Thank you to Netgalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine | Ballantine Books for an early copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I loved this book and read it in one day. I loved the characters and the storyline. I thought the characters had great growth. I would definitely recommend this book.

I was very intrigued by the premise of this book. And then it all went to hell. This was absolutely not a book for me. I found it to be unrealistic, poorly written, and full of EVERY SINGLE far-left/progressive/conservative-hating message known to existence. Yes, I am conservative, but I do not mind reading about differing viewpoints and world views - I think it’s important to not be in a bubble. However, this book was not that. I felt like I was being pummeled over the head and being preached to - to the point of it being laugh-out-loud ridiculous. Do you get more of a chance of being published for every political progressive talking point you include? Cringeworthy. Add to that poor writing and it was just…really bad. Thanks to NetGalley and Random House for the ARC, but I was just not the audience for this.

4.25 ⭐️
This was a beautiful found family story about single mothers and their children and it was wonderful. I loved this story.

This is mostly a plot-less novel but it’s a heartfelt look at meaningful relationships between women. Not only did I find myself agreeing so much with some of the contradictions of women “friendships” and the insincere way women can treat each other, I also found myself wishing I had the type of friendship that blossomed between these single moms.

I loved Ruta’s writing and how she built each character so distinctly unique. I wish we could have spent more time in Steph’s mind. It seemed so much of the book was spent exploring Sandy but not as much with Steph or Kaya. I also found myself wishing we got to know Tana better and even James better.

I know the inconsistency of the pacing was a problem for some people but I wasn’t really bothered by it. I just wanted to keep spending time with these characters. I would love a follow up about the children of this book.
Beautiful story and I highly recommend!

***Thank you NetGalley, Domenica Ruta, and Random House for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review. ***

This book has so much heart. I love a book about found family so this was perfect for me. It's a book about strong women, motherhood and friendship.

3.5-4 stars
Single mother Sandy finds out that her deadbeat baby daddy has another child with another woman. The two women meet, bond, and help each other navigate parenting and end up forming their own unique family. You can probably guess what happens next. ;) Anyway, I didn't love a lot of the characters but I did like the growth at least some of them experienced. I also really liked how these women were so determined to make the best of their situation and were so supportive of each other.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for a free e-ARC of this book.

Single motherhood is likely chaotic enough for Sandy, never mind that the father is not good daddy material and never mind that there may be at least one other single mother living with the very same reality. Would it be such a crazy idea to get together and create their own version of what constitutes a family?

Ruta used a light touch in presenting this novel, which I did enjoy, especially as the subject matter could have been presented in a negative manner. Her humour continued throughout the book, but it wasn't quite enough to bypass some of the problems that cropped up. For example, although it led to a setup for integration of the characters, why did all these women get pregnant? It was alluded that Justin's lovemaking method was at fault, but come on. Many of the plot lines seemed forced, either for convenience or to touch all the correct bases, and some were not fully addressed, as in the case of Justin's relationship with Kaya. Sometimes the language seemed a bit rough for what Ruta was trying to present, and I thought the ending needed work. I truly loved their family, however, with all those kids behaving so very true to life.

Thanks to Random House Publishing Group-Random House and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I don’t typically love books about motherhood, but this was a good read! I think the writing style was very engaging, and kept me wanting to read. I didn’t love the pacing of the story, as it tended to drag in parts.

Fans of Margo’s Got Money Troubles and Detransition Baby will love this story of an unconventional family built by three women who share a baby daddy and decide to join forces in single motherhood. All the Mothers is about family, in all its complications and the nontraditional shapes it can take. This is also about friendship—both ride-or-die level of commitment and the superficial friendship so common among acquaintances. The book is queer and heartwarming, with no perfect bow tying everything together but closing with a happy ending nonetheless.

I almost DNFd in the first third of the book due to some serious body talk and focus on toxicity in beauty standards and female friendship, but I’m really glad I stuck with this novel. The story really picks up about 30% in and the book takes on the warmth and meaning at its core from there.

I rated All the Mothers four stars. Thank you to NetGalley and Random House for a free eARC in exchange for an honest review!

A single mother who has been dumped by the father of her baby girl connects with another woman who had a child with the same man. They become friends and then roommates. The father of the half-siblings lives with his mother and is a deadbeat dad and a serial baby daddy, trying to launch his career as a rock guitarist. His mother is a piece of work. Soon, there becomes a third woman with a baby. And so it goes... I really enjoyed this book--the author did a great job developing strong female characters who support each other. The dialogue was humorous but always felt genuine. This was an easy read that I couldn't put down!

Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read an ARC of this book. It was a wonderful story about female friendships and how they can form in the most unlikely of ways. I loved how these three women came together and made the most of a life that was far from ideal. My favorite parts were when the three of them were together. I felt that all of the characters were relatable, despite their complexities. Also of prominence is how women will do whatever is best for their children.

There were a few things that didn't set well with me:
I would have preferred that Sara and Steph hadn't become a couple. I liked them better as friends.
I think that Ash deciding that she was binary at age 8 was a bit young.
I was baffled as to how Sara was going to pay for law school.
Kaya, Kayla & Mykayla? - too confusing!

This book was both heartwarming and humorous. It took a little while to get to the gist of the story and I fel the ending dragged on a bit. Overall it was an enjoyable read.

Sandy is a single mom in her thirties. Her daughter’s father is a wanna-be rock musician and is not a great co-parent. His visits are sporadic, and financial support is barely there. When Sandy learns that her daughter has a sister, she starts stalking social media to find information. When she meets Steph, she is completely surprised that she likes her. They have a lot in common besides their baby daddy. As they begin to navigate their new relationship with their daughters, they move in together. I was very impressed with how their relationship developed. It confirms my belief that families are not always the ones you have but can be just as meaningful when it’s the family you make.

This is not a horror novel, but the situation of having a child with someone who has another child they neglected to tell you about is a terrifying idea. After getting pregnant by a man she barely knows, Sandy has to deal with an unexpected connection to the other mother, Stephanie. Despite their tenuous situation, the two women forge a connection. (Recommendation send to readers of Word Smarts email newsletter)

I wanted to like this one more than I did. It started strongly and then it just spiraled and I couldn't wait for it to be over. I think it has a good audience but that's not me.

This is a complex, emotional story about three women in New York City whose children are fathered by the same man. They form a bond and a community based on their common ground.

I enjoyed the friendships between these women, but midway through I felt like this book just became a "kitchen sink" of issues and had so many components that to me, the core story of their bond got lost. I could not relate to any of it, and I feel like that caused a disconnect for me. I liked the found family aspects, but all of the rest I just couldn't get my brain around.

I know many people have enjoyed this book, but it just didn't connect for me.

For those seeking an entertaining, engaging, and informative novel that is firmly and unapologetically rooted in the concept of chosen family, look no further than Domenica Ruta's "All the Mothers."

With tenderness and respect, she has peopled it with folks to care about who are dealing with obstacles and challenges that many face in a world where acceptance and judgment oft times come as a bundled package.

You will root for, laugh with, and occasionally feel saddened alongside three resilient women, all of whom are simply doing their best to make their mark on a world that hasn't necessarily treated them or their children with kindness, but a world that fortunately has also not managed to dampen their quest for a better life.

I thank the author, her publisher, and NetGalley for an opportunity to read a galley proof of "All the Mothers."

This book gave me such a unique reading experience that it took me a little bit to talk about it.

The depictions of single motherhood were very accurate and then adding to that mix becoming best friends with your Baby Daddy’s other Baby Mama? 🤯

Was this messy? Of course, it was! But, the way these women rose to the challenge just because they wanted to support each other and have the kids grow up together was a beautiful thing to read.

Loved, LOVED this story!

All the Mothers- Domenica Ruta @randomhouse This book is for anyone who has ever experienced a mother. Whether you have had(a good or bad) one or been one, there is something in this book that lends to women’s relationships and how complicated they can be. Also, if you have ever known a really jerky man haha. A complex read, one with a lot of depth.

3.5 Stars

This is a book about motherhood. We meet a single mom named Sandy, just trying her best while raising her daughter Rosie. She's having a hard time of it because Rosie's dad isn't always there and isn't very reliable. Then Sandy finds out that Rosie has a half-sibling, and Sandy becomes friends with the other mom, Stephanie. I especially enjoyed the relationship between Stephanie and Sandy. It proves that it doesn't have to be all War of the Roses, and doing what's best for the kids and not ourselves is the important thing.

The writing and storyline were engaging enough, and I always appreciate books that have female friendships at the heart. The interactions and decisions between the female leads were realistic. I liked how the women became a support for each other, and it often made me think of Hillary Clinton and her "It takes a village" initiative. The characters were well-developed, and I kept reading on as there was little plot, so this is definitely a character-driven story.

The idea of a book about different family dynamics was refreshing, and the execution was spot on. My only niggle is the pacing of the story was a little slow and it began to drag on. Overall, the book was entertaining, and I enjoyed the community aspect of it. And even though it isn't a perfect book, it was a heartwarming look at what challenges mothers (single or otherwise) face.

Thank you Random House and Netgalley for this ARC! When Sandy finds out she’s pregnant, Justin doesn’t really stick around and she finds herself a single parent. While on Facebook she finds another woman who has a child with Justin and decides to find Steph. When the two woman meet they hit it off and decide to move on and co parent. Not eithout bumps in the road they make it work! Come in Kaya, mother number 3 and the unconventional family once again grows. With love and healthy dose of go with the flow they make this work and become the support they need that they don’t get from baby daddy. Heartwarming and funny, cute story! 3.5⭐️’s

I really enjoyed this story - so all encompassing of motherhood and sisterhood and found family. I had trouble at times with pacing, but ultimately stayed firmly planted in the story and needed to know what happens next!