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Cu drag, mama
Cu drag, mama: Un thriller psihologic trepidant, plin de răsturnări de situație.
O autoare de succes. O mamă. O criminală... ce ți-ai putea dori mai mult?
Mackenzie Casper este o studentă eminentă, cunoscută însă mai ales datorită mamei sale — o autoare de bestsellere ale cărei thrillere obscure și macabre au fascinat o lume întreagă.
Când mama ei moare într-un accident suspect, fanii sunt devastați, iar anchetatorii își pun o întrebare aflată pe buzele tuturor: a fost, într-adevăr, un accident?
În ziua comemorării, Mackenzie primește un plic misterios, semnat simplu: De la fanul nr. 1. XOXO.
Înăuntru se află pagini din jurnalul mamei sale, care încep cu o întrebare tulburătoare: „Vrei să știi un secret? Cu drag, mama.”
Sunt cuvinte care o duc în stare de șoc. Apoi sosește a doua scrisoare. Și a treia…
Mackenzie începe propria investigație și descoperă secrete adânc îngropate, cu care familia ei a trăit ani la rând.
Curând, își dă seama că drumul mamei sale spre celebritate a fost pavat cu minciuni sinistre care, în cele din urmă, au ajuns-o din urmă.
Uneori, faima merită prețul unei crime. Sau ceva și mai rău. Mackenzie va afla că există lucruri mult mai grave decât crima.
O autoare de succes. O mamă. O criminală... ce ți-ai putea dori mai mult?
Mackenzie Casper este o studentă eminentă, cunoscută însă mai ales datorită mamei sale — o autoare de bestsellere ale cărei thrillere obscure și macabre au fascinat o lume întreagă.
Când mama ei moare într-un accident suspect, fanii sunt devastați, iar anchetatorii își pun o întrebare aflată pe buzele tuturor: a fost, într-adevăr, un accident?
În ziua comemorării, Mackenzie primește un plic misterios, semnat simplu: De la fanul nr. 1. XOXO.
Înăuntru se află pagini din jurnalul mamei sale, care încep cu o întrebare tulburătoare: „Vrei să știi un secret? Cu drag, mama.”
Sunt cuvinte care o duc în stare de șoc. Apoi sosește a doua scrisoare. Și a treia…
Mackenzie începe propria investigație și descoperă secrete adânc îngropate, cu care familia ei a trăit ani la rând.
Curând, își dă seama că drumul mamei sale spre celebritate a fost pavat cu minciuni sinistre care, în cele din urmă, au ajuns-o din urmă.
Uneori, faima merită prețul unei crime. Sau ceva și mai rău. Mackenzie va afla că există lucruri mult mai grave decât crima.
400 pages, Paperback
First published October 10, 2024
28652 people are currently reading
192198 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 12,141 reviews
February 15, 2025
Booktok did me so dirty. Everyone saying how amazing it is 🙄. IT. WAS. NOT. AMAZING. 👏🏽
February 12, 2025
A mother dies and her daughter starts getting mysterious letters written by her mother that seem to point to her mother doing crazy things. Seems interesting in theory, but I just did not like it. It was something about the writing style that felt very bland to me.
I read this because I saw several awesome reviews about the twists in this book, but I did not find them exciting like others did. I think this might have been a me problem, but this book was not for me.
I read this because I saw several awesome reviews about the twists in this book, but I did not find them exciting like others did. I think this might have been a me problem, but this book was not for me.
August 12, 2025
This was sooooo good. Like everything you could want in a thriller book!! Twist twist twist, characters with back stories and fmc to root for. Also I’m a sucker for a romantic subplot
December 12, 2024
This is one of the BEST psychological thrillers I've read. I had to pick my jaw up off the ground when an unfathomable twist came in the second part. I highly recommend that all thriller fans read this immediately!
January 19, 2025
This book was eh… the ending felt rushed and the whole book was just bleh
April 29, 2025
Very entertaining and I adored the main character
March 4, 2025
4⭐️
Now that I read this, I can see why it's so highly rated. This was so incredibly fun! I really needed a twisty, suspenseful thriller and this delivered.
I really enjoyed the characters and their story, especially since they had more depth and personality compared to some others I have read. The FMC isn't one of the naive and stupid main characters and I found her to be more down to earth and relatable. I know this wasn't anywhere near a romance, but I enjoyed the relationship and friendship between the FMC and her best friend who plays a major role in this.
Right off the bat, this book throws you into the plot. I really found this to be pretty unique among thrillers. I will say that the one thing I didn't like very much is that the twists and turns were sooo predictable. I think they were very cliche and had their good and bad moments. However, I was completely invested the whole time and I was able to read this in a couple of days. I was on the edge of my seat and just had to know what was going to happen next. The ending wasn't very shocking, but I did like the way it wrapped up.
Overall, I was definitely not disappointed by this and actually ended up having a great time. It was fun, it was engaging, it had solid suspense. I would highly recommend this if you are looking for thriller that delves into family affairs and a background of a meaningful story. It had very wholesome moments, however this could be very heavy for people that are more sensitive to harsh topics. There were not blatant scenes of it, but sexual assault and rape were mentioned and a big plot to the story. If you decide to give it a try, I think you'll enjoy it!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Remember when I said I was only going to read one book at a time? Well I lied and want to read this too 😌
Now that I read this, I can see why it's so highly rated. This was so incredibly fun! I really needed a twisty, suspenseful thriller and this delivered.
I really enjoyed the characters and their story, especially since they had more depth and personality compared to some others I have read. The FMC isn't one of the naive and stupid main characters and I found her to be more down to earth and relatable. I know this wasn't anywhere near a romance, but I enjoyed the relationship and friendship between the FMC and her best friend who plays a major role in this.
Right off the bat, this book throws you into the plot. I really found this to be pretty unique among thrillers. I will say that the one thing I didn't like very much is that the twists and turns were sooo predictable. I think they were very cliche and had their good and bad moments. However, I was completely invested the whole time and I was able to read this in a couple of days. I was on the edge of my seat and just had to know what was going to happen next. The ending wasn't very shocking, but I did like the way it wrapped up.
Overall, I was definitely not disappointed by this and actually ended up having a great time. It was fun, it was engaging, it had solid suspense. I would highly recommend this if you are looking for thriller that delves into family affairs and a background of a meaningful story. It had very wholesome moments, however this could be very heavy for people that are more sensitive to harsh topics. There were not blatant scenes of it, but sexual assault and rape were mentioned and a big plot to the story. If you decide to give it a try, I think you'll enjoy it!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Remember when I said I was only going to read one book at a time? Well I lied and want to read this too 😌
February 23, 2025
Either I did not read the same book as all of you leaving 4-5 star reviews, or y’all are great friends with the writer and are hyping her way up (which I do respect tbh)
But my goodness, that GR rating was misleading. This book does not have 4-5 star writing. Was it originally published in another language and poorly translated? Because the dialogue was so cringey and unnatural. It was difficult to get through.
Not to mention sentences like:
“The doctor says I am a perfect mother.” To a 22 year old student who hasn’t even given birth yet lmao. No doctor would say this to ANYONE
And then, “we need baby supplies.” Granted, this came from the dumbest male in the book, but puh LEEZ
But my goodness, that GR rating was misleading. This book does not have 4-5 star writing. Was it originally published in another language and poorly translated? Because the dialogue was so cringey and unnatural. It was difficult to get through.
Not to mention sentences like:
“The doctor says I am a perfect mother.” To a 22 year old student who hasn’t even given birth yet lmao. No doctor would say this to ANYONE
And then, “we need baby supplies.” Granted, this came from the dumbest male in the book, but puh LEEZ
November 12, 2025
Gasp! From the well-plotted storyline to the earth-shattering twists, Love, Mom had everything I could want in a compelling tale of psychological suspense. You see, not only was it deliciously tense, but the dysfunctional family dynamics and intricate backstories delivered a pulse-pounding read that was as complex as it was juicy. Exactly the kind of true-crime story that you could imagine popping up in the news, I had a blast riding shotgun as the layers of secrets were slowly peeled back thanks to the deftly interwoven dual timelines and multiple POVs. Honestly? It was one of the most well-executed storylines that I’ve read in ages—and I’ve read quite a few winners lately.
Not only was the plot an utter slam dunk, but the characters all delivered in spades. From the smart, determined daughter Mackenzie to the rest of her motley crew of friends, the amateur sleuthing was on point from the very first word. And what a start that it was. Throwing the reader right into the action, there wasn’t a moment of downtime until the utterly satisfying conclusion. With a found family vibe, mixed media format, and an underlying metafiction edge, I inhaled this book in one single sitting while ignoring everything else going on around me. Oh, yes. This book was that good. Relatable yet also just a little bit over-the-top, I loved this one from beginning to end.
All said and done, I’m now a brand-spanking-new fan of Ms. Xander. With short, cliffhanger chapters, believable characters, and lightning-quick pacing, the plot-charging drama and complex group dynamics only added to the fun. After all, it evoked the great Freida McFadden, but with a tad bit more finesse. Especially that gasp-inducing revelation which dropped halfway into the book. A “WTF?!” twist if I ever saw one, it shocked even me and I’m usually one to see through most—if not all—reveals. So if you’re looking for a book that is not only a quick, easy read, but one that will mess with your head, you’ve found it right here. And trust me, you’re going to love it. Rating of 5 stars.
SYNOPSIS:
Mackenzie Casper is a brilliant student. But she is best known for her mother, a best-selling author whose dark, twisted thrillers have a dedicated worldwide fanbase.
When her mother dies in an accident, fans across the world are left grieving, and the investigators are asking: Was that really an accident? The day of the memorial service, Mackenzie gets the first mysterious envelope, signed, “From #1 fan. XOXO.” Inside are the pages of her mother’s diary that start with the lines: “Want to know a secret? Love, Mom.”
What Mackenzie reads leaves her in shock. Then comes the second letter. And the third...
Mackenzie quickly starts her own investigation and stumbles upon secrets that her family has lived with for years.
Quickly, she realizes that her mother's path to stardom was etched with sinister lies that might have caught up with her. Sometimes fame is worth a murder. Or worse.
Thank you to Iliana Xander, Poisoned Pen Press, and NetGalley for my complimentary digital and physical copies. All opinions are my own.
PUB DATE: September 2, 2025
Content warning: drug use, infidelity, pregnancy/labor, forced captivity, getting drugged, mention of: alcoholism, rape, murder
Not only was the plot an utter slam dunk, but the characters all delivered in spades. From the smart, determined daughter Mackenzie to the rest of her motley crew of friends, the amateur sleuthing was on point from the very first word. And what a start that it was. Throwing the reader right into the action, there wasn’t a moment of downtime until the utterly satisfying conclusion. With a found family vibe, mixed media format, and an underlying metafiction edge, I inhaled this book in one single sitting while ignoring everything else going on around me. Oh, yes. This book was that good. Relatable yet also just a little bit over-the-top, I loved this one from beginning to end.
All said and done, I’m now a brand-spanking-new fan of Ms. Xander. With short, cliffhanger chapters, believable characters, and lightning-quick pacing, the plot-charging drama and complex group dynamics only added to the fun. After all, it evoked the great Freida McFadden, but with a tad bit more finesse. Especially that gasp-inducing revelation which dropped halfway into the book. A “WTF?!” twist if I ever saw one, it shocked even me and I’m usually one to see through most—if not all—reveals. So if you’re looking for a book that is not only a quick, easy read, but one that will mess with your head, you’ve found it right here. And trust me, you’re going to love it. Rating of 5 stars.
SYNOPSIS:
Mackenzie Casper is a brilliant student. But she is best known for her mother, a best-selling author whose dark, twisted thrillers have a dedicated worldwide fanbase.
When her mother dies in an accident, fans across the world are left grieving, and the investigators are asking: Was that really an accident? The day of the memorial service, Mackenzie gets the first mysterious envelope, signed, “From #1 fan. XOXO.” Inside are the pages of her mother’s diary that start with the lines: “Want to know a secret? Love, Mom.”
What Mackenzie reads leaves her in shock. Then comes the second letter. And the third...
Mackenzie quickly starts her own investigation and stumbles upon secrets that her family has lived with for years.
Quickly, she realizes that her mother's path to stardom was etched with sinister lies that might have caught up with her. Sometimes fame is worth a murder. Or worse.
Thank you to Iliana Xander, Poisoned Pen Press, and NetGalley for my complimentary digital and physical copies. All opinions are my own.
PUB DATE: September 2, 2025
Content warning: drug use, infidelity, pregnancy/labor, forced captivity, getting drugged, mention of: alcoholism, rape, murder
January 5, 2026
Interesting concept, this might just be one of my favorites
September 20, 2025
fun, fast-paced, mid...exactly what a thriller should be.
February 8, 2025
DNF. Poor writing and sooooo slow.
December 3, 2024
Wow another 5 star read for me! The twist in the middle of the book had me 😳😳 and it’s been a while since I read a book where everything is explained at the end and you aren’t left on a cliffhanger. Absolutely one of my top fav books!
January 18, 2025
The beginning of the book is freaking slow!!! It is also repetitive…Mackenzie we know your family life sucked!! Are you going to bring it up every damn chapter??? 🤦🏻♀️
Wasn’t a big fan of the back and forth conversation with Mackenzie and EJ…I felt a lot of it was boring and pointless.
I ended up not finishing the book! The style of writing bugged me and I was bored! 🤷🏻♀️
Wasn’t a big fan of the back and forth conversation with Mackenzie and EJ…I felt a lot of it was boring and pointless.
I ended up not finishing the book! The style of writing bugged me and I was bored! 🤷🏻♀️
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 25, 2025
My jaw hurts from picking it up off the floor. I might be drooling, I don’t know. 🙀
Hawt damn, Iliana Xander! Get used to that name because she’s on her way to the bestsellers list! Yeah, I’m calling it. Where did she come from? Had I known she was this damn good, I’d have read her sooner!!!
So here’s the deal….. I’m not going to bother with a synopsis. Nope. I didn’t need one and neither do you. I think any information is too much information. Just go in blind. Trust the process. Yes, you will have to suspend disbelief, but it’s FICTION! It doesn’t have to be believable.
If you’re a fan of fast paced thrillers, jaw-dropping twists, and UNPUTDOWNABLE suspense, GET THIS BOOK! Now!
I freaking loved it and am so grateful to Poisoned Pen Press for sending me a copy!!!
5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Hawt damn, Iliana Xander! Get used to that name because she’s on her way to the bestsellers list! Yeah, I’m calling it. Where did she come from? Had I known she was this damn good, I’d have read her sooner!!!
So here’s the deal….. I’m not going to bother with a synopsis. Nope. I didn’t need one and neither do you. I think any information is too much information. Just go in blind. Trust the process. Yes, you will have to suspend disbelief, but it’s FICTION! It doesn’t have to be believable.
If you’re a fan of fast paced thrillers, jaw-dropping twists, and UNPUTDOWNABLE suspense, GET THIS BOOK! Now!
I freaking loved it and am so grateful to Poisoned Pen Press for sending me a copy!!!
5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
November 1, 2025
a super engaging read.
the best part about this is that the main character wasn’t dumb. she was determined. there was no second guessing herself - she knew something was amiss and was on the case to solve the mystery.
one of the biggest let downs in thrillers is often a main character who makes silly decisions. “he would never hurt me… right? no im just being silly” i mean GIRL HE’S PROBABLY GONNA HURT YOU STOP BEING DUMB.
There was none of that here!! And i really appreciated that.
We meet Mackenzie whose mum is a best selling author, who has just passed away. After a strange altercation at the funeral and then some mysterious letters arriving from her dead mother, she feels something is off about the whole thing.
The rabbit hole we then fall down has twists and turns every few chapters.
The writing style is easy to follow with short sharp and to-the-point chapters.
not lifechanging, but I definitely recommend and am giving it 4 stars. for me the only let down was a slow-ish start but once we got about halfway I devoured the rest. Was probably going to be 3 but the final few plot twists took it up a notch!
the best part about this is that the main character wasn’t dumb. she was determined. there was no second guessing herself - she knew something was amiss and was on the case to solve the mystery.
one of the biggest let downs in thrillers is often a main character who makes silly decisions. “he would never hurt me… right? no im just being silly” i mean GIRL HE’S PROBABLY GONNA HURT YOU STOP BEING DUMB.
There was none of that here!! And i really appreciated that.
We meet Mackenzie whose mum is a best selling author, who has just passed away. After a strange altercation at the funeral and then some mysterious letters arriving from her dead mother, she feels something is off about the whole thing.
The rabbit hole we then fall down has twists and turns every few chapters.
The writing style is easy to follow with short sharp and to-the-point chapters.
not lifechanging, but I definitely recommend and am giving it 4 stars. for me the only let down was a slow-ish start but once we got about halfway I devoured the rest. Was probably going to be 3 but the final few plot twists took it up a notch!
November 8, 2025
One of the worst thrillers I’ve read 🙋🏻♂️
January 27, 2025
Really did not like this one. Not sure if there were editing issues, but I noticed a LOT of repetitiveness. Example: on a single page, it was mentioned three times that Kenzie lives in a small studio downtown. Vaguely (and frequently) refers to “her university” - ground the story, name the university! The characters were at once flat and overly-complicated, plot was meandering and there were odd sentence fragments that made dialogue stilted. Learning important plot points by eavesdropping happened TWICE in the first 50 pages!
And…what kid doesn’t recognize their mom’s handwriting? You’ve seen it on permission slips, notes, birthday cards, forms for 20+ years, ffs. Not a fan.
And…what kid doesn’t recognize their mom’s handwriting? You’ve seen it on permission slips, notes, birthday cards, forms for 20+ years, ffs. Not a fan.
January 5, 2026
Review edited 11/21/25
What a great mystery! I was actually hooked from the moment I started this one!! I was completely enthralled with the narration of the audiobook, as well as loved being able to read it first hand on my Kindle. Absolutely hooked! And with so many twists and unexpected turns-it was a really great book for me to get lost in!
Love, Mom written by Iliana Xander was perfectly delivered in every way! It was suspenseful and bendy! It was peculiar yet personal. I felt like I knew what was happening, yet fascinated that I could quite not figure it out. I love a gripping mystery, especially the kind that peeks my interests in every corner of the story!
👉A peak inside:
This story is about a ‘somewhat’ rebellious college girl named Mac (Mackenzie Casper; the daughter of Lizzie Casper) who wants to learn more about the details surrounding the mysterious death of her mother, Lizzie. Losing a mom is tragic and awful, but losing a mom that you don’t particularly click with or feel any sort of warmth from is a completely different sort of loss altogether. And if the lack of mother-daughter connection wasn’t enough, this dead mother was actually a hugely successful and a well-known author, writer of numerous best selling thrillers!
Lizzie’s novels reveal stories of young love, desire, trauma, murder, revenge and redemption. Due to suspicions circumstances, Mac and her best guy friend, EJ begin to do a little investigating of their own… starting with her mom’s office that has always been kept under lock and key! So, figuring that was a good starting point, following her mom’s small, yet revealing funeral, this novel takes an adventurous and suspicious turn, making the novel “Love, Mom” absolutely unputdownable.
This is a crazy curious novel entangled with shocking surprises, suspicious people, adventure, mysterious happenings, friendship, loyalty, toxic jealousy, love and suspense. It takes you on a journey through mucky waters, a tragic history, hidden truths and redemption! I just enjoyed this book so much!
This novel gets a 5.0 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️rating and definitely recommend it for anyone looking to get lost in a fast paced, unputdownable and addicting novel.
What a great mystery! I was actually hooked from the moment I started this one!! I was completely enthralled with the narration of the audiobook, as well as loved being able to read it first hand on my Kindle. Absolutely hooked! And with so many twists and unexpected turns-it was a really great book for me to get lost in!
Love, Mom written by Iliana Xander was perfectly delivered in every way! It was suspenseful and bendy! It was peculiar yet personal. I felt like I knew what was happening, yet fascinated that I could quite not figure it out. I love a gripping mystery, especially the kind that peeks my interests in every corner of the story!
👉A peak inside:
This story is about a ‘somewhat’ rebellious college girl named Mac (Mackenzie Casper; the daughter of Lizzie Casper) who wants to learn more about the details surrounding the mysterious death of her mother, Lizzie. Losing a mom is tragic and awful, but losing a mom that you don’t particularly click with or feel any sort of warmth from is a completely different sort of loss altogether. And if the lack of mother-daughter connection wasn’t enough, this dead mother was actually a hugely successful and a well-known author, writer of numerous best selling thrillers!
Lizzie’s novels reveal stories of young love, desire, trauma, murder, revenge and redemption. Due to suspicions circumstances, Mac and her best guy friend, EJ begin to do a little investigating of their own… starting with her mom’s office that has always been kept under lock and key! So, figuring that was a good starting point, following her mom’s small, yet revealing funeral, this novel takes an adventurous and suspicious turn, making the novel “Love, Mom” absolutely unputdownable.
This is a crazy curious novel entangled with shocking surprises, suspicious people, adventure, mysterious happenings, friendship, loyalty, toxic jealousy, love and suspense. It takes you on a journey through mucky waters, a tragic history, hidden truths and redemption! I just enjoyed this book so much!
This novel gets a 5.0 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️rating and definitely recommend it for anyone looking to get lost in a fast paced, unputdownable and addicting novel.
November 14, 2025
I picked up Love, Mom through my Kindle Unlimited subscription, and while I’m relieved I didn’t pay for it outright, I still regret the four hours I spent reading it.
The novel centers on Mackenzie Casper, a brilliant student best known for her mother, a best-selling author whose dark, twisted thrillers have a dedicated worldwide fanbase. When her mother dies in an accident, fans across the world are left grieving, and investigators are asking: Was that really an accident? The day of the memorial service, Mackenzie receives a mysterious envelope containing pages from her mother’s diary, leading her to uncover shocking family secrets. 
Unfortunately, the execution falls flat. The writing felt amateurish, as if it came straight out of a high school journal, lacking the polish and depth I’d expect even from a debut novel.
The childbirth scene, in particular, was absurdly implausible and downright stomach-turning. It felt as though the author assumed readers were completely uneducated about the topic, and the result was both frustrating and laughable.
I’m baffled by the glowing reviews for this book and can’t help but question if some of them are genuine. While I understand every book has its audience, I cannot in good faith recommend this one. If I hadn’t been determined to finish, this would have been a DNF for me.
The novel centers on Mackenzie Casper, a brilliant student best known for her mother, a best-selling author whose dark, twisted thrillers have a dedicated worldwide fanbase. When her mother dies in an accident, fans across the world are left grieving, and investigators are asking: Was that really an accident? The day of the memorial service, Mackenzie receives a mysterious envelope containing pages from her mother’s diary, leading her to uncover shocking family secrets. 
Unfortunately, the execution falls flat. The writing felt amateurish, as if it came straight out of a high school journal, lacking the polish and depth I’d expect even from a debut novel.
The childbirth scene, in particular, was absurdly implausible and downright stomach-turning. It felt as though the author assumed readers were completely uneducated about the topic, and the result was both frustrating and laughable.
I’m baffled by the glowing reviews for this book and can’t help but question if some of them are genuine. While I understand every book has its audience, I cannot in good faith recommend this one. If I hadn’t been determined to finish, this would have been a DNF for me.
September 15, 2025
From #1 Fan, XOXO (sadly I’m not one).
2.5 stars rounded up.
After the sudden death of bestselling thriller author Beth Casper, her 21-year-old daughter Mackenzie begins receiving mysterious letters. The first one is chillingly signed Love, Mom, and each subsequent letter - all of them delivered in envelopes addressed From #1 Fan, XOXO - revealing increasingly dark secrets. As Mackenzie investigates, she uncovers lies, betrayals, and the chilling truth that while the road to hell may be paved with good intentions, the road to fame may be paved with murder.
"Love, Mom" hooked me at first with its brisk pace and deliciously eerie setup. The first part had me flying through short, snappy chapters, eager to piece together the puzzle, but unfortunately, the "big twist" at its end landed with all the subtlety of a freight train - obvious if you’re paying attention, leaving little room for genuine surprise.
From there, the momentum sputtered out. While part one was the perfect, fun popcorn thriller, part two dragged on far too long, testing my patience. The story, already teetering on the edge of implausibility - one author with only three books published decades ago somehow still inspiring global hysteria and a cult-like following, even among young adults, seems like a stretch - was completely derailed by the increasingly wild and somehow still wholly predictable plot lines. Once part 1 ended, it was pretty easy to guess the entire rest of the book correctly, and the rushed ending did not help things.
Though marketed as adult fiction, the book often felt closer to an over-simplified YA mystery, an impression further enforced by the writing style and the fact that all the grown-ups were insufferable. That's not counting Mackenzie and her friend, EJ, though they were legally adults; their banter was enjoyable. However, I was unimpressed that Mackenzie felt like she could only go to the police once she had solved the entire mystery, found all the proof, and confronted all the culprits, which might be an okay plot device, but at some point also felt very immature and at odds with her seemingly smart nature. I enjoy YA thrillers when they’re well done, but here that style stripped away the complexity the premise promised.
Overall, I wanted to love it, but ended up just tolerating it.
Many thanks to Poseidon Press for providing me with an ARC via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
"Love, Mom" was released on September 2, 2025, and is available now.
2.5 stars rounded up.
After the sudden death of bestselling thriller author Beth Casper, her 21-year-old daughter Mackenzie begins receiving mysterious letters. The first one is chillingly signed Love, Mom, and each subsequent letter - all of them delivered in envelopes addressed From #1 Fan, XOXO - revealing increasingly dark secrets. As Mackenzie investigates, she uncovers lies, betrayals, and the chilling truth that while the road to hell may be paved with good intentions, the road to fame may be paved with murder.
"Love, Mom" hooked me at first with its brisk pace and deliciously eerie setup. The first part had me flying through short, snappy chapters, eager to piece together the puzzle, but unfortunately, the "big twist" at its end landed with all the subtlety of a freight train - obvious if you’re paying attention, leaving little room for genuine surprise.
From there, the momentum sputtered out. While part one was the perfect, fun popcorn thriller, part two dragged on far too long, testing my patience. The story, already teetering on the edge of implausibility - one author with only three books published decades ago somehow still inspiring global hysteria and a cult-like following, even among young adults, seems like a stretch - was completely derailed by the increasingly wild and somehow still wholly predictable plot lines. Once part 1 ended, it was pretty easy to guess the entire rest of the book correctly, and the rushed ending did not help things.
Though marketed as adult fiction, the book often felt closer to an over-simplified YA mystery, an impression further enforced by the writing style and the fact that all the grown-ups were insufferable. That's not counting Mackenzie and her friend, EJ, though they were legally adults; their banter was enjoyable. However, I was unimpressed that Mackenzie felt like she could only go to the police once she had solved the entire mystery, found all the proof, and confronted all the culprits, which might be an okay plot device, but at some point also felt very immature and at odds with her seemingly smart nature. I enjoy YA thrillers when they’re well done, but here that style stripped away the complexity the premise promised.
Overall, I wanted to love it, but ended up just tolerating it.
Many thanks to Poseidon Press for providing me with an ARC via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
"Love, Mom" was released on September 2, 2025, and is available now.
June 3, 2025
hmmm somewhere between 3.5 and 3.75 stars
This was a a fun and twisty ride. The first 65-70% had me in an absolute chokehold but the final 30% kinda fizzled out for me. Maybe it's a me problem, but I was expecting more of a shocking ending or twist? Maybe I've read so many thriller/mysteries that I need a lot to shock me😅 This was still a very addictive and fun read though!!
This was a a fun and twisty ride. The first 65-70% had me in an absolute chokehold but the final 30% kinda fizzled out for me. Maybe it's a me problem, but I was expecting more of a shocking ending or twist? Maybe I've read so many thriller/mysteries that I need a lot to shock me😅 This was still a very addictive and fun read though!!
April 20, 2025
This was SO good. The twists just kept coming and I didn't predict a single one of them.🤯 I gasped so many times reading this ‼️
This book has everything I love:
-short chapters with cliffhangers
-thrilling plot twists
-different POVs
-fast paced
I really enjoyed the fact that we got various POVs that explain the characters motives and inner thoughts. If you love Freida's books, then I highly recommend this as your next read (the FMC is actually smart in this book 🙂↕️)
✩⁺₊✩☽⋆ follow me on tiktok ⋆☾✩⁺₊✩
This book has everything I love:
-short chapters with cliffhangers
-thrilling plot twists
-different POVs
-fast paced
I really enjoyed the fact that we got various POVs that explain the characters motives and inner thoughts. If you love Freida's books, then I highly recommend this as your next read (the FMC is actually smart in this book 🙂↕️)
✩⁺₊✩☽⋆ follow me on tiktok ⋆☾✩⁺₊✩
March 12, 2025
Wow, this book was such an easy, fast read—and I couldn’t put it down! The story completely hooked me, and there was a plot twist that I did not see coming. It had my emotions all over the place in the best way. I loved how everything made sense by the end—no loose ends, just a super satisfying finish.
It honestly felt like watching a really good thriller movie where every scene matters. This is hands down one of the best thrillers I’ve read so far!
It honestly felt like watching a really good thriller movie where every scene matters. This is hands down one of the best thrillers I’ve read so far!
January 27, 2025
1.5 stars- booktok you did me so dirty
January 23, 2025
4.5 stars - on Kindle Unlimited
https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZT2LkBMQG/
https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZT2LkBMQG/
October 20, 2025
Świetnie się tego słucha! A druga część zaskakuje!
August 26, 2025
"𝗽𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘀𝗵𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗶𝘀 𝘄𝗵𝗶𝘁𝗲, 𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗻𝗴𝗲 𝗶𝘀 𝗿𝗲𝗱, 𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝘄𝗮𝘀 𝗯𝗹𝗼𝗼𝗱𝘆-𝗯𝗹𝗮𝗰𝗸."
at first, i was a little skeptical—people kept saying this book felt rushed and lacked details or flavor, but excuse me? have we all forgotten that thrillers are supposed to be fast-paced and engaging? because let me tell you, this one did not disappoint, my oh my, i absolutely LOVED it, it wasn’t just fast-paced, it was lightning speed—you could devour the whole thing in one sitting. (and before you ask, yes, i did exactly that, don’t judge me, i regret nothing… well, except forgetting to rate it right away).
and can we talk about my genius Lizzy for a second? bless her heart, she stole the show for me, honestly, every single character had their charm—(even Tonya, the evil witch herself), had me low key entertained, so, what do i think about this book overall? let me spell it out: YES, a thousand times yes. 📖
at first, i was a little skeptical—people kept saying this book felt rushed and lacked details or flavor, but excuse me? have we all forgotten that thrillers are supposed to be fast-paced and engaging? because let me tell you, this one did not disappoint, my oh my, i absolutely LOVED it, it wasn’t just fast-paced, it was lightning speed—you could devour the whole thing in one sitting. (and before you ask, yes, i did exactly that, don’t judge me, i regret nothing… well, except forgetting to rate it right away).
and can we talk about my genius Lizzy for a second? bless her heart, she stole the show for me, honestly, every single character had their charm—(even Tonya, the evil witch herself), had me low key entertained, so, what do i think about this book overall? let me spell it out: YES, a thousand times yes. 📖
September 6, 2025
Summary
Love, Mom follows Mackenzie, the daughter of a famous thriller writer who suddenly dies in what’s believed to be an accident. At first, Mackenzie is just dealing with the “grief” of losing her complicated, larger than life mother, until she starts receiving mysterious letters signed “Love, Mom.” These letters reveal shocking secrets about her mother’s past and force Mackenzie to question everything she thought she knew. The story is fast paced, emotional, & filled with twists that kept me turning the pages.
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Subplots & Themes
Mothers and daughters – The whole story is really about Mackenzie trying to understand her mom,
both the woman and the “famous author” persona.
Grief – Losing her mom is complicated for Mackenzie, especially once secrets start coming out.
Family secrets – So much of the suspense comes from what was hidden and why.
Identity – Mackenzie has to figure out who she is outside of her mom’s shadow.
Truth vs. appearances – Everyone saw her mom one way, but Mackenzie learns the reality was a lot darker.
The creepy letters signed “Love, Mom” that reveal more and more secrets.
Mackenzie working through her own messy grief and guilt.
Digging into her mother’s past and realizing success might have come with some ugly truths.Strained relationships with people around her, since she’s not sure who she can trust.
The whole investigation vibe as Mackenzie pieces the mystery together like a thriller.
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My Thoughts
Overall, I really enjoyed this read.
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I would like to give a huge thank you to NetGalley, Illiana Xander, & Penguin Books Limited for providing me with an ARC of Love, Mom in exchange for my honest review.
﹒⟡﹒﹒⟡﹒﹒⟡﹒﹒⟡﹒﹒⟡﹒﹒⟡﹒
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Medium
Love, Mom follows Mackenzie, the daughter of a famous thriller writer who suddenly dies in what’s believed to be an accident. At first, Mackenzie is just dealing with the “grief” of losing her complicated, larger than life mother, until she starts receiving mysterious letters signed “Love, Mom.” These letters reveal shocking secrets about her mother’s past and force Mackenzie to question everything she thought she knew. The story is fast paced, emotional, & filled with twists that kept me turning the pages.
﹒⟡﹒﹒⟡﹒﹒⟡﹒﹒⟡﹒﹒⟡﹒﹒⟡﹒
Subplots & Themes
Mothers and daughters – The whole story is really about Mackenzie trying to understand her mom,
both the woman and the “famous author” persona.
Grief – Losing her mom is complicated for Mackenzie, especially once secrets start coming out.
Family secrets – So much of the suspense comes from what was hidden and why.
Identity – Mackenzie has to figure out who she is outside of her mom’s shadow.
Truth vs. appearances – Everyone saw her mom one way, but Mackenzie learns the reality was a lot darker.
The creepy letters signed “Love, Mom” that reveal more and more secrets.
Mackenzie working through her own messy grief and guilt.
Digging into her mother’s past and realizing success might have come with some ugly truths.Strained relationships with people around her, since she’s not sure who she can trust.
The whole investigation vibe as Mackenzie pieces the mystery together like a thriller.
﹒⟡﹒﹒⟡﹒﹒⟡﹒﹒⟡﹒﹒⟡﹒﹒⟡﹒
My Thoughts
Overall, I really enjoyed this read.
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I would like to give a huge thank you to NetGalley, Illiana Xander, & Penguin Books Limited for providing me with an ARC of Love, Mom in exchange for my honest review.
﹒⟡﹒﹒⟡﹒﹒⟡﹒﹒⟡﹒﹒⟡﹒﹒⟡﹒
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Medium
March 8, 2025
Ridiculous. All these people finding out years before and still keeping it a secret from McKenzie?!?! The writing was boring. Their flirting was boring. The ending was boring. I liked 5% of the book
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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