Wow! What can I say -
Brilliant. Gripping. Hard hitting. Relatable. Absorbing. Emotional. Un-put-down-able. Will be read in one sitting. Fantastic. Memorable.
An absolute must read for 2022.
A very strong 5 star rating and very highly recommended! What a book!

This was an engaging story that was really let down by the safeguarding elements regarding teachers and social care. The way the poor mother struggling to afford to bring up her son was portrayed was, I felt, verging on irresponsible, suggesting there was no support out there. No headteacher I have ever come across would behave the way the one in this novel did, despite her own personal trials. I realise this was fiction but it dealt with such serious issues I was waiting for something a lot more at the end and was horrified by the ultimate resolution which seemed bleak and certainly of no comfort to anyone except the main couple in the novel. For this reason I would not recommend this book to anyone and would seriously question the research that has gone into this. I was really upset by the way many of the issues were narrated.

I enjoyed this book - I got very wrapped up in all the storylines and raced through it. However I didn’t really warm to any of the characters - but I did find parts of it amusing despite the serious issues raised. I would recommend it.

Sarah Stovell is a new author for me and I really enjoyed Other Parents. Set in a small town in Northumberland where it’s impossible to keep secrets. Rachel has caused a scandal with her divorce and the fact her new girlfriend has moved in and Laura is struggling to provide for her son Max. They’re at loggerheads but it seems they are so caught up in other peoples lives, they fail to see what is happening under their own roof. An enjoyable novel covering some serious issues and I look forward to reading more from this author. Thank you to NetGalley, HQ and the author for the chance to review.

Jo Fairburn knew that she was under intense pressure as the new head of West Burntridge First School: if she didn't live up to her retired predecessor there could well be a house price slump in that part of the town. The school had an active Parent Teacher Association and the funds which they raised were a considerable benefit to the school. There was one difficulty, though - they were devastatingly shockable, with two members, in particular, causing problems for the head. Laura Spence and Kate Monroe objected to Jo's restrictions on the toys children could bring in on Toy Day but that was just a warm-up act for their real gripe: LGBTQ education.

It's in the National Curriculum - so Jo didn't have any choice and nor could a dissenting parent withdraw their child from the classes - and besides, the content was age-appropriate. It was hardly gay porn that was on offer but Laura and Kate were not to be mollified. They wanted teaching which made it clear to children that heterosexual marriage was the only right and proper union. Compromise was not possible and a petition was started. There wasn't overwhelming support but the pro-LGBTQ-teaching faction had a natural figurehead who just happened to be the centre of local gossip at the time.

Dr Rachel Saunders, author, television personality and mother of three children had recently separated from her husband, Will Kernick and moved Erin, her journalist girlfriend, into the family home and her bed. Her youngest child, six-year-old Tess, was at West Burntridge Middle School. Her oldest child, seventeen-year-old Reuben, wasn't unduly worried about the situation at home - he was more concerned about getting into Cambridge - but his sister, fifteen-year-old Maia, was vehemently opposed to the relationship and she's going to show her opposition in the only way that she can: sex.

I loved this book and raced through it in a couple of sessions, feeling rather resentful that there had to be a gap in between. Sleep is much overrated, you know. I was blown away by the character of Rachel Saunders. She can't not say what she's thinking and because she's bright and articulate it's going to come out in a form that people will remember as Erin knows only too well. That's the downside of life with the brilliant, shameless Rachel Saunders. The upside is the woman who gives generously to the school, without being found out, to support those children who might miss out on school trips or music lessons. The irony that the children of those most opposed to her life decisions are directly benefitting from her generosity is not lost on her.

I liked too that the book is not judgemental. There are things that people will do to feed their children, to give them a better life than they're having, to make their own lives more bearable that are not necessarily socially acceptable or even legal. The tone of the book is not condemnation but a recognition that help is needed. There's only one real baddy in the book and what happens there neatly demonstrates the difference between wrong and evil.

In places, it's hilariously funny. From beginning to end it's insightful and the plotting is wonderfully sharp. I loved the book and I'd like to thank the publishers for making a copy available to the Bookbag.

I became totally engaged with this story which scratched beneath the surface of parents with children at a Primary School in an affluent middle class area in the North East of England. Anyone who has had children in Primary School will recognise some of the characters portrayed so utterly brilliantly together with their prejudices and gossip. All the characters seemed real and relatable, the PTA organiser with her red clipboard, the desperately disadvantaged single mother trying to fit in with the more wealthy high flying families to pick out a couple. The book tackles some very serious and emotional issues whilst also being entertaining and funny in places. A definite must read.

I really enjoyed Sarah Stovel’s book Exquisite and had high hopes for Other Parents. It had a promising start and quickly pulled me right in the centre of a school gate drama, with quintessential characters and events that rang true. However, the pace slowed down with not much happening, and even the main development felt a bit flat and anticlimactic. Overall, it’s a decent read but not particularly gripping or exciting.

I loved this book about small town secrets. Everyone’s lives seem linked in some way, whether it is because they are the head teacher of the local school, a sex worker, or the chair of the PTA. I did get confused to start with because of the amount of characters, but the main character stand out quickly. A lot of the situations made me wonder what I would do in that position. A highly recommended read.

This book certainly packs a punch! It starts off as a funny and accurate look at life in a small village and school. The characters are enjoyable and relatable. Then the big storylines hit and this book turns into so much more than a funny look at life.

This book addresses the big issues, and does it with attention to detail, as well as compassion and reality.

I love the characters in this book, some are love to hate but they are all so realistic and well rounded.

A brilliant read that looks at what it means to be a parent. It reminds us how much more is going on for people than we can see on the surface. Both funny and gripping this is a must read.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Centred around a primary school, the story is told by several different characters, all involved with the school PTA. Jo is the new head trying to live up to the reputation of her predecessor. Rachel has caused a stir by splitting up with her husband and moving in her girlfriend, much to the disgust of her children. Laura is a single parent coping with her 5 year old son who is struggling and has major temper tantrums. The story is really one of family, secrets and belonging. This is a really good read, being both funny and raising some serious issues. Thanks to NetGalley for a preview copy.
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I wasn’t quite sure what to expect, but I ended up absolutely loving this story. A lovely read about life in small village and it’s occupants and goes to show, you never really know what goes on behind closed doors!

Excellent book which makes you think about different family lives and how circumstances can breakup a family and also bring it together.

What a fabulous read! When I started I thought it was going to be an easy read about life in a small village, sharply accurate observations of school politics, gossip at the gate and PTA power. Well it started like that and I was happily reading along, with a wistful smile (being a retired teacher) enjoying the humour and easily visualising the scenes. Then -WHAM, I found myself in the middle of really serious topics in amongst the flow, raising the credibility and sweeping the reader up in a darkly sympathetic understanding!
The level of adult understanding and sympathy / empathy was carefully observed and the difficult subjects handled incredibly well. The myriad challenges of parenthood in the modern world were astutely examined. The main characters showed real depth and humanity in increasingly challenging situations. I read late into the night to finish this one, fully immersed in the compelling storyline and I am sure it will be the subject of much discussion once it is released.

West Burntridge is a small town in Northumberland. The town and its surrounding hamlets home some of the more affluent of the area, where privileged and opinionated residents are rife. There is a seedier side to the town, but this is kept well hidden and largely ignored. The local first school has its fair share of do gooders, self-important meddlers and gossips. It also has the dreaded PTA! Parents and their playground politics are rife..

Whilst this story centres around the town and its residents, it is full of secrets and lies, very intriguing. From the first page I was drawn into the story and loved the characterisation, they are so perfectly written. Stovell has really delved under the skin of small town life and developed an amazing story, totally believable and so true to life.

This book was a pleasure to read, would definitely recommend.

Thank you NetGalley.

I enjoyed this book about parents, families and their secrets and scandals. It's set around a school in a North-east village community. Everyone knows everyone and their business....or do they? Other Parents is a well written novel with good strong characters. Heroes, heroines and the ones you just love to hate are all there. Told from multiple viewpoints the story deals with topical subjects in a sensitive manner.
Thanks to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for an arc of this enjoyable book in exchange for my opinion.

What a great read, kept me reading in to the night, good storyline with great charecters, enjoyed lots

This was a terrific read. I was really engaged by the different characters and the relationships between them as well as the secrets they keep. It really reflects how you don't know what goes on behind closed doors. I'm sure that anyone who has worked in a school or had children in school or belonged to a PTA can relate to these characters - we all know someone like them! I'd definitely read books by this author again. Thoroughly enjoyed it.

You’ll hopefully read this with a wry smile. Anyone who has experienced overbearing parent teacher associations will appreciate Sarah’s novel, set in a small town. West Burntridge may have a diverse population but not everyone is thankful. Rachel Saunders is divorced and living with her new female partner, much to some of her children’s – and the PTA – unhappiness. Laura Spence will do anything possible to give her young son Max the start he deserves but the single mother is finding it tough. Max is acting out of character, fuelling the worry in Laura’s mind that she isn’t doing well enough at mothering. But when the local school introduces an inclusive curriculum, Rachel and Laura will find battle lines drawn between each other. You’ll meet a bunch of characters who you’ll nod at, recognising them from your own school gate days. Expect to be drawn into the world of petty drama, relationship woes and revelations that will definitely take you by surprise. A great read, clever and well written.

This one started out with so so much potential. I really thought that is was going to be at least a 4 star, and it gave me Lianne Moriarty Big Little Lies vibes. I got lost pretty quickly with all the storylines though and it felt like overkill. I was really interested in the plot of the Anti LGBTQ protest but this seemed to be forgotten for a huge chunk of the story. The writing style was inconsistant and like I say i was really dissapointed by this.

This book will definitely be read by my book group. There is so much to discuss. The story centres around a school in a middle class area. The headteacher Jo, is new and wants to make an impression but her son has a horrible secret and Jo has to make a very difficult decision. She has a strong PTA who is not keen on the new curriculum. One member is Laura, a single parent family living in poverty with a secret of her own. Then there is Rachel who has left her husband to live with another woman. She is passionate about helping people less privileged than herself but her own life choices affect her three children in different ways. Her eldest daughter’s story is not an easy read but the book’s ending is fairly positive while remaining realistic. Thank you Netgalley for allowing me to read this thought provoking book with its well depicted characters.