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The Second Mother: A Novel
Opportunity: Teacher needed in one-room schoolhouse on remote island in Maine. Certification in grades K-8 a must.
Julie Weathers isn't sure if she's running away or starting over, but moving to a remote island off the coast of Maine feels right for someone with reasons to flee her old life. The sun-washed, sea-stormed speck of land seems welcoming, the lobster plentiful, and the community close and tightly knit. She finds friends in her nearest neighbor and Callum, a man who appears to be using the island for the same thing as she: escape.
But as Julie takes on the challenge of teaching the island's children, she comes to suspect that she may have traded one place shrouded in trouble for another, and she begins to wonder if the greatest danger on Mercy Island is its lost location far out to sea, or the people who live there.
Julie Weathers isn't sure if she's running away or starting over, but moving to a remote island off the coast of Maine feels right for someone with reasons to flee her old life. The sun-washed, sea-stormed speck of land seems welcoming, the lobster plentiful, and the community close and tightly knit. She finds friends in her nearest neighbor and Callum, a man who appears to be using the island for the same thing as she: escape.
But as Julie takes on the challenge of teaching the island's children, she comes to suspect that she may have traded one place shrouded in trouble for another, and she begins to wonder if the greatest danger on Mercy Island is its lost location far out to sea, or the people who live there.
468 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 18, 2020
183 people are currently reading
5673 people want to read
About the author
Jenny Milchman
17 books627 followersJenny Milchman is the USA Today bestselling author of three novels, as well as the forthcoming Wicked River. Her books have won the Mary Higgins Clark and Silver Falchion awards, been praised by the New York Times, San Francisco Review of Books, the AP, and many other publications.
Jenny has given over five hundred workshops and talks on the writing and publishing process. She sits on the board of directors of International Thriller Writers, is a member of the Sisters in Crime speakers bureau, and founded Take Your Child to a Bookstore Day, which is celebrated annually in all fifty states and on five continents.
Jenny has given over five hundred workshops and talks on the writing and publishing process. She sits on the board of directors of International Thriller Writers, is a member of the Sisters in Crime speakers bureau, and founded Take Your Child to a Bookstore Day, which is celebrated annually in all fifty states and on five continents.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 273 reviews
April 30, 2020
Yeap, we have another Switzerland book: that I didn’t adore but I don’t have any negative feelings about it so I decided to meet in the middle.
We have a promising coastal setting and intriguing start: Julie Weathers wants a fresh start after her loss of baby and divorce, moves to the remote island located in Maine, starts her teaching job (considering she is only teacher educate kindergartens to eight grades, she has so much work to do)
She meets with Ellie who afford to drink more wine than me and throughout her friendship she learns more about island history and menacing grandmother Hempstead’s family. ( I think that irritating woman is the only thrilling character makes your little hairs on your arms stand up!) She also meets with Peter who becomes regular intruder of her new home, a problematic teenage who needs urgent help.
And slowly some strange things start to happen throughout her stay. But the suspense part of the story is not sufficient enough. This book is mostly a dramatic adult fiction about suffer, grief, pain, learning to deal with your losses. It is slow burn, there is too much meandering, unnecessary repeating, parts about pranks have been pulled for Julie are taking too many pages and second half are mostly about Julie’s forming relationship with her students which are also emotional, dramatic but as you may imagine, there are still not enough mysterious parts in this story.
As a fiction it was long, but the characterizations and back stories are easy to relate so I would give 4 for fiction but as a thriller, I gave it 2 stars because there is nothing dazzling, questioning and also riveting about the story.
Average: 3 solid stars. I happily declare this is good book as a fiction with it is interesting story-telling style but I’m disappointed that I couldn’t find the eerie, blood freezing, exciting story that I hope to read. I wish it would be presented as adult fiction or women’s fiction because there are so many good parts about a mother’s grief and trying to keep her head above after her tragic loss.
Special thanks to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for sharing this ARC in exchange my honest review.
We have a promising coastal setting and intriguing start: Julie Weathers wants a fresh start after her loss of baby and divorce, moves to the remote island located in Maine, starts her teaching job (considering she is only teacher educate kindergartens to eight grades, she has so much work to do)
She meets with Ellie who afford to drink more wine than me and throughout her friendship she learns more about island history and menacing grandmother Hempstead’s family. ( I think that irritating woman is the only thrilling character makes your little hairs on your arms stand up!) She also meets with Peter who becomes regular intruder of her new home, a problematic teenage who needs urgent help.
And slowly some strange things start to happen throughout her stay. But the suspense part of the story is not sufficient enough. This book is mostly a dramatic adult fiction about suffer, grief, pain, learning to deal with your losses. It is slow burn, there is too much meandering, unnecessary repeating, parts about pranks have been pulled for Julie are taking too many pages and second half are mostly about Julie’s forming relationship with her students which are also emotional, dramatic but as you may imagine, there are still not enough mysterious parts in this story.
As a fiction it was long, but the characterizations and back stories are easy to relate so I would give 4 for fiction but as a thriller, I gave it 2 stars because there is nothing dazzling, questioning and also riveting about the story.
Average: 3 solid stars. I happily declare this is good book as a fiction with it is interesting story-telling style but I’m disappointed that I couldn’t find the eerie, blood freezing, exciting story that I hope to read. I wish it would be presented as adult fiction or women’s fiction because there are so many good parts about a mother’s grief and trying to keep her head above after her tragic loss.
Special thanks to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for sharing this ARC in exchange my honest review.
August 21, 2020
3.5 stars!
Julie Weathers is a teacher drawn to a remote island in Maine to teach in a one-room schoolhouse. She receives a warm welcome with beautiful scenery upon her arrival. Julie discovers others may also be on this island for escape from an old life. As time goes on, she begins to feel the danger- whether it’s from being so far out to sea, or from the people around her.
I was intrigued with Julie’s story from the start. She had a lifetime to leave behind and hopes for a fresh beginning. I enjoyed the clever storyline and found this one to be a little more mystery than thriller overall. Recommended for fans of fresh mysteries with unique, atmospheric settings.
I received a gifted copy. All opinions are my own.
Many of my reviews can also be found on my blog: www.jennifertarheelreader.com and instagram: www.instagram.com/tarheelreader (Instagram review)
Julie Weathers is a teacher drawn to a remote island in Maine to teach in a one-room schoolhouse. She receives a warm welcome with beautiful scenery upon her arrival. Julie discovers others may also be on this island for escape from an old life. As time goes on, she begins to feel the danger- whether it’s from being so far out to sea, or from the people around her.
I was intrigued with Julie’s story from the start. She had a lifetime to leave behind and hopes for a fresh beginning. I enjoyed the clever storyline and found this one to be a little more mystery than thriller overall. Recommended for fans of fresh mysteries with unique, atmospheric settings.
I received a gifted copy. All opinions are my own.
Many of my reviews can also be found on my blog: www.jennifertarheelreader.com and instagram: www.instagram.com/tarheelreader (Instagram review)
August 16, 2020
2.5 stars rounded up.
It was just too long and drawn out, not much happened. Also, I didn't feel the characters, and their connections were developed enough.
Thank you Sourcebooks Landmark and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
It was just too long and drawn out, not much happened. Also, I didn't feel the characters, and their connections were developed enough.
Thank you Sourcebooks Landmark and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
August 11, 2020
Having a hard time rating this book. I think I will land at 3.25. There were full on drama moments that I could visualize in technicolor. The setting was picturesque, yet rugged and remote. Julie is a broken woman. She is sliding down into alcoholism, assisted by her hapless husband. Then she sees the ad for the teacher opening on Mercy Island. Her decision to take the job puts her on a course of correction, but also puts her in the sights of the island matron and community dictator. I loved, loved Julie's dog Depot so much. The descriptions of the island are breathtaking. The book just went on too long for me. I lost focus at times. I also found myself noting some gaping plot holes that were not resolved in my opinion. The excerpt from "Wicked River" intrigued me, so I have not given up on Jenny Milchman yet.
Thank you to Sourcebooks Landmark and Edelweiss+ for a DRC in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you to Sourcebooks Landmark and Edelweiss+ for a DRC in exchange for an honest review.
February 21, 2020
With her ever masterful sense of place and astute psychological insight, Jenny Milchman takes us on a journey from the Adirondack Mountains to a remote island off the coast of Maine, and from the dark depths of grief into the light. This is a harrowing and heart wrenching story that earns its place in the sun.
September 10, 2020
📚 Hello Book Friends! THE SECOND MOTHER by Jenny Milchman is a must-read. This is about a young woman who lost her baby. After months of mourning her child and drowning her pain in alcohol, her husband wants to separate and go their own ways. She decides to start anew and takes a teaching position in a small school on a remote island in Maine. As soon as she moves on Mercy Island, strange stuff starts to happen. Someone has been in her house. Someone has put her dog’s life in danger. Someone is trying to scare her. But who is that someone? Is she safe? Will she be able to unveil Mercy Island family secret?
This is a page-turner, filled with suspense. It is well written and captivating from the beginning to the end.
🙋🏼♀️ Thank you, Books Forward for sending me an ARC of this awesome suspense thriller. THE SECOND MOTHER by Jenny Milchman is now available at your favourite bookstore.
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August 29, 2020
Rich in atmosphere, expertly plotted, and populated by characters that live and breathe, THE SECOND MOTHER is as much a portrait of survival and redemption as it is a harrowing deep dive into the secrets and troubles of an isolated island in Maine. Jenny Milchman writes with insight and compassion, creating a vivid sense of place, and masterfully ratcheting up the tension page by gripping page.
June 7, 2020
Thank you so much to Netgalley, Books Forward PR, and Sourcebooks for this digital ARC. I went into this book knowing it was about a remote island where a woman moves after tragedy strikes. She needs to get away from her past and thinks an island with no technology or transportation is the perfect place.
Thoughts: I know they say don’t judge a book by it’s cover, but you know I did. The cover is stunning and I love the electric pink of the words. It really drew me in and I thought the plot of the book sounded amazing. I was hoping it would be like Turn of the Key, but sadly there weren’t many similarities. This book started off intriguing, but after she got to the island it went downhill. I felt that there was so much down time when nothing was happening. There were so many unnecessary details and I felt most of this book was filler with nothing much happening at all.
Also, SO MANY MENTIONS OF HER DOG. Yes, there can be too many dog references. I don’t need to know every single time the dog drank water or had a burger. Yes, I know you have to open a can to get out the dog food but you don’t have to describe it. So unnecessary. Sorry, that’s just a quick rant.
Anyway, in the end it was anticlimactic and didn’t have much of a story-line. There was so much potential with the creepiness of the island and the all-knowing all-powerful family, but it didn’t pan out at all. For a domestic thriller, it wasn’t very domestic or very thrilling. In the end I had to give it two stars, because more than anything I rushed through to see if there was some bombshell. Sadly, there was not.
Thoughts: I know they say don’t judge a book by it’s cover, but you know I did. The cover is stunning and I love the electric pink of the words. It really drew me in and I thought the plot of the book sounded amazing. I was hoping it would be like Turn of the Key, but sadly there weren’t many similarities. This book started off intriguing, but after she got to the island it went downhill. I felt that there was so much down time when nothing was happening. There were so many unnecessary details and I felt most of this book was filler with nothing much happening at all.
Also, SO MANY MENTIONS OF HER DOG. Yes, there can be too many dog references. I don’t need to know every single time the dog drank water or had a burger. Yes, I know you have to open a can to get out the dog food but you don’t have to describe it. So unnecessary. Sorry, that’s just a quick rant.
Anyway, in the end it was anticlimactic and didn’t have much of a story-line. There was so much potential with the creepiness of the island and the all-knowing all-powerful family, but it didn’t pan out at all. For a domestic thriller, it wasn’t very domestic or very thrilling. In the end I had to give it two stars, because more than anything I rushed through to see if there was some bombshell. Sadly, there was not.
March 25, 2020
Answering an ad on opportunity.com for a teacher on a small remote island off the coast of Maine feels right. Julie Weathers needs a fresh start. A start away from Wedeskyull, New York. The place where she lost her baby, and her marriage has just imploded….a fact she was unaware of until her husband informed her that he was not interested in joining her in Maine, but instead wanted a divorce. She soon discovers that although they may be diverse, this island has its own problems.
The landscape of this book was beautiful…..and the author did a great job painting the picture of a village in Adirondack and the island. I enjoyed the author's writing style. She was brilliant at making us feel the impact of how controlling money and the hierarchy of power can be anywhere….whether it's a huge city and fortune 500 company or a remote coastal island and gangs of lobster fisherman. That being said...this book was all talk and very little action. Seriously...so much dialogue, but little going on for long periods of time. It's hard to not lose interest. When I was almost to my limit the book pulled me back in and finished strong.
Check out my blog at: http://beachbumbookworm.com/
I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. I would like to thank Netgalley, the author Jenny Milchman, and the publisher for this opportunity.
The landscape of this book was beautiful…..and the author did a great job painting the picture of a village in Adirondack and the island. I enjoyed the author's writing style. She was brilliant at making us feel the impact of how controlling money and the hierarchy of power can be anywhere….whether it's a huge city and fortune 500 company or a remote coastal island and gangs of lobster fisherman. That being said...this book was all talk and very little action. Seriously...so much dialogue, but little going on for long periods of time. It's hard to not lose interest. When I was almost to my limit the book pulled me back in and finished strong.
Check out my blog at: http://beachbumbookworm.com/
I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. I would like to thank Netgalley, the author Jenny Milchman, and the publisher for this opportunity.
March 5, 2020
Julie, a grieving mother, had lost her daughter and now her husband asked for divorce. When she answered an ad online for a teaching position on a small island she never thought it would have been as challenging as it was. Dealing with island politics, a friend that tries to sabotage you in every way, remaining sober and a Grandmother that ruled with an iron fist deemed impossible. Peter, grandson of iron fist granny, came across as troubled but when he revealed information to Julie he came across by ease dropping little did he know it was life changing for him. Julie fought to give Peter the life he deserved even though it also cost her her own life and she found love again during the process.
Overall the book started a little slow and was hard for me to get into. Once it speed picked up I was unable to put it down.
Thank you @netgalley for the arc!
Overall the book started a little slow and was hard for me to get into. Once it speed picked up I was unable to put it down.
Thank you @netgalley for the arc!
December 11, 2020
The Second Mother
By Jenny Milchman
Julie Weathers answers the call for a one room schoolhouse on a remote island. Sounds perfect if you are trying to run away from something and have a fresh start. As the story reveals itself, you find more compelling reasons about the characters in the story who for their own reasons are trying to escape their lives too.
This is a wonderful claustrophobic mystery story about an island off the coast of Maine where a teacher trying to escape her past and longs for a new start, finds more than what she bargains for in this small town intriguing story. This is a story that covers dealing with loss and suffering, and the difficulty navigating and moving forward from pain and hurt.
I enjoyed this read a lot for the characters and how the story focuses on a mother's grief and loss.
By Jenny Milchman
Julie Weathers answers the call for a one room schoolhouse on a remote island. Sounds perfect if you are trying to run away from something and have a fresh start. As the story reveals itself, you find more compelling reasons about the characters in the story who for their own reasons are trying to escape their lives too.
This is a wonderful claustrophobic mystery story about an island off the coast of Maine where a teacher trying to escape her past and longs for a new start, finds more than what she bargains for in this small town intriguing story. This is a story that covers dealing with loss and suffering, and the difficulty navigating and moving forward from pain and hurt.
I enjoyed this read a lot for the characters and how the story focuses on a mother's grief and loss.
May 23, 2020
The Second Mother was a good suspenseful drama, with a lot of feel-good moments that had me cheering for Julie Weathers the central character. This book is not a thriller but had me hooked & I found it difficult to put down. The plot was great with some very realistic characters & dramatic & suspenseful events yet not over-the-top or unbelievable. I loved reading about the idyllic Mercy island & the ruthless Hempsteads at its helm commanding over it with a lot of authority & passion. Ever since Julie arrives on Mercy, she's had the feeling of being watched over. There are creepy things happening in the house she's put up at. Apart from all the bad things thrown at her I hated the incident with Depot, Julie's dog. Yet that was one of the best scenes in the book.
The theme of a secluded & isolated island life was very intriguing as well.
Going by the other reviews, I wasn't as keen to pick this book, but I'm glad I did because it had a great storyline. Overall this book was a very pleasant yet suspenseful read. The finish was very exciting, twisted & dramatic!
Thank You, NetGalley, Sourcebooks Landmark & Jenny Milchman for an arc!
The theme of a secluded & isolated island life was very intriguing as well.
Going by the other reviews, I wasn't as keen to pick this book, but I'm glad I did because it had a great storyline. Overall this book was a very pleasant yet suspenseful read. The finish was very exciting, twisted & dramatic!
Thank You, NetGalley, Sourcebooks Landmark & Jenny Milchman for an arc!
August 18, 2020
I have the hardest time writing reviews for books that I don’t feel a strong connection to and, unfortunately, that was The Second Mother for me.
I think expectations make all the difference and what I expected was a suspenseful or creepy thriller. What I feel I got was more literary fiction with some creepy elements.
What I liked: The writing was great. The characters were perfectly written. The storyline was interesting.
What didn’t work for me: This was a very slow burn, with a lot of repetition and not enough to keep me engaged.
Final thoughts: I think if I hadn’t gone into this one expecting a thriller, I would have enjoyed the slower pace more. I would definitely recommend this one to those who like a slow burn with great characters.
I received an advanced copy in exchange for my review.
I think expectations make all the difference and what I expected was a suspenseful or creepy thriller. What I feel I got was more literary fiction with some creepy elements.
What I liked: The writing was great. The characters were perfectly written. The storyline was interesting.
What didn’t work for me: This was a very slow burn, with a lot of repetition and not enough to keep me engaged.
Final thoughts: I think if I hadn’t gone into this one expecting a thriller, I would have enjoyed the slower pace more. I would definitely recommend this one to those who like a slow burn with great characters.
I received an advanced copy in exchange for my review.
September 15, 2022
I am notorious for wanting books because of the cover and most of the time they work out, this one did not.
Julie is a teacher who is looking for a place to escape her grief of a child. She finds that in a position offered off an island in Maine where cell service is non existent.
She has a dog, a dog that is persistently mentioned in every other word she mutters and initially I thought I was wary about reading this since it says it’s a “Thriller”.
Y’all the dog is fine and I have no clue why he was mentioned so much and I also wouldn’t classify this a thriller, or a mystery nor a SUSPENSE book.
The characters were boring and there wasn’t really any riveting plot, except the obvious…People go to the island to escape from a variety of reasons but none of those reasons come back.
Julie is a teacher who is looking for a place to escape her grief of a child. She finds that in a position offered off an island in Maine where cell service is non existent.
She has a dog, a dog that is persistently mentioned in every other word she mutters and initially I thought I was wary about reading this since it says it’s a “Thriller”.
Y’all the dog is fine and I have no clue why he was mentioned so much and I also wouldn’t classify this a thriller, or a mystery nor a SUSPENSE book.
The characters were boring and there wasn’t really any riveting plot, except the obvious…People go to the island to escape from a variety of reasons but none of those reasons come back.
August 18, 2020
Julie Weathers has been stuck in a life she never thought she would be leading and is in desperate need of a new beginning. When she finds an ad for an opportunity to be a teacher in a one-room schoolhouse on a remote island in Maine, she knows she has found her chance to flee her old life. The island is home to a close-knit community filled with lobster fisherman. As Julie starts her position as teacher she comes to suspect that life may not be so idyllic on this remote island. There are secrets here that may just put Julie’s life in danger.
THE SECOND MOTHER is an atmospheric, slow burn mystery that transports the reader to an island filled with intrigue and deception. I absolutely adore the way that Milchman was able to bring this community to life and turn the island into the perfect setting. I was completely swept away with the claustrophobic feelings I felt while reading this story both in terms of the island as a whole and the isolated house Julie has taken residence in.
In addition to a fantastic setting, THE SECOND MOTHER offers up a great cast of characters. Our main character is Julie, who has quite a few horrible things in her life that she needs to overcome. It was refreshing to see a narrator who was working to better their lives instead of someone who was simply portrayed as unreliable because of their life events. In addition to Julie, the island has some fantastic, multilayered characters that help to build the tension of this story. Shortly after Julie’s arrival it becomes clear that there are a lot of secrets being hidden on this island, but it’s not clear what they are. Oh and did I mention there’s a creepy kid who could possibly be terrorizing Julie? Yep! One of my favorite ways to be creeped out are weird child characters in crime fiction.
The pacing of THE SECOND MOTHER is on the slower side, but something I felt matched perfectly with the actual plot. This isn’t a thriller, but more of an atmospheric suspense story. I do think knowing this going into the book helps to set expectations. There are also a few parts that felt repetitive at times, but overall I felt the story flowed and progressed quite smoothly. THE SECOND MOTHER is perfect for fans of atmospheric crime fiction!
A huge thank you to Books Forward PR and Sourcebooks for my gifted copy!
THE SECOND MOTHER is an atmospheric, slow burn mystery that transports the reader to an island filled with intrigue and deception. I absolutely adore the way that Milchman was able to bring this community to life and turn the island into the perfect setting. I was completely swept away with the claustrophobic feelings I felt while reading this story both in terms of the island as a whole and the isolated house Julie has taken residence in.
In addition to a fantastic setting, THE SECOND MOTHER offers up a great cast of characters. Our main character is Julie, who has quite a few horrible things in her life that she needs to overcome. It was refreshing to see a narrator who was working to better their lives instead of someone who was simply portrayed as unreliable because of their life events. In addition to Julie, the island has some fantastic, multilayered characters that help to build the tension of this story. Shortly after Julie’s arrival it becomes clear that there are a lot of secrets being hidden on this island, but it’s not clear what they are. Oh and did I mention there’s a creepy kid who could possibly be terrorizing Julie? Yep! One of my favorite ways to be creeped out are weird child characters in crime fiction.
The pacing of THE SECOND MOTHER is on the slower side, but something I felt matched perfectly with the actual plot. This isn’t a thriller, but more of an atmospheric suspense story. I do think knowing this going into the book helps to set expectations. There are also a few parts that felt repetitive at times, but overall I felt the story flowed and progressed quite smoothly. THE SECOND MOTHER is perfect for fans of atmospheric crime fiction!
A huge thank you to Books Forward PR and Sourcebooks for my gifted copy!
October 9, 2020
Thank you Books Forward for the e-arc of The Second Mother by Jenny Millman.
First I have to say that the grief and the loss of a child is written beautifully. I had tears running down my cheecks. As a mother i can't imagine this pain but Jenny broke my heart with this subject.
The character developments are written wonderfully. One woman moving away and starting her life over with a weight in her heart in a town with secrets of its own.
This isn't the thriller I was expecting, actually nothing thrilling really happened but none the less I enjoyed this book very much. As a woman's fiction I would recommend.
First I have to say that the grief and the loss of a child is written beautifully. I had tears running down my cheecks. As a mother i can't imagine this pain but Jenny broke my heart with this subject.
The character developments are written wonderfully. One woman moving away and starting her life over with a weight in her heart in a town with secrets of its own.
This isn't the thriller I was expecting, actually nothing thrilling really happened but none the less I enjoyed this book very much. As a woman's fiction I would recommend.
September 5, 2020
Julie Weathers has some issues. She drinks a lot, her child died while still being a baby which
causes tension with her husband, who wants a divorce. She sees an ad online for a teaching
position in a one-room schoolhouse on a remote island in Maine. She looks forward to the
change, and tries to make the best of it. When she encounters a "problem" child, she tries to
correct the islander's attitudes and sees what she can do to help.
I really enjoyed the book, once it came to the main arc
of the story. All the pieces come into place. I liked the dog named Depot. I felt like he played a character in the story.
I will say this book could have been at least hundred pages shorter. It dragged a bit and was very hard to get into but once you get into the main part of the story it really worked for me.
causes tension with her husband, who wants a divorce. She sees an ad online for a teaching
position in a one-room schoolhouse on a remote island in Maine. She looks forward to the
change, and tries to make the best of it. When she encounters a "problem" child, she tries to
correct the islander's attitudes and sees what she can do to help.
I really enjoyed the book, once it came to the main arc
of the story. All the pieces come into place. I liked the dog named Depot. I felt like he played a character in the story.
I will say this book could have been at least hundred pages shorter. It dragged a bit and was very hard to get into but once you get into the main part of the story it really worked for me.
August 18, 2020
The Second Mother is a slow burn drama, but I wouldn’t consider it a thriller so know that going in! I thought the parts about grief and dealing with loss were written beautifully, and my heart went out to Julie. The character development and emotional connections were amazing, but the suspense was lacking up until the end. This one ended up right in the middle for me since it was well-written but lost my interest at times.
Thank you so much to Books Forward PR for my gifted copy of this new release!
Thank you so much to Books Forward PR for my gifted copy of this new release!
July 10, 2020
I feel like my attention span is waning, because it seems like every thriller that I read is just way too long. The Second Mother clocks in around 430 pages, and this story would have been way better if it was condensed into about 250 or even a little less. Part of this was that the author described so many monotonous details that just didn't need to be included in the story. I read a review that someone posted here on Goodreads about the dog, and the person was right- there are SO many mentions of the dog, Depot. I know this sounds exaggerated, but I literally cannot remember the main female character's name, but I remember the dog. I'm all for a solid dog character in the story, but I don't need to know every time the dog takes a drink, or moves from one room to the other. There is also a lot of exposition in this story, and it takes about 200 pages for anything to really start happening. By this point, I was kind of bored of the story, and I just needed something to happen before deciding to call it quits. There is a plot line of a somewhat sinister child, but even that storyline fell pretty flat for me. I have said it before but its worth repeating- I also loathe stories with a million characters- there was the Hempstead family, the main character, her husband, her new potential love interest, THE DOG, another teacher, Peter, Eddie, Eddie's parents, and more. There was just too much going on here for anything to be really developed. By the time the twist was revealed, I wasn't really impressed. I give this one 2.5 stars, rounded up to 3. Thank you to the publisher for sending me a free review copy in exchange for an honest review.
December 6, 2020
Julie has hit rock bottom. She is still grieving the loss of her baby and still blaming herself, she cannot function unless she has had a whole bottle of that amber colored scotch, her husband only seems to add to her alcohol issue but pouring her drinks every night after he gets home from work, and now he wants a divorce.
Getting enough energy, she decides to play around on the internet, and spots a job opening. Something is calling to her to apply. Can she really be around children again? Will it remind her everyday of Hedley or is this what she needs to get back on her feet and moving forward with her life. She applies before she can change her mind and before she knows it, she has accepted this position and is getting ready to move forward in life.
This teaching position is on a very remote island, hardly any cell or internet service and the people rely on each other for a lot of every day things. She is ready for the change, and doesn’t feel it will be much different than the remote mountain town she grew up in. She will be in charge of all grades of children in that school, and it’s something to give her drive again.
After Julie arrives on the island, it soon becomes clear that things are run by one powerful family, and they will stop at nothing to keep their hands on land, money and whatever else may benefit them. She has been warned numerous times, not to meddle in the Hempsteads business, as they own and run everything on this island. This is how this place survives as it does.
But Julie feels there is something sinister that happened, and is determined to find out the truth of the secret they are keeping as well as not be intimated off the island before she can solve the mystery. But every step of the way, Julie is met with warning and odd things happening to her dog and the house she is staying in. Can she get to the bottom of the truth of what happened on this island, or will she be run off like other outsiders?
Thank you to Sourcebooks for the free book I won in a giveaway. I look forward to searching out other novels written by Jenny.
Getting enough energy, she decides to play around on the internet, and spots a job opening. Something is calling to her to apply. Can she really be around children again? Will it remind her everyday of Hedley or is this what she needs to get back on her feet and moving forward with her life. She applies before she can change her mind and before she knows it, she has accepted this position and is getting ready to move forward in life.
This teaching position is on a very remote island, hardly any cell or internet service and the people rely on each other for a lot of every day things. She is ready for the change, and doesn’t feel it will be much different than the remote mountain town she grew up in. She will be in charge of all grades of children in that school, and it’s something to give her drive again.
After Julie arrives on the island, it soon becomes clear that things are run by one powerful family, and they will stop at nothing to keep their hands on land, money and whatever else may benefit them. She has been warned numerous times, not to meddle in the Hempsteads business, as they own and run everything on this island. This is how this place survives as it does.
But Julie feels there is something sinister that happened, and is determined to find out the truth of the secret they are keeping as well as not be intimated off the island before she can solve the mystery. But every step of the way, Julie is met with warning and odd things happening to her dog and the house she is staying in. Can she get to the bottom of the truth of what happened on this island, or will she be run off like other outsiders?
Thank you to Sourcebooks for the free book I won in a giveaway. I look forward to searching out other novels written by Jenny.
August 8, 2020
Julie is running away from her problems and starting her life over. She accepted a job as a teacher on a remote island off of Maine where there is no cell service, no wifi and the community is incredibly close with one another. As she settles in a few strange things happen and she begins to wonder what she’s gotten herself into.
The island itself seems like paradise but also very isolating. The author did a great job describing the island and making it feel welcoming but also a bit creepy at times. Julie would find random things in her house or her door locked when it was left unlocked and scenes like that that made me wonder what was going on.
As for the characters themselves you don’t know anything about them at first, like hardly anything besides their names. When you meet Julie there isn’t much distinguishable about her except she has gone through something heartbreaking and traumatic that she is working through. As she settles into life on the island you learn more about her as well as everyone else she meets on Mercy Island.
There were parts where things just didn’t make sense to me and I thought I missed something but didn’t. They are explained later on and I think that’s why I continued with the book, I needed to know why people/things were the way they were.
The story was pretty slow, definitely more of a slow burn than an action packed thriller. I didn’t know if anything was ever going to happen but I kept reading because I needed to know if anything would. I didn’t hate this book by any means, it was just kind of boring at times and too long. I appreciated the details of the island but at the same time nothing happened until the last 20% of the book so just prepared to wait it out.
Thank you to BooksForward and Sourcebooks Landmark for sending me an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
The island itself seems like paradise but also very isolating. The author did a great job describing the island and making it feel welcoming but also a bit creepy at times. Julie would find random things in her house or her door locked when it was left unlocked and scenes like that that made me wonder what was going on.
As for the characters themselves you don’t know anything about them at first, like hardly anything besides their names. When you meet Julie there isn’t much distinguishable about her except she has gone through something heartbreaking and traumatic that she is working through. As she settles into life on the island you learn more about her as well as everyone else she meets on Mercy Island.
There were parts where things just didn’t make sense to me and I thought I missed something but didn’t. They are explained later on and I think that’s why I continued with the book, I needed to know why people/things were the way they were.
The story was pretty slow, definitely more of a slow burn than an action packed thriller. I didn’t know if anything was ever going to happen but I kept reading because I needed to know if anything would. I didn’t hate this book by any means, it was just kind of boring at times and too long. I appreciated the details of the island but at the same time nothing happened until the last 20% of the book so just prepared to wait it out.
Thank you to BooksForward and Sourcebooks Landmark for sending me an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
August 30, 2020
Julie Weathers needs a fresh start so she answers an job vacancy advert for a teacher based on a remote island in Maine. Her application is successful so she heads off to the coastal island full of hope that she may be ridding herself of her demons, as well as looking forward to a good life in a sunny, welcoming village. But Julie soon discovers that swapping Wedeskyull, New York for Mercy Island might not have been her greatest moment.
The Second Mother was my first novel by Jenny Milchman and I found it difficult to put down. The author's descriptions of the idyllic Mercy Island were delightful and deeply atmospheric and I was there alongside Julie, feeling as though I was being watched and observed. Though the pacing was slow-burn, the plot was intriguing and the characterisation was sound. I particularly liked Jenny Milchman's portrayal of the ruthless Hempstead family with their authoritative and commanding presence over everything. With family issues, long-held secrets, grief, and hope at its focus, The Second Mother was a very compelling and claustrophobic read. The build up from a slow simmer to the dramatic, exciting denouement was very well done. A highly recommended psychological thriller/ atmospheric mystery.
I received a complimentary copy of this novel at my request from Sourcebooks Landmark via NetGalley. This review is my own unbiased opinion.
The Second Mother was my first novel by Jenny Milchman and I found it difficult to put down. The author's descriptions of the idyllic Mercy Island were delightful and deeply atmospheric and I was there alongside Julie, feeling as though I was being watched and observed. Though the pacing was slow-burn, the plot was intriguing and the characterisation was sound. I particularly liked Jenny Milchman's portrayal of the ruthless Hempstead family with their authoritative and commanding presence over everything. With family issues, long-held secrets, grief, and hope at its focus, The Second Mother was a very compelling and claustrophobic read. The build up from a slow simmer to the dramatic, exciting denouement was very well done. A highly recommended psychological thriller/ atmospheric mystery.
I received a complimentary copy of this novel at my request from Sourcebooks Landmark via NetGalley. This review is my own unbiased opinion.
June 30, 2020
Omigosh, I don't even know where to start with this book!! The author wove a tale so perfect that it hooked me from page 1 and kept me reading late into the night!
As the main character, Julie Weathers is very relatable. You may get a little frustrated with her coping techniques, but you still understand them. After losing her infant daughter, and then her marriage, this girl needs a break! Unfortunately that's not exactly what's in store for her on Mercy Island. But maybe as she struggles to save herself, she can help save others too.
Jenny Milchman is an author I hadn't heard of before this book, but she has an incredible talent for spinning a psychological thriller! I will definitely be reading more from her in the future!
I was given an arc of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
As the main character, Julie Weathers is very relatable. You may get a little frustrated with her coping techniques, but you still understand them. After losing her infant daughter, and then her marriage, this girl needs a break! Unfortunately that's not exactly what's in store for her on Mercy Island. But maybe as she struggles to save herself, she can help save others too.
Jenny Milchman is an author I hadn't heard of before this book, but she has an incredible talent for spinning a psychological thriller! I will definitely be reading more from her in the future!
I was given an arc of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
August 24, 2020
Tragedy has hit Julie Weathers, as she is mourning the loss of her infant daughter. Then one day she stumbles across an advert for a position for a K-8 teacher on a remote island. When she tells her husband, he hits her with the final blow--divorce papers. She decides to pursue the challenge of the position in the one-room school house and everything seems idyllic--picturesque coastal views, a great benefits package, and a new best friend. However, eerie things begin to happen and not everything lines up.
For a lengthy book, this one kept me (mostly) engaged. There were a few times when scenes got a bit lengthy--mostly when talking about feeding the dog or ditching the bottle or debating which path to take to work, things like that. Aside from that though, I was honestly interested in all of the characters, was completely invested in the mystery, and really enjoyed the writing.
For a lengthy book, this one kept me (mostly) engaged. There were a few times when scenes got a bit lengthy--mostly when talking about feeding the dog or ditching the bottle or debating which path to take to work, things like that. Aside from that though, I was honestly interested in all of the characters, was completely invested in the mystery, and really enjoyed the writing.
May 4, 2021
Meet my new obsessive compulsive read...
Julie Weathers is ready for a new beginning. She sees a job posting for a teacher in a one-room schoolhouse on a remote island in Maine called Mercy Island. Soon after Julie's move, unexplained things start happening.
I loved the New England coastal setting, which made a perfectly creepy and atmospheric backdrop for the story. The author crafted the book so that Mercy Island had a personality of its own. I really liked the protagonist Julie, as well as the residents of Mercy Island. All of the characters were multi dimensional and well developed. The whole story, plot, and characters were all very original and different from anything I have ever read before. But The Second Mother is not just a thriller, it is also story about grief, reconciling with the past, and hope.
If you are looking for a slow paced, atmospheric, thriller with a mystery element, I would definitely recommend The Second Mother.
Julie Weathers is ready for a new beginning. She sees a job posting for a teacher in a one-room schoolhouse on a remote island in Maine called Mercy Island. Soon after Julie's move, unexplained things start happening.
I loved the New England coastal setting, which made a perfectly creepy and atmospheric backdrop for the story. The author crafted the book so that Mercy Island had a personality of its own. I really liked the protagonist Julie, as well as the residents of Mercy Island. All of the characters were multi dimensional and well developed. The whole story, plot, and characters were all very original and different from anything I have ever read before. But The Second Mother is not just a thriller, it is also story about grief, reconciling with the past, and hope.
If you are looking for a slow paced, atmospheric, thriller with a mystery element, I would definitely recommend The Second Mother.
August 20, 2020
3.5⭐ Julie Weather's has lost her baby. She's devastated, drinks (alot)...and feels like she needs a fresh start. (I feel like this is a very common theme these days) She's living in the Adirondacks with her husband and responds to an ad to become a teacher in a one room schoolhouse on a small island town off the coast of Maine! Her husband says he does not wish to join her and wants a divorce! She moves to this island, but comes to find there are many secrets here. This book was a slow burn, but you end up with some twists towards the end. I loved her descriptions of the Adirondacks and the town of Mercy. The author did a great job of making the settings feel so vivid. There was lots of dialogue in this book, so I feel that this book could've been shortened, but still found I wanted to keep reading to find out what happens!
May 8, 2020
Thank you Sourcebooks Landmark and NetGalley for this arc
I give this book ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️. A story about a mother who went through many heartaches to include losing a child and that pushes her to make bad choices. But she wants to leave all of it behind and start a new thus, and she accepted a teaching job in Mercy Island for a clean slate. Little does she know, and her new life will become as dreadful as her old one.
The whole story has a gripping and mind-blowing effect, and all the characters are well developed. There is some part that seems to be a bit slow, but the twists made up for it. A small island with many secrets means tons of mysteries to bring to light. I like it.
I give this book ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️. A story about a mother who went through many heartaches to include losing a child and that pushes her to make bad choices. But she wants to leave all of it behind and start a new thus, and she accepted a teaching job in Mercy Island for a clean slate. Little does she know, and her new life will become as dreadful as her old one.
The whole story has a gripping and mind-blowing effect, and all the characters are well developed. There is some part that seems to be a bit slow, but the twists made up for it. A small island with many secrets means tons of mysteries to bring to light. I like it.
November 30, 2023
This is the first book I haven't finished, and it's not a terrible book, but it's definitely a slow burner. It takes far too long to get to the plot of the story and even then, the book is marked as a thriller… which I don’t necessarily see. This is certainly more for adults suffering with loss and sadness and who want a little suspense, but I believe they could have done it without all of the needless side events that occurred to make the novel more interesting.
August 9, 2020
Julie needs to start anew. After losing her infant daughter to SIDS, her failing marriage and numbing herself daily with a bottle of scotch, she decides to accept a teaching position on a remote island. She's the only one room schoolhouse teacher on the island but she's up for the challenge. And what a challenge island life is. From The menacing matriarch who's family has controlled basically everything on the island to her troubled grandson coping with the loss of his father, Julie struggles with her new life. With her dog Depot as her constant companion she discovers the toxic underbelly of this one thriving fishing community.
Very well written and highly atmospheric this one grabbed my attention and held it from start to finish. I found the characters real and relatable and the cinematic descriptions of the island inviting. I recommend this one to those who enjoy character driven stories about loss, rebirth and the hopes of righting some wrongs.
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Thank you to the author, Sourcebooks and Jackie's book club for the gifted copy.
Very well written and highly atmospheric this one grabbed my attention and held it from start to finish. I found the characters real and relatable and the cinematic descriptions of the island inviting. I recommend this one to those who enjoy character driven stories about loss, rebirth and the hopes of righting some wrongs.
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Thank you to the author, Sourcebooks and Jackie's book club for the gifted copy.
November 7, 2020
3.5 rounded up!
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