Valerie Keogh, The Mother, Boldwood Books, June 2024.

Thank you, NetGalley, for providing me with this uncorrected proof for review.

Valerie Keogh has provided readers with yet another good read, with some twists and, in my opinion more importantly, an intelligent consideration of the qualities that are believed to make the perfect husband. It is the way in which Keogh portrays this less than perfect wife, confronted with the perfect husband, that provides the tension that makes The Mother a book with which will probably resonate with readers who are mothers. After all, which of us is perfect?

The prologue introduces a murderer who contemplates the extremes of love and not loving. There is no indication of the sex of the murderer, which enhances the way in which each character is introduced and behaves throughout the narrative. Who is guilty? The perfect husband? The imperfect wife and mother? Is it one of the friends, patients, and neighbours introduced early in the novel?

Sarah is not only a mother who would prefer not to be, she also falls down as a perfect wife. She is introduced as a busy GP, tapping on her keyboard as she talks to Nick, her husband, about the party they have agreed to attend that night. Neither is keen, after all, Nick loves to be with her, rather than her friends. Early in their relationship he brings her a large bouquet after she resists going to the pub meet her friends when he persuades her that being at home with him is preferable. Nick and Sarah’s best friend, Jade, are also at odds. The phone call ends with Nick’s statement that they need to talk. At this, Sarah takes heart, maybe she and Nick feel the same about the problems in their marriage? Perhaps he will agree to a friendly parting of ways?

Sarah has been confronted with both sets of parents’ pleasure at the marriage: Nick’s are delighted and Sarah’s are relived that she is settling down with a “good Man”. However, even this early in the marriage she now she usually stops on the way home for a drink. It is as well that she does – Nick is not about to agree with her that their marriage is a failure.

The narrative is hugely evocative of the way in which pregnancy, birth and motherhood impacts on Sarah. Her struggles are an important part of the way in which she is viewed, and Nick’s loving and caring attitude is a strong contrast. Sarah is not wholly a cold character, her attitude towards her patients is exemplary. She also has a strong friendship with Jade. Her attitude towards Nick is modified by her recognition that he is a good man, taking the blame for her lack of mothering skills and feelings, and preparedness to change when she is confronted with one outcome of her lack of affection for her child.

The twists that ensue are relatively satisfying, and the outcome a recognition of both Sarah and Nick’s virtues and faults. These keep the tension as do those of the characters who appear to be relatively peripheral to the marriage and Sarah and Nick’s parenthood. Keogh’s explanations that are an integral part of her work, are for me, rather overdone. However, they provide a useful part of the narrative in tying up the ends. On the positive side, any questions are and answered and ends tied up neatly, rendering the narrative thoroughly satisfying.

A great thriller packed to the brim with secrets and lies!
Baby Kaya is abducted, with police suspicion on the mother and the mother suspecting her closest friend
there are huge shocks to come.
Such an entertaining read which I could not tear myself away from, the mark of an brilliant writer.

A great thriller filled with secrets, lies and deceit. Though Valerie Keogh really cannot disappoint her readers, this one was exceptionally good.

When baby Kaya is abducted, the police suspect the mother, the mother suspects her best friend, the best friend suspects the mother, and Kaya’s father is completely shattered after the abduction. The bombshells just keep coming in this one.

I was kept entertained for a solid day and couldn’t put it down until I was done. I can easily recommend this book to thriller readers and give it a solid 4 stars. Thank you, NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the advanced reader copy.

The Mother
by Valerie Keogh
Pub Date: June 27, 2024
Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
Sarah Westfield is unhappily married to perfect husband Nick. Handsome, devoted and kind, he should be the ideal man for her, but Sarah knows their marriage is the biggest mistake she’s ever made…and she wants out.

But then Nick offers her one last chance to make their marriage work – a baby.
Sarah is horrified – a baby would tie herself to this man forever…wouldn’t it? Or could it be exactly what she needs?
So Sarah agrees.
Adding a child in to the mix was not ideal. Sarah never seemed to bond to her daughter, but when she is missing, things get crazy! Will she finally bond with her child? Will she fall in love with her husband? Can tragedy bring them together or make matters worse. Throw in a best friend who knows their secrets and YOU get one twisty story..
This was my first read from Keogh and I devoured it. I eagerly await more.

This was a good read for me. I felt everything played out the way it was supposed to and how it was supposed to. It was enough suspense to keep me engaged until the end.

Thank you NetGalley and Boldwood Books for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was good, but predictable, in a sense. I didn’t expect one of the twists at the end, but I saw the one at the very end coming from a mile away. It had a nice plot, but it reminded me a lot of Colleen Hoover’s Verity meets Daniel Hurst’s Doctors Child series.
It was slower, but not slow enough to the point of dragging, which was nice. The thing I didn’t like was the amount of unlikeable characters. Sarah was awful. Nick was terrible. Zoe-Lee, was also terrible. I just did not like anyone in this book. They were all awful, and guilty of something, whether they wanted to admit or not.
Overall, it was good, but definitely not a favorite, or the best book I’ve ever read.

The Mother
By: Valerie Keogh
Pub Date: June 27, 2024
Publisher: Boldwood Books

This was my first book by this author and I devoured this one. As a mother this one stabbed at my heart.

A couple marries, but they each have their own reasons for getting married. Sarah’s new husband Nick is kind, charming and adores her. She said Yes, too soon and wished for a different life.

Adding a child in to the mix was not ideal. Sarah never seemed to bond to her daughter, but when she is missing, things get crazy! Will she finally bond with her child? Will she fall in love with her husband? Can tragedy bring them together or make matters worse. Throw in a best friend who knows their secrets and YOU get one twisty story..

Loved this one so much, and will read more by Keogh. Thank you Boldwood Books for this advanced.

Sarah Westfield is unhappily married to perfect husband Nick. Handsome, devoted and kind, he should be the ideal man for her, but Sarah knows their marriage is the biggest mistake she’s ever made…and she wants out.
But then Nick offers her one last chance to make their marriage work – a baby.

Wow what a story, once again Valerie Keogh has shown me why she is at the top of my best authors list. Once I see one her books on offer I do not even bother reading the blurb, I just request it straight way. You are in for a very wild ride and I loved every moment of it. Against her better judgement Sarah decides to go ahead with Nick's plan but if only she knew what the repercussions of this decision would be she may have thought twice. Often in life we feel the people closet to us are the ones we know the best, but then along comes a situation that totally blows this theory out of the water and we are totally blindsided.

Who do you trust when the chips are down and you really need your closest friends around you? This books explores themes of love, fidelity and friendship. So is Sarah a victim of her own making or should we be feeling genuinely sorry for her? The answers will all be delivered as the book reaches its conclusion but even then you are in for another big surprise.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of the book, all opinions expressed are my own.

When her husband says they need to talk, Sarah expects him say wants our of their marriage. It's what she's been about to say herself. Instead, he suggests that they have a baby and she....somehow....agrees to his plan. I love domestic thrillers that focus on motherhood and this one went in an entirely unexpected direction. It was an entertaining, fast paced read that kept me guessing what was going to happen next.

This grabbed me on page 1 and had me in a chokehold until the last second. I couldn’t put it down and read during every free second I could spare. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for my honest review!

One of the more captivating thrillers I've read lately. I could not put this book down! I like the writing style and how the author would leave constant cliff hangers at the end of some chapters, making you want to read more. Will definitely be recommending to people.

This author never fails to disappoint. The story is around the feeling of love and when that turns into an obsession. It brings out raw emotion and empathy for others. Yet it has such a dark side to it with a few twists that will stay with you. Highly recommend.

Sarah Westfield is unhappily married to perfect husband Nick. He smothers her with love and she is sick of it. She wants out of the marriage and thinks he does too but he wants to have a baby, so she ends up having a baby with him hoping it will help the marriage, but it leave her worse she really doesn't want to be married or be a mother. Sarah feels so trapped and vents all to her best friend.
Then her baby goes missing, did she get what she wants her baby gone, her marriage in a bad way. Who took her baby and why?
A brilliant fast paced read, I was hooked from the very first page and couldn't put the book down until I finished.

Thank you to Netgallery and the publisher for this ARC. The publication date is the 27th June. This book was a mysterious and ferociously addictive book that kept me on the edge of seat and glued to my kindle!

It was packed full of red herrings and I was enthralled all the way through. I have read many of Valeries’ books and they are just amazing I love this writers writing style as she always keeps you guessing!

I’d highly recommend this book 5 stars! 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

The Mother by Valerie Keogh is another propulsive read from the author. By the third chapter I was well and truly hooked.

Sarah is coming out of a relationship when she meets Nick. Although she is not looking for marriage, she soon gives in to Nick's proposal, and it isn't long before she has also agreed to have a baby, though she immediately regrets both decisions. Almost indifferent to her infant daughter, Kaya, the unthinkable happens when the baby is abducted, and Sarah's world comes crashing down around her.

I will not say more for fear of revealing spoilers but, trust me, you will not want to miss this one. 4.5 stars

Many thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for an ARC.

Wow, what a rollercoaster of a read!
Valerie Keogh is one of my favourite authors and this is definitely one of her best books.
I couldn’t put it down once I started and was thoroughly engrossed in the plot.
The ending is fabulous and completely unexpected.

A spellbound thriller that will keep you on your toes. So many twists, loved tge characters all so well written into the storyline. Best ending!

Thanks to the author, the publisher and Netgalley for an early release of this book.

Loved this fast paced thriller.

The characters were so well written that I almost DNFd near the start because I hated Sarah and the way she spoke about her gorgeous baby.

I decided to keep reading as I love this author and I’m so glad I did. The twists and turns were so worth it.

I enjoyed this book a lot! It had some good twists and turns, and I wasn't sure how everything would play out. The ending was very good as well, and not how I expected it to end. I've enjoyed the books I've read by this author, and can't wait to read more by her.

A very clever story written by an author that I admire and always enjoy her books. This one grabbed me straight away and I devoured it. It was so twisty that I was surprised how the story turned out, a complete surprise. My thanks to netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.