A quick, very current-feeling read, with an interesting twist, in keeping with Shepard's past work. Odd pacing, but an interestingly diverse set of main characters and some important questions about motherhood.

Sara Shepard, the YA phenomenon author of Pretty Little Liars, returns with a new book for adults; a rather dark mysterious novel about the struggle of motherhood and the lengths a mother will go to protect their child.

The story centers on three mothers: Lauren, Andrea, and Ronnie who have all enrolled there child a fancy preschool called Silver Swans and at orientation bond over slipping some alcohol into each other’s coffee cups, and striking up a friendship. Then the director of the school is found with blood pooled around her head and the three mothers standing nearby.......

The book started off strong, and then it got a little slow. It had some pacing issues. I really empathized with the character Ronnie and the back story she had with the challenges and demons in her life, but didn’t relate as much with Andrea and Lauren. I thought there characters weren’t very likable.

I still definitely enjoyed the book but I didn’t think it was as strong as Shepard’s last effort for adults, Reputation, which I just devoured. This one was a little bit disappointing to me. I easily guessed the person who attacked the school director. It wasn’t a surprise.

3.5 stars rounded up.

The Silver Swans preschool is THE school of choice for children of the elite and powerful. But there are three mother who definitely do not belong to that club. Ronnie, Lauren and Andrea all have secrets buried in their pasts that they want to keep that way. But after the first day of school, their children come home with notes in their backpacks, notes that reveal that someone knows all of their secrets. And what, if anything does the attack that nearly left the school principal dead have to do with the new moms. The outsiders band together, obviously they aren’t the only ones who have secrets they don’t want exposed. Perfect for fans of Big, Little Lies