This was a difficult read for me. The story itself was beautifully written, and the setting had a haunting kind of allure. But the characters and their dynamics felt a little too emotionally triggering for me at the moment.

It’s definitely a psychologically intense book, and I think I just wasn’t in the right headspace to fully take it in. I can see the depth and brilliance in the writing, but it’s one of those stories I might need to revisit when I’m better prepared for its emotional weight.

This was a tragic story of difficult marriages affecting all the participants especially the children. This story was very disturbing and it is hard to believe that these kind of actions happen, but deep down knowing they do. What a terrible world we live in!!

This book was so good with a lot of twists and turns. The dynamics of an old friendship between Lia and Jen added so much emotion and layers to an already emotional book. When Jen's daughter dies, she knows it wasn't an accident or self inflicted. When she tries to get the bottom of it, she reaches out to her daughter's best friend, who happens to be the daughter of Jen's former best friend, Jen. The relationships are so complicated in the book: husband/wife, friend/friend, and mother/child. The end is heartbreaking, shocking, and so twisty.

This book has some heavy topics, so see the trigger warnings before reading the book. If you are okay with all the triggers, I would totally recommend reading it.

The story is about two mothers, their different lives, and some questionable choices.

I loved the suspense this book held till the end of the book, and I was so not ready to accept the fact that she was no more. The emotions of the parents were well depicted, and I was so close to crying at the end because the betrayal she must have felt was unimaginable. Don’t get me started on Simon — he was such a frustrating character (I can't continue talking about his character because it would only be me cursing).

It was hard for me to get into the book at the start because I was in a reading slump for quite a long time. Hence the late review — this uni life has made me so busy that I want nothing more than to sleep when I get back to my hostel, but I’m slowly getting back to my side quests.

Thank you to Storm Publishing, Michelle Dunne, and NetGalley for this e-ARC to read and review. This is my first book by the author, and it was an interesting read. Looking forward to more of what she writes.

A Good Mother is one of the most well-written thrillers I have read in a while. The characters and their relationships were complex and the plot was thick. It made me uncomfortable in the best way and I wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone who likes a book where nobody is the "good guy".

A Good Mother is a great book with mystery and suspence! Imagine on the outside it looks like you have the perfect life. A loving husband, great kids, a career, beautiful house, and money. Sounds like the dream but everything isn't as it seems. I really love this book! I really loved the story that held my attention and was so hard to put down! What is really going on is shocking. I definitely look forward to reading more from this author!

It's been an amazing book, although I would like to know wgat future brings to two characters.
I couldn't put it down, all I wanted was keep reading. Definitely I will read more books from Michelle Dunne. Thanks to netgalley for this ARC

I could not put this book down. What I loved about this book was the way it kept me guessing. Great characters I could connect to. Highly recommend.

This was a well written psychological thriller.

I received this as an ARC from Netgalley, but these opinions are my own.

Thank you Michelle Dunne, Netgalley and Storm Publishing for this ARC.

- I am not sure how I feel about this as a mother of a pre teen in the digital age, especially knowing the horrors of social media. So this consolidated all my phobias as a mother. These are not criticisms of the book; it is an eye opener for many.

- It also examines how people cope with abuse and manipulation. Sometimes it is really difficult to sympathize with the abused party when they become accomplices of the abusers; but it is important to not compromise compassion for accountability.

- I think that this is the first novel I read that is set in Ireland; it has been interesting and I would definitely remedy this oversight.

- This was a fast paced, high stakes, well written thriller. I would read more from Ms. Dunne.

They say that her daughter committed suicide by drowning but she would never have went near the water.
A tense mystery about a mother’s love, friendship & betrayal

Thank you for an advanced copy of the book

When Jen's daughter Alex's body is found in the river it is ruled a suicide even though Alex was terrified of water and would never willingly have entered the river. But no one is listening to her mother.

Not even her ex-best friend Lia, who should be able to put aside their differences at a time like this. But maybe Lia has something of her own to hide. Because why would Alex be messaging with her shortly before her death?

This is a gripping thriller that keeps the reader guessing throughout. Worth checking out for anyone who loves mysteries with twists,

One of the most unsettling thrillers I have ever read. The terrible characters made it more wild. Yet I couldn’t put it down. There are some very dark topics in this book but it was definitely worth the read. I did not see the ending coming.

This story is layered with emotion which creates an intense journey, steeped in mystery and tragedy. I was especially drawn to how Dunne built suspense through early foreshadowing and the dynamic relationships that were not just between the parents, but also among their children. That said, I found it difficult to feel any sympathy for Lia Higgins and her family. As the story unfolds and we learn more about the events that shaped Lia and her children’s behavior, it becomes clearer why they commit such disturbing acts. Despite understanding their trauma, I found it impossible to truly root for Lia. I hoped for a better outcome for Alex, and I was left wishing her fate had been different.

*Thank you to Michelle Dunne, Storm Publishing and Netgalley for the ARC copy. I am freely leaving my honest review.

I was not expecting this book to be one of my favorites of the year. I haven't read this author prior to this book so it was a pleasant surprise. Fast paced, twisted, and absolutely gripping.

A new author for me but I will certainly be looking out for more books from her. This was a fast-paced, book that I just couldn't put down.
Definitely recommended and 5 stars
Many thanks to netgalley and the publishers for an ARC in exchange for my honest review

I am sorry it took me so long to post this. I had to think about the book and process it and I got stuck on the whole friendship fallout over a man but then you live next door to that same couple.
But it is how a story becomes a story. Weird stuff has to happen.

This was okay. I will definitely read the next book by this author.

A Good Mother by Michelle Dunne needs to be on your tbr. The suspense is high, the book was hard to put down, and the tists? You won't believe it even though you are reading it with your own eyes. Pick this book up today.

Michelle Dunne's A Good Mother is a gripping, emotional page-turner that unravels a devastating truth through the eyes of two mothers and their daughters. Jen's world shatters when her daughter, Alex Blake, a lifelong aquaphobe, is found drowned in a river, ruled a suicide by the police. Jen instantly knows they're wrong. How could Alex, who nearly drowned at five, take her own life in water?

But no one will listen to a grieving mother. The police are dismissive, her husband believes she's in denial, and even their seemingly supportive neighbors, the Higgins family, urge her to accept the official story. Yet, a nagging suspicion persists. Why was Alex messaging Lia Higgins, Jen's former best friend, on the day she died? And why is Lia now so desperate to silence Jen's questions?

As Jen digs deeper into the seemingly perfect family next door, she uncovers a web of dangerous secrets Alex was keeping. Someone knows what truly happened to her daughter, and they are relentlessly determined to prevent Jen from uncovering the truth. A Good Mother is a breathtaking exploration of motherhood, friendship, and betrayal, guaranteed to keep you up all night as Jen fights to expose a killer lurking closer than she ever imagined.

Michelle Dunne’s A Good Mother starts off with promise, pulling readers into the layered lives of Jen and her family and neighbors. At first glance, the characters feel authentic—Jen, a mother stretched thin between financial stress and her teenage daughter Alex; Lia, her estranged high school best friend turned neighbor; and the younger children, Willow and Simon, who share a close bond with Alex. The groundwork is laid for an emotionally complex domestic drama with hints of suspense.
The early chapters build tension effectively. We get glimpses into the fraying threads of Jen’s marriage and the painful distance growing between her and Alex, who is navigating adolescence largely on her own. The dynamic between the once-close friends Jen and Lia adds another layer of intrigue, suggesting unresolved conflict and missed opportunities.
However, after a tragic event shakes their quiet neighborhood, the novel loses some of the realism and nuance that made the beginning so strong. The characters, who initially seemed relatable and well-developed, begin to feel more like stereotypes—especially as the plot leans into melodrama rather than emotional depth. Their decisions often stretch believability, and by the final chapters, the compelling character-driven drama gives way to a less satisfying resolution.
While Dunne’s writing style is accessible and the pacing moves briskly, the second half doesn't live up to the promise of the beginning. Still, A Good Mother offers a readable experience with moments of insight about motherhood, friendship, and resilience—just don’t expect the emotional payoff the setup seems to promise.