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The Good Son
Nora has spent years building a new life for herself—one far removed from the past she refuses to speak about.
Now living in a small town, doing a job she loves, Nora's finally found peace... until she starts noticing changes in her son, Owen. He's becoming distant. Secretive. And more and more like the person she's desperately trying to forget.
She tells herself Owen is just going through a phase. But a disturbing discovery confirms her worst fears are coming true.
What has Owen done? And who, exactly, is he becoming?
As rumors and accusations swirl through their small town, Nora realizes her family is holding more than one secret.
And the most dangerous one may not be Owen's at all.
A fast-paced psychological thriller! Perfect for fans of Freida McFadden, Daniel Hurst, and Kiersten Modglin.
Now living in a small town, doing a job she loves, Nora's finally found peace... until she starts noticing changes in her son, Owen. He's becoming distant. Secretive. And more and more like the person she's desperately trying to forget.
She tells herself Owen is just going through a phase. But a disturbing discovery confirms her worst fears are coming true.
What has Owen done? And who, exactly, is he becoming?
As rumors and accusations swirl through their small town, Nora realizes her family is holding more than one secret.
And the most dangerous one may not be Owen's at all.
A fast-paced psychological thriller! Perfect for fans of Freida McFadden, Daniel Hurst, and Kiersten Modglin.
316 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 19, 2025
96 people are currently reading
42 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
May 17, 2025
Nora’s ex husband Dale was a serial killer and is in prison. Their son Owen begins saying and doing things very similar to what Dale would do and his coach goes missing after an altercation with Nora’s husband aka his adoptive father. Everyone except Nora and her husband Roger believe Owen is evil. Nora begins to fear that her son could be taking the same path as Dale.
Throughout the story Nora makes comparisons of Dale and Owen. At times she suspects he could be capable of hurting someone just like his father had, but at other times she denies he could have any ounce of evil in him even with evidence she finds. She infantilized him and refused to see the truth that was right in front of her. The story is very repetitive with Nora going back and forth of not knowing what to think of her son and being oblivious to what everyone else already knows about not only her son but also the truth of the missing men in their town. It’s very easy to figure out how this would end from the beginning of the story and the involvement of each character of this story.
Even though it was a very predictable story I still enjoyed it. There was no shocking moments and no surprise twist thrown in. This story makes me question how many other families are willing to overlook the malicious behavior of their loved ones just to protect them.
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Throughout the story Nora makes comparisons of Dale and Owen. At times she suspects he could be capable of hurting someone just like his father had, but at other times she denies he could have any ounce of evil in him even with evidence she finds. She infantilized him and refused to see the truth that was right in front of her. The story is very repetitive with Nora going back and forth of not knowing what to think of her son and being oblivious to what everyone else already knows about not only her son but also the truth of the missing men in their town. It’s very easy to figure out how this would end from the beginning of the story and the involvement of each character of this story.
Even though it was a very predictable story I still enjoyed it. There was no shocking moments and no surprise twist thrown in. This story makes me question how many other families are willing to overlook the malicious behavior of their loved ones just to protect them.
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 24, 2025
The Good Son by Rowena Chambers.
This is a suspenseful thriller that's an easy, engaging and entertaining read.
The writing flows smoothly, keeping you invested in the story.
Although I found the twists somewhat predictable, the narrative remains captivating.
The protagonist, Nora, didn't entirely resonate with me, but it's possible that was intentional based on the storyline.
Overall, 'The Good Son' makes for a great summer read, perfect for those who enjoy a fast paced, thriller.
Thank you to NetGalley and the author for the opportunity to read and review this book.
This is a suspenseful thriller that's an easy, engaging and entertaining read.
The writing flows smoothly, keeping you invested in the story.
Although I found the twists somewhat predictable, the narrative remains captivating.
The protagonist, Nora, didn't entirely resonate with me, but it's possible that was intentional based on the storyline.
Overall, 'The Good Son' makes for a great summer read, perfect for those who enjoy a fast paced, thriller.
Thank you to NetGalley and the author for the opportunity to read and review this book.
May 27, 2025
I’ve come across a variety of reviews for this book, but let me tell you, it was nearly impossible to put down! From the very first page, the suspense gripped me and didn’t let go until the final word.
Nora, after escaping an abusive marriage, finds happiness with her new husband, Roger, and feels secure with her teen son, Owen. However, the town views Owen as odd and potentially dangerous, a shadow cast by the dark history of his father, Nora’s ex-husband, whom she keeps hidden. As Nora notices unsettling similarities between Owen and his father, her anxiety grows, especially after discovering a blood-stained shovel in their shed. Despite Roger's reassurances about Owen's innocence, Nora fears the past is resurfacing. When the truth finally comes to light, it reveals a far deeper and darker secret than she anticipated.
The protagonist, Nora, has endured an experience that most of us can hardly fathom. Her newly reconstructed life appears almost idyllic—until it isn’t. As the plot thickens, I found myself questioning everyone around her. One moment I was suspicious of her son, the next, her husband—talk about a rollercoaster of mistrust! Sure, some twists were predictable, but I was on the edge of my seat, eagerly anticipating how everything would unfold.
The subtle hints sprinkled throughout the narrative were just as I expected, yet the book remained a captivating page-turner. I relished the air of mystery that enveloped every detail, making each turn of the page a revelation. It’s the perfect summer read for anyone who loves a good murder mystery.
If you enjoy a story filled with intrigue, a complicated past, and an uncertain future, this binge-worthy novel will keep you hooked. I didn’t see the ending coming, and while I had an inkling about the main twist, the conclusion? Well, let’s just say it’s a reminder that you never truly know someone. And let me tell you, don’t mess with a mama bear protecting her cub—trust me, that’s a game you won’t win. This book is a quick, suspenseful delight that you won’t want to miss!
Thank you, NetGalley and author, for the digital ARC copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Nora, after escaping an abusive marriage, finds happiness with her new husband, Roger, and feels secure with her teen son, Owen. However, the town views Owen as odd and potentially dangerous, a shadow cast by the dark history of his father, Nora’s ex-husband, whom she keeps hidden. As Nora notices unsettling similarities between Owen and his father, her anxiety grows, especially after discovering a blood-stained shovel in their shed. Despite Roger's reassurances about Owen's innocence, Nora fears the past is resurfacing. When the truth finally comes to light, it reveals a far deeper and darker secret than she anticipated.
The protagonist, Nora, has endured an experience that most of us can hardly fathom. Her newly reconstructed life appears almost idyllic—until it isn’t. As the plot thickens, I found myself questioning everyone around her. One moment I was suspicious of her son, the next, her husband—talk about a rollercoaster of mistrust! Sure, some twists were predictable, but I was on the edge of my seat, eagerly anticipating how everything would unfold.
The subtle hints sprinkled throughout the narrative were just as I expected, yet the book remained a captivating page-turner. I relished the air of mystery that enveloped every detail, making each turn of the page a revelation. It’s the perfect summer read for anyone who loves a good murder mystery.
If you enjoy a story filled with intrigue, a complicated past, and an uncertain future, this binge-worthy novel will keep you hooked. I didn’t see the ending coming, and while I had an inkling about the main twist, the conclusion? Well, let’s just say it’s a reminder that you never truly know someone. And let me tell you, don’t mess with a mama bear protecting her cub—trust me, that’s a game you won’t win. This book is a quick, suspenseful delight that you won’t want to miss!
Thank you, NetGalley and author, for the digital ARC copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
May 19, 2025
The Good Son by Rowen Chambers is a fast paced thriller that takes a look into the complexities of family and the secrets they often hide.
Nora is living a good life with her husband Roger, a kind, loving man and absolutely devoted step dad to Nora's teenage son Owen. Nora's ex husband and Owen's father is in jail accused of murder. But no one in their small town knows the truth about Owen's father. The people there already think Owen is weird, an outsider and dangerous. When Nora starts to see some disturbing signs that Owen is turning out to be like his father, she is terrified that the past is repeating itself, this time with her own son. When a spate of disappearances begin, Nora is reminded of her ex husband's crimes. Is Owen capable of the horrible things that are happening? And how far will Nora go to protect her son?
This was a quick read that while a bit predictable, still held my interest throughout. It has a lot of the familiar elements in thrillers such as a mother's intense and absolute love for her child, and the "are they born bad or made bad?" elements. Bullying is a sensitive topic that gets explored in this book so just be aware. Overall, I thought this was a good, quick read and I am definitely interested in seeing more from this author!!
Thank you to NetGalley and Rowan Chambers for this ARC!! Publication date is May 19th 2025.
Nora is living a good life with her husband Roger, a kind, loving man and absolutely devoted step dad to Nora's teenage son Owen. Nora's ex husband and Owen's father is in jail accused of murder. But no one in their small town knows the truth about Owen's father. The people there already think Owen is weird, an outsider and dangerous. When Nora starts to see some disturbing signs that Owen is turning out to be like his father, she is terrified that the past is repeating itself, this time with her own son. When a spate of disappearances begin, Nora is reminded of her ex husband's crimes. Is Owen capable of the horrible things that are happening? And how far will Nora go to protect her son?
This was a quick read that while a bit predictable, still held my interest throughout. It has a lot of the familiar elements in thrillers such as a mother's intense and absolute love for her child, and the "are they born bad or made bad?" elements. Bullying is a sensitive topic that gets explored in this book so just be aware. Overall, I thought this was a good, quick read and I am definitely interested in seeing more from this author!!
Thank you to NetGalley and Rowan Chambers for this ARC!! Publication date is May 19th 2025.
May 19, 2025
If you’re in the mood for a fast paced thriller with small town secrets that explores the complexities of family dynamics, The Good Son by Rowen Chambers (published 5/19/25) could be just what you are looking for.
Nora has a great life – or so it seems. She has a handsome, caring, attentive husband named Roger and her teenage son, Owen, is well behaved, though a bit of a quiet outcast. The peace they have in their quiet little town begins to unravel when men start mysteriously disappearing.
The nature of the disappearances remind Nora of the killings committed years ago by her ex husband. As suspicion grows, it seems like the town starts to point their fingers at Owen, whose resemblances – both in demeanor and dark tendencies – to his father become harder for Nora to ignore. Is it possible that Owen is capable of the same horrors as his father?
One recurring theme in the book is bullying. Owen endured a lot, even more when he lost his one friend. He often expresses the belief that people only learn through pain, implying violence is the answer. While some can find that to be a disturbing point of view, it does bring up an important conversation:
How far should someone go to defend himself?
I agree with his point of view to some extent. It is important to stand up for yourself. Not one person is better than the other.
In terms of characters, none stood out as especially likable to me. Nora frustrated me – she allowed herself to be gaslit, tolerated gossip about her son and even stayed quiet while other women threw themselves at her husband. Maybe that makes her stronger than me, but it felt unrealistic. Roger was irritating in his own right, entertaining the attention of other women instead of shutting it down right away. I found myself feeling bad for Owen, who always seemed to be pushed to the side or misunderstood.
I finished this book in one sitting. It was a quick, engaging read. Although I did find it to be predictable. There were no real twists to catch me off guard, no major “ I did not see that coming!” moments.
Overall, The Good Son offers a compelling narrative that keeps you engaged from start to finish. Some plot elements may feel familiar – the exploration of nature vs nurture and the portrayal of a mother’s unwavering love. It’s a quick read that would be perfect for a weekend getaway or a day by the lake. If you’re a fan of psychological thrillers that examine the darker aspects of human nature, this book is worth adding to your reading list.
⭐⭐⭐/5
Thank you NetGalley & Xpresso Book Tours for the ARC and good read.
Nora has a great life – or so it seems. She has a handsome, caring, attentive husband named Roger and her teenage son, Owen, is well behaved, though a bit of a quiet outcast. The peace they have in their quiet little town begins to unravel when men start mysteriously disappearing.
The nature of the disappearances remind Nora of the killings committed years ago by her ex husband. As suspicion grows, it seems like the town starts to point their fingers at Owen, whose resemblances – both in demeanor and dark tendencies – to his father become harder for Nora to ignore. Is it possible that Owen is capable of the same horrors as his father?
One recurring theme in the book is bullying. Owen endured a lot, even more when he lost his one friend. He often expresses the belief that people only learn through pain, implying violence is the answer. While some can find that to be a disturbing point of view, it does bring up an important conversation:
How far should someone go to defend himself?
I agree with his point of view to some extent. It is important to stand up for yourself. Not one person is better than the other.
In terms of characters, none stood out as especially likable to me. Nora frustrated me – she allowed herself to be gaslit, tolerated gossip about her son and even stayed quiet while other women threw themselves at her husband. Maybe that makes her stronger than me, but it felt unrealistic. Roger was irritating in his own right, entertaining the attention of other women instead of shutting it down right away. I found myself feeling bad for Owen, who always seemed to be pushed to the side or misunderstood.
I finished this book in one sitting. It was a quick, engaging read. Although I did find it to be predictable. There were no real twists to catch me off guard, no major “ I did not see that coming!” moments.
Overall, The Good Son offers a compelling narrative that keeps you engaged from start to finish. Some plot elements may feel familiar – the exploration of nature vs nurture and the portrayal of a mother’s unwavering love. It’s a quick read that would be perfect for a weekend getaway or a day by the lake. If you’re a fan of psychological thrillers that examine the darker aspects of human nature, this book is worth adding to your reading list.
⭐⭐⭐/5
Thank you NetGalley & Xpresso Book Tours for the ARC and good read.
June 16, 2025
I love it when a book instantly pulls me in with its atmosphere, and The Good Son by Rowen Chambers did just that. From the first few chapters, it was giving me that moody, small-town thriller vibes. Yunno, that kind of community where everyone knows everyone, rumors are being spread and suspicion is always quietly brewing. It’s the kind of read that makes you feel like you’re standing on the edge of something, waiting for it to unravel and I was hooked.
The story follows Nora, a woman seemingly living an ideal life with her kind and devoted husband, Roger, and her teenage son, Owen. But the shadow of Nora’s past looms large. Her ex-husband is in prison for murder, and no one in town knows the full truth about what happened back then.
Owen is a quiet loner, often misunderstood and the subject of local whispers. As a series of mysterious disappearances rocks the town, Nora starts to notice chilling similarities between her son and his father. His eerie calmness, his belief that pain teaches lessons, leads her to question everything. Is Owen capable of the same horrors that once tore her life apart?
Even though some plot elements are quite familiar, I appreciated how the author handled the themes nature vs nuture and the ripple effects of trauma here, raising important questions about trauma, what truly shapes us and how people become who they are.
I breezed through this in one sitting. It’s a compelling, quick read that’s perfect for a weekend binge.
If you enjoy thrillers centered on family dynamics, small town secrets, and morally gray characters, then you should absolutely read this one. I’ll definitely be keeping an eye out for what Rowen Chambers writes next.
The story follows Nora, a woman seemingly living an ideal life with her kind and devoted husband, Roger, and her teenage son, Owen. But the shadow of Nora’s past looms large. Her ex-husband is in prison for murder, and no one in town knows the full truth about what happened back then.
Owen is a quiet loner, often misunderstood and the subject of local whispers. As a series of mysterious disappearances rocks the town, Nora starts to notice chilling similarities between her son and his father. His eerie calmness, his belief that pain teaches lessons, leads her to question everything. Is Owen capable of the same horrors that once tore her life apart?
Even though some plot elements are quite familiar, I appreciated how the author handled the themes nature vs nuture and the ripple effects of trauma here, raising important questions about trauma, what truly shapes us and how people become who they are.
I breezed through this in one sitting. It’s a compelling, quick read that’s perfect for a weekend binge.
If you enjoy thrillers centered on family dynamics, small town secrets, and morally gray characters, then you should absolutely read this one. I’ll definitely be keeping an eye out for what Rowen Chambers writes next.
August 4, 2025
I haven’t read this writer before so am not sure of their style but I did wonder whether the style was indicative of the protagonist’s character or whether it’s just the way this writer writes. Whatever the case, I did find the style annoying. Nevertheless it did not stop me from reading the book as the narrative is quite propulsive. The book also raises the old nature/nurture conflict with the son Owen whose father is in prison for murdering people. People find Owen an odd character and so he doesn’t have many friends. As a child Owen doesn’t show any inclination towards violence but now that he’s a teenager and almost an adult, there are some signs that he is convinced that the only way to combat bullying is with violence. Overall, it’s certainly a page turner but the writing style was not to my liking.
August 5, 2025
The Good Son by Rowen Chambers is a psychological thriller that follows Nora and her family.
Nora divorced her weird ex husband and has moved on with Roger. She also has a teen son named Owen. People in town think Owen is a weirdo and a loner and some think hes dangerous too. Nora knows the town will judge Owen even more if the town finds out about Owen's dad, so Owen and Nora dont talk about him. But as Owen grows, Nora begins to see him becoming more and more like his deranged dad. Is Owen becoming a psycho like his dad or is someone trying to frame him?
Although i liked the "are psycho's born bad or are they made"? debate, I found some of the twists too predictsble and the writing style didn't grab my attention but overall it was well done.
I received an advanced reader copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion and review.
- short chapters
Nora divorced her weird ex husband and has moved on with Roger. She also has a teen son named Owen. People in town think Owen is a weirdo and a loner and some think hes dangerous too. Nora knows the town will judge Owen even more if the town finds out about Owen's dad, so Owen and Nora dont talk about him. But as Owen grows, Nora begins to see him becoming more and more like his deranged dad. Is Owen becoming a psycho like his dad or is someone trying to frame him?
Although i liked the "are psycho's born bad or are they made"? debate, I found some of the twists too predictsble and the writing style didn't grab my attention but overall it was well done.
I received an advanced reader copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion and review.
- short chapters
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 3, 2025
The Good Son is a dark and twisty domestic suspense story jam packed with lies and secrets.
Nora remarries after her first husband is convicted of murder. Along with her new husband Roger, she and her son Owen move away from all the bad memories and start over. Roger is the principal of the high school Owen attends. Labeled a loner and a geek, Roger does his best to protect Owen from the bullies. When people start to go missing Nora worries Owen is more like his biological father than she thinks.
This is a very fast read, and while I could guess where it was going, I really liked it. Nora was a very weak character and it was hard to like her because she was just so gullible. This did not deter me from liking the story
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the advanced copy
Nora remarries after her first husband is convicted of murder. Along with her new husband Roger, she and her son Owen move away from all the bad memories and start over. Roger is the principal of the high school Owen attends. Labeled a loner and a geek, Roger does his best to protect Owen from the bullies. When people start to go missing Nora worries Owen is more like his biological father than she thinks.
This is a very fast read, and while I could guess where it was going, I really liked it. Nora was a very weak character and it was hard to like her because she was just so gullible. This did not deter me from liking the story
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the advanced copy
June 4, 2025
The writing style , the plot , the characters I feel were well put together a great way of building suspense. I did feel like I knew who was responsible especially after that outburst that happened after she spoke to Maria .. she definitely was gaslit the whole way 😭 i definitely understand her worry for her son but i feel like it wasn’t needed but saying that feels so weird because of the twist at the end but then it makes you think what makes you become the way you are because the ending made me question why . How , the idea made sense early on what she was worried about but then the ending is like why .. I don’t want to spoil it😂 but it was an easy quick read , definitely Recommend!!!
I feel like this review makes so much sense especially AFTER FINISHING THE READ
I feel like this review makes so much sense especially AFTER FINISHING THE READ
May 14, 2025
I found this novel quite predictable actually. Nora barely hesitated to believe her husband over her son. I found her to be a weak character, because I would definitely fight for my son and not allow people to say the things they did about Owen. And for these despicable people to say those horrible things to her face seemed unlikely in real life. Good thing this is a fictional novel.
Quick read, short chapters, and fell a little short for me personally.
2.5 stars rounded up to 3/5
Quick read, short chapters, and fell a little short for me personally.
2.5 stars rounded up to 3/5
May 16, 2025
It was a quick easy read thriller. If you like Frieda McFadden this is the book for you. I figured it out about halfway through, but there were things that made me doubt I had it figured it. It wasn’t very complex and I did think the ending was rather satisfying and intriguing. I would definitely like to read this authors back list and will keep an eye out for new releases.
May 22, 2025
Repetitive, predictable
June 28, 2025
Great book with a wild twist at the end.
December 19, 2025
And yet another page-turner from this author. Admittedly, I'd figured out early on who the guilty party was, but I remained glued till the end. 4 stars
July 16, 2025
I absolutely love this author. I have read all her other 7 books and this is the only one I didn’t enjoy. It’s not really a subject matter I like, so that didn’t help, but it was also so predictable. It tells you all the way through who the bad guy is so there was no real twist. The Epilogue was obvious this time too. But I will still read all this authors future books
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews