this is about a Jewish father who has his wife committed to an insane asylum, and what happens to the three children as a result..

I really enjoyed this book. It follows a Jewish family, an abusive father who has his wife committed to an asylum and the aftermath of what happens to those three children and their children. The characters are so well written I found myself thinking about them days after I finished the book. I recommend this book-something different. Thank you to Penguin Random House for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

“There’s no walking into the sunset” . . .

“I’ve made a mess of things and there’s no way out except going forward”.

“Like Mother, Like Mother”, is daring. It’s got testicular fortitude. It has chutzpah!

Historical fiction, Contemporary fiction, Literary fiction (*wonderful fiction*) . . .
….Susan Rieger joins the ranks along those beside her who generously unleash a collision of universal forces: love, desire, ambition, loyalty….
….and dare I say viscerally evokes the gritty challenge—of motherhood - parenting - career- and marriage.
Delicious family storytelling.

It’s got all the juice….
….messy, quirky family-life-coming-of-age-storytelling for grown-ups, pitfalls of human existence: humanity subversiveness, sunshine and lollipops.
….dysfunction, trauma, (psychological generational trauma), secrets, lies, betrayal, abandonment issues, humor, stubbornness, loftiness, intelligence, obsessiveness, wit, insightfulness, childhood and adult complexities, successes, failures, loss, grief, tragedy, social issues, class, American culture, political remembrance, contemporary life, the mysterious missing Zelda, and plenty of drama.

I knew I was in for an exciting ride ….as soon as I read the cast list at the start. I love these type of books > a piercing examination of adult children - siblings - chaotic confusing times — both haunting & hilarious > with ‘women’ at the center of everything important.

Meet the Cast:
The Pereira-Maier Family:
Lila Pereira, executive editor, The Washington Post
Joe Maier, managing partner,
Sanger, Booth, Bennett &
Zimmerman, Lila’s husband
Grace Maier, 29, Lila’s youngest daughter, a writer.
Stella Pereira, 36, Lila’s oldest daughter, one of the Starbirds, a lawyer
Ava Pereira, 35, Lila’s middle daughter, the other Starbird, a lawyer
Francis Fieldstone Maier, Joe’s mother, Lila’s mother-in-law
Clara Pereira, Lila’s sister, a nurse.
Pola Pereira, Lila’s brother, a fireman
Aldo Pereiro, Lila’s father, a line worker at GM
Zelda Pereira, Lila’s mother
Bubbe (Marta Pereira), Lila’s grandmother, Aldo’s mother

The McGowan Family:
Ruth McGowan, Grace‘s college roommate and closest friend, a Podcaster
Ann McGowan, Ruth’s mother, a nurse practitioner
Gran (Ruth McGowan), Ruth grandmother

The Goldsmith Family:
Kathy Goldsmith , Ruth’s high school English teacher
Richard Goldsmith, Kathy’s husband, a lawyer
Nicholas ‘Nico’ Goldsmith, Kathy’s son, a twin, a doctor and a biomedical engineer
Alexander ‘Xander’ Goldsmith, Kathy’s Son, a twin, a film producer and show runner
Zayde, Richard’s father, the twins grandfather

The Berman Family:
Herbert Berman, an accountant
Frida berman, Herbert’s wife, also an accountant
Dennis Berman, Herbert’s son, a lawyer
Heidi Berman, Herbert’s daughter, a lawyer
Hilda Pessoa, Frida’s aunt

The Bates Family:
Bobby Lee Bates, a plant nursery owner
Jeff Bates, Bobby Lee’s brother
Jacqui Bates, Bobby Lee’s wife
Scarlett Bates Newton, Bobby Lee’s daughter

The Webb Family:
Charles ‘Chick’ Webb Jr., president of the United States
“Big Chuck” Webb, father of
Chick Webb
James and Robert Webb, Chick Webb’s sons

Standalones:
Doug, Marshall, publisher, The Washington Post
Frank Quinlan, obituaries, editor, The Cincinnati Courier
Artie Brinkman, Ruth’s college boyfriend
Josh Morgan, a Globe reporter, later a CNN anchor
Felicity Turner, a Globe reporter, one of Lila’s Pirates

A few tidbits….
“In the early weeks after Zelda‘s death, Lila spent Saturdays looking for her in the Hebrew Memorial Park.
No one went to services except for Bubbe, who went on the High Holy Days and sat upstairs. Her brothers never had a bar mitzvah, which was a local scandal. Aldo wouldn’t pay the fees”.

Lila was abandoned by her mother, Zelda, at two years of age when her mother suffered a nervous brakedoen and was committed to an asylum.
Lila and her siblings were raised by their abusive father (“a monster”, Lila said), named Aldo
and their grandmother, Bubbe.

Lila grew to become an ambitious working woman. She was dedicated to becoming a world renowned journalist.
Lila also married into a very wealthy family.
Joe was her adoring husband. A great-decent man.
They had three children (Stella, Ava, Grace), that were mainly raised by their father and nannies. Lila was more comfortable sitting in a board room (at The Globe), rather than a PTA room. Grace, her youngest child had a difficult time with their ‘Mother/daughter’ distant relationship.
As an adult, Grace writes a best selling book (about their family).
She then goes on a search to figure out what really happened to her grandmother, Zelda. (always assuming that Lila’s loss of Zelda as a young toddler affected the way Lila was a ‘hands-distant’ mother to her).
So, Grace, youngest child of Lila, best-selling author, sets out on a quest to learn the truth …..did Zelda die or run away?

“Like Mother, Like Mother”, has characters both likable and unlikable. The book questions what it means to be a mother. Can you be a career mother and a hands off and still raise decent adjusted kids? Why does one styling of mothering work for some kids but not others?

“Lila was Executive Editor of The Globe. She covered DC politics, the Senate, and White House”.
She worked long hours - more and more each year—rarely making it home for family dinners with her kids.
In her first year as executive editor, Lila put in nine hour days, weekends included. The next year, she put in nine-and-a-half-hour days. The year after that, she worked ten hours a day, the year after that, ten-and-a-half. Her workday kept growing incrementally.
In her sixth year, the 2008 campaign pushed her into twelve-hour days. She rarely came home for dinner.
Lila missed her kids High School graduations, their College graduations (at Stanford)….
But I had the best laugh when
“She thought she remembered Joe saying Stella was engaged. Could I have missed her wedding?”

Joe and Lila had been married thirty years. She couldn’t imagine a life without him.
But….
Joe said to Lila:
“You were a better wife, before Obama‘s first election. You were good enough. Now you’re not”.
“The 2008 and the 2012 Political campaigns were the high points of Lila’s first decade as executive editor. The 2008 primary, Obama vs. Clinton, was a win-win from her point of view. The country would likely elect its first woman or its first black president.
Lila was so focused on her work. Joe had enough. Their kids were adults. He wanted to separate….
But…
… it’s interesting how love, history (both personal and global can complicate actions in relationships) …
There are some powerful thought-provoking scenes we are gifted with to think about.

Susan Rieger’s writing is engaging. I think she could write about anything and make it glitter. She had suspense as well as lyrical descriptions.

This is a big-hearted-novel ….
We empathize with her characters — laugh plenty —
while also contemplating recognizable struggles of life.

Lustrous novel!

I was invited by the publisher to review this book. I very much enjoyed this story of three generations of women, the self-discoveries made, and the truths uncovered. Zelda, Grace, and Lila are all part of the same family, with the same traumas passed down through the generations. Zelda was put into an asylum by her abusive husband, and Grace never saw her again. Grace grew up to become a highly successful correspondent, but also lacking motherly tendencies toward Zelda, who grows up to become a successful author, but also sets out to find answers about Zelda. The women in this book have a lot of character and layers to themselves, and are generally relatable although maybe not always likeable. I appreciated the questions posed in this book, such as what it means to be a mother and can mothers also have careers, as well as the impact of generational trauma and one's upbringing.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group/The Dial Press for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Like Mother, Like Mother is a 30 year family saga centered around Leila Pereira. Leila grows up in Detroit and loses her mother at a young age, to mysterious circumstances. Leila is very ambitious and builds a high powered career culminating in Washington DC as the Executive Editor of the Washington Globe. This story opens at Leila's funeral where her youngest daughter, Grace is dealing with mixed emotions about her often absent mother. Grace is a journalist herself and wrote a "tell all" type novel about her mother. This story flashes back to the mystery surrounding Grace's grandmother and Grace begins investigating this piece of the puzzle to help provide closure to her family. I really enjoy all things media related and this story had plenty of that glitz and glamour. Also of note, as someone who lives in Metro Detroit, I thought the authors descriptions of Detroit were historically accurate. This story had somewhat of a Judith Krantz/Danielle Steel vibe but with a younger voice. I look forward to more from this author. Thank you to the publisher and #netgalley for providing me an advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

This was one of the most compelling contemporary novels I have read in years.
The description of the book didn’t do it justice::

It was a compelling family saga;
It was an intriguing generational mystery;
It was a compelling exploration of work/family balance;
It was a Hosannah to brash, ambitious women; and,
It was a story of the value of friendship, and
It was a series of sweet love stories.

Did I say I loved the book! It was thought-provoking, beautifully written and entertaining.
Netgalley provided me a complimentary e-galley in return for a candid review.

This book totally grabbed me with its focus on three generations of women: Lila, Grace, and Zelda. It’s all about how not just physical traits but also so many personality traits are passed down through the family, often in ways we don’t even realize.

I was really hooked on the mystery of what happened to Zelda—it kept me turning the pages. The characters were super interesting, though I found the dialogue a bit weird and old-fashioned. The conversations felt stiff and impersonal, and sometimes questions ended with periods instead of question marks, which threw me off a bit.

The book also has a strong left-leaning political angle, just something to be aware of.

It wasn’t my absolute favorite read, but it was definitely unique. I enjoyed getting into the women’s lives and seeing how their stories connected. Grace’s relationship with her mother, complicated by her mom’s busy job and reliance on nannies, was really touching. The storytelling was a bit tricky with its back-and-forth timelines, but it gave a cool, almost nostalgic feel. If you’re into stories about family dynamics and personal struggles, this one’s worth checking out.

An interesting tale that spans generations about shows how all family choices are intertwined. The author did a great job of presenting the characters. I felt as though the grandmother totally playing ignorant at the end was a little lacking and would have liked to develop that storyline more but interesting that they were similar “non-mothers” to all children despite different circumstances.

“Like Mother, Like Mother” by Susan Rieger is a beautifully crafted novel that delves into the complexities of mother-daughter relationships with wit and depth. Rieger’s prose is sharp and insightful, making the dynamics between her characters resonate with authenticity and emotional depth. The story unfolds with a series of letters, emails, and texts, a format that adds a modern twist to the narrative and keeps the pace brisk. While the novel occasionally feels slightly contrived with its reliance on epistolary elements, it still offers a compelling exploration of family ties and personal growth. It’s a rewarding read that earns four stars for its clever structure and heartfelt storytelling.

A novel for women about 3 generations of women, entwined. The Starbirds, a group of friends. The raveling and unraveling of relationships.

"I've been thinking a lot about your mother and mine," Grace said. "Having a baby does that to you. your perspective changes." And your perspective of influence, genetics, and decisions will shift as you read, too.

I found myself pulled in many directions as I read, hoping for a happy ending. And when I closed the book, I felt satisfied, if not exactly happy. Rieger is a storyteller, no doubt about it.

Recommended for when life is in a lull and you want to live in someone else's chaos and adventure.

As soon as I started this book I was hooked. The story really just hit and was an emotional read for me. I will definitely be thinking about this book for a long while after finishing it. I would read more from this author in the future- the book was written extremely well. I definitely will be grabbing a physical copy to annotate for my shelf!

Thank you, NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Random House | The Dial Press books for this ARC. This was a powerful book about being a mother and how trauma can affect generation after generation. Spousal abuse begets trauma. Not wanting to be a mother, or having a mother as a role model, begets more trauma. We are ever learning about the effects of generational trauma and how it effects your generations in the way people act and are able to care for those around them. This, although fiction, is a fascinating example of such in the lives of the women throughout a couple generations.

"Wow! 'Like Mother, Like Mother' is an exceptional exploration of multigenerational family trauma and drama. The story revolves around Zelda, a young mother of three, who was committed to an insane asylum by her abusive husband, where she ultimately died. Or did she? Lila, the youngest of Zelda's children, achieved great success but remained emotionally distant as a mother. Her youngest daughter, Grace, felt the absence of maternal love and embarked on a quest for answers. The vivid characters from this novel would translate beautifully into a streaming series. I will be thinking about Zelda, Lila, and Grace for a long time. This book should definitely be on your to-be-read list!"

Thank you to Net Galley and Random House for the ARC to read and review with my honest opinions.

insert that video of jamie lee curtis that’s like:

trauma. family trauma. generational trauma, family trauma. you know, generational trauma. generational trauma. generational trauma. trauma. trauma. trauma. trauma. TROWMA. THIS IS WHAT TROWMA LOOKS LIKE!!!

—

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the ARC

“Like Mother Like Mother” by Susan Rieger is a novel about three generations of strong women who must deal with the fallout of having been raised by an abusive father and absent mother. Although I enjoyed seeing what happened to the characters, I found most of the unlikeable and the constant jumping from time period to time period very confusing. Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for an ARC of this novel in exchange for my honest review.

This is a family drama that follows three generation of women, and with that there is a lot to unpack.

I loved how this story looked at trauma and women’s reactions to traumatic events. How can two women experience basically the same trauma or situation, and yet, react, develop and grow so differently. The storyline explored that and showcased how trauma can change the direction of one’s life - the relationships yearned for and the relationships developed.

Additionally, it delved into gender roles and how women should behave as mothers. I did not grow up with a compassionate mother. She was tough and cold, and that made Lila more relatable to me. I am not saying my mother or Lila depict bad mothers, but they are definitely different than the stereotypical norm society expects mothers to be.

While this book portrayed strength and the importance of female relationships very well, there were parts that didn’t work for me. At times I felt there was too much unnecessary detail in storytelling, which actually detracted from the plot and the character development. Because I read thrillers, I thought there were details I needed in these parts, so I spent a lot of time with them. If you read like me, feel free to skim these parts knowing you won’t miss anything. The side stories and characters, while interesting, didn’t necessarily add to the main characters of the trajectory of the main storyline. Additionally, the dialog was clunky and unnatural. This was my biggest struggle with the book. It made the pacing slow and distracting.

Lastly, I usually avoid books that push a politically agenda, and while this book does lean left, I did not feel like it pushed readers to that side of the aisle. Feel free to pick this one up no matter which political party you support.

I was honored to be invited to read an ARC and participate in an early reader book club discussion which was very interesting! Thanks to Dial Press and the author for the advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

Loved reading the story of three generations through Zelda, Lila, and Grace. The close friendship between Ruth and Grace was an added bonus. This novel had great character development and explored what it means to be a mother in a fascinating way.

Wow - what a ride! I wasn't expecting this to be a three-generational saga with multi families crisis-crossing each other in unexpected ways. The author did an amazing job of drawing you into the story and depicting the characters as multi-dimensional people. It had a.little of Hollywood intrigue, Washington DC insiders and a tremendous amount about journalism and family dynamics. It's a mystery and a family story. Loved it and highly recommend it.

Too many characters, confusing plot line for me.
I do appreciate NetGalley and the publisher for providing early access to this title.

Wonderful generational family story with strong, well developed characters, each interesting in their own way. The plot has some mystery, some surprises and ultimately weaves the cast of characters together. It also touches on genealogy and the Pandora’s box it sometimes unleashes.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.