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The Secret Lives of Mothers
The Secret Lives of Mothers is a collection of short stories depicting the day to day complexities of black motherhood. Amina is eagerly awaiting her college acceptance when a pregnancy scare threatens to throw a wrench into her plans. Jamie is a thirteen year old who has a haunting secret to tell her mother, if only she can get her to listen. Michelle and Nolan are excited to have their first child but having a baby during the pandemic proves to be more difficult than they thought. Yandy is your typical toxic baby momma but how did she get that way? Malia wants nothing more than to mend the relationship between her mother and sister but past traumas and generational curses threaten to rip this family apart. Four best friends meet up over brunch and mimosas to catch up on all the juicy details of their lives. Follow Jenna, a stay at home mom, as she goes through her daily routine. Finally, a mom seeks a night of passion while her kids stay over grandma's house.
- GenresFictionShort Stories
57 pages, Paperback
Published August 16, 2023
37 people are currently reading
824 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
October 30, 2023
Short and sweet
I liked this. A quick entertaining novella about mothers and real mothers situations. I'm Interested in seeing what other books this author has available
I liked this. A quick entertaining novella about mothers and real mothers situations. I'm Interested in seeing what other books this author has available
August 2, 2023
A novella revolving around motherhood. Won this off a GR giveaway and it was an easy 64 page read. Check your trigger warnings.
December 7, 2023
Several short stories by women about women on many different topics. I enjoyed reading the book and could relate to many of them.
July 22, 2023
I won this book in a Goodreads Giveaway.
The cover of the book was beautiful, and I looked forward to reading it. I liked the idea of celebrating motherhood in all its various complexities. However, I found the story writing to be a bit uneven and some were stronger than others. The two that I thought were the strongest were Teen Mother and Empty Mother, and these I would rate highly. Unfortunately, some of the other stories didn't draw me in as much, leading to an overall lower rating from me.
The cover of the book was beautiful, and I looked forward to reading it. I liked the idea of celebrating motherhood in all its various complexities. However, I found the story writing to be a bit uneven and some were stronger than others. The two that I thought were the strongest were Teen Mother and Empty Mother, and these I would rate highly. Unfortunately, some of the other stories didn't draw me in as much, leading to an overall lower rating from me.
July 23, 2025
It was nice to read the different short stories from different perspectives on what it means to be a mother.
July 18, 2023
From the beautifully written first entry, The Parent Vow, to the sultry Mom's Night Off; I loved this novella. Having been raised by a single mom, I found both Neglectful Mom and Done Mom had me in tears, whereas Mom's That Brunch had me longing for Sundays with friends all the while reminiscing about my Mom's own circle of friends and what stories were shared during my teen years. This was a fast, moving, and entertaining read. My only issue is that it was too short. By the end, I, much to the same as the character in the final installment, longed for 3,4,5,6,7 and 8 more but am more than happy to re-read again and again.
August 18, 2023
beautiful
To see the different ways that women are mothers through short personal stories about these characters was interesting and so special. As someone who isn’t a mother and is only 2 years post high school I wouldn’t know what it’s like but it put into perspective some things to see the different aspects and types of motherhood
To see the different ways that women are mothers through short personal stories about these characters was interesting and so special. As someone who isn’t a mother and is only 2 years post high school I wouldn’t know what it’s like but it put into perspective some things to see the different aspects and types of motherhood
July 25, 2023
I thought this was an interesting read. The title is perfect for the various vignettes. Some of them sobering, some laugh out loud funny and some just plain real even though some would never admit it out loud. A short, fast read that was entertaining. I also loved the cover.
May 18, 2023
Good read
This book held my attention from the beginning to the end I’m looking forward to reading more from the author
This book held my attention from the beginning to the end I’m looking forward to reading more from the author
November 30, 2023
As A Mother, I LOVED This Book!
This collection of stories was absolutely beautifully written. I often tell people that motherhood is everything you could imagine. It is both hard and easy. It is both a pain and a joy. Both beautiful and ugly. But often we only see the good feelings emotionally.
This novella touched on so many aspects of motherhood. It didn’t sugarcoat anything, and it exposed real raw and true emotions that are so taboo in real life.
B.M. Green is an absolutely amazing author. This novella was hard to read at time because it was so real and true, and it exposed raw emotions that I didn’t know I was ready to feel. Thank you B.M. Green for the beautiful piece of art! I am honored to have read it.
This collection of stories was absolutely beautifully written. I often tell people that motherhood is everything you could imagine. It is both hard and easy. It is both a pain and a joy. Both beautiful and ugly. But often we only see the good feelings emotionally.
This novella touched on so many aspects of motherhood. It didn’t sugarcoat anything, and it exposed real raw and true emotions that are so taboo in real life.
B.M. Green is an absolutely amazing author. This novella was hard to read at time because it was so real and true, and it exposed raw emotions that I didn’t know I was ready to feel. Thank you B.M. Green for the beautiful piece of art! I am honored to have read it.
November 12, 2023
I’m a sucker for short books, and this is probably the first time I’ve ever wished a book was longer. The opening was strong, and the story maintained its momentum throughout. I empathized a lot with these characters, but it was Jenna’s story I wished could have been longer to see how her situation would’ve played out.
January 19, 2025
Short yet powerful read. Several stories about women in various stages of life. Many stories are relatable but sensitive topics ⚠️ The songs for each chapter 👏🏾 I’m glad that the author structured the collection of short stories, so there was more upbeat, comical, and spicy stories after reading stories with such heavy topics back-to-back.
November 2, 2023
a nice short story collection
As a mom I could relate with each story but the story called toxic BM. My favourite story will definitely be Moms at Brunch it made me laugh out loud!
As a mom I could relate with each story but the story called toxic BM. My favourite story will definitely be Moms at Brunch it made me laugh out loud!
December 11, 2023
easy read
This was a short decent book. I enjoyed all of the view points. The descriptions were great definitely will read more of their books
This was a short decent book. I enjoyed all of the view points. The descriptions were great definitely will read more of their books
November 16, 2023
collection of short stories
When she said secret lives of mothers it’s exactly what she meant. This collection of stories touched on everything about motherhood from losing a child to feeling like you’re failing as a mother along with the occasional momma getting her groove on. I loved every minute of it.
When she said secret lives of mothers it’s exactly what she meant. This collection of stories touched on everything about motherhood from losing a child to feeling like you’re failing as a mother along with the occasional momma getting her groove on. I loved every minute of it.
June 21, 2023
I Was Really Looking Forward to Reading This Book, But...
I wish I hadn't.
As a reader, I am fairly relaxed and catholic in my choice of material and am pretty forgiving of grammatical errors and even blatant illiteracy in this age of online self-publishing. Not everyone with a vision can paint, and not everyone with a story, or several stories, can write.
The sad part of this reading experience is that I saw potential shine through from time to time, but while the circumstances and the stories of the characters varied the "voices" were pretty much the same.
But for me, the most disappointing thing was that though there was a warning at the beginning for serious subject matter and possible triggers, as the book progressed the stories became more and more X-rated.
I cannot recommend this book and that makes me so sad.
I wish I hadn't.
As a reader, I am fairly relaxed and catholic in my choice of material and am pretty forgiving of grammatical errors and even blatant illiteracy in this age of online self-publishing. Not everyone with a vision can paint, and not everyone with a story, or several stories, can write.
The sad part of this reading experience is that I saw potential shine through from time to time, but while the circumstances and the stories of the characters varied the "voices" were pretty much the same.
But for me, the most disappointing thing was that though there was a warning at the beginning for serious subject matter and possible triggers, as the book progressed the stories became more and more X-rated.
I cannot recommend this book and that makes me so sad.
August 17, 2023
I don’t typically like collections of short stories because it’s difficult to write a collection that doesn’t leave the reader feeling as though something is lacking within each part. Overall, these were pretty good. The first two are my favorites; I didn’t really care for the last one.
January 1, 2025
Amazing...
I love how the songs were consistent with the chapters and that made it want to continue to read the next chapter.
Definitely recommend to anyone
I love how the songs were consistent with the chapters and that made it want to continue to read the next chapter.
Definitely recommend to anyone
January 18, 2025
Honey child, I definitely relate to this book on so many levels. Mother to mother type vibe. 4.7 ✨
February 3, 2025
A collection of stories about mothers that range from difficult to spicy. I loved how they were each so unique but quick.
Read
May 8, 2025Had to DNF this book. It just wasn’t catching my attention.
November 27, 2024
This is a really interesting, short story collection depicting the complexities of black motherhood. I am not a mother and but the stories are really powerful, raw and should be shared more widely.
My only complaint.. I wish it was longer.
My only complaint.. I wish it was longer.
January 1, 2024
It is my hope that everyone who reads The Secret Lives of Mothers will be able to connect to at least one of the nine short stories.
The Parent Vow- you dream of being a mother
Teen Mom - considering options
Empty Mom - pregnancy issues
Neglectful Mom- single working mother by choice
Toxic Mom- using the kid to get back at the dad
Done Mom- generational trauma
Supermom- stay at home mom
Moms That Brunch - nothing is better than mimosas and friends
Moms Night Off - well, maybe a steamy night off is better 😆
The Parent Vow- you dream of being a mother
Teen Mom - considering options
Empty Mom - pregnancy issues
Neglectful Mom- single working mother by choice
Toxic Mom- using the kid to get back at the dad
Done Mom- generational trauma
Supermom- stay at home mom
Moms That Brunch - nothing is better than mimosas and friends
Moms Night Off - well, maybe a steamy night off is better 😆
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews