The Mother Daughter Book Club

by Susan Patterson, James Patterson

Brought to you by Penguin.

Four old friends. One life-changing trip.

It’s been three years since best friends Elin, Grace, Mariella and Jamie got together with their daughters for a book club night that would change their lives forever.

Now, they travel to the breathtaking shores of Lake Como, Italy, to reunite for the first time since that fateful evening.

Amid the idyllic landscape, sumptuous food and dog-eared pages of their favourite books, it becomes clear that the women are all keeping secrets from each other.

What really happened all those years ago? And will the power of love and literature finally help them to let go?

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PRAISE FOR SUSAN AND JAMES PATTERSON

'This book will win your heart!' - Elin Hilderbrand

James Patterson and Susan Patterson 2026 (P) Penguin Audio 2026

Genres: Fiction, Audiobook, Books About Books

342 pages, Kindle Edition

Expected publication April 20, 2026

About the author

Susan Solie Patterson has a Bachelor of Science/Master of Fine Arts degree from the University of Wisconsin–Madison, where she was also an All-American swimmer. She is the author of Things I Wish I Told My Mother and Big Words for Little Geniuses, which was a New York Times bestseller.

Reviews

[Vanessa Mills · Rating 5 out of 5]

Follow along with 9 women as they share a journey only friends can endure. Filled with laughter, heartache, fun and secrets some good and some not so good.

[V · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this book as an ARC for my honest review. This book is a feel good book. It follows a group of ladies and their daughters that connected through books. Tragedy threatened to pull the group and families apart but in the end their love pulls them all back together. Also loved the recipes in the back for all the good food mentioned. Not to forget the start that has a list of women and who they are and very detailed so if you forget you can go check that. Must read for me!

[Vickie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book and recommend it as the next read for any book clubs that enjoy fiction with a great story, memorable characters, laughable moments and times with tears too. Told by multiple narrators, including all of the moms and their daughters, this story is set mostly in Italy on Lake Como where the characters meet for their book group at the invitation of famous opera singer and member of their group, Mariella. Every character has her own distinct personality and problems as well as a few secrets as well. I loved the premise of getting together to discuss books that each has read instead of having one book for all to have to read and discuss. I adored the way Mariella had all the activities planned for her group of friends and how her husband pitched in and cooked for all of them, gourmet meals and appetizers that sounded so scrumptious that I wanted to crawl into the page. My very favorite part of the book was the “Night of Secrets,” a tradition in which each member of the group has to reveal a secret that no one else knows. Some secrets were interesting but not mesmerizing but the build up and the ultimate revelation of one of the secrets was mind-blowing and worth waiting for. This is a book to be treasured as it presents motherhood, friendships, tragedy and celebrations all in one well-crafted and brilliantly plotted novel. With mystery, romance and a lot of entertainment, this book goes on my list for one of my favorite books ever.
I voluntarily received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review, and all opinions expressed are my own.

[Sher · Rating 4 out of 5]

Four lifelong friends gather with their daughters for their annual Mother-Daughter Book Club meeting. After a tragic end to one of these get togethers, the tradition quietly dissolves. Three years later, the women are summoned to Italy for a reunion that brings the book club back to life and fills us in on all the details of lives lived and those broken.
One of my favourite moments is when one of the women describes a book she’s reading: “The characters are so vivid, they practically leap off the page and land next to you on the couch. The story is heartwarming, and also a little heartbreaking. It’ll make you laugh, cry. And text your Mom.” These exact words could describe this novel by Susan Patterson and James Patterson. And I love the ‘text your Mom’ at the end.
This is a story about relationships between friends, between mothers and daughters and between the versions of ourselves we share and the ones we keep tucked away. Secrets are kept, some are revealed and when they are shared, they are all received with love, protection, and care.
A delightful bonus is the long list of authors and books mentioned throughout, many of which I haven’t read and now want to explore. The recipes at the end add a charming, cozy touch.
Truly a wonderful, feel good book.

Thank you to Little, Brown and Company and NetGalley for the advance copy. All opinions are my own.

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to NetGalley and Little, Brown and Company for access to this title. All opinions expressed are my own.

Four long-time friends, Mariella, Elin, Grace, Jamie and their five grown daughters gather to talk about books, life, and the things that drive a woman's heart. A tragedy three years before has kept the book club from meeting regularly, but this reunion in Italy, hosted by Mariella, is driven by a need for the group to heal.

Maybe this got me at a sentimental moment this weekend, but when I decided to sneak a peek at the first chapter, well, I couldn't quit until I got all the way to the end. I think Grace and Jamie certainly had the most captivating storylines, but honestly, I liked all the characters. I really appreciated that the authors always placed the narrator of the chapter and their connection. For example, " Zoey, daughter of Mariella." That helped me immensely keep track of everything.

Just a great story!

Expected Publication 20/04/26
Goodread Review 15/03/26

[Cory Beyer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and Little, Brown and Company for this ARC. A group of friends who met in college are now mothers to adult daughters. All this time has passed and they are still getting together for their annual Book Club getaway. Now the friends are now in their 60's and they decided to meet at a villa in Italy only to end their weekend on the Night of Secrets. What is said will only make their group stronger. Good read! #TheMotherDaughterBookClub #SusanPatterson #JamesPatterson #LittleBrownandCompany #April2026

[Laura Wonderchick · Rating 4 out of 5]

A real feel good story about family, friends and books. Luckily there is a chart with all the names and who belongs to who at the beginning bc it got a little confusing until I got into the groove of the story. Thanks to the publisher for this early copy for read and review

[Sarah Kate · Rating 3 out of 5]

Feel good story. Thank you for the Arc!

[Kelly Garratt · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was too dramatic, too many unbelievable characters with no reason to get on

[EmG ReadsDaily · Rating 4 out of 5]

Feel-good fiction. Celebrating friendship and family.