Irish author Eithne Shortall’s novel has a title very similar to a 1935 bestseller by US-American writer Sinclair Lewis that charts the rise of Buzz Windrip, a determined political agitator who runs for President of the USA. Initially I did not think there could be any similarities between the two books, but it soon becomes clear that Shortall’s fictional protagonist, Beverley Franklin, who lives in a fictitious Irish small town called Glass Lake, shares big city dweller Windrip’s fierce determination as she embarks on a quest to ensure her daughter’s performance in the annual school music will go ahead at all cost. As in previous Shortall books, the main themes of this novel are playground politics and toxic competitive parenting, and Shortall does well in her characterisations of fierce mother Beverley, vexed school principal Nuala, and ambitious handyman Arlo. The frequent timeline switches make demands on the reader but the tension and parenting truisms that are revealed are shot through with healthy doses of humour. Overall, I highly recommend this novel and would like to express my thanks to NetGalley and to the publishers for granting me an ARC to complete this honest, unbiased review.

An enjoyable story of parental politics in a small town with a highly rated primary school ,where a group of mothers are all vying for prime position as they put on a school play.There’s a lot involved ,beginning with a suspicious death(it’s a while before you know who it is) and some unpleasant goings on .
It held my attention throughout ,although I would have liked at least one of the women to be even a bit likeable- they were all really horrendous!
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an ARC in return for an honest review which reflects my own opinion.

You can feel the schoolyard dynamic around the parents straight away. I can see the what apps group if parents been like that. Beverly is well known in the neighbourhood. Nuala the principal of the school get a bit frustrated with the constant pressure from Beverly.Arlo is the handyman trying to make a reputation for himself he works a lot with Fiona a divorce. I furtherly enjoyed this book it has so much to it.

It could happen here and it did. I loved all the characters even the nasty horrible self-righteous and weak ones, of which there are many. This book is happy, funny and very sad and will suit both young and old and would make a wonderful TV series. Can’t wait to see what else Eithne Shortall writes.

Oooh! So many good things about this book.
Yet again, I was drawn in by the fact that this was a book centred around a school, (teacher here!) and mysterious happenings concerning the pupils,
Glass Lake is a school that people clamour to get their children into and will fight tooth and nail to stay on the right side of those 'Lakers' who seem to rule the roost - power parents, rather than the principal.
However, something happens which sets off a chain of events, that somehow link back to another local tragedy...
A lot of mystery, and twists. I do love a good twist!
I don't want to give anything away, but there are some big issues dealt with, within the covers of this book, regarding sexting, and keeping our children safe online.
It did get a little confusing when the chapters jumped from one timeline to another, and the points of views switched, sometimes, mid-chapter, which I had to really concentrate on, to know whose head I was in at the time, however, I was captivated and wanted to know what happened, and finished this book on a cold, windy Sunday, in pretty much one sitting!
Many thanks to NetGalley and Atlantic/Corvus books for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Beautifully written and will leave you awash with emotion. This is a book I’d definitely consider reading twice.

Such a fun book nearly every chapter gave me a wry smile. Definitely "big little lies meets west cork". All of those silly little interactions that seem to happen when parents get over invested in their children's schooling are so keenly observed and crafted into a cracking read. Highly recommended.

An enjoyable read. School yard politics and intrigue set in Ireland. It seems that the politics of the playground are pretty universal. Enough humour and intrigue to keep me reading and enough twists in the plot to make it interesting.

What an enjoyable book, it has everything: schoolyard politics, families with secrets, scandal, tragedy, brilliantly written characters, (one) obnoxious character, mystery, relationships - I was hooked and sorry when it finished

This book was full of playground politics (anybody whose done a school run will know all about them 😂), gossip and a mysterious body - and what a read it was! I really enjoyed this book and how it flicked between characters and timelines. It kept me guessing throughout and held my attention completely.

If Big Little Lies based was based in Ireland then this would be it.

No secrets are safe with the Grass Lake parents …..

Competitive mothers, how far would they go to protect their children and ensure their child gets the best!

Really enjoyed reading this book, was engrossed with the dramas of the Grass Lake parents. The author has a magnificent way of engrossing you straight from the start.

Highly recommend

Oooh I loved it - small-town primary school politics and a mysterious death as well, sign me up!

It Could Never Happen Here starts with the police investigating an unexplained death (you don't find out any details for a long time which I liked) - but its almost a backstory to the main event which is what happens when a group of school friends grow up, stay in the same town, and their children go to school together.

The years of history and secrets between them all, the unspoken but seething rivalries over tiny issues - it was wonderfully conveyed, shimmering with resentments and misunderstandings. And all the way through, the actual pupils are just trying to put on a school play and have a good time.

If you enjoyed Sarah Storey's Other Parents - this is definitely one for you

Funny and poignant, very readable. Enjoyed this a lot. A sly look at school politics and characters with hidden depths. The characters were well developed helping engross you in the book

I enjoyed reading the book, once started couldn’t put it down. An easy read and enjoyed very much. Look forward to reading more by this author.

I read this hook so quickly I really enjoyed it, it was funny relatable and compelling. I couldnt put it down