Housemoms

by Jen Lancaster

Three grown women find escape and camaraderie on sorority row in a delightfully exhilarating novel about fresh starts, whether you want them or not, by New York Times bestselling author Jen Lancaster. How fast can charity fundraiser CeCe Barclay’s unimpeachable society life come tumbling down? One minute she’s speaking before Chicago’s glitterati. The next, her financier husband is wanted for embezzlement. Her assets seized and her fall mortifyingly public, CeCe grasps for refuge―and employment―as a sorority housemom at Eli Whitney University, her daughter Hayden’s alma mater. Tasked with preparing a stately―but in CeCe’s estimation shabby―house for rush, CeCe isn’t the only one navigating a new life. Janelle Smith’s last experience as a housemother was at a Jersey strip club, where she witnessed a mob hit. To keep her safe until trial, WITSEC finds her a new identity and a housemom position on Eli Whitney’s sorority row, where Janelle’s conflict mediation and tolerance for high estrogen levels make her a star employee. For Hayden, a barista at a hopelessly hip off-campus café, the goal is to flee everything the money, the scandals, and the exasperating family nonsense. What next? Though CeCe’s not ready to sell her Chanel bag, she’s open to reinvention. Hayden might even admit she needs help in her new independent life. And Janelle’s due for a personal triumph. But big challenges loom between the alabaster columns of Eli Whitney, unexpected and dicey enough to bring them all together―if only to keep them from falling completely apart.

Genres: Fiction, Contemporary, Chick Lit, Humor, Romance, Ebooks, Audiobook

268 pages, Hardcover

Published November 1, 2023

About the author

Jen Lancaster is the author of her own memoirs including: as Bitter is the New Black, Bright Lights, Big Ass, Such A Pretty Fat, Pretty in Plaid, My Fair Lazy, and the newest: Jeneration X.

She has also dabbled with fiction in her first book, If You Were Here.

Reviews

[Tripping Mom · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the book itself, but only gave it 3 stars because every single storyline was left unresolved. I get this was supposed to be a script for a TV show and so needed something to continue week to week BUT…since it was turned into a book it needs to be treated differently. Is there supposed to be a sequel?? It just ended so abruptly that it soured the enjoyment I got from the book.

[Les · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was all over the place for me at times I loathed it and others I enjoyed it I was mostly disappointed when I started to enjoy it at 94% done and realized it was going to be a quick wrap up

In the end notes the author explains that this story began it's a life as a TV Pilot which somehow made the awkwardness of the book seem more logical

It is a book about women but really stereotypical sit com women not real women

The characters are unrealistic and the plot is stupid

[Kimberly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyable, but slightly disjointed, story of women who find their way into being house mothers for sororities. Readable.

[Barbie Bumpus · Rating 2 out of 5]

There was too much of a backstory and way too many characters. Some parts seemed to drag on & some should’ve been cut out. The ending seemed thrown together & really rushed. It ended rather abruptly. Some parts of the book did make me laugh, but it just wasn’t for me. I got this for free on Amazon & selected it as my second free book for October. I only chose it because others were hyping up the author. This book was supposed to be a tv series that was shelved & I can see why. I was disappointed.

[Lynn Siegler · Rating 2 out of 5]

I got this as a freebie from Amazon first reads. It held my attention, but when I realized I was 75% into the book…it was surprising as the plot just started to gel. There was WAY too much backstory leading up to pledge week at the sororities, but beyond opening the door, it was over. Given this book was suppose to be a tv series that got shelved, all that character development went into the story, and became THE story.

I will not be rereading this one. Delete from the kindle.

[Elizabeth · Rating 1 out of 5]

Thanks to NetGalley and Little A for my ARC in exchange for my honest review. This book was published November 1, 2023.

This is the 17th book I’ve read by this author. I loved her memoirs, but started to lose interest when she started writing fiction.

I thought this book was a mess. It felt choppy and the characters were annoying. I could feel Jen’s humor coming through but the plot was boring, strange and farfetched.

If you’re a fan of the older Jen books, I’d skip this one.

[Kelsey Curtis · Rating 2 out of 5]

2⭐️
No point to the story. Don’t recommend.

[Jenna Bookss · Rating 1 out of 5]

The stories lead up to ....NOTHING. Long drug out stories and yea the rich broad found some niceness ans maybe her and her kid are OK but it just ends. Easy read good story kinda, but left hanging.

[Amanda Webster · Rating 1 out of 5]

I'm a sorority house director in real life, so I was curious to read this to see if the author's imagining of what it's like to be a "housemom" is anywhere close to reality. It's not.

I mean, I know different universities manage their Greek organizations in their own ways, but a lot of the details in this story were just unrealistic. I'd be curious to hear what other housemoms think (I doubt I'm the only one here. Also, am I the only one who finds it cringy that they still insist on using the term "housemom" in this century?)

As for the story, it's a bunch of caricatures in contrived situations that left me shaking my head at the sheer silliness of it all.

[Christine Savukinas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Three and a half stars. It was cute but it left me wanting more. At the end of the book Jen explains that the characters in this story were actually created from a screenplay that got shelved, so she turned it into a book. It’s really a more if a novella - a lot happens in a short period of time, then it’s over. I love Jen’s sarcasm and humor and it’s been a while since she published a book, and I enjoyed it!

[Megan Cox · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was starting to enjoy this book and it abruptly ended. I was left having to check other reviews to ensure that I didn't have a broken download of it. Bizarre and it completely soured my take on the book.

[Vicki · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought this one sounded like it would be so cute, but I honestly found it to be pretty boring and the characters just did not resonate with me...at all. Probably the main reason is simply that they were all annoying. Maybe it has to do with my age compared to how a young mom might feel/act when trying to change her life which they at least were trying to better themselves.

I typically like 1st person narration which this is...by all the different main characters. In this case for whatever reason, it didn't work for me very well. The transitions from on POV to another were not smooth but seemed disjointed, so that left me confused at times and having to go back and check a few things out even though this was a simple read. I am sure this book is great for some readers, but not for me. I didn't hate it though and I would read this author's work again.

I would like to thank NetGalley and the publisher for a free e-ARC in exchange for my honest opinion which I have given.

[Chantelle Marshall · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.2 stars (Kindle). I'm not exactly sure what I just read. It's like "The House Bunny" with mobsters, pole dancers, witness protection program, trust-fund babies, pedophilia, fraud, + conspiracy theories. It started abruptly + ended just as disturbingly quick. It was intended to be a screenplay? Too much packed into one story with little, or no, context. I'm so confused 😕

[Bethany · Rating 2 out of 5]

Disappointed

I chose this book for free as my First Reads for October and I'm pretty disappointed. There was SO. MANY. unnecessary details that the book could have been shortened by about 50-75 pages. For an ebook with less than 300 pages it took me at least 5 days to read it. The first 200 or so pages were painfully slow. Then it started getting good and I was interested! Then I noticed I only had about 15 pages left in the book and I realized that was not a good sign.

I know this was supposed to be a TV series so sure, the most exciting and best parts would be saved towards the end, but I think that's where it went wrong. After the TV series got shelved, this book should have been heavily edited and rearranged.

If you like slow burn (and I mean really SLOW) novels that get wrapped up quickly, you'll probably enjoy this. Maybe because of this there will be a second book? Who knows.

To reiterate: I didn't hate this book. The story line was there! It could have been great if it had a better structure, less details, and didn't get wrapped up so quickly.

I gave this book 2 stars instead of 1 because it did keep me entertained towards the end and I enjoyed the humor (I did laugh out loud a few times) and the characters. CeCe's character development was pretty great but it was too short to really notice. Again there was no happy medium with this book. It was way too slow and then way too fast. I would skip this one or just wait until it goes on sale to purchase it cheap or for free.

Like CeCe said "mistakes were made".

[Erin · Rating 1 out of 5]

Jen Lancaster should be ashamed of herself for charging everyone for a full book when it’s a half book at best. There is not a single character resolution. She just ends the book in the middle of a plot. I am confused, angry, and frustrated that I spent my time getting to know characters and investing in them only to be left with what is possibly the LAZIEST ENDING TO A BOOK EVER (and that includes my first grade book on my dog where I just said, He pood.

[Lori Boyd · Rating 3 out of 5]

So enjoyed Bitter is the New Black, so I jumped to read this book. Story is about a group of sorority Housemothers, their background, how they landed there and their current situations.

I envisioned a fun read, with laugh out loud situations, it was on the fun side, but much slower than I expected. Many characters that I could not connect with, storyline jumped from each character and seemed very disjointed. This could work as a beach read for a young mom, able to pick up and down easily.

Thanks to Little A and NetGalley for this ARC. This is my honest opinion.

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Jen’s nonfiction books but I usually struggle a bit getting into her fiction ones. Of course her hilarious writing style is what brings me back every time! This one was worth the trying to get into it, I ended up really enjoying it!

[CammieOH · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh! Thank you thank you thank you to kindle first reads for giving me an abysmal choice of books this month that had me take a chance on this gem!! It’s just what I needed to get me out of my reading slump!

Strong female main characters brought out by expert descriptive writing skills. Funny one liners! Unusual plot (at least to me who knows nothing about sororities and who now wishes I would have pledged all those years ago- especially if I would have met this eclectic group of housemoms!)

Yes, I loved this book and now I have to buy up everything this beautiful author has written. Also note to author: TEL ME WHAT HAPPENS NEXT! Sequel????

[Danielle]

DNF'd at 21%

[Katie · Rating 3 out of 5]

eh ? what the heck happened to the ending?

I thought the build up was good, characters were interesting. But then… it just ended?! I understand ending on a cliffhanger but… it just ends. Like mid meeting. I don’t understand that 🙄. Anywho, not sure if it’s reading the next one if we are just going to be left hanging on a freaking ledge.

[Kelsi Pilcher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Who knew SCANDAL, SISTERHOOD, and SHRIMP (lots of shrimp) would make for a feel good, laugh out loud, read??

HOUSEMOMS by Jen Lancaster is more than just a story about sorority house mothers preparing for Rush; this book through all its satire and comedy is layered with feminist ideologies and Catholicism, which ironically go hand in hand, and as the characters navigate family, finances, and their futures, the bonds of sisterhood have never been stronger.

As a member of a sorority, I especially enjoyed this nostalgic trip down memory lane and can’t wait to read whatever Jen is working on next, especially when: “Sometimes the sequel is even better than the original”

[Chanele · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a cute, easy read with a lot of amusing characters. One is hiding from the mob, another is hiding from scandal, and yet another is hiding from her wealth. The story circles around women living in a small midwestern college town, trying to rebuild, refresh, or restart. While they weren’t all always likeable, they all had a role in driving the story along. The story seemed to end open, but it clearly was set up for a sequel. I wasn’t even upset about the storylines that weren’t neatly tied up because this story was really all about the characters. I’d read the sequel. Allegedly they can be better than the original. ;)

[Laura · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was very disappointing bc I thought it had a TON of potential, but fell really flat. I agree with my friend's review, in that I, too, didn't know the beginning took place in a strip club and I also didn't realize/remember the age of Janelle. All the characters felt really shallow. All chapters were told from a different character's POV, but I often had trouble remembering which character was "talking" in the middle of the chapter.

[Lisa]

DNF

[Lori Ladd · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not for avid readers

The book needed to focus on one character. 3 characters were too much for this author. I don't want to say anymore. Last thing, the ending was such a letdown.

[Teresa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun!

It is 3:36am as I type this!
I appreciated how Lancaster wove together three women's lives, their perspectives, and the story as a whole. There were thoughtful details that nailed it.
Why didn't I give it five stars if I enjoyed it so? I'm questioning this myself....
Anyhoo, if you're deciding if you should start this book or not, go for it.

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this! I totally disagree with other reviews that say the story felt disjointed - there were clear links between each of the women, and I loved all of them.

I especially enjoyed seeing how CeCe & Hayden’s relationship flourished away from Chip; I feel like their struggles to fully bond with each other were very relatable, and I’m glad that everybody got their happy ending. 🩷

[Tracy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoy Jen Lancaster’s writing and so liked reading this book. But did I miss the part where there’s a Book Two? I got to the last chapter and felt like “Wow. There’s a whole lot to wind up in just one chapter. I’m starting to worry it won’t happen.” Sadly, it didn’t. Lots of good storylines. All unresolved. I need a little more closure than this.

[Ayanna Anderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Totally Good Series in the Making

This was a fun and easy read with a few life lessons along the way, but not totally in your face seriousness. I can’t imagine why this wouldn’t be a big hit as a binge watching show that delves into the lives of each mom and more!

[Brenda Theune · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was about ready to give this a 4, but there was a time-line issue that I just couldn’t get over. However, this was a fun, easy read that left me laughing out loud. I’ll probably read more of her books when I need a quick escape.