A dive into the world of posh competitive moms and the extent they will go to to ensure their children can get into the best private school. It is an interesting read and the intrigue is gripping in some parts but overall the main character is infuriating and the story is a bit too over the top to let you believe it could actually happen. This type of "close to home" story lacks realistic storylines and unfortunately does not have the humour which could balance some of the outrageous plot points.

Where to start - a good read with a twist which is always fab ! Didn’t see it coming ! Bad points I didn’t like the characters at all - not a bad read to pass a few hours !

Oh. My. Goodness.
This is not for the faint hearted. I saw so many booksellers/industry folk talking about this book on Twitter and I only requested it to satisfy my curiosity - stupidly not believing that it would live up to the hype.
Well, it DID.

Don't be put off by the gentle and slightly mundane opening chapters, you'll learn in a few more chapters time that it is the perfect (and personally only) way to introduce the whirlwind that follows.

It's both absurd and yet disturbingly, it could prove to be true in a not so distant reality.

'Such A Good Mother' isn't something to be written off as 'women's fiction', this is a must read for anyone who loves the thriller genre.

Such a good mother - Helen Monks Takhar

I got to 22% and DNF. I found the storyline slow and boring, sorry it’s not for me.

I enjoyed this book. When Rose is asked to join the Circle, an elite group of mothers at her son's exclusive school, she feels she has arrived. Her social standing soars, even though she can't understand why she was chosen to replace Bea, who tragically took her own life. However, it soon becomes evident that the price of belonging is very high and even involves breaking the law. How far will she go to remain a member of the Circle? Thanks to NetGalley for a preview copy.
Copied to Goodreads.

Looking at the previous reviews for this book there is a real mixed bag - it appears to be a bit of a love it or hate it read.

I didn't enjoy this book, I didn't like the characters - they are basically a bunch of shallow, controlling bitches - and I couldn't resonate with any of them.

The plot had potential but because of my dislike for the characters I struggled to really get into it.

If you haven't read this book, give it a try as I can see why people would love it - unfortunately it just wasn't for me.

Rose O’Connell wants her son to have the best education and that means a school where he struggles to fit in.
The school has a group of wealthy, beautiful mothers and suddenly rose is invited to join them . Why? but it means the best of everything for her son.
Whats the catch?
this will have you on the edge of your seat as the twists and turns keep coming.

This book was a real struggle. Where do I start? The plot was unbelievable, the characters were so nasty and shallow. A circle of very nasty women who quite honestly deserve everything they get and more. I really hope other readers will enjoy it more just not for me.
Many thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC in return for giving an honest review.

This book is the epitome of a child wishing for something that they don’t understand can harm them. All that glistens is not gold. It’s a cautionary tale of a group/clique that you wish you were part of then next minute you’re in too deep and praying that things were as they were before which never works for anyone. Brilliant book.

I've never read any of Helens books before but I will now. This book had me intrigued right from the start. AND right to the end. Did not see it coming at all. Really easy to relate to and tells the story of manipulation and deceit. Highly recommend.

If ever there was an embodiment of the phrase "be careful what you wish for" then this book is it. Our central character Rose is desperate to escape her past where she was bullied at school and her father was a con artist who brought disgrace on the family name. Despite a happy marriage to Pete and a lovely son Charlie it still isn't enough to satisfy her craving to be bigger and better than she is. Along comes the opportunity for her son to gain a place at one of the top free schools in the neighbourhood. At the open night Rose meets the school founder Amala who embodies everything she aspires to be. When Amala accepts Rose into her inner circle, everything changes for the better as Rose begins to realise her aspirations. But at what cost? Nothing comes for free......

I really enjoyed this book. As a mother who has just put her son through Primary school I couldn't help but get caught up in the very dark descriptions of the parents in the story, there was something delicious about how outrageous their actions and secrets were!
Of course it was completely far-fetched as a story but the author had a great way of sweeping you along with the characters.
Rose, the narrator painted a landscape of longing that all parents feel as their child is starting out, and described brilliantly just how far you will go to make things right for them, get the best for them., especially when you don't have a lot yourself. In fact I felt that Rose's desperation for a bigger and better life was definitely the most realistic thing about the book. The murders and dreadful characters - such as Ginny and Amala - just added that fun, mystery element.
There were a couple of unexpected twists at the end that I appreciated and overall I really liked it. Will certainly look out for this author again.

A school that everyone wants their children to go to. An outstanding eduction which is free. Its not catchment that gets you in. You need to be vetted by the board. A truly despicable bunch of characters. A dark read with lots of mystery and twists. Some very far fetched situations but a good read.

Thankyou to Netgalley for allowing me to read this ARC.

Jeez that was a roller-coaster of a book wasn't it? It was giving big little lies, in the way the mothers were acting and full on made me uncomfortable how far they'd go to impress Amala.

Speaking of Amala, what a witch of a woman!!! Her character truly made me feel icky and that's props to the author for making her feel so real and villainous.

I felt sorry for Rose but in a way that like she basically did all of this to herself, the tragedy of Jacq, her husband going stray, Charlie hating his new school etc.

Such A Good Mother is a fast paced, thriller with a lot of twists and dramatic scenes (move over Eastenders). I rated it 4/5

Absolutely brilliant! It’s not often that I can pick a book up in the morning and then finish it the same day - I’m just not one of those people who do “one sitting” books….but this one….wow!

I was gripped from the start. Twists, turns, ooooo, it has everything!

My thanks to Netgalley and HQ for the advance copy in exchange for an honest review

Unfortunately I couldn't fully get on board with this book. While there was some intrigue, I felt overall it was far-fetched and the characters to be so largely unlikeable that I didn't really care what happened to any of them in the end.

The book centres around Rose O'Connell, a working class mother who is trying to create a better life for her son and family by sending him to prestigious Woolf Academy. There, she gets accepted into "The Circle" - a group of women who are ostensibly responsible for governance, finance, fundraising etc but all have their own problems and ties to the head of the school, Amala.

While this could be classified as a "domestic thriller" - I found it a bit dull at parts. The message is important, but the "twists" were a bit ridiculous.

Thanks to Helen and NetGalley for allowing me to read Such a Good Mother before the publication date.

This is a story of secrets and lies, of women who, despite appearances, are vulnerable to a predator.
Without giving away any spoilers, I will say that Helen has spun a story which would make a fantastic drama.
Her character description is superb.

Rose O’Connell grew up in a household where she was used by her father, a drunken con man.
There was no escape at school where she was bullied relentlessly.
Now she is married to the handsome Pete with a 4 year old son, Charlie.

As she watches the yummy mummies who drop off their children at the gates of the acclaimed school, The Woolf, Rose wants those advantages for Charlie.
Little does she know what it will cost her.

This was a difficult read. I didn’t connect with this book at all. The characters were all unlikeable. The story itself was very far fetched. The twist was complicated and while it was a good twist the book just didn’t have my interest enough for it to be a shock. Others may enjoy this book but sadly it wasn’t for me.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the ARC in return for an honest and unbiased opinion.

This book took competitive mothers to a whole new level! The main characters are master manipulators who are pros at pulling off a good con. The writing is brilliant, had truly had me captivated the entire time.

Be careful what you wish for….is very much the theme for this novel.
This was just an ok read, it was not for me. I did not like or connect with any of the characters. The Women associated with the Circle are horrid and the story is too far fetched. This is my personal view only.