This is a relatively new author for me and I am definitely going to look out for more of their books. This was a tear jerking family drama about love and loss and secrets and lies and family dynamics a story that really pulls at your heart strings.

I highly recommend this author if you like family drama and if you like books by other authors such as Emma Robinson and Alison ragsdale.

Just Like Her Mother is the first I've read from Roberts (not that Julia Roberts BTW) and I have to say it was a thoroughly enjoyable read and I can't wait to read more from her!

More of a domestic drama than a thriller it took me on a whole roller-coaster of emotions and threw up the whole 'how far are you willing to go for family' dilemma.

It's an engrossing read replete with twists, turns and the unexpected ending.

The characters of Lexi and Stuart were credible and their family dynamic real and relatable.

Secrets and lies will always out in the end.

Alexis is grappling with the sudden death of her mother-in-law, but her worries don’t end there. Despite her long and successful marriage to her husband, Stuart, Alexis often finds herself wondering if there’s something missing between them. As they navigate life without their matriarch, Alexis, Stuart, and their two adult children, Gemma and Callum, must confront their own challenges.

With the funeral arrangements underway, Alexis is concerned about Gemma’s relationship with her boyfriend, Will. Something feels off, but she’s determined not to break Gemma’s heart by revealing what she feels is wrong. Alexis, meanwhile, works tirelessly to maintain the delicate balance in all their lives, including her demanding job.

Julia Roberts’ latest book weaves a compelling family drama with intense drama for all involved. It’s easy to root for this family as they face their individual struggles and strive to overcome them.

Many thanks to Bookouture and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

Just Like Her Mother by Julia Roberts is the first book by the author I have read and I look forward to reading more from her. This was a story full of family drama with secrets, surprises and unexpected twists. Lexi and Stuart seem to have the perfect family, but things are not always what they seem. Lexi, the mom, is balancing taking care of her family, her mother-in-law and her mom, all while keeping a secret. As we meet the characters and follow their journey, we are pulled in and are waiting for something we know is coming. But what is the secret and who will get hurt? I liked Lexi and her husband and felt they were relatable. With everything they are going through. Her love for her children is felt throughout the story. Be ready to go on an emotional journey with this family.

Happy reading!

This is my first time to read about Julia Roberts' work, and the way this author builds the relationships is so WELL DONE.

TROPE: Family Drama

Even though they look like a happy family, you can just feel this tense vibe underneath everything. There's this SECRET that the mother knows! As I read the book, I can't help but feel her worry and love she has for her daughter.

Here's what I liked about the book:

1. On the surface, everything looks happy. But you also get these little hints that something else is going on underneath.

2. Dynamics between the siblings and the parents. They are so real! You can just sense the tension as THIS SECRET could ruin everything for them. It makes you wonder who knows what's really going on and how much longer they can pretend everything's okay.

3. The author is really good at making you feel like something bad is about to happen, and you're always trying to figure out the whole story. You'll be so invested in these characters and what happens to them.

My reading experience:

OMG! There were times I was "internally screaming" at the book! It's like you want to jump into the story and HELP THEM, but then you remember, "Oh wait, this isn't real life!"

Yeah, this book has that in spades.

NOW...

Since this book totally delivers on its promise of being a REAL tear-jerker and so emotional you can't put it down, sooooo get ready for a rollercoaster of feelings because it will definitely pull at your heartstrings. TWO reasons:

REASON 1: You can feel HOW HEAVY that secret is and the disaster that might happen when it finally comes out. It's like this thick cloud hanging over everything.

REASON 2: You will absolutely glued to the pages. In my case, I was totally desperate to see how it all ended, even though I had this uncomfortable or you know... nagging feeling it was going to make me sob! You just have to know what happens in the end!

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DISCLAIMER: I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. Thank you to Netgalley, Bookouture and the author for giving me the opportunity to read this early.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for the ARC (Advance Reader Copy) of Just Like Her Mother by Julia Roberts. Well that was interesting! The book I read does not sound like the one in the description. This book was indeed a family drama with each character having their own issues to work through. It was a good book and I thoroughly enjoyed it, just not what I was expecting. Not a bad book and I would recommend it if you like reading books about a family saga, secrets, and life problems. I gave it a 3 star rating.

After loving The Dilemma by this author, I couldn't wait to dive in to her latest book.
This was certainly a 'family saga', with several characters having their own individual situation to navigate. This did make it tricky to keep track of, but I felt that the characters were distinctive enough to keep my engagement and attention throughout.
This was an enjoyable read and I enjoyed how the events transpired and connected at the end.

🌟🌟🌟🌟
Thank you Bookouture for inviting me to be part of the Books on Tour for “Just Like Her Mother“ by Julia Roberts Lexi is mom of two grown children, married to Stuart and checking in on both of their moms. Basically, she is trying to do it all!
Lexi and Stuart are on a much needed vacation when Stuart’s mom falls ill. They rush home and the drama begins. Lexi knows a secret about her daughter’s boyfriend that is hard to keep to herself. Lexi is also having problems at work with a younger colleague. She is navigating all of this while dealing with her mother in law and mother’s health and emotional issues.
I totally related to Lexi. My husband and I are always checking in with our parents. We hurt when our children hurt. Really good read! Many thanks to the author, Bookouture and NetGalley for a complimentary copy of the book. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

This book is labeled as “a tear-jerking and emotional page-turner”, and all I can say is – that’s true. This is exactly what this book is. This is an emotional family drama, this is emotionally charged, filled to the brim with emotions. There are secrets, there are lies. Well-written, with depth that’s not just emotional, but also with deep, well-developed characters.
Also: short chapters, and a cat.

My thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read ‘Just Like Her Mother’ written by Julia Roberts in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.

Lexi and her husband Stuart are having a much-needed break in the Caribbean. After just one day of enjoying the sun, sea and sand they receive bad news and immediately pack their suitcases and return home

‘Just Like Her Mother’ is the drama of a family, the secrets they keep and the lies they tell. It has a thread that runs throughout of a secret Lexi and her son Callum are keeping from her daughter Jemma about her boyfriend Will and how he makes his money. It’s well-written with an interesting story and short chapters making it easy to read, and good character descriptions that make me feel involved in what’s happening, but if I was expecting thrills and excitement I was disappointed as it was purely about the family and Lexi’s workplace grievances with News24. Despite this, I have enjoyed it and am looking forward to reading more by this author.

I loved this book. It's about family, the loss of a mother and grandmother, and all of the emotions that go along with that.

This is my first time reading @juliagroberts and it won’t be my last. I just loved this book. I was engrossed from the start, shred a few tears along the way, to the perfect ending. I couldn’t stop reading and didn’t want it to finish. Unputdownable, a real page turning tear jerker.
A beautifully written story about love, loss, secrets, sacrifices and happy endings with relatable family dynamics that really pull at your heartstrings. It’s just captivating with so much depth and emotional drama. You’re just taken in by all the great likeable characters including Wilfie the cat.
The perfect family drama. Definitely recommend if you enjoy this genre. I can’t wait to read more from this author.
With thanks #NetGallery @bookouture for an arc of #JustLikeHerMother in exchange for a honest review.
Book publishes 17 April 2025

I have to admit that I struggled reading this book. The storyline was not bad but the way it was written lacked soul and emotion. It felt like something was missing. There were so many storylines but none were focused on in great depth.
A family saga with secrets and lies which had the potential to be a good book but for me fell short.

When I read ‘ An utterly gripping and emotional read about the sacrifices we make for those we love‘ I just expect more. Maybe I’m spoiled with the books I’ve read before with this description. It was okay but I was just waiting for more.

Will the secrets make or break up a family unit?
Make sure you have tissues to hand- they are definitely needed. This is such a tastefully written book, with just enough emotion but couldn’t put the book down - I had to find out the truth immediately.

When Will is keeping a secret from Jenny and other family members knowing what it is, will it make or break their relationship?

What a family will do for love really shows in this story, moving literally heaven & earth to be together travelling miles to be with the ones they love, all except Mari - she is a heartless woman who I thought had a motive against Stuart but it turns out the ‘‘green eyed monster’ played its part.

This story is full of twists and turns making this a fantastic read keeping you guessing at every chance.

Thank you Net Galley and bookouture for this ARC of Just Like Her Mother. By Julia Robert’s. A lovely British family story. Lovely characters including g the cat! Would recommend this enjoyable cozy read.

this book was a perfect family drama. it had so much depth and emotive drama. i was taken in by all the character. Lexi was so like alot of mothers. having all the plates spinning and doing it all. and first and foremost doing anything and everything to make the kids happy. or make them safe. or make them the center of all things. but then what happens when it becomes too much. and what happens when keeping something from your daughter means its hurts you. and in the end keeping it could hurt her too. especially when she finds out you new about it. so do you tell the secret and face the explosion. or o you keep it secret and face the explosions. it all feels impossible, and this in itself feels like such a relatable theme in families. we all want to make sure each other are ok. but when there is something in said t can spiral or become impossible to know what's best. and then things go the way they do whether we want them to or not.

"Just Like Her Mother" is a book about a woman, Alexis, who has so many plates spinning at once that she has a minor breakdown, which in hindsight is a good thing! The book is well written in great detail with a lot of emotional aspects. In my opinion it did drag on a little bit and lost my attention at times but the ending made it worth it!

If anyone walked in on our cosy family dinner, they’d think my daughter and her boyfriend were the perfect couple. I watch as he puts his arm around her. Her eyes shine as she gazes at him lovingly. But I know that he is hiding a secret. A secret that would devastate my daughter…Outstanding. I'll be sorry to not have it to read tonight, but couldn't put the book down! I was fully immersed in this from the start… fascinating!

An interesting family drama full of love, heartache and reconciliation.

Thank you Netgalley, Julia Robert’s and Bookouture for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.