This is the second book I’ve read from Jackson and it won’t be the last, gripping and suspenseful all the way through and I just want to read more! I enjoyed Bree’s character and her relationship/friendship with Marshall and how naturally comfortable it was, it felt like a very natural representation of friendship. The crime reader side of me will always be suspicious of the husband but my initial suspicions of Trey did not pan out and the twist was well written and not too shocking (the mark of a well thought out story!) which left you reeling along with Bree as she discovers the truth.
Overall, I’d recommend this and the other books I’ve read from Jackson to anyone wanting a thrilling suburban mystery/crime novel!

How far would a mother go to protect her child?

Bree Cabbat loves her husband and her three children. Her life is a million miles away from her poor upbringing and she has a positive outlook despite her own mother living in fear after fleeing an abusive relationship with Bree’s late father.

All her peacefulness ends though when her baby son is taken. As Bree follows the instructions if the woman who has her son, she slowly begins to understand why her family has been targeted and why maybe her mother’s fear of the world had a solid foundation.

This is a really good story. Bree is a great character, she’s strong and resilient and very believable. She’s willing to do anything to get her son back, but maintains a very strong sense of right and wrong. The only fault I can find is that the epilogue feels a little rushed/tacked on.

However, the book deals with some weighty subjects in an approachable way. Everyone has shades of grey about them, and the only unforgivable character failing is being unable to admit when you’ve done something wrong. I thoroughly enjoyed this.

I will review this book on Goodreads, Storygraph, Amazon and publish on my blog (https://liseysreads.wordpress.com/) around two weeks before the book is released.

Joshilyn Jackson doesn't just write well-paced, perfectly plotted thrillers - they're literary, contemporary, and fully realised novels, and I love how fully fleshed out the characters are, with comprehensive back stories and a whole world the reader can't help but buy into. These are immersive novels, not by-the-book, end-each-chapter-with-a-cliffhanger thrillers, and I love them so much more for that.

Mother May I is the story of Bree Cabbat, who on the surface of things has it all - a wealthy husband she adores, a lovely home, and three beautiful kids she dotes on. So when the youngest of those kids, baby Robert, not even three months old, is taken, and Bree is left a note that simply instructs her to go home, tell no-one, not to contact her husband or the police, or Robert will killed, Bree is both distraught and compliant. She'll do anything to get her baby back...and she might just have to.

What follows is a gorgeously written and deftly plotted novel that unfolds like a flower. Joshilyn Jackson invests so much in her characters that the reader cannot help but invest in them too. There are no pantomime villains or shining knights in her novels, only motives, and mistakes, and flawed humans, which is so much scarier and more realistic to me than someone going off half-cocked because they are essentially evil, or bad.

I loved this novel, and tore through it, wanting to get to the end while also not wanting it to finish. I highly recommend Mother May I, and any other Joshilyn Jackson novel you can get your hands on - gripping, intelligent and engaging thrillers from an author at the top of her game.

Thank you to NetGalley and to the publisher, who provided me with a free ARC copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

I could not tear myself away from this tale of kidnapping and revenge! The storyline was exquisite and the tension was practically unbearable! Loved it!

Very good book! I LOVE Jackson as an author and this one didn't disappoint. I was suspicious of multiple characters (especially the husband!) the whole way through, adding to the tension, whilst also being heartbroken for the mother. The major challenge of this book- you cant put it down!

Mother may I

What a strange synopsis, I have lots of other books on my list I’m dying to read but this intrigued me. Bree is immediately plunged into a terrifying situation, her baby gone and a note left with instructions...

Really scary situation and book! I was on the edge of my seat. Lots of suspense. I really liked Bree, she’s in control and she’s intelligent. A nice change to read a thriller with a strong mother character! I actually find this a difficult book to review since I don’t want to give any plot away but honestly this is remarkable. You need to read Mother May I! 4/5

I enjoyed this suspenseful story. It’s not my favourite of Jackson’s. however, I would recommend others read the book.