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Mother Knows Best
All her life twenty-two-year-old Ruby Fitzroy’s annoyingly over protective mother has believed the worst will befall one of her two daughters. Sick and tired of living in fear, Ruby arranges a date without her mother’s knowledge.
On first impressions, charming and sensitive Cody Strong seems perfect. When they visit his home overlooking the Welsh coast, she meets his delightful father Steve and brother Kyle. But it isn’t long before she discovers all is not as it seems.
After a shocking turn of events, Ruby’s world is blown apart. Terrified and desperate, she prepares to face her darkest hour yet.
Will she ever escape this nightmare?
On first impressions, charming and sensitive Cody Strong seems perfect. When they visit his home overlooking the Welsh coast, she meets his delightful father Steve and brother Kyle. But it isn’t long before she discovers all is not as it seems.
After a shocking turn of events, Ruby’s world is blown apart. Terrified and desperate, she prepares to face her darkest hour yet.
Will she ever escape this nightmare?
92 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 6, 2014
99 people are currently reading
176 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews
September 4, 2016
I've never read anything by Netta Newbound before and have to say I loved this novella and will be looking to read more of her books when time permits.
Mother Knows Best really hit home, it's every mother's nightmare to wake up one morning to find her daughter missing, no matter what age. Ruby is 22 and recently left home, after being dumped by her boyfriend she decides to go out with Cody, a man she met at her local gym. All is going well until at the end of their date, Cody gets in a tussle with a heavy-set stranger...
You'll just have to grab your own copy of this fab novella to find out what happens next and why Ruby has her mother's warning ringing in her ears. :-)
Mother Knows Best really hit home, it's every mother's nightmare to wake up one morning to find her daughter missing, no matter what age. Ruby is 22 and recently left home, after being dumped by her boyfriend she decides to go out with Cody, a man she met at her local gym. All is going well until at the end of their date, Cody gets in a tussle with a heavy-set stranger...
You'll just have to grab your own copy of this fab novella to find out what happens next and why Ruby has her mother's warning ringing in her ears. :-)
September 28, 2018
Having a bad night last night, I decided to start this novella and ended up reading all of it! This is a hard hitting story and it should be read by all teenagers/20+ year olds! This story really is every Mother’s nightmare. Your daughter goes out on a date and doesn’t come home. A mother’s intuition means she will not let this drop and is determined to find her daughter.
I would recommend this book.
I would recommend this book.
April 25, 2017
This novella should be given to teenage daughters everywhere just to reinforce the fact that Mother really does know best! It should scare them stupid and hopefully mean that you don’t have to nag as much as twenty-one year old Ruby Fitzroy’s mother Sharon does.
“Sorry to be a pest, but Mother knows best.”
Ruby has been dumped by her boyfriend and after getting to know Cory Strong at the local gym decides to accept his offer of a date. He is good-looking and charming so what could possibly go wrong? Ruby knows her mother won’t see it that way so she leaves having only confided in her younger sister.
All goes well on the date, Cody is the perfect gentleman but when they come to leave when Cory is set upon by a burly stranger. Not the greatest ending to a lovely night out but they get into Cody’s car to go home and despite his injuries Cody manfully drives away.
Now I’m not going to lie, given that this is a short story, combined with that title and superbly creepy cover we all know that Ruby has made a mistake by not answering her mother’s texts while she is making eyes at Cory over the table, having deduced that her sister has cracked under the maternal pressure. Worse still she has shoved her phone into her bag giving her only the barest of details as to where she is before the violent confrontation. You don’t need to be a mother to know that this is not the wisest choice of Ruby’s life. But, and this is the real beauty of this book, things don’t go in quite the same direction as I expected…
Considering this is a novella the characters are amazingly well drawn particularly Kyle, Cory’s younger brother who really does stand out from the page and with the author having the confidence to allow the reader to read between the lines the build-up is full of tension.
It is a talented writer who manages to make you thing and then surprise you with something unexpected, and although I haven’t read any of Netta Newbound’s full length novels I have read some fantastic reviews of her work. Now I’ve read this example and been so impressed, despite really preferring the novel as a format, I will be selecting another from her back catalogue without delay.
Mother Knows Best was my eleventh read in my Mount TBR Challenge 2017, so I’m still on target to hit 36 books purchased before 1 January 2017. I purchased this book in July 2015.
“Sorry to be a pest, but Mother knows best.”
Ruby has been dumped by her boyfriend and after getting to know Cory Strong at the local gym decides to accept his offer of a date. He is good-looking and charming so what could possibly go wrong? Ruby knows her mother won’t see it that way so she leaves having only confided in her younger sister.
All goes well on the date, Cody is the perfect gentleman but when they come to leave when Cory is set upon by a burly stranger. Not the greatest ending to a lovely night out but they get into Cody’s car to go home and despite his injuries Cody manfully drives away.
Now I’m not going to lie, given that this is a short story, combined with that title and superbly creepy cover we all know that Ruby has made a mistake by not answering her mother’s texts while she is making eyes at Cory over the table, having deduced that her sister has cracked under the maternal pressure. Worse still she has shoved her phone into her bag giving her only the barest of details as to where she is before the violent confrontation. You don’t need to be a mother to know that this is not the wisest choice of Ruby’s life. But, and this is the real beauty of this book, things don’t go in quite the same direction as I expected…
Considering this is a novella the characters are amazingly well drawn particularly Kyle, Cory’s younger brother who really does stand out from the page and with the author having the confidence to allow the reader to read between the lines the build-up is full of tension.
It is a talented writer who manages to make you thing and then surprise you with something unexpected, and although I haven’t read any of Netta Newbound’s full length novels I have read some fantastic reviews of her work. Now I’ve read this example and been so impressed, despite really preferring the novel as a format, I will be selecting another from her back catalogue without delay.
Mother Knows Best was my eleventh read in my Mount TBR Challenge 2017, so I’m still on target to hit 36 books purchased before 1 January 2017. I purchased this book in July 2015.
August 10, 2019
I loved this exciting novella!
I was on pins from the beginning, Ruby was so innocent and I thought all was lost for her. Such a compelling read, highly recommended.
I was on pins from the beginning, Ruby was so innocent and I thought all was lost for her. Such a compelling read, highly recommended.
July 18, 2015
After reading An Impossible Dilemma by the author I had to read more of her books and I'm so glad I did.
Having an over protective mother myself I can totally relate to Ruby in the story but what's more frustrating is that in this instance her mother really does know best!
I really would not recommend reading this on a night if your not going to be able to finish it before you go to sleep.
Mother Knows Best is only a short novella but I started reading it last night and got to 50% which is actually further into the story than half way as it does finish at 85% then you get an introduction to the authors latest novel An Impossible Dilemma, which by the way is an amazing book.
As soon as you begin to read this book you just know what is going to happen and it really makes for an uncomfortable but compelling ride. I had to stop myself from shouting at my kindle trying to warn Ruby away from the danger that she was willingly walking into.
The story did not quite go how I expected it to though which made it even more exciting, the only thing I would say though is that the ending did feel slightly rushed which is a shame as overall it is a brilliant read.
The characters were certainly very interesting. Cody I disliked pretty much straight away, yet maybe more worryingly I did feel sorry for his dad Steve to start with. I really liked Kyle, Cody's brother, he is certainly not what I was expecting and certainly made the story more appealing.
If you haven't read any of this authors books I really can't recommend highly enough that you do. She is pretty much the female version of Stephen King. Her books are really gripping reads that have you on the edge of your seat, she also manages to throw twists in there that you just don't expect which makes them even more thrilling. Another great read.
Having an over protective mother myself I can totally relate to Ruby in the story but what's more frustrating is that in this instance her mother really does know best!
I really would not recommend reading this on a night if your not going to be able to finish it before you go to sleep.
Mother Knows Best is only a short novella but I started reading it last night and got to 50% which is actually further into the story than half way as it does finish at 85% then you get an introduction to the authors latest novel An Impossible Dilemma, which by the way is an amazing book.
As soon as you begin to read this book you just know what is going to happen and it really makes for an uncomfortable but compelling ride. I had to stop myself from shouting at my kindle trying to warn Ruby away from the danger that she was willingly walking into.
The story did not quite go how I expected it to though which made it even more exciting, the only thing I would say though is that the ending did feel slightly rushed which is a shame as overall it is a brilliant read.
The characters were certainly very interesting. Cody I disliked pretty much straight away, yet maybe more worryingly I did feel sorry for his dad Steve to start with. I really liked Kyle, Cody's brother, he is certainly not what I was expecting and certainly made the story more appealing.
If you haven't read any of this authors books I really can't recommend highly enough that you do. She is pretty much the female version of Stephen King. Her books are really gripping reads that have you on the edge of your seat, she also manages to throw twists in there that you just don't expect which makes them even more thrilling. Another great read.
February 16, 2017
Mother knows best by Netta Newbound is a mystery and thriller novella read.
All her life twenty-two-year-old Ruby Fitzroy’s annoyingly over protective mother has believed the worst will befall one of her two daughters. Sick and tired of living in fear, Ruby arranges a date without her mother’s knowledge.
Absolutely fantastic read. And mother's do know best. I loved Kyle. Highly recommended. 5*.
All her life twenty-two-year-old Ruby Fitzroy’s annoyingly over protective mother has believed the worst will befall one of her two daughters. Sick and tired of living in fear, Ruby arranges a date without her mother’s knowledge.
Absolutely fantastic read. And mother's do know best. I loved Kyle. Highly recommended. 5*.
August 1, 2015
I downloaded this on my Kindle & it made no mention of this being a short Novella, I would not have got it if it had said so I don't feel Novella's can do my reading thirst any justice just as soon as it gets interesting it's over. Any way I was reading this last night looked down at the percentage I had read and saw I was half way after 10mins I thought Kindle had gone wrong.
I did find it an interesting read and do wish the author had made this into an actual book, when it got past the frenzy bits it was all over in ONE page with a very stupid explanation that 'Mother know's best' HA as if!! I did come away feeling the author borrowed from other authors & films which I didn't mind at all BUT her 'ending' was very lazy!!! I could literally feel her running out of steam, maybe lack of imagination of the authors part I don't know but an annoying read. Over all too rushed, lazy ending, all worked out & tied up in a lame way.
I did find it an interesting read and do wish the author had made this into an actual book, when it got past the frenzy bits it was all over in ONE page with a very stupid explanation that 'Mother know's best' HA as if!! I did come away feeling the author borrowed from other authors & films which I didn't mind at all BUT her 'ending' was very lazy!!! I could literally feel her running out of steam, maybe lack of imagination of the authors part I don't know but an annoying read. Over all too rushed, lazy ending, all worked out & tied up in a lame way.
August 9, 2017
This was so strange yet very quirky in a way. I wonder if Cody really knew what happened to his mother, and just indulged his dad's fantasy life anyway. It's strange that Steve took Kyle to the grave, but not Cody. It's like Cody wanted to live a sick fantasy right along with Steve. They're both demented. Kyle sweet Kyle, having to be raised in a crazy house not knowing the way his family is crazy smdh.
March 20, 2017
This was a shorter book and took just a few hours for me to read. Even though, it was packed full of thrills and chills. I really felt for the characters too, loved the ones I was supposed to and hated the ones I should have. To get all that in a novella takes a really great author, and from this and the other books of her's I've read, this is definitely one of the great ones. This is pretty much what you'd expect from the title. This woman should have listened to her mother to avoid getting herself into trouble. And boy, the trouble she gets into is some really nasty stuff. I won't say any more than that. But I will say, if you want to be entertained, grab up this small book and have a few hours of thrills and chills.
September 23, 2018
Texts from her mother while on the first date. Annoyed Cody, the guy hitting him, and some blood.made it easier to get her to his house. The father is in the scheme, the tea has been drugged. The alibis worked for police to believe. Mother and Baxter didn’t like Cody when he showed up at the house, saying concerned about Ruby. A good fast moving plot, once again showing the instinct of a mother.
January 22, 2018
Good story
Good for a short story. At first I thought she was going to be killed. But all they wanted was for someone to love them. Especially the father. However, with both father and son sexually abusing the same woman, was Cody abused by his mother?
Good for a short story. At first I thought she was going to be killed. But all they wanted was for someone to love them. Especially the father. However, with both father and son sexually abusing the same woman, was Cody abused by his mother?
September 30, 2018
Another wonderful book from this author
I could not stop reading this page Turner! The main character was so likeable and I wanted things to work out for her. Loved the ending and so glad I discovered this author!
I could not stop reading this page Turner! The main character was so likeable and I wanted things to work out for her. Loved the ending and so glad I discovered this author!
November 8, 2023
Great read
From the start, you could see how this story would end up, but it still wanted you to read it. Beginning and ending, predictable, but the filling was delicious. Took an hour to read.
Really enjoyed it.
From the start, you could see how this story would end up, but it still wanted you to read it. Beginning and ending, predictable, but the filling was delicious. Took an hour to read.
Really enjoyed it.
October 17, 2025
Mother Knows Best
Thriller
Netta Newbound
⭐️⭐️⭐️
There were a few plot errors, for example, when Cody started worrying where Ruby was even though he knew exactly what had happened. It made things confusing sometimes.
The pacing was good but the plot was obvious.
Thriller
Netta Newbound
⭐️⭐️⭐️
There were a few plot errors, for example, when Cody started worrying where Ruby was even though he knew exactly what had happened. It made things confusing sometimes.
The pacing was good but the plot was obvious.
July 19, 2017
Great short read!
I received this free and was not expecting much but, boy, was I surprised! As a mother of 3daughters this was always a fear of mine. Great book!
I received this free and was not expecting much but, boy, was I surprised! As a mother of 3daughters this was always a fear of mine. Great book!
September 26, 2017
I think this is an okay book. It was easy to read, had interesting characters and a good story line. I would recommend it to anyone who likes this kind of book...
January 13, 2018
Great little short story. A little bit of violence, a twinge of sex and a urge to call my Mom.
February 17, 2018
Good short story
Very good and gripping short story. You can easily identify with the characters. This story would have made a good thriller with a few more victims.
Very good and gripping short story. You can easily identify with the characters. This story would have made a good thriller with a few more victims.
March 25, 2020
Very enjoyable
I really enjoyed this short story.I could picture their faces,great characters I do enjoy books by netta newbound very much
I really enjoyed this short story.I could picture their faces,great characters I do enjoy books by netta newbound very much
July 11, 2020
The plot gave me a vaguely uneasy feeling. But it was well written.
February 1, 2025
Daft ending
March 16, 2017
Ruby's mother liked to know what she was up to at all times which irritated her so in secret she arranged to go on a date with a lad called Cody. He seemed really nice but she was later to find out differently when he took her back to his dads house, drugged her and held her hostage. Find out what Cody, Steve (Cody's dad) and Kyle (his brother) do to her. They say that mother knows best and in this case she certainly did,
Although only a short story it's a great read
Although only a short story it's a great read
February 22, 2017
New author for me, enjoyed the style of writing but implausible ending. Will read more of her books
June 23, 2016
In between full length novels, I wanted to read something quick - a short story. Browsing through my TBR pile I came across this novella by Netta Newbound. It's cover immediately grabbed my attention and gave me the goosebumps and I just knew I had to read it. Though I have a number of this author's books in my kindle, for some reason I never got round to reading them, so I thought this was a great opportunity to have a 'taste' of her writing.
"Sorry to be a pest, but Mother knows best."
Twenty-two-year-old Ruby considers her over-protective mother, a pain in the neck. She's had enough of her constant nagging and obsessions about her daughters' safety. So, despite her mother's warnings Ruby goes out with a charming young lad she barely knows. Cody is very handsome and gentle, a dream come true, but as they say 'Beauty is only skin deep'. Ruby is simply too young and naive to realise this, and when she does, it's way too late... Soon she finds herself in the very same situation her mother had professed would happen...
The characters in this novella are all realistic. I especially liked Ruby's mother, Sharon. She's a strong, persistent woman. I hated Cody from the first time he's mentioned.
It took me just minutes to devour this book as it's very gripping and tense. I wanted to know what will happen next, how things would turn out and so before I knew it, I've read it all. That I guess is one downside of short stories. The writing is excellent and smooth, however I thought the ending was a bit too hurried and could have been developed a little bit more.
Other than that I really liked this novella. It's brilliant and it made me want to read the author's full length novels. Oh by the way... if you want to grab a copy, this book is currently free on Amazon! ;-)
"Sorry to be a pest, but Mother knows best."
Twenty-two-year-old Ruby considers her over-protective mother, a pain in the neck. She's had enough of her constant nagging and obsessions about her daughters' safety. So, despite her mother's warnings Ruby goes out with a charming young lad she barely knows. Cody is very handsome and gentle, a dream come true, but as they say 'Beauty is only skin deep'. Ruby is simply too young and naive to realise this, and when she does, it's way too late... Soon she finds herself in the very same situation her mother had professed would happen...
The characters in this novella are all realistic. I especially liked Ruby's mother, Sharon. She's a strong, persistent woman. I hated Cody from the first time he's mentioned.
It took me just minutes to devour this book as it's very gripping and tense. I wanted to know what will happen next, how things would turn out and so before I knew it, I've read it all. That I guess is one downside of short stories. The writing is excellent and smooth, however I thought the ending was a bit too hurried and could have been developed a little bit more.
Other than that I really liked this novella. It's brilliant and it made me want to read the author's full length novels. Oh by the way... if you want to grab a copy, this book is currently free on Amazon! ;-)
February 15, 2017
A good novella- though the ending seemed a little rushed, and unlikely. However I enjoyed the author's writing style and will read more of her work.
December 18, 2023
Grade: 81%
Rating: ★★★★★
I have to say that this book is seriously dark. I loved it. I chose this Novella because I love to read psychological thriller novels and this books sounded perfect. The only thing I was disappointed with was the ending. It's rushed and seemed unreal like the author just wanted to end it. The author also had the habit of forgetting the end quotation marks that annoyed me after a while. However, the author created Cody Strong beautifully, and I thought he was more developed than the main character, Ruby. He was the epitome to how I view character development, so I do want to thank the author for that. Go Netta Newbound! I could easily see this novel reaching about 225-250 pages if the author wanted not to make it a novella.
*** I recommend this book to mature readers only. ***
Rating: ★★★★★
I have to say that this book is seriously dark. I loved it. I chose this Novella because I love to read psychological thriller novels and this books sounded perfect. The only thing I was disappointed with was the ending. It's rushed and seemed unreal like the author just wanted to end it. The author also had the habit of forgetting the end quotation marks that annoyed me after a while. However, the author created Cody Strong beautifully, and I thought he was more developed than the main character, Ruby. He was the epitome to how I view character development, so I do want to thank the author for that. Go Netta Newbound! I could easily see this novel reaching about 225-250 pages if the author wanted not to make it a novella.
*** I recommend this book to mature readers only. ***
December 10, 2014
This is the first book of Netta Newbound's that I read. I could not stop reading Mother Knows Best until I finished it. The cliffhanger type beginning immediately had me hooked and I was drawn into the story with the appealing character of Ruby. The author had me caring for the Ruby from the beginning. As I got further into the novella I was on the edge of my seat as she became embroiled in a shocking situation. An exciting novella.
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April 30, 2015Straight forward and to the
How many times have well heard those word's "mother know s best " well believe them . This was a story dedicated to this quote. We grow up trying to do the opposite, but if children would just listen, like in this story, we would all be in less trouble. 15+
How many times have well heard those word's "mother know s best " well believe them . This was a story dedicated to this quote. We grow up trying to do the opposite, but if children would just listen, like in this story, we would all be in less trouble. 15+
May 27, 2015
Short Read But A Real Surprise
I was blown away by this short story. It will keep you wondering the whole time. Good character's and you want to keep reading so you are finished before you realize your at the end. I was very surprised by this book but very entertained. Ms .Newbound has a very interesting mind.
kozetteksmith
I was blown away by this short story. It will keep you wondering the whole time. Good character's and you want to keep reading so you are finished before you realize your at the end. I was very surprised by this book but very entertained. Ms .Newbound has a very interesting mind.
kozetteksmith
June 11, 2015
Short, ok plot (think about who you go out with), short, fairy tale ending, did I say short??!!
It was 99¢ so for about a 2 hour off and on read I suppose it's not a total wash.
I probably won't read another short story. Seriously, how much great read can a few pages produce.
A younger girl might enjoy this short book about dating the wrong guy.
It was 99¢ so for about a 2 hour off and on read I suppose it's not a total wash.
I probably won't read another short story. Seriously, how much great read can a few pages produce.
A younger girl might enjoy this short book about dating the wrong guy.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews