The Mother-in-Law Book Club

by Kate Hash

Sometimes the family you need is the one you never expected to find.

On the plane to Durham for her next big gig, traveling consultant and soon-to-be divorcée Andi gets into an argument about the impossible expectations of mothers-in-law that will change her life forever. When her seventy-something adversary unexpectedly extends an olive branch invitation to her book club, Andi does something completely out of character: she says yes.

This social circle is delightfully feisty, gossipy, and also hopelessly clueless about how to navigate frayed relationships with their adult children. Andi spends evenings doling out advice to her new coterie of retired friends, helping to repair generational divides.

As the weeks and months go by, Andi has a quiet revelation: life in Durham just fits. The book club members love her, the company loves her, and after a whirlwind romance with a handsome professor, she’s fairly certain her new beau loves her, too. It’s all going great . . . until her past comes walking through the door. Andi must decide what happiness really looks like--and she just might need the wisdom of her new friends to figure it out.

Genres: Romance, Fiction, Books About Books, Adult Fiction, Contemporary, Audiobook, Found Family

384 pages, Paperback

First published October 13, 2026

About the author

Kate Hash is the author of Gracie Harris Is Under Construction and the writer behind the Substack newsletter It’s Been a Week. Born and raised in the Philadelphia suburbs, she spent most of her twenties bouncing around the world, including a stint in Florence, Italy. She currently lives in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, with her husband and two children. The Mother-in-Law Book Club is her second novel.

Reviews

[Shelley's Book Nook · Rating 4 out of 5]

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⭐⭐⭐⭐
Publication Date: October 13th, 2026
Dutton
384 Pages
Amazon | Bookshop.org
Genre: General Fiction | Women's Fiction

This story was a touching and clever tale about finding oneself. I loved the theme of generations bonding, as those are my favourite types of stories. I was very close to my mother-in-law; she had four sons, so I was like the daughter she never had.

This one is about Andi, who travels a lot for work and is soon to be divorced. When she gets on a plane to Durham, North Carolina (I've been there many times and love it!), she hears two women complaining about their daughters-in-law. Andi decides to speak up, which starts an argument about the roles of women and the expectations they have to deal with. What surprises Andi the most is that these women ask her to join their book club.

Andi is now in the position to give these women the advice they need on a regular basis. But she also gets something back from the group—support, insight, and wisdom—and now she feels like she belongs. While Andi is laying down roots in Durham, she starts a romance with a professor and begins to feel like she is home. (Enter the ex-husband) The romance was sweet but not in your face, just the way I like my romances.

I knew I had to read this as soon as I saw the premise. I loved the older women so much; they're sharp, funny, and very blunt, and they were the real stars of the story. This book had a lot more emotional depth than I was expecting, and I loved that about it. The way the author wrote their dialogue had me laughing out loud—it was warm and authentic, showing that you can find friendship and support in the most surprising places.

I enjoyed reading about Andi finding her way in her new community. She really grew as a character and healed along the way. She learned what real happiness is, and I found her very relatable. If Andi doesn't win you over in this book, the charm of the book club members will suck you in!

I love stories about women supporting each other, and this one was a tender, witty, and charming story of found family across generations. If you appreciate books with humour, relatable characters, and the way reading can bring people together, this is the one for you. It’s a warm, engaging story with lots to love, especially if you enjoy contemporary stories about family, friendship, and personal growth.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.



Goodreads ratings reflect reader demographics and
popular enthusiasm rather than objective literary merit.

[Jayme C (Brunetteslikebookstoo) · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW! I lost count of the number of times that I LAUGHED and CRIED-in the best way!

The book opens with the GREATEST “meet cute” ever! (said with a wink!)

On the plane to Raleigh/Durham NC for her next temporary assignment, Andi, a traveling consultant and soon-to-be divorcée loses her cool! Two “mothers-in-law” sitting close by are loudly complaining about how their “daughters in law” keep completely failing their blameless (eye roll) sons. A flight attendant is summoned when Andi gives them a piece of her mind! ( As a retired flight attendant-you KNOW I loved this part!)

One of the women, seventy-something Marilyn, unexpectedly tracks down Andi at baggage claim, and apologizes. Since it will be awhile before their rides can pick them up-Marilyn suggests coffee. Andi accepts which is completely out of character for her.

Surprisingly, the two hit it off and Marilyn extends one more olive branch-an invitation to her book club! And, Andi surprises herself again by saying YES.

This group of ladies are warm, feisty, gossipy, and also hopelessly CLUELESS about how to relate to their adult children, and Andi spends the first evening doling out advice to bridge the generational gap.

Getting together with the Book Club becomes the highlight of her week, Work is fulfilling, and there is even the possibility of ROMANCE.

But, then her EX shows up to complicate things.

Andi is great at her job-helping businesses decide whether to sell, merge or reorganize to be successful. But love is MESSY, and her decision making isn’t as good when it comes to matters of the heart.

Fortunately, her wise new friends will help her to find not only HERSELF, but also her PEOPLE-the found family she didn’t know she needed, until one of them sat across from her on that flight from Boston to Raleigh/Durham.

This book is for all “daughters in law” who may be frustrated and to all “mothers in law” who think that they aren’t meddlesome and that their own “daughters in law” are lucky to have them! 😉

If you enjoy ROMANCE, If you enjoy STRONG FEMALE FRIENDSHIP, if you enjoy FOUND FAMILY- this HOPEFUL, FUNNY, gem of a book is NOT TO BE MISSED! It makes my FAVORITES list for 2026!

All the stars! ⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Available NOW!!
Add it to your TBR TODAY!

Thank you to Dutton for the gifted ARC provided through NetGalley. As always these are my candid thoughts!

[ReneeReads · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really fun read and I enjoyed the story for the most part. The third act breakup had me wanting to throw my kindle across the room and I was so mad. I really loved the mother in law book club idea and thought the ladies were receptive to hearing alternate viewpoints than they are used to hearing. I really like how Andi found her own little family within the MIL group and loved the friendships. The romance between Andi and Dustin was so cute and I really like them together. On the whole this was a heartwarming and engaging book and the characters felt real and relatable. I'll definitely be recommending this one!

Thank you NetGalley and Dutton for access to the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Pub Date: 10/13/26

[Ashley Flippin · Rating 4.75 out of 5]

Thank you to Net Galley and Dutton for the arc of this title.
I loved this story so much. It starts with Andi, a newly separated 38 old woman telling a 60 something year old woman how to treat her daughter in law (on a plane).
The two women end up having coffee and becoming friends. I absolutely loved this found family. The love story in this book was also so organic and absolutely lovable.
I really loved how this played out. It was a fun, quick read.

[Courtney Denker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute!! I’m less of a romcom gal than I used to be, but this novel was delightful. I enjoyed the main character’s business background and the main storyline centering around her book club. Her club actually reminded me a lot of my own club, and it was endearing. I highly recommend this book, especially since it’s the perfect season for it (September-NYE timeline).

[Bbecca_marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Mother-in-Law Book Club 📚✨ Review ✨ thank you so much partner @duttonbooks for the free copy! #DuttonPartner

About the book 👇🏽

The Mother-in-Law Book Club
by Kate Hash
out 10/13/26!

Sometimes the family you need is the one you never expected to find.

Soon-to-be divorcée Andi never expects an argument about mothers-in-law to change her life, but when she accepts an invitation to a book club filled with feisty, gossip-loving retirees, everything begins to shift. As she helps her new friends navigate complicated relationships with their adult children, Andi discovers a sense of belonging in Durham, a fulfilling career, and a whirlwind romance with a handsome professor. But when her past comes knocking, she must figure out what happiness truly looks like and may need a little wisdom from her new friends to find it.

My thoughts 💭:

“This I know for sure: Found family is worth the wait. It’s worth all of the pain you’ll go through to find them, because when you do, you will finally be home.”

I did not expect to get so emotional over this book, but I did, and it was just what I needed. This is one of those stories that gives you so much to think about and really makes you look inward. It reminds us that life is full of changes, whether that comes with age, new beginnings, or the relationships that shift as people are added to and removed from our lives. Sometimes we outgrow certain versions of ourselves, and sometimes the people we least expect end up teaching us the most about who we are and what we truly want. There is so love in this story, and I think it will resonate with readers in different ways depending on the season of life they’re in. I can already tell you right now that this is a book I’ll be recommending for a very long time. If you need a story that will make you feel, reflect, and maybe see a little bit of your own life differently, you just need to add this one to your TBR!

What to expect👇🏽
🫂Found family + unexpected friendships
🌱Life changes + new beginnings
🪞Personal growth + self-reflection
💕Romance + second chances

Happy reading 📖 ✈️🌱📚

[Haley, MLS | haley.readsbooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a sweet and original story!!! I loved this book and loved following Andi’s life. The way that I now need to move to Durham and find a group of women to befriend that are 70+?!?! A story of found family, finding and reinventing yourself mid-life, learning to lean into softness, and so much more. + hearing in the authors acknowledgements that this story was partly inspired by a real conversation she overheard on a plane was the cherry on toppp.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for this ARC! Can’t wait for everyone to get their hands on it ✨

“The key is to stay, just soft enough, because, always, you will stumble into your true people. It will be messy and surprising and the best thing that’s ever happened to you. And to them. Because you are what they’ve been searching for all along, too. You’re the catch.”

[Jessica Paige (Exercise_Read_Repeat) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am always drawn to books featuring a motley cast of older characters, and this one was such a unique read! The story follows Andi after she accepts an invitation to join a book club made up of a group of mothers in law. With great pacing, cozy fall vibes, and an emphasis on new beginnings and unlikely friendships, this was such a fun read! Brittany Pressley brought each character to life on audio, and her performance made all the antics and witty banter even more entertaining!

[Kristen (lit_with_kristen) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Omg I loved this one so much!! It was such an unexpected surprise. I’m not gunna lie, I chose it mainly because Brittany Pressley narrated, and am now diving into Kate Hash’s debut bc I just loved her writing.

The found family, character growth and storyline were all great. And with an FMC in her 30s and an MMC in his 40s?! Say less. 10/10 recommend 👏

[Get Your Tinsel in a Tangle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Andi is sitting on a flight to Durham, minding everyone’s business but her own because two seventy-something women nearby are loudly discussing everything their daughters-in-law are doing wrong, and eventually this woman just SNAPS. She inserts herself into a conversation between complete strangers to essentially deliver an airborne seminar called “Have You Considered That Your Sons Are Also Involved in These Marriages?” A flight attendant gets summoned. Feelings are hurt. And then Marilyn finds Andi at baggage claim and asks her to get coffee. I’m sorry, WHAT? This is apparently how adult friendship works when you’re brave enough to yell at strangers in public.

The truly wild part is that Andi goes. This woman is headed to Durham for a temporary consulting job while her marriage is quietly being dismantled back in Boston, and normally she handles life by working harder and keeping everyone at a professionally acceptable distance. But suddenly she’s drinking coffee with Marilyn, and then Marilyn invites her to her weekly book club, and Andi says yes AGAIN. Within approximately five minutes, she has been absorbed by a group of retired women who have wine, opinions, adult children, and absolutely no idea why their daughters-in-law keep getting mad at them.

And these women. I wanted every single meeting. Marilyn and Gale especially had me completely invested because nobody in this group is sitting around pretending they have reached seventy and unlocked the secret level where you finally understand other humans. They are still screwing things up. They’re meddling. They’re offended. They’re confused about boundaries. Then Andi will explain why perhaps telling your grown child how to conduct their marriage is not technically “helping,” and you can practically hear the Windows shutdown noise while everyone processes this new information. But the best part is that they actually LISTEN. They push back, Andi pushes back harder, and somehow nobody gets permanently excommunicated from Sunday book club.

Meanwhile, Andi has become the relationship whisperer for a table full of women while her own personal life is being held together with travel itineraries and avoidance. This woman can walk into a struggling company, tell grown executives exactly what needs fixing, and apparently command enough professional respect that nobody asks whether the lady should maybe smile more. Put her in front of her own feelings, though, and suddenly we have lost access to several critical systems. Her marriage is ending, she’s been using work as a very convenient escape hatch, and she is extremely good at explaining what everybody ELSE needs to do with their lives. Naturally.

Then there’s Dustin, the handsome professor, because Durham apparently looked at Andi’s four-month work assignment and said, “Cute plan.” Their relationship sneaks up on her while she’s busy accidentally building an entire life. And I liked them because these are grown adults, not two twenty-three-year-olds refusing to communicate because somebody saw a misleading Instagram story. They actually talk. They like each other. Andi starts spending time with Marilyn’s family, she has people expecting her at book club, work is going well, and at some point you realize this woman who came to Durham specifically because it WASN’T home has somehow acquired friends, routines, a man, and people who would notice if she disappeared.

That part got me. Andi lost her mom, her marriage is ending, and she has gotten very comfortable with being the capable one who can simply relocate when things become painful. Then these older women come barreling into her life and start caring about her with absolutely no regard for the tidy little emotional perimeter she built. They can’t replace what she lost. They don’t. They just show up anyway. Sometimes somebody becoming family is less about history and more about realizing they’ve quietly become one of the people you call when something happens.

Naturally, the second Andi gets comfortable, her past shows up because apparently peace makes fictional people nervous. Her soon-to-be ex arrives wanting another chance, and THIS is where I wanted to reach into the book, take Andi gently by both shoulders, and remind her of every piece of excellent advice she has been distributing around Durham like relationship pamphlets. The woman who has spent months helping everyone else identify exactly what they need suddenly cannot locate her own ass with both hands. And Dustin gets caught in the emotional splash zone, decisions are made, and I briefly became one of those mothers-in-law from the airplane because I had OPINIONS about how everybody was handling this.

I also loved that the older women eventually get to return the favor. Andi enters their lives assuming she’s the one with the modern relationship vocabulary and the fresh perspective, then discovers that Marilyn and company have survived marriages, illness, grief, children growing up, relationships changing shape, and decades of realizing you can be absolutely certain about something and still be wrong. Nobody here graduates from needing other people. You just hopefully collect better people to call when you’ve made a mess.

Four stars for The Mother-in-Law Book Club, and mostly I would like Durham to explain where it is hiding these septuagenarian friendship adoption programs because I have questions about enrollment. I could have happily spent even more time with the book club and slightly less time watching Andi temporarily forget every useful thing she knows about relationships, but I finished this ridiculously attached to these women. Marilyn invites you over once and apparently six months later you’re emotionally invested in her entire family and reconsidering your zip code.

Thank you to Dutton and NetGalley for the ARC and for introducing me to a group of mothers-in-law who respond to being told they are the problem by starting a book club friendship instead of a family group-text war. Frankly, that may be the most aspirational thing I read all year.

[Kristina Pauls (ARC Reviewer)]

***REVIEW COMING SOON***

PUBLISH DATE: Oct 13, 2026
BOOK TITLE: The Mohter-in-Law Book Club
AUTHOR: Kate Hash
PUBLISHER: Dutton
FORMAT: ebook
PAGES: 384
I received a complimentary digital ARC [Advanced Readers Copy] of this book via NetGalley. Thank you to the Publisher and the Author for the opportunity to read and review this title prior to publication. As always, the opinions expressed in this review are my own.

[Anna · Rating 4.25 out of 5]

Thank you @netgalley @duttonbooks and @prhaudio for the gifted advance copies. #prhaudiopartner All opinions are my own.

THE MOTHER-IN-LAW BOOK CLUB was one of my most highly anticipated books of 2026 after falling in love with GRACIE HARRIS IS UNDER CONSTRUCTION. It solidified Kate Hash as an autoread author for me.

The book starts on an airplane where the FMC, Andi, overhears other passengers having a criticism fueled conversation about their daughters-in-law. Andi is reeling from her own marital woes and interjects with scathing comments to the caustic mothers-in-law from hell. That, believe it or not, is the start of a friendship with one of the complaining older women when Marilyn invites Andi to her home for her standing book club gathering.

I love, love, love Intergenerational friendship stories. Love them. And I loved this one. The book club ladies are welcoming, even if opinionated. Andi is able to offer a different perspective to some of their chief complaints. In turn, the MILs become the friends Andi so desperately needs.

Andi’s character growth is outstanding. She starts out uptight and a teensy bit pompous; basically a know-it-all. Her new friendships soften her and help her recognize her own shortcomings. I enjoyed watching her discover her own worth as she figures out what she wants in life. It’s a process and it felt honest as she dropped her protective shell and permitted herself to be vulnerable.

This is also a romance, but, for me, it served as the impetus for Andi’s evolution into a confident woman in control of her own decisions and future. Both Andi and the MMC are mature and act like it. Their conversations and communication are refreshingly adult as they talk about big issues.

One thing I loved about Hash’s novel is the portrayal of older characters as vibrant, intelligent beings with wisdom born of experience who still have lots of living to do. As a reader in that demographic, I found it refreshing and accurate.

🎧 Brittany Pressley is phenomenal, as usual; bringing each of these characters to life. Her performance adds considerably to the impact of the story. She is rapidly becoming one of my favorite narrators.

[Carrie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really wish that I had liked this book as much as everyone else seems to like it but I just found this super grating.

In theory this book is a sweet quick general fiction beach read (and I did read it on the beach which still did not make me like it).

The main character Andi is in the process of getting a divorce from her doctor husband who has cheated on her (again) (and has an awful mother) and she decides to take a four month long job posting in North Carolina. She is a consultant helping (generally old male) business owners decide if they want to sell their companies for parts or keep the business in the family when they get around to retiring.

On the plane to NC she overhears two older women disparaging their daughters in law and has a mini meltdown and castigates these women for their behavior. In response, one of the women, Marilyn (a rich woman with a bunch of other rich female friends), invites Andi to attend her book club where Andi makes fast friends with everyone including Marilyn’s husband (over a shared love of bourbon because Andi is always around rich white men through her work).

My dislike of this book was because there is no friction through most of the novel. Andi is a successful woman in her late 30s earning 200k a year plus bonuses so she has no financial stress (she doesn’t even want/need alimony). Everyone she meets loves her on first meeting.

Her participation in the book club is essentially to tell all these women everything they are doing wrong and they never get more than a tiny bit defensive. Every single book club meeting she’s doling out “tough-love,” and these women never take offense to being told over and over that they are being inconsiderate and overbearing to their children and in-laws (even though there were a few issues where the women were in the right). The women basically come to be criticized and she’s practically worshipped because she tells it like it is.

She instantly makes friends with everyone at the company she’s assisting (including a new best friend) and has no real problems working with the owner of the company. She immediately takes to the city she’s relocated to without any real issue. She even gets a boyfriend with barely any tension (there is some because they have to keep it semi-secret but it doesn’t actually matter in the end).

The only friction in this book comes at the 75% mark when her soon to be ex makes an appearance to beg for Andi back and she somehow loses her mind for the last quarter of this book? All of the sudden (despite spending a good majority of this book being fully over this man and his horrible mother) she decides to throw away the life she’s building because the doctor looks better on paper? I hated the last chapters of this book. There was so much strife for literally no reason and nothing about the ending is earned. Everyone forgives Andi immediately (I’m talking she apologizes and everyone’s basically like “you have nothing to apologize for,” even though she should be groveling for forgiveness).

Thank you so much to Dutton and NetGalley for an advance copy of this book.

[Angie Miale · Rating 3.5 out of 5]

The Mother-in-Law Book Club by Kate Nash
⭐ 3.5/5 stars

There is something so lovely about an intergenerational friendship, especially when both generations have something to learn from each other. And that was, without question, my favorite part of The Mother-in-Law Book Club. In fact, I wish there had been more of it!

Andy is a successful corporate consultant in her late 30s, a solidly millennial woman whose personal life is falling apart. She’s going through a divorce from her pediatric oncologist husband, Thomas, and dealing with a particularly overbearing soon-to-be ex-mother-in-law. Professionally, however, Andy is thriving. She’s known around her company as the “Boomer Whisperer” because of her ability to work with older male business owners preparing for retirement and help them navigate major transitions.

I really appreciated this about Andy. So often in contemporary romance, a woman’s professional life is just as disastrous as her personal life. Not here! Andy is exceptional at her job, respected for her expertise, and successful in her own right. Her marriage might be crumbling, but her career certainly isn’t.

While traveling to North Carolina for work, Andy overhears two older women complaining about their daughters-in-law. Already a little triggered by her own experiences, she can’t help herself and interrupts to offer a much-needed perspective from the other side. Rather than ending in disaster, the confrontation leads to coffee with one of the women, Marilyn, and eventually an invitation to Marilyn’s weekly book club.

And this is where the novel really shines.

I loved the book club! I loved the conversations, the advice, the disagreements, and especially the moments when Andy helps these older women understand the perspectives of their daughters-in-law, while they challenge her to reconsider some of her own assumptions. There is genuine warmth in these relationships, and the developing friendship between Andy and Marilyn was my favorite part of the entire story.

There’s a lovely found-family element here, and I thought Kate Nash handled the generational differences with empathy and humor. Nobody has all the answers, and everyone has something to contribute. I wanted more of these women sitting around talking about books, relationships, and life!

Of course, this is also a romance. Andy develops feelings for Marilyn’s son, Dustin, and the two initially keep their relationship a secret. Their romance is sweet, but I didn’t love the overlap between Andy’s unresolved marriage to Thomas and her developing relationship with Dustin. I also found some of the decisions toward the end a little predictable, while others seemed to come somewhat out of left field.

The epilogue was satisfying, though, and I finished the book feeling that this was a pleasant fall romance with a little more substance than the average romantic comedy. I really appreciate that Nash is interested in exploring something deeper through her love stories. I just thought the intergenerational friendships were more compelling than the central romance, and I would have happily traded some of the romantic complications for additional book club meetings.

Now, a special word about the audiobook, because Brittany Pressley deserves her flowers! 🎧

First of all, THANK YOU for giving these North Carolina women actual Southern accents! They sound like women who live in North Carolina, which is precisely where they live. Imagine that! I appreciate this more than I can adequately express.

Pressley also has such a natural rhythm and pacing when narrating contemporary millennial women. Her delivery feels conversational and authentic, and she understands how to bring humor and personality into the dialogue without overdoing it. She’s one of those narrators who consistently elevates the listening experience.

I was fortunate enough to receive both the electronic ARC and the advance listening copy, so I alternated between reading and listening. In fact, I ended up experiencing the entire book in both formats, essentially reading it twice! I love doing this when I have the opportunity because I inevitably catch things on the page that I missed in the audio and vice versa. It’s a wonderful way to experience a story.

Ultimately, 3.5 stars for a charming fall romance that is at its best when it celebrates the unexpected friendships women can form across generations. If you enjoy found family, complicated family dynamics, successful female protagonists, and stories about learning to see the world through someone else’s eyes, this is worth picking up.

📚 Thank you to Dutton for the electronic advance reading copy and Penguin Random House Audio for the advance listening copy. All opinions are my own.

[Uyen · Rating 4.5 out of 5]

Thank you prhaudio for the free audiobook.

I loved how she gave the mil a different perspective and ways to support their dil instead. I loved how she found friendship out of a tough situation.

I loved the found family trope and the message that you can find friends that are meaningful to you at all stages of life.

[Lindsay Smith · Rating 2.5 out of 5]

This was my second Kate Hash book, and I liked the first one better.

What I liked:
- The multi-generational cast of characters and their honest conversations about challenges they face and willingness to see other perspectives.
- The setting was a friendly town.

What I didn't like:
- The insta-love and early spice (at 50%) between the FMC and MMC. I felt like the female friendship storyline was so strong at the beginning, then it instantly switched to a romance and a cringy one at that.
- The character's comments and attitudes toward past casual sexual encounters.
- The last 25% of the book the FMC is considering getting back together with her cheater ex. I couldn't get behind that part of the plot at all and didn't trust the FMC after that. It felt like the romantic arc and plot was really off.
- I found the vignettes of the FMC's job really strange. She got super personal with one of her clients and it felt really unbelievable to me.

The audiobook was well narrated (Brittany Pressley), but I just didn't like the story itself.

Content: Little if any profanity, 2 open door scenes (easily skipped-- around 50%) and one vague fade to black scene.

[Sarah Edwards · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book ❤️ heartache, redemption, humor, finding yourself and your people. And who hasn’t dreamt of telling off your mother in law?😂

[Anjali · Rating 2 out of 5]

For a book with "book club" in the title, and cover art of two women holding books, be warned that this book has no real book/reading content in it. It's contemporary fiction about an insufferable young woman (sorry, not a fact, just an opinion) going through a divorce and building a new life for herself. My problem was that I started out not liking our MC Andi, and my feelings for her went downhill from that point. And as I've always said, I don't mind an unlikable MC, but not in this type of book where we're supposed to be invested in their journey. At the start of the novel, Andi has an altercation on a plane when she steps into an overly loud conversation two older women are having where they are complaining about their daughters-in-law. Andi is stinging from her husband's infidelities and resentful of her own horrific mother-in-law interactions, so she lights in to the strangers about their attitudes. This leads to one of the women inviting Andi to her book club of retired women, becoming Andi's new bestie in the process and letting Andi rip into more older women about their attitudes. Everyone loves Andi - she is such a Mary Sue, ugh! - perfect at her job, perfect at giving advice, a very high earner, etc. When she starts dating her new bestie's son, they decide to keep it a secret. There are other secrets, blah blah blah, Andi is not as perfect as she first appears but everything magically works out in the end anyway. I'm sorry to be so cranky about this, there are lots of people who are loving this book so please give it a try if the synopsis interests you. Just please don't expect a book-centered book; I did, and that started me off on completely the wrong foot. Thank you to NetGalley and Dutton for a digital review copy.

[Coco · Rating 3.5 out of 5]

Very hallmark-y

[Katie Betts · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you @prhaudio @Dutton for the books!! #PRHAudioPartner

When Andi overhears two boomer women on a flight complaining about their daughters-in-law, months of pent-up frustration come spilling out in the form of some very unsolicited—and very heated—advice. Awkward? Absolutely. But after a truce over coffee, Marilyn does the unexpected and invites Andi to her book club. What starts as a temporary stint in Durham soon fills up with a feisty circle of seventy-something friends, an unexpected romance, and the kind of found family that makes Andi wonder if the life she never planned for might actually be the one she wants.

Kate Hash can do no wrong. I absolutely adored her debut, GRACIE HARRIS IS UNDER CONSTRUCTION, and this sophomore novel is just as emotionally astute and poignantly warm.

It takes a lot for women’s fiction to completely win me over because I can sometimes get restless with the slower-moving relationship dynamics- but I flew through this! Not only is it a wonderfully paced, relatable story about starting over, there’s also a whirlwind romance that somehow perfectly captures what it looks like to show up as your full self from the very beginning.

And honestly, the romance is only one piece of what makes Durham start to feel like home. There’s an intergenerational found family, spunky boomer women, a nerdy and charming Duke professor, successful careers, and the kind of unexpected relationships that quietly rearrange your life.

If you love layered personal growth, unlikely friendships, new beginnings, and warm wit, place your library holds now for when this releases.

Also: Brittany Pressley is masterful on the audiobook. Basically, you’re going to want this one in every available format.

What I loved:
• the writing—I’ll read anything Kate Hash writes
• intergenerational found family
• he’s nerdy and charming
• they both have successful careers (she’s a business consultant, he’s a Duke professor)
• the fun intergenerational energy of BECAUSE I SAID SO, despite very different tropes and plot
• meandering through the fall season
• Durham somehow feeling like a small town
• spunky boomer ladies
• Andi’s professor dad
• new beginnings

Similar:
Summer Romance by Annabel Monaghan
The Summer of Yes by Courtney Walsh
Gracie Harris is Under Construction by Kate Hash

🌶️chapters 14 & 21 contain cracked-door romance scenes (spice, minimal details)
⚠️1 use of explicit language, previous death of a parent (cancer), adulterous husband

[Meddings_Musings: Emlura M. · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is so much I loved and adored about the FIVE STAR book ‘The Mother-in-Law Book Club’ by Kate Nash!

I loved the relationships that were created and spanned generations; I loved the setting; I loved the growth of the characters; and I especially loved Andi and her journey to finding, not only what she wants but, what she finally deserves.

This is not an ordinary book club. Marilyn hosts a once a week gathering, at her home in Durham, every Sunday evening.

After meeting the 37 year old business consultant Andi on a plane under - let’s say rather unusual circumstances - Marilyn finds Andi at the baggage carousel.

Upon Marilyn’s offer to chat over some coffee, Andi and the 60+ woman Marilyn hit it off. And when Marilyn realizes Andi is staying in Durham for several months, she asks her to attend her Sunday Book Club.

But this book club is no ordinary book club. Women 60+ meet to discuss their children, their children’s spouses, their children’s children, and all the mistakes they’re making.

Enter Andi. Being of similar age to the women’s children, Andi is able to get the women to see the perspective of their children, especially their daughter-in-laws.

Almost divorced Andi has had plenty of experience with a horrible mother-in-law and her help and advice go a long way with the women. They instantly love her and additional friendships are quickly made.

While Andi plans to stay in Durham for just a couple of months, she meets a man who sets her heart on fire. Hurt by her soon-to-be ex-husband, Andi is open to something short term and the man she’s seeing is okay about the situation too.

Until….feelings come hard and fast.

But Andi has a secret that she doesn’t want to tell her new book club friends. A secret that could blow up her new life in Durham and hurt the one person she’s grown to love like a surrogate mother, Marilyn.

This FIVE STAR gem releases October 13th and you definitely need to check it out!

Thank you NetGalley, Kate Hash, and Dutton for allowing me the opportunity to read the ARC in exchange for a review. Twas a charming delight 🤍

[Kate · Rating 3.5 out of 5]

Thanks to Dutton Books and PRH Audio for the free eARC & ALC. All opinions are my own.

I heard great things last year about Kate Hash’s debut, Gracie Harris Is Under Construction. I was excited for this one on the strength of those reviews. I’ve also seen some very positive early reviews of this one so I’ve been looking forward to it.

This is a light, cozy fall read featuring Andi, a corporate consultant and soon-to-be divorcee from Boston. On her way to a 4-month work stint Durham, NC she can’t stop herself from butting into an airplane conversation between two older women complaining about their daughter-in-laws. Andi gives them a lecture that almost escalates too far. But then she makes friends with one of these ladies at baggage claim and before she knows it, she’s invited to join a local book club full of Boomer-age ladies - many of whom are also mother-in-laws.

I was really intrigued by this Boomer-Millennial MIL-DIL conversation and exchange. It resembled many conversations I’ve had both in person and online. I honestly wish there had been more of this in the book! After the beginning portion the conversation mostly falls away as Andi finds romance, gets settled in her work assignment, and deepens her friendships at the book club.

While this qualifies as a romance, that plot arc shares space with other aspects of Andi’s personal journey. I didn’t mind the combination, but overall a lot of the beats felt a little too predictable and the writing style leaned a bit saccharine for me. I did really enjoy the intergenerational friendships, the fact that Andi is a late-30s FMC working in corporate consulting, and the warmth and coziness of the book. If you’re in the mood for those light, cozy, heartwarming vibes I definitely recommend giving this one a try.

Audio thoughts: Brittany Pressley’s narration style was a great fit for this story. My one minor critique is that it was a little tricky to tell which voice was for which Boomer member of the book club, but that wasn’t detrimental to my enjoyment of the audiobook.

[Jackie Sunday · Rating 4 out of 5]

A love story. Everyone knows there will be issues and hopes for a happily-ever-after ending.

Andi was 28 from Boston and fate brought her into a friendly social book club with a handful of retired women. It was hosted by Marilyn whom she met at the Durham airport. They loved her even though she was quick to point out how they needed to improve upon communication with those her own age.

Andi came to this small cozy city as a four-month consultant for a family-owned business. The owner had a difficult decision: sell the company or appoint a family member to take over. She was praised for her work. In fact, she was praised everywhere. Andi was successful making a large salary. She was beautiful and married to a very handsome man who charmed everyone. What happened?

The story was predictable. The cover says: The Mother-in-Law Book Club and Marilyn conveniently had an adoring single son Andi’s age. She just happened to be almost single waiting for the divorce papers to be signed. Andi spent a lot of time with Marilyn, her captivating friends and her charismatic son. Yet, this assignment was temporary.

Highlighted were noticeable cultural shifts. The main point centered around generational differences. Andi also talked about how much she loved the big bustling city of Boston vs. the slow-paced Durham with familiar faces everywhere. And then there were family challenges vs. proud parents where everyone was well-adjusted.

The dialogue was engaging and moved quickly with relationship strategies on several levels. The story highlighted characters who were flawed and complex. There was some humor and parts that were sad with the difficult side of saying goodbye to situations. It’s just one of those comfortable books that pass the time with ease.

My thanks to Dutton and NetGalley for this ARC with an expected release date of October 13, 2026. The thoughts I share are my own.

[Shannon (The Book Club Mom) · Rating 5 out of 5]

To think that I almost slept on this gem! Thank goodness that so many of my trusted bookstagrammers raved and gushed over THE MOTHER-IN-LAW BOOK CLUB by Kate Hash! If not for you, I would’ve skipped over this one and missed out on a five star read!

Hash’s new release has one of the most hilarious opening scenes ever. A young woman overhears two older ladies sitting nearby on an airplane complain about their daughter-in-laws. She decides to confront them about their harsh words and all hell breaks loose! Ha! It’s an epic showdown of Boomers versus Millennials!

After the heated conversation dies down and emotions settle, what follows will truly surprise you. Hash creates a lovely little feel-good, yet impactful story that highlights female friendship and found family at its finest. It’s rewarding, delightful, and full of fun twists, turns, and surprises along the way—complete with a solid romance!

READ THIS IF YOU ENJOY:

- Female friendship
- Unlikely friendships
- Family drama and dynamics
- Marriage and divorce
- Found family storylines
- Strong female protagonists
- Light romance
- North Carolina setting
- Boomers versus Millennials
- Starting over/new beginnings

Was it a tad cheesy and perhaps even a little predictable at times? Okay, fine—but I embraced it. I just adored these women way too much to care. I loved their banter, humor, misunderstandings, and light bulb moments. Their interactions were quite charming and very entertaining.

I just realized that I have Hash’s debut, GRACIE HARRIS IS UNDER CONSTRUCTION sitting on my bookshelf, so I’m moving it to my nightstand to start very soon. I think I found a new favorite author to add to my ever-growing list!

5/5 glowing stars for THE MOTHER-IN-LAW BOOK CLUB! It’s out now!

[Jennifer · Rating 4.5 out of 5]

This wonderful book gets off to a great and unique start. Main character Andi is flying to Durham for a 4 month work assignment, and happens to be fleeing her impending divorce at the same time. On the plane, she overhears two women complaining loudly about their daughters in law and can’t help but start yelling at them. But to her surprise one of them, Marilyn, talks to her at baggage claim and invites her to her book club - which ends up changing Andi’s life in many ways, as she becomes close to Marilyn and the other women, rethinks how she feels about her marriage and work, and even finds new love.

This was such a charming read, funny and emotional. Andi was such a sympathetic and engaging character, even if occasionally I wanted to shake her. But I also loved how multi-faceted this book was - there’s a wonderful romance, but it’s also just as much a book about found family, new friends, and personal reinvention. I also loved Kate Hash’s first book, Gracie Harris Is Under Construction, so she has earned herself auto-read status from me! If you love Annabel Monaghan’s books and need something to tide you over until her next one, both of Kate Hash’s books would be excellent choices!

4.5 stars

Thanks to Dutton for my e-ARC (out 10/13/27); all opinions are my own.

[Cheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Found family is worth the wait. It’s worth all of the pain you’ll go through to find them because when you do, you will finally be home."

Andrea "Andi" Walker is on a flight from Boston, Massachusetts to Durham, North Carolina for a new consulting job when she interrupts two women who are talking about their daughter-in-laws in not very favorable lights. She jumps in to defend the absent daughter-in-laws rather stridently and thinks that will be the end of it.

But, lo and behold, one of the women, Marilyn, approaches her in the Durham airport, apologizes and a true friendship forms between the two women. Andi is invited to Marilyn's house for a book club and she surprises herself by saying yes and she meets a whole bunch more new friends.

I loved the way this story started, the way it progressed. I loved Andi's character - going through a divorce, finding romance, being a strong female character with an important job who is well respected in her field, making difficult decisions. Well written book with great female lead character.

I received this Digital Review Copy from Dutton through Edelweiss. Thank you.

[Maggie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to Dutton and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
I was initially drawn in by the intriguing synopsis and had high hopes going in. Unfortunately, I found it difficult to fully connect with the story due to the main character’s strong codependent tendencies, which made it hard for me to stay engaged from the start.
That said, the author’s writing style was a definite highlight—compelling, fluid, and easy to read. While this particular story wasn’t the right fit for me, I would absolutely be open to picking up another book by this author in the future.

[Ash • wewineaboutbooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

ALL 👏🏻 THE 👏🏻 STARS. As expected, Kate Hash did not disappoint. After reading her debut, I was so excited about this one and I’m happy to say that she has done it again with her amazing storytelling 🥹💕
I absolutely loved this one! There’s just something so special about a story that makes you laugh, pulls at your heartstrings, and leaves you feeling all warm and fuzzy. I loved the characters, the relationships, and the reminder that family doesn't always have to be who you're related to. Sometimes the best people come into your life when you least expect them. It was such a fun, feel-good read with plenty of heart, and I honestly didn't want it to end. Go pick it up!

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to Netgalley and Dutton for the ARC.

I really enjoyed this book! I read it in two days. It hit on so many great points about friendships and relationships. I love a good found family story, and this one added a multigenerational lens that I really liked. I also like a good starting over story because most of us don't have just one narrative and path. We rewrite ourselves and lives over time. This story has an emotional intelligence to it.

[Alice.thereader · Rating 4.75 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this story! The Mother-in-Law pulled me in from the beginning and kept me invested all the way through. The love story woven throughout felt cutesy and Hallmark-worthy without ever becoming completely unrealistic, and I really enjoyed watching it unfold.

But the found family element was truly the highlight of the entire story for me. There was something so special and heartwarming about the way these relationships developed and the reminder that family isn’t always defined by blood.

More than anything, this story reinforced the idea that maybe everything really does happen for a reason-and that sometimes you are put exactly where you’re supposed to be, exactly when you’re supposed to be there. That message really stayed with me after I finished reading.

A heartfelt, feel-good story with love, family, and plenty to discuss.