Anya Mora, Good Bad Mother, Bookouture Audio, expected release date February 17, 2025

Anya Mora's *Good Bad Mother* invites readers into the complex world of Amelia, a young mother married into a wealthy family shrouded in secrets and the weight of her past. While the premise is engaging, my reading experience was a mixed bag, primarily due to the pacing and the prolonged reveal of Amelia's hidden truth.

From the outset, we are introduced to a mother navigating the challenges of her life, all while carrying the burden of a concealed history that looms over her. The initial chapters focus heavily on the intricate details of Amelia's day-to-day life and her attempts to maintain her facade. This slow burn, while rich in character development, often felt drawn out. I found myself yearning for the excitement and tension that typically comes with such a narrative, as the suspense surrounding her past seemed to overshadow the potential for dynamic storytelling.

Mora's writing shines in its introspective moments, capturing the essence of motherhood, vulnerability, and the instinctual need to protect one’s family. The emotional depth she weaves into Amelia’s character is commendable, and it’s evident that the author aims to explore the complexities of identity and the lengths to which one will go to shield their loved ones. However, the prolonged buildup to the eventual reveal felt like an obstacle rather than a suspenseful journey.

As the story progresses and Amelia's secrets begin to unravel, the stakes do rise, and I found myself more invested in her plight. Nevertheless, it was a challenge to stay engaged during the initial stretches of the narrative. The anticipation of a big twist was palpable, but at times it felt like the story was more about the waiting than the eventual payoff.

In conclusion, *Good Bad Mother* is a novel that offers a deep dive into the psyche of a mother grappling with her past, but its pacing may leave some readers feeling restless. Anya Mora’s talent for character development is evident, yet the slow reveal of Amelia’s truth detracts from the overall excitement. For those who appreciate a more contemplative approach to storytelling, this book may resonate more, but for readers seeking a quicker pace and immediate intrigue, it might require a bit more patience.

Thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture Audio for the opportunity to review this advanced copy.

I loved it, from start to finish, thanks NetGalley for the early access, every spare minute I had I would listen to it, it has so many twists and turns, especially at the end!!! Wow! Definitely a good read!!!

4.3 stars - ** May contain spoilers ** Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for an ARC audiobook of 'Good Bad Mother'. First off, I just want to say the narrators did an amazing job – their voices, emotions, and the way they read were so natural and engaging. As someone who's newer to audiobooks, I can honestly say that the narrators can make or break the experience! 'Good Bad Mother' was a thrilling, mysterious read that I really enjoyed. It took me a little while to figure out who was being referred to in the reflective/past chapters, but once that was cleared up, things really started to click. I found myself rooting for Amelia the whole time; I genuinely believed she was a good mother who just got dealt a shitty hand. The ending and resolution were satisfying too.

My biggest issue was with Timothy – a total dirt bag. If you truly love someone, you don’t go behind their back, investigate them, and then cheat on them. You sit down and have an honest conversation WITH YOUR SPOUSE. It’s crazy how many stories like this could be solved with just a simple talk... but I guess that wouldn’t make for much of a plot, huh?

This is an entertaining listen, the story unfolds at the ideal pace to keep you engaged, and throws in in a fair few curveballs along the way to discovering the truth. Interesting take on the impact of manipulation amongst siblings.

🎧 Book Info

- Author: Anya Mora
- Narrator: Lauryn Allman, Penelope Rawlins
- Length: 8hrs 38mins

🧠 Plot & Characters

- Brief Plot Summary: In "Good Bad Mother" by Anya Mora, we follow the gripping tale of a woman who relocates to the secluded and elite Cutters Island with her husband and baby, seeking a new beginning. On the surface, she portrays the perfect image of a devoted wife and mother, but beneath the façade lies a web of dark secrets and past misdeeds.

One fateful night, her seemingly idyllic life shatters when she awakens to find her husband missing and her baby gone from the crib. Panic sets in as she scours their lavish home, only to be confronted by a blazing fire that threatens to consume everything. As the mystery unfolds, she is forced to confront her hidden past and unravel the truth behind the disturbing events.

- Favorite Character: Clover because what an adorable name 🥰

🎙️ Narration

- Narration Quality: the sound quality of this audiobook is 👌🏾 top tier! it felt like drinking cold water while chewing mint gum 🧊🍃 crisp!

🌌 Atmosphere

- Setting & Mood: an island for the 1%
- Suspense Level: 🔍

💭 Final Thoughts

- Rating (out of 5 stars): ⭐️⭐️.5
- Yes, No, Maybe: No, and here’s why. this book had SO MUCH potential, but in the end, it floped…you would think that the plot would be about a wife who hid her identity from her husband and while her past is being revealed, someone kidnaps her baby - but it’s not. it’s about “two sisters who possess deep secrets that could ruin both of their lives if revealed”. there were many times when i asked myself if this was the right book since it didn’t match the description. idk…i’ve never really read a book so different from the description.

*Remember to research trigger warning(s) before reading/listening. Happy Listening! 😊*

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sigh…ok, this book has so much potential! i’m on chapter 17 and we’re still not close to revealing the secret that’s mentioned every 2 seconds. i love a good mystery, but this was a bit drawn out.

Good Bad Mother had me hooked! The suspense was unreal, and the twists kept coming. If you love The Housemaid or Verity, this one will keep you on edge. Dark, chilling, and impossible to put down! 🔥🔥

Thank you to NetGalley, the publishing house, narrator and author for the opportunity to listen to a complimentary copy of this audio book in return for a review based upon my opinion.

This book started really well, I was hooked on the story and interested to see where the story led and what the big reveal was; boy was I disappointed. The big reveal was a bit of a dud to be honest. I guessed so much of this story and just kept hoping it would get better, it did not. Unfortunately a fail for me.

I found the narrator a little shrill at times but otherwise she did a good job.

Good Bad Mother follows the twisted history of new mom and newlywed MC who is running from something in her past. Married into wealth, our MC isn’t feeling like she’s fitting into the family and is concerned when her new husband’s ex-girlfriend starts hanging around. As the chapters continue, Amelia drops hints to her past, little by little to keep the reader wanting more. The same past is coming back to haunt her and threatens to ruin the family and life she’s created.

While I didn’t find this book overly exciting, I did enjoy my time listening to it. I found myself excited to restart it every chance I could. The twist at the end was predictable, however, the other twist was not. Overall, the story was fun and kept me wanting more. The writing felt a little redundant at times and a little juvenile, but still good.

Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture for this ALC!

Thank you NetGalley for this ARC opportunity!

Man. Meadow/Amelia really always got the shit end of the stick. Her entire life was her being blamed for other wrong doings, but in some cases, choosing to still protect those people.

Hazel was so wrong for what she did. I understand part of her reasoning, but as soon as Meadow was released, she should have fessed up.

And dont get me started on the POS family she married into. They were all trash. Celeste too.

This was a very woven web with lie after another lie, but it kept my attention and i really enjoyed it!

I enjoyed the narration of this one, but overall I found it very slow and just wanted it to speed up a bit and was expecting alot more from the story and felt more was coming at the end. Maybe that's just me but I was hoping for more of a twist or surprise through out. Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for this audio arc.

The main character's struggles felt real, raw, and frustrating. I was invested as she unraveled the truth of her past. The pacing was a little slow at times, and I wished some of the twists would unfold a bit quicker. But overall, it was an engaging read. If you enjoy domestic thrillers with emotional layers and mystery, this one is worth checking out.

Book:
Good Bad Mother💔
By Anya Mora❣️

Review📝

This one started off quite strong for me, and I was completely engrossed in the main character. She was a new mother who was struggling with parenting and attempting to hide her past. As the story progressed, I was on the edge of my seat, thus I felt the suspense was top-notch. The only disappointment for me was the final reveal; I was expecting a little more after such a long wait. It was a quick and engaging thriller.

Thriller🔪
Suspense🫣
Multiple POVs🗣️
Lies🤫

3 stars
⭐️⭐️⭐️

Narration:
I thought both narrators did a lovely job with the book. I have no complaints!

This book was so intense. It made you think everyone was out to get our main character so you were questioning everyone around her the whole time. Sometimes I read thrillers and I’m like there’s no way my man or his fam would be treating me this way I’d jump the dinner table. 😂 overall I enjoyed it tho. 🍽️

I really enjoyed listening to this on audiobook. I was hooked from the beginning and listened to it all in a day. I personally felt like parts got a bit repetitive however. I did really enjoy the different POVs and flashbacks. For me it really started to pick up more about 60% into the book and then the ending felt a little rushed. But I would definitely be interested in more books from Anya Mora

The Good Bad Mother is a story of loss, discovery, self-doubt, assuredness, selflessness, selfishness, goodness, cruelty, tragedy, hope and so much more.

The characters were so well developed and lifelike, eliciting a lot of emotions from me as a reader. I found myself cheering for some and others I was frustrated and wanting to give them a good talking to. I can't say too much without giving up some spoilers, but when you read the book, you will understand! Here I am 24 hours later still loathing some of them and wanting to give them a piece of my mind!

There are a few plot twists sprinkled throughout the book which keep the reader guessing, though not the psychological mind twisting type. My attention was held the whole way through, and I found myself very satisfied with the ending. I am not one who does book clubs, but I think this would be a good book club read, as there are so many different types of discussions that could be had.

Thank you to Bookouture Audio for the ARC copy of the audio version of this book. It is important to note that the narrator did a wonderful job bringing both the story and the characters to life!

Good Bad Mother is a gripping, slow-burning thriller that keeps you second-guessing every character’s motives. Anya Mora weaves secrets, deception, and psychological tension into an eerie suburban setting where nothing is as it seems. The narration by Lauryn Allman and Penelope Rawlins enhances the suspense, drawing listeners deeper into the protagonist’s chilling predicament. While the pacing drags in places, the shocking twists and emotionally charged moments make up for it. Fans of dark, domestic thrillers will find this an engrossing, unsettling ride.

Good Bad Mother by Anya Moya
🌟🌟🌟🌟
A mother…A wife…A liar…
This is a very entertaining and fun psychological thriller story!! There are lots of twists, suspense and secrets!
Amelia wants the perfect life, and she thought she had gotten it, but the past doesn’t always stay hidden. I enjoyed the multiple timelines and the story is well written! It’s a fast read and I was hooked from start to finish!
Thank you to Netflix for the audio version of this book. The narration was great!
*This book comes out February 17th! Grab your copy*

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC of Good Bad Mother (Audio Edition)
by Anya Mora

Amelia has the perfect life, part of the rich Sterling family from Cutter Island, Perfect husband, new baby Clover, but looks are deceiving. there is so much this book has going for it, a few loose ends and a bit rushed at the end, but a great book about breaking the cycle of family trauma.

I enjoyed this and stayed interested throughout. The end got a little too soap opera-esque for me with several dialogue lines that made my eyes roll. The book could also be very repetitive at times.

Would recommend for fans of psychological thrillers

I struggled with this book. I found the story extremely repetitive and drawn out. If they removed half of the times she vaguely mentions needing to escape her past and how it will easily be found out now due to her new life. A new life she quite literally allowed to take place even though she knew she "needed to stay hidden". It was a struggle to stay interested when 50% your still getting her walked over by people, her dropping hints of what she is running from, and just this feeling of a person talking to much. With a thriller novel it is hard to relate to a character or emphasize with a character when that character is ALLOWING and CAUSING things to happen. I will say this has similar vibes to a Freida McFadden novel and people absolutely love her books, I perhaps was not a good audience because I also struggle with the asinine decisions Freida's characters make and struggle with wanting to read her books.