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Mom Brain
Can a luxury resort transform her life by giving her back control? Georgia Evans thinks it sounds too good to be true. Turns out her motherly intuition isn't wrong . . . In the vein of Liane Moriarty's Nine Perfect Strangers, Mom Brain turns a discerning eye toward society's view on modern motherhood and reframes "mom brain" as a superpower.
Welcome to The Program, an immersive week-long experience set to the backdrop of the breathtaking island of O'ahu, where mothers in all stages of crisis can come to take control of their lives. It's not exactly the type of thing Georgia Evans--a busy working mother of two--would usually consider. However, still spiraling from a debacle that crowned her "internet's worst mom," she is desperate enough to try anything.
Once on the island, Georgia is quickly won over by the elegant (and somewhat enigmatic) founder of The Program, Cecilia Clements. Cecilia shows The Program's attendees how the biology of motherhood has imprisoned them. More importantly, she promises them freedom from that prison. Captivated by this possibility and the compelling science behind it, Georgia grows deeply involved with Cecilia's mission, ignoring any doubt that starts to creep in. That's the whole point of The Program, after all: you can't really trust a mom brain.
Welcome to The Program, an immersive week-long experience set to the backdrop of the breathtaking island of O'ahu, where mothers in all stages of crisis can come to take control of their lives. It's not exactly the type of thing Georgia Evans--a busy working mother of two--would usually consider. However, still spiraling from a debacle that crowned her "internet's worst mom," she is desperate enough to try anything.
Once on the island, Georgia is quickly won over by the elegant (and somewhat enigmatic) founder of The Program, Cecilia Clements. Cecilia shows The Program's attendees how the biology of motherhood has imprisoned them. More importantly, she promises them freedom from that prison. Captivated by this possibility and the compelling science behind it, Georgia grows deeply involved with Cecilia's mission, ignoring any doubt that starts to creep in. That's the whole point of The Program, after all: you can't really trust a mom brain.
368 pages, Paperback
Published April 21, 2026
About the author
Nicole Hackett
2 books84 followersNicole lives with her husband and two kids in a very old house in the farmlands of northern Maryland, where she works as a biochemical patent agent. In addition to being an author, she is one of those annoying people who run on vacation.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 182 reviews
April 26, 2026
This book is very different. Different than I expected, different than anything I’ve read. And to be honest I’m not entirely sure how I feel about it yet, though I’m going to attempt to share my thoughts anyway.
“A mom brain is simply the neurological hardwiring for self sacrifice.” And this book explores what happens when that is turned off. You’d think that would be a big scary deal, but it’s not actually all that dramatic, which surprised me. But the story still is, in other ways.
As the book starts, Georgia is going through something. We don’t really know what, which seems to be by design, as Nicole Hackett’s writing often left me wondering if I missed something. I would reread or rewind, pretty sure I didn’t miss whatever it was, usually right before the missing detail is revealed 😂. I got better at trusting my memory as the book went on.
I found this story engaging and entertaining overall. It’s pretty character driven, taking a deep dive into the crevices of Georgia’s mind. To like this, you need to be ok with flawed main characters who don’t always make the best choices. It’s also part domestic fiction, part mystery, and a little bit of a thriller.
As always, Saskia Maarleveld delivers a wonderful audiobook performance full of emotion and intensity.
Many thanks to Harper Muse for the gifted copies.
“A mom brain is simply the neurological hardwiring for self sacrifice.” And this book explores what happens when that is turned off. You’d think that would be a big scary deal, but it’s not actually all that dramatic, which surprised me. But the story still is, in other ways.
As the book starts, Georgia is going through something. We don’t really know what, which seems to be by design, as Nicole Hackett’s writing often left me wondering if I missed something. I would reread or rewind, pretty sure I didn’t miss whatever it was, usually right before the missing detail is revealed 😂. I got better at trusting my memory as the book went on.
I found this story engaging and entertaining overall. It’s pretty character driven, taking a deep dive into the crevices of Georgia’s mind. To like this, you need to be ok with flawed main characters who don’t always make the best choices. It’s also part domestic fiction, part mystery, and a little bit of a thriller.
As always, Saskia Maarleveld delivers a wonderful audiobook performance full of emotion and intensity.
Many thanks to Harper Muse for the gifted copies.
April 26, 2026
2.75⭐️ This story was unfortunately a miss for me. Despite being able to relate to the main character, Georgia, as a mom, the story was slow and I really struggled to want to pick it up. Georgia is a burnt out mom who’s experiencing some drama at work, that has carried into her personal life, so she’s off to a retreat called “The Program,” that helps mothers who are struggling. But is all as it seems?
I could see where the author was trying to go - shining a spotlight on motherhood and the mental toll it can take, but also trying to make it a thriller/suspenseful? I don’t know if she was trying to do too much, but for me I just don’t think the execution was successful. Georgia’s time at “The Program” was really just weird. There was so much alluding to things, build up, and then we’d just move on. I thought this was in an effort to build up to something bigger, which, I guess? But it just felt anti-climactic because “twists” were incredibly predictable, and frankly unoriginal. I also feel like additions of Georgia’s “me too” storyline and the scare/diagnosis for Georgia’s daughter both felt completely random. Yes, as a mother/parent, that experience would be terrifying, but it just felt odd and disconnected. And while another important topic to discuss, the “me too” bit felt like it was just thrown in there to add more pages?
The commentary on “mom brain” was incredibly important, and when focused on that piece, I think there were effective parts (and some very quotable lines). I am not sure I’ll be recommending this one, but if you like a predictable “thriller” with a good bit of social commentary, this could be for you. It did also give me similar vibes to Nine Perfect Strangers, if you liked that? I could see it creating some great discussions in a book club setting! While this wasn’t a favorite of mine, I’m so grateful I got the chance to read it!
Edited to add: I also received and was able to listen to the audio version of this story, and I did actually enjoy listening to it more than reading it - the narrator, Saskia Maarleveld, was great, she definitely gave Georgia more depth and relatability, and also made Cecilia even more unlikable and villain-like - Unfortunately, many of my same feelings/criticisms remain about the story itself. I didn’t hate it, but I didn’t love it. I give the audio 3⭐️
Thank you, so much, to NetGalley and Harper Muse for the eARC, and to Harper Muse Audio for the ALC of Mom Brain by Nicole Hackett!
I could see where the author was trying to go - shining a spotlight on motherhood and the mental toll it can take, but also trying to make it a thriller/suspenseful? I don’t know if she was trying to do too much, but for me I just don’t think the execution was successful. Georgia’s time at “The Program” was really just weird. There was so much alluding to things, build up, and then we’d just move on. I thought this was in an effort to build up to something bigger, which, I guess? But it just felt anti-climactic because “twists” were incredibly predictable, and frankly unoriginal. I also feel like additions of Georgia’s “me too” storyline and the scare/diagnosis for Georgia’s daughter both felt completely random. Yes, as a mother/parent, that experience would be terrifying, but it just felt odd and disconnected. And while another important topic to discuss, the “me too” bit felt like it was just thrown in there to add more pages?
The commentary on “mom brain” was incredibly important, and when focused on that piece, I think there were effective parts (and some very quotable lines). I am not sure I’ll be recommending this one, but if you like a predictable “thriller” with a good bit of social commentary, this could be for you. It did also give me similar vibes to Nine Perfect Strangers, if you liked that? I could see it creating some great discussions in a book club setting! While this wasn’t a favorite of mine, I’m so grateful I got the chance to read it!
Edited to add: I also received and was able to listen to the audio version of this story, and I did actually enjoy listening to it more than reading it - the narrator, Saskia Maarleveld, was great, she definitely gave Georgia more depth and relatability, and also made Cecilia even more unlikable and villain-like - Unfortunately, many of my same feelings/criticisms remain about the story itself. I didn’t hate it, but I didn’t love it. I give the audio 3⭐️
Thank you, so much, to NetGalley and Harper Muse for the eARC, and to Harper Muse Audio for the ALC of Mom Brain by Nicole Hackett!
April 27, 2026
Mom Brain 🧠 Book Review 📖 thank you @booksparks @harpermusebooks for the gifted book!
Mom Brain
by Nicole Hackett
Narrated by Saskia Maarleveld
Welcome to The Program, an immersive week-long experience set to the backdrop of the breathtaking island of O'ahu, where mothers in all stages of crisis can come to take control of their lives. It's not exactly the type of thing Georgia Evans--a busy working mother of two--would usually consider. However, still spiraling from a debacle that crowned her "internet's worst mom," she is desperate enough to try anything.
💭 My thoughts:
Unsettling, addictive, and impossible to look away from! Wow wow wow. I loved this one so much. I split my time between the physical book and the audiobook and you can’t go wrong with either. The narration was incredible and added an immersive layer to the story. It made everything feel more intense. I found myself not wanting to stop no matter which format I was in. This one completely surprised me with how gripping it was and it had this underlying tension that just kept building. As a mom, parts of it felt a little too real in the best and unsettling way. I also really loved the science aspect. It added a unique layer that I personally enjoyed. Between the secrets, the atmosphere, and that constant sense that something isn’t quite right, there was just no way I was going to be able to stop once I started. This gets all the stars from me!
What to expect👇🏽
💐Motherhood + identity
‼️Psychological tension
🤫Secrets + unraveling truths
🔬Science driven elements
Happy reading 📖
Mom Brain
by Nicole Hackett
Narrated by Saskia Maarleveld
Welcome to The Program, an immersive week-long experience set to the backdrop of the breathtaking island of O'ahu, where mothers in all stages of crisis can come to take control of their lives. It's not exactly the type of thing Georgia Evans--a busy working mother of two--would usually consider. However, still spiraling from a debacle that crowned her "internet's worst mom," she is desperate enough to try anything.
💭 My thoughts:
Unsettling, addictive, and impossible to look away from! Wow wow wow. I loved this one so much. I split my time between the physical book and the audiobook and you can’t go wrong with either. The narration was incredible and added an immersive layer to the story. It made everything feel more intense. I found myself not wanting to stop no matter which format I was in. This one completely surprised me with how gripping it was and it had this underlying tension that just kept building. As a mom, parts of it felt a little too real in the best and unsettling way. I also really loved the science aspect. It added a unique layer that I personally enjoyed. Between the secrets, the atmosphere, and that constant sense that something isn’t quite right, there was just no way I was going to be able to stop once I started. This gets all the stars from me!
What to expect👇🏽
💐Motherhood + identity
‼️Psychological tension
🤫Secrets + unraveling truths
🔬Science driven elements
Happy reading 📖
June 4, 2026
Review to follow
May 1, 2026
Mom brain: a real or temporary phenomenon involving memory lapses,brain fog and reduced focus often during pregnancy and postpartum.
I will be the first to admit I suffer from some serious mom brain moments. And I thought that would be what the story focused on but it also seemed to also focus on "mom brain" in the sense that maybe mom brains are programmed/ wired differently.
Georgia, a mother of two goes to a retreat in Oahu that specializes in helping mothers regain control through technology and science. She wants to fix her mom brain after a recent public scandal but things get pretty crazy quickly and things aren't exactly as they seem.
It really shows just how far a mother would go to improve herself. It's no secret the pressure that is put on modern mothers.
This book was as much speculative fiction as it was satire. Is mom brain a challenge or a superpower? At this point, I'm not so sure.
I will be the first to admit I suffer from some serious mom brain moments. And I thought that would be what the story focused on but it also seemed to also focus on "mom brain" in the sense that maybe mom brains are programmed/ wired differently.
Georgia, a mother of two goes to a retreat in Oahu that specializes in helping mothers regain control through technology and science. She wants to fix her mom brain after a recent public scandal but things get pretty crazy quickly and things aren't exactly as they seem.
It really shows just how far a mother would go to improve herself. It's no secret the pressure that is put on modern mothers.
This book was as much speculative fiction as it was satire. Is mom brain a challenge or a superpower? At this point, I'm not so sure.
June 4, 2026
Other than some excessive use of “y’all”, I really loved this book. Such an interesting idea and very well executed. It definitely gave a lot to reflect on as someone with a “mom brain!” and is going to stick with me for a while
May 21, 2026
I feel like a lot of the story lacked purpose. The lead was unconvincing and annoying, and the villain was very similar. A lot of the characters were not fleshed out. Yet what struck me the most was that the plot felt so random: her time at the program was boring, convoluted, and ultimately lacked structure and purpose, and the plot lines following the me too conversation and the diabetes were random and poorly done.
April 24, 2026
This gave off culty brain horror creepy sci-fi vibes. And it was weird and fun and creative in a a new way. I really liked how it made me think of brains, hormones, and free will in a completely different way.
Saskia Maarleveld narrates, which as usual, enhances the experience.
My one criticism is that I think there was a level of incongruence with the supposed intelligence level of the main female character and her actual behavior.
Thanks to NetGalley and Harper Muse Audiobooks for providing the ALC in exchange for an honest review! All opinions and statements are my own.
Saskia Maarleveld narrates, which as usual, enhances the experience.
My one criticism is that I think there was a level of incongruence with the supposed intelligence level of the main female character and her actual behavior.
Thanks to NetGalley and Harper Muse Audiobooks for providing the ALC in exchange for an honest review! All opinions and statements are my own.
April 27, 2026
I wanted to like this one because the premise had a lot of potential, but the execution didn’t quite come together for me. Hackett clearly wanted to explore the pressures placed on mothers and the expectations society has for women once they have children, but the message felt heavy-handed rather than insightful. A lot of the characters felt flat, so I never fully connected with anyone or cared much about what happened.
What bothered me most aside from the lack of development in every corner of it was the book’s apparent assumption that maternal instinct is some gender based built-in biological certainty. That idea is presented like fact, when in reality it’s far more complicated and definitely not something universally proven or experienced. Or that’s the impression I got.
The pacing was slow for most of the book, then the ending suddenly became chaotic and over-the-top. Overall, I appreciated what it was trying to say, but it never fully developed its ideas in a believable or compelling way. Not for me, but others may connect with it more.
Thank you NetGalley/harper collins for the audio copy - I liked the readers voice a lot.
What bothered me most aside from the lack of development in every corner of it was the book’s apparent assumption that maternal instinct is some gender based built-in biological certainty. That idea is presented like fact, when in reality it’s far more complicated and definitely not something universally proven or experienced. Or that’s the impression I got.
The pacing was slow for most of the book, then the ending suddenly became chaotic and over-the-top. Overall, I appreciated what it was trying to say, but it never fully developed its ideas in a believable or compelling way. Not for me, but others may connect with it more.
Thank you NetGalley/harper collins for the audio copy - I liked the readers voice a lot.
April 16, 2026
"No one dies on an ordinary Thursday.
This is Georgia's first irrational thought."
Georgia is the mother of a toddler and an infant and she is a patent law lawyer. She has undergone some kind of public scandal, and as a result, her law firm is sending to her a retreat/seminar called The Program in Hawaii. The goal of the program is to essentially rewire "mom brains".
"'And what we've learned, thanks in part to mothers such as Rat Mother Number two, is that a mother's brain is as predictable as it is complex.' A pause, perhaps for theatrical effect, before he tells them, 'A mom brain is simply the neurological hardwiring for self-sacrifice.'"
I lovedddd Hackett's first book, The Perfect Ones, so I was excited to get my hands on this--especially because it is about motherhood. And honestly it was super interesting. Because it's marketed as a thriller we know something is amiss from the beginning, and I was waiting with baited breath for the other shoe to drop. I was suspicious of every character--even Georgia our fmc. In the end, I never could have predicted what happened and there is scene near the end that I will replaying for a long time to come. Overall this was very atmospheric and cinematic and I could easily see this playing out on a big screen. I do wish there had been less build-up and we had gotten to the thrills sooner, but this worked well for me and Hackett is now an autobuy author!
This is Georgia's first irrational thought."
Georgia is the mother of a toddler and an infant and she is a patent law lawyer. She has undergone some kind of public scandal, and as a result, her law firm is sending to her a retreat/seminar called The Program in Hawaii. The goal of the program is to essentially rewire "mom brains".
"'And what we've learned, thanks in part to mothers such as Rat Mother Number two, is that a mother's brain is as predictable as it is complex.' A pause, perhaps for theatrical effect, before he tells them, 'A mom brain is simply the neurological hardwiring for self-sacrifice.'"
I lovedddd Hackett's first book, The Perfect Ones, so I was excited to get my hands on this--especially because it is about motherhood. And honestly it was super interesting. Because it's marketed as a thriller we know something is amiss from the beginning, and I was waiting with baited breath for the other shoe to drop. I was suspicious of every character--even Georgia our fmc. In the end, I never could have predicted what happened and there is scene near the end that I will replaying for a long time to come. Overall this was very atmospheric and cinematic and I could easily see this playing out on a big screen. I do wish there had been less build-up and we had gotten to the thrills sooner, but this worked well for me and Hackett is now an autobuy author!
April 25, 2026
I genuinely still don't know what the point of that book was. I'm just... confused. The intrigue itself isn't particularly original: a bunch of women pay for a week of relaxation with other mothers and end up in a cult run by a sociopathic scientist. Then the main character goes back to her normal life. I thought the mom thing was going to make it worth it: after all "mom brain" is a real thing. Or at least, I thought I would like the main character personality. I was expecting something moving, inventive, rebellious. Something that really interrogate how women experience motherhood today, you know. But no... This felt very (white) American and incoherent. I guess it was supposed to be a suspenseful kind of thriller but at no point did it feel that way. I frowned and rolled my eyes multiple times because of how slow it was. I found the story boring, same for the internal monologue of Georgia. Sometimes her thoughts/actions were just... stupid. Really. The characters interactions were unrealistic and lame, they don't get alarmed at all when being used for a giant experiment (it's obvious but Georgia and her PhD only realizes it at the end). They don't ask questions. How come their children look so real in the VR, even small behaviors or gestures, if Cecilia has never met them? What kind of technology is this? Governmental? Isn't it illegal? A lot of questions are unanswered. Everyone just follows, complaining once or twice without thinking further. Even when [spoilers!] two participants disappear, nobody cares. We are never told how Cecelia's program got famous, how she got rich to the point of owning a whole campus, or why the hell she would let the girls get in contact with the outside (considering what she's doing to them). Seriously, this doesn't make mothers justice at all, let alone women.
June 16, 2026
Georgia is a mother of two, and when there is an incident at work she decides going to Hawaii for a luxury retreat based on motherhood will sort her out and give her back some control. However, when Georgia attends The Programme she has a gut feeling that there’s something not quite right. Georgie is required to battle with her darkest fears to free herself from her ‘mom brain’ mindset and be able to function the way she did prior to having kids.
Short chapters, quick and easy read. However maybe I’m not a mom so maybe I’m not the target audience for this however I found there were too many holes in the story line for me. (spoilers ahead).
Firstly, why would someone from work sign her up for this course? I don’t understand what type of mandate HR are forcing on their employees? I understand she was found to lie in the article, however just make her do a power point slide like any normal corporate job.
Secondly, it was very predictable who she was lying in the article for. I think the author could have used their imagination a bit more to get Georgia into that retreat rather than just suggesting it was her employers idea.
Thirdly, is Georgia ok? She witnesses men going into one of the guests rooms in the middle of the night and then she just goes to breakfast as normal and continues the programme without raising it or worrying about it? Where was that mom brain then?
I just wish there was a lot more happening on the retreat side of things to give this the ‘dark’ and ‘unnerving’ turns that the reviews had promised.
Short chapters, quick and easy read. However maybe I’m not a mom so maybe I’m not the target audience for this however I found there were too many holes in the story line for me. (spoilers ahead).
Firstly, why would someone from work sign her up for this course? I don’t understand what type of mandate HR are forcing on their employees? I understand she was found to lie in the article, however just make her do a power point slide like any normal corporate job.
Secondly, it was very predictable who she was lying in the article for. I think the author could have used their imagination a bit more to get Georgia into that retreat rather than just suggesting it was her employers idea.
Thirdly, is Georgia ok? She witnesses men going into one of the guests rooms in the middle of the night and then she just goes to breakfast as normal and continues the programme without raising it or worrying about it? Where was that mom brain then?
I just wish there was a lot more happening on the retreat side of things to give this the ‘dark’ and ‘unnerving’ turns that the reviews had promised.
May 9, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Muse for the ALC of this book. I'm rating it 4 stars, with .5 being for the audiobook narration. I don't know how I feel about this book. Yes, I enjoyed it, but somehow it feels like nothing really happened that grabbed my attention? There were elements of the book that worked for me, but most of the "thriller" aspect I just didn't find thrilling. The commentary on mom brain and how society treats mothers was good, and the audiobook narration was great, but the big reveal towards the end felt like bit of a let down. I was really into this until that reveal, which felt kinda anti-climatic? I don't know how to describe it but I do know this worked a lot better for me until the reveal. So much potential, but not quite there for me. I honestly don't even know how to write this review because this book wasn't all that memorable, and I listened to this whole book in one day lol.
June 8, 2026
I found the premise of this book intriguing. I think the title somehow made me think that it would be more light hearted than I found it to be. The story is interesting although segmented into three parts which I found a little off putting as I didn't really understand the need for it. The story continues throughout but in different locations. There are definitely some twists and the book kept me entertained. However I did not feel myself really wanting to read it. I think for me, all the characters need some more definition and detail. I didn't particularly feel anything for any of them. There are moments of tension and I did wonder continually what was going to happen but without any real emotion. However the actual concept of being able to modify the brain of a mother made me think about the use of "medication" for other neurological conditions and whether we should be questioning these more. Overall a reasonable read and made me reflect on motherhood and society's view of women.
April 18, 2026
Mom Brain by Nicole Hackett was a bit of a crazy ride. Georgia Evans is a mom of two and dealing with a fall out at work. They have decided it would be best to enter The Program on the island of Oahu. Sounds like a fine type of place to take a week and reflect on her life. However, as the week unfolds she is grouped with strange people, asked to partake in rituals in order to become a better mother. As each day passes guests begin to disappear and she is unsure if she feels better or worse.
There were so many things about motherhood in the book that were relatable, all the directions one is pulled, how do we know if we are making the right choices, and when to ask for help.
This book publishes on April 21, 2026, grab a copy from your favorite bookseller.
Thank you to the publisher for this advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest review.
There were so many things about motherhood in the book that were relatable, all the directions one is pulled, how do we know if we are making the right choices, and when to ask for help.
This book publishes on April 21, 2026, grab a copy from your favorite bookseller.
Thank you to the publisher for this advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest review.
April 26, 2026
Mom Brain promises a thriller that delves into the mental load that a lot of women deal with as parents.
I thought the concept was so interesting, the chance to “turn off” your brain and your obsessive worries - that nagging feeling of never being a “good enough” mom.
Unfortunately for a thriller, I didn’t find there to be enough driving force. It’s a decent story but wasn’t very gripping. I don’t think we also got enough of an explanation of The Program and I was left feeling like the story wasn’t over.
It was ok but I honestly just felt like there wasn’t much of a point. I wanted to leave this book feeling somewhat cathartic but just feel a little perplexed.
2.5 stars rounded up because it was at least an easy read.
Thank you booksparks for a free copy of this book to review.
I thought the concept was so interesting, the chance to “turn off” your brain and your obsessive worries - that nagging feeling of never being a “good enough” mom.
Unfortunately for a thriller, I didn’t find there to be enough driving force. It’s a decent story but wasn’t very gripping. I don’t think we also got enough of an explanation of The Program and I was left feeling like the story wasn’t over.
It was ok but I honestly just felt like there wasn’t much of a point. I wanted to leave this book feeling somewhat cathartic but just feel a little perplexed.
2.5 stars rounded up because it was at least an easy read.
Thank you booksparks for a free copy of this book to review.
May 18, 2026
This book felt like a slow psychological spiral wrapped in a wellness retreat for mothers and I mean that as a compliment.
The entire concept was so specific and strange that I immediately knew I was either going to fully buy into it or hate it. The idea of mothers being told their instincts, emotions, sacrifices, and literal brain chemistry are the problem? Creepy from page one. And the more Georgia gets pulled into The Program, the more everything starts feeling slightly tilted and wrong.
What worked for me most was the pacing of the uncertainty. Nothing felt overly dramatic or overdone, but there was this constant underlying feeling that something bad was sitting just outside the frame waiting to reveal itself. Every interaction felt calculated. Every “solution” felt dangerous. The book keeps tightening the pressure without needing huge twists every five minutes.
I also appreciated that this was not written like a clean polished thriller where everything falls neatly into place. It felt uncomfortable, emotionally blurry, and obsessive in a way that matched the storyline perfectly. Georgia is not always easy to read or easy to agree with, but that made the whole thing feel more real to me.
And honestly, the motherhood aspect added a layer that made parts of this hit harder than I expected. The guilt, identity loss, resentment, pressure, exhaustion, all of it is sitting underneath the mystery the entire time.
The entire concept was so specific and strange that I immediately knew I was either going to fully buy into it or hate it. The idea of mothers being told their instincts, emotions, sacrifices, and literal brain chemistry are the problem? Creepy from page one. And the more Georgia gets pulled into The Program, the more everything starts feeling slightly tilted and wrong.
What worked for me most was the pacing of the uncertainty. Nothing felt overly dramatic or overdone, but there was this constant underlying feeling that something bad was sitting just outside the frame waiting to reveal itself. Every interaction felt calculated. Every “solution” felt dangerous. The book keeps tightening the pressure without needing huge twists every five minutes.
I also appreciated that this was not written like a clean polished thriller where everything falls neatly into place. It felt uncomfortable, emotionally blurry, and obsessive in a way that matched the storyline perfectly. Georgia is not always easy to read or easy to agree with, but that made the whole thing feel more real to me.
And honestly, the motherhood aspect added a layer that made parts of this hit harder than I expected. The guilt, identity loss, resentment, pressure, exhaustion, all of it is sitting underneath the mystery the entire time.
May 20, 2026
I loved the premise for this one- a program to help mothers overcome “mom brain”- where do I sign up? 😅 Also, I appreciated this one had such a good commentary on some of the things women struggle with after becoming a mom. Like losing your sense of self, or just getting used to your brain being physically altered. (FYI, mom brain is actually real. The gray matter in the brain of a female actually decreases during pregnancy, leading to brain fog, forgetfulness, and ability to focus. 🤯)
If you’re looking for a mystery/thriller, I can see why some find it a little underwhelming. While I found the psychology interesting, the science behind the program and pills they prescribe isn’t really explained or teased out, either- it’s more of a “just trust me, this works.” But if you’re looking for a vibes read, and maybe just wanting to know others feel similarly as a mother, I’d definitely pick this one up!
𝑾𝒉𝒐 𝑰'𝒅 𝑹𝒆𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒅 𝒕𝒐:
Moms will definitely sympathize a lot with this book, and I think it would lead to some great book club discussions.
𝑨 𝒏𝒐𝒕𝒆 𝒐𝒏 𝒏𝒂𝒓𝒓𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏:
Saskia Maarleveld narrates this and does an amazing job. I really think she leveled up this book!
4.5/5 rounded up
If you’re looking for a mystery/thriller, I can see why some find it a little underwhelming. While I found the psychology interesting, the science behind the program and pills they prescribe isn’t really explained or teased out, either- it’s more of a “just trust me, this works.” But if you’re looking for a vibes read, and maybe just wanting to know others feel similarly as a mother, I’d definitely pick this one up!
𝑾𝒉𝒐 𝑰'𝒅 𝑹𝒆𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒅 𝒕𝒐:
Moms will definitely sympathize a lot with this book, and I think it would lead to some great book club discussions.
𝑨 𝒏𝒐𝒕𝒆 𝒐𝒏 𝒏𝒂𝒓𝒓𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏:
Saskia Maarleveld narrates this and does an amazing job. I really think she leveled up this book!
4.5/5 rounded up
May 12, 2026
I honestly couldn’t have read this book any faster. I was invested from the get go and couldn’t wait for each turn of the page. I’m so glad this book exists
May 23, 2026
I wanted to like this but I think the author bit off a little too much. She did get bonus points for naming the main character Georgia :)
Read
May 5, 2026I won this from a giveaway and I enjoyed reading it.
June 20, 2026
I fear this did not land for me. The chapters are really way too short. It feels like we are being cut sharp out of a scene, especially when we need to sit in it for it to develop. The overall premise was intriguing but it didn’t hit the mark. For a moment it felt like it was going to be a bit like a black mirror episode, which was super interesting but nothing felt developed enough to really make the point of the story. As for the commentary on “mom brain” I just didn’t feel like that mission was achieved. We had a lot of memories, internal dialogue, but not much in terms of scenes, plot moments that we are actually experiencing. It didn’t feel like we were on the ride to the destination where we landed.
May 15, 2026
Mom Brain by Nicole Hackett (2026)
8h 42m narrated by Saskia Maarleveld, 368 pages
Genre: Contemporary Literary Fiction, Social Satire, Psychological Suspense, Mystery Thriller, Speculative Fiction
Rating as a movie: R
Featuring: Epigraph, Map - Arcadian Bay Resort in Oahu, Hawai'i; Parts, Marriage, Washington D.C.; Motherhood, Identity, Oahu, Hawaii; Hawaiian Resort, Luxury Mother's Rehabilitation Retreat, Lost of Child, Grief, Activities, Public Opinion, Discussion Questions - PDF
My rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🏝🧠🤱🏻
My thoughts: I actually thought this was a nonfiction book when I added it to my TBR so putting "a novel" on books can be important. I was very glad when I discovered it was nonfiction but it was originally listed as literary fiction but then somebody else said it was a psychological thriller so I was very confused but whatever it was I enjoyed it. I don't think of it as a psychological Thriller it was psychological but it was not a thriller it definitely was a mystery and suspenseful and definitely literary because it's very character driven. it was a little bit of everything at the exact right consistency that it was fast moving but I did not feel the danger of a thriller, just the anxiousness of a suspense. Since publishers love putting thriller on books that aren't thrillers I will say this, the difference between a suspense and a thriller is suspense is anticipating danger, while a thriller is surviving danger. well there was some survival element in this story it felt artificial therefore for me it was not a true thriller.
Recommend to others: Absolutely I am trying to talk myself out of adding this to my book club schedule. I think it would make a tremendously enjoyable book club discussion.
Songs for the soundtrack: "Baby Shark" by Alemuel, "Fantaisie-Impromptu" by Frédéric Chopin
Books and Authors mentioned: "Janet's Repentance" included in Scenes of Clerical Life by George Eliot, Full House by Jeff Franklin, Little Critter series by Mercer Mayer, Amelia Bedelia series by Peggy Parish, Little Women by Louisa May Alcott, The Legend of Robin Hood, The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus by Frank Baum, Jane Austen,
Memorable Quotes: No one dies on an ordinary Thursday. This is Georgia’s first irrational thought. And then, in quick succession, the second, third, and fourth: Asthma attack. Rat poison. Anaphylactic shock. She just recently saw a video about a toddler who got into rat poison. It was tragic, and worse than that, it was totally avoidable. Imagine that poor mother, Georgia thought when she watched it. Imagine that being your one big mistake. “Do the Hildebrandts use rat poison?” she asks. The Hildebrandts are their neighbors, with whom they are friendly but not particularly close. Will struggles for a moment, confused by the question, and rightly so. Will didn’t see the video, and besides, the Hildebrandts don’t use rat poison. The Hildebrandts are environmentalists. “Do they— What?” His eyes don’t leave Clover. He’s afraid, and he’s never afraid. The fear looks almost indecent on his face. They’re standing in their dark bedroom. Georgia is holding their five-year-old, Clover, who breathes in, breathes out. Georgia can feel her little body working; each breath is a strained, unusual whistle. It’s such a foreign sound, and this doesn’t make sense to Georgia. Never has her daughter felt foreign before. Never, not once. She read once that children’s cells remain permanently in their mothers’ bodies, another random thought. And then, back to the first one: It’s an ordinary Thursday. No one dies on an ordinary Thursday night.
“I wonder where she got it,” he says. They should’ve put a camera on the garage, she thinks. They put one on their front door, but the garage is a blind spot. She says, “Got what?” “Croup. Is it contagious?” She blinks. Will teaches American Literature at an all-boys high school, so he knows quite a bit about quite a lot, although he doesn’t know much about biology or medicine or (although she’ll never say this) the female body, generally. “I don’t know. But the croup isn’t an illness. It’s a symptom of an illness. Like—I don’t know. A cough. You can get a cough from a million different bugs.” “Ah.”
The first time this happened, the cops asked if she suspected anybody, but of course she didn’t. That bra, the first one, was a practical nude color that she could envision coming from a normal underwear drawer. Still, she couldn’t picture a single person in her life doing something like that. Not when the people in her life are: Darla Hildebrandt with her yoga butt and Lululemon half-zips. Aaron Hildebrandt in his white crew socks. Her colleagues, all left-leaning and highly educated, who probably wash their bras the way you’re supposed to, in one of those little mesh bags.
Mothers today are equipped with more tools and information than at any other time in history, and yet, modern motherhood leaves women feeling more drained than ever before. Mothers today are challenged by endless expectations and disproportionate burdens. To put it simply, mothers today are drowning, and despite this, they are one of the least supported groups.
8h 42m narrated by Saskia Maarleveld, 368 pages
Genre: Contemporary Literary Fiction, Social Satire, Psychological Suspense, Mystery Thriller, Speculative Fiction
Rating as a movie: R
Featuring: Epigraph, Map - Arcadian Bay Resort in Oahu, Hawai'i; Parts, Marriage, Washington D.C.; Motherhood, Identity, Oahu, Hawaii; Hawaiian Resort, Luxury Mother's Rehabilitation Retreat, Lost of Child, Grief, Activities, Public Opinion, Discussion Questions - PDF
My rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🏝🧠🤱🏻
My thoughts: I actually thought this was a nonfiction book when I added it to my TBR so putting "a novel" on books can be important. I was very glad when I discovered it was nonfiction but it was originally listed as literary fiction but then somebody else said it was a psychological thriller so I was very confused but whatever it was I enjoyed it. I don't think of it as a psychological Thriller it was psychological but it was not a thriller it definitely was a mystery and suspenseful and definitely literary because it's very character driven. it was a little bit of everything at the exact right consistency that it was fast moving but I did not feel the danger of a thriller, just the anxiousness of a suspense. Since publishers love putting thriller on books that aren't thrillers I will say this, the difference between a suspense and a thriller is suspense is anticipating danger, while a thriller is surviving danger. well there was some survival element in this story it felt artificial therefore for me it was not a true thriller.
Recommend to others: Absolutely I am trying to talk myself out of adding this to my book club schedule. I think it would make a tremendously enjoyable book club discussion.
Songs for the soundtrack: "Baby Shark" by Alemuel, "Fantaisie-Impromptu" by Frédéric Chopin
Books and Authors mentioned: "Janet's Repentance" included in Scenes of Clerical Life by George Eliot, Full House by Jeff Franklin, Little Critter series by Mercer Mayer, Amelia Bedelia series by Peggy Parish, Little Women by Louisa May Alcott, The Legend of Robin Hood, The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus by Frank Baum, Jane Austen,
Memorable Quotes: No one dies on an ordinary Thursday. This is Georgia’s first irrational thought. And then, in quick succession, the second, third, and fourth: Asthma attack. Rat poison. Anaphylactic shock. She just recently saw a video about a toddler who got into rat poison. It was tragic, and worse than that, it was totally avoidable. Imagine that poor mother, Georgia thought when she watched it. Imagine that being your one big mistake. “Do the Hildebrandts use rat poison?” she asks. The Hildebrandts are their neighbors, with whom they are friendly but not particularly close. Will struggles for a moment, confused by the question, and rightly so. Will didn’t see the video, and besides, the Hildebrandts don’t use rat poison. The Hildebrandts are environmentalists. “Do they— What?” His eyes don’t leave Clover. He’s afraid, and he’s never afraid. The fear looks almost indecent on his face. They’re standing in their dark bedroom. Georgia is holding their five-year-old, Clover, who breathes in, breathes out. Georgia can feel her little body working; each breath is a strained, unusual whistle. It’s such a foreign sound, and this doesn’t make sense to Georgia. Never has her daughter felt foreign before. Never, not once. She read once that children’s cells remain permanently in their mothers’ bodies, another random thought. And then, back to the first one: It’s an ordinary Thursday. No one dies on an ordinary Thursday night.
“I wonder where she got it,” he says. They should’ve put a camera on the garage, she thinks. They put one on their front door, but the garage is a blind spot. She says, “Got what?” “Croup. Is it contagious?” She blinks. Will teaches American Literature at an all-boys high school, so he knows quite a bit about quite a lot, although he doesn’t know much about biology or medicine or (although she’ll never say this) the female body, generally. “I don’t know. But the croup isn’t an illness. It’s a symptom of an illness. Like—I don’t know. A cough. You can get a cough from a million different bugs.” “Ah.”
The first time this happened, the cops asked if she suspected anybody, but of course she didn’t. That bra, the first one, was a practical nude color that she could envision coming from a normal underwear drawer. Still, she couldn’t picture a single person in her life doing something like that. Not when the people in her life are: Darla Hildebrandt with her yoga butt and Lululemon half-zips. Aaron Hildebrandt in his white crew socks. Her colleagues, all left-leaning and highly educated, who probably wash their bras the way you’re supposed to, in one of those little mesh bags.
Mothers today are equipped with more tools and information than at any other time in history, and yet, modern motherhood leaves women feeling more drained than ever before. Mothers today are challenged by endless expectations and disproportionate burdens. To put it simply, mothers today are drowning, and despite this, they are one of the least supported groups.
May 10, 2026
I'll shamelessly admit that I'll read wellness cult-y thrillers all day every day. If this were to become the next big trope, I'd be totally here for it. And Mom Brain is a solid new contribution to this mini genre!
That said, I have two differing perspectives on this book.
As a wellness cult-y thriller? It's a 10 out of 10. It absolutely scratches that itch, no question. If you just want to read it with your brain turned off a little bit, you'll have a wild ride and a lot of fun—and I for sure did.
But as a, er, book? It wasn't quite there for me. As fun as it was, it felt as if it was all concept, no execution.
This book has a fascinating premise—what if "mom brain" were a real thing (and a problem)?—but a book that's so heavily based around a premise like this needs to actually make that premise work on the page, and unfortunately, I just don't feel that Mom Brain ever did. It gets caught up in science that never really seems to make sense (okay, maybe my suspension of disbelief was just poor—but I had trouble believing the idea that mom brain would be a bad thing [real life science says it's not!] when the characters seemed to accept that idea almost immediately with what felt like minimal explanation). That struggle would be ignorable, but then the book seems to go in several different directions at once. While it could be a fascinating exploration of motherhood, we get commentary on friendship and social issues and stretches that just feel like pure thriller material. For a book about "mom brain," it felt strange to have motherhood seem like a fairly small (or at least, a fairly average) part of the main character's life. Her mom brain never seemed to be a problem, so it was hard to feel any connection to seeing her "solve" it.
Past that, the stakes didn't quite feel like they were as well established on the page as they needed to be. Often, moments that should have felt very high tension felt almost glossed over in a way that was surprising for a book with such a thriller-esque structure, and the main character's reactions tended to feel almost muted or unnatural. Sometimes that was clearly intentional, but other times, it just felt distancing, and ultimately, it made the book less engaging.
But again—those are just my thoughts with my critical reader hat on. Take that hat off, and I loved it! I might not remember it a week from now, but I had a good time with it while the reading experience lasted.
🎧 I read this in audiobook format, and I really liked the narrator! Her voice worked very well for the main character and kept me engaged for the whole reading experience. I can still hear her voice in my mind whenever I think about the book, which really says something!
(Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the advance reader copy! All opinions are, of course, my own.)
That said, I have two differing perspectives on this book.
As a wellness cult-y thriller? It's a 10 out of 10. It absolutely scratches that itch, no question. If you just want to read it with your brain turned off a little bit, you'll have a wild ride and a lot of fun—and I for sure did.
But as a, er, book? It wasn't quite there for me. As fun as it was, it felt as if it was all concept, no execution.
This book has a fascinating premise—what if "mom brain" were a real thing (and a problem)?—but a book that's so heavily based around a premise like this needs to actually make that premise work on the page, and unfortunately, I just don't feel that Mom Brain ever did. It gets caught up in science that never really seems to make sense (okay, maybe my suspension of disbelief was just poor—but I had trouble believing the idea that mom brain would be a bad thing [real life science says it's not!] when the characters seemed to accept that idea almost immediately with what felt like minimal explanation). That struggle would be ignorable, but then the book seems to go in several different directions at once. While it could be a fascinating exploration of motherhood, we get commentary on friendship and social issues and stretches that just feel like pure thriller material. For a book about "mom brain," it felt strange to have motherhood seem like a fairly small (or at least, a fairly average) part of the main character's life. Her mom brain never seemed to be a problem, so it was hard to feel any connection to seeing her "solve" it.
Past that, the stakes didn't quite feel like they were as well established on the page as they needed to be. Often, moments that should have felt very high tension felt almost glossed over in a way that was surprising for a book with such a thriller-esque structure, and the main character's reactions tended to feel almost muted or unnatural. Sometimes that was clearly intentional, but other times, it just felt distancing, and ultimately, it made the book less engaging.
But again—those are just my thoughts with my critical reader hat on. Take that hat off, and I loved it! I might not remember it a week from now, but I had a good time with it while the reading experience lasted.
🎧 I read this in audiobook format, and I really liked the narrator! Her voice worked very well for the main character and kept me engaged for the whole reading experience. I can still hear her voice in my mind whenever I think about the book, which really says something!
(Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the advance reader copy! All opinions are, of course, my own.)
May 31, 2026
Mom Brain by Nicole Hackett is a highly intriguing, genre-blending thriller that functions as a sharp satire on the overwhelming pressures of modern motherhood. Drawing heavy thematic comparisons to Liane Moriarty’s Nine Perfect Strangers, the novel follows Georgia Evans—a working mom recovering from a viral public disaster—as she checks into "The Program," an exclusive, cult-like wellness retreat on the island of O'ahu designed to help struggling mothers regain control of their lives. While the atmospheric backdrop and the social commentary are incredibly compelling, a few narrative missteps keep the book from truly reaching its full potential.
What I Loved
The Setting and Atmosphere: The lush, escapist Hawaiian backdrop acts as the perfect contrast to the creeping, unsettling dread of the retreat.
Relatability and Social Satire: Hackett does a phenomenal job capturing the crushing guilt, mental load, and societal expectations placed on modern parents. The early chapters exploring Georgia's "internet's worst mom" debacle feel painfully realistic.
A Creative Premise: Reframing "mom brain" from a cognitive deficit into a neurobiological superpower is a fantastic, unique foundation for a psychological thriller.
Room for Improvement
Tonal Inconsistency: The book struggles to balance its identity. It frequently shifts gears between a grounded, emotional contemporary fiction story about maternal burnout and a highly dramatic, slightly far-fetched sci-fi thriller.
The Final Act: The buildup regarding Cecilia Clements and the true nature of The Program is brilliant, but the ultimate resolution feels rushed. The climax demands a heavy suspension of disbelief that detaches from the very real, relatable human emotions established early on.
Repetitive Pacing: The middle section drags slightly as Georgia goes through various workshops, re-treading the same internal anxieties multiple times before the plot moves forward.
Final Verdict
Mom Brain is a solid, thought-provoking weekend read that handles the vulnerabilities of motherhood with an incredibly smart, speculative twist. While the execution of the thriller elements gets a bit messy toward the end, it is absolutely worth a read for the biting commentary and the sheer creativity of the plot.
What I Loved
The Setting and Atmosphere: The lush, escapist Hawaiian backdrop acts as the perfect contrast to the creeping, unsettling dread of the retreat.
Relatability and Social Satire: Hackett does a phenomenal job capturing the crushing guilt, mental load, and societal expectations placed on modern parents. The early chapters exploring Georgia's "internet's worst mom" debacle feel painfully realistic.
A Creative Premise: Reframing "mom brain" from a cognitive deficit into a neurobiological superpower is a fantastic, unique foundation for a psychological thriller.
Room for Improvement
Tonal Inconsistency: The book struggles to balance its identity. It frequently shifts gears between a grounded, emotional contemporary fiction story about maternal burnout and a highly dramatic, slightly far-fetched sci-fi thriller.
The Final Act: The buildup regarding Cecilia Clements and the true nature of The Program is brilliant, but the ultimate resolution feels rushed. The climax demands a heavy suspension of disbelief that detaches from the very real, relatable human emotions established early on.
Repetitive Pacing: The middle section drags slightly as Georgia goes through various workshops, re-treading the same internal anxieties multiple times before the plot moves forward.
Final Verdict
Mom Brain is a solid, thought-provoking weekend read that handles the vulnerabilities of motherhood with an incredibly smart, speculative twist. While the execution of the thriller elements gets a bit messy toward the end, it is absolutely worth a read for the biting commentary and the sheer creativity of the plot.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
2.5 Stars Rounded up to 3
This convoluted storyline left me with more questions than answers.
Georgia Evans has become notorious and an embarrassment to her company through the publication of an interview that is revealed to be a lie. Under this cloud of shame, she also is being stalked by an unknown person and harassed in public. It is determined by her firm that she participate in a retreat run by a client on one of the Hawaiian Islands, which requires her leaving her husband and young children at home. While the details of the retreat are obscure, the purpose of “The Program” is related to deconditioning the “mom brain.” The condition is reportedly due to physiological changes in the brain due to pregnancy and motherhood – affecting a woman’s ability to think clearly and logically.
The Program is the creation of Cecelia Clements, a neuroscientist. Clements comes across as a shadowy figure with questionable motives. The retreat unfolds, day by day, with activities driven by technology and pharmaceuticals. Most of the descriptions were deeply disturbing as the women are exposed to a horrific video of animal cruelty and simulated experiences to confront their worst fears involving their children.
Overall, I did not find this an illuminating or enjoyable experience. None of the characters were appealing. I found it hard to imagine that Georgia, a woman who holds a PhD in Pharmacology and a doctorate in Jurisprudence, could be so naive in her participation as well as her poorly executed investigative escapades. Will, her husband, seems weak in his “do what you think is best” approach to all Georgia’s concerns. Georgia’s best friend has stayed silent in the face of her public humiliation. Finally, Cecelia comes across as a sociopath disguised as a respectable scientist. My final issue with the novel is that key elements of The Program are muddled leaving me wondering about the author’s intention in exploring this topic.
My thanks to the author, the publisher, and NetGalley for the privilege of reviewing this book. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
This review will be posted on Amazon upon publication.
This convoluted storyline left me with more questions than answers.
Georgia Evans has become notorious and an embarrassment to her company through the publication of an interview that is revealed to be a lie. Under this cloud of shame, she also is being stalked by an unknown person and harassed in public. It is determined by her firm that she participate in a retreat run by a client on one of the Hawaiian Islands, which requires her leaving her husband and young children at home. While the details of the retreat are obscure, the purpose of “The Program” is related to deconditioning the “mom brain.” The condition is reportedly due to physiological changes in the brain due to pregnancy and motherhood – affecting a woman’s ability to think clearly and logically.
The Program is the creation of Cecelia Clements, a neuroscientist. Clements comes across as a shadowy figure with questionable motives. The retreat unfolds, day by day, with activities driven by technology and pharmaceuticals. Most of the descriptions were deeply disturbing as the women are exposed to a horrific video of animal cruelty and simulated experiences to confront their worst fears involving their children.
Overall, I did not find this an illuminating or enjoyable experience. None of the characters were appealing. I found it hard to imagine that Georgia, a woman who holds a PhD in Pharmacology and a doctorate in Jurisprudence, could be so naive in her participation as well as her poorly executed investigative escapades. Will, her husband, seems weak in his “do what you think is best” approach to all Georgia’s concerns. Georgia’s best friend has stayed silent in the face of her public humiliation. Finally, Cecelia comes across as a sociopath disguised as a respectable scientist. My final issue with the novel is that key elements of The Program are muddled leaving me wondering about the author’s intention in exploring this topic.
My thanks to the author, the publisher, and NetGalley for the privilege of reviewing this book. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
This review will be posted on Amazon upon publication.
April 22, 2026
This was an entertaining novel that was relatively easy to read and get into, but I didn’t feel much once I finished it.
I liked the interesting synopsis— a woman named Georgia is in a bit of a precarious situation with her job and must go to a retreat in Hawaii to partake in ‘The Program’ in order to help rewire her ‘mom brain’ (which is a real thing, by the way) if she wishes to keep her job. However, not everything is as it seems at this lush resort. Mom Brain kept me entertained throughout, and I enjoyed both the writing style and pacing. ‘The Program’ Georgia goes to has weird Gwyneth-Paltrow-goop-culty-vibes from the very start, and I appreciate that the book committed to the bit with this particular aspect. The bits of psychology and neuroscience were interesting to read as well, though I can’t make any claims about their validity.
However, I found that the plot fell a bit flat for me. This is a book I would describe as having a psychological thriller skeleton with a literary fiction body, which is interesting, but perhaps made the story get in its own way. The twists you typically get in a thriller were heavily foreshadowed to the point that while I did not predict the exact way things unfolded, when I got to the reveal, my reaction was “oh, ok”. I think this may be because the novel spends so long building up to this big reveal, only for it to be very unoriginal, making it feel anticlimatic. There were also things that were alluded to that ended up being glossed over in a way that left me befuddled.
Ultimately, I think this was something I liked reading in the moment, but had no real impression of once finished. I think it was trying to be somewhat thought-provoking, but the message just didn’t land. Still, it was entertaining enough, and I think if you want a more predictable book-club-ready lite thriller, then you may appreciate this.
I received an advanced copy from NetGalley and HarperMuse in exchange for a review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I liked the interesting synopsis— a woman named Georgia is in a bit of a precarious situation with her job and must go to a retreat in Hawaii to partake in ‘The Program’ in order to help rewire her ‘mom brain’ (which is a real thing, by the way) if she wishes to keep her job. However, not everything is as it seems at this lush resort. Mom Brain kept me entertained throughout, and I enjoyed both the writing style and pacing. ‘The Program’ Georgia goes to has weird Gwyneth-Paltrow-goop-culty-vibes from the very start, and I appreciate that the book committed to the bit with this particular aspect. The bits of psychology and neuroscience were interesting to read as well, though I can’t make any claims about their validity.
However, I found that the plot fell a bit flat for me. This is a book I would describe as having a psychological thriller skeleton with a literary fiction body, which is interesting, but perhaps made the story get in its own way. The twists you typically get in a thriller were heavily foreshadowed to the point that while I did not predict the exact way things unfolded, when I got to the reveal, my reaction was “oh, ok”. I think this may be because the novel spends so long building up to this big reveal, only for it to be very unoriginal, making it feel anticlimatic. There were also things that were alluded to that ended up being glossed over in a way that left me befuddled.
Ultimately, I think this was something I liked reading in the moment, but had no real impression of once finished. I think it was trying to be somewhat thought-provoking, but the message just didn’t land. Still, it was entertaining enough, and I think if you want a more predictable book-club-ready lite thriller, then you may appreciate this.
I received an advanced copy from NetGalley and HarperMuse in exchange for a review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
May 1, 2026
3.5⭐️
Mom Brain is a unique examination of how decision making changes after becoming a mother. It is twisty and suspenseful with a cult-like atmosphere that drew me right in. It takes place partially in Hawaii following Georgia, a mother and participant in The Program, an immersive, week-long experience set in O’ahu. As the plot progresses, it becomes increasingly unsettling, leaning in favor of raising questions rather than providing answers. Red flags are everywhere. As a mother, I found it to hit unexpectedly close to home and this led me to feel shaken and unmoored. It takes a powerful plot to sweep the reader off their feet in such a way. Our main character doesn’t see herself for who she is, which is such a common theme in motherhood. So often, we doubt and question ourselves to death and Mom Brain showcased this in a way I’ve never seen before. It looked at that messiness in a new light and, somehow, despite all the shock value, left me feeling more secure and capable in my own mothering skills. For a work of fiction, I still experienced the kind of internal resolution one may find in the pages of a self-help book: it’s okay to rely on my own brain, my own morals, my own thoughts and to lean on my own ‘mom brain.’ This entire novel is built on a fascinating concept and Nicole Hackett navigated it beautifully.
I was lucky enough to receive an ALC and, wow, Saskia Maarleveld is such a talented narrator. Her vocal range had me questioning, time and time again, if this could possibly be the work of a single person. She was able to embody each character in a way that left me with no question of who was speaking, even when it wasn’t yet clear from the text. I will be keeping my eye on other books she narrates, because it was quite an experience.
Thank you to Harper Muse Audiobooks and Netgalley for the advanced listening copy in exchange for my honest thoughts.
Mom Brain is a unique examination of how decision making changes after becoming a mother. It is twisty and suspenseful with a cult-like atmosphere that drew me right in. It takes place partially in Hawaii following Georgia, a mother and participant in The Program, an immersive, week-long experience set in O’ahu. As the plot progresses, it becomes increasingly unsettling, leaning in favor of raising questions rather than providing answers. Red flags are everywhere. As a mother, I found it to hit unexpectedly close to home and this led me to feel shaken and unmoored. It takes a powerful plot to sweep the reader off their feet in such a way. Our main character doesn’t see herself for who she is, which is such a common theme in motherhood. So often, we doubt and question ourselves to death and Mom Brain showcased this in a way I’ve never seen before. It looked at that messiness in a new light and, somehow, despite all the shock value, left me feeling more secure and capable in my own mothering skills. For a work of fiction, I still experienced the kind of internal resolution one may find in the pages of a self-help book: it’s okay to rely on my own brain, my own morals, my own thoughts and to lean on my own ‘mom brain.’ This entire novel is built on a fascinating concept and Nicole Hackett navigated it beautifully.
I was lucky enough to receive an ALC and, wow, Saskia Maarleveld is such a talented narrator. Her vocal range had me questioning, time and time again, if this could possibly be the work of a single person. She was able to embody each character in a way that left me with no question of who was speaking, even when it wasn’t yet clear from the text. I will be keeping my eye on other books she narrates, because it was quite an experience.
Thank you to Harper Muse Audiobooks and Netgalley for the advanced listening copy in exchange for my honest thoughts.
April 24, 2026
Thank you to HarperMuse Audio and NetGalley for the advanced listener copy in exchange for an honest review!
After seeing this book posted on Instagram by HarperMuse on pub day (April 21), I became intrigued and obsessed with getting my hands on this book. I absolutely love an unhinged read with wild energy. This book absolutely delivers! I loved Nine Perfect Strangers and this was somewhat similar with mothers all gathering in Hawai'i for a retreat called The Program to address their shortcomings and their "mom brain." As expected, The Program gets weird and ethically questionable. There are experiments with rats, magic mushrooms, and virtual reality challenges which are frighteningly realistic.
I binged this book as a buddy read with another unhinged-book-loving friend and we had a blast reading it together, digesting it in real time. We both binged it in less than two days! This book would make an EXCELLENT book club read, as there is so much to unpack.
Some of my favorite parts!:
"Mothers today are equipped with more tools and information than any other time in history and yet, modern motherhood leaves women feeling more drained than ever before. Mothers today are challenged by endless expectations and disproportionate burdens. To put it simply: mother's today are drowning. And despite this, they are one of the least supported groups."
"Mothers undergo countless profound changes throughout their journey into parenthood but perhaps none is as confounding as their willingness to disregard themselves when it comes to their children. It's antithetical to the most basic rules of evolution as we understand them. A puzzle to which only mothers hold the key...a mom brain is simply the neurological hardwiring for self-sacrifice"
Creative writing and great premise! Recommend!
After seeing this book posted on Instagram by HarperMuse on pub day (April 21), I became intrigued and obsessed with getting my hands on this book. I absolutely love an unhinged read with wild energy. This book absolutely delivers! I loved Nine Perfect Strangers and this was somewhat similar with mothers all gathering in Hawai'i for a retreat called The Program to address their shortcomings and their "mom brain." As expected, The Program gets weird and ethically questionable. There are experiments with rats, magic mushrooms, and virtual reality challenges which are frighteningly realistic.
I binged this book as a buddy read with another unhinged-book-loving friend and we had a blast reading it together, digesting it in real time. We both binged it in less than two days! This book would make an EXCELLENT book club read, as there is so much to unpack.
Some of my favorite parts!:
"Mothers today are equipped with more tools and information than any other time in history and yet, modern motherhood leaves women feeling more drained than ever before. Mothers today are challenged by endless expectations and disproportionate burdens. To put it simply: mother's today are drowning. And despite this, they are one of the least supported groups."
"Mothers undergo countless profound changes throughout their journey into parenthood but perhaps none is as confounding as their willingness to disregard themselves when it comes to their children. It's antithetical to the most basic rules of evolution as we understand them. A puzzle to which only mothers hold the key...a mom brain is simply the neurological hardwiring for self-sacrifice"
Creative writing and great premise! Recommend!
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