This was an interesting and unique read, centered on Carly, who goes out of her way to protect young Jake, the son of the man with whom she was having an affair, after his mother was attacked. Jake is convinced that his mother was replaced with an imposter after the attack and Carly goes to get to the bottom of it while ensuring Jake’s safety.

Carly is a likable character and I enjoyed the dynamic between her and Jake. Jake’s parents were not likable characters and I wish we had gotten more backstory on them, as I didn’t really understand their apathy towards their child. The mystery in the story was sound and I liked that the author was able to take a situation that seemed implausible make rational sense. That being said, there were multiple other parts of the story that were extremely unrealistic; I really didn’t like the fact that the police refused to help Carly even faced with evidence, and I felt that the ending was tied up a little too neatly to be realistic.

Overall, this was an interesting read with a unique storyline and, despite some issues that caused me to suspend my disbelief, I enjoyed it. Thanks to Netgalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Solid 3.5 star thriller. This review contains some spoilers.

I found the premise of this book intriguing, but the execution was a bit lacking for me. I appreciate that Jake was able to tell right away that something was off about the woman claiming to be his mother, but I was left confused about why his father didn't notice anything to he unusual. I enjoyed the relationship between Carly and Jake, and they were both very likable characters. The biggest thing that bothered me about the story was the continued disregard by the police for the events that had occurred even when presented with evidence on video that the same man was involved in all of these alleged attacks. I understand that the allegation regarding the mother not being who she claimed to be was far-fetched, but there were multiple videos of the other man caught in the act and those were all completely ignored by the police which seemed too over the top.
Overall though, I did enjoy this book and would read another by the author because it was fast paced and kept me interested.
Thank you to Netgalley and Inkubator books for the opportunity to read this ARC.

I found the plot and cover to be intriguing. I love psychological thrillers. I did like the female protagonist, Carly, however many of the remaining characters were not as likeable. I would have liked to see a bit more character development in Carly. We also didn’t get a lot of backstory until the end of the book. I would have liked to know more about her and Jake’s relationship and how it got so strong.
At times I felt like Jake, who is about 9 or 10, was wise beyond his years. And his father seemed so immature and one dimensional, I’m not sure what the main character saw in him in the first place.
I also know the police ignoring the crazy woman in distress trope but. I just find it hard to believe the police would be so dismissive.
I think there was a good amount of tension and a pretty twist. I enjoyed learning what would happen. I had a great evening reading this!

Written fairly well, but I did have trouble with a couple aspects, particularly around believability. For example, that the police would not do anything about a man charging toward someone with a knife in broad daylight was a bit shocking. But in all, the book was entertaining to read and kept my attention. The only other thing I would say is there was far too much “fretting” going on. The word seemed to pop up in every paragraph which was slightly annoying at best.

This book had me addicted from the start! It was so intense that I could not wait to see the twist. Authot knows how to deliver the breath taking, draw dropping twist that we all know and love and never expect the ending. I believe this book is her best one yet but I say that everytime I read one of her books. Thank you for allowing me to read your book in advance.

I was going to give it 3,5 stars but with this ending i decided that it would be more like a 3 stars close to 2.
I can say it was a good book overall, and it did kept me wanting to read more, but what i really miss was this connection with the characters that just wasn´t there.
In thriller books its very common that the characters story is kinda "erased" because of the suspense and plot, but as the book keeps going, the author finds situations where they tell more about the backstory (with flashbacks or memories for example). In this book the characters seem to not have a past at all, Carly just talks about her childhood 1 time, doesn't give any backstory about Dave or her brother, and i think even when Selina explains how her sister moved up in life is kinda vague and too fast (as well as any of her explanations about what really happened)
The plot is other thing that was kinda disappointing on me, twin sisters? really? I think nowadays that´s so predictable that even authors put that as an option of plot in the book just to confuse the readers. It did have, a few differentials, but i think even that was kinda messed up when Selina ended up having a cause with her own cousin, i just think it was too much. That was another thing, Selina being unconscious being under her cousion´s brother cause i mean, even she was really small and he was really tall, i think she could have find a way out idk, just seemed too easy for the police to find her and Carly escape. About that WTF WAS CARLY RUNNING BACK INSIDE???? I swear that was really a screaming moment. Ok she was a gun pointed to her, but cant you just try to crouch, move fast idk something NOT RUN INSIDE AGAIN.
About the police, i just think it was kinda tiring the uncountable times they were made dumb and incompetent, i believed it until they said there was a "miscommunication" about Nelson and Jake being home and okay, like really? she literally gave them a second address and said they were in danger.
Nelson´s death, that i thought wasnt going to be explained, was a really WHATTTTT???? Like, ok he can´t kill Carly and Jake with a gun because it would be cold blood murder but can kill Nelson while his back was turned? Its not cold blood murder if you dont see the victim´s eyes?
The epilogue was what ruined it all to me fr, it was just so much omg. I wouldn't mind reading 100 more pages if it meant that the ending wasnt going to be rushed. Beginning with Jake not having ANY more relatives, i see that Amanda´s side of the family would be understandable to not have anyone alive or trustful, but Nelson´s side should have, cause i can perfectly see Jake having grandparents that would have wanted his legal custody.
I wont even mention that the end was just 100% cliche but all rushed, it was like the author put all the normal things that happy stories have and mixed it together. Marriage proposal, moving in together and a new baby. All 3 things? Idk...just doesn't seem right.
I would like to read another of this author´s book, but one that has more than 280 pages, where he can truly let his creativity flow and write a more detailed, not rushed, story.

She isn't his mother.....or is she? This book hooks you from the very first page. The complicated relationships throughout the story only make it that much better!

Not My Mother is a gripping novel with the perfect blend of feel good moments and horror. You will grow to love half the characters and loath the other half. While this book is not full of huge shocking plot twists, it is a book that delivers fully on mystery and suspense! A page turner you won’t be able to put down!

Thank you Net Galley and Inkubator Books for providing an ARC of Not My Mother by Theo Baxter for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

Let me start by saying, overall the book was a good read. It kept me entertained and anxious to see what happens next. I felt like I couldn’t trust anybody. I thought for sure Carly’s new bf Hans had to be involved somehow. I was angry at Jake’s parents and even more angry at the police officers who kept brushing everything off. I did sort of see the twist with Amanda coming, but then again with books like this you just never know. The somewhat disappointing part of the story is that I thought the “That’s not my mother” was going to be much more climactic. Like “Amanda” was going to be some random woman being picked up from the hospital and Jake was going to look at Carly and be like “Carly, that’s not my mother!” But everyone else was going to try and pass this woman off as Amanda. However, I guess the book wouldn’t really have work if it had been that way. Overall, I would rate the book 4 stars. It’s engaging and has some twists you don’t really see coming.

Theo Baxter always has me and edge and guessing and this one was no different. This book definitely had me gripped.

Well written and easy to follow book. The plot was engaging. The only thing that could have made this book better would have been more twists that you didn't see coming. Overall a great read.

This was a quick easy read, kept my attention, had some good surprises with likable and unlikable characters. I kept waiting for the ending to get twistier but it kind of just ended. 3.5 stars rounded up to 4!

Thanks for the advanced reader Netgalley!

Thank you Netgalley and Inkubator Books for this book in exchange for my honest review.
Jake’s mom went to hospital. Someone else came back.

Carly has a complicated personal life. She’s been the mistress of famous artist Nelson Carter for the past five years. Now Nelson has finally left his wife Amanda, but instead of committing to Carly, he’s indulging in a series of one-night stands.

She has had enough and is about to leave him when a vicious attack on Amanda means Carly has to put her plans on hold to care for Nelson’s traumatized ten-year-old son, Jake.

Only when Amanda is released from hospital can Carly finally move on with her life.

But then a frightened Jake confides a disturbing secret – ‘That’s not my mom’. He is convinced the woman who came home from hospital is an imposter.

Carly tries to brush this off, but she can see that Amanda’s behavior does seem strange. And when someone targets Jake, Carly realizes she has to get to the truth of what’s happening.

A decision that leads her step by terrifying step towards a dark secret that will change her life forever.


This book was slow to start but once it got started, it never stopped. I absolutely fell in love with Jake just like the main character did. I found myself pissed off with half of the characters and I wanted to slap them for only caring about themselves.
I was blown away with the plot and really didn't guess where it was going. Maybe others guessed it but I sure didn't. I am excited to read more by them.

A real quick read for me. An interesting storyline but not quite what i was expecting. I loved the relationship between Carly and Jake.
My thanks to netgalley and the publisher for my copy.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC***

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This was a fast paced thriller with a touch of romance. It wasn’t full of too many twists however the plot was good and I enjoyed reading it.

Carly has been the mistress to Nelson carter and now that he’s left his wife, he still isn’t making it serious with Carly. Instead he’s sleeping around and enjoying his new bachelor life. When his wife Amanda is attacked, Carly begins to care for their son. I was shocked at the Jake scenes and felt so bad for the poor boy. I loved the character development between Carly and Jake as the story progressed.

Although I was hooked throughout the entire book, I did not really get a thriller-y vibe until towards the end! It was an amazing read, super quick “junk food” style read for me! Thank you Netgalley, publisher and author for the opportunity to read this title as a ARC!

This book had me hooked from the first chapter. I was on the edge of my seat every time something came up with Jake. Definitely the best book I’ve read this month!! Can’t wait to read more by Theo Baxter.

I wasn't sure what to expect from this book having not read very much by this author, the premise sounded really good, and I have to say it was a really enjoyable read, I read the book within a day as I couldn't put it down!

This was my first ever Theo Baxter book and it did not disappoint. I couldn’t stop reading this one. It pulled me in from page one and I couldn’t stop reading. I had to keep going to figure out what happened. This is a book that you definitely don’t want to miss out on. I can’t wait to read more of his books.

This book revolves around Carly, who’s been the mistress of famous artist Nelson Carter for the past five years. Now Nelson has finally left his wife Amanda, but instead of committing to Carly, he’s indulging in a series of one-night stands.

She has had enough and is about to leave him when a vicious attack on Amanda means Carly has to put her plans on hold to care for Nelson’s traumatized ten-year-old son, Jake.

Only when Amanda is released from hospital can Carly finally move on with her life.

But then a frightened Jake confides a disturbing secret - ‘That’s not my mom’. He is convinced the woman who came home from hospital is an imposter.

Carly tries to brush this off, but she can see that Amanda’s behavior does seem strange. And when someone targets Jake, Carly realizes she has to get to the truth of what’s happening.

A decision that leads her step by terrifying step towards a dark secret that will change her life forever.

Release date: 4/28/2024

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4 stars

Thank you @netgalley and @inkubatorbooks for this digital copy!

Thank you so much to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this!
This was a good, quick read. I thought the main character was very likable and found myself very much rooting for her. I will say, however, I was hoping for one final twist at the end to really spoil that “happy ending”. Overall I thought it was a good read, just thought it could’ve been “twistier”.