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But Won't I Miss Me
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Set in an alternate reality where pregnancy endows women with exceptional powers, one new mother uncovers terrifying truths about herself and life in this philosophical and propulsive tale of a woman and mother in crisis.
In a world where drastic measures have averted the global environmental crisis, humans too are now subject to great transformation.
Vivi should be happy she’s pregnant. But she’s troubled by a looming reality that seemingly bothers no one else: having a baby also means birthing an identical, nearly indestructible self who will eat her and take her place. “Rebirth” is simply a fact of life—nature’s way of equipping women for the challenges of motherhood. But as Vivi’s unborn child develops, so does her fear.
In a rare turn of events, Vivi emerges from rebirth weakened rather than strong. When her husband cannot tolerate her defects, they divorce and Vivi relocates to the country with her baby to work for her old boss.
Chronically exhausted, mentally struggling, and on her own, Vivi must move on—for her own and her son’s sake. But just as with her failed rebirth, swapping old for new isn’t as straightforward as it seems. When Vivi finally discovers what went wrong during childbirth, it will rewrite her life future, present, and past.
An inspired blend of Nightbitch and The Substance, as enthralling and incisive as The School of Good Mothers and The Need, But Won’t I Miss Me is a gripping and profound exploration of the physical and psychological tolls of motherhood, with a speculative horror spin. Tiffany Tsao imaginatively reveals the macabre hidden in the mundane and asks us to consider what we lose of ourselves when we leave our broken parts behind.
In a world where drastic measures have averted the global environmental crisis, humans too are now subject to great transformation.
Vivi should be happy she’s pregnant. But she’s troubled by a looming reality that seemingly bothers no one else: having a baby also means birthing an identical, nearly indestructible self who will eat her and take her place. “Rebirth” is simply a fact of life—nature’s way of equipping women for the challenges of motherhood. But as Vivi’s unborn child develops, so does her fear.
In a rare turn of events, Vivi emerges from rebirth weakened rather than strong. When her husband cannot tolerate her defects, they divorce and Vivi relocates to the country with her baby to work for her old boss.
Chronically exhausted, mentally struggling, and on her own, Vivi must move on—for her own and her son’s sake. But just as with her failed rebirth, swapping old for new isn’t as straightforward as it seems. When Vivi finally discovers what went wrong during childbirth, it will rewrite her life future, present, and past.
An inspired blend of Nightbitch and The Substance, as enthralling and incisive as The School of Good Mothers and The Need, But Won’t I Miss Me is a gripping and profound exploration of the physical and psychological tolls of motherhood, with a speculative horror spin. Tiffany Tsao imaginatively reveals the macabre hidden in the mundane and asks us to consider what we lose of ourselves when we leave our broken parts behind.
320 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2026
3 people are currently reading
4278 people want to read
About the author
Tiffany Tsao
18 books252 followersTiffany Tsao is the author of The Majesties and the Oddfits fantasy series.
She also translates Indonesian fiction and poetry into English.
She received her Ph.D. in English from UC-Berkeley in 2009 and now lives in Sydney, Australia with her spouse and two offspring.
She also translates Indonesian fiction and poetry into English.
She received her Ph.D. in English from UC-Berkeley in 2009 and now lives in Sydney, Australia with her spouse and two offspring.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Reading for review in the April 2026 issue of Library Journal
Three Words That Describe This Book: maternal/body horror, slightly askew to our world, discomfiting
Other words: compelling from the first page, huge twist, visceral, original, thought provoking, intense, honest, "rebirth."
This book is WOW! Great title too. Disorientation of the title, the confusion, is perfect for the story
Before I get to the set up and how the story is told I need to applaud the author and editors here. The author, for writing a story about postpartum life -- even if you don't sink to depression-- and how being a new mother is disorienting, how it changes your body, and how it can change who you are-- to yourself and others.
The editor for NOT giving in to the urge to make this book easier on the reader. So many books I read have a "prologue" or let out key details too quickly because editors (and authors) do not trust readers to let the author tell the story and have the story come to you. This book withholds key details from the start, but they are doled out slowly. But there is always enough to keep the reader going here, even when they are not sure where the story is leading them.
This book has a huge and satisfying twist that is the level of mind-blow as Gone Girl was back in 2015 -- a different twist but on that level. And it allows everything to fall into place after.
There is a coda that the book needs. I saw it as a chance for Vivi's son to heal and understand, yes, but more importantly, for readers to also process everything they just read and all of their feelings about the book, the slightly askew world it presents, and how that makes you think about motherhood right now, in our world whether you are a child or a mother. You need a moment to reflect about everything in this book-- from the literal plot to everything it is saying about how the world treats mothers. Without that buffer/coda/space, this book would not land as well. I should be clear, it is not a sappy coda, and it DOES NOT tie up all the loose ends-- in fact it leave a huge one dangling-- but it is there to bring the reader back down and allow them to emotionally reset. Phew. Really brilliant.
Now as a horror novel-- wow! This takes the body horror of pregnancy and child birth to a whole new level of horror.
The less you know about this book going in the better but know that this book is visceral and honest. It uses a speculative alternative reality to our world to
It is all told from the perspective of Chinese- Indonesians who have emigrated to Australia. The cultures of all 3 are discussed. That frame was very specific and yet the story is universal.
A great question here besides what do we owe mothers, how can we help them, how society fails them. Tsao also asks readers to contemplate-- What happens when you are your own victim? What is the price of blindly doing things the way every one does them? How hard it is to question the status quo.
Another brilliant thing about this book-- the main characters here-- none of them are all good or all bad. They are VERY morally gray and yet readers will sympathize with them all. That is hard to do.
The set up-- the less you know the better. This is an alternate reality to ours -- not near future-- parallel. In this world human mothers, after they give birth to a child, experience a rebirth. (But that rebirth is a horror story all onto its own.) The rebirth gives new mothers the super strength they need to raise new humans. They can do it all-- no sleep, no strollers. They can carry and juggle it all at once. Our protagonist and narrator Vivi well she had a "hitch" with her rebirth and it did not take. She is a disabled new mother and society has not time for that. She is our window into this world. We hear her story beginning when she leaves her husband and starts over with the help of an old family friend.
As we follow Vivi, details about this world and what she specifically went through are slowly doled out-- but not so slowly that you want to stop reading. Rather, it is just the right amount sot hat you get to know Vivi and her 2 year old son Cloud. Also it is the right speed of all of the details so that you have time to get settled into this world that is slightly family but not completely. We get flashbacks to gain more understanding. But even as things are explained, it doesn't feel 100% right. We are missing something. What is it? Ahh, once that info is dropped-- the rest of the book falls into place and you will race to the end to finish it.
I cannot stress enough how visceral and troubling the "rebirth" is both on a gross out level but also on a psychological and societal level.
For readers of raw, visceral, physically and emotionally upsetting, thought provoking, and honest dark speculative fiction about motherhood such as Tantrum by Rachel Eve Moutlon, Womb City by Tlotlo Tsamaase, The Push by Ashley Audrain.
Three Words That Describe This Book: maternal/body horror, slightly askew to our world, discomfiting
Other words: compelling from the first page, huge twist, visceral, original, thought provoking, intense, honest, "rebirth."
This book is WOW! Great title too. Disorientation of the title, the confusion, is perfect for the story
Before I get to the set up and how the story is told I need to applaud the author and editors here. The author, for writing a story about postpartum life -- even if you don't sink to depression-- and how being a new mother is disorienting, how it changes your body, and how it can change who you are-- to yourself and others.
The editor for NOT giving in to the urge to make this book easier on the reader. So many books I read have a "prologue" or let out key details too quickly because editors (and authors) do not trust readers to let the author tell the story and have the story come to you. This book withholds key details from the start, but they are doled out slowly. But there is always enough to keep the reader going here, even when they are not sure where the story is leading them.
This book has a huge and satisfying twist that is the level of mind-blow as Gone Girl was back in 2015 -- a different twist but on that level. And it allows everything to fall into place after.
There is a coda that the book needs. I saw it as a chance for Vivi's son to heal and understand, yes, but more importantly, for readers to also process everything they just read and all of their feelings about the book, the slightly askew world it presents, and how that makes you think about motherhood right now, in our world whether you are a child or a mother. You need a moment to reflect about everything in this book-- from the literal plot to everything it is saying about how the world treats mothers. Without that buffer/coda/space, this book would not land as well. I should be clear, it is not a sappy coda, and it DOES NOT tie up all the loose ends-- in fact it leave a huge one dangling-- but it is there to bring the reader back down and allow them to emotionally reset. Phew. Really brilliant.
Now as a horror novel-- wow! This takes the body horror of pregnancy and child birth to a whole new level of horror.
The less you know about this book going in the better but know that this book is visceral and honest. It uses a speculative alternative reality to our world to
It is all told from the perspective of Chinese- Indonesians who have emigrated to Australia. The cultures of all 3 are discussed. That frame was very specific and yet the story is universal.
A great question here besides what do we owe mothers, how can we help them, how society fails them. Tsao also asks readers to contemplate-- What happens when you are your own victim? What is the price of blindly doing things the way every one does them? How hard it is to question the status quo.
Another brilliant thing about this book-- the main characters here-- none of them are all good or all bad. They are VERY morally gray and yet readers will sympathize with them all. That is hard to do.
The set up-- the less you know the better. This is an alternate reality to ours -- not near future-- parallel. In this world human mothers, after they give birth to a child, experience a rebirth. (But that rebirth is a horror story all onto its own.) The rebirth gives new mothers the super strength they need to raise new humans. They can do it all-- no sleep, no strollers. They can carry and juggle it all at once. Our protagonist and narrator Vivi well she had a "hitch" with her rebirth and it did not take. She is a disabled new mother and society has not time for that. She is our window into this world. We hear her story beginning when she leaves her husband and starts over with the help of an old family friend.
As we follow Vivi, details about this world and what she specifically went through are slowly doled out-- but not so slowly that you want to stop reading. Rather, it is just the right amount sot hat you get to know Vivi and her 2 year old son Cloud. Also it is the right speed of all of the details so that you have time to get settled into this world that is slightly family but not completely. We get flashbacks to gain more understanding. But even as things are explained, it doesn't feel 100% right. We are missing something. What is it? Ahh, once that info is dropped-- the rest of the book falls into place and you will race to the end to finish it.
I cannot stress enough how visceral and troubling the "rebirth" is both on a gross out level but also on a psychological and societal level.
For readers of raw, visceral, physically and emotionally upsetting, thought provoking, and honest dark speculative fiction about motherhood such as Tantrum by Rachel Eve Moutlon, Womb City by Tlotlo Tsamaase, The Push by Ashley Audrain.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The setup for this book is that, in this world, every woman gives birth to her replacement at the same time she has her child. That replacement then eats her and obtains strength and patience and dashboard abs as a result. The world does not blink as the moms, wives and mothers are replaced each time they give birth. Vivian is terrified of the rebirth and does not want it to happen. From that body horror setup comes a story that deftly explores the impossibly high standards put on new mothers and competition among women in chauvinist societies. The fact of the rebirth also lays bare what exactly women are valued for. But this also a heartfelt story of two women who are trying to feel their way through this process when they do not fit the mold and need extra help. Many of the passages feel familiar to anyone who has experienced new motherhood. I think the ending was a bit odd, but I thoroughly enjoyed the experience of the book. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC.
January 12, 2026
if "nightbitch" and "the substance" had a terrifying, philosophical baby!
this book was such a trippy, unsettling read. tiffany tsao takes the concept of "losing yourself" in motherhood and turns it into a literal, biological horror story. the world-building is fascinating; the idea that pregnancy results in a superior, indestructible version of yourself that literally replaces you is such a visceral metaphor for how society expects women to disappear into the role of a mother.
Vivi was a compelling, if deeply stressed, protagonist. i loved the "glitch in the system" aspect where her rebirth didn't go as planned, leaving her to navigate a world that has no room for "broken" versions of women. it definitely reminded me of weird momhood litfic with its focus on the grotesque and the physical transformation of the female body. i loved philosophical questions about identity and what we owe to our past selves were the strongest parts for me. it’s propulsive and moves quickly, though at times it felt a bit heavy-handed with the metaphors. still, it’s a gripping speculative tale that will make you look at the "mundane" parts of parenting in a much darker light.
definitely worth a read if you like feminist horror that makes you think. i enjoyed it so much.
4 ⭐️🫶🏼
thank you HarperVia!
this book was such a trippy, unsettling read. tiffany tsao takes the concept of "losing yourself" in motherhood and turns it into a literal, biological horror story. the world-building is fascinating; the idea that pregnancy results in a superior, indestructible version of yourself that literally replaces you is such a visceral metaphor for how society expects women to disappear into the role of a mother.
Vivi was a compelling, if deeply stressed, protagonist. i loved the "glitch in the system" aspect where her rebirth didn't go as planned, leaving her to navigate a world that has no room for "broken" versions of women. it definitely reminded me of weird momhood litfic with its focus on the grotesque and the physical transformation of the female body. i loved philosophical questions about identity and what we owe to our past selves were the strongest parts for me. it’s propulsive and moves quickly, though at times it felt a bit heavy-handed with the metaphors. still, it’s a gripping speculative tale that will make you look at the "mundane" parts of parenting in a much darker light.
definitely worth a read if you like feminist horror that makes you think. i enjoyed it so much.
4 ⭐️🫶🏼
thank you HarperVia!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to HarperVia and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review!
This was my first time reading what I would consider to be speculative horror, although it was often toeing the line between horror and scifi. The best part about the horror elements of this story is that they’re subtle and not gratuitous. It’s not the first time I’ve seen a main character that’s put in a horrifying situation while seemingly no other character is bothered. The difference here is that the world inhabited by Vivian, the FMC, and her son, Cloud, is not particularly dystopic or horrifying. Life is continuing as usual, although with a lot of considerations for climate change that don’t currently exist. The only real difference is that women are expected to quite literally die during childbirth as a routine practice and be taken over by a better version of themselves.
I admit I’m not a mother, have never wanted to be, and don’t intend to ever be. I have heard second hand how difficult the judgment is from other mothers about how a mother should act, how she should parent, even how she should feel about being a mother. Despite having no interest in having kids myself, this story did an absolutely stunning job of showcasing exactly how that judgment, that comparison and that shame burrows inside you. What if instead of having to strive to be the perfect mother, it was something granted the day you gave birth? What if you could inhabit a new body that doesn’t have fatigue, that’s stronger, that’s perfectly in tune with your child and their needs?
All you have to do is die.
The second half of the book takes an abrupt turn, but I enjoyed it just as much. It’s too difficult to discuss without spoilers, just know that the story has much more to say than what I’ve gone over in my review. Overall a very enjoyable read and I’m glad I requested it.
This was my first time reading what I would consider to be speculative horror, although it was often toeing the line between horror and scifi. The best part about the horror elements of this story is that they’re subtle and not gratuitous. It’s not the first time I’ve seen a main character that’s put in a horrifying situation while seemingly no other character is bothered. The difference here is that the world inhabited by Vivian, the FMC, and her son, Cloud, is not particularly dystopic or horrifying. Life is continuing as usual, although with a lot of considerations for climate change that don’t currently exist. The only real difference is that women are expected to quite literally die during childbirth as a routine practice and be taken over by a better version of themselves.
I admit I’m not a mother, have never wanted to be, and don’t intend to ever be. I have heard second hand how difficult the judgment is from other mothers about how a mother should act, how she should parent, even how she should feel about being a mother. Despite having no interest in having kids myself, this story did an absolutely stunning job of showcasing exactly how that judgment, that comparison and that shame burrows inside you. What if instead of having to strive to be the perfect mother, it was something granted the day you gave birth? What if you could inhabit a new body that doesn’t have fatigue, that’s stronger, that’s perfectly in tune with your child and their needs?
All you have to do is die.
The second half of the book takes an abrupt turn, but I enjoyed it just as much. It’s too difficult to discuss without spoilers, just know that the story has much more to say than what I’ve gone over in my review. Overall a very enjoyable read and I’m glad I requested it.
November 28, 2025
But Won’t I Miss Me by Tiffany Tsao takes places in an alternate reality where women get super powers after childbirth when they go through a process called “rebirth.” This book follows Vivi who has gone through the process but something went wrong and she is struggling to keep up with her young child. This is not normal in this reality so she feels judged by all those around her. Will she hit a breaking point?
I need everyone to put this book on their radar because it was so good! The commentary on how society treats women, especially women going through postpartum depressions is searing. This also deals heavily with how women change after childbirth and become a new person and how some women struggle to juggle everything.
There is a mystery throughout this book that kept me flying through the pages. There are also some horrific moments that actually made me stop reading and stare at a wall for a little while. I can see this book being very well received by the right audience so I’m hoping people read it. I know I will be highly recommending it!
I need everyone to put this book on their radar because it was so good! The commentary on how society treats women, especially women going through postpartum depressions is searing. This also deals heavily with how women change after childbirth and become a new person and how some women struggle to juggle everything.
There is a mystery throughout this book that kept me flying through the pages. There are also some horrific moments that actually made me stop reading and stare at a wall for a little while. I can see this book being very well received by the right audience so I’m hoping people read it. I know I will be highly recommending it!
December 5, 2025
But won't i miss me by Tiffany Tsao is not a typical insight into pregnancy and post-partum depression. What is usually silenced and/ or dismissed - takes a front row seat here with the descriptive nature of societal views and the mistreatment of women and follow up heath care after birth. It dives into the mental health aspects of post-partum depression and a lack of support.
Vivi is a new mother who is struggling with her postpartum self. In a world of rebirth, new mothers are expected to become borderline superhuman. Yet something went wrong. Her marriage falls apart, and she soon has no choice but to get her old job back, and start a new life.
Having a baby means birthing an identical, nearly indestructible self who will eat her and take her place. This mother will innately know exactly how to be a mother, a wife, and an ideal homemaker.
However, something goes wrong in Vivi's rebirth, and instead of coming out a strengthened super mom, she is weakened from the birth and struggles to adjust to her new life. She refuses to consider her husband's ideas, and the couple divorces, leading Vivi to take the baby to the country where she moves to work for her old boss. Vivi continues to struggle in her new life, but when she finally discovers what went wrong during her rebirth, the question is whether she or her baby are safe.
It takes place in Australia and Indonesia, with characters from various cultures. Descriptions were very vivid and engaging/ immersive.
This dives into how society treats women while going through postpartum depression- it's infuriating. This also dives heavily into how women change after childbirth and how some women struggle to juggle everything. There are some horrific moments that leave you speechless.
I do recommend that everyone read this book at least once in their lives. It is simply odd yes... but if you take a deeper dive... fundamental and essential in understanding the pressures and unrealistic expectations and treatment of women(mothers) in society.
Thanks to HarperVia and Netgalley for the gifted eARC.
Vivi is a new mother who is struggling with her postpartum self. In a world of rebirth, new mothers are expected to become borderline superhuman. Yet something went wrong. Her marriage falls apart, and she soon has no choice but to get her old job back, and start a new life.
Having a baby means birthing an identical, nearly indestructible self who will eat her and take her place. This mother will innately know exactly how to be a mother, a wife, and an ideal homemaker.
However, something goes wrong in Vivi's rebirth, and instead of coming out a strengthened super mom, she is weakened from the birth and struggles to adjust to her new life. She refuses to consider her husband's ideas, and the couple divorces, leading Vivi to take the baby to the country where she moves to work for her old boss. Vivi continues to struggle in her new life, but when she finally discovers what went wrong during her rebirth, the question is whether she or her baby are safe.
It takes place in Australia and Indonesia, with characters from various cultures. Descriptions were very vivid and engaging/ immersive.
This dives into how society treats women while going through postpartum depression- it's infuriating. This also dives heavily into how women change after childbirth and how some women struggle to juggle everything. There are some horrific moments that leave you speechless.
I do recommend that everyone read this book at least once in their lives. It is simply odd yes... but if you take a deeper dive... fundamental and essential in understanding the pressures and unrealistic expectations and treatment of women(mothers) in society.
Thanks to HarperVia and Netgalley for the gifted eARC.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This is one of those books that you have to sit with when you’re done. Tiffany Tsao has created a work that is paradoxically both terrifying and touching.
Vivian is a new mother in an alternate world where women who give birth to babies also give birth to a fetus-sized “clone” of themselves. The “new” mother grows rapidly and eats the birthing mother and takes her place - physically stronger and better equipped to be a successful parent. In this novel, the process is called “Rebirth.” Something seems to have gone wrong with Vivian’s “Rebirth” because she’s exhausted all the time, has a hard time carrying her son, Cloud, and she doesn’t seem to have the instincts and patience new mothers are supposed to have. What unfolds is a story of Vivian’s relationship with Cloud, what happens when her husband wants her to change, and how Vivian finds her own path forward.
This story was depressing. And I’m okay with that, and here’s why. It’s divided into three sections: one from Vivan’s perspective, one from her friend Nina’s perspective, and one from Cloud’s perspective. And the way the book unfolds, we learn so much more about what happens when we lean into the different points of view. As I was reading through Vivian’s section, yes I felt so bad for her for so many reasons, but I’ll admit it seemed to drag from time to time. But when we move into Nina’s section, everything in Vivian’s made so much more sense. This was such a powerful way for Tsao to tell the story, and it makes me want to read it again - knowing what I know now. The horror here is the struggle of just existing every single day in a world where you’re not enough if you’re not the perfect mother.
If you’re a fan of The Substance and The School for Good Mothers - and you’re interested in reading about the debilitating toll motherhood takes on a person, But Won’t I Miss Me is for you. 4.5 stars for me.
*Thanks to NetGalley, HarperVia, and Tiffany Tsao for this eARC. This review contains my honest, authentic thoughts and opinions.*
Vivian is a new mother in an alternate world where women who give birth to babies also give birth to a fetus-sized “clone” of themselves. The “new” mother grows rapidly and eats the birthing mother and takes her place - physically stronger and better equipped to be a successful parent. In this novel, the process is called “Rebirth.” Something seems to have gone wrong with Vivian’s “Rebirth” because she’s exhausted all the time, has a hard time carrying her son, Cloud, and she doesn’t seem to have the instincts and patience new mothers are supposed to have. What unfolds is a story of Vivian’s relationship with Cloud, what happens when her husband wants her to change, and how Vivian finds her own path forward.
This story was depressing. And I’m okay with that, and here’s why. It’s divided into three sections: one from Vivan’s perspective, one from her friend Nina’s perspective, and one from Cloud’s perspective. And the way the book unfolds, we learn so much more about what happens when we lean into the different points of view. As I was reading through Vivian’s section, yes I felt so bad for her for so many reasons, but I’ll admit it seemed to drag from time to time. But when we move into Nina’s section, everything in Vivian’s made so much more sense. This was such a powerful way for Tsao to tell the story, and it makes me want to read it again - knowing what I know now. The horror here is the struggle of just existing every single day in a world where you’re not enough if you’re not the perfect mother.
If you’re a fan of The Substance and The School for Good Mothers - and you’re interested in reading about the debilitating toll motherhood takes on a person, But Won’t I Miss Me is for you. 4.5 stars for me.
*Thanks to NetGalley, HarperVia, and Tiffany Tsao for this eARC. This review contains my honest, authentic thoughts and opinions.*
December 3, 2025
Thank you NetGalley and HarperVia for this ARC!
Vivi is a new mother who is struggling with her postpartum self. But how could she be? In a world of rebirth, new mothers are expected to become borderline superhuman. So what went wrong? Her marriage falls apart, and she soon has no choice but to get her old job back, and start life anew.
Three words I’d use to describe this book: beautiful, devastating, and uncomfortable. I loved the multicultural experience this book offers. It takes place in Australia and Indonesia, with characters from various cultures, united over their roots and work. Descriptions were very vivid, very engaging, and I found myself coming up with images in my head nonstop. Always fun when books tap into your imagination.
Main story wise, i had complicated feelings for the main character, Vivi. Sometimes I’m feeling empathetic, sometimes i find myself losing patience with her. I love that layered personality that really came with every recurring character. Even till the end, I wasn’t sure how I truly felt.
The horrific bits though really does cement my choice to be childfree. I know this is fiction, but let’s not pretend mothers have it super easy in real life either. Even though I’m not a mother, I have compassion and I felt terrible for the women in the book. The price you pay to give birth… how much sacrifice is considered adequate? Can you live up to expectations? Do you lose yourself? And is that what you truly want?
Absolutely recommend this book to everyone.
Vivi is a new mother who is struggling with her postpartum self. But how could she be? In a world of rebirth, new mothers are expected to become borderline superhuman. So what went wrong? Her marriage falls apart, and she soon has no choice but to get her old job back, and start life anew.
Three words I’d use to describe this book: beautiful, devastating, and uncomfortable. I loved the multicultural experience this book offers. It takes place in Australia and Indonesia, with characters from various cultures, united over their roots and work. Descriptions were very vivid, very engaging, and I found myself coming up with images in my head nonstop. Always fun when books tap into your imagination.
Main story wise, i had complicated feelings for the main character, Vivi. Sometimes I’m feeling empathetic, sometimes i find myself losing patience with her. I love that layered personality that really came with every recurring character. Even till the end, I wasn’t sure how I truly felt.
The horrific bits though really does cement my choice to be childfree. I know this is fiction, but let’s not pretend mothers have it super easy in real life either. Even though I’m not a mother, I have compassion and I felt terrible for the women in the book. The price you pay to give birth… how much sacrifice is considered adequate? Can you live up to expectations? Do you lose yourself? And is that what you truly want?
Absolutely recommend this book to everyone.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This novel sucked me in right from the start. I can never pass up a book about motherhood, but this was unlike anything I’ve ever read.
“But Won’t I Miss Me” blends science fiction with horror in creating a world where laboring women birth another version of themselves after having the baby. The new self literally kills the woman and replaces her. What a fascinating way to explore postpartum issues like PP anxiety, depression and dissociation that mothers experience after birth. I was left speechless several times over the course of this novel.
This novel is set mostly in Australia, but as an American I resonated deeply with the dismissal of birth trauma that the main character experienced. Research shows clearly that a woman’s birthing experience does in fact affect her long-term mental health and is critical for allowing her to bond with her new baby. This novel’s clever premise allows for the most shocking version of the “well at least the baby was healthy!” conversation that I’ve ever read.
I was deeply impressed by the exploration of what postpartum does to one’s sense of self, and I think this novel played around with this idea of “rebirth” in a very interesting way. It alternated point-of-view a couple times and I think it might have lost a little momentum in the retelling of the story from multiple angles, but it truly was such an interesting premise and a fascinating novel about pregnancy, birth, birth trauma, and the postpartum experience.
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.
“But Won’t I Miss Me” blends science fiction with horror in creating a world where laboring women birth another version of themselves after having the baby. The new self literally kills the woman and replaces her. What a fascinating way to explore postpartum issues like PP anxiety, depression and dissociation that mothers experience after birth. I was left speechless several times over the course of this novel.
This novel is set mostly in Australia, but as an American I resonated deeply with the dismissal of birth trauma that the main character experienced. Research shows clearly that a woman’s birthing experience does in fact affect her long-term mental health and is critical for allowing her to bond with her new baby. This novel’s clever premise allows for the most shocking version of the “well at least the baby was healthy!” conversation that I’ve ever read.
I was deeply impressed by the exploration of what postpartum does to one’s sense of self, and I think this novel played around with this idea of “rebirth” in a very interesting way. It alternated point-of-view a couple times and I think it might have lost a little momentum in the retelling of the story from multiple angles, but it truly was such an interesting premise and a fascinating novel about pregnancy, birth, birth trauma, and the postpartum experience.
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
ARC for review. To be published May 5, 2026.
4 stars
Well, this is different. I this world when a woman delivers a baby she also delivers a tiny self which immediately grows to full size and….devours the unconscious mother, replacing her with an identical replica. She has all of the mother’s memories and looks exactly the same, so, you know, no big deal. In fact, for the first five years of the baby’s life she’s kind of a superwoman, with amazing stamina and strength.
Meet Vivi. She’s pregnant. And afraid.
Here’s my first question. WHY DOESN’T THIS STUFF EVER HAPPEN TO MEN? OK, I’m done shouting. But, really.
Then I look at it another way. Once you accept the basic concept, and understand that this hasn’t come about because of any weird bioengineering or anything, this is just the way it is, was and always will be, I guess (with humans, at least. No word on whether other species have the same deal.) Given that….I don’t know….whatcha gonna do? I mean, as we sit here today, only women can get pregnant, it’s painful, it takes around nine months and sometimes women die because of it. There are small things we, as a species, can do to alleviate the pain and cut down mortality rates, but the basics remain the same, and we just have to live with them. Same here, I guess?
So, it’s all very interesting and makes you think. Not too hard, it’s the holidays. I liked it.
4 stars
Well, this is different. I this world when a woman delivers a baby she also delivers a tiny self which immediately grows to full size and….devours the unconscious mother, replacing her with an identical replica. She has all of the mother’s memories and looks exactly the same, so, you know, no big deal. In fact, for the first five years of the baby’s life she’s kind of a superwoman, with amazing stamina and strength.
Meet Vivi. She’s pregnant. And afraid.
Here’s my first question. WHY DOESN’T THIS STUFF EVER HAPPEN TO MEN? OK, I’m done shouting. But, really.
Then I look at it another way. Once you accept the basic concept, and understand that this hasn’t come about because of any weird bioengineering or anything, this is just the way it is, was and always will be, I guess (with humans, at least. No word on whether other species have the same deal.) Given that….I don’t know….whatcha gonna do? I mean, as we sit here today, only women can get pregnant, it’s painful, it takes around nine months and sometimes women die because of it. There are small things we, as a species, can do to alleviate the pain and cut down mortality rates, but the basics remain the same, and we just have to live with them. Same here, I guess?
So, it’s all very interesting and makes you think. Not too hard, it’s the holidays. I liked it.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This book has unique elements that really caught my attention. A literary horror with an alternate reality concept about motherhood—a different kind of horror. Unfortunately, I think my expectations were a bit too high.
I honestly liked the concept, and the diverse characters and setting. My favorite part was the flashbacks of Vivi when she was still pregnant and starting to feel anxious about the motherhood waiting ahead of her, and her journey with her (ex)husband. All of her worries felt very real and understandable.
But, even though the book said it's set in an alternate reality, it didn't really feel like that to me. For me, sometimes the story felt more like dystopian. The alternate reality element wasn't really strong, and so the horror. And as someone like me, the 'rebirth' concept itself in this book, turned out, didn't feel very new, so it didn't hit as hard as I expected.
There are also a lot of supporting characters in this book. Most of them appear more in the present timeline than in the past. That's great, but I personally had a hard time keeping track of all of them them. And that's why, the story sometimes felt like a family drama, which reduced the horror vibes. Especially in the middle when the POV shifts.
That said, this book does have something unique going on and is still worth trying if the concept interests you. You could give it a try.
I honestly liked the concept, and the diverse characters and setting. My favorite part was the flashbacks of Vivi when she was still pregnant and starting to feel anxious about the motherhood waiting ahead of her, and her journey with her (ex)husband. All of her worries felt very real and understandable.
But, even though the book said it's set in an alternate reality, it didn't really feel like that to me. For me, sometimes the story felt more like dystopian. The alternate reality element wasn't really strong, and so the horror. And as someone like me, the 'rebirth' concept itself in this book, turned out, didn't feel very new, so it didn't hit as hard as I expected.
There are also a lot of supporting characters in this book. Most of them appear more in the present timeline than in the past. That's great, but I personally had a hard time keeping track of all of them them. And that's why, the story sometimes felt like a family drama, which reduced the horror vibes. Especially in the middle when the POV shifts.
That said, this book does have something unique going on and is still worth trying if the concept interests you. You could give it a try.
Review of advance copy received from Edelweiss+
Hmm, it looks like we are now able to choose whether we read an ARC from a menu before rating. So I'm not sure if I need to state this, but I received a copy through Edelweiss.
I was absolutely enthralled by this intense story set in a near-future speculative world. In addition to the dystopic echoes, there's also a fundamental difference in this reality: primates (including humans) devour themselves after giving birth. A "fetal mother" is born along with the child, who then becomes superhuman while raising the baby. Vivi, the protagonist, had complications in her birth, and she is weaker than any other woman with a small child. People look down on her with pity; she struggles and is unable to keep her marriage afloat. Vivi moves to the country with her father's friend, Ahun, and her son, Cloud. There, her life changes irrevocably. I put this book in the category of Natural Beauty by Ling Ling Huang and The School for Good Mothers by Jessamine Chan. Not thrillers, but all profound and propulsive, investigating worlds we can only imagine within our own insecurities.
I was absolutely enthralled by this intense story set in a near-future speculative world. In addition to the dystopic echoes, there's also a fundamental difference in this reality: primates (including humans) devour themselves after giving birth. A "fetal mother" is born along with the child, who then becomes superhuman while raising the baby. Vivi, the protagonist, had complications in her birth, and she is weaker than any other woman with a small child. People look down on her with pity; she struggles and is unable to keep her marriage afloat. Vivi moves to the country with her father's friend, Ahun, and her son, Cloud. There, her life changes irrevocably. I put this book in the category of Natural Beauty by Ling Ling Huang and The School for Good Mothers by Jessamine Chan. Not thrillers, but all profound and propulsive, investigating worlds we can only imagine within our own insecurities.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
•𝐀𝐑𝐂 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝘄•
[But Won’t I Miss Me]
🔥 Release Date: May 5, 2026 🔥
Thank you to HarperVia, Tiffany Tsao, and Netgalley for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review!
★★★★★
✦ About the book: "But Won’t I Miss Me" is set in a world where pregnancy comes with something unexpected. When women give birth, a new version of them is created that replaces them. The story follows Vivi as she struggles with the idea that becoming a mother might mean losing herself completely.
✦ What stood out to me most was: How unsettling the concept is. It’s strange and a little creepy, but it also raises a lot of questions about identity and how much of ourselves we give up when life changes in big ways. Watching Vivi wrestle with those fears made the story feel very real, even with the speculative elements.
✦ At its core, this book is really about: Identity and transformation. It explores the fear of losing who you are while stepping into something new. It’s an unusual story that blends a strange premise with some very human emotions.
[But Won’t I Miss Me]
🔥 Release Date: May 5, 2026 🔥
Thank you to HarperVia, Tiffany Tsao, and Netgalley for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review!
★★★★★
✦ About the book: "But Won’t I Miss Me" is set in a world where pregnancy comes with something unexpected. When women give birth, a new version of them is created that replaces them. The story follows Vivi as she struggles with the idea that becoming a mother might mean losing herself completely.
✦ What stood out to me most was: How unsettling the concept is. It’s strange and a little creepy, but it also raises a lot of questions about identity and how much of ourselves we give up when life changes in big ways. Watching Vivi wrestle with those fears made the story feel very real, even with the speculative elements.
✦ At its core, this book is really about: Identity and transformation. It explores the fear of losing who you are while stepping into something new. It’s an unusual story that blends a strange premise with some very human emotions.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I had a great time in this one - what a wild idea with a crazy story.
The writing was something to adjust to, but the content was good! I wanted a little less inner monologue and more conversation, but was fun.
I also wish the story gave us a better outline of the timeline, as I got a little lost. But overall, I had a great time. this was very fun.
The writing was something to adjust to, but the content was good! I wanted a little less inner monologue and more conversation, but was fun.
I also wish the story gave us a better outline of the timeline, as I got a little lost. But overall, I had a great time. this was very fun.
Review of advance copy received from Goodreads Giveaways
Reading books is as fun as listening to them.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 29, 2026
An interesting new take on the fears around pregnancy and post-partum depression.
Who doesn't want to be the perfect mother? Rebirth gives you the opportunity, and has become a fact of life, having a baby now means birthing an identical, nearly indestructible self who will eat her and take her place. This mother will innately know exactly how to be a mother, a wife, and an ideal homemaker.
But as Vivi approaches her birth, she is terrified of what comes after and begins to think of it as death. Something goes wrong in Vivi's rebirth, and instead of coming out a strengthened super mom, she is weakened from the birth and struggles to adjust to her new life. She refuses to consider her husband's ideas, and the couple divorces, leading Vivi to take the baby to the country where she moves to work for her old boss. Vivi continues to struggle in her new life, but when she finally discovers what went wrong during her rebirth, the question is whether she or her baby are safe.
Thank you to NetGalley for an eARC of this novel.
Who doesn't want to be the perfect mother? Rebirth gives you the opportunity, and has become a fact of life, having a baby now means birthing an identical, nearly indestructible self who will eat her and take her place. This mother will innately know exactly how to be a mother, a wife, and an ideal homemaker.
But as Vivi approaches her birth, she is terrified of what comes after and begins to think of it as death. Something goes wrong in Vivi's rebirth, and instead of coming out a strengthened super mom, she is weakened from the birth and struggles to adjust to her new life. She refuses to consider her husband's ideas, and the couple divorces, leading Vivi to take the baby to the country where she moves to work for her old boss. Vivi continues to struggle in her new life, but when she finally discovers what went wrong during her rebirth, the question is whether she or her baby are safe.
Thank you to NetGalley for an eARC of this novel.
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