Meghan Gerard has been in and out of hospitals for the last couple of years, but no one can figure out what’s wrong with her. Her mother, Becky, continues to push for answers despite test results that continually come back normal or inconclusive. Is Becky a devoted mother doing everything in her power to save her sick daughter, or is something more insidious going on? Is Meghan’s sickness real, or all in her (or her mother’s) head?

This was a very interesting book that deals with possible Munchausen/Munchausen by Proxy. There are lots of twists and turns to keep you guessing. I found the book to be pretty fast-paced and entertaining. I can’t say that I totally guessed all of the big twists, but at the same time I wasn’t particularly shocked by anything. Some things were obvious, and some things were maybe a little predictable.

Also, I didn’t particularly love any of the characters - in fact I rather disliked most of them (except Zach Fisher) for much of the book. However, if you really try to put yourself in any of their shoes, you can understand why they behave the way that they do.

Overall, this was a really entertaining, fast-paced page-turner! A solid 4 Stars for me.

*Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for providing me with a free advance review copy in exchange for a fair and honest review. This review is posted to GoodReads, Facebook, and will be posted to online retailers once published.*

This one kept me guessing all the way through! Now THAT is the sign of an excellent mystery!

Some would say Becky Gerard is a devoted mother and would do anything for her daughter Meghan. Others, including her husband Carl, claim she's obsessed and can't stop the vicious circle of finding a cure for her daughter’s unexplained illnesses. Is there something sinister going on? Or is Meghan really sick? Those questions and more kept this reader turning the pages as fast as she could.

I started this book over a weekend and couldn’t read fast enough. I was so mad when work got in the way of me finishing it until days later. A well-done story with well-drawn characters. Characters you’re not sure whether to love or hate. A story that left me eager for answers.

Saving Meghan will not be my last D.J. Palmer book! This book kept calling to me and I answered as fast I could. You should too! Grab a copy today!

Thank you St. Martin’s Press for allowing me to read an advanced copy of this book.

I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Upon reading this book it brought back visions of my medical career and how frustratingly aggravating it can be to try to get answers to questions. The book has intrigue, suspense, and mystery all thrown in. I felt the characters were blase' and could have been more outstanding. Usually when reading I get "pulled into" the story but during reading this book I felt like I was in a never ending "white world".

4.5 stars.

Medical thriller + courtroom drama + murder mystery = jam packed, exciting new thriller by D.J. Palmer!

The back of the ARC says "Can you love someone to death?" and this is the question at the heart of the story. Teenage Meghan has been "sick" for years. With many nondescript and vague symptoms, she has seen countless specialists in the pursuit of a diagnosis at the direction of her mother, Becky. But when Becky is accused of Munchausen syndrome by proxy, the question becomes, "Is Meghan really sick?" Or is her mother pursuing a diagnosis that doesn't exist?

Munchausen syndrome by proxy has always fascinated me and I thought D.J. Palmer did a great job introducing it and giving the reader an idea of just how hard it is to diagnose. I found myself throughout the book unable to pick a side, wavering back and forth between believing Becky's account of events and then getting on board with the Department of Children and Families (DCF). I imagine real Munchausen cases give people similar mixed feelings and precariousness, so I appreciated that Palmer wrote the book with an element of uncertainty.

I feel like the thriller genre is getting pretty saturated with the "same old, same old" type of story. Usually the titles begin with "The Woman [fill in the blank]" or "The Girl [fill in the blank]," and have an unreliable narrator. It is hard to find a story that is unique and different. And I think D.J. Palmer accomplished that. I honestly didn't know what was going to happen as the story went on and didn't feel like it was predictable. In fact, the ending really threw me for a loop so if you're looking for a great twist, I would recommend this book.

Saving Meghan is a look at what it means to be a parent. What lengths would you go to for your child? How much is too much? How much can adversity can a marriage take? What happens when your role as a spouse takes a backseat to your role as a parent? So many interesting social questions and one wile ride. This is a must read and would make a great buddy read!

-I received an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to NetGalley, D.J. Palmer, and St. Martin's Press for the opportunity to review.-

Saving Meghan by D.J. Palmer
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

I was not a happy camper with this book. I had been so excited to read a book with such a unique premise, and then when I really got into the book I found myself skimming. It was slow to start and had a major problem with repetitiveness.

ALL of the characters were extremely dislikable and the ending was seemingly pulled out of thin air.

Had I heard one more time how Becky was so beautiful and could manipulate men -I would have gouged out my eyes. Yes, I can see by Becky's back-story that she had 'issues'...but enough is enough.

Yes, I can see that the author carefully planned the ending, but it (the denouement) should have been longer and told in the culprits' voice.

I didn't like that the story was told in so many voices, yet not from one of the most important people which was, I suppose, to push us into thinking that this unheard character 'did it'.

I didn't like being pushed so hard into coming to an incorrect conclusion. We as readers are not stupid people. We could plainly see what was going on, Mr. Palmer didn't need to hit us over the head with it.

Many people really loved this book; I did not. Yes, I was captivated enough to finish it (skimming a lot of the way through) but I will not be putting this on my 'to be re-read' pile.

*ARC Supplied by the Publisher

This book is definitely one that I can recommend to readers who enjoy stories that both intrigue and aggravate you! Its a topic we all are aware of.....the health problems of a child with no explanation from any doctor on what could possibly be at the root of the problem. As the story unfolds the obvious culprit is Becky, the over-protective mother, and the thought is Munchausen by Proxy. The description of Becky’s own family history can be evidence of that possibility. However, as you read more into the story, are some of the secrets that Meghan is holding onto part of her problem? And where does Becky’s husband, Carl, fit into all this? Sometimes supportive and sometimes skeptical. Many dynamics surround the health issues of Meghan and the storyline takes the reader down all the paths to a twisting ending that some readers see coming, and others do not. I admit that I liked the book, but wasn’t totally engrossed in the characters.. Thanks to NetGalley, the author and St.Martin’s Press for the ARC of this book in return for an honest review, which this has been.

I was given an advanced copy in exchange for honest review.

From the first page I was hooked on this story. I wanted to solve the mystery of Meghan’s illness. I felt Becky’s frustration with the doctors. I understood the conflict that existed in her marriage as they struggled through having a sick child.

The book was well written. I started to wonder if Becky’s family history might play a part in Meghan’s illness.

I wanted to know if Becky was making Meghan sick? Will her marriage survive?

"Saving Meghan" is an okay read. Characters include a sick daughter (or is she faking), an obsessed mother (one internet diagnosis after another), a dad that isnt sure who to believe, and a slew of doctors with different opinions on a diagnosis. While the plot is interesting, the delivery is lacking. There are countless clues to the mystery along the way which makes the surprise ending not very surprising. I got slightly bored flipping between the characters and only kept turning the pages to see what stupidity happened next. The book reminds me of one of those made for TV movies where the cast a well known actress to play the mom just so people will tune in. Maybe this wouldve been better as a screen play?
2/5. Easy read, somewhat entertaining, not terrible.

2.5 stars. This was actually SUCH a page turner, and most of it was a fun, solid 3 stars. But I'm rounding down because I hated the ending, even though I heavily suspected out was going to go that way. It's hard to say why without spoiling things though, so I will share specifics on my notes to the publisher.

This was not what I was expecting and that turned out to be a good thing. The opening chapter was something that could have been taken right out of today’s newspapers.

Becky Gerard, an attractive and doting mother, is desperate to find out what is wrong with her 15 year-old daughter, Meghan. A once active girl, Meghan has turned into a kid who is easily fatigued and suffers from other various aliments. Numerous doctors and tests turn up no answers.

It was not a big leap for Becky to be accused of Munchausen syndrome by proxy. It also didn’t help matters that she could often be pushy and unlikable. But when her husband seems unable to stand by her side, secrets that are long buried start to come out. But the biggest secret of all comes from someone that is least suspected.

I believe this is the first thriller by DJ Palmer and I will certainly look forward to his future work. I enjoyed this one and loved the twisty plot.

Many thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for allowing me to read an advance copy and give my honest review.

Meghan Gerard is one sick kid. But with what exactly, that is the million dollar question. Dragged from doctor to doctor by her mother, there is nothing showing up on endless tests to indicate why Meghan is fainting, sick to her stomach and constantly in extreme pain. In a cross between Law & Order, House & a Lifetime movie, Meghan's mom falls under attack as perpetuating Meghan's illness in her mind - or Munchhausen by Proxy disease.

Told in an interesting manner that makes it hard to know if you want to #SaveMeghan or #BelieveBecky, you will definitely be captivated by this story from start to finish. As mentioned above, once the story faded more into Lifetime movie territory, it lost a bit of the appeal for me, but I still enjoyed the ride.

Thank you to St. Martins Press for an advance copy. All opinions are my own.

3.25 Stars

What’s wrong with Meghan Gerard?

Medical test after medical test come back clear and yet Meghan is sick! Cramping, fever, fatigue and muscle spasms, etc. Her mom Becky is sure that it’s something serious and she won’t stop till Meghan is diagnosed! Is it real or psychosomatic? Even Meghan isn’t sure at this point! Experts wonder if it’s Munchausens by proxy or Mito disease.

Becky Girard is something else - is it devotion or detriment? Is Meghan sick? Who or what will you believe? Your head will spin faster than a dreidel and there will times where your eyes roll and yet you’ll keep on reading - desperate for the outcome. I’ll admit that I guessed wrong, however this book kept me on my toes the entire time! Though none of the characters were all that likable I found myself truly intrigued by the premise.

This was another buddy read with Kaceey!

Thank you to NetGalley, St Martin’s Press and D.J. Palmer for an arc of this novel exchange for an honest review.

Published on Netgalley and Goodreads on 3.18.19.

I had a really hard time getting through this book. While I enjoyed the first few and last few chapters, the middle was boring and dragged on and on. The plot was interesting but did not hold my attention for the long haul.

Wow, this book was full of surprises, and not just the story itself! I admit that I felt a little disappointed at the beginning of the book because the plot was so predictable, or so I thought. As I continued reading, realization dawned on me that not only was I wrong about that, but I was wrong a few more times. There were several twists and turns in this story that kept it UNpredictable and interesting. I was also surprised with the genre, it was not a straightforward story about a sick girl, it was a lot more than that. This was a quick read for me and I enjoyed it.

Saving Meghan by D.J. Palmer is a quick, enjoyable read that is less of the thriller that I expected and more of a family/medical drama with a highly sinister, twisted plot!

Having a sick child is a nightmare...even when your child has a fever, the flu, an ear infection, you hate it and will do anything to make them feel better and when they are in the hospital, forget about it! You'll move mountains to get your child the best care possible! Just ask Becky Gerard, mom, to 15-year-old Meghan! There is nothing she won't do to make sure she finds out what is wrong with her extremely sick teenage daughter because she KNOWS Meghan is sick, very sick, despite numerous visits to many different doctors and specialists, hospital visits, tests--oh the tests and the bloodwork, so much of it that Meghan is now beyond terrified of needles!

Becky is so obsessed and manipulative when it comes to getting answers about what is wrong with Meghan that when the possibility is brought up by one of Meghan's newest Drs that the tests are either finding nothing wrong or all inconclusive because there's nothing actually wrong with Meghan and instead Becky's guilty of Munchausen syndrome by proxy—actually making her daughter sick in order to get attention for herself, it wasn't very hard to believe that could be the truth...Or is it?

This is a story with some interesting twists as it becomes a fight for Becky to save and protect her daughter and for the hospital to feel they have to do the same! Who is right in this medical drama? What explains all of Meghan's symptoms of chronic headaches, severe fatigue, weakness, appetite loss, and fragility that can't be explained by any bloodwork, test, or doctor examination? Is it Becky causing them? Is it a new diagnosis from a new doctor? Or is something more sinister than even Munchausen syndrome by proxy happening?

While I enjoyed this one quite a bot, I thought at times that it was too drawn out and was repetitive in places. I had a lot of the story figured out after Becky was accused of Munchausen syndrome by proxy, including who was involved with a certain character and what was causing Meghan to be overtly ill at certain times. Still, the ending is dramatic, page-turning, and extremely satisfying.

D.J. Palmer is definitely a writer who can tell an excellent story and his writing skills, even though there were some things that I didn't love about the book, are really excellent, so I look forward to what he writes next! If you like family dramas, medical dramas, psychological suspense, then I recommend you grab this one! It releases on April 9, 2019!

**Thank you, NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the ARC to read in exchange for my fair and honest review.**

Die 48-jährige Immobilienmaklerin Becky Gerard hat gerade das Flugzeug von Boston nach Los Angeles betreten. Ihre kränkelnde15-jährige Tochter Meghan lässt sie nicht gerne bei ihrem Mann Carl zurück, aber ihre Mutter liegt im Sterben und trotz einer schwierigen Beziehung seit Kindertagen, will sie in ihren letzten Stunden bei ihr sein.

Doch noch bevor das Flugzeug starten kann, muss ihr Mann plötzlich mit der Tochter ins Krankenhaus, da sie beim Spielen bewusstlos geworden ist. Becky erkämpft sich hysterisch den Weg raus aus dem Flugzeug, hin zu ihrer Tochter ins Krankenhaus, obwohl es ihr schnell wieder besser geht. Sie eilt in die Notaufnahme.

Sie setzt wieder mal Himmel und Hölle in Bewegung obwohl die Familie die Arztbesuch, Untersuchungen und Tests schon gar nicht mehr zählen kann und der Notarzt nur eine Dehydrierung diagnostiziert hat. Ihr Mann ist da nicht ganz dabei, er ist etwas skeptischer. Er hält es für möglich, dass seine Frau die Symptome auf die Tochter reflektiert.

Wenig später daheim, nach einem weiteren Streit der Eltern, stellt sich zu Beckys großer Freude heraus, dass auch ihr Mann trotz seines Unglaubens recherchiert hat und eine neue mögliche Erkrankung und einen anderen Arzt gefunden hat. So wird Doktor Zachary Fisher eingeführt.

Später bekommen sich dann sogar die verschiedenen Ärzte in die Haare. Ist es eine seltene unheilbare Krankheit, psychosomatisch verursacht oder liegt hier gar ein Münchhausen Syndrom vor? Die Entwicklung ist sehr spannend und berührend, man liest gefesselt weiter. Auch Zach steckt in dem Fall mit mehr Emotionen drin, als für einen Arzt gut ist. Es ist überwältigend, wie sich all solche aufgestauten emotionalen Probleme manifestiert und sogar andere Menschen mit aus der Bahn werfen können.

Nach dem ersten Drittel konnte ich dann leider aus persönlichen Gründen nicht mehr weiter lesen. Der Inhalt hat mich zu sehr berührt und aufgewühlt, was aber wiederum für die Qualität der Geschichte spricht...

**Thank you to the Publisher and NetGalley for an advanced reader copy to review**
Once I started Saving Meghan, I simply could not/would not put it down! I read it over a day, taking breaks here and there to attend to my family and complete necessary tasks.
15-year old Meghan has been in and out of the hospital time and time again over the past few years. Doctors have performed test after test and cannot find anything wrong with her. Yet her parents insist on getting a diagnosis. Becky, Meghan's mother is her protector, calling her an attentive parent would be a huge understatement. On the brink of possibly finding a diagnosis, a GI specialist at the hospital, brings up concerns that Becky might have Munchausen Syndrome and that Meghan may not actually be sick. Becky and Meghan's Dad, Carl must then fight the system in order to prove that Meghan has an illness and needs treatment.
I became completely engrossed in the story from the start, needing to know what was going on. I went back and forth a few times, disbelieving one character after another. There were a few twists, and I didn't see the ending coming. Saving Meghan is a compelling, suspenseful page-turner that will suck you in from the start!

Becky Gerard is on a mission to find out what is wrong with her daughter Megan. Becky learned from her Mother at a very young age to manipulate the medical profession to get what she wants and right now she wants confirmation Megan has a little know rare disease. Becky's husband Carl believes Becky has gone too far in pushing for a cause of Megan's illness. To complicate matters, Megan is keeping something from her Mother that is adding to her distress. Is Becky making Megan sick? It makes you wonder just how far you would go if it were your child.

This is an interesting book with lots of twists and turns that keep you guessing until close to the end. I did like how the author tied up all the loose ends at the end of the book. The characters were well developed and rang true. The character Becky was so complex I could never tell who she really was. I did like the character Zach but I didn't like the ending. I would have hoped for something better for the doctor! This would make a good movie.

I would recommended the book.

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this novel.

This is a family driven drama with a hint of suspense/mystery. At first captivated by the plot and writing, I was totally on board and immersed in the writing. Where was Palmer taking us. So many different directions ... was Meghan sick? Was it a case of Munchausen by Proxy? Somewhere in the middle it just started to bog down for me. It became repetitive and even though I figured out what was actually happening, it became inconceivable, was it really going to go in that direction? Entertaining, but a bit beyond belief.

Not knowing why your child is constantly sick is a huge dilemma for a parent. You run from one doctor to the next searching for the reason, the why of your child's constant sickness. Your child suffers, your marriage suffers, and you, the mother, suffer so fearful of the unknown, thinking that someway somehow cancer is the malady.

Becky Gerard, has so much to contend with, her mother dying, a husband who seems disinterested, a daughter, Meghan, who is constantly ill. When on her way to say goodbye to her ailing mother, she receives a frantic phone call from her husband, she scurries to the hospital where Megan has been taken and so begins a chain of events that will have a devastating outcome.

The question that plagues all of them is why is Meghan always sick when there seems to be no medical cause for it? What seems likes dozens of doctors, visits and hospital stays have produced little more than frustration, worry, and a nagging feeling that something is terribly wrong. Then however, one doctor in the hospital where Meghan has been brought, seems to have an answer, mitochondrial disease. Unfortunately, this disease is very difficult to diagnose and since over time Meghan has developed an aversion to needles, there is trepidation to the procedure to find out if indeed it might be mitochondrial disease.

There is, on the other hand, something else which might be occurring. The mother begins to be suspected of Munchausen's By Proxy Disease, an psychological illness where a caretaker imagines and ultimately foster illness upon the one in their care, seeking attention, drawing sympathy, all in an attempt to make people feel sorry for them. Is this ultimately what Becky is doing? Is there really no illness suffered by Meghan but the desire of her mother for her to be sick?

There are other forces afoot and as the hospital, the mother, and the doctors fight over Meghan's care, the father seems to withdraw further until the ultimate happens and Meghan is placed under the protection of CPS.

This was a different look at how people manipulate and see conditions that are sometimes not there. It is also a look at the devious nature of some as they twist things to achieve what they want. This was a quick enjoyable story but I will admit it had some flaws. It seemed at times to be long winded and overplayed. The writing was good, but the story line at times had me rolling my eyes. There were details that were somewhat far fetched but overall the shocking conclusion at the end carries this story.

Recommended to those who like a psychological thriller and family dramas.
Thanks you to D.J. Palmer, St Martin's Press, and NetGalley for a copy of this book due to be published on April 9, 2019.