The Supper Club Saints

by Claire Swinarski

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.

Genres: Fiction, Contemporary, Adult Fiction

352 pages, Hardcover

Expected publication May 5, 2026

About the author

Claire 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.

Reviews

[Karen Axnick · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Nancy Klarich · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Ellen Ross · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Faith Elizabeth Hough · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm going to write a full review soon, but pre-order this one if you love family stories, vivid settings, and explorations of motherhood in all its complicated wonder.

[Wallis · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this so much!! It's been a while since I read a book that I literally could not put down. The plot was very engaging, and all the social commentaryish content was deft. I loved the portrayals of marriage and motherhood (though I am neither married nor a mother, so take my opinion with a grain of salt). I am also typically allergic to sister relationships in novels, but I liked it here! There was one thread that I feel did not wrap up well, but it didn't majorly lessen my enjoyment of the book as a whole.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC!

[Elayne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Highly recommend, and a natural followup (but unrelated plot) to the author"s first book for women, The Funeral Ladies of Ellerie County.

Character development was excellent and I could totally understand the nature of the siblings and spouses. The 'articles' were such a perfect contrast to the plot. I didn't want it to end, but I also plowed through because the tension was real.
The exploration of facets of motherhood was subtle but realistic.

Highly recommend ordering it!

Thanks to the author, publisher, and Netgalley for the ARC.