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Mothers Don't Lie
The perfect life becomes the perfect lie.
Molly Burke has it all. With the help of medication to control her borderline personality disorder, she’s become a successful real estate agent with a loving husband who treats her four-year-old son as if he were his own. The emotional highs and lows from a difficult childhood have smoothed out but are still best concealed with little white lies to protect loved ones from her troubled history. Until Molly’s past returns to shatter her idyllic life.
Molly’s son, Colin, is discovered injured and covered in his grandfather’s blood—and her father-in-law is nowhere to be found. The police suspect foul play. Longstanding bitterness erupts between Molly and her mother-in-law, exacerbating Molly’s feelings of inadequacy and triggering fierce reactions that can no longer be contained.
A hallucination of her missing father-in-law only increases Molly’s paranoia over the sins of the past. Deceit lies around every corner and embroils everyone in the growing madness. Someone knows what she did. And someone is trying to expose the truth.
And if the truth is revealed, her family will pay the price.
Molly Burke has it all. With the help of medication to control her borderline personality disorder, she’s become a successful real estate agent with a loving husband who treats her four-year-old son as if he were his own. The emotional highs and lows from a difficult childhood have smoothed out but are still best concealed with little white lies to protect loved ones from her troubled history. Until Molly’s past returns to shatter her idyllic life.
Molly’s son, Colin, is discovered injured and covered in his grandfather’s blood—and her father-in-law is nowhere to be found. The police suspect foul play. Longstanding bitterness erupts between Molly and her mother-in-law, exacerbating Molly’s feelings of inadequacy and triggering fierce reactions that can no longer be contained.
A hallucination of her missing father-in-law only increases Molly’s paranoia over the sins of the past. Deceit lies around every corner and embroils everyone in the growing madness. Someone knows what she did. And someone is trying to expose the truth.
And if the truth is revealed, her family will pay the price.
366 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 1, 2020
287 people are currently reading
175 people want to read
About the author
Jo Crow
30 books135 followersJo Crow crafts chilling psychological thrillers that delve into the shadows of everyday life, where dark secrets and twisted motives lurk just beneath the surface. Her stories capture the eerie tension of family life, where the familiar can suddenly become dangerous.
When she’s not writing, Jo is a mom of two, often drawing inspiration from the unpredictability of parenthood. She enjoys curling up with a good thriller, taking her golden retriever on misty evening walks, and imagining the hidden fears that keep us awake at night.
Connect with Jo on Facebook, visit her website, or sign up for her mailing list for exclusive sneak peeks and updates.
When she’s not writing, Jo is a mom of two, often drawing inspiration from the unpredictability of parenthood. She enjoys curling up with a good thriller, taking her golden retriever on misty evening walks, and imagining the hidden fears that keep us awake at night.
Connect with Jo on Facebook, visit her website, or sign up for her mailing list for exclusive sneak peeks and updates.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 55 reviews
November 18, 2020
I didn't like this book as much as some of the others written by Jo Crow. I felt the ending left a lot of unanswered questions on what really happened in the past for Molly. There was a nice twist to the story that I almost guessed. It would be nice to read a story where the female lead is stronger and not always running around thinking she's lost her mind. I felt the characters could have been fuller. Too much of the story was Molly constantly thinking she was going crazy. It would have been nice to have other aspects of the story better developed. Not bad, but not great.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
December 9, 2020
3.5 rounded up
Grabbed me initially and held my interest. I did figure out one significant part early on but it didn't ruin the story and there were a lot of other interesting twists. The characters are well developed, however, I'm on the fence about Molly, sometimes I like her and sometimes I don't.
Thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.
Grabbed me initially and held my interest. I did figure out one significant part early on but it didn't ruin the story and there were a lot of other interesting twists. The characters are well developed, however, I'm on the fence about Molly, sometimes I like her and sometimes I don't.
Thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.
November 17, 2020
Where to start. This is a deeply emotional story that captured and held me fast right to the end. It's a powerful story that grabbed my heartstrings with all the raw emotion and pain. The author does a fantastic job building the story and pulled me in with the suspense and intrigue ,anxiety and fear and had me glued to the pages reading. The scenes are described in perfect detail and the story flows fluidly. I loved this book and would highly recommend reading.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book. All opinions in this review are my own and freely given.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book. All opinions in this review are my own and freely given.
November 30, 2020
Loved this book! Edges of your seat writing. Molly and her son Colin are happy. Colin was just adopted by Molly’s husband Bryan. They are the perfect family. Everything goes wrong when Colin a d his grandfather are attacked on a hike. Is molly being paranoid or is someone out to get her? #netgally
January 25, 2021
Mothers Don't Lie
is the seventh in the 'Secrets of Suburbia' thriller series by Jo Crow. Having missed the first two books in the series, I read the third, The Perfect Neighbourhood, and the fourth, A Mother's Loss and I was happy to jump in and read this instalment. The story makes a good standalone novel as each is an individual tale set in Chicago.
Molly Burke is happy with her life. She has a young son, Colin, her husband, Bryan and a good job as an estate agent. But she doesn't get on well with Bryan's parents, father-in-law Frank, and mother-in-law Kathy. Molly and her foster sister, Carol grew up in a foster home, and Molly has had problems moving on from some of the trauma she experienced. To get by she protects her family by concealing her worst times with little white lies. When Molly’s son, Colin, is discovered injured, covered in his grandfather’s blood, Frank disappears.
This novel was a fantastic, compulsive and solid domestic thriller and although Molly was quite difficult to warm to, I accepted this was down to her immensely troubled past. It was well-balanced and had me glued to the pages and I didn't want to put it down as I was desperate to know the outcome of the story. The plot was cleverly written being gripping and suspenseful but not unbelievable or far-fetched. Each character had a defined role to play and all of the time the tension was being ratcheted up a notch as Jo Crow hit me with some captivating misdirection. The writing flowed effortlessly with a swift pace to it as Mothers Don't Lie delved into topics of mental health, paranoia, and feelings of inadequacy with doses of deception, menace, and lies.
A brilliant, edge-of-your-seat and highly recommended psychological thriller laced with uncertainty.
I received a complimentary copy of this novel at my request from Relay Publishing via NetGalley. This review is my own unbiased opinion.
Molly Burke is happy with her life. She has a young son, Colin, her husband, Bryan and a good job as an estate agent. But she doesn't get on well with Bryan's parents, father-in-law Frank, and mother-in-law Kathy. Molly and her foster sister, Carol grew up in a foster home, and Molly has had problems moving on from some of the trauma she experienced. To get by she protects her family by concealing her worst times with little white lies. When Molly’s son, Colin, is discovered injured, covered in his grandfather’s blood, Frank disappears.
This novel was a fantastic, compulsive and solid domestic thriller and although Molly was quite difficult to warm to, I accepted this was down to her immensely troubled past. It was well-balanced and had me glued to the pages and I didn't want to put it down as I was desperate to know the outcome of the story. The plot was cleverly written being gripping and suspenseful but not unbelievable or far-fetched. Each character had a defined role to play and all of the time the tension was being ratcheted up a notch as Jo Crow hit me with some captivating misdirection. The writing flowed effortlessly with a swift pace to it as Mothers Don't Lie delved into topics of mental health, paranoia, and feelings of inadequacy with doses of deception, menace, and lies.
A brilliant, edge-of-your-seat and highly recommended psychological thriller laced with uncertainty.
I received a complimentary copy of this novel at my request from Relay Publishing via NetGalley. This review is my own unbiased opinion.
December 11, 2020
Thank you NetGalley for a kindle copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This is the first novel I have read by Jo Crow and I can tell you right now, it most certainly will not be my last! I was hooked from the very beginning and thoroughly enjoyed each and every twist of this thrilling journey, desperate to get to the end.
This is a story of a mother’s fear of losing her child, of betrayal, uncertainty and mental illness. I feel Jo wrote about the aspects of borderline personality disorder beautifully, delicately and respectfully. The writing style was easy to read with wonderful character development throughout. At points I really did feel I was there with Molly, the main character, feeling her sorrow, despair and utter confusion - sometimes I wanted to comfort her, other times I didn’t like her, sometimes I believed her, other times I doubted her - a testament to Jo’s incredible writing.
A brilliantly written and suspenseful thriller, utterly gripping. I would thoroughly recommend. Absolutely read it. Right now!!
This is the first novel I have read by Jo Crow and I can tell you right now, it most certainly will not be my last! I was hooked from the very beginning and thoroughly enjoyed each and every twist of this thrilling journey, desperate to get to the end.
This is a story of a mother’s fear of losing her child, of betrayal, uncertainty and mental illness. I feel Jo wrote about the aspects of borderline personality disorder beautifully, delicately and respectfully. The writing style was easy to read with wonderful character development throughout. At points I really did feel I was there with Molly, the main character, feeling her sorrow, despair and utter confusion - sometimes I wanted to comfort her, other times I didn’t like her, sometimes I believed her, other times I doubted her - a testament to Jo’s incredible writing.
A brilliantly written and suspenseful thriller, utterly gripping. I would thoroughly recommend. Absolutely read it. Right now!!
June 23, 2025
There were times that I felt myself getting so riled up at Cathy..
I don't understand the ending between Molly and Carol.
I don't understand the ending between Molly and Carol.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 22, 2020
First of all: Mental illnesses. Are. Not. A. Plotdevice! Second of all, if you have the need to put a mental illness into a book, do your goddamn research! Don't end up confusing Borderline Personality Disorder with Bipolar Personality Disorder!
A lot of other reviwers of this book did and honestly, I can understand why. That is honestly one of the worst description of BDP I've ever seen - and yes, I am counting the ones in which people with BPD are portrayed as absolute psychopaths. Before I am now kicking loose a shitstorm of "How dare I to think I know what the author is talking about" - joke's on you, this time, I actually DO know what I am talking about. See, I HAVE Borderline. And I am SICK of the way this - and, for the record, many other mental illnesses - are portrayed in the media, be it television or books.
Let's make a quick check of what the nine criterica for BPD are (also, keep in mind, to be diagnosed with BPD, you need to have at least five of these criteria!):
1) Frantic efforts to avoid real or imagined abandonment. -> I am actually giving the author this one, because Molly's behaviour toward Colin is exactly that. From the very beginning.
2) A pattern of unstable and intense interpersonal relationships characterised by alternating
between extremes of idealisation and devaluation -> Uhm... Well, no?! Not once in that book did I see anything remotely to that behaviour. Molly is married, she is on good terms with her foster sister, she doesn't have a love-hate relationship with her in-laws; it's actually pure dislike on both sides, mainly on her mother-in-law's side.
3) Identity disturbance: markedly and persistently unstable self-image or sense of self -> Also no. Molly knows exactly who she is and the amnesia she's seemingly having does not exactly fall under that criteria. She knows how to do her job and she's not bad at it. She knows what she wants from her life. Doesn't sound "identity disturbance" to me.
4) Impulsivity in at least two areas that are potentially self-damaging -> Nope. Where? She's not speeding, she's not engaging in risky behaviour, she's not spending money, she's not having reckless sex. She is not abusing her medication, she's taking them accuratly.
5) Recurrent suicidal behaviour, gestures, or threats, or self-mutilating behaviour -> Also nothing. Absolutely NOTHING. The only thing that "might" count as self-mutilating behaviour was eating the cake, but guess what? She said she was allergic to walnut and she did not know there was walnut in it! If she had known, she would not have said so!
6) Affective instability due to a marked reactivity of mood -> LIGHTLY- very, very lightly, and if you don't know what to look for, it's easy to miss.
7) Chronic feelings of emptiness -> in no way resembeling toward BPD. Her son was attacked, her father-in-law is missing and her "loving" husband is telling her that she is acting crazy. There is no emptiness behind any of Molly's actions or description.
8) Inappropriate, intense anger or difficulty controlling anger -> I am giving half a point here, because I wouldn't say that her anger is compleatly inappropriate. Her husband is trying to take her son away from her, that is a more than plausible reason for anyone to get angry. Also, you don't really see Molly angry, at least not when it's not appropriate.
9) Transient, stress-related paranoid ideation or severe dissociative symptoms -> That is probaly the point Jo Crow decided to use to justify Molly's BPD. I am also willing to give her that one, but again, even if you don't have BPD, I am pretty sure if your child was attacked, you'd start to feel slightly paranoid.
So, what does this list tell us now? Molly does NOT fullfill the criteria for BPD.. And Compulsive Lying is NOT a criteria of BPD, as you can see.
Also, can we please mention how WEIRD this book got near the end?! How can you be married to someone without knowing their middle name? As far as I know, that stuff need to put down when you get married., so... shouldn't Molly have gotten suspicious then? Jeez, no! This book was such a waste of time...
I received a free copy by netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
A lot of other reviwers of this book did and honestly, I can understand why. That is honestly one of the worst description of BDP I've ever seen - and yes, I am counting the ones in which people with BPD are portrayed as absolute psychopaths. Before I am now kicking loose a shitstorm of "How dare I to think I know what the author is talking about" - joke's on you, this time, I actually DO know what I am talking about. See, I HAVE Borderline. And I am SICK of the way this - and, for the record, many other mental illnesses - are portrayed in the media, be it television or books.
Let's make a quick check of what the nine criterica for BPD are (also, keep in mind, to be diagnosed with BPD, you need to have at least five of these criteria!):
1) Frantic efforts to avoid real or imagined abandonment. -> I am actually giving the author this one, because Molly's behaviour toward Colin is exactly that. From the very beginning.
2) A pattern of unstable and intense interpersonal relationships characterised by alternating
between extremes of idealisation and devaluation -> Uhm... Well, no?! Not once in that book did I see anything remotely to that behaviour. Molly is married, she is on good terms with her foster sister, she doesn't have a love-hate relationship with her in-laws; it's actually pure dislike on both sides, mainly on her mother-in-law's side.
3) Identity disturbance: markedly and persistently unstable self-image or sense of self -> Also no. Molly knows exactly who she is and the amnesia she's seemingly having does not exactly fall under that criteria. She knows how to do her job and she's not bad at it. She knows what she wants from her life. Doesn't sound "identity disturbance" to me.
4) Impulsivity in at least two areas that are potentially self-damaging -> Nope. Where? She's not speeding, she's not engaging in risky behaviour, she's not spending money, she's not having reckless sex. She is not abusing her medication, she's taking them accuratly.
5) Recurrent suicidal behaviour, gestures, or threats, or self-mutilating behaviour -> Also nothing. Absolutely NOTHING. The only thing that "might" count as self-mutilating behaviour was eating the cake, but guess what? She said she was allergic to walnut and she did not know there was walnut in it! If she had known, she would not have said so!
6) Affective instability due to a marked reactivity of mood -> LIGHTLY- very, very lightly, and if you don't know what to look for, it's easy to miss.
7) Chronic feelings of emptiness -> in no way resembeling toward BPD. Her son was attacked, her father-in-law is missing and her "loving" husband is telling her that she is acting crazy. There is no emptiness behind any of Molly's actions or description.
8) Inappropriate, intense anger or difficulty controlling anger -> I am giving half a point here, because I wouldn't say that her anger is compleatly inappropriate. Her husband is trying to take her son away from her, that is a more than plausible reason for anyone to get angry. Also, you don't really see Molly angry, at least not when it's not appropriate.
9) Transient, stress-related paranoid ideation or severe dissociative symptoms -> That is probaly the point Jo Crow decided to use to justify Molly's BPD. I am also willing to give her that one, but again, even if you don't have BPD, I am pretty sure if your child was attacked, you'd start to feel slightly paranoid.
So, what does this list tell us now? Molly does NOT fullfill the criteria for BPD.. And Compulsive Lying is NOT a criteria of BPD, as you can see.
Also, can we please mention how WEIRD this book got near the end?! How can you be married to someone without knowing their middle name? As far as I know, that stuff need to put down when you get married., so... shouldn't Molly have gotten suspicious then? Jeez, no! This book was such a waste of time...
I received a free copy by netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
February 14, 2021
This is book seven of the Secrets of Suburbia and the main character is Molly Burke, mother of a young son called Colin and married for the last few years to a man called Bryan who she met when she was struggling with her health and her young child. She also has a good job as an estate agent in the local area. They get the news that Bryan’s request to adopt her son has finally come through and she wants to celebrate, just the three of them, but he invites his parents, Frank and Kathy, who she doesn’t get on well with. It makes for yet another uncomfortable evening as Kathy seems to tut at her every action around her son and husband, whilst Frank never even speaks to her. Bryan had a difficult relationship with his parents, his father in particular, and had stayed away from them for years, until recently when he tried to rebuild their relationship. Molly had a difficult childhood in foster care, with abusive foster parents and a medical issue that left her suffering from a borderline personality disorder, which caused her to become a compulsive liar to cope with what had happened to her. With medication, a therapist and Bryan’s help, she finally managed to cope with her condition and function nearly normally.
She still can’t stop telling little lies and after her son goes missing whilst under his grandparents care, being found hours later with a head injury and his grandfather missing, after he had taken them on a hike. She almost attacks Kathy for taking her four year old son on a hike in the woods and has to call the police when he has been missing for hours. When they get Colin back from hospital, he avoids Molly all the time, only wanting comfort from Bryan. Colin’s hours of being missing, brings back painful memories from Molly’s past and cause her to start spiralling out of control. Kathy moves in with them while her husband is missing and this adds more pressure to Molly’s life. Neither she nor Bryan go to work for a few weeks as they try to get over the attack on their son and his father’s disappearance. Molly starts acting strangely and missing days at work, forgetting conversations or texts she is supposed to have sent. Bryan questions whether she is on her meds or not, or if she has even picked up her new prescription, but her behaviour and forgetfulness just seems to get worse.
She tells Bryan she is going to work, only to call in sick and book a spa day, only to see her mother in law getting out of a car, driven by a man who looks like Frank. A new customer who insists on only her showing her around some properties, then asking to be shown an apartment in a place with tragic memories for Molly and then turns up working with her husband. She also looks a lot like someone from Molly’s past that she hasn’t even told her husband about. She tries to call on her old friend and foster sister to help her figure things out, but since she only seems to call on her when she herself is in need, and her spiralling out of control is more than her foster sister may want to handle yet again, she has no one that will believe her. Someone knows what she did in her past and she believes they are after her again and want to take her son away from her. Her paranoia increases as deceit and lies surround her, until she is overwhelmed and struggling to figure out what is really true and what her illness may be making her hallucinate. While some lies may be revealed, other lies are left for you to ponder on, as the ending gives you a suggestion of another twist in the tale! Another fascinating book from the author that leaves the main character in a seemingly perfect life, only to have it fall down around her feet, as cracks appear in their life and in those around them. I received an ARC copy of this book from BookSprout and I have freely given my own opinion of the book above.
She still can’t stop telling little lies and after her son goes missing whilst under his grandparents care, being found hours later with a head injury and his grandfather missing, after he had taken them on a hike. She almost attacks Kathy for taking her four year old son on a hike in the woods and has to call the police when he has been missing for hours. When they get Colin back from hospital, he avoids Molly all the time, only wanting comfort from Bryan. Colin’s hours of being missing, brings back painful memories from Molly’s past and cause her to start spiralling out of control. Kathy moves in with them while her husband is missing and this adds more pressure to Molly’s life. Neither she nor Bryan go to work for a few weeks as they try to get over the attack on their son and his father’s disappearance. Molly starts acting strangely and missing days at work, forgetting conversations or texts she is supposed to have sent. Bryan questions whether she is on her meds or not, or if she has even picked up her new prescription, but her behaviour and forgetfulness just seems to get worse.
She tells Bryan she is going to work, only to call in sick and book a spa day, only to see her mother in law getting out of a car, driven by a man who looks like Frank. A new customer who insists on only her showing her around some properties, then asking to be shown an apartment in a place with tragic memories for Molly and then turns up working with her husband. She also looks a lot like someone from Molly’s past that she hasn’t even told her husband about. She tries to call on her old friend and foster sister to help her figure things out, but since she only seems to call on her when she herself is in need, and her spiralling out of control is more than her foster sister may want to handle yet again, she has no one that will believe her. Someone knows what she did in her past and she believes they are after her again and want to take her son away from her. Her paranoia increases as deceit and lies surround her, until she is overwhelmed and struggling to figure out what is really true and what her illness may be making her hallucinate. While some lies may be revealed, other lies are left for you to ponder on, as the ending gives you a suggestion of another twist in the tale! Another fascinating book from the author that leaves the main character in a seemingly perfect life, only to have it fall down around her feet, as cracks appear in their life and in those around them. I received an ARC copy of this book from BookSprout and I have freely given my own opinion of the book above.
December 30, 2020
Mother's don't lie is a fascinating psychological thriller focusing around Molly. Molly has a secret that only her sister knows, so when that secret comes back to haunt her she begins to think she's loosing her mind. With Mollys mental health history it is clear to those around her what is happening but Molly is convinced there's a link between her father in laws disappearance and everything thats happening, but would you believe someone who is a known compulsive liar?
I am going to first start with the one element of the novel i didn't like. I am aware mental illness plays a very big role in this story and I am fine with that however Molly has a diagnosis of boarferline personality dosorder. BPD sufferers have been stigmatised as manipulative and liars for years and this isn't the case. I wish that the author had picked another disorder to go along side the compulsive lying diagnosis because this story reinforces alot of the negative stereotypes. As someone with bpd this really made me angry reading so I had to put that feeling to one side to enjoy the book.
I loved the fact that we only know what Molly tells us. So we are kept in the dark about majority of the ongoing and have o question ourselves whether or not we believe what she is saying. I found myself flip flopping throughout the novel. I think the psychological element of this book was written extremely well to the point at times I questioned what I even knew.
Mollys relationship with her husband Bryan seems so perfect. He's a great father and husband. It was interesting watching how this played out the more Molly's mind started to unrevell. Molly's relationship with her son is so special. She will protect that kid over anything and everything. I found some elements of the end a tad implusable given how protective she is however when worse comes to the worse you got to do whatever you can.
The flashback elements as nightmares were very well written. I loved that we weren't jumping from one time zone to the next as sometimes I get lost with that. I also like that although we get the just of what happened to Jack we don't really know the exact details until the end and I enjoyed that.
The epilogue was great I thought it would go one way hut it ended leaving doubt in the readers mind and I loved that now I want to read a second book to get to the truth.
I would highly recommend this book to anyone who likes a thinker. I often wonder if my mind is a bit messed up as I guessed early on the twist and thought nope ridiculous and I was bang on again, it's a great twist and if you don't guess it you are in for a treat! Like I said the BPD element i found a tad offensive as it wasn't explain clearly and it reads as if that causes compulsive lying. However the rest of the story makes up for that and I am happily giving 5 stars. Fantastic psychological thriller has me kn the edge of my seat and managed to finish within a day I was that hooked!
Thank you to netgalley, the author and publisher for the advanced digital copy in exchange for my fair and honest opinion.
I am going to first start with the one element of the novel i didn't like. I am aware mental illness plays a very big role in this story and I am fine with that however Molly has a diagnosis of boarferline personality dosorder. BPD sufferers have been stigmatised as manipulative and liars for years and this isn't the case. I wish that the author had picked another disorder to go along side the compulsive lying diagnosis because this story reinforces alot of the negative stereotypes. As someone with bpd this really made me angry reading so I had to put that feeling to one side to enjoy the book.
I loved the fact that we only know what Molly tells us. So we are kept in the dark about majority of the ongoing and have o question ourselves whether or not we believe what she is saying. I found myself flip flopping throughout the novel. I think the psychological element of this book was written extremely well to the point at times I questioned what I even knew.
Mollys relationship with her husband Bryan seems so perfect. He's a great father and husband. It was interesting watching how this played out the more Molly's mind started to unrevell. Molly's relationship with her son is so special. She will protect that kid over anything and everything. I found some elements of the end a tad implusable given how protective she is however when worse comes to the worse you got to do whatever you can.
The flashback elements as nightmares were very well written. I loved that we weren't jumping from one time zone to the next as sometimes I get lost with that. I also like that although we get the just of what happened to Jack we don't really know the exact details until the end and I enjoyed that.
The epilogue was great I thought it would go one way hut it ended leaving doubt in the readers mind and I loved that now I want to read a second book to get to the truth.
I would highly recommend this book to anyone who likes a thinker. I often wonder if my mind is a bit messed up as I guessed early on the twist and thought nope ridiculous and I was bang on again, it's a great twist and if you don't guess it you are in for a treat! Like I said the BPD element i found a tad offensive as it wasn't explain clearly and it reads as if that causes compulsive lying. However the rest of the story makes up for that and I am happily giving 5 stars. Fantastic psychological thriller has me kn the edge of my seat and managed to finish within a day I was that hooked!
Thank you to netgalley, the author and publisher for the advanced digital copy in exchange for my fair and honest opinion.
November 27, 2020
I received a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
Published: November 17, 2020
Relay Publishing
General Fiction (Adult)/ Mystery & Thrillers
Jo Crow was a finance executive who wrote on her commute to and from work. She didn’t think she would ever share her work, thinking it was too dark for publishing. But she got some unsolicited advice from a publishing executive who changed that thought process. She quit her job and turned to writing full time. She has three books under her belt and many more stories to tell.
“Five, four, three, two, one.”
This is the first novel from Jo Crow that I have read, and it definitely won’t be the last. She is a talented woman. I enjoyed this book; the characters, the writing, the plot were all enjoyable. This is a fast-paced tale that will keep you turning pages as you try and figure out just what is going on and who is to blame.
Molly comes with a lot of baggage. And a lot of secrets, and a lot of emotional scars. She ran away from a situation, taking something that technically didn’t belong to her. And she spent a lot of time looking over her shoulder. Molly met Bryan and felt something she hadn’t felt in a very long time. Security. Safety. Love. Bryan provided a safe and secure life for Molly and their son. Until pieces of Molly’s past come sneaking back to the present. It is only a matter of time before the whole truth is revealed, and the devastation may not leave anyone in its wake.
The character development in the novel is so well done. The story is crafted so intricately. Jo Crow writes a good thriller. As the story unfolds and the plot thickens, you genuinely find yourself not knowing who is right, who is wrong, and who is dangerous.
Jo Crow weaves a twisted tale the involves betrayal, deception, mental illness, and uncertainty. Every single issue was handled beautifully. Mental illness is a tricky thing to write about because it is crucial to represent mental illness with as much respect and care as possible and not misrepresent a character's negative traits simply because they have some mental illness. Jo Crow was very clever with how she wrote about Molly’s struggles.
Molly is such a strong, bold character. And despite all of the chaos she goes through, some of it because of her own doing, she remains diligently true to who she is. As her world starts to crumble, she is left to flounder on her own. When she starts to doubt everyone in her life, she struggles to find a stable place to think.
There are so many twists and turns along the way, and when you start to think you’ve figured it out, another piece falls into place, changing everything you thought you knew.
As her past quickly becomes her present, Molly is more determined than ever to make sure it doesn’t become her future.
Published: November 17, 2020
Relay Publishing
General Fiction (Adult)/ Mystery & Thrillers
Jo Crow was a finance executive who wrote on her commute to and from work. She didn’t think she would ever share her work, thinking it was too dark for publishing. But she got some unsolicited advice from a publishing executive who changed that thought process. She quit her job and turned to writing full time. She has three books under her belt and many more stories to tell.
“Five, four, three, two, one.”
This is the first novel from Jo Crow that I have read, and it definitely won’t be the last. She is a talented woman. I enjoyed this book; the characters, the writing, the plot were all enjoyable. This is a fast-paced tale that will keep you turning pages as you try and figure out just what is going on and who is to blame.
Molly comes with a lot of baggage. And a lot of secrets, and a lot of emotional scars. She ran away from a situation, taking something that technically didn’t belong to her. And she spent a lot of time looking over her shoulder. Molly met Bryan and felt something she hadn’t felt in a very long time. Security. Safety. Love. Bryan provided a safe and secure life for Molly and their son. Until pieces of Molly’s past come sneaking back to the present. It is only a matter of time before the whole truth is revealed, and the devastation may not leave anyone in its wake.
The character development in the novel is so well done. The story is crafted so intricately. Jo Crow writes a good thriller. As the story unfolds and the plot thickens, you genuinely find yourself not knowing who is right, who is wrong, and who is dangerous.
Jo Crow weaves a twisted tale the involves betrayal, deception, mental illness, and uncertainty. Every single issue was handled beautifully. Mental illness is a tricky thing to write about because it is crucial to represent mental illness with as much respect and care as possible and not misrepresent a character's negative traits simply because they have some mental illness. Jo Crow was very clever with how she wrote about Molly’s struggles.
Molly is such a strong, bold character. And despite all of the chaos she goes through, some of it because of her own doing, she remains diligently true to who she is. As her world starts to crumble, she is left to flounder on her own. When she starts to doubt everyone in her life, she struggles to find a stable place to think.
There are so many twists and turns along the way, and when you start to think you’ve figured it out, another piece falls into place, changing everything you thought you knew.
As her past quickly becomes her present, Molly is more determined than ever to make sure it doesn’t become her future.
January 5, 2021
I received a free copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
I think this book is going to be pretty polarizing based on what sorts of thrillers you enjoy and how strictly you take your mental health representation/research.
If you're the type of reader who enjoys the typical "female protagonist wonders if she's going crazy" thriller plot, you'll enjoy this. It's pretty well-paced, has plenty of action/twists sprinkled through out, plenty of suspense, etc. If you don't like those tropes, though, you will not enjoy this book.
You also might not enjoy it if you prefer your mental health representation in books to be well-researched and truthful to real-life conditions. This I can't particularly speak on, not being overly familiar with BPD myself (borderline personality disorder, not bipolar, fyi), but some other reviewers have had issues with how the disorder is presented here vs how it occurs in real life.
The last big factor in whether you enjoy this book is your personal tolerance for beyond ridiculous plot twists. When reading thrillers, I like to pause every now and then and play a little game called "What's the Dumbest Twist That Could Happen?" About nine times out of ten, that ends up being the actual plot twist in the story, and this one is no exception. The sheer amount of work and ridiculousness that would go into the main plot twist is absolutely crazy, involving a 180 degree twist in personality sustained for years, among other things. Again, if you enjoy that sort of craziness in your thrillers, you'll like this - if you prefer plausibility, stay away.
For me, personally, it was a little hit-and-miss. There was a lot of suspense to keep me going, and I enjoy stories where it's not clear if the protagonist is a reliable narrator or not, but the twist had me laughing out loud at how silly it is. This isn't a bad book. It's not a good book. It's a book for a very specific sort of audience, and if you're the right audience, you'll enjoy it immensely. If not, give it a pass.
I think this book is going to be pretty polarizing based on what sorts of thrillers you enjoy and how strictly you take your mental health representation/research.
If you're the type of reader who enjoys the typical "female protagonist wonders if she's going crazy" thriller plot, you'll enjoy this. It's pretty well-paced, has plenty of action/twists sprinkled through out, plenty of suspense, etc. If you don't like those tropes, though, you will not enjoy this book.
You also might not enjoy it if you prefer your mental health representation in books to be well-researched and truthful to real-life conditions. This I can't particularly speak on, not being overly familiar with BPD myself (borderline personality disorder, not bipolar, fyi), but some other reviewers have had issues with how the disorder is presented here vs how it occurs in real life.
The last big factor in whether you enjoy this book is your personal tolerance for beyond ridiculous plot twists. When reading thrillers, I like to pause every now and then and play a little game called "What's the Dumbest Twist That Could Happen?" About nine times out of ten, that ends up being the actual plot twist in the story, and this one is no exception. The sheer amount of work and ridiculousness that would go into the main plot twist is absolutely crazy, involving a 180 degree twist in personality sustained for years, among other things. Again, if you enjoy that sort of craziness in your thrillers, you'll like this - if you prefer plausibility, stay away.
For me, personally, it was a little hit-and-miss. There was a lot of suspense to keep me going, and I enjoy stories where it's not clear if the protagonist is a reliable narrator or not, but the twist had me laughing out loud at how silly it is. This isn't a bad book. It's not a good book. It's a book for a very specific sort of audience, and if you're the right audience, you'll enjoy it immensely. If not, give it a pass.
November 19, 2020
Molly is happy with her young son, Colin, and her husband, Bryan - her life seems almost perfect. But her in-laws don’t like her, and she has a troubled past. Molly and her foster sister, Carol, grew up in an abusive foster home, and Molly had difficulty moving past the trauma. She also ran away from her responsibility to give her son up for adoption, and she is worried that her past might catch up with her.
When things start happening to Molly that she can’t remember doing, she wonders if she is going crazy. She is constantly being reminded of people from her past, and she doesn’t know how to handle it. All the while, she is trying to do her best for her son, Colin.
Things come to a head, and Molly and Brian face a crossroads. Fast forward 10 years, and you wonder what the truth actually was!
This was a good thriller, but I had an issue with how quickly Susan and Frank folded and agreed with the explanation they were given. I don’t think they would have been convinced as easily as they were after years of believing something else. There are a few holes in the plot, but overall, I enjoyed it. Quick read.
I appreciate receiving the advance copy from Booksprout, but all opinions are freely given.
#MothersDontLie #JoCrow #Booksprout
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
When things start happening to Molly that she can’t remember doing, she wonders if she is going crazy. She is constantly being reminded of people from her past, and she doesn’t know how to handle it. All the while, she is trying to do her best for her son, Colin.
Things come to a head, and Molly and Brian face a crossroads. Fast forward 10 years, and you wonder what the truth actually was!
This was a good thriller, but I had an issue with how quickly Susan and Frank folded and agreed with the explanation they were given. I don’t think they would have been convinced as easily as they were after years of believing something else. There are a few holes in the plot, but overall, I enjoyed it. Quick read.
I appreciate receiving the advance copy from Booksprout, but all opinions are freely given.
#MothersDontLie #JoCrow #Booksprout
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
November 23, 2020
Mothers Don’t Lie explore the fear a mother has of losing her child. This tale takes you deep into the mind of a woman who has been diagnosed with borderline personality disorder and compulsive lying, a combination that keeps you on the edge of your seat while you read.
This is the first time I have read a book by Jo Crow and I raced through this story in less than two days. The easy writing style and gripping storyline had me hooked from the moment I read the blurb of the book, and I was not disappointed anywhere along the way. This was one of those books where you simply had to get to the end.
Molly had a troubled childhood, and life did not seem to get any better for her. Then her son, Colin, was born and she felt like her world was falling apart. Until Bryan Burke walked into her life. For the first time, Molly felt safe. She gained control of her borderline personality disorder with the help of medication. Life was perfect! Until her son is discovered covered in blood and her father-in-law has disappeared. Molly’s past comes knocking and she finds herself spiralling back to old habits, lying to keep her past hidden, only to feel herself losing everything important to her.
Read my full review - https://featzreviews.com/mothers-dont...
This is the first time I have read a book by Jo Crow and I raced through this story in less than two days. The easy writing style and gripping storyline had me hooked from the moment I read the blurb of the book, and I was not disappointed anywhere along the way. This was one of those books where you simply had to get to the end.
Molly had a troubled childhood, and life did not seem to get any better for her. Then her son, Colin, was born and she felt like her world was falling apart. Until Bryan Burke walked into her life. For the first time, Molly felt safe. She gained control of her borderline personality disorder with the help of medication. Life was perfect! Until her son is discovered covered in blood and her father-in-law has disappeared. Molly’s past comes knocking and she finds herself spiralling back to old habits, lying to keep her past hidden, only to feel herself losing everything important to her.
Read my full review - https://featzreviews.com/mothers-dont...
November 19, 2020
Molly was supposed to be a surrogate mother for a couple. Not long before her due date, she runs away with the couple's baby still inside her. She burns the contract and starts life new with her son. Later when her son was three years old, she married Brian Burke and he adopts Colin as his own son. This is where things start going strange and unravel for Molly. Due to her foster upbringing, she has a history of lying and being psychotic. When Colin and her father-in-law are attacked while hiking, Colin is found but Frank is missing. Molly starts to lose it -- or does she? This story shows the great lengths a mother will go for her child against all odds. But is she really crazy? Another excellent psychological thriller by Jo Crow. I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book from Booksprout and Bloodhound Books.
January 4, 2021
This was an interesting take on the theme of gaslighting. I was pretty certain that Molly was not imagining everything that was happening, despite her history with mental illness. The trouble is that we aren't given enough of a backstory nor do we see the progression to her current state of mind, except that it was triggered by stress. We also never find out why her son, Colin, has an aversion to her perfume, though you can infer it from the story. The character development starts to pick up towards the end of the book, so that you start to see more of the Molly's mother-in-law, father-in-law, and husband's personalities. I like how the author tied in the relationship between all of the characters. The suspense did keep me engaged, and I would recommend this as a quick read.
Thanks to Hidden Gems Books for a digital copy for review.
Thanks to Hidden Gems Books for a digital copy for review.
November 21, 2020
I received an ARC copy of this book from Net Galley in exchange for my honest opinion of it. The book starts off with Molly running away from her old life and the surrogate parents she promised to give her baby to. She gives birth to her baby boy, Colin, and vows to keep him safe knowing that she grew up in foster care with horrible treatment. She meets Bryan and even though she feels like she is living a perfect life, she is always looking over her shoulder and dealing with her past and her personality disorder which makes her a chronic liar. One of the things I really enjoyed about this book was that as the twists and turns were going on, I was constantly asking myself who is the crazy one here? Good Read.
November 26, 2020
Another thriller from Jo Crow. Definitely an engrossing read although I personally felt there was too much emphasis on the main character, Molly, feeling that she was going crazy. Given that she has been diagnosed with borderline personality disorder and is also a compulsive liar the framework for the premise already existed and I felt some of her scenes were redundant.
The twists and turns of her relationship with her husband, Bryan, were compelling. Loved the set up of the surrogate and the later conspiracy. Also loved Molly’s back story and the way Jo Crow revealed it slowly and so relevantly. Most of all, her love for Collin warmed my heart, and the book. The ending was superb!
I received a free copy of this book via Book sprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
The twists and turns of her relationship with her husband, Bryan, were compelling. Loved the set up of the surrogate and the later conspiracy. Also loved Molly’s back story and the way Jo Crow revealed it slowly and so relevantly. Most of all, her love for Collin warmed my heart, and the book. The ending was superb!
I received a free copy of this book via Book sprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
November 20, 2020
I really enjoyed this book. Actually stayed up to finish it, not sure if that was because I was reading it on my phone or despite that fact. The chapters and pages just flowed. Some things were as expected, but there were some definite surprises. The actual ending was superb, but I didn't like how parts of it finished. Definitely would recommend this book, but I haven't read anything by this author that I wouldn't recommend.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
November 21, 2020
Molly reneges on her contract as a surrogate mother, running away before her son is born, and later allowing her new husband to adopt him. When her son and father-in-law are attacked, her son is located but her father-in-law has disappeared. Molly will do anything to protect her son. The story is intense and emotional. The characters are well developed and believable; some likable, some not so much, but it's hard to know who to trust. The book was hard to put down once I started reading.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
December 21, 2020
Jo Crow is an author who doesn’t disappoint and the novel revolves around a mother, haunted by bi-polar disease, who seems to have achieved harmony with medication, a son and a new husband . Then everything falls apart when her son and father -in-law are attacked and mother Molly starts a new downward spiral. Always a liar, her world become psychotic and we wonder if she might not be a victim after all. Mental and emotional illnesses are awkward to use as a plot device but Crow handles them well in this fast paced story.
February 6, 2021
Great twists and unexpected turns!
I enjoyed this book because I honestly did not figure things out until it all came together at the end. And even then, there was one more shock I wasn't expecting. My only complaint is that there were some issues with the timeline of events a couple of times. But I think that's more the fault of the editor than the author. I've read a couple other novels by Ms. Crow and have enjoyed them all. This is my favorite so far. I will definitely read more of her work!
I enjoyed this book because I honestly did not figure things out until it all came together at the end. And even then, there was one more shock I wasn't expecting. My only complaint is that there were some issues with the timeline of events a couple of times. But I think that's more the fault of the editor than the author. I've read a couple other novels by Ms. Crow and have enjoyed them all. This is my favorite so far. I will definitely read more of her work!
February 7, 2021
Twisted
I got this book on a whim after reading an ad on Facebook, and after I read a few pages, I was sucked into the story and I couldn't put it down until I was finished. This is one of those twisty thrillers where everyone might be lying and you don't know who to trust and I kept screaming "WTF IS GOING ON" at the book. So I loved it, of course. I like dark, twisty thrillers, and I loved the mother, the main character of the story, even when she made me want to scream and tear my hair out.
I got this book on a whim after reading an ad on Facebook, and after I read a few pages, I was sucked into the story and I couldn't put it down until I was finished. This is one of those twisty thrillers where everyone might be lying and you don't know who to trust and I kept screaming "WTF IS GOING ON" at the book. So I loved it, of course. I like dark, twisty thrillers, and I loved the mother, the main character of the story, even when she made me want to scream and tear my hair out.
November 19, 2020
Molly has some issues. There are things in her past. With her medication she is fine. Then one day everything changes. This was an intense book with betrayal and secrets. It was a rollercoaster ride and kept me on the edge of my seat. I thought the characters were well written and had some depth. The story line was original and engrossing. This is a great thriller.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
November 20, 2020
Spoilers ** I found this book to be so extremely unrealistic. For example, How can you be married to someone for 3 years who adopts your child, and not know their middle name?! I didn’t find the story particularly engaging because of this. If I had not agreed to review it, I probably would not have finished it.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 21, 2020
ARC for review.
I must be a masochist for having finished this book.
From the horrific portrayal of borderline personality disorder (no, it doesn't make you a pathological liar or make you have amnesia) to the ridiculous plot...I can't think of anything really redeeming about it. Plus, when I was about a quarter through, I was certain I had read it before. Apparently not, but it didn't even appear original.
This was....bad.
I must be a masochist for having finished this book.
From the horrific portrayal of borderline personality disorder (no, it doesn't make you a pathological liar or make you have amnesia) to the ridiculous plot...I can't think of anything really redeeming about it. Plus, when I was about a quarter through, I was certain I had read it before. Apparently not, but it didn't even appear original.
This was....bad.
November 26, 2020
An awesome domestic psychological thriller that has some wonderful twists and turns in so that the suspense is throughout the book. This is a real page turner with a strong female lead character who has had a difficult past and continues to have certain issues that play into how she perceives the world around her. Brilliant, brilliant, brilliant!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
November 28, 2020
It was fantastic really loved it couldn’t wait to get into bed to read it I was hooked from the very first page it was such a pleasure to read something so exciting kept me on the edge of my seat poor Molly felt for her all the way through I’m sure everybody would have done the same to keep your child safe I would definitely recommend it I’ve never read any books from this author so can’t wait to read more and want to thank the publisher and Hidden Gems for this book.
February 17, 2021
Mothers Don't Lie
It's 3:45 am, and yes, it is that good! His is a true thriller. Great characters, plenty of twists, and an ending that will knock your socks off.Bryan and Molly, the perfect couple, the perfect little family. So the mother in law is a total witch to Molly, every little snide remark, the disapproving looks and questioning her skills of motherhood, makes for a good story line. Very good novel!!!
It's 3:45 am, and yes, it is that good! His is a true thriller. Great characters, plenty of twists, and an ending that will knock your socks off.Bryan and Molly, the perfect couple, the perfect little family. So the mother in law is a total witch to Molly, every little snide remark, the disapproving looks and questioning her skills of motherhood, makes for a good story line. Very good novel!!!
February 25, 2021
The Author is geographically confused.
This book was it for me. Psychological suspense based in suburbs around the U.S. —but the language and phraseology is most definitely British English vs American English.The dissonance has grown so much in the last two books, you feel mental whiplash.
Much better editing, proofing and Beta Readers are needed by the Relay imprint.
I would not recommend.
This book was it for me. Psychological suspense based in suburbs around the U.S. —but the language and phraseology is most definitely British English vs American English.The dissonance has grown so much in the last two books, you feel mental whiplash.
Much better editing, proofing and Beta Readers are needed by the Relay imprint.
I would not recommend.
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