Good Moms Say Bad Words by Jenifer Goldin

Standalone Mom-Lit. Free Novella.

“Fuck my life. Fuck my life.” Pete’s high-pitched voice skips like a record stuck on the world’s most relatable lyric. “Shhh!” I slap my finger over his lips in a panic. But does he listen? Nope. He locks eyes with the mom at the sink and proudly announces, “Mommy says bad words.”

Once again, Jenifer Goldin delivers a fun, highly relatable gem of mom-lit with Good Moms Say Bad Words. I loved Anonymous Mom Posts and Moms Who Read Romance Novels, and I only wish this one was full-length like those two. (Because yes, I’m greedy and wanted more.)

We’re back in Hamilton Beach, CA—a land of overpriced yoga pants, perfectly curated Instagram lives, and mom-on-mom judgment served with a side of Chardonnay. Vicki returns to her hometown with a toddler, a middle schooler, and a fresh publicly imploded marriage. She’s barely unpacked when she finds herself dodging PTO drama like it’s dodgeball in middle school.

Jessica, her former friend and current PTO president, is still riding high on her mean girl throne, running the school’s arts night like it’s the Met Gala. Missy, the PTO VP, is stuck in her shadow and getting pushed around, just like old times. But Vicki? She’s not here for the passive-aggressive potlucks and power trips.

Told through the alternating POVs of these three women, we get a front-row seat to the chaos, cliques, and cringe-worthy moments of mom-life. When arts night turns into a full-blown disaster, there’s a shot at revenge—or maybe just a much-needed wake-up call.

If you’ve ever had a toddler, a middle schooler, or a mental breakdown trying to juggle both—this one’s for you. It’s a funny, sharp take on motherhood, privilege, old frenemies, and the pressure to keep up appearances when your life feels like it’s being held together with duct tape and dry shampoo. I read this quick novella in two sittings and loved every chaotic, messy, honest minute. I just wish it had been longer because I wasn’t ready to leave Hamilton Beach just yet.