I liked this ‘fluff’ read. Its fast paced chapters, with character identified POV, read quickly. It’s book #2 of Grace Morton, but easily reads as a standalone. The intrigue pulls you through- leaving you with a take away of knowing not to mess with a Momma Bear!
Thank You to NetGalley, Bookouture, and Nicole Trope for the invitation and opportunity to read this ARC.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for gifting me a digital ARC of second book in the Grace Morton series by Nicole Trope. All opinions expressed in this review are my own – 4 stars!

Grace is determined to reconnect with her estranged daughter, Cordelia, so she moved to Melbourne. Grace also doesn’t trust what she knows of Cordelia’s boyfriend, Garth, so she gets a temporary assignment to work at his law firm. But right away, Grace sees that someone else is following Cordelia and then Garth goes missing. Has history repeated itself?

You could read this book as a stand-alone because Trope gives you enough backstory, but it’s much better read as a series. Grace is such an intriguing character, donning different personalities and looks, doing whatever she needs to do for her child. Cordelia never resolved the trauma of losing her father and doesn’t want anything to do with Grace, until she realizes that Grace is the only one who understands. This is a twisty thriller that will keep you guessing until the very end!

This taut thriller provides a compelling, headlong read. Although it may not contain as many surprises as the author hoped, it will have most readers engaged till the last word.

This book is labelled as the second Grace Morton book, but it’s very readable even if you haven’t read the first. There’s enough information contained in this novel that you feel you know the essentials from the past.

Grace Morton has just been released from a criminal psychiatric facility, and the thing she wants most in the world is to reconnect with her daughter Cordelia. But since Cordelia doesn’t want to see her, she’s limited to gazing at her daughter’s Instagram pictures of her and her partner Garth.

And Grace doesn’t like what she sees. She isn’t at all sure that Garth is good for Cordelia. She needs to find a way to meet him, and see if her instincts are correct.

Meanwhile, Cordelia is having doubts of her own about the relationship…

Trope has written this in a style that makes for a fast read: there’s not too much time for contemplating the plot as incident after incident piles on. I found it the right mix of credible and slightly out there which makes for a good psychological thriller. This was despite seeing a couple of the plot twists coming a mile away (as I think many readers would). However, others took me off guard.

It's a very readable style, and a relatively short novel. It’s just about right for the plot – not too drawn out – and it feels like a lot happens.
Characters were strong, and it was easy to believe their behaviour and thought processes. Cordelia in particular is likely to garner considerable reader empathy and understanding.

Although not a spectacularly original plot, this is extremely well done. It’s well constructed, populated with realistic characters behaving in a (mostly) believable way, and well paced. Readers who enjoy psychological thrillers will enjoy this.

Thanks to #NetGalley and #Bookouture for the book #AMotherAlwaysKnows by #NicoleTrope. This book is packed with suspense, secrets and lies and I loved it all! Grace is back and this time she is helping her daughter, Cordelia, who is a suspect in her boyfriend, Garths disappearance. Cordelia blames Grace for her father’s death and hasn’t seen her since then. Grace is determined to help Cordelia whether she wants it or not. What really happened to Garth and who is trying to frame her daughter?

A Mother Always Knows is book two in the Grace Morton series by Nicole Trope.
A gripping psychological thriller jam packed with suspense and intrigue.
I loved book one Not a Good Enough Mother and was super excited to jump into the second one which did not disappoint.
This book kept me intrigued and guessing all the way to the end.
An entertaining and engaging read that will keep you turning the pages until that final explosive twist...it really was jaw-dropping in this case.

I had to quickly read the first book, so I knew and understood the characters. This has all the things that make a great psychological thriller: intrigue, love, hate, jealousy, money, power, and a crazy woman who will always go above and beyond for her child. I did not see this ending coming. The twists had me saying "Ohhhh shit!" This was a crazy good book, with emphasis on the crazy part. Definitely worth the read. I'm actually kind of hoping for another in this series, continuing the family connection.

Was hooked from the very first chapter. Both of the main characters were relatable. I thoroughly enjoyed how the author switched points of view with each chapter, creating more of an understanding of how each were dealing with the situation at hand.
What would you do as mother for your child? Or in Grace’s eyes, what wouldn't you do? As for her daughter, Cordelia, how much can one person go through without just losing themselves? Great read that I didn’t want to put down. Highly recommend!

I really enjoyed this book. First time reading @nicoletropeauthor and I wasn’t disappointed. I look forward to reading more from this author.
A Mother Always Knows is book #2 in the Grace Morton series but can also be read as a standalone as it’s easy to follow along without reading book #1 first. I was hooked from the start and couldn’t put it down.
It’s fast paced, full of suspense with complex characters which are well developed and I liked them all.
There’s lots of betrayal, secrets, lies and a twist that keeps you turning the pages. And an ending you don’t see coming. Just brilliant.
I like the authors writing style which is engaging, witty, entertaining and she knows how to build tension. Love it.
Overall, a well written psychological thriller which is well worth a read.
Definitely recommend if you enjoy this genre.
With thanks to #NetGallery @bookouture for an arc of #AMotherAlwaysKnows in exchange for a honest review.
Book publishes 9 December 2024.

A MOTHER ALWAYS KNOWS by Nicole Trope
Release date set for the 9th of December.
A MOTHER ALWAYS KNOWS is the second book in the Grace Morton series.
This is a HUGE 5 STAR book from me yet again.
The first book is NOT A GOOD ENOUGH MOTHER which i gave another HUGE 5 STARS.
This is my second book by this fabulous author and I'll be reading all her others.
Perfectly written and the plot and story line is fantastic.

Mother knows best....

A Mother Always Knows is gripping, shocking, and kept me on my toes and turning the pages! I had a hard time putting this book down as the twist, turns, revelations, and tension all came into play. I had no idea how things were going to turn out and I was fully invested and intrigued as each reveal came into play!

Grace moved to Melbourne in hopes of rekindling her relationship with her daughter, Cordelia while keeping an eye on Cordelia's boyfriend, Garth. Mother-daughter relationships can be tricky when there is past trauma and blame. I had not read the first book in the series, Not a Good Enough Mother and appreciated how Nicole Trope gave me enough information to understand the dynamic and falling out between Grace and Cordelia. When Garth goes missing and investigators come calling, Cordelia needs her mother!

This book had twists and turns galore! Don't get me started on the secrets and lies which almost gave me whiplash! Just when I thought I had things figured out, Trope pulled the rug out from under me, and I was left reeling with my mouth hanging open!

I loved the fast pacing, the mounting tension, the finger pointing, the devious behavior, and the relationships between the characters. A Mother Always Knows worked very well as a riveting and gripping stand alone for me.

Wonderfully written, well thought out, addictive, and shocking! I can't wait to read what Nicole Trope writes next!

This is the second book with Grace Morton as the main character. I was so thankful for this installment as after I read the first I really wanted to know what Grace was planning for her trip back to Melbourne. This book did not let me down. After learning about Ava, Grace's daughter in book one, book two got us to know Cordelia better. Mother/Daughter had a tough relationship after Grace's ordeal with her cheating husband. While Cordelia never wanted anything to do with Grace again, she desperately needed her mother, even if she didn't realize it. I loved how the book was told between Grace's perspective of what was happening and Cordelia's. This dual narrative made the book a very fast read. I enjoy Nicole Troup's writing style and look forward to reading more by this author, and hopefully Grace will make another return appearance.

A Mother Always Knows is the second book in this series. Nicole Trope does it again with this one. This is a fast paced thriller that will have you on the edge of your seat. The characters are well developed. This book is packed with all the twists, turns and lies and you will not be able to put it down.

This is the second book in the Grace Morton series , book one ‘Not a good enough Mother’ (previously titled The Assistant) was a really good read that I thoroughly enjoyed so I was keen to read this next instalment.

Grace is now in Melbourne and desperate to fix her broken relationship with her daughter Cordelia. When Cordelia’s boyfriend Garth goes missing, the finger of blame is being pointed at Cordelia but Grace knows there’s more to the story. As Garth’s disappearance lingers on Grace soon realises that she is connected to things whether Cordelia wants to believe it or not, and Grace being Grace will stop at nothing to protect her daughter.

A mother’s love knows no limits as Grace proves again and again. I would recommend reading book 1 in the series before this one to get an idea of the characters. I can’t say I enjoyed this one as much as the first one and am undecided if I would read more in the future.

Thanks to NetGalley, publisher and author for my eARC.

Grace Morton #2

Grace travels to Melbourne to check on her daughter Cordelia. But she discovers Cordelia is in trouble, much worse than Grace could have anticipated. Cordelia is now twenty-four and has been estranged from her mother for six years. Grace finds out through social media that Cordelia's thirty-three-year-old boyfriend, Garth, belittles Cordelia and treats her badly. Grace puts on a disguise and gets a job as a temporary assistant where Garth works.

This is a fast-paced and twisted read. The tension builds with each turn of the page. The characters are well-developed. When Grace gets to Melbourne, she discovers that Cordelia needs her help as Gareth is missing. This books proves that a mother's love is unconditional and will do anything they can to help their children, no matter what age they are.

Published 9th December 2024

I would like to thank #NetGalley #Bookouture and the author #NicoleTrope for my ARC of #AMotherAlwaysKnows in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed this one. The story was captivating and I loved all the twists and turns. The story follows Grace Morton and how she connects and helps her daughter Cordelia, when Cordelia's Boyfriend Garth goes missing and she is the prime suspect. I enjoyed the ending and how it tied everything together and I loved seeing grace in action.
Its definitely a good read if you like thriller mysteries.

In "A Mother Always Knows," the narrative centers on Grace Morton, a mother whose fractured relationship with her daughter Cordelia is rooted in a tragic history where her decisions resulted in her husband's demise. Despite being estranged for six years, Grace possesses an intuitive sense that Cordelia is at risk due to her domineering boyfriend, Garth. With a resolute determination to safeguard her daughter, Grace adopts a disguise and infiltrates Garth's law firm in Melbourne. As she clandestinely observes Cordelia's circumstances, her apprehension intensifies, particularly when Garth mysteriously vanishes, positioning Cordelia as the primary suspect in his disappearance.

The unfolding story is marked by escalating tension as Grace confronts her own past while endeavoring to protect Cordelia amidst the police investigation. The relationship between mother and daughter is intricately layered, imbued with love, guilt, and an urgent yearning for reconnection. Cordelia, oblivious to her mother's drastic measures, grapples with her own doubts regarding Garth and his potential intentions concerning her inheritance. The narrative is replete with suspenseful twists, as Grace's protective impulses conflict with her erratic actions, prompting readers to ponder the true essence of the threat surrounding Cordelia.

Nicole Trope skillfully crafts a captivating narrative that underscores the profound nature of a mother's love and the extraordinary lengths to which she will go for her child. The novel is enriched with emotional complexity, character evolution, and unforeseen revelations, rendering it a riveting read that captivates audiences until the final page-not that I would expect any less from any of Nicole Trope’s books. Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the advance review copy in exchange for my honest review.

Grace not long out of prison is trying to find out if her daughters partner is suitable for he or not. She knows that her daughter Cordelia will never forgive her for what happened in the past and doesn't want to have anything to do with her. She understands why but when she finds something out she knows that she has no choice but to get involved in her life again.
A fast moving storyline that will get you wanting to read on. This is one of my favourite authors.

This series has been my first read of Author Nicole Trope, and I was hooked right the way through both of them. The book follows on from ‘not a good enough mother’ where we continue with Grace as the MFC, this time with her daughter Cordelia, who she mentions a lot in book 1. This book is easy to read and a great plot twist.

This is book #6 for me by Nicole Trope and it sure kept me on my toes! I will start off by saying I did not read book #1 in this series and I don’t think I needed to in order for this book to make sense but I want to read book #1 now. Grace seems very over protective with her daughter Cordelia and disguises herself to go work at her job. I thought to myself, how would I not recognize my own mother at work!? Anyhow, lots of secrets and lies throughout with a twist I did not see coming at the end. Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for this advance copy in exchange for my honest review. Looking forward to many more books by Nicole.

Grace knows something is wrong with her daughter, Cordelia, but she can’t say anything as Cordelia hasn’t spoken to her mum for six years.

Cordelia’s boyfriend, Garth, has disappeared… and the police suspect her of doing something to him.

Cordelia is at her wits end and finds herself thinking more about her mum, wishing she was there to help her.

I liked Cordelia, but she was childlike and struggled to make decisions for herself, part of that is definitely down to her tragic past.

I felt for Grace, she wanted nothing more than to be there for her child and would do anything possible to help her.

An enjoyable and easy story to read. A tale of revenge as well as secrets and lies.

My thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for a copy in exchange for my honest review.