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Mother’s Helper
You live with her. You trust her. But you don’t know her…
Wanted: full-time, live-in help for expectant mother. Must be organised, friendly and willing to do anything.
Rachel is determined to be the perfect mother. She has a birth plan, with a playlist and a bag ready by the door. She’s chosen a lovely light cream paint for the nursery, and in wide-eyed, innocent Abbie she’s found the perfect person to help her with her baby.
Because every mother needs a bit of help, don’t they?
But Rachel needs a little more than most.
She still makes sure her bedroom door is locked before she goes to sleep. She still checks the cameras that are dotted throughout the house.
Rachel trusts Abbie.
She just knows better than to trust herself…
From the bestselling author of Her Husband’s Lover, this is a truly gripping story about how far people will go to find a family. Filled with tension and twists to keep you glued to every page, it is perfect for fans of Ruth Ware, Shari LaPena and The Girl on the Train.
Wanted: full-time, live-in help for expectant mother. Must be organised, friendly and willing to do anything.
Rachel is determined to be the perfect mother. She has a birth plan, with a playlist and a bag ready by the door. She’s chosen a lovely light cream paint for the nursery, and in wide-eyed, innocent Abbie she’s found the perfect person to help her with her baby.
Because every mother needs a bit of help, don’t they?
But Rachel needs a little more than most.
She still makes sure her bedroom door is locked before she goes to sleep. She still checks the cameras that are dotted throughout the house.
Rachel trusts Abbie.
She just knows better than to trust herself…
From the bestselling author of Her Husband’s Lover, this is a truly gripping story about how far people will go to find a family. Filled with tension and twists to keep you glued to every page, it is perfect for fans of Ruth Ware, Shari LaPena and The Girl on the Train.
405 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 12, 2021
556 people are currently reading
625 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 156 reviews
January 22, 2022
The New Mother is an entertaining, twisted domestic thriller! Rachel, an Instagram influencer, is looking for a mother's helper. Abbie appears to be a dream come true, filling all of Rachel's requirements. Not only does Abbie seem to be qualified, she also worships Rachel. Abbie is too good to be true, but there is something that doesn't feel right about her to Rachel. Her background is mysterious and she often contradicts herself. No one is as they seem in this roller coaster ride of a thriller. My feelings about Rachel and Abbie were constantly changing. Who is the real villain in this tale of deception ,friendship and betrayal? Kristy Dillon's narration brings the characters to life, adding an extra layer of tension and suspense. The action packed conclusion had me on the edge of my seat! Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture Audio for my audiobook.
October 11, 2021
We all know when it comes to having a new baby in the house, one could certainly use an extra pair of hands. For Rachel, an influential influencer, it's a most needed addition so she advertises and proceeds to hire Abbie, a sweet, kind, loving girl, who is an avid fan of Rachel's. Seems like a perfect match and as both ladies await the arrival of the baby, they learn things about one another, that perhaps they never wanted to know. They both have secrets, ones that could bring ruin onto to both their heads.
There's many things going on in the story and just as you think you know what will happen, a curve is thrown in and viola! off you go in another direction. This was a well-done psychological thriller which pits the new age of the internet with everyday issues.
The story is told in alternate voices and it was compelling to learn of the personalities of Rachel and Abbie, as they look at each other each day a bit differently. I can't say that I would want either of them as friends or even someone I would follow on the various sites. However, the author kept them interesting as she explored the psychological elements that drove each of them, and indeed these women were driven.
I recommend this story to those who enjoy delving into reasons and motivations of people. The old adage of "if it looks too good, it probably is" certainly applies to the meeting of Rachel and Abbie.
Thanks, to Julia Crouch, Bookouture, and NetGally for a copy of this story that was recently published.
There's many things going on in the story and just as you think you know what will happen, a curve is thrown in and viola! off you go in another direction. This was a well-done psychological thriller which pits the new age of the internet with everyday issues.
The story is told in alternate voices and it was compelling to learn of the personalities of Rachel and Abbie, as they look at each other each day a bit differently. I can't say that I would want either of them as friends or even someone I would follow on the various sites. However, the author kept them interesting as she explored the psychological elements that drove each of them, and indeed these women were driven.
I recommend this story to those who enjoy delving into reasons and motivations of people. The old adage of "if it looks too good, it probably is" certainly applies to the meeting of Rachel and Abbie.
Thanks, to Julia Crouch, Bookouture, and NetGally for a copy of this story that was recently published.
October 16, 2021
3.5 stars
This review was first posted on Mystery and Suspense. Check it out for features, interviews, and reviews. https://www.mysteryandsuspense.com/th...
Rachel Rodrigues, called RR by her followers, has been a popular social media influencer for a decade. Rachel peddles exercise routines, athletic wear, bath products, beauty lotions, health foods, and so on - and even has yoga workouts and cookery videos on YouTube.
Rachel is in her late thirties though, and fears she's losing followers to young new internet stars. So Rachel decides to have a baby, so she can post the ongoing story of her pregnancy, delivery, and motherhood. Rachel hopes this will attract mothers-to-be to her social media sites and provide the opportunity to hawk prenatal and baby products.
Rachel and her best friend Fran, who've known each other for decades, plan Rachel's social media transition together. Since Rachel will need help with the baby, they advertise for a mother's helper. The successful applicant must have good references; sign a non-disclosure agreement; and agree to be photographed for Rachel's posts.
After interviewing applicants for three days, Fran favors a fit young woman with an outgoing personality. However, Rachel - who's always looking for stories for her Instagram - opts for a quiet out-of-shape candidate named Abbie James, who has overbleached hair and bad makeup. Rachel plans to 'fix' Abbie, and post about Abbie's step-by-step improvement, which she'll call Abbie's journey.
Abbie isn't the naïf she appears to be, however, and has an agenda of her own. Abbie considers herself Rachel's biggest fan, and lied and schemed to become Rachel's mother's helper. Now Abbie plans to insinuate herself so deeply into Rachel's life that she becomes indispensable. Thus Abbie is dismayed to learn that Rachel's posts don't reflect her real life, but are meticulously coordinated by a hairdresser, make-up artist, fashion consultant, photographer, and business manager.
Still, Abbie is thrilled with her lovely rooms in Rachel's country home.....
.....and Rachel is pleased to have company as she awaits the imminent birth of her baby.
This sanguine picture soon begins to crack, because both Rachel and Abbie have dark secrets. Rachel's troubles began with an incident two decades ago; and Abbie's problems stem from a terrible childhood in foster homes. Both women are damaged, with histories of substance abuse, and they struggle with their cravings.
The story is interspersed with Rachel's Instagram posts, mentioning the number of 'likes', the images, and the products being advertised. There are also frequent updates about Abby's journey, as she gets a makeover, works out, and becomes more fit.
These posts inevitably attract internet trolls, and Rachel is infuriated by the criticism.
The book starts to become ominous at this point, as Abbie becomes increasingly aggressive and manipulative and Rachel's pregnancy fugue clouds her mind. The novel now morphs into a thriller that heads for a dramatic denouement.
The audiobook is excellently narrated by Kirsty Dillon, who provides a unique voice for each character.
Thanks to Netgalley, Julia Crouch, and Bookouture for a copy of the book.
You can follow my reviews at https://reviewsbybarbsaffer.blogspot.com
October 21, 2021
In a Nutshell: A decent thriller that starts off tame but becomes more and more menacing as it progresses.
Story:
The original title of this book was “Mother's Helper”. I’m not sure why the title was changed but the new title doesn’t suit the book at all. If you read the book, you'll know why.
This isn’t a thriller where you will wonder who is the bad party. The villain is clear right from the time they appear in the story. The thrill is more in knowing the how and the when. And the ‘how’ was quite interesting as the mental stability of the villain came more and more into question with every subsequent chapter. I enjoyed the first half of the story far more. The second half becomes too farfetched to digest easily. A couple of scenes left me feeling very uncomfortable. If you are squeamish about physical/bloody violence, consider yourself warned. (Let me add at this point itself: there are some animal-related trigger scenes too.)
There are no major surprises as such, no twists which will cause you to yell “OMG!!” If you have read a fair number of thrillers, you will be able to guess most of the surprises well before they occur. But the writing (and narration) was such that I was fairly invested in the story. I've got to appreciate the author's eye for detail. Wherever I had a doubt about why something happened or why some other action couldn't have been taken, I remembered an earlier hint in the story that pointed at the contrary. The author tried to plug in the logical gaps wherever she could rather than leaving them unexplained as so many contemporary thrillers do.
I enjoyed the various Instagram posts also that acted as fillers in between the chapters. They showed a glimpse of how Rachel’s online persona had changed over the years, and the number of likes also gave a subtle hint about the rise and fall of her status as a social media influencer. The story puts a strong spotlight on the fake, filtered lives of Insta-influencers.
In terms of characters, the book was a slight disappointment. There are hardly any impactful male characters. It is a women’s show all through. Yet I couldn’t really like any of the leading ladies. Fran had the greatest potential to be memorable, I suppose, but she too had her shortcomings and she didn’t have enough of page space to make a greater impact. Rachel was annoying and Abbie was creepy. While their back stories attempted to explain some of their behavioural issues, I still didn’t find them too interesting.
I heard the audiobook as narrated by Kirsty Dillon and she does a fabulous job. With distinct voices for each of the characters, she leaves no confusion in our minds about which character was being voiced. For a book that has mainly women characters and just one female narrator, this is a great performance. The audio version clocks at a little more than 12 hours and it’s an enjoyable ride with this wonderful narrator.
Rating this book was a bit of a confusing task for me. The first half was a steady 4.25, but with the over-the-top thrills coming in the second half, my rating began to dip. I might have settled at 3.5 stars, but I ought to give the narrator her due. So 3.75 stars it is.
Go for the book if you are looking for a fairly well-written contemporary thriller with some dysfunctional ladies at the helm.
My thanks to Bookouture Audio and NetGalley for the audio ARC of the book in exchange for an honest review.
***********************
Join me on the Facebook group, Readers Forever! , for more reviews, book-related discussions and fun.
Story:
Rachel is a highly popular social media influencer with a huge YA fan following on Instagram. Now preganant, she is subtly trying to change her brand and has already organised her plans towards the new target audience with the help of her best friend cum lawyer Fran. To help her with the pregnancy and baby, she is in search for the perfect “mother’s helper”. After a well-publicised search and multiple screenings, Rachel and Fran zoom in on Abbie, the plain-Jane who is shy but also a self-proclaimed “Rachel’s biggest fan”. Abbie soon makes a firm mark in Rachel’s life. It soon becomes clear that each of these three ladies has a secret agenda, quite unlike the façade they put on before the others.
The original title of this book was “Mother's Helper”. I’m not sure why the title was changed but the new title doesn’t suit the book at all. If you read the book, you'll know why.
This isn’t a thriller where you will wonder who is the bad party. The villain is clear right from the time they appear in the story. The thrill is more in knowing the how and the when. And the ‘how’ was quite interesting as the mental stability of the villain came more and more into question with every subsequent chapter. I enjoyed the first half of the story far more. The second half becomes too farfetched to digest easily. A couple of scenes left me feeling very uncomfortable. If you are squeamish about physical/bloody violence, consider yourself warned. (Let me add at this point itself: there are some animal-related trigger scenes too.)
There are no major surprises as such, no twists which will cause you to yell “OMG!!” If you have read a fair number of thrillers, you will be able to guess most of the surprises well before they occur. But the writing (and narration) was such that I was fairly invested in the story. I've got to appreciate the author's eye for detail. Wherever I had a doubt about why something happened or why some other action couldn't have been taken, I remembered an earlier hint in the story that pointed at the contrary. The author tried to plug in the logical gaps wherever she could rather than leaving them unexplained as so many contemporary thrillers do.
I enjoyed the various Instagram posts also that acted as fillers in between the chapters. They showed a glimpse of how Rachel’s online persona had changed over the years, and the number of likes also gave a subtle hint about the rise and fall of her status as a social media influencer. The story puts a strong spotlight on the fake, filtered lives of Insta-influencers.
In terms of characters, the book was a slight disappointment. There are hardly any impactful male characters. It is a women’s show all through. Yet I couldn’t really like any of the leading ladies. Fran had the greatest potential to be memorable, I suppose, but she too had her shortcomings and she didn’t have enough of page space to make a greater impact. Rachel was annoying and Abbie was creepy. While their back stories attempted to explain some of their behavioural issues, I still didn’t find them too interesting.
I heard the audiobook as narrated by Kirsty Dillon and she does a fabulous job. With distinct voices for each of the characters, she leaves no confusion in our minds about which character was being voiced. For a book that has mainly women characters and just one female narrator, this is a great performance. The audio version clocks at a little more than 12 hours and it’s an enjoyable ride with this wonderful narrator.
Rating this book was a bit of a confusing task for me. The first half was a steady 4.25, but with the over-the-top thrills coming in the second half, my rating began to dip. I might have settled at 3.5 stars, but I ought to give the narrator her due. So 3.75 stars it is.
Go for the book if you are looking for a fairly well-written contemporary thriller with some dysfunctional ladies at the helm.
My thanks to Bookouture Audio and NetGalley for the audio ARC of the book in exchange for an honest review.
***********************
Join me on the Facebook group, Readers Forever! , for more reviews, book-related discussions and fun.
August 18, 2021
Rachel is determined to be the perfect mother. From the beautifully decorated nursery to the birth, she has everything planned, right down to the last detail. But as a busy social media influencer, Rachel will need some help. Hiring a mother's helper seems to be the perfect solution.
Abbie is a huge fan of Rachel and is willing to go above and beyond for her idol, or is she?
Good writing, an intriguing plot, and interesting characters with plenty to hide make this a solid psychological thriller that will keep you on your toes. As the story progresses, you kind of know who the bad guy is but it's that sense of impending doom and wondering how things will end that will keep you turning the pages.
A gripping read.
Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Abbie is a huge fan of Rachel and is willing to go above and beyond for her idol, or is she?
Good writing, an intriguing plot, and interesting characters with plenty to hide make this a solid psychological thriller that will keep you on your toes. As the story progresses, you kind of know who the bad guy is but it's that sense of impending doom and wondering how things will end that will keep you turning the pages.
A gripping read.
Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
September 27, 2021
3.5 stars rounded up to 4
Wanted: full-time, live-in help for expectant mother. Must be organised, friendly and willing to anything.
Rachel is determined to be the perfect mother. She has a birth plan, with a playlist and a bag ready by the door. She's chosen a lovely light cream paint for the nursery, and in a wide-eyed, innocent Abbie she's found the perfect person to help her baby. Because every mother needs a bit of help, don't they?
Rachel is a well known influencer with lots of fans and followers. Abbie is her biggest fan. Both women have secrets. Rachel wants to be the perfect mother and Abbie will do anything to help Rachel. But does she?
This book will mess a bit with your mind. Just when you think you know where the story is going, it veers off in a different direction. There is something sinister going on between Rachel and Abbie. I was never sure which one I could trust. I was pulled into this intriguing story from the first few pages. This story shows why you should never reveal too much about yourself while you're online.
I would like to thank #NetGalley #Bookouture and the author #JuliaCrouch for my ARC of #MothersHelper in exchange for an honest review.
Wanted: full-time, live-in help for expectant mother. Must be organised, friendly and willing to anything.
Rachel is determined to be the perfect mother. She has a birth plan, with a playlist and a bag ready by the door. She's chosen a lovely light cream paint for the nursery, and in a wide-eyed, innocent Abbie she's found the perfect person to help her baby. Because every mother needs a bit of help, don't they?
Rachel is a well known influencer with lots of fans and followers. Abbie is her biggest fan. Both women have secrets. Rachel wants to be the perfect mother and Abbie will do anything to help Rachel. But does she?
This book will mess a bit with your mind. Just when you think you know where the story is going, it veers off in a different direction. There is something sinister going on between Rachel and Abbie. I was never sure which one I could trust. I was pulled into this intriguing story from the first few pages. This story shows why you should never reveal too much about yourself while you're online.
I would like to thank #NetGalley #Bookouture and the author #JuliaCrouch for my ARC of #MothersHelper in exchange for an honest review.
October 9, 2021
2.5 ⭐
I like books, especially thrillers, with social media influences as protagonists. And The New Mother (prev. Mother's Helper) had many elements of a good thriller, bit for some reason it failed to grip me. I guess the fact that I couldn't relate to any of the characters was my main struggle with this book.
Until about 40% of the book the story was dragging. There were lots of hints and clues about all the secrets these people were hiding, but all in all – it wasn’t all that intense.
Then bam - things suddenly got into the psycho mode. Everything became way more interesting, but by that moment I didn’t really care all that much.
I don't know, I think this is a book you really just have to have some fun with. Maybe overlook a few things and enjoy it as a whole.
It was entertaining enough for me to finish it and quite easy to get through. I just don’t think I’ll remember it in a few months.
A huge thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an audio ARC of The New Mother by Julia Crouch in exchange for an honest review.
I like books, especially thrillers, with social media influences as protagonists. And The New Mother (prev. Mother's Helper) had many elements of a good thriller, bit for some reason it failed to grip me. I guess the fact that I couldn't relate to any of the characters was my main struggle with this book.
Until about 40% of the book the story was dragging. There were lots of hints and clues about all the secrets these people were hiding, but all in all – it wasn’t all that intense.
Then bam - things suddenly got into the psycho mode. Everything became way more interesting, but by that moment I didn’t really care all that much.
I don't know, I think this is a book you really just have to have some fun with. Maybe overlook a few things and enjoy it as a whole.
It was entertaining enough for me to finish it and quite easy to get through. I just don’t think I’ll remember it in a few months.
A huge thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an audio ARC of The New Mother by Julia Crouch in exchange for an honest review.
October 4, 2021
Insta, a stalker and a cuckoo in the house, what more, if that appeals, could you want from a story?
Well, after reading quite a few books on similar themes I expected to know what was coming and was quite happy with that ( being one of those the theme appeal to )……however whilst the ‘bones’ of the book are as I thought there is so much more to it and yep I am ( again ) going to say I am saying little else on the plot except to say it is tense, claustrophobic at times and a brutal insight in the world, hopes, dreams and narcissism of social media, tightly wound up with a whole pandoras box of secrets
Rachel ( the influencer ) is annoying and likeable in equal measure, Abbie the fan and ‘Mother’s Help’ is portrayed in petrifying style and well, I wasn’t a fan but what a fantastic character she is in the story, shudderingly so
I really really x1000 liked that one of the characters raised an eyebrow and commented about the ending as a reader would do, hard to explain but was really great dialogue
So, a great read, fun, horrifying and potentially scarily real
10/10
5 Stars
Well, after reading quite a few books on similar themes I expected to know what was coming and was quite happy with that ( being one of those the theme appeal to )……however whilst the ‘bones’ of the book are as I thought there is so much more to it and yep I am ( again ) going to say I am saying little else on the plot except to say it is tense, claustrophobic at times and a brutal insight in the world, hopes, dreams and narcissism of social media, tightly wound up with a whole pandoras box of secrets
Rachel ( the influencer ) is annoying and likeable in equal measure, Abbie the fan and ‘Mother’s Help’ is portrayed in petrifying style and well, I wasn’t a fan but what a fantastic character she is in the story, shudderingly so
I really really x1000 liked that one of the characters raised an eyebrow and commented about the ending as a reader would do, hard to explain but was really great dialogue
So, a great read, fun, horrifying and potentially scarily real
10/10
5 Stars
August 30, 2021
This was an enjoyable read, with a lot going on. It centers on Rachel, a popular social influencer with hundreds of thousands of followers, who advertises for a mother’s helper when she gets pregnant. Abbie is obsessed with Rachel and has spent the last couple of years trying to emulate her, so she’ll do anything to get the job. Abbie moves in and makes herself indispensable, but as they get closer, it’s obvious that both women have major secrets.
I enjoyed the alternating points of view between Abbie and Rachel, and thought it was interesting how they perceived each other, which was often a juxtaposition with how each perceived themselves. I didn’t find either one all that likable, though the dynamic between them was both interesting and believable. I did feel like the middle of the book could have been cut down a bit, as it felt rather repetitive at some points.
The ending of the book was action-packed and I couldn’t put it down. I was satisfied with the way it all worked out.
Overall, fun read that definitely makes you think about the differences in how people show up versus who they really are on the inside. Thanks to Netgalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I enjoyed the alternating points of view between Abbie and Rachel, and thought it was interesting how they perceived each other, which was often a juxtaposition with how each perceived themselves. I didn’t find either one all that likable, though the dynamic between them was both interesting and believable. I did feel like the middle of the book could have been cut down a bit, as it felt rather repetitive at some points.
The ending of the book was action-packed and I couldn’t put it down. I was satisfied with the way it all worked out.
Overall, fun read that definitely makes you think about the differences in how people show up versus who they really are on the inside. Thanks to Netgalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
October 13, 2021
Rachel is an Instagram influencer and success is everything to her. She will soon need a mother's helper as she is now pregnant. That is just fine with Abbie. She will take the job. She is certain of it. Obsession and control will make it happen. However, Rachel has no idea the extremes that Abbie went through to get the job.
Rather than to worry about Abbie and even to realize how she is perfect - almost too perfect for the job - Rachel is doing everything she can for the child in her belly to be born in as an ideal a world as she can make possible. If this whole pregnancy increases her media success and pushes her likes into the tens of thousands, then all the better.
Rachel will be a single mother, but that is not why she is hiring Abbie to assist her with the baby. Rachel has a unique health issue and knows she will be unable to fully care for her child by herself. She already loves the baby, of that there is no doubt. She will do anything at all for it, and this includes bringing a stranger into her home.
Abbie is fully aware of Rachel's media success, but there is more she knows, much more. How far will Abbie push her way into Rachel's life and will Rachel ever see why Abbie has come to her for the job? Will Rachel ever realize why Abbie seems to be exactly the person she needs?
What is really going on in this captivating story? Rachel and Abbie are about to take an incredible ride that is so twisted, so shocking that the tension rises at an incredible pace, not letting up for one second. Who will end up on top?
I had this ARC as an audiobook and the narration was spot on, especially considering the tension in the story, more so when the obsession was playing out. This book was so good that I sat in my recliner and listened to it in one sitting, often with bated breath. From beginning to end, The New Mother is an incredible read, much like a runaway train that ended with a breathtaking climax.
Many thanks to Bookouture and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.
Rather than to worry about Abbie and even to realize how she is perfect - almost too perfect for the job - Rachel is doing everything she can for the child in her belly to be born in as an ideal a world as she can make possible. If this whole pregnancy increases her media success and pushes her likes into the tens of thousands, then all the better.
Rachel will be a single mother, but that is not why she is hiring Abbie to assist her with the baby. Rachel has a unique health issue and knows she will be unable to fully care for her child by herself. She already loves the baby, of that there is no doubt. She will do anything at all for it, and this includes bringing a stranger into her home.
Abbie is fully aware of Rachel's media success, but there is more she knows, much more. How far will Abbie push her way into Rachel's life and will Rachel ever see why Abbie has come to her for the job? Will Rachel ever realize why Abbie seems to be exactly the person she needs?
What is really going on in this captivating story? Rachel and Abbie are about to take an incredible ride that is so twisted, so shocking that the tension rises at an incredible pace, not letting up for one second. Who will end up on top?
I had this ARC as an audiobook and the narration was spot on, especially considering the tension in the story, more so when the obsession was playing out. This book was so good that I sat in my recliner and listened to it in one sitting, often with bated breath. From beginning to end, The New Mother is an incredible read, much like a runaway train that ended with a breathtaking climax.
Many thanks to Bookouture and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.
October 12, 2021
I seem to have developed a love hate relationship with psychological thrillers the last year or so. What was once one of my favourite genres now tends to leave me rolling my eyes a lot and annoyed because come on, even a blind person saw that twist coming a mile away.
So I wasn’t entirely sure about reading The New Mum but I really enjoyed Julia Crouch’s last book, Her Husband’s Wife, which had been a while ago and so I decided to give this one a go.
Rachel and Abby are two quite unlikeable characters, not that that ever need be an issue. Rachel is an influencer, as fake as they come. Abby isn’t who she says she is either. Both could present a danger to someone as they both seem to have their own set of issues.
If you read a lot in this genre, the twists won’t really surprise you. They won’t keep you from pretty much exactly being able to predict how this will end. Unfortunately for me, that did take away a whole lot of the tension a psychological thriller tends to provide and in the end I just found myself getting more and more annoyed by the actions of these characters.
I guess you could say I didn’t love it but didn’t hate it either. Just landed somewhere in the middle and now I should really just take a really long break from this genre.
So I wasn’t entirely sure about reading The New Mum but I really enjoyed Julia Crouch’s last book, Her Husband’s Wife, which had been a while ago and so I decided to give this one a go.
Rachel and Abby are two quite unlikeable characters, not that that ever need be an issue. Rachel is an influencer, as fake as they come. Abby isn’t who she says she is either. Both could present a danger to someone as they both seem to have their own set of issues.
If you read a lot in this genre, the twists won’t really surprise you. They won’t keep you from pretty much exactly being able to predict how this will end. Unfortunately for me, that did take away a whole lot of the tension a psychological thriller tends to provide and in the end I just found myself getting more and more annoyed by the actions of these characters.
I guess you could say I didn’t love it but didn’t hate it either. Just landed somewhere in the middle and now I should really just take a really long break from this genre.
October 21, 2021
BLOG TOUR REVIEW
Review for 'The New Mother' by Julia Crouch.
Read and reviewed via NetGalley for Julia Crouch, Bookouture publishers and Bookouture anonymous
Publication date 12th October 2021.
This is the first book I have read by this author. It was previously titled 'Mother's Helper'.
I was originally drawn to this book by its stunning eye catching cover and intriguing sounding synopsis and title. The synopsis stated that this book is 'Filled with tension and twists to keep you glued to every page, it is perfect for fans of Ruth Ware, Shari LaPena and The Girl on the Train.' I am a huge fan of Shari Lapena so am looking forward to seeing if this lives up to this statement. I must admit I was also biased due to the publisher being Bookouture. I have yet to read a book published by Bookouture that I haven't enjoyed. Hopefully this won't be the first... Watch this space! (Written before I started reading the book).
This novel consists of a prologue, 49 chapters, 43 "Instagram post page" and 2 newspaper extracts. The chapters are short to medium in length so possible to read 'just one more chapter' before bed...OK, I know yeah right, but still just in case!
This book is based in Devon and London, England, 🏴 , UK 🇬🇧. I always enjoy when books are set in the UK as I'm from Wales and have sometimes visited areas mentioned in the book. I have in fact visited and holidayed in Devon This makes it easier to picture where the scenes are set at times.
This book is written in third person perspective and the main protagonists are Abbie and Rachel. The benefits of third person perspective with multiple protagonists are that it let's you see the bigger picture of what's going on and you get to know more characters more, what they are thinking and what they are doing. It feels like you get to see the whole picture and not miss out in anything.
'The New Mother' discusses some topics that may trigger some readers or may not be suitable for others. I like to point this out ahead of time in my reviews so you can judge if this book is for you or not. In this book Julia discusses/includes mental health and miscarriage.
It is set over/includes multiple time lines. When books show what has happened in the past and what is happening in the present I find it really helps the reader (if it is well done) understand why things are happening and what has lead to the present activities and decisions. It also shows the bigger picture.
OMG!!!! SERIOUSLY!!!! WHAT A BOOK!!! JUST WOW, WOW, WOW!!!
What an absolutely fantastically written book with vivid descriptions that make you feel the warmth of the hot tub and leaving your heart race!!! The cover, synopsis and title suit the book perfectly!! Although 'The Mother's Helper' was also a perfect title for this book 'The New Mother' works just as well.
This may be the first book I have read by Julia but it most certainly will not be my last!!! I absolutely love how it is written with the Instagram posts in between chapters bringing realism into it. The storyline itself is scarily realistic, you just need to read the news to see how influencers get some extreme stalkers and abuse. I was completely invested in the storyline and once I picked it up I could not put it down so if you are about to read this then make sure you clear your schedules. If your not going to read it then a) why the heck not?!?! And b) definitely your loss!!! This is one of the most intense and suspense filled books I've ever read. It is absolutely filled with friendship, deception, tension, lies, suspense and a few shocks and twists thrown in!!! Being a vegan myself I enjoyed that veganism was mentioned throughout this book. A genuine page turner that will keep you flipping the pages until you reach the explosive ending!!!
Rachel and Abbie are both very realistic and strong women both with very different personalities. It was intriguing to watch how both their personalities and their relationship changed throughout the story. I wasn't a fan of Abbie from the start as I found her to be quite controlling and obsessive but I won't say anymore as I don't want to give anything away. Rachel was a typical influencer and although I don't follow any myself I really enjoyed reading her Instagram posts and seeing the difference between her online persona and her real life one.
Congratulations Julia on one heck of a page turning psychological read!!! I absolutely loved reading this book and have already added all your previous books to my wish list. I look forward to reading more of your previous and future books. I would absolutely LOVE to see this turned into a movie which I can guarantee will be a sell out!! Welcome to my favourite authour club!!! Don't worry I'm not an Abbie 😉.
Overall an absolutely page turning, intense, heart racing psychological thriller that will get you addicted!!!
Genres covered in this book include Thriller, Psychological Thriller, Suspense, Psychological Fiction, Crime Fiction amongst others.
I would recommend this book to the fans of the above as well as fans of Shari Lapena, 'Gone Girl' and anyone and EVERYONE who loves a fast paced thriller.
447 pages.
This book is just 99p to purchase on kindle via Amazon which I think is an absolute bargain for this book!!!
Rated 5 /5 (I LOVED it ) on Goodreads, Instagram, Amazon UK and Amazon US and on over 30 Facebook pages plus my blog on Facebook.
Feel free to add me on Goodreads or follow me on my website or Facebook for more reviews
#TheNewMother #Bookouture #JuliaCrouch #NetGalley #BookReview #BlogTour #BooksOnTour
@JuliaCrouch @Bookouture @Bookworm1986 @bookworm86
https://kcmw86.wixsite.com/bookworm86
https://m.facebook.com/Bookworm1986/?...
https://m.facebook.com/Bookwork86/?__...
Review for 'The New Mother' by Julia Crouch.
Read and reviewed via NetGalley for Julia Crouch, Bookouture publishers and Bookouture anonymous
Publication date 12th October 2021.
This is the first book I have read by this author. It was previously titled 'Mother's Helper'.
I was originally drawn to this book by its stunning eye catching cover and intriguing sounding synopsis and title. The synopsis stated that this book is 'Filled with tension and twists to keep you glued to every page, it is perfect for fans of Ruth Ware, Shari LaPena and The Girl on the Train.' I am a huge fan of Shari Lapena so am looking forward to seeing if this lives up to this statement. I must admit I was also biased due to the publisher being Bookouture. I have yet to read a book published by Bookouture that I haven't enjoyed. Hopefully this won't be the first... Watch this space! (Written before I started reading the book).
This novel consists of a prologue, 49 chapters, 43 "Instagram post page" and 2 newspaper extracts. The chapters are short to medium in length so possible to read 'just one more chapter' before bed...OK, I know yeah right, but still just in case!
This book is based in Devon and London, England, 🏴 , UK 🇬🇧. I always enjoy when books are set in the UK as I'm from Wales and have sometimes visited areas mentioned in the book. I have in fact visited and holidayed in Devon This makes it easier to picture where the scenes are set at times.
This book is written in third person perspective and the main protagonists are Abbie and Rachel. The benefits of third person perspective with multiple protagonists are that it let's you see the bigger picture of what's going on and you get to know more characters more, what they are thinking and what they are doing. It feels like you get to see the whole picture and not miss out in anything.
'The New Mother' discusses some topics that may trigger some readers or may not be suitable for others. I like to point this out ahead of time in my reviews so you can judge if this book is for you or not. In this book Julia discusses/includes mental health and miscarriage.
It is set over/includes multiple time lines. When books show what has happened in the past and what is happening in the present I find it really helps the reader (if it is well done) understand why things are happening and what has lead to the present activities and decisions. It also shows the bigger picture.
OMG!!!! SERIOUSLY!!!! WHAT A BOOK!!! JUST WOW, WOW, WOW!!!
What an absolutely fantastically written book with vivid descriptions that make you feel the warmth of the hot tub and leaving your heart race!!! The cover, synopsis and title suit the book perfectly!! Although 'The Mother's Helper' was also a perfect title for this book 'The New Mother' works just as well.
This may be the first book I have read by Julia but it most certainly will not be my last!!! I absolutely love how it is written with the Instagram posts in between chapters bringing realism into it. The storyline itself is scarily realistic, you just need to read the news to see how influencers get some extreme stalkers and abuse. I was completely invested in the storyline and once I picked it up I could not put it down so if you are about to read this then make sure you clear your schedules. If your not going to read it then a) why the heck not?!?! And b) definitely your loss!!! This is one of the most intense and suspense filled books I've ever read. It is absolutely filled with friendship, deception, tension, lies, suspense and a few shocks and twists thrown in!!! Being a vegan myself I enjoyed that veganism was mentioned throughout this book. A genuine page turner that will keep you flipping the pages until you reach the explosive ending!!!
Rachel and Abbie are both very realistic and strong women both with very different personalities. It was intriguing to watch how both their personalities and their relationship changed throughout the story. I wasn't a fan of Abbie from the start as I found her to be quite controlling and obsessive but I won't say anymore as I don't want to give anything away. Rachel was a typical influencer and although I don't follow any myself I really enjoyed reading her Instagram posts and seeing the difference between her online persona and her real life one.
Congratulations Julia on one heck of a page turning psychological read!!! I absolutely loved reading this book and have already added all your previous books to my wish list. I look forward to reading more of your previous and future books. I would absolutely LOVE to see this turned into a movie which I can guarantee will be a sell out!! Welcome to my favourite authour club!!! Don't worry I'm not an Abbie 😉.
Overall an absolutely page turning, intense, heart racing psychological thriller that will get you addicted!!!
Genres covered in this book include Thriller, Psychological Thriller, Suspense, Psychological Fiction, Crime Fiction amongst others.
I would recommend this book to the fans of the above as well as fans of Shari Lapena, 'Gone Girl' and anyone and EVERYONE who loves a fast paced thriller.
447 pages.
This book is just 99p to purchase on kindle via Amazon which I think is an absolute bargain for this book!!!
Rated 5 /5 (I LOVED it ) on Goodreads, Instagram, Amazon UK and Amazon US and on over 30 Facebook pages plus my blog on Facebook.
Feel free to add me on Goodreads or follow me on my website or Facebook for more reviews
#TheNewMother #Bookouture #JuliaCrouch #NetGalley #BookReview #BlogTour #BooksOnTour
@JuliaCrouch @Bookouture @Bookworm1986 @bookworm86
https://kcmw86.wixsite.com/bookworm86
https://m.facebook.com/Bookworm1986/?...
https://m.facebook.com/Bookwork86/?__...
October 14, 2021
Very good domestic thriller! For me, this came close to a 5-star read, though it bogged down a bit in the middle with some repetitive IG posts and related, somewhat unnecessary plot points, so I had to take off just one little star. But four stars for me is an excellent read.
The novel does a fantastic job setting you up to wonder which of the two women is a bigger threat: the sweet but dull mother’s helper Abbie, or the mommy-to-be control freak Instagram influencer #blessed #organic #toomanyhashtags Rachel. I enjoyed the ripped-from-the headlines social media tie in theme — much of it was subtly humorous. If you liked “White Woman’s Instagram” by Bo Burnham (and if you haven’t checked that out, please stop reading, check it out on YouTube, and come back here! Hilarious, isn’t it?)
I loved all the character development — to include the well-done characters of the farm dog, Sam, and even Abbie’s pet budgie! It was fun to try to guess what would happen — suffice it to say, both of the leading ladies are not quite right, but one of them is full-on cray-cray down to the bone. I was captivated throughout but particularly surprised and thrilled by the absolutely crazy train wreck of an ending. Wow! I will definitely read more by Julia Crouch.
I listened to the audio edition and the narrator knocked it out of the park. Her primary voice seemed to be what I would associate with a sort of posh South of London sound, but she also does a very good job tackling a West Country accent. (Full disclosure: I’m from the West Coast of the U.S., and am hardly an expert. But it sounded great to me.)
I will gladly recommend this to all my fellow thriller junkies as a must-read!
Thank you to #NetGalley #juliacrouch and #BookoutureAudio for the #ARC (or maybe it should be #ALC since I listened?) in exchange for my honest review. I really liked it… thanks again!
The novel does a fantastic job setting you up to wonder which of the two women is a bigger threat: the sweet but dull mother’s helper Abbie, or the mommy-to-be control freak Instagram influencer #blessed #organic #toomanyhashtags Rachel. I enjoyed the ripped-from-the headlines social media tie in theme — much of it was subtly humorous. If you liked “White Woman’s Instagram” by Bo Burnham (and if you haven’t checked that out, please stop reading, check it out on YouTube, and come back here! Hilarious, isn’t it?)
I loved all the character development — to include the well-done characters of the farm dog, Sam, and even Abbie’s pet budgie! It was fun to try to guess what would happen — suffice it to say, both of the leading ladies are not quite right, but one of them is full-on cray-cray down to the bone. I was captivated throughout but particularly surprised and thrilled by the absolutely crazy train wreck of an ending. Wow! I will definitely read more by Julia Crouch.
I listened to the audio edition and the narrator knocked it out of the park. Her primary voice seemed to be what I would associate with a sort of posh South of London sound, but she also does a very good job tackling a West Country accent. (Full disclosure: I’m from the West Coast of the U.S., and am hardly an expert. But it sounded great to me.)
I will gladly recommend this to all my fellow thriller junkies as a must-read!
Thank you to #NetGalley #juliacrouch and #BookoutureAudio for the #ARC (or maybe it should be #ALC since I listened?) in exchange for my honest review. I really liked it… thanks again!
September 6, 2021
A roller-coaster ride and a terrifying one at that, is what I would like to describe this book as.
When popular social media influencer and soon-to-be mom Rachel Rodrigues puts out an ad for a mother's helper, she finds the perfect candidate in Abbie James, a 26-year old seemingly quiet, but competent young woman with glowing references. While Rachel plans to use the eager-to-please Abbie for a makeover project that would help boost the 'likes' on her Instagram page, it soon becomes evident that Abbie isn't all that naive either. Both women have a hidden past and it waits to be seen whose darkness turns sinister first.
I really wasn't prepared to be bowled over by this book, but this is me raving about it. The author slowly draws us in by introducing the two main characters - Rachel, who pretends to be authentic on camera, but is as fake as they come and Abbie who is as shady as hell, right from the get go. The first half of the book lulls you into a false sense of boredom where the focus is more on Rachel's Instagram pages and the dynamics between the two women. By about 60%, the tone of the narrative changes and I was reading at breakneck speed as the suspense was unbearable. After a heart-thumping climax, the ending was quite satisfactory.
I am thrilled that this was a female-oriented plot with no men in the picture to save the day (even though the ladies in question were batshit crazy). It also highlights the fake and disturbing aspects of too much social media influence.
Overall, a gripping read; the action-packed climax was nerve-wracking. Thanks to Bookouture and Netgalley for providing a digital copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
When popular social media influencer and soon-to-be mom Rachel Rodrigues puts out an ad for a mother's helper, she finds the perfect candidate in Abbie James, a 26-year old seemingly quiet, but competent young woman with glowing references. While Rachel plans to use the eager-to-please Abbie for a makeover project that would help boost the 'likes' on her Instagram page, it soon becomes evident that Abbie isn't all that naive either. Both women have a hidden past and it waits to be seen whose darkness turns sinister first.
I really wasn't prepared to be bowled over by this book, but this is me raving about it. The author slowly draws us in by introducing the two main characters - Rachel, who pretends to be authentic on camera, but is as fake as they come and Abbie who is as shady as hell, right from the get go. The first half of the book lulls you into a false sense of boredom where the focus is more on Rachel's Instagram pages and the dynamics between the two women. By about 60%, the tone of the narrative changes and I was reading at breakneck speed as the suspense was unbearable. After a heart-thumping climax, the ending was quite satisfactory.
I am thrilled that this was a female-oriented plot with no men in the picture to save the day (even though the ladies in question were batshit crazy). It also highlights the fake and disturbing aspects of too much social media influence.
Overall, a gripping read; the action-packed climax was nerve-wracking. Thanks to Bookouture and Netgalley for providing a digital copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
October 12, 2021
Although there is a hint of a Single White Female/Hand That Rocked the Cradle feel to this book, it's completely entertaining in it's own right...there are some serious edge of seat, whaaaaat the heck is she doing?! moments that me hovering over the pause button but needing to know what happens even more. The New Mother does not hold back from either uncomfortable scenes, or the unflattering light it portrays social media users and it's influencers...I will never look at a mummy blogger in the same way again and I am still torn between whether or not I actually liked any of the characters in this book - they are all flawed, they all have dark secrets, they are all human. Would I read more books by Julia Crouch? Definitely. Kirsty Dillon's narration was excellent, she did the accents and voices so well and really brought out the claustrophobic feel of this book.
September 3, 2021
This is my first book by Julia Crouch and certainly won't be my last!
In this story we meet Rachel and Abbie. Rachel is a well known Instagrammer and influencer who is expecting a baby and decides to take someone on to help her as well as the baby when it comes along. Abbie is the successful candidate who impresses Rachel enough to take her on.
Rachel and Abbie are very different in personality. Where as Rachel is self obsessed and seems more bothered about the amount of likes she gets on her posts, Abbie is quiet and reserved. It certainly looked like it was going to be interesting in how these two characters were going to get along. The more we get to know both though, lets just say its makes for some very intriguing reading!
Mother's Helper has a sense of threat to it. I felt apprehensive the further into the book I got as things started to get more darker and sinister. The author also opened my eyes to how easily we can be manipulated by social media. It also addresses such things as online bullying but there is also so much more. The tension mounted throughout and I was racing back to the book at every given opportunity to see what was going to happen next. A novel that gently draws you in and quickly grabs a tight hold of you ensuring that you won't think of anything other than #MothersHelper even long after you turn that last page!
In this story we meet Rachel and Abbie. Rachel is a well known Instagrammer and influencer who is expecting a baby and decides to take someone on to help her as well as the baby when it comes along. Abbie is the successful candidate who impresses Rachel enough to take her on.
Rachel and Abbie are very different in personality. Where as Rachel is self obsessed and seems more bothered about the amount of likes she gets on her posts, Abbie is quiet and reserved. It certainly looked like it was going to be interesting in how these two characters were going to get along. The more we get to know both though, lets just say its makes for some very intriguing reading!
Mother's Helper has a sense of threat to it. I felt apprehensive the further into the book I got as things started to get more darker and sinister. The author also opened my eyes to how easily we can be manipulated by social media. It also addresses such things as online bullying but there is also so much more. The tension mounted throughout and I was racing back to the book at every given opportunity to see what was going to happen next. A novel that gently draws you in and quickly grabs a tight hold of you ensuring that you won't think of anything other than #MothersHelper even long after you turn that last page!
September 23, 2021
There’s a lot going on in this one, and at some points it seemed a bit much, but once I finished the book I understood why so many extra details were included p. They helped to wrap the story up successfully.
Rachel is a very active social media influencer who has based everything on being “authentic” and advertised for a mothers helper/nanny as she is expecting her first baby in a few short weeks. Abbie has been a faithful follower of Rachel’s for a while and even though she can’t afford the things that Rachel promotes, she tried her best to live as she thinks Rachel would. When the job becomes available, she does all she can to get it, and she does. She then moves in with Rachel and makes herself invaluable to her and her everyday life. As their relationship develops, it’s not clear who is hiding more secrets, Rachel or Abbie.
This gave off a lot of Single White Female vibes, except Rachel was the one trying to transform Abbie once they started living and working together, but she wasn’t aware of how far Abbie will take things.
The narration was good. There was one voice that was shrill and weird that I didn’t care for, but other than that they were clear and effectively helped to transport you into the story.
A jam packed thrill ride right up to the end, this was a good way to spend my afternoon.
Thanks to Bookouture and Netgalley for this Arc in exchange for my review.
Rachel is a very active social media influencer who has based everything on being “authentic” and advertised for a mothers helper/nanny as she is expecting her first baby in a few short weeks. Abbie has been a faithful follower of Rachel’s for a while and even though she can’t afford the things that Rachel promotes, she tried her best to live as she thinks Rachel would. When the job becomes available, she does all she can to get it, and she does. She then moves in with Rachel and makes herself invaluable to her and her everyday life. As their relationship develops, it’s not clear who is hiding more secrets, Rachel or Abbie.
This gave off a lot of Single White Female vibes, except Rachel was the one trying to transform Abbie once they started living and working together, but she wasn’t aware of how far Abbie will take things.
The narration was good. There was one voice that was shrill and weird that I didn’t care for, but other than that they were clear and effectively helped to transport you into the story.
A jam packed thrill ride right up to the end, this was a good way to spend my afternoon.
Thanks to Bookouture and Netgalley for this Arc in exchange for my review.
October 13, 2021
★★★★ 4.5 stars
I am excited to be taking part in the #BooksOnTour #BlogTour for Julia Crouch's engrossing domestic thriller THE NEW MOTHER (previously titled "Mother's Helper" ).
Think "Single White Female" meets "The Hand that Rocks the Cradle"...and thensome! Because this compelling domestic thriller with a little bit of stalkerish and a lot of Insta isn't what you expect it to be. My introduction to Julia Crouch as an author was fraught with tension throughout despite a little lagging to begin with. Just when you think you know what's happening, you realise you haven't got a clue!
Crouch does a brilliant job of setting the reader up to wonder which of the two women is the biggest threat...sweet but slightly dull faithful follower Abbie or the self-obsessed narcissistic control freak mum-to-be Insta influencer with one too many hashtags Rachel? From the first moment, you are unsure who to believe. And then just when you gain an opinion on the two women, all that you think you know is turned on its head in a twisted role reversal that will leave you thinking...what the hell did I just read?
Instagram influencer Rachel has the perfect life successfully promoting products she is sent for free as part of her #onbrand #veganlife. At 38, biological clock is ticking and all she wanted was a child to complete her life. Now she is pregnant with the much wanted child that will make up for everything that has gone before. But Rachel has a problem. As a busy influencer who employs people to keep her world appearing perfect, she now needs a mother's helper to assist Rachel leading up to the birth and beyond. She puts out the call on her Insta profile and travels to London with #bestfriendFran who has come over from Rotterdam to help Rachel interview the shortlisted applicants over the course of three days. Just when all hope appears to be lost, Rachel finds the perfect candidate in 26 year old Abbie James, a quiet and reserved but seemingly competent young woman with glowing references too good to pass up. Added to that, Rachel sees Abbie as a "work in progress" for her to promote on her Insta profile which will in turn boost her followers.
After a wealth of forms and NDAs to sign, Abbie makes the journey from Bristol to Devon as the live-in help for Rachel over the ensuing months. But upon arrival she immediately gets admin Wanda offside who takes an instant dislike to her, with the feeling being completely mutual. She is shown to her "rooms" made up of a suite of rooms incorporating living, kitchen, bedroom and ensuite in the top floor attic space. Abbie cannot believe her luck. With her is her trusty friend Barney, her budgie, who she must keep to her rooms as Rachel is allergic to feathers. Soon after arrival, Rachel puts her to work in the gym and a vegan diet, which Abbie has faithfully adhered to since following Rachel, for a makeover project that Rachel has coined as #AbbiesJourney.
Rachel has based her whole life on Instagram as being #authentic but when Abbie moves in and makes herself invaluable to her, she realises that what she sees on Insta is only what Rachel wants you to see. Begging the question, is Rachel all that she appears?
Both women have a hidden past that is lurking just beneath the surface - but which of them is the most sinister? Which of the two women is hiding the most? Who has the darkest secrets?
THE NEW MOTHER is a solid read that will have you questioning the outcome throughout, despite the slow pace that lulls you into a false sense of boredom at the start...thoroughly intentional, I might add. The characters? I'm not sure you are supposed to like either of them and I sure didn't. Not one....except maybe Fran, and of course Sam the dog #SamDog and Barney the budgie. Animals are always my favourite people anyway. Suffice to say, neither woman is quite right in the head but one of them is full on bats*** crazy, taking things to a whole other level! I was completely captivated by the train wreck of an ending.
The big secret from the past dubbed The Event, when revealed, does shed a light of understanding for which I completely sympathised, making the entire story fall into a twisted jigsaw puzzle piece by piece. It was then I realised that the slow pace from the start lulls the reader into a false sense of something like boredom where it's all about Rachel and how completely self-obsessed she is. The tension mounts rapidly then and by 60% I couldn't put the book down as I watched the train wreck unfurl.
It's interesting to note that THE NEW MOTHER is an entirely female-oriented plot with no men to save the day. The only male to feature, albeit briefly, is Fran's hubby Wim (pronounced Vim)...although he was a heavy presence from time to time despite not actually being there. But the biggest feature of this story is the fake and disturbing aspects of social media and its influence on others, particularly those vulnerable to such influence. It highlights the fact that what you see is not real - it's all fake-up for marketing and money. A prime example of the way media governs the market of advertising. You'd think we'd learn that none of it is real - it's just hype to promote their products so people are stupid enough to spend money on them. Marketing...that's all it is. And social media is just another tool.
THE NEW MOTHER will mess with your mind. It is claustrophobic; it is tense; it is complex; and it is thrilling. And just when you think you know what is happening, it veers off in another direction leaving you scratching your head. The dynamic between Rachel and Abbie becomes something sinister as you are left wondering who to believe in this dishevelled mess.
You live with her. You trust her. But you don't know her... Who do you believe? Who can you trust?
THE NEW MOTHER (previously titled "Mother's Helper" ) is a fun and captivating read that is horrifyingly real. Perfect for fans of domestic thrillers with a twist.
I would like to thank #JuliaCrouch, #NetGalley and #Bookouture for an ARC of #TheNewMother in exchange for an honest review.
This review appears on my blog at https://stinathebookaholic.blogspot.com/.
I am excited to be taking part in the #BooksOnTour #BlogTour for Julia Crouch's engrossing domestic thriller THE NEW MOTHER (previously titled "Mother's Helper" ).
Think "Single White Female" meets "The Hand that Rocks the Cradle"...and thensome! Because this compelling domestic thriller with a little bit of stalkerish and a lot of Insta isn't what you expect it to be. My introduction to Julia Crouch as an author was fraught with tension throughout despite a little lagging to begin with. Just when you think you know what's happening, you realise you haven't got a clue!
Crouch does a brilliant job of setting the reader up to wonder which of the two women is the biggest threat...sweet but slightly dull faithful follower Abbie or the self-obsessed narcissistic control freak mum-to-be Insta influencer with one too many hashtags Rachel? From the first moment, you are unsure who to believe. And then just when you gain an opinion on the two women, all that you think you know is turned on its head in a twisted role reversal that will leave you thinking...what the hell did I just read?
Instagram influencer Rachel has the perfect life successfully promoting products she is sent for free as part of her #onbrand #veganlife. At 38, biological clock is ticking and all she wanted was a child to complete her life. Now she is pregnant with the much wanted child that will make up for everything that has gone before. But Rachel has a problem. As a busy influencer who employs people to keep her world appearing perfect, she now needs a mother's helper to assist Rachel leading up to the birth and beyond. She puts out the call on her Insta profile and travels to London with #bestfriendFran who has come over from Rotterdam to help Rachel interview the shortlisted applicants over the course of three days. Just when all hope appears to be lost, Rachel finds the perfect candidate in 26 year old Abbie James, a quiet and reserved but seemingly competent young woman with glowing references too good to pass up. Added to that, Rachel sees Abbie as a "work in progress" for her to promote on her Insta profile which will in turn boost her followers.
After a wealth of forms and NDAs to sign, Abbie makes the journey from Bristol to Devon as the live-in help for Rachel over the ensuing months. But upon arrival she immediately gets admin Wanda offside who takes an instant dislike to her, with the feeling being completely mutual. She is shown to her "rooms" made up of a suite of rooms incorporating living, kitchen, bedroom and ensuite in the top floor attic space. Abbie cannot believe her luck. With her is her trusty friend Barney, her budgie, who she must keep to her rooms as Rachel is allergic to feathers. Soon after arrival, Rachel puts her to work in the gym and a vegan diet, which Abbie has faithfully adhered to since following Rachel, for a makeover project that Rachel has coined as #AbbiesJourney.
Rachel has based her whole life on Instagram as being #authentic but when Abbie moves in and makes herself invaluable to her, she realises that what she sees on Insta is only what Rachel wants you to see. Begging the question, is Rachel all that she appears?
Both women have a hidden past that is lurking just beneath the surface - but which of them is the most sinister? Which of the two women is hiding the most? Who has the darkest secrets?
THE NEW MOTHER is a solid read that will have you questioning the outcome throughout, despite the slow pace that lulls you into a false sense of boredom at the start...thoroughly intentional, I might add. The characters? I'm not sure you are supposed to like either of them and I sure didn't. Not one....except maybe Fran, and of course Sam the dog #SamDog and Barney the budgie. Animals are always my favourite people anyway. Suffice to say, neither woman is quite right in the head but one of them is full on bats*** crazy, taking things to a whole other level! I was completely captivated by the train wreck of an ending.
The big secret from the past dubbed The Event, when revealed, does shed a light of understanding for which I completely sympathised, making the entire story fall into a twisted jigsaw puzzle piece by piece. It was then I realised that the slow pace from the start lulls the reader into a false sense of something like boredom where it's all about Rachel and how completely self-obsessed she is. The tension mounts rapidly then and by 60% I couldn't put the book down as I watched the train wreck unfurl.
It's interesting to note that THE NEW MOTHER is an entirely female-oriented plot with no men to save the day. The only male to feature, albeit briefly, is Fran's hubby Wim (pronounced Vim)...although he was a heavy presence from time to time despite not actually being there. But the biggest feature of this story is the fake and disturbing aspects of social media and its influence on others, particularly those vulnerable to such influence. It highlights the fact that what you see is not real - it's all fake-up for marketing and money. A prime example of the way media governs the market of advertising. You'd think we'd learn that none of it is real - it's just hype to promote their products so people are stupid enough to spend money on them. Marketing...that's all it is. And social media is just another tool.
THE NEW MOTHER will mess with your mind. It is claustrophobic; it is tense; it is complex; and it is thrilling. And just when you think you know what is happening, it veers off in another direction leaving you scratching your head. The dynamic between Rachel and Abbie becomes something sinister as you are left wondering who to believe in this dishevelled mess.
You live with her. You trust her. But you don't know her... Who do you believe? Who can you trust?
THE NEW MOTHER (previously titled "Mother's Helper" ) is a fun and captivating read that is horrifyingly real. Perfect for fans of domestic thrillers with a twist.
I would like to thank #JuliaCrouch, #NetGalley and #Bookouture for an ARC of #TheNewMother in exchange for an honest review.
This review appears on my blog at https://stinathebookaholic.blogspot.com/.
October 21, 2021
BLOG TOUR REVIEW
Review for 'The New Mother' by Julia Crouch.
Read and reviewed via NetGalley for Julia Crouch, Bookouture publishers and Bookouture anonymous
Publication date 12th October 2021.
This is the first book I have read by this author. It was previously titled 'Mother's Helper'.
I was originally drawn to this book by its stunning eye catching cover and intriguing sounding synopsis and title. The synopsis stated that this book is 'Filled with tension and twists to keep you glued to every page, it is perfect for fans of Ruth Ware, Shari LaPena and The Girl on the Train.' I am a huge fan of Shari Lapena so am looking forward to seeing if this lives up to this statement. I must admit I was also biased due to the publisher being Bookouture. I have yet to read a book published by Bookouture that I haven't enjoyed. Hopefully this won't be the first... Watch this space! (Written before I started reading the book).
This novel consists of a prologue, 49 chapters, 43 "Instagram post page" and 2 newspaper extracts. The chapters are short to medium in length so possible to read 'just one more chapter' before bed...OK, I know yeah right, but still just in case!
This book is based in Devon and London, England, 🏴 , UK 🇬🇧. I always enjoy when books are set in the UK as I'm from Wales and have sometimes visited areas mentioned in the book. I have in fact visited and holidayed in Devon This makes it easier to picture where the scenes are set at times.
This book is written in third person perspective and the main protagonists are Abbie and Rachel. The benefits of third person perspective with multiple protagonists are that it let's you see the bigger picture of what's going on and you get to know more characters more, what they are thinking and what they are doing. It feels like you get to see the whole picture and not miss out in anything.
'The New Mother' discusses some topics that may trigger some readers or may not be suitable for others. I like to point this out ahead of time in my reviews so you can judge if this book is for you or not. In this book Julia discusses/includes mental health and miscarriage.
It is set over/includes multiple time lines. When books show what has happened in the past and what is happening in the present I find it really helps the reader (if it is well done) understand why things are happening and what has lead to the present activities and decisions. It also shows the bigger picture.
OMG!!!! SERIOUSLY!!!! WHAT A BOOK!!! JUST WOW, WOW, WOW!!!
What an absolutely fantastically written book with vivid descriptions that make you feel the warmth of the hot tub and leaving your heart race!!! The cover, synopsis and title suit the book perfectly!! Although 'The Mother's Helper' was also a perfect title for this book 'The New Mother' works just as well.
This may be the first book I have read by Julia but it most certainly will not be my last!!! I absolutely love how it is written with the Instagram posts in between chapters bringing realism into it. The storyline itself is scarily realistic, you just need to read the news to see how influencers get some extreme stalkers and abuse. I was completely invested in the storyline and once I picked it up I could not put it down so if you are about to read this then make sure you clear your schedules. If your not going to read it then a) why the heck not?!?! And b) definitely your loss!!! This is one of the most intense and suspense filled books I've ever read. It is absolutely filled with friendship, deception, tension, lies, suspense and a few shocks and twists thrown in!!! Being a vegan myself I enjoyed that veganism was mentioned throughout this book. A genuine page turner that will keep you flipping the pages until you reach the explosive ending!!!
Rachel and Abbie are both very realistic and strong women both with very different personalities. It was intriguing to watch how both their personalities and their relationship changed throughout the story. I wasn't a fan of Abbie from the start as I found her to be quite controlling and obsessive but I won't say anymore as I don't want to give anything away. Rachel was a typical influencer and although I don't follow any myself I really enjoyed reading her Instagram posts and seeing the difference between her online persona and her real life one.
Congratulations Julia on one heck of a page turning psychological read!!! I absolutely loved reading this book and have already added all your previous books to my wish list. I look forward to reading more of your previous and future books. I would absolutely LOVE to see this turned into a movie which I can guarantee will be a sell out!! Welcome to my favourite authour club!!! Don't worry I'm not an Abbie 😉.
Overall an absolutely page turning, intense, heart racing psychological thriller that will get you addicted!!!
Genres covered in this book include Thriller, Psychological Thriller, Suspense, Psychological Fiction, Crime Fiction amongst others.
I would recommend this book to the fans of the above as well as fans of Shari Lapena, 'Gone Girl' and anyone and EVERYONE who loves a fast paced thriller.
447 pages.
This book is just 99p to purchase on kindle via Amazon which I think is an absolute bargain for this book!!!
Rated 5 /5 (I LOVED it ) on Goodreads, Instagram, Amazon UK and Amazon US and on over 30 Facebook pages plus my blog on Facebook.
Feel free to add me on Goodreads or follow me on my website or Facebook for more reviews
#TheNewMother #Bookouture #JuliaCrouch #NetGalley #BookReview #BlogTour #BooksOnTour
@JuliaCrouch @Bookouture @Bookworm1986 @bookworm86
https://kcmw86.wixsite.com/bookworm86
https://m.facebook.com/Bookworm1986/?...
https://m.facebook.com/Bookwork86/?__...
Review for 'The New Mother' by Julia Crouch.
Read and reviewed via NetGalley for Julia Crouch, Bookouture publishers and Bookouture anonymous
Publication date 12th October 2021.
This is the first book I have read by this author. It was previously titled 'Mother's Helper'.
I was originally drawn to this book by its stunning eye catching cover and intriguing sounding synopsis and title. The synopsis stated that this book is 'Filled with tension and twists to keep you glued to every page, it is perfect for fans of Ruth Ware, Shari LaPena and The Girl on the Train.' I am a huge fan of Shari Lapena so am looking forward to seeing if this lives up to this statement. I must admit I was also biased due to the publisher being Bookouture. I have yet to read a book published by Bookouture that I haven't enjoyed. Hopefully this won't be the first... Watch this space! (Written before I started reading the book).
This novel consists of a prologue, 49 chapters, 43 "Instagram post page" and 2 newspaper extracts. The chapters are short to medium in length so possible to read 'just one more chapter' before bed...OK, I know yeah right, but still just in case!
This book is based in Devon and London, England, 🏴 , UK 🇬🇧. I always enjoy when books are set in the UK as I'm from Wales and have sometimes visited areas mentioned in the book. I have in fact visited and holidayed in Devon This makes it easier to picture where the scenes are set at times.
This book is written in third person perspective and the main protagonists are Abbie and Rachel. The benefits of third person perspective with multiple protagonists are that it let's you see the bigger picture of what's going on and you get to know more characters more, what they are thinking and what they are doing. It feels like you get to see the whole picture and not miss out in anything.
'The New Mother' discusses some topics that may trigger some readers or may not be suitable for others. I like to point this out ahead of time in my reviews so you can judge if this book is for you or not. In this book Julia discusses/includes mental health and miscarriage.
It is set over/includes multiple time lines. When books show what has happened in the past and what is happening in the present I find it really helps the reader (if it is well done) understand why things are happening and what has lead to the present activities and decisions. It also shows the bigger picture.
OMG!!!! SERIOUSLY!!!! WHAT A BOOK!!! JUST WOW, WOW, WOW!!!
What an absolutely fantastically written book with vivid descriptions that make you feel the warmth of the hot tub and leaving your heart race!!! The cover, synopsis and title suit the book perfectly!! Although 'The Mother's Helper' was also a perfect title for this book 'The New Mother' works just as well.
This may be the first book I have read by Julia but it most certainly will not be my last!!! I absolutely love how it is written with the Instagram posts in between chapters bringing realism into it. The storyline itself is scarily realistic, you just need to read the news to see how influencers get some extreme stalkers and abuse. I was completely invested in the storyline and once I picked it up I could not put it down so if you are about to read this then make sure you clear your schedules. If your not going to read it then a) why the heck not?!?! And b) definitely your loss!!! This is one of the most intense and suspense filled books I've ever read. It is absolutely filled with friendship, deception, tension, lies, suspense and a few shocks and twists thrown in!!! Being a vegan myself I enjoyed that veganism was mentioned throughout this book. A genuine page turner that will keep you flipping the pages until you reach the explosive ending!!!
Rachel and Abbie are both very realistic and strong women both with very different personalities. It was intriguing to watch how both their personalities and their relationship changed throughout the story. I wasn't a fan of Abbie from the start as I found her to be quite controlling and obsessive but I won't say anymore as I don't want to give anything away. Rachel was a typical influencer and although I don't follow any myself I really enjoyed reading her Instagram posts and seeing the difference between her online persona and her real life one.
Congratulations Julia on one heck of a page turning psychological read!!! I absolutely loved reading this book and have already added all your previous books to my wish list. I look forward to reading more of your previous and future books. I would absolutely LOVE to see this turned into a movie which I can guarantee will be a sell out!! Welcome to my favourite authour club!!! Don't worry I'm not an Abbie 😉.
Overall an absolutely page turning, intense, heart racing psychological thriller that will get you addicted!!!
Genres covered in this book include Thriller, Psychological Thriller, Suspense, Psychological Fiction, Crime Fiction amongst others.
I would recommend this book to the fans of the above as well as fans of Shari Lapena, 'Gone Girl' and anyone and EVERYONE who loves a fast paced thriller.
447 pages.
This book is just 99p to purchase on kindle via Amazon which I think is an absolute bargain for this book!!!
Rated 5 /5 (I LOVED it ) on Goodreads, Instagram, Amazon UK and Amazon US and on over 30 Facebook pages plus my blog on Facebook.
Feel free to add me on Goodreads or follow me on my website or Facebook for more reviews
#TheNewMother #Bookouture #JuliaCrouch #NetGalley #BookReview #BlogTour #BooksOnTour
@JuliaCrouch @Bookouture @Bookworm1986 @bookworm86
https://kcmw86.wixsite.com/bookworm86
https://m.facebook.com/Bookworm1986/?...
https://m.facebook.com/Bookwork86/?__...
October 18, 2021
I absolutely LOVED Julia Crouch’s previous book Her Husband’s Lover and even popped it into my Top Ten Books of 2016 so I was thrilled to see that after a long absence, she has come back with a new publishing deal with Bookouture and a stunning psychological thriller called The New Mother which is being published on 12th October. When Julia messaged me recently to explain her absence and ask if I would be on the blogtour it was an easy and absolute YES please from me.
The New Mother is a very twisty and utterly addictive story told by two female narrators and within moments of meeting both Rachel (RR) and Abbie, my spidy sense was telling me something was “off” with one or them or perhaps even both of them. This is one of the books that you spend the entire time reading with your heart beating faster, your sphincter muscles clenched tighter and a huge ball of dread rolling around your stomach.
Rachel is an influencer, now in her mid 30’s with a following of millions she has decided to have a baby. However, the fact she’s single reduces the odds in her getting pregnant in the old fashioned way, so she uses a sperm donor. Now pregnant, alone and living in an isolated house Rachel decides to “advertise” on her Instagram page for a “Mother’s Helper”, someone to live in and help her during the latter stages of her pregnancy and when the baby “beansprout” arrives.
Enter Abbie, Rachel’s SELF CONFESSED NUMBER ONE FAN, who despite not quite fitting the requirements of the job, manages to blag her way into Rachel’s life and home and very quickly starts to take over Rachel’s life.
It’s pretty obvious to me that one of these women is unhinged, but which one? Well I can honestly say that my opinions were going back and forth, back and forth throughout the book. With both women hiding secrets from their past, it was difficult to work out which of them was the unreliable narrator and which one was the victim.
I’m not going to say much more about this book, except to say “WELCOME BACK Julia Crouch, we missed you” and readers of twisty, clever and totally addictive storylines will love this book.
The New Mother is a very twisty and utterly addictive story told by two female narrators and within moments of meeting both Rachel (RR) and Abbie, my spidy sense was telling me something was “off” with one or them or perhaps even both of them. This is one of the books that you spend the entire time reading with your heart beating faster, your sphincter muscles clenched tighter and a huge ball of dread rolling around your stomach.
Rachel is an influencer, now in her mid 30’s with a following of millions she has decided to have a baby. However, the fact she’s single reduces the odds in her getting pregnant in the old fashioned way, so she uses a sperm donor. Now pregnant, alone and living in an isolated house Rachel decides to “advertise” on her Instagram page for a “Mother’s Helper”, someone to live in and help her during the latter stages of her pregnancy and when the baby “beansprout” arrives.
Enter Abbie, Rachel’s SELF CONFESSED NUMBER ONE FAN, who despite not quite fitting the requirements of the job, manages to blag her way into Rachel’s life and home and very quickly starts to take over Rachel’s life.
It’s pretty obvious to me that one of these women is unhinged, but which one? Well I can honestly say that my opinions were going back and forth, back and forth throughout the book. With both women hiding secrets from their past, it was difficult to work out which of them was the unreliable narrator and which one was the victim.
I’m not going to say much more about this book, except to say “WELCOME BACK Julia Crouch, we missed you” and readers of twisty, clever and totally addictive storylines will love this book.
October 23, 2021
Thank you Netgalley for the audio copy in exchange for a honest review. Rachel is a social media influencer. Abbie is her greatest fan. When Rachel falls pregnant she advertises for a Mothers Helper. When she takes on Abbie they soon become close friends. As Abbie starts to settle in she manages to eliminate others close to Rachel and takes over her life. A gripping psychological thriller ride. Highly recommended.
August 16, 2021
This is an intense, psychological thriller!
It truly had me thinking of Rachel and Abbie and how they begin to work together to prepare for Rachel's new arrival.
However--- as you get deeper in to the story, you realize this is not a normal working relationship and there is some downright scary times, especially in the last pages!
It is an intriguing, novel and I definitely recommend it!
It truly had me thinking of Rachel and Abbie and how they begin to work together to prepare for Rachel's new arrival.
However--- as you get deeper in to the story, you realize this is not a normal working relationship and there is some downright scary times, especially in the last pages!
It is an intriguing, novel and I definitely recommend it!
October 12, 2021
First, I want to thank Julia Crouch, Bookouture and NetGalley for providing me this book so I may bring you this review.
WOW!!! Julia Crouch is a creative genius who really thought outside of the box in her latest psychological thriller The New Mother. Guaranteed you have NEVER read a book quite as unique, thrilling, somewhat relatable, eye opening, twisted, mind blowing and will make you second guess things about your own life possibly. This is a book that EVERYONE will be talking about so I suggest you go run out and get your copy today!!
If you are a fan of social influencers on Instagram or other social media this is the book for you. One thing that stood out to me in this book was she wrote in various instagram postings that include the hashtags and everything. However, instead of showing us the various pictures she described them to a T.
I was smiling ear to ear as I could feel Abbie’s excitement as she got the job of Mother’s Helper to her ultimate favorite social influencer Rachel! Oh she was her biggest fan alright! It was the perfect job for her to get to know her better and take care of the soon to be baby.
Oh it was so cute how they kept referring to the baby as Beansprout.
Too many times I found myself laughing like crazy! One time in particular between the thick tension between Wanda and Abbie. Oh they both could just go at it back and forth jab after jab!
Throughout this book you will learn not to judge a book by its cover because it is not always what it seems.
Hold on tight because Julia throws you a lot of wicked twists and turns!! Don’t blink because you will literally be at the edge of your seat for this fast paced climatic ending.
WOW!!! Julia Crouch is a creative genius who really thought outside of the box in her latest psychological thriller The New Mother. Guaranteed you have NEVER read a book quite as unique, thrilling, somewhat relatable, eye opening, twisted, mind blowing and will make you second guess things about your own life possibly. This is a book that EVERYONE will be talking about so I suggest you go run out and get your copy today!!
If you are a fan of social influencers on Instagram or other social media this is the book for you. One thing that stood out to me in this book was she wrote in various instagram postings that include the hashtags and everything. However, instead of showing us the various pictures she described them to a T.
I was smiling ear to ear as I could feel Abbie’s excitement as she got the job of Mother’s Helper to her ultimate favorite social influencer Rachel! Oh she was her biggest fan alright! It was the perfect job for her to get to know her better and take care of the soon to be baby.
Oh it was so cute how they kept referring to the baby as Beansprout.
Too many times I found myself laughing like crazy! One time in particular between the thick tension between Wanda and Abbie. Oh they both could just go at it back and forth jab after jab!
Throughout this book you will learn not to judge a book by its cover because it is not always what it seems.
Hold on tight because Julia throws you a lot of wicked twists and turns!! Don’t blink because you will literally be at the edge of your seat for this fast paced climatic ending.
September 16, 2021
Wow what a thrilling but brutal ride this book was!
Rachel is a well-known Instagram influencer however as she is getting older, she feels she is losing touch with her current Instagram demographic, so she decides to get pregnant to appeal to a different newer demographic of followers. However, with her busy lifestyle she, and her best friend, Fran decide she would like a little help with the end few months of her pregnancy and for the start of her newborn baby’s life. So, she advertises on her Instagram account for a “Mother’s Helper”. When Abbie turns up, she seems too good to be true, but Rachel feels with her calming stable influence she is perfect for the job. But who exactly is Abbie, why is this job so important to her and why does she want to cover up her past which Rachel knows nothing about?
Well, what a story! I would describe this book as gripping, tense and at times brutal! The story started quite light and fluffy but soon enough I detected an undercurrent of menace. By halfway through things were getting very sinister and by the last portion of the book I couldn’t believe what a psychopath one of the characters was and how awfully and brutally she behaved (I won’t name names to avoid spoiling the story). In fact, her behaviour was so truly shocking that I have never read a psychological thriller with a character as bad as this one. I did not see the twist at the end coming which is always a good thing. All in all, I really enjoyed this book and I loved learning about the Instagram influencer lifestyle. I highly recommend this book for fans of psychological thrillers, you wont be disappointed.
Thank you to NetGalley, Bookouture and Julia Crouch for my advanced reading copy. Due out 12th October 2021.
Rachel is a well-known Instagram influencer however as she is getting older, she feels she is losing touch with her current Instagram demographic, so she decides to get pregnant to appeal to a different newer demographic of followers. However, with her busy lifestyle she, and her best friend, Fran decide she would like a little help with the end few months of her pregnancy and for the start of her newborn baby’s life. So, she advertises on her Instagram account for a “Mother’s Helper”. When Abbie turns up, she seems too good to be true, but Rachel feels with her calming stable influence she is perfect for the job. But who exactly is Abbie, why is this job so important to her and why does she want to cover up her past which Rachel knows nothing about?
Well, what a story! I would describe this book as gripping, tense and at times brutal! The story started quite light and fluffy but soon enough I detected an undercurrent of menace. By halfway through things were getting very sinister and by the last portion of the book I couldn’t believe what a psychopath one of the characters was and how awfully and brutally she behaved (I won’t name names to avoid spoiling the story). In fact, her behaviour was so truly shocking that I have never read a psychological thriller with a character as bad as this one. I did not see the twist at the end coming which is always a good thing. All in all, I really enjoyed this book and I loved learning about the Instagram influencer lifestyle. I highly recommend this book for fans of psychological thrillers, you wont be disappointed.
Thank you to NetGalley, Bookouture and Julia Crouch for my advanced reading copy. Due out 12th October 2021.
October 13, 2021
DNF @ 65%. I really tried with this one. A new mother's helper has tons of opportunity for creepy, psychological thriller moments but this one was too much. Both of the main characters were unlikeable: Rachel, the social media influencer is so fake and difficult to relate to with her # everything and her infatuation with posts, likes, and comments; and Abbie could have been a really great stalker/fangirl villain but just comes off as sad and whiny. I would have continued to plod along but there were some scenes with abuse that I couldn't stomach and I had to give up. There was so much potential here but it was lost in the hashtags.
I received a copy from #NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I received a copy from #NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
September 26, 2021
A solid read.
Not sure you are suppose to like the characters and I sure didn't. Twists near the end made it worth while to read but did start off slow for me.
Thanks to the author thr publisher and NetGalley for an early release of this book.
Not sure you are suppose to like the characters and I sure didn't. Twists near the end made it worth while to read but did start off slow for me.
Thanks to the author thr publisher and NetGalley for an early release of this book.
October 6, 2021
Thanks to Netgalley for giving me a preview copy of this book, which now seems to have changed its name to The New Mother (rather than Mother's Helper). The story follows an Instagram star, Rachel, who appears to have the perfect life, all of it photographed and earning her endorsements and an annual income that has allowed her to buy and upgrade her family's farm. Rachel decides to become a single mom, for which she hires a live-in nanny. After interviewing several young women, she chooses dumpy looking Abby because she thinks she'll make the best before and after candidate if she follows Rachel's diet and exercise program. Going in, Abby is Rachel's greatest fan. She eagerly follows all of Rachel's guidance and does start to lose weight; she even allows her hair to be cut exactly like Rachel's. Still, Abby is not happy; she is disillusioned to discover how much of Rachel's online life is a lie. People she thought were Rachel's friends are really just her staff members. The characters have secrets (don't they always)? Stop reading if you don't want any spoilers.
Abby believes she and Rachel are sisters, which, since Rachel doesn't know who her dad is, they may very well be. And Rachel has something in her background that she only refers to as "the event," an experience she endured with her lifelong best friend Franny, who now seems to feel responsible for helping Rachel stay on course. All of the characters' secrets begin to come together (don't they always) until drama ensues. Bigger spoiler coming; stop reading if you don't want to know the ending!
I found it a bit unbelievable that Abby could have functioned as well as she did as a helper to Rachel only to disintegrate into a sociopath. The book was engaging enough to keep me listening but devolved as it went along. I didn't understand why Abby not only lost all sympathy for Rachel once she found out her secret but actually wanted to kill her. Her blaming Rachel for all her misfortunes seemed crazy. (I know she was supposed to be crazy, but again, her ability to function at a high level for months as an assistant belied this ending.)
Abby believes she and Rachel are sisters, which, since Rachel doesn't know who her dad is, they may very well be. And Rachel has something in her background that she only refers to as "the event," an experience she endured with her lifelong best friend Franny, who now seems to feel responsible for helping Rachel stay on course. All of the characters' secrets begin to come together (don't they always) until drama ensues. Bigger spoiler coming; stop reading if you don't want to know the ending!
I found it a bit unbelievable that Abby could have functioned as well as she did as a helper to Rachel only to disintegrate into a sociopath. The book was engaging enough to keep me listening but devolved as it went along. I didn't understand why Abby not only lost all sympathy for Rachel once she found out her secret but actually wanted to kill her. Her blaming Rachel for all her misfortunes seemed crazy. (I know she was supposed to be crazy, but again, her ability to function at a high level for months as an assistant belied this ending.)
September 17, 2021
The title, “Queen of Domestic Noir” hasn’t been bestowed on Crouch without reason.
Don’t let the seemingly ordinary narrative in the first third lull you into a relaxed state! Fasten your seatbelts as there’s major ‘deconstruction’, rubbernecking and mouth gaping ahead!
Every mother needs a bit of help, don’t they? Abbie diligently follows Rachel on Instagram and is excited when Rachel hires her as a nanny. Abbie appears innocent and bright-eyed. Rachel appears to have it all. Neither is #authentic.
It was a good reminder to see the Instagram influencer lifestyle played out so that readers can see the dangers of revealing too much online. The narrative is dovetailed with Instagram posts, which although irritating at times, help to inform readers and give them a better understanding of the motivation of the person posting on social media. Something to keep in mind is that if someone has to tell you it’s “authentic,” it’s most likely just a ploy to maintain appearances of an ideal lifestyle. Keep your eye on the number of ‘likes’ as the plot progresses.
Unreliable narrators, secrets, moral turpitude, and a cleverly orchestrated plot highlight the manipulation of social media and leave carnage in their wake.
This twisted tale of obsession offers readers a unique, front-row view into the trappings of social media.
Publishes October 12, 2021.
I was gifted this advance copy by Julia Crouch, Bookouture and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.
Don’t let the seemingly ordinary narrative in the first third lull you into a relaxed state! Fasten your seatbelts as there’s major ‘deconstruction’, rubbernecking and mouth gaping ahead!
Every mother needs a bit of help, don’t they? Abbie diligently follows Rachel on Instagram and is excited when Rachel hires her as a nanny. Abbie appears innocent and bright-eyed. Rachel appears to have it all. Neither is #authentic.
It was a good reminder to see the Instagram influencer lifestyle played out so that readers can see the dangers of revealing too much online. The narrative is dovetailed with Instagram posts, which although irritating at times, help to inform readers and give them a better understanding of the motivation of the person posting on social media. Something to keep in mind is that if someone has to tell you it’s “authentic,” it’s most likely just a ploy to maintain appearances of an ideal lifestyle. Keep your eye on the number of ‘likes’ as the plot progresses.
Unreliable narrators, secrets, moral turpitude, and a cleverly orchestrated plot highlight the manipulation of social media and leave carnage in their wake.
This twisted tale of obsession offers readers a unique, front-row view into the trappings of social media.
Publishes October 12, 2021.
I was gifted this advance copy by Julia Crouch, Bookouture and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.
August 14, 2021
Thanks to the publisher for providing an eARC of Mother's Helper in exchange for an honest review!
I think Mother's Helper's biggest flaw is that it keeps one of it's most important plot elements out of the description because if it did, I would have known off the bat that I wouldn't enjoy this. This is a book about social media and social media influences. I genuinely have no idea why that's not mentioned in the description since it's not like it's a plot twist or anything and a lot of readers either love or hate influencer based stories. I normally fall into the hate end, especially in thrillers, because the plot normally necessitates a lot of social media stuff to either intentionally or unintentionally be misrepresented and absolutely destroys plot immersion.
I think Mother's Helper's biggest flaw is that it keeps one of it's most important plot elements out of the description because if it did, I would have known off the bat that I wouldn't enjoy this. This is a book about social media and social media influences. I genuinely have no idea why that's not mentioned in the description since it's not like it's a plot twist or anything and a lot of readers either love or hate influencer based stories. I normally fall into the hate end, especially in thrillers, because the plot normally necessitates a lot of social media stuff to either intentionally or unintentionally be misrepresented and absolutely destroys plot immersion.
September 17, 2021
I have read books by Julia before and this one certainly didnt disappoint.
Rachel is a huge figure within the social media field with thousands of followers engrossed in her blog.
She is pregnant and advertising for a mothers help.
Abbie is one of rachels biggest fans and desperate to land this plum job. She is interviewed by Rachel and her closest friend Fran. On paper, and in interview, Abbie appears to be the ideal employee, experienced in this role with excellent references. However, Rachel also has an alternative agenda and wants to treat Abbie as a transformation project....a before and after...with a gruelling exercise and diet regime.
Abbie appears to become indispensable, keeping house and gradually convincing Rachel that she doesnt need such a workforce, slowly getting rid of those in other roles.
It soon becomes apparent that both women hold deep secrets that link them very much from the past. An action packed, fast paced ending with many twists and characters not portrayed as was first thought.
Highly recommend reading this thriller, which highlights the vulnerabilities these women experience due to past traumas.
Rachel is a huge figure within the social media field with thousands of followers engrossed in her blog.
She is pregnant and advertising for a mothers help.
Abbie is one of rachels biggest fans and desperate to land this plum job. She is interviewed by Rachel and her closest friend Fran. On paper, and in interview, Abbie appears to be the ideal employee, experienced in this role with excellent references. However, Rachel also has an alternative agenda and wants to treat Abbie as a transformation project....a before and after...with a gruelling exercise and diet regime.
Abbie appears to become indispensable, keeping house and gradually convincing Rachel that she doesnt need such a workforce, slowly getting rid of those in other roles.
It soon becomes apparent that both women hold deep secrets that link them very much from the past. An action packed, fast paced ending with many twists and characters not portrayed as was first thought.
Highly recommend reading this thriller, which highlights the vulnerabilities these women experience due to past traumas.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 156 reviews