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The School Run
How far would you go to protect your children?
For parents living in the beautiful coastal town of Pacific Pines, all their hopes and dreams are pinned on the outcome of the annual Gala Day hosted by St Ignatius Boys' School. To be accepted into the prestigious institution, their sons must battle it out, facing rigorous rounds of physical and mental tests. Their parents will stop at nothing to ensure their sons succeed.
But after one boy is struck down in a hit and run, the scandals, secrets and lies that entangle three mothers threaten to unravel their seemingly perfect lives . . .
How far will the women go to protect their reputations - and their families?
For parents living in the beautiful coastal town of Pacific Pines, all their hopes and dreams are pinned on the outcome of the annual Gala Day hosted by St Ignatius Boys' School. To be accepted into the prestigious institution, their sons must battle it out, facing rigorous rounds of physical and mental tests. Their parents will stop at nothing to ensure their sons succeed.
But after one boy is struck down in a hit and run, the scandals, secrets and lies that entangle three mothers threaten to unravel their seemingly perfect lives . . .
How far will the women go to protect their reputations - and their families?
350 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 5, 2024
195 people are currently reading
2261 people want to read
About the author
Ali Lowe
6 books317 followersAli Lowe is the author of bestselling novels The Trivia Night, The Running Club, The School Run and The Private Island. Ali is a journalist by profession: she was Features Editor at OK! in London and has written widely for magazines, websites and newspapers. She has dual Australian and British citizenship and lives in Sydney with her family. Follow Ali on Instagram @ali_lowe_author
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 378 reviews
April 1, 2024
For the past three years, the elite private school of St. Ignatius’ Boys’ Grammar School has hosted the daunting test of brain and brawn known as Gala Day for all eleven-year-olds looking to attend the illustrious institution. Held only once a year, boys battle it out on the rugby field and in arduous admission interviews as their parents look on with bated breath. Only then will they receive word of whether they are worthy of attending the likes of St. Ignatius, fondly known as Iggy.
This year, three mothers and their four sons are in the running for a place in the entering class. Kaya Sterling and her son, Ollie, have moved hundreds of miles after the death of her husband after his dying wish was for Ollie to attend Iggy’s. Estella Munro, the devoted mother to twins Archie and Jonty, hopes that their admission will heal her dark past with the school. And Bec Lloyd wants nothing more than for her one and only son, Cooper, to have the best chance in his future life thanks to the leg up that Iggy’s could provide.
Amongst them, they view each other as friends—but also competition. Willing to do anything and everything for their male progeny, their cutthroat behavior surprises even themselves. But it’s the hit-and-run accident the very night of Gala Day that will show their true mettle. Was the individual struck down on the side of the road by happenstance? Or was there something more sinister at play? As accusations start to fly and secrets threaten to be revealed, it will take everything these three women have to remain standing at the end of the day.
If you love take-no-prisoners parents, the intricacies of female friendship, and oodles and oodles of secrets, The School Run should most certainly find a home in your TBR. Between the multiple POVs and the deftly woven plot, I was swept up in the premise despite its somewhat slow burn. Well, until the halfway point, that is. After that, it was one hairpin twist after another as secrets and lies were exposed.
The characters, however, were definitely the stars of this impeccable drama. True-to-life yet impossibly over-the-top, their behaviors took what any normal mother would do and amped it up to a ten. Initially, I felt somewhat underwhelmed by the three main character’s devilish behaviors, but by the last one hundred pages, I was utterly floored. Needless to say, if these types of individuals were around at my private school when I was growing up, it would’ve made the gossip oh so much more delicious!
As I mentioned, the plot was a mashup of domestic drama and a well-layered tale of suspense. With secrets reaching back into the past as well as plenty of sinful acts and unrivaled competition, there was plenty to keep me intrigued. And despite the fact that there were three primary POVs, each had distinct personas that drew me in deep. So much so, in fact, that I would love to see this book adapted to the silver screen. After all, there was just so much to love, including a rather stunning conclusion.
Done and dusted, this book had me from hello with its snippy banter and dynamite characters. Perfect for fans of Liane Moriarty or Celeste Ng, the page-turning plot pulled all the right strings to win me over hook, line, and sinker. After all, it was witty and insightful, with an insular community that exaggerated genuine characteristics and made me think long and hard. Even better, it introduced me to a stellar new-to-me author. Rating of 4.5 stars.
Thank you to Ali Lowe and Crooked Lane Books for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
PUB DATE: Out now!
Trigger warning: pedestrian versus car accident, death of a spouse, sexual extortion, inappropriate relationship, mention of: terminal cancer, adoption, suicide, teen pregnancy
This year, three mothers and their four sons are in the running for a place in the entering class. Kaya Sterling and her son, Ollie, have moved hundreds of miles after the death of her husband after his dying wish was for Ollie to attend Iggy’s. Estella Munro, the devoted mother to twins Archie and Jonty, hopes that their admission will heal her dark past with the school. And Bec Lloyd wants nothing more than for her one and only son, Cooper, to have the best chance in his future life thanks to the leg up that Iggy’s could provide.
Amongst them, they view each other as friends—but also competition. Willing to do anything and everything for their male progeny, their cutthroat behavior surprises even themselves. But it’s the hit-and-run accident the very night of Gala Day that will show their true mettle. Was the individual struck down on the side of the road by happenstance? Or was there something more sinister at play? As accusations start to fly and secrets threaten to be revealed, it will take everything these three women have to remain standing at the end of the day.
If you love take-no-prisoners parents, the intricacies of female friendship, and oodles and oodles of secrets, The School Run should most certainly find a home in your TBR. Between the multiple POVs and the deftly woven plot, I was swept up in the premise despite its somewhat slow burn. Well, until the halfway point, that is. After that, it was one hairpin twist after another as secrets and lies were exposed.
The characters, however, were definitely the stars of this impeccable drama. True-to-life yet impossibly over-the-top, their behaviors took what any normal mother would do and amped it up to a ten. Initially, I felt somewhat underwhelmed by the three main character’s devilish behaviors, but by the last one hundred pages, I was utterly floored. Needless to say, if these types of individuals were around at my private school when I was growing up, it would’ve made the gossip oh so much more delicious!
As I mentioned, the plot was a mashup of domestic drama and a well-layered tale of suspense. With secrets reaching back into the past as well as plenty of sinful acts and unrivaled competition, there was plenty to keep me intrigued. And despite the fact that there were three primary POVs, each had distinct personas that drew me in deep. So much so, in fact, that I would love to see this book adapted to the silver screen. After all, there was just so much to love, including a rather stunning conclusion.
Done and dusted, this book had me from hello with its snippy banter and dynamite characters. Perfect for fans of Liane Moriarty or Celeste Ng, the page-turning plot pulled all the right strings to win me over hook, line, and sinker. After all, it was witty and insightful, with an insular community that exaggerated genuine characteristics and made me think long and hard. Even better, it introduced me to a stellar new-to-me author. Rating of 4.5 stars.
Thank you to Ali Lowe and Crooked Lane Books for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
PUB DATE: Out now!
Trigger warning: pedestrian versus car accident, death of a spouse, sexual extortion, inappropriate relationship, mention of: terminal cancer, adoption, suicide, teen pregnancy
March 22, 2025
⭐️ 5 ⭐️
The School Run
Plot:
In the coastal town of Pacific Pines, parents are desperate for their sons to succeed in the prestigious St Ignatius Boys' School Gala Day, where intense tests determine acceptance. But when a boy is struck in a hit and run, the secrets and lies of three mothers threaten to expose everything, forcing them to decide how far they'll go to protect their families and reputations.
My Thoughts:
I couldn’t put this down! I really enjoyed every moment I was reading this. The whole thriller and mystery part wasn’t earthshaking but I liked how the story was believable and continued to keep me guessing.
The theme of family and parenting is eye opening and thought-provoking. I was constantly connecting and thinking about my own children while reading this. I loved how the female characters were all so unique. At times, I was even laughing.
I won’t hesitate to pick up another book from Ali Lowe. My next thriller read will most likely be one of her’s.
The School Run
Plot:
In the coastal town of Pacific Pines, parents are desperate for their sons to succeed in the prestigious St Ignatius Boys' School Gala Day, where intense tests determine acceptance. But when a boy is struck in a hit and run, the secrets and lies of three mothers threaten to expose everything, forcing them to decide how far they'll go to protect their families and reputations.
My Thoughts:
I couldn’t put this down! I really enjoyed every moment I was reading this. The whole thriller and mystery part wasn’t earthshaking but I liked how the story was believable and continued to keep me guessing.
The theme of family and parenting is eye opening and thought-provoking. I was constantly connecting and thinking about my own children while reading this. I loved how the female characters were all so unique. At times, I was even laughing.
I won’t hesitate to pick up another book from Ali Lowe. My next thriller read will most likely be one of her’s.
April 5, 2024
This is one of the most twisty books I think I have ever read, with every chapter there is so much more to learn about the three main characters in this story and I tell you I was guessing all the way through and the end really had me wondering about some people, how far would you go to get your child into the school you wanted them to go to?
There is a school in the coastal town of Pacific Pines, St Ignatius Boys School and they have a gala day each year to choose the students who will be accepted for the coming year, it is a very sporty school as well as academic and everyone who is anyone wants their son to attend and there are three mothers who will go to any lengths to get their son accepted.
Estella, is the mother a teenage daughter and of identical twin boys Jonty and Archie and Estella is determined to get them both in to Iggy’s she has a plan she goes full steam ahead with it.
Bec has a two daughters and a son Cooper, who is trying out as well, Bec is a fantastic baker of cakes, everyone one loves cakes surely so a nice donation is sure to help Coper’s chance.
Kaya’s son’s name is Ollie who is an only child and they has just moved to Pacific Pines as a dying wish to her husband that Ollie will attend Iggy’s like he did, cleaning duty, baptism and a healthy donation are sure to work, you would think.
All of these mothers have secrets will they be uncovered?
Gala day arrives and at the end of the day when a young boy is knocked down and left to die, lives start to unravel, secrets are uncovered, connections are made between these three women that could start major scandals. But mothers being mothers will do anything in their power to protect the ones they love most and their own reputations.
I did very much enjoy this one and honestly the ending left me speechless, it is one that I would highly recommend to any reader of a good twisty mystery.
There is a school in the coastal town of Pacific Pines, St Ignatius Boys School and they have a gala day each year to choose the students who will be accepted for the coming year, it is a very sporty school as well as academic and everyone who is anyone wants their son to attend and there are three mothers who will go to any lengths to get their son accepted.
Estella, is the mother a teenage daughter and of identical twin boys Jonty and Archie and Estella is determined to get them both in to Iggy’s she has a plan she goes full steam ahead with it.
Bec has a two daughters and a son Cooper, who is trying out as well, Bec is a fantastic baker of cakes, everyone one loves cakes surely so a nice donation is sure to help Coper’s chance.
Kaya’s son’s name is Ollie who is an only child and they has just moved to Pacific Pines as a dying wish to her husband that Ollie will attend Iggy’s like he did, cleaning duty, baptism and a healthy donation are sure to work, you would think.
All of these mothers have secrets will they be uncovered?
Gala day arrives and at the end of the day when a young boy is knocked down and left to die, lives start to unravel, secrets are uncovered, connections are made between these three women that could start major scandals. But mothers being mothers will do anything in their power to protect the ones they love most and their own reputations.
I did very much enjoy this one and honestly the ending left me speechless, it is one that I would highly recommend to any reader of a good twisty mystery.
March 5, 2024
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.
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.
February 8, 2024
Ali Lowe has done it again! Her domestic suspense thrillers are so binge worthy, full of terrible people and tricky situations…I love it! The School Run was so addictive, and like a car crash, you just could not look away as these characters got themselves into more and more trouble.
The mothers of boys in the exclusive suburb of Pacific Pines in Sydney all want one thing, a place for their sons at St Ignatius Boys School. It will set them up for life. But getting in is not easy, and these 3 mothers will stop at nothing to get their boys in. How far will they go though? Nothing seems to be too much for these women, but they all have their secrets that they are desperate to keep. The stakes are raised even higher when a boy is hit by a car and left for dead.
This book gave me all the vibes of big little lies crossed with the hunger games. It was insane what these women would do for their boys. I loved the way the women worked with and against each other.. were they friends or enemies? You will have to read it to find out.
Thanks so much to Hodder and Stoughton for the advanced copy of this book to read. Publishes on February 29th.
The mothers of boys in the exclusive suburb of Pacific Pines in Sydney all want one thing, a place for their sons at St Ignatius Boys School. It will set them up for life. But getting in is not easy, and these 3 mothers will stop at nothing to get their boys in. How far will they go though? Nothing seems to be too much for these women, but they all have their secrets that they are desperate to keep. The stakes are raised even higher when a boy is hit by a car and left for dead.
This book gave me all the vibes of big little lies crossed with the hunger games. It was insane what these women would do for their boys. I loved the way the women worked with and against each other.. were they friends or enemies? You will have to read it to find out.
Thanks so much to Hodder and Stoughton for the advanced copy of this book to read. Publishes on February 29th.
November 5, 2024
Wowza am I glad that I don't have to compete to get my children into private school because lordy it sounds like an intense competitive world that I'm certainly not cut out for haha! St Ignatius Boys School is the local private school that all the mothers want their sons to get into, and the annual Gala Day where the boys are physically and mentally tested is coming up so the stress is high. The book starts with someone being hit by a car, and proceeds to jump back in time a few days to set the scene leading up to this event. The character perspectives alternate between the intense Estella who has twin boys, her best friend Bec who is hoping her son will be admitted, and Kaya who is new to town but intent on getting her son in. All three are hiding things from their past which ramps their stress up in their battle to get their sons into this school. It's a tension filled story with a lot of drama; very entertaining. Happily recommend.
March 15, 2024
✰ 3.5 stars ✰
“She watches it twist into the air, sinister and wily, and thinks how even beautiful and innocent things can be deceptive, how secrets and darkness can fester on the inside of even the most pleasant of things, of people.”
The competitive race to ensure that one's child is enrolled into a prestigious school that will ensure the future well-being of their academic journey is cutthroat and ruthless. Mothers of their unsuspecting sons will do whatever it takes to make the cut - literally and figuratively. And for three mothers who join the race to prove their best on Gala Day at St. Ignatius - where parents and children are evaluated to see who has the potential to earn their place as one of their fellow students - putting their best foot forward to earn their child's place in the final admission list - it becomes something even more sinister and dangerous than just trying to have the odds forever in your favor. It's secrets and deceptions of past sins and crimes that threaten to be exposed that can either rally them to join forces or dig themselves deeper into a hole they can't get out of. 😟
Uff, it was so close to being really good! 😣 I loved how it started - okay, no, scratch that. i wasn't too keen on the prologue, which pretty much states what is going to happen on The School Run - that single route out of town that can be ardouw when there is a traffic - a dangerous deep into the cliff in the road that all parents are warned to drive safely on for how twisted it is - but, I liked how it picked up from there. How we are slowly introduced to the three different mothers, who each were bringing their A-game to win their spot for their sons. It's nothing personal, it's just that fierce need to have the perks that Iggy offers - 'prestige, sporting excellence, a university place in the bag.' Whatever calculating, conniving, convincingly underhanded trick they had under their sleeve, they acted upon to get the job done. 😅
“And she can only do this—she can only bolt the door on the shadows that haunt her—if she gets her darling boys inside the inner sanctum of St. Ignatius’ Grammar.”
They were relentless in their pursuit to overtake the other, unrepentant in how they behaved with each other, each complicit in their own follies, but unwilling to admit their misconduct - with their snide remarks and their undermining jabs. I cackled at their underhanded antics and their ill-biting comments aimed at each other's illicit actions. They were doggedly determined and they were owning up to it - unlikable if there ever was a trio of them! 🙃The author did a good job in establishing their past history, giving the readers just enough insight into their respective backgrounds and their connection with each other that hints that there may be more at play.
And boy, these 3 mothers - Kaya, Estella, and Bec - phew! 😆 I'm not making fun of them, rather poking fun at how outlandish their behavior was! What a trio of conniving and manipulative and treacherous mothers they were, but you simply can't fault them for their actions, because everything they aimed to do came from their hearts for their children. They were literally competing to the death for their sons, behaving so badly that it was morbidly fascinating to watch - like a train-wreck that was impossible to stop, but you weren't even trying to derail it. 😆 Rotten to the core, they were, but I guess, it comes down to is what wouldn't a parent do to protect their child? How far would a parent go to protect not only their own secrets - 'which is fiercely guarded by a mother—a lioness whose love knows no bounds and who will stop at nothing to protect her young' - but their own children's, as well? Scorned and jealous, treacherous and determined, these mothers really would stop at nothing to get the job done. It was definitely interesting then to see how they teamed up with one resolute purpose - each with their own reason, but the motive - the same. 🥺
I think when the story veered from simply the enrollment to past transgressions that doesn't allow us to feel apologetic for the intended victim - it started to lose steam for me. It was hard to see how the story had started on such a strong path of seeing mothers be their absolute best with the worst of intentions to somehow become a story of past grievances and personal motives that overshadowed what I had originally been lured into. I liked how the dots tied together, but I didn't like the build-up to it. As in, I didn't appreciate the reasoning behind their action - it felt unfair and too convenient to paint someone else as the bad guy, in order for readers to sympathize with the mothers' respective decisions. 🙁 'It is woke parenting at its worst.' I would have liked it if the enemy wasn't so deliberately vile, if there was a morsel of repentance to it, that could have earned a favorable ending. I know it would have lost the motive if there was an apologetic streak to him that could have earned his forgiveness, but the blatant vulgarity of the character could have been toned down just a little bit. 😮💨 Not to be forgiving of his misconduct, but for it not to be so readily easy to not hold the mothers accountable for some of their transgressions.
“She is a volcano bubbling with the molten lava of hidden secrets, her dead husband’s secrets, simmering ever so gently and just getting ready to erupt.”
I do applaud the author though for keeping the reveals coming till the end; it's not really a twist, because there's no indication to suggest otherwise, but how its subtly shown that how these mothers' actions were already duplicitous in nature, even before they were determined to have victory for their children - just goes to show how the bad blood runs deeper even before the events of the dreaded school run. 😥 One particular mother earned the award for the worst human being for me, but probably in her eyes, she acted as any loving and caring mother would do to secure the future of their children - in more ways than one. And it was a nice touch; it made it harder to sympathize with them, but I do appreciate their twisted motives for 'the mother, the overcompensating smile that lights up a room' always knows what's best for their family and their children. 😔
The flow of the writing was solid; the alteration between the characters well-panned out, with a respective difference to each mothers' personalities. They weren't alike at all with one another, but having two of them being best friends and one the odd one out, who eventually earns her way in - definitely made the competitive drive have a more humane approach to it. Not that they cared that their kids were even friends or anything, because they NEEDED that acceptance letter - not only for the son's sake, but to also have a more reputable name in their community!
Ah, their desperation was funny, I'm sorry, it was twistedly comical, which I guess was its intentions - ' smiling, and shaking her head—partly in admiration and partly in amazement at the lengths these mothers' - is definitely how I felt while reading. 😄 The pacing was also well-done and the brief flashbacks were handled nicely. The supporting cast was - interesting, to say the least, but it added that extra oomph to the story that it needed. It's not exactly the ideal book on parenting - because one comment towards the end terrified me of how possessive the mother had become - but, if you could look it as a dark comedy with a slightly thriller-ish feel to it, than it certainly was an entertaining one.👏🏻👏🏻
“She watches it twist into the air, sinister and wily, and thinks how even beautiful and innocent things can be deceptive, how secrets and darkness can fester on the inside of even the most pleasant of things, of people.”
The competitive race to ensure that one's child is enrolled into a prestigious school that will ensure the future well-being of their academic journey is cutthroat and ruthless. Mothers of their unsuspecting sons will do whatever it takes to make the cut - literally and figuratively. And for three mothers who join the race to prove their best on Gala Day at St. Ignatius - where parents and children are evaluated to see who has the potential to earn their place as one of their fellow students - putting their best foot forward to earn their child's place in the final admission list - it becomes something even more sinister and dangerous than just trying to have the odds forever in your favor. It's secrets and deceptions of past sins and crimes that threaten to be exposed that can either rally them to join forces or dig themselves deeper into a hole they can't get out of. 😟
Uff, it was so close to being really good! 😣 I loved how it started - okay, no, scratch that. i wasn't too keen on the prologue, which pretty much states what is going to happen on The School Run - that single route out of town that can be ardouw when there is a traffic - a dangerous deep into the cliff in the road that all parents are warned to drive safely on for how twisted it is - but, I liked how it picked up from there. How we are slowly introduced to the three different mothers, who each were bringing their A-game to win their spot for their sons. It's nothing personal, it's just that fierce need to have the perks that Iggy offers - 'prestige, sporting excellence, a university place in the bag.' Whatever calculating, conniving, convincingly underhanded trick they had under their sleeve, they acted upon to get the job done. 😅
“And she can only do this—she can only bolt the door on the shadows that haunt her—if she gets her darling boys inside the inner sanctum of St. Ignatius’ Grammar.”
They were relentless in their pursuit to overtake the other, unrepentant in how they behaved with each other, each complicit in their own follies, but unwilling to admit their misconduct - with their snide remarks and their undermining jabs. I cackled at their underhanded antics and their ill-biting comments aimed at each other's illicit actions. They were doggedly determined and they were owning up to it - unlikable if there ever was a trio of them! 🙃The author did a good job in establishing their past history, giving the readers just enough insight into their respective backgrounds and their connection with each other that hints that there may be more at play.
And boy, these 3 mothers - Kaya, Estella, and Bec - phew! 😆 I'm not making fun of them, rather poking fun at how outlandish their behavior was! What a trio of conniving and manipulative and treacherous mothers they were, but you simply can't fault them for their actions, because everything they aimed to do came from their hearts for their children. They were literally competing to the death for their sons, behaving so badly that it was morbidly fascinating to watch - like a train-wreck that was impossible to stop, but you weren't even trying to derail it. 😆 Rotten to the core, they were, but I guess, it comes down to is what wouldn't a parent do to protect their child? How far would a parent go to protect not only their own secrets - 'which is fiercely guarded by a mother—a lioness whose love knows no bounds and who will stop at nothing to protect her young' - but their own children's, as well? Scorned and jealous, treacherous and determined, these mothers really would stop at nothing to get the job done. It was definitely interesting then to see how they teamed up with one resolute purpose - each with their own reason, but the motive - the same. 🥺
I think when the story veered from simply the enrollment to past transgressions that doesn't allow us to feel apologetic for the intended victim - it started to lose steam for me. It was hard to see how the story had started on such a strong path of seeing mothers be their absolute best with the worst of intentions to somehow become a story of past grievances and personal motives that overshadowed what I had originally been lured into. I liked how the dots tied together, but I didn't like the build-up to it. As in, I didn't appreciate the reasoning behind their action - it felt unfair and too convenient to paint someone else as the bad guy, in order for readers to sympathize with the mothers' respective decisions. 🙁 'It is woke parenting at its worst.' I would have liked it if the enemy wasn't so deliberately vile, if there was a morsel of repentance to it, that could have earned a favorable ending. I know it would have lost the motive if there was an apologetic streak to him that could have earned his forgiveness, but the blatant vulgarity of the character could have been toned down just a little bit. 😮💨 Not to be forgiving of his misconduct, but for it not to be so readily easy to not hold the mothers accountable for some of their transgressions.
“She is a volcano bubbling with the molten lava of hidden secrets, her dead husband’s secrets, simmering ever so gently and just getting ready to erupt.”
I do applaud the author though for keeping the reveals coming till the end; it's not really a twist, because there's no indication to suggest otherwise, but how its subtly shown that how these mothers' actions were already duplicitous in nature, even before they were determined to have victory for their children - just goes to show how the bad blood runs deeper even before the events of the dreaded school run. 😥 One particular mother earned the award for the worst human being for me, but probably in her eyes, she acted as any loving and caring mother would do to secure the future of their children - in more ways than one. And it was a nice touch; it made it harder to sympathize with them, but I do appreciate their twisted motives for 'the mother, the overcompensating smile that lights up a room' always knows what's best for their family and their children. 😔
The flow of the writing was solid; the alteration between the characters well-panned out, with a respective difference to each mothers' personalities. They weren't alike at all with one another, but having two of them being best friends and one the odd one out, who eventually earns her way in - definitely made the competitive drive have a more humane approach to it. Not that they cared that their kids were even friends or anything, because they NEEDED that acceptance letter - not only for the son's sake, but to also have a more reputable name in their community!
Ah, their desperation was funny, I'm sorry, it was twistedly comical, which I guess was its intentions - ' smiling, and shaking her head—partly in admiration and partly in amazement at the lengths these mothers' - is definitely how I felt while reading. 😄 The pacing was also well-done and the brief flashbacks were handled nicely. The supporting cast was - interesting, to say the least, but it added that extra oomph to the story that it needed. It's not exactly the ideal book on parenting - because one comment towards the end terrified me of how possessive the mother had become - but, if you could look it as a dark comedy with a slightly thriller-ish feel to it, than it certainly was an entertaining one.👏🏻👏🏻
July 15, 2024
*https://www.instagram.com/mrsb_book_r...
4.5 stars
🏫The third novel by Australian author Ali Lowe promises perfection. Perfect students, perfect parents, and the perfect crime. It was a perfect read too and one I had saved for the recent school holiday break to sink my teeth into. The School Run is a devious and delectable tale of secrets, lies and coverups. It comes highly recommended.
🏫Ali Lowe asks us to consider via her unlikeable but intriguing cast just how far you would go to protect your children. This is an emotive question, with many black, white and grey areas covered in this addictive new Ali Lowe tale. We meet a set of mothers from an exclusive area on Sydney’s coast, who are each vying for a coveted spot for their child at an exclusive private school.
🏫Last year I raved and raved about The Running Club, the second novel by Ali Lowe. Now I find myself in the same position again just over a year or so later, after finishing Lowe’s third magnificent tale. The School Run is a book I fully connected to. I hate to say I related to these characters as they were all pretty despicable but as a mother of a child nearly the same age as the students vying for a place at the prestigious fictional school depicted in the novel I could sympathise with their extreme efforts. I know I’m lucky in that I didn’t have to perform any of the acts these mothers in the story had to engage in, it made me thankful for my own position. Do expect when opening this fantastic domestic noir, a multiple perspective narrative that takes a close look at parenting, relationships, wealth, loss, scandal, education, careers and motherhood. Wrapped up in these larger themes are some micro issues involving secrets, lies, gossip, and dark deeds. The School Run kept me fully attentive from page one to the final act. I relished my time with this one and I hope you do too.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫4.5 stars, out now!
4.5 stars
🏫The third novel by Australian author Ali Lowe promises perfection. Perfect students, perfect parents, and the perfect crime. It was a perfect read too and one I had saved for the recent school holiday break to sink my teeth into. The School Run is a devious and delectable tale of secrets, lies and coverups. It comes highly recommended.
🏫Ali Lowe asks us to consider via her unlikeable but intriguing cast just how far you would go to protect your children. This is an emotive question, with many black, white and grey areas covered in this addictive new Ali Lowe tale. We meet a set of mothers from an exclusive area on Sydney’s coast, who are each vying for a coveted spot for their child at an exclusive private school.
🏫Last year I raved and raved about The Running Club, the second novel by Ali Lowe. Now I find myself in the same position again just over a year or so later, after finishing Lowe’s third magnificent tale. The School Run is a book I fully connected to. I hate to say I related to these characters as they were all pretty despicable but as a mother of a child nearly the same age as the students vying for a place at the prestigious fictional school depicted in the novel I could sympathise with their extreme efforts. I know I’m lucky in that I didn’t have to perform any of the acts these mothers in the story had to engage in, it made me thankful for my own position. Do expect when opening this fantastic domestic noir, a multiple perspective narrative that takes a close look at parenting, relationships, wealth, loss, scandal, education, careers and motherhood. Wrapped up in these larger themes are some micro issues involving secrets, lies, gossip, and dark deeds. The School Run kept me fully attentive from page one to the final act. I relished my time with this one and I hope you do too.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫4.5 stars, out now!
February 15, 2024
Always seem to love thrillers set in Australia,so this combined with the storyline blurb of parents who will stop at nothing to get their kids enrolled into the perfect school meant it caught my eye, and am glad it did
Ultra rich neighbourhood riddled with secrets and past and present indiscretions
Near Sociopathic Mum’s prepared to do anything for their precious offspring
A new Mum and Son arrival that causes feathers and cliques to be ruffled
A gala day at the best private school where the kids compete to get a place in the new school intake ( known as the ‘Hunger Games’ by some of the Dad’s )
And cakes! Lots of sumptuous alluring mouthwatering butter cream filled cakes
Seriously what more could I want in a book?
Well there was also great writing and a story that was addictive with fast snippy dialogue and a mystery or two with a fark very dark ending
Pretty much all combined to make this a perfect read for me, very enjoyable and more than a bit shocking!
What a Mum is prepared to do for her kids should never be underestimated….😎
Ultra rich neighbourhood riddled with secrets and past and present indiscretions
Near Sociopathic Mum’s prepared to do anything for their precious offspring
A new Mum and Son arrival that causes feathers and cliques to be ruffled
A gala day at the best private school where the kids compete to get a place in the new school intake ( known as the ‘Hunger Games’ by some of the Dad’s )
And cakes! Lots of sumptuous alluring mouthwatering butter cream filled cakes
Seriously what more could I want in a book?
Well there was also great writing and a story that was addictive with fast snippy dialogue and a mystery or two with a fark very dark ending
Pretty much all combined to make this a perfect read for me, very enjoyable and more than a bit shocking!
What a Mum is prepared to do for her kids should never be underestimated….😎
April 5, 2024
The School Run is the third novel by Australian journalist and author, Ali Lowe. It’s late-October in the coastal Sydney suburb of Pacific Pines as parents and pre-teens gather at St Ignatius’ Boys’ Grammar School’s Gala Day to vie for a place in the next year’s enrolment. Iggy’s is private, exclusive, and offers prestige, sporting excellence, a university place in the bag, and of course the International Baccalaureate, which guarantees a boy’s acceptance to universities around the world: before the final selections are made, desperate parents go to untold lengths to see their sons admitted into this enviable fold.
Estella Munro has a daughter just about to graduate from Iggy’s sister school, Asher, and twin sons that she’s determined will go to St Ignatius’, so she’s not happy that her new neighbour on Ocean View Parade, Kaya Sterling has a young son who will be competing for a spot. Kaya claims to be the widow of a former Iggy’s school captain, but admits she’s an atheist, so her son’s baptismal classes are clearly a ruse. But there’s something that Estella doesn’t know about Kaya.
Estella’s best friend, Rebecca Lloyd also has a son hoping to enrol at Iggy’s, and a daughter just finishing Asher but, unlike Estella, she ha a close, friendly, supportive relationship with her daughter. Her business, Cakes by Bec, is going very well, but she dreads emails from a certain sender, surely spam, except that the sender seems to know too much about her.
And then, on the evening of the Gala, along the road that leads between town and Iggy’s, the School Run, a young man is hit by a car.
Lowe cleverly constructs her plot so that the identity of the victim is not revealed for quite some time, while the list of potential drivers seems to grow with every chapter, keeping the reader enthralled and the pages turning. Each of the main protagonists, and a few of the support characters, have secrets: in the aftermath of the Gala Day, there are even more secrets, and a number of them face dilemmas where doing the right thing wars with protecting their child.
Lowe easily evokes her setting and era, although, with the story set in or after 2023, attitudes to teen pregnancy, common sanitary products and mobile phones twenty-five years earlier are a few anachronisms that jar. Her characters are credible, their dialogue natural, and their reactions not unexpected. But she does throw in a few red herrings and twists to keep in interesting. Outstanding Australian crime fiction.
This unbiased review is from an uncorrected proof copy provided by NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton.
Estella Munro has a daughter just about to graduate from Iggy’s sister school, Asher, and twin sons that she’s determined will go to St Ignatius’, so she’s not happy that her new neighbour on Ocean View Parade, Kaya Sterling has a young son who will be competing for a spot. Kaya claims to be the widow of a former Iggy’s school captain, but admits she’s an atheist, so her son’s baptismal classes are clearly a ruse. But there’s something that Estella doesn’t know about Kaya.
Estella’s best friend, Rebecca Lloyd also has a son hoping to enrol at Iggy’s, and a daughter just finishing Asher but, unlike Estella, she ha a close, friendly, supportive relationship with her daughter. Her business, Cakes by Bec, is going very well, but she dreads emails from a certain sender, surely spam, except that the sender seems to know too much about her.
And then, on the evening of the Gala, along the road that leads between town and Iggy’s, the School Run, a young man is hit by a car.
Lowe cleverly constructs her plot so that the identity of the victim is not revealed for quite some time, while the list of potential drivers seems to grow with every chapter, keeping the reader enthralled and the pages turning. Each of the main protagonists, and a few of the support characters, have secrets: in the aftermath of the Gala Day, there are even more secrets, and a number of them face dilemmas where doing the right thing wars with protecting their child.
Lowe easily evokes her setting and era, although, with the story set in or after 2023, attitudes to teen pregnancy, common sanitary products and mobile phones twenty-five years earlier are a few anachronisms that jar. Her characters are credible, their dialogue natural, and their reactions not unexpected. But she does throw in a few red herrings and twists to keep in interesting. Outstanding Australian crime fiction.
This unbiased review is from an uncorrected proof copy provided by NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton.
April 5, 2024
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!
Featured in this reading vlog: https://youtu.be/LmgoHBrypAo?si=-ZIAj...
Featured in this reading vlog: https://youtu.be/LmgoHBrypAo?si=-ZIAj...
April 3, 2024
Loved the style of writing but the complications and twists felt a bit far fetched.
March 24, 2024
⭐️4 Stars⭐️
Whoah! Another binge worthy read by Ali Lowe! The School Run was akin to Hunger Games for well-to-do school mums and their sons! It’s twisty and scandalous, how far will a mother go for her child?
This story is packed full of suspense and as the story continues so much is unravelled, my goodness me! 🤯
In the gorgeous coastal town of Pacific Pines a place at the prestigious St Ignatius Boys School is highly sought after, and in this town the mothers will go all out to ensure their boys are selected. I loved the characters in this book, there’s never a dull moment they’re all so unpredictable!
Gala Day is hosted by St Ignatius Boys’ School and it’s here the boys must battle it out to earn their place, it’s a bizarre event and there are lots of surprises.
A thoroughly entertaining read, Ali Lowe you never disappoint!
Publication Date 27 February 2024
Publisher Imprint Hodder & Stoughton
Thank you so much Hachette Australia for an early copy of the book.
Whoah! Another binge worthy read by Ali Lowe! The School Run was akin to Hunger Games for well-to-do school mums and their sons! It’s twisty and scandalous, how far will a mother go for her child?
This story is packed full of suspense and as the story continues so much is unravelled, my goodness me! 🤯
In the gorgeous coastal town of Pacific Pines a place at the prestigious St Ignatius Boys School is highly sought after, and in this town the mothers will go all out to ensure their boys are selected. I loved the characters in this book, there’s never a dull moment they’re all so unpredictable!
Gala Day is hosted by St Ignatius Boys’ School and it’s here the boys must battle it out to earn their place, it’s a bizarre event and there are lots of surprises.
A thoroughly entertaining read, Ali Lowe you never disappoint!
Publication Date 27 February 2024
Publisher Imprint Hodder & Stoughton
Thank you so much Hachette Australia for an early copy of the book.
November 20, 2023
Could not put this novel down. So many twists and turns. So clever and so much to say about mothers and their sons. I don’t have kids and was beyond happy with my public school education, but even I know these parents who will go to any lengths to get their sons into the prestigious Iggy’s. I loved the characters of Bec, Estelle and Kaya; I know these women so well!!! Wait until you start it; you won’t be able to stop!!!!!!!!!
April 10, 2024
I don’t even know what I thought of it. Such a strange book with so many twists and turns. I almost feel like all of the different plot lines were too much for the book, as much as I enjoyed the drama of it. Sometimes it felt confusing to figure out exactly what happened and what was happening.
March 28, 2024
We seem to be very spoiled for choice with some wonderful new releases by Australian authors. Ali Lowe is one of my favourites and I was very excited to receive The School Run to read.
What you can expect - Rich people behaving badly, subterfuge and deceit, mayhem and murder.
Three mothers; Estella, Bec and Kaya are vying to get their children into an exclusive and elite private school. St. Ignatius (Iggy’s) is located in the fictional town of Pacific Pines along the beautiful coastal beaches of Sydney. These ultra wealthy parents enter their children into Gala day - a modern day version of the Hunger Games, as dubbed by some of the fathers - where their sporting and academic prowess is being assessed and on display so all can see.
How far will these parents go to push their children to secure the very limited placements on offer? Told from multiple perspectives, we get a detailed glimpse into all the main characters. Full of twists and turns, and snappy dialogue with an emotional pull I wasn’t expecting, but gave the story a palpable soul, make this another winner by @alilowe
Out now! Many thanks to the wonderful team @hachectt for sending this beauty my way
What you can expect - Rich people behaving badly, subterfuge and deceit, mayhem and murder.
Three mothers; Estella, Bec and Kaya are vying to get their children into an exclusive and elite private school. St. Ignatius (Iggy’s) is located in the fictional town of Pacific Pines along the beautiful coastal beaches of Sydney. These ultra wealthy parents enter their children into Gala day - a modern day version of the Hunger Games, as dubbed by some of the fathers - where their sporting and academic prowess is being assessed and on display so all can see.
How far will these parents go to push their children to secure the very limited placements on offer? Told from multiple perspectives, we get a detailed glimpse into all the main characters. Full of twists and turns, and snappy dialogue with an emotional pull I wasn’t expecting, but gave the story a palpable soul, make this another winner by @alilowe
Out now! Many thanks to the wonderful team @hachectt for sending this beauty my way
January 29, 2026
How far will a parent go for the welfare of their kids? Financial ruin, fraud, cover-up, murder? This story is a tribute to parenting but as the narrative develops it starts getting a little weird and then absurd. There’s some contradictions in the narrative as well as legacy of previous rugby captains or the bond of mother-son but not father-son.
For a small town a lot of people have skeletons in their closets. Not one character sticks out as a lovable one which made the story a little hard to bear and therefore not very entertaining. The writing and pace are good.
A widow moves into the town of a highly sought out private all boys school. The neighbor is obnoxiously noisy whose BFF is an extraordinary baker that seems genuinely sweet but has a haunting secret. When it’s revealed it’s not that shocking but the other two women have deeper more sinister secrets. There’s additional drama with the teenage daughters of two of them and the boys surrounding them.
I’ll check out some of her other books which seem more interesting but this was the only one available at my library.
For a small town a lot of people have skeletons in their closets. Not one character sticks out as a lovable one which made the story a little hard to bear and therefore not very entertaining. The writing and pace are good.
A widow moves into the town of a highly sought out private all boys school. The neighbor is obnoxiously noisy whose BFF is an extraordinary baker that seems genuinely sweet but has a haunting secret. When it’s revealed it’s not that shocking but the other two women have deeper more sinister secrets. There’s additional drama with the teenage daughters of two of them and the boys surrounding them.
I’ll check out some of her other books which seem more interesting but this was the only one available at my library.
November 18, 2025
Calling this a thriller is a bit too much. 'The School Run' is more of a drama that includes a mysterious accident and a lot of past secrets.
I found most of a story very slow-burning, with each main character being thouroughly introduced. While this wasn't boring, I wasn't a fan of the characters, so I didn't find all the personality and background descriptions that interesting.
Finding out who was behind the accident was interesting (I wasn't able to guess), but also confusing at times. For me, the whole thing felt too convoluted.
There were some scary revelations at the end - Kaya, I'm looking at you - that I hadn't seen coming, and that epilogue... Yikes! Although it would have been funnier if that guy hadn't been such a creep.
Not a bad story. But Liane Moriarty does it better.
I found most of a story very slow-burning, with each main character being thouroughly introduced. While this wasn't boring, I wasn't a fan of the characters, so I didn't find all the personality and background descriptions that interesting.
Finding out who was behind the accident was interesting (I wasn't able to guess), but also confusing at times. For me, the whole thing felt too convoluted.
There were some scary revelations at the end - Kaya, I'm looking at you - that I hadn't seen coming, and that epilogue... Yikes! Although it would have been funnier if that guy hadn't been such a creep.
Not a bad story. But Liane Moriarty does it better.
March 3, 2024
I thoroughly enjoyed the intricate plot of this story, where twists unfolded seamlessly, keeping me engaged from start to finish. The way everything was wrapped up at the end added a satisfying touch, leaving no loose ends. The narrative skillfully delivered surprises, creating a compelling experience.
While the character's frequent changes of mind may have felt a bit unrealistic, it's a testament to the complexity of human emotions and decisions. Perhaps, without firsthand experience, it's challenging to fully understand the nuances of such changes. Nonetheless, this aspect added a layer of unpredictability to the storyline.
In conclusion, the story's well-crafted twists and resolution make it a captivating read, even if some character choices seem perplexing. It's a testament to the author's ability to keep the audience guessing and engaged throughout the narrative.
June 10, 2025
Entertaining if implausible; my review:
https://perfectretort.blogspot.com/20...
https://perfectretort.blogspot.com/20...
March 17, 2024
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.
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.
April 9, 2024
Thank you Hachette for sending us a copy to read and review.
Ali Lowe is a superstar storytelling genius.
Her books have the intoxicating plot wow factor.
The School Run is a dynamic first rate domestic suburban thriller.
Welcome to Pacific Pines.
A trio of mothers will do anything to protect their children.
Kaya, Estella and Bec want their sons to attend the prestigious St Ignatius Boys School.
And they will do whatever it takes to achieve their success.
Let the rivalries, lies and obsessions begin….
The boys will be tested, mentally and physically.
But when a student is involved in a hit and run accident, the secrets the three woman have are exposed and their lives will be unraveled.
What an addictive read!
This book gives you a wonderful slap in the face, never a dull moment and exciting edge of the seat reading.
A cleverly crafted tale that you can’t take your eyes off.
The build up and tension is superb, with twist after twist and a very gratifying ending.
I already await the next thriller by this marvellous author talent.
Ali Lowe is a superstar storytelling genius.
Her books have the intoxicating plot wow factor.
The School Run is a dynamic first rate domestic suburban thriller.
Welcome to Pacific Pines.
A trio of mothers will do anything to protect their children.
Kaya, Estella and Bec want their sons to attend the prestigious St Ignatius Boys School.
And they will do whatever it takes to achieve their success.
Let the rivalries, lies and obsessions begin….
The boys will be tested, mentally and physically.
But when a student is involved in a hit and run accident, the secrets the three woman have are exposed and their lives will be unraveled.
What an addictive read!
This book gives you a wonderful slap in the face, never a dull moment and exciting edge of the seat reading.
A cleverly crafted tale that you can’t take your eyes off.
The build up and tension is superb, with twist after twist and a very gratifying ending.
I already await the next thriller by this marvellous author talent.
February 27, 2024
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!
May 10, 2025
I’d never heard of this book before I picked it up and I enjoyed it more than I thought I would! The first half dragged on a bit for me, but by the second half I was sucked in!!
I look forward to reading more from this author🙂
I look forward to reading more from this author🙂
November 29, 2024
⭐⭐⭐⭐
💚Betrayal
💚Mystery
💚Dual POV
This is a great twist and turns book. If you are in the mood to work out the clues and still be surprised, this is the book for you!
💚Betrayal
💚Mystery
💚Dual POV
This is a great twist and turns book. If you are in the mood to work out the clues and still be surprised, this is the book for you!
June 6, 2024
SPOILERS AHEAD
This started well with the promise of a Liane Moriaty-style catfight amongst prospective parents of a posh Catholic boys school in Sydney. The premise is that you can’t buy your way in - each year the school holds a Gala Day where the prospective Year 7 students put their sporting and personality skills on the line and compete for a limited number of places. Competition is keen and parents do all sorts of things in order to get their sons into the school. In an interview about the book, Ali says: “I have heard of families investigating getting children baptised in order to get a favourable chance of getting into Catholic schools. But other than that, there wasn’t anything that was crazily outrageous that I pulled from. I did think about the admissions scandal in the US, with the faked rowing pictures. There was that in the background, making me think about faking things and pushing me into considering what outrageous things women will do for their kids. “ (https://www.womensweekly.com.au/news/...)
Kaya is new to the area – she promised her dying husband that she would shift from Perth to get her son into the school. She lives next door to uppity Estella who has twin boys wanting the same thing. And down the road is Beck, Estella’s friend, who wants the same outcome for her son. The author of this novel has been described as producing “noir with an ocean view.” (https://www.womensweekly.com.au/news/...)
Both of the latter women have older daughters who are experimenting with sex and drugs. This potentially adds another layer to the story. And part of the mix is school captain Felix Weaver, the stand-offish principal of Iggy’s, Ursula Deacon, and her son, who is the head of sport, Sam Deacon.
A reviewer wrote that “Ali has said she often gets halfway through her first draft before deciding who did the deed, and it has the intended effect: you cannot pick whodunnit.” This shows. By the end of the novel, there were so many plot twists and evil deeds committed by so many people that I kind of wanted to throw the book across the room.
This started well with the promise of a Liane Moriaty-style catfight amongst prospective parents of a posh Catholic boys school in Sydney. The premise is that you can’t buy your way in - each year the school holds a Gala Day where the prospective Year 7 students put their sporting and personality skills on the line and compete for a limited number of places. Competition is keen and parents do all sorts of things in order to get their sons into the school. In an interview about the book, Ali says: “I have heard of families investigating getting children baptised in order to get a favourable chance of getting into Catholic schools. But other than that, there wasn’t anything that was crazily outrageous that I pulled from. I did think about the admissions scandal in the US, with the faked rowing pictures. There was that in the background, making me think about faking things and pushing me into considering what outrageous things women will do for their kids. “ (https://www.womensweekly.com.au/news/...)
Kaya is new to the area – she promised her dying husband that she would shift from Perth to get her son into the school. She lives next door to uppity Estella who has twin boys wanting the same thing. And down the road is Beck, Estella’s friend, who wants the same outcome for her son. The author of this novel has been described as producing “noir with an ocean view.” (https://www.womensweekly.com.au/news/...)
Both of the latter women have older daughters who are experimenting with sex and drugs. This potentially adds another layer to the story. And part of the mix is school captain Felix Weaver, the stand-offish principal of Iggy’s, Ursula Deacon, and her son, who is the head of sport, Sam Deacon.
A reviewer wrote that “Ali has said she often gets halfway through her first draft before deciding who did the deed, and it has the intended effect: you cannot pick whodunnit.” This shows. By the end of the novel, there were so many plot twists and evil deeds committed by so many people that I kind of wanted to throw the book across the room.
March 6, 2024
I loved Ali's previous book, The Running Club so I couldn't wait to get stuck into The School Run. Domestic, gossipy neighbourhood books are my guilty pleasure. I love when there are a ton of secrets and as they are slowly revealed, we get to see what each character is really like deep down. I appreciated the multiple POV's this book was written in as each character's story did find a way to weave together by the end. If you like an academia set storyline with lots of scandal, secrets and lies, make sure you give this one a go!
July 23, 2024
Makes me glad my kids were educated in the state system!
November 24, 2024
Even though all the mysteries were solved I’m still wondering if I know the whole truth. 🤔🤔
Great read.
Great read.
January 1, 2025
First half was great, then it all fell to pieces. Some very poor editing that confused the storyline and left gaping holes.
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