The Good Mother

by Kim Lock

One ordinary afternoon, Fairlie Winter receives a devastating phone call - her best friend is dead.

Jenna Rudolph was a devoted mother and wife and has left behind her young son, Henry, and her grief-stricken husband, Ark. The circumstances surrounding Jenna's death, while tragic, seem to be clear-cut yet Fairlie can't shake the feeling that Jenna was hiding something.

And then Fairlie receives a letter. From Jenna. Posted before she died.

The contents of that letter force Fairlie on a journey to discover the truth - a truth that she may not be ready for. Driven by her need for answers, she uncovers a horrifying past of two desperate mothers and the tragic choices they made for their children and she must ask herself, is there such a thing as loving your child too much?

Heart-breaking, tender and dramatic, The Good Mother is a story about the price of motherhood and the unthinkable things we do in the name of love.

Genres: Contemporary, Fiction, Crime

400 pages, Paperback

First published March 22, 2016

About the author

Kim Lock is an internationally published author of four novels, including The Other Side of Beautiful (2021). Her writing has also appeared in Kill Your Darlings, The Guardian, Daily Life and The Sydney Morning Herald online, among others. She lives in regional South Australia with her family.

Reviews

[Sharon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fairlie Winter and Jenna Rudolph grew up together and were best friends, but that began to change when Jenna met Ark the man she fell head over heels for. Jenna and Ark married and in the beginning things seemed to be going well, especially when, Jenna found out she was pregnant. Not long after their beautiful son was born, Jenna’s world starts to crumble bit by bit. She becomes depressed, withdrawn and her once loving husband, Ark is starting to make her life feel like hell. He is constantly putting her down and treats her like a nobody and she can’t take much more, but leaving him seems impossible or is it?

Fairlie is left in total shock and can’t believe what she’s just been told over the phone. How could this happen and why didn’t she see it coming are a few of the questions, Fairlie asks herself, but she just can’t find the answers. Devastated and upset, Fairlie wants answers and she won’t give up until she finds some, but maybe she won’t have to wait long.

Like I Can Love by Aussie author Kim Lock was a heartbreaking and intriguing story which covers important topics. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and have no hesitation in highly recommending it.

[ReadAlongWithSue recovering from a stroke★⋆. ࿐࿔ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another of my blacklisted review books.

Thank goodness I’ve learnt to organise my books from Netgalley better over the years, because.....
This is a book I should have read ages ago, look what I missed out on.

So, her best friend dies leaving a family behind.
But of course, there’s going to be much more to the story as this happens early on in.

The secrets mount up into big piles of unfathomables , which I loved.

A very well written story I read in one sitting.
Characters were very good and realistic, my only bit of anxiety at times was that in certain places it lapsed excitement.

But on the whole, an enjoyable read and I’ll certainly seek out more of her books.

[Melissa (Mel’s Bookshelf) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have been getting really sick of series lately. It seems every book I read is the first in a series. Sometimes its good to curl up with a good stand alone novel. Thankfully this was a fabulous one! I really enjoyed Like I Can Love. Another Aussie author to look out for!

The story revolves around the present day Fairley, and her best friend since they were babies Jenna, whose story is shown in flashbacks. Jenna was found in her house after committing suicide. She appeared to have a perfect life, with a devoted husband and gorgeous young son. But lots of secrets lay beneath the surface. Fairley must figure out what brought her best friend to do this. The story is also told through letters from Jenna's mother to Jenna, divulging a huge life-changing secret.

I loved the way this book was set out. I really enjoyed the changes between past, present and the letter from Jenna's mother. It was super easy to follow and flowed really well. I found it quite a quick read because I was so immersed in the story.

I really enjoyed Jenna's story. From the first whirlwind of love with her and her husband, to reading about the absolute horrific emotional and physical abuse that he put her through. It made my blood boil and created such an angry response in me as I was reading it. In a good way! Totally lost in the story! I hated him so much! It was so well written. At first you think what a great guy he is and then you begin to see things change. Completely believable also, and I am sure it is a familiar story to a LOT of women out there who have experienced similar things.

Jenna's experience with her new baby resonated a lot with me, apart from the terrible husband thankfully... Although I didn't have post natal depression, that first year was HARD. Harder than I ever imagined. Some of the scenes with her son Henry really took me back!

Oh and what a twist! Totally didn't see that coming at all! Really well done and super clever! Thought it was fantastic!

Would I recommend Like I Can Love?

Absolutely for any drama/women's fiction/family saga fan. Great story, fantastic characters and really well written and engaging!

Many thanks to the publisher Pan Macmillan for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

For more reviews check out my blog
www.booksbabiesbeing.com
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[Louise Wilson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fairlie Winter receives a phone call telling her her best friend Jenna is dead. Jenna has taken her own life, leaving her Husband, Ark, and their young son, Henry, behind. Fairlie thinks that Jenna has been hiding something. Then Fairlie receives a letter from Jenna, posted before she died. Driven by the need for answers, Fairlie sets out to discover the truth.

I quite liked this book. I did find it a bit slow paced in parts. A decent enough read though.

I would like to thank NetGalley, Little Brown Book Group UK and the author Kim Lock for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Carol - Reading Writing and Riesling · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW! that was amazing!
More soon...

My View:
One of the hardest things to do is to review a book you really love without spoilers! I loved this book!!!

This is a book that will pierce no rip out your heart. It is a book that will have you air pumping shouting YES YES YES I GET IT! I sincerely hope you do to because that is what we need – more people to understand this issue. (No spoilers here).

So maybe I had better try and articulate my feelings about this book – for it is a book about feelings – and whilst the title may allude to a rosy happy ever after love story – this isn’t. Yet this is a story about love, about relationships; about best friends for ever love, about mothers and daughters, men and women, husbands and wives and soul mates, and children and other stuff that will remain nameless until you to have read the book.

It is also a story of manipulation, intimidation, greed and control and…love. The psychological suspense is palpable. The opening begins with Fairlie’s ordinary day imploding after receiving a call to advise her that her best friend has just committed suicide. What a great opening hook – now we want to know the how, where and why. The why is oh so important! And slowly a three dimensional picture is revealed.

This is domestic noir at its very best. This book stands proudly next to my favourite book Into the Darkest Corner by Elizabeth Haynes. It is not as violent as Elizabeth Haynes’s book but it is as credible, and as compulsive a read and as shocking a read as Into the Darkest Corner. I don’t think I can give a book any higher praise.

Read this and have your eyes opened. Read this and understand. Read this and be consumed by the emotions that you cannot hold back. Just read it!


PS I can predict an award or two in the future for this book and writer.

[Carolyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this story of two best friends, Jenna and Fairlie who grew up together and remained close until Jenna met Ark, the man of her dreams and fell in love. However, all is not as rosy as Jenna makes out, particularly once her son is born and she feels trapped and depressed with a manipulative husband who doesn't understand her. Fairlie knew Jenna was unhappy not not how desperate she was until Jenna is dead. The story looks back not only at what went wrong between Jenna and her Ark but also at Jenna and Fairlie's relationship and families. It's a heartbreaking story with a few surprise revelations for Fairlie.

[Justkeepreading · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thank you to Netgalley, Littlw brown book group uk and Kim Lock for the opportunity to read this book for an honest review.

I voluntarily reviewed an Advance reader copy of this book.

You can find my review on both Goodreads and Amazon. On goodreads.com/karenwhittard and on Amazon under k.e.whittard from publication date.

Oh dear. Sadly another one not for me. I didn't really warm to the characters of this particular book. I found them all to be a little frustrating.

Story lines that I thought should have been at the front of the book are sadly kept behind until way to late and buy that time I had frankly lost interest.

Unfortunatly this book never lived up to what the bio promised for me and I was left feeling dissatisfied and deflated.

Let me know what you think in the comments.

As always happy reading everyone

[Suze · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fairlie is devastated when she loses her best friend Jenna. Fairlie knew something wasn't right with her friend, but never expected Jenna to die. Even though Fairlie's been told exactly what happened, Jenna's death feels suspicious and Fairlie is worried about Jenna's son Henry. He's a young boy and leaving him with Ark, his father, makes her uncomfortable. However, there isn't much she can do. Why did Jenna die and what was she hiding?

When Fairlie receives a letter from Jenna that was sent before she died Fairlie knows she has to do something for her friend. Even though Jenna isn't there anymore Fairlie can still do her very best to uncover the truth. While trying to find out more she discovers past secrets that change everything she thought she knew. A mother's love for her child can go far, really far. What will Fairlie do with her knowledge and how will it change the way she lives her life?

The Good Mother is a fantastic gripping story. I was immediately intrigued by Jenna and her mysterious circumstances. It's clear from the start something's seriously wrong in her life. My heart ached for her and I read her story with tears in my eyes. Jenna used to be carefree and fun and she and Fairlie had such a wonderful warm friendship. It broke my heart to see the changes and I was anxious to figure out what caused them. Fairlie is a kindhearted person with so much love to give and she and Jenna had a perfect connection. I was curious to find out more about their friendship and Jenna's relationship with her family and their story kept me on the edge of my seat.

Kim Lock knows how to build tension. She skillfully delivers plenty of surprises to her readers and I loved every single one of them. The Good Mother is a strong story about friendship, family, being a mother and love. There's sadness, grief and destruction as well as hope and goodness. I loved the contrasts, was intrigued by the secrets and couldn't turn the pages quickly enough to find out the truth. I love it when a book manages to captivate me from beginning to end. The Good Mother is a fantastic story and I highly recommend it.

[Fiona MacDonald · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a strange book. It had me gripped early on, (and I really liked Fairlie, the main character who has a great attitude) the main male character was so infuriating I had to keep putting the book down and screaming into a pillow!!! How dare he treat someone this way! But then the twist came, and it was so entirely ridiculous that I couldn't even be shocked. Things weren't completely explained at the end either - it felt like the last part was a bit rushed and considering how long the author had spent on the middle part of the book it didn't seem like it was given the necessary attention. Still, I was only meaning to read 20 or so pages before bed and ended up speeding along towards the end at 100 mph.

[Kim · Rating 3 out of 5]

Setting: South Australia.
The book begins with Fairlie Winter discovering that her best friend, Jenna, has committed suicide, leaving husband Ark and young son Henry. Fairlie spends her time trying to come to terms with her friend's actions, whilst also trying to help Ark with Henry....
In a series of alternate chapters, we go back in time to see Fairlie and Jenna's relationship, Jenna's fall-out with her celebrity mother, her meeting with Ark and the development of their relationship, which is shown as increasingly toxic as the months and years progress. We also get insight into Jenna's relationship with her mother through a series of letters sent to Jenna by her mother...
Overall, I was a bit disappointed in this one: I never really felt 'attached' to any of the characters and I can't say I particularly liked Fairlie, certainly not Ark and, although feeling empathy for Jenna in her predicament, found her 'solution' difficult to accept.
A good story rather than a great one, hence only 3 stars for me - 7/10.

[Tien · Rating 5 out of 5]

Like I Can Love was a book that I’d automatically pick up because I’ve really enjoyed Kim Lock’s earlier work, Peace, Love and Khaki Socks. As soon as I saw her name on that curious cover and with an even curioser synopsis, I just had to read it. It was, astonishingly, a different experience from Peace, Love and Khaki Socks where I just couldn’t stop smiling and yet, probably due to Kim’s earlier profession as a breastfeeding profession but also the fact that it’s just a normal part of life, more birthing experiences! Why do you always remind me of it, Kim?

This story is told from 2 perspectives: Fairlie’s, in the present, and Jenna’s, from the past prior to her suicide. I found that it was a little hard to get into, probably due to my different expectation but also because I had to get my head around the 2 voices from different points in time plus I wasn’t too keen on Fairlie; she was one big mess of a woman at the beginning and got worse. However, around the 20% mark, the story just grabbed me and I couldn’t read fast enough! I mean I knew somebody isn’t ‘well’ and really, the secret wasn’t such a hard one to guess but I was gripped by the flow of the telling that it didn’t matter that I knew what’s going on already.

Like I Can Love isn’t actually one of those psychological thriller but it could be… It’s not written in that way but I keep thinking that it definitely has all the potentials to be one! It lacks the major tension of a thriller and we’re told half the ending by the synopsis. Nevertheless, we are rather confronted by the hard facts of life: it takes an amazing amount of courage to look for help, we need to make ourselves available/reachable, and regardless of the ending (happily or otherwise), not one person is individually at fault. There is just so much to unpack in this book…

I have truly appreciated the few hours I spent in reading this book and would recommend it for it was such a riveting and poignant read. It reveals some of the hidden & hard realities of life but these need to be acknowledged as left hidden, terrible consequences will ensue. It’s not all doom and gloom for in life, there is always hope! I was quite happy with the way this story is wrapped up and even liked Fairlie then though I have one question: what did she say in her last drunken call in the book? But it’s a very minor disturbance to an overall amazing reading experience.

Thanks to MacMillan Australian for copy eARC in exchange of honest review

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fairlie is extremely upset when she hears that her best friend has killed herself. She then receives a letter posted before she died. It leads her on a very stressful journey to discovery. It picks up pace towards the end of the book as Fairlie finds out more about Jenna’s relationship with her husband and family.
The characters are well drawn and you can feel the troubled lives and the quandaries people sometimes face and what they will do to resolve them. You do wonder why Fairlie has been unaware of the problems Jenna was facing- but sometimes things are too painful to share.
It’s the first book I’ve read by Kim Lock and I may try another of her books to see where she takes those characters. I think this would be a 3.5 star read for me- but keen to read more.
With many thanks to NetGalley for the chance to read an ARC of this book and trying a new author.

[Gemma · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an advance copy from netgalley and Little, Brown. I adored this book, I have just read it in one go. The twist 2/3 of the way through completely took me by surprise. I don't often leave reviews on here but after adding the book I was surprised to see some low reviews. I thought the character description, the storylines and the feeling of impending doom throughout were fantastic. We find out the worst news at the start of the book but then the author takes us on a heart breaking journey that lead up to it.

[Mhairead MacLeod · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a compelling story by a talented Australian author. Worth every star of the five!

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

A stunning domestic noir told through two alternating timelines - "Then" and "Now" - centred around a terrible secret binding two young women from the moment they are born. The novel doesn't shy away from hugely topical issues like spousal abuse, gaslighting, casual racism, the state of motherhood and postnatal depression.

Perfectly paced and complexly plotted with a mix of narrative viewpoints gained through third person flashbacks, letters and first person present tense action, it's also the assured and often lyrical writing in Like I Can Love that puts it streets ahead of best sellers in the same genre, such as Disclaimer. There's nothing rushed, fantastical or shoddy about the writing or the ending, which is open (like life is), and filled with the possibility that some broken things can be mended.

At page 84:

"Sunlight falls from a blue-white sky in columns through the trees, burnishing the lawn and the headstones. The breeze tugs at Fairlie's curls, dragging the desiccated scent of summer from across the country."

At page 123:

"Everywhere. Jenna is everywhere and she is nowhere."

While set in country Australia, the depiction of powerless women trapped by awful, awful circumstances is universal. In a genre saturated by unreliable middle class narrators, the novel is also a standout for featuring a central character who is a working class, female, Indigenous Australian.

A riveting book you will want to read from start to finish in one sitting, Like I Can Love deserves to be widely read.

[MetLineReader · Rating 3 out of 5]

I picked this book up without reading the blurb first. It's been a while since I received this advance copy and I think if I'd have read the blurb again it would have added to my enjoyment. I don't normally need to re-read the blurb, but on this occasion it would have made all the difference.

Whilst I enjoyed the story of Fairlie, I didn't warm to Jenna at all. The two mothers, Patty and Evelyn are major characters yet held in the background (for reasons that become obvious later on).

So to summarise, I found this book rather frustrating and a little disappointing which earns it a 3* rating...

However if the blurb is taken into consideration, this is an interesting book that poses a moral dilemma. The question of what you would do for your children is at the centre of this book-- and unfortunately the dilemmas that Jenna faces are not drawn to the surface. I found it slightly incomprehensible that she would be unable to articulate her unhappiness to her best friend Fairlie... in some shape or form...

The book comes to a crescendo in the last 25% where it is pacy, interesting and full of those dilemmas that are alluded to in the plot. Sadly this wasn't enough to rescue the book - the slow-build of the story detracts from the scenario that is at the heart of the book. I think it would have benefited from less scene-setting and more action.

On balance, it's a 3.5* read for me as it didn't quite fulfil its promise.

My thanks to the publisher for an advance copy. I have reviewed this book voluntarily and all opinions are my own.

[Christine Riches · Rating 4 out of 5]

We need more people to understand this issue, psychological abuse, gas lighting, domestic violence. Domestic violence is a hidden epidemic, the psychological abuse that occurs even more so. This book shows the horrible consequences that this kind of domestic terrorism can have.

It's a frustrating read in some ways, not because of the writing or the story but the content, you can see what's coming like a slow car crash but always hoping that the end will be different.

Powerful and tragic, even more so because this is the reality of tens of thousands of women all over this country at this very moment.

I wish everyone could read this book.

[Kirstin Mccallum · Rating 5 out of 5]

wow, a girl - wife, mother and friend commits suicide. She appears to have a loving husband, beautiful child and charmed comfortable life. As her best friend Fairlie looks back on her life and circumstances leading to her death many many things are uncovered.
This book really highlights the realities of an abused spouse - abuse does not have to mean bruises.
I learnt just how someone can get into your mind and slowly eat away at everything about you.
A must read. While not a nice story an important one

[J.M. Peace · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an intriguing book that grabs you right from the first chapter, and pulls you in deeper with each subsequent chapter. It considers the intertwined and multi-layered lives of Jenna, her husband and her best friend, where not everything is as it seems. This is a heartfelt book that broaches uncomfortable topics in a sensitive and thought-provoking way.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just wow! Book of the year for me. It broke my heart and had me in floods of tears and I did not expect the unexpected!!! As a mother and a daughter, this will stay with me for a very long time.

[Rebecca Bowyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

‘Why doesn’t she just leave?’

‘How could she kill herself and leave her baby behind?’

These are seemingly-simple questions with not-so-simple answers.

Kim Lock answers all of them in horrifying and convincing detail in Like I Can Love

About Like I Can Love

Fairlie and her best friend Jenna lived happily together in their tiny flat in a small South Australian town, both working as nurses at the local hospital.

Ark came into their lives, swept Jenna off her feet, moved her into his luxury home on his thriving vineyard, married her and made her a mother.

All Jenna’s dreams came true.

Why, then, does Fairlie get a phone call one hot January day to tell her that her best friend has killed herself; slit both her wrists in a locked bathroom while her toddler son slept in the bedroom across the hall? And what is in the self-storage locker that Jenna leaves behind for Fairlie to discover?

What unfolds over the course of the novel is a frightening story of manipulation, control and violence. The otherwise depressing tale is moderated through Fairlie’s light-hearted, no-nonsense approach to life and plenty of twists and turns along the way.

Variations on Jenna and Ark’s story happen too often in modern Australia.

Jenna’s story of domestic violence

Jenna is an assertive, educated woman who insists on her right to continue with her career. She’s exactly the kind of woman society believes wouldn’t ‘let herself’ be abused.

The brilliance of Like I Can Love is that Kim Lock shows in detail, over a period of years, how Jenna didn’t let herself be abused. She asked for help from a psychologist. She tried to show her husband that this wasn’t normal behaviour. She even tried to leave. Twice.

The transition from confident single career woman to desperate and abused prisoner happens slowly and subtlely. However, by the end of the novel it’s easy to see how Jenna felt suicide was her only option.

Ark’s story of domestic violence

Ark seems like a great guy. He’s gorgeous, attentive, funny and ambitious, ploughing his inheritance from his grandmother into building a successful vineyard.

For me, the alarm bells started ringing during this early conversation with Jenna:

‘Your parents fought?’ Jenna asked. Memories of her own father were affectionate, pleasant, even though her parents had separated before she could remember.

‘Hell no.’ Ark laughed abruptly. ‘Mum knew better than to answer back.’

Jenna started. ‘He didn’t hit her, did he?’

Ark shot her a quick sideways look. ‘Nothing serious, he wasn’t a wife beater. He was a good man. And never in front of us – she only told me about it later. Think he just pushed her a few times. But you know, I had a good childhood.’

This conversation makes Jenna uncomfortable too, but not enough to turn back. After all, everything else seems perfect. He treats her well; he treats others well.

When Jenna doesn’t get the message his mother did – Jenna does answer back – the problems start. But, just like his father before him, Ark doesn’t actually hit her. In 2016, the message about domestic violence has pretty much sunk in – hitting your spouse is not okay. But the verbal put-downs, the deliberate isolation from friends and family, the obsessive suspicion and possessiveness – disguised as devotion and love. The loss of control over your own life – financial, physical, social and emotional. These forms of domestic violence cut deeply, with tragic consequences.

Neat endings

Like I Can Love’s almost-happy neat ending irritated me. To be fair – it’s a novel and, as such, it needs a satisfying ending to feel complete.

Real stories of domestic violence, however, never have a neat ending. Not for fictional Ark, who has to deal with the long-term consequences of his actions. Not for Jenna’s 2-year-old son, left motherless and growing up with a horrifying past of his own to discover. Not for Fairlie, who must pick up the pieces left by her best friend’s violent death and somehow move on with life.

[Mark · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another terrific book by a South Australian author, set in the lower south-east region of the state, around Penola and Mount Gambier. It's an uncomplicated story about family tragedy, intrigue and discovery that I found most affecting because of its ordinariness. The characters seemed real and the story plays out in the same way that I suspect do far too many Australian lives. Suicide, psychological abuse, racism, loneliness, isolation and family secrets are central themes.
Whenever I read a book set in South Australia I enjoy the locations and through knowing them well, I get a deeper engagement.
A highly recomended book.

[Patricia Power · Rating 4 out of 5]

This books starts with Jenna's suicide and Fairlees devastation and shock at the news. This book is about a lot if things, lies, life, death but the theme that I hadn't expected was the domestic abuse, Jenna knew she was being abused, wanted to get out, yet she could only find one way and throughout we get glimpses of a very strong and feisty Jenna but by the end she's worn down. I felt the secret revealed at the end while explained Jenna's estrangement from her mother which in some way contributed to her isolation was a little unbelievable and unnecessary, but overall I liked this book

[Leisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was riveted by this book, absolutely had to keep reading each chapter to know what would happen to each character. This topic tackles a topic that requires much attention and discussion and which has mostly been ignored. Brave and wonderful.

[Caitlin Jeffrey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rich and intriguing with a beautiful layout. I could not stop reading!
It was refreshing to read about real emotion. Having suffered from postnatal depression myself, this is all very close to home. ♡

[Zoe · Rating 1 out of 5]

An absolute drag. Most of this book was full up with really needless and over the top descriptions of things such as plants and surroundings. I get it, it’s good to set the scene but what a load of waffle! I didn’t care for any of the characters and I found the plot so ridiculously boring.

[Rachael Goncalves · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fabulous loved it so proud of Aussie author Kim Lock. Great twists and had a good ending. Highly recommend it.

[Julie Swann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book, I can't wait to read more of her work.

[Connie · Rating 2 out of 5]

For me, the story didn’t seem to quite match with what was promised in the blurb. It was very slow throughout and seemed to focus on Jenna and the background to what led to her death, as opposed to Fairlie discovering this letter. Fairlie didn’t find this letter until about 3/4 of the way through!

It was a sad and heart wrenching story at times, but didn’t quite do it for me, I’m afraid.

[Naaz · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars. Review coming soon.