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Loving Mothers
A sixteen-year-old girl goes out on a crisp fall evening and never comes home. It’s every parent’s worst nightmare. Everyone holds their children tighter. But two of these loving mothers are hiding something terrible…
Stella
Moving to this neighborhood was meant to be a fresh start for my son and me. As I sip wine at the block’s Halloween party, I finally feel myself relax.
But then the next morning I hear the terrifying news. A young girl is missing. Shelby is just sixteen, with beautiful blonde hair and bright blue eyes. And there’s a rumor my son was dating her.
I can’t believe he kept this from me, not after all the terrible things we’re running from. What else might he be hiding? And how far will I have to go to protect my son?
Mary
My daughter was Shelby’s best friend. She should be distraught. But instead I hear her giggling on the phone with Shelby’s boyfriend. And then I find her Halloween costume, stuffed into a bag in her closet, covered in blood.
My heart pounds in my chest. Just down the street, Shelby’s mother is going through the unimaginable. But if my family’s secret comes out, it will destroy us all. And I will do anything to protect my daughter. Even if it means blaming someone else’s child…
Mothers will do anything for their children. But when all the lies are revealed, will any of these families survive?
A totally gripping psychological suspense about the dark secrets that lie behind perfect families. If you love Claire Douglas, Ruth Ware or Karin Slaughter, Loving Mothers will have you glued to the pages till the final jaw-dropping twist.
Stella
Moving to this neighborhood was meant to be a fresh start for my son and me. As I sip wine at the block’s Halloween party, I finally feel myself relax.
But then the next morning I hear the terrifying news. A young girl is missing. Shelby is just sixteen, with beautiful blonde hair and bright blue eyes. And there’s a rumor my son was dating her.
I can’t believe he kept this from me, not after all the terrible things we’re running from. What else might he be hiding? And how far will I have to go to protect my son?
Mary
My daughter was Shelby’s best friend. She should be distraught. But instead I hear her giggling on the phone with Shelby’s boyfriend. And then I find her Halloween costume, stuffed into a bag in her closet, covered in blood.
My heart pounds in my chest. Just down the street, Shelby’s mother is going through the unimaginable. But if my family’s secret comes out, it will destroy us all. And I will do anything to protect my daughter. Even if it means blaming someone else’s child…
Mothers will do anything for their children. But when all the lies are revealed, will any of these families survive?
A totally gripping psychological suspense about the dark secrets that lie behind perfect families. If you love Claire Douglas, Ruth Ware or Karin Slaughter, Loving Mothers will have you glued to the pages till the final jaw-dropping twist.
282 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 3, 2024
841 people are currently reading
650 people want to read
About the author
Miranda Smith
14 books318 followersMiranda Smith writes domestic and psychological suspense. She is drawn to stories about ordinary people in extraordinary situations. Her debut novel, SOME DAYS ARE DARK, will be released in March 2020.
Miranda has been a staff writer at a local newspaper and a secondary English teacher. When it comes to fiction, Miranda writes about complicated women, dark impulses and Southern settings.
She lives in East Tennessee with her husband and three children.
Miranda has been a staff writer at a local newspaper and a secondary English teacher. When it comes to fiction, Miranda writes about complicated women, dark impulses and Southern settings.
She lives in East Tennessee with her husband and three children.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 123 reviews
September 8, 2024
5 ⭐️
I absolutely DEVOURED this book. This was one of the best psychological thrillers i've read in a while. This book was Frieda Mcfadden meets a good girls guide to murder and i absolutely ate it up. when shelby- one of the neighborhood girls goes missing after a halloween party, everyone has their theories on what happened. Everyone starts pointing the finger at each other and everyone has a skeleton in their closet they are trying to hide.
thank you to the publishers and netgalley for this ARC!
I absolutely DEVOURED this book. This was one of the best psychological thrillers i've read in a while. This book was Frieda Mcfadden meets a good girls guide to murder and i absolutely ate it up. when shelby- one of the neighborhood girls goes missing after a halloween party, everyone has their theories on what happened. Everyone starts pointing the finger at each other and everyone has a skeleton in their closet they are trying to hide.
thank you to the publishers and netgalley for this ARC!
October 27, 2024
a well written intricated mystery
about mothers too self-absorbed
to see there may be much further
reasons for the actions of others
besides their own paranoia. ♡
about mothers too self-absorbed
to see there may be much further
reasons for the actions of others
besides their own paranoia. ♡
August 19, 2024
This book was so good. The twists and turns didn’t stop coming.
It’s told in multiple perspectives which keeps you wanting to read more.
The characters were so well written. Mary, Stella, Naomi, Janet, and Donna are all neighbors. Stella is new to the neighborhood. She’s gone through a lot and is wanting to find a place of safety. Stella’s son is the new kid in school. Donna is trying to find her daughter who goes missing during a Halloween party. Mary is the queen bee of the neighborhood. Her daughter is best friends with Donna’s daughter. All of the wives have secrets. As the secrets start coming out, you can’t help but keep turning the pages.
It’s told in multiple perspectives which keeps you wanting to read more.
The characters were so well written. Mary, Stella, Naomi, Janet, and Donna are all neighbors. Stella is new to the neighborhood. She’s gone through a lot and is wanting to find a place of safety. Stella’s son is the new kid in school. Donna is trying to find her daughter who goes missing during a Halloween party. Mary is the queen bee of the neighborhood. Her daughter is best friends with Donna’s daughter. All of the wives have secrets. As the secrets start coming out, you can’t help but keep turning the pages.
September 30, 2024
Big thanks to Bookouture for a copy on Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
I quite enjoy a Miranda Smith psychological thriller.
Her books are clever, mysterious and very entertaining.
Loving Mothers is another to add to that list.
Stella and her son have moved to Hickory Hills to escape her mean husband.
She meets four other wife’s and mothers who seem to rule the street.
The night of the neighbourhood Halloween party everyone has great time.
But the next morning the daughter of one of the mothers has disappeared.
What happened…..
As the police get involved, there’s more to this story than meets the eye…..
A fast paced read with many revelations along the way.
Full of tension, surprises, twists and turns.
Behind the facade of perfect there’s more secrets than you can count…..
I quite enjoy a Miranda Smith psychological thriller.
Her books are clever, mysterious and very entertaining.
Loving Mothers is another to add to that list.
Stella and her son have moved to Hickory Hills to escape her mean husband.
She meets four other wife’s and mothers who seem to rule the street.
The night of the neighbourhood Halloween party everyone has great time.
But the next morning the daughter of one of the mothers has disappeared.
What happened…..
As the police get involved, there’s more to this story than meets the eye…..
A fast paced read with many revelations along the way.
Full of tension, surprises, twists and turns.
Behind the facade of perfect there’s more secrets than you can count…..
August 17, 2024
Stella Moore has recently left her abusive husband, and she and her son Hudson moved to Hickory Hills, a gated community where she feels much more safe. It’s the night of the neighborhood Halloween party, and all of her new neighbors are out celebrating. There was a lot of drinking, a lot of drama, and the next morning, a teenage girl is missing.
Mary is the Queen Bee of the neighborhood, upholding her perfect image with her husband Ken, the vice principal at Hickory Hills High School, and their daughter Grace. When she gets a call from her neighbor Donna the next morning, saying her daughter Shelby never came home, Mary didn’t panic. Donna pays more attention to men than her daughter, and Shelby has run away in the past. Surely this is a matter of an obstinate and probably hungover teenager hiding out, but as the day goes on, nobody has seen her. Mary asks Grace, Shelby’s best friend, what happened at the party, and Grace said she didn’t know - she and Shelby broke off their friendship.
As the parents (and eventually the police) get involved, they start asking their children questions that come with shocking answers. Not all was well in the neighborhood, not by a long shot, and soon they are all snooping, trying to find out if their kids were involved - and how to protect them if they were.
There are plenty of surprises in this book, and this was a very entertaining page turner and a quick read. Sometimes the people who put their “perfect” lives on display have the most to hide, and all of their secrets are quite juicy. The book ended with several twists that made this a highly entertaining thriller. 4.5 stars!
(Thank you to Bookouture for inviting me on this book tour. “Loving Mothers” is slated to be released on October 3, 2024.)
Mary is the Queen Bee of the neighborhood, upholding her perfect image with her husband Ken, the vice principal at Hickory Hills High School, and their daughter Grace. When she gets a call from her neighbor Donna the next morning, saying her daughter Shelby never came home, Mary didn’t panic. Donna pays more attention to men than her daughter, and Shelby has run away in the past. Surely this is a matter of an obstinate and probably hungover teenager hiding out, but as the day goes on, nobody has seen her. Mary asks Grace, Shelby’s best friend, what happened at the party, and Grace said she didn’t know - she and Shelby broke off their friendship.
As the parents (and eventually the police) get involved, they start asking their children questions that come with shocking answers. Not all was well in the neighborhood, not by a long shot, and soon they are all snooping, trying to find out if their kids were involved - and how to protect them if they were.
There are plenty of surprises in this book, and this was a very entertaining page turner and a quick read. Sometimes the people who put their “perfect” lives on display have the most to hide, and all of their secrets are quite juicy. The book ended with several twists that made this a highly entertaining thriller. 4.5 stars!
(Thank you to Bookouture for inviting me on this book tour. “Loving Mothers” is slated to be released on October 3, 2024.)
May 8, 2025
1.5 ⭐️ rounded up
Eh, just didn’t do much for me. Every adult character was absolutely awful - the women were hollow, bitchy stereotypes, the men were controlling-to-abusive weirdos who are probably all-in on tradwife bullshit. The scattershot plot and chapter arrangement/timeline felt messy and chaotic instead of engaging and intentionally twisty. The resolution was very abrupt and unsatisfying.
If you have been in an abusive/controlling relationship, proceed with caution. I’m able to separate fiction from personal experience at this point (thank you, years of therapy!), but Beau is so similar to my own abusive ex, I had to pause and gather my thoughts a few times. Even 5 years ago, I wouldn’t have been able to stick with a book like this, so be mindful if the subject is too raw/recent for you. ♥️
Eh, just didn’t do much for me. Every adult character was absolutely awful - the women were hollow, bitchy stereotypes, the men were controlling-to-abusive weirdos who are probably all-in on tradwife bullshit. The scattershot plot and chapter arrangement/timeline felt messy and chaotic instead of engaging and intentionally twisty. The resolution was very abrupt and unsatisfying.
If you have been in an abusive/controlling relationship, proceed with caution. I’m able to separate fiction from personal experience at this point (thank you, years of therapy!), but Beau is so similar to my own abusive ex, I had to pause and gather my thoughts a few times. Even 5 years ago, I wouldn’t have been able to stick with a book like this, so be mindful if the subject is too raw/recent for you. ♥️
September 25, 2024
Okay so this is a popcorn read full of toxic people and it's entertaining as can be.
Don't expect...depth. Also, do expect that the reveal will NOT take you by surprise.
But these 'Loving' but not 'Lovely' Mothers give you quite the read.
I hated these people, but didn't want to look away.
Don't expect...depth. Also, do expect that the reveal will NOT take you by surprise.
But these 'Loving' but not 'Lovely' Mothers give you quite the read.
I hated these people, but didn't want to look away.
September 25, 2024
What a fun ride!! This book was so captivating and had me constantly guessing what would happen. So many exciting twists and turns. The book gave major Desperate Housewives vibes and I ate it up!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for this advance copy of this book.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for this advance copy of this book.
August 12, 2024
Every mother, whether she is the human or animal kind, fights for her children.
How far would you go to deserve the label 'loving mother'?
Would you hide things to protect? Would you try to put the blame on someone else to keep your child from being accused? Would you forgive certain things to keep your family together? Or maybe all of the above? Or is maybe none of the above?
This is the kind of story I really like to read. Different families living on the same street and hang out with each other whilst their offspring are great friends too. But at the same time gossiping behind each other's back and doing their best to keep their dirty laundry behind closed doors which they of course not always succeed in.
And then something horrendous happens blowing it all apart...
This is a great story to make you forget the world around you. 5 stars
Thank you
How far would you go to deserve the label 'loving mother'?
Would you hide things to protect? Would you try to put the blame on someone else to keep your child from being accused? Would you forgive certain things to keep your family together? Or maybe all of the above? Or is maybe none of the above?
This is the kind of story I really like to read. Different families living on the same street and hang out with each other whilst their offspring are great friends too. But at the same time gossiping behind each other's back and doing their best to keep their dirty laundry behind closed doors which they of course not always succeed in.
And then something horrendous happens blowing it all apart...
This is a great story to make you forget the world around you. 5 stars
Thank you
October 5, 2024
Absolutely LOVED this! Loving Mothers is one of the best thrillers I’ve read in a while. I couldn’t put it down.
If you love a suburban thriller with multiple POV’s definitely give this a read.
Thanks to NetGalley & publisher for this ARC.
If you love a suburban thriller with multiple POV’s definitely give this a read.
Thanks to NetGalley & publisher for this ARC.
August 19, 2024
Loving Mothers
By; Miranda Smith
Pub Date: October 3, 2024
Publisher: Bookouture
Hickory Hills is a nice, safe neighborhood to raise your family. But is it really? A teenager, Shelby has come up missing and you know you daughter might know more than she is sharing. You have discovered clues in your daughters’ room and have heard some phone calls that suggest she knows more. Will Shelby be found? Adding to the atmosphere there was a Halloween party the night before she went missing. What happened at the party?
By; Miranda Smith
Pub Date: October 3, 2024
Publisher: Bookouture
Hickory Hills is a nice, safe neighborhood to raise your family. But is it really? A teenager, Shelby has come up missing and you know you daughter might know more than she is sharing. You have discovered clues in your daughters’ room and have heard some phone calls that suggest she knows more. Will Shelby be found? Adding to the atmosphere there was a Halloween party the night before she went missing. What happened at the party?
September 30, 2024
I knew I was going to love this from the first pages and I was not disappointed, desperate housewives meets big little lies in this mystery set in a gated community called Hickory Hills.
The housewives here all think they are a cut above the rest, first to talk behind the backs of anyone who is absent. On Halloween the annual party sees one of the teenagers Shelby not return home. the parents are questioning the children, the finger pointing begins and soon more than one families life is shattered.
I flew through these pages (staying up until 4am to finish) this was a great read with relatable characters, red herrings and a lot of mystery.
Many thanks to NetGalley, Bookouture and of course the author for my eARC
June 2, 2025
This was a very engaging read about a gated community, what mom’s will do for their families, and their children. Loved the twists, turns and all the drama!
October 1, 2024
First, I want to thank Miranda Smith, Bookouture and NetGalley for providing me with this book so I can bring you this review.
Miranda Smith always comes up with incredible fast paced gripping psychological thrillers that have you hanging on to her every word til the end of the book. In her latest psychological thriller Loving Mothers she once again does that and then some. For me I binge read it as I could not put it down. It was so good. I love when books do that for me.
Miranda wants to dedicate to anyone who thinks they deserved it-you didn’t.
Instantly, Miranda put a smile on my face as the book was set on Halloween night and she was describing the scene of each character and what they were wearing and acting. I felt like a fly buzzing over everything going on just watching as she described it.
Oh I totally agree with Mary! I am not a morning person so you better not call me before 9am even if I am up sooner than that lol!
If you know by reading my past reviews I am a huge fan of missing person cases. So, of course my favorite storyline in this book was what happened to Shelby? There were so many twists and turns on what could have happened to her.
WOWZERS!!!! Miranda you totally threw me for a loop with one of the confessions in the book!! Never ever did I see that coming. Talk about jaw dropping confession well there you go!!
For some reason this book reminded of the community on Desperate Housewives and tad bit like the neighbors in an odd way.
Miranda packed this book with major drama, massive twists and turns, and multiple mind blowing moments that will leave you speechless! A reason why you need to run out and grab your copy today!
Miranda Smith always comes up with incredible fast paced gripping psychological thrillers that have you hanging on to her every word til the end of the book. In her latest psychological thriller Loving Mothers she once again does that and then some. For me I binge read it as I could not put it down. It was so good. I love when books do that for me.
Miranda wants to dedicate to anyone who thinks they deserved it-you didn’t.
Instantly, Miranda put a smile on my face as the book was set on Halloween night and she was describing the scene of each character and what they were wearing and acting. I felt like a fly buzzing over everything going on just watching as she described it.
Oh I totally agree with Mary! I am not a morning person so you better not call me before 9am even if I am up sooner than that lol!
If you know by reading my past reviews I am a huge fan of missing person cases. So, of course my favorite storyline in this book was what happened to Shelby? There were so many twists and turns on what could have happened to her.
WOWZERS!!!! Miranda you totally threw me for a loop with one of the confessions in the book!! Never ever did I see that coming. Talk about jaw dropping confession well there you go!!
For some reason this book reminded of the community on Desperate Housewives and tad bit like the neighbors in an odd way.
Miranda packed this book with major drama, massive twists and turns, and multiple mind blowing moments that will leave you speechless! A reason why you need to run out and grab your copy today!
September 29, 2024
Talk about the tangled webs we weave! This book was quite the wild ride with murder, family drama, lies, secrets, and betrayal at the center of it all. There were so many twists and little hints/details that kept you hooked from the beginning until the end, and kept you guessing to try to figure out the truth. Told from multiple points of view, details from each character were revealed as the story unfolded, leaving you trying to piece together the bigger picture, how each character was connected, and what role they played in the events that happened. Overall, it was a fast paced and entertaining read and I will definitely be checking out more books by this author. Thank you to Miranda Smith, Bookouture, and NetGalley for the ARC in return for my honest review.
November 21, 2024
I love a gated community, filled with catty housewives. This one did not disappoint with the drama, as well as multiple perspectives. Told by mostly the mothers on the block with a sprinkle of their teenage children’s perspectives, you get insight in all of the wives lives. Mary was judgmental, and cared what people thought of her. Stella was the most normal, but hiding something. Donna was selfish, and in competition with her daughter. Annette was the neighbor who knows all the gossip. Janet was the trophy wife who drank too much, and Naomi was desperate to keep her husband.
I could not stand most of these women, which made me that more intrigued by their lives. I knew they weren’t perfect, and couldn’t wait to see what was behind closed doors. This was a complete page turner, and I honestly had more than one suspect in mind for Shelby’s demise. When all was revealed, it did make sense as to their actions. This gave me all of the Wisteria Lane vibes, and I will be reading more of Miranda Smith’s titles.
I could not stand most of these women, which made me that more intrigued by their lives. I knew they weren’t perfect, and couldn’t wait to see what was behind closed doors. This was a complete page turner, and I honestly had more than one suspect in mind for Shelby’s demise. When all was revealed, it did make sense as to their actions. This gave me all of the Wisteria Lane vibes, and I will be reading more of Miranda Smith’s titles.
October 4, 2024
I’m sure we’ve all heard the saying ‘No One knows what goes on behind closed doors’. And it’s certainly true for the residents living in the upmarket residential area of Hickory Hills. This fast paced domestic thriller had me captivated from the very first chapter. The characters all had certain flaws and kept me on my toes trying to figure out who the culprit was. From start to finish this was an excellent read
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
August 29, 2024
This suspense kept me interested and had an ending I never saw coming. A neighborhood full of mean girls turned gossiping housewives, each with secrets, trying to protect their children even if it means throwing another child under the bus. I will definitely look for more books by this author.
This book was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
This book was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
January 2, 2025
First read of the year.. mid
December 6, 2025
Excellent.
October 15, 2024
I loved this book! It gripped me from the first page. I got some real Desperate Housewives vibes from this book which I loved! The way the writer hopped between perspectives in each character kept me turning pages - often leaving little cliff hangers at the end of each chapter so you’ve always got questions and want more! So pleased I got to be an ARC reader for such a great book! Definitely interested to read more by this author. A rare 5⭐️ from me!
September 10, 2024
Book/Story: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Book Cover: ⭐⭐⭐.5
TRIGGER(S): DOMESTIC ABUSE, MURDER, UNDERAGE GROOMING, CHILD DISAPPEARANCE, ALCOHOLISM, INFIDELITY (OFF PAGE/MENTIONED)
POV: Multiple, First & Third Person
Series/Standalone: Standalone
Tropes: None
Spice: None
Genre: Psychological Thriller
Debut Novel: No
Safe or Dark: Dark
Release Date: October 3, 2024
How far would you go to protect your children?
The women in the affluent neighborhood of Hickory Hills all have secrets, and after a tragic event at a Halloween party, they start getting revealed one by one.
This is a fast-paced, quick read with nice, short chapters. I could not put this book down! It gets right into the action, which I love. It is easy to fly through this story without giving it a second thought. All the characters are well developed and nicely fleshed out. We are given all their backstories in a fun and pretty straight-forward manner.
The author does a great job of weaving the past Halloween night (the night in question). It doesn’t get confusing, and there isn’t constant flipping back and forth. Miranda Smith does it just enough for us to get a glimpse into what all the neighborhood ladies and kids were getting up to that night. It was fun seeing what part they all played at the Halloween party and using that to try and piece the mystery together.
There were a few subplots within the main plot. I enjoyed those as well. They didn’t get confusing or bog down any part of the story. You get pulled into all their personal problems one way or another and always want to know more. Although the issues the couples/people had are typical ones found in many books set in affluent neighborhoods, they each had their own twist on the situations. It was fun exploring the lives of all the characters involved.
The only thing I couldn’t really get on board with were the differing points of view. Stella’s POV was told in the first person, while all the other characters POVs were told in the third person. There might have been a reason behind it, but I just couldn’t figure out what it was.
At the end of the day, though, the shift between the two wasn’t jarring enough to pull you out of the story, and it didn’t ruin anything within the plot. I just found it to be a bit odd.
I could not stand Mary Hudson. Unfortunately, most of the book is told from her point of view. She was the worst. Her constant gossiping was reminiscent of a high schooler trying to get revenge on a fellow student who had wronged her. Her holier-than-thou attitude made me want to karate chop her in the throat. She thought she was the most amazing person to ever walk on the face of the earth. She was so full of herself that it made me want to vomit. Mary thought she was just the best at everything (wife, mom, neighbor, friend). She so desperately wanted to be the Queen Bee of Hickory Hills. Eh, blow it out your butthole, Mary.
I could put up with her constantly talking about how beautiful she was growing up and how she turned a ton of heads. I could put up with her thinking that her daughter, Grace, had the beauty of an angel and was better than other girls. I was done with Mary when she judged one of the other neighborhood housewives (and her supposed good friend) for not wanting to have children. Janet didn’t even say out loud that she didn’t want to have kids; Mary just assumed she didn’t and instantly judged her for it. That was the straw that broke the camel's back for me. Mary stated that she couldn’t “think of a reason as to why Janet wouldn’t want children.” First of all it’s none of Mary’s business as to why another woman wouldn’t want kids and second of all, SIMPLY NOT WANTING CHILDREN IS A VALID ENOUGH REASON TO NOT HAVE THEM!
*Takes a deep breath* However, I myself am child-free by choice. So needless to say, this is a hot button topic for me.
If Smith didn’t want me to like Mary Holden, then she succeeded because I HATED THAT LADY! However, she did eventually get what was coming to her and somewhat redeemed herself.
Stella Moore is another key player in this story, and I have to admit that I didn’t care much for her either. She wasn’t as bad as Mary; she wasn’t even close. However, there was just something about her that didn’t jive with me. Her vibes just weren’t vibing. Even though she was going through a difficult time, I found it very difficult to sympathize with her.
I enjoyed the side characters. In a way, I felt bad for all of them and what they were dealing with. Well, all except one. You’ll figure out why. At least, I hope you will.
The couple's kids in the story were also well developed, which doesn’t always happen when a book focuses more on the parents' lives. They weren’t cardboard cutouts of teenagers. They were well fleshed out. I found that to be refreshing.
I’ve read a lot of thrillers with a lot of different plot twists, but this one by far takes the cake. It threw me for the loopiest loop. I wouldn’t have seen it coming from a mile away with a pair of binoculars. I was truly shocked. Bravo, Ms. Smith. Very well done.
Don’t even get me started on the ending! It was phenomenal. It gave great closure to the story. Very satisfying.
I can’t wait to check out some of Miranda Smith’s other books! She’s definitely gained a new fan!
TLDR: FUN THRILLER SET IN AN AFFLUENT NEIGHBORHOOD! IF YOU’RE LOOKING FOR A PAGE TURNER, CHECK THIS OUT!
I would like to thank Bookouture and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read and review an ARC of this book.
This is my voluntary, unbiased, and honest review.
Book Cover: ⭐⭐⭐.5
TRIGGER(S): DOMESTIC ABUSE, MURDER, UNDERAGE GROOMING, CHILD DISAPPEARANCE, ALCOHOLISM, INFIDELITY (OFF PAGE/MENTIONED)
POV: Multiple, First & Third Person
Series/Standalone: Standalone
Tropes: None
Spice: None
Genre: Psychological Thriller
Debut Novel: No
Safe or Dark: Dark
Release Date: October 3, 2024
How far would you go to protect your children?
The women in the affluent neighborhood of Hickory Hills all have secrets, and after a tragic event at a Halloween party, they start getting revealed one by one.
“The most convincing lies are born from truth.”
This is a fast-paced, quick read with nice, short chapters. I could not put this book down! It gets right into the action, which I love. It is easy to fly through this story without giving it a second thought. All the characters are well developed and nicely fleshed out. We are given all their backstories in a fun and pretty straight-forward manner.
The author does a great job of weaving the past Halloween night (the night in question). It doesn’t get confusing, and there isn’t constant flipping back and forth. Miranda Smith does it just enough for us to get a glimpse into what all the neighborhood ladies and kids were getting up to that night. It was fun seeing what part they all played at the Halloween party and using that to try and piece the mystery together.
“Beneath the detailed makeup and elaborate ensembles, each person wore another mask, the role they were accustomed to wearing every day, not just on Halloween.”
There were a few subplots within the main plot. I enjoyed those as well. They didn’t get confusing or bog down any part of the story. You get pulled into all their personal problems one way or another and always want to know more. Although the issues the couples/people had are typical ones found in many books set in affluent neighborhoods, they each had their own twist on the situations. It was fun exploring the lives of all the characters involved.
The only thing I couldn’t really get on board with were the differing points of view. Stella’s POV was told in the first person, while all the other characters POVs were told in the third person. There might have been a reason behind it, but I just couldn’t figure out what it was.
At the end of the day, though, the shift between the two wasn’t jarring enough to pull you out of the story, and it didn’t ruin anything within the plot. I just found it to be a bit odd.
I could not stand Mary Hudson. Unfortunately, most of the book is told from her point of view. She was the worst. Her constant gossiping was reminiscent of a high schooler trying to get revenge on a fellow student who had wronged her. Her holier-than-thou attitude made me want to karate chop her in the throat. She thought she was the most amazing person to ever walk on the face of the earth. She was so full of herself that it made me want to vomit. Mary thought she was just the best at everything (wife, mom, neighbor, friend). She so desperately wanted to be the Queen Bee of Hickory Hills. Eh, blow it out your butthole, Mary.
I could put up with her constantly talking about how beautiful she was growing up and how she turned a ton of heads. I could put up with her thinking that her daughter, Grace, had the beauty of an angel and was better than other girls. I was done with Mary when she judged one of the other neighborhood housewives (and her supposed good friend) for not wanting to have children. Janet didn’t even say out loud that she didn’t want to have kids; Mary just assumed she didn’t and instantly judged her for it. That was the straw that broke the camel's back for me. Mary stated that she couldn’t “think of a reason as to why Janet wouldn’t want children.” First of all it’s none of Mary’s business as to why another woman wouldn’t want kids and second of all, SIMPLY NOT WANTING CHILDREN IS A VALID ENOUGH REASON TO NOT HAVE THEM!
*Takes a deep breath* However, I myself am child-free by choice. So needless to say, this is a hot button topic for me.
If Smith didn’t want me to like Mary Holden, then she succeeded because I HATED THAT LADY! However, she did eventually get what was coming to her and somewhat redeemed herself.
“It was more like being transported back to my Mean Girls high school era, except now all the women are in their thirties and forties.”
Stella Moore is another key player in this story, and I have to admit that I didn’t care much for her either. She wasn’t as bad as Mary; she wasn’t even close. However, there was just something about her that didn’t jive with me. Her vibes just weren’t vibing. Even though she was going through a difficult time, I found it very difficult to sympathize with her.
I enjoyed the side characters. In a way, I felt bad for all of them and what they were dealing with. Well, all except one. You’ll figure out why. At least, I hope you will.
The couple's kids in the story were also well developed, which doesn’t always happen when a book focuses more on the parents' lives. They weren’t cardboard cutouts of teenagers. They were well fleshed out. I found that to be refreshing.
I’ve read a lot of thrillers with a lot of different plot twists, but this one by far takes the cake. It threw me for the loopiest loop. I wouldn’t have seen it coming from a mile away with a pair of binoculars. I was truly shocked. Bravo, Ms. Smith. Very well done.
Don’t even get me started on the ending! It was phenomenal. It gave great closure to the story. Very satisfying.
“All children love their parents. Even if they’re flawed, even if they’re downright horrible people. Even if there’s an impenetrable wall between them, love is always there.”
I can’t wait to check out some of Miranda Smith’s other books! She’s definitely gained a new fan!
TLDR: FUN THRILLER SET IN AN AFFLUENT NEIGHBORHOOD! IF YOU’RE LOOKING FOR A PAGE TURNER, CHECK THIS OUT!
I would like to thank Bookouture and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read and review an ARC of this book.
This is my voluntary, unbiased, and honest review.
August 13, 2024
𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝒎𝒐𝒔𝒕 𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒗𝒊𝒏𝒄𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒍𝒊𝒆𝒔 𝒂𝒓𝒆 𝒃𝒐𝒓𝒏 𝒇𝒓𝒐𝒎 𝒕𝒓𝒖𝒕𝒉.
It's the night of the Halloween block party in Hickory Hills, a quiet, idyllic neighborhood filled with loving families. The streets are lined with people in costume, each person playing a role; however, while some are just wearing a temporary mask, others are in costume daily. Mary is Queen Bee, Donna is the Desperate Divorcee, Naomi is the Fitness Fanatic, Janet is the Trophy Wife, Annette is the Spinster, and Stella is the Newcomer. While enjoying the revelry and the anonymity that come with Halloween, the women have no idea that in just a short time, their secrets will be exposed and their lives will change forever.
It starts with a missing teenage girl who doesn't come home after the party. Donna is frantic to find Shelby, and she calls Mary, whose daughter Grace has been Shelby's best friend since pre-school. Mary is shocked by Grace's blasé attitude toward the news and is dumbfounded when Grace casually says they're not friends anymore. Meanwhile, Stella finds out that her teenage son and Shelby were an item, and after what happened at his last school, is she wrong to question her son's possible involvement?
There was a depth to these characters that isn't always found in thrillers. All too often, neighborhood women are written as stereotypical; often vapid and devoid of the layers of personality that make up a living, breathing human being. The author says in her notes that all too often we pass judgment on others, especially women, without taking into account what they have experienced and the invisible baggage they are carrying around. Of course, as the title suggests, this book examines the love a mother has for her child, but once again, it's done in many shades of gray.
This was a sophisticated thriller that will make you think. Obviously the mystery of what happened to Shelby takes center stage, but I think you will be surprised by the all of the moving parts that contributed. Many thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for this early copy. At the time this review was written, this title was slated to publish October 3, 2024.
It's the night of the Halloween block party in Hickory Hills, a quiet, idyllic neighborhood filled with loving families. The streets are lined with people in costume, each person playing a role; however, while some are just wearing a temporary mask, others are in costume daily. Mary is Queen Bee, Donna is the Desperate Divorcee, Naomi is the Fitness Fanatic, Janet is the Trophy Wife, Annette is the Spinster, and Stella is the Newcomer. While enjoying the revelry and the anonymity that come with Halloween, the women have no idea that in just a short time, their secrets will be exposed and their lives will change forever.
It starts with a missing teenage girl who doesn't come home after the party. Donna is frantic to find Shelby, and she calls Mary, whose daughter Grace has been Shelby's best friend since pre-school. Mary is shocked by Grace's blasé attitude toward the news and is dumbfounded when Grace casually says they're not friends anymore. Meanwhile, Stella finds out that her teenage son and Shelby were an item, and after what happened at his last school, is she wrong to question her son's possible involvement?
There was a depth to these characters that isn't always found in thrillers. All too often, neighborhood women are written as stereotypical; often vapid and devoid of the layers of personality that make up a living, breathing human being. The author says in her notes that all too often we pass judgment on others, especially women, without taking into account what they have experienced and the invisible baggage they are carrying around. Of course, as the title suggests, this book examines the love a mother has for her child, but once again, it's done in many shades of gray.
This was a sophisticated thriller that will make you think. Obviously the mystery of what happened to Shelby takes center stage, but I think you will be surprised by the all of the moving parts that contributed. Many thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for this early copy. At the time this review was written, this title was slated to publish October 3, 2024.
August 15, 2024
read if you like:
😱 missing people
🏡 suburban mom dramas
🖐🏼 multiple storylines
summary:
Wow I loved this ARC. This book is about the neighborhood of Hickory Hills, the home to several families. We have Mary, the “Queen Bee”, the neighborhood gold standard with her teenage daughter, Grace. Donna, newly single mom with her boy crazy teenager, Shelby. And Stella, single mom looking to escape her past by moving to the neighborhood with her son, Hudson. The night of their over the top Halloween party, Shelby disappears, and the whole neighborhood rallies in the search. But who knows more than they’re saying? Grace, Shelby’s best friend? Or Hudson, Shelby’s supposed boyfriend? With everyone denying any knowledge of what happened to Shelby, the mothers hunt for one of their own while worrying about what their own children might NOT be telling them.
I loved everything about this book honestly. The characters are SO well developed, and you feel like you know them all on such a deeper level. While some of them appear to be snobby housewives, through their chapters you learn about their vulnerabilities and find yourself empathetic to the life they’re living. Their kids are also well developed, which isn’t always the case in a book about “the moms”. They’re complex and flawed in every way, and it just expands the story to be even deeper and more engaging. On top of all this, the plot moves quickly, with a lot of action and several twists and turns. I read it in essentially one sitting and could not put it down. There are several red herrings and the entire story keeps you on the edge of your seat. I also loved the ending, as it felt complete, satisfying but left room for more if there was a sequel.
I am off to find Miranda Smith’s other books because I was such a fan. Thank you to Bookouture and Net Galley for the ARC, and check this out when it releases on October 3!
😱 missing people
🏡 suburban mom dramas
🖐🏼 multiple storylines
summary:
Wow I loved this ARC. This book is about the neighborhood of Hickory Hills, the home to several families. We have Mary, the “Queen Bee”, the neighborhood gold standard with her teenage daughter, Grace. Donna, newly single mom with her boy crazy teenager, Shelby. And Stella, single mom looking to escape her past by moving to the neighborhood with her son, Hudson. The night of their over the top Halloween party, Shelby disappears, and the whole neighborhood rallies in the search. But who knows more than they’re saying? Grace, Shelby’s best friend? Or Hudson, Shelby’s supposed boyfriend? With everyone denying any knowledge of what happened to Shelby, the mothers hunt for one of their own while worrying about what their own children might NOT be telling them.
I loved everything about this book honestly. The characters are SO well developed, and you feel like you know them all on such a deeper level. While some of them appear to be snobby housewives, through their chapters you learn about their vulnerabilities and find yourself empathetic to the life they’re living. Their kids are also well developed, which isn’t always the case in a book about “the moms”. They’re complex and flawed in every way, and it just expands the story to be even deeper and more engaging. On top of all this, the plot moves quickly, with a lot of action and several twists and turns. I read it in essentially one sitting and could not put it down. There are several red herrings and the entire story keeps you on the edge of your seat. I also loved the ending, as it felt complete, satisfying but left room for more if there was a sequel.
I am off to find Miranda Smith’s other books because I was such a fan. Thank you to Bookouture and Net Galley for the ARC, and check this out when it releases on October 3!
August 26, 2024
Book Title: Loving Mothers:
Author: Miranda Smith
Publisher: Bookouture
Genre: Psychological Thriller
Pub Date: October 3, 2024
My Rating: 3.7 rounded up
Pages: 277
Story starts on Halloween Night when the neighbors of Hickory Hills are having a neighborhood Halloween party. We are introduced to: Stella, Donna Mary, Naomi, Janet and Annette are all neighbors.
-Stella Moore is new to the gated community as she recently left Beau her abusive husband. Her son Hudson is the new kid at school.
-Donna Bledsoe is described as the Vixen – we soon find out that her sixteen year old daughter Shelby goes missing during this Halloween party.
-Mary Holden is the queen bee of the neighborhood, her husband Ken is the vice principal at Hickory Hills High School, Their daughter Grace is best friends with Shelby.
-Naomi Davis is a Fitness Fanatic married to Rick,
-Janet Parks is the Trophy Wife of Julian and acts like a movie star and
-Annette Friss is a Spinster and the others feel pity whereas she thinks how all these women can be so different.
The women are -loving mothers well except for Annette however all have secrets.
The secrets become the dominate factor in this story. I am a big psychological thriller fan so knew so have my suspicions of everyone.
Whodunit and why was a surprise.
As always I love the Author’s notes. In this case
‘A Letter from Miranda’
She tells us how Mary and Stella intrigued her.
The appeared to be very different however their complicated pasts actual unit them
They judged the others behavior with thinking how their personal experiences shaped them.
The center of the story is the unconditional love these two had for their children. I believe they truly wanted to be Loving Mothers!
Want to thank NetGalley and Bookouture for granting me this audiobook!
Publishing Release Date scheduled for October 3, 2023.
Author: Miranda Smith
Publisher: Bookouture
Genre: Psychological Thriller
Pub Date: October 3, 2024
My Rating: 3.7 rounded up
Pages: 277
Story starts on Halloween Night when the neighbors of Hickory Hills are having a neighborhood Halloween party. We are introduced to: Stella, Donna Mary, Naomi, Janet and Annette are all neighbors.
-Stella Moore is new to the gated community as she recently left Beau her abusive husband. Her son Hudson is the new kid at school.
-Donna Bledsoe is described as the Vixen – we soon find out that her sixteen year old daughter Shelby goes missing during this Halloween party.
-Mary Holden is the queen bee of the neighborhood, her husband Ken is the vice principal at Hickory Hills High School, Their daughter Grace is best friends with Shelby.
-Naomi Davis is a Fitness Fanatic married to Rick,
-Janet Parks is the Trophy Wife of Julian and acts like a movie star and
-Annette Friss is a Spinster and the others feel pity whereas she thinks how all these women can be so different.
The women are -loving mothers well except for Annette however all have secrets.
The secrets become the dominate factor in this story. I am a big psychological thriller fan so knew so have my suspicions of everyone.
Whodunit and why was a surprise.
As always I love the Author’s notes. In this case
‘A Letter from Miranda’
She tells us how Mary and Stella intrigued her.
The appeared to be very different however their complicated pasts actual unit them
They judged the others behavior with thinking how their personal experiences shaped them.
The center of the story is the unconditional love these two had for their children. I believe they truly wanted to be Loving Mothers!
Want to thank NetGalley and Bookouture for granting me this audiobook!
Publishing Release Date scheduled for October 3, 2023.
October 9, 2024
In Hickory Hills, everyone knows everyone. When Shelby goes missing, her best friend Grace says they aren't friends anymore. She's talking to Shelby's boyfriend Hudson, and her Halloween costume is hidden in the closet covered in blood. The narrator will do anything to protect her daughter, especially because of her own secrets.
Mothers will always protect their daughters is the founding tenet of this novel, and being from an affluent neighborhood doesn't change that fact. There are three mothers tied together here: Donna is Shelby's mother, Mary is Grace's mother and Stella is Hudson's mother. Stella and Hudson are relatively new to the HOA, and Stella craves belonging. The others talk about Donna's behavior in the wake of her divorce in a catty way. Mary is so sure of her perfect knowledge of everyone and everything within the development. There are flashes back to the Halloween night party, with details that make us question these three mothers, as well as the others in their tight-knit group. Mary is so sure that Grace is involved in Shelby's disappearance that she spreads rumors, goes digging into others, and sees the worst in others. At the same time, she is the first to realize that something terrible has happened and step up to correct it.
The second half of the novel has twists along the way as we guess what might have happened that night and eventually find out the truth. Each of the main families involved has secrets, and they're stripped away as the novel progresses. It's a fascinating peek into a picture-perfect gated community and the potential rot that could exist within it.
Mothers will always protect their daughters is the founding tenet of this novel, and being from an affluent neighborhood doesn't change that fact. There are three mothers tied together here: Donna is Shelby's mother, Mary is Grace's mother and Stella is Hudson's mother. Stella and Hudson are relatively new to the HOA, and Stella craves belonging. The others talk about Donna's behavior in the wake of her divorce in a catty way. Mary is so sure of her perfect knowledge of everyone and everything within the development. There are flashes back to the Halloween night party, with details that make us question these three mothers, as well as the others in their tight-knit group. Mary is so sure that Grace is involved in Shelby's disappearance that she spreads rumors, goes digging into others, and sees the worst in others. At the same time, she is the first to realize that something terrible has happened and step up to correct it.
The second half of the novel has twists along the way as we guess what might have happened that night and eventually find out the truth. Each of the main families involved has secrets, and they're stripped away as the novel progresses. It's a fascinating peek into a picture-perfect gated community and the potential rot that could exist within it.
August 28, 2024
Its Halloween and the residents of Hickory Hills are looking forward to a night of trick and treating, partying and catching up with friends. Stella Moore, with her son Hudson has just moved into the gated Hickory Hills, away from her abusive husband and looking forward to a new start. But the festivities and this joyful atmosphere will all change when sixteen-year-old Shelby goes missing and her body found the next morning.
Shelby’s mother Donna is absolutely beside herself once she discovers Shelby is missing; she calls Mary whose daughter Grace is very good friends with Shelby and is surprised and taken aback that Grace seems to have a very nonchalant attitude to what has happened to her daughter. Stella then finds out that Grace and her son Hudson who was supposedly Shelby’s boyfriend seem to be in some kind of relationship. Stella still carries all the worries of her previous life with her, and she is scared, scared of the past and of what the future may bring into her new world.
Everyone here has secrets, some more than others and some that will change lives forever. The twists keep coming and I have to say after reading so many books about families in neighborhoods this one is right up there setting it away from the usual stereotypes we have become so used to in recent books.
Believable characters and a strong plot make this a book that is hard to put down, highly recommended.
Thank you to Netgalley, the author and publisher for an advanced copy of the book, all opinions are my own.
October 4, 2024
It’s Halloween night in Hickory Hills. The neighbors are a mixture of personalities.
Mary is the Queen Bee of the neighborhood married to the high school principal and mother to Grace.
Donna Bledsoe is divorced and mother to Shelby, good friend of Grace.
Naomi Davies is a fitness fanatic.
Janet Parks is a trophy wife who drinks too much.
Stella Moore is a newcomer to the neighborhood and single mother to Hudson.
Annette Friss is a spinster who enjoys yard work.
No one notices when three teenagers disappear into the woods.
The next morning, Donna calls Mary saying Shelby did not come hone last night and she is worried. First off, the police aren’t interested in pursuing this as they feel she is a teenager who may have simply run away. But when she doesn’t come home, the women print out posters and head out to other neighborhoods to put them up.
As we get to know the different women, we find that some are hiding secrets. In addition, some of the teenagers are also hiding secrets. Each family is dealing with its own kind of problems and the women do a lot of gossiping. This leads to unfair accusations that are quite hurtful. But, what happened to Shelby?
I loved this book. The gossip makes me feel rather sorry for these women that they don’t have more in their lives to keep them busy. But when I thought I figured out what happened to Shelby, I was totally wrong. This is a tense story that will keep the reader glued to the book. Enjoy!
Copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Mary is the Queen Bee of the neighborhood married to the high school principal and mother to Grace.
Donna Bledsoe is divorced and mother to Shelby, good friend of Grace.
Naomi Davies is a fitness fanatic.
Janet Parks is a trophy wife who drinks too much.
Stella Moore is a newcomer to the neighborhood and single mother to Hudson.
Annette Friss is a spinster who enjoys yard work.
No one notices when three teenagers disappear into the woods.
The next morning, Donna calls Mary saying Shelby did not come hone last night and she is worried. First off, the police aren’t interested in pursuing this as they feel she is a teenager who may have simply run away. But when she doesn’t come home, the women print out posters and head out to other neighborhoods to put them up.
As we get to know the different women, we find that some are hiding secrets. In addition, some of the teenagers are also hiding secrets. Each family is dealing with its own kind of problems and the women do a lot of gossiping. This leads to unfair accusations that are quite hurtful. But, what happened to Shelby?
I loved this book. The gossip makes me feel rather sorry for these women that they don’t have more in their lives to keep them busy. But when I thought I figured out what happened to Shelby, I was totally wrong. This is a tense story that will keep the reader glued to the book. Enjoy!
Copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.
August 19, 2024
Loving Mothers is a fast-paced, edge-of-your-seat, exciting psychological thriller. Stella moves to Hickory Hills wanting a fresh start for not only herself but also her son. Mary has been the queen-bee of Hickory Hills for years and leads the other neighborhood women in their daily lunches and gossip. Stella just wants to be a part of their group. After sixteen-year-old Shelby goes missing, the neighborhood is in an uproar. Both Stella and Mary have reasons to suspect that their children know more than they're letting on. How far will a mother go to protect their child? What actually happened to Shelby that night?
Loving Mothers is exciting and fast-paced. The story is told through multiple POVs, mainly in the present but with some chapters flashing back to the night of the disappearance. Every character in the book has a secret, which is slowly revealed throughout. The author does a great job describing the small town/neighborhood setting. I think that having the main event set on Halloween night was genius, as typically that's when neighborhoods truly come together for trick-or-treating/parties/events. It definitely reminded me of my past Halloweens, allowing me to feel as if I was there with the characters. There are so many twists in the book and the ending is truly satisfying. I will definitely be recommending Loving Mothers to any of my friends looking for a can't-put-down thriller!
Loving Mothers is exciting and fast-paced. The story is told through multiple POVs, mainly in the present but with some chapters flashing back to the night of the disappearance. Every character in the book has a secret, which is slowly revealed throughout. The author does a great job describing the small town/neighborhood setting. I think that having the main event set on Halloween night was genius, as typically that's when neighborhoods truly come together for trick-or-treating/parties/events. It definitely reminded me of my past Halloweens, allowing me to feel as if I was there with the characters. There are so many twists in the book and the ending is truly satisfying. I will definitely be recommending Loving Mothers to any of my friends looking for a can't-put-down thriller!
September 8, 2024
This book is like the adult version of A Good Girls Guide to Murder and I couldn’t stop reading.
Stella and her son Hudson moved to Hickory Hills, a ‘picture perfect’ gated community after leaving her abusive husband. The story starts out on Halloween night with a large neighborhood party where all the neighbors are out celebrating. As most neighborhoods, they try to maintain the picture perfect image, with the alcohol flowing the drama starts to unfold. And then a neighborhood teenage girl goes missing.
Mary is married to the high school principal and together they have a teenage daughter, Grace. Their neighbor Donna calls the day after the party stating her daughter Shelby didn’t come home after the party and wants to know if Grace has seen her. Turns out, Grace and Shelby had a falling out and aren’t friends anymore, something neither mother seemed to know. That’s just the beginning of the secrets that are being kept and trying to stay buried.
The more the parents start getting involved and asking their kids what is going on in their lives, the more shocking the answers are. Turns out not everything was as perfect in the neighborhood as they tried to pretend it to be. But the parents are each willing to do whatever to protect their own child.
There were plenty of twists and turns in this story and was definitely a page turner I couldn’t put down.
Thank you Net Galley and publishers for this ARC.
Stella and her son Hudson moved to Hickory Hills, a ‘picture perfect’ gated community after leaving her abusive husband. The story starts out on Halloween night with a large neighborhood party where all the neighbors are out celebrating. As most neighborhoods, they try to maintain the picture perfect image, with the alcohol flowing the drama starts to unfold. And then a neighborhood teenage girl goes missing.
Mary is married to the high school principal and together they have a teenage daughter, Grace. Their neighbor Donna calls the day after the party stating her daughter Shelby didn’t come home after the party and wants to know if Grace has seen her. Turns out, Grace and Shelby had a falling out and aren’t friends anymore, something neither mother seemed to know. That’s just the beginning of the secrets that are being kept and trying to stay buried.
The more the parents start getting involved and asking their kids what is going on in their lives, the more shocking the answers are. Turns out not everything was as perfect in the neighborhood as they tried to pretend it to be. But the parents are each willing to do whatever to protect their own child.
There were plenty of twists and turns in this story and was definitely a page turner I couldn’t put down.
Thank you Net Galley and publishers for this ARC.
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