A Perfect Mother

by Miranda Smith

My life is perfect. Bad things don’t happen to me. Until the day my daughter vanishes…

I am the luckiest woman alive. I have a loving husband, who supports me in everything I do. A beautiful home, with comfy couches and art taped to the fridge. And Stella, my angel—my kind, gentle daughter. I’ve fought so hard for this life, and every day I’m grateful for it.

So it hits me like lightning, the moment I see my nanny stumbling towards me, blood drying on her forehead. She was attacked. Stella is gone.

The world spins. I fight to breathe. This can’t happen to me. Not now.

I thought it couldn’t get any worse, but as I sit in a daze on her bed, my eye falls on a threadbare stuffed cat, its eyes stitched with black thread. My blood freezes. Because I understand, now, who did this, and what they want from me.

And I know how far I’ll have to go to save my daughter, before my worst fears can come true…

A gasp-out-loud psychological thriller from the bestselling author of Not My Mother, with a twist you’ll never see coming. Perfect for fans of Lisa Jewell, Lucy Foley and Gillian Flynn.

See what readers are saying about Miranda

“I STAYED UP UNTIL 1AM FINISHING THIS BOOK. I tried going to sleep, I really did. But every time I closed my eyes, I just kept thinking about this book, and I neeeedddddeddddd to know how it finished.” Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“WHAT did I just read!!!! WOW!!! I mean seriously Wow!!… I read it in a day… Left me speechless over and over!!!… I am, in fact still shell shocked!!… An absolutely page-turning, addictive, gripping and explosive must-read.” Bookworm86, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“My heart beat so fast!… Just perfect!… A rollercoaster!… Like OMG!” Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“O.M.G!… My FAVORITE… a 5-star must-read book!!… just mind-blowing and jaw-dropping. That ending I didn’t see coming!” Heidi Lynn’s Book Reviews, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“I was hooked… I devoured this book in one sitting. Got my heart racing… utterly gripping… A MUST-READ!!!!!” Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“Loved, loved and more loved!!!!!… Wow, wow, wow!!!!!… shocking ending that made me go OMG. I almost had a heart attack. I would’ve never figured that one out in a million years.” Blue Moon Blogger, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“An absolute banger of a psychological thriller! I was hooked from the get-go and torn between racing to the end or savoring every page!… an impossible to put down, don’t start it before bedtime kind of book… kept me guessing the entire time… I always try to guess whodunit, but guess what—I WAS WRONG!!!” Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“I was HOOKED!…

Genres: Thriller, Fiction

260 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 10, 2026

About the author

Miranda Smith writes psychological and domestic suspense novels. When it comes to fiction, Miranda writes about complicated women, dark impulses, and Southern settings. She is drawn to stories about ordinary people in extraordinary situations. She lives in East Tennessee with her husband and three children.

source: Amazon

Reviews

[Tonya]

A Perfect Mother is a fast-paced, quick read that kept me on the edge of my seat. There are countless unexpected twists throughout and a major initial twist I never saw coming. This cleverly crafted thriller is suspenseful, original, and extremely entertaining. This is the sixth book I've read by this author and I highly recommend them all. I look forward to reading more creations from Miranda Smith. Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture for my ARC.

[megs_bookrack]

**3.5-stars**

A Perfect Mother is a fast-paced Popcorn Thriller following a Momfluencer whose daughter gets kidnapped from a hotel whilst she's speaking at an event. Her nanny, who was with her daughter at the time, was attacked in the hotel restroom and Stella, her daughter, disappeared from there.

We follow Megan as she desperately aids in the tense and desperate search for her daughter. We also get the kidnappers perspective, and deep dive into Megan's past.

Even though she's marketed herself as the perfect mother, it turns out, Megan hasn't always been so perfect.



Since we get the kidnapper's perspective as well, it does make it less mysterious, and a bit more like a cat and mouse game between Megan and the perpetrator. I actually enjoyed that. Especially since the two are connected, and the way Smith revealed that connection was intriguing to follow.

Overall, the story is entertaining and I did have fun with the various twists and developments. While it didn't blow me away, it didn't do anything wrong either. It's just a good, solid read for anyone who needs something light and quick. It's not super memorable, but I didn't need it to be.



Thank you to the publisher, Bookouture, for providing me with a copy to read and review!

[Venne]

A Perfect Mother follows a woman who seems to have everything she’s fought for: a loving husband, a beautiful home, and her daughter, Stella. But that seemingly perfect life comes crashing down when her nanny is attacked and Stella suddenly disappears. What follows is a desperate search for her daughter that quickly makes it clear there’s much more beneath the surface of this “perfect” life.

At first, I’m not gonna lie, the premise felt a little familiar and I was like, “Oh boy…where is this going?” 👀 But then before I knew it, I was completely HOOKED!

The pacing really picked up and from there, this turned into such an edge-of-my-seat, binge-worthy read. And listen…maybe I just suck at guessing whodunnit 😂 but those twists at the end absolutely FLOORED me. Like, please scoop my jaw up off the floor because I did NOT see any of that coming. AT ALL. Just when I thought we were done, NOPE! 😂 I love when a psychological thriller can genuinely catch me off guard like that.

Fast-paced, suspenseful, twisty and totally binge-worthy. This was a solid psychological thriller, and I really enjoyed this one!

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

A Perfect Mother releases September 10! 📖

[♡ Lindsey ♡]

**ARC Review**

This story grabs you from the first chapter. It's a fun, fast-paced read. I liked the multiple POVs and the chance to have the kidnapper’s perspective and thought process. This book helps remind you that things are not always what they seem, especially on social media.

[Jen]

This was a fast-paced and fun read that I really enjoyed. It centers on Megan, a famous influencer whose whole platform is built on being the perfect mom, when her daughter Stella goes missing during a speaking engagement. The story digs into Megan's past life and how it might be tangled up with the abduction, and is told from both Megan's and the kidnapper's POV in alternating chapters.

I love a book with an unreliable narrator, and Megan definitely delivers on that front- as the story digs deeper into her life outside the spotlight, it becomes clear there is a lot more to her than what it looks like on the outside. The book lets you in on who the villain is a bit earlier than I expected, and I actually liked that, since it shifted the story from a mystery into more of a cat and mouse game. My one real nitpick is that I wanted more about the kidnapper's motivation once everything was said and done- it felt a little weak to me. The ending tied up loose ends nicely, though, and worked well with the rest of the story.

Overall, I enjoyed this read and thought the pacing was great- a good, fast-paced thriller. Thanks to Netgalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Gary]

Megan believes she is the luckiest woman alive. She has worked so hard for her life and feels deeply grateful for every bit of it—a loving, supportive husband, a beautiful home, and a gentle, kind daughter named Stella. Bad things simply don’t happen to people like Megan.

Until one day, her entire world is shattered. Her nanny stumbles toward her with blood drying on her forehead, having been attacked, and Stella is nowhere to be found. As Megan struggles to process the horror of her daughter’s abduction, she sits in a daze on her bed and spots a threadbare stuffed cat with black stitched eyes. In an instant, the sight of it reveals a chilling truth: she knows exactly who took Stella, what they want, and just how far she will have to go to save her daughter before her absolute worst fears come true.

This was a quick, solid read that held my attention right from the start. The plot moves along at a great pace, and the urgency of a parent trying to rescue their child keeps you turning the pages to find out what happens next. The characters were certainly interesting, though I have to admit I found some of them a bit annoying at times! Even so, their flaws made the dynamics intriguing to read, and it kept the suspense going throughout. While I don’t think this is the author’s absolute best book in my opinion, it is still a very good read and well worth picking up if you enjoy a fast-paced thriller.

The Perfect Mother is a solid, engaging thriller that will keep you hooked as Megan races against the clock. Even if it didn’t quite hit top marks compared to some of Miranda Smith’s other work, it’s a thoroughly enjoyable read that I’d easily recommend. A solid four stars!

I would like to thank both Netgalley and Bookouture for supplying a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

[Clarabelle]

⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4/5
I really enjoyed this book! It had me hooked and I loved how the story kept making me question what was actually going on. My favourite part was getting the kidnapper’s perspective because it made the story so much more interesting and added a different side to everything happening. There were definitely some twists I didn’t see coming, and I liked how the tension built throughout. Overall, a really enjoyable psychological thriller and definitely one I’d recommend if you like books that keep you guessing.

[Christine M in Texas (stamperlady50)]

A Perfect Mother
By: Miranda Smith
Pub Date: Sept 10, 2026
Publisher: Bookouture

I can always count on a fun psychological twisty novel which keeps me invested in the characters.
WE find a home built as perfect through social media, which seems to be a norm these days. One day the daughter Stella is missing and the nanny comes back injured.

Megan’s world is about to implode as her picture-perfect world is not what it seems. Unlikable characters and dark. I was all IN!

[Carla]

Megan Thorne is a successful "momfluencer" who shares her carefully curated, seemingly ideal life online. She began sharing her life after the birth of her daughter, Stella, during the pandemic, and it took off. She has been invited to be the keynote speaker at MomCon. They are spending the weekend at the venue hotel, when Stella is kidnapped while under the care of one of her nannies. Her picture-perfect world is shattered. Megan's husband, Ian rushes to the hotel to find out what happened and support Megan. He assures her that it's not her fault, but is putting Stella out there for everyone to see, and sharing their idyllic life, might just have caused some jealous fan to try and bring Megan down a notch.

I'm not a fan of influencer stories and one of the reasons is that narcissistic characteristic of those putting their lives, often phony and made up, out there for everyone to fawn over. My heart broke for Stella, who was on display so often, at the tender age of 6 when she was kidnapped. Ian was a sweetheart. The way Megan treated him like he was stupid and allowed her to lead him around, made me angry at times. No one deserves to have their child kidnapped, but I couldn't help blaming Megan for her using Stella to give their family all the luxuries. The story is told from both Megan's and the kidnapper's POVs. There are flashbacks to let us see Megan's past, where we learn about childhood trauma, identity issues and how Megan developed perfectionism. As far as the plot goes, it was a roller coaster. Fast paced, with lots of secrets and twists. Just when I thought I knew who was responsible, there was another twist or secret revealed that sent me in a different direction. I read this almost straight through without stopping, as I had to know what was going to happen next. A book that pulled me in from the beginning and didn't let go until the end. If you enjoy twisty thrillers, then I suggest you pick up A Perfect Mother.

[Taylor Roma]

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

This one just wasn’t quite my cup of tea, though it definitely had its bright spots. I liked the plot and found the characters engaging, but overall the storyline didn’t grip me as much as I was hoping it would going in. That said, I appreciated that the book was on the shorter side — it kept things feeling manageable and never dragged on longer than it needed to.

A solid, quick read that just didn’t fully click for me personally, but I can see it working well for readers who enjoy this style of story.

[Amy]

3.5/5



A Perfect Mother by Miranda Smith was exactly the kind of popcorn thriller I needed: fast paced, twisty, addictive, and just ridiculous enough to be fun. Was everything that happened completely believable? Absolutely not. Was the plot earth shattering? Also no. But honestly, sometimes I don’t care! If a thriller keeps me turning the pages and makes me want to know what happens next, I’m willing to forgive a little far fetched nonsense.

I especially liked the multiple POVs, and the kidnapper’s perspective was probably my favorite. Getting that glimpse into what was happening behind the scenes added an extra layer of tension and kept me guessing. There were plenty of lies, betrayals, secrets, and revelations to keep things moving, and the pacing made this a very easy book to fly through.

That said, the characters felt a little underwhelming, and some of the twists pushed the limits of credibility. The writing and character development aren’t necessarily what I’d call standout, and the overall plot isn’t exactly going to blow my mind. But I also don’t need every popcorn thriller to deliver beautifully drawn characters and literary level writing. Sometimes I just want a wild, twisty story that keeps me entertained, and A Perfect Mother definitely delivered that.

Overall, I’d call this a 3.5 star read and a solid choice when you’re in the mood for a quick, addictive psychological thriller that doesn’t require you to think too hard about whether all of it could actually happen. Just sit back, enjoy the chaos, and have fun with it.

Perfect for readers who love:

* Kidnapping thrillers
* Multiple POVs
* Secrets, lies & betrayals
* Twisty, over the top plots
* Unreliable characters
* Getting the kidnapper’s POV
* Fast, addictive reads
* Popcorn psychological thrillers

[Katy Fann]

Right from chapter 1 I was SO invested in this story and the action never let up. I could not stop reading (and honestly only did because, well, life). I easily could have binged this in one sitting. Such a gripping thriller with so many incredible plot twists!

[Katlin Stokes]

Thank you to NetGalley for a copy of this book. This one had hooked me in right from the start. I was not expecting some of those wild moments in this book!

[Staceywh_17]

A Perfect Mother was my eighth read from Smith and quickly became a favourite.

The popcorn pacing and shifting perspectives held me captive, with the psychological tension and suspense taking me deep into the filter free depths of social media, exposing the raw realities of a so-called perfect 'online' life.

It was told from a dual POV of unreliable narrators, whose secrets and lies are the main catalyst for the plot.

Easily enjoyable reading.

[Selina]

A Perfect Mother is a very short read. While I do read fast, I finished this book in under 2 hours. This is easily an evening or weekend read for a typical reader.

Megan Thorne is the picture of a perfect mother. Or at least, that’s the image she has built.

With her wildly successful mommy blog, bestselling book, beautiful home, supportive husband, and adorable daughter Stella, Megan has turned motherhood into an entire brand. Millions of people follow her carefully curated life and believe they know exactly who she is.

Then, during a speaking event, her nanny is attacked and her beloved six-year-old daughter is taken.

And every mother can agree: there are few nightmares worse than that.

What I found particularly interesting about Megan’s reaction was the question of whether she was somehow responsible. Her entire career is built around putting her child online, sharing their lives, and making money from that perfect image. So when Stella disappears, it’s almost impossible for Megan not to wonder: Did I do this? Were my choices the reason someone took my child?

And I understood that feeling on a very personal level.

When my daughter was a baby, she was a baby model for various shops, including my own. That ended abruptly when a woman ran up to us in a store screaming, “That’s the [SHOP NAME] baby!” I was completely caught off guard and honestly freaked out. I pulled her photos from my shop and rarely used her photos again. I eventually closed my shop due to the publicity.

So watching Megan grapple with the idea that her own publicity could have put her daughter in danger hit a little differently for me. I could absolutely understand that immediate spiral of Was this my fault? Did I make my child too visible? Did I give someone access to her without realizing it?

Of course, it isn't that simple.

It never is.

The investigation into Megan’s past starts uncovering some very dark secrets, and suddenly this picture perfect life looks a whole lot less perfect. There are lies, manipulation, secrets, suspicious behavior, and plenty of twists as the story pulls apart everything Megan has carefully constructed.

This is where I had a bit of a mixed reaction.

I know some readers said they found themselves rooting for the kidnapper. I did not. And honestly, I didn't really root for the hero either. Both characters had some pretty glaring flaws, and neither one managed to win me over. If the goal was to make me sympathize with or root for the kidnapper, that part definitely fell flat for me.

The biggest issue for me was that the “bad guy” was revealed relatively early. Once I knew who was behind everything, I it became about the why. Which wasn't as big as I thought it was. I mean don't get me wrong, the reasons were valid and real and it goes to the deep rooted psychology from her upbringing. I just kept going humm. Is that REALLY it. Seeing you get a story and an character then are meant to believe shes entirely different.

Maybe that was actually the point. Our villain is so self-absorbed and such a good actor that you wouldn't necessarily expect that level of deception from them. There is something unsettling about just how completely wrapped up in their own perspective they are. While she didnt evolve AS a character, You see her evolution from childhood choices to adults. From destruction to rebuilding. Only to show she's still "that girl". She just had everyone fooled. So in that. Yes she hit my feels. I was duped too. Possibly that direct understanding in the beginning made me empathetic. Which in turn, made me want to disbelieve the rest of the narrative.

I also struggled a little with Stella as a character. I know she’s only six, and she isn't really the primary focus of the story, but some of her dialogue and behavior felt much older than six to me. She was almost too chill. Kids get bored. They get sassy. They get restless. They ask a million questions at the worst possible time. Even the most laid-back six-year-old I've encountered has moments of being very, very six.

And maybe that's partly because I've spent so much time around children myself, but I kept noticing it.

That said, Stella wasn't really what this book was about. Megan was. And the real focus was on what happens when the perfect life you've built for public consumption starts falling apart behind the scenes.

Overall, this was a good, fast-paced thriller with plenty of secrets and twists to keep the pages moving. I flew through it, even if I wasn't particularly emotionally attached to the characters.

I did feel for Ian and Stella, though, and I wanted more from the ending. It felt very fast and a little rushed, although, in fairness, I may have been rushing through it myself because I was so ready to see how everything wrapped up. I just wanted a little more at the end.

Still, I enjoyed the ride. It has the messy, soapy domestic drama, the secrets, the internet fame, the questionable choices, and the increasingly twisted revelations that make for an entertaining thriller.

Not every character needs to be likable for me to enjoy a book. Sometimes I just want to watch everyone's carefully constructed lives explode.

And A Perfect Mother definitely delivers that.

[Linda Ayala]

⭐⭐⭐ 3 Stars (ARC via NetGalley)

A Perfect Mother was a fast, twisty thriller that I had a good time reading, even if I wasn’t particularly emotionally invested in any of it.

The story follows Megan Thorne, a social media personality who built an empire around motherhood. Between her wildly successful mommy blog, The Years Are Short, and her international bestselling parenting book, Megan has essentially made being the perfect mother her entire brand.

And from the outside, she appears to have everything.

A beautiful daughter. A loving husband. A successful career. Millions of people watching and admiring the life she’s created.

Then her daughter is abducted.

From there, Miranda Smith wastes absolutely no time. At around 200 pages, this book moves fast, unraveling Megan’s carefully curated life one secret at a time and quickly making it clear that absolutely nothing about this perfect little family is quite what it seems.

And honestly?

It was fun.

There are twists, secrets, lies, suspicious behavior, and enough revelations to keep the pages turning. Every time another piece of Megan’s life was exposed, the story shifted slightly and made me reconsider what I thought I knew. I enjoyed watching everything unravel and seeing how all the different pieces eventually came together.

But despite everything happening, I never felt particularly connected to any of the characters.

That’s ultimately what kept this at three stars for me.

I wasn’t emotionally devastated by the abduction. I wasn’t deeply invested in Megan. I wasn’t desperately trying to solve the mystery. I was simply along for the ride, watching the chaos unfold and enjoying myself while it did.

Pure vibes.

And sometimes that’s perfectly okay.

Not every thriller needs to psychologically destroy me or leave me staring at the wall afterward. Sometimes I just want secrets, messy people, questionable decisions, and a plot that keeps moving, and A Perfect Mother absolutely delivered that.

I also enjoyed the social media angle because Megan’s entire career depends upon selling an image of motherhood that may have very little to do with the reality behind closed doors. The contrast between the woman millions of followers believe they know and the actual Megan Thorne gives the story an interesting layer beneath all of the twists.

Overall, this was a quick, entertaining thriller that did exactly what I needed it to do. I enjoyed how everything played out, flew through the story, and had a good time getting there.

Did it emotionally impact me?

Not really.

Will I be thinking about these characters weeks from now?

Probably not.

But did I happily consume 200 pages of secrets, lies, and increasingly messy revelations?

Absolutely.

Sometimes three stars simply means: That was fun.

And A Perfect Mother was exactly that.

Tropes & Themes:

• Psychological thriller
• Domestic thriller
• Missing child / abduction
• Mommy influencer
• Social media vs. reality
• The perfect family facade
• Secrets & lies
• Marriage secrets
• Unreliable appearances
• Influencer culture
• Motherhood & identity
• Public persona vs. private life
• Twists & revelations
• Fast-paced mystery

[Tyler-rose]

Solid 4 stars!!

Firstly, a big thank you to Bookouture & Netgalley for the early copy of A Perfect Mother in the form of an eARC. This is my honest review.

Oh wow, A Perfect Mother really hooked me in immediately! I went in knowing very little, just the concept of 'perfect mother, perfect wife finds out her daughter has been kidnapped and she finds a stuffed cat with its eyes stitched in black thread on her bed... and now she knows who took her daughter'... which in hindsight isn't much to go off. I am so grateful I saw this on Netgalley and took a stab at requesting an early copy! Because I don't know if I would have even seen about this book otherwise!

Megan is facing every mothers worst nightmare, her daughter has been taken essentially from under her nose. She, her husband and her team are doing everything they can to find Stella and bring her home alive and unharmed... but what we actually got was a really interesting look at a theme that is popping up a lot lately - this idea that everything you see online is hardly ever the full truth.

I actually really liked Sabrina and Tanner - members of Megan's staff - but Ian stole the show for me, Megan's husband, with his character being the only family member that I legtimately thought was worried over Stella for no reason other than he loved his daughter. Megan and Eliza both angered me, but I honestly think that was the authors aim. Which is something I never expect an author to do if they're not writing the villain of the book! And yet, this isn't the first time in recent books read, where the author has actively crafted a main character that actually you aren't supposed to think are 100% the good guys. I'm loving this style!!

I wouldn't describe this as an edge of your seat plot - as you regularly have chapters from the kidnappers point of view. Yet despite this, I would say that in the last part of this book I was absolutely on the edge of my seat. There is a point in this story, where you realise that everything you thought you know has actually lulled you into a false sense of security and I love that the author is able to do that convincingly. I think this was cleverly written with a well thought out plot! I'm actually really excited to read more of Miranda Smith's work because this was so good!

This was a read in one sitting kind of book, because I simply did not want to put it down. I was pretty miffed when I remembered I'm an adult with things to do that cut into the middle of my reading time, but I still did read this in one day. Others have said it, but I'll repeat it, this addition to the 'mother / family influencer' sphere is refreshing. It doesn't feel copy and paste. The twists are unique and as I said, I got caught out thinking I'd figured it out when I hadn't!! It's very, very good.

I definitely think if you're a fan of Yesteryear then you should give this a shot, but also if you just love a thriller where everything isn't as immediately what it seems to be then it's worth picking up.

⭐⭐⭐⭐

[Leanne]

A Perfect Mother is a gripping, emotionally fraught thriller that plunges you straight into a parent’s worst nightmare. The opening chapters are devastatingly effective — the quiet domestic happiness, the gentle rhythm of family life, the sense of safety that feels almost sacred — all shattered in an instant when the nanny appears at the door, blood drying on her forehead, and Stella is gone. The author captures that moment with startling clarity: the disbelief, the breathless panic, the way the world seems to tilt under Cora’s feet. It’s a powerful beginning that sets the tone for everything that follows.

Cora is a compelling protagonist precisely because she clings so fiercely to the idea of her “perfect” life. Her love for her daughter is tender and genuine, but there’s a fragility beneath her confidence — a sense that she’s built her happiness on carefully arranged foundations she’s terrified of disturbing. When she finds the stuffed cat on Stella’s bed, a relic from a past she thought she’d buried forever, the story shifts into something darker and more personal. The realisation of who might be behind the kidnapping is chilling, and the author lets that dread unfurl slowly, tightening the tension with each chapter.

The domestic setting adds a claustrophobic edge. The beautiful home, the supportive husband, the curated stability — all of it begins to feel like a stage set, vulnerable to collapse. As threatening messages arrive and the danger creeps closer, the novel becomes a clever exploration of how secrets can rot beneath even the most polished surfaces. Cora’s desperation to protect her daughter is palpable, but so is her fear that the truth she’s been hiding might be the very thing that destroys them.

The pacing is sharp and addictive, with twists that land cleanly and a steady escalation of suspense. The author balances emotional depth with thriller momentum, allowing Cora’s internal unraveling to mirror the external threat closing in around her. By the final chapters, the tension is almost suffocating — a mix of fear, guilt, and the fierce determination of a mother who refuses to let her world fall apart without a fight.

Atmospheric, twisty, and impossible to put down, A Perfect Mother delivers a heart‑pounding blend of domestic suspense and psychological intrigue. It’s a story about love, secrets, and the lengths we go to protect the lives we’ve fought to build — even when the past refuses to stay buried.

with thanks to Miranda Smith, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC

[Lori L (She Treads Softly)]

A Perfect Mother by Miranda Smith is a highly recommended, soapy, domestic suspense novel following a social media mommy blogger.

Megan Thorne has made it. She has an impressive and profitable social media presence with her blog "The Years Are Short," and a best selling book. Her content features her and her adorable five year-old daughter, Stella, with her husband Ian preferring to stay in the background. She has two nannys/helpers, Sabrina and Tanner, and even a social media advisor, Eliza.

Imagine her shock when, during the media questions following her speaking at a conference, Sabrina stumbles into the room, blood on her face, and no Stella in sight. Apparently, while in the bathroom on the main floor of the conference center, Sabrina was injured and Stella was kidnapped. Katy Wang, head of security, looks at the cameras and they find the suspected perpetrator. Detective Olivia Ross is on the case with her team. Megan is left wondering how this can be happening to her.

There is plenty of tension and drama as the intricacies of the plot unfold. The narrative is presented from the point-of-view of Megan and the kidnapper in alternate chapters. As Megan is a self-absorbed, self-promoting lifestyle and mommy blogger, most readers should already be primed to have some dislike for her just on the amount of narcissism this requires. The kidnapper has her own agenda. There really isn't a lot of character development for anyone beyond the main characters, but don't expect any likable characters beyond Stella, Ian, and minor characters like Detective Ross.

As some basic background information is released, some plot points are predictable early on in the narrative. However, since the page count is low, the pages will fly by. Set disbelief aside, stay hydrated, and enjoy the soap opera-like disaster about to implode. This could also be a cautionary tale to keep the photos of your children private, and regulate your online profile to a minimum, especially if you have some hefty secrets to hide. The over-the-top ending is really something spectacularly enjoyable.

A Perfect Mother is a good choice for anyone looking for a short, fast-paced, entertaining soapy drama. Thanks to Bookouture for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.

http://www.shetreadssoftly.com/2026/0...

[Ashley Cohoon]

⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4/5 stars)

A Perfect Mother by Miranda Smith was a quick, twisty domestic thriller that grabbed my attention right away. I love a story where someone’s picture-perfect life starts falling apart, and this one definitely delivered plenty of secrets and messy revelations.

Megan Thorne has built an entire career around being the perfect mother. Between her successful mommy blog, bestselling parenting book, beautiful home, and millions of followers, she seems to have everything. But when her six-year-old daughter, Stella, is kidnapped during a speaking event, Megan’s carefully curated world begins to unravel. As the investigation digs into her past, it becomes clear that there is a lot more to her story than what she has shared with the public.

I really enjoyed the social media aspect of this book. The idea of someone turning their family and motherhood into a brand, and then having that public image become part of the danger, made for an interesting premise. It also raises some uncomfortable questions about how much of our children’s lives we share online and how little we really know about the people we follow.

The pacing was one of the biggest strengths for me. This is a short book, and it moves quickly, with plenty of twists and revelations that kept me wanting to read just one more chapter. I liked how the story gradually exposed the truth behind Megan’s perfect image and made me question what I thought I knew about the characters.

That being said, I didn’t necessarily love the characters, and I think that was part of the point. Megan and several of the people around her make some questionable choices, and there were definitely moments when I was frustrated with them. I also would have liked a little more from the ending, which felt somewhat rushed after everything that had happened.

Overall, this was a really entertaining thriller that I flew through. It may not be the kind of book that stays with me forever, but I had a great time watching the secrets unfold. If you enjoy domestic thrillers with unreliable appearances, influencer culture, and families that are nowhere near as perfect as they seem, this one is worth picking up.

A big thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Angel **Book Junkie**]

⭐️⭐️ 2 Stars

Thank you to Miranda Smith, NetGalley, and Bookouture for a copy of A Perfect Mother in exchange for an honest review.

Okay, first off… are we doing another Trad Wife book? 😂

You know the ones. The beautiful family. The perfect home. The influencer lifestyle. The social media posts that scream LOOK HOW PERFECT MY LIFE IS! Meanwhile, behind those perfectly staged photos, everything is falling apart.

I don't necessarily have a problem with this type of story. My problem is that I've read so many of them lately that they're starting to blend together. The stories become intertwined, the same kinds of secrets start popping up, and somehow they almost always seem to end the same way.

And unfortunately, that's what happened with A Perfect Mother.

Was it bad? No. I actually liked it well enough while I was reading it. I was interested enough to keep going, and there were moments that had me wanting to know what was really happening.

But here's the problem…

I finished this book three days ago, and I'm already struggling to remember it. 😬

That's never a good sign for me.

I keep thinking about it and trying to decide how I felt about it, and honestly, my biggest thought is “I feel like I've already read this book.” Not because the story is exactly the same as another book, but because the overall premise, characters, secrets, and twists felt very familiar.

So I'm going to be completely honest with my rating.

I liked it enough to initially think 3 stars, but the fact that it's already fading from my memory only a few days after finishing it tells me it didn't leave much of an impression.

Final Verdict: A perfectly fine thriller while I was reading it, but unfortunately, it's already becoming forgettable. And when I'm struggling to remember the book three days later, I can't justify giving it 3 stars. 2 stars from me. ⭐️⭐️

Maybe I'm just becoming a harder thriller reader… or maybe I've officially read too many Trad Wife thrillers. 😂

[Carrie Shields]

𝐒𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐩𝐞𝐨𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝐜𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐟𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐞. 𝐓𝐡𝐫𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐫 𝐚𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐫𝐬 𝐣𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐰𝐚𝐢𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐬𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐰𝐚𝐭𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠.

Megan has built the kind of life people double tap without thinking twice: a supportive husband, an adorable daughter named Stella, a picture-perfect home, and a social media presence built around motherhood. Then her nanny staggers home injured, little Stella is gone, and everything Megan has carefully curated begins to collapse. What follows isn't just a race to find a missing child. It's a descent into the uglier side of internet fame, where strangers can become obsessed, appearances are carefully manufactured, and you never really know who's been watching your life unfold from behind a screen.

I went into this expecting another domestic thriller, and Miranda Smith had other plans. This book gets dark. Not the kind of dark that comes from a masked killer jumping out of the shadows, but the kind that comes from spending time inside a mind that makes you desperately want to back away slowly while maintaining eye contact. One particular character is so spectacularly unlikeable that every chapter had me muttering profanities under my breath. No spoilers because discovering that slow-motion train wreck for yourself is half the fun. The deeper I got, the more uncomfortable I became, and I mean that as the highest compliment.

This story feels like a warning wrapped in a thriller. We spend so much time consuming carefully edited versions of other people's lives that it's easy to forget how much is happening outside the frame. Every smiling family photo has a crop button. Every influencer has an audience. And every audience has someone who stops being a fan. If this is what happens when the algorithm decides to become self-aware, I'm deleting Instagram and scrubbing my online presence. Many thanks to Bookouture for this thrilling early copy that will publish September 10, 2026.

[Ree]

📚ARC REVIEW📚
📆PUB DATE: September 10, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

👧🏼Missing Child
👥Dual POV
🤳Online Influencer
🙊Family Secrets

I was hooked immediately. The pace takes off immediately in Chapter One. After several chapters in, the dialogue does start to feel a little repetitive—Megan constantly repeating the same inner thoughts.

I liked that there was Megan's POV and the kidnappers POV. The first 4 chapters are not labeled, but all in Megan's POV. Chapter 5 starts the kidnapper's POV then future chapters are labeled only when POV switches. It wasn't confusing to me, but I still wish each chapter was clearly labeled.

This novel definitely seems like it was inspired by family vloggers/influencers and if the image they portray is real or curated for consumption. It's such an interesting take on the dangers of putting your children on social media.

By Ch. 9 I figured out who the kidnapper is and how they were related to the FMC. So, it was a bit predictable for me, but I still really enjoyed it. It reminded me of reading a Freida book that I figured out but still could not put down.

The FMC was annoying as hell. She was written to be unlikeable and she was. Just truly awful. Despite that, the book was gripping and compelling—a real page turner. Even with the minor criticisms, I'm giving this 5 Stars because I haven't read a thriller that I couldn't tear myself away from like this in a while. It's definitely the type of book to get you out of a reading slump if you're in one. This was my first time reading anything by this author and I will definitely be checking out other books from her. Not only did I enjoy the plot but I really enjoyed the writing style and voice (minus the repeating dialogue at times.)

🙏Thank you Netgalley, Bookouture and Miranda Smith for the ARC.🙏

[Ney oh the thrill of it FN]

Initially when I started reading this one I wasn't sure because it felt rather slow, but it was useful for character building. I am really glad I pushed through my earlier reservations as this book shocked me a number of times!

The story is about Megan an influencer who presents a perfect view of her life and parenting. One day whilst she is presenting at a conference her daughter Stella goes missing and she wants to get her back no matter what, as any mother surely would. But what's really more important - her brand and keeping her secrets buried, or the welfare of her child?

I found Megan to be an absolutely horrible character - narcissistic, manipulative, only out to protect herself, her brand, and just downright loathable. As more was revealed her actions were despicable. I do love a character you can love to hate and Megan is definitely that!

I loved the dual pov between Megan and the kidnapper, who is later named! This was a great touch and initally I thought I had it nailed but I was wrong and was not prepared for that reveal!

Overall, this thriller blindsided me in the best way, had me on edge and the ending was worth it. The paced picked up, making it utterly bingeable and a real page turner.

This is for you if you love a thriller that is a supenseful page turner, a despicable main character with a past that is murkier than a swamp, and messy relationship dynamics throughought!

Thank you to Miranda Smith and Bookouture for this advanced complimentary copy via Netgalley. This review is being left voluntarily and all opinions expressed are my own.

[Janna (Bibliophile Mom)]

A Perfect Mother had all the ingredients for a gripping psychological thriller, and it delivered a strong mix of maternal panic, buried secrets, and escalating danger that kept me invested throughout. The emotional stakes were high from the first moment the nanny appears injured, and the tension only tightened as the truth behind Stella’s disappearance began to unravel.

I liked the way the story captured the shock of a perfect life cracking open, and the pacing stayed sharp as each clue pushed the mother deeper into fear and suspicion. The twist surrounding who took Stella was satisfying, and the emotional beats around family, guilt, and protection were handled well.

Likes:
• High emotional tension
• Strong pacing
• Engaging twist

Let Down:
• Some predictable beats
• A few dramatic moments felt exaggerated
• Side characters could have been deeper

Ratings Breakdown:
• Setting: 3⭐
• Characters: 5⭐
• Writing: 4⭐
• Message: 3⭐
• Overall: 4⭐

Overall Thoughts:
Even though a few moments leaned into familiar thriller territory, this story delivered strong tension, emotional urgency, and a twist that tied everything together nicely. The mother’s desperation felt real, the stakes stayed high, and the unraveling of secrets kept the momentum going. It’s a solid, engaging psychological thriller that hits the right notes if you enjoy domestic suspense with a sharp emotional edge.

Huge thanks to Netgalley, Bookouture, and author Miranda Smith for my copy.

~JaNnA~

[Anindita Guha]

A Perfect Mother by Miranda Smith is a taut, twisty triumph of storytelling. I could not put it down! Miranda Smith has delivered exactly what I expect from a modern thriller — propulsive, emotional, and deliciously uncomfortable.
The premise is instantly gripping - a mother who seems to have it all together, until one secret threatens to unravel many more.
Smith writes about motherhood with such honesty — the guilt, the comparison, the fierce love — that you feel the chemistry in every page.
The standout for me is Megan. She is absolutely fascinating as an amoral high-stakes player in this tight-knit plot. She is not your typical villain — she is charming, successful, razor-smart, and completely willing to bend any rule to protect her own version of perfection. You shouldn’t root for her, but you can’t help it. Every time Megan enters a scene, the stakes skyrocket and you know someone is about to make a terrible, brilliant decision.
Smith keeps the tension high without ever losing heart. It’s twisty but not gimmicky, fast-paced but still full of soul. I read the final 50 pages in one sitting with heart pounding.
If you love psychological thrillers with complex women, gray moral zones, sharp twists in the tale and an ending that makes you want to immediately text your book club — this is your perfect read. Thank you Bookouture and NetGalley for the ARC. Worth every one of those 5 stars!

#bookstagram #bookstagrammer #bookish #booktoday

[Jimmy Lin]

Review of advance copy received from NetGalley

I am giving this a 4.5 stars rating! I was hooked from the start until the end! I just started this yesterday and I devoured it in 24 hours just wanted to see how things end! Although this was my first Miranda Smith's book, but I loved the writing style! it was so easy to follow and I will check out about the other works by this author soon! This book was impossible to put down, reading it was like having a movie play out in your mind!
Thank you Bookouture and NetGalley for approving me to be the ARC reader in exchange of honest review for this upcoming new release coming on the 10th September 2026
Megan Thorne is an influencer who shares about motherhood at a conference. When the conference is ending, Megan's nanny, Sabrina, comes into the conference room with blood stains on her forehead, telling Megan that she does not know what happened and she woke up in the bathroom like this, and she finds Megan's 6 years old daughter, Stella, has vanished. A major search for Stella begins right away. They review the CCTV and see a few people going into the bathroom after Sabrina and Stella, what everyone does not understand is everyone that goes into the bathroom did leave the bathroom except Stella, how did Stella vanish? To find out what really happened to Stella, do not miss this A-Must-Read thriller!

[Hope Stewart]

A Perfect Mother begins with every parent’s worst nightmare. The nanny has been attacked, young Stella has vanished, and her mother’s carefully constructed life begins falling apart at record speed. It turns out that repeatedly insisting your life is perfect is a fairly reliable way to alert the universe that it has been challenged.

The missing-child mystery creates immediate tension, and the discovery of a familiar stuffed cat suggests that Stella’s disappearance is connected to secrets from the past. I enjoyed the short chapters, steady suspense, and growing uncertainty about which characters could be trusted. The story kept me curious, even when the characters seemed determined to make every situation more complicated than necessary.

However, several elements felt familiar for a domestic thriller, and some of the twists depended on information being withheld rather than naturally revealed. The final section moves quickly and delivers surprises, but a few of them stretched credibility and left me with questions. Apparently, psychological-thriller families communicate exclusively through secrets, suspicious behavior, and very poor decisions.

Overall, a fast, entertaining read with plenty of tension, but the familiar setup and occasionally overcomplicated twists kept it from fully standing out. Three stars.

[Shawna Purnell]

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!

Oh, my! Went into this one blindly having never read Miranda Smith before.

Must say that I have apparently been missing out on life!

Megan is the epitome of the perfect mother: wonderful husband, beautiful daughter, successful influencer career, amazing home…she’s known locally and online as the “parenting guru.”

Her seemingly ideal life collapses in a single moment when her beloved daughter, Stella, disappears. Alarmingly, Megan and her husband, Ian, soon discover that she was abducted.

It’s every parent’s very worst nightmare.

When you’re famous because of your excellent parenting skills and perfect child, it’s terrifying to realize that fame may have put your child in harm’s way.

Who’s the kidnapper? Is it an obsessive fan or otherwise creeper? Was the staff not appropriately vetted? Is your own husband out to sabotage you? Or is your secret past back to haunt you?

I thought this books started out kind of slowly, but omg did it pick up. I couldn’t stop reading! Definitely a page turner.

There were so many shocking twists in this one! I was truly shocked on more than one occasion.

Def recommend and will be reading more from Miranda soon!

[RK_reads]

Delved into this one expecting yet another typical missing child story. Instead it turned out to be much darker than my expectations.

Megan Thorne, social media influencer and mother extraordinaire has come a long way from her dire beginnings. With meticulous care and resilience, she has nurtured a beautiful family and curated an online presence, both of which are perfection personified. But a dark secret from the past has been lurking in the shadows, threatening to overturn everything she holds dear. So when Stella, her six-year old daughter is kidnapped, Megan will go to any lengths to save her daughter and protect her family.

For roughly the first 40% of the story, the plot adhered to the usual parameters of the missing child trope - detailing the shock, fear, agony and guilt of the parents, suspicions thrown in every direction and the seemingly endless waiting. After this point, the narrative turned on its head, leaving me so spell-bound that I devoured the entire book in an hour. Much of the suspense is revealed by the 75% mark, the ending is predictable but oh! so satisfying.

Overall, a quick read. You can not go wrong with a Miranda Smith thriller. Thanks to Netgalley and
Bookouture for providing a digital copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.