A chilling look at postpartum depression and the realities of the early days of motherhood. Readers who have experienced such will see themselves in Brown's words and readers who haven't will gain a better understanding of those in their circle that have. 4 Stars.

As someone who has been swinging on a pendulum of wanting/not wanting a baby, this book was rough! In the best way. I feel like anyone who can give birth will appreciate the brutal honesty, the solidarity of knowing that at least one other person gets the way that they might be feeling. It's not a cautionary tale, it isn't condescending mom talk, it's reality. I loved the ebb and flow in the characters' growth, crying when Estie cried, smiling when Estie smiled, and sometimes...You know, shaking my head at Estie sometimes. The character development was wonderful. I have already recommended some of my mom friends to put this on their wishlists for the year, and I can see a huge audience for it at my library.

Estie, pregnant wife of Owen, college professor, discovers her husband has been fired. This incident creates a domino effect of uncovering a history of lies in which he has weaved into their lives. Their relationship takes a downhill turn as their finances become a concern, as Estie works at an artisan tile company, and the birth of their baby is imminent. Estie has a strained relationship with her mother, a strained relationship with her college best friend, and an obsessively one-sided interest in her college ex boyfriend. The birth of her daughter triggers a severe mental health reaction that offers insight and horror into the childhood Estie experienced with her mother. Without spoiling major plot points, Estie's relationships are put to the test. Dishonesty, vulnerability, and forgiveness seem to be the major players in this text and are explored in new and inventive ways. It is an honest and unconventional look at motherhood in all of it's realities, and will certainly cure a case of baby fever.
While it was a quick and seamless read, I personally wanted more from the characters and from certain elements of the plot. I also would strongly not recommend this novel to anyone who is sensitive or upset by animal death.
Thank you NetGalley and Melville House for sharing this ARC with me!