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While the Baby Sleeps
Four mothers.
One body.
Many secrets.
Marnie is a first-time mum in a new town, paralysed by anxiety and pushing away her police-officer husband.
Peyton is a teen mum, living with her parents and longing to behave like other teenagers her age.
Fleur looks like the perfect picture of a mum who is coping and loving motherhood, but no one knows that under her beautiful dress, her body is covered in bruises caused by her husband.
Amalia, a single mum, lost her parents in tragic circumstances and will do anything to honour her mother’s dying wish and protect the family she has.
When these women meet at mothers’ group, they bond over feeding schedules and baby products, but when a local is found murdered, they discover it’s not their babies who will tie them to one another forever.
Each woman has a motive to kill and secrets to hide, but do they know who the real enemy is?
One body.
Many secrets.
Marnie is a first-time mum in a new town, paralysed by anxiety and pushing away her police-officer husband.
Peyton is a teen mum, living with her parents and longing to behave like other teenagers her age.
Fleur looks like the perfect picture of a mum who is coping and loving motherhood, but no one knows that under her beautiful dress, her body is covered in bruises caused by her husband.
Amalia, a single mum, lost her parents in tragic circumstances and will do anything to honour her mother’s dying wish and protect the family she has.
When these women meet at mothers’ group, they bond over feeding schedules and baby products, but when a local is found murdered, they discover it’s not their babies who will tie them to one another forever.
Each woman has a motive to kill and secrets to hide, but do they know who the real enemy is?
262 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 12, 2022
39 people are currently reading
367 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 96 reviews
December 11, 2022
HAPPY PUBLICATION DAY!!
Another month, another amazing and well written debut.
A whodunit, mystery/crime thriller with a very unique style that borders on Women's Fiction.
The prologue grips you, the connection to the characters and story keeps you engrossed until things start moving back to the crime thriller side of things.
What I loved:
🔸️unpredictable
🔸️raw depiction of life as a first time mum
🔸️likeable and strong female characters
🔸️humour
🔸️multi-POV
🔸️unexpected friendships
🔸️original and unique (for me at least)
🔸️touch of romance
I did not see the ending and twists coming at all! But it wasn't complicated, it flowed nicely and (unlike some books I've read lately) it made perfect sense and brought the story together so well. I enjoy it when things aren't over done for shock value.
I'd definitely recommend this book, including to Women's Fiction fans. If you are a first time mum, I think it could be a comfort book and very relatable (though I don't have human kids only furbabies).
⚠️ TWs included at start of book ⚠️
Thank you to the author for sending me an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review (which for full disclosure, I also BETA read this and that's when I didn't see the ending coming).
Publication Date: 12 December 2022.
Another month, another amazing and well written debut.
A whodunit, mystery/crime thriller with a very unique style that borders on Women's Fiction.
The prologue grips you, the connection to the characters and story keeps you engrossed until things start moving back to the crime thriller side of things.
What I loved:
🔸️unpredictable
🔸️raw depiction of life as a first time mum
🔸️likeable and strong female characters
🔸️humour
🔸️multi-POV
🔸️unexpected friendships
🔸️original and unique (for me at least)
🔸️touch of romance
I did not see the ending and twists coming at all! But it wasn't complicated, it flowed nicely and (unlike some books I've read lately) it made perfect sense and brought the story together so well. I enjoy it when things aren't over done for shock value.
I'd definitely recommend this book, including to Women's Fiction fans. If you are a first time mum, I think it could be a comfort book and very relatable (though I don't have human kids only furbabies).
⚠️ TWs included at start of book ⚠️
Thank you to the author for sending me an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review (which for full disclosure, I also BETA read this and that's when I didn't see the ending coming).
Publication Date: 12 December 2022.
December 17, 2022
“Everyone has their demons, their secrets. Mine are just a little more dangerous, I guess.” This quote from the fast paced, character driven thriller, While the Baby Sleeps, applies to all of the strong, resilient, and very complex women who captivated me throughout the book. If you enjoyed Big Little Lies, you are going to love While the Baby Sleeps. Each woman is hiding a secret, some are deadly. Never underestimate the power of friendship. Vengeance can be harsh, especially delivered by a mother. I was addicted and pulled in immediately to this twisted tale. Thank you BookSirens for my copy. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
December 17, 2024
My second book by Stephanie and she has now absolutely cemented herself as an auto buy author 🙌
Four very new mothers are thrown together thanks to mothers group. While their children are all very close in age, they are at different stages of life
Fleur married her high school sweetheart who has become abusive towards her and everything she does. He hasn’t hurt their daughter Mia, but Fleur is absolutely petrified
Marnie has just moved from Melbourne to this small town and is feeling very lonely. Rob her husband has taken a job at the local Police Station and already made friends playing Saturday cricket
Amalia is a single mother having kicked her partner out after finding out he cheated on her with her friend
Peyton is the youngest new mum, having her son Lucas at nineteen. Still living with her parents she is desperately missing her old life
All four ladies don’t have high expectations of these mothers group catch ups, at first it’s all about who is getting the most sleep and awkward small talk. But before they know it they will be sharing some of their darkest secrets, will they be friends.. forever?
I could not put this down, the build up throughout this solid paced thriller was excellent. Told from the POV of each mother you gain a glimpse into their current situation and as the puzzle pieces start to connect in the lead up to the murder you are hanging with every word until the final conclusion
*TW’s are noted at the beginning of the book*
Four very new mothers are thrown together thanks to mothers group. While their children are all very close in age, they are at different stages of life
Fleur married her high school sweetheart who has become abusive towards her and everything she does. He hasn’t hurt their daughter Mia, but Fleur is absolutely petrified
Marnie has just moved from Melbourne to this small town and is feeling very lonely. Rob her husband has taken a job at the local Police Station and already made friends playing Saturday cricket
Amalia is a single mother having kicked her partner out after finding out he cheated on her with her friend
Peyton is the youngest new mum, having her son Lucas at nineteen. Still living with her parents she is desperately missing her old life
All four ladies don’t have high expectations of these mothers group catch ups, at first it’s all about who is getting the most sleep and awkward small talk. But before they know it they will be sharing some of their darkest secrets, will they be friends.. forever?
I could not put this down, the build up throughout this solid paced thriller was excellent. Told from the POV of each mother you gain a glimpse into their current situation and as the puzzle pieces start to connect in the lead up to the murder you are hanging with every word until the final conclusion
*TW’s are noted at the beginning of the book*
December 4, 2022
4/5.
I’d first like to say thank you to the author for sending me a copy of this book to read. It is rare I am able to read an ARC and this was my very first. This book will be released on December 12, 2022, so make sure you grab your copy!
Thrillers is a new genre I’ve gotten into this year and for the most part, I have very much enjoyed them all. While the Baby Sleeps, however, had the addition of being a very relatable storyline for me, which I found very engaging the whole way through.
While the Baby Sleeps is set in a small town in Australia, where a group of six new mums come together to bond over their babies. We are introduced to Amalia, a single mother, Peyton, a nineteen year old teen mum, Marnie, whose child was conceived through IVF with her husband, Rob, after many years of trying, and Fleur, who we learn quickly is married to her highschool sweetheart, Aaron, who is also abusive towards her.
Along with Zara and Hanbi, the four mums head off to their first mother’s group and form a friendship of some sort.
Everything about these mothers I found relatable in a way. My daughter is almost three and a half now, but I remember the experience of mother’s group, and the uncomfortable beginning, and the warming as we all got to know each other. The outside of the session catchups, and all the struggles of being a new parent. Unfortunately, Covid disbanded my mother’s group and we are no longer in contact, but I found the intial bonding helpful.
Naturally, the drama of these mothers was a lot more complex than my own, and it was interesting to read about how their lives interconnected and tied in to one another as the story progressed. I thought the story was well thought out and it was obvious the author had a plan and direction from the beginning. I felt many emotions whilst reading this, to the point that I found aspects difficult to get through. There were times I had to put the book down and leave it for a bit, not because I wasn’t enjoying it, but because of moments in this book hitting too close to home and bringing up memories I didn’t even know I had.
The struggles of motherhood was highlighted in this book in a very realistic way and it made me feel things.
I was also anxious to see what the characters would do about certain situations. I felt absolute rage and hatred towards Marnie’s husband, Rob, for he was an A-Class Jerk. I actually hated him more than Aaron.
The ending was not what I was expecting at all. Not the way it panned out. This wasn’t a thriller where we had to figure out the ‘whodunnit’ as such. At least for me, it was shown who it was, because the who wasn’t the point of this book; it was how the mother’s coped with the aftermath of it, and that was not what I expected to happen.
The way some of the characters reacted was intriguing.
The only thing I think I disliked about this book was the summary promised a dead body, and while we were introduced to it in the prologue, none of this really came to light until the end. I suppose I felt the summary was a little misleading in this sense. For me, it wasn’t a bad thing as I loved the mother’s group aspect, but I do think that people may go into this expecting this to impact the story earlier than what it did.
Other than that, I found this an enjoyable read and it is definitely relatable for mothers!
I’d first like to say thank you to the author for sending me a copy of this book to read. It is rare I am able to read an ARC and this was my very first. This book will be released on December 12, 2022, so make sure you grab your copy!
Thrillers is a new genre I’ve gotten into this year and for the most part, I have very much enjoyed them all. While the Baby Sleeps, however, had the addition of being a very relatable storyline for me, which I found very engaging the whole way through.
While the Baby Sleeps is set in a small town in Australia, where a group of six new mums come together to bond over their babies. We are introduced to Amalia, a single mother, Peyton, a nineteen year old teen mum, Marnie, whose child was conceived through IVF with her husband, Rob, after many years of trying, and Fleur, who we learn quickly is married to her highschool sweetheart, Aaron, who is also abusive towards her.
Along with Zara and Hanbi, the four mums head off to their first mother’s group and form a friendship of some sort.
Everything about these mothers I found relatable in a way. My daughter is almost three and a half now, but I remember the experience of mother’s group, and the uncomfortable beginning, and the warming as we all got to know each other. The outside of the session catchups, and all the struggles of being a new parent. Unfortunately, Covid disbanded my mother’s group and we are no longer in contact, but I found the intial bonding helpful.
Naturally, the drama of these mothers was a lot more complex than my own, and it was interesting to read about how their lives interconnected and tied in to one another as the story progressed. I thought the story was well thought out and it was obvious the author had a plan and direction from the beginning. I felt many emotions whilst reading this, to the point that I found aspects difficult to get through. There were times I had to put the book down and leave it for a bit, not because I wasn’t enjoying it, but because of moments in this book hitting too close to home and bringing up memories I didn’t even know I had.
The struggles of motherhood was highlighted in this book in a very realistic way and it made me feel things.
I was also anxious to see what the characters would do about certain situations. I felt absolute rage and hatred towards Marnie’s husband, Rob, for he was an A-Class Jerk. I actually hated him more than Aaron.
The ending was not what I was expecting at all. Not the way it panned out. This wasn’t a thriller where we had to figure out the ‘whodunnit’ as such. At least for me, it was shown who it was, because the who wasn’t the point of this book; it was how the mother’s coped with the aftermath of it, and that was not what I expected to happen.
The way some of the characters reacted was intriguing.
The only thing I think I disliked about this book was the summary promised a dead body, and while we were introduced to it in the prologue, none of this really came to light until the end. I suppose I felt the summary was a little misleading in this sense. For me, it wasn’t a bad thing as I loved the mother’s group aspect, but I do think that people may go into this expecting this to impact the story earlier than what it did.
Other than that, I found this an enjoyable read and it is definitely relatable for mothers!
December 30, 2023
I really loved this book for the first 200 pages and then the ending was quite literally awful. There was no build up it just happened and it was a bit strange. It felt like the author just wanted to finish the book and didn’t put time into creating a good ending. I loved the character progression and honestly if it had just stayed as a women’s fiction it would’ve been a 5 star read but the murder/mystery part of it was so unnecessary it ruined it for me.
November 17, 2022
Firstly I would like to thank Stephanie Hazeltine for sending me an ARC!
I powered through this book so quickly. I was hooked from the very beginning right through to the end. A little warning though this has some triggers for domestic violence and mental health issues such as PPD and anxiety.
One thing I really enjoyed about this book is how relatable it is to first time mums. Being a mum, I found myself connecting with some of the characters and their perspectives on motherhood and how it challenged them. This gave a realistic portrayal of motherhood and how it can affect women both physically and mentally.
If you’re an aussie mum like myself, then you will find many hilarious quotes throughout this story, so definitely have your sticky notes on hand! Thoroughly enjoyed this book as it was the perfect balance of humour and drama. It was written wonderfully and made me feel like I was watching a tv show in my mind rather than reading.
Very excited for everyone to read this next month!
I powered through this book so quickly. I was hooked from the very beginning right through to the end. A little warning though this has some triggers for domestic violence and mental health issues such as PPD and anxiety.
One thing I really enjoyed about this book is how relatable it is to first time mums. Being a mum, I found myself connecting with some of the characters and their perspectives on motherhood and how it challenged them. This gave a realistic portrayal of motherhood and how it can affect women both physically and mentally.
If you’re an aussie mum like myself, then you will find many hilarious quotes throughout this story, so definitely have your sticky notes on hand! Thoroughly enjoyed this book as it was the perfect balance of humour and drama. It was written wonderfully and made me feel like I was watching a tv show in my mind rather than reading.
Very excited for everyone to read this next month!
July 24, 2024
*Downloaded this novel during December 2023 Stuff Your Kindle Day*
So I REALLY enjoyed this “thriller/mystery” because of its fast paced nature and the drama that ensued. However, the “mystery” didn’t start until the 70% mark… I am new to the genre but it just felt like was I was reading fiction rather than a mystery who-done it for the majority of the book. However, I would recommend this to anyone that is a recent mom OR is looking to up their read count because this book flies by QUICKLY.
Also - shout out to this author’s mom group. From page 5, I could tell she is a recent mom and her displaying the positive power of mom friends was awesome as a recent mom who has a pretty active mom group as well.
So I REALLY enjoyed this “thriller/mystery” because of its fast paced nature and the drama that ensued. However, the “mystery” didn’t start until the 70% mark… I am new to the genre but it just felt like was I was reading fiction rather than a mystery who-done it for the majority of the book. However, I would recommend this to anyone that is a recent mom OR is looking to up their read count because this book flies by QUICKLY.
Also - shout out to this author’s mom group. From page 5, I could tell she is a recent mom and her displaying the positive power of mom friends was awesome as a recent mom who has a pretty active mom group as well.
December 6, 2022
Well, I didn’t see that coming! What an amazing story, I absolutely loved it. I finished it in a couple of hours and couldn’t put it down, despite housework piling up around me 😉. I remember mother's group and found most of their issues about motherhood very relatable. Mother's groups are funny, you’re put together with these strangers just because you’ve had babies about the same time and I think there are expectations that you’ll all become best friends - or maybe more…..I wouldn’t mind reading a part two, to see what happens next.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
December 12, 2022
This book was such a surprise package. It's the perfect combination of women's lit and thriller and will have you hooked.
It's so damn relatable while simultaneously filled with suspense.
And I didn't see the plot twist coming!
Stephanie Hazeltine has knocked it out of the park with this debut.
It's so damn relatable while simultaneously filled with suspense.
And I didn't see the plot twist coming!
Stephanie Hazeltine has knocked it out of the park with this debut.
December 7, 2022
Who am I? I started and finished this book today 😁 the kids were chilled and doing their own thing, so I got to sit down and actually read a book 🥳
And this was a perfect book to fly through. We follow a group of mothers as they embark on that minefield of baby group 🙄 oh god this brought back memories to me 🙈🤣 though in the baby groups I attended there wasn't a murder being covered up.
Now I knew there was a body to be had, it said in the synopsis. However, this story is more of a lead up to the death. Its a character driven story, and I really enjoyed it. It got me thinking into who will die, who will be in the frame for murder. Believe me there was quite a few I wanted to happily murder 🙈
The women that are central in this story each have stuff going on in their lives, I found a lot of it that I could relate to well when it came to the motherhood chat and losing your identity 😊
I'd like to thank @stephaniehazeltinewrites for sending me a digital copy of this book. It is out in the world next week 😊 Go out and buy it. I'll be going out to buy her other book 👍🏼
And this was a perfect book to fly through. We follow a group of mothers as they embark on that minefield of baby group 🙄 oh god this brought back memories to me 🙈🤣 though in the baby groups I attended there wasn't a murder being covered up.
Now I knew there was a body to be had, it said in the synopsis. However, this story is more of a lead up to the death. Its a character driven story, and I really enjoyed it. It got me thinking into who will die, who will be in the frame for murder. Believe me there was quite a few I wanted to happily murder 🙈
The women that are central in this story each have stuff going on in their lives, I found a lot of it that I could relate to well when it came to the motherhood chat and losing your identity 😊
I'd like to thank @stephaniehazeltinewrites for sending me a digital copy of this book. It is out in the world next week 😊 Go out and buy it. I'll be going out to buy her other book 👍🏼
December 10, 2022
Right from a very young age, we are always told to be compassionate towards others and to help those in need of our support, as being nice or doing something good is without a doubt apparent for relationships that we nurture.
However, there is a thin line between wanting to be supportive and empathetic, and being a pushover. And the nuances of such are observed when people start taking matters in their own hands lest when others don’t even require or want their assistance.
‘While the Baby Sleeps’ by author Stephanie Hazeltine is one such beautiful and smartly written story that revolves around our main protagonists, who on the outset, seem to be bonded because of their children.
But as we dig deeper into their story, we will realize that it is rather their secrets which they agree to keep for each other which will be incidental in strengthening their bond, regardless of the fact whether they want to keep that furtive situtation to themselves or not.
As it has been rightly said, being a mother is definitely the best job that anyone could ever have, but there is no denying the fact that it is tough and comes with its own sets of challenges and dealing with fears that no one can fathom in advance.
And this can certainly, without a doubt take a toll on the strongest of the people, hence it was astounding to see which of our main protagonist was the one who succumbed to the pressure and was guilty, and how the rest of them dealt with the reprecussions and fallout.
Often we have heard about how a thriller becomes great when it carries an inkling of reality and truth, and this book had it in abundance as there were so many instances where we could see it happening, hence I am going to give this FIVE STARS ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
However, there is a thin line between wanting to be supportive and empathetic, and being a pushover. And the nuances of such are observed when people start taking matters in their own hands lest when others don’t even require or want their assistance.
‘While the Baby Sleeps’ by author Stephanie Hazeltine is one such beautiful and smartly written story that revolves around our main protagonists, who on the outset, seem to be bonded because of their children.
But as we dig deeper into their story, we will realize that it is rather their secrets which they agree to keep for each other which will be incidental in strengthening their bond, regardless of the fact whether they want to keep that furtive situtation to themselves or not.
As it has been rightly said, being a mother is definitely the best job that anyone could ever have, but there is no denying the fact that it is tough and comes with its own sets of challenges and dealing with fears that no one can fathom in advance.
And this can certainly, without a doubt take a toll on the strongest of the people, hence it was astounding to see which of our main protagonist was the one who succumbed to the pressure and was guilty, and how the rest of them dealt with the reprecussions and fallout.
Often we have heard about how a thriller becomes great when it carries an inkling of reality and truth, and this book had it in abundance as there were so many instances where we could see it happening, hence I am going to give this FIVE STARS ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
January 10, 2023
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
The plot: There is a mother's group in town. And six completely different women in it. Four of them eventually form a close friendship and come to share a terrible secret. Will they stay close and keep their relationship forever?
What I didn't like:
1. it seemed a bit unrealistic to me, how easily they were able to pull off what they did (like, don't the police do the investigation properly? Some DNA testing at least?). Don't get me wrong I was happy, that Fleur was finally safe and blissful, but it felt impossible for things to turn out his way, at least to me.
What I liked:
1. the structure. The murder happens in the prologue, but we don't know who the victim is or why he was killed. So the excitement to find out more about the case is already great from the beginning, and it just gets bigger. Each chapter is dedicated to one of the 4 moms, and we get to see everyone's side of the story. The overall picture of their everyday lives and struggles is painted gradually, we learn about their feelings/emotions/secrets, and then it all comes together at this one moment when the murder happens.
2. the characters. They are all well-written, distinct, and relatable. I am a mother myself, so I can say, that the author writes really well about the moms' everyday life and battles. I love Marnie the most, probably, because I'm closer to her age, but mostly because she is this grown-up, responsible and sensible person. Peyton portrays what it is like to be a teenage mom and the feelings coming with it pretty well. I could not but sympathize with her and Fleur. Amalia is shown as this vulnerable poor woman, who is alone in her motherhood. But eventually, they all change under the weight of circumstances, and it was great to see that they supported each other and grew stronger.
3. the story. I would not call that a detective story, but there is definitely a mystery in it. What makes it interesting to me is that we are told about the murder in the beginning, but we don't know anything about it, just that it happened. So throughout the chapters, the author gives us bits of information, and by chapter 30 I figured out who was murdered. I was so proud of myself 😊 Once you know the victim, it is pretty easy to figure out the killer. However, even solving that does not make the ending boring, because we still don't know what all the involved mothers will do. So, the story is well-structured, gripping, and intriguing.
4. the writing. It is smooth and flows easily, so it is a pleasure to read and effortless to follow the story.
Content warnings: this book contains abuse, domestic violence, anxiety, infidelity, murder, and depression.
Overall opinion: A great read! The book is well-written and fast-paced. It brings up a lot of important topics and shows that not all people can be trusted, however nice they might seem in the beginning. I really enjoyed this story, liked all the moms, and felt for them and what they were going through. The ending is kind of open, so I'm not sure if there will be another book about one of the moms. And if it happened, I would definitely love to read it.
The plot: There is a mother's group in town. And six completely different women in it. Four of them eventually form a close friendship and come to share a terrible secret. Will they stay close and keep their relationship forever?
What I didn't like:
1. it seemed a bit unrealistic to me, how easily they were able to pull off what they did (like, don't the police do the investigation properly? Some DNA testing at least?). Don't get me wrong I was happy, that Fleur was finally safe and blissful, but it felt impossible for things to turn out his way, at least to me.
What I liked:
1. the structure. The murder happens in the prologue, but we don't know who the victim is or why he was killed. So the excitement to find out more about the case is already great from the beginning, and it just gets bigger. Each chapter is dedicated to one of the 4 moms, and we get to see everyone's side of the story. The overall picture of their everyday lives and struggles is painted gradually, we learn about their feelings/emotions/secrets, and then it all comes together at this one moment when the murder happens.
2. the characters. They are all well-written, distinct, and relatable. I am a mother myself, so I can say, that the author writes really well about the moms' everyday life and battles. I love Marnie the most, probably, because I'm closer to her age, but mostly because she is this grown-up, responsible and sensible person. Peyton portrays what it is like to be a teenage mom and the feelings coming with it pretty well. I could not but sympathize with her and Fleur. Amalia is shown as this vulnerable poor woman, who is alone in her motherhood. But eventually, they all change under the weight of circumstances, and it was great to see that they supported each other and grew stronger.
3. the story. I would not call that a detective story, but there is definitely a mystery in it. What makes it interesting to me is that we are told about the murder in the beginning, but we don't know anything about it, just that it happened. So throughout the chapters, the author gives us bits of information, and by chapter 30 I figured out who was murdered. I was so proud of myself 😊 Once you know the victim, it is pretty easy to figure out the killer. However, even solving that does not make the ending boring, because we still don't know what all the involved mothers will do. So, the story is well-structured, gripping, and intriguing.
4. the writing. It is smooth and flows easily, so it is a pleasure to read and effortless to follow the story.
Content warnings: this book contains abuse, domestic violence, anxiety, infidelity, murder, and depression.
Overall opinion: A great read! The book is well-written and fast-paced. It brings up a lot of important topics and shows that not all people can be trusted, however nice they might seem in the beginning. I really enjoyed this story, liked all the moms, and felt for them and what they were going through. The ending is kind of open, so I'm not sure if there will be another book about one of the moms. And if it happened, I would definitely love to read it.
December 4, 2022
Marnie, Peyton, Amalia and Fleur have one thing in common- they are all grappling with motherhood in some or the other form depending on the circumstances.
It is not easy to be a teenage mum like Peyton when she longs for the freedom of people her age. Nor it is a rosy picture for Fleur who suffers from domestic violence under the pretty pretense of a loving family.
Initially, these women bond over their common state of motherhood but their lives become intertwined when they stumble across a murder in their locality.
✒VERDICT
🥇Pros:
1) I would like to commend the author for moulding the story with an unconventional storyline of struggling mothers getting unintentionally involved in a murder mystery and solving the case out of curiosity.
It has been a very interesting and roller coaster read for me as the sequences were unpredictable with tons of twists.
2) I loved how the author infused every character with a distinctive individuality where Fleur, Peyton, Amalia, and Marnie stood out in their own ways, battling their circumstances and shining bright. My feminine side loves to see and cheer for woman who despite their struggles, never give up.
3) I enjoyed the bonding, witticism and camaraderie among the mothers which had a touch of humour in it. This aspect added to the delight and fun quotient of reading the story.
🌟Overall, a definitely recommend book which has the required elements of mystery, suspense, women power, humour, and education about societal ails that the fairer sex face on regular basis.
It is not easy to be a teenage mum like Peyton when she longs for the freedom of people her age. Nor it is a rosy picture for Fleur who suffers from domestic violence under the pretty pretense of a loving family.
Initially, these women bond over their common state of motherhood but their lives become intertwined when they stumble across a murder in their locality.
✒VERDICT
🥇Pros:
1) I would like to commend the author for moulding the story with an unconventional storyline of struggling mothers getting unintentionally involved in a murder mystery and solving the case out of curiosity.
It has been a very interesting and roller coaster read for me as the sequences were unpredictable with tons of twists.
2) I loved how the author infused every character with a distinctive individuality where Fleur, Peyton, Amalia, and Marnie stood out in their own ways, battling their circumstances and shining bright. My feminine side loves to see and cheer for woman who despite their struggles, never give up.
3) I enjoyed the bonding, witticism and camaraderie among the mothers which had a touch of humour in it. This aspect added to the delight and fun quotient of reading the story.
🌟Overall, a definitely recommend book which has the required elements of mystery, suspense, women power, humour, and education about societal ails that the fairer sex face on regular basis.
September 14, 2023
omg i’m so in love with this book. i loved that it was set in melbourne (my home!) and i loved getting to know each of the girls and seeing how they navigate being first time mums. the plot twist was sooo good!! peyton, fleur and marine are definitely my favs!! i can’t wait to read more of stephanie’s books!! ❤️
January 31, 2023
I am not entirely sure what I was expecting when stephanie sent me a copy of her book for a fair and honest review, but what I wasn't expecting was my first five star read of the year.
As a new parent of an 8 month old wonder, while I didn't deal with abuse, abandonment or infidelity like the new moms in this book, the feelings that they experience postpartum are all too fresh and relatable to me.
I spent the entire book wondering which of the men in these women's lives had been killed, and who the killer was.
While toward the end, I was able to guess a twist, it was so satisfying I didn't even mind.
5 stars for while the baby sleeps
As a new parent of an 8 month old wonder, while I didn't deal with abuse, abandonment or infidelity like the new moms in this book, the feelings that they experience postpartum are all too fresh and relatable to me.
I spent the entire book wondering which of the men in these women's lives had been killed, and who the killer was.
While toward the end, I was able to guess a twist, it was so satisfying I didn't even mind.
5 stars for while the baby sleeps
December 11, 2022
When I first read the blurb of the book, I thought I was in for a nerve-wracking mystery. But when I went on reading the book, I was amazed at the way this story turned out.
An imaginative blend of diverse subjects like dysfunctional relationships, teenage pregnancy, domestic abuse, mental health issues, and personality disorders, this story’s theme is not only mysterious but also introspective and thought-provoking. Even though it hardly seems to be a murder mystery until the very last section of the book, the author does a good job of building the pace of the story.
The characters are exclusively developed and yet they are articulately weaved together in the story. The multiple povs were a bit confusing for me in the beginning but I got a hold of it during the later parts.
I liked reading about the mum and child relationship described in the book. However, a few instances left me feeling unsettled for some reason. Overall, a recommended read from my side if you are looking for something light yet mysterious at the same time.
An imaginative blend of diverse subjects like dysfunctional relationships, teenage pregnancy, domestic abuse, mental health issues, and personality disorders, this story’s theme is not only mysterious but also introspective and thought-provoking. Even though it hardly seems to be a murder mystery until the very last section of the book, the author does a good job of building the pace of the story.
The characters are exclusively developed and yet they are articulately weaved together in the story. The multiple povs were a bit confusing for me in the beginning but I got a hold of it during the later parts.
I liked reading about the mum and child relationship described in the book. However, a few instances left me feeling unsettled for some reason. Overall, a recommended read from my side if you are looking for something light yet mysterious at the same time.
November 26, 2022
I cannot imagine being a new mother, single or not, and having to go through some of the many challenges of taking care of the baby - and on top of that, murder.
The story is told from four women's POVs - Peyton, Fleur, Marnie, and Amalia. They meet in a new mothers group session and each woman has something going on that only entangles their life with a new baby. Fleur has an abusive husband, Marnie's cop husband is distant (as is she), Peyton is a teen mother, and Amalia is trying to divorce her husband for cheating. Hot mess, right? When someone comes up dead… they need each other more than they thought.
I have to say that I went into this story so quickly. I was intrigued by each story the women had. The group had two other women, but they were more like characters that were simply there - no real relevance to the story. I enjoyed how the writer really wrote each woman as they were telling their own story. There's no unreliable character nor is there a chance you know that something is off about how they tell their story - it is what it is.
I felt a bit more for Peyton because she was a teen mom and of course, the father doesn't want anything to do with them because it would 'ruin his future' and he can just walk away from it. I'm sorry, but I feel you Peyton, I wish you had that option as well without anybody thinking negatively of you.
Fleur's story was the hardest to read because her husband, Aaron, is an alcoholic gambler who sees his wife as just disgusting and can't do anything right and she believes it for a time. I found myself covering my mouth or gasping as I read her story.
The story as a whole did come together rather nicely, until the murder happened. I feel like the murder in the story happened almost a bit too late - I almost wondered if there was one to begin with, despite the prologue. I wasn't totally sold on who had done it, although I can see a bit as to how it would be this person - but at the same time, again, the murder happened almost toward the end.
With that being said, I feel like it happened too late and was wrapped up in a matter of a short time so that the story could end. So to me, it felt rushed and a bit incomplete. All in all, I liked reading this story and got through it in a matter of days. I always get excited when the book grabs me that much that I can get it finished in almost no time.
The story is told from four women's POVs - Peyton, Fleur, Marnie, and Amalia. They meet in a new mothers group session and each woman has something going on that only entangles their life with a new baby. Fleur has an abusive husband, Marnie's cop husband is distant (as is she), Peyton is a teen mother, and Amalia is trying to divorce her husband for cheating. Hot mess, right? When someone comes up dead… they need each other more than they thought.
I have to say that I went into this story so quickly. I was intrigued by each story the women had. The group had two other women, but they were more like characters that were simply there - no real relevance to the story. I enjoyed how the writer really wrote each woman as they were telling their own story. There's no unreliable character nor is there a chance you know that something is off about how they tell their story - it is what it is.
I felt a bit more for Peyton because she was a teen mom and of course, the father doesn't want anything to do with them because it would 'ruin his future' and he can just walk away from it. I'm sorry, but I feel you Peyton, I wish you had that option as well without anybody thinking negatively of you.
Fleur's story was the hardest to read because her husband, Aaron, is an alcoholic gambler who sees his wife as just disgusting and can't do anything right and she believes it for a time. I found myself covering my mouth or gasping as I read her story.
The story as a whole did come together rather nicely, until the murder happened. I feel like the murder in the story happened almost a bit too late - I almost wondered if there was one to begin with, despite the prologue. I wasn't totally sold on who had done it, although I can see a bit as to how it would be this person - but at the same time, again, the murder happened almost toward the end.
With that being said, I feel like it happened too late and was wrapped up in a matter of a short time so that the story could end. So to me, it felt rushed and a bit incomplete. All in all, I liked reading this story and got through it in a matter of days. I always get excited when the book grabs me that much that I can get it finished in almost no time.
December 8, 2022
Trigger Warning: Domestic Violence, Post-Natal Depression
Postnatal depression is common and most avoiding challenges parents, especially mothers, experience after having a baby. In “While the baby sleeps,” “Stephanie Hazeltine” address the unspoken, often stigmatized moments of postnatal depression and its potential effects with suspense and thrill.
Set in an Australian town, the book starts with a murder, and the murderer is not revealed almost at the end, which kept me on edge. Six women met at a mother’s group and bonded over the same challenges they were facing. Amalia, a single mother; Peyton, a nineteen-year-old mom; Marine, who conceived through IVF; Zara, Habibi, and Fleur, who was in an abusive relationship. All six have their marital life challenges and relatable motherhood struggles.
The raw portrayal of all six women’s emotional turmoil is an eye-opening of what women silently struggle with, which makes them sometimes claustrophobic, and still, they try to keep their heads above water. With the moving story, the book leans toward the light thriller. The intense plot explores the depth of relationships, friendships, and complexity of motherhood.
All six women’s stories highlight the misconception that all women are born to be perfect mothers. And when they don’t, society is ready to judge them, which is why women don’t dare to express their emotions.
Overall, this book expresses the reality of life for various women in society, and I will highly recommend this to all readers.
Postnatal depression is common and most avoiding challenges parents, especially mothers, experience after having a baby. In “While the baby sleeps,” “Stephanie Hazeltine” address the unspoken, often stigmatized moments of postnatal depression and its potential effects with suspense and thrill.
Set in an Australian town, the book starts with a murder, and the murderer is not revealed almost at the end, which kept me on edge. Six women met at a mother’s group and bonded over the same challenges they were facing. Amalia, a single mother; Peyton, a nineteen-year-old mom; Marine, who conceived through IVF; Zara, Habibi, and Fleur, who was in an abusive relationship. All six have their marital life challenges and relatable motherhood struggles.
The raw portrayal of all six women’s emotional turmoil is an eye-opening of what women silently struggle with, which makes them sometimes claustrophobic, and still, they try to keep their heads above water. With the moving story, the book leans toward the light thriller. The intense plot explores the depth of relationships, friendships, and complexity of motherhood.
All six women’s stories highlight the misconception that all women are born to be perfect mothers. And when they don’t, society is ready to judge them, which is why women don’t dare to express their emotions.
Overall, this book expresses the reality of life for various women in society, and I will highly recommend this to all readers.
February 16, 2023
I enjoyed how each chapter was from one of the characters perspective although it was a little confusing at first trying to keep everyone straight because there were so many. I like the build of the story and how everyone's life intertwines but didn't expect the "who" in the "whodunit."
I want to give this book 4 stars but there are two things holding me back from doing so. I chose to read this book because it was listed as a mystery/thriller and it was about 20% that and it was all within the last 25-30 pages (give or take). I know I was close to the end because but I did not expect it to end like a cleaver to a veggie. I was reading and then SLAM, end of book. Not a fan.
This is the first book I've read of this author's and wouldn't mind reading more in the future.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I want to give this book 4 stars but there are two things holding me back from doing so. I chose to read this book because it was listed as a mystery/thriller and it was about 20% that and it was all within the last 25-30 pages (give or take). I know I was close to the end because but I did not expect it to end like a cleaver to a veggie. I was reading and then SLAM, end of book. Not a fan.
This is the first book I've read of this author's and wouldn't mind reading more in the future.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
January 14, 2024
A great quick read. I really enjoyed it, it’s not super similar but it reminded me of The Hunting Wives, which I loved!
December 4, 2022
When I read the title of the book for the first time, I felt like this might not be the book for me because I clearly am not in that phase of life to read about or relate with babies and nappies or catnaps when the baby sleeps. But, 'baby', was I wrong!?😂 The blurb made sure I knew😅
It was such a suspense till the moment when the author wanted us to know how and why what happened in the prologue happened and to whom it happened. It was not easy to even comprehend when it would be revealed because once we step into the story, it was all about daily activities that new mothers try to cope with and find a new routine. The way even the most supportive of partners might turn out to be making a mother feel like a single parent is not lost on us as readers. The author has touched upon almost all aspects of motherhood and those who enter it, may it be a married woman, an unmarried one, one who got pregnant without help or one who used ARTs, a working woman and stay at home dad or a woman who gave up everything to become a mom. Everyone is different. It was also nice to see that 'not' all members of any group created online or offline need to necessarily like or even tolerate each other. It is not always roses and sunshine but was more realistic. My blood kept boiling over when it came to the Sergeant and his way of blaming everything on his partner, like, come on man!? Don't you think your wife has issues that she might need YOUR help with!?! And not you to ADD to it!?! Why is it always a man's needs that are prioritised over anything else? I mean, a woman too has them!? May not always be physical but mental health is important too, if not more so!
So, yes, even mental health issues, body image issues, support system and the like were touched upon with the sensitivity each issue required to be dealt with.
Moreover, characters like Hanbi and Zara are always there in almost every single group. While one is too good to be true, the other struggles to balance work and personal life, sure, but is realistic to the current century as well!
I am happy to say that when I read the epilogue, I felt like I could actually read another book if this story happens to continue 😀
Since I did not want to put the book down so soon, I went ahead and read the acknowledgements as well 😂
All in all, DON'T JUDGE A BOOK BY ITS TITLE, people 😂coz baby, was I wrong!?
It was such a suspense till the moment when the author wanted us to know how and why what happened in the prologue happened and to whom it happened. It was not easy to even comprehend when it would be revealed because once we step into the story, it was all about daily activities that new mothers try to cope with and find a new routine. The way even the most supportive of partners might turn out to be making a mother feel like a single parent is not lost on us as readers. The author has touched upon almost all aspects of motherhood and those who enter it, may it be a married woman, an unmarried one, one who got pregnant without help or one who used ARTs, a working woman and stay at home dad or a woman who gave up everything to become a mom. Everyone is different. It was also nice to see that 'not' all members of any group created online or offline need to necessarily like or even tolerate each other. It is not always roses and sunshine but was more realistic. My blood kept boiling over when it came to the Sergeant and his way of blaming everything on his partner, like, come on man!? Don't you think your wife has issues that she might need YOUR help with!?! And not you to ADD to it!?! Why is it always a man's needs that are prioritised over anything else? I mean, a woman too has them!? May not always be physical but mental health is important too, if not more so!
So, yes, even mental health issues, body image issues, support system and the like were touched upon with the sensitivity each issue required to be dealt with.
Moreover, characters like Hanbi and Zara are always there in almost every single group. While one is too good to be true, the other struggles to balance work and personal life, sure, but is realistic to the current century as well!
I am happy to say that when I read the epilogue, I felt like I could actually read another book if this story happens to continue 😀
Since I did not want to put the book down so soon, I went ahead and read the acknowledgements as well 😂
All in all, DON'T JUDGE A BOOK BY ITS TITLE, people 😂coz baby, was I wrong!?
December 12, 2022
The narrative opens with a crime scene where the murderer effortlessly kills a guy and continues her jog. The author takes you a bit back in time to when a group of five new moms met at a supportive mother's group. A beautiful friendship has blossomed among the vulnerable moms which leads one of them to bravely commit the crime in order to protect the others involved.
*
The writing style is simple, sleek, and to the point. Love the way each character has developed and lovingly woven into each other throughout the plot.
*
The first half of the book deals with a lot of stereotypical things that new moms are being told to follow like breastfeeding, avoiding caffeine, etc., and in turn what toll it takes on their mental health. The importance of a supportive partner or any person to take care of new moms has been instigated rightfully.
*
Lines like,
-"So far, I haven’t enjoyed being a mum."
-"It’s hard to give up a part of yourself when you become a parent, and it’s fine to not want to let that part of yourself go."
-"Since becoming a mum, I’m drawn to prams."
made the book very lively and highly relatable.
*
Tigger Warning
->Domestic Abuse
->Cheating
->Betrayal
*
Multi POV helped me to handle the bunch of characters, their emotions, and their motives. Once the timeline matches with the murder then the actually gripping sense of the novel starts, till then I could classify the narrative to be a feel-good read.
*
If you're in the mood to read some feel-good female-oriented plot with an ultimate twist, then this is the book you need to add to your TBR. I could highly recommend this book to mom-to-be and also new and first-time moms.
*
The writing style is simple, sleek, and to the point. Love the way each character has developed and lovingly woven into each other throughout the plot.
*
The first half of the book deals with a lot of stereotypical things that new moms are being told to follow like breastfeeding, avoiding caffeine, etc., and in turn what toll it takes on their mental health. The importance of a supportive partner or any person to take care of new moms has been instigated rightfully.
*
Lines like,
-"So far, I haven’t enjoyed being a mum."
-"It’s hard to give up a part of yourself when you become a parent, and it’s fine to not want to let that part of yourself go."
-"Since becoming a mum, I’m drawn to prams."
made the book very lively and highly relatable.
*
Tigger Warning
->Domestic Abuse
->Cheating
->Betrayal
*
Multi POV helped me to handle the bunch of characters, their emotions, and their motives. Once the timeline matches with the murder then the actually gripping sense of the novel starts, till then I could classify the narrative to be a feel-good read.
*
If you're in the mood to read some feel-good female-oriented plot with an ultimate twist, then this is the book you need to add to your TBR. I could highly recommend this book to mom-to-be and also new and first-time moms.
January 13, 2023
This was a strange one. For literally 80% of the book, I was wondering if this had been mis-shelved as a thriller as, apart from the prologue, there was nothing really thrilling at play. I’m down for a more straightforward novel about the challenges four women are facing in the first few months of motherhood, but it wasn’t what I was expecting. But, hey, okay, I can get used to that. Then the "thrilling" aspect kicked in and I almost laughed out loud because there wasn’t enough time for it to be fully explored. Within paragraphs, the characters all suspected who did it and they were right! They also immediately figured out how to deal with the realization. It was like you could just tune into the last 25 pages of this book and you’d get the whole story.
Enough about the last 20%. Back to the first 80%. While I found Marnie, Peyton, and Fleur interesting enough, their issues were just cliché after cliché -- seemingly perfect mother is actually hiding an abusive relationship, husband in thriller is cheating on wife with much younger woman… Nothing new or especially compelling was happening in the first three-quarters of this book. In addition, there are two other mothers who are completely superfluous. That being said, it was a very easy read, and I think if Hazeltine just workshopped her ideas and pacing a bit more, she could write a compulsively readable thriller.
Thank you to Stephanie Hazeltine and BookSirens for providing a free electronic copy for review!
Enough about the last 20%. Back to the first 80%. While I found Marnie, Peyton, and Fleur interesting enough, their issues were just cliché after cliché -- seemingly perfect mother is actually hiding an abusive relationship, husband in thriller is cheating on wife with much younger woman… Nothing new or especially compelling was happening in the first three-quarters of this book. In addition, there are two other mothers who are completely superfluous. That being said, it was a very easy read, and I think if Hazeltine just workshopped her ideas and pacing a bit more, she could write a compulsively readable thriller.
Thank you to Stephanie Hazeltine and BookSirens for providing a free electronic copy for review!
November 28, 2022
Two firsts for me- a kindle book post and an ARC!
‘While the baby sleeps’ is an Aussie based domestic thriller, centred on a fairly tumultuous newly formed mothers group.
So, hello 🙋♀️ key demographic.
It starts with a dramatic park murder (not a spoiler- page 2) and then we get to unravel the who/why.
A definite trigger warning for domestic violence and post natal depression.
For a group of six- they seem to be well represented on the ‘sh$t people are going through’-o-meter.
And that’s on top of keeping assorted unruly, screaming, pooping, starving, tiny humans alive.
I did think it went hard on the useless father perpetuation but can accept that’s what’s driving the narrative. The single mums represent but perhaps not other minorities.
It certainly captures the early months and the experience of mothers group beautifully. And accurately (with the exception of the murder bit). So many memories were flooding back to me of that time. I particularly enjoyed the presence of Zara’s character🤣 she certainly exists on many a Facebook mums group!
Super addictive read, I flew through it.
I did feel that some characters needed a bit more fleshing out to really buy in on the ending but I can definitely recommend this one - especially to fans of Sally Hepworth. Overall I would read this over ‘Save Our ‘Sleep’ any day😉’
Thank you to the author for sending me an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
3.5/5 stars rounded up
‘While the baby sleeps’ is an Aussie based domestic thriller, centred on a fairly tumultuous newly formed mothers group.
So, hello 🙋♀️ key demographic.
It starts with a dramatic park murder (not a spoiler- page 2) and then we get to unravel the who/why.
A definite trigger warning for domestic violence and post natal depression.
For a group of six- they seem to be well represented on the ‘sh$t people are going through’-o-meter.
And that’s on top of keeping assorted unruly, screaming, pooping, starving, tiny humans alive.
I did think it went hard on the useless father perpetuation but can accept that’s what’s driving the narrative. The single mums represent but perhaps not other minorities.
It certainly captures the early months and the experience of mothers group beautifully. And accurately (with the exception of the murder bit). So many memories were flooding back to me of that time. I particularly enjoyed the presence of Zara’s character🤣 she certainly exists on many a Facebook mums group!
Super addictive read, I flew through it.
I did feel that some characters needed a bit more fleshing out to really buy in on the ending but I can definitely recommend this one - especially to fans of Sally Hepworth. Overall I would read this over ‘Save Our ‘Sleep’ any day😉’
Thank you to the author for sending me an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
3.5/5 stars rounded up
December 8, 2022
While the Baby Sleeps is the debut novel of author Stephanie Hazeltine. I had the pleasure of reviewing an e-arc of this one and COULDNT PUT IT DOWN!
Trigger warnings for domestic violence, cheating and death.
It was wonderful to break up my romance reading with a delicious thriller but I was really surprised by the approach Hazeltine takes in this book. It was not a traditional "whodunnit" novel and I found that change very enjoyable!
The book opens with the murder of a unknown jogger by an unknown attacker and then the book launches into the story of 4 new mothers. The murder is not mentioned again until the last third of the book and I really loved that this thriller keeps you distracted with the stories of these women from very different backgrounds rather than focusing on the crime.
I adore how each character was fleshed out and we learnt so much about them and what makes them the women they are. They are strong and real with each woman having secrets they are trying to hide while trying to be the perfect mother.
There are a few twists and turns driven by the interpersonal relationships of these women and the people surrounding them. When the murder is reintroduced it wasn't a traditional "whodunnit" and the culprit is identified after only a very brief moment of wondering. I appreciated this as it left me free to enjoy my reading experience without having to play detective.
The last line of the book: ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!?!?!?!!?
Trigger warnings for domestic violence, cheating and death.
It was wonderful to break up my romance reading with a delicious thriller but I was really surprised by the approach Hazeltine takes in this book. It was not a traditional "whodunnit" novel and I found that change very enjoyable!
The book opens with the murder of a unknown jogger by an unknown attacker and then the book launches into the story of 4 new mothers. The murder is not mentioned again until the last third of the book and I really loved that this thriller keeps you distracted with the stories of these women from very different backgrounds rather than focusing on the crime.
I adore how each character was fleshed out and we learnt so much about them and what makes them the women they are. They are strong and real with each woman having secrets they are trying to hide while trying to be the perfect mother.
There are a few twists and turns driven by the interpersonal relationships of these women and the people surrounding them. When the murder is reintroduced it wasn't a traditional "whodunnit" and the culprit is identified after only a very brief moment of wondering. I appreciated this as it left me free to enjoy my reading experience without having to play detective.
The last line of the book: ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!?!?!?!!?
December 13, 2022
This book is an engaging amalgamation of varied characters- Mothers who are completely different from each other but end up being a suspect in murder case. When Marnie,Peyton,Fleur,Amalia meet at mothers’ group, they bond over feeding schedules and baby products, but when a local is found murdered, they discover it’s not their babies who will tie them to one another forever.
Each woman has a motive to kill and secrets to hide, but do they know who the real enemy is?
This story stem from the lives of mothers delightfully capturing the essence of being a mother. It's a book that makes you smile sometimes and at times furious as it's shrouded in relevant issues but it also has an element of suspense thrill and murder in it. What made this book stand out for me, is the unforgettable narration between these pages. The prose is descriptive, spell binding and bewitching, i forgot that it's just words on paper.
The writing is remarkable, I was gasping throughout the book, with fast paced narration easy and simple vocabulary, and the thrill I felt because of twists was huge.
It possessed the power to entrance. I didn't know which emotions one after the other chapter will bring and i loved this delicious ambiguity.Surprisingly all varied themes blended together perfectly, and overall enhanced the reading experience for me.
The ending is really well written and I didn't see it coming, overall a pretty solid book.
Each woman has a motive to kill and secrets to hide, but do they know who the real enemy is?
This story stem from the lives of mothers delightfully capturing the essence of being a mother. It's a book that makes you smile sometimes and at times furious as it's shrouded in relevant issues but it also has an element of suspense thrill and murder in it. What made this book stand out for me, is the unforgettable narration between these pages. The prose is descriptive, spell binding and bewitching, i forgot that it's just words on paper.
The writing is remarkable, I was gasping throughout the book, with fast paced narration easy and simple vocabulary, and the thrill I felt because of twists was huge.
It possessed the power to entrance. I didn't know which emotions one after the other chapter will bring and i loved this delicious ambiguity.Surprisingly all varied themes blended together perfectly, and overall enhanced the reading experience for me.
The ending is really well written and I didn't see it coming, overall a pretty solid book.
December 25, 2022
I love stories about a group of women who stick together through thick and thin, and while this isn't exactly that kind of story, it portrays the strong connection that can exist between a group of women who share a common experience that brings them together. This is an excellent psychological thriller with conflicting motivations, swirling, twisting emotions, all in the midst of adjusting to the new role of motherhood. All these women who are struggling to make sense of this new addition to their already stressful lives come together in the new mother's group, and from there, things get really twisted.
Once I picked up this book and started to read it, it was very difficult to make myself put it down. I was thoroughly engaged. The characters were realistic and while I sometimes felt I needed an Australian or UK slang dictionary, it wasn't so bad that it interfered with the story. Even though the ending wasn't what I was expecting it was interesting and I found myself fully accepting their plan. In fact, I would like to see Ms. Hazeltine develop another book based on the ending of this one. It's not a cliffhanger by any means, but I would love to see where Ms. Hazeltine could take this character. It would definitely be an interesting read. Fans of Pamela Crane's psychological thrillers will very much enjoy this book.
I received a review copy from the author via BookSirens and this is my honest opinion.
Once I picked up this book and started to read it, it was very difficult to make myself put it down. I was thoroughly engaged. The characters were realistic and while I sometimes felt I needed an Australian or UK slang dictionary, it wasn't so bad that it interfered with the story. Even though the ending wasn't what I was expecting it was interesting and I found myself fully accepting their plan. In fact, I would like to see Ms. Hazeltine develop another book based on the ending of this one. It's not a cliffhanger by any means, but I would love to see where Ms. Hazeltine could take this character. It would definitely be an interesting read. Fans of Pamela Crane's psychological thrillers will very much enjoy this book.
I received a review copy from the author via BookSirens and this is my honest opinion.
April 17, 2023
Wow, what a book. I didn’t know what to expect but I loved it and whizzed through it in one sitting. It’s one of those books where you can’t wait to get to the end but don't want it to finish!
It follows a group of four first time mums of varying ages and backgrounds, with secrets to keep , who meet at a new mothers group. They're attending the group for different reasons, and in this age of social media, they all project as something different until they get to know each other.
The four main characters, Marnie, Peyton, Amalia and Fleur are engaging and likeable, the men in their lives aren’t so much and this is eventually what brings the mums together.
There’s a few peripheral characters including a couple more new mums at the mothers group and I really liked they way they were written too, even though they play a minor role.
I love how the different strands of the story intertwine and from the shocking prologue until the equally surprising ending, I was hooked.
It covers some pretty heavy topics including domestic violence, post natal depression and mental health issues but they're dealt with sympathetically rather than sensationally.
The book really flows and even though each chapter is written from one of the main characters point of view, it never feels like it’s repeating itself.
I will definitely be on the lookout for more books by this author.
I received an advance review copy for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
It follows a group of four first time mums of varying ages and backgrounds, with secrets to keep , who meet at a new mothers group. They're attending the group for different reasons, and in this age of social media, they all project as something different until they get to know each other.
The four main characters, Marnie, Peyton, Amalia and Fleur are engaging and likeable, the men in their lives aren’t so much and this is eventually what brings the mums together.
There’s a few peripheral characters including a couple more new mums at the mothers group and I really liked they way they were written too, even though they play a minor role.
I love how the different strands of the story intertwine and from the shocking prologue until the equally surprising ending, I was hooked.
It covers some pretty heavy topics including domestic violence, post natal depression and mental health issues but they're dealt with sympathetically rather than sensationally.
The book really flows and even though each chapter is written from one of the main characters point of view, it never feels like it’s repeating itself.
I will definitely be on the lookout for more books by this author.
I received an advance review copy for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
December 13, 2022
When this book began with a murder taking place (in the prologue), I just knew it was going to be a great read, and I am so happy that I was right. In the book, While the Baby Sleeps, we follow four new mothers: Amalia, a single mother; Marnie, a thirty-eight-year-old first-time mom who recently moved to this new town; Fleur, a seemingly perfect mother living her happy life; and Peyton, a teen mom. The four moms meet each other for the first time at Lakesfield Community Centre, but little do they know that what binds them together is not their shared experience of motherhood but a murder mystery!
I really liked the short chapters with multiple points of view. The book is a good murder mystery, and at the same time, it also brings issues like domestic violence, anxiety disorder, and postpartum depression to the forefront. The four main characters are nicely written and well developed. They are fleshed out and have distinct personalities; they have their own issues that they are dealing with. However, the mystery element is what made this book a page-turner for me. The cover and title are apt and beautiful. The writing style is lucid and makes the book an engaging read. I enjoyed reading it and definitely recommend it if you are looking for a light murder mystery.
I really liked the short chapters with multiple points of view. The book is a good murder mystery, and at the same time, it also brings issues like domestic violence, anxiety disorder, and postpartum depression to the forefront. The four main characters are nicely written and well developed. They are fleshed out and have distinct personalities; they have their own issues that they are dealing with. However, the mystery element is what made this book a page-turner for me. The cover and title are apt and beautiful. The writing style is lucid and makes the book an engaging read. I enjoyed reading it and definitely recommend it if you are looking for a light murder mystery.
December 13, 2022
"While the baby sleeps" by Stephanie Hazeltine is an intriguing mystery novel. This book deals with topics like motherhood, domestic violence, postpartum depression, suicide and so on. It is a roller coaster ride of emotions with lots of twists and turns.
Six women met at a mother's group and started to bond as they share mutual challenges. The main protagonists of this story were Amalia, Peyton, Marine, Zara,Habibi and Fleur. All of them embraced motherhood after facing many struggles. One is a single mother, other is a teenage mom and also there are some who were in an abusive relationship and so on.The story begins with the normal conversation of motherhood but takes a deep turn when a local got murdered.
who is the murderer?
what is the mystery?
To unwind all these, Go and Grab a copy.
The author did a great job with the character description and the writing style was simple, yet beautiful.Apart from only showing the positive aspects of being a mother, I loved the way the author detailed about a mother's postpartum depression, breastfeeding, her mental health and so on. Overall, this book is a perfect mix of mystery, suspense and emotions. Recommended to all the readers.
Six women met at a mother's group and started to bond as they share mutual challenges. The main protagonists of this story were Amalia, Peyton, Marine, Zara,Habibi and Fleur. All of them embraced motherhood after facing many struggles. One is a single mother, other is a teenage mom and also there are some who were in an abusive relationship and so on.The story begins with the normal conversation of motherhood but takes a deep turn when a local got murdered.
who is the murderer?
what is the mystery?
To unwind all these, Go and Grab a copy.
The author did a great job with the character description and the writing style was simple, yet beautiful.Apart from only showing the positive aspects of being a mother, I loved the way the author detailed about a mother's postpartum depression, breastfeeding, her mental health and so on. Overall, this book is a perfect mix of mystery, suspense and emotions. Recommended to all the readers.
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