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Woman on the Verge
A sexy, propulsive meditation on modern motherhood, tracking the lives of three women as they struggle to define themselves in the face of new obligations and heightened expectations.
Some women, with their perfect children and pricey athleisure, make motherhood look easy. But not Nicole. She never wanted to be a stay-at-home parent—losing her job left her no choice. Now, between her toddlers’ demands, husband’s distance, and father’s deteriorating health, she’s pulled in every direction except her own.
Something has to give.
Katrina’s in the same dissatisfied boat. After flirting with a handsome stranger at a bar, she’s ready to choose pleasure over responsibility. But when her impulse goes surprisingly awry, she must reconcile her reawakened desires with the realities of home.
Housewife Rose battles the constraints of motherhood in the ’80s. Venting her growing restlessness into a diary of secret ambitions, she wonders whether it’s all worth it. Is an unhappy mother really better than a selfish one?
In a shocking twist, the women find their lives intertwined. But as they face their longings head-on, it’s unclear whether they’re destined for a breakthrough…or breakdown.
Some women, with their perfect children and pricey athleisure, make motherhood look easy. But not Nicole. She never wanted to be a stay-at-home parent—losing her job left her no choice. Now, between her toddlers’ demands, husband’s distance, and father’s deteriorating health, she’s pulled in every direction except her own.
Something has to give.
Katrina’s in the same dissatisfied boat. After flirting with a handsome stranger at a bar, she’s ready to choose pleasure over responsibility. But when her impulse goes surprisingly awry, she must reconcile her reawakened desires with the realities of home.
Housewife Rose battles the constraints of motherhood in the ’80s. Venting her growing restlessness into a diary of secret ambitions, she wonders whether it’s all worth it. Is an unhappy mother really better than a selfish one?
In a shocking twist, the women find their lives intertwined. But as they face their longings head-on, it’s unclear whether they’re destined for a breakthrough…or breakdown.
354 pages, Paperback
Published July 1, 2025
2299 people are currently reading
8926 people want to read
About the author
Kim Hooper
10 books402 followersKim Hooper's latest novel, Woman on the Verge, will be released on June 17. Her previous novels are: People Who Knew Me (2016), Cherry Blossoms (2018), Tiny (2019), All the Acorns on the Forest Floor (2020), No Hiding in Boise (2021), and Ways the World Could End (2022). She is also co-author of All the Love: Healing Your Heart and Finding Meaning After Pregnancy Loss (2021). Kim lives in Southern California with her daughter and way too many pets.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 512 reviews
July 4, 2025
This book will probably make you feel VERY uncomfortable-especially if you are a mother, as it deals with women who suffer from “maternal ambivalence”.
Author Kim Hooper addresses this very REAL thing through the alternating voices of three different women.
Some women thrive as mothers.
But not Nicole.
Before having her two girls, she craved the title of “mommy” but after losing her job and by default becoming a “stay at home” mom, she no longer feels like a vibrant woman-just a wife and mother who is constantly being summoned to do one thing or another. When her dad becomes ill with “Creutzfeldt-Jakob” disease, she reaches her breaking point. It’s heartbreaking 💔 to watch a loved one lose his life 4-6 months after being diagnosed with this cruel, fast progressing illness.
Katrina finds herself flirting with a handsome stranger at a bar. She never expected to let things go as far as she does, but she too, is dissatisfied with how her life has turned out.
And, back in the 80’s, another housewife named Rose finds herself battling the notion that motherhood should be ENOUGH. The only place she can vent is on the pages of her diary.
Can you love your children but not love “mothering”?
This is a fast paced story which may not be for everyone but I enjoy books that make you FEEL something-good or bad. Not only did it GRAB my interest from page #1 but it held me captive through the FIRST twist and the SECOND!
I became familiar with Kim Hooper’s work when I listened to “No Hiding in Boise” and this is now the 4th book of hers that I have read-each earning 4-5 stars ⭐️ without exception❗️She always seems to explore thought provoking topics.
If this isn’t a subject that you feel comfortable exploring-do check out one of her other titles-she is an immensely talented writer who deserves more attention !
Review for “No Hiding in Boise” https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
A buddy read with Marilyn and DeAnn which offered MUCH for discussion! Do check out their reviews!
TW: The terminal illness and hospice care is vividly described and it is heartbreaking 💔
This was my Amazon Prime FIRST READ selection for June, and it is available now!
Author Kim Hooper addresses this very REAL thing through the alternating voices of three different women.
Some women thrive as mothers.
But not Nicole.
Before having her two girls, she craved the title of “mommy” but after losing her job and by default becoming a “stay at home” mom, she no longer feels like a vibrant woman-just a wife and mother who is constantly being summoned to do one thing or another. When her dad becomes ill with “Creutzfeldt-Jakob” disease, she reaches her breaking point. It’s heartbreaking 💔 to watch a loved one lose his life 4-6 months after being diagnosed with this cruel, fast progressing illness.
Katrina finds herself flirting with a handsome stranger at a bar. She never expected to let things go as far as she does, but she too, is dissatisfied with how her life has turned out.
And, back in the 80’s, another housewife named Rose finds herself battling the notion that motherhood should be ENOUGH. The only place she can vent is on the pages of her diary.
Can you love your children but not love “mothering”?
This is a fast paced story which may not be for everyone but I enjoy books that make you FEEL something-good or bad. Not only did it GRAB my interest from page #1 but it held me captive through the FIRST twist and the SECOND!
I became familiar with Kim Hooper’s work when I listened to “No Hiding in Boise” and this is now the 4th book of hers that I have read-each earning 4-5 stars ⭐️ without exception❗️She always seems to explore thought provoking topics.
If this isn’t a subject that you feel comfortable exploring-do check out one of her other titles-she is an immensely talented writer who deserves more attention !
Review for “No Hiding in Boise” https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
A buddy read with Marilyn and DeAnn which offered MUCH for discussion! Do check out their reviews!
TW: The terminal illness and hospice care is vividly described and it is heartbreaking 💔
This was my Amazon Prime FIRST READ selection for June, and it is available now!
June 8, 2025
Seriously? I absolutely LOVED the first 80% of this book. The end killed it so badly for me that I went from 5 stars down to 2.
August 7, 2025
Available Kindle Unlimited with Audio
Disclaimer: this book is written for a very targeted audience. If you are not within this audience I wouldn’t recommend. It would be inappropriate to rate this book poorly when it is not a genre you would ever enjoy from the get go. Target audience? While anyone is welcome to read any book- this book would be best appreciated by either a current mother or an adult child with a mother who struggled with motherhood. An ‘absent’ mother during childhood.
The MFC characters in this book suffer from maternal ambivalence. Loss of jobs, lack of support from the community and most importantly perceived lack of support from their spouses, these women had significant love/hate relationships with the idea and role of motherhood that had serious repercussions as the story unfolded. While I could not fully relate, I could understand and appreciate and felt value from the words the author wrote and really enjoyed this book. If this wouldn’t interest you I again would urge you to pass.
Additionally there are triggers: death of a parent (father) with very specific detail to the dying process and hospice care. While this may trigger some, I found it healing in a way as I just lost my father this year to a similar progressive illness and hospice care was provided. I was not triggered, rather I felt understood and validated. The author was able to capture how I felt as a mother ‘doing it all’ and as an adult daughter about to lose my parent suddenly and she was quite spot on. Hospice representation was done beautifully.
This book had a lot of twists that I was not expecting. The last part was definitely an OMG and WTH moment. It was a book like no other that I’ve read before and that’s what I appreciated most. Every mother and every woman has a different story so this one may not pertain to you and it is a work of fiction but I felt it really resonated with motherhood as a whole. The expectations society, families, spouses have on mothers. The expectations we have on ourselves. It really made me think, reflect, appreciate.
One final note. I listened on audio and while the narrator did a lovely job throughout, I did struggle with the children’s voices. This may be a better book read vs audio if that is a detractor. I almost DNF due to the children’s voices and I’m so glad I just read those parts when I could.
Disclaimer: this book is written for a very targeted audience. If you are not within this audience I wouldn’t recommend. It would be inappropriate to rate this book poorly when it is not a genre you would ever enjoy from the get go. Target audience? While anyone is welcome to read any book- this book would be best appreciated by either a current mother or an adult child with a mother who struggled with motherhood. An ‘absent’ mother during childhood.
The MFC characters in this book suffer from maternal ambivalence. Loss of jobs, lack of support from the community and most importantly perceived lack of support from their spouses, these women had significant love/hate relationships with the idea and role of motherhood that had serious repercussions as the story unfolded. While I could not fully relate, I could understand and appreciate and felt value from the words the author wrote and really enjoyed this book. If this wouldn’t interest you I again would urge you to pass.
Additionally there are triggers: death of a parent (father) with very specific detail to the dying process and hospice care. While this may trigger some, I found it healing in a way as I just lost my father this year to a similar progressive illness and hospice care was provided. I was not triggered, rather I felt understood and validated. The author was able to capture how I felt as a mother ‘doing it all’ and as an adult daughter about to lose my parent suddenly and she was quite spot on. Hospice representation was done beautifully.
This book had a lot of twists that I was not expecting. The last part was definitely an OMG and WTH moment. It was a book like no other that I’ve read before and that’s what I appreciated most. Every mother and every woman has a different story so this one may not pertain to you and it is a work of fiction but I felt it really resonated with motherhood as a whole. The expectations society, families, spouses have on mothers. The expectations we have on ourselves. It really made me think, reflect, appreciate.
One final note. I listened on audio and while the narrator did a lovely job throughout, I did struggle with the children’s voices. This may be a better book read vs audio if that is a detractor. I almost DNF due to the children’s voices and I’m so glad I just read those parts when I could.
June 18, 2025
Unfortunately the last 20% absolutely killed the story for me.
June 22, 2025
This book does not know what it wants to be.
P.S. Dont marry a Kyle
P.S. Dont marry a Kyle
July 18, 2025
“Women are masters of efficiency, always considering how many birds they can kill with one measly stone. Men are accustomed to having all the stones in the world and none of the birds"
I love a good messy FMC, and Nicole delivered on all fronts. She’s spiraling, struggling with motherhood, suffocating in her role as a wife, and trying to hold it together while her father is dying and honestly? I was hooked.
Her emotional unraveling felt raw and real, and watching her find comfort in a younger man during the chaos was both wild and strangely tender. This book had me so invested in how it would all play out. I wasn’t sure whether I wanted to shake her or hug her half the time, but that’s exactly why I loved it.
If you’re into character-driven stories with flawed, complicated women and emotional wreckage in the background, this one’s for you.
I love a good messy FMC, and Nicole delivered on all fronts. She’s spiraling, struggling with motherhood, suffocating in her role as a wife, and trying to hold it together while her father is dying and honestly? I was hooked.
Her emotional unraveling felt raw and real, and watching her find comfort in a younger man during the chaos was both wild and strangely tender. This book had me so invested in how it would all play out. I wasn’t sure whether I wanted to shake her or hug her half the time, but that’s exactly why I loved it.
If you’re into character-driven stories with flawed, complicated women and emotional wreckage in the background, this one’s for you.
April 13, 2025
This book is about motherhood, marriage, life in your late 30s & 40s, caring for aging parents, feelings of discontent…I could go on and on because it’s basically my life, and so many of our lives right now, and it had me screaming with relatability.
This story is told through multiple points of view and they’re all connected by the end. Nicole, the main character, was my favorite. Very flawed, but very real too and I loved her for her flaws. She has two young children and an inattentive husband, and Hooper writes about those ‘in the trenches’ type of motherhood days with such clarity and truth. My kids are older now but this took me back to those days, painfully so. It is so freaking hard to be a mom. And not only that, but to be a wife, to be a daughter. It’s just hard to be a woman, ok?! This book made me want to stomp my feet in protest but also hug every other woman out there feeling the same things. This story was so emotional for me (it made me cry, quite a few times) and it had some surprising elements too. It was everything I love in a book.
“I am a woman on the verge — of madness or bliss?” I feel like this could be an anthem, a rally cry, something, for so many of us.
This story is told through multiple points of view and they’re all connected by the end. Nicole, the main character, was my favorite. Very flawed, but very real too and I loved her for her flaws. She has two young children and an inattentive husband, and Hooper writes about those ‘in the trenches’ type of motherhood days with such clarity and truth. My kids are older now but this took me back to those days, painfully so. It is so freaking hard to be a mom. And not only that, but to be a wife, to be a daughter. It’s just hard to be a woman, ok?! This book made me want to stomp my feet in protest but also hug every other woman out there feeling the same things. This story was so emotional for me (it made me cry, quite a few times) and it had some surprising elements too. It was everything I love in a book.
“I am a woman on the verge — of madness or bliss?” I feel like this could be an anthem, a rally cry, something, for so many of us.
March 16, 2025
Hooper captures what so many mothers feel but don't have the courage to discuss. Maternal ambivalence is real, and through Woman On the Verge, readers are taken on a journey through the roller coaster of emotions that accompany it. With depth, flawless writing, and a surprising twist I didn't see coming, Hoover delivers another literary hit.
June 21, 2025
I agree with the 2 star reviews. The ending of this book ruins the book.
Also, as an aside….people in their 60’s are not elderly. The author stated this several times.. someone was in their 60’s and therefore elderly. I can assure you this 64 year old is not elderly!
Also, as an aside….people in their 60’s are not elderly. The author stated this several times.. someone was in their 60’s and therefore elderly. I can assure you this 64 year old is not elderly!
June 23, 2025
I was all caught up with this story until around the 80% mark of the book. The ending was pretty bad in my opinion and would have been a five star if the author had chosen a different route to take the conclusion. I would love to justify my opinion but want to avoid spoilers. Honestly I couldn't put it down and then BAM and I thought no way this is happening. It's too bad because this could have been an amazing story and freeing for many women. I'll leave it at that.
June 24, 2025
4.5 stars. Really enjoyed this. Is a reflection of three women with different challenges and life expectations. Gives “diary in the life of” vibes. A page turner for me as I found it very relatable. Pub. 7/1/25
Kindle First Reads June pick.
Kindle First Reads June pick.
June 23, 2025
This was an Amazon 1st reads pick for me. I don’t recall why I chose it and I had zero expectations going in. I had assumptions though, but I can’t say where they came from. I thought I was starting something familiar & typical. A book about a woman/mother/wife in some state of family turmoil…
And there was that. But I gotta say, this is the first book in idk how long that had a massive twist AND a startling juke that genuinely blew my hair back. I mean, I didn’t expect a twist period. So when it happened, I was downright dumbfounded. Then… after sitting there slack jawed for a little while, I found I was truly & uncommonly impressed. I never suspected anything. And twists are usually so predictable, overdone and disappointing. Not here though. Hooper threw me.
What unfolds is a story of marriage and motherhood and all of the expected struggles in tow. I may come off slightly cryptic here because I feel like nothing should be overtly alluded to in the name of preservation. This story could have been so easily implausible. And it may be for some readers, idk. I would understand if the reviews and ratings are a mixed bag though.
For me, Woman on the Verge played out in such a significant and conceivable way from start to finish. My feet slipped effortlessly into the FMC’s shoes, my empathy & understanding steadfast. I felt her pain, fear, grief, love and longing & I endured her sense of failure, worthlessness and insignificance. Being unseen and unappreciated at length after having given up almost everything that makes you you, to dedicate yourself solely to the whims and needs of others is not nothing. It is weighty and taxing and is sometimes enough to precipitate mental hurdles and trauma if gone unrecognized and unchecked. And something like that happens here...
I’ll leave it at that.
A unique, clever and unpredictable novel done in a tactful & tasteful way. I say that because I sense how quickly it could have gone awry, especially when imagining it being written by someone else. The chances of this book coming off utterly preposterous, uncouth and gurn-worthy are skydive-high. So, my admiration is authentic.
And there was that. But I gotta say, this is the first book in idk how long that had a massive twist AND a startling juke that genuinely blew my hair back. I mean, I didn’t expect a twist period. So when it happened, I was downright dumbfounded. Then… after sitting there slack jawed for a little while, I found I was truly & uncommonly impressed. I never suspected anything. And twists are usually so predictable, overdone and disappointing. Not here though. Hooper threw me.
What unfolds is a story of marriage and motherhood and all of the expected struggles in tow. I may come off slightly cryptic here because I feel like nothing should be overtly alluded to in the name of preservation. This story could have been so easily implausible. And it may be for some readers, idk. I would understand if the reviews and ratings are a mixed bag though.
For me, Woman on the Verge played out in such a significant and conceivable way from start to finish. My feet slipped effortlessly into the FMC’s shoes, my empathy & understanding steadfast. I felt her pain, fear, grief, love and longing & I endured her sense of failure, worthlessness and insignificance. Being unseen and unappreciated at length after having given up almost everything that makes you you, to dedicate yourself solely to the whims and needs of others is not nothing. It is weighty and taxing and is sometimes enough to precipitate mental hurdles and trauma if gone unrecognized and unchecked. And something like that happens here...
I’ll leave it at that.
A unique, clever and unpredictable novel done in a tactful & tasteful way. I say that because I sense how quickly it could have gone awry, especially when imagining it being written by someone else. The chances of this book coming off utterly preposterous, uncouth and gurn-worthy are skydive-high. So, my admiration is authentic.
June 20, 2025
5 stars!
One of the best books I've read this year! Kim Hooper is an amazing writer. I have been reading her books for years now, and they always hit home. Her books are the type that will pull at your heartstrings, trigger emotions, have you crying but also smiling. This one was no different. Mothers will 100% resonate with this book, but even as a childless woman, I still did as well.
Thank you so much, Kim, for the gifted arc to read this in advance - OUT 7/1!
***TRIGGER WARNING - If you have recently lost a parent, are taking care of an ill parent, or anything related to that process this may be a difficult read, or triggering.
One of the best books I've read this year! Kim Hooper is an amazing writer. I have been reading her books for years now, and they always hit home. Her books are the type that will pull at your heartstrings, trigger emotions, have you crying but also smiling. This one was no different. Mothers will 100% resonate with this book, but even as a childless woman, I still did as well.
Thank you so much, Kim, for the gifted arc to read this in advance - OUT 7/1!
***TRIGGER WARNING - If you have recently lost a parent, are taking care of an ill parent, or anything related to that process this may be a difficult read, or triggering.
December 23, 2024
With profound bravery and admirable grace, Hooper takes the reader on a surprising journey brimming with raw emotion and unexpected forks in the road. The beating heart of Woman on the Verge is the idea of maternal ambivalence inherent in modern motherhood, and how this internal conflict reverberates through all aspects of women’s lives. Hooper is truly at the pinnacle of her craft: one of the finest writers of contemporary fiction today.
August 30, 2025
I sobbed I almost DNF I got into a a fight over this book 😭
July 10, 2025
I chose this as one of my Amazon first reads because it was a better option than the rest. Pretty much went in blind. At first I found it comical, until it took me on an emotional rollercoaster.
I applaud the author for being so bold and brave enough to write this story. It’s a side of motherhood, and also marriage, that people don’t talk about or pretend doesn’t exist. A reminder to check in on all the mothers in our lives. A reminder for mothers to check in with themselves.
It may be a tough read, for some, but I highly encourage pushing through.
I applaud the author for being so bold and brave enough to write this story. It’s a side of motherhood, and also marriage, that people don’t talk about or pretend doesn’t exist. A reminder to check in on all the mothers in our lives. A reminder for mothers to check in with themselves.
It may be a tough read, for some, but I highly encourage pushing through.
June 19, 2025
WOMAN ON THE VERGE by Kim Hooper is an Amazon First Reads pick for June, and if you haven’t made your selection yet, please go download this now—especially if you love to read about motherhood and marriage. Take a peek at this quick synopsis:
“𝘈 𝘴𝘦𝘹𝘺, 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘱𝘶𝘭𝘴𝘪𝘷𝘦 𝘮𝘦𝘥𝘪𝘵𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘰𝘯 𝘮𝘰𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘯 𝘮𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘩𝘰𝘰𝘥, 𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘤𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘭𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘳𝘦𝘦 𝘸𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘯 𝘢𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘺 𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘶𝘨𝘨𝘭𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘥𝘦𝘧𝘪𝘯𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘮𝘴𝘦𝘭𝘷𝘦𝘴 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘧𝘢𝘤𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘯𝘦𝘸 𝘰𝘣𝘭𝘪𝘨𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘩𝘦𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵𝘦𝘯𝘦𝘥 𝘦𝘹𝘱𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴.”
I’ve read a good handful of Hooper’s books, and I’m consistently impressed, delighted, and floored with each new release. Her writing skills are outstanding. The author’s latest has SO many shocking twists and turns that I’m still trying to wrap my head around, if I’m being honest. Ha! A few of them stopped me dead in my tracks, and had me murmuring, “Wait. What!?” It’s an emotional rollercoaster, that’s for sure! Oh, and the conclusion is absolutely WILD!!! Buckle up!
Your best bet for this one is to go in completely blind. Just prepare yourself for an addictive and thrilling read about motherhood, marriage, loss, grief, romance, and caring for an elderly parent. It’s a book that you can get easily lost in. I’d sit down to read it, and then hours would go by without me looking up! Hooper just has a knack that locks you in to her characters and storylines.
4/5 stars for WOMAN ON THE VERGE! It officially releases on July 1st, but you can read it early on amazon.
“𝘈 𝘴𝘦𝘹𝘺, 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘱𝘶𝘭𝘴𝘪𝘷𝘦 𝘮𝘦𝘥𝘪𝘵𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘰𝘯 𝘮𝘰𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘯 𝘮𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘩𝘰𝘰𝘥, 𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘤𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘭𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘳𝘦𝘦 𝘸𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘯 𝘢𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘺 𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘶𝘨𝘨𝘭𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘥𝘦𝘧𝘪𝘯𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘮𝘴𝘦𝘭𝘷𝘦𝘴 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘧𝘢𝘤𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘯𝘦𝘸 𝘰𝘣𝘭𝘪𝘨𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘩𝘦𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵𝘦𝘯𝘦𝘥 𝘦𝘹𝘱𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴.”
I’ve read a good handful of Hooper’s books, and I’m consistently impressed, delighted, and floored with each new release. Her writing skills are outstanding. The author’s latest has SO many shocking twists and turns that I’m still trying to wrap my head around, if I’m being honest. Ha! A few of them stopped me dead in my tracks, and had me murmuring, “Wait. What!?” It’s an emotional rollercoaster, that’s for sure! Oh, and the conclusion is absolutely WILD!!! Buckle up!
Your best bet for this one is to go in completely blind. Just prepare yourself for an addictive and thrilling read about motherhood, marriage, loss, grief, romance, and caring for an elderly parent. It’s a book that you can get easily lost in. I’d sit down to read it, and then hours would go by without me looking up! Hooper just has a knack that locks you in to her characters and storylines.
4/5 stars for WOMAN ON THE VERGE! It officially releases on July 1st, but you can read it early on amazon.
July 25, 2025
I! COULD! NOT! STOP! READING! soooo good! as they say, I support women's rights, but more importantly, I support women's wrongs.
June 14, 2025
At times this book felt more like a rant than a novel and left me with mixed emotions towards it. This is a personal preference I know and not exactly a solid critique, but I don’t enjoy books that reference memes, gifs, and quotes from “the internet” as part of the writing, but apart from that distraction, I did get into the story enough to finish it within 24 hours. I’m a mother myself and saw a few reviews before reading about how it resonated with a lot of other mothers, but I just don’t think this is a story for me. I fully agree with the issues discussed, but I am wary of motherhood stories that summarize any “happy mom” as one that is delusional and that they must have pushed down any negative emotions so much that they are basically brainwashed. I also wish (again, a personal opinion) that the author had gotten into more detail with the reveal at the end - it felt like it was a huge shift in reality of what you are reading and yet the book was over fairly quickly after with no explanation on exactly how they figured it out or what evidence made them realize it (besides the LinkedIn messages), or what the logistics exactly were. We saw the delusion, I wish we had a chance to see the reality.
Overall, motherhood (and grief) is filled with intensity and I do believe Hooper captures that well.
Overall, motherhood (and grief) is filled with intensity and I do believe Hooper captures that well.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 18, 2025
A lot to think about after reading this book and many of the quotes will stick with me. I recommend this book to all women—those with children, those with aspirations of becoming a mother someday, and even those with no desire for motherhood. Well-written and super intriguing.
July 21, 2025
Does anyone really understand how motherhood affects you until you yourself become a mother ?? I was a teenager mother myself and remember my grandmother remarking, that my carefree days were over ! I had no idea what she meant but now with three grown up sons I definitely do.
Motherhood is full of complexities and this book delves into some of them. Some mothers bond immediately with their children while others find the role more difficult. The loss of identity is also a real issue many people ignore.
Mothers nowadays also tend to have to juggle many plates, work, childcare and domestic duties , sometimes with little or no help ..
The three female characters in this book are all struggling with the challenges of motherhood. I was intrigued by each of their stories and didn’t see the major twist before it came! Sometimes an uncomfortable read for me with an ending I didn’t see coming, but one which was honest and enlightening
Motherhood is full of complexities and this book delves into some of them. Some mothers bond immediately with their children while others find the role more difficult. The loss of identity is also a real issue many people ignore.
Mothers nowadays also tend to have to juggle many plates, work, childcare and domestic duties , sometimes with little or no help ..
The three female characters in this book are all struggling with the challenges of motherhood. I was intrigued by each of their stories and didn’t see the major twist before it came! Sometimes an uncomfortable read for me with an ending I didn’t see coming, but one which was honest and enlightening
June 17, 2025
Really good with a wild ending
June 25, 2025
ate it up-- will be one of my favorites of the year!
December 15, 2025
“I am a woman on the verge—of madness or bliss?”
Maternal ambivalence sits at the heart of Woman on the Verge. Even though I’m no longer in the trenches of those early toddler years, this book transported me straight back and at times felt so relatable it was almost uncomfortable. Hooper writes with a raw honesty about the complexities of motherhood, something incredibly hard to capture well, but she absolutely nails it.
Told through the perspectives of three women - Nicole, Katrina, and Rose - we’re confronted with some darker inner truths about feelings towards motherhood. Nicole, who never wanted to be a stay-at-home mom, feels herself unraveling in the monotony of it all; Katrina, similarly overwhelmed, is tempted to upend her life when she flirts with a stranger at a bar; and Rose, an ’80s housewife, vents her frustrations into a diary as she weighs her own happiness against that of her family’s.
This book gripped me from the first chapter, and I didn’t foresee any of the twists. The ending is heavily debated in the Goodreads reviews, and because I wasn’t really expecting any twists at all, it did require a mental pivot. But once I sat with it, I could appreciate why the author chose that direction. Motherhood is hard and this book doesn’t shy away from that truth.
I don’t think this novel will appeal to everyone. It’s not a feel-good take on motherhood. But if you’re a fan of Audrey Audrain’s The Push or The Whispers, I think you’ll love this one too.
Maternal ambivalence sits at the heart of Woman on the Verge. Even though I’m no longer in the trenches of those early toddler years, this book transported me straight back and at times felt so relatable it was almost uncomfortable. Hooper writes with a raw honesty about the complexities of motherhood, something incredibly hard to capture well, but she absolutely nails it.
Told through the perspectives of three women - Nicole, Katrina, and Rose - we’re confronted with some darker inner truths about feelings towards motherhood. Nicole, who never wanted to be a stay-at-home mom, feels herself unraveling in the monotony of it all; Katrina, similarly overwhelmed, is tempted to upend her life when she flirts with a stranger at a bar; and Rose, an ’80s housewife, vents her frustrations into a diary as she weighs her own happiness against that of her family’s.
This book gripped me from the first chapter, and I didn’t foresee any of the twists. The ending is heavily debated in the Goodreads reviews, and because I wasn’t really expecting any twists at all, it did require a mental pivot. But once I sat with it, I could appreciate why the author chose that direction. Motherhood is hard and this book doesn’t shy away from that truth.
I don’t think this novel will appeal to everyone. It’s not a feel-good take on motherhood. But if you’re a fan of Audrey Audrain’s The Push or The Whispers, I think you’ll love this one too.
June 7, 2025
Not at all what I was expecting. Excellently written!
August 13, 2025
The novel follows three women—Nicole, Katrina, and Rose—each at a breaking point. Their stories span decades but feel strikingly connected, like echoes of the same question: What happens to a woman when she becomes a mother, and what part of her is allowed to remain?
This story asks that question and more — diving headfirst into the psychic unraveling that can follow when womanhood, motherhood, career, family, and identity all come crashing down at once. It’s brutal. It’s bold. And by the end, it’s absolutely brilliant.
Just read this one- if you’re a mother, wanting to be a mother, or even not a mother!! I was completely shocked and surprised by how this all shook out and that never ever happens for me!!!
This story asks that question and more — diving headfirst into the psychic unraveling that can follow when womanhood, motherhood, career, family, and identity all come crashing down at once. It’s brutal. It’s bold. And by the end, it’s absolutely brilliant.
Just read this one- if you’re a mother, wanting to be a mother, or even not a mother!! I was completely shocked and surprised by how this all shook out and that never ever happens for me!!!
June 2, 2025
I randomly selected this book as one of June’s Prime First Reads. This is now in my top 5 favorite books list. This is a must read if you are a mom but highly recommend if you love books that have lots of twists and turns. This one will stay with me for a long time!
March 14, 2025
Wow! It’s been a long time since I’ve read a book that made me feel seen (as a mother, a partner, a daughter and a women), made me cry, and had the twists and turns that keep the pages flying by! Hooper writes with fluidity and depth, a story that will stay with me for sure, highly recommend!
June 12, 2025
Just couldn't relate to this book. At all. Struggled to get through it but didn't want to quit especially with all the high ratings. Meh.
July 17, 2025
Oh M Gee…. And ….Wow, motherhood to a T to small kiddos! What a shock to my system! This book was not at all what I excepted to read! 100% did not expect the ending! I honestly wasn’t even going to read this until I got hooked after about 25 pages. Even if you aren’t a parent, this was such a good story and I definitely recommend it. The twist it took was so unexpected, I was so shocked. Ive honestly not read a book quite like this one before that was so centered on the motherhood journey, but also different aspects in Nicole’s life that wasn’t motherhood too. This book was so wholesome and raw, so relatable at some points, and I personally related with the deteriorating parent that was mentioned in the book description. I’ve never been able to experience the grief I went through in my personal life with my parent like I did with this book. There were just a few scenes that hit hard, but at the end of the day I understand, know, and accept as much as I can with the outcome as Nicole did throughout this book with all the different events that happen within this story!
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