This was neither suspenseful. thrilling or psychological....it was all just a bit flat.

Mackenzie Casper is 21...and her mother has just died. Her mum is the best selling author, Elizabeth Casper - AKA E.V. Renge. There doesn't seem to be anything suspicious about the death except there is an investigator still hanging around. Mackenzie doesn't feel sad at the death of her mum because they had never really got on with each other and her mum's agents has turned the funeral into a circus. Escaping back to her apartment for some peace and quite, Mackenzie finds an envelope on her car seat addressed to her and from her #1 Fan xoxo. Upon opening it, she finds some pages apparently from her mother's diary detailing her life before she had Mackenzie. It takes Mackenzie all the way back to when her Mum was a teenager and living in a care home and the horrible events that inspired her mothers first novel. As Mackenzie tries to unravel the mystery about her mother's past she begins to suspect that her mother based her murder books on events from her past life and this leaves her questioning how much she really knew her mother...

This is weak for a psychological thriller. The story is not suspenseful at all and most the twists and reveals were hinted at so obviously that by the time they were revealed to Mackenzie it felt too late. The characters are unfeasible and irritating - I am not convinced that a teenager would have a seizure and go to hospital, be diagnosed with a genetic condition and proscribed medicine without a parent being informed at some stage. The so called big reveal was not that big and again was very easily guessable.

Now I'm not saying it was all bad because it wasn't. There is good stuff here it's just in better hands it could have been an amazing story. Honestly, I think it fits better in a Young Adult category - it would have got more stars from me in that category as I think it's a good introduction to psychological thrillers because it isn't thrilling in any way. It's such an easy, unchallenging read that I burned through it in just a couple of days.

If, like me, you like your thrillers a bit more thrilling then this definitely isn't for you.

Thanks to Netgalley and the author for the ARC in exchange for the honest review.

The writing style was not my cup of tea unfortunately, the dialogue felt very stilted. I thought the big ‘twist’ in the middle of the book was really obvious and felt like the author had been leading us to make that conclusion quite heavily so there was no pay off for me. Too many inconsistencies and suspension of belief needed in the plot. 2.5 stars rounded up

Extremely enjoyed this book, so many twists and turns leaving my jaw on the floor at the end! Would highly recommend to anyone who loves a good suspense Thriller.

An absolutely fantastic book with the best twists that I didn’t see coming. I really enjoyed this book and already want to read it again.

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

College student McKenzie attends the funeral service for her mother, a world-famous author who has died suddenly. The author is mourned by her publisher, agent and adoring fans, but less so by McKenzie. After the funeral, McKenzie receives the first of several beyond-the-grave notes from her mother. Gradually, she realises they are pages from her mother's diary that refer to a dark secret from her teenage years. McKenzie and her best friend EJ, a handy IT expert, set off on a quest to discover the truth about her mother's past (though they seem less concerned about who is tracking McKenzie's every move and delivering the notes). The writing is pacy and fluent, and McKenzie is a rounded, engaging character whose search uncovers all kinds of craziness after the midpoint.
With thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an early copy in exchange for an independent review.
Upon publication, I will post my review on my blog and on GoodReads.

Love, Mom is a gripping psychological thriller that blends family secrets, suspense, and the unravelling of identity into a page-turning story that keeps you guessing until the very end.

Mackenzie Casper has never been able to step out from the shadow of her mother, a celebrated and slightly infamous thriller author. When her mother dies in what is presumed to be an accident, Mackenzie is not only dealing with grief but with the growing sense that something is very wrong. As investigators start to circle and a cryptic letter arrives—signed Love, Mom—the mystery deepens.

Iliana Xander weaves a compelling narrative, slowly revealing the twists and betrayals at the heart of Mackenzie’s family. The use of her mother’s diary extracts adds tension and a creeping sense of dread. Each letter uncovers another shocking layer, and Mackenzie’s desperate need for truth is palpable.

This book excels in building atmosphere. The pacing is tight, and the revelations are timed with precision. Mackenzie is a well-crafted lead—determined, grieving, and growing more suspicious as the truth begins to surface. The family dynamics are messy and real, which makes the mystery feel all the more personal.

Love, Mom is a darkly addictive story of legacy, lies, and the secrets we inherit. Perfect for fans of domestic thrillers that dig deep into complicated mother-daughter relationships, it’s a chilling reminder that some truths are more dangerous than lies.

Read more at The Secret Book Review.

Wow, a brilliant hard to put down thriller.
Mackenzie Casper's mother is a best seller author, her books are scary, dark and ingenious. When her mother dies Mackenzie starts receiving mysterious letters written by her mother. As more letters come from an anonymous source, Mackenzie's suspicions surrounding her mothers death raises so many questions, so Mackenzie starts to investigate.
Delving into her mother's past brings proves there is more to her death than Mackenzie could ever have imagined.
This is a truly brilliant work of fiction. A true psychological thriller, from first to last page, totally gripping.

Psychological thriller author E.V. Renger (a chilling anagram for revenge) has just died. Her estranged daughter MacKenzie remembers her difficult personality as her fans mourn her. Then the letters start arriving. Can MacKenzie survive her mother's final thriller?

Told in three parts, this slow-burning psychological thriller touches on grief and guilt to deliver a page-turned packed with sharp tuns and shocking revelations. The twist was absolutely diabolical!

Gripping, atmospheric, and unforgettable!

This was a very twisted read told in three parts, the second of which really explains past events in great depth and adds some great additional personal viewpoints. Mackenzie was a great character and she had a great sidekick in EJ who totally understood just how messed up her family is although neither of them actually truly realised how messed up they actually were. There’s some good twists in this however I did kind of see the direction this was heading in so I guess that took some of the shock factor out of it but it’s still a chilling read with fascinating characters. 7/10

What an amazing book!

I loved every page.

It is so well told and brilliantly laid out.

The twists, turns, and drip, drip of new information is masterful.

I was totally drawn into the story and found all the characters fascinating.

Lots of emotion, but never too much. I loved the ending. Just perfect.

Highly recommended and would love to read more by this author.

Once I reached half way this book had my jaw hit the floor on a fair few occasions the twists and turns on this book were soooo good, Mackenzie the main character was really likeable and there were other characters I would love to punch in the throat but we won't go there 😂 Worth the read for sure though! Only thing that let it down a little for me was the pacing in the first half, sometimes it was good others not so much.

The plot of this was really interesting, I just wish this had been written better. I could've rated it higher but because the writing style felt very basic (for me) I didn't feel as invested, or as interested in the plot twists. Though saying that, the twists were great but I feel they would've landed better had they been executed better.

The beginning is extremely slow and repetitive, then so is the next part until we finally reach the answers we've been waiting for and then it all became rushed and messy. There were parts of this that I enjoyed, such as the characters and the potential of the story but I needed more.

This is my personal taste and opinion though, so take with a pinch of salt. I think other people could absolutely love this book.

It must be me because I just don't Love Mom!

Mackenzie's famous mother, author Elizabeth Casper, dies in a freak accident. I haven't read far enough to know the manner of her death just that it was unexpected and “tragic”. Mackenzie and her mother weren't close in any sense of the word, in fact they both seemed to resent each other. Her father seems be hiding something, but as yet there are only hints, and not very clear ones. So far there isn't one likeable character, in fact they're all caricatures. Written from Mackenzie's point of view, this is so “spoiled teenage brat”, sulking her way through a privileged life.

I like a really good psychological thriller. I've read so many good ones over the years, and maybe this has made me a little more picky than some, but this reads as though it's aimed at the YA market. The writing isn't awful, but the style is just so juvenile; it comes across as a teenager entering a writing competition. I admit I haven't finished this, and I'm unlikely to. No scratch that – I won't finish it, it's just not for me.

Wow this book blew me away, gripped from start to finish and loving the rollercoaster of turns this book put me through. Excellent book for all readers of the thriller genre. This definitely does not disappoint if you like to be kept guessing until the end.

A thrilling read that leaves you guessing until the very end. Highly recommend for all thriller lovers who like a guessing game!

Wow this is some book! It had so many twists I needed a road map! Skilfully written and full of twists, it’s a real rollercoaster of a read. I loved it!

Iliana Xander’s debut novel, Love, Mom, is a psychological thriller that captivated me from start to finish. The narrative unfolds with Mackenzie Casper, a brilliant student and the daughter of a world-renowned thriller author. Upon her mother's sudden death, Mackenzie begins receiving mysterious letters signed "Love, Mom," each revealing unsettling secrets that challenge everything she thought she knew about her family.

What struck me most was the author's ability to weave multiple twists into the storyline, keeping me on the edge of my seat. Each revelation felt both unexpected and inevitable, a testament to Xander's skillful plotting. The pacing was relentless, with short chapters that ended on cliffhangers, making it nearly impossible to put the book down.

The writing style was engaging and immersive, drawing me into Mackenzie's emotional journey. Her character was well-developed, and I appreciated the depth of her relationships, particularly with her best friend, which added layers to the narrative.

Given that this is Xander's first novel, I was impressed by the maturity and complexity of the storytelling. It's rare to encounter such a polished debut, and I eagerly anticipate her future works. If you're a fan of psychological thrillers that delve into family secrets and unexpected twists, Love, Mom is a must-read.

I was very interested by the synopsis of this book. I had a feeling this would be right up my street, full of twists and turns what's not to love. I was not disappointed!
I really enjoyed that the author has given the characters depth and personality as this is what really makes or breaks a novel for me. This book is unique in the thriller genre, it pulls you in right from the get go. What I will say is it starts off as a slow build up but that's all part of building the story/characters, stick with it because that twist in the middle....had me jaw dropped! If you are a thriller lover definitely add this to your TBR!
5⭐️ One of my favourite 2025 reads so far....

📚I was able to read an advanced copy of title thanks to NetGalley, Iliana Xander and Michael Joseph, Penguin Random House📚
📚All reviews and opinions are entirely my own📚

4.5! Loved this book but I found it slow to get going, which is the reason it isn't a 5 star for me. I was hoping for a twisting, suspenseful thriller and this really delivered.

The characters and plot are both detailed really well, and I enjoyed getting the story from multiple point of views. TFC is relatable, and I really felt for her, I don't find it easy to get emotional about characters but this one I really did. It was nice to see her develop a relationship as well.

The first half of the book really sets the scene, and the second half gets you gripped and keeps you turning the pages with all those fantastic twists. There were lot's of surprises and it kept me invested. I read it in 24 hours as I just needed to know what happened.

The ending wrapped the story up well so you aren't left guessing like you can be with a lot of thriller. If you like a thriller with a bit of family drama and emotions then this one is for you.

Thank you NetGalley, Iliana Xander and the publisher for access to the ARC.

Thank you to the author and publishers for the ARC via NetGalley!

This book was fantastic. There were plot twists that you would have never guessed, and reading this was a rollercoaster. It’s written in a great modern way that doesn’t come across as ‘cringy’, I love the characters, and this book was so incredibly easy to read! The plot was continuously great, the flow of the book was steady and consistent, and I finished this in 24 hours. If you’re looking for a book to blow your mind, this is it!

Rating: 5/5 stars (⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️)