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The Supper Club Saints: A Novel
A dynamic, honest, and beautifully written novel about a young mother who returns to her small-town Wisconsin home after living in a cult-like “Mommune,” and what happens with the other women in her family as they each navigate the constraints, complexities, and joys of modern motherhood.
When prodigal daughter Cass Simon returns home after years away, the Simon family’s fragile peace is disrupted. Cass, a young mom previously living in a cult-like “Mommune” and working for a popular mom-fluencer, has come back under questionable circumstances, but is intent on starting fresh. As Cass gets work writing advice for a parenting website, her mother and sisters chip in their own wisdom from personal experience—of troubled pasts, heartache, and issues with infertility.
As the story unfolds through past and present, the Simon family women come to understand their own relationships to mothering and forgiveness—and what it truly means to be a “good” mother.
When prodigal daughter Cass Simon returns home after years away, the Simon family’s fragile peace is disrupted. Cass, a young mom previously living in a cult-like “Mommune” and working for a popular mom-fluencer, has come back under questionable circumstances, but is intent on starting fresh. As Cass gets work writing advice for a parenting website, her mother and sisters chip in their own wisdom from personal experience—of troubled pasts, heartache, and issues with infertility.
As the story unfolds through past and present, the Simon family women come to understand their own relationships to mothering and forgiveness—and what it truly means to be a “good” mother.
432 pages, Paperback
First published May 5, 2026
38 people are currently reading
4817 people want to read
About the author
Claire Swinarski
11 books624 followersClaire Swinarski is the author of multiple books for both kids and adults. Her writing has been featured in The Washington Post, Seventeen, Milwaukee Magazine, and many other publications. She lives in small town Wisconsin with her husband and three kids, where she writes books, wears babies, and wrangles bread dough. You can follow her on Instagram @claireswinarski.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 120 reviews
May 8, 2026
“She wonders if womanhood is a process of slowly but surely understanding your mother.” 💔
Claire Swinarski’s The Supper Club Saints is a beautifully written and emotionally perceptive novel about contemporary motherhood, family expectations, and the quiet wars women wage against one another, and themselves, over what it means to be a “good mother.” Furthermore, she provides a glimpse into the struggles of infertility, the emotional impact to both Dad and Mom.
At its heart, this novel explores the cultural mommy wars: Which style of mothering is superior? Is the hyper-vigilant mother, constantly scanning for every possible danger, the better parent because she protects her child from harm? Or is it the mother who encourages freedom, exploration, and wonder? Swinarski examines the enormous pressures, judgments, anxieties, and impossible expectations placed upon mothers, while also compassionately revealing the hidden reasons women parent the way they do.
What makes this novel especially powerful is that it encourages understanding rather than condemnation. Swinarski reminds us that most mothers are simply doing the best they can—even if their choices differ from what you might choose for your own child 💕
This family drama unfolds through the perspectives of four women: a matriarch, two sisters, and their sister-in-law. The story moves across timelines and viewpoints, gradually revealing the complicated emotional dynamics within this family. As layers are peeled back, the reader gains insight into the characters’ fears, insecurities, vulnerabilities, and deeply human flaws.
One of the aspects I appreciated most was the novel’s emphasis on forgiveness and empathy. There was one character I struggled with throughout much of the story, yet when the other women ultimately extended grace and understanding to her, I found myself doing the same. That emotional shift felt authentic and deeply moving. This is the kind of novel that gently nudges readers toward compassion.
I also appreciated watching the characters evolve as the story progressed. Their motivations became clearer, their fears more understandable, and their emotional wounds more visible.
Is the novel perfect? No. At times, the repeated explanations behind each woman’s parenting philosophy felt somewhat redundant. And yes, the ending leans a bit “Hollywood.” But honestly? For characters whose intentions were rooted in love, perhaps that sort of ending feels earned ✨
I read this with the Terrific Darling Book Club. Please check out Darla and Tina’s review for their insights.
Huge thank you to NetGalley and Harper Audio for the advance listening copy of The Supper Club Saints, published May 5, 2026 🎧📚
This is the perfect Mother’s Day read--warm, thoughtful, emotional, and filled with compassion for the impossible balancing act of motherhood.
Claire Swinarski’s The Supper Club Saints is a beautifully written and emotionally perceptive novel about contemporary motherhood, family expectations, and the quiet wars women wage against one another, and themselves, over what it means to be a “good mother.” Furthermore, she provides a glimpse into the struggles of infertility, the emotional impact to both Dad and Mom.
At its heart, this novel explores the cultural mommy wars: Which style of mothering is superior? Is the hyper-vigilant mother, constantly scanning for every possible danger, the better parent because she protects her child from harm? Or is it the mother who encourages freedom, exploration, and wonder? Swinarski examines the enormous pressures, judgments, anxieties, and impossible expectations placed upon mothers, while also compassionately revealing the hidden reasons women parent the way they do.
What makes this novel especially powerful is that it encourages understanding rather than condemnation. Swinarski reminds us that most mothers are simply doing the best they can—even if their choices differ from what you might choose for your own child 💕
This family drama unfolds through the perspectives of four women: a matriarch, two sisters, and their sister-in-law. The story moves across timelines and viewpoints, gradually revealing the complicated emotional dynamics within this family. As layers are peeled back, the reader gains insight into the characters’ fears, insecurities, vulnerabilities, and deeply human flaws.
One of the aspects I appreciated most was the novel’s emphasis on forgiveness and empathy. There was one character I struggled with throughout much of the story, yet when the other women ultimately extended grace and understanding to her, I found myself doing the same. That emotional shift felt authentic and deeply moving. This is the kind of novel that gently nudges readers toward compassion.
I also appreciated watching the characters evolve as the story progressed. Their motivations became clearer, their fears more understandable, and their emotional wounds more visible.
Is the novel perfect? No. At times, the repeated explanations behind each woman’s parenting philosophy felt somewhat redundant. And yes, the ending leans a bit “Hollywood.” But honestly? For characters whose intentions were rooted in love, perhaps that sort of ending feels earned ✨
I read this with the Terrific Darling Book Club. Please check out Darla and Tina’s review for their insights.
Huge thank you to NetGalley and Harper Audio for the advance listening copy of The Supper Club Saints, published May 5, 2026 🎧📚
This is the perfect Mother’s Day read--warm, thoughtful, emotional, and filled with compassion for the impossible balancing act of motherhood.
April 20, 2026
4.5💫
oh my gosh this was SO GOOD! so beautiful and emotional.
the story begins when the youngest daughter comes home after disappearing for two years to join a 'mommune" cult. i loved learning about her time with lucey because it really shows how manipulative this woman was, even if cass was unaware of it at first. she has trauma from when she was younger, which causes her to behave the way she does as a mother and made her easily susceptible to the deceit from lucey.
this story is multiple-pov following the 4 women in the simons family. the women in the story are each going through their own personal battle, navigating motherhood and challenging relationships. the author gives very good insight into each of the characters back story, which is essential to the current timeline because it helps understand why each character did what they did and how they continue to act. this book demonstrated very well the struggle of trying not to raise your kids how your mother raised you, but the dangers and restraints that come along with that as well.
even as each mother was going through their own struggles, the sisters came together and provided so much insight on motherhood and the emotions behind being a good mother that were so beautiful and encouraging to read.
this was a beautiful story about motherhood, identity, mistakes, forgiveness, family, and the struggles of loving someone too much.
thank you avon & claire swinarski for the arc!!! out 5/5!!
oh my gosh this was SO GOOD! so beautiful and emotional.
the story begins when the youngest daughter comes home after disappearing for two years to join a 'mommune" cult. i loved learning about her time with lucey because it really shows how manipulative this woman was, even if cass was unaware of it at first. she has trauma from when she was younger, which causes her to behave the way she does as a mother and made her easily susceptible to the deceit from lucey.
this story is multiple-pov following the 4 women in the simons family. the women in the story are each going through their own personal battle, navigating motherhood and challenging relationships. the author gives very good insight into each of the characters back story, which is essential to the current timeline because it helps understand why each character did what they did and how they continue to act. this book demonstrated very well the struggle of trying not to raise your kids how your mother raised you, but the dangers and restraints that come along with that as well.
even as each mother was going through their own struggles, the sisters came together and provided so much insight on motherhood and the emotions behind being a good mother that were so beautiful and encouraging to read.
this was a beautiful story about motherhood, identity, mistakes, forgiveness, family, and the struggles of loving someone too much.
thank you avon & claire swinarski for the arc!!! out 5/5!!
April 29, 2026
I enjoyed this heartfelt story set in Wisconsin. It follows several family members, each navigating their own unique struggles—most notably a sister returning from a "mom-fluencer" cult. It’s a beautiful look at the importance of family, love, and just trying your darn best at life.
November 17, 2025
Having grown up in Wisconsin this was an enjoyable novel to reconnect with many cultural and geographical memories. Aside from nostalgia, the storyline is an in-depth exploration of family dynamics over several generations. Weighty issues such as love, divorce, conflicting parenting styles, serial miscarriages, child abuse, estranged relationships, death, and cults are woven into the fabric of the story with raw honesty and sensitivity. One glaring truth stands out – we can never fully know and appreciate how physical and emotional trauma impact familial connections and parenting choices.
The legacy of the Simon family has been the Baumhaus supper club for three generations. Now with the death of the patriarch, his widow is faced with the fact that the fourth generation has no interest in taking on the business. Each one of her children is facing their own challenges, which add to the chaos and drama.
There are two things I really enjoyed about this novel. First, the articles in The Hive, a tabloid magazine, featuring Mama Llama’s responses to readers’ questions on parenting. The answers are filled with common sense and wisdom that empower parents to trust their own instincts amid the plethora of advice from external “authorities.” The second was a unique approach to highlighting future events. Rather than relying on the standard epilogue for the conclusion, the author cleverly mentions the unknown opportunities that will change the trajectory of the characters’ lives.
My thanks to the author, the publisher, and NetGalley for the privilege of reviewing this book. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
This review will be posted on Amazon upon publication.
The legacy of the Simon family has been the Baumhaus supper club for three generations. Now with the death of the patriarch, his widow is faced with the fact that the fourth generation has no interest in taking on the business. Each one of her children is facing their own challenges, which add to the chaos and drama.
There are two things I really enjoyed about this novel. First, the articles in The Hive, a tabloid magazine, featuring Mama Llama’s responses to readers’ questions on parenting. The answers are filled with common sense and wisdom that empower parents to trust their own instincts amid the plethora of advice from external “authorities.” The second was a unique approach to highlighting future events. Rather than relying on the standard epilogue for the conclusion, the author cleverly mentions the unknown opportunities that will change the trajectory of the characters’ lives.
My thanks to the author, the publisher, and NetGalley for the privilege of reviewing this book. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
This review will be posted on Amazon upon publication.
May 8, 2026
My skin is clear, my crops are flourishing, my vision has been corrected, I’m hydrated and well nourished…The Supper Club Saints was the tonic I needed.
I recently finished another new novel about tradwife influencers (you know the one) and I had been feeling a little burned. The author of that novel disdained her own characters so much that I felt like she kind of hated me for reading her book.
Opening The Supper Club Saints and meeting characters who are so honestly emotional, complicated but not ~morally gray~, just weird and wonderful people trying to do their best but messing it up because their best isn’t enough when they reject help…let me just say, it was like hugging my mom, which I don’t get to do very often because I live seven time zones away from her!
The Supper Club Saints was so redemptive and beautiful, and I loved the way it ended, . It was just a really special experience. This is the type of book to pick up when you’re feeling low or need some hope! It was a really lovely reading experience, heartwarming and hopeful without being sappy in the least.
I loved the callbacks to The Funeral Ladies of Ellerie County and I need Claire Swinarski to get all Faulkner-Berry-Erdrich on this place! Write a whole universe in this world and I will devour it! With children’s books to boot! God bless Claire Swinarski.
Content warnings: miscarriages (in the past, told through flashbacks and doctor’s appointments in some detail); flashbacks to an abusive reform camp for teens; attempted sexual assault told in a flashback; a character hits a deer with her car
I recently finished another new novel about tradwife influencers (you know the one) and I had been feeling a little burned. The author of that novel disdained her own characters so much that I felt like she kind of hated me for reading her book.
Opening The Supper Club Saints and meeting characters who are so honestly emotional, complicated but not ~morally gray~, just weird and wonderful people trying to do their best but messing it up because their best isn’t enough when they reject help…let me just say, it was like hugging my mom, which I don’t get to do very often because I live seven time zones away from her!
The Supper Club Saints was so redemptive and beautiful, and I loved the way it ended, . It was just a really special experience. This is the type of book to pick up when you’re feeling low or need some hope! It was a really lovely reading experience, heartwarming and hopeful without being sappy in the least.
I loved the callbacks to The Funeral Ladies of Ellerie County and I need Claire Swinarski to get all Faulkner-Berry-Erdrich on this place! Write a whole universe in this world and I will devour it! With children’s books to boot! God bless Claire Swinarski.
Content warnings: miscarriages (in the past, told through flashbacks and doctor’s appointments in some detail); flashbacks to an abusive reform camp for teens; attempted sexual assault told in a flashback; a character hits a deer with her car
May 5, 2026
The Supper Club Saints by Claire Swinarski was honestly such an unexpected five star read for me! This isn't a fast paced, can't put it down kind of read...it's the kind that pulls you in without you even noticing and keeps you glued to everything going on! I looked forward to the opportunity to get back to the story every time and I was COMPLETELY invested in these characters and their lives! The story is strongly character driven (my FAVORITE!) and even with multiple timelines, it was extremely easy to follow. My favorite thing about this book was how messy and flawed the characters were! I love characters like that because they feel so much more real! Like I honestly didn't like a lot of these characters most of the time, but I understood them and I think that made me feel more connected to their stories as a whole.
I also had the chance to experience this through both the eBook and audiobook (immersive reading #1!!!), and I thought the audio added so much to the experience! The full cast narration made the emotional sections so much better with being able to hear the tones clearly. I think it made everything feel stronger and being able to hear the upset, hurt and tension in the characters' voices just amplified everything. I never had trouble staying oriented between timelines/characters and I feel like the performances matched the tones of how I'd picture these characters to sound so well! I really appreciated that this book handles heavy topics in such a gentle way...like it definitely had me tearing up but thankfully I wasn't sobbing! The ending also gave me enough closure to feel really satisfying but without trying to tie up everything too neatly and perfectly which I felt fit the tone of the story's messiness and chaos, so I really liked that aspect as well!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing the eBook and audiobook! All opinions are 100% my own! :)
I also had the chance to experience this through both the eBook and audiobook (immersive reading #1!!!), and I thought the audio added so much to the experience! The full cast narration made the emotional sections so much better with being able to hear the tones clearly. I think it made everything feel stronger and being able to hear the upset, hurt and tension in the characters' voices just amplified everything. I never had trouble staying oriented between timelines/characters and I feel like the performances matched the tones of how I'd picture these characters to sound so well! I really appreciated that this book handles heavy topics in such a gentle way...like it definitely had me tearing up but thankfully I wasn't sobbing! The ending also gave me enough closure to feel really satisfying but without trying to tie up everything too neatly and perfectly which I felt fit the tone of the story's messiness and chaos, so I really liked that aspect as well!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing the eBook and audiobook! All opinions are 100% my own! :)
January 17, 2026
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for this ARC version. This novel was a deeply open look at a dysfunctional family whose lives traverse many ups and downs. From the head of the family unit with mom, Remy, and dad, Joseph to the three siblings and their spouses and children, there were so many hidden secrets. It was a heartfelt look at the difficulties of family, marriage, parenting, and divorce. The loneliness that can be found even within a close family is prevalent within the story and reminds the reader that no matter what a family still loves you. It was easy to follow along and become part of the family’s life and struggles.
April 26, 2026
This complimentary ALC from Harper Audio–Adult via NetGalley pulled me in for one simple reason—the author felt familiar. And sure enough, mid-listen it clicked: I had previously read a middle grade camp story by her that I absolutely adored. That same polished, immersive writing? Fully intact here.
While this firmly sits in women’s fiction—with layered explorations of motherhood, family dynamics, truth versus deception, and personal reckoning—it carries an undercurrent of suspense that kept me engaged in a way I didn’t expect. It gave me that “just one more chapter” feeling, even in a more introspective narrative.
The audiobook experience truly elevated this one. Narrated by a full cast: Caitlin Davies, Emma Love, Alexandra Hunter, and Nan McNamara, each woman brought distinct voice and emotional depth to their chapters. Even in a third-person, dual-timeline structure, the rotating perspectives felt intimate and personal. That’s not always easy to pull off, especially outside of first-person narration, so this felt like a genuine treat.
Each chapter centers a different woman, for the most part, and the transitions between timelines and perspectives were handled smoothly, allowing for strong character connection across the board. That said, the narration did feel a bit slow for me at 1x speed—but bumping it up didn’t sacrifice any of the nuance in performance, which made for a much more satisfying listening experience.
If you’re primarily a thriller reader like I am but want something with more emotional depth and introspection—without losing that subtle tension—this is absolutely one to pick up.
While this firmly sits in women’s fiction—with layered explorations of motherhood, family dynamics, truth versus deception, and personal reckoning—it carries an undercurrent of suspense that kept me engaged in a way I didn’t expect. It gave me that “just one more chapter” feeling, even in a more introspective narrative.
The audiobook experience truly elevated this one. Narrated by a full cast: Caitlin Davies, Emma Love, Alexandra Hunter, and Nan McNamara, each woman brought distinct voice and emotional depth to their chapters. Even in a third-person, dual-timeline structure, the rotating perspectives felt intimate and personal. That’s not always easy to pull off, especially outside of first-person narration, so this felt like a genuine treat.
Each chapter centers a different woman, for the most part, and the transitions between timelines and perspectives were handled smoothly, allowing for strong character connection across the board. That said, the narration did feel a bit slow for me at 1x speed—but bumping it up didn’t sacrifice any of the nuance in performance, which made for a much more satisfying listening experience.
If you’re primarily a thriller reader like I am but want something with more emotional depth and introspection—without losing that subtle tension—this is absolutely one to pick up.
April 27, 2026
The Supper Club Saints by Claire Swinarski is a complex family drama that caught me off guard in the best way. I couldn't put it down, mostly because the characters are so well-written, flawed, and had such deep backstories. The story centers around the 4 women in the Simon family as they struggle with motherhood in their own ways. The Simon women include mother Remy, sisters Hilary and Cass, and sister-in-law Erin. They all judge each other’s parenting choices while trying to be the best mothers they can despite their individual circumstances.
The imperfect mothers face many relatable challenges of parenthood from fertility to pregnancy and child rearing. They are looking for validation at a time when information from “momfluencers” is rampant. It made me think back on my own parenting journey and how grateful I am for the support of my family and mom friends. Motherhood is an unpredictable adventure that truly takes a village to navigate. “I think we get wisdom from our roots: from the women who’ve gone before us and the women who surround us.” Overall a beautifully written story about motherhood, choices, forgiveness, grief, and family 4.5/5⭐️
Thank you to NetGalley and for an advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.
The imperfect mothers face many relatable challenges of parenthood from fertility to pregnancy and child rearing. They are looking for validation at a time when information from “momfluencers” is rampant. It made me think back on my own parenting journey and how grateful I am for the support of my family and mom friends. Motherhood is an unpredictable adventure that truly takes a village to navigate. “I think we get wisdom from our roots: from the women who’ve gone before us and the women who surround us.” Overall a beautifully written story about motherhood, choices, forgiveness, grief, and family 4.5/5⭐️
Thank you to NetGalley and for an advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.
April 29, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley and Avon for my gifted ARCs!
I ended up liking this more than I thought I would. I’m usually not the biggest fan of books that lean heavily into motherhood stories, but this one worked for me.
It definitely gave off some real-life inspiration vibes, but it still felt like its own story and never felt like it was trying too hard to mirror anything specific. The family dynamics were messy, emotional, and felt really real, which is what kept me invested the most.
Since this is a multiple POV story, the audiobook was such a good way to experience it. The different narrators for each character made a huge difference, especially with the POV shifts happening throughout chapters. It made everything flow so much better.
What I liked most was how honest it felt about family and all the complicated emotions that come with both. It was raw, emotional, and much more character-driven than plot-heavy, but that’s where it really worked for me.
I ended up liking this more than I thought I would. I’m usually not the biggest fan of books that lean heavily into motherhood stories, but this one worked for me.
It definitely gave off some real-life inspiration vibes, but it still felt like its own story and never felt like it was trying too hard to mirror anything specific. The family dynamics were messy, emotional, and felt really real, which is what kept me invested the most.
Since this is a multiple POV story, the audiobook was such a good way to experience it. The different narrators for each character made a huge difference, especially with the POV shifts happening throughout chapters. It made everything flow so much better.
What I liked most was how honest it felt about family and all the complicated emotions that come with both. It was raw, emotional, and much more character-driven than plot-heavy, but that’s where it really worked for me.
May 1, 2026
This book was freaking amazing and beautiful. I did not expect it as the synopsis was vague (as it should be). If you are a mom, plan to be a mom, are an empty nester or have experienced infertility. Read this. I loved reading this story through different perspectives. Even the son's perspective was beautiful. I loved the characters so much. Especially some of the men!! Easiest 5 stars I've given in a while.
February 21, 2026
The Supper Club Saints is Claire Swinarski's newest book for adults, and it is beautiful, profound, heart-wrenching, and challenging in the best of ways. It made me re-evaluate my motherhood, my relationship with my sisters, and my "relationship" with social media; and it left me more intentional with my children, grateful for my sisters, and eager to foster real world community.
I'm not sure any review could do justice to this plot. It's complicated in my favorite way, following various members of a family (but in particular two sisters, Cass and Hilary, and their mother), both in the present and various moments in the past. All the stories intertwine, weaving a tapestry of family connection, hurt, forgiveness, pain, faith, and love. It's very Catholic in a deep-in-its-bones but never in-your-face way. And like most of Claire's other books, The Supper Club Saints also features small town Wisconsin in a way that makes the setting feel as crucial as any of the characters. (I really wish I could experience a Supper Club now. We don't have--and, dare I say, never had--those in Connecticut!)
Ppre-order this one if you love family stories, vivid settings, and explorations of motherhood in all its complicated wonder.
I'm not sure any review could do justice to this plot. It's complicated in my favorite way, following various members of a family (but in particular two sisters, Cass and Hilary, and their mother), both in the present and various moments in the past. All the stories intertwine, weaving a tapestry of family connection, hurt, forgiveness, pain, faith, and love. It's very Catholic in a deep-in-its-bones but never in-your-face way. And like most of Claire's other books, The Supper Club Saints also features small town Wisconsin in a way that makes the setting feel as crucial as any of the characters. (I really wish I could experience a Supper Club now. We don't have--and, dare I say, never had--those in Connecticut!)
Ppre-order this one if you love family stories, vivid settings, and explorations of motherhood in all its complicated wonder.
November 8, 2025
I loved this book so much that I didn’t want it to end. The “mommune” part of the storyline as so relatable to things that have happened in our current times in the news. Cass is a relatable character and so is Remy. The complexity of them makes them more realistic. All of the women in this book have something to resonate with and the theme of boundaries is very strong throughout. Truly a great read for all women. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
4.5⭐️
I thoroughly enjoyed Claire Winarski’s earlier novel, THE FUNERAL LADIES OF ELLERIE COUNTY for its small town Wisconsin charm. I looked forward to THE SUPPER CLUB SAINTS because there are few things more representative of Wisconsin than relish trays, Friday fish fries, and old fashioneds.
Winarski not only delivers the quaint Wisconsin vibes I anticipated; she gives us a family drama of surprising depth. I was enthralled with the four Simon women and their relationships and the honest examination of motherhood.
The story begins when daughter Cass Simon returns home after spending years in a cult-like “mommune” during which time she cut off contact with her family. She finds things have changed. The family patriarch has died and the supper club that’s been family run for generations is being sold. And everyone has feelings.
Everything about this scenario felt authentic. The emotions. The conflict. The repressed feelings. The secrets. The fear of change. The insecurities. The self doubt. When you package all this and place it against a backdrop so familiar, it’s no surprise this book was a huge hit for me.
And, of course, the representation of the Wisconsin supper club tradition is impeccable.
The audiobook is narrated by Caitlin Davies, Emma Love, Alexandra Hunter, and Nan McNamara and they do a terrific job giving voice to the four Simon women.
Thank you to Net Galley, Avon Books, and HarperAudio for the gifted advance copies. All opinions are my own.
I thoroughly enjoyed Claire Winarski’s earlier novel, THE FUNERAL LADIES OF ELLERIE COUNTY for its small town Wisconsin charm. I looked forward to THE SUPPER CLUB SAINTS because there are few things more representative of Wisconsin than relish trays, Friday fish fries, and old fashioneds.
Winarski not only delivers the quaint Wisconsin vibes I anticipated; she gives us a family drama of surprising depth. I was enthralled with the four Simon women and their relationships and the honest examination of motherhood.
The story begins when daughter Cass Simon returns home after spending years in a cult-like “mommune” during which time she cut off contact with her family. She finds things have changed. The family patriarch has died and the supper club that’s been family run for generations is being sold. And everyone has feelings.
Everything about this scenario felt authentic. The emotions. The conflict. The repressed feelings. The secrets. The fear of change. The insecurities. The self doubt. When you package all this and place it against a backdrop so familiar, it’s no surprise this book was a huge hit for me.
And, of course, the representation of the Wisconsin supper club tradition is impeccable.
The audiobook is narrated by Caitlin Davies, Emma Love, Alexandra Hunter, and Nan McNamara and they do a terrific job giving voice to the four Simon women.
Thank you to Net Galley, Avon Books, and HarperAudio for the gifted advance copies. All opinions are my own.
May 5, 2026
This book begins with Cass who returns home with her young daughter after getting caught up in a cult-like situation started by a mom influencer. This group called the “Mommune” promised perfect motherhood, but ended up being run by an abuser and was really a controlling, guilt-filled, isolated nightmare! At home, her family is in all kinds of chaos!
Her mom is quietly falling apart after her husband died and she is trying to decide whether to sell the family’s beloved supper club since the next generation of her family has no interest in keeping it going. One sister is navigating a painful divorce and being a single mom, while another is pregnant after loss and is terrified to hope again. Cass is carrying a great deal of shame and judgement, especially for not coming home for her father’s funeral and is just trying to be normal again. This is a slow-burn, character-driven story about women trying (and sometimes failing) to get their lives together.
I enjoyed this book! The author made me see the flaws and also the hopes and greatness of all these different woman. In a family drama, it’s easy to find at least one or more things that we can relate to in our own lives, which makes the story real and meaningful.
This book comes out today, May 5th. Thank you to Netgalley and Avon Paperbacks for an ALC in exchange for an honest review.
Her mom is quietly falling apart after her husband died and she is trying to decide whether to sell the family’s beloved supper club since the next generation of her family has no interest in keeping it going. One sister is navigating a painful divorce and being a single mom, while another is pregnant after loss and is terrified to hope again. Cass is carrying a great deal of shame and judgement, especially for not coming home for her father’s funeral and is just trying to be normal again. This is a slow-burn, character-driven story about women trying (and sometimes failing) to get their lives together.
I enjoyed this book! The author made me see the flaws and also the hopes and greatness of all these different woman. In a family drama, it’s easy to find at least one or more things that we can relate to in our own lives, which makes the story real and meaningful.
This book comes out today, May 5th. Thank you to Netgalley and Avon Paperbacks for an ALC in exchange for an honest review.
May 8, 2026
I always enjoy family drama and this one includes a "mommune"....I am intrigued. Cass return home with her daughter after years away to live in the mommune and work for an influencer mom. She returns home to find herself at odds integrating back into her former life as her family members are going through changes as well.
The story is told in 4 POVs which include Cass, her mom, sister and sister in laws. Their relationship is complicated and each with their own struggle.
I really enjoyed that this book highlights there is no right way to be a parent and you do what feels right for you.
The drama at the mommune kept things interesting as well
I enjoyed the narration by Caitlin Davies, Emma Love, Alexandra Hunter and Nan McNamara kept the characters clear and made the story easy to keep up with.
Thank you @avonbooks @harperaudio for a copy of the book and audiobook.
The story is told in 4 POVs which include Cass, her mom, sister and sister in laws. Their relationship is complicated and each with their own struggle.
I really enjoyed that this book highlights there is no right way to be a parent and you do what feels right for you.
The drama at the mommune kept things interesting as well
I enjoyed the narration by Caitlin Davies, Emma Love, Alexandra Hunter and Nan McNamara kept the characters clear and made the story easy to keep up with.
Thank you @avonbooks @harperaudio for a copy of the book and audiobook.
May 6, 2026
A brilliant, compulsively readable, super relevant and timely novel, which centers on four very strong, very stubborn women of a WI family with, let’s say, a complicated past, and one of these women returns home from a cultish “Mommune” — this book has it all! Cults and evil mommy influencers; charming yet claustrophobic small towns; meditations on what it is to be a woman, a sister, a mother, a wife, and what is, indeed, home; and so, so much more. I cried like a baby at the end, and will definitely be reading more from Claire Swinarski.
Perfect for fans of book club fiction, women’s fiction, women’s stories, and literary writing.
Thanks to the author and her publisher for the arc.
This is my honest review.
Perfect for fans of book club fiction, women’s fiction, women’s stories, and literary writing.
Thanks to the author and her publisher for the arc.
This is my honest review.
April 20, 2026
Cass Simon has returned home. Estranged from her family after she joins a mommune (a mom influencer commune) she finally sees clearly and escapes. But she has missed so much. Her mom is selling the family restaurant, her brother and his wife are expecting, and the hardest, her dad has passed away.
I loved this story. I related to the restaurant family life having grown up in that setting myself. It was a satisfying read filled with the complexities of extended families and parenting. There are so many variables to parenting and Swinarski captured the overthinking, anxious energy of uncertainty I faced when I first became a mom. I felt connected to the characters and interested in their plights. They were messy, realistic, and lovable.
4.5 ⭐️
I loved this story. I related to the restaurant family life having grown up in that setting myself. It was a satisfying read filled with the complexities of extended families and parenting. There are so many variables to parenting and Swinarski captured the overthinking, anxious energy of uncertainty I faced when I first became a mom. I felt connected to the characters and interested in their plights. They were messy, realistic, and lovable.
4.5 ⭐️
March 10, 2026
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC! I’ve been (not so) patiently waiting for this one since Claire wrote in a newsletter once that she was watching a lot of cult documentaries for research. I found this gripping, and not in a thriller-esque way of “when is the shoe going to drop?” but more of a “I am wanting the good for these very very flawed people.” Sneaky references to East of Eden always help curry my favor, too.
May 5, 2026
This was such a beautiful story. While there's a lot going on with multiple POVs and timelines, the author writes in such a way that they perfectly complement each other and create a delicate, complex, heart wrenching and heart warming story. I found this really impressive as it would've been easy for the characters and their stories to compete and overwhelm the reader, but the pieces all fall into place perfectly. It is rare for me to immediately purchase an ARC after reading it, but I pre-ordered this one right away.
May 3, 2026
4.5 stars! I loved this family drama!
April 9, 2026
Motherhood really said “there is no right way, only survival,” and Claire Swinarski’s The Supper Club Saints walked in like a slow, emotional unraveling that left me staring at the ceiling questioning every life choice I’ve ever witnessed secondhand.
Published by Avon and Harper Voyager—thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the gifted ARC.
This isn’t the kind of book you breeze through—it’s the kind that quietly takes up space in your chest. We follow Cass Simon, who returns to her small-town Wisconsin roots after escaping a cult-adjacent “mommune” and the glossy illusion of online motherhood perfection. And let’s just say… coming home isn’t the soft landing she hoped for. Waiting for her is Remy, her mother, who runs the Baumhaus supper club like it’s both a sanctuary and a ticking clock, especially as she prepares to let it go. Then there’s Hilary, the older sister trying to rebuild herself after a divorce that shook her identity to its core, and Erin, the sister-in-law navigating pregnancy after loss, carrying both hope and fear like they’re inseparable.
And somehow, this book makes all of that feel intimate instead of overwhelming.
What hit me hardest wasn’t the circumstances—it was the emotional undercurrent. Every single woman in this story is trying to define what being a “good mother” even means, while quietly carrying the weight of how they were raised. Cass is rigid, protective, almost suffocating in her need to do things “right” after everything she’s been through. Hilary feels like she’s constantly picking up pieces no one else sees. Erin is trying to feel joy without betraying her grief. And Remy… Remy is that deeply layered matriarch whose love is steady but complicated, shaped by her own past in ways that ripple through her daughters whether they like it or not.
“She wondered if womanhood was just the process of slowly but surely understanding your mother.”
That line didn’t just land—it echoed. Because this book doesn’t hand you answers. It just sits you down at the table—literally and metaphorically—and says, “Let’s talk about it.”
The Baumhaus supper club itself feels like a character, holding decades of memory, tradition, and quiet expectations. It’s warm and nostalgic, but also a little suffocating, like the kind of place where everyone knows your story… or thinks they do. And that contrast—comfort versus confinement—mirrors the entire experience of motherhood in this book. Beautiful, meaningful, and occasionally overwhelming in ways no one warns you about.
This is for the reader who doesn’t need constant action but craves emotional depth. If you love stories about complicated families, generational patterns, sister dynamics that feel equal parts loving and exhausting, and the kind of writing that makes you pause and just sit with it—this is your book. It’s not here to entertain you in a flashy way. It’s here to quietly dismantle you and then hand you a cup of coffee like, “You good?”
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
It’s not flawless—there are moments where the pacing slows and certain threads feel like they almost resolve instead of fully clicking into place. But honestly? That imperfection felt intentional. Because life, family, and motherhood rarely tie themselves up neatly. And this book refuses to pretend otherwise.
By the end, I didn’t feel like I had closure—I felt like I had perspective. Like I had spent time inside lives that reminded me how deeply human we all are, especially in the roles we care about the most.
So now I’m curious—what kind of book stays with you longer: the ones that let you escape completely, or the ones that hold up a mirror you didn’t ask for but can’t look away from?
#TheSupperClubSaints #ClaireSwinarski #BookReview #WomensFiction #GeneralFiction #MotherhoodMatters #FamilyDrama #CharacterDrivenReads #Bookstagram #NetGalleyReads #ARCReview #ReadersOfInstagram #BookLovers #BookCommunity #WhatToReadNext #EmotionalReads #LiteraryFiction #BookishLife
Published by Avon and Harper Voyager—thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the gifted ARC.
This isn’t the kind of book you breeze through—it’s the kind that quietly takes up space in your chest. We follow Cass Simon, who returns to her small-town Wisconsin roots after escaping a cult-adjacent “mommune” and the glossy illusion of online motherhood perfection. And let’s just say… coming home isn’t the soft landing she hoped for. Waiting for her is Remy, her mother, who runs the Baumhaus supper club like it’s both a sanctuary and a ticking clock, especially as she prepares to let it go. Then there’s Hilary, the older sister trying to rebuild herself after a divorce that shook her identity to its core, and Erin, the sister-in-law navigating pregnancy after loss, carrying both hope and fear like they’re inseparable.
And somehow, this book makes all of that feel intimate instead of overwhelming.
What hit me hardest wasn’t the circumstances—it was the emotional undercurrent. Every single woman in this story is trying to define what being a “good mother” even means, while quietly carrying the weight of how they were raised. Cass is rigid, protective, almost suffocating in her need to do things “right” after everything she’s been through. Hilary feels like she’s constantly picking up pieces no one else sees. Erin is trying to feel joy without betraying her grief. And Remy… Remy is that deeply layered matriarch whose love is steady but complicated, shaped by her own past in ways that ripple through her daughters whether they like it or not.
“She wondered if womanhood was just the process of slowly but surely understanding your mother.”
That line didn’t just land—it echoed. Because this book doesn’t hand you answers. It just sits you down at the table—literally and metaphorically—and says, “Let’s talk about it.”
The Baumhaus supper club itself feels like a character, holding decades of memory, tradition, and quiet expectations. It’s warm and nostalgic, but also a little suffocating, like the kind of place where everyone knows your story… or thinks they do. And that contrast—comfort versus confinement—mirrors the entire experience of motherhood in this book. Beautiful, meaningful, and occasionally overwhelming in ways no one warns you about.
This is for the reader who doesn’t need constant action but craves emotional depth. If you love stories about complicated families, generational patterns, sister dynamics that feel equal parts loving and exhausting, and the kind of writing that makes you pause and just sit with it—this is your book. It’s not here to entertain you in a flashy way. It’s here to quietly dismantle you and then hand you a cup of coffee like, “You good?”
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
It’s not flawless—there are moments where the pacing slows and certain threads feel like they almost resolve instead of fully clicking into place. But honestly? That imperfection felt intentional. Because life, family, and motherhood rarely tie themselves up neatly. And this book refuses to pretend otherwise.
By the end, I didn’t feel like I had closure—I felt like I had perspective. Like I had spent time inside lives that reminded me how deeply human we all are, especially in the roles we care about the most.
So now I’m curious—what kind of book stays with you longer: the ones that let you escape completely, or the ones that hold up a mirror you didn’t ask for but can’t look away from?
#TheSupperClubSaints #ClaireSwinarski #BookReview #WomensFiction #GeneralFiction #MotherhoodMatters #FamilyDrama #CharacterDrivenReads #Bookstagram #NetGalleyReads #ARCReview #ReadersOfInstagram #BookLovers #BookCommunity #WhatToReadNext #EmotionalReads #LiteraryFiction #BookishLife
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Thank you to Avon Books for an ARC of this novel!
First, before reading this, I wasn't familiar with the Wisconsin tradition of supper clubs, which apparently are popular in the state. They typically feature multiple courses and instead of just going for dinner, guests would spend the whole evening there enjoying a leisurely meal. The family in this book, the Simons, have owned a supper club for generations. When the prodigal daughter, Cass Simon, returns after several years away, the family dynamics are once again upended. Cass has been living in a cult-like commune, working for an influencer who soared to popularity for her online mothering opinions and advice.
The theme of this book is truly pondering what it means to be a good mother. Cass is so consumed by the need to be a perfect parent and avoid all risk to her daughter that she ultimately falls prey to the cult like lifestyle she has been living. She is contrasted with her mom, her sister, and her sister-in-law, all in different phases of motherhood and all with very different mothering styles.
This is a very character driven novel, with the perspective shifting throughout the book. I typically really enjoy family sagas, and I love getting to see the different perspectives of different family members. I did feel like some of the plotlines were more built out than others. It felt like Cass with the central character and the other family members mostly reacting to her reappearance. The narrative also jumps back and forth in time. In many ways this is helpful for reader understanding, such as the chapters that show Cass living in the "mommune", but others felt out of nowhere, specifically the chapters that go back to the mother Remy's teenage years. While the reason these were included was clear by the end, I was taken aback at first and her teenage story was so upsetting and outrageous it felt like I was in a dystopian novel for a bit.
I also thought it was interesting to include an influencer and the effects of social media and online fear mongering on things like dye in food, trampolines, etc. and the impact this can have on parents. This is contrasted with the column Cass writes, where she promotes forgiveness to moms, who she says are all trying their best. It's only through writing this column that she comes to see the validity of the message she is sharing with other moms. I was a little disappointed that there weren't ultimately more details shared about the influencer/abuse situation, but at the same time, given that child abuse could be extremely triggering for some readers, this is probably for the best.
I also thought the supper club would feature a little more in the plot. There are lots of references to how long it's been in the family and how sad it is that it won't be any longer, but no one actually seemed that sad about it and it didn't feel that instrumental to the family or plot.
At heart, this is a mediation on motherhood and evolving family dynamics: "She was beginning to think that everyone messed up their children, even or perhaps especially those for whom that was their worst fear" (316). I was really torn between 3 and four stars for this one, but I'll be generous and give it four because ultimately it was a unique story unlike any others I've read.
First, before reading this, I wasn't familiar with the Wisconsin tradition of supper clubs, which apparently are popular in the state. They typically feature multiple courses and instead of just going for dinner, guests would spend the whole evening there enjoying a leisurely meal. The family in this book, the Simons, have owned a supper club for generations. When the prodigal daughter, Cass Simon, returns after several years away, the family dynamics are once again upended. Cass has been living in a cult-like commune, working for an influencer who soared to popularity for her online mothering opinions and advice.
The theme of this book is truly pondering what it means to be a good mother. Cass is so consumed by the need to be a perfect parent and avoid all risk to her daughter that she ultimately falls prey to the cult like lifestyle she has been living. She is contrasted with her mom, her sister, and her sister-in-law, all in different phases of motherhood and all with very different mothering styles.
This is a very character driven novel, with the perspective shifting throughout the book. I typically really enjoy family sagas, and I love getting to see the different perspectives of different family members. I did feel like some of the plotlines were more built out than others. It felt like Cass with the central character and the other family members mostly reacting to her reappearance. The narrative also jumps back and forth in time. In many ways this is helpful for reader understanding, such as the chapters that show Cass living in the "mommune", but others felt out of nowhere, specifically the chapters that go back to the mother Remy's teenage years. While the reason these were included was clear by the end, I was taken aback at first and her teenage story was so upsetting and outrageous it felt like I was in a dystopian novel for a bit.
I also thought it was interesting to include an influencer and the effects of social media and online fear mongering on things like dye in food, trampolines, etc. and the impact this can have on parents. This is contrasted with the column Cass writes, where she promotes forgiveness to moms, who she says are all trying their best. It's only through writing this column that she comes to see the validity of the message she is sharing with other moms. I was a little disappointed that there weren't ultimately more details shared about the influencer/abuse situation, but at the same time, given that child abuse could be extremely triggering for some readers, this is probably for the best.
I also thought the supper club would feature a little more in the plot. There are lots of references to how long it's been in the family and how sad it is that it won't be any longer, but no one actually seemed that sad about it and it didn't feel that instrumental to the family or plot.
At heart, this is a mediation on motherhood and evolving family dynamics: "She was beginning to think that everyone messed up their children, even or perhaps especially those for whom that was their worst fear" (316). I was really torn between 3 and four stars for this one, but I'll be generous and give it four because ultimately it was a unique story unlike any others I've read.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This story is a detailed look at family relationships across several generations, focusing on big, difficult topics like love, divorce, different parenting styles, miscarriages, abuse, estranged relationships, death, and even cult involvement. It handles these subjects with honesty and care, and really shows how complicated family life can be. One clear takeaway is that we can never fully understand how trauma—both emotional and physical—affects the way families connect and how parents raise their children.
At the center of the story is the Simon family and their long-running Baumhaus supper club, which has been passed down for three generations. After the family patriarch dies, his widow is left realizing that none of their children in the fourth generation want to take over the business. On top of that, each family member is dealing with their own personal struggles, which creates tension and emotional chaos within the family.
The story is told from multiple points of view, mainly following four women in the Simon family. Each woman is going through her own challenges with motherhood, relationships, and figuring out who she is. The book does a good job giving backstory for each character, which helps explain why they act the way they do in the present timeline. A big theme is the struggle of trying to parent differently than how you were raised, and how that can still come with its own problems.
Even though this is mostly women’s fiction and very focused on family and personal growth, there’s also a light layer of suspense that kept me interested and made it hard to put down.
The audiobook really added to the experience. It’s narrated by a full cast—Caitlin Davies, Emma Love, Alexandra Hunter, and Nan McNamara—and each woman’s voice felt distinct and fitting for her character. Even with third-person narration and shifting timelines, the different perspectives still felt very personal and easy to follow.
Each chapter focuses on a different woman, and the transitions between timelines and viewpoints were smooth and easy to follow. The pacing felt a bit slow at normal speed, but speeding it up didn’t take away from the performances, which made it a better listening experience overall.
In the end, this is a very emotional story about motherhood, family, identity, forgiveness, mistakes, and the complicated ways love can both bring people together and push them apart.
Thank you to Claire Swinarski, HarperAudio Adult, Avon and NetGalley for the ALC!
At the center of the story is the Simon family and their long-running Baumhaus supper club, which has been passed down for three generations. After the family patriarch dies, his widow is left realizing that none of their children in the fourth generation want to take over the business. On top of that, each family member is dealing with their own personal struggles, which creates tension and emotional chaos within the family.
The story is told from multiple points of view, mainly following four women in the Simon family. Each woman is going through her own challenges with motherhood, relationships, and figuring out who she is. The book does a good job giving backstory for each character, which helps explain why they act the way they do in the present timeline. A big theme is the struggle of trying to parent differently than how you were raised, and how that can still come with its own problems.
Even though this is mostly women’s fiction and very focused on family and personal growth, there’s also a light layer of suspense that kept me interested and made it hard to put down.
The audiobook really added to the experience. It’s narrated by a full cast—Caitlin Davies, Emma Love, Alexandra Hunter, and Nan McNamara—and each woman’s voice felt distinct and fitting for her character. Even with third-person narration and shifting timelines, the different perspectives still felt very personal and easy to follow.
Each chapter focuses on a different woman, and the transitions between timelines and viewpoints were smooth and easy to follow. The pacing felt a bit slow at normal speed, but speeding it up didn’t take away from the performances, which made it a better listening experience overall.
In the end, this is a very emotional story about motherhood, family, identity, forgiveness, mistakes, and the complicated ways love can both bring people together and push them apart.
Thank you to Claire Swinarski, HarperAudio Adult, Avon and NetGalley for the ALC!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Books about families carrying old wounds and trying to reconnect always get me, and this one handled that theme so well. This was my first read by Claire Swinarski, and I’m really glad I received an advance copy. I ended up enjoying it more than I expected and would definitely read more from her.
At its core, this is a story about a complicated Midwestern family trying to make sense of grief, motherhood, fractured relationships, and the ways we find our way back to each other. Remy runs the family’s supper club, and through her you can feel how much history and heart this place carries. Her daughters, Hilary, Cass, and the rest of the crew orbiting them, are each dealing with their own struggles. Hilary is navigating single motherhood and the fallout of Nathan’s alcoholism, while Cass is trying to put her life back together after walking away from the cult known as Mommune and the influencer world tied up in Lacey Garrick’s mess. The whole family dynamic feels layered, messy, and real in a way I really appreciated.
Swinarski’s writing style is warm, grounded, and emotionally honest. She blends heavier themes, grief, identity, and motherhood, with moments of humor, tenderness, and small town texture that make everything feel lived in. Her characters are flawed in relatable ways, and she gives each woman space to be both vulnerable and resilient.
I really liked how each storyline felt distinct but still connected. The mother and daughter tension, the sister dynamics, and Cass’s emotional unraveling after leaving the Mommune were all woven together thoughtfully. The supper club backdrop added atmosphere and heart without overshadowing the emotional threads, and I especially appreciated the Midwest Wisconsin and Illinois location references, which added an extra layer of familiarity and charm.
There were a few slower stretches where the pacing dipped, especially during the more introspective moments, and with such a large cast I sometimes wished a couple of the secondary characters were explored a bit more. Nonetheless, I still delighted in this engaging tale.
This was a heartfelt, layered family drama with emotional depth and a strong sense of place. I really enjoyed it and would absolutely pick up more by Claire Swinarski.
Thank you to NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.
At its core, this is a story about a complicated Midwestern family trying to make sense of grief, motherhood, fractured relationships, and the ways we find our way back to each other. Remy runs the family’s supper club, and through her you can feel how much history and heart this place carries. Her daughters, Hilary, Cass, and the rest of the crew orbiting them, are each dealing with their own struggles. Hilary is navigating single motherhood and the fallout of Nathan’s alcoholism, while Cass is trying to put her life back together after walking away from the cult known as Mommune and the influencer world tied up in Lacey Garrick’s mess. The whole family dynamic feels layered, messy, and real in a way I really appreciated.
Swinarski’s writing style is warm, grounded, and emotionally honest. She blends heavier themes, grief, identity, and motherhood, with moments of humor, tenderness, and small town texture that make everything feel lived in. Her characters are flawed in relatable ways, and she gives each woman space to be both vulnerable and resilient.
I really liked how each storyline felt distinct but still connected. The mother and daughter tension, the sister dynamics, and Cass’s emotional unraveling after leaving the Mommune were all woven together thoughtfully. The supper club backdrop added atmosphere and heart without overshadowing the emotional threads, and I especially appreciated the Midwest Wisconsin and Illinois location references, which added an extra layer of familiarity and charm.
There were a few slower stretches where the pacing dipped, especially during the more introspective moments, and with such a large cast I sometimes wished a couple of the secondary characters were explored a bit more. Nonetheless, I still delighted in this engaging tale.
This was a heartfelt, layered family drama with emotional depth and a strong sense of place. I really enjoyed it and would absolutely pick up more by Claire Swinarski.
Thank you to NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
First HUGE thank you for sending me this beautiful physical copy🫶🏽 because holding this story in my hands while ALSO listening to it?? yeah babes… I felt everything twice.🥹
I am SO glad I waited until I got approved for the ALC because BABES…the full cast narration…they didn’t just read the story… they brought these women to life😭🖤
As a mom… I wasn’t ready.
This book quietly walks up to you, sits you down, and says: “let’s talk about what motherhood really feels like.” and not the cute, picture perfect version…the real one.
💔 the pressure to get it right
💔 the fear of messing your kids up
💔 the weight of how you were raised
💔 the quiet comparisons we don’t talk about
and suddenly I’m sitting here like… why am I feeling SEEN like this🥹😭 (I was a teen mother by the way so I had so many feelings joining motherhood)
Cass coming back from a manipulative “mommune,” trying to rebuild her life while holding onto control so tightly because she’s TERRIFIED of failing her child…yeah… that hit something deep in me. Because motherhood will really have you questioning EVERYTHING.
And then you have the other women…each carrying their own version of motherhood:
✨ grief
✨ infertility
✨ divorce
✨ generational expectations
This book doesn’t tell you who’s right.
It doesn’t hand you a perfect answer.
It just shows you that every mother is doing the best she can with what she has.
and sometimes… that has to be enough💛
The family dynamics were messy. layered. real.
They don’t always understand each other… but they show up anyway.
and THAT is what got me.
Also can we talk about how the audio made this even more powerful?🎧 Each narrator carried a different emotion, a different weight…and you could FEEL the differences in their experiences as mothers
Like I wasn’t just reading perspectives
I was living inside them
This isn’t a fast read. This is a:
🖤 sit with it
🖤 reflect
🖤 maybe cry a little
🖤 call your mom after
type of book.
This book didn’t just hit… it stayed.
And as a mom? yeah… this one meant something.
I am SO glad I waited until I got approved for the ALC because BABES…the full cast narration…they didn’t just read the story… they brought these women to life😭🖤
As a mom… I wasn’t ready.
This book quietly walks up to you, sits you down, and says: “let’s talk about what motherhood really feels like.” and not the cute, picture perfect version…the real one.
💔 the pressure to get it right
💔 the fear of messing your kids up
💔 the weight of how you were raised
💔 the quiet comparisons we don’t talk about
and suddenly I’m sitting here like… why am I feeling SEEN like this🥹😭 (I was a teen mother by the way so I had so many feelings joining motherhood)
Cass coming back from a manipulative “mommune,” trying to rebuild her life while holding onto control so tightly because she’s TERRIFIED of failing her child…yeah… that hit something deep in me. Because motherhood will really have you questioning EVERYTHING.
And then you have the other women…each carrying their own version of motherhood:
✨ grief
✨ infertility
✨ divorce
✨ generational expectations
This book doesn’t tell you who’s right.
It doesn’t hand you a perfect answer.
It just shows you that every mother is doing the best she can with what she has.
and sometimes… that has to be enough💛
The family dynamics were messy. layered. real.
They don’t always understand each other… but they show up anyway.
and THAT is what got me.
Also can we talk about how the audio made this even more powerful?🎧 Each narrator carried a different emotion, a different weight…and you could FEEL the differences in their experiences as mothers
Like I wasn’t just reading perspectives
I was living inside them
This isn’t a fast read. This is a:
🖤 sit with it
🖤 reflect
🖤 maybe cry a little
🖤 call your mom after
type of book.
This book didn’t just hit… it stayed.
And as a mom? yeah… this one meant something.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
As Supper Club Saints begins, the Simon family is at a crossroads. Matriarch Remy is selling the supper club that has been owned by the family for generations and retiring. Youngest daughter Cass has returned home with her young daughter Eloise after leaving the cult-like Mommune
where they were living. Cass hasn’t spoken to her family in two years and missed her father’s recent funeral. Older sister Hilary is recently divorced and just…tired. Brother Thomas and his wife Erin are expecting after a number of heartbreaking losses but feeling disconnected from each other.
This story is told through following the four women - Remy, Hilary, Erin, and Cass - with chapters that alternate POV and timeline. Love, laughter, conflict, loss, dreams, secrets, lots of Friday night supper club meals, and so much more. Motherhood is a main focus of the story -- a source of some of the regrets, the insecurities, the conflicts. What does it mean to be a "good" mother? How much screen time is too much? Is ANY screen time ok? Would sisters really not speak to each other for years over a "car seat incident"? Do we stop and realize how fortunate we are to have these questions to begin with? I'm giving just a hint at some of the issues that come up for these women but trust me when I say the story is much deeper and more heartfelt.
As we see each woman's insecurities within her motherhood journey, we're also able to see the strengths each of them possess (whether they see them or not). I thought this was such a lovely aspect to the book. Like all good generational stories, this one ends up being about more than this one central theme as well. There are lessons about family, forgiveness,, and taking responsibility for your actions here as well.
The only reason for not giving a full five stars is that I didn't feel like the chapters focusing on Remy's past as a teenager felt fully connected to her later chapters and story.
I absolutely loved this heartfelt story and I think you will, too.
where they were living. Cass hasn’t spoken to her family in two years and missed her father’s recent funeral. Older sister Hilary is recently divorced and just…tired. Brother Thomas and his wife Erin are expecting after a number of heartbreaking losses but feeling disconnected from each other.
This story is told through following the four women - Remy, Hilary, Erin, and Cass - with chapters that alternate POV and timeline. Love, laughter, conflict, loss, dreams, secrets, lots of Friday night supper club meals, and so much more. Motherhood is a main focus of the story -- a source of some of the regrets, the insecurities, the conflicts. What does it mean to be a "good" mother? How much screen time is too much? Is ANY screen time ok? Would sisters really not speak to each other for years over a "car seat incident"? Do we stop and realize how fortunate we are to have these questions to begin with? I'm giving just a hint at some of the issues that come up for these women but trust me when I say the story is much deeper and more heartfelt.
As we see each woman's insecurities within her motherhood journey, we're also able to see the strengths each of them possess (whether they see them or not). I thought this was such a lovely aspect to the book. Like all good generational stories, this one ends up being about more than this one central theme as well. There are lessons about family, forgiveness,, and taking responsibility for your actions here as well.
The only reason for not giving a full five stars is that I didn't feel like the chapters focusing on Remy's past as a teenager felt fully connected to her later chapters and story.
I absolutely loved this heartfelt story and I think you will, too.
May 5, 2026
Thank you so much to Avon, Netgalley, and Claire Swinarski for the gifted eArc and physical copy of this beautiful book. I wasn't really sure what to expect reading The Supper Club Saints, but I went on such an incredible, heartfelt, emotional journey with the Simon family. I was instantly intrigued by the general synopsis of Cass Simon falling into a trap of a mom influencer cult. I have always been interested in and a lurker of the popular mom influencer groups, especially post-partum, because I did not have any other mom friends at the time. What I ended up with while reading this book was an emotional rollercoaster. Ultimately, this is a story of a family that all have their own trauma and struggles they are working through, trying and sometimes failing, to do what is best for their kids. If that isn't the ultimate overarching theme of motherhood right there. This book was very heavy at times and leans a lot into the contemporary side of a family dealing with their grief and trauma in various ways. I enjoyed the dual timelines and seeing the parallels between how Cass and her mom ended up in their extreme and dangerous situations. There are some really profound relations of motherhood, and how striving to be the perfect mother shouldn't be the goal; it should be to strive to be present with our children and to just be a good mom. Perfection does not exist and is highly overrated, but as new moms in the depths of our post-partum despair, that is often such a hard concept to grasp and something I know I struggled with. I just found this book to be so relatable and so interesting, with the tie to the mom influencer culture, but as I read further, I found this book offers so much more, highlighting the imperfections and the complexities of family relationships, marriage, and raising children. I really loved the ending and how everything came to light and was wrapped up for these characters. I loved Claire Swinarski's writing style, themes, and embracing a flawed character. I will definitely check out more of her work.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
4.5/5
Thank you @harperaudio @avonbooks #partner for the gifted copies of this book!
Okay I need everyone to know that my midwestern Wisconsinite heart just ADORED this book!
Like…so much so that all this supper club talk had me ready to make a reservation immediately. Living right on the border of Wisconsin and all the Midwest vibes in this one had my whole heart.
I went into this thinking I’d enjoy it but WOW I loved it way more than I expected.
This story has SO much heart. It explores very tough real life moments that of course were not a walk in the park. This book is about motherhood. It’s not in the one size fits all kind of way but more of the wandering, fall down a few times, dust your knees off and find your own path sort of way. It explores what it really looks like to be a “good mom” through different women, different generations and very different life paths. By the end, I was rooting for ALL of them.
Also can we talk about the “mommune” concept for a second because…I’m not saying I’d join one BUT I get it 👀😂
Like how many times have I said “I need a wife” just to survive the day. These women might actually be onto something even if it was cult like. HAHA.
✨ what I loved:
💛 deeply emotional, character driven storytelling
🍸 cozy supper club + Midwest setting (felt like home)
👩👧👧 multi-generational family dynamics
🔥 messy and complicated relationships
🌿 the idea of community and support in motherhood
This one does touch on some heavier themes, but it balances them with connection too!
I listened to this one and I thought the audiobook was fantastic. The multiple narrators brought so much life to this story.
✨ VIBE CHECK:
Grab a brandy old fashioned and maybe some cheese curds 🍊
Wrap up in a blanket 🧣
Sit by a crackling fire 🔥
ANDDDD...you also must read:
If you’re a Wisconsinite...this is a MUST.
If you’re a Midwesterner...also a MUST.
And if you love authors like Tracey Lange…you need this on your list ASAP.
I’m so grateful I discovered Claire Swinarski because I will absolutely be reading more from her!
Thank you @harperaudio @avonbooks #partner for the gifted copies of this book!
Okay I need everyone to know that my midwestern Wisconsinite heart just ADORED this book!
Like…so much so that all this supper club talk had me ready to make a reservation immediately. Living right on the border of Wisconsin and all the Midwest vibes in this one had my whole heart.
I went into this thinking I’d enjoy it but WOW I loved it way more than I expected.
This story has SO much heart. It explores very tough real life moments that of course were not a walk in the park. This book is about motherhood. It’s not in the one size fits all kind of way but more of the wandering, fall down a few times, dust your knees off and find your own path sort of way. It explores what it really looks like to be a “good mom” through different women, different generations and very different life paths. By the end, I was rooting for ALL of them.
Also can we talk about the “mommune” concept for a second because…I’m not saying I’d join one BUT I get it 👀😂
Like how many times have I said “I need a wife” just to survive the day. These women might actually be onto something even if it was cult like. HAHA.
✨ what I loved:
💛 deeply emotional, character driven storytelling
🍸 cozy supper club + Midwest setting (felt like home)
👩👧👧 multi-generational family dynamics
🔥 messy and complicated relationships
🌿 the idea of community and support in motherhood
This one does touch on some heavier themes, but it balances them with connection too!
I listened to this one and I thought the audiobook was fantastic. The multiple narrators brought so much life to this story.
✨ VIBE CHECK:
Grab a brandy old fashioned and maybe some cheese curds 🍊
Wrap up in a blanket 🧣
Sit by a crackling fire 🔥
ANDDDD...you also must read:
If you’re a Wisconsinite...this is a MUST.
If you’re a Midwesterner...also a MUST.
And if you love authors like Tracey Lange…you need this on your list ASAP.
I’m so grateful I discovered Claire Swinarski because I will absolutely be reading more from her!
May 5, 2026
While I may be a mood reader, contemporary women's fiction may be my least read genre. I picked this one up because of the cult mention and was pleasantly surprised. A book primarily about mothers just in time for Mother's Day.
This looks like it’s a family drama, and it is, but it's also a deep introspective look into motherhood. The prodigal daughter (Cass) returns home after escaping a cult-adjacent “mommune,” re-entering a multigenerational knot of grief, resentment, and love centered around a dying family restaurant. A Wisconsin supper club.
I feel like we get a look into modern motherhood as a belief system shaped by social media performance, inherited trauma, cultural expectations of “goodness”, and the human need for certainty in a chaotic world.
Cass doesn’t just leave a cult. She leaves the illusion that motherhood can be optimized into moral perfection.
Swinarski’s prose is lovely. It's warm and grounded and reads like comfort food but digests like therapy. Swipe for some passages that hit home for me. It's a thought-provoking portrayal of motherhood.
The characters were well fleshed out. They’re messy and contradictory and very relatable. There is A LOT to unpack with them from infertility to divorce and everything in between and the POV shifts from people and time/ location.
🎧 The narration by Caitlin Davies, Emma Love; Alexandra Hunter, and Nan McNamara was wonderful and I highly recommend.
Every character is chasing a different definition of what a good mother is and I think that's goes for all of us. “Good motherhood” may be an incoherent concept though.
Trauma behaves like a family heirloom here that's passed down, misinterpreted, and repackaged. This is a book layered with family dynamics with a clever use of the cult/ influencer parallel and a beautiful sense of place in Wisconsin.
This looks like it’s a family drama, and it is, but it's also a deep introspective look into motherhood. The prodigal daughter (Cass) returns home after escaping a cult-adjacent “mommune,” re-entering a multigenerational knot of grief, resentment, and love centered around a dying family restaurant. A Wisconsin supper club.
I feel like we get a look into modern motherhood as a belief system shaped by social media performance, inherited trauma, cultural expectations of “goodness”, and the human need for certainty in a chaotic world.
Cass doesn’t just leave a cult. She leaves the illusion that motherhood can be optimized into moral perfection.
Swinarski’s prose is lovely. It's warm and grounded and reads like comfort food but digests like therapy. Swipe for some passages that hit home for me. It's a thought-provoking portrayal of motherhood.
The characters were well fleshed out. They’re messy and contradictory and very relatable. There is A LOT to unpack with them from infertility to divorce and everything in between and the POV shifts from people and time/ location.
🎧 The narration by Caitlin Davies, Emma Love; Alexandra Hunter, and Nan McNamara was wonderful and I highly recommend.
Every character is chasing a different definition of what a good mother is and I think that's goes for all of us. “Good motherhood” may be an incoherent concept though.
Trauma behaves like a family heirloom here that's passed down, misinterpreted, and repackaged. This is a book layered with family dynamics with a clever use of the cult/ influencer parallel and a beautiful sense of place in Wisconsin.
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