The Perfect Ones Author Nicole Hackett to Release Her Sophomore Novel, Mom Brain, With Harper Muse on April 21, 2026

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…

NASHVILLE, Tenn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nicole Hackett, author of The Perfect Ones, will release her sophomore book, Mom Brain, with Harper Muse on April 21, 2026.

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 instinct 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.

“Since becoming a mother, I’ve started naturally gravitating toward stories about motherhood, as those stories help me shape my own story about being a mom,” said Nicole. “I especially love stories of mothers’ resilience and strength, which is why I set out to write one of my own: to remind mothers that we can possess these things not despite motherhood, but because of it.”

“Nicole combines propulsive pacing with a sharp, insightful exploration of modern motherhood,” said Kimberly Carlton, Senior Acquisitions Editor at Harper Muse. “This book is a testament to her ability to weave compelling characters, high-stakes drama, and timely themes into a narrative that resonates deeply with readers. I was captivated from the very first page!”

Mom Brain will be available in paperback, ebook, and audiobook. You can pre-order today at: https://nicolehackettbooks.com/mom-brain/.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
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 www.nicolehackettbooks.com.
Instagram: @nicolehackettbooks
Facebook: @nicolehackettbooks

ABOUT HARPER MUSE:
Illuminating minds and captivating hearts through story
Harper Muse is the only fiction imprint under HarperCollins Focus, with an emphasis on historical fiction, women’s fiction, and Southern fiction. Learn more at https://www.harpercollinsfocus.com/harpermuse/.