Thank you Flatiron for an early copy of this book and Macmillan audio for an ALC! All opinions are my own.

This was messy, absurd, toxic, a little funny, and just an all around good time. I had such a fun time with this one. The absurdity of the situations these characters found themselves in is not relatable by any means, and they certainly aren’t likable characters, but that’s what I loved about it. It reminded me of a scripted reality show, with some darker undertones.

The story kept me hooked and needing to know who was behind everything and how everything was going to end up. Overall, I was satisfied with the story and ending and would definitely recommend this one. It would be a perfect poolside summer read tbh!

I loved the narrator, it was my first time hearing her and I think she did a great job bringing this story to life. It’s single narration, and she brought a lot of personality to her voices and was able to differentiate her voice during scenes with dialogue really well, so I never felt lost. I would definitely listen to this narrator again!

4.5 stars rounded up

Thank you so much to @macmillan.audio and @netgalley for the gifted audiobook!

So I’ll be honest here: I read Bad Summer People by Emma Rosenblum a couple of years ago when I first got back into reading, and I…really did not care for it. When I saw this book, though, I liked the premise and decided to give it a try. I’m SO glad I did!

I FLEW through this! It is chock full of juicy drama and definitely reminiscent of the cattiness you would find in a guilty pleasure Bravo show. All of the characters are unlikable, making bad choices, and doing bad things. If that’s a turn off for you in a book, I might kindly suggest that this is not the book for you. While you probably won’t like the characters, you will be highly entertained by them and 𝓂𝒾𝑔𝒽𝓉 even start to feel a little sympathy for some of them near the end. It was also helpful that the story is told in multi-POV because it adds to the depth of character development (or lack thereof).

This book is DEFINITELY satirical and hilarious. As in, I actually laughed out loud multiple times. It has lots of details that allude to current events and gives the book a modern feel. It also has a great mystery aspect to it with some twists that did surprise me a bit and added to the story’s entertainment.

Mean Moms moves at a fast pace and therefore is highly bingeable! It’s such a fun read and I loved it!

Emma Rosenblum writes a propulsive, witty novel about wealthy NYC moms and their toxic circle of parents in an exclusive Manhattan private school. This is her best novel yet!

We are whisked into the tempestuous world of Frost, Morgan and Nell, their families, and their drama! Do not miss this fantastic piece of rich people behaving badly!

January Lavoy is excellent in the narration of this story! Mean mom's will debut on July 29, 2025. Thank you to MacMillan Audio and Netgalley for the ALC.

🎧 ; 4/5 ⭐️

ARC for review - thank you NetGalley and Flatiron Books!

Mean Moms follow rich, private NYC school moms, Frost (a cool name fitting for a very cool character), Belle, and Morgan. Their clique starts to experience troubling (and dangerous) situations when new mom, Sofia, joins their cool mom’s group. But leave it to mom’s to get to the bottom of what is going on… hopefully, before it’s too late…

As a young mom myself, I found this book to be relatable, funny, and good ‘light’ mystery / thriller. As we all know, some mean girls never grow up. Add in NYC rich elitism, and voilà, a great book combination. Mean Moms is a great, quick read / listen on walks pushing the stroller or relaxing on the beach.

Lastly, the narrator, January LaVoy, did a great job with all the characters and bringing the story to life.

Mean Moms by Emma Rosenblum is a psychological thriller that offers a peek into the lives of New York City’s wealthy and elite. When Sofia, a newcomer, joins the tight-knit circle of private school moms, strange and unsettling things begin to happen. This seemingly untouchable group, cushioned by privilege, suddenly finds itself under threat. As the incidents escalate, so do the suspicions and jealousies within the group.

I really enjoyed this audiobook! The story unfolds through multiple points of view, but each character is well developed that it’s easy to keep track. Narrator January LaVoy does a fantastic job bringing the characters and drama to life.

I’m giving this book 4 stars and highly recommend it if you’re in the mood for a fast-paced read with plenty of drama. The plot moves quickly, with something always happening to keep you hooked—and it keeps you guessing.

Thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the advance listening copy!

3.5⭐️

Mean Moms is a fun look into the New York privileged mom world. I felt that this was a well written book and the narrator really shined and elevated the story. While I enjoyed this book, I felt like maybe it just wasn’t for me. It’s no fault of the book and more a matter of personal taste.

Some of the character depth was lacking for me but the plot was very entertaining. Reminiscent of a reality show or tabloid of the New York upper class private school moms.

This one was fun—capital letters, bold font, full stop. Mean Moms is a sharp, slightly savage take on private school culture, elitist parenting, and the perfectly curated chaos behind closed doors. The characters were all completely unlikable… and honestly? That worked for me. It fit the tone, the satire, and the ridiculousness of the world they inhabited.

January LaVoy’s narration added exactly the right energy. Her voice has this smooth, rhythmic cadence that makes even the most absurd moments feel elevated. I always perk up when I see her name attached to a project; she knows how to deliver drama with just the right amount of bite.

If you’re into messy characters, high-stakes social politics, and a little murder on the side, this is a fun one to throw in your earbuds.

Liked this much better then I expected to since I’m not 100-% an audio book fan. While on a road trip it kept me interested and focused!

Whew this was a fun ride! I always love rich people (and especially rich moms) acting poorly! This is giving Desperate Housewives and Big Little Lies. I really enjoyed the plot and premise. The audiobook was a good listen and I loved all the voices and accents. Even with all the characters, it was easy to follow. I chuckled outloud several times.

I was super excited for the next Emma Rosenblum book after loving Bad Summer People and Mean Moms is a good follow up!

It’s Real Housewives meets the vibe of that Hugh Grant Nicole Kidman Netflix show we were all watching during Covid, minus the murdery part.

Thanks to NetGalley for the advance copy!

I really enjoyed Mean Moms by Emma Rosenblen. It was an easy and engaging listen that kept me hooked throughout. The story offers a sharp and witty satire of the privileged world of Manhattan private school moms, blending humor with suspense as mysterious misfortunes start to plague the main characters. The dynamic between Frost, Morgan, and Belle, along with the intriguing newcomer Sofia, made for a captivating exploration of friendship, jealousy, and social rivalry. The book’s mix of mystery and social commentary was both entertaining and thought-provoking, making it a satisfying read from start to finish. I’m grateful to have received an ARC from NetGalley to experience this clever and fun novel.

The narrator was stellar. The book was good but how much one enjoys it has a lot to do with how they like their mystery and suspense. This is a suspense deconstructed in my opinion, when the crime took place and how a reader is attached to the characters will vary. The social commentary was interesting element but it was not enough to prop up the suspense.

Mean Moms wasn’t quite for me, but I can definitely see the appeal. It gives off strong “mean girls all grown up” energy, and the characters are absolutely ratchet in the best way for this type of story. They’re not relatable at all, which feels intentional, and it really works. The vulgarity didn’t land for me personally, but I know I’m in the minority there. If you love chaotic rich-mom drama, toxic friendships, and the delicious downfall of the elite, this one might just be your next guilty pleasure! One big plus: the audiobook narrator did a fantastic job juggling all the characters and brought a ton of energy to the chaos!!

I thoroughly enjoyed this book! The setting was one of my favorites. The characters were well developed and the story line kept me turning the pages!

I loved this, it was SO FUN. A wonderful addition to the "rich people problems" genre. I also really enjoyed the narrator January LaVoy!

Thanks to NetGalley for an ALC. I feel like this is the exact type of book I want at the beginning of summer- rich, imperfect people who try to pretend everything is great while covering up bigger secrets than anyone else has. And some private school drama, too. Sign me up!

Desperate Housewives meets Sex and the City in this banger by Emma by Rosenblum. This is an easy 5 stars!!!!

This audiobook had me walking an extra mile each day until I finished it because I was so invested in who was messing with these women's lives. And let me tell you...you'll never guess. Like ever. Well played, Emma, well played.

I loved this one and you will too!

Also, I love the name "Frost".

Thank you to Macmillan Audio for gifting me a copy. It is my pleasure to write an honest review.

This was a fun and juicy listen! The story had a great pace, with enough drama, mystery, and rich-mom chaos to keep me hooked. I really liked the narrator—she brought the characters to life and made the whole thing feel like a gossip session I didn’t want to end.

My only complaint is that I wish there was a little more depth to the characters. They were entertaining, but I didn’t always feel super connected to them. Still, it was a wild ride through fancy NYC schools, secret grudges, and mom-group politics. Definitely worth a listen if you’re in the mood for something dramatic and a little over the top.

I really wanted to love Mean Moms—especially because I’ve genuinely enjoyed the author’s previous two books—but I found myself struggling with this one. The setup had promise: Frost, Morgan, and Belle are picture-perfect NYC moms whose lives revolve around themed parties, private school prestige, and social power plays. When Sofia, a glamorous newcomer from Miami, enters their world, the story hints at dark twists and hidden motives.

But instead of feeling fresh, the plot felt like déjà vu. We’ve seen the “bad moms behaving badly” trope so many times lately that it was hard to find something new here. While the writing is sharp and there are moments of wit, the overall arc felt like a rehash of themes that have already dominated similar books—mean girls all grown up, mommy drama in elite schools, the mystery of the "new girl" who might not be what she seems.

I appreciate the attempt at satire and the undercurrent of suspense, but the characters lacked the depth or complexity that could have made this stand out. Ultimately, it just didn’t hit the same way her other books did, and I found myself more frustrated than entertained.

Mean Moms by Emma Rosenblum is a fast-paced story for those who enjoy drama and over-the-top moms. It also features a light mystery that complements the main plot. The audiobook narration was great. The narrator had the accents down for each of the characters. If you liked both Mean Girls and Bad Moms this has a similar vibe but with the Manhattan upper east side vibe. It’s an excellent book to break through a reading slump.