Housemoms

A Novel

By: Jen Lancaster

Narrated by: Maria McCann, EJ Lavery, Jeremy Carlisle Parker

Three grown women find escape and camaraderie on sorority row in a delightfully exhilarating novel about fresh starts, whether you want them or not, by New York Times bestselling author Jen Lancaster.

How fast can charity fundraiser CeCe Barclay’s unimpeachable society life come tumbling down?

One minute she’s speaking before Chicago’s glitterati. The next, her financier husband is wanted for embezzlement. Her assets seized and her fall mortifyingly public, CeCe grasps for refuge—and employment—as a sorority housemom at Eli Whitney University, her daughter Hayden’s alma mater.

Tasked with preparing a stately—but in CeCe’s estimation shabby—house for rush, CeCe isn’t the only one navigating a new life. Janelle Smith’s last experience as a housemother was at a Jersey strip club, where she witnessed a mob hit. To keep her safe until trial, WITSEC finds her a new identity and a housemom position on Eli Whitney’s sorority row, where Janelle’s conflict mediation and tolerance for high estrogen levels make her a star employee. For Hayden, a barista at a hopelessly hip off-campus café, the goal is to flee everything Barclay: the money, the scandals, and the exasperating family nonsense. What next?

Though CeCe’s not ready to sell her Chanel bag, she’s open to reinvention. Hayden might even admit she needs help in her new independent life. And Janelle’s due for a personal triumph. But big challenges loom between the alabaster columns of Eli Whitney, unexpected and dicey enough to bring them all together—if only to keep them from falling completely apart.

©2023 Jen Lancaster (P)2023 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved.

Critic reviews

“[A]n intriguing and compelling tale with complex characters…look[ing] at the sisterhood formed in sororities that extends to those who work in, and around, them.”—Kirkus Reviews

“The book shines in its emphasis on the power of women having each other’s backs and rooting for one another. This novel is a witty, wild ride and an overall gripping read with unforgettable, wholesome moments.”—Booklist

“Witty and hilarious…Jen Lancaster is like that friend who always says what you’re thinking—just 1,000 times funnier.”—People

It’s Jen Lancaster, enough said!

I am not sure about the ending…is there a sequel coming? I feel like we still have questions about what’s to come on sorority row.

Engaging, amusing story of women starting over

There’s a wide range of women in this story, but they all face the same challenge - starting over. Good story that draws you in.

I want more!

Love Jen Lancaster! Now I need to know what happens on the row & with Ginelle’s love life! Love love loved the narration. I thought I would be bummed that Jen herself wasn’t reading it, but it was great.

Just what I needed

This is a laugh out loud book and the narration is awesome. Sometimes you need a fun book like this one that you can get lost in and laugh. The characters were so cute and came together for some good life lessons in spite of this seeming like a fun beach read. I think I will pull this out for another listen later on when I'm wanting to just laugh and wind down. I will check other titles by this author as I believe you need all sorts of books and authors to choose from depending on what you need and how you are feeling at the time.

Entertaining

Found this story fun and entertaining. The narrators did a great job! Fun and whimsical!

Fun read

Another fun read from Jen Lancaster. It's been quite a few years since I've read one of her books, and this one reminded me why I like her as an author. It's a quick, uncomplicated read. You will chuckle, laugh out loud, and sometimes be wistful at the characters and their issues. These are unconventional sorority house-moms with the best of intentions, even if they don't always have the required skills.

Clearly a part 1

The book was good but there's a lot of loose ends that must be tied up in a second book

No real ending

There was no real substance or drama. I was expecting the peak of the story, the climax, and all I got was an ending. It was disappointing!

Total Opposites

Two women find themselves being house mother at sorority dorms. One is in witness protection and the other is trying to survive her husband’s embezzlement of millions from her charity. A madcap adventure during the weeks before and during rush. Great narration.

Left me wanting more!

I'm not sure that's very nice, since I think this may be a standalone book, but I still thoroughly enjoyed this! It was equal parts touching, funny, and sweet. Imperious CeCe, maybe just a little out of touch with, well, everything. Hayden, trying so hard to be better but clueless! And poor Janelle. Still so innocent after being through so much. Each character was beautifully fleshed out, warts and all. Also, can I be friends with Laverne? I need some of that straight talk in my life. My only quibble is the ending that was a little abrupt and left me a tiny bit off balance.

The narrators were perfection! Over all, this was a credit well spent!