This is a raw novel. It will probably tear you apart but it does it in such a well constructed way.

The author slowly builds the suspense here giving the reader a sense of claustrophobia and mental stress that mirrors the one the main character and her family are in. The pain they experience is the worst one but the book never gets on the easy track of melodrama; it stays rational despite the sadness and search for answers.

The family relations are beautifully described and we can see growth in all characters. The resolution is... touching, hard, horrible, perfect. I have no idea what I'd do in her shoes but I think she was incredibly brave.

I'd like to thank Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC of this novel in exchange for my honest review.

Thanks net galley and Laura Jarratt fior this very sad story of two mothers who loose their daughters.
Why did the car crash and Becca die, there were two daughters in the car Portia and Becca. Which one should their mother save.
Becca was adopted , but that should not make a difference,
Only one daughter was possible to save, and that’ is a terrible choice for any mother to make.
Why did the car crash, that is the question.
Yes found this book very difficult to,put down. Loved it.

Powerful and strong prose immerses you into the heart of the story. You feel every rip of the heart and blow to the soul.
The dilemma tears you in two. What a choice to make.
Then everything takes a turn and your questioning everything.
A beautiful book with real depth of thought.

This is an interesting read, ostensibly about a car crash which leaves a mother choosing between her two daughters in the most extreme of circumstances, however, it is also a multi layered, dual narrative on what it means to be a parent.

Biological and adopted daughters , Portia and Becca are at the mercy of a flashpoint decision against unthinkable odds, and the aftermath of the crash is examined in close detail as mother, Lizzie, pulls herself to pieces trying to rationalise what she has done.

The return home from a holiday should be a joyous occasion, but for Lizzie she is dreading facing her husband,Dan, who insisted she should wait for him to drive her home. However, taking the chance to spend more 'me time' with her daughters, Lizzie drags out their idyllic stay and drives home herself. A curve taken at speed results in her car going over a cliff and a race against time to free herself in order to reach her daughters.

A decision made against the clock, in an isolated lake has massive repercussions as suspense mounts by the page , heading towards the reveal of which girl Lizzie saved.

But was this crash as instinctive and innocent as it sounds?

Both Lizzie and Dan are in positions as defence lawyers and barristers where there are plenty of people who would like to get revenge on what they might feel is the 'wrong' verdict.

As the forensic details build up a case for this not being a complete accident, the guilt and self reproach that Lizzie berates herself escalates . Dealing with the grief process as well as physical recuperation, let alone the circumstances under which she has lost one of her daughters becomes secondary to finding out exactly what happened and why.

Whilst Lizzie pulls herself apart in order to put herself back together again, she and Dan have to examine the deep cracks within their relationship as well as working towards an understanding of how culpable either, or both of them, is for their daughter's death.

The discussions around how, and why, Lizzie and Dan became parents is so painful to read, their pain jumps off the page which only makes their loss more potent and destructive. The answers to the what happened, and why, are nit clear cut and further explore whether our motivations to become parents are truly altruistic, or are driven by a society which values it's propagation more than the toll on individuals .

It's a really interesting book with lots of narrative twists and turns to keep the most keen eyed reader engaged, and it deals with trauma, child loss, infertility and mental health in an unflinching yet compassionate way .

Laura Jarratt is a new to me author, but I look forward to reading more of her books in the future.

I must admit that prior to receiving an invite to take part in the blog tour for ‘Mother’, I hadn’t actually come across Laura Jarratt before. Having enjoyed reading ‘Mother’ as much as I did, I cannot believe that I missed her. ‘Mother’ is Laura’s debut adult novel and what a debut it is too! I thoroughly enjoyed reading ‘Mother’ but more about that in a bit.
‘Mother’ is being compared to books by Jodi Piccoult and Amanda Prowse. I can’t comment on the similarity to Jodi’s books because I have never read one of hers but I have read a few of Amanda’s books, which I really enjoyed. I knew that if Laura was being compared to Amanda, then she had some serious talent. I just knew that I was going to enjoy reading ‘Mother’ and I was spot on. I first picked up the book only intending to read a couple of chapters to make a start on the book and I became so wrapped up in the story that I was still sat there reading over half a dozen chapters later. I just had to keep reading and I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough. The characters intrigued me and I had to discover how the story panned out for them.
‘Mother’ is superbly written. Laura certainly knows how to grab your attention and draw you into what proves to be a compelling story. The story is written using two different timelines. One timeline focuses on the present day and the other timeline focuses on things as they happened at the time of the accident and the aftermath. I did wonder if this way of telling the story would be a tad confusing but I needn’t have worried because the past and present chapters interlink really well and the story flows seamlessly as a result. I felt as though I was part of the story and that’s all thanks to Laura’s very vivid and realistic storytelling. I found ‘Mother’ to be a gripping read, which held my attention throughout and kept me on the edge of my seat.
In short, I thoroughly enjoyed reading ‘Mother’ and I would recommend it to other readers. I will certainly be reading more of Laura’s work in the future. The score on the Ginger Book Geek board is a very well deserved 5* out of 5*.

Oh, my Goodness! For someone who is not fond of children, I have been reading quite a few books involving them, but I must say this one is very special. So special that it sparked a big conversation in the house! I love it when books make you feel but also think, really think, and you discover opinions can vary to the extreme. More on this later…

The book begins with quite a regular scene: a mother and two daughters ending their holiday with a trip to the village shop. The familiar setting was perfect to enable me to discover Lizzie, a woman for whom motherhood is everything (no, don’t worry, she never overdoes it!), and her very different girls: Becca and Portia. This opening was perfect to lure me into a sense of security. The narrative was precise and intriguing, even when describing the most mundane tasks.

Soon, however, all sense of safety left the pages. On their way back home, on a dark and empty road, Lizzie is blinded by lights, and the next seconds change her life forever.

I have no words strong enough to convey how immersive the author’s writing style is. I was in the car with Lizzie and the girls. I was in the lake. I was trapped by the water. I remember feeling panicky and anxious while reading, my knuckles white as my hands gripped the Kindle. Car crashes are terrible but imagine ending your trip in a lake! The shock, the cold, and… the terrible truth dawning on you. There is not enough time. Three went in, only two can get out.

To say I was shaken would be an understatement. If I thought I was diving into a nice thriller as I know them, I was wrong. The standard of the psychological exploration in Mother is outstanding. From that point on, the pages felt real: sometimes raw as papercuts, sometimes heart-wrenching, always, always putting words on feelings with such power, handling subjects such as grief with sensitivity.

What do you do when faced with an impossible choice? Lizzie can only save one of her children. But how do you choose which child deserves to live? The unfairness of the situation broke my heart and the desperation overwhelmed me. I was struck by it that I put the book down, went to my family, and asked them the question. How would you choose? How can you?! Answers were… direct, sincere, and we disagreed on a few things, such as the apparently evident solution: ‘choose the youngest!’ Thank you! I am the oldest child! You would let me die?! Jokes apart, it was thought-provoking and eye-opening to read about it and then share my thoughts on it with others. This was a brilliant surprise. I am a dog mama, not a kid mama, but I did my best to understand each point of view, and thanks to the amazing talent of Laura Jarratt, I was able to feel what a mother would feel.

The family is thrown into tragedy and there is no easy way out of it. Grief is a character in itself and it morphs into different shapes, hitting each character in a different way. Guilt is also around, hovering over the house like a dark cloud. What happened on this road? Why can’t Lizzie remember? Is the truth too much to bear? While the psychological element is present at all times, mystery suddenly blends in and adds another layer to Mother.

By the time this happened, I was already absolutely unable to tear myself away from the book and had formed different relationships with each protagonist. The threat pushing the family to its breaking point had my crime-lover brain run wild trying to figure out the who and why. Yet, the more I read, the clearer I saw that this thriller string of the plot was not just a tool to give chills to the story, but rather a magnificent way to take you on a terrible and yet somehow beautiful journey… I know, this is vague, but Mother is rich, so rich and it gives so much in terms of emotions and intrigue, that I prefer to keep some things quiet and let you experience it yourself.

Compulsive and fascinating, Mother is an astounding example of what’s best in psychological thrillers.

Lizzie is driving her two daughters home from a holiday break late at night when she has an accident and the car plummets off the road and into a deep like. She is then faced with a terrible choice- the car is sinking fast, all three of them are on the verge of drowning and she realises she only has the chance to save one of her children. Afterwards she is haunted by guilt, grief and self doubt, finding it hard to connect with her surviving daughter and her husband, who are both also traumatised and in mourning. Then the police start to question her- was she driving dangerously, possibly asleep at the wheel? Or were more sinister forces at work?
This is a deeply moving novel which examines a lot of big issues- personal responsibility, forgiveness, bereavement and particularly, what it means to be a mother. The mystery about what happened that night is gripping, but what is most striking is the portrayal of family love, in all its complexity, and how devastating loss can change everything you thought you knew, about yourself and your nearest and dearest.

Lizzie and her daughters are traveling back from their holiday. She's married but he stayed at home. She decided to travel late so he would be in bed by the time they got home so she wouldn't have to see him. On the journey home Lizzie has time to think about her home life. When she sees something in the road she swerves to avoid it and ends up in deep water. She can only save one of her daughters.

I really enjoyed reading this book. Full of emotions as she struggles to work out what happened. It makes you think what you would do in those circumstances.

The premise of Mother by Laura Jarratt, is a thought that would send a chill through any, and every Mother. There is an accident involving you and your two children, you only have time to save one. Lizzie understands, very quickly, she can either save Portia or Becca. What would you do? Who would you save? Why? This is the impossible and devastating predicament that Lizzie faces.

Mother is a character driven study of a family suffering grief. Grief affects everyone differently, at different times, and it’s outward symptoms vary hugely. This family is no different. Their grief is compounded and further complicated, by questions over the cause of the crash. As the situation develops, the pressures and stresses build.

In the acknowledgements, there are some reading group questions. The last of which is:
How big a part do you think guilt plays in Mother?
Personally I’ve always felt that a feeling of guilt, and Motherhood go hand in hand. I think many Mothers will be able to relate to wondering should they have done something differently or better; sooner or later, a conversation had more firmly or gently. Lizzie’s guilt is amplified by the accident, and her “choice”.

I really enjoyed this 4* book, and the journey that the family are forced upon. I look forward to reading other books by the author.

A new author for me, and one I would happily read from again! Enjoyed the book, realistic characters and an intriguing plotline, and what a totally unexpected twist. Would definitely recommend it to friends.

Such an emotional and chilling book. I really enjoyed it, although I found it uncomfortable to read at times when Lizzies grief was so raw. I really liked the twist and did not see it coming.

What an emotional book from start to finish. How one moment and one decision can change your world forever.

Lizzie is travelling home with her two girls when their car is involved in an accident. Unable to save both of her daughters Lizzie must make the decision which no mother wants to make .......... which girl to save.

After recovering from her injuries Lizzie is suffering from amnesia but the police believe this is a cover story and Lizzie actually fell asleep at the wheel. The whole family are trying to cope with the repercussions of the accident but suddenly things become a whole lot worse.

Can Lizzie remember what happened that night before it’s too late ? What did actually cause the accident ? Was it an accident ?

This is a great emotional thriller that will keep you hooked throughout. I absolutely loved Lizzie and her daughter, and loved seeing how their relationship changed throughout. Be prepared for an emotional time whilst reading this !!

Thank you to Orion Publishing Group and NetGalley for a digital copy of this book.

A mother is driving herself and her two daughters home from a holiday. Their father has stayed at home due to work pressures. On the way in the dark and driving rain there appear to be very bright lights which then seem straight in front of the windscreen. Lizzie swerves to avoid whatever it is but the car veers off the road, through the trees and into water- deep water. Lizzie comes to and realises she has one chance to save one daughter, not both. What a choice. Months later the police are trying to charge her for falling asleep at the wheel- something she vehemently denies- however she really can't remember what did happen. Is it someone from Dan’s past work- he is a criminal defence lawyer and has had a few threats in the past? Did Lizzie fall asleep? What is going on and why? I really enjoyed this-there is a wonderful air of tension to keep you within the pages and wanting to turn faster and faster. A breakthrough and then another dead end or twist- brilliantly written. A twist and a wonderful ending, I loved the last part between mother and daughter. A wonderful, highly enjoyable read.
(rest of links as part of blog tour)

Thanks to Netgalley and Publisher for this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Lizzie is travelling back from a vacation with her two daughters when she faced an accident and is unable to save both girls. She had to choose one. After the accident she is drowning in guilt and facing amnesia, she can't remember what was the reason behind the accident. Police think Lizzie slept while driving and the whole amnesia is just coverup. Lizzie's whole family is shattered and struggling in a different way. This book is about how one accident can break all the relations. 


After reading synopsis my expectations were so high but this book wasn't that good. Personally, I didn't like the story though I felt for characters the story was just meh for me. The pace of the story was slow and twists weren't enough to make me like it.

I started reading this after a night shift and I could not go to sleep until I found out which daughter died. It was intense!

This really is a story that has you questioning what you would do in that situation. It is a raw and unfiltered take on loss and grief and unlike anything I've read before.

I did feel that, at some parts, the dialogue was a bit repetitive. But actually, grief IS repetitive. You go through the motions thinking and feeling the same things, day in, day out.

This book has reignited my love of thrillers and I urge any thriller fans to read this.
4/5 stars

“Everything is do is for my daughters. Everything.” Lizzie Fulton’s words begin Mother, an unputdownable story of loss, grief and the courage to go on.

While driving on a dark country road after a vacation, Lizzie’s car is run off the road. She careens into a pond and the vehicle sinks rapidly. Her two daughters are asleep in the back seat. As water fills the car, she only has time to save one girl. Who does she pick and why?

After she and her daughter recover, Lizzie and her husband Dan have understandable difficulty returning to their normal routines. Complicating this is the involvement of the police who have suspicions about the cause of the accident. Both Lizzie and Dan are lawyers. Could something or someone from their past be involved in this tragedy?

Mother is a raw, emotional read. Lizzie’s grief is palpable while Dan’s eats away at him. Both struggle with their relationship to each other and their surviving daughter. Mother is simply haunting. 5 stars.

Thank you to NetGalley, Orion Publishing Group and Laura Jarratt for this ARC.

A really enjoyable and at time emotional read!

This is a story about grief and loss. How does a relationship or marriage survive the loss of a child? We all deal with trauma in different ways and it can either pull people together or break them apart.

It's the story of Lizz whos car goes down a bank and crashes into a river. Her two daughters are with her but there's only time to save one of them. What a horrible choice to have to make and in a split second! How do you live with this guilt?
Then there's the question about how the accident happened? She cant remember. Did she fall asleep behind the wheel or did something more sinister happen? Will they be able to get closure and survive as a family or will the guilt destroy them?
Although I caught on to the clue left early on in the book by the author I still thoroughly enjoyed this read.

Thank you to NetGalley and Orion Publishing Group for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

Thanks to Orion Publishing and Netgalley for a review copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I went into this book knowing there is a car accident and the mum has to choose who to save. As you can see by the cover, this is a big part of the book right? No. That part is all done by the 10% mark. So less than 50 pages in you find out the choice and the reasons for it. So really, this is book is about the aftermath of a choice.
It was wrapped up so quickly I thought maybe we would see how it would unravel if the choice was reversed as well.
I think overall I expected more of the choice part, or the reveal to not come quite so quickly.
Really I just wanted more.

I liked the sound of this book and I wasn't disappointed .What a dichotomy to find your self faced with. No matter what you do you will have doubts and beat yourself up. Not saying anymore, I want other readers to read the book with an open mind as I did, and enjoy the process.

When Lizzie is involved in a car accident driving home from holiday with her two daughters, she faces an unthinkable decision.
The book looks at the aftermath of her decision and how her and her family try to move on.
I book hooked me straight away but if I’m honest I didn’t particularly warm to any of the characters. The book was uncomfortable to read at times due to the fact I am a mother myself and it did get you wondering what you’d do if you were ever in Lizzie’s unenviable position.

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and of course the author for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.