Having recently read and enjoyed Shalini Boland's 'Girl from the Sea' and 'The Best Friend', I was keen to read this book.

This book certainly puts the psychological into the 'psychological thriller' genre. It slowly unfolds into an intriguing journey.

I found myself disliking and feeling sorry for the character of Tessa Markham, in equal measure.

The tension builds to an exciting dénouement. I really liked this novel. Much of the writing being through the eyes of Tessa. All of the characters are well crafted.

There are certainly plenty of twist before the final reveal!

I give thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for a copy of this book in return for this review.

A superb read. A little boy found in a kitchen - how did he get there? How does Tess explain this bizarre situation particularly as she has a similar situation in her past. This is one head-spinning, gripping tale. The plot lures you in and the characters evoke real emotions. A trial by media and doubts on who can be trusted. The unravelling of this mystery leads to the most glorious ending.

I would like to thank Bookouture and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read ‘The Secret Mother’ by Shalini Boland in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.
When Tessa Markham returns from the cemetery she discovers a little boy in her kitchen. The boy says his name is Harry and that an angel brought him to Tessa, his real Mummy. But Tessa doesn’t have any children as they both died.
This is the beginning of Tessa’s search for the truth with the help of her boss, garden centre owner Ben Moretti, and neighbour Carly who’s a journalist and wants to write the story.
‘The Secret Mother’ is a gripping psychological thriller that kept me engrossed throughout, and although I’d already worked out the ending I had to keep reading to prove I was right. Shalini Boland has provided some interesting and plausible characters, enough twists and turns to keep me involved, and an exciting ending. An enjoyable read!

Having read a fire of the authors previous books I was delighted to have a chance to read her latest . A real page turner with the main character Tessa finding a little boy sitting in her kitchen who is calling her mummy and she doesn’t know who he is or got he got there . A page turning read with tessa being a great main character who you totally sympathise with . I read this in two sittings . Great book and my thanks to netgalley and bookouture for the opportunity to read 4.5 stars

Whew! I haven't read a book in one sitting in awhile. This one was devoured before bed when I only planned to get through about 25% of it. It certainly keeps you reading. I definitely should have heeded the warnings from several reviews of this book written by friends: don't start unless you have time to finish. I had time, I just got way less sleep than I should have! There's never really a good time to stop, this story takes no breaks.

This is the fourth book I've read from Shalini Boland, and I think she's definitely one to watch. She just signed with one of my favorite publishers, Bookouture, so I see many more immensely readable books to come.

Tessa's story is heartbreaking... she's a mother without children. Her little girl died not long after she was born, and her little boy passed away years later after an illness. Her husband left her. She left the job that she loved. Now she's a former landscape architect working at a garden center that barely pays the bills, visiting the graves of her children every Sunday... alone. One Sunday she expects to come back to the same old depressing empty house... but there's a little boy in her kitchen. He calls her mummy. Where did he come from? Charmed but confused and alarmed, Tessa calls her husband, who rushes over and calls the police. Little Harry is taken away, but that one word struck something long dead in Tessa's heart... why was he in her home, and why would he call her mummy?

If finding a missing child in her home wasn't enough cause for suspicion from the police, Tessa becomes increasingly unstable and obsessed with finding out where he came from. The public thinks she's a child abductor. The press follows her, hounding her both at home and work. Her husband thinks she's having a breakdown and begins to treat her as if she's just a bother. Her journalist neighbor just wants a story. The only person she thinks she can turn to seems to be Ben, her boss. He's kind and understanding, and doesn't act like she's lost the plot. But for us, it's not entirely clear if she has or not...

I figured things out a little early (I am, after all, an experienced armchair detective) but wasn't sure if I was right. I needed to know, and couldn't put the book down. Another great read by Shalini Boland, one you should plan on getting lost in for a couple of hours!

I received an ARC of this book from Net Galley and Bookouture, thank you! My review is honest and unbiased.

I've read all of this author's books, previously self published, and I always feel that I'm going to be satisfied whenever I read her latest book.
Tessa Markam comes home to find a young boy in her kitchen. She doesn't know him, and doesn't know how he got there but he asks her if she is his mummy now. Tessa is still grieving for the loss of her son Sam, her marriage has ended, she is in a fragile state of mind and so it is suspected that Tessa has abducted the boy Harry.
Pretty soon you are on a roller coaster of twists and turns and I really felt for Tessa. I also loved Ben!
Definitely recommend this author.

The Secret Mother is a fantastic thriller. I found this book to be well written with an awesome plot. This book really kept me guessing. I recommend this book to those who enjoy an edge of your seat type book.

I liked this book. I kind of guessed about half way through what was going on but I kept reading to confirm what I suspected. This novel is kind of an easy read, doesn't require a lot of thinking and sometimes that just the book I need. I enjoyed the characters and was actually quite suspicious of a few of them. Tessa is an unreliable character and you always have that niggling thought in the back of your mind that maybe, just maybe, things are not as they seem. All in all, a satisfying and enjoyable read.

4.5 Stars* (rounded up)
Brilliantly Done.

Could you imagine coming home and finding someone in your kitchen? Would your reaction change if that someone were an innocent little boy who asks “Are you my mummy?” I sure can’t. One day however, that’s exactly what happens to Tessa Markham who comes home to find a little boy named Harry sitting in her kitchen. She has no idea who he is or how he got there.

Once she calls the police however, they think she kidnapped him. Her past, you see, it’s a colorful one and no one believes her. Thereafter she has to fight to prove her innocence – as even her husband from whom she’s separated, think she’s guilty. After the press attack her, Tessa’s life is completely torn apart and things go from bad to worse. Tessa however, can only think about one thing: Harry.

Shalini Boland’s “The Secret Mother” sucked me in immediately. I read the book in one sitting and I hardly ever do that anymore. I was in a frenzy to finish and couldn’t wait to get to the very end. None of the characters in this novel are even remotely trustworthy – Shalini Boland did a spectacular job in making me question each character and their actions. I admit that I even questioned poor little Harry. How’s that for fantastic writing?

“The Secret Mother” is now the third novel that I’ve read by Shalini Boland and it is her best yet and that, my friends is saying something. I loved “The Girl from the Sea” and liked “The Best Friend.” In my humble opinion however, “The Secret Mother” far surpasses Ms. Boland’s prior novels – the writing is sharper, crisper and more clever. I was glued to this book and could not tear myself away and that did not happen previously. While I had an idea as to what was going to happen in the end, it did not hinder my interest, nor was I disappointed in anyway. In short, if you are looking for a fabulous mystery/suspense, please do yourself a favor and check this one out, you won’t be disappointed.

Thank you to NetGalley, Bookouture and Shalini Boland for an ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

Published on NetGalley, Goodreads, Twitter and Facebook on 11.8.17.
*Will be published on Amazon on 11.9.17

Tessa returns home after visiting her children's graves at the cemetery, only to find a little boy in her kitchen asking her if she is his mummy. Tessa has no idea where the child came from or how he even got into her house. When she contacts the police, she's quickly suspected of child abduction and even those close to her don't believe her version of events.

Make sure you have a free afternoon when you start reading this one because you won't want to put it down. It's a very gripping, fast-paced and addictive read. At times, I also found it quite moving and it made me angry as well. A lot of emotions to go through when reading a psychological thriller.

Not only does Tessa have to deal with this suspicion hanging over her head, there's also the grief over the children she lost. And on top of all of that we get the utterly relentless hounding of the media which doesn't just affect her but also those around her and you can't help wondering how anyone is able to deal with that hassle and invasion of privacy.

I warmed to Tessa from the beginning and as the tension builds up and we get closer to the truth, you can't help but root for her. It's hard to say any more without giving anything away but I was with Tessa every step of the way and I'm sure you will be too. There may have been a character or two that weren't quite as sympathetic but ultimately, the reasons for their behaviour were completely understandable and believable.

Shalini Boland has come up with a well executed and compelling plot that will keep you hooked from start to finish and I look forward to whatever is next.

Beware of this book!!! It will take you hostage from the first word to the last...you can forget about your to do list, this gripping read will make itself a priority above all else!

When Tessa, who lives alone, arrives home after visiting the graves of her twin children, she is shocked to discover a little boy in her kitchen, asking her " are you my mummy?" Who is this child and how did he manage to get into her house?

Upon contacting the police, Tessa soon comes under suspicion of child abduction. When even those closest to her question her innocence, one begins to wonder if Tessa is indeed losing it.

You'll be unable to turn your mind off from this one, constantly pondering and speculating as to what will happen next. This tale was very well thought out, providing everything you'd want in a good book: teasing questions you just HAVE to know the answers to; characters you'll be rooting for and others that just rub you up the wrong way; a dazzling ending that did not disappoint!

I absolutely loved this one, I just had to give it ALL the stars! It was a no brainer that it made my top 10 for the year.

Congratulations to Shalini Boland on a fantabulous read, I was thoroughly entertained by every page. So looking forward to reading much much more by this author.

Many thanks to Netgalley, Bookouture and of course the author for an advanced copy in exchange for my unbiased opinion. The pleasure was all mine.

Summary:
“Are you my Mummy?”
Tessa Markham hears these words from the little boy in her kitchen.  Thing is, she isn’t anyone’s mom…. not anymore.  Her family life detonated long ago and she has been trying to pull the pieces together.  So who is this little boy?  How did he get there?  And why does he think she’s his new mummy?  Under suspicion of abduction, Tessa must prove her innocence when even her ex husband doesn’t believe her?
My thoughts:
I loved this story.  It pulls you in from the start with Tessa and her fears, pains and insecurities.  The characters are fantastic, though I had some issues with Ben, the boss/love interest.  I understand that he likes her and wants to believe her…. but to just swallow everything whole?  I think she could tell him she killed people and he’d drive a company van to help her move bodies.  It just seemed a tad unbelievable to me.
There were times where I thought I knew where this was going, but I was never quite sure and the story kept me guessing.  It’s definitely an interesting premise, and one that was well done.  For me, this is a four star book (and another Christmas gift idea for a friend).  
On the adult content scale, there is some language, light violence and light sexual content, though nothing over the top.  I give it a five.  
I received an eARC of this book from Netgalley and Bookouture in exchange for an honest review.   I was given no other form of incentive to review this book, and received no incentive to give a biased review.  My thanks.

See link to goodreads review

Oh wow, absolutely triple wow. This was a truly magnificent read, loved it from start to finish. I was completely captivated by the story and the characters, all of which was so very well written.

Shalini has such a way with words that she just draws you in right from the beginning, keeps you enthralled throughout and leaves you with bated breath right to the very end. Which is exactly what she did with this amazing book.

I'm already looking forward to reading her other books, not to mention her future books.

Wow! What a great story.
I won’t include any spoilers but this book will have you on the edge of your seat throughout.
Tessa comes home one day to discover a little boy in her kitchen and she has no idea who he is or how he got there. It really pulled on my heartstrings as you can imagine his little voice saying ‘are you my mummy?’
The story then takes on lots of twists and turns and the ending will blow you away.
I can’t recommend this highly enough and will just say ‘read it now!’
Thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for sending me an advance copy to read.

This was a short easy read, perfect for a quick escape from reality, however it didn't grip me personally, I don't find myself still thinking about it now I have finished it.

Straight up: I knew exactly what had happened at 74% of the way through the book. Not bad, right? That means for 73.9% of the book I was engaged wondering where Harry came from, whether Tessa had forgotten kidnapping him, and why her boss Ben was so darn nice. Some of that was interesting and some was annoying. Ben was too nice and I kept wondering if he was a fool or the surprise twist villain. (I'm not telling you which one, if either, he was.) I did like that for once, the female protagonist actually questioned her actions herself instead of everyone else telling her. Though I would be rather worried if I couldn't remember kidnapping a child and wouldn't fight the recommendation to go see a therapist. Otherwise, characters all seemed to fall into very basic stereotypes and I thought that Tessa should have caught on a lot sooner than she did.

In the mood for a psychological thriller? I was in the mood after reading some romance novels to read something a bit more intense and darker. The Secret Mother is an upcoming thriller that starts with Tessa Markham arriving home from the cemetery where she was visiting her two children's graves to find a boy sitting on her kitchen counter with the door unlocked. She has no idea how he got there or who he is. The little boy is calling her "Mummy." Tessa calls her ex-husband Scott who evidently calls the police and soon despite Tessa telling the truth; she is labeled as a child abductor of five-year-old Henry Fisher. As the press continues to paint Tessa in a bad light and make her look like the crazy one, it is up to Tessa with the help of her next-door neighbor Carly who has not-so-good intentions but will help her uncover the truth nonetheless. The Secret Mother will lead Tessa to the hospital she gave birth to her twins at and uncover some dark secrets of what happened that night and the truth behind what happened to the second twin she gave birth too. The Secret Mother was a good thriller, and I had an idea where the story was going to lead. Being a British thriller, the pace of the story was a tad slow for my liking.

Wow totally shocking, heartbreaking and played with my head and emotions. This book had me gripped I read it in one sitting as I couldn't put it down. Didn't see the ending coming at all. Salinisation Noland has written a cracking psychological thriller that deserves 5 stars.

I have read all of this authors previous books,and I like her writing style.This book didn't disappoint and I was well into it before I started to figure out what I thought had happened, and I still wasn't sure until all was revealed.I like the pace of the book and I liked Tessa although I wasn't sure if she was all she seemed .I couldn't be sure if she was a reliable commentator or not and that is the crux of the book I'm not giving anything away all i can say is I enjoyed reading this book and would recommend it to other readers.