Lu is an exhausted mother to an 11 month old son, Riley. Riley keeps Lu awake at all hours of the night and her partner, Tony, is no help. Lu is so sleep deprived and depressed that she begins having thoughts about killing people in horrible and unique ways. Lu tries to ignore the thoughts until she wakes up after sleepwalking and finds that her hands are covered in blood and one of her neighbors has been murdered. Lu is disoriented and quickly finds solace in Maggie, her neighbor’s sister. But the horrible thoughts continue to escalate and Lu must grapple with what she may or may not have done.

This book feels like a trippy out-of-body experience. Definitely takes psychological thriller to a whole new level. While I predicted several of the twists, I really enjoyed the ride. I also really enjoyed the social commentary and the very real feelings that mothers experience that often get overlooked or ignored. The characters in this book were wonderfully frustrating and I found myself really empathizing with Lu, though I don’t have any children. I listened to the audiobook and I really enjoyed the narrator. I thought she did a great job adding to the suspense and tone by changing her pace and inflection appropriately. Overall, I really enjoyed this author’s style. It reminds me a lot of A.J. Finn with a touch of Freida McFadden. Definitely a worthwhile read.

Thank you Bookouture Audio for providing this audiobook for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

This is a solid thriller! The story is unique. I enjoyed how well written the characters are. This is fast paced and well written. I enjoyed this and would recommend it! I had the pleasure of listening to the audiobook and really enjoyed it. Special Thank You to Natali Simmonds, Bookouture and NetGalley for allowing me to listen to a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.

Really enjoyed! I loved how the author portrayed the sides of motherhood people don't talk about. The Loneliness, tiredness, anxiety, how overprotective you become.

Great story, great narrator. Kept me hooked.

While My Baby Sleeps is an intriguing thriller (of sorts). There is definitely lots of suspense! You are not quite sure what is going on or if you're invested to find out. I did see the path of the main twist, but it was still edge-of-my-seat waiting to see it unfold. What in the world was happening during this baby's naps or at night? Who all is involved? Is anyone? There was a twist at the end I didn't quite see coming, though.
I love these #Bookouture audiobooks as I can sit back and enjoy listening to the narrator with the soothing British or Scottish accent and know I will be entertained. This was no exception.
Thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for this ARL. All opinions are mine.

🎧Audio Book Review🎧

While My Baby Sleeps
Natali Simmonds

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

This was my second read by this author, but having absolutely loved Good Girls Die Last which I read in the summer of 2023, I knew I had to read this new release.

And what an absolutely intense read this was!

Now, I'm sure this would have a similar effect of any reader, but being a mum of 3, the memories and feelings that this evoked were so powerful!
The writing style had me completely engrossed from start to finish and I was so immersed that I honestly couldn't do anything else but keep reading until the very end.
I was on the edge of my seat throughout!

We're thrown straight into this from the very first page and it grabbed me right in.
Lou hasn't slept since her baby was born almost a year ago. She loves her baby, Riley, but her patience with everyone else is fraying and her thoughts and dreams take a dark turn.

I absolutely ate this up...but am struggling to say too much for fear of giving spoilers.
There was so much going on and with so many great twists - some that I'd suspected earlier on - but Lou was such a great narrator that you couldn't help but get swept along and dragged into her declining mental state.
I honestly had moments where I felt like I was going crazy too.

This was so well written that you feel everything right along with Lou from her worries and pains right through to her total exhaustion and the super fast pace just adds to this.
Despite some inkling of what might have happened, when everything starts to come together towards the end, there were still some shocks in store for us and this was just perfection.

This has all the elements that I love in a great psychological thriller - characters to invest in and a plot to keep you guessing - and I just know that the next time I spot this authors name on a book, I'll be grabbing it with both hands .....



💕Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for my ARC copy - this is my honest review 💕

This was a disturbingly dark and twisted thriller, and I loved every minute of it. I listened to the audiobook and thought the narrator also did a fantastic job! All the stars from me.

This was a tough read…or listen, rather. It felt very repetitive and dragged on. I do feel it shed some good light on a very real issue for some women, but more extreme. An unreliable narrator is hard for me. It wasn’t easy to follow. I also felt like the story for a little erratic towards the end, which makes sense for the story, I guess. I listened with my husband, we sort of guessed at what was happening. I didn’t however, see the final twist coming. We enjoyed that.

I enjoyed this book even though there are lots of these books around right now following the same genre. It kept me interested and the narration worked.

I enjoyed the narration of this book and it was well done and easy to listen to. I felt sometimes this book was a bit drawn out and repetitive in alot of the chapters but then picked up a bit & was wrapped up well. Not my favourite thriller but still worth a listen. Rated this one 3.5 stars. Thanks to netgalley & the publisher for this audio arc.

This high quality audio book was told from the pov of Lou. Full of twists and turns and moments of I saw that coming this was an entertaining enjoyable listen. The narrator did a fab job of trying to get the pov across. , often with a difficult inner monologue. I did guesse the twist , but it was still enjoyable and worth it for the way in with the story and twists were revealed alongside the ultimate twist I did not see coming . The pace felt a bit off in places. It was told in a clever way as the pov of Lou gave different meaning to everything was detailed and once you got your head around that it was entertaining and unique . I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys a good mystery felt like the ending was a bit rushed and because a to b in places. Thank you netgallery, publisher, author and narrator for this entertaining listen.

I quite liked the narrator, I think she did a good job at capturing the emotions of our MC. As for the story, I thought it was fun! The twist was pretty predictable but still interesting to not know what each chapter will bring. The characters were all so flawed, and none of them were very likable. I do like an unrealiable narrator, though! All in all, pretty fun read, very tense.

Thank you Netgalley, Natali Simmonds and Bookouture Audio for the audio Arc of While My Baby Sleeps
Narrated by Sofia Zervudachi

While My Baby Sleeps is packed Domestic Psychological Thriller with some great twists and turns. The direction of the book. maybe picked up by the subtle foreshadowing and the characters are well rounded and human ( with plenty of faults and flaws ) Half way through, you are felt wondering whether we have a unreliable narrator or whether the people that surround our FMC are gaslighting. It keeps you on your toes until the very end.

Natali's writing style is perfect for this sort of psychological thriller, bringing into perceptive of Post Natal Depression (Uk/ Europe term ) or Post Partum Depression ( US and other countries ) and just how people acknowledge ( or not ) this mental health condition. Having being a sufferer myself years ago, I completely bonded with our FMC and can completely get what Natali wanted to achieve and she did.

Sofia narrated this book and she was easy to listen to and perfect for this kind of book.

4.25 stars for Storygraph and 4 for other Review sites

While My Baby Sleeps is a thrilling, edge-of-your-seat audiobook that delivers suspense, mystery, and unexpected twists from start to finish. With a gripping plot and compelling characters, this psychological thriller keeps listeners hooked throughout, making it the perfect pick for those who love suspenseful, mind-bending stories.

The audiobook follows the story of a mother, whose seemingly peaceful life with her newborn baby takes a dark turn. As secrets unravel and hidden motives come to light, the tension builds in a way that is both captivating and unsettling. The twists are well-timed, keeping you guessing with every chapter, as you’re drawn deeper into the web of deception and lies.

The narration is top-notch, enhancing the tension and emotion of the story. The voice actors expertly capture the nuances of each character, bringing their fears, doubts, and inner conflicts to life. The pacing is just right, with moments of quiet suspense followed by intense action that leaves you wanting more.

Simmonds masterfully constructs a narrative that pulls at your emotions, while also keeping you on the edge of your seat with shocking developments. The portrayal of motherhood is both authentic and unsettling, with the protagonist’s sense of vulnerability and paranoia resonating deeply. The sense of isolation and the psychological strain on the main character make for a chilling listen.

In conclusion, While My Baby Sleeps is an unputdownable psychological thriller that is perfectly suited for audiobook listeners. With its fast-paced plot, well-crafted characters, and plenty of unexpected twists, it’s sure to keep you engaged and second-guessing everything until the very last moment. If you’re looking for a suspense-filled thriller that will leave you breathless, this is definitely one to add to your list.

Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture for the ARC (Audiobook)

Are you looking for a story that keeps you on your toes?

Check out While My Baby Sleeps. A new book by Natali Simmonds

What happens when you are so tired you can't think straight? When you can't tell the difference between reality and fantasy? This author has written a new book about a young mother who is so exhausted and overwhelmed with her almost one year old baby that still doesn't sleep the night in a story that will keep you totally intrigued.

Anyone that has ever had a baby knows how tired and overwhelmed a mother feels but just imagine if she gets absolutely a minimum of help from her partner and he ignores almost completely what she is dealing with. Well that's the premise of this book.

Ever wonder what happens when your body gets no sleep? Well this author in her new psychological thriller examines this thru the eyes and mind of the mom.

We get to see the entire experience from her point of view . And its a wild ride.

It's Post partum depression on steroids .

Warning this audio book took me much longer to read than most books. At times the intensity of the protagonist was so strong it made me step back a bit to catch my breath. It is one of those books that completely takes you inside her mind where you feel her emotions. Do have to say the the narrator Sofia Zervudachi did an excellent job at bringing the story to life.

Altho some parts were predictable. The twists and turns made the book a very different and exciting reading experience and I recommend it for those looking for a true psychological thriller.

Thank you to NetGalley and the author for the opportunity to listen to this audiobook.

We’re introduced to Lou, the main character who is a new mum, in a new home with her partner at his new job who works nights. Very early on there is a murder on the street and Lou has hazy memories of the evening, her only true recollection is being covered in blood and locked out her home.

The major twist was not a surprise to me however it did not detract from the story which I felt was well written. There were moments of real sorrow for Lou and she’s a character I think a lot of people could relate to in new motherhood. I can’t lie, I was a little disappointed with the ending and felt it had so much more potential. None the less this was a good story and overall I would say a 3.5.

The narrator was an excellent choice, she covered the characters well and I felt her voice really suited the role of Lou. I’d listen to further narrated novels by her.

Lu and Tony are the parents of almost 1-year-old Riley. While Tony goes to work to provide for the family, an exhausted Lu cares for Riley in their new home - feeling very alone and isolated. Though Lu adores her son, she is dealing with memory gaps and strong feelings of rage.

One night, Lu finds herself locked out of her house and covered in blood - eventually being let in by a neighbors sister, Maggie. The next day, the police are on her street questioning the neighborhood about a neighbor being murdered. Unsure what happened, Lu's anxiety continues to rise, and Maggie begins to help Lu take care of Riley and herself.

The beginning of this book was a bit repetitive and drawn out for my taste. I understand how the author was trying to describe and portray Lu to get the reader to think a certain way, but it felt like that section could have been more condensed. But towards the end, the book really started to get good and pick up. There were a few revelations at the end that I felt were coming, but not what caused them. The very end had me surprised at how the events all unraveled. The hard thing about thrillers is that you have to be vague in the descriptions, or else the end will be spoiled.

On a side note, as a mother, it was nice to see some of the mental health things brought up that may occur in the first few years of a child's life. Many things in the story I could not relate to, but there were also some brutal honest truths about being a mom that I didn't expect.

Thank you to Bookouture Audio, NetGalley, and Natali Simmonds for the audiobook ARC in exchange for my honest review.

** Possible Spoiler Alert ** 3.8 Stars - Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the ARC of 'While My Baby Sleeps' audiobook.

At first, I wasn’t sure I’d be able to finish this book. As a new mom myself, it became painfully clear by the second chapter that Lu was struggling with severe PPA/PPD. Her boyfriend, Tony, was infuriatingly oblivious—so much so that I lost count of how many times I rolled my eyes. Her mother and brother weren’t much better, offering absolutely no support.

Despite my frustration, I pushed through, and I’m glad I did. The story turned into a gripping, unpredictable ride that kept me hooked until the very end (I even had a dream last night that I, myself, was pregnant again lol). I had plenty of theories along the way—including guesses about the big twist—but not all of them were correct. What stuck with me most was how desperately Lu needed help and how no one around her recognized the signs or stepped in.

By the final chapters, I was relieved to see things settle down and for the family to finally take action—though their apologies felt a bit underwhelming. Overall, it was an intense and engaging read. However, I’d recommend including content warnings for those who may be sensitive to themes of PPA/PPD.

While My Baby Sleeps is an addictive thriller. The story is fast paced and unpredictable which is how I like my books to be. I'll definitely be reading more of Natali Simmond's novels. Thanks so much for my gifted audiobook. My review will be shared on my tour date. @coffee.break.book.reviews

Lou is a new mom and she is severely sleep-deprived and is struggling with the challenges of caring for her newborn, Riley.
Her exhaustion leads to memory lapses and heightened irritability, and her partner seems to be working all the time and not available when she really needs help!
One night she finds herself locked out of the house and covered in blood, she somehow ends up being saved by her neighbor Maggie. The plot intensifies when Lou becomes entangled in a murder investigation after waking up with no recollection of the previous night’s events. As she tries to do it all she starts questioning her own sanity, and the story unfolds with unexpected twists and turns.

Overall this was a good book, but personally I felt it was a bit dragged when the author was explaining the struggles of Lou - like we get the point, no need to repeat it in every chapter that Lou was tired!

Thanks to Netgalley, Bookouture Audio and Natali Simmonds for approving the audibook ARC in exchange for honest review

This book took me on a wild ride through the messy, emotional, and utterly exhausting reality of new motherhood. It dives deep into postpartum depression, the overwhelming struggles of a new mom, and just how crucial support is in those early days. Honestly, I felt like I was right there with Lu, running on fumes, questioning everything, and wondering if she could even trust her own mind.
It kept me on my toes the whole time—I had a theory about halfway through, but I kept second-guessing myself. Even when I thought I had it figured out, there were still dots to connect, and the story threw in some surprises I didn't see coming. The unreliable narration was done so well that I started feeling like I was losing grip on reality along with Lu.
Also, shoutout to the audiobook narrator—she absolutely nailed it! I can only imagine how tough it must have been to bring Lu’s fragile, unraveling mindset to life, but she did it brilliantly. This was one of those books that had me hooked from start to finish, making me feel just as disoriented, paranoid, and emotionally invested as the main character.