Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my copy of this book.

Amber was Joe’s tutor in high school. Somehow they began a secret non-relationship and she guilted him into taking her to prom. Amber then spends time in jail for killing their baby at prom.
Fast forward and Joe is happily married to Meredith and having an affair with Jordan. When he bumps into Amber at her gallery they begin to meet up. Things soon spiral out of control.

If I’m honest I wasn’t a huge fan of this book. I found it jumped around a lot between characters and years and was hard to follow. In saying that it was well written with characters that you could live to hate.

Two teenagers agree to go to their prom together. They are not really a couple because the boy, Joe, has just broken up with his girlfriend but Amber has been tutoring him which has led to a sexual relationship. On the night of the prom, Amber gives birth to a baby which doesn’t survive. She is sent to a youth detention centre. After she lives in New Orleans for a time then decides to go back home to set up a business. She gets together with the now married Joe. That storyline is a good one but it then diversifies into Joe having relationships with other women. That addition to the story did not work for me. The story has too much description recounting what people eat and what the inside of their houses is like. This is potentially a good tale but not well used. I would not recommend it.

I have to report this book wasn't for me. Other readers may love it, and I'm glad if they do, but it wasn't for me.

I can't say that I would market this as a thriller. Even a slow-burn thriller. It felt to me more like a midday family drama. Even throwing the reader back to the past, where Amber becomes the Prom Mom, didn't give this book an edge. It provided a coherent history of the character, but whatever feeling this was trying to bring to the narrative became lost in the present day everyday lives of the main characters. And I do mean everyday. I think in one section we have a few pages of Meredith shopping for Bounty at Target, and then putting away the groceries at home. It's long scenes such as this that provide nothing to the concept of a thriller, even slow-burn.

The final 20 pages or so is what this book should have been, but it is a jolting reveal and I found myself having to pause while I tried to stitch together the two segments of the book. It is a clever ending, but what I wouldn't give to have had the entire story written in the same way.

What I can say is that the character study element is intriguing, but it does flirt around the edges of one-dimensional representations. The author creates characters that are self-aware of their flaws, but are they likeable? It's debatable, and most likely changes as the story progresses. As I'm writing this, I'm wondering if I engaged with the characters at all, and I'd have to say not as much as other readers may. I struggled to, and part of that is because I felt more of an observer that being drawn into the story.

Thank you to the publisher, the author, and Netgalley for a free copy of this book for an honest review. All views are my own.

Prom Mom is a psychological mystery drama by author, Laura Lippman. Told in multiple POV and with the backstory being slowly revealed over time, this one is a suspense novel not to be missed. This was my first read by this author. What drew me in about this one was the chilling synopsis about a teen mother who allegedly murdered her baby on the night of the prom. Desperate to know the circumstances around this crime, I eagerly devoured pages. I liked the concept of young people trying to overcome the events of that defined their young lives and seeing the impact of this on them as adults. The author’s writing style is easy to read and well-paced, drawing you in and keeping you hooked. I look forward to reading more by this author in the future.

Amber Glass is a straight A student. Chosen to assist other students who need extra help, she gets to know Joe, the school’s alpha male, whose grades have dropped due to a bad break up with his first love Kaitlin. After getting him back on track, Joe starts a clandestine relationship with Amber, and reluctantly agrees to take her to the prom. Events of that night come back to haunt them.

When people say you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover, the same could be said for the title. I put off reading this book despite its generally positive reviews as I thought the title reminiscent of poorly written chick lit. However, I was surprised. Although very slow, with pretty hateful characters all round I did finish the book. Despite being a slow burner, the twist was good, though a little rushed after all the meandering.

Not a particularly gripping read with a poorly executed arc and far too slow, but I can see the appeal of this author despite the awful title and would read her again.

2.5*

Thank you NetGalley.

Laura Lippman sure knows how to write a slow-burning thriller. Prom Mom is the story of Amber Glass, who allegedly gives birth and kills her baby on the night of her school prom. Joe Simpson, her date, abandons her on the night so he can pursue the girl he likes more.

After spending most of her adult life avoiding her hometown, Amber is drawn back there. As long as she avoids Joe, who is now married to Meredith, she figures she can have a second chance at a creative life.

Amber and Joe are, however, drawn together through circumstances – deliberate or serendipitous?

I honestly didn’t see the twist in the plot. When it came, I needed to stop reading and review what I had read so far. Should I have seen it coming? Perhaps not, since the author had complete control of the story. Prom Mom is another fabulous novel from Laura Lippman. I would read (and have done so) any book she writes.

Thanks to NetGalley and Faber & Faber Ltd for an ARC of this book in return for an honest review.

I didn’t love this book; I felt Amber was portrayed as the weird kid; but her story of teenage pregnancy and being labelled Prom Mum had obviously affected her entire life. Joe was not very likeable neither really was his wife Meredith. I stuck with it as all reviews said there was a great twist…and there really was. However; it took some effort to get there

"Thriller" is a genre that promises to keep readers on the edge of their seats, and this definitely delivers. From the very first page, the tension is palpable, and the plot twists and turns in unexpected ways, making it difficult to put the book down. The characters are well-developed and the author does an excellent job of keeping the reader guessing as to who can be trusted and who is hiding something. The pacing is spot-on, with just the right amount of action and suspense to keep the reader engaged. The writing style is gripping and evocative, making it easy to visualise the scenes and feel the emotions of the characters. The author's attention to detail and ability to create a believable world adds to the overall experience of the book. Overall, this is an excellent example of the thriller genre. It's a page-turner that will keep readers guessing until the very end and is sure to satisfy fans of the genre. Highly recommended for anyone who loves a good suspenseful read.

The E-Book could be improved and more user-friendly, such as links to the chapters, no significant gaps between words and a cover for the book would be better. It is very document-like instead of a book. A star has been deducted because of this.

This is a first for me by the author and one I enjoyed and I would read more of their work. The book cover is eye-catching and appealing and would spark my interest if in a bookshop. Thank you to the author, publisher and Netgalley for this ARC.

Prom Mom is a slow burning story that had me intrigued. After an eventful opening where our main character, Amber, gives birth in a hotel room bathroom at the age of 17, we then jump forward 20 years. There is a small cast of characters and multiple timelines that give us the story of Amber and Joe.

After the Prom, Amber left Baltimore and vowed never to return. But her step father has passed away and she has inherited it all. She wants to start a new life, one with money now. And she has never stopped thinking about Joe, the father of the baby that died in the bathroom. Joe has now married and is a successful businessman. A chance meeting and old feelings come back. Joe really can’t keep his hands to himself and things get complicated, especially when 2020 arrives and the world shuts down.

While for the most part the story was slowly drawn out, I felt that the ending was way too rushed. So much happened so quickly and then it always all over. It could have been fleshed out a bit more.

Thanks to Faber and Faber for the advanced reading copy. Publishes on August 10th.

Prom Mom by Laura Lippman
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
How is this the first book I've read by Laura Lippman. I loved this story.. I went into this story blind as the author, title, and cover all appealed to me. And I'm so glad I did. It's deranged and dark and surprising at times. A perfect psychological thriller xx

This is the first book from this author that I have read. Prom Mum starts off slow and continues that way. Amber gives birth unexpectedly on her prom night and is accused of killing the newborn. The story then picks up when she returns to her childhood home and bumps into the father of the baby.
The story then meanders around him and her and goes back and forwards, they then start an affair.
The ending is quite clever but it was a little bit of a slower paced book than I usually enjoy so if you like a slow burner this would be great

Something made me think this was a crime read and perhaps it was supposed to be or maybe the second half is. But unfortunately I couldn’t wait that long. The first half is just tedious back and forth with Amber who is back home after decades away and always known as the girl who killed her baby at prom and Joe who is known as Cad Dad, the baby’s dad.

Bits with Joes wife Meredith are equally boring. Nothing is happening and it reads more like a star crossed lovers plot, of which I can’t stand. Definitely not my genre.
Thank you to NetGalley and Faber and Faber for the ARC aim return for an honest review.

It took me a couple of chapters to get into this book, but once the plot took off, I found it moved along at speed. The COVID references were intertwined into the plot well, without dwelling too much on things not necessary for the storyline. There were enough twists to keep me interested, but I didn't see the ending coming, that was the biggest twist

I loved this superb return to form by Laura Lippman. With a noir feel, it shares most in common with her superlative 2018 novel Sunburn.

Set in the familiar milieu of Baltimore (I now feel - through reading Lippman and Anne Tyler- as if I know the city intimately), Prom Mom is a fantastically clever meditation on privilege and power, set in 2020 as Covid ravaged the planet.

If I only have one small criticism, it’s that a lot of action was packed into the very end and I might have enjoyed a somewhat slower burn for longer. But that said, I still loved it and absolutely did not expect the several - exceedingly satisfying - twists.

4.5 stars rounded up to 5

I absolutely devoured this. It's Laura Lippman at her sharp-witted, acerbic best. Apparently, like some of her other recent novels, this is based on a true story.

Prom Mom tells the story of Amber Glass, a woman who has spent her adult life running from a single event when she was a teenager. At her boyfriend's prom, Amber gave birth to a baby. She hadn't known she was pregnant and the first time she's aware of it is when she wakes up on the floor of a hotel room with her dead baby beside.

While Amber's prom date, Joe, is able to continue his life afterwards, Amber is not. She will, forever more, be known as 'Prom Mom'.

When circumstances bring Amber back to her home town of Baltimore, she is inevitably drawn to Joe. As the country goes into lockdown, Joe and Amber start seeing more and more of each other. Joe's wife knows nothing about it, just as she doesn't know quite how badly the lockdown has affected Joe's business.

As Joe's life falls apart, he becomes increasingly reliant on Amber. Then he asks Amber for one, final favour...

This is a fabulous read. Cleverly plotted with brilliantly plausible characters and a fantastic twist you will not see coming.

What are the consequences of the tragic events of the past, and why is blame not shared?

Amber Glass was seventeen when she gave birth suddenly in a hotel toilet on prom night. Nobody knew she was pregnant, not even Joe, her date, and the baby's father. Accused of murdering the infant, she spends some time in a juvenile detention center before starting a new life in New Orleans, far away from her past. But when her stepfather dies and an opportunity to create an art gallery in Baltimore, where she grew up, arises, she seizes it and ends up seeing Joe again. Joe, who is now married to a plastic surgeon and is adamant about not having children. They start out as buddies, but will they finish up destroying everything?

The main protagonists of this character-driven, slow-burning story engage in a game of cat and mouse with one another yet are not particularly appealing.

Who was Joe, this average man, and why had he been permitted to run wild through life, thoughtless and reckless? Why the women in his life romanticized him, and catered to his every whim? Women assuring him that he was entitled to love, riches, and success, that nothing and no one should stand in his way. In the end, the enchantment had been broken.

The novel has a heavy atmosphere, at times a confusing narration, and is slow-paced.

Highly recommended if you prefer slow-burn thrillers.

Prom Mom is a very intense slow burn, which will keep you waiting for the action to start

Normally, I might find this tedious, but somehow this book kept me hooked and I wanted to know more!

An American book so I found some of the traditions and references around Mardi Gras confusing and even the connotations we were obviously meant to read into some of the labels, stores, areas of cities and football teams mentioned went straight over my head. As the book seemed to lean on these rather a lot it made my reading of the book rather disjointed. I found it hard to maintain concentration on the plot of the story as it jumps around all over the place.
I really struggled with most of this book but as it was Laura Lippman and an ARC I persevered to the end. I was somewhat rewarded. Suddenly things started happening! Secrets were revealed! I'm glad I finished the book but could have done without reading two thirds of it. Not for me this time I'm afraid.
Thanks to Netgalley and Faber and Faber Ltd for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

What a fantastic read! So many layers and twists, in fact, the ending twist blew me away. A brilliant observation of human behaviour in the pandemic and the impact on finances and relationships. Also a great observation of how someone can see what they want to see and hear what they want to hear, and how this can inform their life trajectory.

Thank you to Faber & Faber for this arc copy on Netgalley.

I enjoyed this book and got through it fairly quickly, I thought the storyline was good and enjoyed the dual timeline throughout, however I felt like we needed to see more of the past timeline and leading up to the main plot point.

I did feel like I got a bit confusing at times with all of the characters in each timeline and found myself having to reread parts. I think the book had huge potential but I would have liked to have seen more of it set in the past to see the characters relationships develop and see the events leading up.

Overall, I did find it very enjoyable and I did enjoy the plot and storylines.

I gave this book a 3.5⭐️ rating.