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Like a Mother
Writing as Mina Hardy, New York Times bestselling author Megan Hart delivers a nail-biting psychological suspense about the bonds of family, perfect for fans of Lisa Jewell and Jeneva Rose.
Sarah and Adam Morgan had the perfect suburban a beautiful house, an adorable daughter, a baby on the way, and a once-in-a-lifetime love. They were the couple everyone envied–until Adam died.
In the wake of his death, Adam’s secrets begin to emerge. The first comes out when a woman named Candace introduces herself to Sarah as Adam’s mother. Adam had always said his mother was dead, so either Adam was lying to her, or this woman is not who she says she is.
Candace proves that Adam was her son, but she admits that her relationship with her son was strained. But she’s still Sarah’s mother-in-law, and she’s here to help. Struggling with finances after Adam’s death, Sarah agrees to move in with Candace and to accept her help with her toddler and her pregnancy.
Living in Adam’s childhood home, Sarah begins to understand the life he had before they met–the life he buried along with his relationship with his mother. When Sarah notices Candace’s strange obsession with her pregnancy, and the house begins to feel less like salvation and more like a cage, she realizes that Candace might not be the caring mother-in-law she seems. Maybe Adam had good reason to pretend that his mother was dead.
Sarah and Adam Morgan had the perfect suburban a beautiful house, an adorable daughter, a baby on the way, and a once-in-a-lifetime love. They were the couple everyone envied–until Adam died.
In the wake of his death, Adam’s secrets begin to emerge. The first comes out when a woman named Candace introduces herself to Sarah as Adam’s mother. Adam had always said his mother was dead, so either Adam was lying to her, or this woman is not who she says she is.
Candace proves that Adam was her son, but she admits that her relationship with her son was strained. But she’s still Sarah’s mother-in-law, and she’s here to help. Struggling with finances after Adam’s death, Sarah agrees to move in with Candace and to accept her help with her toddler and her pregnancy.
Living in Adam’s childhood home, Sarah begins to understand the life he had before they met–the life he buried along with his relationship with his mother. When Sarah notices Candace’s strange obsession with her pregnancy, and the house begins to feel less like salvation and more like a cage, she realizes that Candace might not be the caring mother-in-law she seems. Maybe Adam had good reason to pretend that his mother was dead.
240 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 6, 2024
42 people are currently reading
1434 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 316 reviews
February 4, 2024
I listened to the audiobook for this one (well for most if it, I got to having about an hour left and my car ride was over so I switched to kindle because patience is not my best quality). I thought the beginning was a little slow for me and the end was a bit of a rush, but overall it was a good thriller with some really good twists (although also with some unanswered questions). I have read this author’s earlier works and really enjoyed the first so I requested this without reading the description, I may not have gone for it because of the role grief plays, but overall I found it to be an enjoyable book even if the descriptions of the main characters grief were spot on and hard for me to listen to. Sarah’s husband Adam has died and she is left with their 3 year old daughter and her unborn baby. Struggling with grief she is thrown even further when her husband’s business partner makes it clear that he won’t honor the agreements her husband told her he would unless she signs guardianship paperwork in case something happens to her so he and his wife can have custody of her 3 year old and with better sense than most thriller give their female narrators she knew she was being pressured to essentially sell her daughter. Some big financial barriers hit and she is left pretty desperate, desperate enough that the offer to stay with her mother in law that she had never met and in fact been told was dead sounds reasonable, Sometimes someone leaves their past behind to start over for very good reason though. I highly recommend the audiobook version of this one if you debating between versions.
February 21, 2024
4 Bright Stars for this creepy, thought-provoking read!
Having read and loved both of Hardy’s previous novels I was really excited to get my hands on her most recent release, Like a Mother. As expected, this was an incredibly pacey, suspenseful tale full of so many twists it made my head spin, and I had an absolute blast reading it!
As we begin this one, we are introduced to Sarah Granatt, a pregnant mother of a beautiful young daughter who is grieving the recent death of her husband, Adam. Their lives together were perfect, and she’s at a complete loss on how to move on as a widowed, single mother of two, with little money to speak of. How will she manage?
Whilst in the fog of her sorrow, she receives a shocking and unexpected visitor – Adam’s mother, Candace, who he had told her had passed years earlier. Why was Adam lying to her? With little options to think of, Sarah has little choice but to accept Candace’s invitation to live with her at her country estate until she’s given birth and gotten back on her feet. As her due date approaches living in Adam’s childhood home Sarah begins to unravel Adam’s abnormal upbringing, secret by shocking secret. Sarah soon questions who was the man she was married to, loved dearly, and thought she knew??! And is Candace the loving, doting, grandmotherly figure she presents herself to be? Sarah begins to doubt she’s even safe living with Candace and her strange rules. Did Adam have good reason to keep his past in the shadows? Has Sarah found salvation in Candace, or something of a completely different and life-threatening nature?
Initially, I really did not like Sarah. At all. She appeared to be very high-maintenance and difficult, and I really felt for Candace. As I read on and reveal after reveal slapped me across the face, I completely flipped my stance on both, and the closer Sarah got to giving birth, I couldn’t help but feel an increasing sense of dread – something was undoubtedly coming, and I really needed to figure out what! While this novel touched on religion quite a bit, it didn't trigger me in the way the topic normally would, which was a wonderful surprise, and even though I wasn’t exactly shocked the direction that this one went, I still really enjoyed it. At just under 300 pages, this was an lightening-quick, thoroughly entertaining read, and it might even be my favorite of Hardy’s novels!
If you are looking for a snappy, spine-tinglingly tantalizing thriller, Like a Mother is just the perfect book for you!
Having read and loved both of Hardy’s previous novels I was really excited to get my hands on her most recent release, Like a Mother. As expected, this was an incredibly pacey, suspenseful tale full of so many twists it made my head spin, and I had an absolute blast reading it!
As we begin this one, we are introduced to Sarah Granatt, a pregnant mother of a beautiful young daughter who is grieving the recent death of her husband, Adam. Their lives together were perfect, and she’s at a complete loss on how to move on as a widowed, single mother of two, with little money to speak of. How will she manage?
Whilst in the fog of her sorrow, she receives a shocking and unexpected visitor – Adam’s mother, Candace, who he had told her had passed years earlier. Why was Adam lying to her? With little options to think of, Sarah has little choice but to accept Candace’s invitation to live with her at her country estate until she’s given birth and gotten back on her feet. As her due date approaches living in Adam’s childhood home Sarah begins to unravel Adam’s abnormal upbringing, secret by shocking secret. Sarah soon questions who was the man she was married to, loved dearly, and thought she knew??! And is Candace the loving, doting, grandmotherly figure she presents herself to be? Sarah begins to doubt she’s even safe living with Candace and her strange rules. Did Adam have good reason to keep his past in the shadows? Has Sarah found salvation in Candace, or something of a completely different and life-threatening nature?
Initially, I really did not like Sarah. At all. She appeared to be very high-maintenance and difficult, and I really felt for Candace. As I read on and reveal after reveal slapped me across the face, I completely flipped my stance on both, and the closer Sarah got to giving birth, I couldn’t help but feel an increasing sense of dread – something was undoubtedly coming, and I really needed to figure out what! While this novel touched on religion quite a bit, it didn't trigger me in the way the topic normally would, which was a wonderful surprise, and even though I wasn’t exactly shocked the direction that this one went, I still really enjoyed it. At just under 300 pages, this was an lightening-quick, thoroughly entertaining read, and it might even be my favorite of Hardy’s novels!
If you are looking for a snappy, spine-tinglingly tantalizing thriller, Like a Mother is just the perfect book for you!
February 6, 2024
Mina Hardy's (Megan Hart) chilling new psychological thriller, LIKE A MOTHER, is a wild, twisty, and crazy ride with darkness lurking on every page—something I never expected. From gaslighting to a dark web of deceit, family secrets, and lies, this domestic suspense keeps you guessing until the explosive ending.
EXPECT THE UNEXPECTED.
AUDIOBOOK: OMG! The audiobook was so good! I listened to the audiobook without a digital reading copy. The audiobook was fantastic! I love the narrator, Gail Shalan, and have heard some of her other performances over the years, which is why I chose this one. (I just finished One Wrong Word by Hank Phillippi Ryan, which she narrated).
Gail makes the characters come alive! Each character's voice was so distinct—this has to be a significant undertaking! The voice of the mother-in-law was so creepy, just like her character. I highly recommend the audiobook!
Sarah and Adam Morgan had the perfect suburban, a beautiful house, an adorable daughter, and a baby on the way until he died from Leukemia. They met in college and had a great marriage. Adam owned a business with a partner. She assumed he had taken care of them in this will.
However, after Adam dies, Sarah discovers so many secrets, one by one. She had quit her job years earlier to be a homemaker and always wanted to open a B&B. She decided to stay home and raise a family which she loved.
She finds out Adam changed his will, and she is not provided for. They had talked about it, and she was to get a monthly income from the business until the kids were grown and she could support herself.
Then, a shocker. Sarah is blindsided. His business partner Graham and his wife want guardianship of the baby. They want her to sign it over to give her monthly income. They said this was Adam's wish. Sarah is appalled! No way. Sarah's mother had mental problems, and she has anxiety. But she is a strong-willed woman and a capable mother. He would never do this. They are trying to blackmail her. No one will take her baby.
The second shocker (there are many more)—a woman shows up named Candace claiming Adam is her son. Adam said his parents were both dead when they met back in college! The woman calls him Henry. What is going on?
Candace seems like a nice woman, and eventually, Sarah is worn down, and Candance offers to let them move in with her. She has a big house and plenty of room until Sarah gets back on her feet. Sarah thinks it will be nice to be taken care of UNTIL...
However, is she making a deal with the devil? She seems like a loving grandmother to her daughter, but then she seems obsessed with her baby. Why is everyone obsessed with her baby?
Sarah also feels like she is in prison as the house is remote, and they have no internet or cell phones with signals. She feels cut off and wants to get a job working remotely to be independent and not rely on this woman.
Then, more strange things occur, which is spine-chilling. Candace pushes her Christianity on Sarah and her daughter when Sarah and Adam are Jewish. Then, she finds out Adam's dad was a priest. So, what in the world is going on?
Candace said they had a falling out. Was it so bad that he claimed they were dead to have them out of his life?
A young lady named Honor is also living there as Candace's housekeeper. She seems afraid of Candace and hides things. Also, there are locks on things in the kitchen, and Sarah feels like an outsider. She thinks Honor may be the only one to provide her answers to the past and present and what is going on in this house if she will confide in her.
Sarah never expected this shocker. Did she know Adam? Had their life been a lie, or was he trying to protect her? Sarah feels trapped in this house under Candace's control. Then, more sinister and scary things occur, and somehow, Honor is connected. How many secrets had Adam been hiding?
The closer Sarah gets to the truth, the more she learns she may be in danger. She must escape this house and this woman. Is she trying to take her baby, and what about Peter, the husband who was a minister? There are dark, hidden family secrets, and Honor is her only hope, but can she trust her?
Wow! This is one nail-biting, heart-pounding thriller. You will never guess where the book is heading, but you are on board for the ride. I was glued to my AirPods because you do not want to miss a thing.
There is so much to this book/audio and many layers. No spoilers here, but trust me, there are so many parts and twists, and some do not come to light until the latter part. However, trust me, there is action, tension, and drama from beginning to end in this well-written domestic suspense.
LIKE A MOTHER is creepy and twisty, and the suspense is riveting. I would love to learn the inspiration behind the book, which may/or may not have been included in the author's note, not included in the audiobook.
Even though I liked the ending, there were some loose ends left undone; however, giving this one 5 Stars due to the audiobook performance, which was stellar!
This is for you if you enjoy the unexpected, with a locked room-type, unsettling atmosphere with a dark sense of foreboding. The mother-in-law was so creepy because you do not know her motives. She will give you the chills. I felt for Sarah; you will root for her to the end!
I am delighted to discover this newfound author and look forward to reading more!
Thanks to Dreamscape Media NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to an advanced listing copy.
Blog review posted @
JudithDCollins.com
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
My Rating: 5 Stars (Audio)
Pub Date: Feb 6, 2024
Feb 2024 Must-Read Books
Feb Newsletter
EXPECT THE UNEXPECTED.
AUDIOBOOK: OMG! The audiobook was so good! I listened to the audiobook without a digital reading copy. The audiobook was fantastic! I love the narrator, Gail Shalan, and have heard some of her other performances over the years, which is why I chose this one. (I just finished One Wrong Word by Hank Phillippi Ryan, which she narrated).
Gail makes the characters come alive! Each character's voice was so distinct—this has to be a significant undertaking! The voice of the mother-in-law was so creepy, just like her character. I highly recommend the audiobook!
Sarah and Adam Morgan had the perfect suburban, a beautiful house, an adorable daughter, and a baby on the way until he died from Leukemia. They met in college and had a great marriage. Adam owned a business with a partner. She assumed he had taken care of them in this will.
However, after Adam dies, Sarah discovers so many secrets, one by one. She had quit her job years earlier to be a homemaker and always wanted to open a B&B. She decided to stay home and raise a family which she loved.
She finds out Adam changed his will, and she is not provided for. They had talked about it, and she was to get a monthly income from the business until the kids were grown and she could support herself.
Then, a shocker. Sarah is blindsided. His business partner Graham and his wife want guardianship of the baby. They want her to sign it over to give her monthly income. They said this was Adam's wish. Sarah is appalled! No way. Sarah's mother had mental problems, and she has anxiety. But she is a strong-willed woman and a capable mother. He would never do this. They are trying to blackmail her. No one will take her baby.
The second shocker (there are many more)—a woman shows up named Candace claiming Adam is her son. Adam said his parents were both dead when they met back in college! The woman calls him Henry. What is going on?
Candace seems like a nice woman, and eventually, Sarah is worn down, and Candance offers to let them move in with her. She has a big house and plenty of room until Sarah gets back on her feet. Sarah thinks it will be nice to be taken care of UNTIL...
However, is she making a deal with the devil? She seems like a loving grandmother to her daughter, but then she seems obsessed with her baby. Why is everyone obsessed with her baby?
Sarah also feels like she is in prison as the house is remote, and they have no internet or cell phones with signals. She feels cut off and wants to get a job working remotely to be independent and not rely on this woman.
Then, more strange things occur, which is spine-chilling. Candace pushes her Christianity on Sarah and her daughter when Sarah and Adam are Jewish. Then, she finds out Adam's dad was a priest. So, what in the world is going on?
Candace said they had a falling out. Was it so bad that he claimed they were dead to have them out of his life?
A young lady named Honor is also living there as Candace's housekeeper. She seems afraid of Candace and hides things. Also, there are locks on things in the kitchen, and Sarah feels like an outsider. She thinks Honor may be the only one to provide her answers to the past and present and what is going on in this house if she will confide in her.
Sarah never expected this shocker. Did she know Adam? Had their life been a lie, or was he trying to protect her? Sarah feels trapped in this house under Candace's control. Then, more sinister and scary things occur, and somehow, Honor is connected. How many secrets had Adam been hiding?
The closer Sarah gets to the truth, the more she learns she may be in danger. She must escape this house and this woman. Is she trying to take her baby, and what about Peter, the husband who was a minister? There are dark, hidden family secrets, and Honor is her only hope, but can she trust her?
Wow! This is one nail-biting, heart-pounding thriller. You will never guess where the book is heading, but you are on board for the ride. I was glued to my AirPods because you do not want to miss a thing.
There is so much to this book/audio and many layers. No spoilers here, but trust me, there are so many parts and twists, and some do not come to light until the latter part. However, trust me, there is action, tension, and drama from beginning to end in this well-written domestic suspense.
LIKE A MOTHER is creepy and twisty, and the suspense is riveting. I would love to learn the inspiration behind the book, which may/or may not have been included in the author's note, not included in the audiobook.
Even though I liked the ending, there were some loose ends left undone; however, giving this one 5 Stars due to the audiobook performance, which was stellar!
This is for you if you enjoy the unexpected, with a locked room-type, unsettling atmosphere with a dark sense of foreboding. The mother-in-law was so creepy because you do not know her motives. She will give you the chills. I felt for Sarah; you will root for her to the end!
I am delighted to discover this newfound author and look forward to reading more!
Thanks to Dreamscape Media NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to an advanced listing copy.
Blog review posted @
JudithDCollins.com
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
My Rating: 5 Stars (Audio)
Pub Date: Feb 6, 2024
Feb 2024 Must-Read Books
Feb Newsletter
October 30, 2023
This book was just ok in my opinion. It centers on Sarah, whose husband Adam dies, leaving her with a young child and a baby in the way. When Candace shows up and says she is Adam’s mom, Sarah is skeptical because he said his mom was deceased, but doesn’t feel like she has much choice other to trust her.
The whole situation with Candace was bizarre and I felt somewhat frustrated with Sarah at times because I didn’t understand why she didn’t ask more questions. I also thought that while there were some good twists, many questions were left unanswered when all was said and done. I did like the ending, for the most part, but wish some more loose ends has been explained.
Overall, decent book that kept me reading but not my favorite psychological thriller. Thanks to Netgalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
The whole situation with Candace was bizarre and I felt somewhat frustrated with Sarah at times because I didn’t understand why she didn’t ask more questions. I also thought that while there were some good twists, many questions were left unanswered when all was said and done. I did like the ending, for the most part, but wish some more loose ends has been explained.
Overall, decent book that kept me reading but not my favorite psychological thriller. Thanks to Netgalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
January 29, 2024
I enjoyed listening to LIKE A MOTHER. Sarah went through quite a nightmare when her husband Adam died. Candice was a horrible person and I knew she would be from the start. This is a clever story filled with so many secrets. I really commend the author, she really created and interesting story, it's very creative and not something that I would have ever thought of.
Many thanks to Netgalley and Dreamscape Media for the gifted ALC
This review will be shared to my Instagram (@coffee.break.book.reviews) closer to pub date.
Many thanks to Netgalley and Dreamscape Media for the gifted ALC
This review will be shared to my Instagram (@coffee.break.book.reviews) closer to pub date.
November 24, 2024
TW/CW: Language, death of spouse, death of parent, anxiety, depression, death by suicide, cancer, toxic family relationships, miscarriages, infertility, sexual assault (children), toxic friendships, grieving, death of child
*****SPOILERS*****
About the book:
Sarah and Adam Morgan had the perfect suburban a beautiful house, an adorable daughter, a baby on the way, and a once-in-a-lifetime love. They were the couple everyone envied–until Adam died. In the wake of his death, Adam’s secrets begin to emerge. The first comes out when a woman named Candace introduces herself to Sarah as Adam’s mother. Adam had always said his mother was dead, so either Adam was lying to her, or this woman is not who she says she is. Candace proves that Adam was her son, but she admits that her relationship with her son was strained. But she’s still Sarah’s mother-in-law, and she’s here to help. Struggling with finances after Adam’s death, Sarah agrees to move in with Candace and to accept her help with her toddler and her pregnancy. Living in Adam’s childhood home, Sarah begins to understand the life he had before they met–the life he buried along with his relationship with his mother. When Sarah notices Candace’s strange obsession with her pregnancy, and the house begins to feel less like salvation and more like a cage, she realizes that Candace might not be the caring mother-in-law she seems. Maybe Adam had good reason to pretend that his mother was dead.
Release Date: February 6th, 2024
Genre: Mystery
Pages: 240
Rating:
What I Liked:
1. Writing style was good
2. Story flowed
What I Didn't Like:
1. The characters made me so mad
2. Typical main female character
3. Cookie cutter happy ending
Overall Thoughts:
{{Disclaimer: I write my review as I read}}
3 toe stumbs in 3 chapters and now she almost falls going up the stairs. Guess we are keeping with that women are clutz
Adam having a mom that is actually alive and saying that he would complain about Sara is crazy.
Omg of course that Sara is the unhinged woman that has delusions and now isnt able to take care of her kid(s) even though what Graham says is hearsay and he can't even proof that situation happened with Sara and punching the mirror. Omgomg and Graham saying that she cheated on her husband because he was too sick to have sex enough to have a child.
I hate Adam. Selling off their unborn child to his friend because he thought she wasn't able to take care of the kids.
So Adam has changed the insurance policy that took Sara off and put it into a trust. What the hell...
Omg omg omg Ellie is annoying me she bought the house and now wants to rent the house to Sara. Seriously why are they driving her insane and doing all this stuff???
Sara get a camera in the house to see who is coming and going!! Someone is trying to drive you crazy.
Sara moved to Ohio to live with Adam's mother but upon seeing the house there are bars on the windows - weird.
Confused the moving crew already left with her furniture and stuff before she left for ohio, but it's going to take a week for her stuff to get to Ohio. Why would it take so long?
Candice not letting;
• Sara have the code out the door
• Leave the house
• Have wifi/phone service
• Telling her who she'll see for a doctor
• No food/locked fridge
• Making her have a home birth
Candice having Ellie baptized is insane and then learning that Honor had a baby. Why is Sara still even talking to candiance and staying. Get out get out!!
So she tries finally but they want to drug her and she tumbles down the stairs because remember she's a clutz.
I'm so annoyed that she'd mention that Honor has a working phone in from of Candice. Why would you let someone know this that doesn't want you to call out???
Of course Sara uses the bathroom and washes her hands during all of this happening. Weird. So then she misses the chance to talk to the Dr while Candice talks to her. She comes back and mentions a router for wifi but has to poop again and leaves to go the bathroom so of course the router is broken now. So ridiculous!
We learn that Adam never told Candice anything about his marriage, but I mean he still came home after Sara had Ellie to tell Honor about the baby and marriage.
For God's sake Graham is Candice's adopted daughter. He changed his name. Everyone changed their name in this book. Ohhhhhhhhhhh and now we find out that Graham and Adam were doing sexual things because Adam's dad was sexually assaulting and other kids at church.
Graham helps Sara get free and now everything is just great between them. He gives Sara all the money even through they (his wife and him) treated her like trash he suddenly is okay not having her baby.
Sara gets a mysterious letter one day with 10 money orders for $1,000 each in and finding out that Candice died in a fire in her home. Wow it all worked out for Sara in the end and she doesn't even have to seriously work for years and years.
Final Thoughts:
Ellie has the most least personality I've ever seen a kid have in a book. Pretty sure she said only a few things;
"I'm hungry" and "I saw daddy".
I wanted this book to be more than what I got. Sara felt so basic thriller woman who is a clutz, has no idea about her family finances, her husbands past life, and ignores so many warning signs all while putting herself in the path of dangerous things.
It's never explained about Ellie saying she sees her daddy when it's such a huge focus for the book and it goes no where.
IG | Blog
Thanks to Netgalley and Crooked Lane Books for this advanced copy of the book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
*****SPOILERS*****
About the book:
Sarah and Adam Morgan had the perfect suburban a beautiful house, an adorable daughter, a baby on the way, and a once-in-a-lifetime love. They were the couple everyone envied–until Adam died. In the wake of his death, Adam’s secrets begin to emerge. The first comes out when a woman named Candace introduces herself to Sarah as Adam’s mother. Adam had always said his mother was dead, so either Adam was lying to her, or this woman is not who she says she is. Candace proves that Adam was her son, but she admits that her relationship with her son was strained. But she’s still Sarah’s mother-in-law, and she’s here to help. Struggling with finances after Adam’s death, Sarah agrees to move in with Candace and to accept her help with her toddler and her pregnancy. Living in Adam’s childhood home, Sarah begins to understand the life he had before they met–the life he buried along with his relationship with his mother. When Sarah notices Candace’s strange obsession with her pregnancy, and the house begins to feel less like salvation and more like a cage, she realizes that Candace might not be the caring mother-in-law she seems. Maybe Adam had good reason to pretend that his mother was dead.
Release Date: February 6th, 2024
Genre: Mystery
Pages: 240
Rating:
What I Liked:
1. Writing style was good
2. Story flowed
What I Didn't Like:
1. The characters made me so mad
2. Typical main female character
3. Cookie cutter happy ending
Overall Thoughts:
{{Disclaimer: I write my review as I read}}
3 toe stumbs in 3 chapters and now she almost falls going up the stairs. Guess we are keeping with that women are clutz
Adam having a mom that is actually alive and saying that he would complain about Sara is crazy.
Omg of course that Sara is the unhinged woman that has delusions and now isnt able to take care of her kid(s) even though what Graham says is hearsay and he can't even proof that situation happened with Sara and punching the mirror. Omgomg and Graham saying that she cheated on her husband because he was too sick to have sex enough to have a child.
I hate Adam. Selling off their unborn child to his friend because he thought she wasn't able to take care of the kids.
So Adam has changed the insurance policy that took Sara off and put it into a trust. What the hell...
Omg omg omg Ellie is annoying me she bought the house and now wants to rent the house to Sara. Seriously why are they driving her insane and doing all this stuff???
Sara get a camera in the house to see who is coming and going!! Someone is trying to drive you crazy.
Sara moved to Ohio to live with Adam's mother but upon seeing the house there are bars on the windows - weird.
Confused the moving crew already left with her furniture and stuff before she left for ohio, but it's going to take a week for her stuff to get to Ohio. Why would it take so long?
Candice not letting;
• Sara have the code out the door
• Leave the house
• Have wifi/phone service
• Telling her who she'll see for a doctor
• No food/locked fridge
• Making her have a home birth
Candice having Ellie baptized is insane and then learning that Honor had a baby. Why is Sara still even talking to candiance and staying. Get out get out!!
So she tries finally but they want to drug her and she tumbles down the stairs because remember she's a clutz.
I'm so annoyed that she'd mention that Honor has a working phone in from of Candice. Why would you let someone know this that doesn't want you to call out???
Of course Sara uses the bathroom and washes her hands during all of this happening. Weird. So then she misses the chance to talk to the Dr while Candice talks to her. She comes back and mentions a router for wifi but has to poop again and leaves to go the bathroom so of course the router is broken now. So ridiculous!
We learn that Adam never told Candice anything about his marriage, but I mean he still came home after Sara had Ellie to tell Honor about the baby and marriage.
For God's sake Graham is Candice's adopted daughter. He changed his name. Everyone changed their name in this book. Ohhhhhhhhhhh and now we find out that Graham and Adam were doing sexual things because Adam's dad was sexually assaulting and other kids at church.
Graham helps Sara get free and now everything is just great between them. He gives Sara all the money even through they (his wife and him) treated her like trash he suddenly is okay not having her baby.
Sara gets a mysterious letter one day with 10 money orders for $1,000 each in and finding out that Candice died in a fire in her home. Wow it all worked out for Sara in the end and she doesn't even have to seriously work for years and years.
Final Thoughts:
Ellie has the most least personality I've ever seen a kid have in a book. Pretty sure she said only a few things;
"I'm hungry" and "I saw daddy".
I wanted this book to be more than what I got. Sara felt so basic thriller woman who is a clutz, has no idea about her family finances, her husbands past life, and ignores so many warning signs all while putting herself in the path of dangerous things.
It's never explained about Ellie saying she sees her daddy when it's such a huge focus for the book and it goes no where.
IG | Blog
Thanks to Netgalley and Crooked Lane Books for this advanced copy of the book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
February 14, 2024
1.75⭐️
While this book started off strong it did not end that way.
Sarahs husband just passed and shortly after she found out he was lying to her about major parts of his life. Sarah has a two year old and a baby on the way and now she is lost without directions.
What can I say…I strongly disliked this book. It felt like the author had two different ideas for a book and smashed them together. Also at the end it seemed like she was throwing in TWs just to get a reaction from the reader. I wouldn’t recommend this book.
While this book started off strong it did not end that way.
Sarahs husband just passed and shortly after she found out he was lying to her about major parts of his life. Sarah has a two year old and a baby on the way and now she is lost without directions.
What can I say…I strongly disliked this book. It felt like the author had two different ideas for a book and smashed them together. Also at the end it seemed like she was throwing in TWs just to get a reaction from the reader. I wouldn’t recommend this book.
February 7, 2024
How would you like to be married to a husband who has told nothing but lies since the day you were married? This book has it all… Lies, secrets, twist, and turns that you don’t expect. I could not stop listening to this audio. I found that I was taking it with me everywhere. Vacuuming the house, riding my indoor bike, walking my 3 miles every day, just to find out how it ended, and I was not disappointed. The mother-in-law drove me crazy! Thanks to NetGalley and publisher for this early release in exchange for my honest review. Happy Publication Day February 6, 2024.
November 19, 2024
Thank you NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
This was a brilliant thriller! It had me hooked from the very beginning and was super fast paced, so it definitely kept my interest throughout the story.
The twists were definitely more minor than other books of the same genre that I’ve read, so they were therefore a little less impactful than I usually enjoy, but I loved the overall story and it was very creepy. I also felt that there were a couple of small unanswered questions left at the end of the book but the main details were wonderfully wrapped up.
I would thoroughly recommend this one for lovers of fast paced psychological thrillers!
This was a brilliant thriller! It had me hooked from the very beginning and was super fast paced, so it definitely kept my interest throughout the story.
The twists were definitely more minor than other books of the same genre that I’ve read, so they were therefore a little less impactful than I usually enjoy, but I loved the overall story and it was very creepy. I also felt that there were a couple of small unanswered questions left at the end of the book but the main details were wonderfully wrapped up.
I would thoroughly recommend this one for lovers of fast paced psychological thrillers!
July 14, 2024
2.5 stars
I have a hard time with predictable and OTT, both of which describe this domestic suspense. There were also a number of issues:
I never really connected with the MC. I found some of her decisions unrealistic.
I never truly understood the thread of Adam promising his children to his business partner Graham and his wife. It never really went anywhere.
The ending and reveals were predictable from the beginning.
The plot kept me intrigued and the suspense kept me wondering. Hence, the rounding up of stars. The audiobook was a quick listen with a dynamic performance. I suspect the audio added to my enjoyment of this story.
I have a hard time with predictable and OTT, both of which describe this domestic suspense. There were also a number of issues:
I never really connected with the MC. I found some of her decisions unrealistic.
I never truly understood the thread of Adam promising his children to his business partner Graham and his wife. It never really went anywhere.
The ending and reveals were predictable from the beginning.
The plot kept me intrigued and the suspense kept me wondering. Hence, the rounding up of stars. The audiobook was a quick listen with a dynamic performance. I suspect the audio added to my enjoyment of this story.
September 19, 2024
It would’ve been much better if all the action wasn’t at the very end! I could totally see something like this happening in real life though, so it played very well as a story! Good book.
February 28, 2024
A very good psychological thriller that entwines religion.
January 31, 2024
Like A Mother was an intense psychological ride. At first I wasn’t sure about it, but the more the story progressed the more I was invested. It was very fast paced and kept me intrigued, I needed to know the outcome.
This story is so much more than a thriller, there was some messed up stuff. Also, be aware there is a lot of battle between the 2 FMC regarding Judaism and Christianity. I am usually not for religion being a main focus but the author made it work. There were so many secrets, lies and wtf moments which is what I loved the most.
I thought the story was skillfully constructed, the twists were great. I would've just liked a little more questions answered at the end. People who enjoy a good fast paced psychological thriller will definitely be a fan of this one.
🎧 The narration by Gail Shalan was truly good. She had a tone to her voice that made everything so eerie and chilling. She was great at voicing the different characters and portraying the emotions.
✨️Thank you to @netgalley, @dreamscapemedia & @minahardy for my free ALC in exchange for an honest review.
This story is so much more than a thriller, there was some messed up stuff. Also, be aware there is a lot of battle between the 2 FMC regarding Judaism and Christianity. I am usually not for religion being a main focus but the author made it work. There were so many secrets, lies and wtf moments which is what I loved the most.
I thought the story was skillfully constructed, the twists were great. I would've just liked a little more questions answered at the end. People who enjoy a good fast paced psychological thriller will definitely be a fan of this one.
🎧 The narration by Gail Shalan was truly good. She had a tone to her voice that made everything so eerie and chilling. She was great at voicing the different characters and portraying the emotions.
✨️Thank you to @netgalley, @dreamscapemedia & @minahardy for my free ALC in exchange for an honest review.
October 10, 2023
This book had an interesting premise, but it didn’t really work for me. I feel like I have too many unanswered questions after finishing it and the ending was… strange. It was kind of slow through the middle and then the ending seemed rushed. I’m glad I read it but it just wasn’t a great thriller.
February 2, 2024
Book Title: Like A Mother
Author: Mina Hardy
Narrator: Gail Shalan
Publisher: Dreamscape Media
Genre: Mystery/Thriller
Pub Date: February 6, 2024
My Rating: 4.3 Stars
Pages: 249
Sarah and Adam Granatt are the idea couple with a growing family. They live in the perfect neighborhood in the Los Angeles area have an adorable daughter- Elle, and a baby on the way.
Sarah met Adam while attending UCLA.
Adam has been suffering from a rarer form of Leukemia and dies sooner than expected. Now secrets appear ~.
~First there is a woman named Candace who says she is Adam’s mother only she says his real name is Henry; Adam is his middle name. However Adam told Sarah said his parents were dead.
~~next Adam changed his will four months ago leaving his half of his business to his partner Gram Morgan (best friends since attending UCLA).
~ Sarah thought they were fine financially’ however that is not the case-Sarah is left with no money.
~ Strange things are happening to the house to the point Sarah cannot pay for the repairs. Mother-in-law Candace tells Sarah that her home is Ohio is large enough for Sarah and two children and invited Sarah to stay with her. So Sarah accepts the offer and sells her house.
Soon Candace finds a lot of strange things about Candace and now understands why Adam left his childhood home and claims both parents are dead when only Dad Peter who was Minister r in the “Blood of the Lamb’ church – it seems Peter just may have been from the same religious sect as evangelist Elmer Gantry (In case you are young too remember him, here s a link) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elmer_G...
I had no idea where this was going – it kept me interested as it got stranger and stranger.
Audiobook narrator Gail Shalan is a GREAT performer; she made it clear as to who was speaking.
There were a few unanswered concerns things at the very end but it was still a wow read for me!
Want to thank NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for this early Audiobook.
Publishing Release Date scheduled for February 6, 2024.
Author: Mina Hardy
Narrator: Gail Shalan
Publisher: Dreamscape Media
Genre: Mystery/Thriller
Pub Date: February 6, 2024
My Rating: 4.3 Stars
Pages: 249
Sarah and Adam Granatt are the idea couple with a growing family. They live in the perfect neighborhood in the Los Angeles area have an adorable daughter- Elle, and a baby on the way.
Sarah met Adam while attending UCLA.
Adam has been suffering from a rarer form of Leukemia and dies sooner than expected. Now secrets appear ~.
~First there is a woman named Candace who says she is Adam’s mother only she says his real name is Henry; Adam is his middle name. However Adam told Sarah said his parents were dead.
~~next Adam changed his will four months ago leaving his half of his business to his partner Gram Morgan (best friends since attending UCLA).
~ Sarah thought they were fine financially’ however that is not the case-Sarah is left with no money.
~ Strange things are happening to the house to the point Sarah cannot pay for the repairs. Mother-in-law Candace tells Sarah that her home is Ohio is large enough for Sarah and two children and invited Sarah to stay with her. So Sarah accepts the offer and sells her house.
Soon Candace finds a lot of strange things about Candace and now understands why Adam left his childhood home and claims both parents are dead when only Dad Peter who was Minister r in the “Blood of the Lamb’ church – it seems Peter just may have been from the same religious sect as evangelist Elmer Gantry (In case you are young too remember him, here s a link) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elmer_G...
I had no idea where this was going – it kept me interested as it got stranger and stranger.
Audiobook narrator Gail Shalan is a GREAT performer; she made it clear as to who was speaking.
There were a few unanswered concerns things at the very end but it was still a wow read for me!
Want to thank NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for this early Audiobook.
Publishing Release Date scheduled for February 6, 2024.
March 3, 2024
This book felt dark and ominous, but not in a supernatural way. In a vindictive kind of way. I felt so bad for everything happening to Sarah after her husband died. Their friends trying to take her unborn baby from her, amongst other things. There was a battle between judaism and christianity between our two main characters throughout. This was more of a suspenseful drama until the last 15-20% or so, when it became a thriller and someone was fighting for her life. There was lies, deceit, sorrow, and gaslighting in this one! It was great!
January 27, 2024
My review below is when I read the kindle Version of this book and having read the audio I can only say this is a top-notch five star read. The narrator was truly awesome I find lately when it comes to audiobooks they truly have top-notch performers reading their books and bringing new life into an already read book and this one is a great example of that. Like A Mother by Mina Hardy The audio version is almost like listening to a totally different book as a devote much more polarizing emotion than me I thoroughly and totally enjoyed it.Sarah is reeling from the loss of her beloved husband Adam they have a toddler name Ellie and shes also expecting again on the second to last day of her husband Shhiva Sarah is approached by Ava, Who is the wife of Adam‘s business partner Gram she tells Sarah that Adam wanted her to sign over guardianship papers for the new baby due to Sarah’s mom‘s history it takes Sarah threatening to punch Ava in the mouth for the other woman to move aside so Sarah can answer the door. At the door is a woman claiming to be the mother of Henry and after a bit of confusion she learns the woman means Adam and as far as Sarah new Addams mom was dead.. it doesn’t help that Sarah has her own mental disorder and she hasn’t even buried her husband yet. Eventually Sarah will learn that her husband who switched to to The Jewish religion before their marriage that Adams father Peter was a preacher of Christianity and that he and his father had a falling out when Adam was 18 which caused him to leave home and never look back. This is one of just many things that Adams mom Candace tells to the overwhelmed Sarah. Candace however seems very sincere about the loss of her son and wanting to get to know the pregnant widow in Little Ellie. This is why when the older woman learns about Graham in Ava’s underhanded harassment and blackmail just so Sarah could get the money due to her from her husband‘s company she invites Sarah and her daughter to move in with her until she has the new baby. Sarah is a smart and levelheaded woman but she is also basically alone in the world with her own parents dead and now her husband’s Business partner and his wife turning on Sarah she feels after some thought that this may just be a good thing… But OMG is she wrong! This was such a great book and although it may look like I told a lot of the story trust me when I say I did not! This book was so good and there is so much more to the story I do want to say in the story the two women Candice and Sarah get in a little tiff about Judaism and Christianity and each woman points out negatives about the other but here’s a newsflash for anyone who thinks their religion hasn’t historically been on the wrong side of goodness, religion is run by human humans or falable there’s no one religion that is better than any other religion and anyone who is a strict religious person and follows the Bible or Quran can’t be a bad thing after 911 a famous rabbi said any road to God is a good one it’s just what people do with those religions that make them look bad. But that is just a small part of the book and I totally went off topic this is an awesome twisty read and I mean twisty because I didn’t even mention honor Who is the woman that lives with Candace and doesn’t like the new incomer Sarah. I want to thank the publisher a NetGalley for my free arc copy please forgive any mistakes as I am blind and dictate my review.
January 24, 2024
A woman gets more than she planned for when she agrees to move in with her mother-in-law after her husband's death.
There should be a major trigger warning included for this book about anti-semitism microaggressions and overall religious uncomfortableness. I was expecting this to be more suspenseful, but it was more just uncomfortable to read. I did feel like I needed to finish it so that I could see if any twists at the end made it worth it. There was a decent twist, but it didn't make up for my overall discomfort reading this book. I think Hardy could have created just as sinister character if it had little to do with religion. I'd really not recommend this book unless you want something that makes you feel uneasy the whole time you are reading it (and not in a spooky good way).
I received my copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
There should be a major trigger warning included for this book about anti-semitism microaggressions and overall religious uncomfortableness. I was expecting this to be more suspenseful, but it was more just uncomfortable to read. I did feel like I needed to finish it so that I could see if any twists at the end made it worth it. There was a decent twist, but it didn't make up for my overall discomfort reading this book. I think Hardy could have created just as sinister character if it had little to do with religion. I'd really not recommend this book unless you want something that makes you feel uneasy the whole time you are reading it (and not in a spooky good way).
I received my copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
February 13, 2024
Oh man this was a wild ride! It is ridiculous, over the top and completely unputdownable. There is a LOT of talk about religion which I didn’t see coming but it doesn’t detract from the story and in fact brings an element of novelty and suspense. What I didn’t like were the poor decisions the MC made repeatedly and just how unlikeable everyone was.
Sarah’s husband just died and instead of being financially set as she had hoped she finds herself pregnant, with a toddler and homeless. When a woman introduces herself as her husband’s mom, Sarah is confused because her husband had always said his mother was dead. However with no other option, she ends up moving in with her and soon realizes she might have made a terrible mistake.
This moved at breakneck pace and I always appreciate that, especially in a thriller. I don’t need a long windup and this definitely did not have that. That being said, I can’t believe that if your husband dies of a terminal illness that has been a long time coming you don’t know exactly where all the paperwork is and what you need to do. I also constantly got annoyed with her dumb decisions and then at the end I felt like things weren’t all nicely wrapped which I expect in books like this.
Sarah’s husband just died and instead of being financially set as she had hoped she finds herself pregnant, with a toddler and homeless. When a woman introduces herself as her husband’s mom, Sarah is confused because her husband had always said his mother was dead. However with no other option, she ends up moving in with her and soon realizes she might have made a terrible mistake.
This moved at breakneck pace and I always appreciate that, especially in a thriller. I don’t need a long windup and this definitely did not have that. That being said, I can’t believe that if your husband dies of a terminal illness that has been a long time coming you don’t know exactly where all the paperwork is and what you need to do. I also constantly got annoyed with her dumb decisions and then at the end I felt like things weren’t all nicely wrapped which I expect in books like this.
March 29, 2024
Warning, this one’s sure to give you whiplash!!
It’s a quick and incredibly juicy psychological thriller that is packed with secrets and is so cleverly plotted!
This one is the definition of ‘expect the unexpected’ and as soon and you think you know what’s happening, insert jaw dropping plot twists. It was entertaining right from the start and comes to an explosive conclusion!
Added Bonus - the religious cult vibes and references! 👏
It’s a quick and incredibly juicy psychological thriller that is packed with secrets and is so cleverly plotted!
This one is the definition of ‘expect the unexpected’ and as soon and you think you know what’s happening, insert jaw dropping plot twists. It was entertaining right from the start and comes to an explosive conclusion!
Added Bonus - the religious cult vibes and references! 👏
December 8, 2023
Oh wow! This was such a surprise!
I've been getting so many good ARC's lately, I can't believe I've found a four star read among them. people probably would consider me as tiny with my ratings but if I don't feel an emotional connection/punch and don't see myself wanting to re-read a book, then it's not a 4 for me.
Even though the writing is in third person, I felt personally attached to Sarah and immersed in her problems, props to the writer!
I definitely recommend going into this book blind, even though I read the synopsis, I felt like it didn't give up much as to what to expect from the story but my god! Unexpected things in every chapter and they didn't feel forced, absolutely hope this book will be picked up by more readers.
I've been getting so many good ARC's lately, I can't believe I've found a four star read among them. people probably would consider me as tiny with my ratings but if I don't feel an emotional connection/punch and don't see myself wanting to re-read a book, then it's not a 4 for me.
Even though the writing is in third person, I felt personally attached to Sarah and immersed in her problems, props to the writer!
I definitely recommend going into this book blind, even though I read the synopsis, I felt like it didn't give up much as to what to expect from the story but my god! Unexpected things in every chapter and they didn't feel forced, absolutely hope this book will be picked up by more readers.
October 18, 2023
When you find out your husband was keeping secrets
.big secrets...
Was a twisty kind of read but not that impacted a punch as much as I thought it would from the blurb.
I found the religious parts not really properly discussed. I can see how some Chriatians could take offense.
Was just an OK read from my perspective. But wouldn't atop me from reading more from the author.
Thanks to the author, the publisher and Netgalley for an early release of this book.
.big secrets...
Was a twisty kind of read but not that impacted a punch as much as I thought it would from the blurb.
I found the religious parts not really properly discussed. I can see how some Chriatians could take offense.
Was just an OK read from my perspective. But wouldn't atop me from reading more from the author.
Thanks to the author, the publisher and Netgalley for an early release of this book.
February 4, 2024
Wow! This book was amazing! I couldn’t put it down! I kept wanting to know what was going to happen.. I couldn’t imagine having a mother-in-law like this! This was a great read!
April 7, 2024
Like A Mother
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Author: Mina Hardy
I requested an audio advanced readers copy from NetGalley and Dreamscape Media and providing my opinion voluntarily and unbiased.
Synopsis: Sarah and Adam Morgan had the perfect suburban a beautiful house, an adorable daughter, a baby on the way, and a once-in-a-lifetime love. They were the couple everyone envied–until Adam died.
In the wake of his death, Adam’s secrets begin to emerge. The first comes out when a woman named Candace introduces herself to Sarah as Adam’s mother. Adam had always said his mother was dead, so either Adam was lying to her, or this woman is not who she says she is.
Candace proves that Adam was her son, but she admits that her relationship with her son was strained. But she’s still Sarah’s mother-in-law, and she’s here to help. Struggling with finances after Adam’s death, Sarah agrees to move in with Candace and to accept her help with her toddler and her pregnancy.
Living in Adam’s childhood home, Sarah begins to understand the life he had before they met–the life he buried along with his relationship with his mother. When Sarah notices Candace’s strange obsession with her pregnancy, and the house begins to feel less like salvation and more like a cage, she realizes that Candace might not be the caring mother-in-law she seems. Maybe Adam had good reason to pretend that his mother was dead.
My Thoughts: This was an intense and captivating psychological thriller that kept me on the edge of my seat. I finished in a few days as I had to know how it ended. While it is a psychological thriller, I think a good sub-genre would be domestic thriller. Hardy has made her mark in the thriller genre as a masterful twisty spinner. The story opens with the funeral of Adam, Sarah’s beloved husband who passed away due to illness. Sarah is left with their three-year old daughter and currently pregnant with their second child. Enter Candace who is Adam’s estranged mother. Candace seems like the godsend to Sarah, who is struggling since Adam’s death, especially since he did not set her up financially, as he promised he would, well not without strings that Sarah is not willing to climb up. Adam’s business partner would only honor Adam’s financial requests he left if Sarah will sign guardianship papers. This was something that Sarah just wasn’t willing to do. With the house needing repairs and no job, Sarah is forced to take Candace up on her offer to live with her until Sarah gets back on her feet. Living in Adam’s childhood home, Sarah comes to realize why he left, as well as other deep buried secrets. With Candace completely obsessed with Sarah’s current pregnancy, will Sarah keep her sanity? Or will she break and lose everything that she holds dear to her? This follows the tropes of locked room mystery with a dark/disturbing atmospheric setting.
This story is narrated by Sarah, in a third person POV. Sarah is reserved, stricken with grief, and not as confident as she was when Adam was alive. Candace has this initially approachable personality, but you only see what she wants you to see; she is manipulative and will hold things over you to get you to will to her way. Candace and her late husband ran a church, but it seems more like a cult with donations from members still coming in, even though the church has long ago burned and is no longer functioning. The characters were created with depth, well developed, were mysterious, and intriguing. The author’s writing style was complex, suspenseful, twisty, and brilliant. While I knew the closer we got to the birth of Sarah’s second child a shoe would drop, I did not expect it to go the way that it did. I do not want to give too much away. So I will just say that the plot is delivered in twisty layers with a WOW ending.
Trigger warnings: grief, loss, cancer, religion, toxic parents, and implied abuse. The narrator, Gail Shalan, does an excellent job with voice variation with character distinction. The pace and flow were on point and I was able to listen at 2x with no issues keeping up. Her voice is smooth and easy to listen to. Gail also has the perfect amount of infliction to the character’s voice, really carrying through the fear and excitement. You could really feel like you were there in Adam’s childhood home moving through the experience with Sarah. Overall, I enjoyed this story and would recommend to other readers, especially as an audiobook at 8 hours and 9 minutes. This had all of the markings of an exciting thriller, it as captivating, gripping, intense, creepy, and a little dark. The only cons for me was the beginning was a little slow and the ending seems like it was rushed. Overall, though, I really enjoyed this book and would recommend to other readers.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Author: Mina Hardy
I requested an audio advanced readers copy from NetGalley and Dreamscape Media and providing my opinion voluntarily and unbiased.
Synopsis: Sarah and Adam Morgan had the perfect suburban a beautiful house, an adorable daughter, a baby on the way, and a once-in-a-lifetime love. They were the couple everyone envied–until Adam died.
In the wake of his death, Adam’s secrets begin to emerge. The first comes out when a woman named Candace introduces herself to Sarah as Adam’s mother. Adam had always said his mother was dead, so either Adam was lying to her, or this woman is not who she says she is.
Candace proves that Adam was her son, but she admits that her relationship with her son was strained. But she’s still Sarah’s mother-in-law, and she’s here to help. Struggling with finances after Adam’s death, Sarah agrees to move in with Candace and to accept her help with her toddler and her pregnancy.
Living in Adam’s childhood home, Sarah begins to understand the life he had before they met–the life he buried along with his relationship with his mother. When Sarah notices Candace’s strange obsession with her pregnancy, and the house begins to feel less like salvation and more like a cage, she realizes that Candace might not be the caring mother-in-law she seems. Maybe Adam had good reason to pretend that his mother was dead.
My Thoughts: This was an intense and captivating psychological thriller that kept me on the edge of my seat. I finished in a few days as I had to know how it ended. While it is a psychological thriller, I think a good sub-genre would be domestic thriller. Hardy has made her mark in the thriller genre as a masterful twisty spinner. The story opens with the funeral of Adam, Sarah’s beloved husband who passed away due to illness. Sarah is left with their three-year old daughter and currently pregnant with their second child. Enter Candace who is Adam’s estranged mother. Candace seems like the godsend to Sarah, who is struggling since Adam’s death, especially since he did not set her up financially, as he promised he would, well not without strings that Sarah is not willing to climb up. Adam’s business partner would only honor Adam’s financial requests he left if Sarah will sign guardianship papers. This was something that Sarah just wasn’t willing to do. With the house needing repairs and no job, Sarah is forced to take Candace up on her offer to live with her until Sarah gets back on her feet. Living in Adam’s childhood home, Sarah comes to realize why he left, as well as other deep buried secrets. With Candace completely obsessed with Sarah’s current pregnancy, will Sarah keep her sanity? Or will she break and lose everything that she holds dear to her? This follows the tropes of locked room mystery with a dark/disturbing atmospheric setting.
This story is narrated by Sarah, in a third person POV. Sarah is reserved, stricken with grief, and not as confident as she was when Adam was alive. Candace has this initially approachable personality, but you only see what she wants you to see; she is manipulative and will hold things over you to get you to will to her way. Candace and her late husband ran a church, but it seems more like a cult with donations from members still coming in, even though the church has long ago burned and is no longer functioning. The characters were created with depth, well developed, were mysterious, and intriguing. The author’s writing style was complex, suspenseful, twisty, and brilliant. While I knew the closer we got to the birth of Sarah’s second child a shoe would drop, I did not expect it to go the way that it did. I do not want to give too much away. So I will just say that the plot is delivered in twisty layers with a WOW ending.
Trigger warnings: grief, loss, cancer, religion, toxic parents, and implied abuse. The narrator, Gail Shalan, does an excellent job with voice variation with character distinction. The pace and flow were on point and I was able to listen at 2x with no issues keeping up. Her voice is smooth and easy to listen to. Gail also has the perfect amount of infliction to the character’s voice, really carrying through the fear and excitement. You could really feel like you were there in Adam’s childhood home moving through the experience with Sarah. Overall, I enjoyed this story and would recommend to other readers, especially as an audiobook at 8 hours and 9 minutes. This had all of the markings of an exciting thriller, it as captivating, gripping, intense, creepy, and a little dark. The only cons for me was the beginning was a little slow and the ending seems like it was rushed. Overall, though, I really enjoyed this book and would recommend to other readers.
January 14, 2024
Holy Plot Twist!
Like a Mother, put me on a dark and twisted ride of a lifetime.
I cant even begin to describe the way this book was skillfully crafted to come together with an explosive ending that no one will see coming. Talk about twisted! Cue the jaw drop.
This was my first book by Mina Hardy (Megan Hart), but there is no way I will stop now, I just want more more more! Hardy, is a true storyteller that will have us all eating out of her hands if she keeps delivering books like this. After concluding Like a Mother, I did my research to find any and all books that might have been published previously and imagine my surprise when I found a ton of exotic romance’s that I would love to check out (I downloaded Broken!).
I have become a fan of Hardy, with just having read Like an Mother and I am sure you will be too!
Check out the teaser below :
Sarah and Adam Granatt had the perfect suburban life: a beautiful house, an adorable daughter, a baby on the way, and a once-in-a-lifetime love. They were the couple everyone envied–until Adam died.
In the wake of his death, Adam’s secrets begin to emerge. The first comes out when a woman named Candace introduces herself to Sarah as Adam’s mother. Sarah is rightfully confused: Adam had always said his mother was dead. Adam also lied about making sure Sarah, Ellie, and the new baby would be taken care of, financially. The truth is, there’s no money.
Candace proves she is who she says, but admits the relationship between her and Adam was strained. Her beloved son is gone, but she can offer emotional support and better yet, a place to stay until after the baby is born and Sarah can get back on her feet.
Living in Adam’s childhood home, Sarah begins to understand the life he had before they met–the life he buried along with his relationship with his mother. When Sarah notices Candace’s strange obsession with her, and the house begins to feel less like salvation and more like a cage, she realizes that the secrets go deeper than she ever could’ve imagined. Candace might not be the caring mother-in-law she seems...
And maybe Adam had good reason to pretend that his mother was dead.
Like a Mother, put me on a dark and twisted ride of a lifetime.
I cant even begin to describe the way this book was skillfully crafted to come together with an explosive ending that no one will see coming. Talk about twisted! Cue the jaw drop.
This was my first book by Mina Hardy (Megan Hart), but there is no way I will stop now, I just want more more more! Hardy, is a true storyteller that will have us all eating out of her hands if she keeps delivering books like this. After concluding Like a Mother, I did my research to find any and all books that might have been published previously and imagine my surprise when I found a ton of exotic romance’s that I would love to check out (I downloaded Broken!).
I have become a fan of Hardy, with just having read Like an Mother and I am sure you will be too!
Check out the teaser below :
Sarah and Adam Granatt had the perfect suburban life: a beautiful house, an adorable daughter, a baby on the way, and a once-in-a-lifetime love. They were the couple everyone envied–until Adam died.
In the wake of his death, Adam’s secrets begin to emerge. The first comes out when a woman named Candace introduces herself to Sarah as Adam’s mother. Sarah is rightfully confused: Adam had always said his mother was dead. Adam also lied about making sure Sarah, Ellie, and the new baby would be taken care of, financially. The truth is, there’s no money.
Candace proves she is who she says, but admits the relationship between her and Adam was strained. Her beloved son is gone, but she can offer emotional support and better yet, a place to stay until after the baby is born and Sarah can get back on her feet.
Living in Adam’s childhood home, Sarah begins to understand the life he had before they met–the life he buried along with his relationship with his mother. When Sarah notices Candace’s strange obsession with her, and the house begins to feel less like salvation and more like a cage, she realizes that the secrets go deeper than she ever could’ve imagined. Candace might not be the caring mother-in-law she seems...
And maybe Adam had good reason to pretend that his mother was dead.
January 24, 2024
Sarah has everything she could ever want: a beautiful toddler daughter, an adoring husband, and a baby on the way. When Adam unexpectedly dies, her world is flipped upside down - especially when her mother-in-law she thought was dead shows up at her door. She quickly learns just how much she didn’t know about her husband.
While this book had an interesting premise, it fell short with characters that were hard to relate to and straight up bizarre plot points. I’m left with more questions than answers after finishing it and honestly just confused. The story was strange overall and a bit unbelievable.
For the most part I enjoyed the narration from Gail Shalan - except when she voiced the toddler speaking. It was multiple octaves louder than the regular narration and sooooo cringey! Every time it happened, I’d physically cringe like nails on a chalkboard. 🥴
Thank you to NetGalley & Dreamscape Media for the opportunity to listen to this audiobook ARC in exchange for my honest opinions.
While this book had an interesting premise, it fell short with characters that were hard to relate to and straight up bizarre plot points. I’m left with more questions than answers after finishing it and honestly just confused. The story was strange overall and a bit unbelievable.
For the most part I enjoyed the narration from Gail Shalan - except when she voiced the toddler speaking. It was multiple octaves louder than the regular narration and sooooo cringey! Every time it happened, I’d physically cringe like nails on a chalkboard. 🥴
Thank you to NetGalley & Dreamscape Media for the opportunity to listen to this audiobook ARC in exchange for my honest opinions.
February 16, 2024
This was definitely worth reading. I just can't give it the full 5 stars because I wasn't so blown away that I think the story will stay with me, and I'd feel the need to reread it. (Don't let that deter you it's still good!)
This was a creative story in how all the characters became intertwined. I felt as though there was a new puzzle piece added at just the right time to keep up the interest and helped me stay as invested as possible in my busy life.
Could you imagine trusting someone so sinister and deranged that the only importance and motive is your baby!? This story had so many secrets I said, "Wow," a couple of times.
This was a creative story in how all the characters became intertwined. I felt as though there was a new puzzle piece added at just the right time to keep up the interest and helped me stay as invested as possible in my busy life.
Could you imagine trusting someone so sinister and deranged that the only importance and motive is your baby!? This story had so many secrets I said, "Wow," a couple of times.
March 10, 2024
I received a digital ARC from Crooked Lane Books through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.
The story did keep my interest. However, the ending seemed rushed. I feel like there could be a follow-up to explain more about Adam’s family. I would be interested in reading that to see how the family got to be the way it was.
The story did keep my interest. However, the ending seemed rushed. I feel like there could be a follow-up to explain more about Adam’s family. I would be interested in reading that to see how the family got to be the way it was.
October 30, 2025
2.75 stars
January 31, 2024
Sarah and Adam Morgan's seemingly perfect suburban life takes a dark turn when Adam unexpectedly dies, unraveling a web of secrets. The narrator did an excellent job, immersing me into the story. Although the pacing of the story itself felt a bit uneven at times. The plot unfolds when a woman named Candace claims to be Adam's mother, contradicting his previous assertions that she was deceased. This revelation introduces an intriguing layer of mystery and tension.
The audiobook crafts an eerie atmosphere, drawing the listener into the complexities of Sarah's life as she grapples with grief, financial struggles, and an unexpected connection to Adam's past. The storyline, while solid, left me craving more depth and development, as if the potential for a richer narrative was just out of reach. The exploration of Adam's hidden life and the strained relationship with his mother adds layers to the plot, creating a sense of foreboding.
Despite my desire for a more intricate story line the audiobook effectively captures an unsettling ambiance, making it an engaging listen.
Special thanks to NetGalley and Dreamscape for providing me with an advance audiobook in exchange for an unbiased review.
The audiobook crafts an eerie atmosphere, drawing the listener into the complexities of Sarah's life as she grapples with grief, financial struggles, and an unexpected connection to Adam's past. The storyline, while solid, left me craving more depth and development, as if the potential for a richer narrative was just out of reach. The exploration of Adam's hidden life and the strained relationship with his mother adds layers to the plot, creating a sense of foreboding.
Despite my desire for a more intricate story line the audiobook effectively captures an unsettling ambiance, making it an engaging listen.
Special thanks to NetGalley and Dreamscape for providing me with an advance audiobook in exchange for an unbiased review.
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