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MotherLove
236 pages, Paperback
Published April 8, 2025
14 people want to read
About the author
Hope Andersen
8 books34 followersHope Andersen is a graduate of Wellesley College (B.A) and Yale Divinity School (M.A.R.). She wrote her first novel at the age of 60. In her early career as a writer, she studied fiction writing with Andre Dubus and poetry with Derek Walcott, and published both stories and poems. She was awarded the Wellesley College Playwriting Award for her one-act play Room, which was produced at the Lyric Stage, Boston. Ms. Andersen served as a teaching assistant for George Garrett at the Stone Coast Writer’s Conference in Maine. She has worked intermittently over the years as a newspaper critic, a ghostwriter, an editor, a teacher, and a screenwriter. A native New Englander, she now lives in North Carolina with her husband Thom. They have three grown children, two dogs, a cat and a fish. She is currently at work on a young adult novel titled An Accidental Thief.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews
January 4, 2026
I was fortunate enough to meet the author and witness her passion for this book firsthand. I truly enjoyed her writing style—it kept me completely hooked, pulling my eyes from one sentence to the next. The main character was vividly and consistently well written, allowing us to fully step inside her mind and experience how she processed events as they unfolded. Overall I was very pleased.
April 7, 2025
A truly stunning crime novel that is emotionally charged, challenging and filled with unexpected twists.
MotherLove opens in St Croix as an assassin in a wetsuit sneaks aboard a yacht, executes a human trafficker and rescues several young Haitian girls. Two days later, in New Jersey, 35-year-old Rebecca Winslow wakes in a frigid guestroom. Rebecca is grieving the loss of a child, multiple miscarriages, the disappearance of her sister, Natalie, a lack of closeness with her mother, diminishing sexual appetite, and perhaps most of all, her continued marriage to a man she loves and loathes.
But a spark of hope comes, strangely enough, in the form of a grim headline: “Woman’s Body Washed Ashore in St. Croix.” It seems the woman is alive, albeit in a coma, and is roughly Natalie’s age. Rebecca can’t deny the feeling that the woman is her sister. In a snap decision made only on a hunch, she decides to go see for herself.
Rebecca soon discovers that Natalie is alive, and also suspected of murdering the trafficker killed in the book’s prologue. Soon, Rebecca’s preoccupation with her own pain begins to gradually shift. In a moment that readers may later find ironic, she forgives her sister, and becomes determined to rescue Natalie from whatever forces have put her in this vulnerable situation.
It’s impossible to underestimate how meticulously author Hope Andersen builds to this moment. When Andersen isn’t telling Rebecca’s story, she’s creating suspense in smoldering chapters featuring a seemingly less-than-honorable St. Croix police chief. But the chapters featuring Rebecca’s point of view are filled with a palpable sense of hopelessness and despair. The need for atonement and salvation is urgent, even as the reasons often come from a person who has become exceptionally sensitive not only to major trauma, but also to the ordinary human condition. So immersive is Rebecca’s mental anguish that seemingly kind gestures – such as when her husband books her a trip to St. Croix and a stay at one of the nicest hotels on the island – are (perhaps rightly) met with dark suspicion.
Andersen adds a layer of additional intrigue when Rebecca meets singer and fast friend Monique LaFleur. Even while enjoying the new friendship, it’s hard for Rebecca to escape Royce’s shadow (“What will Royce say if he finds out she is staying in a house with two lesbians?”), but the relationship proves to be a catalyst for change. The renewed confidence comes just in time, as Rebecca – and rapt readers – are about to experience a series of jaw-dropping twists that they won’t see coming.
MotherLove opens in St Croix as an assassin in a wetsuit sneaks aboard a yacht, executes a human trafficker and rescues several young Haitian girls. Two days later, in New Jersey, 35-year-old Rebecca Winslow wakes in a frigid guestroom. Rebecca is grieving the loss of a child, multiple miscarriages, the disappearance of her sister, Natalie, a lack of closeness with her mother, diminishing sexual appetite, and perhaps most of all, her continued marriage to a man she loves and loathes.
But a spark of hope comes, strangely enough, in the form of a grim headline: “Woman’s Body Washed Ashore in St. Croix.” It seems the woman is alive, albeit in a coma, and is roughly Natalie’s age. Rebecca can’t deny the feeling that the woman is her sister. In a snap decision made only on a hunch, she decides to go see for herself.
Rebecca soon discovers that Natalie is alive, and also suspected of murdering the trafficker killed in the book’s prologue. Soon, Rebecca’s preoccupation with her own pain begins to gradually shift. In a moment that readers may later find ironic, she forgives her sister, and becomes determined to rescue Natalie from whatever forces have put her in this vulnerable situation.
It’s impossible to underestimate how meticulously author Hope Andersen builds to this moment. When Andersen isn’t telling Rebecca’s story, she’s creating suspense in smoldering chapters featuring a seemingly less-than-honorable St. Croix police chief. But the chapters featuring Rebecca’s point of view are filled with a palpable sense of hopelessness and despair. The need for atonement and salvation is urgent, even as the reasons often come from a person who has become exceptionally sensitive not only to major trauma, but also to the ordinary human condition. So immersive is Rebecca’s mental anguish that seemingly kind gestures – such as when her husband books her a trip to St. Croix and a stay at one of the nicest hotels on the island – are (perhaps rightly) met with dark suspicion.
Andersen adds a layer of additional intrigue when Rebecca meets singer and fast friend Monique LaFleur. Even while enjoying the new friendship, it’s hard for Rebecca to escape Royce’s shadow (“What will Royce say if he finds out she is staying in a house with two lesbians?”), but the relationship proves to be a catalyst for change. The renewed confidence comes just in time, as Rebecca – and rapt readers – are about to experience a series of jaw-dropping twists that they won’t see coming.
June 14, 2025
Content Warning: This review discusses sexual violence.
This was my first suspense novel (unless you count Nancy Drew), and while I appreciated some elements, I ultimately found it disappointing. The author crafted a complex plot with a cast of realistic characters, and I found myself enjoying the overarching idea of the story. However, the suspense didn’t build until the very end, which made the pacing feel slow and uneven for much of the book.
One of my biggest challenges with this novel was the writing style. The vocabulary felt stiff, and there was a noticeable lack of imagery or emotional insight into the characters. This gave the entire book a cold, detached tone that made it difficult to connect with anyone on the page. Most characters, including the protagonist Rebecca, lacked distinct voices—everyone seemed to speak with the same personality, which further flattened their individuality.
Rebecca’s internal thoughts were occasionally interesting and helpful in understanding the plot, but they were too infrequent to give her any real depth. Character development overall was minimal, especially in the last third of the book, where events began to blur together with little context or emotional weight. Conversations became brief and events passed with little reflection, which made it feel rushed and unfinished.
There were also uncomfortable and seemingly unnecessary references to race and sexual orientation, often brought up in ways that didn’t serve the story or offer any meaningful commentary. These mentions felt awkward and out of place, as though they were inserted without sensitivity or relevance.
Additionally—and most importantly—there is a scene involving rape that is not handled with the care or gravity such a topic deserves. Readers should be warned, as this moment comes without adequate context or sensitivity, and may be upsetting or triggering.
In the end, while the plot had potential and the suspense eventually arrived, I was left wishing for more nuanced character development, emotional depth, and a more thoughtful, cohesive execution overall.
This was my first suspense novel (unless you count Nancy Drew), and while I appreciated some elements, I ultimately found it disappointing. The author crafted a complex plot with a cast of realistic characters, and I found myself enjoying the overarching idea of the story. However, the suspense didn’t build until the very end, which made the pacing feel slow and uneven for much of the book.
One of my biggest challenges with this novel was the writing style. The vocabulary felt stiff, and there was a noticeable lack of imagery or emotional insight into the characters. This gave the entire book a cold, detached tone that made it difficult to connect with anyone on the page. Most characters, including the protagonist Rebecca, lacked distinct voices—everyone seemed to speak with the same personality, which further flattened their individuality.
Rebecca’s internal thoughts were occasionally interesting and helpful in understanding the plot, but they were too infrequent to give her any real depth. Character development overall was minimal, especially in the last third of the book, where events began to blur together with little context or emotional weight. Conversations became brief and events passed with little reflection, which made it feel rushed and unfinished.
There were also uncomfortable and seemingly unnecessary references to race and sexual orientation, often brought up in ways that didn’t serve the story or offer any meaningful commentary. These mentions felt awkward and out of place, as though they were inserted without sensitivity or relevance.
Additionally—and most importantly—there is a scene involving rape that is not handled with the care or gravity such a topic deserves. Readers should be warned, as this moment comes without adequate context or sensitivity, and may be upsetting or triggering.
In the end, while the plot had potential and the suspense eventually arrived, I was left wishing for more nuanced character development, emotional depth, and a more thoughtful, cohesive execution overall.
August 25, 2025
Mother Love is an emotional and suspenseful read that kept me hooked from the very beginning. Hope Andersen does a wonderful job of drawing readers into Rebecca Winslow’s world her pain, her broken marriage, and her desperate search for her sister. The way the story moves from heartbreak to mystery, and then into the dangerous secrets surrounding St. Croix, makes it both gripping and deeply moving.
What I really liked is how the author balanced Rebecca’s personal struggles with the larger mystery. Her friendship with Monique brought warmth and hope in contrast to all the darkness, and it showed how unexpected bonds can change everything. The twists near the end genuinely surprised me, and the emotional depth made the story feel real.
This book is not just about loss and despair, but also about resilience, healing, and the unbreakable bond of family. If you love stories that blend suspense with heartfelt emotion, Mother Love is definitely worth reading.
What I really liked is how the author balanced Rebecca’s personal struggles with the larger mystery. Her friendship with Monique brought warmth and hope in contrast to all the darkness, and it showed how unexpected bonds can change everything. The twists near the end genuinely surprised me, and the emotional depth made the story feel real.
This book is not just about loss and despair, but also about resilience, healing, and the unbreakable bond of family. If you love stories that blend suspense with heartfelt emotion, Mother Love is definitely worth reading.
September 30, 2025
MotherLove is the kind of book that lingers long after you’ve turned the last page. Hope Andersen delivers a gripping, emotional story that explores the complexities of family, love, and resilience in the face of life’s darkest challenges.
The writing is both poetic and raw, pulling you into the lives of the characters with a depth that feels incredibly real. I found myself invested in every chapter, as the tension builds beautifully without ever losing the human heart of the story. Andersen has a gift for weaving suspense with emotion, making this much more than a page-turner, it’s a thought-provoking journey.
What I appreciated most is how the novel balances its darker themes with moments of hope and tenderness. It’s haunting, yes, but also deeply moving in a way that makes you reflect on your own connections and choices.
The writing is both poetic and raw, pulling you into the lives of the characters with a depth that feels incredibly real. I found myself invested in every chapter, as the tension builds beautifully without ever losing the human heart of the story. Andersen has a gift for weaving suspense with emotion, making this much more than a page-turner, it’s a thought-provoking journey.
What I appreciated most is how the novel balances its darker themes with moments of hope and tenderness. It’s haunting, yes, but also deeply moving in a way that makes you reflect on your own connections and choices.
September 3, 2025
Mother Love pulled me in right from the beginning. Rebecca’s grief over her stillborn child felt so raw and real, and then when her search for her missing sister led her to St. Croix, I couldn’t stop turning the pages. The friendship she forms with Monique was one of my favorite parts it gave the story warmth in the middle of so much pain and suspense. The mystery around her sister in the coma and the shocking discoveries that follow kept me guessing until the end. A heartbreaking but gripping read.
December 21, 2025
Predictable and lackluster.
I wish the author had spent more time developing the ending. I finished the book with more questions than answers.
Who was the man with the camera?
Was Natalie lying about the guy on the boat?
What happened to the investigation after Natalie left the island?
If she wasn’t going to rehab, what was she doing?
There were too many unresolved plot points. As readers, we weren’t given enough information to form our own conclusions, which made the ending feel unsatisfying.
I wish the author had spent more time developing the ending. I finished the book with more questions than answers.
Who was the man with the camera?
Was Natalie lying about the guy on the boat?
What happened to the investigation after Natalie left the island?
If she wasn’t going to rehab, what was she doing?
There were too many unresolved plot points. As readers, we weren’t given enough information to form our own conclusions, which made the ending feel unsatisfying.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 3, 2025
This book is a mix of deep emotion and tense suspense. I felt for Rebecca as she struggled with her toxic marriage and unbearable loss, but the story really took off when she traveled to St. Croix. The setting was vivid, the characters compelling, and the plot twists were genuinely surprising. I especially liked how Rebecca’s journey toward uncovering the truth also became a journey of self-discovery. Mother Love is emotional, chilling, and very hard to put down.
September 11, 2025
What struck me most about Mother Love is how raw and unflinching Andersen is in exploring the complexities of a mother’s heart. She doesn’t present motherhood as neat or perfect it’s messy, layered, and sometimes heartbreaking. I found myself reflecting on my own relationships while reading. The prose is thoughtful without being overcomplicated, and the story feels deeply personal, almost confessional. This is one of those books that lingers with you long after you’ve finished the last page.
September 11, 2025
Hope Andersen has a way of capturing emotions that feel both intimate and universal. Mother Love isn’t just about the bond between a mother and child it’s about sacrifice, forgiveness, and the ways love changes over time. I especially appreciated the honesty in how she portrays imperfections; it made the story real rather than idealized. Some parts were heavy and made me pause to take it in, but that’s what I loved it’s not a book you just rush through.
September 11, 2025
I was completely drawn into the world Andersen created in Mother Love. Her writing is graceful yet sharp, and the characters are layered in a way that made me feel like I knew them personally. The story reminded me that love can be both painful and healing, often at the same time. What I loved most is that it wasn’t predictable; it challenged my expectations of what a “motherhood story” should be. By the end, I felt both heartbroken and hopeful.
September 11, 2025
Reading Mother Love felt like sitting with someone who is telling you the truth, even when it’s uncomfortable. Andersen doesn’t sugarcoat the challenges of being a mother or a daughter. There’s a rhythm to her storytelling that makes the book very engaging, and I found myself rereading passages just to appreciate the beauty of the language. It’s not a light read, but it’s an important one for anyone who wants to see love explored in its most authentic form.
September 11, 2025
This book surprised me in the best way. I went in expecting a simple story about motherhood, but Andersen delivered something much deeper. Mother Love examines identity, loss, and the way love can endure even through brokenness. Her characters aren’t perfect, but that’s what makes them real and relatable. I especially loved how reflective the book was it made me think about my own family and what love really demands. A beautiful and thought provoking read.
September 4, 2025
What I liked most about Mother Love was how layered it was it wasn’t just about grief or family, but also about finding strength in unexpected places. The suspense kept me turning pages, and the twists really caught me off guard. It’s dark at times, but also hopeful in the way Rebecca keeps moving forward. Definitely a powerful read.
September 4, 2025
Mother Love pulled me in from the very first page. Rebecca’s grief and struggles felt raw and painfully real, and following her to St. Croix made the story both emotional and suspenseful. The mix of family drama, mystery, and healing was so well done. I especially loved the friendship between Rebecca and Monique it added so much warmth to an otherwise heavy journey.
September 4, 2025
This book had me hooked. Hope Andersen did such a good job blending emotional depth with a gripping mystery. I could feel Rebecca’s pain and confusion, but also her determination as she tried to save her sister. Some parts were heartbreaking, others completely shocking. It’s one of those stories that stays with you even after you close the book.
September 6, 2025
I wasn’t sure what to expect when I started Mother Love, but I was quickly pulled in by Andersen’s honesty and depth. The way she explores the complexities of family relationships especially the sacrifices and struggles of motherhood felt raw and real. It’s beautifully written without being overdone.
September 10, 2025
Hope Andersen’s Mother Love is a deeply moving story that explores the complexities of family, love, and sacrifice. What struck me most was how honest and raw the emotions felt she doesn’t sugarcoat the struggles of motherhood or relationships. It’s beautifully written and lingers in your mind long after the last page.
September 10, 2025
This book really surprised me. At first, I thought it would just be another family drama, but Andersen’s storytelling has such depth and nuance. The characters felt alive, and the way she explored the push and pull of love between mother and child was both tender and heartbreaking. A very human and relatable read.
September 10, 2025
Mother Love is an intimate and beautifully written story that dives into the complexities of family, identity, and the sacrifices mothers make. Hope Andersen writes with tenderness but also raw honesty, showing both the joys and the struggles of motherhood. I found myself reflecting on my own family relationships as I read it’s one of those books that stays with you.
September 10, 2025
What I loved most about this novel was its honesty. Andersen doesn’t shy away from showing the imperfections of love especially motherly love. Instead, she paints a portrait of something real and enduring, even when it’s messy. It’s the kind of book that makes you pause and think about what love really means.
September 10, 2025
Mother Love is one of those books that feels both personal and universal at the same time. Hope Andersen writes with a quiet wisdom that comes through in every chapter. The themes of loss, resilience, and the bond between mothers and children are handled with such grace. It’s heartfelt, beautifully crafted, and worth the read.
September 5, 2025
This book pulled me in right from the start. Rebecca’s grief feels raw and real, and I couldn’t help but root for her even when everything seemed stacked against her. The mix of family drama, suspense, and the St. Croix setting made it impossible to put down.
September 5, 2025
Hope Andersen writes about grief in such an honest way that it sticks with you. What I loved most was the friendship between Rebecca and Monique it felt like a lifeline in the middle of all the darkness. A heavy but rewarding read.
September 5, 2025
The storyline kept me on edge. Just when I thought things might start to get better for Rebecca, another shocking revelation hit. The themes of family, resilience, and hidden truths really stayed with me after finishing.
September 5, 2025
This book is heartbreaking but also hopeful. Watching Rebecca navigate her losses, her broken marriage, and her search for her sister was powerful. The suspense kept me turning pages, but it’s the emotional depth that makes it memorable.
September 6, 2025
I loved how personal and genuine Mother Love felt. The writing is graceful, and you can tell the author poured her heart into it. It’s the kind of story that makes you stop and think about your own family, your own choices, and what love really costs sometimes.
September 7, 2025
Mother Love is raw and deeply emotional. Hope Andersen captures grief, resilience, and the fragile strength of family bonds in such an authentic way that I found myself rereading certain passages just to let them sink in. It’s heartbreaking but also strangely healing.
September 7, 2025
This book pulled me in from the first page. Rebecca’s struggles felt so real her loss, her search for her sister, and her suffocating marriage. What I loved most is how the story balances despair with hope. It’s not an easy read emotionally, but it’s worth every page.
September 7, 2025
I wasn’t sure what to expect, but Mother Love surprised me. The layers of trauma and strength are woven beautifully. Andersen doesn’t sugarcoat grief, and that’s what makes the story powerful. It felt like living inside Rebecca’s pain and determination.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews