Moms Like Us: A Novel

by Jordan Roter

Set in the cutthroat and neck-lifted world of private school parenting in Los Angeles, Moms Like Us is a comedic cautionary tale about how far mothers will go to protect their children, and their secrets.

That someone might end up dead at the Palms School’s annual glamping trip in Santa Barbara wasn’t far-fetched. Taking city people into the woods was begging for murder. What was surprising was how far these mothers would go to cover it up.

Meet our Milly craves recognition from her mommunity for devoting herself to the school; Jillian is terrified that her daughter won’t get into their preferred private middle school, or any school; Dawn just returned to LA after being banished with her canceled husband and their son, and wants her old life back; and Heather, who secretly engineered Dawn’s husband’s fall from grace, is shocked that they have returned and, worse, are up for membership at her private tennis club. Over her dead body.

In the ferocious, manicured world of the wealthy and well intentioned, how long can secrets stay hidden, and how far will these women go to protect their children, their reputations, and their darkest desires?

Genres: Fiction, Audiobook, Contemporary, Humor, Mystery Thriller, Thriller

256 pages, Paperback

Published May 6, 2025

Reviews

[salamireads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Helen laser you absolute legend ! First listened to her on The wedding people and this cemented her as one of my favourite audiobook narrators.

Moms like us was a very quick , kooky and gripping story which followed the lives of four upper crust Los Angeles PTA moms who are desperate to get their kids into elite middle schools, resorting to blackmail and manipulation .It had the same vibes of YOU s3

SOMEONE MAKE THIS INTO A MINI-SERIES

[Poppy H · Rating 1 out of 5]

Warning: wow, I really disliked this book.

Moms Like Us follows four mothers whose children attend The Palms, an LA elementary school. I went into this book knowing it was meant to be satire and tried to read it as such—but even then, it was a struggle.

Humor is subjective, but for me, this book wasn’t just unfunny; at times, it was outright vile. One moment, in particular, summarizes my biggest issue: early on, there's a "joke" about a baby dying because he disliked his mother (this happens in the very first pages, so it’s not a spoiler). Trying to be edgy with such a cruel remark—especially in a book about motherhood written by a mother—felt deeply wrong. That should have been my cue to DNF, but I held out hope it would redeem itself. It didn’t.

Then there’s the issue of the characters. Yes, they’re unlikable, which I could have overlooked if they had any depth. Unfortunately, they don’t. They all blend together to the point where I struggled to tell them apart. Not only are they devoid of depth and redeeming qualities, but they also lack any real uniqueness. The book leans on the idea of how far mothers will go to protect their children, but instead of exploring this in a compelling way, it focus on lying, manipulation, cheating and even murder—while the idea of simply being a decent human being never seems to cross their minds.

Then there’s the storyline. I was intrigued by the murder element—I thought that might be interesting. Again: no. The attempt at humour falls flat here as well, and the llama stampede just before? Disappointing, to say the least.

Finally, the similarities to Big Little Lies were so pronounced that it barely felt like an original story.

Thank you, NetGalley and Little A, for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book reminded me of “Big Little Lies” but funnier! I laughed out loud several times and could completely picture these well-developed characters. The author did a great job of satirizing the wealthy, LA private school sect in a self-deprecating/self-aware way that made the traditionally “unlikable”characters completely endearing.

[Meagan Spiceland · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hilarious and chaotic.

[Sara Bloom · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book had me laughing from start to finish! All those dark thoughts I had while raising kids in a competitive fast paced environment — turns out Roter had them too! The characters will remind you of people you know and love…and hate!
This is a perfect, page-turner.
Loved it!

[sami (semi-hiatus) · Rating 3 out of 5]

“they’ll euthanize her.”
“that baby would be orphaned because their mother tried to protect them from a predator.”
“that mama bear could be any one of us.”

3.5 stars. “moms like us” is a comedic cautionary tale centered around four mothers whose children attend a posh, 'progressive' private school. the story unfolds through multiple points of view and email exchanges between the characters. it's messy and dramatic and intriguing as you come to learn of all that these mothers do (and have done) to protect their children -and their own secrets- no matter how outrageous the situation becomes.

i highly recommend this book if you’re looking to get back into reading or if you’re experiencing a reading slump. jordan roter’s writing is very accessible and completely draws you in. it’s the perfect choice for anyone searching for a light-hearted escape. if what you seek is a fun, fast-paced summer read, this is the book for you! (check for t/w)

thank you to netgalley and the publisher for the arc in exchange for my honest review.

[Lashawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Never judge a book by it's cover

This book show what parents will do for their kids. No matter what they have to scrafice. This was a good book to read for enjoyment

[Tiffany · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this soooo much more than I thought I would. I don't love rich people behaving poorly, but this is so much more than that. These private school moms have wild secrets!

So snarky, funny, naughty, and provocative. Such bad moms! I am here for women's rights and WRONGS!

[Becca Wilder · Rating 3 out of 5]

Privileged women, unsatisfied moms, and bad choices sum up the characters in this chaotic story that takes place against the backdrop of an ultra-progressive private elementary school in Los Angeles. There are four point of view characters, and all are horrible in their own way. There are multiple affairs, lies, secrets, and deceptions among all the women, and the issues come to a head at the school’s annual glamping weekend getaway. There are touches of humor along the way, some which fell flat for me and some that made me laugh out loud for the sheer ridiculousness of it. All in all, Jordan Roter’s writing draws you in, and I’ve never liked a book with such unlikable characters as much as I liked this one.

Thank you to NetGalley and Little A for an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

[KiKi · Rating 4 out of 5]

A funny whodunit based within the society of over eager moms vying for private school spots. This was a fast and entertaining read with a plot that never slowed down. I was pleasantly surprised that each character maintained a level of depth and humor throughout the entire novel. I loved how purposefully nonsensical the ending was.

[Bargain Sleuth Book Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to Jordan Roter, Helen Laser, Brilliance Publishing, Brilliance Audio & NetGalley for the ALC of this book; I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Think of Moms Like Us as the Real Housewives of Santa Barbara. Of course, I’ve never seen an episode of Real Housewives, but I have seen clips. The people in this book are so UNHINGED! I don’t think there’s one redeemable character in the whole lot of them, and I definitely did not relate to any of them. Yet, when characters are so unlikeable that you have visceral reactions to them, I consider it a job well done by the author!

If you combine Mama Drama with a murder mystery, you’ll end up with Moms Like Us. It’s campy, again I’ll say its unhinged, it makes me so happy that my kids are almost grown and I don’t have to deal with many School Moms anymore. There are many POV, so you’ve really got to pay attention, or you’ll get confused. I think narrator, Helen Laser, did a fabulous job of creating distinctive voices to help avoid confusion.

This was just the sort of book I read after reading some heavy history or dark thrillers. There’s still a mystery to unfold, which helps the reader walk through the swamp of unlikeable characters, and the humor is top-notch.

[Tami Winbush · Rating 3 out of 5]

I hate leaving a 3 star review, but I found this book to be a little convoluted. It was like a spider web of lies that have brought down an entire private elementary school. At first I had a hell of a time getting into the characters because there was such a tangled web and too many spiders I think. I just wanted to be able to follow a few characters and get to know them but found it too hard to dig into one of the characters before another would come forward.

I will say that the ending was quite a shocker, one I didn't even dream of happening. So, there's that.

Helen Laser did an exceptional job reading this book and keeping all the voices distinct. I'm very honored to have heard her portray this motley cast of mothers.

I'd like to thank the publisher, author, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 rounded up

The perfect blend of Class mom author Laurie Gelman and Big little lies author Liane Moriarty that has an LA mom fighting to support her neurodivergent children and secure her place in the PTA hiearchy. This was funny and relatable and great on audio. Definitely recommended! Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital and audio copy in exchange for my honest review!

[Megan Magee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Working Moms slash Mean Girls slash Grady Hendrix? This one has a bit of everything when it comes to pop culture references, and it doesn’t slack off when it comes down to humor. If you’re in the mood for something that doesn’t take itself too seriously, Moms Like Us is for you! There is sex, romance, steamy drama, secrets, pettiness, and absolute outlandishness. The “murder” stuff is almost nonexistent so don’t get your hopes up about that.

[reid :) · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 — so much drama. i love crazy rich people fr

[Nina Vestal · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great audio book! Glad it was my first one because now I’m hooked on them!

[Marcia · Rating 3 out of 5]

I honestly just wanted it to end 🫢🫣

[Gem · Rating 5 out of 5]

best book!!

[SCSoftballMom · Rating 4 out of 5]

Easy chick lit read!

[Danielle Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was really good!

[Janalyn, the blind reviewer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mom‘s Like Us by Jordan Yoder, This book is about a bunch of moms trying to outdo the other at a small private primary school in California. From getting FaceTime with the principal to being the best host at the PTA meetings these moms compete to be the big fish in a small pond but when they go on a glamping trip to raise money this is when the claws are out and all bets are off. One mom is back after her husband was canceled and they had to retreat to Canada another is desperately in love with the principal who’s married another one is the reason the first couple got canceled and then last but definitely not least is a problem child and alcoholic of the group. I apologize for not remembering the names of these women I read and reviewed the book previously but for some reason my review isn’t here so here is my second attempt and again I really love this book and found it so funny from the host of the party licking the principles Covid infested utensils to even the murder there are many lol moments and although this type of humor may not be for everyone it is definitely something right up my alley. Not to mention Helen laser is my favorite narrator she is such a great performer I absolutely love her voice she brings such a great tone and snarky witt to the narrative that makes it that much better. I would definitely read another book by this author especially because, she is funny. these women were so worried about making a wrong step and not being the most woke among them their inner thoughts made me giggle and almost wake my husband up this really was a funny book I feel so bad I forgot most of the characters names but again I wrote my review the day after I finished it and it was erased. so just trust me this book is funny and one I definitely recommend especially the audio version I truly believe with the awesome narration, it’s a much better choice. #NetGalley, #BrillianceAudio, #TheBlindReviewer, #JordanYoder, #Mom’sLikeUs,

[Sara Virasami · Rating 1 out of 5]

I am DNF-ing at 46%.

The premise was great, and i think it really tried to be a cool, funny mom focused thrilling drama but I just felt it missed the mark. I pushed through to get to half but, I knew about 15% in this was not something I have interest in reading.

[Shawna Briseno · Rating 5 out of 5]

This dark comedy takes us behind the scenes of parenting in posh Los Angeles. The cast of troublesome characters are all connected by one thing: their children are students at an elite private school. It’s every parent for themself as they try anything to give their kids a leg up. There are multiple affairs going on, bribery, extortion, sketchy teachers, drug deals, harassment claims, exclusive tennis clubs, and plenty of wine. And eventually this all leads to murder. This is a funny and fast paced story that I absolutely loved.

[Elizabeth]

Shocking at times!

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars, rounded down. This book started off so hilariously describing the world of private school absurdity and then took a weird left turn and went off the rails a bit. The “murder” seemed so anticlimactic! I did enjoy it, but there were issues.

Thank you, NetGalley and the publisher for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Allie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book -- it was a 4.5 for me but rounded down to 4 just because it wasn't QUITE a five. I thought the book was the perfect mixture of humor, mystery, and mama bear drama. I loved knowing a murder happened right away but not knowing who it was until the end so you're curious throughout, with each set of drama, who is going to be gone/who is going to do it. Then that ending. Awesome job to Jordan Roter.

Thank you to Netgalley for an eARC in return for an honest review.

[Samantha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Biting, sexy, and truly funny. Such a quick read, partially because the short chapters read so easily and partially because you just won’t want to put it down. All the toxic privileged private school dynamics we love to judge from afar. There’s nothing a mama bear won’t do for her cubs. Thank you Little A and NetGalley for my copy!

[tawny•dawn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Oof shots fired in all the best ways.
The wonderful thing about satire is, half the people in the room won’t get it. (I’m looking at the reviews here like *ahem*). You’re lying to yourself if you can’t find a shred of relatability here. As others have mentioned, the book feels similar to Big Little Lies, in that we have a slew of selfish, narcissistic, morally grey parents all striving to be seen, to out-achieve, to out-woke, and to generally keep up with the Jones’. The book is sharp and witty, and nails the anxiety of being a parent who wants the best for your own kid at any cost, but also trying to be a good human in a chaotic world. It’s toxic and hilarious. 3.75 ⭐️

Thank you so much NetGalley and the publisher for this arc and the opportunity to read and review!

[Yarelis Rivera · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun read. If you’re looking for an audiobook that will keep you entertained, laughing out loud and sympathizing with mama bear this is for you. The book is a satire of elite private school in California , and what some mothers are willing to do, in order to keep their status. The characters are intentionally extremely annoying and obnoxious, so don’t get offended by their actions and thoughts.

[Liz Das · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love rich people behaving badly. Similar vibes to white lotus, big little lies. It’s short and so chaotic. Definitely will pull you out of a reading slump