just beneath the surface.
Amidst these challenges, the experience ultimately deepens the bonds between the mothers on Wildwood Lane, reinforcing their identity as a chosen family. Their collective strength becomes a sanctuary, a testament to their shared resilience in the face of adversity.
Ultimately, the consequences of Lacey's choices lead her toward a hard-won resolution. She emerges victorious, skillfully safeguarding her son and securing their future, but not without embracing a path that is both revolutionary and fraught with peril.
It is a journey that culminates in a satisfying conclusion, as Lacey and her newfound family redefine what it means to create a home together, infused with love and solidarity in a world that often tests their limits.
Themes
In The Good Mothers, Weaver skillfully explores several core themes centered on the modern experience of single motherhood and the radical solutions women create to survive systemic failures.
The "Mommune" and Chosen Family
A primary theme is the creation of a "revolutionary" shared household, or mommune. The novel highlights how single mothers can move beyond mere survival to "thrive" by pooling resources like shared childcare, communal meals, and emotional support.
~The Invisible Mental Load
~Breaking Rules for Survival
~Modern Custody and Adversity
~Trust and Dependence
The takeaway message of THE GOOD MOTHERS centers on the idea that women often have to break traditional rules to build the lives they truly want. The novel presents a "revolutionary" look at motherhood that prioritizes community over the isolation of the nuclear family.
The Power of Chosen Family
The novel emphasizes that "mommunes" or shared households can be a "life-saving" alternative to the loneliness of single motherhood. It suggests that women don't just survive but "thrive" when they pool resources like childcare and emotional support, while dealing with challenging societal stigmas.
The novel suggests that society's traditional structures often fail single mothers, and presents the "mommune" as a practical, grassroots model for better support, and highlights key areas where societal change of communal efforts could provide better support. Mothers can split essential burdens such as childcare, communal meals, and household maintenance, moving away from the isolated nuclear family model.
Society should value "chosen families" that offer emotional safety nets, allowing mothers to "thrive" rather than just survive.
Takeaway
A major takeaway is the need to eliminate the stigma around unmarried or single women seeking deep, interdependent support from each other rather than through a traditional spouse. Society should better recognize and validate the overwhelming "mental load" mothers carry, especially when parenting children with neurodivergence like ADHD.
Title Significance
The significance of the title lies in its subversion of traditional societal standards for "good" parenting. The use of the plural "Mothers" emphasizes that motherhood is not just an individual journey but a collective one. The women at Wildwood Lane find that their "goodness" as parents is amplified when they act as a "chosen family" rather than in isolation.
The Author
This is my first encounter with the works of this author, and I am eagerly anticipating diving into more of her literature! Having spent the majority of my career immersed in the vibrant media and publishing scene of Atlanta, I have a profound appreciation for the talent that emerges from this city and support Atlanta authors. Astonishingly, I am just now coming across her writing. I’m excited to explore her backlist and discover the stories and insights she has crafted.
Recs...
Readers who enjoyed The Good Mothers for its blend of domestic drama, moral complexity, and themes of unconventional motherhood might appreciate books that also feature strong female bonds, the challenges of single parenting, and characters making difficult choices.
~Beach House Rules by Kristy Woodson Harvey (mommune)
~All They Need to Know by Eileen Goudge (Gold Creek Series)
~The Ladybug Farm Series by Donna Ball
~On a Quiet Street by Seraphina Nova Glass
~The Whispers by Ashley Audrain
~Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng
Many thanks to Storm Publishing for introducing me to this talented author by providing an advanced reading copy via Netgalley in exchange for my honest thoughts.
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
Pub Date: Jan 15, 2026
My Rating: 5 Stars
