3* Well written but requires suspension of disbelief to be able to read it.

This is well written but there are 3 generations of lies/things concealed/held back here, that hurt the characters in this book. And there's a less than pleasant character in Julia, so I'm afraid I couldn't really get into the tale, despite some of the decent side characters. I didn't like her, was willing to believe her 'betrayal' and didn't feel bad when a scheme was exposed that made her seem less black than she'd been painted so far. The only positive is that she agreed to get long overdue counselling.

Not sure I'd read more by this author, as the book lacked something truly shocking or awful despite the teasing title.

ARC courtesy of Boldwood Books for my reading pleasure.

"A Mother's Betrayal" is a twisty, interesting family drama/mystery set in Australia. It tells the tale of adult twin sisters Ari and Flo and their troubled relationship with their controlling mother. The story is told from the viewpoints of several women characters and also includes other family members and non-relatives.
In the book's first chapters, we are introduced to the family and are just getting a feel for their relationships and general family dynamics, and then all hell breaks loose when two separate emergencies bring about revelations and long-time secrets that threaten not only the weakest ties in the family but also the strongest.
I would like the author to have given us a deeper view into the main characters, so that I could have really felt for them as the family unraveled and then later began healing, but even without that I found the plot engrossing. "A Mother's Betrayal" is an enjoyable read and I am thankful to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for the chance to review an advance copy.
All opinions are honest and my own.

Julia Hudson is married to Mike and they have identical adult twin daughters Arabella and Florence and a grandson Kayden. Julia’s a rather forceful and blunt person, and she travels back and forwards between Melbourne and Canberra for her job for a government bureau. Julia's involved in a terrible car accident, she has swelling on the brain and a broken leg and lacerations. Mike, Ari, Flo and their grandmother Gigi take it in turns sitting at Julia’s bedside in ICU, they discover Julia has been keeping a secret, one that changes their family and they no longer know what to believe.

Ari and Flo have always been close, but Flo has been keeping secrets of her own, when it’s revealed it effects the sister's relationship, and just when they need to stick together and a wedge is driven between them. With Julia in a coma, the whole family is falling apart, she started keeping journals thirty two years ago, they wonder if the truth is hidden between the pages and hold the answers they need. Instead what’s uncovered is more secrets and lies, has Julia been manipulating her family for years and getting away with it.

I received a copy of A Mother’s Betrayal by Louise Guy from Boldwood Books and NetGalley in exchange for an unbiased review. The gripping narrative is set in the leafy streets of Melbourne, I was hooked by the end of the first chapter, and the ending wasn't predictable. Full of lots of twists and turns and about the complicated relationships between the members of the Hudson family, and a mother should support and defend her daughters no matter what, and can Ari and Flo ever trust and forgive her?

I really enjoyed the mix of characters in the story, they really made it and it certainly gives the reader a roller coaster ride of emotions, covers all sorts of issues, topic, possibilities and scenarios. Five stars from me, the twins had great taste in music and I’m very keen to read other books by Louise Guy.

"A Mothers Betrayal" is a book about a family with a lot of secrets. The mother works away from home a lot, the grown twins have huge secrets of their own from the past and the father is oblivious to it all, until an accident happens that turns all their lives upside down and uncovers all secrets! This book is a great suspenseful read that doesn't give much away early which I love in a book. However, I found that it dragged on a little bit in the middle but it still kept my attention and I couldn't put it down!

When Julia Hudson is involved in a near-fatal accident, the lives of her children, Flo and her twin sister, Ari – are sent into freefall. How did their mom get into a car accident? Why are all of these lies suddenly being exposed? Secrets from their grandma, mom, dad, and even their mom's business partner come to light. What exactly is real in their lives? Trying times, but with a happy ending.

Thanks Netgalley for allowing me to read this book. Flo and Ari are concerned about their mother who was involved in an accident. They later learn that their mom was keeping a secret from them that changes everything they knew and loved about her. Their mother is not the only one keeping secrets. I enjoyed this book.

Read and reviewed in exchange for a free copy from NetGalley. I love Louise Guy's books, and her latest family drama did not disappoint. Well-written and intriguing, the characters were complex and likeable and I was drawn into their world.

A Mother's Betrayal.
Could you keep a secret from your children for their whole life?
Almost identical twins Ari and Flo their parents Julia and Mike.
When Julia has a car accident, Gigi their grandmother doesn't want Ari prying into her mothers movements does she know something that they don't?
This book is full of questions about Julia who is lying in a coma, and has some almighty twists wrote in every chapter all about this family that will blow your mind.
My first book from this author that I truly enjoyed right to the end for that I give full stars.
Comment

What an absolute family drama so well executed. brilliant characters, great storytelling what is there not to enjoy.

I couldn't stop reading this book I was on the edge of my seat throughout and a new author for me but I will definitely look out for more.

Thank you to Netgalley and Boldwood Books for this ARC which I have no hesitation in recommending.