This is an engaging book, quite light and easy to predict at times, but it doesn’t detract from wanting to know more, and it does a great job of keeping the suspense high. The detail surrounding the accident and the conversations between the characters feel realistic and believable, which adds an enjoyable layer to the storyline. The “suspects” were fine but because it was all people no-one knew or had been introduced to at any point in the narrative, it was a bit too hard to get into them and guess along re who it could be so wasn’t really a who-dunnit even though there were some aspects of that threaded throughout. The themes of grief are written sensitively enough to evoke emotion, yet not be too graphic or triggering.

A deeply emotional story that delves deep into your inner feelings. How do you choose between your children?

A very gripping thriller
This focuses on grief and loss so is a hard book to ride
The book is told from dual perspectives and is so fast paced
A thought provoking read

Due to a sudden, unexpected passing in the family a few years ago and another more recently and my subsequent (mental) health issues stemming from that, I was unable to download this book in time to review it before it was archived as I did not visit this site for several years after the bereavements. This meant I didn't read or venture onto netgalley for years as not only did it remind me of that person as they shared my passion for reading, but I also struggled to maintain interest in anything due to overwhelming depression. I was therefore unable to download this title in time and so I couldn't give a review as it wasn't successfully acquired before it was archived. The second issue that has happened with some of my other books is that I had them downloaded to one particular device and said device is now defunct, so I have no access to those books anymore, sadly.

This means I can't leave an accurate reflection of my feelings towards the book as I am unable to read it now and so I am leaving a message of explanation instead. I am now back to reading and reviewing full time as once considerable time had passed I have found that books have been helping me significantly in terms of my mindset and mental health - this was after having no interest in anything for quite a number of years after the passings. Anything requested and approved will be read and a review written and posted to Amazon (where I am a Hall of Famer & Top Reviewer), Goodreads (where I have several thousand friends and the same amount who follow my reviews) and Waterstones (or Barnes & Noble if the publisher is American based). Thank you for the opportunity and apologies for the inconvenience.

Wow! This is a thought provoking thriller that is very hard to put down. After Lizzies car is plunged into water, she realizes that only one of her two children will make it out because she won’t be able to help the other one, but which one will she help. I hope and pray that I never have to make a decision such as this one, but what choice does she make? What will happen to her family afterwards? The ultimate question is will she be able to live with the choice she makes? This is a great book by an author who certainly knows how to tell a story. I went through every emotion possible and could not put this book down until I knew what the outcome was. It is very explosive and will keep you enthralled and entertained the whole time.


5 out of 5 stars


Thank you to NetGalley as well as the author/publisher for giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my unbiased and honest review.

Outstanding. I don’t have children, but Mother is such a powerful novel. The attention to detail is top notch and the atmosphere is realistic yet.chilling and disconcerting.There are great visuals and the plot is truly heart wrenching.

I can’t imagine having to make a choice like this and how Lizzie must have felt. Her relationship with her husband Dan and their two daughters is excellently portrayed. The pacing is fast but each word is chosen so well and helps the story along. I can tell Laura Jarratt is a gifted author and I’ve found a new favourite author in her. I really want to get more of her books.

Thanks to Laura Jarratt and Orion Books for my eARC in exchange for an honest and voluntary review.

5 sparkling stars. I’d give it more if I could, I didn’t want it to end.

I don't do spoilers! What a choice, nobody ever wants to be in that situation with any family member......a must read! Just read it!

I'm not a mother but this stirred up some powerful emotions and I can only imagine how it must make mothers feel. I enjoyed the psychological thriller aspect too.

An ok read, but not as good as I expected it to be. I think this is because I was expecting a thriller when really it was a very intensely emotional drama

Firstly a big thank you for my copy on netgalley.

This is a fantastic book exploring the aftermath of a tragedy on a family . Guilt, regret and tension.

Twisty and complex. Cleverly written book that definitely makes you think what would you do especially as a mum

A great examination of turmoil and power it has . Forgiveness and hope .. Will they ever help a family move on.

This is the first time I have read Laura Jarratt's work, and I found her writing style intriguing and suspenseful - everything a good thriller should be.

The exploration of grief and guilt could be brutal, tense and sinister. As the book progressed, I found myself drawn in further and further.

I was slightly disappointed by the ending, as I expected something more but it still brought the book to a well written close.

Thank you NetGalley and the other for this book!

𝙈𝙤𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧 𝙗𝙮 𝙇𝙖𝙪𝙧𝙖 𝙅𝙖𝙧𝙧𝙖𝙩𝙩

This is one of those books that’s left me not really sure how I feel about it. I loved the concept - what a desperately impossible decision to have to make. This plays well on the reader’s mind as you’re constantly questioning what you’d do in the same situation.

I was SO shocked by the twist in chapter nine (if you know, you know). Literally a mouth-dropped-open, put-the-book-down, shout-to-your-partner twist and I enjoyed the sections written as the “stalker” as you had no idea who the suspect was. I didn’t see the “big reveal” coming but I’m also not sure I really enjoyed the twist.

I originally gave this two stars as I just found it, for want of a better word, depressing- it focused heavily on grief and loss, and yes I expected this from the synopsis but it seemed to be based more on these emotions and the family dynamics than the mystery side, and I just found my own emotions were blanketing the ability to enjoy it. It redeemed a star however as I loved the ending and I did find it to be relatively fast-paced.

𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆ (3/5)

𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐤 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐭𝐨 𝐛𝐨𝐭𝐡 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐫 + 𝐚𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐫 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐦𝐲 𝐞𝐀𝐑𝐂!

Mother Laura Jarratt
This book grabbed me from the first page and held me until the end. My heart broke thinking about chosing which child to save. I loved Lizzie, and felt her pain all through the book. This book will stay with me for a long time, super read.

Really enjoyed this book and not quite what I was expecting. I think it left some unanswered questions though - why did she pick that child to save? So I think it could have delved more into that. But it was definitely well written and keeps you interested to the end.

What a fabulous book! This was a great psychological thriller that explores grief and guilt over a mothers decision on which child to save.

It was brutal in parts but such a great book that was tense as we progressed to find out who the culprit was.

I’m not sure on the ending, I wanted something much more so I sister but it was a good conclusion if you can empathise with the mothers decisions.

Fabulous first read of this authors work. I’ll be reading her other novels as she certainly spins an intriguing story.

Such an emotional read…. When Lizzie's car crashes with her two daughters inside, she faces a terrible choice. And when she recovers from her injuries, she has to deal with the impact of that tragedy as well as the police investigation into it.
As Lizzie and her family struggle to come to terms with the events of that night, things take an even darker turn. Just what did happen on that remote country road? Who is responsible? And can the family get through this together...Or will the truth finally tear them apart…… Wow, just holy wow. There are few authors who can bring the past to life so compellingly... Brilliant writing and more importantly, riveting reading.

This is such an atmospheric story. It started tense and heartbreaking with a choice no parent should have to make. At some point I had an idea who had caused the accident but working it out didn’t spoil the story at all. There was such a sadness to this book but it was a believable story as well as believable characters. Once I started it I couldn’t stop until I finished.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the ARC in return for an honest and unbiased opinion.

A well written book, which I felt was pretty original. The characters were well written and the storyline draws you in.

A very moving and emotive well written read that features a terrible dillema for any parent,once startedI had to finish to find out the outcome,excellent

4*

Really enjoyed the narrative of this story.

Atmospheric

Off to find others by this author