It Was Never My Fault

by Nicole Rowan

How well do you really know the people you live under the same roof with?

For Dolores Ravencroft, motherhood is a nightmare.

She can’t connect with her daughter. She can’t stand the relentless crying. She often catches herself wondering how to make her shut up… for good.

So when the unthinkable happens and her two-month-old baby is found dead under suspicious circumstances, she’s terrified everyone is going to find out her deepest secret.

People are already looking at her differently…

Will Dolores cross the line even further so she can keep up appearances? And will her husband realize in time what has been happening right under his nose all along?

One thing is certain: for the Ravencrofts, life as they know it is about to change. And if they keep refusing to confront the truth, their baby’s death will be just the beginning…

It Was Never My Fault is the kind of thriller that deeply disturbs you, yet you won’t be able to put it down until the very last page. Embodying the dark, messed-up family dynamics of The Push and Verity, it’s perfect for readers who crave disturbing secrets, gripping suspense, and pulse-pounding endings.

TW: This book contains depictions of child murder and postpartum struggles, which may be triggering to some. Reader discretion is advised.

Genres: Thriller

320 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 28, 2026

About the author

Nicole Rowan is a sucker for psychological thrillers that explore fractured families, buried secrets, and the darker corners of human nature.

It Was Never My Fault is her debut novel. When she’s not writing her next dark thriller, she’s probably at the gym or rewatching Two and a Half Men.

Reviews

[Ellinor ♥︎ · Rating 2 out of 5]

Everyone sucks. Especially Shane. Fuck Shane.

[Ruxandra Savescu · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thrilling indeed ! 🌟
I did Not expect that end, had to re-read the first chapter, to recollect myself🤭.
Prepare for a lot of darkness!
Happy reading!

For the author: nice debut into the writing world, really liked the language, keep going!🤩

[Amy Stevens · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this book. Such an easy read. Was a 3/3.5⭐️ for me but the epilogue knocked it up to a 4⭐️

[Ellaganza · Rating 4.5 out of 5]

Omg this book is seriously unhinged in the best way! Ms. Nicole definitely writing a fantastic book.

Many books have made me feel many things, but there are only a hand full of books that can bring me to the level of rage this book brought me to.

First off, I like to consider myself somewhat of an expert when it comes to predicting plot twists, but when I tell you every twist left me gagged! Every twist.. LEFT ME GAGGED!!! Absolutly nobody is innocent in this book (well nobody apart from poor Amanda - the therapist). The author does such a spectacular job with making you feel so much empathy for a character and violently snatching it away when you realize said character is also a monster! I don’t want to give too much away because I feel like going in blind made the reading experience even more enjoyable for me.

I will say one thing though, I have a strong sense of justice and people getting away with crimes especially against women and children makes my skin crawl and infuriates me to a maddening level; so there were certain times I had to put the book down and walk away (especially in chapters with Delores’s inner monologues). It drove me crazy every time she would pull one over on her suspicious husband or when even he got away with his shenanigans , but the fact that they all got what they deserved (apart for the crazy nurse gal that was inlove with the husband, she was the only one I really felt bad for) brought me infinite joy, especially how Delores ends up…she absolutely deserved IT (I don't mean to sound evil, but I was furious that I ever felt sorry for her and kept on blaming the post partum) and I wish we could have heard her inner thoughts about how much she was suffering.

Anywho, I got this book from the author as part of an ARC read and I can say with my full chest that Nicole has made herself a new fan!!

[Zara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hooked from the start - Shock ending!

Spoilers below - Dont read too soon



















I saw this book posted for an Arc opportunity, and took the chance on it, because the title and front page made me think, what has she done?!

From neurosurgery and married dad to 2 daughters, to married/single dad of 1.

Absolute roller coaster from start to finish.

Dolores suffering with Post Partum Depression (not mentioned but it's pretty obvious from details), to becoming a trauma suffering mother due to the death of her baby girl, Mia.

Shane suspecting Dolores from the very beginning, to then seek therapist, Amanda's help in dealing with the suffering hes going through.. Yet he doesn't know that amanda has been going through previous therapy tapes, from both himself and Dolores, and the tapes from therapy sessions with Dolores alone... And she knows more than he thinks.

But he eventually finds love again, in Anna, with a new child, Beth. After a wonderful afternoon in the garden, to then have dinner, watch a film, and then get comfy with his wife, Beth starts crying.. After a couple of minutes, anna & shane look at the baby monitor, and say to themselves "Give it a minute" to then look again and find iris is seen being the "perfect big sister", but for both Anna & Shane to find Iris over Beth's cot, and Beth being limp, and not breathing.

Iris - The spoilt brat, the scared little girl, who misses her little sister mia, and then her mum for being bedbound - Turns out to be the one who murdered both her sisters!

WOW!!! I DID NOT SEE IT COMING AT ALL ❤️

[Fio_bookstagram · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book completely blew me away.
If you love psychological thrillers, you need to read this book!!

It was never my fault is a dark psychological thriller and an incredible debut.

This story was absolutely amazing. I questioned every single character, changed my mind more times than I can count and still… I was wrong.
That ending completely shocked me. I just sat there staring at the book, trying to process what I had just read.

I think I have a new author on my auto-buy list!
If this is what she can do with her debut, I genuinely can’t wait to see what she writes next.

She said her goal with this story was to stay with at least one reader. Well… mission accomplished. This is one of those books I’ll still be thinking about long after turning the last page.

An unforgettable debut with a jaw-dropping ending.

Thanks to the author for the ARC. I’m so grateful for the opportunity to read this incredible debut and share my thoughts

[Nikki Black · Rating 4 out of 5]

*4.5 stars*
Thank you so much Nicole for asking me to read and review your book. I've been looking forward to reading this and it did not disappoint.
This story comes with trigger warnings so please check before reading.

For the Ravencrofts, all seems well in their family life. Delores is looking after her 2 girls while her husband Shane works long hours as a neurosurgeon.
But life takes a tragic turn when baby Mia is found dead and Delores needs to keep her darkest secret under wraps. But how far is she willing to go, and will Shane find out the truth about what has been happening while he has been at work?

This story was dark and compelling. It kept me gripped from the start as the characters and their stories unraveled and intertwined with each other.

Out on 28th July, this is a must read for anyone looking for twists and suspense to keep you hooked.

[After The Last Page · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC Review ❣️

This one has pulled me in right from the page 1 and I completed 50% on a single whim just because I want to know what's happening

This is dark, messes your mind, makes you think twice and recollect what you read before while you are reading the chapters

The book has actually gave me verity vibes but both books are very different and not at all same but this one actually makes you think twice who is correct and who is not.... Each and every character is written in such a way that it will be difficult to root for one

The twists this book has, the shocks I felt, everything is chef's kiss 😘 I cannot bring my head around the reality now that I have completed this book 📚

Nicole has a great way of writing, she did a great job with this book, she bags a place in my fav authors list where I'll be reading every book coming from her now ❤

[Chelsea · Rating 4 out of 5]

Motherhood is a struggle for Delores. She’s exhausted and simply wants a moments peace. Her husband, Shane, is a neurosurgeon who works long hours, so it’s up to Delores to provide most of the care for Iris, their six year old, and Mia, their infant. One night, it simply gets to be too much for her - she does the unthinkable. Mia is dead, and she doesn’t want anyone to know what happened. Everything has changed, and Mia’s death is only the beginning.

First, I’d like to thank the author for the gifted e-book! This was quite the twisty read, which made it impossible to put down. I truly had no idea where it would end up until the very last page! While a few parts were a little far fetched and I still had a few questions at the end, this was a great debut novel, and I cannot wait to see what else the author comes out with!

[Melissa Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Motherhood isn’t at all what Dolores expected when her baby Mia won’t stop crying. After Mia dies under suspicious circumstances, we are left wondering who to blame but are sure Dolores is responsible!

This book brings you in right away and rivals the popcorn thrillers of authors like Freida McFadden and Daniel Hurst. Very fast paced with so many unexpected twists and turns, you will surely be shocked!

Definitely a book where you are not sure who to root for! The characters are diabolical and my mouth was left hanging open many times. Don’t miss out on this one!

[Naysia · Rating 5 out of 5]

wow. This book right here is genuinely one of the best books I’ve ever read. There’s so many levels to this, it will keep you guessing the whole way through. I genuinely can’t even sulk it all in, I feel so freaking bad for almost everyone in this book. Especially Doleros. Or however you spell her name, either way, I loved this book. I wish I had someone to talk about this with. Guys I highly recommend reading this book, you will love it !! The author post her work on tik tok every single day and I’m glad I came across this book. Especially since it was released only a couple of months ago.

[Emma · Rating 1 out of 5]

I really wanted to love this thriller. The premise grabbed me straight away. Sadly, I couldn’t get into it even though I tried, and I knew that it was okay to DNF when I needed to. The author’s goal was to deliver a tense, twisty book that centres around a murder and a family with a child. I wouldn’t personally recommend this one unless I know someone who likes it more, because it has child‑related themes and it felt more sad than thrilling for me. It has a promising thriller premise that sadly didn’t land for me. 🔪🖤

[Helen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was over joyed when Nicole asked me to read her new book and review it for her and it definitely did not disappoint.

Like many women Delores struggled with motherhood and the strains and stresses of married life. It was only made worse when her husband came home to find their baby dead.
Whose fault was it and will they pay for what they've done...

This was the kind of thriller I love reading and I couldn't put it down.
The twists and turns in the plot and the ending blew me away!

[Charlotte Simonsen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book drags you in from page one and you can never let go. I finished this in less than 24 hours, literally impossible to put down! This had me on the edge of my seat the whole time, I had no idea who to root for and I had no idea what to believe! Absolutely incredible read with tons of twists and turns. A MUST read for thriller fans! I’m so thankful I got to read this before its release!

[Lottie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Arc reader review! As far as dark psychological thrillers go this book is in my top three. I loved the way it was told and how all the characters played a massive role to the plot. I was gripped and I could not put the book down I just had to know what was going to happen!

Thankyou to the author for allowing me to read this amazing piece of work before it was released!

[Abigail Belm · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was lucky enough to receive an ARC for It Was Never My Fault, and as soon as I read the pitch, I knew it would be my cup of tea and wow, it did not disappoint!
If you loved Verity by Colleen Hoover, you need to add this to your TBR immediately. It's addictive and thoroughly entertaining.

[Storm Pentz · Rating 4.5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book
The short chapters just clicked in so beautifully with the adrenaline page Turner
This book kept twisting even when you didnt realise a twist was coming

Hard hitting topic but such a good read

[Elise · Rating 4 out of 5]

i was honestly going to give this like a 2.5 & then that ending! wow did not expect that at all!! ive read so many thrillers now that its hard to shock me with the twist, but this one impressed me! would definitely recommend this for a thriller lover.

[Caoilfhinn Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Speechless, could not put it down!

[Michi✨ · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book!
Incredible,the last chapter let me speechless..READ this book

[Chant · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great read!
The epilogue shook me.

[Chlo ☆ · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️ decent book with a shocking ending!!

[Taylor-Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love a psychological thriller and this one was really did have the shock factor.

I was a little nervous about the dark themes but WOW this one really did hit the mark. I was so invested in the story and finding out what really happened and most importantly, why? It delves into the impact of trauma on both adults and children, and how this can translate into day-to-day behaviours. I thought I knew what happened, and so I spent the time reading figuring out why. However, I did not see the twist coming at the end and I was in SHOCK.

It was full of suspense and drama and genuinely kept me on the edge of my seat. I would definitely recommend this to those who like dark psychological dramas!!

[Chellsvibes · Rating 5 out of 5]

It Was Never My Fault pulled me in from the very first page. This was a dark, emotional, and suspenseful psychological thriller that kept revealing new layers. Every time I thought I understood what was happening, another detail made me question the characters and everything I thought I knew.

The short chapters kept me reading because I needed to uncover the truth. This was not an easy story emotionally. It deals with motherhood, grief, trauma, postpartum struggles, and the loss of a baby. Some parts were heartbreaking and difficult to read, so please check the trigger warnings.

What kept me invested was the way the story slowly came together. There were so many emotions mixed into the suspense, and I never felt completely sure of what I should believe. Then I reached that epilogue, and my jaw dropped. It made me look back at the entire story differently. This is one that stayed on my mind after I finished.

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