I haven't read @sheilaann.norton books before but I will definitely read more after reading this beautifully written emotional story. I found Jess so relatable and genuine and I desperate for her to see what a wonderful mother she was. I think this book had such a heartfelt narrative, along with a perfectly pitched element of suspense that kept me turning the pages hoping for a positive conclusion to the story. If you like a family drama with a meaningful message and a strong female lead then this is perfect. #agoodenoughmother @theboldbookclub #netgalley #motherhood #singlemother #sheilanorton

Jess has a lot on her plate. The single mother of two young children she is often harried and overwhelmed. A godsend seems to have been delivered when her downstairs neighbors take an active interest in her and her children providing childcare and support.
Much of the novel is Jess second guessing herself and wondering if Mia’ stories are just tall tales. I thought it was admirable and correct of Jess to follow up on some of the stories but she also seemed very neurotic.
I liked how Jess grew in confidence and wasn’t surprised at the root of the all I’d the stories.
Jess has a much more forgiving heart than I do but I also think much of her magnanimous attitude rested in the fact she relied on Helen and Robert a great deal. However once trust is broken it is hard to restore.
I think Norton effectively captured the hardships of being on your own and the need for back up especially when rearing kids.

When this young woman asks herself is she "good enough" to take care of her children, it will break your heart. The story line eventually proves to her that she is indeed good enough, but it's a tough lesson that takes readers on an emotional journey through her troubled life.

Thoroughly enjoyed this book with a few twists that kept me turning the pages. Loved, Jess a single mom trying to raise her two small children and working full time. Many young mothers will be able to identify with what Jess is going through, trying to balance life. I want to say more but don't want to ruin the story. I highly recommend this book.

A hardworking single mother only wants to do what’s best for her children. When the new neighbors offer to watch her children so she can work more Jess is wary but the kids are happy and she needs the money.
This is a story about relationships and trusting your instincts. A great read that will keep you trying to guess the ending.

This highlights the plight of single mothers without a good support system. Throw in a vengeful ex plus a child with an ‘overactive imagination’ and you have the plot of a good enough mother.

The book follows the story of Jess, a mum of two, who is increasingly having to rely on her neighbours for help with childcare.

Jess is in a precarious position- torn between a child who is telling tales and a helpful neighbour with her own idea of child raising.

This was told in a most candid way. I love the way the author has raised some valid points on child care- old versus new school of parenting.

I enjoyed the suspense- the feeling of not knowing what was happening next. I loved how relatable the story and characters were. I was expecting something more sinister but I’m glad everything worked out well.

I love that Jess’ had very valid feelings and was able to trust her instincts and reconcile with her dad.

If you enjoy women’s fiction with some bits of suspense then you will like this.

I received an advanced copy but read this via Kindle Unlimited and the review is mine and voluntary.

A Good Enough Mother is an excellent domestic drama that had me completely captivated right from the very start. I loved all the characters, especially four year old Mia, she just melted my heart and I loved the way she pronounced certain words. As I was reading this book it was so obvious how much Mia cared for her children and just wanted what was best for them. I’m not going to go into details about the actual story as I think it’s hard to avoid spoilers. About half way through I was certain I knew the path this read was going to go but I was in fact proven wrong. For me this was an emotional read in parts and one that I would definitely recommend.

The book offered more than it gave! A very easy read but extremely predictable. Nothing to grip you into the story. Such a shame!

A Good Enough Mother is a breathtaking novel of a single mother just trying her hardest to be the best mother and making sure that her children are happy and safe. Jess is a single working mother and is struggling trying to keep her job and bring up her kids on her own with no help. A thought provoking story that I loved from the start to the end. I think what made it so endearing for me was Mia, Jess's four year old daughter as the author did a great job articulating how a four year old talks and I also liked how sassy she could be and her protectiveness over her baby brother melted my heart. A story of family, love, neighbours, drama and domestic violence. I held my breath through the tough times and giggled with joy through the happiness. I am going to say that this is going to be in my top three reads for this year as I instantly adored everything about this book!

A heartbreaking and uplifting story about the choices a mother makes for the sake of her children, perfect for fans of Jodi Picoult, Emma Robinson and Kate Hewitt.

I got sucked into this one right from page one and couldn’t wait to be able to pick it up again to read more. I am a sucker for books about families, children, and some kind of trouble or drama, and this one had it all. As much as I disliked some of the characters, or choices that some characters made, I wouldn’t have wanted any of it to change because it worked! I got a big kick out of Mia, she was my favorite character of all. My heart ached for her when she was feeling sad or frustrated, and I felt so emotional when she was so happy about the smallest things and when she was feeling safe and loved. I couldn’t help but feel sorry for Jess as she struggled with trying to do the right thing for her two kids while being a full time working single mom. I enjoyed this book, it had just enough going on to keep you drawn in and interested to the end.

"...they know how much I love them...I do the best I can...And I think...that makes me. if not a great mother...at least good enough."

We all go through it. The self doubts. The fear of getting it wrong...of doing unintentional harm. As a single Mom to now two grown sons there was so much I related to in the thought provoking A Good Enough Mother by domestic drama author Sheila Norton.

Jess has it hard as a single Mom with no support system. She bravely divorced her abusive husband and got full custody of her precocious 4 year old Mia and adorable 18 month old Archie. Some days juggling work, preschool and day care with public transportation takes all her strength. So when retired couple Helen and Robert move in downstairs and offer to help with the kids it's a beautiful thing...until...

Mia starts to not want to go to Auntie Helen, then tells stories of the queen being mean to the princess. But perhaps the most disturbing moment is when Mia insists she saw her father when she was with Helen and Robert. Jess knows Mia makes up stories but as Mia stories get more frequent and upsetting Jess can't help having "a lingering feeling" that the generous couple downstairs are setting her up to steal her children away.

The writer takes her time letting us understand Jess, losing her Mom young, then falling out with her Dad and second guessing every decision. It isn't until the end of the book that the truth is revealed and, honestly, my thriller brain had a much more nefarious theory about everything lol. In the end Jess has a more forgiving heart than me but then again as a good enough mother, when protecting my kids, I may forgive but never forget.

I received a free copy of this book from #boldwoodbooks via #NetGalley for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.

Awww such an emotional book to read. Compelling to the extent I was unable to put it down. Well done Sheila for tackling an emotive subject.

Sheila Norton is a new author to me, but when I googled her I discovered she has written 25 contemporary novels with many different sub genres. This , her latest book is an emotional read that had me hooked from the first page. It is about a single mother Jess and her two children Mia and Archie who get new neighbours, Helen and Robert, in the apartment below. Helen bears an uncanny resemblance to Jess's deceased mother and Jess immediately feels a bond with her. When she offers to look after the children while Jess works she is delighted and very appreciative. As time goes on however, Jess begins to have doubts about what motivates Helen and Robert to be so helpful, and this causes tension in their relationship.
This is a lovely story, well written, with a few twists and turns along the way. I was happy with the ending and did not anticipate it. I think it would make a nice tv drama. I am looking forward to reading some more of Sheila Norton's books.

I very much enjoyed this one even when I was frustrated with some of the characters throughout the story, we meet single Mum of two, Jess as she navigates life and work and doing the best for her beautiful children Mia and Archie.

Jess, lost her mum when she was fourteen and this was so hard for her, especially when her father was grieving so much and at seventeen Jess went off the rails and found herself falling for the wrong guy and pregnant this caused a big rift between father and daughter and when pregnant with her second child she knew she had to leave. A new address a new life and all seems well.

When new neighbours, Helen and Robert move into the building and Jess is struggling with work, school and nursey but when they offer to help mind the kids, Jess takes a chance but soon she is worried if she has made the right decision when Mia is telling stories about being punished and seeing her estranged father Jess gets even more worried, are Helen and Robert up to something are her kids safe and what’s more is she a good enough mother?

This is a very good story with lots of twists, I really liked Jess after all she had been through, worry about being a good mother to stay strong for her children, I do highly recommend this one it will have any reader turning the pages.

My thanks to the publisher Boldwood Books and Netgalley for my copy to read and review.

Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the ARC (Advance Reader Copy) of A Good Enough Mother by Sheila Norton. I enjoyed this book a lot. It is about the choices a mother makes when raising her children. She always tries to do what is best for the children but sometimes the choices she needs to make are not on a clear path. The story includes an estranged parent and an abusive relationship, and lies all around. The book shares realistic struggles of a single parent and there are many joyful moments as well. I would definitely recommend this book. I gave it a 5 star rating!

Firstly thank you Netgalley for this Arc

What a lovely story about a single mum raising her children so many emotions and the struggle she goes through

✨️ Book Tour ✨️

When I was contacted by Boldwood Books to join this book tour I wasn't sure because I have so many pending books, but I'm so glad I joined!!! Loved the book!!!!! As a divorced mom myself I felt identified but also as a survivor of domestic violence myself, a survivor of a narcissist. The FMC, Jess, is a strong young single mom dealing with a lot while being a lovely mother to her two kids. I really wanted to give her a hug.

Now, as she is struggling, she starts to depend on her new neighbors, an elderly couple, who are eager to help her with her kids. And there's where the story becomes addictive. There was no way I was putting it down, I literally started reading the book around 10 am and couldn't put it down until around 4 am hahaha I'm so glad it was the weekend!!!! And how I melted while reading about Jess and her dad!!!!

The story has important TW as abuse, be aware. But, it was a fast addictive read overall. I definitely recommend it !!!

Thank you Boldwood Books, Netgalley and author for my arc and for inviting me to the book tour. My pleasure!!!!

A really great read. I really enjoyed this story, Jess is a single mother bringing up her children on her own after leaving her abusive partner and she has no contact with her widowed dad so when she has problems with childcare she accepts her neighbour's offer of help which seems to be going well but soon after doughts start creeping in and she worries that things are not quite right especially when her daughter keeps saying she has seen her dad. The story is beautifully written and a mother's love for her children shines throughout the book as Jess struggles to make a home for them all and keep them safe.

A Good Enough Mother by Sheila Norton is a breathtaking novel about motherhood, family and various other relationships. Not only does a very young single mother do her level best under difficult circumstances in her personal/family life but also tries to find a healthy balance with her demanding job. In the process, she learns about herself and grows more confident as a mom, neighbour, daughter and friend.

After leaving an abusive man, Jess struggles financially to get a footing. Her mom has died and she is virtually estranged from her father. She values her job at a book shop but unreliable transportation and juggling her kids' schedules is stressful. When middle-aged neighbours Helen and Robert move downstairs and quickly offer to help with babysitting, she is touched by their kindness and compassion, yet remains skeptical. Why the intense interest in her children? Her reluctance to accept their offer of childcare soon shifts to gratitude once she realizes she has been given a gift. Mia, four, has always enjoying weaving tales but when they begin to involve Auntie Helen, Jess feels something is amiss. Toddler Archie is too young to understand but seems content enough. But there is so much more. I felt angst, tension, compassion, empathy, surprise and suspicion.

Do not miss this novel, especially if you enjoy reading about families and their realistic struggles and moments of joy. The story grabbed my heart and the day after reading it, I'm still mulling it over in my mind. Bits continue to niggle in the best way.

My sincere thank you to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for providing me with a digital copy of this phenomenally emotive novel. If the cover alone doesn't melt your heart, what will? The story is every bit as lovely as you would expect.

The narrative centers around Jess, a young mother of two who left her abusive ex-partner while pregnant with her second child. Jess struggles with self-confidence, largely due to a history of criticism from both her ex and her father. The story follows Jess's journey as she forges new relationships with her neighbors, Helen and Robert, who offer support by caring for her children. Despite the initial relief from their assistance, Jess begins to question their motives, revealing underlying insecurities and doubts about her worth as a mother.
The novel delves into the common struggles and uncertainties faced by mothers worldwide, exploring themes of parental inadequacy, work-life balance, and societal judgment. Through Jess's character, readers are confronted with the challenges of motherhood, including the relentless pursuit of being a "good enough" mother while navigating personal trauma and self-doubt.

As the plot unfolds, Jess's evolution from a vulnerable and overwhelmed mother to a resilient and empowered figure is evident. Her journey not only highlights the complexities of maternal responsibilities but also sheds light on the strength and love that drive her to protect her children amidst adversity. Ultimately, "A Good Enough Mother" captures the essence of maternal angst and the universal quest for reassurance and validation in the tumultuous role of parenting. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advance review copy in exchange for my honest review.