
Member Reviews

It’s the call every mother dreads.
You knew it was coming…
I absolutely ate this book up and finished it in one day. I loved the summer camp setting, the different perspectives and the twists were executed perfectly. It’s also ideal for this time of year; a summer setting but with enough mystery for when autumn is creeping in. Definitely a thriller but also scarily realistic and covers some pretty important topics too (check the trigger warnings!)
Thank you to S.E. Lynes, Bookouture Audio and NetGalley for the advanced audio copy of this book.

Every Mother’s Nightmare by S. E. Lynes is a brilliantly gripping domestic thriller that taps into every parent’s deepest fear. Marcia is at work on a sweltering afternoon when she gets the call no mother ever wants to receive: her daughter has been found confused and alone, with no memory of what happened. Her son was supposed to be watching over her, but instead, the weekend away has turned into a nightmare. Then, when a body is discovered in the woods near where the children were staying, Marcia is forced to question everything she thought she knew—and decide how far she’ll go to protect her family.
The plot was tense, engaging, and full of unexpected turns that kept me hooked until the very end. I especially enjoyed how the story explored trust, family bonds, and the gray areas of protection and guilt. The characters were well developed, and the unsettling atmosphere had me flying through this one.
Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture Audio for the ALC in exchange for my honest review.

Every Mother's Nightmare lives up to its haunting title in every possible way. This gripping book plunges readers into a harrowing story that captures the raw fear, desperation, and helplessness no mother ever wants to face.
From the very first page, the narrative grips you like a vice. Whether it’s the mother’s frantic search for truth, the slow unraveling of trust, or the chilling reality of how quickly life can spiral out of control, the story holds you in a state of constant suspense.
The strength of this book lies in how real it feels. The emotions are not exaggerated for effect—they’re raw, honest, and often painful.
What makes Every Mother’s Nightmare unforgettable isn’t just the suspense, but the lingering sense of vulnerability it leaves behind. It’s the kind of book that stays with you long after the last page is turned.
Verdict:
A emotionally charged story that is both heart-wrenching and impossible to put down. Every Mother’s Nightmare is a must-read for fans looking for a story that will shake them to their core.

This was an absolute page turner that gripped my attention through to the very end and surprised me over and over again. The plot is complicated and changeable which kept me on my toes guessing what was going to happen next. If you enjoy thrillers with a surprise around every corner this book is for you. I listened to the audio version of this book and the narrator did a great job. This is my first book from the author S. E. Lynes and it won't be my last. Recommended. 4 stars.
Many thanks to Net Galley & Bookouture Audio for a chance to read/listen to an ARC audio version of this book.

I had such a great time reading this book! It pulled me in right from the start and kept me turning the pages. The writing flowed so well, and I found myself completely invested in the story and characters. It’s one of those reads you just don’t want to put down.
huge thanks to the publisher for sending me an early copy!! I’m so glad I got to read it ahead of the release day and can't wait for the world to get to enjoy it too!!

Dan cannot believe his luck when he becomes best friends with an influencer, and as he starts to change his lifestyle according to his new friend he learns about the summer camp his sister has to attend and so is his new friend! But why is a 26 year old attending summer camp meants for 18yrs!
As he introduces his sister to his new friends, he learns a dark secret about his friends - and he is shocked! He tries to warn his sister but she ignores him thinking that he is jealous of her.
Least does she know that very soon an incident would happen and that would change the lives of her and her family, and someone will be found dead the next morning!
This was an awesome listen, right when I felt that the story was becoming unbelievable it picked pace and everything fell in place giving a very good ending to the whole story.
Thanks to Netgalley & Bookouture Audio for the ALC in exchange for an unbiased review.

This book had me in an absolute chokehold from chapter one! I could NOT put it down and I was constantly second guessing everything the entire book all the way until the end and I NEVER saw the twist coming! Devoured and loved this book, a thriller that did exactly what it was supposed to do, kept me guessing!

My first book by SE Lynes was Valentina and I just knew that anything else she released would be a huge hit and this one proves it. Loved every bit of this book!

This was an entertaining read. Loved the storyline and the mystery of what happened to the body found. The characters and the way the timelines were laid out were easy to keep up with and the narrator was great. 😊

This was a fun thriller with some great twists and turns. It’s a little more slow burn than some thrillers can be. Quite a bit is given to understanding the mom’s emotions and fears for her children. It was my first from Lynes, but won’t be my last.

This was an intense story that drew me in and wouldn't let me go. The multiple twists were exceptional, very good read!

This was an interesting story. It starts out quickly diving right into the thick of the story. It involves a young girl who has something terrible happen, a brother who feels guilt, and a mother who is living a terrible nightmare. It also revolves around a guy who is a complete tool. I'm really not going to tell you much about this one. It unfolds in the best of ways and when you get to the end you'll want to reread the whole thing all over again!
The writing style is smooth and the story progresses perfectly. The characters are well thought out and they can pull on the heartstrings quite a bit. I would recommend this one.
I did get the chance to listen to the audio version of this book and it was great. The narration is brilliant and it really sucks you into the story and brings it to life.

Every Mother’s Nightmare, written by S. E. Lynes and narrated by Tamsin Kennard is a summer mystery that I could not put down! Melissa is a single mother, to her two adult children. Her husband has not been very involved in their lives since their divorce, and even though times and money can be hard sometimes, she is proud of how they are turning out. Her son Dan has seemed to turn a corner and is taking good care of himself, and her daughter Casey is being self sufficient and working at a camp for the summer so she might enjoy some time with her friends. Melissa is happy, and so are the kids. That is until she gets a phone call, with not much information. Something has happened to Casey, and she needs to get to the hospital. As our book continues, with various chapters being told by the three members of this family, we learn about the time leading up to the incident, and what needs to happen now. This is a story of family coming together, protecting each other, and providing support, even when you might not know how to do so.
I loved this audiobook! I could not put it down. I really enjoyed the sibling and mother child relationships, as well as the growth and self awareness of the characters throughout the book. Also really appreciated the variety of friendships included, and the ways that the family recognized who there friends really were.
I definitely recommend this book to anyone looking for a good mystery or summer read. Thank you to NetGalley and to the author, publisher, and narrator of this book for an ALC in exchange for an honest review.

Whew… this one got me. Every Mother’s Nightmare is intense, emotional, and totally gripping from the very beginning. S.E. Lynes does such a good job digging into the fears and complexities of motherhood, and honestly, it felt so real at times it gave me chills. The characters were layered and believable, and the way the story slowly unraveled had me turning the pages way too late at night. It’s one of those books that sticks with you long after you finish. Highly recommend if you’re in the mood for a psychological thriller that hits a little deeper.

I’m sorry to say this was not one of my favorites; though I do think some readers will find it enjoyable.
For me, if I’m being honest, I was bored. I didn’t find any of the characters likable so I was not invested in them and therefore did not care much what happened to them. This kept the book from hooking me. I had a good idea from the beginning who may have been guilty and guessed some of the twist reveals and, in the end, though the guilty party keep being elusive, I was led to find I was correct.
I will say, I thought I had the title pegged the entire time and the second to last chapter I learned I didn’t have it quite right; a bit clever.
This book has a pretty clear #metoo agenda. So, if that’s your thing, you’ll likely be a fan.
Topics of drugs, sex, assault and rape.
Have to give some accolades to the narrator who had many voices to differentiate, of both genders and multiple ages.
Thank you NetGalley for the chance to read and review.

No parent ever wants to hear the words, “Hello—this is Officer…” But that’s exactly the call single mom Melissa receives while she’s at work.
Fearing the worst, she rushes to the summer camp where her daughter, Casey, is a counselor and her son, Dan, is visiting with friends. What she doesn’t know is that Casey has just woken up nearly naked in a tent that isn’t hers—with no memory of how she got there. Meanwhile, Dan is growing more desperate by the minute, unable to reach his sister after a tense argument the night before.
What unfolds is every parent’s worst nightmare—an utterly chilling, edge-of-your-seat story that had me racing through the pages. This four-star read is haunting, suspenseful, and one I won’t be forgetting anytime soon.
Tamsin Kennard, the voice actress, did a wonderful job adding that chaos, unsettling, and desperate feeling all the family members were experiencing.
Big thanks to NetGalley, S.E. Lynes, and Bookouture for the chance to read and listen to this gripping thriller in exchange for an honest review.

Trigger Warning: Sexual assault, toxic masculinity, memory loss.
This was my first time reading a novel by S.E. Lynes, and I was impressed by the storytelling—especially the way the narrative shifted between multiple characters and timelines. The layered structure added depth and maintained a strong sense of suspense throughout. I'm usually quite good at guessing the endings of books like this but this one definitely caught me off guard.
I listened to the audiobook and enjoyed the narration. The narrator really brought each character to life making for an enjoyable "read".
I’m definitely looking forward to reading more from S.E. Lynes.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for the ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This one is told from 3 points of view which is always a plus. But I found it way too long and it felt like the author tried to throw the kitchen sink at it. There was some twists and turns along the way and where they were well executed they didn’t have the desired effect. I found certain aspects just a little unbelievable when it came to a mother’s instincts. The narrator did a good job of keeping me engaged. Unfortunately this one was just meh for me.
Thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture Audio for the opportunity to listen and review #EveryMothersNightmare

Thank you Netgalley, S E Lynes and Bookouture Audio for the Audio Arc of Every Mother's Nightmare.
Narrated by Tamsin Kennard
Every Mother's Nightmare is a fast paced twisty narrative which will leave you on the edge of your seat. I pretty much listened to this in one sitting. On an afternoon while the UK weather was too rainy to go out for a walk so it's a great read for cosy days or hot days on the beach. Our two MFC, a Mother and Daughter who are close but struggle with boundaries, letting go and freedom of a teen. Melissa takes a call from the police that her daughter has been found, disoriented, in just her underwear in a tent. Her daughter, Casey, can't remember a thing and luckily was found by a work colleague and friend, called Spider. Her Brother, Dan has been searching for her all over the summer camp.
This book grabs you right from the first page and does not let go. It tackles the very real fear of letting our teens out into the big wide world and the dangers of alcohol, trusting the wrong people and also finding the people who will do what it takes to keep them safe. The pacing of this book is spot on which keeps you constantly engaged and has some great foreshadowing. And of course a few red herrings too. S E Lynes has a great writing style with interesting well built characters.
As always, Tasmin Kennard does a fantastic job in narrating this book, keeping the pacing, tension and the emotions throughout the book.
4.25 stars for Storygraph, 4 stars for Netgalley

This was such a great ALC! If you love thrillers with twists then you will love this one! I thought I had it figured out until the very end!