Book Review: Every Mother’s Nightmare by S. E. Lynes
Rating: ★★★★½ (4.5 stars)
I received Every Mother’s Nightmare by S. E. Lynes as an ARC and I’m truly grateful to have been given the chance to read it early in exchange for an honest review.
This is one of those psychological thrillers that grabs you from the first chapter and refuses to let go. I found all three main characters completely compelling—each one layered, believable, and flawed in ways that made me invested in their outcomes.
What hooked me right away was the subtle hint early in the book, with the line “the call she was expecting.” That small moment told me there was more to the mother than met the eye, and from that point on, I was hanging onto her every word, looking for clues. Even when she appeared oblivious to the truth, I couldn’t help but wonder what she was hiding—and Lynes expertly plays with that tension throughout the novel.
The story is packed with twists and turns, but what made it especially engaging for me was how relatable the characters were. Every parent fears that their child might face a situation like the one in this book. But how many would have the foresight—or the nerve—to do what this mother did? Her actions were shocking at times, but also oddly understandable, given the circumstances.
Every Mother’s Nightmare is both a page-turner and a character study, raising uncomfortable but necessary questions about family, protection, and morality. I highly recommend it for readers who love domestic thrillers with emotional depth.

A mother gets the call that every parent dreads. Her daughter had been found assaulted and unconscious in a tent at a festival. Understandably panicked she rushes to her side but where is her son? he was meant to be keeping an eye on his sister whilst at the party? What the hell happened?

I BINGE read this in two days. utterly addictive and a really current conversation topic. The misogynistic men cringy and pathetic the teenage children all awkward trying to find their tribe, figure out who they are and what they're into wanting absolutely no input from their mother whatsoever. Of course!

The story took a very dark turn with a few red herrings thrown in for good measure all very much appreciated and built the tension and arc of the story wonderfully.
The story did get a little eye rolly towards the end but I was here for the entertainment and could easily suspend reality for the story. As the story came full circle I picked up on some of the points raised earlier on in the book and really loved how the whole thing came together at the end.

The audio quality was top notch as was the narrator.

Overall a lovely way to spend my time. Thank you very much much for the entertainment and allowing me to read it early.

This is a must read for anyone who enjoys a good thriller!!
Absolutely loved the characters, the plot, the tension - impossible to put it down.
Certainly recommended

Every Mother's NIghtmare was a gripping suspenseful story. This story takes you on a roller coaster ride with lots of twists and turns. You must read until the very end to understand what really happened that night.
I would like to thank NetGalley and Joffe books for this audiobook ARC and the opportunity to read this amazing book.

It is sad that we must live in a world where a mother has to worry and think about what they would do if their daughter was attacked while working at a summer camp. This is a thriller that not only gives the reader shocking twists and turns but does a great job of addressing difficult subjects that are very much a part of our society, from toxic masculinity, abuse, bullying to how people might treat victims of such attacks (like wearing clothes means you are asking for it, and how no doesn't mean no). This book shows both sides, from the attack of Casey and the subsequent actions after but also jumping back in time to see her brother Dan and his relationship with Byrne and the other guys. I love the relationship between those siblings, even in the dark times, they have each other's backs and Melissa's side of the story and what she is willing to do to protect her children (answer: anything!)

I really enjoyed listening to this thrilling audiobook and the narrator, Tamsin Kennard, did a wonderful job in bringing the characters and story to life. Lots of twists and darkness but there is a light at the end and I liked that one last twist!

I enjoyed this novel. I was interested to jump in due to the cover art and title alone, but the book itself kept me interested in where it was going. There were a few suspects to what happened to two of the characters and it was so interesting to see where it lead. And then a major twist at the end that was unexpected, at least to me?? It was great. The narrator did great as well and made it easy to listen to.

Every Mother's Nightmare is a tragic and unfortunately realistic reflection of what women endure constantly. I was instantly pulled into the world of Melissa and her children Casey and Dan. They are each motivated by insecurities, frustrations, and the desire to be accepted. S.E. Lynes' brilliant character development adds intensity and emotion to this heart-wrenching tale. The narrator Tamsin Kennard masterfully brings the story to life adding suspense and a constant sense of foreboding. The conclusion was shocking and satisfying making this an addictive five-star creation. Thank you, NetGalley and Bookouture Audio for my audiobook.

Casy and Dan are summer camp. A body is found nearby. Melissa is distraught when she receives a call from the hospital that Casy was injured and has no memory of what happened. Melissa goes into overdrive Mama Bear mode to protect her children.

This audiobook had me literally on the edge of my seat! The narrator, Tamsin Kennard, was really good. Told in past and present POVs, this was truly a triller with twists that kept me guessing until the very end.

RECOMMEND

Thank you #NetGalley for the complimentary copy of #EveryMothersNightmare in exchange for an honest review. Thank you @bookouture for approving my request.

Thank You NetGalley and Bookouture Audio for the Early Listening Copy of Every Mother's Nightmare. If this book had been done in Dual POV it would have been a 5 star read for me, Tamsin Kennard did the best she could with so many different characters and personalities, but I got a bit confused at a few spots with who was talking. The book starts out slow till the phone call no mother ever wants to get. Twists and turns and then the ending comes out of no where and smacks you right in the I did not see that coming. How far would you go to protect the truth?

Listened to this audio book.
Pretty unique story, but definitely slow in some spots, I like multi-POV books however this one the POVs didn’t seem very different to me. The twist and conclusion were ok but kind of felt rushed at the end, you didn’t really get to see too much of the “how” it happened and still left guessing a lot.
Im not a fan of UK narrators, and this book I was struggling to keep focused because of it.

Overall I think the story itself is not a plot that’s been overdone, characters were okay but could’ve used more building, and the pace could’ve been a little quicker.

I was pleasantly surprised with how addictive this book was! Especially being a mother myself this was hard to read but in the BEST sort of way.. it all felt WAY too real. And the elements of surprise in this book are deliciously perfect!

This is definitely "every mother's nightmare" for sure. This novel brings all of us (as mothers of teenage daughters) to light. This thriller will keep you on the edge as it unravels with multiple twists and turns and an unpredictable ending.

Thank you #Netgalley and #Bookouture for this ARC.

Thanks to NetGalley for an audio copy in exchange for an honest review. I have never read anything from this author but I was definitely pulled in by the story. I ended up really liking this. The audio made it so quick to listen to and it kept me interested the entire way through. I really enjoyed the narrator they really did a great job portraying the characters. I was never bored and was waiting to see what the ending was going to be. Nothing groundbreaking or shocking but a good thriller read.

Thank you for the ARC.

It’s the call every mother’s fears. Her daughter, Casey, is in the hospital because she was found naked and confused.

This story was a bit of a slow burn over all but had some decent twists at the end I wasn’t expecting. I disliked Bern from the beginning but in the end, I did feel a tad bad for him. Just a tad.

I wasn’t thrilled with the narrators male voices though.

Every Mother’s Nightmare by S. E. Lynes ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Pub date: July 9 2025.

Blurb:
It’s the call every mothers fears. It’s the call you’ve been waiting for. Your daughter is in the hospital. She was found this morning, confused and alone. She doesn’t remember anything. You wish you had never let her go away for the weekend. You can’t understand why her brother wasn’t watching over her like he promised, why he didn’t protect her. You race to be with them, before it’s too late. But then the police find a body, seen in the woods, right next to where your children were staying. You’ll do anything to keep them safe. But knowing what you know.. do you protect your son, your daughter or yourself?
________
This one kept me guessing. I love how the book is written, some chapters in the past, some chapters in the present. It really keeps the suspense, and you just want to know more!! Loved how the characters were described, and I saw every scene in my head! Loved it.

Thank you to @netgalley and @selynesauthor for letting me read this one!

It was hard for me to even get into this one. It wasn't that exciting and I didn't care for the characters. Part 3 did reveal something I hadn't predicted. So there was a twist, but it didn't make up for the rest of the book. It wasn't awful- it was just kind of meh.

Tamsin Kennard narrates the audiobook.

I received an advance audio copy in exchange for an honest review.

Every Mother's Nightmare by S.E. Lynes
Narrated by Tamsin Kennard

Melissa knew she'd get this phone call someday. Now that her son, Dan, is 24 (a very "mama's boy" 24, I must say) and her daughter, Casey, is 18, Melissa has known the time for this call is so much closer than ever. Now the call has come, Casey is in the hospital after having been found drugged, without memory of what happened, and only wearing her pants.

As bad as this is, it gets worse, because a body is found and the police are looking at both Dan and Casey. What is a mother to do in order to help her children make it through this minefield? It's always been the three of them and Melissa has raised her kids to be good people. Melissa has taught them to say no to the kind of actions that might get them in this sort of trouble, the sort of trouble that could ruin all their lives.

Dan seems like a good guy although he's stayed too long in "kid" territory in so many ways. He has a low paying bar job and lives with his mom and sister. Nothing wrong with that but he's naive and allows a snazzy, suave "influencer" to try to remake him into something that really isn't what Dan wants to be. Dan sees what he wants to see and ignores the unsavory, bad stuff until way too late.

Casey is a very mature, smart 18 year old. But she's lonely, having been ditched by her well off friends when she can't afford to stay with them in the fancy camp grounds chalet. Instead Casey becomes staff and misses all the fun parts of camp while others party and hang out. So when Dan's suave, cool mentor friend sets his sights on Casey, she's a bit too eager to hang out with him.

The story is told from several POVs and all out of order but it is easy to follow and had me glued to each chapter. Tamsin Kennard knows how to narrate frantic and this story is all about frantic. A mother who will do anything for her children, a brother who knows he's allowed a monster to get too close, and a sister who could be in trouble for fighting back. This last part disturbs me so much, what rights does a victim have if they aren't allowed to fight back?

Thank you to Bookouture Audio and NetGalley for this ARC

3.5 ⭐️ | Every Mother’s Nightmare was definitely an attention grabbing story and I was intrigued & engaged the entire time. What I enjoyed most was the dual POVs of the 3 main characters in this story, hearing it told in first person in each perspective added value.

Melissa receives a call from police notifying her to get to the hospital asap, as her 18 year old daughter Casey has been found disheveled & belligerent barely clothed. Alternating between before the incident & after, Melissa, Casey and Dan’s stories are revealed taking many turns.

Overall a decent read, I enjoyed the authors writing style and will be reading more from their catalogue. The narration in the audiobook was really good, she really highlighted those tension filled moments. Thank you Bookouture Audio and NetGalley for this advanced listening copy. All opinions are my own.

Publication 🗓️ : 07.09.25

S.E. Lynes delivers a chilling and emotionally charged thriller with Every Mother’s Nightmare, a story that grips from the very first page and refuses to let go. Centered around the unshakable bond between siblings, the novel explores the depths of familial loyalty against a backdrop of darkness, deceit, and psychological tension.
The narrative expertly balances suspense with emotional resonance, making it especially impactful for parents. The maternal perspective woven throughout adds a raw and personal layer to the tension, amplifying the fear and urgency in each chapter. From the outset, there’s an unsettling undercurrent that builds steadily, as disturbing behavior and eerie circumstances unfold in increasingly unpredictable ways.
With a twist that elevates the entire storyline, Every Mother’s Nightmare is more than just a standard domestic thriller—it’s a haunting portrayal of love, fear, and the terrifying lengths one might go to protect the ones they cherish. Lynes once again proves her mastery of suspense with a story that is as compelling as it is unnerving.

Something’s happened to Casey at summer camp, but she doesn’t recall a thing about the events of the previous night. Cue the chaos: mistakes are made, secrets are buried, and oh yeah, a murder is thrown into the mix.

Melissa is living every parent’s worst nightmare when she gets a call that her daughter is in the hospital. She was found unconscious in someone else's tent. Meanwhile, her 21-year-old son Dan is convinced that what happened to his sister is his fault. So, he decides to play detective and get to the bottom of it.

This was a decent read. The lead-up to the big reveal kept me interested, and I enjoyed the multiple POVs and dual timelines. I followed each perspective intently.

And as always, props to the narrator for doing a fantastic job!

Thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture Audio for the free audio copy.