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Com amor, Mãe
Win a free print copy of this book!
11 days and 05:34:13
25 copies available
U.S. only
Embora seja uma estudante notável, Mackenzie Casper é mais conhecida por ser a filha de uma escritora bestseller de thrillers sombrios.
Quando a mãe morre num acidente, o mundo literário chora a sua perda, porém, Mackenzie é atormentada por muito mais do que o luto.
No dia da cerimónia fúnebre, ela recebe um envelope misterioso, assinado:
Do fã #1. XOXO
Lá dentro, encontra páginas do diário da mãe com uma pergunta inquietante:
Queres saber um segredo?
Com amor, Mãe.
O que lê deixa-a em choque.
Depois chega uma segunda carta.
E uma terceira…
É assim que Mackenzie dá início a uma investigação que a leva a tropeçar em segredos familiares há muito enterrados.
Não demorará a descobrir que o caminho da mãe para o estrelato foi sustentado por mentiras sinistras que enredaram toda a família.
À medida que se aproxima da verdade, Mackenzie percebe que afinal...
… HÁ COISAS PIORES DO QUE UM ASSASSINATO.
Quando a mãe morre num acidente, o mundo literário chora a sua perda, porém, Mackenzie é atormentada por muito mais do que o luto.
No dia da cerimónia fúnebre, ela recebe um envelope misterioso, assinado:
Do fã #1. XOXO
Lá dentro, encontra páginas do diário da mãe com uma pergunta inquietante:
Queres saber um segredo?
Com amor, Mãe.
O que lê deixa-a em choque.
Depois chega uma segunda carta.
E uma terceira…
É assim que Mackenzie dá início a uma investigação que a leva a tropeçar em segredos familiares há muito enterrados.
Não demorará a descobrir que o caminho da mãe para o estrelato foi sustentado por mentiras sinistras que enredaram toda a família.
À medida que se aproxima da verdade, Mackenzie percebe que afinal...
… HÁ COISAS PIORES DO QUE UM ASSASSINATO.
348 pages, Paperback
First published October 10, 2024
26154 people are currently reading
147833 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 9,589 reviews
February 15, 2025
Booktok did me so dirty. Everyone saying how amazing it is 🙄. IT. WAS. NOT. AMAZING. 👏🏽
February 12, 2025
A mother dies and her daughter starts getting mysterious letters written by her mother that seem to point to her mother doing crazy things. Seems interesting in theory, but I just did not like it. It was something about the writing style that felt very bland to me.
I read this because I saw several awesome reviews about the twists in this book, but I did not find them exciting like others did. I think this might have been a me problem, but this book was not for me.
I read this because I saw several awesome reviews about the twists in this book, but I did not find them exciting like others did. I think this might have been a me problem, but this book was not for me.
August 12, 2025
This was sooooo good. Like everything you could want in a thriller book!! Twist twist twist, characters with back stories and fmc to root for. Also I’m a sucker for a romantic subplot
December 12, 2024
This is one of the BEST psychological thrillers I've read. I had to pick my jaw up off the ground when an unfathomable twist came in the second part. I highly recommend that all thriller fans read this immediately!
March 4, 2025
4⭐️
Now that I read this, I can see why it's so highly rated. This was so incredibly fun! I really needed a twisty, suspenseful thriller and this delivered.
I really enjoyed the characters and their story, especially since they had more depth and personality compared to some others I have read. The FMC isn't one of the naive and stupid main characters and I found her to be more down to earth and relatable. I know this wasn't anywhere near a romance, but I enjoyed the relationship and friendship between the FMC and her best friend who plays a major role in this.
Right off the bat, this book throws you into the plot. I really found this to be pretty unique among thrillers. I will say that the one thing I didn't like very much is that the twists and turns were sooo predictable. I think they were very cliche and had their good and bad moments. However, I was completely invested the whole time and I was able to read this in a couple of days. I was on the edge of my seat and just had to know what was going to happen next. The ending wasn't very shocking, but I did like the way it wrapped up.
Overall, I was definitely not disappointed by this and actually ended up having a great time. It was fun, it was engaging, it had solid suspense. I would highly recommend this if you are looking for thriller that delves into family affairs and a background of a meaningful story. It had very wholesome moments, however this could be very heavy for people that are more sensitive to harsh topics. There were not blatant scenes of it, but sexual assault and rape were mentioned and a big plot to the story. If you decide to give it a try, I think you'll enjoy it!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Remember when I said I was only going to read one book at a time? Well I lied and want to read this too 😌
Now that I read this, I can see why it's so highly rated. This was so incredibly fun! I really needed a twisty, suspenseful thriller and this delivered.
I really enjoyed the characters and their story, especially since they had more depth and personality compared to some others I have read. The FMC isn't one of the naive and stupid main characters and I found her to be more down to earth and relatable. I know this wasn't anywhere near a romance, but I enjoyed the relationship and friendship between the FMC and her best friend who plays a major role in this.
Right off the bat, this book throws you into the plot. I really found this to be pretty unique among thrillers. I will say that the one thing I didn't like very much is that the twists and turns were sooo predictable. I think they were very cliche and had their good and bad moments. However, I was completely invested the whole time and I was able to read this in a couple of days. I was on the edge of my seat and just had to know what was going to happen next. The ending wasn't very shocking, but I did like the way it wrapped up.
Overall, I was definitely not disappointed by this and actually ended up having a great time. It was fun, it was engaging, it had solid suspense. I would highly recommend this if you are looking for thriller that delves into family affairs and a background of a meaningful story. It had very wholesome moments, however this could be very heavy for people that are more sensitive to harsh topics. There were not blatant scenes of it, but sexual assault and rape were mentioned and a big plot to the story. If you decide to give it a try, I think you'll enjoy it!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Remember when I said I was only going to read one book at a time? Well I lied and want to read this too 😌
April 29, 2025
Very entertaining and I adored the main character
January 19, 2025
This book was eh… the ending felt rushed and the whole book was just bleh
September 20, 2025
fun, fast-paced, mid...exactly what a thriller should be.
September 22, 2025
Gasp! From the well-plotted storyline to the earth-shattering twists, Love, Mom had everything I could want in a compelling tale of psychological suspense. You see, not only was it deliciously tense, but the dysfunctional family dynamics and intricate backstories delivered a pulse-pounding read that was as complex as it was juicy. Exactly the kind of true-crime story that you could imagine popping up in the news, I had a blast riding shotgun as the layers of secrets were slowly peeled back thanks to the deftly interwoven dual timelines and multiple POVs. Honestly? It was one of the most well-executed storylines that I’ve read in ages—and I’ve read quite a few winners lately.
Not only was the plot an utter slam dunk, but the characters all delivered in spades. From the smart, determined daughter Mackenzie to the rest of her motley crew of friends, the amateur sleuthing was on point from the very first word. And what a start that it was. Throwing the reader right into the action, there wasn’t a moment of downtime until the utterly satisfying conclusion. With a found family vibe, mixed media format, and an underlying metafiction edge, I inhaled this book in one single sitting while ignoring everything else going on around me. Oh, yes. This book was that good. Relatable yet also just a little bit over-the-top, I loved this one from beginning to end.
All said and done, I’m now a brand-spanking-new fan of Ms. Xander. With short, cliffhanger chapters, believable characters, and lightning-quick pacing, the plot-charging drama and complex group dynamics only added to the fun. After all, it evoked the great Freida McFadden, but with a tad bit more finesse. Especially that gasp-inducing revelation which dropped halfway into the book. A “WTF?!” twist if I ever saw one, it shocked even me and I’m usually one to see through most—if not all—reveals. So if you’re looking for a book that is not only a quick, easy read, but one that will mess with your head, you’ve found it right here. And trust me, you’re going to love it. Rating of 5 stars.
SYNOPSIS:
Mackenzie Casper is a brilliant student. But she is best known for her mother, a best-selling author whose dark, twisted thrillers have a dedicated worldwide fanbase.
When her mother dies in an accident, fans across the world are left grieving, and the investigators are asking: Was that really an accident? The day of the memorial service, Mackenzie gets the first mysterious envelope, signed, “From #1 fan. XOXO.” Inside are the pages of her mother’s diary that start with the lines: “Want to know a secret? Love, Mom.”
What Mackenzie reads leaves her in shock. Then comes the second letter. And the third...
Mackenzie quickly starts her own investigation and stumbles upon secrets that her family has lived with for years.
Quickly, she realizes that her mother's path to stardom was etched with sinister lies that might have caught up with her. Sometimes fame is worth a murder. Or worse.
Thank you to Iliana Xander, Poisoned Pen Press, and NetGalley for my complimentary digital and physical copies. All opinions are my own.
PUB DATE: September 2, 2025
Content warning: drug use, infidelity, pregnancy/labor, forced captivity, getting drugged, mention of: alcoholism, rape, murder
Not only was the plot an utter slam dunk, but the characters all delivered in spades. From the smart, determined daughter Mackenzie to the rest of her motley crew of friends, the amateur sleuthing was on point from the very first word. And what a start that it was. Throwing the reader right into the action, there wasn’t a moment of downtime until the utterly satisfying conclusion. With a found family vibe, mixed media format, and an underlying metafiction edge, I inhaled this book in one single sitting while ignoring everything else going on around me. Oh, yes. This book was that good. Relatable yet also just a little bit over-the-top, I loved this one from beginning to end.
All said and done, I’m now a brand-spanking-new fan of Ms. Xander. With short, cliffhanger chapters, believable characters, and lightning-quick pacing, the plot-charging drama and complex group dynamics only added to the fun. After all, it evoked the great Freida McFadden, but with a tad bit more finesse. Especially that gasp-inducing revelation which dropped halfway into the book. A “WTF?!” twist if I ever saw one, it shocked even me and I’m usually one to see through most—if not all—reveals. So if you’re looking for a book that is not only a quick, easy read, but one that will mess with your head, you’ve found it right here. And trust me, you’re going to love it. Rating of 5 stars.
SYNOPSIS:
Mackenzie Casper is a brilliant student. But she is best known for her mother, a best-selling author whose dark, twisted thrillers have a dedicated worldwide fanbase.
When her mother dies in an accident, fans across the world are left grieving, and the investigators are asking: Was that really an accident? The day of the memorial service, Mackenzie gets the first mysterious envelope, signed, “From #1 fan. XOXO.” Inside are the pages of her mother’s diary that start with the lines: “Want to know a secret? Love, Mom.”
What Mackenzie reads leaves her in shock. Then comes the second letter. And the third...
Mackenzie quickly starts her own investigation and stumbles upon secrets that her family has lived with for years.
Quickly, she realizes that her mother's path to stardom was etched with sinister lies that might have caught up with her. Sometimes fame is worth a murder. Or worse.
Thank you to Iliana Xander, Poisoned Pen Press, and NetGalley for my complimentary digital and physical copies. All opinions are my own.
PUB DATE: September 2, 2025
Content warning: drug use, infidelity, pregnancy/labor, forced captivity, getting drugged, mention of: alcoholism, rape, murder
December 3, 2024
Wow another 5 star read for me! The twist in the middle of the book had me 😳😳 and it’s been a while since I read a book where everything is explained at the end and you aren’t left on a cliffhanger. Absolutely one of my top fav books!
January 18, 2025
The beginning of the book is freaking slow!!! It is also repetitive…Mackenzie we know your family life sucked!! Are you going to bring it up every damn chapter??? 🤦🏻♀️
Wasn’t a big fan of the back and forth conversation with Mackenzie and EJ…I felt a lot of it was boring and pointless.
I ended up not finishing the book! The style of writing bugged me and I was bored! 🤷🏻♀️
Wasn’t a big fan of the back and forth conversation with Mackenzie and EJ…I felt a lot of it was boring and pointless.
I ended up not finishing the book! The style of writing bugged me and I was bored! 🤷🏻♀️
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 23, 2025
Either I did not read the same book as all of you leaving 4-5 star reviews, or y’all are great friends with the writer and are hyping her way up (which I do respect tbh)
But my goodness, that GR rating was misleading. This book does not have 4-5 star writing. Was it originally published in another language and poorly translated? Because the dialogue was so cringey and unnatural. It was difficult to get through.
Not to mention sentences like:
“The doctor says I am a perfect mother.” To a 22 year old student who hasn’t even given birth yet lmao. No doctor would say this to ANYONE
And then, “we need baby supplies.” Granted, this came from the dumbest male in the book, but puh LEEZ
But my goodness, that GR rating was misleading. This book does not have 4-5 star writing. Was it originally published in another language and poorly translated? Because the dialogue was so cringey and unnatural. It was difficult to get through.
Not to mention sentences like:
“The doctor says I am a perfect mother.” To a 22 year old student who hasn’t even given birth yet lmao. No doctor would say this to ANYONE
And then, “we need baby supplies.” Granted, this came from the dumbest male in the book, but puh LEEZ
February 8, 2025
DNF. Poor writing and sooooo slow.
January 27, 2025
Really did not like this one. Not sure if there were editing issues, but I noticed a LOT of repetitiveness. Example: on a single page, it was mentioned three times that Kenzie lives in a small studio downtown. Vaguely (and frequently) refers to “her university” - ground the story, name the university! The characters were at once flat and overly-complicated, plot was meandering and there were odd sentence fragments that made dialogue stilted. Learning important plot points by eavesdropping happened TWICE in the first 50 pages!
And…what kid doesn’t recognize their mom’s handwriting? You’ve seen it on permission slips, notes, birthday cards, forms for 20+ years, ffs. Not a fan.
And…what kid doesn’t recognize their mom’s handwriting? You’ve seen it on permission slips, notes, birthday cards, forms for 20+ years, ffs. Not a fan.
September 25, 2025
My jaw hurts from picking it up off the floor. I might be drooling, I don’t know. 🙀
Hawt damn, Iliana Xander! Get used to that name because she’s on her way to the bestsellers list! Yeah, I’m calling it. Where did she come from? Had I known she was this damn good, I’d have read her sooner!!!
So here’s the deal….. I’m not going to bother with a synopsis. Nope. I didn’t need one and neither do you. I think any information is too much information. Just go in blind. Trust the process. Yes, you will have to suspend disbelief, but it’s FICTION! It doesn’t have to be believable.
If you’re a fan of fast paced thrillers, jaw-dropping twists, and UNPUTDOWNABLE suspense, GET THIS BOOK! Now!
I freaking loved it and am so grateful to Poisoned Pen Press for sending me a copy!!!
5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Hawt damn, Iliana Xander! Get used to that name because she’s on her way to the bestsellers list! Yeah, I’m calling it. Where did she come from? Had I known she was this damn good, I’d have read her sooner!!!
So here’s the deal….. I’m not going to bother with a synopsis. Nope. I didn’t need one and neither do you. I think any information is too much information. Just go in blind. Trust the process. Yes, you will have to suspend disbelief, but it’s FICTION! It doesn’t have to be believable.
If you’re a fan of fast paced thrillers, jaw-dropping twists, and UNPUTDOWNABLE suspense, GET THIS BOOK! Now!
I freaking loved it and am so grateful to Poisoned Pen Press for sending me a copy!!!
5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
June 3, 2025
hmmm somewhere between 3.5 and 3.75 stars
This was a a fun and twisty ride. The first 65-70% had me in an absolute chokehold but the final 30% kinda fizzled out for me. Maybe it's a me problem, but I was expecting more of a shocking ending or twist? Maybe I've read so many thriller/mysteries that I need a lot to shock me😅 This was still a very addictive and fun read though!!
This was a a fun and twisty ride. The first 65-70% had me in an absolute chokehold but the final 30% kinda fizzled out for me. Maybe it's a me problem, but I was expecting more of a shocking ending or twist? Maybe I've read so many thriller/mysteries that I need a lot to shock me😅 This was still a very addictive and fun read though!!
May 9, 2025
I picked up Love, Mom through my Kindle Unlimited subscription, and while I’m relieved I didn’t pay for it outright, I still regret the four hours I spent reading it.
The novel centers on Mackenzie Casper, a brilliant student best known for her mother, a best-selling author whose dark, twisted thrillers have a dedicated worldwide fanbase. When her mother dies in an accident, fans across the world are left grieving, and investigators are asking: Was that really an accident? The day of the memorial service, Mackenzie receives a mysterious envelope containing pages from her mother’s diary, leading her to uncover shocking family secrets. 
Unfortunately, the execution falls flat. The writing felt amateurish, as if it came straight out of a high school journal, lacking the polish and depth I’d expect even from a debut novel.
The childbirth scene, in particular, was absurdly implausible and downright stomach-turning. It felt as though the author assumed readers were completely uneducated about the topic, and the result was both frustrating and laughable.
I’m baffled by the glowing reviews for this book and can’t help but question if some of them are genuine. While I understand every book has its audience, I cannot in good faith recommend this one. If I hadn’t been determined to finish, this would have been a DNF for me.
The novel centers on Mackenzie Casper, a brilliant student best known for her mother, a best-selling author whose dark, twisted thrillers have a dedicated worldwide fanbase. When her mother dies in an accident, fans across the world are left grieving, and investigators are asking: Was that really an accident? The day of the memorial service, Mackenzie receives a mysterious envelope containing pages from her mother’s diary, leading her to uncover shocking family secrets. 
Unfortunately, the execution falls flat. The writing felt amateurish, as if it came straight out of a high school journal, lacking the polish and depth I’d expect even from a debut novel.
The childbirth scene, in particular, was absurdly implausible and downright stomach-turning. It felt as though the author assumed readers were completely uneducated about the topic, and the result was both frustrating and laughable.
I’m baffled by the glowing reviews for this book and can’t help but question if some of them are genuine. While I understand every book has its audience, I cannot in good faith recommend this one. If I hadn’t been determined to finish, this would have been a DNF for me.
September 15, 2025
From #1 Fan, XOXO (sadly I’m not one).
2.5 stars rounded up.
After the sudden death of bestselling thriller author Beth Casper, her 21-year-old daughter Mackenzie begins receiving mysterious letters. The first one is chillingly signed Love, Mom, and each subsequent letter - all of them delivered in envelopes addressed From #1 Fan, XOXO - revealing increasingly dark secrets. As Mackenzie investigates, she uncovers lies, betrayals, and the chilling truth that while the road to hell may be paved with good intentions, the road to fame may be paved with murder.
"Love, Mom" hooked me at first with its brisk pace and deliciously eerie setup. The first part had me flying through short, snappy chapters, eager to piece together the puzzle, but unfortunately, the "big twist" at its end landed with all the subtlety of a freight train - obvious if you’re paying attention, leaving little room for genuine surprise.
From there, the momentum sputtered out. While part one was the perfect, fun popcorn thriller, part two dragged on far too long, testing my patience. The story, already teetering on the edge of implausibility - one author with only three books published decades ago somehow still inspiring global hysteria and a cult-like following, even among young adults, seems like a stretch - was completely derailed by the increasingly wild and somehow still wholly predictable plot lines. Once part 1 ended, it was pretty easy to guess the entire rest of the book correctly, and the rushed ending did not help things.
Though marketed as adult fiction, the book often felt closer to an over-simplified YA mystery, an impression further enforced by the writing style and the fact that all the grown-ups were insufferable. That's not counting Mackenzie and her friend, EJ, though they were legally adults; their banter was enjoyable. However, I was unimpressed that Mackenzie felt like she could only go to the police once she had solved the entire mystery, found all the proof, and confronted all the culprits, which might be an okay plot device, but at some point also felt very immature and at odds with her seemingly smart nature. I enjoy YA thrillers when they’re well done, but here that style stripped away the complexity the premise promised.
Overall, I wanted to love it, but ended up just tolerating it.
Many thanks to Poseidon Press for providing me with an ARC via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
"Love, Mom" was released on September 2, 2025, and is available now.
2.5 stars rounded up.
After the sudden death of bestselling thriller author Beth Casper, her 21-year-old daughter Mackenzie begins receiving mysterious letters. The first one is chillingly signed Love, Mom, and each subsequent letter - all of them delivered in envelopes addressed From #1 Fan, XOXO - revealing increasingly dark secrets. As Mackenzie investigates, she uncovers lies, betrayals, and the chilling truth that while the road to hell may be paved with good intentions, the road to fame may be paved with murder.
"Love, Mom" hooked me at first with its brisk pace and deliciously eerie setup. The first part had me flying through short, snappy chapters, eager to piece together the puzzle, but unfortunately, the "big twist" at its end landed with all the subtlety of a freight train - obvious if you’re paying attention, leaving little room for genuine surprise.
From there, the momentum sputtered out. While part one was the perfect, fun popcorn thriller, part two dragged on far too long, testing my patience. The story, already teetering on the edge of implausibility - one author with only three books published decades ago somehow still inspiring global hysteria and a cult-like following, even among young adults, seems like a stretch - was completely derailed by the increasingly wild and somehow still wholly predictable plot lines. Once part 1 ended, it was pretty easy to guess the entire rest of the book correctly, and the rushed ending did not help things.
Though marketed as adult fiction, the book often felt closer to an over-simplified YA mystery, an impression further enforced by the writing style and the fact that all the grown-ups were insufferable. That's not counting Mackenzie and her friend, EJ, though they were legally adults; their banter was enjoyable. However, I was unimpressed that Mackenzie felt like she could only go to the police once she had solved the entire mystery, found all the proof, and confronted all the culprits, which might be an okay plot device, but at some point also felt very immature and at odds with her seemingly smart nature. I enjoy YA thrillers when they’re well done, but here that style stripped away the complexity the premise promised.
Overall, I wanted to love it, but ended up just tolerating it.
Many thanks to Poseidon Press for providing me with an ARC via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
"Love, Mom" was released on September 2, 2025, and is available now.
April 20, 2025
This was SO good. The twists just kept coming and I didn't predict a single one of them.🤯 I gasped so many times reading this ‼️
This book has everything I love:
-short chapters with cliffhangers
-thrilling plot twists
-different POVs
-fast paced
I really enjoyed the fact that we got various POVs that explain the characters motives and inner thoughts. If you love Freida's books, then I highly recommend this as your next read (the FMC is actually smart in this book 🙂↕️)
✩⁺₊✩☽⋆ follow me on tiktok ⋆☾✩⁺₊✩
This book has everything I love:
-short chapters with cliffhangers
-thrilling plot twists
-different POVs
-fast paced
I really enjoyed the fact that we got various POVs that explain the characters motives and inner thoughts. If you love Freida's books, then I highly recommend this as your next read (the FMC is actually smart in this book 🙂↕️)
✩⁺₊✩☽⋆ follow me on tiktok ⋆☾✩⁺₊✩
March 12, 2025
Wow, this book was such an easy, fast read—and I couldn’t put it down! The story completely hooked me, and there was a plot twist that I did not see coming. It had my emotions all over the place in the best way. I loved how everything made sense by the end—no loose ends, just a super satisfying finish.
It honestly felt like watching a really good thriller movie where every scene matters. This is hands down one of the best thrillers I’ve read so far!
It honestly felt like watching a really good thriller movie where every scene matters. This is hands down one of the best thrillers I’ve read so far!
January 23, 2025
4.5 stars - on Kindle Unlimited
https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZT2LkBMQG/
https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZT2LkBMQG/
October 20, 2025
Świetnie się tego słucha! A druga część zaskakuje!
January 27, 2025
1.5 stars- booktok you did me so dirty
September 6, 2025
Summary
Love, Mom follows Mackenzie, the daughter of a famous thriller writer who suddenly dies in what’s believed to be an accident. At first, Mackenzie is just dealing with the “grief” of losing her complicated, larger than life mother, until she starts receiving mysterious letters signed “Love, Mom.” These letters reveal shocking secrets about her mother’s past and force Mackenzie to question everything she thought she knew. The story is fast paced, emotional, & filled with twists that kept me turning the pages.
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Subplots & Themes
Mothers and daughters – The whole story is really about Mackenzie trying to understand her mom,
both the woman and the “famous author” persona.
Grief – Losing her mom is complicated for Mackenzie, especially once secrets start coming out.
Family secrets – So much of the suspense comes from what was hidden and why.
Identity – Mackenzie has to figure out who she is outside of her mom’s shadow.
Truth vs. appearances – Everyone saw her mom one way, but Mackenzie learns the reality was a lot darker.
The creepy letters signed “Love, Mom” that reveal more and more secrets.
Mackenzie working through her own messy grief and guilt.
Digging into her mother’s past and realizing success might have come with some ugly truths.Strained relationships with people around her, since she’s not sure who she can trust.
The whole investigation vibe as Mackenzie pieces the mystery together like a thriller.
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My Thoughts
Overall, I really enjoyed this read.
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I would like to give a huge thank you to NetGalley, Illiana Xander, & Penguin Books Limited for providing me with an ARC of Love, Mom in exchange for my honest review.
﹒⟡﹒﹒⟡﹒﹒⟡﹒﹒⟡﹒﹒⟡﹒﹒⟡﹒
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Love, Mom follows Mackenzie, the daughter of a famous thriller writer who suddenly dies in what’s believed to be an accident. At first, Mackenzie is just dealing with the “grief” of losing her complicated, larger than life mother, until she starts receiving mysterious letters signed “Love, Mom.” These letters reveal shocking secrets about her mother’s past and force Mackenzie to question everything she thought she knew. The story is fast paced, emotional, & filled with twists that kept me turning the pages.
﹒⟡﹒﹒⟡﹒﹒⟡﹒﹒⟡﹒﹒⟡﹒﹒⟡﹒
Subplots & Themes
Mothers and daughters – The whole story is really about Mackenzie trying to understand her mom,
both the woman and the “famous author” persona.
Grief – Losing her mom is complicated for Mackenzie, especially once secrets start coming out.
Family secrets – So much of the suspense comes from what was hidden and why.
Identity – Mackenzie has to figure out who she is outside of her mom’s shadow.
Truth vs. appearances – Everyone saw her mom one way, but Mackenzie learns the reality was a lot darker.
The creepy letters signed “Love, Mom” that reveal more and more secrets.
Mackenzie working through her own messy grief and guilt.
Digging into her mother’s past and realizing success might have come with some ugly truths.Strained relationships with people around her, since she’s not sure who she can trust.
The whole investigation vibe as Mackenzie pieces the mystery together like a thriller.
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My Thoughts
Overall, I really enjoyed this read.
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I would like to give a huge thank you to NetGalley, Illiana Xander, & Penguin Books Limited for providing me with an ARC of Love, Mom in exchange for my honest review.
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Medium
August 26, 2025
"𝗽𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘀𝗵𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗶𝘀 𝘄𝗵𝗶𝘁𝗲, 𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗻𝗴𝗲 𝗶𝘀 𝗿𝗲𝗱, 𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝘄𝗮𝘀 𝗯𝗹𝗼𝗼𝗱𝘆-𝗯𝗹𝗮𝗰𝗸."
at first, i was a little skeptical—people kept saying this book felt rushed and lacked details or flavor, but excuse me? have we all forgotten that thrillers are supposed to be fast-paced and engaging? because let me tell you, this one did not disappoint, my oh my, i absolutely LOVED it, it wasn’t just fast-paced, it was lightning speed—you could devour the whole thing in one sitting. (and before you ask, yes, i did exactly that, don’t judge me, i regret nothing… well, except forgetting to rate it right away).
and can we talk about my genius Lizzy for a second? bless her heart, she stole the show for me, honestly, every single character had their charm—(even Tonya, the evil witch herself), had me low key entertained, so, what do i think about this book overall? let me spell it out: YES, a thousand times yes. 📖
at first, i was a little skeptical—people kept saying this book felt rushed and lacked details or flavor, but excuse me? have we all forgotten that thrillers are supposed to be fast-paced and engaging? because let me tell you, this one did not disappoint, my oh my, i absolutely LOVED it, it wasn’t just fast-paced, it was lightning speed—you could devour the whole thing in one sitting. (and before you ask, yes, i did exactly that, don’t judge me, i regret nothing… well, except forgetting to rate it right away).
and can we talk about my genius Lizzy for a second? bless her heart, she stole the show for me, honestly, every single character had their charm—(even Tonya, the evil witch herself), had me low key entertained, so, what do i think about this book overall? let me spell it out: YES, a thousand times yes. 📖
June 25, 2025
This novel was great! The storyline had clever plotting and psychological tension. It is a fast paced read, having the flaws of the characters as the main focus. It is mysterious, eerie, emotional and sad. It contains a strong villain, with the characters being very multilayered. The characters felt believable, as it contained both unlikable and likable characters in it. This is easy to read, descriptive, straightforward and beautifully written. The twists in this story really kept me on edge! This book is both exciting and addictive!
“Love, Mom” is a psychological thriller that centers around Mackenzie Casper. Mackenzie’s mother passes away not long after Mackenzie starts getting these mysterious letters. Mackenzie’s mom was a renowned author and got into a serious accident, which is what caused her death. Soon after her mom passed away, she starts receiving letters that are signed with “Love, Mom.” As the story unfolds, Mackenzie figures out that these letters are really from her mom’s diary! Mackenzie ends up digging up past secrets and things get twisty! Overall, I rate this a 4 out of 5 stars!
I think fans of Freida McFadden and John Marrs would really enjoy reading this book! The content warnings include death, rape, death of a parent, fire injury, pregnancy, sexual assault and murder.
Thank you to NetGalley, author Iliana Xander and Poisoned Pen Press for this electronic arc of this book in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.
The NEW arc of this book is expected to be published on September 2, 2025!
“Love, Mom” is a psychological thriller that centers around Mackenzie Casper. Mackenzie’s mother passes away not long after Mackenzie starts getting these mysterious letters. Mackenzie’s mom was a renowned author and got into a serious accident, which is what caused her death. Soon after her mom passed away, she starts receiving letters that are signed with “Love, Mom.” As the story unfolds, Mackenzie figures out that these letters are really from her mom’s diary! Mackenzie ends up digging up past secrets and things get twisty! Overall, I rate this a 4 out of 5 stars!
I think fans of Freida McFadden and John Marrs would really enjoy reading this book! The content warnings include death, rape, death of a parent, fire injury, pregnancy, sexual assault and murder.
Thank you to NetGalley, author Iliana Xander and Poisoned Pen Press for this electronic arc of this book in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.
The NEW arc of this book is expected to be published on September 2, 2025!
March 8, 2025
Ridiculous. All these people finding out years before and still keeping it a secret from McKenzie?!?! The writing was boring. Their flirting was boring. The ending was boring. I liked 5% of the book
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 24, 2025
This book started off as a slow burner but just over halfway it really ramped up. I couldn't put it down as I needed to know the truth.
What I loved about it was how it involved an author, and it was book related. I read a lot of thrillers so it's always nice to read a different plot.
This is a book about connections, revenge, lies, secrets and revelations.
I was in a bit of a reading slump with a few average reads, and this one changed all that!
What I loved about it was how it involved an author, and it was book related. I read a lot of thrillers so it's always nice to read a different plot.
This is a book about connections, revenge, lies, secrets and revelations.
I was in a bit of a reading slump with a few average reads, and this one changed all that!
May 21, 2025
This book deserves to be talked about more, because, woah. I was hooked from page one, and I had to force myself to put it down last night. This book is very Freida-esque with short chapters, twisted, bingeable - it’s perfect to get you out of a slump!
I loved Kenzie I thought she was a great FMC, I loved the characters we met along the way and I absolutely LOVED how it ended. This is available on KU and I highly recommend you all picking it up immediately!
I loved Kenzie I thought she was a great FMC, I loved the characters we met along the way and I absolutely LOVED how it ended. This is available on KU and I highly recommend you all picking it up immediately!
March 18, 2025
3.5* first read of Iliana Xander. I devoured this book in under 24 hours. The first half had me gripped at every word, the second fell a bit short. I didn’t see the twist at the end (either of them), but also found them so extremely far fetched🥹, I just couldn’t get on board.
The writing was VERY well done, I found the character buildup was on point. I’d recommend for a quick easy read!
The writing was VERY well done, I found the character buildup was on point. I’d recommend for a quick easy read!
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