So many books about parenting are told from a heteronormative point of view so I was really happy to read this. The author is raising her children in a two mother household and Brister’s experience of being the 'other mother' (not the mother who gave birth to her twin sons) is a hilarious and easy read that's hard to put down. More stories of parenting in all its forms should be told and I'm glad this funny, charming book exists.

I really loved reading about Jen Brister's experience of motherhood as "the other mother" - the partner of a woman giving birth to their twins. It provides a totally different perspective on the parenting experience and made me laugh, squirm and never, ever want to have children. Jen doesn't shy away from the grim realities of motherhood and the *quite literal* amount of shit that having children brings.

What shines through the text is the sheer amount of love that Jen clearly has for her family. From seeing her partner as some kind of breastfeeding goddess (aww) to feeling her heart break a tiny bit every time one of her kids wants to be comforted by his other Mum, the text is imbrued with a sense that, even in the most desperate moments, she wouldn't change it for the world.

As a child-free person I read this book with a certain amount of smug satisfaction, knowing that I can still go out when I want, book a meal out mere hours before I'm eating, drink too much wine and spend a leisurely day nursing a hangover with no need to get out of bed. I genuinely don't know how anyone copes with TWO babies let alone one (especially when one of them doesn't sleep for MONTHS) so I was also left with a huge sense of admiration.

Just don't read it if you're pregnant!

A funny look at parenting and life. Realistic and open about the struggles of IVF and having a baby. A lovely, heartwarming book, that's eye-opening for a non-parent like myself.

Unfortunately i requested this book before i understood how Netgalley worked and was unable to access the title. I apologise for not being able to review this for you.

An interesting view in lesbian couple life and motherhood.
I liked the plot and the idea of this book but up until the last chapters, i rolled my eyes a lot as i felt like the main character just pointed out the bad things when it comes to motherhood. Yes it's scary and there's no real manual or anything to tell you exactly how this works out but the story staled for me a lot because she was just complaining about every little thing. The last chapters finally she started to see the good things in being a mother and what it really means.

I first saw Jen Brister performing stand up in the Vauxhall Tavern in the summer, where she mentioned her book first. I loved her style, loved her jokes (especially those about family) so I thought I would read the book. Although Jen Brister's perspective on motherhood is different from mine, I totally enjoyed her story of the lows and highs of parenting. from broken biscuits, the constant boredom of solitary walks and playgrounds, to the constant worry that we are somehow not enough, this book is funny, truthful and full of anecdotes that instantly make you feel better about your attitudes towards parenting and people who give you unsolicited advice and comments. Oh, and also Perfect Mothers. Perfect Mothers of perfect Children who love quinoa and sleep through the night. Yup, you all know them. So, if you want to find out what it is like to become a parenting unit, who needs to tackle not only the day to day mundane challenges of raising your kids, but also needs to deal with loads of other issues (see unsolicited advice and comments), read this book and instantly feel better.

Honest and sometimes funny account of being the 'other' mother in a lesbian parenting couple. Ultimately a bit thin overall.

Bloody brilliant book, it is so comical and RELATABLE which makes it funnier. The author says things that we only dare to think. The struggle of motherhood is real and is told quite frankly here. Thank you

An enjoyable, funny read about anything and everything todo with parenting. Take everything you think you know about the normal 2.4 children family and throw it away.
A humorous book with a slice of seriousness built in
Thank you NetGalley and Vintage books for gifting me this book

If anything that you read in the media is anything to go by a family that consists of two mums or two dads is not something that we should be telling young children is *normal* I urge anyone with these views to pick up and read this hilarious, touching and realistic book
Jen Brister is a stand up comedian who lives with her partner, Chloe in Brighton. As they both approach forty they decide to start a family.
Anyone who has had children will recognise so many scenarios in this book I loved the time Jen changed a nappy in a cubicle when her son had pooed up his back. We've all been there, well, not actually THERE in that particular cubicle but you know what I mean!
I would recommend this book to all mums, dads, mums and mums or dads and dads. It's hilarious but at the same time so true to life it brought back memories of things that happened to me when my son was born and that can't be a bad thing.

I found this hard work. Jen seemed to spend the whole book moaning. I know it was about mothering and the things that it involved but until towards the end she didn't mention much positive things about parenting and it was depressing. I kept reading because I was curious how it would end up.

Thanks goes to net galley and the publishers for providing me with a free copy in exchange for an honest review

The Other Mother is an absolutely wonderful book about Jen’s experience of motherhood, through the ups and downs of IVF and then the first four years of the twins lives. Jen’s absolute pure love for her twin boys shines through on every page. The behaviour exhibited by the twins in the first 18 months of their lives; it is amazing that Jen can tolerate them, let alone adore them in the way that she does! But seriously, the honesty with which Jen writes is absolutely refreshing. She does not hold back at all, about her feelings and the ups and downs of parenting and all that it entails.
Jen’s honesty when writing is just superb and it is that which makes this book so unique and with her wonderful humour it is such a brilliant read.
Thanks to NetGalley for a Kindle copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

As a fellow mother of twins this made me feel a little bit less like an utter failure, and more like I was just doing my best and muddling through the best way I knew how. We also have a bigger one and a little one and I can relate to so much in this book. As a survivor of twin parenting I now facilitate seminars preparing parents for multiple parenthood (ha, can you ever really be prepared?!) and I’m going to suggest this is required reading for all the attendees - it gave me lots to think about from the perspective of ‘the other parent’ which is hard for me to cover in the classes. Thank you x

Thank you for the opportunity to read 'The Other Mother'.

I enjoyed Jen Brister's book very much and it gave me a lot to think about - the issues concerning how a non-biological mother relates to her children. Fortunately, in this case, she relates to her children brilliantly and they clearly adore her. I was also interested to read just how exhausting having twins must be and really don't know they all got through those first couple of years. Told with humour and a very enjoyable read - definitely recommend!

A frank,funny, honest account of motherhood!
Jen and chlo are a gay couple who decide to have children, however this is not as easy for them as it is for a heterosexual couple, we read about the trials and tribulations of getting pregnant via IVF and how the whole experience feels for Jen as the non biological/ other mother! The early days of motherhood with twins is portrayed in a very realistic open manner, which made for a refreshing,humorous read perfect for any new parents!
Thank you net galley for this great read from a new author for me!

I really enjoyed this book from the first page.
This book is a true story and the writing has been so honest. She has written with so much love for her family
A great book

This book comes with a warning for women who may have experienced Postpartum Psychosis or Postpartum OCD - to ensure they are not 'triggered' by reading.

Postpartum psychosis and postpartum OCD are things I don't know a lot about. I mean I’ve heard of the things women have done when they had it but I don't know the whole story. Just a lot of negativity and stigmas. I understand the warning at the beginning now. A lot of women suffering are susceptible to other peoples stories and often come to believe that it has happened to them and that now something is wrong with them/their baby. These delusions are kind of contagious. While the story was great, I’m glad I read the book in order to bring my attention to this. It isn’t something anyone warns you about or talks about. At least I have never heard anyone having it. I’ve heard of the depression after having a baby as I’m sure many people have too.

I suppose I should talk about the story now and not just keep going on. So this is about two mothers, Daphne and Laurel, that meet in a new mother support group. They are both suffering from different things, like most of the other mothers and they were told they should attend by their husbands. They meet here and then the two become friends. Their babies even have the same name!

As their friendship grows, they become more similar.. one losses a little weight and changes her hair which makes them more alike. Daphne doesn’t realize right away that their intense friendship will eventually lead her to go on the run, taking her daughter with her to a live in job in a mansion beside an insane asylum. The mansion and the asylum are filled with secrets and a long history. This adds fuel to her dangerous thoughts and her fears of hurting her daughter because of her postpartum mood disorder.


I loved this book, it was very well written and contained some of my favourite things. Murder, secrets, and of course a messed up family. I seriously recommend this. I actually feel like a gained a lot from reading this, I feel more informed as I mentioned earlier about women suffering after having children. Even women who appear to have the perfect life can be affected.

Please abide by the warning and do not read it if it could become problematic for you.

Amusing and heartwarming tale of being a 'non-biological' mother and stand-up comedian - at the same time. It's not a journey for the fainthearted, but Jen Brister tells it brilliantly, sharing the story of her recent years as the 'other mother.' of twin boys.

I would like to thank the author, publisher and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read this book. I enjoyed reading it and it opened my eyes as to how difficult it must be to have twin babies. Jen Brister has a particular way with words and it made me laugh out loud as well as making me think.

As a fan of Jen Brister's standup I was really excited to read this. Jen is 'the other mother' to her twin boys which were carried by her partner. I don't have children myself but I still found this very insightful and entertaining. Jen deals with the imposter system of both her career as a comedian and as the non biological mother to her boys. It's informative and funny and I would highly recommend.