Member Reviews
Thank you Netgalley and HQ and sorry I took so long to read this.
I am in two minds about this book - I liked it / I didn't like it - this was because it was a little far fetched in places and just didn't sit right with me.
But I suppose its a story not real life.
Hence the 3 stars.
I couldn't read this as an ebook for some reason so will get it when it comes out! Sorry! (Leaving a 4 star review to be fair.)
I really enjoyed the synopsis on this one but was sadly disappointed and felt this was very unbelievable. Sadly not for me this one.
Books with the "moms/neighbor murder" trope can be a bit of a gamble for me, and this one lands right in the middle. The story kicks off with a bang but tends to unravel slowly after that, making it an average read overall.
Rosie O’Connell is juggling a lot—her son's struggles at Woolf Academy, a rocky marriage, and a chaotic home life, all while she works a dead-end job and feels like an outsider among the other mothers. These moms, known as The Circle, run the school and are led by the seemingly perfect Amala Kaur. They enjoy perks like exclusive business opportunities and social status in exchange for their contributions and involvement.
When one of The Circle members is found dead, Rosie is unexpectedly invited into their exclusive group. She hopes this new connection might turn things around for her family, but as she delves deeper, she starts to suspect that joining The Circle could be a huge mistake.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
An enjoyable read overall, a little far fetched in places, but it is a fictional book after all!
Thank you to NetGalley and HQ for letting me review this ARC.
I loved this book! A twisty tale that keeps you gripped. So many twists towards the end i felt dizzy.
A great read.
A fascinating and heartbreaking book that was a completely emotional rollercoaster.
I would highly recommend if your looking for a book that will make you go through a thousand emotions
I absolutely loved this author's first novel so I was very excited to read this one. In my view it wasn't quite hitting the same notes but good read nonetheless. Very sharp observational skills and I love the writing. I would definitely read another book by this author.
I really thought I would enjoy this book. I had high expectations after hearing so many rave reviews, unfortunately it just wasn’t for me. I felt like it was slightly cheesy and just hard to get into. I ended up DNFing the book.
This book left me feeling so disappointed. The plot is so far fetched. I couldn’t connect with any of the characters. I DNFed at 41%
Oh yes! This is exactly the kind of book we like.
How far would a mother go to get the very best for their child?
How far would they push their family in the pursuit of the 'perfect life'?
What would you sacrifice?
This was such a gripping, twisty read.
Really enjoyed this - will definitely be recommending and looking forward to the next one by this author!
I love this author. The author's unfiltered intensity returns, showcasing her remarkable ability to capture every human nuance with breathtaking precision. She weaves a narrative filled with situations and characters that elicit visceral reactions, presenting a story where each word holds significance and contributes to the narrative's excellence.
However, this time, the storyline struck me as somewhat implausible. It unfolds within a school environment where mothers are willing to go to extreme lengths to be part of the coveted 'inner circle,' all under the watchful eye of a leader—a true sociopath and narcissist. This character exudes shocking and vile qualities, creating a sense of both horror and fascination. Once these mothers enter 'the circle,' their lives are no longer their own.
While the plot may seem far-fetched, and it is, if you can overcome this aspect (as I did), you'll find yourself hanging on every word as the story progresses, delving deeper into darkness and reaching pitch-black intensity.
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for sending a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.
The book takes readers through a mesmerising maze of secrets and lies. The intricate plot, filled with unexpected twists, paints a vivid picture of a world where nothing is as it seems.
A mother who is an outsider to the group of wealthy yummy mummies, tries to find her way inside the inner circle to get her son into a prestigious school and all it promises.
She attended the school in its previous guise and is still haunted by the taunts of her bullies, and the legacy of her father.
But the other mums are also harbouring their own secrets in a lethal power struggle.
An interesting and intriguing insight into motherhood. I love these kinds of books as they are always so real and raw. A true look at what it means, and what it takes to be a mother. An entertaining read, one that will stay with you for a while yet.
Thank you Netgally for the ARC.
Rose O'Connell will do anything to be the best mum for her son and one of those things is giving him the education she feels she didn't have. When The Woolfe opens Rose knows she must do anything to get him in there but to be truly part of The Woolfe she has to be part of The Circle. The inner sanctum of the elite parents that have the say on what and who goes at the school.
When one member of The Circle seemingly commits suicide Rose sees her chance to become of the the parents on the inside and grabs it with both hands. But just what has Rose joined and what is she wiling to sacrifice for The Circle and The Woolfe as it seems some people would kill for the chance.
I really enjoyed most of this and if you can see past some of the more far fetched parts and just let go it's a great read. Some of the characters are a little annoying especially Rose's husband. I would have loved to have given him a good shake. Rose was also a little frustrating in parts but came good in the end.
When Rose enrolls her young son in a new school she soon comes across The Circle. This is a group of school mums who all hold power - both in life and in the school.
I am so lucky that the school that my children go to is not like the one in the book. I have a lovely group of mum friends but the characters in this book were awful to each other. I thought it was written so very well and it really had me on edge throughout the book. I love the fact that it was such a twisty thriller - I really struggled to put this book down. This was my first book by this author but I’d definitely read more- so good.
Why did it take me so long to get to this book? It was AMAZING! Once I picked it up I couldn't put it down. The ending had me speechless. Just fantastic.
Well! This was a rollercoaster of a ride that I wasn't expecting. I deliberately chose not to read any reviews of this book before I dived in, and I only skimmed over the back cover blurb. I'd like to say that was because I enjoy the element of surprise - which to a point, I do.
But in truth, I didn't have the time. I digress...
Such a Good Mother is the very definition of a 'page turner', once you've started reading, you won't be able to put it down. I suffered several late nights whilst desperate to find out what happened next. And that (apparently) much discussed ending? Let's just say it doesn't disappoint.
Rose O'Connell aspires to be the perfect Mother. To give her son Charlie the best possible start in life, and the education that she never had. She hopes that by enrolling him to the over subscribed, elite local primary school that she is doing just that.
Rose knows that her family doesn't fit in with the School's 'ideal', but she is prepared to do anything to help Charlie fit in amongst the more affluent pupils. When she is invited to join 'the Circle' an elite group of beautiful, wealthy and connected parents, she can't believe her luck.
Soon her life and that of her family is on the up, they are seeming unstoppable. But there is something about the other members of the Circle, and their leader, the school's principal that doesn't quite sit right with Rose.
At first she thinks its because she doesn't fit in.. but she doesn't care, her social status is climbing, Charlie is settling in at School, and her self-employed husband has work suddenly pouring in. They say that things that seem to be too good to be true usually are.
By the time Rose realises that all is certainly not as it seems, its too late. They are all in too deep....