The Baby Group

Circle of Firsts

In The Baby Group, Rowan Coleman introduces a heartfelt saga of friendship, motherhood, and second chances set in the cozy back room of a suburban church hall. When five new mothers—each clutching a wailing infant—gather for their first playgroup, they couldn’t be more different. There’s Sophie, the determined career woman forced on maternity leave; Laura, grieving the loss of her own mother; Nina, overwhelmed by postpartum anxiety; Yasmin, navigating a cross-cultural marriage; and Claire, who secretly wonders if she’s made a terrible mistake. As pastel blankets unfurl across the floor, these women find that amid sleepless nights and leaky car seats, real support comes not from perfect Pinterest boards, but from honest laughter and shared tears.

Ties That Bind

Between nappy disasters and late-night text threads, the group evolves from polite smiles to fierce loyalty. Sophie teaches Nina the art of gentle swaddling; Laura reads bedtime stories to Yasmin’s daughter when work obligations pull her away; Claire organizes a spontaneous tea party to lift everyone’s spirits. Yet even the strongest bonds are tested when old insecurities surface: Sophie’s ambition clashes with Laura’s need for quiet, Nina’s panic spirals when Yasmin’s cultural traditions feel foreign, and Claire’s secret fear of inadequacy looms like a shadow. Rowan Coleman’s warm, witty prose captures each milestone—first giggles, first wobbly steps, first break-ups—with unflinching honesty, proving that motherhood is as much about discovering yourself as it is about raising another.

New Beginnings, Shared Journeys

As the seasons change, the playgroup becomes a lifeline. What began as a circle of strangers blossoms into a sisterhood forged by spilled milk and midnight confessions. When life pulls them in unexpected directions—a career opportunity overseas, the return of a lost love, a health scare—they learn that the greatest gift they can give each other is the unwavering belief that none of them will ever have to face the next chapter alone.

. Rowan Coleman is a Sunday Times bestselling author celebrated for her emotionally rich narratives, unforgettable characters, and the honest, uplifting portrayal of life’s biggest challenges—often met with laughter, courage, and the transformative power of friendship.