"The Mothers" is a novel written by Brit Bennett. It is a coming-of-age story that explores the relationships and secrets of a group of friends in a close-knit Black community in Southern California. The novel centers around the protagonist, Nadia, who becomes pregnant and makes the difficult decision to have an abortion. The story explores the impact of this decision on her relationships with her boyfriend, Luke, and her close friend, Aubrey, as well as the community at large. The novel also delves into themes of religion, motherhood, and the complexities of love and friendship. It was well received by critics and was a finalist for the National Book Award for Fiction in 2016. Bennett’s debut novel, it was published in 2016, and has been widely read and discussed among book clubs and literary circles.