Thanks to Penguin Random House and NetGalley for an advanced readers copy of this book.

After a rather off-putting start, where we meet one of the main characters wearing only ankle boots and tattered panties as she sits on a lidless toilet, pumping breast milk, All the Mothers is a sympathetic satire involving two bright single women who learn their little girls have the same father. In focusing on this, it tackles an issue not often seen: single mothers, who do not marry their child’s father, and do not have the emotional, financial, or physical support from a partner.

The story also is notable for its thoughtful and respectful portrayal of same-sex relationships and a child who identifies as non-binary.

However, the book becomes a bit of a farce when they learn a third young woman also has a child fathered by the same man. All three are very attractive and talented in different ways, and they find joyful schemes for sharing strengths and facing threats. Unfortunately, that adds a layer of unreality to a book that can also provide instruction and inspiration on how to thrive when women are raising children without fathers.

I really enjoyed reading All the Mothers, although some of the characters frustrating at times, but in a relatable way! The main character is Sandy, who has had a string of bad relationships, ending with the last one getting her pregnant with no real commitment. She discovers that he has a child with another woman, and gets to know her, finding that they get along well. One thing I really enjoyed about this book is that all the characters were pretty complex, they do bad, or annoying things, but they generally have redeeming qualities too. I enjoyed the arc of this story, and also find the living situation something that more single mothers should do if it works for them!

I wasn't sure what to expect from the premise of this book. I thought it would be a story of two mothers on their own learning to live and deal with each other, grow from each other but this book was so much more than that. Being able to see Steph and Sandy develop and grow on their own but also together was quite special. In the beginning I thought the pace zipped in a way where nothing really was happening but I understand looking back maybe that was the point, that Sandy was floating through life with an unfulfilling group of friends. Her social network did nothing to add to her sense of self and slowly her separating from that helped her develop. I loved how they became a blended family. I worried that a trope of competition would grow between the women, like how society constantly pits women against each other, I worried the women would compete for best mother, best friend, best relationship to Justin but that didn't happen. Seeing these women adapt and love each other more through challenges was really heartwarming. You had such a sense of why each character was the way they were and I appreciated the minutiae that formed from the flashes of perspective switch in the third person. So glad I got the chance to read this book, have recommended it already to several friends!

Thank you to NetGalley for this free copy in exchange for an honest review. I simply loved this book! It captured my attention right from the beginning! And I couldn't wait to see how it all played out. I loved that it focused on so many women's issues big and small. The characters were amazing. I loved their depth and their humor and their instant love for each other and each other's babies because, essentially don't all babies deserve love and belonging without question. I love how families are made out of love. I loved the fierceness of their friendship and acceptance of each other. I highly recommend this book.

Thanks to Netgalley for the E-ARC. This is about 3 women Steph, Sandy, and Kaya all have kids at different stages of their lives from the same man Justin who is a complete loser and never changes through the whole story. The story navigates the lives of these women and how they choose to all be a part of each others lives so their children can grow up knowing each other which was really remarkable to read. At points this was a hard read because it was so real it was as if art was imitating art because I could picture women going thru this.

Thank you Random House and NetGalley for the ARC!

All The Mothers was a title I was invited to read, and my goodness I had no idea how transformative it would be. As a mom of a toddler, I have learned through my life experience that it truly takes a village to raise a child. Villages look different for each person, and this book was a perfect illustration of the kind of village that exists to support a child. I loved the characters and the way these moms all joined forces to become a chosen family, Such a wonderful read!

Thank you again for the ARC!

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.