Mom Brain
A Novel
Published on 4. June 2026
Book
Paperback/Softback
368 pages
978-1-4003-5033-9 (ISBN)
Description
"Hackett's skillful plotting and character work will keep readers hooked..."- Publishers Weekly
Can a luxury resort transform her life by giving her back control? Georgia Evans thinks it sounds too good to be true. Turns out her motherly intuition isn't wrong . . . In the vein of Liane Moriarty's Nine Perfect Strangers, Mom Brain turns a discerning eye toward society's view on modern motherhood and reframes "mom brain" as a superpower.
Welcome to The Program, an immersive week-long experience set to the backdrop of the breathtaking island of O'ahu, where mothers in all stages of crisis can come to take control of their lives. It's not exactly the type of thing Georgia Evans--a busy working mother of two--would usually consider. However, still spiraling from a debacle that crowned her "internet's worst mom," she is desperate enough to try anything.
Once on the island, Georgia is quickly won over by the elegant (and somewhat enigmatic) founder of The Program, Cecilia Clements. Cecilia shows The Program's attendees how the biology of motherhood has imprisoned them. More importantly, she promises them freedom from that prison. Captivated by this possibility and the compelling science behind it, Georgia grows deeply involved with Cecilia's mission, ignoring any doubt that starts to creep in. That's the whole point of The Program, after all: you can't really trust a mom brain.
Can a luxury resort transform her life by giving her back control? Georgia Evans thinks it sounds too good to be true. Turns out her motherly intuition isn't wrong . . . In the vein of Liane Moriarty's Nine Perfect Strangers, Mom Brain turns a discerning eye toward society's view on modern motherhood and reframes "mom brain" as a superpower.
Welcome to The Program, an immersive week-long experience set to the backdrop of the breathtaking island of O'ahu, where mothers in all stages of crisis can come to take control of their lives. It's not exactly the type of thing Georgia Evans--a busy working mother of two--would usually consider. However, still spiraling from a debacle that crowned her "internet's worst mom," she is desperate enough to try anything.
Once on the island, Georgia is quickly won over by the elegant (and somewhat enigmatic) founder of The Program, Cecilia Clements. Cecilia shows The Program's attendees how the biology of motherhood has imprisoned them. More importantly, she promises them freedom from that prison. Captivated by this possibility and the compelling science behind it, Georgia grows deeply involved with Cecilia's mission, ignoring any doubt that starts to creep in. That's the whole point of The Program, after all: you can't really trust a mom brain.
Reviews / Votes
'Nicole Hackett's Mom Brain is twisty and suspenseful, with sharp commentary on modern motherhood set against a lush, escapist backdrop. It's a riveting and eye-opening page-turner that explores the ways parenting can fundamentally impact female identity.' * Audrey Ingram, USA Today bestselling author of The Summer We Ran * 'Hackett's skillful plotting and character work will keep readers hooked...' * Publishers Weekly * Captivating, smart, and funny, Mom Brain is perfect for fans of Liane Moriarty. This wildly imaginative story immerses us in a Hawaiian retreat for struggling mothers--an irresistible setting packed with secrets, mystery, and suspense. Yet this is more than a thrilling, escapist page-turner--it's a compelling exploration of motherhood in modern society, with our fears and triumphs, vulnerabilities and powers. This thought-provoking read defies categorization, offering complex emotions, surprising insights, and a dash of the speculative. I couldn't put this book down! * Laura Resau, author of The Alchemy of Flowers and The River Muse * Sharp, propulsive, and wildly inventive, Nicole Hackett's latest is NINE PERFECT STRANGERS meets THE SCHOOL FOR GOOD MOTHERS. A group of women trying to 'fix' their mom brains on a Hawaiian retreat takes dark, unnerving, and deliciously twisty turns. Provocative and whip smart, the book crackles with biting and incisive observations on the complexities of motherhood. I couldn't put it down! * Jaclyn Goldis, author of The Last Time We Saw Her and The Chateau * Smart, tense, and deeply human, Mom Brain cuts to the heart of what mothers carry. Nicole Hackett writes with empathy and the fearless kind of truth-telling I admire. * Jessica Guerrieri, award-winning author of Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea and Both Can Be True *More details
Language
English
Place of publication
United States
Publishing group
HarperCollins Focus
Dimensions
Height: 210 mm
Width: 136 mm
Thickness: 24 mm
Weight
304 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-4003-5033-9 (9781400350339)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Person
Nicole Hackett lives with her husband and two kids in a very old house in the farmlands of northern Maryland, where she works as a biochemical patent agent. She is the author of the "cleverly constructed thriller" (Kirkus Reviews) The Perfect Ones and is one of those annoying people who run on vacation. Connect with her online at nicolehackettbooks.com; Instagram: @nicolehackettbooks; Facebook: @nicolehackettbooks