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The Mother
This book will take you take you on an emotional rollercoaster — it will tear you apart.
A mother’s love is everything. And a mother will do anything to protect her own.
I see the A teenage boy from Port Rainier has been airlifted to Harbor Hill Hospital. Critical injuries.
My heart crawls up my throat and I grip the table. Lost for words. Tears fill my eyes. Ezra?
I already lost my husband to a tragic accident.
I can’t lose my son, too.
I call Ezra again, not wanting to believe the worst. That he hasn’t picked up because he’s the boy in hospital.
I race back to our house. Ezra’s in his room playing video games. His phone died. Relief washes through me. He’s okay.
Actually, it turns out the boy in the hospital is Ezra’s childhood friend. He was attacked and left for dead out on the clay fields.
The next day I go down to the basement to do laundry.
I know my stains. This is no ordinary stain. It’s blood. My teenage son’s dark denim blue jeans size 31x34, caked in orange clay and dark red blood.
Is my son a killer?
A mother’s love is everything. And a mother will do anything to protect her own.
I see the A teenage boy from Port Rainier has been airlifted to Harbor Hill Hospital. Critical injuries.
My heart crawls up my throat and I grip the table. Lost for words. Tears fill my eyes. Ezra?
I already lost my husband to a tragic accident.
I can’t lose my son, too.
I call Ezra again, not wanting to believe the worst. That he hasn’t picked up because he’s the boy in hospital.
I race back to our house. Ezra’s in his room playing video games. His phone died. Relief washes through me. He’s okay.
Actually, it turns out the boy in the hospital is Ezra’s childhood friend. He was attacked and left for dead out on the clay fields.
The next day I go down to the basement to do laundry.
I know my stains. This is no ordinary stain. It’s blood. My teenage son’s dark denim blue jeans size 31x34, caked in orange clay and dark red blood.
Is my son a killer?
209 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 18, 2023
696 people are currently reading
637 people want to read
About the author
Anya Mora
28 books320 followersAnya Mora relies on her experience as a wife and mother to form her creative expression. Her novels, while leaning toward the dark, ultimately reflect light, courage, and her innate belief that love rewards the brave.
You can discover more about the author at https://anyamora.com
You can discover more about the author at https://anyamora.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 127 reviews
October 9, 2023
This deal with a variety of tough issuses including racism white supermacy the dark web religon and grieving thr love of your life.
The story itself start with a young boy badly hurted in clay fields and a mother hunch sinething isnt quite right with her son.you ho on a journey with her as tries to work out what is teally going on and if her son is now a murderer.
I foubd this thrilling at tinrs due yo the subject matter hard going. I like all rhe cgaracters and the way they linked. The nonlinear backstory gave deep character understanding. It aldo build the suspense as at tines you as the reader weren't sure who was responsibilile. The final reveal was fab although i did feel justice wasnt entirely served.
High recommended but be aware the subhect matter is hard going and the religious overtones are domething you jeedvto see past.
Thank you netgallery and publisher and author for a 5 star read
The story itself start with a young boy badly hurted in clay fields and a mother hunch sinething isnt quite right with her son.you ho on a journey with her as tries to work out what is teally going on and if her son is now a murderer.
I foubd this thrilling at tinrs due yo the subject matter hard going. I like all rhe cgaracters and the way they linked. The nonlinear backstory gave deep character understanding. It aldo build the suspense as at tines you as the reader weren't sure who was responsibilile. The final reveal was fab although i did feel justice wasnt entirely served.
High recommended but be aware the subhect matter is hard going and the religious overtones are domething you jeedvto see past.
Thank you netgallery and publisher and author for a 5 star read
May 14, 2024
Previously titled “Secrets Mothers Keep”.
I’m struggling with rating it a 3 or 4 star. There were pieces of this I really didn’t enjoy, but that’s my own personal reaction (I am not a Church/God/Bible) person, so the parts that revolved around the MC’s struggling with their religion I didn’t enjoy. There is also a strong plot line around LGBT, white supremacy, white privilege, racism … it was a lot to take in, and really didn’t feel this fit the bill for “Thriller” or suspense. The story premise was good, the wanting to know the truth of what happened that night was good, I kept reading to find out the answers, but I honestly don’t know if I will be recommending this to others.
I’m struggling with rating it a 3 or 4 star. There were pieces of this I really didn’t enjoy, but that’s my own personal reaction (I am not a Church/God/Bible) person, so the parts that revolved around the MC’s struggling with their religion I didn’t enjoy. There is also a strong plot line around LGBT, white supremacy, white privilege, racism … it was a lot to take in, and really didn’t feel this fit the bill for “Thriller” or suspense. The story premise was good, the wanting to know the truth of what happened that night was good, I kept reading to find out the answers, but I honestly don’t know if I will be recommending this to others.
November 17, 2023
Captivating and thrilling. This new novel from Mora delves deep into the human condition, into grief and lays out all the emotions in raw display. Mora does a tremendous job with the characters in this and they lead the story through its dramatic downs and shocking ups.
January 18, 2025
Interesting small-town thriller, with themes of religion, racism and identity.
September 21, 2023
The Mother grabs you by the throat and doesn't let go! A family has been torn apart by a terrible accident and they are grieving. Cora lost her husband and Ezra lost his father when there was a terrible accident at his work. It was a terrible shock to both mother and son. Cora is trying to cope with the loss by throwing herself into her work. She's a writer of a column that gives advice on stain removal, recipes, housework, etc. She's met a man that she likes through a writing retreat and they bonded over loss. Riggs lost his wife from a mass shooting at a school that she worked. Riggs now writes articles for newspapers and magazines about mass shootings that occur.
Ezra feels lost without his Dad. He's in high school and is a good student taking lots of AP classes in his junior year. He doesn't have any friends that he can talk to about his grief. Ezra goes online and meets people through video games and online chat rooms. He thinks he's talking to people his age that really care, but do they? One of the chat rooms that Ezra is in turns out to be a white supremacist group. Ezra doesn't believe in a superior race or any of that, but he likes some of the guys in the group. At least he thinks he does.
One of the guys in the group brags that he's going to meet the most famous gay guy in town out by the clay fields. He's going to teach him a lesson. Ezra knows where this is and he knows that the guy he's meeting is his childhood friend, Danny. Ezra and Danny grew up together as their families lives right next to each other. They grew apart when they were older as Ezra's family moved to a single family home. Ezra likes Danny and always will so he's going to go to the clay fields.
Cora keeps trying to text and call Ezra while she's having dinner at a restaurant with Riggs. It's not like Ezra not to answer her for this long. She's been trying to reach him for several hours. Riggs' phone starts lighting up as there's been a teenage boy left for dead out by the clay fields. Cora is terrified that it could be Ezra as he hasn't answered any of her calls or texts. They quickly leave the restaurant and race to Cora's home. She doesn't see Ezra's car when they get home. She races in and calls his name, but there's no response. As she races up the stairs to his bedroom, she throws open the door, and to her relief he's sitting there with headphones on playing a video game. She terrifies him by grabbing him. He tells her he was at the library and his phone died. He tells his mom that he forgot to plug it in to the charger when he got home. Cora finds this hard to believe as teenagers are glued to their phones.
As Cora and Riggs leave Ezra's room, she wonders if he's telling her the truth. Why did he say he parked on the next block over when he normally parks in the driveway? Was he really at the library that late? Cora can sense that Ezra is keeping something from her but she doesn't want to press him now. She's just relieved that he's home safe. Riggs has to excuse himself to go cover the story about the boy. When Cora gets up the next morning she chats with Ezra over breakfast. She senses he's upset but doesn't know why. Ezra is trying hard to act normal after the horrible night he had. He can't tell his mother what he did.
When Ezra leaves for school, Cora goes down to the basement to do a load of laundry. When she opens the washer there are dry clothes in it. As she pulls them out she sees that it's Ezra's jeans with a heavy stain and his sweatshirt with a huge stain. Cora knows her stains from her column and knows that this dark stain is blood, lots of blood. How did Ezra get all of this blood on his clothing? Where was he really last night? Panic starts to build in Cora when Riggs calls and tells her the victim left for dead was Daniel Reyes. Cora can't believe it as she and Gloria, the mother, were as close as two people can be when they were neighbors. She feels horrified for Gloria and the family as Daniel is such a sweet boy. He's always known he was gay and didn't hide it. He spoke at gay pride events and came out to his classmates in high school. He became a celebrity in town and someone that they gay community looked up to.
As you read this book you will be terrified of what you might learn. Did Ezra have something to do with Daniel's injuries? Will Daniel survive the beating? Will Ezra ever tell his mother the truth? Who are the boys that Ezra is talking to online? Does he actually know these boys? Will Cora find her way back to the friends she turned her back on when her husband died? Will she speak to God again? This is a story of a mother's love for her son and the lengths she will go to to protect him. It's also a story of grief and what it does to people. How people pretend they're okay when they're not. How a lonely boy got caught up with people that he really didn't know and that didn't know him.
I read The Mother in one sitting and it was a great book! I've never read a book by Anya Mora, but I definitely will read more! I rate The Mother 5 stars and give it my highest recommendation! I'd like to thank NetGalley and Joffe Books for an advanced copy of The Mother in exchange for a fair review. The Mother is out today 9/20 so don't hesitate to pick it up. #TheMother
Ezra feels lost without his Dad. He's in high school and is a good student taking lots of AP classes in his junior year. He doesn't have any friends that he can talk to about his grief. Ezra goes online and meets people through video games and online chat rooms. He thinks he's talking to people his age that really care, but do they? One of the chat rooms that Ezra is in turns out to be a white supremacist group. Ezra doesn't believe in a superior race or any of that, but he likes some of the guys in the group. At least he thinks he does.
One of the guys in the group brags that he's going to meet the most famous gay guy in town out by the clay fields. He's going to teach him a lesson. Ezra knows where this is and he knows that the guy he's meeting is his childhood friend, Danny. Ezra and Danny grew up together as their families lives right next to each other. They grew apart when they were older as Ezra's family moved to a single family home. Ezra likes Danny and always will so he's going to go to the clay fields.
Cora keeps trying to text and call Ezra while she's having dinner at a restaurant with Riggs. It's not like Ezra not to answer her for this long. She's been trying to reach him for several hours. Riggs' phone starts lighting up as there's been a teenage boy left for dead out by the clay fields. Cora is terrified that it could be Ezra as he hasn't answered any of her calls or texts. They quickly leave the restaurant and race to Cora's home. She doesn't see Ezra's car when they get home. She races in and calls his name, but there's no response. As she races up the stairs to his bedroom, she throws open the door, and to her relief he's sitting there with headphones on playing a video game. She terrifies him by grabbing him. He tells her he was at the library and his phone died. He tells his mom that he forgot to plug it in to the charger when he got home. Cora finds this hard to believe as teenagers are glued to their phones.
As Cora and Riggs leave Ezra's room, she wonders if he's telling her the truth. Why did he say he parked on the next block over when he normally parks in the driveway? Was he really at the library that late? Cora can sense that Ezra is keeping something from her but she doesn't want to press him now. She's just relieved that he's home safe. Riggs has to excuse himself to go cover the story about the boy. When Cora gets up the next morning she chats with Ezra over breakfast. She senses he's upset but doesn't know why. Ezra is trying hard to act normal after the horrible night he had. He can't tell his mother what he did.
When Ezra leaves for school, Cora goes down to the basement to do a load of laundry. When she opens the washer there are dry clothes in it. As she pulls them out she sees that it's Ezra's jeans with a heavy stain and his sweatshirt with a huge stain. Cora knows her stains from her column and knows that this dark stain is blood, lots of blood. How did Ezra get all of this blood on his clothing? Where was he really last night? Panic starts to build in Cora when Riggs calls and tells her the victim left for dead was Daniel Reyes. Cora can't believe it as she and Gloria, the mother, were as close as two people can be when they were neighbors. She feels horrified for Gloria and the family as Daniel is such a sweet boy. He's always known he was gay and didn't hide it. He spoke at gay pride events and came out to his classmates in high school. He became a celebrity in town and someone that they gay community looked up to.
As you read this book you will be terrified of what you might learn. Did Ezra have something to do with Daniel's injuries? Will Daniel survive the beating? Will Ezra ever tell his mother the truth? Who are the boys that Ezra is talking to online? Does he actually know these boys? Will Cora find her way back to the friends she turned her back on when her husband died? Will she speak to God again? This is a story of a mother's love for her son and the lengths she will go to to protect him. It's also a story of grief and what it does to people. How people pretend they're okay when they're not. How a lonely boy got caught up with people that he really didn't know and that didn't know him.
I read The Mother in one sitting and it was a great book! I've never read a book by Anya Mora, but I definitely will read more! I rate The Mother 5 stars and give it my highest recommendation! I'd like to thank NetGalley and Joffe Books for an advanced copy of The Mother in exchange for a fair review. The Mother is out today 9/20 so don't hesitate to pick it up. #TheMother
October 18, 2024
Great, quick read!
February 12, 2024
3.5, I kept thinking it was getting interesting or bad a bigger twist coming…. and nada
December 1, 2023
did not like the mother, did not like the son, only finished this to find out what happened. personally don’t think this falls into the thriller genre
May 5, 2024
Boring and too political
November 3, 2024
Well the audiobook narrator gets a five star from me, she was amazing and really brought this story to life.
This was very engrossing and kept me engaged from the very beginning. Pretty good pacing as well.
This was very engrossing and kept me engaged from the very beginning. Pretty good pacing as well.
January 13, 2024
If I could have given it less than one star I would have
Oh my, where to begin? I guess the cliche’ use of “Latinx” by a non Latin woman peppered throughout. There’s that. Gallop did a poll, Latins hate the term. Author did not get the memo. I literally cringed every time that popped up. But there is a plethora of cringeworthy moments in this book.
She points out bigotry by Christians with quotes such as “Grace Fellowship taught that the path is narrow, that there’s one way to heaven and it’s paved in conformity.” The author beats us over the head with her constant preaching about Christian bigots- bad while never realizing the author reveals herself as the bigot.
The author hit on every single anti-Christian and Conservative group in such an over the top clownish way I actually finished the book in the hopes she would turn it around thinking no one really thinks crazy things like this. Do they? Surly not a published author!
I am a U.S. Army wife of over 32 years. I have moved 21 times during my husband’s service. As a Christian we visited and attended Nazarene, Baptist, Catholic, Episcopal, Non-Denominational and also countless Bible studies along with serving on the board of Protestant Women of the Chapel (PWOC) and this is not a comprehensive list. Never ever have I ever heard anyone speak about gay people or blacks the way the author did in this book. We’re not the intolerant Nazi’s she insinuates us to be. This would include in Europe as well.
Jaw dropping Christian and Conservative bigotry and intolerance yet the protagonist the “virtuous” hero the author is using as her lecture mouth piece, while waxing on and on and on about he horrors about societies ills by all the bad Proud Boys and judgmental evil Christians risks sleeping with new boyfriend in the house where her teenage boy has repeatedly told her he hates sad boyfriend and is obviously struggling with father’s death.
This is an actual quote from the book: “I don’t want her to draw me back into the world I chose to leave, and certainly don’t want her or her daughter pulling Ezra into that life. Every parent must decide what kind of child they intend to raise, and my aim is for Ezra to be as open-minded as possible.”
This was with regard to a friend trying to help Ezra, protagonist son back into the church HE wanted to go back into. The absolute irony here is, while the author thinks she is making such a profound statement about Christianity she just, in that one single quote, showed how utterly closed minded the protagonist and ultimately the author is.
Do yourself a favor, skip this drivel. Unless you want to be lectured about every cause you can think of…sprinkle some potty language and a predictable ending.
Oh my, where to begin? I guess the cliche’ use of “Latinx” by a non Latin woman peppered throughout. There’s that. Gallop did a poll, Latins hate the term. Author did not get the memo. I literally cringed every time that popped up. But there is a plethora of cringeworthy moments in this book.
She points out bigotry by Christians with quotes such as “Grace Fellowship taught that the path is narrow, that there’s one way to heaven and it’s paved in conformity.” The author beats us over the head with her constant preaching about Christian bigots- bad while never realizing the author reveals herself as the bigot.
The author hit on every single anti-Christian and Conservative group in such an over the top clownish way I actually finished the book in the hopes she would turn it around thinking no one really thinks crazy things like this. Do they? Surly not a published author!
I am a U.S. Army wife of over 32 years. I have moved 21 times during my husband’s service. As a Christian we visited and attended Nazarene, Baptist, Catholic, Episcopal, Non-Denominational and also countless Bible studies along with serving on the board of Protestant Women of the Chapel (PWOC) and this is not a comprehensive list. Never ever have I ever heard anyone speak about gay people or blacks the way the author did in this book. We’re not the intolerant Nazi’s she insinuates us to be. This would include in Europe as well.
Jaw dropping Christian and Conservative bigotry and intolerance yet the protagonist the “virtuous” hero the author is using as her lecture mouth piece, while waxing on and on and on about he horrors about societies ills by all the bad Proud Boys and judgmental evil Christians risks sleeping with new boyfriend in the house where her teenage boy has repeatedly told her he hates sad boyfriend and is obviously struggling with father’s death.
This is an actual quote from the book: “I don’t want her to draw me back into the world I chose to leave, and certainly don’t want her or her daughter pulling Ezra into that life. Every parent must decide what kind of child they intend to raise, and my aim is for Ezra to be as open-minded as possible.”
This was with regard to a friend trying to help Ezra, protagonist son back into the church HE wanted to go back into. The absolute irony here is, while the author thinks she is making such a profound statement about Christianity she just, in that one single quote, showed how utterly closed minded the protagonist and ultimately the author is.
Do yourself a favor, skip this drivel. Unless you want to be lectured about every cause you can think of…sprinkle some potty language and a predictable ending.
October 13, 2023
Read it in one day
Novel flowed well, keeps you reading. Could not foretell the ending til the end. Enjoyable read. Five stars for me.
Novel flowed well, keeps you reading. Could not foretell the ending til the end. Enjoyable read. Five stars for me.
March 6, 2024
I honestly thought this rollercoaster ride was never going to end. It is a unbelievable thriller. For mothers with teenage sons it is a must read!
December 6, 2023
This was a poignant story of growing up and taking responsibility. Anya Mora captured a parent’s worst nightmare in a heartbreakingly heartfelt novel. Anya Mora gave a little bit of everything-love, fear, grief, betrayal, in this immersive tale. She addressed the immense grief and destruction of Cora, the main character’s, belief system. I found the complexity of Cora’s mind fascinating. Mora portrayed Cora’s, strength and love for her son, Ezra, beautifully, keeping all the emotions well within the plot line and the alternating perspectives of the mother and son were well balanced.
In addition to the rich character development, Mora dove into deep topics. Although a controversial topic, I loved how Mora sensitively explored the repercussions of hate crimes. Equally, I loved how she found symmetry between driving home her point and adding to the suspense.
Overall, this was a substantially developed mystery that kept me involved as the story unfolded and had me asking copious questions throughout, making it difficult to put this book down. In all of Anya’s novels I have read to date, I have truly found contentment in her superlative writing style. (Audio)
In addition to the rich character development, Mora dove into deep topics. Although a controversial topic, I loved how Mora sensitively explored the repercussions of hate crimes. Equally, I loved how she found symmetry between driving home her point and adding to the suspense.
Overall, this was a substantially developed mystery that kept me involved as the story unfolded and had me asking copious questions throughout, making it difficult to put this book down. In all of Anya’s novels I have read to date, I have truly found contentment in her superlative writing style. (Audio)
October 1, 2023
I really enjoyed this! There are religious undertones which I wasn't expecting but I don't think it affected the quality of the story in a good or a bad way. The story moves at a quick pace and I wasn't sure how it was going to end. Overall, I enjoyed this and would recommend it! Special Thank You to Anya Mora, Joffe Books and NetGalley for allowing me to read a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.
November 27, 2023
3.5 stars rounded up ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The book had me interested from beginning to end. I didn’t enjoy the mother taking the entire length of the book to ask her son if he killed the boy! Omg! It drove me mad that she just never asked him, wtf?! Anyway, some very tough themes were carefully and thoughtfully discussed in the book. I LOVED that the main character separated from the church after her husband passed away. I have a similar experience and it felt like I could see myself in those scenes.
The book had me interested from beginning to end. I didn’t enjoy the mother taking the entire length of the book to ask her son if he killed the boy! Omg! It drove me mad that she just never asked him, wtf?! Anyway, some very tough themes were carefully and thoughtfully discussed in the book. I LOVED that the main character separated from the church after her husband passed away. I have a similar experience and it felt like I could see myself in those scenes.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 20, 2024
Read this so fast, loved it
July 8, 2025
Great read!
October 10, 2023
I didn’t enjoy this book. I wouldn’t even consider it a thriller. The ending was predictable and just all around wasn’t what I expected it to be. The cover said it was a shocking twist but from the first few chapters the ending was already given away based on the moms beliefs on what she found on her sons pants
January 4, 2024
Loved this too!! So many issues around grief, religion, racism and parenting!
Had me hooked from the first page! Also loved the style of writing using letters!
Had me hooked from the first page! Also loved the style of writing using letters!
March 2, 2024
Brilliant
January 10, 2024
I read this book because it was advertised on Spotify for readers who love Freida McFadden but to me, it wasn’t similar at all. It wasn’t nearly as fast paced as I hoped and I’m not sure if the “twist” was supposed to be surprising but it wasn’t at all.
This book was short but the author still tried to put way too many political issues in the story that just didn’t make sense. Without giving away any spoilers, the author inserted a lot of political issues that had absolutely nothing to do with the story. It just felt unnatural and like the author wanted to incorporate as many hot button issues as possible. It was also annoying to listen to the main character constantly spiral about everything and just jump to a bunch of conclusions. As a Christian, I understood the questioning of Christianity after she lost her husband but it just didn’t really add to the story. Overall, this book was a letdown for me. It was less of a thriller and more of a political commentary/story about a woman trying to heal from the loss of her husband
This book was short but the author still tried to put way too many political issues in the story that just didn’t make sense. Without giving away any spoilers, the author inserted a lot of political issues that had absolutely nothing to do with the story. It just felt unnatural and like the author wanted to incorporate as many hot button issues as possible. It was also annoying to listen to the main character constantly spiral about everything and just jump to a bunch of conclusions. As a Christian, I understood the questioning of Christianity after she lost her husband but it just didn’t really add to the story. Overall, this book was a letdown for me. It was less of a thriller and more of a political commentary/story about a woman trying to heal from the loss of her husband
March 4, 2025
Made it 37% through before DNF'd. I got tired of listening to how Christians were the scum of the earth. This far in and all that has happened plot wise is that the kid was attacked. The rest has been backstory of how the MC knows the victim, how her relationships have all broken down, how she had been victimized by the church.
I'm a Christian and I honestly just got so tired of the belittling and no actual movement in the thriller part of the story that I quit listening. I read books to get away from divisiveness in this way. But if you want to read a story about how the big bad Christian is a bigoted racist and all we do is go after anyone who isn't white and blonde then, by all means, imbibe.
I'm a Christian and I honestly just got so tired of the belittling and no actual movement in the thriller part of the story that I quit listening. I read books to get away from divisiveness in this way. But if you want to read a story about how the big bad Christian is a bigoted racist and all we do is go after anyone who isn't white and blonde then, by all means, imbibe.
October 15, 2023
This book had me hooked. I think I have found a new favourite author. Beautifully written as a work of fiction, althought the book managed to capture how grief can rip a family apart. All members of the family seeking connection and belonging from those around them but how this sometimes can be in totally the wrong place. Really felt for Ezra that longing for his father, the anger that has no place to go. Feelings of not being able to turn to his mother because she is dealing with things in her own way. Very powerful
October 25, 2023
My Rating: 2.5 stars out of 5
As both a widow and a mother who struggled with raising teenagers (I had 2) after the loss of their husband, I struggled with this one. On one hand I GET it. Everyone grieves differently, and I could empathize with Cora to a point. But the way that she just allowed herself to become so consumed by her grief that she couldn't even get out of bed and tend to her son was something I couldn't understand, nor get behind. That boy needed his mother and all she did was cry over what she had lost. I'm sorry, but being a mother has to come first.
And then she finds blood and clay on her son's clothes the night after his best friend has been attacked. And what does she do? She washes his clothes and then confronts him, choosing to believe his far-fetched story on how he supposedly hurt himself even though she knows he's lying. I'm sorry. Maybe I'm just from a different walk of life, but if I thought one of my children had committed a heinous crime such as the one perpetrated here? I'm turning them in. They can explain the truth to the police.
As others have pointed out, there were a lot of mentions of the church and religion, or more specifically Cora's desire to be rid of it altogether while her son longs for the familiarity of it. Again, if she had paid the slightest bit of attention to her son, she might have known that he needed what she did not. As it was, when he did make the choice to return to the youth group, Cora initially scoffed at the idea, proving that once again she was not going to be winning any mother of the year awards.
However, I did enjoy reading Ezra's letters to his father at the start of every chapter. I feel like they really gave us some insight to him and how he was dealing with things in the wake of such a monumental tragedy, and it also helped to understand just how he ended up making the choices that he did. And the author's writing style was strong enough that even though I didn't agree with some of the actions and behaviors of the characters, I was still glued to the pages to see how things were going to unfold.
DISCLAIMER: I received a complimentary copy of this novel from the publisher. This has not affected my review in any way. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are 100% my own.
As both a widow and a mother who struggled with raising teenagers (I had 2) after the loss of their husband, I struggled with this one. On one hand I GET it. Everyone grieves differently, and I could empathize with Cora to a point. But the way that she just allowed herself to become so consumed by her grief that she couldn't even get out of bed and tend to her son was something I couldn't understand, nor get behind. That boy needed his mother and all she did was cry over what she had lost. I'm sorry, but being a mother has to come first.
And then she finds blood and clay on her son's clothes the night after his best friend has been attacked. And what does she do? She washes his clothes and then confronts him, choosing to believe his far-fetched story on how he supposedly hurt himself even though she knows he's lying. I'm sorry. Maybe I'm just from a different walk of life, but if I thought one of my children had committed a heinous crime such as the one perpetrated here? I'm turning them in. They can explain the truth to the police.
As others have pointed out, there were a lot of mentions of the church and religion, or more specifically Cora's desire to be rid of it altogether while her son longs for the familiarity of it. Again, if she had paid the slightest bit of attention to her son, she might have known that he needed what she did not. As it was, when he did make the choice to return to the youth group, Cora initially scoffed at the idea, proving that once again she was not going to be winning any mother of the year awards.
However, I did enjoy reading Ezra's letters to his father at the start of every chapter. I feel like they really gave us some insight to him and how he was dealing with things in the wake of such a monumental tragedy, and it also helped to understand just how he ended up making the choices that he did. And the author's writing style was strong enough that even though I didn't agree with some of the actions and behaviors of the characters, I was still glued to the pages to see how things were going to unfold.
DISCLAIMER: I received a complimentary copy of this novel from the publisher. This has not affected my review in any way. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are 100% my own.
May 31, 2024
The mother’s character was not believable at all. What mother continues to try to find evidence against her son when she had nothing really to go on? She checks his laptop one day because he accidentally left it at home when he went to school. School laptops are locked down. The son would not have been able to access anything on it. It would have been more realistic if the kid just hid his personal laptop somewhere. The mother just wants sex from Riggs after being widowed. That is not very realistic. There is nothing leading the reader to understand why she might feel this way aside from her announcing it. I meet regularly with widows and this is not a desire that any of them have. I’m not saying it can’t happen, just that it doesn’t feel real. The girl that Ezra loved sleeps with everyone and no one seems that concerned. Usually if a girl is promiscuous, she has been through a lot of trauma. This girl was living with both her parents who seemed like good people. Why was no one concerned about her? Girls don’t randomly start sleeping around unless there’s trauma It’s just not realistic. There were no twists in the plot. It dealt with a lot of important topics, but the depth of the characters was definitely lacking. I did enjoy the race, struggle with religion, and aspects of staying true to oneself.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 21, 2025
A mother’s love is everything .And a mother will do anything to protect her own.
I see the message : A tonnage boy from Port Rainier has been airlifted to Harlow Hill Hospital. Critical Injuries.
My heart crawls up my throat and I grip the table.Lost for words. Tears fill my eyes.EZRA ?
I already lost my husband to a tragic accident. I can’t lose my son , too.
I call EZra again, not wanting to believe the worst.That he hasn’t picked up
Because he’s the boy in hospital. I race back to our house . Ezra’s in his room playing video games .His phone died. Relief washes through me . He’s okay.
Actually , it turns out the boy in the hospital is Ezra’s childhood friend. He was attacked and left for dead out in the clay fields.
The next day I go down to the basement to do
Laundry .I know my stains. This is no ordinary stain . It’s blood . My teenage son’s dark denim blue jeans Size 31x34, caked in orange clay and dark blood .
Is my son a killer ?
I see the message : A tonnage boy from Port Rainier has been airlifted to Harlow Hill Hospital. Critical Injuries.
My heart crawls up my throat and I grip the table.Lost for words. Tears fill my eyes.EZRA ?
I already lost my husband to a tragic accident. I can’t lose my son , too.
I call EZra again, not wanting to believe the worst.That he hasn’t picked up
Because he’s the boy in hospital. I race back to our house . Ezra’s in his room playing video games .His phone died. Relief washes through me . He’s okay.
Actually , it turns out the boy in the hospital is Ezra’s childhood friend. He was attacked and left for dead out in the clay fields.
The next day I go down to the basement to do
Laundry .I know my stains. This is no ordinary stain . It’s blood . My teenage son’s dark denim blue jeans Size 31x34, caked in orange clay and dark blood .
Is my son a killer ?
October 5, 2023
What is every parents greatest nightmare? Cora knows that something is wrong when she can’t get hold of her son Ezra. She can’t lose her son as well they are both still grieving for Noah.
Cora has just found out that a friend of Ezra has been attacked and is fighting for his life in hospital and she worries that Ezra had something to do with it. But could her son really hurt someone like that especially a childhood friend?
Will the truth come out and what will the consequences be for them all?
A good read. Cora is a likeable woman that has gone through a tragic loss and I feel that she still is grieving for her dead husband and she is holding on by a thread. A very relatable read of motherhood and the struggles of holding it together.
Thank you Netgalley & the publisher for the copy. This is my voluntary review.
Cora has just found out that a friend of Ezra has been attacked and is fighting for his life in hospital and she worries that Ezra had something to do with it. But could her son really hurt someone like that especially a childhood friend?
Will the truth come out and what will the consequences be for them all?
A good read. Cora is a likeable woman that has gone through a tragic loss and I feel that she still is grieving for her dead husband and she is holding on by a thread. A very relatable read of motherhood and the struggles of holding it together.
Thank you Netgalley & the publisher for the copy. This is my voluntary review.
November 13, 2023
Ohhhhhh.....where's my tissues?
The Mother by Anya Mora was a beautifully written book that just tore at my heart, it's an emotional roller coaster ride that will have you reaching for a handful of tissues. Anya has written this book from her heart and is beautifully written from start to finish.
I wouldn't say this is a holiday read - Well, only if you're wearing sunglasses and in the shade type of book and no one can see you!.....but a book I would get snuggled up in the warmth of my house in front of a fire with a cup of hot chocolate kind of book.........So turn your phone off and open your kindle and become apart of this book The Mother.....It will not disappoint!!!
I highly recommend this book. Just beautiful!
Big Thank you to NetGalley and Joffe Books for an advanced copy of The Mother in exchange for a review.
The Mother by Anya Mora was a beautifully written book that just tore at my heart, it's an emotional roller coaster ride that will have you reaching for a handful of tissues. Anya has written this book from her heart and is beautifully written from start to finish.
I wouldn't say this is a holiday read - Well, only if you're wearing sunglasses and in the shade type of book and no one can see you!.....but a book I would get snuggled up in the warmth of my house in front of a fire with a cup of hot chocolate kind of book.........So turn your phone off and open your kindle and become apart of this book The Mother.....It will not disappoint!!!
I highly recommend this book. Just beautiful!
Big Thank you to NetGalley and Joffe Books for an advanced copy of The Mother in exchange for a review.
November 20, 2023
I have a son and this book kept making me question what I would do. The Mother who will do anything to protect her child. Ezra is a teenager having a tough time with the loss of his father and trying to cope with his mom dating. Cora is struggling with her son not talking to her anymore. A teenager is found barely alive and she is scared that it is Ezra. When she finds out it was a childhood friend of his, she begins to suspect that he may have played apart in it. This book talks about racism, white supremacy, LGBT and church. Ezra meets people online and he soon realizes they are not who he thinks they are. Anya Mora really made me question what I would do if this was my son and makes you realize that the internet can be dangerous. I would definitely recommend this to my patrons that love suspense/thrillers.
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