What do you think?
Rate this book
A Mother's Betrayal
The emotional, gripping book club pick from BESTSELLER Louise Guy One woman. Two worlds on the verge of colliding.
When Julia Hudson is involved in a near-fatal accident, the lives of her children – nurse Flo and her twin sister, high-flying lawyer Ari – are sent into freefall.
As they sit vigil by their mother’s bedside, the sisters discover that Julia, who has always preached unwavering principles and integrity, has been keeping a terrible secret. A secret that shatters everything they’ve ever believed about their family.
But the twins have each other… or do they? Because Julia is not the only one keeping secrets…
With Julia in a coma and unable to answer their questions, her journals might provide the answers they seek. But Julia’s journals reveal yet another dark secret. One that will make the sisters question every part of the life they’ve lived.
If you can’t trust your mother, who can you trust? And – with their mother’s life in the balance – can the sisters find a way to forgive her, before it’s too late?
A totally gripping, devastating emotional page turner that readers of Jodi Picoult, Jojo Moyes and Kate Hewitt will love.
When Julia Hudson is involved in a near-fatal accident, the lives of her children – nurse Flo and her twin sister, high-flying lawyer Ari – are sent into freefall.
As they sit vigil by their mother’s bedside, the sisters discover that Julia, who has always preached unwavering principles and integrity, has been keeping a terrible secret. A secret that shatters everything they’ve ever believed about their family.
But the twins have each other… or do they? Because Julia is not the only one keeping secrets…
With Julia in a coma and unable to answer their questions, her journals might provide the answers they seek. But Julia’s journals reveal yet another dark secret. One that will make the sisters question every part of the life they’ve lived.
If you can’t trust your mother, who can you trust? And – with their mother’s life in the balance – can the sisters find a way to forgive her, before it’s too late?
A totally gripping, devastating emotional page turner that readers of Jodi Picoult, Jojo Moyes and Kate Hewitt will love.
- GenresContemporary
378 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 12, 2024
523 people are currently reading
178 people want to read
About the author
Louise Guy
33 books49 followersLouise Guy, bestselling author of six novels, blends family and friendship themes with unique twists and intrigue. Her characters captivate readers, drawing them deeply into their compelling stories and struggles. Previously published by Lake Union, she lives in Australia. Her latest book My Sister's Baby is published in 2024.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 74 reviews
August 8, 2024
Julia Hudson is married to Mike and they have identical adult twin daughters Arabella and Florence and a grandson Kayden. Julia’s a rather forceful and blunt person, and she travels back and forwards between Melbourne and Canberra for her job for a government bureau. Julia's involved in a terrible car accident, she has swelling on the brain and a broken leg and lacerations. Mike, Ari, Flo and their grandmother Gigi take it in turns sitting at Julia’s bedside in ICU, they discover Julia has been keeping a secret, one that changes their family and they no longer know what to believe.
Ari and Flo have always been close, but Flo has been keeping secrets of her own, when it’s revealed it effects the sister's relationship, and just when they need to stick together and a wedge is driven between them. With Julia in a coma, the whole family is falling apart, she started keeping journals thirty two years ago, they wonder if the truth is hidden between the pages and hold the answers they need. Instead what’s uncovered is more secrets and lies, has Julia been manipulating her family for years and getting away with it.
I received a copy of A Mother’s Betrayal by Louise Guy from Boldwood Books and NetGalley in exchange for an unbiased review. The gripping narrative is set in the leafy streets of Melbourne, I was hooked by the end of the first chapter, and the ending wasn't predictable. Full of lots of twists and turns and about the complicated relationships between the members of the Hudson family, and a mother should support and defend her daughters no matter what, and can Ari and Flo ever trust and forgive her?
I really enjoyed the mix of characters in the story, they really made it and it certainly gives the reader a roller coaster ride of emotions, covers all sorts of issues, topic, possibilities and scenarios. Five stars from me, the twins had great taste in music and I’m very keen to read other books by Louise Guy.
Ari and Flo have always been close, but Flo has been keeping secrets of her own, when it’s revealed it effects the sister's relationship, and just when they need to stick together and a wedge is driven between them. With Julia in a coma, the whole family is falling apart, she started keeping journals thirty two years ago, they wonder if the truth is hidden between the pages and hold the answers they need. Instead what’s uncovered is more secrets and lies, has Julia been manipulating her family for years and getting away with it.
I received a copy of A Mother’s Betrayal by Louise Guy from Boldwood Books and NetGalley in exchange for an unbiased review. The gripping narrative is set in the leafy streets of Melbourne, I was hooked by the end of the first chapter, and the ending wasn't predictable. Full of lots of twists and turns and about the complicated relationships between the members of the Hudson family, and a mother should support and defend her daughters no matter what, and can Ari and Flo ever trust and forgive her?
I really enjoyed the mix of characters in the story, they really made it and it certainly gives the reader a roller coaster ride of emotions, covers all sorts of issues, topic, possibilities and scenarios. Five stars from me, the twins had great taste in music and I’m very keen to read other books by Louise Guy.
September 5, 2024
Florence and Arabella Hudson - Flo and Ari - were identical twins in their mid thirties. Flo had a six year old son Kayden and was a nurse. Ari was a lawyer, rising up the ladder to greatness. While they lived in Melbourne, their mother, Julia, worked in Canberra for a week, then home with her husband Mike for a week. Her secure and secretive job meant she wasn't able to talk about what she did, and the family were fine with that, as it'd been that way as long as they remembered. But the night Flo was working in ER and a car crash victim was brought in, was the night the whole family's lives changed. The victim was Flo's mother, and she was supposed to be in Canberra. Julia was critical and in a coma with severe head injuries; there was no guarantee she would make it.
Slowly secrets emerged and the strangeness to the situation was at odds with who they thought their mother to be. While they couldn't ask Julia questions, they could read her journals, and what Flo and Ari discovered chilled them to their core. Had their whole lives been a lie? Julia's mother, Flo and Ari's grandmother, Gigi, was shattered but beginning to have an inkling as to why Julia had done what she'd done. But would Julia survive? Would she come out of the coma and would her memories be intact? Or would they always wonder...
A Mother's Betrayal is another excellent contemporary novel by Aussie author Louise Guy, a family drama which captivated me from the beginning. Flo and Ari are exceptional characters, so well written I felt like I was involved with the Hudson family; watching from the sidelines, keeping pace with their heartache and happiness. I loved the storyline, the intrigue and tension, and have no hesitation in recommending A Mother's Betrayal highly.
With thanks to NetGalley & Boldwood Books for my digital ARC to read and review.
Slowly secrets emerged and the strangeness to the situation was at odds with who they thought their mother to be. While they couldn't ask Julia questions, they could read her journals, and what Flo and Ari discovered chilled them to their core. Had their whole lives been a lie? Julia's mother, Flo and Ari's grandmother, Gigi, was shattered but beginning to have an inkling as to why Julia had done what she'd done. But would Julia survive? Would she come out of the coma and would her memories be intact? Or would they always wonder...
A Mother's Betrayal is another excellent contemporary novel by Aussie author Louise Guy, a family drama which captivated me from the beginning. Flo and Ari are exceptional characters, so well written I felt like I was involved with the Hudson family; watching from the sidelines, keeping pace with their heartache and happiness. I loved the storyline, the intrigue and tension, and have no hesitation in recommending A Mother's Betrayal highly.
With thanks to NetGalley & Boldwood Books for my digital ARC to read and review.
August 28, 2024
Wow, this was a lot! I loved the friendship between Ari and Flo. They truly had a great closeness as twins but also as friends. Their character development, along with their mother's (Julia), was a beautiful thing to watch unfold. There were so many twists and secrets that unfolded that it made me keep reading, as I was dying to know how it all played out for them. Ben truly was amazing about the whole ordeal. Loved the kiddos, too. Della was one sassy girl. It is such an interesting story of family, secrets, and relationships!
I received this ARC from NetGalley and Boldwood Books to read/review. All of the statements above are my true opinions after fully reading this book.
I received this ARC from NetGalley and Boldwood Books to read/review. All of the statements above are my true opinions after fully reading this book.
August 18, 2024
I received a free copy of, A Mother's Betrayal, by Louise Gay, from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Twins Ari and Flo mother is the hospital, recovering from an accident. They find out she is being keeping secrets, but secrets, but she is not the only one. There was to many lies and secrets in this book for me, and I did not care for Flo at all.
August 18, 2024
Flo and Ari are concerned about their mother who was involved in an accident. They later learn that their mom was keeping a secret from them that changes everything they knew and loved about her. Their mother is not the only one who is keeping a secret. I liked this book
July 29, 2024
A Mother's Betrayal.
Could you keep a secret from your children for their whole life?
Almost identical twins Ari and Flo their parents Julia and Mike.
When Julia has a car accident, Gigi their grandmother doesn't want Ari prying into her mothers movements does she know something that they don't?
This book is full of questions about Julia who is lying in a coma, and has some almighty twists wrote in every chapter all about this family that will blow your mind.
My first book from this author that I truly enjoyed right to the end for that I give full stars.
Could you keep a secret from your children for their whole life?
Almost identical twins Ari and Flo their parents Julia and Mike.
When Julia has a car accident, Gigi their grandmother doesn't want Ari prying into her mothers movements does she know something that they don't?
This book is full of questions about Julia who is lying in a coma, and has some almighty twists wrote in every chapter all about this family that will blow your mind.
My first book from this author that I truly enjoyed right to the end for that I give full stars.
September 8, 2024
This is a brilliant story about family, trust and life, it had me turning the pages and feeling very much a part of the Hudson family and their lives come along and meet them all Julia, Mike, Arabella (Ari) who is a high flying lawyer Florence (Flo) who is a nurse, Gigi (Julia’s Mother) and Kayden, you will not be sorry to have picked this one up.
Julia Hudson is married to Mike has twin girls and a grandson and she has everything under control she works as a neuroscientist, she spends one week in Canberra and one week in Melbourne and her work is very secretive and the family are very used to that after all she has had this job for thirty years, but when she is wheeled into the ER department that Flo works in after a car accident in a critical condition this family is turned upside down.
While their mother is in a coma they discover that she has a secret, a second life that the family are stunned is an understatement after all their mother has always preached the value of integrity and honesty and then young Kayden becomes ill another secret is revealed that will tear the twins apart in the most dreadful of ways.
When they discover their mother’s journals reading through them makes the girls think that they never had any control over their lives at all this family is falling apart because it seems that their mother has been so manipulating and controlling for so long, will she live and be able to answer the many questions the family have for her?
I loved this one from start to finish and highly recommend it, Louise Guy never disappoints me with one of her fabulous stories her words bring to life the people we get to know as we turn the pages and truly this one is totally awesome, what a story so many things could happen in this one, it has lots of emotions and had me feeling them all, yes a must read.
My thanks to the publisher Boldwood and Netgalley for my copy to read and review.
Julia Hudson is married to Mike has twin girls and a grandson and she has everything under control she works as a neuroscientist, she spends one week in Canberra and one week in Melbourne and her work is very secretive and the family are very used to that after all she has had this job for thirty years, but when she is wheeled into the ER department that Flo works in after a car accident in a critical condition this family is turned upside down.
While their mother is in a coma they discover that she has a secret, a second life that the family are stunned is an understatement after all their mother has always preached the value of integrity and honesty and then young Kayden becomes ill another secret is revealed that will tear the twins apart in the most dreadful of ways.
When they discover their mother’s journals reading through them makes the girls think that they never had any control over their lives at all this family is falling apart because it seems that their mother has been so manipulating and controlling for so long, will she live and be able to answer the many questions the family have for her?
I loved this one from start to finish and highly recommend it, Louise Guy never disappoints me with one of her fabulous stories her words bring to life the people we get to know as we turn the pages and truly this one is totally awesome, what a story so many things could happen in this one, it has lots of emotions and had me feeling them all, yes a must read.
My thanks to the publisher Boldwood and Netgalley for my copy to read and review.
August 30, 2024
Thank you Louise for gifting us a copy to read and review.
I’ve made it no secret that I adore Louise’s fantastic books.
Contemporary family and friendship fiction with a surprise twist or two, her stories are consistently entertaining, intriguing and compelling.
A Mother’s Betrayal is another to add to her growing list of treasures.
Julia Hudson lives a busy life, commuting between Canberra and Melbourne for work and her husband Mike and adult twin daughters Flo and Ari stay at home living everyday lives.
Then tragedy strikes and Julia is in a car accident that puts her in a coma.
They wait for her to wake but they find out she has been keeping a secret.
As it slowly unravels, Julia is not the only person hiding something.
Everything comes tumbling down and it all shatters apart.
Can they stay strong as a family or is it too late……
Louise is so good at creating narratives about family relationships and all the drama, issues, lies, mystery and everything else that happens between them.
It’s such bliss, joy and a luxury to read Louise’s book, so very talented and i absolutely love her work.
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, if you’re not reading Louise Guy where have you been and you need to change it now.
A story with emotion, secrets and the structure of family dynamics.
I’ve made it no secret that I adore Louise’s fantastic books.
Contemporary family and friendship fiction with a surprise twist or two, her stories are consistently entertaining, intriguing and compelling.
A Mother’s Betrayal is another to add to her growing list of treasures.
Julia Hudson lives a busy life, commuting between Canberra and Melbourne for work and her husband Mike and adult twin daughters Flo and Ari stay at home living everyday lives.
Then tragedy strikes and Julia is in a car accident that puts her in a coma.
They wait for her to wake but they find out she has been keeping a secret.
As it slowly unravels, Julia is not the only person hiding something.
Everything comes tumbling down and it all shatters apart.
Can they stay strong as a family or is it too late……
Louise is so good at creating narratives about family relationships and all the drama, issues, lies, mystery and everything else that happens between them.
It’s such bliss, joy and a luxury to read Louise’s book, so very talented and i absolutely love her work.
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, if you’re not reading Louise Guy where have you been and you need to change it now.
A story with emotion, secrets and the structure of family dynamics.
September 8, 2024
Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the ARC (Advance Reader Copy) of A Mother's Betrayal by Louise Guy. This was quite the story and quite the family!! Lots of complications, lies, secrets, drama and intrigue. It was a roller coaster ride of various emotions, lots of heartache and plenty of happiness as well. This was my first book by this author, but it won't be my last. i enjoyed it! A 4 star rating from me.
September 12, 2024
Just when you think an author can’t get any better - she does! Louise Guy has written a compelling family drama that had more twists and turns than a winding road!
Twin sisters Ari & Flo have always been close - Flo is a nurse with a little boy and.Ari is a high flying lawyer. Their mother Julia has always had a big say in what they do which they have accepted until Julia has a near fatal car accident and they discover that her life is not what it appears.
Just when you think the story is going along well with secrets coming out and being resolved, another twist comes!
I absolutely devoured this book, such great writing and being mainly set in Melbourne I was familiar with the places she wrote about too.
I strongly recommend reading this book and set aside some time to read it in a couple of sittings as you won’t want to stop!
Twin sisters Ari & Flo have always been close - Flo is a nurse with a little boy and.Ari is a high flying lawyer. Their mother Julia has always had a big say in what they do which they have accepted until Julia has a near fatal car accident and they discover that her life is not what it appears.
Just when you think the story is going along well with secrets coming out and being resolved, another twist comes!
I absolutely devoured this book, such great writing and being mainly set in Melbourne I was familiar with the places she wrote about too.
I strongly recommend reading this book and set aside some time to read it in a couple of sittings as you won’t want to stop!
September 30, 2024
Lies, secrets, betrayal … is all in Louise Guy’s latest book A Mother’s Betrayal. It had me hooked from the very beginning and had a nice twist at the end! Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this latest release in exchange for my review.
March 30, 2025
i’d say it’s a 3.5 for me! This book honestly was a very intense rollercoaster, it really did keep me on my toes (i was tweaking so bad to diya) i’d recommend it if you like dramatic plot twists but the book also was very sweet :) (a part of it at least)
March 10, 2025
In this book we meet identical twins Ari and Flo, Ari is a top Lawyer and Flo a nurse. They are the best of friends as well as siblings.
Flo is single mum to Kayden aged 6.
Things start to go wrong for the twins when their mum is involved in an accident leaving her in a coma. The. Kayden becomes sick and the truth about his parentage comes out. Can Ari and Flo’s relationship recover from the shocks that just keep on coming.
What other secrets has their mum been hiding?
This is a story about families, betrayal and overcoming the secrets and lies which surround them.
Thanks to Netgalley for the opportunity to read this title
Flo is single mum to Kayden aged 6.
Things start to go wrong for the twins when their mum is involved in an accident leaving her in a coma. The. Kayden becomes sick and the truth about his parentage comes out. Can Ari and Flo’s relationship recover from the shocks that just keep on coming.
What other secrets has their mum been hiding?
This is a story about families, betrayal and overcoming the secrets and lies which surround them.
Thanks to Netgalley for the opportunity to read this title
September 4, 2024
A mother’s betrayal was a very thought provoking read for me! I found it intriguing and it captivated me from the start.
Three generations of women in a family living blissfully unaware of secrets from the past, until one day Julia the mother is involved in a car accident the repercussions of this are huge, life changing and totally unexpected for her husband, mother and twin daughters Ari and Flo.
Alongside this Flo has a secret that also comes to light due to her son’s illness, this is something that has huge implications for her and her twin sisters relationship!
How can a family deal with so much at the same time, we the reader are taken on a tumultuous roller coaster of a read as secrets are revealed one by one showing how complicated relationships are within a family and and how misguided love can have far reaching repercussions.
Thank you NetGalley for this early read
Three generations of women in a family living blissfully unaware of secrets from the past, until one day Julia the mother is involved in a car accident the repercussions of this are huge, life changing and totally unexpected for her husband, mother and twin daughters Ari and Flo.
Alongside this Flo has a secret that also comes to light due to her son’s illness, this is something that has huge implications for her and her twin sisters relationship!
How can a family deal with so much at the same time, we the reader are taken on a tumultuous roller coaster of a read as secrets are revealed one by one showing how complicated relationships are within a family and and how misguided love can have far reaching repercussions.
Thank you NetGalley for this early read
August 6, 2024
"A Mothers Betrayal" is a book about a family with a lot of secrets. The mother works away from home a lot, the grown twins have huge secrets of their own from the past and the father is oblivious to it all, until an accident happens that turns all their lives upside down and uncovers all secrets! This book is a great suspenseful read that doesn't give much away early which I love in a book. However, I found that it dragged on a little bit in the middle but it still kept my attention and I couldn't put it down!
August 31, 2024
A family drama type of book. The summary: perfect world, perfect characters, everyone is happy and everyone has a high-flying job, however, there is a secret that leads to a drama. Drama after drama after drama But not to worry, everything leads to a sweet and very happy ending.
Perfect for fans of Kristin Hannah.
Let`s move on, shall we?
Perfect for fans of Kristin Hannah.
Let`s move on, shall we?
October 5, 2024
Read Full & Detailed review https://cynthology.blogspot.com/2024/...
Thirty-six-year-old identical twins, lawyer Arabella ‘Ari’ and nurse Florence ‘Flo’ Hudson, have a tight bond. Though far from close to their mother, neuroscientist Julia, she is still a very influential figure in their lives.
After her sixty-sixth birthday, Julia takes a flight to Canberra, and meets with a horrible accident. At the same time, Kayden, Flo’s six-year-old son, falls ill mysteriously, and the family has their hands full, stressing and caring for both patients.
It turns out that Kayden needs a rare type of blood, known as the Bombay phenotype, which presumably he inherited from his father. A transfusion of his father’s blood could save him. The trouble is that everyone thinks Kayden was born out of a one-night-stand his mother had. Only Florence knows the truth about his parentage, and she fears that revealing that truth will destroy her closest relationship.
Meanwhile, as Julia lies in a coma, a man in his sixties, Scott Cohen, shows up, claiming to be her colleague and partner. The family is torn apart, fearing their mother has been leading a double life for years. Ari and Flo read through her journals, increasingly shocked at the truth they find in its pages. Had their mother been manipulating them all these years?
The Hudson family is left floundering as one after another, lies, betrayal and deception surface, threatening to destroy them all.
The book is set in Melbourne, Australia.
Initially, the language felt a little stilted, the dialogue unnatural. At one point, the father, Mike, told Flo that it was his wedding anniversary. Shouldn’t a daughter have known that? The daughter wishes him in a lacklustre manner.
Florence’s son, Kayden, spoke like no six-year-old ever does.
In the first few chapters of the book, there was very little to move the action forward. The action moved up a gear only at the 16 percent mark when Julia meets with a horrific accident.
Julia has spent upwards of thirty years, flitting between her home in Melbourne and her workplace in Canberra, spending a week in each city. It is hard to imagine any government permitting such an arrangement, let alone for 30 years.
I found Julia as a character very annoying and unreal. It was a pain that everyone had to jump through hoops to please or accommodate her. Julia’s husband, Mike, going out of his way to mollify her every time, seemed like a douche of a man. The entire family was constantly tiptoeing around her moods. The family dynamic was weird.
While the women’s professions are talked about frequently, it is unclear what the men are doing. Mike plays golf, and is presumably retired, but what he spent his lifetime doing is unclear.
Much is made out of Julia’s work. It’s all top-secret and confidential, but the few scraps of information we are given about it makes it appear banal and boring. I got the sense that the author hadn’t thought this one through, cloaking it all in hush-hush speak to give us the impression that there’s more there than we understand.
The author seems to have no idea how age works. The daughters are 36, and their mother, at 66, is exactly 30 years older. We don’t know the age of Gigi, Julia’s mother, but assuming she was at least 20 when Julia was born, that makes her 86. But not a word is said about how she might be coping with living alone, driving around by herself etc. The news of Julia’s accident, we are told, makes her look 10 years older, but age doesn’t just manifest itself in looks.
Thirty-six-year-old identical twins, lawyer Arabella ‘Ari’ and nurse Florence ‘Flo’ Hudson, have a tight bond. Though far from close to their mother, neuroscientist Julia, she is still a very influential figure in their lives.
After her sixty-sixth birthday, Julia takes a flight to Canberra, and meets with a horrible accident. At the same time, Kayden, Flo’s six-year-old son, falls ill mysteriously, and the family has their hands full, stressing and caring for both patients.
It turns out that Kayden needs a rare type of blood, known as the Bombay phenotype, which presumably he inherited from his father. A transfusion of his father’s blood could save him. The trouble is that everyone thinks Kayden was born out of a one-night-stand his mother had. Only Florence knows the truth about his parentage, and she fears that revealing that truth will destroy her closest relationship.
Meanwhile, as Julia lies in a coma, a man in his sixties, Scott Cohen, shows up, claiming to be her colleague and partner. The family is torn apart, fearing their mother has been leading a double life for years. Ari and Flo read through her journals, increasingly shocked at the truth they find in its pages. Had their mother been manipulating them all these years?
The Hudson family is left floundering as one after another, lies, betrayal and deception surface, threatening to destroy them all.
The book is set in Melbourne, Australia.
Initially, the language felt a little stilted, the dialogue unnatural. At one point, the father, Mike, told Flo that it was his wedding anniversary. Shouldn’t a daughter have known that? The daughter wishes him in a lacklustre manner.
Florence’s son, Kayden, spoke like no six-year-old ever does.
In the first few chapters of the book, there was very little to move the action forward. The action moved up a gear only at the 16 percent mark when Julia meets with a horrific accident.
Julia has spent upwards of thirty years, flitting between her home in Melbourne and her workplace in Canberra, spending a week in each city. It is hard to imagine any government permitting such an arrangement, let alone for 30 years.
I found Julia as a character very annoying and unreal. It was a pain that everyone had to jump through hoops to please or accommodate her. Julia’s husband, Mike, going out of his way to mollify her every time, seemed like a douche of a man. The entire family was constantly tiptoeing around her moods. The family dynamic was weird.
While the women’s professions are talked about frequently, it is unclear what the men are doing. Mike plays golf, and is presumably retired, but what he spent his lifetime doing is unclear.
Much is made out of Julia’s work. It’s all top-secret and confidential, but the few scraps of information we are given about it makes it appear banal and boring. I got the sense that the author hadn’t thought this one through, cloaking it all in hush-hush speak to give us the impression that there’s more there than we understand.
The author seems to have no idea how age works. The daughters are 36, and their mother, at 66, is exactly 30 years older. We don’t know the age of Gigi, Julia’s mother, but assuming she was at least 20 when Julia was born, that makes her 86. But not a word is said about how she might be coping with living alone, driving around by herself etc. The news of Julia’s accident, we are told, makes her look 10 years older, but age doesn’t just manifest itself in looks.
September 7, 2024
I am no stranger to Louise Guy’s novels and this story was fabulous. As I was reading, it was like I was watching a movie with suspense, twists and turns and it was so easy to love all the characters in this book, bar one.
The story revolves around the Hudson family consisting of Mum and Dad Julia & Mike, their twin girls Nurse Flo and Lawyer Ari who are very close. Flo has a six-year-old son named Kayden who is just a lovely little boy. Julia’s mum Gigi who is just beautiful.
Julia commutes from Melbourne to Canberra every week or so for her work which is highly secretive in what she does. She can’t say too much about what she does. It is when Julia is in a serious car accident that the secrets come out to play. Would she survive so that they can find the answers?
Julia seems to have led a double life. Journals are found which are very upsetting to the twins when they are reading them. What is written in them? Would they hold the answers to why she has kept secrets from them all? They have lost all faith in their mum. She seems to have interfered in their lives since they were little and beyond as they got older.
More secrets are revealed, and they belong to Flo. Flo and Ari have a falling out and everyone seems to be caught up within it all.
I could not put this book down as I really wanted to know where everything was leading. I didn’t see what was coming at all in some of the stories. This book is jam packed with so much happening that you are kept on your toes throughout reading.
There are other characters who come into the storyline, but I am not mentioning them as you honestly need to just go and read this book.
I loved the storyline which kept me in suspense right throughout the pages. So many secrets within the chapters. It really is a page turner.
The story revolves around the Hudson family consisting of Mum and Dad Julia & Mike, their twin girls Nurse Flo and Lawyer Ari who are very close. Flo has a six-year-old son named Kayden who is just a lovely little boy. Julia’s mum Gigi who is just beautiful.
Julia commutes from Melbourne to Canberra every week or so for her work which is highly secretive in what she does. She can’t say too much about what she does. It is when Julia is in a serious car accident that the secrets come out to play. Would she survive so that they can find the answers?
Julia seems to have led a double life. Journals are found which are very upsetting to the twins when they are reading them. What is written in them? Would they hold the answers to why she has kept secrets from them all? They have lost all faith in their mum. She seems to have interfered in their lives since they were little and beyond as they got older.
More secrets are revealed, and they belong to Flo. Flo and Ari have a falling out and everyone seems to be caught up within it all.
I could not put this book down as I really wanted to know where everything was leading. I didn’t see what was coming at all in some of the stories. This book is jam packed with so much happening that you are kept on your toes throughout reading.
There are other characters who come into the storyline, but I am not mentioning them as you honestly need to just go and read this book.
I loved the storyline which kept me in suspense right throughout the pages. So many secrets within the chapters. It really is a page turner.
September 16, 2024
A MOTHER'S BETRAYAL by Louise Guy
When Julia Hudson is involved in a near-fatal accident, the lives of her children – nurse Flo and her twin sister, high-flying lawyer Ari – are sent into a tumultuous emotional journey.
As they sit vigil by their mother's bedside, the sisters discover that Julia, who has always preached unwavering principles and integrity, has been keeping a terrible secret. A secret that shatters everything they've ever believed about their family.
But the twins have each other… or do they? Because Julia is not the only one keeping secrets…
With Julia in a coma and unable to answer their questions, her journals might provide the answers they seek. But Julia's journals reveal yet another dark secret. One that will make the sisters question every part of their life.
If you can't trust your mother, who can you trust? And – with their mother's life in the balance – can the sisters find a way to forgive her before it's too late?
Louise Guy is a writer that I have read before and enjoyed. She has written some great novels, which include A Family's Trust and My Sister's Baby. Like her other works, A Mother's Betrayal is a compelling exploration of family turmoil, trust, and the consequences of secrets.
A Mother's Betrayal is no different; it is a compelling, moving, suspenseful story of family lies, betrayals, and secrets. It delves deep into the complexities of family dynamics, with plenty of twists and turns to keep your interest until the last page.
I am happy to recommend it.
I want to thank publishers Boldwood Books, author Louise Guy, and Rachels Random Resources for providing a copy to read and review.
When Julia Hudson is involved in a near-fatal accident, the lives of her children – nurse Flo and her twin sister, high-flying lawyer Ari – are sent into a tumultuous emotional journey.
As they sit vigil by their mother's bedside, the sisters discover that Julia, who has always preached unwavering principles and integrity, has been keeping a terrible secret. A secret that shatters everything they've ever believed about their family.
But the twins have each other… or do they? Because Julia is not the only one keeping secrets…
With Julia in a coma and unable to answer their questions, her journals might provide the answers they seek. But Julia's journals reveal yet another dark secret. One that will make the sisters question every part of their life.
If you can't trust your mother, who can you trust? And – with their mother's life in the balance – can the sisters find a way to forgive her before it's too late?
Louise Guy is a writer that I have read before and enjoyed. She has written some great novels, which include A Family's Trust and My Sister's Baby. Like her other works, A Mother's Betrayal is a compelling exploration of family turmoil, trust, and the consequences of secrets.
A Mother's Betrayal is no different; it is a compelling, moving, suspenseful story of family lies, betrayals, and secrets. It delves deep into the complexities of family dynamics, with plenty of twists and turns to keep your interest until the last page.
I am happy to recommend it.
I want to thank publishers Boldwood Books, author Louise Guy, and Rachels Random Resources for providing a copy to read and review.
August 15, 2024
Three generations of women, discover who their family is after an accident, brings them all together. Julia, the mother of identical twins, Flo and Ari, was in an accident and is now in a coma. During this difficult time, Flo a nurse, and Ari a lawyer, discover something's about their mother, but also about each other. They have to face what they are learning, and what to do about it.
It is a gripping story that will keep you reading, until the very end. Louise Guy did an excellent job writing this story. Never did Flo and Ari think they would be where they are today. While their mother lays in a coma they discover, their mother had a secret life, that they knew nothing about. The twins also discover the secrets that they have been keeping, is about to come out. Their lives are unraveling, and as it does, they have to face what is happening, but also what life is doing to each one of them. We really don't know what life has in store for anyone, until it comes to light, then all you can do is figure out a way to move forward, That is what they are all doing, and we get to see how each one is facing what is happening, and what happens as they move forward
I started this book late afternoon, not expecting what I was reading. It was like I was stuck in the story and was moving along with them. I tried to put the book down, but couldn't do it. While I am reading in the middle of the night, we have a thunders storm with lightening, and heavy rain, which added to the intensity.
I received an ARC from Boldwood Books through NetGalley.
It is a gripping story that will keep you reading, until the very end. Louise Guy did an excellent job writing this story. Never did Flo and Ari think they would be where they are today. While their mother lays in a coma they discover, their mother had a secret life, that they knew nothing about. The twins also discover the secrets that they have been keeping, is about to come out. Their lives are unraveling, and as it does, they have to face what is happening, but also what life is doing to each one of them. We really don't know what life has in store for anyone, until it comes to light, then all you can do is figure out a way to move forward, That is what they are all doing, and we get to see how each one is facing what is happening, and what happens as they move forward
I started this book late afternoon, not expecting what I was reading. It was like I was stuck in the story and was moving along with them. I tried to put the book down, but couldn't do it. While I am reading in the middle of the night, we have a thunders storm with lightening, and heavy rain, which added to the intensity.
I received an ARC from Boldwood Books through NetGalley.
August 26, 2024
3.5 stars rounded up
When Julia Hudson is involved in a near-fatal accident, the lives of her children - nurse Flo and her twin sister, high-flying lawyer Ari - are sent into free fall. As they sit vigil at their mother's bedside, the sisters discover that Julia, who has always preached unsavoury principles and integrity, has been keeping a terrible secret. A secret that shatters everything they've ever believed about their family. But the twins have each other.... or do they? Because Julia is not the only one keeping secrets. With Julia in a coma and unable to answer their questions, her journals might provide the answers they seek. But Julia's journals reveal yet another dark secret. One that will make the sisters question every part of the life they've lived.
When Julia had her near-fatal accident, her twin daughters, Flo and Ari, found out that she was keeping a secret that would change everything. But Julia is not the only one keeping secrets. This story is told from multiple perspectives. The first few chapters introduce us to the characters and their relationships, until two separate emergencies unleash the secrets that have been kept for years. The family gets divided, will they be able to get over these events?
Published 12th September 2024
I would like to thank #NetGalley #BoldwoodBooks and the author #LouiseGuy for my ARC of #AMothersBetrayal in exchange for an honest review.
When Julia Hudson is involved in a near-fatal accident, the lives of her children - nurse Flo and her twin sister, high-flying lawyer Ari - are sent into free fall. As they sit vigil at their mother's bedside, the sisters discover that Julia, who has always preached unsavoury principles and integrity, has been keeping a terrible secret. A secret that shatters everything they've ever believed about their family. But the twins have each other.... or do they? Because Julia is not the only one keeping secrets. With Julia in a coma and unable to answer their questions, her journals might provide the answers they seek. But Julia's journals reveal yet another dark secret. One that will make the sisters question every part of the life they've lived.
When Julia had her near-fatal accident, her twin daughters, Flo and Ari, found out that she was keeping a secret that would change everything. But Julia is not the only one keeping secrets. This story is told from multiple perspectives. The first few chapters introduce us to the characters and their relationships, until two separate emergencies unleash the secrets that have been kept for years. The family gets divided, will they be able to get over these events?
Published 12th September 2024
I would like to thank #NetGalley #BoldwoodBooks and the author #LouiseGuy for my ARC of #AMothersBetrayal in exchange for an honest review.
August 31, 2024
Thank you NetGalley and Boldwood Books for this eCopy to review
A Mother’s Betrayal is quite an emotional rollercoaster. From the very beginning, I was drawn into the complex web of family dynamics and secrets that Louise Guy so masterfully weaves.
The story revolves around the lives of two twin sisters, each grappling with their own personal struggles and the haunting legacy of their mother’s actions. The characters are well-developed and relatable, making it easy to empathize with their plights, their resilience and determination to uncover the truth kept me turning the pages.
What I appreciated most about this book was the way it handled sensitive topics with grace and sensitivity. The themes of betrayal, forgiveness, and healing are explored in a way that feels both authentic and thought-provoking. Louise Guy’s writing style is engaging and evocative, painting vivid pictures of the settings and emotions that the characters experience.
However, the reason I didn’t give it a full 5 stars is that there were moments where the pacing felt a bit slow, and some plot twists were somewhat predictable. Despite these minor drawbacks, the overall impact of the story was powerful and left a lasting impression on me.
In conclusion, A Mother’s Betrayal is a compelling read that delves deep into the complexities of family relationships and the enduring impact of past actions. I would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a heartfelt and thought-provoking novel.
A Mother’s Betrayal is quite an emotional rollercoaster. From the very beginning, I was drawn into the complex web of family dynamics and secrets that Louise Guy so masterfully weaves.
The story revolves around the lives of two twin sisters, each grappling with their own personal struggles and the haunting legacy of their mother’s actions. The characters are well-developed and relatable, making it easy to empathize with their plights, their resilience and determination to uncover the truth kept me turning the pages.
What I appreciated most about this book was the way it handled sensitive topics with grace and sensitivity. The themes of betrayal, forgiveness, and healing are explored in a way that feels both authentic and thought-provoking. Louise Guy’s writing style is engaging and evocative, painting vivid pictures of the settings and emotions that the characters experience.
However, the reason I didn’t give it a full 5 stars is that there were moments where the pacing felt a bit slow, and some plot twists were somewhat predictable. Despite these minor drawbacks, the overall impact of the story was powerful and left a lasting impression on me.
In conclusion, A Mother’s Betrayal is a compelling read that delves deep into the complexities of family relationships and the enduring impact of past actions. I would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a heartfelt and thought-provoking novel.
October 5, 2024
You had me at journals
This book was wild, full of oh so many secrets.
Julia has twins Arianna and Florence. The book starts when they are 4 but then it jumps to when they are grown up and Florence has a six year old son Kayden.
They spend time at their parent's house for Julia's birthday. The girls are uncomfortable because mom is always so secretive.
If you read the description of the book you will learn that Julia gets into a car accident and goes into a coma.
While in the coma the girls start investigating because Julia was not supposed to be where she was when she got into the accident.
I really can't say much other than I felt like a ping pong ball with all the shocks and secrets revealed.
They just kept coming.
I resonated with a controlling mother all too well.
I liked the twins and I loved the little girl she was adorable. Actually both the children were.
I kept turning the pages quickly, well kindle pages, because the journal parts of the story sucked me in and kept me guessing.
I never liked Julia one bit no matter what the journals said and even when secrets came out I still didnt like her.
This book is a definate one sitting read for sure
so I highly recommend this book to anyone who likes secrets revealed, family dramas, journals, sisters, and books that keep one guessing right up till the end.
4****
This book was wild, full of oh so many secrets.
Julia has twins Arianna and Florence. The book starts when they are 4 but then it jumps to when they are grown up and Florence has a six year old son Kayden.
They spend time at their parent's house for Julia's birthday. The girls are uncomfortable because mom is always so secretive.
If you read the description of the book you will learn that Julia gets into a car accident and goes into a coma.
While in the coma the girls start investigating because Julia was not supposed to be where she was when she got into the accident.
I really can't say much other than I felt like a ping pong ball with all the shocks and secrets revealed.
They just kept coming.
I resonated with a controlling mother all too well.
I liked the twins and I loved the little girl she was adorable. Actually both the children were.
I kept turning the pages quickly, well kindle pages, because the journal parts of the story sucked me in and kept me guessing.
I never liked Julia one bit no matter what the journals said and even when secrets came out I still didnt like her.
This book is a definate one sitting read for sure
so I highly recommend this book to anyone who likes secrets revealed, family dramas, journals, sisters, and books that keep one guessing right up till the end.
4****
September 15, 2024
Here’s a Goodreads review based on your feedback:
---
Julia Hudson’s life is upended by a tragic car accident, leaving her in a coma and her family reeling. As her husband Mike and twin daughters Ari and Flo sit by her ICU bedside, they stumble upon a devastating secret Julia has been keeping—a revelation that turns their world upside down. The once close-knit sisters face their own struggles, and as more secrets unravel, they question whether they can ever trust their mother again.
I loved the complex relationships and the emotional depth of this story. The tension between Ari and Flo was particularly well-done, and the twists kept me hooked from start to finish. Julia’s journals added an intriguing layer of mystery, revealing more lies than anyone expected. The setting in the leafy streets of Melbourne made the story feel grounded, and I appreciated how unpredictable the plot was.
Overall, this book takes readers on an emotional rollercoaster, tackling themes of betrayal, trust, and forgiveness. Five stars! I’m definitely excited to read more from Louise Guy in the future.
With thanks to NetGalley, Rachel's Random Resources, Louise Guy, & Boldwood Books for my ARC to read and review.
---
Julia Hudson’s life is upended by a tragic car accident, leaving her in a coma and her family reeling. As her husband Mike and twin daughters Ari and Flo sit by her ICU bedside, they stumble upon a devastating secret Julia has been keeping—a revelation that turns their world upside down. The once close-knit sisters face their own struggles, and as more secrets unravel, they question whether they can ever trust their mother again.
I loved the complex relationships and the emotional depth of this story. The tension between Ari and Flo was particularly well-done, and the twists kept me hooked from start to finish. Julia’s journals added an intriguing layer of mystery, revealing more lies than anyone expected. The setting in the leafy streets of Melbourne made the story feel grounded, and I appreciated how unpredictable the plot was.
Overall, this book takes readers on an emotional rollercoaster, tackling themes of betrayal, trust, and forgiveness. Five stars! I’m definitely excited to read more from Louise Guy in the future.
With thanks to NetGalley, Rachel's Random Resources, Louise Guy, & Boldwood Books for my ARC to read and review.
October 4, 2024
36 year old twins Ari and Flo find out their mother has been keeping secrets when she ends up in a coma after being involved in a car accident.
This is a domestic drama which explores how lies, secrets and betrayal can affect a family. The characters were likeable - even if they made mistakes, you could understand the reasoning behind their choices, and their reactions to the drama that unfolded were realistic and believable.
The synopsis mentions that secrets are discovered when the mother’s journal is found, however the journal didn’t come into play until halfway through the book and didn’t feature as much as I expected which was a bit disappointing as I found that element of the story really interesting.
There were a few twists along the way, the earlier ones I managed to guess but not the later ones. It was a little bit repetitive in places and slower paced than the thrillers I usually read but it hooked me from the start. I enjoyed reading about the family dynamic and wanted to know the truth about the situation. Thank you to NetGalley, Boldwood Books and the author for this eARC.
This is a domestic drama which explores how lies, secrets and betrayal can affect a family. The characters were likeable - even if they made mistakes, you could understand the reasoning behind their choices, and their reactions to the drama that unfolded were realistic and believable.
The synopsis mentions that secrets are discovered when the mother’s journal is found, however the journal didn’t come into play until halfway through the book and didn’t feature as much as I expected which was a bit disappointing as I found that element of the story really interesting.
There were a few twists along the way, the earlier ones I managed to guess but not the later ones. It was a little bit repetitive in places and slower paced than the thrillers I usually read but it hooked me from the start. I enjoyed reading about the family dynamic and wanted to know the truth about the situation. Thank you to NetGalley, Boldwood Books and the author for this eARC.
August 9, 2024
"A Mother's Betrayal" is a twisty, interesting family drama/mystery set in Australia. It tells the tale of adult twin sisters Ari and Flo and their troubled relationship with their controlling mother. The story is told from the viewpoints of several women characters and also includes other family members and non-relatives.
In the book's first chapters, we are introduced to the family and are just getting a feel for their relationships and general family dynamics, and then all hell breaks loose when two separate emergencies bring about revelations and long-time secrets that threaten not only the weakest ties in the family but also the strongest.
I would like the author to have given us a deeper view into the main characters, so that I could have really felt for them as the family unraveled and then later began healing, but even without that I found the plot engrossing. "A Mother's Betrayal" is an enjoyable read and I am thankful to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for the chance to review an advance copy.
All opinions are honest and my own.
In the book's first chapters, we are introduced to the family and are just getting a feel for their relationships and general family dynamics, and then all hell breaks loose when two separate emergencies bring about revelations and long-time secrets that threaten not only the weakest ties in the family but also the strongest.
I would like the author to have given us a deeper view into the main characters, so that I could have really felt for them as the family unraveled and then later began healing, but even without that I found the plot engrossing. "A Mother's Betrayal" is an enjoyable read and I am thankful to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for the chance to review an advance copy.
All opinions are honest and my own.
August 18, 2024
This was an interesting story. Julia had twin girls and documented everything about their lives including steering them in the direction she thought they should go in their careers and lives. When she has a near fatal accident, things started to come to light. A man says he is her partner - even though she has been happily married for years. Her husband is sure the man is lying, but can't prove it until she wakes up. The girls start investigating, which brings up even more questions. Then the father of Flo's son needs to show up which makes it more complicated as he is Ari's ex-husband. The twins are torn apart for awhile, but finally talk things out I loved the interaction with Flo's son and his father's your daughter. They were best friends immediately and were estatic when they found out they were siblings.
A book well worth reading.
I got this book from NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving a review
A book well worth reading.
I got this book from NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving a review
August 21, 2024
A woman's accident and the resultant impact on the lives of her twin daughters are at the heart of this story, which explores family relationships, the ties that bind, and how we deal with the situation when people are not who we thought they were. Especially when they are the ones whom we consider the closest to us...
Reading their mother's journals, Flo and Ari begin to realise just how deeply her influence has infiltrated their lives. But that is far from the only secret their mother has been keeping from them - and quite possibly, her husband too.
The apple, as they say, does not fall far from the tree - and this becomes increasingly evident as Flo and Ari begin investigating and discover, among other things, a set of secret siblings. This one will be a great hit with lovers of intergenerational family stories and women's fiction. It gets 3.5 stars.
I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
Reading their mother's journals, Flo and Ari begin to realise just how deeply her influence has infiltrated their lives. But that is far from the only secret their mother has been keeping from them - and quite possibly, her husband too.
The apple, as they say, does not fall far from the tree - and this becomes increasingly evident as Flo and Ari begin investigating and discover, among other things, a set of secret siblings. This one will be a great hit with lovers of intergenerational family stories and women's fiction. It gets 3.5 stars.
I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
September 18, 2024
BOOK REVIEW
This is a family drama with some elements of mystery and suspense.
It follows the story of identical twins Flo and Ari and their mother, Julia. Family secrets were unraveled when Julia had an accident. I don’t want to say too much without giving the plot away.
This deals with some serious topics such as childhood illness, trauma and the consequences of manipulating children and their choices.
I didn’t know the direction the story was going but it didn’t take long to figure out Flo’s secret. It was an eye opener learning about Bombay blood and Kayden’s diagnosis.
The plot was interesting and quite the page turner as I wanted to know how the plot would unfold.
I loved all of the characters and I loved how the author portrayed them as very messy, chaotic and relatable.
If you are looking for a cozy read with some serious drama and vibes then you should consider this.
This is a family drama with some elements of mystery and suspense.
It follows the story of identical twins Flo and Ari and their mother, Julia. Family secrets were unraveled when Julia had an accident. I don’t want to say too much without giving the plot away.
This deals with some serious topics such as childhood illness, trauma and the consequences of manipulating children and their choices.
I didn’t know the direction the story was going but it didn’t take long to figure out Flo’s secret. It was an eye opener learning about Bombay blood and Kayden’s diagnosis.
The plot was interesting and quite the page turner as I wanted to know how the plot would unfold.
I loved all of the characters and I loved how the author portrayed them as very messy, chaotic and relatable.
If you are looking for a cozy read with some serious drama and vibes then you should consider this.
August 23, 2024
I really enjoyed My Sister's Baby and A Family's Trust. I couldn't wait for Louise's next book. A Mother's Betrayal is a gripping story about twin sisters, the complexities of family and secrets.
Arabella (Ari) and Florence (Flo) are really close. I liked witnessing their relationship. Flo's son, Kayden, is six years old and all of the characters are well fleshed out and realistic. I was concerned when Kayden was ill.
Julia, the twins' mother, works for the government and travels between Melbourne and Canberra. I've never been to Australia before. The scenery is very immersive. How will the family react when Julia has a car accident? What happened that day? Will she survive? She has a traumatic brain injury as well as a broken leg and other lacerations.
Are family always there? They go to the hospital, but will they really stick together after secrets are revealed for many of the characters. Flo, Ari and Julia all have hidden aspects of their lives. I was really looking forward to what I was going to discover.
As with Louise's other books I have reviewed, A Mother's Betrayal is very twisty and totally unforgettable. Louise Guy is always excellent at getting into peoples' personalities. The book is as immersive as the others I have reviewed.
Thanks to Boldwood Books for my eARC in exchange for an honest and voluntary review.
5 stars
Arabella (Ari) and Florence (Flo) are really close. I liked witnessing their relationship. Flo's son, Kayden, is six years old and all of the characters are well fleshed out and realistic. I was concerned when Kayden was ill.
Julia, the twins' mother, works for the government and travels between Melbourne and Canberra. I've never been to Australia before. The scenery is very immersive. How will the family react when Julia has a car accident? What happened that day? Will she survive? She has a traumatic brain injury as well as a broken leg and other lacerations.
Are family always there? They go to the hospital, but will they really stick together after secrets are revealed for many of the characters. Flo, Ari and Julia all have hidden aspects of their lives. I was really looking forward to what I was going to discover.
As with Louise's other books I have reviewed, A Mother's Betrayal is very twisty and totally unforgettable. Louise Guy is always excellent at getting into peoples' personalities. The book is as immersive as the others I have reviewed.
Thanks to Boldwood Books for my eARC in exchange for an honest and voluntary review.
5 stars
Displaying 1 - 30 of 74 reviews