This is a book that had me guessing who was telling the truth with plenty of twists and turns.
A well developed book with a great ending. I’d certainly recommend it.

An entertaining read that kept me guessing throughout the whole story! Thank you to Netgalley & Sheryl Browne for the opportunity to read this novel for an honest review!

New mom, Eve, receives a phone call from her mother after the birth of her son, Kai. Eve has been estranged from her, but surprisingly invites her mother to meet Kai. Bad mistake because the past reoccurs again! This is a slow burn thriller. Thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for a copy.

Secrets, secrets and more secrets. That sums it up pretty well. There are multiple narrators, the women, in dual timelines, telling the story of these unlikable characters doing some not so nice things. I was trying to piece together what was up and what might be the common thread in the eerily similar situations. I should point out that while I didn’t much like the characters I did want to know what happened and who, if anyone, was behind the issues with the children. I find I do not need to like the characters in order to enjoy the book, especially a thriller.

Through a few twists and turns, and a couple of wrong guesses, the end was not where I thought we were headed. This one kept me on my toes.

If you like a domestic thrillers with secrets galore, you’ll love this one.

This book started off well but then i began to lose interest. Too many characters and timelines were introduced at once and I got confused. I struggled to finish this book as by the end I just didn’t care. I felt it was a bit all over the place and I didn’t understand the ending.

Thanks to #netgalley for the ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review. Another gripping thriller from Sheryl Browne. Eve and Dom have a baby, Kai, in our present timeline.
Lydia and David are Eve's parents in the past timeline. There are some on page scenes of domestic violence by David. Chloe has been Eve's best friend since childhood and she's married to Steve. Chloe wasn't a great friend and wasn't always nice to Eve. Packed with suspense and an uneasy creepiness throughout, this was a book packed with family secrets, multiple POVs, dual timelines. I loved how slowly the depth to the secrets and what was going on and had gone on was revealed to us and just when I thought I had it all worked out in my head, Sheryl came along with her writing sleight of hand and pulled the rug out from under me. This was a mesmerising and highly enjoyable thriller read. #sherylbrowne #herfirstchild #netgalley #tea_sipping_bookworm #goodreads #litsy #thestorygraph #amazonaustralia #bookqueen #bookstagram #thriller

Browne is one of the queens of psychological thriller writing and you know you're in for an absolutely crazy roller coaster ride when you start one of her books.

It had me at the prologue and from then on Her First Child was fast paced, adrenalin fuelled, twisty, suspenseful and everything that a good thriller needs.

The characters are cleverly crafted and they will keep you guessing throughout the pages, no-one is what they seem!

For those that are easily triggered; Domestic abuse, Mental health and Munchausens are mentioned, so as you can gather the book is quite dark in places.

The story is well plotted, realistic
and highly engrossing.

Many thanks to Bookouture for my tour spot.

Rating ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Sheryl Browne is one of my favorite Bookouture authors. Her First Child is the tenth book I have had the privilege of reading by this talented author. No matter the setting, Sheryl Browne has always delivered. That proved to be just the case with her latest offering.

In this thrilling read, we see Eve as a mother to baby Kai. Eve cannot forget tragic memories of her past, especially when her mother Lydia insists on coming back into her life. Eve and Lydia’s relationship had never been very good, and was made virtually nonexistent when Eve lost her baby brother Jacob years ago. She can’t help but wonder if her son Kai will suffer the same tragic fate as Jacob with Lydia now back in the picture.

Jacob’s sad little life plays over and over for Eve. Any changes, any irregularities make Eve worry about Kai. This fear increases when Lydia comes for a visit. As this is a psychological thriller, there are different facets to this story. Not only do we have the fear Eve is experiencing, there are also issues involving sickness, mental illness, abuse and more, even Munchausen by proxy.

Despite Eve’s tragic childhood past, she has become a successful doctor, is in a strong marriage, and is now a happy young mother. There are secrets of the past, and the question is whether or not her past will clash with her present. In fact, this is when Eve becomes what is known some readers as an unreliable narrator. Perhaps she started off as someone that we would be rooting for, but with skill and talent, Sheryl Browne takes readers down a different path.

What a fabulous read. This is a book that should come with a warning. This book will be impossible to put down. Putting the pieces of this story together, blending the past with the present, then factor in deceit, lies, secrets and sensitive issues, all resulting in a powerful conclusion. Her First Child is a completely satisfying read.

Many thanks to Bookouture and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

Please enjoy my YouTube video review - https://youtu.be/faGNhxv9EP8

Her First Child
by Sheryl Browne
Pub Date: 08 Dec 2022

"Her First Child" is about two woman separated by a generation. A mother, daughter coming together over a young child.

New mother, Eve is overwhelmed with her new baby. She can't forget the memories of her childhood.

"Her First Child" is a Domestic Psychological Thriller you will NOT be able to put down once you start reading!

Thank you #NetGalley, #HerFirstChild and the publisher #Bookouture for an e-ARC. All opinions are my own.

I happened to meet Sheryl Browne recently, at a book signing event organised by her fellow author, Jamie-Lee Brooke. At that time, I had to admit to not having read any of Sheryl's books - though I had heard of them - so I asked her straight out which one she would recommend to a first-time reader. Without hesitation, she suggested 'Her First Child' and promptly signed a copy for me.

There was, as it turned out, just one tiny problem. Somehow, I had entirely forgotten that I had signed up to Bookouture's blog tour for the same book and already had an electronic copy on my kindle. It wasn't until a week or so later, when I was trying to organise my reading list to suit upcoming blog tour dates, that I realised my mistake. By which time I had already devoured my paperback copy of the book in question.

Devoured is the right word because, wow, this book is a page-turner. The reader is introduced to Eve, who initially seems to have - and deserve - everything she had ever wished for: her successful career as a doctor, her loving husband Dom and baby Kai. But we learn straight away that she is hiding something. Because why else would she be so terrified at the very thought of her estranged mother, Lydia, paying an overnight visit?

The story continues to be told from the narratives of Eve, Lydia and Eve's best friend Chloe and includes past and present timelines. Sound confusing? It isn't. And it's a big testament to the author that the story not only flows, but also manages to be fast-paced and sensitive at the same time. 'Her First Child' is not by any means the first book I've read that has tackled the issues of Munchausen's syndrome by proxy, or of domestic abuse. But I can honestly say that I have never come across a book that not only combines these issues, but also looks compassionately at the root causes of each, as well as this one does.

And yet there's still more to it. Because Sheryl Browne also managed to play with my head to the point where my perceptions of, and feelings towards all of the main characters slowly underwent a change almost without my being aware of it. In the beginning, and for much of the book, my sympathies were absolutely with Eve. So as I continued to race through page after page, it came as something of a shock for me to realise at about 70% in that actually, they weren't any more.

It's a great read that I'd unhesitatingly recommend to any fan of psychological thrillers. However, I did have just a couple of small problems. Firstly, and without wanting to give away spoilers, there's the issue of one character having to keep a closely-guarded secret from another, and having to be persuaded to divulge it. Reveal that secret too soon and the dialogue becomes unrealistically slick. Too late and the book becomes repetitious to the point of being frustrating. Given that this is very much a subjective issue, for an author to find the right balance to suit all of her readers is clearly impossible. But I have to say that for me, this book leaned a little - just a little - too far towards the latter.

My second problem is also subjective, but it concerns the ending. For me, the best psychological thrillers are those that can clearly reveal the truth in a way that I hadn't seen coming, but can realise how all of the clues that I've been given piece together. This book isn't like that. It left me confused as to how much of what each character is saying was true, and indeed who had done what. I read the final chapters again and still couldn't work it out.

It does appear that this may have been intentional, in which case: fair play Sheryl, you've certainly got me thinking. The problem is that my thoughts are along the lines of "er ... um ... what ...?" This is absolutely no bad thing, but it's not as good as the "wow" that I had been hoping for.

The book still gets a well-deserved four stars, though, and perhaps the best endorsement I can give is that I really wish I now had another book by the same author to read. When's your next book signing, Sheryl?

My thanks to Netgalley for the digital ARC, Bookouture for my inclusion on the blog tour and the author for, well, everything really. I will post my review on Goodreads, Amazon and my personal blog.

Deception and lies!
When her past comes knocking Eve's whole world is flipped upside down.
A distant and emotionally abusive mother made Eve into who she is today and she feels unworthy of love and fearful she'll lose her son.

With unreliable narrators which add to the whodunnit aspect of the story you don't know who to believe. Some of the topics covered are toxic friendships, trust issues, domestic abuse, munchausen syndrome by proxy but all are covered with sensitivity.

This book is in dual point of view, switching seamlessly between past and present, it's easy to follow the timeline.
Everyone appears to be guilty of something, this twisty, turny novel is sure to kerp you on the edge of your seat!

Read the last chapter carefully, read between the lines, all will be revealed. The prologue and epilogue form a full circle and complete things beautiful.From the gripping prologue, to the anxiety inducing chapters this psychological thriller is top notch.

Thank you netgalley and bookouture for this arc copy in exchange for my honest opinions .

★★★★★ 4.5 stars (rounded up)

I can't believe this is my tenth book by the masterful Sheryl Browne! I knew from past experience that I was going to be in for an enjoyable ride...and I wasn't wrong. HER FIRST CHILD, at first glance, appears to be the usual domestic thriller trope but the further we get into the story, the more we discover that it is anything but. Browne loves to take diverse topics and build her cleverly woven tales around them, creating thrilling yet emotive plots that will keep readers turning the pages long into the night.

New mother Eve has the perfect life with her perfect husband, perfect home and perfect job as a GP. It's all she has ever wanted and more than she ever thought she deserved. Her son Kai is just two months old and Eve is understandably very protective of him...even moreso when her own mother Lydia arrives unannounced and rather unwelcome, bringing with her long forgotten memories of her horrific childhood and a past she prefers to keep buried. Her husband Dom can't understand Eve's behaviour but then she's never shared her past with him either...and he can't understand why she feels she can't confide in him. But the longer Lydia is here, the greater the risk she will let something slip. And Eve can't risk that...for her past, her childhood, is far too painful.

Eve's childhood was one of anger, abuse and fear. Her father was a controlling man who used coercive abuse to control her mother and by default controlling her also. Her mother's weapon was silence. She wouldn't speak to Eve, almost pretending she wasn't there. Her childhood home was not a happy one, filled with emotional and psychological abuse that she had to tiptoe around. And no one was there to love her or protect her...no one except Chloe. She was her only solace; her only friend. Chloe knew everything about her - all her secrets, her pain, her fear and her sadness - and still she remained.

But now Eve is an adult and Chloe is still her best friend, living just a few doors down with her husband Steve and two children. Neither woman is thrilled when Lydia arrives and when she is found in her son Kai's nursery, Eve is immediately suspicious. Whatever reason she is here for, Eve does not want her mother anywhere near her son. Ever. On that she is clear. Which only serves to confuse Dom even further. Why does Eve hate her mother so much? Why doesn't she want him near Kai? And why won't she tell him anything about her childhood? She refuses to talk to him so Dom can only draw his own conclusions...that she doesn't trust him enough. But is it really that simple?

And then he discovers Eve had a baby brother, Jacob, who died. But what he can't fathom is how. And no one - not Eve, not Chloe and not Lydia - will tell him. All Eve will say is that she doesn't want her mother anywhere near their son. Surely, that speaks for itself?

But like all domestic psychological thrillers, just when you think you have it all figured out and can see the reveal a mile away, along comes another twist and another and another which turns everything about-face and upside down that will leave you reeling with whiplash.

HER FIRST CHILD is filled with secrets, lies and trauma on a massive scale that you can really sympathise with. It tears at your heart that you just want to take the child, throw your arms around them and whisk them away to safety. But then we wouldn't have this story to tell, would we? I mean, this book has it all - family drama, bullying, coercive control, emotional and psychological abuse, jealousy, trauma, lies and oh so many secrets. And then there is the illnesses - real, imagined and mental - which just propels readers into a tangled web of lies, trauma and secrets.

The characters were well developed and mostly unlikeable, with Chloe being the top of my list. I really loathed her. She had this passive aggressive thing going and a secret jealousy for someone who was supposed to be her best friend...and then went on to count the ways. I just wanted to slap her into the middle of the next millennium. But each of them had their own level of awfulness to contribute.

There is definitely more than meets the eye in this tale of domestic suspense and psychological drama. Browne has peppered clues all the way through, drip-feeding us little by little and ending with a bit of a surprise twist, leaving readers wondering. It really does need you to think about it at the end...I was left scratching my head at first. I thought I had it figured out long before the reveal but then I questioned myself. And then it becomes clear...sort of. lol

I thoroughly enjoyed HER FIRST CHILD and all its nuances. It definitely left me wondering...maybe a little too much? But thank you Sheryl for clearing it up for me. I wasn't wrong after all.

I would like to thank #SherylBrowne, #NetGalley and #Bookouture for an ARC of #HerFirstChild in exchange for an honest review.

This review appears on my blog at https://stinathebookaholic.blogspot.com/.

I am a new reader of psychological thrillers. As a new reader of this genre, I am drawn to the synopsis of the books, and I have enjoyed the ones I have read. The pace of this one is fast; you never really know what to expect.
This is my first read by this author and I am open to reading more by her.
The story was very suspenseful, I thought I understood what was going on but then it flowed into another scenario, another possibility.
Who can you trust when relationships are based on neediness and lies. Oh, so many lies.
What is good in this life, what is bad? You think you know, but you don't.
Betrayal, abuse, neglect, despair, tension, you will find this and more.
A mother unable to do the one thing she was made to do, protect her children. As her daughter grows into a woman will she inherit her mother's mannerisms, her silence, the madness, the inability to cope with reality?
In this dual timeline, there is a lot of covering up, hiding the bad, the secrets must never see the light of day. Twists and turns with a very unexpected ending.

I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.
1 like

While this was a good book it was VERY confusing!! I almost gave up very early on because I was confused on what time period we were in and who the narrator at the time was. I powered through and made it. Overall I would give it a 2.5 rounded up to 3 as it was good but nothing memorable.

I’ve said it before and I will say it again “Sheryl is the queen of (blow your socks off) last sentences”. She also knows exactly how to pique your interest with a humdinger of a prologue. This one leaves you with a perfect what the hell to entice you into the story.

Without visiting spoiler territory this is a well researched and thought out book. At its heart are women and their relationships, the good the bad and the ugly. Mothers and daughters, friendships, marriages and every character brings a mistrust at how reliable their narration is.

With Eve the main character also being an over protective new mum does she have have good reason for her mistrust or is she just overwhelmed with a baby, a stressful job, a fairly new husband and her mothers unexpected visit?

The sensitive topics have been delicately handled and this book kept me guessing at not only the who but the who knew and the lengths people will go to for love.

I enjoyed this book immensely!

The tension starts as soon as you turn to the first page which has you straight away on the edge of your seat.

As the story progresses even further it had me glued to the pages and waiting to see what happened.

This book is full of cliff hangers, twists and turns, betrayal and tension and suspense on every page.

Highly recommend

The description of Her First Child gave me the chills and I could not wait to dive into it. I was not disappointed, it had me gripped immediately with its interesting and intriguing characters. The story was a complete rollercoaster from start to finish and had so many twists and turns that my head was in a spin and I did not know what was coming next. I absolutely loved this story and I cannot recommend it highly enough.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for my ARC.

Gripping, absorbing and clever! Her First Child was like a roller coaster ride on the way to the truth! Ever read a book where you KNOW what is going to happen. You have it ALL figured out. I mean you could see the REVEAL coming from a mile away, and then, the author brings out multiple twists and reveals which leave you reeling and knowing you didn't as much as you thought you did! That was this book!

Eve and her husband, Dom are proud parents to their baby, Kai. Eve is very protective of him and vows she will not be the mother to him that her mother was to her. Eve grew up tiptoeing around the anger, abuse and heavy mood in her home. The only solace she had was her best friend, Chloe. Eve is so happy that her son is growing up in a home with love. But then her mother, Lydia called with bad news and things take a turn. When Lydia arrives, Eve is reminded of her horrific childhood and is fearful for her son. Dom can't understand why Eve is acting strangely and it is soon obvious that she has been keeping secrets from him and is concerned about what her mother might tell him.

Secrets flow through this book like water. There are secrets and then there are family secrets! A not-so-happy mother child reunion proves to be the catalyst for change....

This book is told through the POV's of Eve, Chloe and Lydia. Each provides insight into the present and the past in dual timelines. This really worked for me and soon, I found that there was more going on with the characters in this book than originally met the eye. The characters are not the most likeable lot, yet they are all incredibly interesting. As I mentioned earlier, I thought I had things figured out and found quickly that I was shocked and fooled.

Another shocking, gripping, entertaining, hard to put down, page turner from Sheryl Browne! She kept me on my toes and wanting to know more.!


#HerFirstChild #NetGalley #Bookouture #SherylBrowne

When it comes to baby Ky, EV is overprotective she is even hesitant about letting Dom Ky’s dad and her husband take care of him on his own. It all has to do with childhood events she would rather not talk about and the only one who knows is Clo her best friend, but Clo is having problems of her own. When EV‘s mom comes to visit a 999 has to be called it brings up every fear EV has is Evie right to be so overprotective or does the lady protest too much? This was a really good book and of course there’s way more to it than the short summary I’ve written but I don’t like reviews where they tell you everything that’s going to happen and find it so much better with just a skeletal description. Just know if you’re looking for a twist they have them if you’re looking for thrilling events it’s in here do you like the seat you got it this book is so much going for it and all good things I really enjoyed it and highly recommend it. I received this book from NetGalley and Bookouture ,but I am leaving this review voluntarily please forgive any mistakes as I am blind and dictate my review.

There’s a lot of questions that are left unanswered for me in this book.
Something really bad happened in Eve’s childhood, an incident that involved her mother, younger brother, and two friends.
Trying to sort all of the information out was difficult because it was so gnarled and taut.
I think all of the characters lied and ultimately I couldn’t discern who wasn’t lying.
The ending left me hanging. I had to read it 3 times but I was still left hanging.
The whole thing was muddled and I don’t like not knowing what happened.