Imagine walking into your kitchen and finding a young boy there calling you 'mum', yet you have no children.. Creepy!
To make matters worse, you are then accused of abducting the child. The Secret Mother follows the life of a woman with many complicated issues after having her husband leave her and her life left in tatters. I was intrigued throughout the book wondering if she was suffering episodes and she really did abduct the kid or was someone trying to frame her. It certainly kept me on my toes right to the end.

Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC for my Kindle.
I have enjoyed all of Shalini Boland's books, but this one is my favorite.
There are twists and turns that I certainly didn't see coming, but I did like where they took me.
The only negative aspect for me was I felt the ending was rushed and would have liked to have seen a marriage or engagement for Tessa and Ben. IF anyone deserved a strong relationship with a man, it was definitely Tessa!

Unforgettable

It's Sunday morning. Tessa is at the cemetery, grieving the loss of her two children. She hasn't missed a Sunday yet. Except, this Sunday is different: when she gets home she finds a little boy in her kitchen who thinks she is his mother. None of it makes sense... And none of it will, not until you reach the final pages...

This is a haunting story: I could see everything play out and I was torn. The appearance of an unknown child in her kitchen- I can't imagine how painful that must have been, to almost relive the loss. Then having to navigate the murky waters of creating a new life for herself, after discovering something about the man she thought would always stick around.

This book was incredibly unnerving and the quest to uncover the truth was one I was wholeheartedly engaged in, while daring to think up conspiracies of my own. This was something that set the book apart for me: Tessa was a character who didn't take anything at face value, and was genuinely curious as, well as, understandably, anxious. And no, she wasn't a detective. It was just so true to life and it's hard to read a story about a naive character and at the same time, believe that they'll make it out alive.

Shalini Boland cleverly introduces wild, but still realistic, twists you couldn't ever have been prepared for. I recommend this read.

I received this book through NetGalley.

Tessa Markham returns home one Sunday after her weekly visit to her children’s graves to find a mystery boy sitting in her kitchen. she has no clue who he is or how he came to be in her house. He tells her an angel brought him and that she is his new mummy. After informing the Police suspicion falls upon her of abduction of the boy and a trial by media ensues causing people close to her and even Tessa to question did she do it.

This is the first book i’ve read by this author and i thoroughly enjoyed the plot and the style of writing. The character Tessa is clearly suffering from grief after the deaths of her 2 children and the strain has caused the break up of her marriage. The character is likeable and I felt myself rooting for her to clear her name rather than give in to the world of depression and self-doubt.

The book didn’t end the way i’d expected and had a clever twist in the tale.

Many thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

Arriving home one day to her usually empty house, bereaved mother Tessa Markham is astounded to find a little boy sitting in her kitchen - a little boy who calls her his mother and says he’s been brought there by an angel. Having no other option, she calls the police - as anyone would have to, in this unlikely situation - but of course the story doesn’t stop there.

It’s an intriguing opening and sets the stage for a story which keeps the reader guessing - and very concerned for the safety and well-being of the small child, Harry, at the centre of the mystery.

Besieged by journalists tipped off about a possible child abduction, it takes almost half the book for Tessa to actually start investigating what has happened and why. (While I have no illusions as to the frequently deplorable behaviour of the British tabloid press, however, I’m not convinced they would have pursued Tessa quite so persistently on the basis of an initially rather vague allegation of wrongdoing. Must have been a slow news week.)

A very intriguing story which kept me guessing until near the end, when I did get a sudden revelation as to what was probably going on! (And, as always, felt I should have realised it sooner.... but didn’t.)

My only issue really is that I feel the cover perhaps gives slightly too much away. Also there were a couple of loose ends which I didn’t feel were satisfactorily explained. All in all though a very engrossing read.... recommended.

This story is creepy and bizarre and totally enthralling! You are drawn in right from the beginning of this masterfully crafted thriller. Of course everyone is suspicious and implicates Tessa of wrongdoing. Her world has suddenly imploded with all the accusations swirling and the media whirlwind surrounding Tessa and her life. At times she even starts to question her own sanity. The tension is slowly ratcheted up throughout the book to keep you reading well into the night.

This book has all the elements you look for in a great read. Character development is a key part to the storyline. Some you will root for and some you will grow to despise, but you never quite know who you can trust until the end. The twists and turns in this book will keep you frantically turning the pages to get the answers you desperately need. All the pieces fall into place at the end and it will leave you breathless.

I would highly recommend this to fans of psychological thrillers and suspense. I received this as a free ARC from Bookotoure on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Tessa has lost two children- one at birth and one later. Her marriage has broken up and she leads a solitary existence. One Sunday she returns home to find a small boy in her kitchen who asks her if she is his new mummy.
Tessa finds herself in a nightmare as she is accused of abducting this child. The press won't leave her alone, the police don’t believe he, neither does her ex-husband who has a new relationship to concentrate on. Only her boss at work continues to be kind to her.
So, do we have an unreliable narrator in Tessa? Is she really delusional or is there something behind her story? She sets out to discover exactly what has happened and who the little boy is.
I read the book very quickly as I wanted to see how it ended. I found the last few chapters a little long and drawn out so rushed through them to the end.
Thanks to Netgalley & the publisher for this review copy.

*thank you to Netgalley and Bookouture for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*

4 stars.
Apart from the first few pages of this, I read it in one sitting. I love books that can get me to do this. The story was gripping and I was eager to find out the mystery of this story, Who is this kid? While I think that I figured things out earlier than when the author was aiming for, it was still a very enjoyable read! I, along with many others I'm going to assume, really found Carly to get on my nerves. What then what freelance reporter doesn't get on most people's nerves. I liked this mix of the characters. While I didn't like some as much as others, they all fitted well into the story. It was entertaining and interesting to find out little it's and pieces of the puzzle along the way and I will admit, that even at the 90% mark I was still asking myself the same question, 'What is going on here?' So yeah, while I did have the main part mostly figured out, there was still enough going on that I was unsure about. Everything wrapped up nicely at the end and as much as I can think of right now, all my questions were answered which I think is pretty important. Definitely recommend.

It has increasingly become difficult for me to find a psychological thriller that hooks me from beginning to end; however, Boland never lets me down because her stories always captivate me and holds me hostage until the very last page. I highly recommend The Secret Mother for those of you that have been struggling to find a psychological thriller that blows your mind because you will not be disappointed with this nail biting, fast passed, and twisted novel.

Reviewed on Amazon, Goodreads, and YouTube channel.

Tessa is grieving for her lost children, one who died at birth and one who recently passed away. Added to that, her husband Scott has found a new love. Then, one day when she comes in from work, there is a little boy sitting in her kitchen and he calls her his new mummy. Suddenly, she is accused of child snatching, but the father didn’t even report the child missing for several days. What is happening here is a twisted tale of a mother who wants to uncover the truth and who risks her life to do so. There are a lot of surprises here that you won’t see coming! You just have to read between the lines and you will be able to guess what happened...and it’s a real thrill to read the ending and see if you were right!

The Secret Mother grabbed me from page one and didn't let me put it down, it's still got a hold on me even though I finished reading days ago.

It's more than a psychological thriller, it's a compelling, heartbreaking story about grief, trauma, self doubt, and despondency. Not being believed, doubting her own sanity and exposed to the most horrendous scrutiny following the discovery of a young boy, the already heartbroken Tessa battles not only with the police and media but with the man who she thought would always support, love and care for her. The plot is well paced, the writing is fabulous and there are plenty of twists in this emotional, anxiety ramping, gripping story.

My first read by this author but I'm looking forward to delving into both her earlier and future books 4.5 shiny stars.

The Secret Mother is a book full of twists and turns, and questions. Tessa used to be the picture of happiness, before her twins were born. That joyful day was one that was also full of loss as one of the twins did not make it. This unfortunate loss, changes her life in many ways, and brings about the loss of her marriage, as well. When we join the story, Tessa is working at a garden shop, where she greatly enjoys what she does, for a man she enjoys working for. She visits the graves of her children, as the surviving child died, as well, a few years after his birth. She feels she has nothing but her job. One Sunday, when she returns from visiting the grave-site, there is a boy in her kitchen. How did he get there? All we are told is that an angel brought him and she is his new mummy. She calls Scott, her estranged husband to come over, as she knows the police need to be called, but she cannot quite do it herself.... and so begins the craziest part of her life, where she is no longer sure which end is up, and if she is sane or crazy, herself. Things just do not add up.... until they do at the very end. You might be able to figure out this tale before the end, but it took me a long time to untwist the tale. I still am not sure I 100% understand one of the pieces, that for me was still left hanging. None the less, this was a story I enjoyed and quickly devoured.

4.5 stars. Rounded up to five because while it's not a perfect book I perfectly enjoyed it!

I will start by saying that I was gripped from the first two pages and if I had the occasion I would probably read it in one sit. It is a relatively short and easy read but it keeps the interest up until the end. Fortunately I didn't have time to read for more than half an hour each day, so it took me quite long to finish it. I said fortunately because althought the tale was good, what I loved more was the general atmosphere, the cold winter, the journalists haunting the main character, the cozy warmth of Ben's house. I'd like also to have a sequel but I know this is impossible..the story is closed (in a satisfying way I have to add) and there's not much more to say, but I will miss the company of Moretti's gardens during the winter and I wanted more of them!
If I had read the book too quickly I think I would have miss some depth, that really made the story great.
This is a mystery book, labelled as psychological thriller, but it won't put you on the edge of your seat. I knew exactly what would be the final outcome at 50% but I enjoyed the story all the same. Ok, the mystery is rather simple, but at least it's believable and well exploited! I hate it when the end suprises me, but not because the plot is well made and only because it was too far fetched to be even imaginable!
If I had to complain about something it would be the writing style. It's not bad at all but I think the story flew too quickly, if there was some more descriptions, some more background story for each character..it would be a perfect book! But it's already a really good one..and so unbelievably cheap! It's now something like one dollar on kindle, so buy it while it's still cold outside!

Shalini Boland really knows how to write a good book. When Tessa finds Harry in her kitchen she starts to wonder how he came to be there and why his father looks familiar. The answer changes everything. This is a well written, well thought out book. I am glad that Tessa found happiness at the end.

Landscape architect Tessa Markham has been touched by tragedy. What should have brought great joy - giving birth to fraternal twins - turned out to have sad consequences. Her daughter Lily died at birth and her son Sam died three years later from acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

Shortly after Sam's death Tessa 'kidnapped' an infant in a pram, and - when apprehended - claimed she found the baby unattended and was taking him to the police station. The story seemed sketchy but Tessa was known to be grief-stricken and clinincally depressed, so no charges were filed.

Now, a couple of years later, Tessa is separated from her husband Scott, working at 'Villa Moretti Garden Center', and living alone.

So it's a shock when Tessa returns home one afternoon to find a little boy - who says his name is Harry - in her kitchen. Harry is calmly coloring pictures and says that Tessa is his new mummy. Not wanting to face the police on her own, Tessa calls her estranged husband Scott - who immediately insinuates she snatched the child. Unfortunately the police have a similar reaction, and Tessa teeters on the edge of being charged with abduction while the cops investigate.

Tessa's nosy neighbor Carly is a freelance journalist, and it doesn't take long for articles to appear online, with the headline: "Did Tessa Markham abduct a five-year-old boy?" From here on, Tessa's life becomes a nightmare. Packs of journalists camp outside her home and workplace, and she can't put a foot outside without being chased by reporters and snapped by photographers. The newspeople harass Scott as well, and he blames his wife for all the trouble.

Wanting to clear her name Tessa decides to launch her own investigation - to learn how Harry came to be in her house. To say more about the plot would be a spoiler.

The book is billed as a psychological thriller, but - in truth - there's not much suspense. Most readers will probably work out the 'secret' about Harry well before it's revealed in the story. Thus, interest in the book must be maintained by the characters, some of whom are more compelling and believable than others.

Tessa is an engaging protagonist, consumed by grief yet trying to get on with her life. She enjoys tending the plants at work (though it's a far cry from landscape architecture) and dreams of reconciling with Scott. Tessa is a loner, but gets on well with her boss - Ben Moretti - who runs 'Villa Moretti's garden store and café.

For his part, Ben is a nice guy with a soft spot for Tessa. He provides her with coffee and cinnamon danish - or wine and lasagna - on occasion, and is always there when Tessa needs a hand. Ben's the hero of the book.

Tessa's husband Scott is an unsympathetic character.....a complete asshole. He's disdainful of Tessa's concerns, suggests she's mentally disturbed, and refuses to believe a word she says. When Tessa practically begs him to hear her out, he refuses. He's a totally unlikable person. That said, I don't find Scott to be a credible character. Even an estranged husband wouldn't be that dismissive of his wife.....especially when she's going through such a trauma.

The journalist Carly Dean is annoying and intrusive, so she's quite realistic! Some of Carly's behavior, though, is outright illegal - and there should be consequences (IMO).

Other secondary characters add interest to the story, and keep the action moving.

I was disappointed with the mystery, which is easy to figure out.....with no major suprises. Also, one plot point is not satisfactorily resolved. Tessa repeatedly tries to discover why Harry's dad waited four days to report the child missing, but she never gets the answer. And I want to know!

In the end, I found this novel unsatisfying. However, I'm in the minority and many people love the book. So, if you find the premise intriguing, you might want to read the story and judge for yourself.

Thanks to Netgalley, the author (Shalini Boland) and the publisher (Bookouture) for a copy of the book.

Unputdownable gripping psychological thriller. Well written with interesting characters and a good story. Loved this book and will be recommending it to all

I read this book in one sitting today. Couldn’t put it down. Tess returns home to find a young boy there calling her mummy. How did he get there? Is she a child abductor as the police think it is she in need of psychiatric help like her ex husband thinks? Read and find out!!

A brilliant story that had me hooked from the very beginning, and I had no idea how it was going to end.
Excellent reading !!!

This is a quick, easy read. Tessa arrives home one day to find a small boy in her kitchen, claiming that she is his mother. What follows is a tense, psychological thriller, in which Tessa tries to uncover the story behind this incident. Is she going mad, or is she somehow linked to the boy? A good page turner. Thanks to NetGalley for a preview copy.

It was an okay book I just found it hard to get into which made it harder to enjoy