Skip to main content

Member Reviews

*Thanks to Netgalley for a review copy of this book!*

As soon as I read the blurb for this book I knew I wanted to read it. Being a mother of two ND children (read "those" children) I feel like this sometimes 😂 (if I don't laugh I'll cry.)

It was quite easy to get into with no slow build up. However this feeling didn't last. Around a third of the way through I felt like it started to drag, especially because I didn't really care for Florence (the mfc) too much. I felt she was so irresponsible.

I couldn't find myself warming to any of the other characters either, except maybe Dylan as I saw my kids in some of his characteristics.

Saying that, there was a lot of mystery and intrigue as to what was happening and it all came together in the end. I felt empathy for Florence at the end but it's a shame it took so long!

I would probably try another book by the author but I would be more likely to choose audiobook format.

Was this review helpful?

An absolutely brilliant book! I've never read anything like it :) All the Other Mothers Hate Me is a pacy, drama-filled and hilarious book that I devoured in a few hours. The protagonist is hilarious, but her adventures and outlook made me laugh alot. I absolutely loved it, and could have happily read another 300 pages. It also deals with cliques in a way that I've never seen before, and adds a light-hearted element to serious subject matter, which was brilliantly done. 10/10.

Was this review helpful?

Love the narrative voice, love the name and love the cover. Looking forward to reading more from Sarah Harman.

Was this review helpful?

From the blurb I thought this was going to be a lightweight, quick read. It was actually deeper and more complex though.
When a boy goes missing Florence is worried that her son is involved and so tries to investigate.
To be honest she's pretty bad at that, she seems to have few skills and is pretty narcissistic. However, her development over the book is interesting and there were some twists although I did see them coming.
One thing I was right about, it's a quick read, very hard to put down once you start.

Was this review helpful?

I really enjoyed this book from Sarah Harman and was suprised to see it was her debut. Florence is a failed pop star turned amateur detective. I won’t lie. I did want to shake her numerous times during the book but overall I really liked the characters build up and enjoyed the plot and ending!

Was this review helpful?

Well, this book was tons of fun!
Right from the start I enjoyed this and my enjoyment didn't let up throughout.
We are following our main character Florence, who is meant to be not quite like the other mothers. Whilst I did like her, I felt like she wasn't that different from the other mothers in the story and I was expecting her to stand out from them a little more than she did.
One thing I did like was the humour. I didn't find it laugh out loud funny, it was more humorous than anything else, but it was very enjoyable.
This is also a very fast paced, easy read that I flew through in one day.
After finishing the book I checked out the author and I was surprised to find that this was her debut. Going off my enjoyment and how good the writing was, I was very surprised and I will definitely be reading her next book!

Was this review helpful?

Firstly thank you Netgalley, Sarah and 4th Estate for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I loved this book. I both read on my kindle and listened to the audiobook and I was hooked. This is a great paced book and I enjoyed the conclusion. I won't give any spoilers but I had so many theories, some which were correct and some that were wildly incorrect. Sarah's writing really kept me guessing as well as laughing, screaming and getting emotional (I am only 9 months post partum with my second gremlin)

Our main lady Florence I wanted to slap or shake several times but thankfully a new friend Jenny comes along for that, the pity party Flo had on constantly for herself got tiresome but ultimately shes a good egg with horrific judgment. 

I look forward to more from Sarah and I am recommending this for the book club.

Was this review helpful?

An American Abroad..
Florence Grimes, an American abroad (London) and failed pop star, turns unlikely amateur sleuth in this pacy, amusing romp as she battles with class rivalry, the infamous school gate, her ten year old son, general domesticity and - a very missing boy. Witty, dry and compelling - a very entertaining read.

Was this review helpful?

I really enjoyed this book! This is a debut, but you really wouldn't tell. This story is exciting, has dry humor and a plottwist at the end. This is a 'mind on 0' book, a book you get sucked into from page 1. Highly recommended!

Was this review helpful?

Let me start by saying I really enjoyed this book, it was totally my cup of tea! But a lot of reviews I've seen talk about it being funny and I feel like I missed that?! Don't get me wrong, there was some witty banter between characters etc, but for me it wasn't a major focal point.

We kick-off into the mystery early on in the book and, by the halfway point, I wasn't entirely sure where the plot was going! So the twists that unravelled made it a really enjoyable read.

Although I found the main character annoying at times when she made stupid decisions or was irresponsible etc, I really did sympathise with her as a mother - with the constant anxiety she had over keeping her son safe. I enjoyed seeing her evolve as the story went on, battling with herself a lot and basically discovering a new side of herself.

All in all, a great read and absolutely do recommend picking it up if you get a chance!

Was this review helpful?

The author had me in a dilemma - do I live or hate Florence?! But maybe that’s what makes this book so enjoyable!
It was full of humour and really entertained me which I was not expecting for this “thriller”. I had been waiting with anticipation to read this book and it did not disappoint!

Was this review helpful?

I was highly anticipating this book for months and it did not disappoint! A truly original mystery with a main character who drew me in immediately and kept me laughing while also desperate to find out what really happened on a school field trip where a boy vanished. Get excited about this one- it lives up to the hype!

Was this review helpful?

Florence is a single mother to Dylan and she lives a fairly chaotic life. She has a sister, sells balloon arches and dates unsuitable men. The other mothers at school look down on her. During a fieldtrip, a boy goes missing and Florence finds his rucksack in her son's bedroom . Is he involved? She goes about investigating. Several twists in the plot .
On the whole, not a bad and fairly entertainng read though I did not really take to Florence . Lots going on and quite a lot of characters to keep track of. Some of her parenting skills are quite shocking .Not sure about the believability
Thsnks to Net Galley for the arc

Was this review helpful?

A Sharp, Witty Whodunit with a Heart

All The Other Mothers Hate Me is a brilliantly dark and funny debut that had me hooked from the first page. Florence Grimes, a single mum and former pop star, is a wonderfully messy and relatable protagonist. When her son Dylan becomes the prime suspect in the disappearance of a schoolmate, Florence embarks on a chaotic quest to clear his name.

The novel is a delightful satire of London's posh private school scene, with sharp observations and laugh-out-loud moments. Harman's writing is clever and engaging, blending humour with suspense. While the plot may not be as tightly wound as some thrillers, the character development and witty dialogue more than make up for it.

Florence's journey is both entertaining and heartfelt, making this a must-read for fans of dark comedy and amateur sleuths. I can't wait to see what Sarah Harman comes up with next.

Was this review helpful?

Florence Grimes, former girl band member and unconventional single mother to 10 year old Dylan. When one of Dylan's classmates goes missing on a school trip Florence goes into overdrive to protect her son, the missing boy's partner on the day. Jumping to conclusions, Florence gets together with another mother, hotshot lawyer, Jen, to uncover the truth. Madcap investigations, well intentioned but completely inappropriate actions showing the strength of a mother's love for her son. The outcome wasn't what I expected but was satisfying nonetheless. #netgalley #alltheothermothershateme

Was this review helpful?

All the Other Mothers Hate Me, is a darkly humorous and fast-paced thriller that introduces readers to Florence Grimes, a chaotic, morally ambiguous single mother determined to clear her son's name after a classmate goes missing
While the plot may lack the intensity of more traditional mysteries, Harman's sharp wit and engaging characters make this novel a standout in the genre

Was this review helpful?

Florence Grimes is a former member of the girl band Girls’ Night, who shot to fame only after she left the group (circumstances I won’t reveal here to avoid spoilers). Since then, she hasn’t known what to do with herself apart from raising her son Dylan on her own. He attends the same elite London private school that his dad attended, but Florence isn’t exactly the life of the school‑run playground. Most of the other mothers are rich, aloof, and either indifferent or openly hostile toward her.

To be honest, it’s easy to see why. Florence is unmoored beyond just feeling down about her career. She’s self‑absorbed, reckless, and headstrong in the most impulsive ways. Her love for Dylan is never‑ending, yet she still finds herself sneaking out late at night while he sleeps alone. Dylan’s world is equally isolated - his only real friend is the retired neighbour who collects crickets for Dylan’s pet turtle, Greta.

When Alfie, the boy Dylan was partnered with on a school trip, mysteriously disappears, Florence immediately fears Dylan might be involved and springs into action to protect him. The lengths she goes to are often hair‑raisingly absurd, and I found myself cringing more than once. Along the way, she teams up with another mother, Jenny - a lawyer who is just as fed up with the rich‑bitch antics of the playground clique - and together they dig into the Alfie mystery, unaware of Florence’s deeper motivation.

I’m going to be candid: my enjoyment of All the Other Mothers Hate Me was soured by two moments that made me cringe – a JK Rowling/Harry Potter reference and an unnecessary shout‑out to Tel Aviv’s trendy restaurants and glittering nightlife. It’s 2025; there is absolutely no need for either.

The pacing is brisk, and the tone strikes a strong balance between humour, suspense, and empathy. The plot holds together well - but it really is a shame about those two deeply distasteful references. I wanted to love it more than I could.

Was this review helpful?

Goodness, it’s no wonder all the other mothers hate Florence Grimes. She’s a disgraced former pop star who is American and whose son attends a swanky London prep school. She has no job (except for delivering balloons) and her son is a bit quirky; a passionate environmentalist who fits in as well as his mum.
When one of the son, Dylan’s classmates goes missing on a school trip, Florence worries he’s involved, so obviously the only way to prove he is not, is to find the kidnapper herself. Teaming up with a newly arrived American mum, Jenny, Florence sets off to clear Dylan’s name, not always as ethically as she could.
This is a real romp of a book. Florence is hilariously self-obsessed, with no filter. Jenny provides some welcome balance. The prep school mums are a pretty dreadful bunch and it’s hard to root for the rescue of the victim sometimes. Funny, a bit thrilling and will make a great adaptation for the screen.
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

Was this review helpful?

A funny and witty story with some dark humour. It tells the story of Florence. An American and former girl band member who moved to London with Dylan her son. Struggling to fit in with the clique with the mothers st her son’s private school. Florence soon realises that Dylan is struggling to. After the school bully Alfie disappears on a school trip, Florence finds his backpack in Dylan’s bedroom. Does he know what’s happened to Alfie? Not giving any spoilers but I actually enjoyed this book. Well written with a good mix of humour and seriousness. Loved it.

Thank you to Netgally for allowing me to read this ARC.

Was this review helpful?

Florence Grimes had a disastrous brief career in a girl band. Now a broke single mother, her son is present on a school trip when a fellow pupil disappears. Florence decides to find the missing boy in order to clear her son’s name. A funny and twisty story with a memorable anti-hero.

Was this review helpful?