Amazing. For some reason I thought this book was going to be a comedy. I must have misread the description. I was so happy when I realized that I was reading a twisty novel about seriously messed up characters! I read this in just about one sitting and loved every twisted page!

What a slow burn of a book. I can’t tell the plot line because I don’t want to give any spoilers or guesses of how the tale unfolds. However, I read this in a day, I was completely curious as to how this book would end. It takes place in 1997 and 2019-2021 during COVID. This was an ARC from @netgalley . This book will be out in June 2023.
I wholly recommend for a suspense read!

The northern suburbs of Baltimore are practically a main character in this novel, but Lippman goes even farther afield and gives Cecil County a cameo. Quelle bonne surprise! After making a home for herself in New Orleans, prom mom Amber moves back to Maryland hoping to run into her prom date, Joe. They will be forever linked by what happened that prom night. Amber paid dearly, but everything seems to go Joe's way, at least until the pandemic. The characters' reactions to the pandemic and behaviors during the lockdown were relatable and since we are a few years removed, it's easier to read about. Some of the chapters set during prom night disrupted the flow of the narrative, but the ending is definitely worth sticking around for. Fans of Peter Swanson should give this novel a try. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the digital ARC.

Always looking forward to Laura Lippman's next book and this one is no exception. Timely and twisty - just what I want in a thriller.

I would be pressed to call this one a thriller, mystery, or suspense until probably the last 20 pages. The biggest mystery to me is why Joe is called "Cad Dad."

That said, I liked this. I've only read one other Laura Lippman book (Lady in the Lake) and I liked this one a lot more. About 2/3 of the way through I realized a lot has happened but at the same time it felt like nothing happened? I was still intrigued the whole time and was curious about where it was going. I enjoyed the ending and am glad I got to read this one! It was also interesting see COVID brought into it and the different attitudes/perspectives of the characters.

I feel like this story could have been cut in half and would have been just as good if not better. I'm usually one to love slow burns but this just didn't do it for me. The story was good, twisty and quite shocking and the writer is clearly experienced but this just wasn't for me. I kept losing interest throughout and felt there was so much unnecessary thoughts and backstory that didn't matter to the present. I will say that it's nothing against the author, this just isn't for me. Three Stars.

Thank you Netgalley and William Morrow for this ARC.

Dark, sinister, intelligent, and absolutely jaw-dropping, Laura Lippman's signature slow-burn, detail-oriented, character-driven, twisty writing style will leave you lost in a mystery of betrayal, backstabbing, lies, and mind games. The cat-and-mouse game between unreliable, flawed characters is breathtaking, especially when you reach the end and feel like the rug has been pulled out from under you. Get ready for an outcome you won't expect.

This book is unique, with a concept that alternates between the 1997 tragedy and the COVID era (2019-2021). Your blood runs cold as you read about the tragic death of a baby at a high school prom and the tarnished reputation of the "prom mom" Amber Glass and her date/presumed father of the baby, "cad dad" Joe Simpson.

Amber left town after the incident, while Joe stayed, marrying a beautiful and accomplished plastic surgeon named Meredith. They don't have children as agreed.

Twenty-two years later, Amber returns to town, inherits her stepfather's home, and decides to rent an office to open an art gallery while waiting for the house to sell. Her path crosses with Joe's, and long-buried secrets begin to come to light. The pressure escalates, with blackmailing, seduction, secrets, and more lies appearing. Someone will have to pay for their sins, but who will it be?

You can't choose sides in this book. Meredith may seem innocent and naive, but her polished, perfect, and generous demeanor leaves her living in oblivion. Amber is odd, cold, calculating, and unique, and I found myself liking her the most, despite knowing from the start that she would ruin lives. Joe, on the other hand, is trying too hard to be someone he's not, and seems spineless, lost, and a little pathetic.

The effects of COVID, the adjustment to the new normal, and the political climate are skillfully woven into the mystery, making it even more thrilling.

Overall, this book is a winner. I agree with Mandy Kalling that Laura Lippman is one of the most brilliant thriller authors and the queen of slow-burn mysteries.

Many thanks to NetGalley and William Morrow for providing me with an amazing digital review copy in exchange for my honest thoughts.

This book was as interesting as it was difficult at times due to the very serious subject matter. I find that the author made the main character understandable, if not relatable. I liked the progression of the book and the ending felt very appropriate.

Prom Mom by Laura Lippman was a really great story!
Lippman has outdone herself with this twisty thriller!

This slow burn story had me hooked from page one and couldn’t put it down until I’d reached the end.
I thought this book was fun and enjoyable.
With perfectly executed who held my attention throughout the story.
With shocking twists throughout, this book does a great job at intriguing you and making you want more

"I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own."

Thank You Netgalley and William Morrow for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this eARC!

I read this book in one great rush and adored the experience. Lippman is such a masterful writer - the way she slowly exposes Joe’s cruelty (despite the way he - and the world - thinks of himself as “good”) really wowed me. Amber, Joe, and Meredith are such a fascinating triangle of characters, and I was equally compelled by each of them. The ending wowed me too, and it was such a satisfying reading experience.

PROM MOM is a reeeeeeeal slow burn. Readers who make it to the last 20 or so pages will be rewarded when everything comes together and each character’s motivation becomes shockingly clear.

Amber will always be known as Prom Mom in her hometown of Baltimore. When she was 17, she gave birth to a baby in a hotel bathroom during prom. The baby died. Her date, Joe, was known as Cad Dad but with the help of his wife, Meredith, he’s managed to rise above the nickname. When Amber returns to Baltimore she’s helplessly drawn to Joe, and vice versa.

PROM MOM is told in dual timelines: 1997 and the present-ish (during the COVID-19 pandemic). It’s very character driven. The whole time I was reading I wanted to shake Amber, Joe and Meredith and ask them what the hell they were thinking.

A sincere thank you to NetGalley and publisher William Morrow for an ARC of PROM MOM in exchange for an honest review.

⭐️⭐️💫 / 5 stars
Pub date: July 25

In 1997, a girl gave birth to a baby while at the prom. The baby didn’t survive and the girl + her date’s lives were forever changed. It’s been over 20 years and “Prom Mom” Amber is returning home.

Things I liked:
✅ Multiple POVs
✅ Dual timeline
✅ The book being based on true events

Things I didn’t like:
❌ SO MUCH political talk
❌ The present day being set in 2020. I have zero interest in reliving that year through books, tv shows, etc.
❌ The last chapter. I didn’t think it was necessary to actually read that when we already knew what happened. It just left me with a bad feeling.

I had high hopes for this book, but it just wasn’t for me. The slow-burn of the book made me think we were headed toward a big, jaw-dropping ending, but that wasn’t the case. There was a lot of build up, with nothing major actually happening for the majority of the book, and then a rushed ending.

Many thanks to NetGalley and William Morrow Publishing for the opportunity to read the latest Laura Lippman novel. Laura Lippman never disappoints. And, she always delivers some surprises. Ten Gold Stars for Prom Mom

I love it when I’m completely shocked at the direction a story goes. From the description of Prom Mom, I had an idea who was going to be the “bad guy” in this story. I was certain that Amber had returned to her home town to wreak havoc on Joe and Meredith’s picture perfect life. I was completely wrong about everything! Some of the biggest twists didn’t happen until close to the end, and I had no clue any of it was coming. If you like thrillers with lots of twists, you will love Prom Mom.

Thank you NetGalley and William Morrow Publishing for this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Let me start by saying that I went to Lacey High School, which is the school where the original Prom Mom incident took place (I attended 12 years after), so this book definitely interested me based on that. I do wish that the book had kept the details of the actual case rather than changing all the details. For people who don't know of the case this wouldn't be a problem, but for me, it was a disappointment.

The writing style didn't pull me in and I felt that the characters were very placid and cookie cutter. I didn't feel very connected to Amber or her situation, whether it be from the writing itself or the general lack of characterization. All in all, I think this book needed a little more soul.

Laura Lippman never disappoints! Twenty years ago, a high schooler at prom gave birth to a baby who didn't live, causing a huge scandal for her and a stint in a juvenile facility. Now she has returned to her childhood neighborhood and starts a friendship with the "cad dad" whose life was not nearly as impacted by what happened in high school. He is now involved in some shady real estate deals, causing a string of events that will unravel what really happened at prom all those years ago. It is a quick, engaging read with lots of character development and action. Highly recommended.

Very few of us can resist the lure of a story about a high school girl giving birth secretly and on the night of the prom. It's practically a trope. So, I tuned it eagerly like many others, also knowing that Lippman can fully deliver on a story.
This is not my favorite of her books. I got bogged down in it at the beginning and felt the set-up through the dual timeline was a little slow. I was anxious to get into the pandemic years to see how Lippman would use that to shape her characters' experiences. I did like how that happened and the different reactions her characters had. And then there's a few good twists before the book ends. I think this book will do quite well.

I must admit that I went into this book completely blind, as I had not read anything by Laura Lippman before. The title intrigued me and the premise as well; once I got the approval from Netgalley I dove right in. Man, were my little expectations and predictions along the way dispelled and upended. I think this title and author might be getting added to my favorites list. The book alternates between two timelines: the 90s, where the prom incident of the protagonists' takes place and 2019/2020. There are many twists and turns and the pacing is incredibly good. Just when you think you can trust a character completely, they surprise you...
Bravo, Laura Lippman!

Amber Glass was 16 years old when she attended Joe Simpson’s senior prom in 1997. She gave birth and killed their child in a hotel bathroom that night, where the media dubbed her <i>Prom Mom</i> and Joe, Cad Dad. Amber admits to having no memory of these events.

This novel alternates between 1997 and into the 2010/2020’s during the COVID pandemic. It’s told from the perspectives of Amber, Joe and Joe’s wife, Meredith.

From the start, I found all of the characters to be sketchy, albeit I’m not sure it’s intentional. They all seem to be normal, trying to live their lives and go thorough the mundane tasks of work, marriage and adultery (is that mundane?!). But something feels off.

Amber returns to her hometown after 20 years, flush with an inheritance and eager to make her mark on the town by opening an art gallery. Of course, she’s going to run into Joe at some point. But what happens from there is where the novel truly begins.

<i>Prom Mom</i> piqued my curiosity and held my attention until the very end, even through the mundane topics. I felt it could go in so many directions and there were a few loose ends that were left open (or were they red herrings?) but overall I really enjoyed this book.

Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for providing me with this advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

Prom Mom by Laura Lippman
Publishing Date July 25th 2023
Rating (5/5) ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thank you Netgalley and William Morrow for this arc. Loved it! Laura Lippman is one of my favorites and an auto - buy author for me. So when I found out Netgalley approved me , I was super excited to dive into this book. Unputdownable. Lots of twists and turns. Kept me guessing until the very end. Highly recommend this one!