All the Other Mothers Hate Me is a captivating and well-paced thriller that keeps readers on the edge of their seats from start to finish. The story skillfully weaves tension and suspense, with each twist and turn keeping you guessing about what will happen next.

The mystery at its core makes for a fun and engaging read, as the suspense builds steadily, drawing you deeper into the complex world of its characters. This book is a thrilling, page-turning experience, perfect for those who enjoy a gripping, unpredictable plot with plenty of surprises along the way.

4/5 Stars

Many thanks to NetGalley for the ARC!

Enjoyable mystery read. To start off I wasn’t sure whether the book was right for me but as the plot developed 8 was hooked. Couldn’t put down my kindle, I just wanted to know how the story was going to end. And the plot twist at the end? Amazing!

I found the dialogue at the start of the book a bit off putting but as I read along I realised it was how it was mean to come across (and it was way better by 25% into the book. Really enjoyed the character development and the tension that rose up throughout the storyline. Very good descriptions throughout the read without too much unnecessary details.

The book definitely exceeded my initial expectations.

From the cover, I expected this to be chick-lit so was pleasantly surprised that the book had a more serious side. When a child goes missing on a school trip, Florence is concerned that the finger will be pointed at her son, Dylan. Neither she nor Dylan have been accepted by the school community so she is determined to find out what happened. This was a deliciously funny read, yet well-plotted. The characters jumped off the page. A great, light-hearted read which will keep you entertained.

This really surprised me. I started it because, although I’m way past the mums-at-the-school-gates phase, it sounded like the book version of Motherland which I love. I did wonder if I was going to get on with it at the beginning but after the first chapter it turned into a madcap crime caper with a brilliantly compromised heroine and had me so hooked that I stayed up late to finish it.
Florence is a hot mess: ex girl-group member who never quite made the big time, she doesn’t fit in with the other mums at her son’s exclusive prep school and he is a bit of a misfit too. When his nemesis goes missing on a school trip she is terrified he has something to do with it and thus begins a chaotic, catty and wholly inappropriate ‘investigation’ to try and exonerate him. Florence is not a good person: she’s selfish and thoughtless, she lies, drinks and cheats her way through life but she really really loves her son and you gradually find out why she might have turned out the way she has. The triumph of this book is that you are still rooting for Florence, in spite of her bad behaviour. And although the kidnap of a child is a terrible thing, Harman still manages to make this a comedy.
I don’t usually read this sort of book so it’s hard to find comparisons but I’d say it has the wit and chaos of Bridget Jones, the dark humour of Bella Mackie and the relatability of Nell Frizzell.
I’m delighted to see that it is being adapted for Netflix because I think Florence is a brilliant character and the right actor will have great fun with all her contradictions. I'll post a review on this in the New Year close to the release date.

Sarah Harman’s All The Other Mothers Hate Me is a sharp and compelling dive into the unspoken tensions of modern motherhood and the social dynamics of school communities. With biting wit and astute observations, Harman explores the life of Florence, a mother trying to navigate the cliques, judgments, and whispered rivalries among the seemingly perfect parents at her son’s school.

What sets this book apart is its blend of humor and pathos. Harman’s portrayal of Florence’s insecurities and resilience is both relatable and deeply human. The pacing is brisk, and the characters—though sometimes exaggerated for comedic effect—feel authentic. Harman masterfully balances satire with moments of genuine emotion, making the story both entertaining and thought-provoking.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/7076642690

I enjoyed this book and breezed through it in a couple of days. As others have said, I can see why the other mothers hate Florence (the narrator) - she's an absolute shocker. Selfish, thoughtless, childish - so although she's got a good line in biting wit, and is occasionally truly insightful about the joys and difficulties of being a mum, it's pretty tough to like her. The plot is fun, if a bit on the lightweight side. I'd say a good holiday read.

Thanks for the author, publisher and NetGalley for the ARC.

Ok so I really didn’t like Florence. I’m glad I kept reading though as it was a great story and I had no idea what the outcome would be. It’s well written and the characters are believable, Florence is just the complete opposite of me so I found her infuriating, but I definitely recommend it. Thank you #netgalley

Loved this book! Great premise - a boy goes missing, mum thinks it could be her son and tries to solve the mystery but gets into many pickles along the way.

Set in very middle/upper class London, Florence doesn’t fit in with the other mums. She’s an ex-pop star single mother who now runs a balloon delivery business, trying and failing to get back into the biz while not being the best mother let’s be honest.

Morally, Florence’s actions are very questionable. Cringeworthy at times, but fits perfectly with her character and the story.

A really enjoyable read, fast-paced, funny and entertaining from start to finish.

What a treat to read and I flew through it. A lovely fresh and honest take on a character single parenting a child whilst trying to cling to her own less than perfect identity. It was funny and made me smile, laugh, feel and cringe in all the right places. Thank you for my ARC copy.

I know why all the other mothers hate Florence because same, she’s so annoying 😂 I really enjoyed this book, it’s quite funny in places and the story develops at a nice pace. I assumed the person who was guilty quite early but that didn’t stop me from enjoying the unraveling of the twist. Would recommend this to anyone who likes “cosy mysteries” .

The beauty of this book lies in the complex web of emotions and relationships Florence navigates. She’s trying to figure out not just how to clear her son’s name, but how to confront her own life choices, self-worth, and the loneliness that comes with being a single parent. Her frantic investigation, against all odds, is equally funny and poignant, with enough twists to keep you hooked. The writing is sharp and witty, filled with those moments of dark humor that make you laugh while reminding you of the stakes. The tension builds up beautifully, leading to a twist that will leave you stunned, this is not the kind of book you can easily predict. The blend of suspense, personal growth, and well-crafted mystery makes it an engaging and fulfilling read.

All The Other Mother’s Hate me

Florence is a single and “retired” pop star who lives a seemingly normal and boring life at home with her son, Dylan. She hates the Mum’s whose sons attend the all boys school with hers and they hate her just as much. What happens when her son’s tormentor and bully, Alfie, goes missing and he’s the last one to see him alive?

I really had no clue who the actual kidnapper was going to be up until the last few chapters. I thought I was onto them…but I was wrong. Sarah is great at keeping you guessing.

I’ll admit, I found a lot of the chapters rather pointless but I suppose it helped add to the character building of Florence? She truly was a crap Mother; Dylan was constantly left in the house alone or left with random friends/relatives/neighbours.

The relationship between Jenny and Flo seemed a little rushed but I did like how they bounced off of one another up until the last few chapters.

I actually wanted her to see the potential in Adam and was rooting for them to be a couple.

All in all, the book did keep me guessing but I think a lot of pages were a little unnecessary. That being said, it was an easy and quick read.

Thank you to NetGalley, @wmcollinsbooks and @4thestatebooks for accepting me to read this ARC in return for my honest review and opinion.

Failed girl band member and single mum, Florence, an American in London. No friends, a son with personality difficulties, an uncaring ex partner. Then a boy goes missing on a school trip - a boy who has bullied her son in the past, and he may be the only witness. Florence turns private investigator, finds a friend and her life begins to change. Great wet day reading, hard to put down, feeling sympathetic toward Florence ,and also horror at her actions.

I am grateful to Sarah Harman, 4th Estate, and Netgalley for the Advanced Reader Copy. Here follows my review of the book.

The title alone was enough to win me over. I did not need to read the blurb to know that I wanted to get my mitts on this book and read about someone that makes the same comment about themselves that I make about myself to friends. Any mother that doesn’t belong to the inner clique when you consider the entire school yard will have an idea of what I am on about. Now I am no Florence, and my kids are no Dylans but that did not stop the pull of this title. The book sank its claws into me and refused to let go until I had drunk every last drop of ink spilled onto the page to create this masterpiece.

Stay with me now, and channel you mum clique member attitude - Florence is a lost cause; failed girlband member, single mum, and not in possession of two dimes to rub together. If it were not for her son, she would have nothing and no one, and even he is not something to write home about. So, when 10-year-old Alfie Risby goes missing, and a personal belonging of his turns up under Dylan’s bed, dipsy Flo, with even less sense than she has money needs to attempt to clear her son’s name or she really will be left with nothing. In this whodunnit mystery, can Flo muster enough sleuthing skills to solve the mystery of what happened to Alfie?

When deciding the running order for my TBR list, I read a couple of reviews for this book and there is one thing that stands out. Almost all of them rem ark that Flo is unlikeable. I kept waiting for the bad points to drop, but they didn’t. I didn’t like Flo much myself, but I didn’t despise her either. Heck, in the right circumstances, i.e., not the one she finds herself in the book, she might be someone I consider hitting the bar with once in a while. Other than Jenny, a new mum that befriends Flo, I probably share similar feelings towards each of the characters. Many of whom have some relationship with the private school where Alfie goes missing from, so there is an air of snobbery kicking about despite them not all living up to the ‘posh’ and ‘privileged’ ideals.

I found the story triggering in some sense as there was a mum willing to go to all lengths to protect her son from being accused of something he DID actually do. In particular, it made me think of the parents of the assassins in the Stephen Lawrence case. At the same time, I had a slight admiration for the lengths Flo went to in her deception, cunning and detective work to uncover the truth, even if her intentions were flawed from the outset. She is greatly misunderstood and lacking in support to help her make informed decisions.

All the Other Mothers Hate Me brought drama, comedy, and fear under one title and took us on a rollercoaster of a journey that did not stop anywhere near the perceived exit sign. It was a hell of a ride that once I got on, I could not get off, so I sat back and took in the journey. My only criticism is that the end felt rushed after such a build-up, and it was not the kind of story you could help solve because even now, I fail to see the clues, only a heap of red herrings. Regardless, the book kept me interested and page-turning throughout. Readers seeking a flawed heroine, who are not fussed by what means people earn their success will enjoy this mystery, but it may be upsetting for people who have been hurt by another’s lack of moral compass that led to tragedy, or at the very least, trauma.

After the first few pages reading about Florence Grimes I didn’t think I would enjoy this book. Florence is a nightmare! She got kicked of a girl group and gets up to all sorts of things she shouldn’t. She is almost totally selfish except in her love for her son, Dylan and even with him she doesn’t always do the right thing, leaving him on his own at home when she should be looking after him. Florence would like to have friends but doesn’t know how to behave to have anyone bother with her. Dylan is also tricky and his only friend is a retired man who collects crickets for Dylan’s turtle. When Dylan goes on a field trip and the boy he has been partnered with disappears Florence immediately suspects Dylan is involved and goes to great lengths to protect him and also to try and find Archie. This is when the story really takes off. Another mother at the school, Jenny, gets involved in trying to find Archie, little knowing that Florence’s motive for finding the boy. All the characters are larger than life and there are some very funny moments in the book. I didn’t actually want it to end and I found it a real pager turner especially towards the end of the book when Florence shows exactly what she’s made of. Thanks to NetGalley for allowing me an ARC of this terrific book which was great fun.

A really great story which you can't really predict where it is going!! Thoroughly enjoyed and would recommend highly.

Really really enjoyed this book, not going to spoil it but definitely worth reading. I'd be interested in other books by Sarah Harman. I will be keeping this on my kindle to give it another read at a later date xx

Brilliant! Although I didn’t love the main character, I couldn’t put it down! I needed to find out what was going to happen! Kept me entertained from start to finish and I thoroughly enjoyed it! Highly recommended.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for my ARC

It is easy to see why some of the other mothers might not like Florence- she is a flawed individual whose life is a mess and who cannot stay on top of anything, but her struggles are real and her desire to protect her child is fierce and those traits sing through all of the rest of her many and varied poor decisions to make a good page turner!

You know you don't want to like Florence, she has so many undesirable traits. But soon you can't help rooting for her. This book is so well written, it just keeps pulling you alone. And the twists! Amazing.