I did not enjoy this book, so I did not finish it. I found the characters a bit unbelievable and did not connect to any. I didn’t care for the plot

I'd had Two Mothers by Kathryn Croft sitting on my iPad ready to read for so long that one version had expired. I've read a few of Croft's books* and have enjoyed them but suspect it was the fact that this seemed to be yet another book about warring parents that put me off. I don't have kids (so no skin in the game) and the trope feels like it's overdone. I think the likes of The Slap and Big Little Lies led the way but in the years since I've found myself avoiding books themed bad-parent-noir. It surprised me then that this goes in quite a different direction, with one of the main characters going missing - narrating their story from the past - so I realised this wasn't going to be the predictable book I was expecting.

We quickly learn how Rachel and Damien's daughter died, and it was a tragic accident rather than anything malicious. Rachel initially fell in a heap but is slowly recovering and seems to find solace in spending time with her best friend (Holly's) daughter Luna who was the same age as her own. Luna goes missing soon after the book opens and there seems to be no reason or motive. She's returned soon after but Rachel disappears on Luna's return - making her an obvious suspect. For some. 

Holly cannot believe it however and I loved the way Croft allows Holly's friendship instinct to outweigh any paranoid maternal instincts. Holly's husband Elijah who seems to actively dislike Rachel is one of the first to point the finger and surprisingly to Holly, her best friend's own husband Damien also shares his suspicions.

Holly's our narrator in the present but we hear from Rachel in the past. 'Before' Croft tells us. And we learn that Rachel's relationship with Damien is far from a happy one and - from her - we learn of his gaslighting and increasingly threatening and violent behaviour. We also learn that Rachel has a 'plan' which adds to the sense of anticipation or suspense here as we wait to discover her whereabouts.

This was almost a 4.5 star read for me as I very much liked Holly and I'd bonded with Rachel. I liked the character development that Croft crafted in our two leads in particular, including Rachel's work as a teacher and support of her students, and Holly's work as a journalist... not to mention the complexities of both of their marriages. Where Croft takes this is bittersweet and I felt that the pacing was rushed as we neared the end and (for me anyway) there were some unanswered questions. I suspect Croft intended for us to remain in the dark (akin to real life) rather than them being plot holes and if that's the case she succeeded as I pondered these after finishing the book.

From start to finish I was on the edge of my seat. There are so many unexpected twists and turns. Seriously had me questioning everyone. Croft masterfully builds suspense, creating a narrative filled with secrets, lies, and shocking revelations. The characters are well-developed, and their emotional struggles are portrayed with depth and authenticity. The pacing is perfect, keeping you hooked and eager to uncover the truth.

If you enjoy thrillers with complex characters and unpredictable plots, Two Mothers is a must-read. Kathryn Croft delivers another stellar novel that will leave you breathless and pondering the story long after you’ve turned the last page.

This book is all about friendships. Loads of twists and turns. I could not stop reading to find out what was happening. I will always remember this book and recommend to others.

VERY UNPREDICTABLE AND ORIGINAL!!!! This was a brilliant thriller which I rated 4.75 stars. I could never predict what was going to happen next and there were so many plot twists which made you question everything you thought you knew.

The dual POV from both mothers (one from the past and the other from the present) really helped the story flow and the book was overall so difficult to put down!!
Two Mothers definitely took me on an emotional rollercoaster ride.... learning about each mothers different struggles and the love they had not only for their children, but for each other as friends really moved me. They never gave up on each other and always sought to protect each other anyway they could.

This is a fantastic thriller about love, friendship, betrayal and loss and Kathryn expressed each of these perfectly throughout the book.
Definitely recommend if you are a thriller lover who wants a good twist you wont see coming.

You'll never see the twists coming! Gripping and impossible to put down. What happens when your worst nightmare comes true and you no longer know who to trust? A great read!

A brilliant thriller about two friends whose lives have slowly pulled apart after the loss of one of their children. When Hollys daughter is abducted during the night she starts to wonder if her friend could be involved in anyway and when she also goes missing she starts to wonder if she ever knew her friend at all. After her daughter is found her friends husband seems determined to make out his wife took the child but is the truth stranger than she could ever imagine.

Thank you to Netgalley and Bookouture for the Arc of Two Mothers by Kathryn Croft

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟- AMAZING!! I LOVE THE SUSPENSE AND THE THRILLS I WAS NOT EXPECTING THAT PLOT TWIST LIKE WOWWWW!!! I LOVE IT SO MUCH AND RECOMMEND HIGHLY!! I LOVED THE INTERTWINING STORYLINES AND MOST OF ALL THE PLOT!!!

3.5/5 stars

This was a very original and twisty story! I was hooked by and enjoyed the intertwining story lines. The dialogue felt a little odd at times, but overall, I enjoyed it!

I haven’t read too many thrillers that have really made me stop and think. This book did. I set my kindle down on a few different occasions and also heard myself do a few audible gasps. This turned out to be a fantastic read and never saw the twist coming!
I received this book from Netgalley and this is an author I am probably going to read more of!

This book is goooddd! Amazing
I enjoyed reading this in one seating, I couldnt put it down until I was done reading

I do really think that Kathryn Croft is an up and coming author
I have read a few of her books and been hooked and always end up on the edge of my seat
Loads of twists and turns

This author is fast become one of my favourites and she writes so well and with such conviction that I believe everything she tells me. Till I realise that she has spun a web of untruths around me. Well done !

Thank you NetGalley and publisher for this book.

Oh wow!!! I did not see that plot twist coming!!! This was a first for me by this author but will not be my last! Such a good story!

I really rate it 4.5 stars.

I really liked the book, it is very interesting the way the story develops, the plot twist, the twists and turns of life, how unexpected events occur and how all this ends.
Holly is my favorite character, the way she faces life, the strength she shows to be able to continue investigating the facts, confront the problems that are occurring and how she has to be resilient in order to continue with her life.

I definitely liked this book a lot, it's the first time I've read something by this author, but I'm totally convinced to keep looking for more of her stories.

This book was INCREDIBLE. I couldn’t put it down. It kept me guessing and doubting everyone the whole time. 5 big stars!

Wow another great book by Kathryn Croft.
A little girl goes missing which sets several sub-stories in motion. The story kept me guessing right until the end although I'm not sure there was full closure for the reader. Maybe a sequel is possible?
Definitely recommend!

Thank you #Netgalley for the advanced copy!

In this suspenseful read we follow two mothers, Rachel and Holly, who both have children around the same age. Unfortunately, Rachel's daughter passed away unexpectedly and has been struggling processing. While Holly has tried to be supportive while also balancing family life along with building up her career as a journalist. Holly is given a case to write up that ended up opening up many avenues that take her to her friend Rachel, who coincidently is missing. So many twists and turns. I thought the connections were well done and progressed nicely though out the read.

TRIGGER WARNING: child death, psychological and physical abuse
Holly is caring and supportive when Rachel's daughter dies in a tragic accident. And when Holly's daughter goes missing, Rachel goes out of her way to search for the toddler and be there for her friend. But then Rachel goes missing and Holly can't help but wonder if her best friend stole her child...
Two Mothers is an emotional psychological thriller that deals with some very tough subjects. The death of a child is handled sensitively but is still naturally upsetting.
Holly and Rachel are close friends and had daughters the same age. But now Rachel's daughter is dead and Holly's is missing. Rachel's disappearance sets the rumour mill into action but Holly is desperate to believe the best in her friend despite the evidence to the contrary.
The book is written in the third person throughout from Holly and Rachel's perspectives in the present and past. I felt immersed in both timelines and didn't know who to trust. Holly is a journalist so is experienced in investigating which leads her to doubt her friend.
Poor Rachel is treated terribly by her husband and his family but is too scared and proud to tell anyone. Holly doesn't know who to trust as secrets begin to be revealed. I wanted to know more about Rachel's plan as this element of the plot seemed underdeveloped. I admit that I felt a little dissatisfied by the ending as I didn't think characters got the resolution that was anticipated.
Two Mothers is a tense and often dark psychological thriller that deals with upsetting scenarios.

This book was really engaging and I became hooked immediately. A little disappointed with the ending though.