This was a good read that I finished in less than a day. It centers on Mel, who changed careers to become a birth doula when the unthinkable happened to a client named Alice who she also considered a good friend. Alice’s vitriol caused Mel to give up her career and flee to another part of the country, but that doesn’t stop anonymous threats to continue to occur, making Mel fear for the safety of herself and her young family.

There were good twists in this book and I thought the author did a great job of creating realistic red herrings. I liked Mel as a character and I thought her parents were total jerks, but I’m not sure the author intended me to feel that way. While a lot of the narrative does take place in Mel’s head, I felt like her doubts and fears were realistic and I could empathize with her. I had an inkling of the big twist at the end but hadn’t entirely figured it out. The ending of the book was ok but I wish it would have tied up the loose ends a little more.

Overall, this was a suspenseful read and I couldn’t wait to see what happened. Thanks to NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

After a slight slow start to the book, it became an addictive read, especially coming up to the end!!
I would definitely recommend this book.

I was hooked from page one and read it in one setting. a good psychological l thriller, did not see the end coming.

Great book was a slow start for me! Sometimes it does take me a minuet to get into a book. With that being said I would recommend this book. Definitely a twist at the end that I did not expect.

This is SUCH a readable work of psychological fiction from Claire Allan, my favourite of her books in fact (.....and I loved all the previous books!)

The plot, set in Northern Ireland, sees Doula and Hypno-birthing coach, Mel, shunned by her local community following a tragic still birth. The bereaved mother, Alice, is very vocal in blaming Mel for the death, leading to a host of trolls and online abusive for Mel.

Mel, now heavily pregnant, and herself severely traumatised by Alice’s bereavement, moves 80 miles away with husband Ed and daughter Tilly. Far from escaping the abuse, Mel finds it has ramped up a notch and goes to confront Alice much to the horror of her family. As events in this novel play out we are treated to an utter whirlwind of a thriller - utterly gripping and SO difficult to put down!

This is such a great read, character development and plot and both excellent! 100% a novel I would recommend to fans of psychological fiction.

My thanks to NetGalley, author and publisher for the opportunity to review this book in exchange for an advance copy.

Started off as quite unsettling then turned into a full blown gothic horror! This was really good, my sympathies were changing all the time as we get to know the characters and what had happened to them. This author knows how to write a great domestic thriller.

A gripping psychological thriller that kept me guessing until the very end. I was almost entirely right in my prediction, until an unexpected twist was added in the last quarter. This is my first book by Claire Allan and I’m interested in reading more.

I was gripped from page 1 and raced through it in one sitting. I was totally absorbed in the story and characters. It’s a cracking read and one that I’d definitely recommend.

Not a bad book, at all. I found the main character a bit annoying when she went off on her :0"what ifs". Considering they weren't really part of the story, they made her rather annoying. Otherwise, good book...great story.
Thank to netgalley, the publisher and author for the chance to read this ARC.

I am a huge fan of Claire Allan’s books, so was excited to get the opportunity to read this one. It started off a bit slow and I wasn’t sure whether I liked it or not. But eventually, the story heated up and I was hooked. I had to keep reading to see how it ended. The reason I gave it four stars was because it was pretty easy to work out who did it. I still enjoyed reading it though.

Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the opportunity to read and review this psychological thriller.

The Perfect Mother is an intense exploration of guilt, obsession, and the lengths one will go to protect their family. Mel, a former teacher turned doula, was devoted to supporting women through the complexities of pregnancy and childbirth. But her life unravels after a tragic event during a client’s birth leaves her reputation in ruins. Harassed and ostracized, Mel moves to the countryside with her husband and young daughter, seeking a fresh start as she prepares for the arrival of her second child. However, the shadow of the past follows her, and the suspense builds as she discovers someone is determined to ensure she never forgets the tragedy.

Claire Allan’s atmospheric writing shines, creating a palpable tension as Mel struggles to hold her family together while confronting escalating threats. The narrative weaves between Mel’s experiences and the unsettling interactions with her new neighbors, adding layers to the mystery. While some twists were predictable, the gripping suspense and shocking conclusion make up for the occasional predictability.

Although the story effectively explores grief, guilt, and motherhood’s complexities, some aspects of Mel’s character felt underdeveloped, which made it harder to fully empathize with her at times. Additionally, the ending, while dramatic and satisfying, left a few threads untied, leaving me wishing for more closure.

The Perfect Mother is a gripping read that will appeal to fans of domestic thrillers and psychological suspense. While some moments stretched plausibility, the novel’s twists and emotional depth keep the pages turning.

I recommend this book to those who enjoy dark, character-driven thrillers with themes of motherhood and obsession. Be warned: the subject matter may be difficult for readers who have experienced loss.

Wow wow wow, what a fantastic read.

How far will a woman go to protect her children? Move miles away, even emigrate.

As we go through the story we find out who is hassling Mel and why.

4 stars

Thanks to net galley and the publishers for this arc

Thank you Netgalley for my copy.

This is exactly what I want from a domestic/ psychological thriller. Saw the twist coming but that's fine, I like to be proven right.

Something(s) I liked:
✅ Tilly is adorable.
✅ Well written.

⭕ Ed doesn't seem very supportive. In fact, he seems to side with a random old woman who behaved very strangely over his wife.

Looking forward to reading more by Allan.

A creepy and gripping thriller that keeps you turning the pages until the shocking ending. Full of twists and turns, it was brilliant!

#ThePerfectMother #NetGalley
A fun read.
The Perfect Mother is a psychological thriller that delves deep into the themes of motherhood, guilt, and obsession. With its atmospheric setting and unsettling suspense, it keeps the reader on edge from the first page to the last. The novel explores how a seemingly innocent desire to help others can lead to devastating consequences when things go wrong.
The story follows the life of the protagonist, who was once dedicated to helping women become mothers. She formed a close bond with Alice Monroe, a woman equally passionate about motherhood. The two connected instantly, and the protagonist believed she was helping Alice achieve her dream of motherhood. However, when the day that should have been Alice’s happiest turns into a nightmare, the protagonist is blamed for the failure, and her world begins to unravel. Alice holds her responsible and sets out to ruin her, ultimately causing the protagonist to lose her business and her reputation.
As the protagonist retreats to the remote Derry countryside, hoping for a fresh start with her own pregnancy, she is haunted by the specter of Alice. Alice sends her a threatening message, revealing that no matter how far she runs, the protagonist is never truly safe. The novel intensifies as the protagonist realizes that Alice's obsession will stop at nothing to destroy the family she is trying to build.
The Perfect Mother is a chilling psychological thriller that will appeal to fans of domestic suspense. The compelling exploration of motherhood, obsession, and guilt makes it a thought-provoking read, while the twists and turns ensure that the story remains gripping until the very end. Clare Allan’s writing keeps you on the edge of your seat, and the unsettling nature of the novel lingers long after you’ve finished reading.
A tense and psychologically complex thriller that will keep readers hooked with its twists, suspense, and emotional depth. Highly recommended for those who enjoy dark, twisty tales about obsession and motherhood.
Thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for giving me an advance copy.

Does Claire Allen write movies for the Lifetime Movie Network?
I swear I have seen this book on Lifetime before. I love a good Lifetime Movie, and this book did not disappoint. Mel was a doula; Alice was her client. Things didn't happen the way they should and now Mel has lost everything. Moved across the country and started over hoping things would just go away. But they don't.
Mel, I think you should have punched Shiela and kicked her out of your house girl.
What kind of secrets will come to fruition. I loved every part of this book until the ending.
It was great until it wasn't. Still a solid 4 star read from me.

Thank you Boldwood Books for providing me an ARC for this book in exchange for an honest review.

I loved that this book was set in Northern Ireland.
Mel was a successful doula until her friend and client Alice had a difficult delivery. The subsequent fall out left Mel jobless, needing to move away from her home town and parents, and subject to relentless harassment.
But even the move is not enough to end the nightmare she has found herself in.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC.

All I wanted was to help women become mothers. When I met Alice Monroe, we instantly connected. She was as passionate about motherhood as I was, and I couldn't wait to support her through this life-changing experience! Good book! This book had suspense, intriguing, murder, mystery, a sort of who done it and a few crazy twists and turns! The story was interesting, it wasn't one of my top favorite but still worth reading! Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for sharing this book with me!

I have been lucky enough to read some great psychological thriller books lately. The Perfect Mother was the latest I’ve read. Don’t miss this one!

"The Perfect Mother" is a story about a doula who supports a couple during child birth, only for it to go terribly wrong. No one is at fault but the couple blame the doula and give her a bad name making her move house and quit her dream job, only to discover that it does not solve the issue for her at all...
The book it well written and a good steady read that doesnt give much away up until the very end when it all slots together! I did only give it 4 stars as I felt the story didn't grip me entirely and it did seem to drag on a little bit.