Moms Love Boy Bands

by Jenifer Goldin

Four best friends. A dream vacation. Then one vanishes without a trace.

Celebrating their forty-fifth birthdays, four best friends escape to a tropical island for “Boy Bands at the Beach.” What could be better than basking in the sun, devouring beach reads, and being serenaded by the bands they idolized as teenagers?

But when the story opens, we learn that each woman is at a crossroads. Nicole is at a boudoir photo shoot, desperate to recapture when she was the life of every party and not just a boring stay at home mom. Liliana, the overworked COO of a tech company, has missed dinner with her family again and must face her disappointed husband. Angie, the misfit of the group, is wrestling with a secret from the past. And Carly, a trendsetting influencer, is on social media, flaunting her perfect life and beach trip must-haves, even though she just caught her husband cheating.

Enter Luca—a gorgeous, charismatic twenty-something year-old. When he befriends Angie, the others question why he’s at an event for women who get Botox injections and need sensible shoes. Suspicion escalates when someone steals Angie's passport. Then, the unthinkable happens when one friend vanishes. Will the others find her, or will a vacation to see the best nineties boy bands of all time end in disaster?

Moms Love Boy Bands is perfect book club fiction. If you like stories about complicated friendships, the highs and lows of marriage, the pressures of modern motherhood, and the path to self-acceptance, you will devour this book!

Genres: Fiction

306 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 12, 2026

About the author

If you enjoy reading stories about friendship, motherhood, relationships, and self-acceptance, mixed with soul, and just a dash of snark, you're in the right place!

Writing has always been my passion. Sometimes my stories reveal my truest emotions, and sometimes my emotions are just the jumping-off point for a fictional tale. My favorite books always go beyond storytelling and shine a light on the human experience. To me, the wisdom shared between the plot points makes a book exceptional.

A few things about me…
I’m a 70’s Yacht Rock enthusiast.
I’m the friend who organizes all the plans.
I still use a paper calendar.
I hate cooking.
I love karaoke.
I fear cocktail parties.
I’m a self-help junkie.
I’m more obsessed with Harry Styles than my tween daughter.
My standard uniform is athleisure wear and a baseball hat.
I’m a wife and mom of two kids and a very furry dog.

Some of my favorite books...
Everything I Never Told You by Celeste ng
The Dutch House by Ann Patchett
Bear Town by Fredrick Backman
Big Magic by Liz Gilbert
The Book Thief by Marcus Zusak
Miracle Creek by Angie Kim
Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman
Nothing to See Here by Kevin Wilson
Honor by Thirty Umrigar
The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett
Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden
Prep by Curtis Sittenfeld
One Italian Summer by Rebecca Serle
Everything by Brené Brown and Glennon Doyle

Reviews

[Caitlin · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 rounded up -- cute premise; a little underdeveloped. I loved the nostalgia and totally saw myself and my hs besties in the characters!

[Gina DelGaudio · Rating 5 out of 5]

I didn't know what to expect when I first opened the book. Each chapter is a different character and there are multiple characters. Thankfully it was easy to follow despite my initial thoughts. As a mom who loves boy bands I found the story nostalgic. I'm also still friends with many of my childhood friends, so I enjoyed that these girls have known each other forever. There was a bit of mystery mixed in, and I was trying to figure out the who what where when why and how throughout the story. It was fun read, can't wait to check out some of her other books.

[Lisa Turner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cheesy, but I loved it.

[Leanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was definitely the target demographic for this one. It was a fun read and exactly what I needed. I felt like these women were my group of friends.

I love when an author can inject humor into serious topics. Books don’t always need to be huge conflicts - she really hit on some of the things women my age are dealing with daily.

[Lauren Giac · Rating 4 out of 5]

📜Quick Summary: It’s time for their annual girl’s trip, and this time the foursome is headed to St. McAna for the ultimate boy band experience! Lilliana, Nicole, Carly, and Angie were best friends in high school who went on annual birthday trips every five years. Angie, a teacher and mother to twin boys, is keeping a secret from her past not only from her friends, but her husband Patton too. Carly, her closest best friend, obtained the help of Patton to convince Angie to go on this trip, since it’s been ten years since she’s seen Angie. Carly, an influencer, is painting a picture perfect life, yet her marriage to Marco is quite rocky. Liliana, a career driven boss lady, loves her daughters but is constantly putting her boss and work first. And then Nicole, a stay at home mom who is trying to find her “old self,” while keeping a secret of her own as well. Will this trip save or destroy their friendships?

❣️Initial Feels: This feels so much like my childhood, my boy band era, my group of besties who went to all the concerts together! I can just envision my childhood bedroom.

👀Trigger Warnings: murder investigation, marital problems, will also bring you back to those simpler days of your younger years 😄

🌶️Spice Level: not what it’s about

📖Read if you want: millennial childhood nostalgia, bonds of friendship, humor mixed with mystery

🗨️Touching Words: “Life is not perfect, but every once in a while, there are moments that are.”

💡Final Sentiments: As a mom nearing 40, this book related to my childhood extremely well. The boy bands, the mention of Beanie Babies, the songs, the trends…it all lined up perfectly with how I remember the great time that was my childhood. Liliana, a working mom, and Nicole, a stay at home mom, have vastly different points of views of who has it harder. That’s something that any working parent or stay at home mom can relate to. It felt realistic and relevant to conversations I have even had with my friends. The characters were all snarky in their own way, but at times I wish they acted more their age than they did. My best friends and I go on two girl’s trips a year, (best friends from childhood) and this was reminiscent of trips we take. But, I did find it a little hard to believe that if they were BEST friends, that they didn’t openly communicate with one another. Maybe because with my close knit best friends, we openly talk, cry, talk about our anger, confide in one another SO much that’s close to over sharing… so the way this group of best friends acted threw me for a loop sometimes. Certain areas of the book I wished for more depth so I could really feel their friendship and love, and to highlight the bond they kept saying they have.

🌟Overall Rating: 4.25 stars

🔉Special thanks to Jenifer Goldin for this arc of Moms Love Boy Bands!

📘Grab yourself a copy on March 12, 2026!

[Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am so incredibly grateful to have been part of Jenifer’s ARC team for Moms Love Boy Bands and to get an early look at what is sure to be another story that resonates deeply with so many women.

From the very first chapter, I found myself transported back to my own boy band days and the friendships built around shared fandom. Jenifer captures that nostalgia perfectly, but what makes this book so special is how seamlessly she weaves it into the reality of modern motherhood.

Each character felt real, layered, and relatable. I connected to every one of them in different ways, recognizing pieces of my own story in theirs. Whether you’re a full-time working mom or a stay-at-home mom, this book speaks to the juggling act we all know too well, balancing family life, marriage, friendships, responsibilities, and somehow still trying to hold onto the parts of ourselves that existed before kids.

Set against the backdrop of a tropical vacation, Jenifer has a gift for making you feel like you’re right there alongside the characters. One moment you’re laughing with them as they sip drinks at the bar, and the next you’re swept into unraveling a mystery, reexamining your own perspective, and cheering them on as they rediscover the parts of themselves they thought they’d left behind.

Moms Love Boy Bands is heartfelt, nostalgic, and the perfect read for any mom who has ever felt pulled in a million directions, but still belts out her favorite ’90s boy band anthem while stuck in traffic, unapologetically embarrassing her kids in the backseat.

[Yvette · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think I stumbled upon this book while aimlessly scrolling Facebook. A Boy Band trip, sign me up! Especially since I’ve actually done it. (Cruising with the New Kids is a kick in the pants, and I 10/10 recommend.) What I didn’t realize until completing this one is that I’ve read this author before. Clearly I’m drawn to her commentary on mom life.

Now to this book: I had so much fun with the nostalgia! Immediately starting off with references to members of the New Kids had me giddy. Literally all the song mentions, and references to 90s shows and it was like sitting in a time capsule. I loved all of it.

The story was good too. I did like the growth between all the moms. Nicole, Liliana, Angie, and Carly have been friends since they were kids and this trip serves as a much needed rekindling of their friendships. Each of them have been dealing with strife in their personal lives and they all see this trip as a reset and a little bit of self-care.

Calamity ensues.

This story felt a little chaotic at times with every woman struggling to overcome something, but it wasn’t so busy that it felt disjointed. There were reasons behind everyone’s motivations, and being a mom, I empathized with a lot of it. What I loved most was the communication that eventually happened. Not only did it help the relationships they had with each other, but it helped their relationships at home as well.

I adored this cute, kitschy read and the memories it invoked of my youth and my cruises with NKOTB.

[Lauren L · Rating 3 out of 5]

📜 Quick Summary:
A group of longtime friends head out on a girls’ trip centered around their shared love of boy bands and all things nostalgic. The story is light, fun, and full of pop culture moments (then and now), with the focus more on the experience and friendship than a complicated or suspenseful plot.

💖 Initial Feels:
This was an easy, breezy read. Nothing heavy, nothing stressful. It felt like the kind of book you pick up when you just want to relax and be entertained and I finished it all in a few hours on a lazy Saturday.

📖 Read if you want:
• A light, feel-good book
• Lots of pop culture and boy band references
• A story about long-term female friendships
• Something fun that doesn’t require a lot of emotional energy

💡 Final Thoughts:
This book was exactly what I expected it to be: fun, nostalgic, and easy to get through. It honestly made me want to plan a girls’ trip and relive some old concert memories with my friends. Sometimes that’s all I’m looking for in a read.

⭐ Overall Rating: 3.5 stars

🚴‍♀️ Special thanks to Jenifer for sharing this ARC copy with a fellow Peloton mom. Loved the chance to read it early!

[Jill Sanko · Rating 5 out of 5]

This novel is a fun, fast-paced read that simultaneously transports you back to the era of boy bands and questionable wardrobe choices while capturing the very real, often chaotic realities of mom life—with plenty of humor woven throughout. Set during a regularly planned girls’ trip to a tropical island, the story balances sun-soaked escape with the everyday drama the characters are still managing back home as mothers, wives, and friends trying to carve out a weekend for themselves.

What begins as a much-needed getaway quickly becomes more complicated with a missing passport and an unexpected murder investigation, raising the stakes and pulling the reader in. At its heart, though, the book is about friendship—old bonds tested by time, distance, and unspoken truths. As the weekend unfolds, decades-old secrets are revealed, deep disclosures are shared, and long-standing friendships evolve as the women rediscover one another in honest and meaningful ways. The result is a compelling mix of nostalgia, suspense, and emotional depth that makes this an engaging and relatable read.

[Heather Carlin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jenifer Goldin has done it again!! An incredibly engaging book full of humor, mystery, and fun! This book is about a group of high school friends taking a tropical vacation to an all inclusive which is hosting a boy bands weekend. Predictably, nothing goes as planned and all kinds of complications arise. As a mom in her 40s, this book felt like I could be reading a story about me and my friends! Each character had their own set of issues involving marriage, motherhood, and careers. It was so incredibly relatable and a perfect dose of escapism. I couldn’t put it down and couldn’t wait to see how it ended. Such well developed characters and a great storyline. Loved how it showcased strong female characters and stressed the importance of true friendship, especially as we get older. And boy bands!!! Who could ask for more?! Another incredible book from this wonderful author. I can’t wait to see what she does next!

[Susan Ballard (subakkabookstuff) · Rating 4 out of 5]

𝗪𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂, 𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂, 𝗮 𝗯𝗼𝘆 𝗯𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗳𝗮𝗻? 𝗠𝗮𝘆𝗯𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂'𝗿𝗲 𝗮 𝗺𝗼𝗺 𝘄𝗵𝗼 𝘄𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝗹𝗼𝘃𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗴𝗲𝘁 𝗮𝘄𝗮𝘆 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗮 𝘄𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗲?

This book is fun, with a side of chaos, a great escape read. Four forty-something-year-old friends decide to head to an island getaway for “Boy Bands on the Beach.” While this sounds perfect: good friends, the nostalgia, the day drinking, and no kids, each woman has secrets brewing in her life.

This comes at motherhood, marriage, and the ever-present struggles of work/family demands that women face, as well as the dynamics of female friendship, all set within a tropical backdrop of a ‘90s boy band bash. If that doesn’t make you want to join this party, let me add that there is a mystery investigation as well.

Breezy, light, and relatable, this book had me singing ‘90s songs and wishing I were at a tropical island resort, floating around in the pool.


Thank you @jenifergoldwinwrites for this gifted eBook.

[Rebecca loves reading · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jenifer Goldin has written another lovely book that delivers her signature style. Humorous but heartfelt stories that capture the mom experience in a unique and current way. I’ve had the honor of reading her ARCs and watching the way her characters have become even more real and robust with each book. In this book, she tackles real topics like loss, grief, shame, and insecurity in this beautiful way that has you somehow laughing through the big feelings. At a surface level, the story is about high school friends taking a trip to celebrate their 45th birthdays at an all inclusive resort hosting 90s boy bands. Yet by the end, she writes us through a journey that challenges several societal expectations and works to provide new guidelines/definitions stretching the boundaries of what mom life means. All the characters storylines are wrapped up in the best way - which left me with a smile on my face. And desperately wanting a sequel!!!!

[Sara Levine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another super fun read about millennial moms navigating life and friendship! Filled with nostalgia and silly hijinx, I had a blast traveling with the girls - Carly, Angie, Liliana, and Nicole - to St. McAna Island for a girls weekend getaway! The friendship and past secrets between the women pulled me right in, and I felt like I was right there with them at the event the whole time! Liliana was my favorite of the group, and I can also see myself being friends with Angie and Carly, but Nicole was not my favorite! It definitely made it even more realistic that they each had flaws and were multidimensional characters. This was a fun adventure and I’m looking forward to the next Hamilton Beach mom’s story!

I am so grateful to Jenifer Goldin for including me in her ARC team and I can’t wait to buy and have a finished copy in my hands!

[Kristen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jenifer Goldin has absolutely surpassed her Moms Who Read Romance Novels- and I don’t know how she did it! The 90’s lingo, boy bands, Millennial moms and all different personalities that really have you reflecting! I found myself at home with these four ladies who are trying to get their identity back and reunite after the busy lives of motherhood took so many different shapes and paths.

I laughed, cried and even got a shock (no spoilers from me!) and I can’t even tell you how much I needed this book after a small book slump. Jenifer’s writing really teleports you to the moment, and dives you deep into the character development. I do wish there was a little more depth, but the book itself was almost a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ read for me!

Definitely get your copy today and take this trip to paradise. Trust me. It’s to die for! 🥂

[Stacy · Rating 5 out of 5]

At first glance, this book may appear to be a breezy beach read. It is that and so much more! I love books that mix humor and lighthearted antics with relatable life phases and this is definitely one of those reads. As we observe the dynamics of four best friends in their mid-forties who escape to a beach vacation, we also learn that things aren't always as they appear. With witty dialogue, charming boy band members (we all love a good boy band!), and a dash of mystery when one friend goes missing, don't pass on Moms Who Love Boy Bands.

This is book three for me from this continuously rising star author and I can't wait to see what is next! Huge appreciation to author Jenifer Goldin for an advanced copy!

[Elizabeth Arndt · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an advanced reader copy of Moms Love Boy Bands and it was so much fun! As someone who lived through the 90s, this story took me back to my high school days, rocking out to *NSYNC and the Backstreet Boys before discovering and falling in love with Nirvana and Pearl Jam. As a mom, I could relate to so many of the feelings these moms experienced. I always enjoy a book more when I see a piece of myself in the characters. There was a little bit of mystery as the group tried to find out what happened to their missing friend. The book is a relatively quick read and great for a little escape!

[J Sanderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nostalgia, life stories, friendly perspectives, and a vivid story. It has you softly pondering life's challenges with an empathetic view through each character’s experiences. Read along as this awakening girl’s (Mom’s) trip unfolds in the Land of Boy Bands and festive drinks. Every chapter offers a snack sized bite of enjoyment, giving you the opportunity to take as little or as much as your time appetite desires.

What you get- A light-hearted read full of girl’s trip antics, real life challenges, the power of friendship, and the gift of keeping an open heart. Enjoy!

Thank you to Jenifer Golden for the opportunity to be a first reader of her newest book!

[Stacy40pages · Rating 4 out of 5]

Moms Love Boy Bands by Jennifer Goldin. Thanks to the author for the gifted Arc ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Four best friends vacation for a “Boy Bands at the Beach” event to be serenaded by their celebrity crushes from thirty years ago. Each woman had their own story they come with.

A lot of women my age will love this one! While I personally never had a boy band phase or got into that type of music, it is pretty symbolic of my coming of age and I enjoyed the story a lot. It’s fun, fast paced and has some good humor to it as well.

Read if you like:
-Female friendships
-Boy bands
-Modern motherhood stories

Moms Who Love Boybands comes out 3/12.

[Rachel Becker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jenifer Goldin books always make me laugh aloud and, “Moms Love Boy Bands,” was no exception. The former high school 2000 loving culture fans, now forty something professionals, parents, and friends each struggling through relatable experiences are characters that leave you feeling seen in one way or another. Funny, witty, and enjoyable, her newest book gave me the spring reading kick I love. A mystery twist, friendship wounds lingering to be healed, and marriage flaws exposed, Goldin’s newest book is sure to meet your reader needs. Coming out March 13, put this one on your spring or summer book list!!

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great read from Jenifer! I had the chance to be an early reader of her newest book, and it did not disappoint. It’s funny, engaging, and layered with just the right touch of suspense. The boy band backdrop isn’t just a fun gimmick—it adds a nostalgic thread that connects the women to who they once were and who they’re still trying to become, something many of us 45+ can truly relate to. A great pick for your next book club. This novel offers plenty to discuss: friendship dynamics, marriage struggles, and the courage it takes to start over at any age. It’s a beach read with substance. You won't be disappointed.

[Jaime Aitkens · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jenifer did it again with this one! What a fun take on friendship, marriage, motherhood and the lives of four perimenopausal women who’ve been the best of friends since high school. This book was relatable, clever, quick paced, funny and yet tackles some deeper themes as well. Plus, how can you go wrong with boy bands? Telling the story of four women on a 45th birthday celebration on a tropical island, there’s mystery and humor and everything you’d want to keep turning those pages. I was lucky enough to be an advanced reader, and thoroughly enjoyed this one.

[Tammi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh my goodness, this book hit on so many relevant topics in my current life. Any mom in this age range will be able to relate. We grew up listening to boy bands. We love our girlfriend vacations where we sneak away from our kids and husbands to have a weekend with no responsibilities. We are in the thick of it right now and we all need a break because life is complicated. It was so fun to follow along with these 4 moms and see how friendship, marriage and motherhood both differs but yet brings them together.

[Sheila · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review of advanced copy received by Author.

This book is a fun, fast-paced story that includes lots of drama and mystery with well developed characters dealing with unresolved trauma, marital problems, social media pressures of perfection, and challenges of both stay at mom and working moms. The four friends learn to open up about their hidden problems to receive love and support. I loved all the references to the 1990s and the Spotify playlist!

Publishing date: March 12, 2026

Thank you Jenifer Goldin for the ARC.

[Hilary · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was so excited to be an advanced reader for another one of Jenifer Goldin's books. This book did not disappoint. It was a fun read about #momlife. I love that the books are about friendship and are not only funny, but have deeper sides to the story. True to her writing, there were lots of laughs and great visuals - I could absolutely picture everyone and what she describes (possibly a sign of my age). I spent days humming boy band tunes after reading this too.

If you want a fun read - I highly recommend this one!

[Heather Abbott · Rating 4 out of 5]

Four high school best friends go away to a 90s Boy Band weekend at a (Caribbean?) luxury resort. All is not as happy as it appears on the surface. Each woman is dealing with some type of marital issue as well as some issues within the friend group. There is also a mystery component to the book. This is primarily a story about female friendship. Love that these women are aged 45–I found them to be relatable despite not being a mom myself. Great Jewish rep as well.

Thank you to Jenifer for the ARC!

[Heather Laskos · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was so fun! Four high school friends reunited for a 45th birthday trip to a resort hosting a 90’s boy band festival. While there were plenty of shenanigans; delayed flights, flirting with younger men, boudoir photos gone wrong, missing passports, fantastic concerts – there were also moments when the friends had to confront their truths; decades old secrets, crumbling marriage, demanding careers, and parenting identities. I found this book to be fun, relatable and entertaining!

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

(Actual Rating = 4.75 stars)

A group of four childhood friends reunite to celebrate their 45th birthdays. Each of them has secrets they’re trying to hide.

Here’s my honest, unbiased review: I loved this book! It was fabulous, and I feel very lucky I got a chance to be an advanced reader. The book is the perfect combination of humor, emotion, and suspense. Goldin reveals secrets masterfully. You won’t want to put this book down.

[Kristy Dunn Harbison · Rating 1.75 out of 5]

The 80's and 90's nostalgia plus the references that we middle aged women go through was a nice touch. The rest of the book was just all over the place. There never was any real character development. But if you want the occasional chuckle or to smile about your boy band days than you may enjoy this book. I think it was just okay and definitely not what I had hoped a book with this title would be.

[Cassie C · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book had so many parts that reminded me of
My relationship with my friends now and from the past few years! I could really relate to this book and had a great time reading it! Many laughs and I felt included on the girls trip too!!!! I absolutely love the books this author writes and hope she continues to write more!

[Kellee · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was such a fun read and was so relatable. A group of 45 year old friends who take a trip every 5 years - this year they celebrate their love of boy bands from their teens. As each woman shares their own life stories, heartbreak, success, drama… they come together as friends to learn that life isn’t perfect. I loved this book and am hoping for a sequel!