This was my first Ali Lowe book and I really enjoyed it!

I found that the first third of this book was slow and I wasn’t reaching for it but then something clicked, I’m not sure if it was the characters or the plot but all of a sudden I couldn’t put it down and I ended up flying through it.

Centred around a group of parents who would do anything it seems to get their boys into Iggy’s, the prestigious boys school in the area.

This was a subtle who done it that kept me guessing and turning pages until the end.

I enjoyed this the most of the authors previous books. The suspense building through the pages is perfectly paced out.

This was a twisty read focused on 3 mothers who would do anything to get their young boys into a fancy private school. Bec, Kaya, and Estella have a “frenemy” type relationship with each other, where they are all trying to make sure their own kids end up on top. There is additional drama here too related to a hit-and-run accident, Kaya’s now-deceased husband, and with the teenage girls in 2 of these families. Sounds like a lot to take in, but the author did a good job at creating a good story with a large amount of characters and drama.

Few characters in this book were super likable, in my opinion, but it was clear to see the things they would do to protect their children. While I can’t say I agreed with their decisions, it was clear why they made them. There were a ton of twists in the book, some which I didn’t see coming. The ending was ok- perhaps tied up just a little too cleanly in some aspects, but it worked.

Overall, this was a fun and twisty read that I’d recommend to those who like domestic suspense. Thanks to Netgalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This is definitely one to hand to fans of Liane Moriarty with its strong Big Little Lies vibes, but this a snappier, quicker read than any of that author's books. I initially had a hard time connecting with the various perspectives, but as the story reveals itself it's worth engaging with all of them.

Got totally sucked into this wild, yet totally believable, plot about the lengths mother's will go to to secure a spot in the prestigious all boys high school. Another ripper by Ali Lowe.

Good book with a compelling story in its pages. I liked the way the characters developed throughout the book.

I will admit that this thriller took me a little longer to get into than normal, mainly because it is set in Australia and I was having some difficulty understanding the slang terms and vernacular used. To add to that, the book follows 3 main character POVs and adds in additional ones here and there. All of that made for a confusing entry into the story, but I'm really glad that I stuck with it. Before I knew it, I was completely sucked in, invested in the characters, and needed to find out how all of their storylines intertwined. I really enjoyed the main premise of the story centering around these preteen boys trying to get into a prestigious school and the lengths their mothers would go to to get them in - it felt relatable and realistic and still something I haven't read before. I also really enjoyed the multiple twists that came towards the end and that it did some things differently than every other domestic thriller I'm used to reading. Overall I'd recommend this if the plot sounds interesting to you and I'll have to look into this author's backlist for more mystery/thrillers!

This was a solid mystery. The pace was a bit slow at times, but I still enjoyed reading it. There were a lot of secrets revealed - some of which didn’t see coming. All in all, it was a 4 star read for me.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC.

The School Run presents a domestic drama filled with take no prisoners mums all desperate to get their beloved sons into an exclusive high school. The lengths they will go to, the backs they’re prepared to stab and the good names they will off-handedly trash makes this a can’t-look-away page turner.

Everyone’s trying to get their sons into the uber-exclusive St Ignatius College and will go to pretty much any lengths to achieve the goal. It certainly brings out the worst in some of the mums in some pretty cringy ways. But it also makes for some lively exchanges too with shameless big-noting and the most callous back-biting proving to be de rigueur amongst these single-minded women.

The story focuses mainly on 3 mothers, Estella, Bec and Kaya each with sons and they’re all desperate to get them into this exclusive school. But it soon becomes obvious that each of these three women have a secret in their pasts, something that could be devastating to them and their sons’ prospects should it be revealed. So, from early on, we’re teased with the “other side” of their lives knowing that we’re about to be hit around the chops with some pretty wild revelations.

As we lead up to the big Gala Day where the prospective Iggy’s students will be selected as worthy for enrolling in the school, the story moves at a sedate pace. Through this phase of the story, we come to understand just how unlikable each of the main characters can be. They’re under pressure and filled with nervous expectations.

Post-Gala Day and things pick up in the most dramatic way possible. Everyone’s lives have suddenly exploded and we’re hit with one shocking twist and revelation after another.

This is a story that starts out as a straightforward domestic drama set within a small insulated community. But behind the petty squabbling and competition to be seen as better than the rest lies a series of lies and secrets that could cause their respective worlds to shift. First of all, we get an idea of just how small and insulated Pacific Pines actually is and second, just how far the mothers will go to protect their children.

This is a character driven drama that should appeal to anyone who appreciates the complexities surrounding friendships and the tolerance that comes into play. I quickly categorised each of the principal characters based on the first impressions presented to me. I later realised just how badly I had underestimated each of them. Consequently, when their respective real natures were revealed the result was rather cataclysmic.

I thought The School Run was a wonderfully paced story that was perfectly plotted to maximise the intrigue, trickling out the details of each woman’s secrets in just the right measure. It all culminates in a very satisfying ending that even manages to extend the intrigue to the very last word.

My thanks to Crooked Lane books via NetGalley for the digital ARC that enabled me to read, enjoy and review this book.

I always love a drama/thriller about mother’s doing whatever it takes for their kids and this had all of that plus some good secrets and lies. This one has some devious and downright scary ladies! There were a few twists that I didn’t see coming and the fast pace kept me on my toes. The ending brings things full circle and provided for some good character growth. This had some soapy elements which I enjoyed and would make for a wonderful beach read.

"It is what any parent would do in the circumstances, isn't it? We do what we have to, to protect our children. It is biology, pure and simple. "

Three mothers, trying their best to get their boy(s) into St Ignatius Grammar School.
Estella is a one vocal mum with her identical twins boys. Her husband has made certain donations for the school, so she really hopes that the twins will pass the selection.
Bec, a cake maker, mum of three, and she has her own secret that seems about to be exposed as she keeps receiving a threatening email from unknown.
Kaya, a single mother with her son, just moved to the area and committed to her deceased husband that she'll try her best to get their son to St Iggy.

It's such a page-turner book, from the Gala Day at St Iggy, and a hit and run accident, which will keep you guessing who done it. It's a domestic suspense thriller full of jealousy, deception, secrets, and lies. The way Ali put the epilogue made this book got my solid 5 stars!!

What can I say about Ali Lowe? She's certainly a master of school's mums story. 😆

The School Run by Ali Lowe was a gripping and suspenseful story that hooked me almost immediately. This was such a good book! A page turner for sure.
I thought this was a gripping and well-crafted psychological suspense.
The writing was great and the characters pulled me deep into their story.
With compelling characters and a unique narrative structure, it offers a gripping and intense reading experience.

Thank You NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this amazing eARC!

3I received a complimentary copy of this book via Netgalley. Opinions expressed in this review are my own.

I was excited to start reading the School Run because I love a good school parents thriller. I was pleased with the characters and the story, but I couldn't get into it.

It's a good book that I did finish, it just took longer than usual.

The School Run is one of those popcorn thrillers that you can’t look away from. It’s juicy, filled with drama, and has some over the top moms that make you want to start screaming like Will Ferrell in Anchorman. I recommend this to those who have enjoyed Liane Moriarty’s books because this one is similar in the way the story is told!

I received a complimentary copy from the publisher and all opinions expressed are mine.

This is my first Ali Lowe novel and was intrigued by the premise. How far will a mother go to get the best for their child. The book follows 3 mothers trying to get their kids in a private school. It's intriguing and it will have you questioning yourself as a parent. The characters are well developed and the plot was well done.

Rating:3.75/5

Amazing read amazing book!!!!loved every minute of it!!!! Will try other books by this author !!!!good twists n turns perfect!!!!!!

I was super excited to get this one, but honestly, it ended up just falling a little bit flat for me in the end. It was too predictable

How far would you go to assure your son’s place at an exclusive boy’s school? Neighbors Kaya, Bec, and Estella push friendship to the breaking point as they prepare for Gala Day at St. Ignatius school. Their sons will have to demonstrate athletic prowess during sports games and then pass a private interview. Highest grades are assumed. Each mother will, of course, choose sons over friendship in this killer (literally) contest. Kaya’s son Oliver has the advantage of being the son of a St. Iggy’s graduate, Bec tries to advance Cooper’s chances with her baking skills and Estella, with twins to place, keeps an enemies list. What happens on Gala Day will forever change lives and friendships.

The School Run is a delightfully complex thriller that blends competition, deception and secrets. Each of the three women is a strong character who wants only the best for her child. Will all three succeed? And just how far will they go? 5 stars.

Thank you to NetGalley, Crooked Lane Books and Ali Lowe for this ARC.

Major BLL vibes! I love books that make me think hard about class and social status. This was my first Ali Lowe read and I'll definitely pick up more of her work in the future!

I was excited about this as the description said it gave off Big Little Lies vibes and that was partially true! I loved the twists and turns - all for a spot at this very prestigious school. Social dynamics and family politics galore - this is a great descriptor of the microcosms of private schools! Well-paced and plotted, I thought the characters really kept the story going! I really enjoyed this one! Don’t miss this one!

Special thank you to Crooked Lane Books & NetGalley for providing this ARC in exchange for my honest review.