The Birth Mother

by Wendy Clarke

How far will she go to get her child back?

I walk through the beautiful house, my hand lingering on the handrail of the polished mahogany staircase. Looking around the grand hallway, I can’t believe my luck at being here. If Rosemary knew who I was, she’d never have invited me in.

Ten years ago, she adopted my daughter. Gave her the life I never safety, stability, a normal childhood.

All I wanted to do was catch a glimpse of my precious girl, to check she was happy. I would only have stayed for a moment. I would never have done anything.

But as I spot Faith’s rich auburn hair and whisper a hello, Rosemary tells me she’s mute. She hasn’t said a word in almost a year.

And I know I cannot leave this house. Behind closed doors this perfect family is hiding dark secrets, and I’ll do whatever it takes to protect my daughter…

A heart-pounding and absolutely gripping psychological thriller that will keep you up into the early hours. Perfect for fans of Gillian Flynn, Ruth Ware and Lisa Jewell.

What readers are saying about Wendy

‘I COULD NOT PUT THIS BOOK DOWN. I didn’t even realise I hadn’t eaten because I was too busy reading… so unpredictable that I just didn’t even know who I was anymore. I loved it.’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘OMG!! WOW!!… OH YES!!!… a book that EVERYONE will be talking about!! I can see this being a bestseller… BOY. OH. BOY… Incredible read!!… Clear your schedule for this book!… Will suck you in like never before!… Mind-blowing… LOVED this book!’ Heidi Lynn Book Reviews, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Made me gasp out loud!!!!’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

‘I LOVED THIS PHENOMENAL, GRIPPING BOOK. I raced through it, it consumed me in its pages… A shocking conclusion which left me gobsmacked… Brilliant… HOOKS YOU FROM THE START. LOVED IT! LOVED IT! LOVED IT!’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘One word, brilliant!… I felt dizzy and loved every single minute… had me gripped from page one.’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

‘Holy heck!! I have no words for this book! It was twisted beyond measure! I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough!’ NetGalley reviewer, ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

‘Literally had me missing a heartbeat because I just couldn’t work out where this story was leading me… Had me hook, line and sinker ‘til the very end… My eyes were on stalks reading the last couple of pages. Wow.’ Echoes in an Empty Room, ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

‘A real rollercoaster… One of the best psychological thrillers I’ve read this year. I made my mind up many times, only to be proven wrong each time. The last 30 pages had me almost holding my breath.

Genres: Thriller

334 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 10, 2026

About the author

Wendy Clarke has had over three hundred short stories published in national women’s magazines. With a degree in psychology, and intrigued with how the human mind can affect behaviour, it was inevitable she would eventually want to explore her darker side. What She Saw is her debut psychological thriller, published by Bookouture. Wendy lives with her husband, cat and step-dog in Sussex and when not writing is usually dancing, singing or watching any programme that involves food!

Reviews

[c.kingreads · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️.

WOW. Just WOW. I really enjoyed it. I don’t feel bad about certain character. He totally deserves for being a CHEATER. I liked the FMC, even in some scenes she gets on my nerves. Like what after happened in your youth, you still love him. She deserves a BETTER MAN.

[Charlie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Breaking news on the radio: police reported that a body had been found. A local dog walker had made the grim discovery earlier that morning. 📻

As Becky listened to the radio, a terrible thought slowly took hold. Could the body be Leo’s dad? They had parted ways before Leo was even born, after she gave him an ultimatum, and he had vanished from their lives ever since. She had also been eagerly waiting for a letter from the adoptive family who had taken in her daughter, Faith, ten years earlier. But somehow, the letter never arrived. ❌✉️

Becky was desperate to understand why the letter never came. For nine years, she had received one every year, and it had become something she quietly counted on. When it didn’t arrive, she was left confused and worried. 😫

She asked the social worker for help, hoping someone could explain what had happened. Instead, she was told she might have to accept that there would be no more letters. The answer left her feeling helpless and deeply upset, with no real explanation as to why something so important to her had suddenly stopped. 😢

After spotting a leaflet, Becky signed up to ‘Mum’s The Word’ app, seeking the company of other mums with babies close in age to Leo. There, she came across another mum, Rosemary, who had a month-old baby boy and an older daughter. Then it hit her - the daughter was Faith, and she had been living closer than Becky had ever imagined… just ten miles away! 😳

Becky and Rosemary got in contact and quickly hit it off. Rosemary invited Becky and Leo to her house a few days later. Becky was delighted, as this would finally give her the chance to get closer to Faith and meet her in person for the first time in ten years. 🥰

Becky went to Rosemary’s house and met her and the children for the first time. Faith was not at all what she had expected. Now called Octivia, the little girl seemed different somehow, and Becky couldn’t shake the feeling that something was wrong. Determined to understand, Becky decided she would invest her time and heart in the child and find out what was really going on. 🤨

At the same time, a painful question haunted her: had she done the right thing ten years ago? Back then, she had given Faith to Rosemary and her husband, Matthew, believing it would give the girl a better life. But now, standing in their home and looking at Octivia, Becky wasn’t so sure anymore... 🤔

This book would be right up your street if you enjoy an easy-to-read, twisty, slow-paced thriller. 📖👀

A big thank you to Wendy and Bookouture for gifting me a digital copy of this book so I could share my review. ♥️

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you #NetGalley and #Bookouture for the ARC Copy of this book!

10 years ago a young college aged Becky gets pregnant and gets coerced by her mother to give the baby (Faith) up for adoption. Fast forward to present time, as a new single mom to a newborn son, Becky turns to an app for other mother to make friends. She finds her daughter's adoptive mother (Rosemary) on there and "befriends" her. This is where the story shifts and I could not put the book down. I wanted to learn more about Rosemary and find out what has happened to Faith. It is an emotional psychological thriller. I definitely recommend this book and want to read more books by Wendy Clarke!

[Els · Rating 5 out of 5]

A young girl becoming pregnant is never an ideal situation. That’s exactly why she could use all the support she can get. Parents should be the first to stand by their daughter and offer her every possible help, but some parents have a different opinion.

Of course, there is nothing wrong with them having their own views, but shouldn’t the final decision lie with the mother-to-be? Not everyone seems to agree on that either.

Being forced to give up your baby for adoption must be heartbreaking. That’s certainly how Becky experiences it. Fortunately, she finds comfort in one thing, something she looks forward to every single time. Until suddenly that source of support disappears as well, and she desperately wants to know why. She has no idea how to approach it, but sometimes fate gives you a little push in the right direction…

It’s a thriller with strong emotional depth and several twists that completely caught me off guard. The tension remains high until the very last moment, when I once again found myself holding my breath.

An exceptionally successful book that fully deserves five stars.

Thank you.

[KKEC Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Birth Mother by Wendy Clarke
Wow. This was twisted in the most delicious ways. I enjoyed this story immensely.

Wendy Clarke is such a talented author, and I adore how she tells a story. She curates such beautiful characters, with such dark secrets, and her twists are simply divine.

I found the characters in this book endearing for different reasons. I like Becky. She wanted to love and be loved, and she wanted to give her children the love she never felt. Rosemary was mysterious and played the part of an overwhelmed mom well. Their balance was great.

The way this story unraveled was brilliant. I didn’t see the big reveal working out the way it did, and I am pleased to say that the storyline flowed so addictively. This is such a fantastic read, and readers are going to adore this journey.

Publication date: March 10, 2026
Publisher: Bookouture

[Brittany Selken]

I honestly couldn’t not get into this book at all. Like I got the storyline but just get into this one at all. I’m going to baby dnf this and might comes back to it

[Laura Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

THE BIRTH MOTHER BY WENDY CLARKE.
4 ✨ ✨ ✨ ✨s
Oohhhh I didn't see them twists coming. Brilliant.
I recommend this book to any Psychological Thriller lover.
This is my second book by this author and looking forward to seeing what's next ☺

[Donna Satterlee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ten years ago, Becky was a college freshman when she became pregnant after an affair with her college professor. Becky wanted desperately to keep her baby but with no friends and no income she was forced to move back home to live with her single mother. Her mother made it clear from the start she needed to put the baby up for adoption and she was forced to make the decision to give her daughter up so she would have a better life. Fast forward to present day and she is a single mother who recently gave to birth to a son, Leo, who she is raising after the departure of her partner.

The tie to her daughter is still strong and she receives annual letters from the adopted parents on her daughter's birthday telling her milestones and general information. This year no letter comes and she is concerned.

Feeling alone, she reaches out to a mother's group to try and meet someone in the same situation. Oddly, she sees the face of the woman that had adopted her daughter all those years ago and she has also recently had a son. Initially, she sees this as an opportunity to meet and see how her daughter is being raised.

She contacts Rosemary and sets up a time to get together with their children. Becky agrees to meet at Rosemary's home and is excited to finally see her daughter. When Becky arrives, the home is a large Victorian gothic home and when he gets to door it is opened but no one is there. First clue, there is something strange going on here, but what.

Becky learns that Rosemary has not left her home in a year, lives primarily in her bedroom upstairs, and is terrified her husband who travels most of the week, will find out about her new friend. On top of this when she finally meets her daughter she discovers she has been mute for the last year.

Both Becky and Rosemary have secrets, and the book is full of surprises and twists just when you think you have figured it out. This book is a pretty quick read, and the chapters are not two lengthy. It is written from the perspective of Becky and Rosemary and dual timeline over the last 10 years.

It was a good psychological thriller and seemed to have vibes of Frieda McFadden's, The Housemaid. I would definitely recommend this to anyone want a quick, read with unexpected twists and turns. I appreciated it had an epilogue one year later that tied up some of the characters story.

[Akku · Rating 4 out of 5]

• 𝐑𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 - 4.5✨
• 𝐑𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐞 - March 10, 2026

• 𝐓𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐬 -
- psychological thriller
- birth mother vs adoptive mother
- mother’s instinct
- hidden secrets
- obsession and lies
- slow burn suspense
- twisted family drama

• 𝐌𝐲 𝐓𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬 -
Ten years ago, Becky made the hardest decision of her life and gave her daughter up for adoption. Every year she waits for the update letter about her little girl. This year feels even more emotional because she has just given birth to her baby son. She is happy but her heart still aches for her daughter. When the expected letter does not arrive, fear slowly settles inside her.
Feeling alone, Becky joins a mother’s group hoping to find comfort and friendship. Instead, she comes face to face with Rosemary, the woman who adopted her daughter. Rosemary has also just had a baby. Becky steps into her beautiful home pretending to be a friend, but inside she carries a secret. She only wants to see her daughter once and make sure she is safe. But when she learns that her daughter has stopped speaking and that something feels very wrong inside that perfect house, everything changes. Becky knows she cannot simply walk away.
At first the story builds slowly and gently, allowing us to understand Becky’s emotions and loneliness. Then the tension starts creeping in quietly. The atmosphere becomes heavy and unsettling. Becky is not perfect but she feels real. Her love, guilt, and determination shine through every chapter. The twists hit at the right moments and the last part of the book had my heart racing. It turned from emotional drama to intense psychological suspense so beautifully.
I loved how the story explores motherhood from different sides. It shows how strong and fierce a mother can become when her child is involved. The ending was gripping & satisfying, leaving me thinking about it even after I finished. Emotional, tense, and completely unputdownable in the second half.
Thank you bookoutour for the ARC!

[Britney Ireland · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you #NetGalley and #Bookouture for the ARC Copy of this read.

I highly recommend.This book was a truly captivating read, one that I thoroughly enjoyed from start to finish. The narrative was incredibly fast-paced, keeping me hooked with every turn of the page, and the underlying story line was both original and deeply engaging.

The plot centers on Wendy, a woman grappling with the emotional weight of a decision she made ten years prior: giving up her daughter for adoption. Now, with a new little boy in her life, the residual feelings of loneliness and a void she can't quite fill lead her to seek connection in an unconventional place. She joins a social media group, a "find a friend" type of baby page, hoping to forge some new relationships.

However, a simple scroll turns into a moment of profound shock when she stumbles upon a photo of the woman who adopted her first daughter. Driven by a complex mix of longing, curiosity, and perhaps a need for closure, Wendy consciously and deliberately begins to insert herself into the lives of this woman and her two children.

This is the point where the story truly shifts. What initially presents itself as a straightforward tale of a birth mother's reconnection takes a sharp and unexpected turn. The unfolding events defy expectations, moving away from what the reader anticipates will happen. The tension builds skillfully until the major twist is dramatically revealed, redefining the entire situation and shedding a completely new, surprising light on all the preceding events.

I wholeheartedly recommend this novel to anyone looking for a thrilling read with emotional depth and a shocking conclusion. It's a book that stays with you long after the final page is turned.

[Georgia Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

My Review: The Birth Mother by Wendy Clarke
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
How far would you go to get your child back? This is the haunting question at the heart of Wendy Clarke’s The Birth Mother, and it kept me gripped from the very first page.
I really felt the tension as the narrator walked through that beautiful, grand house, her hand lingering on the polished mahogany staircase. The stakes felt so high—knowing that if Rosemary had any idea who she really was, she never would have been invited inside. Ten years ago, Rosemary adopted her daughter, providing the safety and stability she couldn't offer at the time. All she wanted was a single glimpse of her "precious girl" to make sure she was happy.
But the heart-stopping moment for me was when she finally sees Faith’s rich auburn hair and whispers a hello, only for Rosemary to reveal that the girl hasn't spoken a word in almost a year. At that point, I knew she couldn't just leave that house.
What I loved about this book:
• Dual Perspectives: I loved that it was told from the point of view of both female characters. It gave such a deep look into both sides of the story.
• Multiple Timelines: This is one of my favorite tropes in a thriller, and it was executed perfectly here to build the mystery.
• The Atmosphere: The contrast between the "perfect" home and the raw desperation of a birth mother was incredibly well-written.
I’ll admit, I did see the ending coming, but that didn't take away from the enjoyment at all. The emotional weight and the suspense kept me turning the pages late into the night. A definite 5-star read for me!

[Louise Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I walk through the beautiful house, my hand lingering on the handrail of the polished mahogany staircase. Looking around the grand hallway, I can't believe my luck at being here. If Rosemary knew who I was, she's never have invited me in. Ten years ago, she adopted my daughter. Gave her the life I never could have, safety, stability, a normal childhood. All I wanted to do was catch a glimpse of my precious girl, to check she was happy. I would only have stayed for a moment. I would never have done anything. But as I spot Faith's rich auburn hair and whisper a hello, Rosemary tells me she's mute. She hasn't said a word in about a year. And I know I cannot leave this house. Behind closed doors, this is a perfect family hiding dark secrets, and I'll do whatever it takes to protect my daughter.

Ten years ago, Becky was heartbroken when she had to give her daughter up for adoption. The adoptive parents send Becky a letter every year at her daughter's birthday, giving an update on her daughter's progress. But this year, no letter arrives, and Becky is concerned. Beck has recently given birth to a son.

Both Rosemary and Becky have secrets. The story is told from Rosemary and Becky's perspectives, the pace is fast and the characters are well-developed. There were dome really good twists. I also liled the author's writing style. This is an emotional and suspenseful read.

Published 10th March 2026

I would like to thank ]#NetGalley #Bookouture and the author #WendyClarke for my ARC of #TheBirthMother in exchange for an honest review.

[Leanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Birth Mother hooked me from the very first page. Wendy Clarke takes a premise loaded with emotion—a birth mother quietly checking in on the daughter she gave up—and twists it into something far darker and more gripping than I expected.

The opening chapters are beautifully paced: a simple visit, a glimpse of a child, and then that chilling revelation that Faith has gone mute. From that moment, the tension tightens like a wire. Clarke does a brilliant job of letting suspicion seep in slowly, turning this seemingly perfect home into a place full of shadows and unspoken threats.

The dual pull of maternal instinct and creeping dread is handled so well. I found myself completely invested in the narrator’s desperation, her guilt, and her fierce determination to protect the daughter she barely knows. The house itself becomes a character—polished, elegant, and deeply claustrophobic.

What I enjoyed most is how the story balances emotional depth with page‑turning suspense. It’s not just about twists (though there are plenty); it’s about the unsettling realisation that the people who appear safest can be hiding the darkest secrets.

Fast‑paced, atmospheric, and genuinely hard to put down, this is a psychological thriller that kept me reading long past bedtime. Fans of Lisa Jewell and Ruth Ware will feel right at home.

My thanks to Wendy Clarke, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC

[Deni Fox · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ten years ago, Becky became pregnant by a professor at her university. Scared and completely alone, without support from her mother or anyone else, she was forced to make the hardest decision of her life-to place her baby up for adoption. On the day the adoptive parents take the baby home, Becky sees the woman who will become her daughter’s mother, a moment that stays with her forever.

Ten years later, Becky unexpectedly comes across her again through a mothers’ app. Unable to resist the urge to know how her daughter is doing, she reaches out, hoping to learn just one thing-whether her child is happy and safe.

The Birth Mother is not only a gripping psychological thriller, but also a deeply emotional story about two women. Becky’s storyline was heartbreaking. The chapters describing her pain and the difficult choice she had to make were so powerful and touching that at times they truly broke my heart.

On the other side is Rosemary, a woman who struggles with infertility and has endured countless failed attempts to conceive. The book shows how deeply these experiences can affect a woman’s mental and emotional well-being.

This story is a powerful reminder that a mother is capable of anything for her child. The plot kept me hooked, and the story delivered twists I genuinely didn’t see coming-especially the two major revelations toward the end.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC.

[Sandra Flaishmakher · Rating 4 out of 5]

**Thank you, Bookouture and NetGalley, for this Advance Reader Copy**

A mother's devotion is always going to come first. For Becky, that means making the decision to put her daughter up for adoption, thinking she deserves a better future. It also meant rushing in, at full force, to save her daughter when she believes she might be in danger. As much as you might disagree, Rosemary loves her children fiercely, too. This book is all about maternal love and sacrifice.
While alternating between past and present, as well as the dual perspectives, you get a nice rounded view of the events that shape this family's story. The book gripped me from the beginning, causing late night reading sessions and some pretty fantastic twists. It was a fun read, and the short chapters flew by without difficulty. The ending felt a bit too forced, but as much as I find the last chapter unrealistic, it is still a book I would definitely recommend. if you enjoy domestic thrillers, this is the book for you. As a pediatrician, I found the development of Octavia's story compelling and enjoyed reading about this less-spoken about condition.

A solid four star read!

[Catherine · Rating 3 out of 5]

10 years ago, Becky gave up her daughter for adoption. Each year she awaits the annual update letter.. This year is especially important to her as she has just become a mother again to her baby son but she longs to get updated on her girl. As each day from the date she should’ve received the letter passes she gets a feeling of dread that she may never hear about her daughter again..
Feeling lonely, she reaches out to her mother‘s group to try and meet somebody else who might also be in need of a friend. Then she comes across the face of a woman she’s never been able to forget.. The woman who adopted her daughter. And has also just had a baby. Is she able to befriend this woman and actually get to see her daughter face-to-face?.
In meeting Rosemary will Becky get the answers she belongs for or will she be putting herself in into danger?
Initially this book was a slow start and I didn’t particularly warm to any of the characters but after awhile the book became more interesting and you became more invested in the story

[Sharon Valler: Live Love Read Review · Rating 5 out of 5]

Superb! I found myself absolutely gripped from the start and just when I had had an inkling I may have worked it out (I hadn’t), the twists started to drop and didn’t stop - wow!

When Becky gave up her baby for adoption 10 years earlier, she never dreamed that an accidental chance would give her the opportunity to see her and satisfy herself that her little girl is safe and happy. Only she’s not; Faith hasn’t spoken for a year and Becky is determined to find out what happened to cause her mutism.

I really liked Becky; she was a well developed MFC with a big heart. Despite being younger, she showed genuine empathy with Faith’s adoptive mother, when she discovered she was trapped in a controlling marriage.

The pace was fast and I find Wendy Clarke’s writing style very easy to become absorbed in.

This is a great read, with so many unexpected twists, turns and reveals that completely took my breath away!

5 ⭐️ Thanks to Netgalley, Wendy Clarke and Bookouture, for an ARC of this book.

[Sadie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this author's book, The Night Out. When I saw this one on Netgalley, I was excited to request it and read it. Unfortunately, this one wasn't as enjoyable to me as The Night Out.
I found the first 60% of the book extremely slow. There was a fair amount of Becky's history shared in the "then" chapters, and it was sad and building to the story but wasn't very interesting to me. The "now" chapters were slow for me when Becky and Rosemary first met and started to build their friendship. After that, it picked up and held my attention until the end. The twists, though predictable to me, were still really good twists, and I enjoyed the ending.
Though I didn't really enjoy this book, I definitely recommend it to other readers as everyone has different tastes.

Thank you to Netgalley, Bookouture, and Wendy Clarke for an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

[Leona · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Birth Mother is a page turning and twisty psychological thriller. As soon as I had finished reading the first chapter I’d no doubt this was going to be a great read. After giving up her child for adoption Becky tried her best to carry on with life and one of the things that keeps her going is something she receives every month regarding her adopted child. However when that stops she is determined to find out what’s going on. What then follows is a thriller with twists and turns that gripped me almost immediately. As with many of these thriller books I was sure I had everything worked out. However this author has a fantastic way of leading her readers down the completely wrong path. I did work out one of the twists but the others absolutely floored me. A fast paced and dramatic read from beginning to end.

[Tracy Fells · Rating 5 out of 5]

In my opinion this is one of Clarke's best psychological thrillers.
This is a dual narrative shared between two very different mothers: Becky and Rosemary. The opening chapters are all Becky's voice, her obsession with Rosemary is understandable but we are kept guessing why Rosemary is equally keen to have Becky in her life. For me, the story really took off when Rosemary's voice kicks in, she is intriguing and her motives unclear. Then the pace really zips along, and I was completely hooked.
This is a twisty read; I worked out some but not all - one "gasp" twist was up there with Sarah Waters' The Fingersmith mid-point shock.
Wendy Clarke delivers exactly what her readers expect: A hugely enjoyable and immersive read with a very satisfying ending.

[Cait Kennedy · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
The Birth Mother – Wendy Clarke

If you love thrillers by Lucinda Berry and Freida McFadden, this book is for you.

This story is packed with emotional depth, suspense, and nonstop twists. The dual POV and timeline kept me hooked, and every time I thought I had things figured out, another surprise dropped.

Becky’s journey was messy, heartbreaking, and so real. The character development—especially Octavia’s—was powerful and unforgettable.

Fast-paced, gripping, and impossible to put down. I flew through the ending.

Highly recommend!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

[Tamara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ten years ago, she adopted my daughter. Gave her the life I never could: safety, stability, a normal childhood.
All I wanted to do was catch a glimpse of my precious girl, to check she was happy. I would only have stayed for a moment. I would never have done anything.

Written with dual POVs, which I like, made the story more intense. It made the characters interesting and made you want to know more. Fast paced with twists, turns and spin around. Very good 4 out 5 stars. Looking forward to reading more from Wendy Clarke.

Thank you Netgalley and Bookouture for my ARC in exchange for my honest review. Get your copy March 10 2026.

[Bookaholic__Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had a really good time reading this title and overall I really just enjoy Clarke's writing. I find most of her titles to be just as emotionally gripping as they are twisty, and The Birth Mother was no different.

I can't imagine what I would feel or do if I had given my child up for adoption only to later discover things that hinted at them being in danger. The Birth Mother is told in dual narration and features chapters from both birth mom and adoptive mom. Since both ladies have plenty of secrets, the book does an excellent job of keeping you on edge until the final big reveal.

I received a copy in exchange for my honest review.

[Ann-Marie Kelling · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley for an advance reader copy of this book.

The birth mother by Wendy Clarke was a good, gripping easy read thriller. From start to finish I was hooked with the story. I felt a connection with both Becky and Rosemary, feeling sorry with their situations. I kept trying to guess the plot twist although I was wrong. I felt the last third of the book was a little rushed, with all the action being within such a small amount of the book.
That being said it was overall a good thriller that I would definitely recommend.

[Zoe Costley · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Absolutely Gripping — I Devoured This in One Day!

I was lucky enough to read an ARC of The Birth Mother by Wendy Clarke through NetGalley, and wow… this book completely took me by surprise. I was loving it from the start — the tension, the atmosphere, the emotional pull — but then those end‑of‑book reveals hit and I swear I just sat there like JHEEEEEEZ. I did not see any of it coming.

Wendy Clarke knows exactly how to twist a story at the perfect moment, and she had me turning pages nonstop. I genuinely couldn’t put it down and ended up reading the whole thing in a single day.

[Nicole Tessarotto · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just finished The Birth Mother and it was such a solid suspense! I’m giving it 4 stars because it completely hooked me from the start.
The story moves at a great pace and I found myself constantly wanting to know what was going to happen next, especially with Becky. It’s one of those books that really keeps you guessing and makes it hard to put down because you just need to see how everything unfolds.
Definitely a great pick if you’re looking for a good mystery that keeps you invested until the very end. I really enjoyed it!

[Sue · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a novel written in dual timelines, and dual characters. I didn't find it confusing.
The twists, however, were good. I figured one of them out before I got to the end of the book.
I did enjoy the book, I wouldn't say it is a blockbuster, but it is entertaining. I have read a couple of Wendy Clarke's books before and they were enjoyable.
I liked the ending of the book, it seemed fitting that the birth mother spent time with her child.
3/5 stars from me.

[Jess (thrillingcuddles) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley for an advanced read of this book! I thought it was engaging and it led me to believe one truth but then it did have a twist near the end which I didn’t catch onto until right before it occurred. It was a tad predictable as the story goes on but there were absolutely some elements of surprise. I was quite interested in Becky and often felt sad for her giving her baby up when she didn’t want to. Overall, I did quite like this book!

[Maisy · Rating 3 out of 5]

So grateful to have received this as an ARC !!

I highly recommend this to any Freida McFadden fans - especially of The Housemaid!!!!

I kept forgetting that I was reading a thriller books as the friendship between Becky and Rosemary was quite wholesome at times - though formed on lies of course!

I absolutely loved the suspense and all of the secrets being revealed in the second half of the book - I honestly read it all in one sitting!

Such a great, easy read thriller, I really recommend!

[Maja · Rating 5 out of 5]

First things first, I want to thank Netgalley and also Bookouture for this ARC!

I did really enjoy this book. A twisty rollercoasted where you have no idea whom to trust. Whom is teeling the truth, and whom is a liar. Should I root for Becky, who was forced to give away her baby after getting pregnant in college? Or Rosemary, who did adopt the baby? I will not give any hints here, you will have to read the book yourself if you want to know! I can only very much recommend it!