Isobel, husband Roly (Roland) and their almost 4 year old daughter Lola are on their way home from a week's holiday in Cornwall when they stop at a service station to use their facilities. Suddenly, Lola is taken by an unknown person. The story is told using different characters and over multiple timelines. We discover the Huntingdon's life is not all that it seems. It's a twisty, turney, nail biting page turner of a book. All the subplots come together with a surprising conclusion. I highly recommend this book.

I wasn't fully convinced going into this book that it would be an amazing read. But by the end... Wow!
While this was a slow starter, around quarter of the way through the pace picks up and you want to know what is happening! Told by two POV we see the plot and characters develop through the eyes of the two 'mothers'.
The reveals came always at the right time, but leaving questions behind so that I needed to read that 'one more chapter'. There were so many twists and the conclusion was incredible!
This is my first Lauren North book which I will definitely be buying when it's released. In the meantime I'll be looking up her other books!

This book felt a little slow to start, once it got going, it was gripping. There were various times in the story I was sure I had pinned down what was really going on, just to be proven wrong pages later. I also really enjoyed the way Lauren North writes. I could feel the anxiety so strongly. The voices of both mothers were so clear. If you like a twisty mystery, this is definitely one to pick up. Thank you to netgalley for allowing me to review this book.

My little girl Lola is my world. Three years old and so beautiful = all golden curls and dimpled cheeks. But on our way home from holiday, she was stolen, whisked away in the blink of an eye. I can't breathe without Lola. I don't know how to get her back. The woman who has my daughter is on the run. And she has no intention of bringing Lola home. Because she says she's her mother.

Roly and Isobel make a quick stop so that Lola can use the bathroom, but when Isobel comes out of the toilet, Lola is missing, she's been kidnapped. Emma (the kidnapper) believes that Lola is her daughter.

The story is told from Isobel and Emma's perspective. I felt for both of these women for different reasons. We get a lot of backstories on both women. My opinion of them kept changing. The pace is fast in this twisted and well-written story. I was intrigued to see how it would end. Both the women's stories were compelling, but who was telling the truth?

Published 18th July 2024

I would like to thank #NetGAlley #Bookouture and the author #LaurenNorth for my ARC of #ImHerMother in exchange for an honest review.

I loved this book and was totally thrown by the ending as i was totally fooled by what had actually gone on which doesn’t happen much these days. As this story follows a child snatched from a service station and her mother’s panic to have her returned but her husband and mother in law seem more concerned about keeping their good name than finding her child. Great read!

What an exciting, thrilling, red herringy, all encompassing read

I read a lot of stories about missing people but the start to this tale had me sitting up straight ( as opposed to slouching on settee or bed 😀 ) as you could feel the tenseness shimmering through the words, I wanted to stop it happening, you know like in a fav film where you want so bad for ‘that part’ not to happen……anyway it happened and was juggernaughted into this frenzied story

Who to believe? Which Mum is the Mum? Very convincing from both ‘Mums’

Watch out for despicable characters

And the ending, well that was terrific and then the ending ending had me back up straight again!

Really really good read, thoroughly enjoyable yet scary in parts and when finished one of those times you think ‘yep, I love reading’

Superb

Another FANTASTC read from Lauren North. I'm her Mother was tense and pacy and kept me guessing until the very tragic end. Lauren's books just get better and better.

Thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture and Netgalley for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Roly and Isobel stop at a rest area for their 3 year old daughter, Lola, to use the bathroom. When Isobel comes out of the stall, Lola is missing and eventually they realize she has been kidnapped. Emma is the kidnapper and also believes that she is Lola's mother and must take her away from her parents to keep her safe. Roly and Isobel have done some shady things in their past, which we aren't privy to right away, but they eventually realize those things are coming back to haunt them.

I am starting to realize my attention span is getting shorter and I am getting less willing to stick with books that are boring or where the reveals aren't coming fast enough. Fortunately I didn't have that problem with this one. This one kept me interested throughout, which I can't say for that many books that I have read recently. I really enjoyed this one. I usually don't like when the characters keep referring to the terrible things they have done in the past. I find it annoying. We know this has to do with your shady past or there would be no book. But, in this case, there was enough going on beyond just talking about shady dealings to keep me interested and honestly, I really wanted to know what bad stuff they had done. I really went back and forth on Emma and what her relationship was with Roly and Isobel and there was a lot to that story that got metered out throughout the book, so when you thought you knew it all, you didn't. There were lots of reveals and lots of twists and turns and I really didn't figure out any of the nuances, so I enjoyed this ride and look forward to this author's next book.

This was an interesting book. The premise of the book was good and very interesting, but the way everything played out was very confusing. The twists made the book fun to read, but they often felt as if they were afterthoughts. Good book and honestly despite my feelings I would still recommend it.

Wow, wowsers, just wow! Not other words needed. Just go buy and read this book and then tell me you don't agree!

My mind is blown.

Literally been sitting here for a couple of hours trying to think of words, but it's impossible. Anything I say might be taken as a spoiler which I wouldn't want to do.

I definitely didn't see anything coming,

I equally could barely stop reading it, to the extent that I not only was reading on the tube, but in the cab office and then in the cab ride home, all totally fed up that I kept having to move from one to the other while I was so so close to the end, and just wanting to see what would happen next.

Was never fully sure who to believe, but both of leading ladies stories are totally compelling. And I kept on gasping out loud.

Definitely Lauren North's best book, even though I've loved them all, this one just wow.

Basically I loved it, was addicted, and you really do need to read it for yourself! And trust no one!

Thank you to Bookouture and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.

I did not expect all the plot twists in this book! I am always looking for authors who keep you guessing throughout the entire book, and Lauren North did not disappoint. I didn't see that ending coming. It's definitely worth the read!

I loved everything about this book, it was so suspenseful I couldn’t stop turning the pages. What a brilliant page turner.. it has plenty of twists and turns all the way through which keep you on the edge of your seat. The characters were great, the story itself was amazing and the unexpected ending was so good along with the style of writing that was perfect.
I couldn’t wait to get reading this book as I have read many books by this author, I must say were amazing. I certainly can’t wait for the next one to come out.
I would highly recommend this book and its author to anyone who enjoys reading psychological thrillers.
Thank you netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for a honest review.

I discovered Lauren North earlier this year when I read The Teacher's Secret, so I was excited to find a new one of hers to review. A young child, Lola, is kidnapped and the story is told from the perspective of two mothers. The mystery becomes which one is truly Lola's mother? The beginning was a bit slow and I felt like I had it already figured out, but then there were some great twists and turns at the end that I didn't quite see coming. The epilogue makes me wonder if there will be a book 2 or if we will be left making our own guesses. I will definitely continue to look for more by this author!

Thank you to Netgalley, Lauren North and Bokouture for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

2⭐️

I actually had an okay time reading this; It was fun, but I am far from loving it.

This book follows Isobel and Roly, a typical couple, whose daughter, Lola, was kidnapped in broad daylight. We follow the dual POV's of Isobel and Emma. Emma is the woman who kidnapped their daughter and is trying to leave the country with her claiming that she is actually Lola's mother. Two women claiming they are Lola's mother...and we don't know who's telling the truth. There are plenty of deep, dark secrets that Emma and Isobel will do whatever possible to keep from surfacing.

While I did have fun reading this, it definitely had it's issues. The thing I had problems with is some of the plot itself. I found the plot and events that happened to at times be so far-fetched and so unrealistic. The different ways Emma was able to avoid being caught and the things she did to keep Lola safe just...didn't feel all too realistic. As much as I love the vibe when reading, it was really hard to overlook the unrealistic aspects.

The main thing, however, that I really couldn't get past was Isobel as a person. I truly could not get past the fact that the entire book was Isobel being a human doormat. I understand that it was all explained later, but we're talking like 85% of the book and Isobel was nothing but insufferable. I didn't click with any of the characters and, like I mentioned earlier, it didn't help that they played into a beyond unrealistic plot line. The whole time I was reading this, I was like, "For the love of God please just develop SOME sort of backbone." It was so hard to tolerate.

Onto better news, I liked that the story was interesting and it was such a fast and bingeable read. It was engaging enough to keep your attention and want to keep reading I will say that. However, I did not find the plot twists all that surprising and it's not hard to guess what's actually going to happen. I was not on the edge of my seat and it wasn't as gripping as I'd hoped.

Overall, I, personally, wouldn't fully say I'd recommend this. It was fast and easy to read and the plot had just enough substance to keep your attention, but it didn't go much beyond that.

I'm Her Mother centers around Lola a 3 year old child who is kidnapped and told from the two mothers POV. Which one is telling the truth? Plenty of twists and turns and a surprise ending.

Thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for giving me a chance to read I'm Her Mother.

I'm Her Mother is told from two POV. Isobel, her daughter, Lola, has been kidnapped, and she's desperate to get her back. Also, the kidnapper, who's on the run with Lola, she thinks she is the girls mother.
The pacing isn't too bad in this book, but the middle just seemed to lull, I found myself skimming over parts because it was repetitive and failed to hold my attention. There isn't too much depth to the characters, and I just didn't seem to care what happened to them.
The last part of this book, around 80% in, I enjoyed the most. Some plot twists were predictable, but I didn't see the ending coming.
This book wasn't one for me. It is a quick, easy read. That i know will be a popular choice for a lot of people.

Thank you, Netgalley and Bookouture, for my advanced copy.
My opinions are my own.

Wow. I'm literally picking my jaw up off the floor.. This book is so full of twists that you will be dizzy by the time you finish it. Lauren North is a master of the psychological thriller and this is one of her best. The tension is almost palpable throughout the book leading up to a finish that had me reeling. I really didn't see that one coming.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book.

Isobel, her husband Roly and daughter Lola are traveling back from a holiday in Cornwall. Stopping at a service station Isobel takes her eyes off Lola for a matter of minutes but in that time Lola is abducted.
Emma, a troubled person, sees her chance to take Lola from Isobel after all she is Lola"s real mum.
So follows is an intense read following both women's storyline. The story pulls you in almost different directions as you grapple with drip fed revelations. Nothing is as it seems and just when I thought I had everything sussed out Lauren North pulled the rug out from under me again and again.

Thank you to Netgallery and the publisher for this ARC. The publication date is the 18th July. What a suspenseful and a great plot it had me gripped to my kindle! I was the edge of my seat throughout as I was dying to know what would happen next!

Another fantastic book by Lauren North she never fails to deliver! OMG what an ending I literally couldn’t believe it I was lost of words! I’d highly recommend her books ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ stars!

This book is about the kidnapping of a little girl called Lola with the story being told from the mother and kidnappers angles. There is however, more going on than meets the eye...

Okay so I liked the premise for this one and the writing style is easy to read but something stopped me from enjoying it initially.

I found myself skim reading parts of the book to try and speed the story along. The end of the book however, definitely makes up for the slow start with a number of plot twists that i didn't see coming...

Whilst initially i would have given this book 2.5 the ending has made me bump that score up considerably