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Mother Is a Verb: A Novel
Not yet published
Expected 17 Feb 26In this bold and provocative exploration of modern motherhood, three women cross paths on the road to self-discovery, grappling with the uncertainty of whether they can accept what they find.
Gwen Fisher is suffering from postpartum stress. Angeni Luna is thriving in her social media enterprise. Sasha Robinson is grieving over the loss of her sister. All three are looking for something they can’t quite connection, validation, closure…any sign that they’re doing something right.
They just might find it on Bainbridge Island.
There, Angeni runs her “momfluencer” commune with its focus on staying present through all the noise. She has plenty of her own that she’s learned to quiet down over the years. Now she’s offering that same peace to anyone in search of it.
And maybe that’s what Gwen and Sasha need. Peace. But how do you get something from someone who hasn’t truly given it to themselves?
As they begin tapping into the truth of who they really are, they’ll discover what that means to the people who know and love them—and to those who only think they do…
Gwen Fisher is suffering from postpartum stress. Angeni Luna is thriving in her social media enterprise. Sasha Robinson is grieving over the loss of her sister. All three are looking for something they can’t quite connection, validation, closure…any sign that they’re doing something right.
They just might find it on Bainbridge Island.
There, Angeni runs her “momfluencer” commune with its focus on staying present through all the noise. She has plenty of her own that she’s learned to quiet down over the years. Now she’s offering that same peace to anyone in search of it.
And maybe that’s what Gwen and Sasha need. Peace. But how do you get something from someone who hasn’t truly given it to themselves?
As they begin tapping into the truth of who they really are, they’ll discover what that means to the people who know and love them—and to those who only think they do…
431 pages, Paperback
Expected publication February 17, 2026
1 person is currently reading
76 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 - 5 of 5 reviews
October 21, 2025
‘In this bold and provocative exploration of modern motherhood, three women cross paths on the road to self-discovery, grappling with the uncertainty of whether they can accept what they find.’
Mother is a Verb, as the title implies, revolves around alternating FMC’s experiencing motherhood and/or loss in relation to, along with all the trials and tribulations in tow; labor & birthing plans, breastfeeding, mental health struggles, maternity leave… Breastfeeding being a significant focus.
Unfortunately, and even though I am a mother of three, I could not identify with any of these characters, their behavior, their obsession with an IG mom and her live-off-the-land-au-naturale-granola-esque mom facade. I could not relate. The cult-like following surrounding the IG mom isn't something I can wrap my head around. The superficiality of it all. So perhaps I am the wrong audience for this story.
But because of this, I had no feelings where the MC’s were concerned & little interest in turning the pages to find out what was in store. I did anyway of course. Still, I yearned for that character bond, for a jolt of intrigue, for an emotional hook or foothold... but came up empty. That’s not to say the writing wasn’t well done. It was. It was the story itself & the cast I grappled with. Getting through it felt like a trudge, more than an experience I was eager for.
So again, quite possibly a me-thing.
I read and thoroughly enjoyed Hooper’s previous novel, Woman on the Verge. Matter of fact, I still think about it occasionally. So even though this book wasn’t for me, it will not deter me from reading her future works.
2.5 ⭐️ RU.
Thanks to NG and Lake Union Publishing for this arc in exchange for review. I am always grateful.
Pub: 2.17.2026.
Mother is a Verb, as the title implies, revolves around alternating FMC’s experiencing motherhood and/or loss in relation to, along with all the trials and tribulations in tow; labor & birthing plans, breastfeeding, mental health struggles, maternity leave… Breastfeeding being a significant focus.
Unfortunately, and even though I am a mother of three, I could not identify with any of these characters, their behavior, their obsession with an IG mom and her live-off-the-land-au-naturale-granola-esque mom facade. I could not relate. The cult-like following surrounding the IG mom isn't something I can wrap my head around. The superficiality of it all. So perhaps I am the wrong audience for this story.
But because of this, I had no feelings where the MC’s were concerned & little interest in turning the pages to find out what was in store. I did anyway of course. Still, I yearned for that character bond, for a jolt of intrigue, for an emotional hook or foothold... but came up empty. That’s not to say the writing wasn’t well done. It was. It was the story itself & the cast I grappled with. Getting through it felt like a trudge, more than an experience I was eager for.
So again, quite possibly a me-thing.
I read and thoroughly enjoyed Hooper’s previous novel, Woman on the Verge. Matter of fact, I still think about it occasionally. So even though this book wasn’t for me, it will not deter me from reading her future works.
2.5 ⭐️ RU.
Thanks to NG and Lake Union Publishing for this arc in exchange for review. I am always grateful.
Pub: 2.17.2026.
October 20, 2025
This is my first read of Kim Hoopers work, it will not be my last! First, I must say this is not my usual genre. I read a lot of cozy and high fantasy as well as historical fiction. This book was phenomenal. As a mother it is hard to find a book that encompasses all the different aspects, phases, and nuances that is motherhood.
This book however is great for any woman, mother or not. The way Kim details each of the characters own personal relationships and struggles and shines a light on some of the darker and more complex aspects of pregnancy, birth, loss, and new motherhood was so beautifully conceived. You get a full on story of how each character and relationship functions and how they all tie in together. This is not your average happy
Go lucky mommy read, the societal need for someone to “follow” and emulate social media influencers turns some of these families completely upside down. Mother/Daughter relationships are discussed from both angles, marriage after birth is discussed, and friendships after birth. The most important part of this book to me was the relationship many women have with social media, and how when one person is revered almost to a god like state on social media, they have to power to do great good as well as great harm. Amazing work covering so many sensitive topics with grace and honesty. I could not put this down until I finished it! Some trigger warnings include but are not limited to: maternal death, fetal death, infant death, birth, pregnancy, and infertility.
Full Disclosure -I read and received this book as an ARC but my opinions and experiences are my own, I did not receive any compensation for this review 💛Happy Reading 📖
This book however is great for any woman, mother or not. The way Kim details each of the characters own personal relationships and struggles and shines a light on some of the darker and more complex aspects of pregnancy, birth, loss, and new motherhood was so beautifully conceived. You get a full on story of how each character and relationship functions and how they all tie in together. This is not your average happy
Go lucky mommy read, the societal need for someone to “follow” and emulate social media influencers turns some of these families completely upside down. Mother/Daughter relationships are discussed from both angles, marriage after birth is discussed, and friendships after birth. The most important part of this book to me was the relationship many women have with social media, and how when one person is revered almost to a god like state on social media, they have to power to do great good as well as great harm. Amazing work covering so many sensitive topics with grace and honesty. I could not put this down until I finished it! Some trigger warnings include but are not limited to: maternal death, fetal death, infant death, birth, pregnancy, and infertility.
Full Disclosure -I read and received this book as an ARC but my opinions and experiences are my own, I did not receive any compensation for this review 💛Happy Reading 📖
October 29, 2025
Thank you NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for an arc of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I’m going to start off my review by saying that I rounded up to three stars because it was an arc read. If I was recommended this book after pub date, then this review would have been two stars for sure. I felt like it was a chore getting through this one. I was so excited for a “mom book” because I always want to bond with at least one main character. That didn’t happen for me with this book.
I do want to say that I enjoyed the writing style, the multiple POVs, and the chapters from different perspectives and timelines. I enjoyed the separate stories, the blending, and the way all of the characters came together to bring about a positive change in the end. That being said…I could not stand any of the characters the entire way through the story.
This story focuses on motherhood, but the huge priority here was the obsession with influencers on social media. The way these new mothers chose an influencer over health care professionals, their family & friends, and their spouses BLEW ME AWAY!!!! Now, I was psychotic as a new mom…I suffered PTSD, PPD, and PP-all-the-things. That being said…holy fucking shit!!!!! These women were fucking bonkers!!!! I could not comprehend what was going on in their heads. I’m glad we had the influencer’s POV because it just showed us that no one…I repeat…no one has their shit together all the fucking time. It’s just not realistic.
I hated this book for the first 40%. I struggled through it until around the 80% mark, and I finished strong not hating it completely. I did not hate the writing style, but I found every character absolutely insufferable. The only character I didn’t hate the entire book was Sasha (Sitka). She was suffering from the devastating loss of her sister due to birth complications, and she blamed the influencer Angeni Luna for her sister’s death.
I don’t believe I have to give a summary of the book since it’s easy to find them here, but I do want to say that I’m happy with the ending of this one. I just wouldn’t purchase it, recommend it, or read it again personally. I will most likely try this author out again in the future.
Thank you again for the opportunity to read this arc. I do appreciate what the author did here with this novel. Unfortunately, I was not the intended reader for this type of novel.
I’m going to start off my review by saying that I rounded up to three stars because it was an arc read. If I was recommended this book after pub date, then this review would have been two stars for sure. I felt like it was a chore getting through this one. I was so excited for a “mom book” because I always want to bond with at least one main character. That didn’t happen for me with this book.
I do want to say that I enjoyed the writing style, the multiple POVs, and the chapters from different perspectives and timelines. I enjoyed the separate stories, the blending, and the way all of the characters came together to bring about a positive change in the end. That being said…I could not stand any of the characters the entire way through the story.
This story focuses on motherhood, but the huge priority here was the obsession with influencers on social media. The way these new mothers chose an influencer over health care professionals, their family & friends, and their spouses BLEW ME AWAY!!!! Now, I was psychotic as a new mom…I suffered PTSD, PPD, and PP-all-the-things. That being said…holy fucking shit!!!!! These women were fucking bonkers!!!! I could not comprehend what was going on in their heads. I’m glad we had the influencer’s POV because it just showed us that no one…I repeat…no one has their shit together all the fucking time. It’s just not realistic.
I hated this book for the first 40%. I struggled through it until around the 80% mark, and I finished strong not hating it completely. I did not hate the writing style, but I found every character absolutely insufferable. The only character I didn’t hate the entire book was Sasha (Sitka). She was suffering from the devastating loss of her sister due to birth complications, and she blamed the influencer Angeni Luna for her sister’s death.
I don’t believe I have to give a summary of the book since it’s easy to find them here, but I do want to say that I’m happy with the ending of this one. I just wouldn’t purchase it, recommend it, or read it again personally. I will most likely try this author out again in the future.
Thank you again for the opportunity to read this arc. I do appreciate what the author did here with this novel. Unfortunately, I was not the intended reader for this type of novel.
November 20, 2025
Actual rating: 4.5
Thank you to NetGalley for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Mother Is a Verb is my first Kim Hooper book, and definitely not my last. Right from the opening chapters, I felt seen in a way I wasn’t expecting. Hooper writes motherhood with a rawness that cuts through the noise: the pressure to be the “best,” the constant comparison, that lingering fear of not being enough, and the chorus of opinions telling mothers what they should be doing. It captures the emotional weight so honestly that reading it felt like sitting across from someone who finally says all the things you’ve been carrying quietly.
As a mother myself, so many moments hit painfully close to home. There’s something grounding about seeing your own anxieties reflected on the page, not dramatized, not softened, but presented with truth and empathy. Hooper manages to put words to feelings that often stay unspoken.
One aspect that really stood out to me was how the book explores the disturbingly high pedestal that people place social media “influencers” on. And I say “influencers” loosely, because today it feels like anyone with a large enough following can wear that label. The book highlights how curated, filtered, and often misleading these online lives can be, yet people absorb them as the standard for success, happiness, or even good parenting. It’s eerie but accurate—this idea that influencers hold authority simply because they post daily, and how easily some people accept their content without question. The contrast between what’s real and what’s performed is sharp, and Hooper captures that tension so well.
This story felt honest, uncomfortable in the right ways, and validating all at once. I already know I want a physical copy once it’s released, because it’s a book I can see myself revisiting during different stages of motherhood.
Expected publication date: February 17, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Mother Is a Verb is my first Kim Hooper book, and definitely not my last. Right from the opening chapters, I felt seen in a way I wasn’t expecting. Hooper writes motherhood with a rawness that cuts through the noise: the pressure to be the “best,” the constant comparison, that lingering fear of not being enough, and the chorus of opinions telling mothers what they should be doing. It captures the emotional weight so honestly that reading it felt like sitting across from someone who finally says all the things you’ve been carrying quietly.
As a mother myself, so many moments hit painfully close to home. There’s something grounding about seeing your own anxieties reflected on the page, not dramatized, not softened, but presented with truth and empathy. Hooper manages to put words to feelings that often stay unspoken.
One aspect that really stood out to me was how the book explores the disturbingly high pedestal that people place social media “influencers” on. And I say “influencers” loosely, because today it feels like anyone with a large enough following can wear that label. The book highlights how curated, filtered, and often misleading these online lives can be, yet people absorb them as the standard for success, happiness, or even good parenting. It’s eerie but accurate—this idea that influencers hold authority simply because they post daily, and how easily some people accept their content without question. The contrast between what’s real and what’s performed is sharp, and Hooper captures that tension so well.
This story felt honest, uncomfortable in the right ways, and validating all at once. I already know I want a physical copy once it’s released, because it’s a book I can see myself revisiting during different stages of motherhood.
Expected publication date: February 17, 2026
December 1, 2025
*****3.5 stars****
Thank you to Netgalley and the published for the Kindle ARC. I am a fan of Kim Hooper's work and was happy to be approved for her latest novel, Mother is a Verb. The book started a little slowly for me and I wasn't sure I would be interested enough to continue. About a quarter of the way through, the story got more involved and interesting. Three women from different backgrounds are tied together through the one mother, Angeni, who is a mom-influencer not of products but of a wholesome lifestyle. She breastfeeds only, lives on a large piece of land with a few others and they work the land while living "cleanly." Gwen is on maternity leave, is suffering from post-partum depression and is dreading her return to work. Sasha has lost her sister while she was giving birth, under the home birth suggestions of Angeni. There are several twists and turns but this is by no means a mystery or suspense novel. Some true identities are hidden but the reader can put the pieces of the puzzle together. It was a slower but enjoyable read.
Thank you to Netgalley and the published for the Kindle ARC. I am a fan of Kim Hooper's work and was happy to be approved for her latest novel, Mother is a Verb. The book started a little slowly for me and I wasn't sure I would be interested enough to continue. About a quarter of the way through, the story got more involved and interesting. Three women from different backgrounds are tied together through the one mother, Angeni, who is a mom-influencer not of products but of a wholesome lifestyle. She breastfeeds only, lives on a large piece of land with a few others and they work the land while living "cleanly." Gwen is on maternity leave, is suffering from post-partum depression and is dreading her return to work. Sasha has lost her sister while she was giving birth, under the home birth suggestions of Angeni. There are several twists and turns but this is by no means a mystery or suspense novel. Some true identities are hidden but the reader can put the pieces of the puzzle together. It was a slower but enjoyable read.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews