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Little Wonders
If you like SMALL ADMISSIONS by Amy Poepell or CLASS MOM by Laurie Gelman you will love this novel about super mommies, private schools, and getting your worst moment plastered across the internet.
Her mommy meltdown is seen around the world!
When Quinn Barrett’s son refuses to wear his hand-crafted costume to the Little Wonders Preschool Happy Halloween Parade and Dance Party she loses it -- complete with stomping, screaming, and costume-destruction galore. Not her best day. And caught on viral video. Yep, “Halloween Mom” is now internet famous.
The posting culprit: tattooed, blue-haired, west-coast transplant Daisy McGulch, out of place in the posh New England town and unable to blend with the other perfect mommies of Little Wonders Preschool.
While she couldn’t care less about organic snacks (paleo-preferred) or the winter quarters of the Little Wonders chickens, she’s not about to admit she’s the one who accidently brought Quinn’s worst moment to the entire world—she’d be kicked out of town!
But when Quinn and Daisy find themselves unlikely cohorts in the fight for Little Wonders Parents Association supremacy, they also discover they have more in common than they expected…but the internet is forever. Can Quinn live down her new reputation? And how far will Daisy go to keep the truth from coming to light?
Hilarious, clever, and unforgettable, Little Wonders offers a glimpse into the high-pressure world of modern momming, with natural toys, scrutinized playdates, PTA politics, and social media gone amok.
Her mommy meltdown is seen around the world!
When Quinn Barrett’s son refuses to wear his hand-crafted costume to the Little Wonders Preschool Happy Halloween Parade and Dance Party she loses it -- complete with stomping, screaming, and costume-destruction galore. Not her best day. And caught on viral video. Yep, “Halloween Mom” is now internet famous.
The posting culprit: tattooed, blue-haired, west-coast transplant Daisy McGulch, out of place in the posh New England town and unable to blend with the other perfect mommies of Little Wonders Preschool.
While she couldn’t care less about organic snacks (paleo-preferred) or the winter quarters of the Little Wonders chickens, she’s not about to admit she’s the one who accidently brought Quinn’s worst moment to the entire world—she’d be kicked out of town!
But when Quinn and Daisy find themselves unlikely cohorts in the fight for Little Wonders Parents Association supremacy, they also discover they have more in common than they expected…but the internet is forever. Can Quinn live down her new reputation? And how far will Daisy go to keep the truth from coming to light?
Hilarious, clever, and unforgettable, Little Wonders offers a glimpse into the high-pressure world of modern momming, with natural toys, scrutinized playdates, PTA politics, and social media gone amok.
384 pages, Paperback
First published March 17, 2020
About the author
Kate Rorick
5 books150 followersaka
Kate Noble
Emmy Award-winning writer Kate Rorick is the author of novels about modern motherhood. Her latest is Little Wonders (William Morrow, coming 3/17/20). She is also a television writer and producer, most recently for The Librarians and Marvel’s Cloak and Dagger. Kate was one of the writers behind the runaway YouTube sensation The Lizzie Bennet Diaries, and authored its two tie-in novels. In her vast spare time she is a bestselling author of historical romance, under the name Kate Noble. She lives in Los Angeles with her family.
Kate Noble
Emmy Award-winning writer Kate Rorick is the author of novels about modern motherhood. Her latest is Little Wonders (William Morrow, coming 3/17/20). She is also a television writer and producer, most recently for The Librarians and Marvel’s Cloak and Dagger. Kate was one of the writers behind the runaway YouTube sensation The Lizzie Bennet Diaries, and authored its two tie-in novels. In her vast spare time she is a bestselling author of historical romance, under the name Kate Noble. She lives in Los Angeles with her family.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 128 reviews
March 2, 2020
This was a miss for me. I had actually started reading this book about a month ago and after about 30 pages or so decided to put it down and come back to it later because I wasn't really feeling it. And even though this time around I was able to keep reading and finish the book, I can't say I really got much out of the experience. I think it boils down to is I just didn't connect with the characters and therefore didn't have an interest in their lives. It probably also didn't help I had recently read a book with a storyline in which a parent has a not so good moment caught on video and then spread all over social media. While I really enjoyed that book (Minor Dramas & Other Catastrophes), I found myself bored for the majority of this book. And of course it was hard not to compare the two books especially since the other one was so fresh in my mind.
Quinn Barrett wants her son to wear his Halloween costume for the Little Wonders preschool parade but he does not want to put it on. And Quinn, in a not so fine parenting moment, has a tantrum of her own. Daisy McGulch captures Quinn losing it on her phone, proceeds to innocently share it with a friend or two, and feels terrible when the video is spread all over the internet and becomes a viral sensation. And of course Quinn is mortified that people think she is crazy after watching the video. Daisy is new to the area and is just trying to fit in with the other parents at the preschool. Hopefully, Quinn won't find out Daisy is responsible for turning her life upside down.
So Quinn started out as a sympathetic character but at some point when the action switched over to Daisy, I lost interest in her and kinda thought she was annoying. Daisy didn't do much for me either and the story just fell flat. There was a brief part later on with Daisy and Quinn interacting I thought might turn things around but it was a fleeting moment. Unfortunately, I just didn't click with this one but that certainly doesn't mean other readers won't enjoy it.
I received a free advance copy of this book from the publisher and LibraryThing's Early Reviewers program. I was not obligated to post a review here and all views expressed are my honest opinion.
Quinn Barrett wants her son to wear his Halloween costume for the Little Wonders preschool parade but he does not want to put it on. And Quinn, in a not so fine parenting moment, has a tantrum of her own. Daisy McGulch captures Quinn losing it on her phone, proceeds to innocently share it with a friend or two, and feels terrible when the video is spread all over the internet and becomes a viral sensation. And of course Quinn is mortified that people think she is crazy after watching the video. Daisy is new to the area and is just trying to fit in with the other parents at the preschool. Hopefully, Quinn won't find out Daisy is responsible for turning her life upside down.
So Quinn started out as a sympathetic character but at some point when the action switched over to Daisy, I lost interest in her and kinda thought she was annoying. Daisy didn't do much for me either and the story just fell flat. There was a brief part later on with Daisy and Quinn interacting I thought might turn things around but it was a fleeting moment. Unfortunately, I just didn't click with this one but that certainly doesn't mean other readers won't enjoy it.
I received a free advance copy of this book from the publisher and LibraryThing's Early Reviewers program. I was not obligated to post a review here and all views expressed are my honest opinion.
April 8, 2020
I have to say, even as a non-mother I am completely hooked on these witty, laugh-out-loud books that give a glimpse into the chaotic mommy-world where perfection is demanded but impossible to achieve. Little Wonders by Kate Rorick is a complete delight to read, and a perfect book right now as we are away from it to remind ourselves that perfection is not attainable, and holding ourselves to that standard will never win in the long run!
The epitome of “First World Problems”, this book is filled with characters who have a lot to learn about supporting one another rather than battling to be the best. I loved how funny this book is!
At the Needleton Academy for Potential Prodigies and Little Wonders (yes, that is the name and I am living for how bougie and over-the-top it is), the PTA is basically a full-time job. Parents of these little wonders are expected to be basically perfect. But that is, as we know, impossible to achieve!
Quinn Barrett, president of the PTA, is leading the pack in her efforts to be the perfect mom with the perfect child and marriage. So when she has a full-on mommy meltdown when her son refuses to wear the homemade costume she labored over for him, things seem to be spiraling out of control. When that very meltdown is captured on video and goes viral, Quinn can’t understand how this happened to her of all people (how unfair!).
The video was captured by new mom in town Daisy McGulch Stone but it subsequently going viral was completely by accident! Of course, no one can know that now. Daisy doesn’t fit in with the perfect moms club, with her tattoos and blue hair, and it would be worse if they knew she was the culprit, however accidental.
This book is just simply a wild ride and I loved every second of it! It’s like Desperate Housewives for the new generation (this is a HIGH compliment). I really loved that Daisy and Quinn were so different, but found a way to bond in their own way through this…situation. The blending of humor and bits of heart made this crazy story feel just real enough that I truly cared what would happen.
Honestly there is so much to love here, but I don’t want to spoil it! If you want something that will make you laugh and still has heart, this is your book!
Thank you TLC Book Tours and William Morrow for my copy. Opinions are my own.
The epitome of “First World Problems”, this book is filled with characters who have a lot to learn about supporting one another rather than battling to be the best. I loved how funny this book is!
At the Needleton Academy for Potential Prodigies and Little Wonders (yes, that is the name and I am living for how bougie and over-the-top it is), the PTA is basically a full-time job. Parents of these little wonders are expected to be basically perfect. But that is, as we know, impossible to achieve!
Quinn Barrett, president of the PTA, is leading the pack in her efforts to be the perfect mom with the perfect child and marriage. So when she has a full-on mommy meltdown when her son refuses to wear the homemade costume she labored over for him, things seem to be spiraling out of control. When that very meltdown is captured on video and goes viral, Quinn can’t understand how this happened to her of all people (how unfair!).
The video was captured by new mom in town Daisy McGulch Stone but it subsequently going viral was completely by accident! Of course, no one can know that now. Daisy doesn’t fit in with the perfect moms club, with her tattoos and blue hair, and it would be worse if they knew she was the culprit, however accidental.
This book is just simply a wild ride and I loved every second of it! It’s like Desperate Housewives for the new generation (this is a HIGH compliment). I really loved that Daisy and Quinn were so different, but found a way to bond in their own way through this…situation. The blending of humor and bits of heart made this crazy story feel just real enough that I truly cared what would happen.
Honestly there is so much to love here, but I don’t want to spoil it! If you want something that will make you laugh and still has heart, this is your book!
Thank you TLC Book Tours and William Morrow for my copy. Opinions are my own.
February 13, 2020
Quinn Barrett's mantra is about being perfect. But that all crumbles when she's caught on camera at the Little Wonders Preschool Halloween parade screaming at her young son, Hamilton, and destroying his (you guessed it) perfectly-created spaceship costume. As president of the Little Wonders board, a perfect mom, and a designer, Quinn supposedly has it all together. But when fellow Little Wonders mom Daisy McGulch captures her meltdown on her phone and it goes viral, Quinn's perfect life is over. As for Daisy, she's terrified that Quinn (and the other Little Wonders parents) will find out she's responsible for the video. She's having a hard enough time fitting in in her posh New England town and Little Wonders world. Daisy, with her tattoos, blue hair, and love of cosplay, isn't exactly like the other moms. But then Daisy and Quinn find themselves thrust together--and soon--maybe even friends. What will happen if Quinn finds out what Daisy did?
"In dark moments, when Quinn Barrett looked back and analyzed what caused the destruction of her entire life, she should have known it would happen at the Little Wonders Preschool Happy Halloween Costume Parade (and Dance Party)"
This book started off incredibly slow for me. Though, in its defense, I was reading it while sick with the flu and not exactly in the reading mood (or in the mood for anything, really). It took me a long time to warm to Quinn and Daisy--they just weren't the type of characters you (well, me) immediately take to. And, really, I'm a tough sell on these "bad mom" type books. I know these horrible type of parents exist--and these snotty schools--but some of these people and their actions just seemed so over-the-top.
I'm glad I kept reading, though, because eventually Daisy and Quinn grew into full-fledged characters, even if some of the other parents remained crazy caricatures and stereotypes. Daisy is sweet and funny, with her love of pop culture, and Quinn is relatable, with her flaws and desire for perfection. The book captures a lot of the difficult elements of parenting; what parent hasn't felt alone and out of their depth at points?
There are some really humorous moments, and I liked Daisy and Quinn's friendship a lot. Some of the events seemed a bit transparent, but Daisy and Quinn's eventual growth and my need to root for them turned this into a 3.5-star read.
I received a copy of this book from William Morrow and LibraryThing in return for an honest review. It is available as of 3/17/2020.
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"In dark moments, when Quinn Barrett looked back and analyzed what caused the destruction of her entire life, she should have known it would happen at the Little Wonders Preschool Happy Halloween Costume Parade (and Dance Party)"
This book started off incredibly slow for me. Though, in its defense, I was reading it while sick with the flu and not exactly in the reading mood (or in the mood for anything, really). It took me a long time to warm to Quinn and Daisy--they just weren't the type of characters you (well, me) immediately take to. And, really, I'm a tough sell on these "bad mom" type books. I know these horrible type of parents exist--and these snotty schools--but some of these people and their actions just seemed so over-the-top.
I'm glad I kept reading, though, because eventually Daisy and Quinn grew into full-fledged characters, even if some of the other parents remained crazy caricatures and stereotypes. Daisy is sweet and funny, with her love of pop culture, and Quinn is relatable, with her flaws and desire for perfection. The book captures a lot of the difficult elements of parenting; what parent hasn't felt alone and out of their depth at points?
There are some really humorous moments, and I liked Daisy and Quinn's friendship a lot. Some of the events seemed a bit transparent, but Daisy and Quinn's eventual growth and my need to root for them turned this into a 3.5-star read.
I received a copy of this book from William Morrow and LibraryThing in return for an honest review. It is available as of 3/17/2020.
Blog ~ Twitter ~ Facebook ~ Instagram ~ PaperBackSwap ~ Smashbomb
April 10, 2020
Admittedly I’m drawn to over the top, train wreck type of drama, whether that’s in a book, tv show or a movie and if there’s a side of sarcasm and sharp wit, I’m even more intrigued. Who’s with me? I know most of y’all loved Tiger King and couldn’t get enough of the drama. While Little Wonders isn’t quite as outrageous as TK it’s definitely dramatic and funny in it’s own right.
This follows two moms whose kids both attend the same prestigious preschool and they couldn’t be more different. Quinn is a type A overachiever who is more than a little intense in all aspects of her life and Daisy is...normal, especially compared to Quinn. They form an unlikely friendship after Quinn’s meltdown over her son’s Halloween costume goes viral and I love an unlikely friendship. This is satirical and witty and you definitely don’t have to be a parent to enjoy this one, but I did thank the lord that my own kids preschool experience was way more mellow than these characters.
This follows two moms whose kids both attend the same prestigious preschool and they couldn’t be more different. Quinn is a type A overachiever who is more than a little intense in all aspects of her life and Daisy is...normal, especially compared to Quinn. They form an unlikely friendship after Quinn’s meltdown over her son’s Halloween costume goes viral and I love an unlikely friendship. This is satirical and witty and you definitely don’t have to be a parent to enjoy this one, but I did thank the lord that my own kids preschool experience was way more mellow than these characters.
December 12, 2022
3.5 stars.
March 18, 2020
“In dark moments, when Quinn Barrett looked back and analyzed what caused the destruction of her entire life, she should have known that it would happen at the Little Wonders Preschool Happy Halloween Costume Parade (and Dance Party).”
After a long, trying day, Little Wonders Preschool Parent Association President, Quinn Barrett loses her temper when her three year old refuses to wear the Halloween costume she’d spent hours making. When her tantrum is caught on camera by another parent and inadvertently goes viral, Quinn’s perfect life begins to spiral out of control.
Little Wonders is an entertaining novel exploring the pressure on mothers to present a facade of perfection.
Honestly Quinn is the type of woman many of us both envy and resent, she seems to have it all and manage it without any visible effort. Her fall from grace is somewhat satisfying as the viral meltdown exposes her tenuous control over the various areas of her life, including her career and her marriage. But forced to consider what it is she really wants, Quinn earns her redemption, and in the end I found her to be a very sympathetic character.
New to Little Wonders and Boston, Daisy is struggling to fit in. Her electric blue hair, tattooed arms and love of Star Wars marks her as obviously different amongst the traditional moneyed class of Boston society. She’s unwittingly the reason for Quinn’s viral infamy as the ‘Halloween Mom’, and has her own lessons to learn about how far she will go to fit in. I identified more with Daisy than Quinn, or Shanna (Quinn’s sort-of nemesis), and I’d love to play a game of D&D with her.
In this Instagram age, where appearance is often more prized than truth, Little Wonders is relevant and often relatable, even if predictable. I loved the snarky preschool newsletters, (having written a few of those in my lifetime, the truth is definitely in what you leave out), and I enjoyed the geeky fandom/rpg references too.
Witty and winsome I enjoyed Little Wonders finding it an easy, engaging read.
After a long, trying day, Little Wonders Preschool Parent Association President, Quinn Barrett loses her temper when her three year old refuses to wear the Halloween costume she’d spent hours making. When her tantrum is caught on camera by another parent and inadvertently goes viral, Quinn’s perfect life begins to spiral out of control.
Little Wonders is an entertaining novel exploring the pressure on mothers to present a facade of perfection.
Honestly Quinn is the type of woman many of us both envy and resent, she seems to have it all and manage it without any visible effort. Her fall from grace is somewhat satisfying as the viral meltdown exposes her tenuous control over the various areas of her life, including her career and her marriage. But forced to consider what it is she really wants, Quinn earns her redemption, and in the end I found her to be a very sympathetic character.
New to Little Wonders and Boston, Daisy is struggling to fit in. Her electric blue hair, tattooed arms and love of Star Wars marks her as obviously different amongst the traditional moneyed class of Boston society. She’s unwittingly the reason for Quinn’s viral infamy as the ‘Halloween Mom’, and has her own lessons to learn about how far she will go to fit in. I identified more with Daisy than Quinn, or Shanna (Quinn’s sort-of nemesis), and I’d love to play a game of D&D with her.
In this Instagram age, where appearance is often more prized than truth, Little Wonders is relevant and often relatable, even if predictable. I loved the snarky preschool newsletters, (having written a few of those in my lifetime, the truth is definitely in what you leave out), and I enjoyed the geeky fandom/rpg references too.
Witty and winsome I enjoyed Little Wonders finding it an easy, engaging read.
April 19, 2020
This is a book that every Mom entering the world of parental involvement in school should read. It has a few characters that we can all relate to.
Quinn is the hyper organized, got her shit together, working mom, or is she?
Shanna is the bitchy, newly staying at home mom, who thinks that she can do everything better than Quinn, but can she?
Daisy is the new to the area, doesn't fit in with this mommy crowd mom, doesn't she?
Once we have children we begin on the new friendship adventure all over again in our lives. However, this time around we have all of the baggage of all the other times we've been down that path and sometimes things just didn't work out for us. Making new friends is so difficult with the mommy shaming that happens along the way for women.
This is a good read. To find out just how right and wrong these three women get it all along the way.
Thank you to Book Club Girl and William Morrow for providing Book Club Girls Sparta this book in exchange for an honest review.
Quinn is the hyper organized, got her shit together, working mom, or is she?
Shanna is the bitchy, newly staying at home mom, who thinks that she can do everything better than Quinn, but can she?
Daisy is the new to the area, doesn't fit in with this mommy crowd mom, doesn't she?
Once we have children we begin on the new friendship adventure all over again in our lives. However, this time around we have all of the baggage of all the other times we've been down that path and sometimes things just didn't work out for us. Making new friends is so difficult with the mommy shaming that happens along the way for women.
This is a good read. To find out just how right and wrong these three women get it all along the way.
Thank you to Book Club Girl and William Morrow for providing Book Club Girls Sparta this book in exchange for an honest review.
August 7, 2024
Not something I would normally read, but I stepped out of my comfort zone and was absolutely delighted! This book was outstanding! I love how the dual perspective highlights the common ground as moms despite personal differences as people. I HATE Staurt but love how Quinn learned to stand up for herself (also not to flex but I totally called that affair from a mile away - sorry Quinn you were too wrapped up in that romance novel smile to see the dead obvious signs....). I also enjoyed the side characters like TERRY, the chickens, Suzy's letters (and crossed out with what she wanted to say lol), and Elia, her hugs, and dad. Great story, good character development, and displays interpersonal relationships in such an accurate way. Also as a fellow nerd, Daisy is cool asf.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 3, 2023
I thoroughly enjoyed the all-female protagonists and their well-written character development. This was a sweet reminder that if something doesn't feel right, then it probably isn't right; that you have to be kind to yourself when you (inevitably) make mistakes and that others should too; and that doing things with your friends is always better than feeling alone.
April 10, 2020
I really enjoyed this book. I honestly don’t have much to say about it except that it was light, funny, and the perfect read to take my mind off all the crazy from the last few weeks.
I really loved the character growth throughout the story. It was also fairly clean. This book, similar to others I have read recently, touched on how social media affects our daily lives. I really love how this plays out in an everyday setting and the message it sends.
This one may be for you if you loved Class Mom and Holly Banks Full of Angst.
Thank you for my gifted copy William Morrow Books. All opinions are my own.
I really loved the character growth throughout the story. It was also fairly clean. This book, similar to others I have read recently, touched on how social media affects our daily lives. I really love how this plays out in an everyday setting and the message it sends.
This one may be for you if you loved Class Mom and Holly Banks Full of Angst.
Thank you for my gifted copy William Morrow Books. All opinions are my own.
June 6, 2020
I'm not a mother. I have no desire to be a mother. I'm an aunt and I love every single one of those little brats, but I would honestly lock myself in a closet forever if I had to deal with them for more than a couple days. My deepest regards to all your parents out there, and your 24/7/365/rest of your lives wonders.
That said, I loved this book. It was at times hilarious, heart breaking, and heart warming. I would recommend it to anyone needing a fun read during this hectic time, especially moms who try way too hard to be 'perfect'.
That said, I loved this book. It was at times hilarious, heart breaking, and heart warming. I would recommend it to anyone needing a fun read during this hectic time, especially moms who try way too hard to be 'perfect'.
May 13, 2020
I read Little Wonders by Kate Rorick and I loved it! Little Wonders features PTA mom, Quinn Barrett, who is caught on video having a full blown mommy melt-down. Daisy McGulch Stone moves to the upper middle class town and could care less about the politics of Little Wonders Preschool.
Quinn and Daisy find themselves becoming close friends, yet Daisy has a secret that she's keeping from Quinn.
Little Wonders was so relatable and quite funny! The perfect read for this chaotic time.
Quinn and Daisy find themselves becoming close friends, yet Daisy has a secret that she's keeping from Quinn.
Little Wonders was so relatable and quite funny! The perfect read for this chaotic time.
February 19, 2023
Thanks to LibraryThing and William Morrow Paperbacks for this ARC.
Not my type of book but sure appropriate for this day and age with people and videos going viral on social media. Didn't like any of the characters. They were stuck-up moms and their kids at an upper society pre-school.
Not my type of book but sure appropriate for this day and age with people and videos going viral on social media. Didn't like any of the characters. They were stuck-up moms and their kids at an upper society pre-school.
March 11, 2020
2.5 stars
When I saw an arc of LITTLE WONDERS available to request, there was no way I wasn’t clicking on it: I’m obsessed with stories featuring “wild school shenanigans of upper class folks meddling in their children’s education.” It’s a niche genre but publishing always puts out a couple books per year.
I’m not a parent and I have zero experience with preschool. I can’t speak to the accuracy of those things; I can only assess how much I enjoyed the story.
Where the book shines is the discussion of virality and unintended consequences. Quinn’s worst parenting fail is captured on film and broadcast to millions and millions of people. She’s not a saint, but she’s not a monster either. She’s just a mom who had a really bad day and melted down in public. I really liked how the book handled the repercussions to Quinn’s social status, career, marriage, and even her self-worth. Quinn’s arc is the most satisfying part of the story; I was moved by the theme of how aspiring for perfection can lead to the opposite.
The book is readable and occasionally charming, even when you want to shake characters for being so infuriating or groan at how cheesy a storyline is. So what didn’t work for me? It felt like something was missing the entire time, and I couldn’t figure it out until the end. We get the alternating POV of two characters: Quinn and Daisy. Even if they make mistakes and are annoying to others, we can empathize where their bad behavior is coming from. They’re not villains even if they’re constantly and unfairly vilified by the outside. Interestingly enough, there’s another mom Shanna who IS vilified and painted as the Bad Person in the story (by both Quinn and Daisy). We don’t get her POV; the book never bothers to explain where she’s coming from. There is a Big Confrontation at the end and the ensuing fallout allows Shanna to be sympathetic. Her villainous actions are explained away and her sympathetic POV is finally revealed. Everyone ends on good terms as friends. This happens in one chapter and an epilogue.
It doesn’t work. It just doesn’t. You can’t throw in a paragraph and explain away Shanna’s villainous characterization that quickly. To be clear, I think Shanna is a good person. I 100% understand all her actions in the novel and am sympathetic to her motivations. She’s a good person, just like how Quinn and Daisy are good people. Even if they make stupid mistakes or plot schemes that don’t have the nicest of intentions. The book would’ve benefited from showing Shanna’s POV and making her more relatable to the reader. The entire theme is that things aren’t what they look from the outside. But the novel never extends that generosity to Shanna. She has an interesting story to tell and we don’t hear it until the end. It’s a missed opportunity; like Quinn and Daisy, Shanna is struggling with parenting and life. The absence of her POV is like a missing puzzle piece. She’s a one-dimensional villain until she isn’t.
I also wasn’t that interested in the storylines outside the virality (Daisy’s marriage and employment situation, Quinn’s husband, etc). It was lackluster compared to the soul of the book. All in all, this was an okay read with interesting ideas, but not all of it was compelling. YMMV.
Disclaimer: I received a free e-ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
When I saw an arc of LITTLE WONDERS available to request, there was no way I wasn’t clicking on it: I’m obsessed with stories featuring “wild school shenanigans of upper class folks meddling in their children’s education.” It’s a niche genre but publishing always puts out a couple books per year.
I’m not a parent and I have zero experience with preschool. I can’t speak to the accuracy of those things; I can only assess how much I enjoyed the story.
Where the book shines is the discussion of virality and unintended consequences. Quinn’s worst parenting fail is captured on film and broadcast to millions and millions of people. She’s not a saint, but she’s not a monster either. She’s just a mom who had a really bad day and melted down in public. I really liked how the book handled the repercussions to Quinn’s social status, career, marriage, and even her self-worth. Quinn’s arc is the most satisfying part of the story; I was moved by the theme of how aspiring for perfection can lead to the opposite.
The book is readable and occasionally charming, even when you want to shake characters for being so infuriating or groan at how cheesy a storyline is. So what didn’t work for me? It felt like something was missing the entire time, and I couldn’t figure it out until the end. We get the alternating POV of two characters: Quinn and Daisy. Even if they make mistakes and are annoying to others, we can empathize where their bad behavior is coming from. They’re not villains even if they’re constantly and unfairly vilified by the outside. Interestingly enough, there’s another mom Shanna who IS vilified and painted as the Bad Person in the story (by both Quinn and Daisy). We don’t get her POV; the book never bothers to explain where she’s coming from. There is a Big Confrontation at the end and the ensuing fallout allows Shanna to be sympathetic. Her villainous actions are explained away and her sympathetic POV is finally revealed. Everyone ends on good terms as friends. This happens in one chapter and an epilogue.
It doesn’t work. It just doesn’t. You can’t throw in a paragraph and explain away Shanna’s villainous characterization that quickly. To be clear, I think Shanna is a good person. I 100% understand all her actions in the novel and am sympathetic to her motivations. She’s a good person, just like how Quinn and Daisy are good people. Even if they make stupid mistakes or plot schemes that don’t have the nicest of intentions. The book would’ve benefited from showing Shanna’s POV and making her more relatable to the reader. The entire theme is that things aren’t what they look from the outside. But the novel never extends that generosity to Shanna. She has an interesting story to tell and we don’t hear it until the end. It’s a missed opportunity; like Quinn and Daisy, Shanna is struggling with parenting and life. The absence of her POV is like a missing puzzle piece. She’s a one-dimensional villain until she isn’t.
I also wasn’t that interested in the storylines outside the virality (Daisy’s marriage and employment situation, Quinn’s husband, etc). It was lackluster compared to the soul of the book. All in all, this was an okay read with interesting ideas, but not all of it was compelling. YMMV.
Disclaimer: I received a free e-ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
April 9, 2020
Little Wonders is a fresh take on the 21st century art of mommy shaming. The twist is that it’s done with heart -and humor.
Quinn Barrett is trying to do it all and do it all perfectly. Achieve partner status at her job, take care of her young son Hamilton, keep her husband happy and be the best president ever of the Little Wonders Parent’s Association. The problem, of course, is that life is not at all perfect. Hamilton is not potty trained; her husband seems to need a lot of spin classes and Quinn has way too much on her plate.
The cracks in the façade start when Hamilton (Ham) refuses to wear the very perfect Halloween costume Quinn has handmade (of course). Quinn, sleep deprived and stressed out, has a Mommy tantrum. Quinn thinks her meltdown has gone unnoticed, but it’s inadvertently recorded by the newest parent to the group, Daisy. Recently transplanted from LA with blue hair and tattooed sleeves, Daisy does not exactly fit it with the Little Wonders parents. Without malice, Daisy shared the recording with two friends; unfortunately, one of them gave it to a Hollywood starlet, and, of course, it went viral.
Quinn is removed from her post with the PTA and replaced by Shanna. She’s also removed from her pet projects at work, and her surgeon husband, Stuart, is less than supportive at home. Quinn’s life implodes and now we get to read along as she tries to make sense of it all and put her life back together.
Soon Daisy’s role in the PTA has expanded to helping coordinate events. Quinn offers to help her out and they form a friendship. Quinn gets two shocks: That Daisy is the one who shared the video and a not so shocking truth about her husband. How does Quinn respond to these revelations? Does she forgive?
What I loved about Little Wonders is that the author does not fall into the easy trap and make these women one-dimensional PTA villains. Quinn, Daisy and Shanna are written as real women who are trying to live life in their own ways. Maybe the problem is the belief this can be achieved with perfection. We’re reading and laughing at their struggles, but there is so much heart here, you find yourself rooting for them, too! There is not one Mom reading this who has not had her “moment” as a parent. What would you do if that less-than-stellar moment was caught on tape and shared with the world? Thanks to Library Thing Early Readers, Kate Rorick and William Morrow/Harper Collins for the advance copy of this book.
Quinn Barrett is trying to do it all and do it all perfectly. Achieve partner status at her job, take care of her young son Hamilton, keep her husband happy and be the best president ever of the Little Wonders Parent’s Association. The problem, of course, is that life is not at all perfect. Hamilton is not potty trained; her husband seems to need a lot of spin classes and Quinn has way too much on her plate.
The cracks in the façade start when Hamilton (Ham) refuses to wear the very perfect Halloween costume Quinn has handmade (of course). Quinn, sleep deprived and stressed out, has a Mommy tantrum. Quinn thinks her meltdown has gone unnoticed, but it’s inadvertently recorded by the newest parent to the group, Daisy. Recently transplanted from LA with blue hair and tattooed sleeves, Daisy does not exactly fit it with the Little Wonders parents. Without malice, Daisy shared the recording with two friends; unfortunately, one of them gave it to a Hollywood starlet, and, of course, it went viral.
Quinn is removed from her post with the PTA and replaced by Shanna. She’s also removed from her pet projects at work, and her surgeon husband, Stuart, is less than supportive at home. Quinn’s life implodes and now we get to read along as she tries to make sense of it all and put her life back together.
Soon Daisy’s role in the PTA has expanded to helping coordinate events. Quinn offers to help her out and they form a friendship. Quinn gets two shocks: That Daisy is the one who shared the video and a not so shocking truth about her husband. How does Quinn respond to these revelations? Does she forgive?
What I loved about Little Wonders is that the author does not fall into the easy trap and make these women one-dimensional PTA villains. Quinn, Daisy and Shanna are written as real women who are trying to live life in their own ways. Maybe the problem is the belief this can be achieved with perfection. We’re reading and laughing at their struggles, but there is so much heart here, you find yourself rooting for them, too! There is not one Mom reading this who has not had her “moment” as a parent. What would you do if that less-than-stellar moment was caught on tape and shared with the world? Thanks to Library Thing Early Readers, Kate Rorick and William Morrow/Harper Collins for the advance copy of this book.
May 21, 2020
I found this book very enjoyable! It was relatable, funny and entertaining, and a quick read for me. I loved following along with our two main characters Daisy and Quinn. Quinn has the picture perfect Instagram life. Then a video goes viral of her at her son's pre-school Halloween parade and it forces her to take a look at her professional life, motherhood, and her marriage. Daisy has just moved from LA and does not fit into the typical Needleton Little Wonders Pre-school mom mold. She has electric blue hair, tattoos, and is into Star Wars and D&D. Daisy finds herself starting to change the way she looks so her daughter will fit in better at pre-school and she will get a better job to help her family make money. When the two women end up coming together they realize what is really important in life and what makes them happy. Quinn gets very "messy" with herself, and the two form a great friendship.
I'm not a mom so I couldn't relate to this book on a parenting level but I could very much relate to the pressures of having that "picture perfect" Instagram worthy life. Social media can be a blessing but has very much become a curse; the comparing of oneself to what you see everyone else doing online. The judgement and mean comments that come from other people. The unattainable "perfection" which causes a lot of anxiety and messes with our mental health.
I'm not a mom so I couldn't relate to this book on a parenting level but I could very much relate to the pressures of having that "picture perfect" Instagram worthy life. Social media can be a blessing but has very much become a curse; the comparing of oneself to what you see everyone else doing online. The judgement and mean comments that come from other people. The unattainable "perfection" which causes a lot of anxiety and messes with our mental health.
April 7, 2020
Just finished reading Little Wonders by Kate Rorick! Such a lighthearted and fun read for the spring, especially during this time when we are all stuck at home. The strength of this book lies in its characters, preschool moms of the East coast clash with the newcomer mom of the West Coast. We meet the perfectionist, type A, overachiever Quinn with her days perfectly planned, and we meet her opposite, the D&D loving, blue-haired, geek Daisy. Both moms tackle the struggles and parental drama through a school year at Little Wonders, a fancy preschool for future prodigies. Even though complete opposites, Quinn and Daisy are both relatable to any woman with Quinn desperately trying to maintain a facade of perfection and Daisy trying to fit in while branching out of her comfort zone. This book reminded me of a modern Big Little Lies by incorporating pop culture and social media references. Without a doubt I recommend Little Wonders for a pleasant read, filled with laughs and cheer as the author pokes fun at the hoops parents jump through just for a parent association.
March 15, 2020
Rorick satirically captured the "mom world" perfectly, in my opinion, when it comes to some of the moms in the area I live in. Mom's who think they are above & beyond, & really just need to get over themselves. I enjoyed this book & took it for what it's meant to be: entertaining. It gave me "Bad Moms" (the movie, which I LOVE) vibes in dealing with flawed parenting from both ends of the spectrum. It's funny, but also heartfelt, insightful, & thought-provoking.
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Look for "Little Wonders" on 3/17
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Look for "Little Wonders" on 3/17
March 16, 2020
Rorick has put a fresh spin on mommy shaming - and she's done it with humor and heart. Quinn wants everything to be perfect; she's an interior designer with a surgeon husband and Hamilton, a three year old son. Problem is, it can't be. Ham isn't potty trained, her husband is going to a lot of spin classes, and she has too much on her plate. Unfortunately, her meltdown comes when Ham refuses to wear his Halloween costume and it's filmed by Daisy, a fish out of water at this upscale preschool. Daisy's inadvertent release of the video leads to a chain of events that will keep you reading. Daisy's a great character-she's got piercings, blue hair, and she named her daughter for Carrie Fisher. Quinn's life implodes and then, to everyone's surprise, she becomes friends with Daisy, who has cosplayed herself, albeit briefly, into a brunette with covered arms but who always retains her Daisy-ness. I very much enjoyed this. It's funny, it's pointed on the issue of social media, and it's sharp. Thanks to Edelweiss for the ARC. Great characters and storytelling made this an excellent read.
February 26, 2020
Thanks to the publisher, via Netgalley, for an advance e-galley.
The recent roster of school centered books featuring parents behaving badly has been massively intriguing and entertaining to me, and I enjoyed Little Wonders thoroughly. Little Wonders' resident overachiever mom has a complete breakdown at the school Halloween function, which, when a video of her overreaction goes viral, causes her life to spiral. It's a great story and entertaining story about maintaining identity in parenthood as well as friendship. Definitely a great one to pick up after the Class Mom books.
The recent roster of school centered books featuring parents behaving badly has been massively intriguing and entertaining to me, and I enjoyed Little Wonders thoroughly. Little Wonders' resident overachiever mom has a complete breakdown at the school Halloween function, which, when a video of her overreaction goes viral, causes her life to spiral. It's a great story and entertaining story about maintaining identity in parenthood as well as friendship. Definitely a great one to pick up after the Class Mom books.
April 29, 2024
4 1/2 stars. These characters are fantastic. I see my mom friends in these women; I also find them relatable, even though I'm neither a mom nor a wife myself. Quite enjoyable.
June 25, 2021
This was closer to 3.5 stars and I think if I still had younger children, it would resonate with me more. This is about the struggles with friendship, self-acceptance, and parenting all rolled into one. It took a while to get going but the end really picked up steam for me.
August 30, 2020
I loved this! As a mom, I FELT this story. I'm not rich and I'm not the PTA president, but I think any mother could read this book and find herself in it. Funny, cringey, and heartbreaking. Parenting is HARD, y'all.
January 28, 2024
I enjoyed reading this book! I could completely relate with the pressures of modern day parenting while juggling your career and all the levels of involvement and volunteering that are needed to keep the different activities and events for the little ones going.
March 24, 2020
We are all looking for "that" book right now and let me tell you, I think I found it!
Have you ever had one of those books that no matter what time it is, or how heavy your eyes are, you just couldn't put it down? Well, LITTLE WONDERS was one of those for me. This book was so good it was like I was watching Desperate Housewives pre-school moms version.
This book is like an out of control train. Quinn, Shanna and Daisy, our three main characters not only have their own personal problems, but they are all parents of preschoolers at Little Wonders. When Daisy accidentally catches Quinn having a meltdown in front of her child on video, she doesn't think anything of it until she sends it to her friends in L.A. for a laugh, where one of them posts it online and the darn thing goes viral. Of course Quinn is outed at school (mainly because of snotty Shanna) and Daisy is beside herself because of the total mess she has made. As expected, things just don't stop there and you become so vested in these true to life characters, that you have to stay on this crazy train until it either reaches its final destination safely, or crashes and burns in a hot mess.
There is a hilarious truth to this book and Kate Rorick seems to have nailed the preschool years like a champ. The writing and dialogue is so spot on, you'd think you were dealing with your own school and neighbors. This is pre-school parenting satire at its best, almost as if Rorick has shared with us a little bit of personal experience compiled in a fictional novel. The book has such a good flow about it that you will be tearing through the pages without even knowing. With family, preschool, and social media drama, you'd think all bases are covered, but its Rorick's small addition of the Little Wonders Preschool Monthly Newsletter and the color commentary of Suzy, the Parent Association Secretary that really hits this already comical and heart-warming novel out of the ballpark.
This one was un-put-downable. If you are looking for something to get you out of a slump, or cheer your mood, or to just generally make you laugh, I highly recommend this read. All my teacher friends out there will absolutely love this one, not to mention the preschool moms too! (And props to Kate Rorick for making Daisy one kick ass character and dropping some awesome Star Wars dialogue in there too)! I gotta give this one 4 1/2 stars, but since Amazon and Goodreads won't let us do that I will definitely be rounding up!
Thank you to @williamorrowbooks, @noblerorick and @TLCBookTours for my gifted copy of this book.
Have you ever had one of those books that no matter what time it is, or how heavy your eyes are, you just couldn't put it down? Well, LITTLE WONDERS was one of those for me. This book was so good it was like I was watching Desperate Housewives pre-school moms version.
This book is like an out of control train. Quinn, Shanna and Daisy, our three main characters not only have their own personal problems, but they are all parents of preschoolers at Little Wonders. When Daisy accidentally catches Quinn having a meltdown in front of her child on video, she doesn't think anything of it until she sends it to her friends in L.A. for a laugh, where one of them posts it online and the darn thing goes viral. Of course Quinn is outed at school (mainly because of snotty Shanna) and Daisy is beside herself because of the total mess she has made. As expected, things just don't stop there and you become so vested in these true to life characters, that you have to stay on this crazy train until it either reaches its final destination safely, or crashes and burns in a hot mess.
There is a hilarious truth to this book and Kate Rorick seems to have nailed the preschool years like a champ. The writing and dialogue is so spot on, you'd think you were dealing with your own school and neighbors. This is pre-school parenting satire at its best, almost as if Rorick has shared with us a little bit of personal experience compiled in a fictional novel. The book has such a good flow about it that you will be tearing through the pages without even knowing. With family, preschool, and social media drama, you'd think all bases are covered, but its Rorick's small addition of the Little Wonders Preschool Monthly Newsletter and the color commentary of Suzy, the Parent Association Secretary that really hits this already comical and heart-warming novel out of the ballpark.
This one was un-put-downable. If you are looking for something to get you out of a slump, or cheer your mood, or to just generally make you laugh, I highly recommend this read. All my teacher friends out there will absolutely love this one, not to mention the preschool moms too! (And props to Kate Rorick for making Daisy one kick ass character and dropping some awesome Star Wars dialogue in there too)! I gotta give this one 4 1/2 stars, but since Amazon and Goodreads won't let us do that I will definitely be rounding up!
Thank you to @williamorrowbooks, @noblerorick and @TLCBookTours for my gifted copy of this book.
December 14, 2019
It's a cute story. It would make a cute movie. It's well-written, even though it's stereotype-heavy (-1 star). But I've got issues (-1 star).
I've 1) had a kid in swanky day care and gotten those newsletters, 2) been a manic pixie game master (heck, I actually wrote a gaming book), 3) moved from the west coast to a small, upscale community in Massachusetts (and back), and 4) given up a professional career to raise a small person.
Normally I would be thrilled to find a novel representing my life. But...it's just too OTT cutsie.
Vague spoiler alert:
(But is it a spoiler if the plot is following a buddy story template?)
The character who should be the heroine of the novel is not the cute manic pixie game master. She's not a nice woman, although she grows over the course of the novel (which is how you know she's the real heroine). Writing everything from that point of view and making her sympathetic would have been more difficult, though, so I guess that's why we spend so much time with manic pixie gamer.
(Also, while I have met *that* type of comic store/gaming store guy, it's another stereotype. New to me: a woman who geeks out about Gary Gygax, because ewwwww.)
I've 1) had a kid in swanky day care and gotten those newsletters, 2) been a manic pixie game master (heck, I actually wrote a gaming book), 3) moved from the west coast to a small, upscale community in Massachusetts (and back), and 4) given up a professional career to raise a small person.
Normally I would be thrilled to find a novel representing my life. But...it's just too OTT cutsie.
Vague spoiler alert:
(But is it a spoiler if the plot is following a buddy story template?)
The character who should be the heroine of the novel is not the cute manic pixie game master. She's not a nice woman, although she grows over the course of the novel (which is how you know she's the real heroine). Writing everything from that point of view and making her sympathetic would have been more difficult, though, so I guess that's why we spend so much time with manic pixie gamer.
(Also, while I have met *that* type of comic store/gaming store guy, it's another stereotype. New to me: a woman who geeks out about Gary Gygax, because ewwwww.)
March 24, 2020
Quinn Barrett strives for perfection. It's her personal mantra, to appear perfect, to be perfect for her husband, her son, her work life and as the president of the Little Wonders Preschool Parent Association. The next perfect event she needs to pull off is the Little Wonders Happy Halloween Parade and Dance Party. However, when her three year old son Hamilton would rather not wear the perfectly hand crafted spaceship costume Quinn made, she has the mother of all tantrums. New Preschool mom, Daisy captures it all on video only to have it quickly spread around online putting Quinn in internet infamy. Daisy is an L.A. transplant and does not fit in the posh suburb of Needleton with her electric blue hair and tattoos. She wants the best for her daughter Carrie, but is finding it hard to be herself. Daisy feels awful for sharing the video of Quinn, but also finds a friend in the now outcast Quinn and is finally finding her place in Needleton.
As a mother of a four year old, many of the themes in Little Wonders hit home for me. The first part of the book was a little hard to read as Quinn's character dominates with her endeavor for perfection. I could feel the stress that Quinn placed on herself and everyone around her emanating off of the page. It was difficult to connect to any of the characters at first because they all seemed like awful people. I still felt bad for Quinn as the video was posted online and blown severely out of proportion. However, after Quinn stopped striving for perfection everything lightened up and I really enjoyed reading the second half of the book. Her growth was amazing and I liked watching her relationship grow with her son and Daisy. As the point of view switched between Quinn and Daisy, I appreciated Daisy's journey in finding herself, losing herself and finding herself again. Little Wonders serves as a reminder to all moms that we need to stop taking life so seriously, enjoy all the imperfections in life, embrace humor, and find a really good group of mom friends.
This book was received for free in return for an honest review.
As a mother of a four year old, many of the themes in Little Wonders hit home for me. The first part of the book was a little hard to read as Quinn's character dominates with her endeavor for perfection. I could feel the stress that Quinn placed on herself and everyone around her emanating off of the page. It was difficult to connect to any of the characters at first because they all seemed like awful people. I still felt bad for Quinn as the video was posted online and blown severely out of proportion. However, after Quinn stopped striving for perfection everything lightened up and I really enjoyed reading the second half of the book. Her growth was amazing and I liked watching her relationship grow with her son and Daisy. As the point of view switched between Quinn and Daisy, I appreciated Daisy's journey in finding herself, losing herself and finding herself again. Little Wonders serves as a reminder to all moms that we need to stop taking life so seriously, enjoy all the imperfections in life, embrace humor, and find a really good group of mom friends.
This book was received for free in return for an honest review.
March 20, 2020
Quinn Barrett's perfectly organized life begins to crumble when a moment of rage goes viral on the internet. And new mom in town, Daisy, is the unfortunate cause of it all.
Quinn had no idea anyone had witnessed her meltdown at the Halloween parade, much less filmed it. But then video of her destroying her carefully crafted costume for her son is leaked and gains national attention.
Daisy is new to Needleton and still trying to fit in. She hadn't meant to film Quinn's incident. She also never intended for it to be posted on the internet! And now she's doing all she can to make sure no one knows she's responsible. But the more Daisy tries to fit in, the more she and Quinn are thrown together, and the closer Daisy's secret is to being exposed.
I'm a new mom and, much as I've made efforts to separate all the various pieces of my life so that the blog doesn't become about being a mom or about being someone working in publishing, it gets harder and harder to compartmentalize. Especially when Kate Rorick's books come up for review!
Her last release, The Baby Plan, landed in my lap when I was pregnant. And it was a tough read for me because of that. But now I'm a mom with a toddler and her latest book is all about moms with toddlers!
And oh, how I can relate to Quinn and Daisy! Quinn's need for control and Daisy's feelings as the new mom (we haven't done much socializing as parents, so I also very much feel like an outsider amongst other parents).
Little Wonders was cringe-y at times, reminding all of us parents that none of us is perfect but as long as we try our best, we're doing a good job!
Quinn had no idea anyone had witnessed her meltdown at the Halloween parade, much less filmed it. But then video of her destroying her carefully crafted costume for her son is leaked and gains national attention.
Daisy is new to Needleton and still trying to fit in. She hadn't meant to film Quinn's incident. She also never intended for it to be posted on the internet! And now she's doing all she can to make sure no one knows she's responsible. But the more Daisy tries to fit in, the more she and Quinn are thrown together, and the closer Daisy's secret is to being exposed.
I'm a new mom and, much as I've made efforts to separate all the various pieces of my life so that the blog doesn't become about being a mom or about being someone working in publishing, it gets harder and harder to compartmentalize. Especially when Kate Rorick's books come up for review!
Her last release, The Baby Plan, landed in my lap when I was pregnant. And it was a tough read for me because of that. But now I'm a mom with a toddler and her latest book is all about moms with toddlers!
And oh, how I can relate to Quinn and Daisy! Quinn's need for control and Daisy's feelings as the new mom (we haven't done much socializing as parents, so I also very much feel like an outsider amongst other parents).
Little Wonders was cringe-y at times, reminding all of us parents that none of us is perfect but as long as we try our best, we're doing a good job!
March 29, 2020
I'm not at all sure how I felt about this book. I read and enjoyed The Baby Plan, but this was different.
From the start, I hated Quinn Barrett. I didn't like Ham, and a really hated her husband. Daisy and Rob were ok, but only in that they were opposites of the Barretts. Almost normal folk, would be the best way to describe them.
I felt the most fun thing about the book were the newsletters that appeared randomly, with the little bits of snarky humor scratched out.
Little Wonders preschool...I mean..I just shook my head at all the goings on there.
Rich people problems for the most part, and unless the story is something like Dallas or Dynasty, I have no connection or feel any compassion for these characters.
Quinn's mantra is First I will be good, then I will be better, then I will be perfect.
GAH, that in itself is enough to make me hate her.
I started to soften towards her midway through the book though. She lost an awful lot over nothing. But still I couldn't truly relate to her or fantasize about wanting her life. (Like I would if I were reading a book about the fabulous and wealthy)
Daisy was the most likable character. I loved that she was nerdy and a gamer and totally the opposite of everyone in town. She was also put together and probably more intelligent than some of the other crazy parents in town.
It was a fun read though and there were some chuckles to be had throughout, again those newsletters were fabulous, but it lacks a wow factor that I want in a book that is supposed to be part comedy. Granted I could see this book translating well on the big screen.
From the start, I hated Quinn Barrett. I didn't like Ham, and a really hated her husband. Daisy and Rob were ok, but only in that they were opposites of the Barretts. Almost normal folk, would be the best way to describe them.
I felt the most fun thing about the book were the newsletters that appeared randomly, with the little bits of snarky humor scratched out.
Little Wonders preschool...I mean..I just shook my head at all the goings on there.
Rich people problems for the most part, and unless the story is something like Dallas or Dynasty, I have no connection or feel any compassion for these characters.
Quinn's mantra is First I will be good, then I will be better, then I will be perfect.
GAH, that in itself is enough to make me hate her.
I started to soften towards her midway through the book though. She lost an awful lot over nothing. But still I couldn't truly relate to her or fantasize about wanting her life. (Like I would if I were reading a book about the fabulous and wealthy)
Daisy was the most likable character. I loved that she was nerdy and a gamer and totally the opposite of everyone in town. She was also put together and probably more intelligent than some of the other crazy parents in town.
It was a fun read though and there were some chuckles to be had throughout, again those newsletters were fabulous, but it lacks a wow factor that I want in a book that is supposed to be part comedy. Granted I could see this book translating well on the big screen.
May 31, 2022
Things are not going well for Quinn Barrett. Her seemingly perfect life is falling apart around her. A video of her stomping on her son’s Halloween costume is making its rounds on social media causing an uproar just about everywhere she goes. Because of it, she has given up her position as the president of her son’s preschool Parents Association. And she left her job with a media company (a job she loved). Now her handsome, successful, surgeon husband has moved out of the house because he says he needs a break from their marriage.
Daisy McGulch is a transplant from LA, having moved to New England from LA when her husband got the job of his dreams in a sleepy town in New England, where everybody knows everybody, and everybody knows everybody’s business, and where blue-haired, tattooed, nose-pierced Daisy sticks out like a sore thumb. She hangs out with her husband’s cousin’s wife (her cousin-in-law) who is helping her navigate the tricky terrain of a small town. But, when Daisy films Quinn’s meltdown, and sends it to her friends in LA, and one of them posts it online, Quinn’s live start to unravel. Quinn and Daisy form an unlikely friendship, one that would certainly be threatened if Quinn finds out who made the video.
A novel of love, and family, and friendship, women who pose as super moms, and private schools, and the dangers of your privacy being invaded by a bad posting on a social media site. It’s insightful and entertaining. Enjoy.
Daisy McGulch is a transplant from LA, having moved to New England from LA when her husband got the job of his dreams in a sleepy town in New England, where everybody knows everybody, and everybody knows everybody’s business, and where blue-haired, tattooed, nose-pierced Daisy sticks out like a sore thumb. She hangs out with her husband’s cousin’s wife (her cousin-in-law) who is helping her navigate the tricky terrain of a small town. But, when Daisy films Quinn’s meltdown, and sends it to her friends in LA, and one of them posts it online, Quinn’s live start to unravel. Quinn and Daisy form an unlikely friendship, one that would certainly be threatened if Quinn finds out who made the video.
A novel of love, and family, and friendship, women who pose as super moms, and private schools, and the dangers of your privacy being invaded by a bad posting on a social media site. It’s insightful and entertaining. Enjoy.
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