The Good Mother Test: Not Trying to Heal My Inner Child While Raising One

by Michael R. French

When Emily, a bright but impulsive UCLA student, gives birth to her daughter Violet, she vows to be the kind of mother she never had: endlessly loving and fiercely protective. But single motherhood is a test with no right answers.

As Violet’s brilliance and independence unfold, Emily’s instincts clash with a world obsessed with achievement. Then Violet’s father, Doug, returns, now partnered with Amanda, a celebrated therapist unable to have children of her own. What begins as an amicable co-parenting plan becomes a psychological struggle for Violet’s heart and future.

Told through the eyes of both mother and daughter, The Good Mother Test is a deeply moving contemporary novel about family, ambition, and the fragile line between devotion and control. It asks the reader what makes a good mother, and what happens when love itself is put to the test.

310 pages, Paperback

First published February 23, 2026

About the author

#1 Amazon best selling author Michael French graduated from Stanford University and Northwestern University. He is a businessman and author who divides his time between Santa Barbara, California, and Santa Fe, New Mexico. He is an avid high-altitude mountain trekker, as well as a collector of first editions of twentieth-century fiction.

He has published twenty-four books, including fiction, young adult fiction, biographies, and art criticism. His novel, Abingdon’s, was a bestseller and a Literary Guild Alternate Selection. His young adult novel, Pursuit, was awarded the California Young Reader Medal.

The Reconstruction of Wilson Ryder was published January 2013.

Mountains Beyond Mountains was published April 2013.

Once Upon a Lie was published March 2016.

Reviews

[Rachael · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[ARC received in exchange for my honest review]

As a teenager, Emily is convinced her life is going to be perfect. She’s going to finish high school with incredible grades and go to an Ivy League college and get an amazing job, but then her family are made homeless and all her dreams come crashing down.
Fast forward a few years later, Emily drops out of college to give birth to her daughter Violet, and all of a sudden her hopes and dreams are reignited, but not for her, for her daughter. Because Emily’s decided she’s a prodigy and is going to have the most successful, amazing life imaginable.

The Good Mothers Test explores the age old relationship between mother and daughter, looking at society’s pressures on mothers, of everything people say you should be doing (and all the things you shouldn’t) in order to raise the “perfect child”. With these pressures covering everything from the internet to the mums at the school gate and then your daughter’s father crashing back into your life married to a famous world psychologist, Emily maybe has a few more pressures than the average person.

I enjoyed the story between mother and daughter, watching their relationship grow and blossom as Violet grew up and become her own person. I did also enjoy the dynamics between the step parents and watching how they attempted to navigate life sharing Violet and having to tackle big life decisions as a unit, and I did enjoy the end of the book with the final resolution when Violet was old enough and brave enough to step up and speak out for herself for her own wants and desires.

Unfortunately I did feel there were a few too many tangents for me, particularly in the last 10-15% after it felt like the main plot had been tied up in a nice little bow, and then all of a sudden we had a few things thrown in about a couple of side characters that were interesting building blocks to them, but at the time didn’t really feel necessary to have added in at that point

Thank you to Netgalley, Terra Nova Books and Michael R French for the opportunity to read this early

[Crystal Otto · Rating 5 out of 5]

Michael R. French did a fabulous job writing The Good Mother Test from the perspective of a mother and a daughter (neither of which he has ever been). The book had great flow and I didn't feel any chapters were lacking when it came to holding my attention. Even though the characters were very different (primarily in socio economic ways) from my friends and myself, they were very believable and relatable. I would recommend this book for older readers as there are adult topics, but as an adult mother, I found The Good Mother Test to be a beautiful story. I can definitely relate to vowing to be endlessly loving and fiercely protective of my children. I also think that no matter how hard we try as parents, our children are going to come up with ways they can do better than we did. Isn't that what progress is about any way? That was the best part of reading French's latest book - it made me think. I spent a good deal of time reflecting on my childhood, the childhood I provide for my children, and how my children may think about their own parenting journeys some day. The Good Mother Test is 5 stars in my book - and it's a book I'll be thinking about for years to come! Well done Michael R. French!

[Allyson Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Good Mother Test
I recognize myself in Mike French’s Emily, the girl who wants to be "good" - the good daughter, the good student, the good girlfriend, the good mother - and strives constantly to achieve this vague and undefined standard. Her relationship with her lover and husband Doug is also very real and close to the bone, reflecting some of the issues I saw in the toxic relationship between my son and the mother of his daughter - but from the point of view of the mother trying to maintain control over her child.
There is a discussion going on in some online forums about "Can a man write from a woman's point of view? Is this an appropriation which should be resented?" But fiction is all about trying to create a world from a new point of view - if you disallow the validity of an author imagining what it would be like to be in a different skin, then the only valid form of writing is memoir. It's a bigger stretch of the imagination to be in a differently shaped or colored skin, and maybe we don't get it right, but the effort must expand our understanding. With Emily in “The Good Mother Test” Mike French has created an Emily that is real enough to evoke both empathy and irritation in me.
The characters who surround Emily are also satisfyingly three-dimensional. Doug is a pleaser, a shape-shifter, afraid of commitment, but afraid of being alone. Emily’s best friend Sabrina is an effective contrast to Emily, as Sabrina comes from a large and lively family where no one worries too much about being “good.”
Initially I was puzzled by the subtitle: “Not trying to heal my inner child while raising one.” By the time I finished, I realized that this is a coming-of-age story. It takes some people a long time to reach adulthood, but Emily eventually gets there.

[Hal Wingo]

Just to state the obvious: Novelist Michael French has never met a literary obstacle he
couldn’t conquer. His previous books have dealt with serious issues in which
he inevitably finds a noble purpose. Prior to his newest novel, French made the compelling
case in “Ghost With Two Hearts” that in some cultures, ghosts, or spirits if your prefer,
are perfectly able to communicate with we mere humans by moving objects, leaving messages
or even expressing love.

And now, in “The Good Mother Test”, French offers a complicated
account of a mother/daughter relationship told through the mind and heart of a
female narrator. This is not a book written by Michelle French though a reader could be
forgiven for making that assumption. This is simply Michael French going wherever his
mind and talent take him. What he offers here is the complicated narrative of a brilliant young
mother, Emily, and her impossibly brilliant daughter Violet who almost comes out of the womb speaking perfectly composed and thoughtful sentences. I initially found Violet
too brainy as an infant to be believable, though she eventually won me over as she
grew into her teens and I grew more willing to consider such phenomena possible. The tension suggested by the daughter’s staggering brilliance sets up a string of mother/daughter conflicts, including an intrusion in their lives by a menacing cruella deville character in the person of a famous psychotherapist attempting to gain complete custody of Violet after marrying Emily’s ex husband. Suffice it to say that French—spoiler alert— turns this debacle into literary victory lap as Emily and Violet are drawn irrevocably together by the love and respect which is a mystery only a mother and daughter can fully understand, but in this case a mystery Michael French understands perfectly.

“The Good Mother Test” has taught me to expect nothing less than a future French
tome in which he explains how aliens from another universe are coming our way, not
to be feared so much as welcomed and embraced because of all they can teach us
about ourselves. And if Michael French tells it, the story must be true.

[Elisabee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interessante premisse en een sterk begin met de jonge Emily, dat meteen een inkijkje geeft in haar karakter. Het boek leest vlot, wat ervoor zorgt dat je er gemakkelijk doorheen gaat.

Toch werkte Emily als hoofdpersoon voor mij niet helemaal. In een verhaal waarin womanhood en vooral motherhood zo centraal staan, voelde haar karakter wat vlak en afstandelijk (ik durf het bijna niet te zeggen, maar: door een man geschreven). De emotionele diepgang waar het boek naar lijkt te streven, komt daardoor niet altijd volledig over. Ook sommige dialogen voelen gescript en daardoor minder natuurlijk.

Het verhaal komt pas echt op gang rond de helft van het boek, maar met de komst van Amanda Hoenig wordt het wel een stuk interessanter. Haar personage riep bij mij vooral frustratie op, maar kan ook gelezen worden als een kritiek op hoe mensen zich bemoeien met keuzes rond het vrouwelijk lichaam en moederschap.

Daarnaast laat het boek goed zien dat hoe goed je het ook probeert te doen als moeder, er altijd wel iemand is die er iets van vindt.

Al met al een boek met interessante thema’s over moederschap, autonomie en oordeel, al had het wat mij betreft sterker gekund.

Met dank aan NetGalley en Terra Nova Books voor de mogelijkheid deze ARC te lezen. Deze recensie weerspiegelt mijn eerlijke mening over het boek.

[Geoff Goodman · Rating 5 out of 5]

MILD SPOILERS BELOW...
The Good Mother Test is another achievement by acclaimed author Michael French. French's usual hallmarks are on full display, showcasing strong character development with sharp, intelligent dialogue, effectively laced with the author's familiar wit & humor. The subtext of the story begs the question - Does having a child trump also having a partner? Motivations concerning motherhood and relationships feel authentic, ranging from wholesome to cunning to shrewd and transactional. As the author sagely points out, "we all just stumble into our fate, good or bad."
Meaningful transitions set up each subsequent chapter as the years fly by, occasionally leaving this reader contemplative. Purposeful metaphors mirror the actions of our pro and antagonists, whether it's the search for an endangered songbird or the parallels to Judas as depicted in da Vinci's The Last Supper. The risks and rewards strike a fine balance, resulting in a poignant payoff that feels satisfying and hopeful, bona fide to the character's journeys, allowing it to resonate with a mixed audience.

[Sara Lynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Good Mother Test is the kind of book that doesn’t just tell a story—it quietly reaches into your own life and asks you to reflect on the kind of parent, and person, you strive to be. As a single mother myself, this story resonated deeply, echoing both the struggles and the quiet triumphs that often go unseen.

Emily’s upbringing in a hardworking family without luxuries felt especially familiar. That constant balancing act—trying to fit in while silently carrying the weight of “not having enough”—is something many of us understand without needing it explained. Her friendship with Salina provided a meaningful contrast: two different paths shaped by circumstance, one leaning toward ambition and education, the other toward continuing a familiar cycle. It grounded the story in reality and made Emily’s choices feel even more intentional.

When Emily becomes a mother to Violet, the novel truly finds its heart. Her world narrows in the most beautiful way—everything she does, every decision she makes, is rooted in love and in giving her daughter the best possible life. That kind of selfless devotion is something only a parent can fully grasp. What stands out most is that Emily doesn’t try to mold Violet into a specific outcome. Instead, she nurtures her independence, allowing her to grow into her own person. That distinction is powerful.

The introduction of Violet’s father’s new partner adds emotional tension that feels painfully real. Watching a child be influenced or manipulated by someone new in their life is one of the hardest experiences a parent can face. Yet Emily handles it with a quiet strength and grace that makes her both admirable and relatable. She doesn’t react with chaos—she responds with patience, trusting the foundation she built with her daughter.

Violet herself is a testament to Emily’s parenting. She grows into someone who values kindness over status, humility over entitlement. She understands where she came from and doesn’t take her opportunities for granted. Most importantly, she never loses sight of the person who grounded her—her mother.

This book is more than a story about motherhood; it’s about resilience, identity, and the invisible work of raising a good human being. For anyone who has ever put their child first, questioned if they were doing enough, or tried to raise a child with strong values in a complicated world, The Good Mother Test will feel deeply personal and profoundly validating.

So I will ask, what makes a good mother?

[Reader]

I enjoyed The Good Mother Test a lot. The dynamics between Emily and her daughter was really interesting and well done. The book was well written and the characters were well defined. I would recommend this book to anyone who has a child or is interested in a very good story.

[Alan Webber]

Michael French is a seasoned story-teller who knows the human heart and the human experience. Once again, he draws on both his craft and his empathy to draw a compelling portrait of what it means to grow up as both a child and a parent. It's a good read and a life lesson.

[Calvary · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one took a little while to pull me in, but once it did, I was hooked. The Good Mother Test explores the complexity of mother and daughter relationships with honesty and care, touching on themes like parenting out of fear, self-exploration, and the weight of being a golden child and overachiever.

Violet’s journey from childhood to womanhood was my favorite part, and the evolution of the friendship between Salina and Emily added another rich layer to an already layered story. So many gems about relationships packed into one read.

Great for anyone interested in understanding mother-daughter dynamics from both perspectives and throughout life.

#TheGoodMotherTest #NetGalley

[Katarina Jakimier · Rating 2 out of 5]

My grandparents passed their advance copy from French to me, and though fiction isn’t usually my taste, I had some extra days to read this. Had the potential to be an interesting story, especially with the perspective switch at the end, but in the end I failed to see the point of the 300 pages. Perhaps I am simply not a mother yet?

[Mariana Zuanetti · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful journey of a mom with a slight identity crisis and a daughter that perhaps is too smart for her own good. Having been raised by divorced parents myself, I connected in many moments throughout the book - including mom and stepmom jealousy! Overall, a light-hearted read that makes you wonder about many relationships - not just mother and daughter.

[Karen Axnick · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a well-crafted novel that explores differing perspectives on motherhood. It was thought-provoking and unsettling in the conflict between an intuitive approach that follows the mother’s interpretation of the child’s needs versus a goal-oriented path determined by external validation and support of the child’s potential. As with many things in life, there is likely a “golden mean” which is inclusive of both perspectives.

Emily is in her senior year at UCLA when she discovers she is pregnant. A bright, if impulsive, young woman, she drops out of school to devote herself to the infant with the support of Doug, her lover and a successful financier. Doug has an epiphany – he does not want to be in the relationship and has limited interest in fatherhood but is willing to provide for Emily and his daughter, Violet. As Violet matures, it becomes apparent that she is a math prodigy with an intellectual and emotional maturity beyond her mother.

Enter Dr. Amanda Hoenig, a childless psychotherapist who shares her wisdom on parenting through her practice, books, and podcast. As Doug’s fiancé and eventually his wife, she quickly assesses Violet’s gifts and slowly and relentlessly attempts to take over parenting Violet through financial incentives for school, clothes, and social connections. It is chilling to experience this self-proclaimed authority’s influence on molding Violet’s life. Fortunately, Violet is her own person and transcends the limitations of the parenting skills of all three adults in her life while still maintaining a bond with her mother.

The characters are well developed except for Doug who plays a lesser role in all the drama. Amanda Hoenig’s agenda, coupled with her manipulation, makes her an excellent antagonist. Emily sees the dynamic clearly and gradually grows in stature with the support of friends. Violet is an amazing child/young woman who has great depth as well as a brilliant mind. Overall, this is an enjoyable and entertaining read.

My thanks to the author, the publisher, and NetGalley for the privilege of reviewing this book. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

This review will be posted on Amazon upon publication.

[hazel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you, NetGalley, for a review copy of this book.

The Good Mother Test is a book that kept me on edge from start to finish, though I’m still trying to decide if that was always a good thing. Michael French is clearly a talented writer, but while the prose is strong, I couldn't shake the feeling that this wasn't entirely his story to tell. There is a persistent sense of unease in the way motherhood is depicted here. At times, the narrative felt slightly misogynistic, making me wonder whether the story would have felt more grounded if written by a woman, or perhaps reframed entirely from a father's point of view. Because of this, some of the character reactions felt... off. For example, Emily’s relatively calm response to a virtual stranger trying to essentially steal her child didn't ring true to a mother’s actual instincts. It felt like a male interpretation of how a woman should act, rather than how a mother would act.
The book is undeniably gripping, but it made me feel nervous all the time. While some of that tension is clearly intentional, having the dial turned to eleven for 400 pages became exhausting. This story would have been much punchier and more effective if it had been trimmed down to about 300 pages; at its current length, the anxiety starts to overstay its welcome. The relationship between Emily and Violet was the most interesting, yet confusing, part of the book: For most of the story, it felt like Violet didn't even like her mother, yet they suddenly ended up on the same side. Amanda’s psychopathic behavior was glaringly obvious from the jump, yet the characters (and even the judge!) seemed to normalize it in a way that felt unrealistic. All in all, I can say that French is a gifted writer, but the execution of the maternal test feels a bit detached. It’s a solid, well-written novel that unfortunately struggles with some amateur character logic and a perspective that doesn't quite fit the subject matter.

[Karen Siddall · Rating 4 out of 5]

Storytelling that made time and place disappear.

The Good Mother Test by Michael R. French is an absorbing tale of mothers and daughters, family relationships, and family dynamics played out by truly engaging and sympathetic characters. When Violet was born, Emily made a promise to be the kind of mother she never had, and she followed through on that vow starting right away. Unfortunately, Violet’s father, Doug, sees her devotion as going too far and as a personal rejection, and he breaks up the marriage. Sharing custody is trying under the best of circumstances, but when one parent refuses to honor plans and commitments, it can become doubly difficult. Doug does whatever he wants, whether it is in Violet’s best interests or not, while talking a good game, and when he introduces another woman into the equation, life takes a different turn for both Emily and Violet.

French crafts some truly great characters for his relatable tale of raising an exceptional child in today’s world. There are so many more things for parents to worry about now, just in raising a healthy, well-adjusted child, but Violet is gifted, and properly supporting her potential adds a whole other layer of considerations to her parents’ plates. I loved the growth that both Emily and Violet undergo, their love for each other, and their natural closeness as mother and daughter. Doug and Amanda provide an alternate, contrasting life for Violet, and a natural conflict arises. Violet’s and Amanda’s final confrontation is riveting, especially considering where the scene plays out.

I recommend THE GOOD MOTHER TEST to readers who enjoy psychological family dramas, stories of mother-daughter relationships, and blended families.

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advance Review Copy through WOW! Women On Writing Book Tours.

[Katherine Hayward Pérez · Rating 5 out of 5]

****TRIGGER WARNING: Inequality and Struggles with Housing and Money, welfare services****

The Good Mother Test teaches us lessons about life and love. It has some difficult subjects in the characters' backstories, but they are very well created and realistic. I sympathized and empathized with Emily's parents' economic situation. I wanted them to get what they needed.

The hardships Emily and her parents had to go through were sad. I could sympathize and empathize with them.

I was suspicious of Emily's huband Doug and felt uncomfortable around him. I felt angry at him.

Emily was a real fighter. She reminded me of myself in her passion for studyimg. I was very glad when she met Sabrina and they became friends.

They're both from very different families: Emily is from a family that had housing and economic struggles. Sabrina was from a large and hospitable Mexican one. I found Sabrina to be a good friend. I immediately felt that Emily was well accepted and respected there.

The fact that part of the book was from Emily's point of view as a mother and the other was from the point of view of Violet, her daughter, created a very interesting structure.

I was hooked on the story and how Emily, Sabrina, and Violet went through life.

The Good Mother Test: Not Trying to Heal My Inner Child While Raising One is an excellent book. It's unforgettable. It's also heartwarming, heartbreaking, and addictive. It's a book that mde me learn and it's very informative. I really felt like I was in the story, experiencing Emily's, Sabrina's, and Violet's lives.

They're all people to root for.

Michael R. French's writing style is immersive and gripping. He deals with sensitive and difficult subjects well.

Thanks to Michael R. French, for my eARC in exchange for an honest and voluntary review.

5 stars.

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Michael R. French did a fabulous job writing The Good Mother Test from the perspective of a mother and a daughter (neither of which he has ever been). The book had great flow and I didn't feel any chapters were lacking when it came to holding my attention. Even though the characters were very different (primarily in socio economic ways) from my friends and myself, they were very believable and relatable. I would recommend this book for older readers as there are adult topics, but as an adult mother, I found The Good Mother Test to be a beautiful story. I can definitely relate to vowing to be endlessly loving and fiercely protective of my children. I also think that no matter how hard we try as parents, our children are going to come up with ways they can do better than we did. Isn't that what progress is about any way? That was the best part of reading French's latest book — it made me think. I spent a good deal of time reflecting on my childhood, the childhood I provide for my children, and how my children may think about their own parenting journeys some day. The Good Mother Test is 5 stars in my book — and it's a book I'll be thinking about for years to come! Well done Michael R. French!

[Manda Marigold · Rating 2 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️ 2.5/5 stars

This novel follows Emily, a 23-year-old new mom, navigating the ups and downs of motherhood with her daughter, Violet. From the very beginning, Emily is fiercely protective, but as Violet’s personality evolves, Emily’s protective instincts clash with societal pressures and the growing influence of her ex, Doug, and his new girlfriend, Amanda. The co-parenting dynamic quickly turns into a battle for Violet’s future, leaving Emily to confront the question: what does it really mean to be a "good" mother?

Told from the dual perspectives of Emily and Violet, this story explores family, ambition, and the delicate balance between love, devotion, and control. I was drawn to this book by its intriguing premise, but it just didn’t hit the mark for me. The story felt a bit too long, and I’m not sure I was the right audience for it. It might have resonated more with those in similar situations, but for me, it didn’t quite live up to expectations. A huge thank you to NetGalley for the eBook! All opinions in this review are my own.

[Merrily Pierson · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Good Mother Test: Not trying to heal my inner child while raising one, by Michael French, is NOT a manual with a test at the end of the book, but a clear-eyed novel about devotion, independence, and the complicated loyalties between mothers and daughters. French follows a woman who raises her child alone into young adulthood, then deftly explores the emotional fault lines that open when the birth father's successful partner seeks a place in the daughter's life. The conflict is resolved with a sweet affirmation of maternal loyalty and the cost of growing up--for both mother and child. As I said earlier, there's no test at the end, but the insights for the reader make it worth the read.

[Jonathan Richards · Rating 4 out of 5]

Michael French knows his way around a story, and this is a good one. I've enjoyed his books for years, and he doesn't let us down here He deals with the complexities of sharply conflicting approaches to the raising of a gifted child, the tensions between the appeals of material and emotional wealth. The characters are thoughtfully and cleanly drawn, and while the author's heart is in evidence in how the scales are calibrated, he plays fair.

[Margaret Lazarus · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rarely does a book capture the complexity, heartache, rage, ambivalence, jealousy and joy of being a mother but French has done it. I immediately connected with the characters and stayed with them look after I had finished reading.

[Rebecca Kapustay · Rating 5 out of 5]

This novel explores unconventional parenthood and the difficulties that arise, when a gifted child becomes the focus of adult ambition. The author examines love, control, and the fine line between nurturing and manipulation. It’s a thoughtful, engaging read.

[Carter Doyle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story gets to the heart of the challenges that face modern day moms. Money and opportunity provide so much but a mother's love is something so sacred and unique. Loved this story!