Easy and quick read. Subject very interesting – genetic engineering in humans. Mother will do anything to protect her child and then the child grows up and wants some answers. I enjoyed this fast-past psychological thriller.

Thank you to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for a free copy in exchange for an honest review.

This was quite a terrifying story. Although it is fiction, it has a thread of science fiction running through it. Claire and Ethan lost their child, Colton, at age 8. His death was due to a genetic disease passed on by Claire and any other children she would have would be affected also, but perhaps not as severely. She does not want another child due to this, but Ethan does. Claire contacts Dr Robert Nash, a fertility doctor who was experimenting with genetic mutations, creating a baby with three genetic parents. The story is original and although it is done from multiple POV’s, it is beautifully done. Also, although there is a lot of scientific language throughout, the author makes it relatively easy to understand. I thoroughly enjoyed it, although the premise was terrifying.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

What a thrill of a ride! I flew through that one! The story is interesting and moves quickly and I loved how the author did the POV changes. I thought the characters were well thought out and there was plenty of twists and turns to keep me interested until the very last page. Of course, some were somewhat predictable but I still enjoyed the read. I loved the ending but I would have liked to know a little bit more about the aftermath of the events.

This book does raise some questions about the ethicity and morality of genetically modifying an unborn child.

If you're looking for a quick and interesting read, I highly recommend Mother Knows Best!

The story is intriguing, and the switching in POV are done very well. This story brings up some really good questions about genetically modifying a child before conception, and the morality of doing so. The characters were all great, there were plenty of twists and turns, and the ending was pleasant.

Claire Abrams has lost a son, Colton, to mitochondrial disease which is passed from mother to child. Though she wants another child, she is terrified that any child of hers will die as her first did.

Claire learns of a procedure in which her defective DNA is replaces with a healthy woman's. Even though it is illegal, she goes behind her husband's back to Dr. Nash to have the procedure done. The doctor's assistant, Jill, provides the needed material.

Word of what they have done gets out just as she is about to give birth. Claire and the doctor go into hiding, leaving Jill to take the heat. Jill ends up in jail.

Years later, the child, Abby's class participates in a genetic experiment through a company called MapMyDNA. This leads to Claire's biggest fear coming true. Jill finds them and she wants revenge.

This book is a great read. I could not put it down and I highly recommend it to medical and or psychological thriller fans.

This book was very relevant to the time we are at in history. Claire has lost her son due to a rare genetic issue that she has passed on to him. She wants to have another child, however wants to make sure that the child is free from anomaly and will be healthy. She reaches out to a fertility Dr and ends up being successful in creating another child, however the means are unethical at best. The child is formed with two mothers and one father and someone has found this out. Claire goes into hiding with the child and ends up falling in love with the Dr. One day, Claire takes her daughter to a museum and is spotted by the second mother and there is hell to pay now. The second mother has faced jail time and is seeking her redemption. I really thought this book was quite interesting and very intelligent at the same time. I will definitely be recommending this one.

Not sure what to say about this book. Scientific for sure; the topic was very interesting. I feel like some of the relationships that started were predictable while others were a huge surprise. The shock at the end was amazing!

The premise of Mother Knows Best got me right away. It’s kind of a domestic thriller with a bit of sci-fi mixed in. Except I’m not quite sure it’s sci-fi if it’s actually possible to do. And I think it’s either possible or realistically possible soon. Of course I’m totally uneducated in this area so don’t hold me to that!
Claire is a very determined woman. And she’s a cavalier journalist who has taken chances and even broken at least moral laws to get the story. So after losing her son to a genetic disease, she is bound and determined to become a mother again. Only thing is, she can’t risk passing her genes on to the new child. But she still wants that child to be hers. Do you see the dilemma?
She researches and finds Dr. Nash, who she knows has the capability to genetically modify the pre-fertilized egg to avoid passing along the genes that could cause the disease her son had. Only problem? He can’t because it’s illegal. But Claire finds a way.
It’s kind of interesting then when a similar scientific advancement–the ability to get a summary of your genetic make-up and heritage, leads the baby, Abby, down a road where she begins to question her parents.
In Mother Knows Best, Peikoff spins what can sometimes be the scariest tale–those that are actually quite realistic. This one is not only a fast read, but it makes you think. What would you do?
I would recommend this read to fans of John Saul (for me it was a bit reminiscent of Creature) or Karen Thompson Walker’s The Dreamers: A Novel, which is also a gentle blend of science and fiction.
Special thanks to Netgalley and Crooked Lane Books for an e-galley in exchange for my honest review.

This is like nothing I've ever read! A wild ride through DNA and ethics, it makes you think! I loved it.

Both a dual timeline plotline and a tri-narrator story, this book is a wild DNA ride from start to finish. It begins with Claire and Ethan trying to get pregnant again (although only Ethan is, as Claire is taking oral contraceptives unbeknownst to Ethan). She has a genetic disease that is nearly guaranteed to be fatal to any children they conceive as it already proved to be so to their 8 year old child they lost previously. She gives in to his desire to try IVF if he gives in to visit a cowboy in the field, Dr. Robert Nash, someone who is so far outside the box, that Claire goes and sees him without Ethan's knowledge. With Nash and his protege Jillian's help, and 37 of Jillian's genes, they create the first baby with 3 parents.

Everything quickly unravels, Ethan finds out and exposes them and the dual timeline splits, with 2 on the run, one on trial and and a storyline 10 years down the road. The book quickly turns into a thriller from here, with the so called "frankenbaby" trying to find out who she may be related to because of a MapMyDNA class project. She finds out she may have a cousin, but what's this? How could she possibly only be related to her mom 49.9%? That has to be a mistake right? Dr. Nash's protege is back with a vengeance and we're taken on a wild ride of obsession, rage, and revenge at any cost. Great read.

Absolutely loved the twists and turns of this book. It kept me guessing and made me want to keep reading. A definite must-read.

This book didn't catch my interest right away. At first it was too slow for my taste. But it soon picked up both with its pacing and the story, and I found myself enjoying quite a lot.
I found the entire concept to be executed really well. I think it has an interesting subject that it dwells into and it was handled beautifully. It was an intriguing story, I really enjoyed the writing and I found the characters well-developed.
This was a really good thriller that I think a lot of people will enjoy.

When a woman decides to take her genetics into her own hands, things go badly
wrong for her and the scientists who help her.

Lots of twist and turns, Had an ending that you don't see coming. there are parts of the book that you can guess , most of it was twist after twist, I enjoyed the read, it was good,

I received an advanced digital copy of this book from the author, Netgalley.com and Crooked Lane Books. Thanks to all for the opportunity to read and review.

A swiftly moving tale of technology, genetics and diseases passed through DNA and the lies we tell each other, and the lies we tell ourselves. Strong story with good character development with unexpected twists along the way.

4 out of 5 stars. Good reading.

Excellent story offering a different take on reproductive technology. Good character description and a story arc that keeps the pages turning.


Thanks to NetGalley for the advance e-reading copy.

I love all things by this author. I have always bee pleases with the plot and the thrill of the next page. Thank you for approving this title for me. Keep them coming

4-5 stars! A gripping book that really makes you think, especially if you are a mother! Had such an interesting plot, theme, and really made sure to grab my attention for the entire book. I would call it more of a domestic suspense with a bit of mystery, than a thriller, but one I highly recommend.
Will use in a challenge and recommend to the members of Chapter Chatter Pub!

A mother’s worst nightmare; losing s child due to faulty genes YOU have passed on to him. The desperation to have another child, but the fear that you would once again be risking their life with your disease.

Claire is faced with an impossible decision. Until she meets Dr Nash, who is able to create her wildest dreams in a lab with the help of his post doc assistant. But just how much meddling in genes and fertility is too much? And how will the world cope with a ‘Frankenbaby’ child with three parents?

This was a fanatic book which I have just devoured in the space of about four hours. I could barely put it down. It’s not your typical mystery thriller but there are a few secrets to be discovered and stones to turn. I loved how much effort and research went into this book to make the whole concept believable.

I received an ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. My opinions are all my own.

I was pleasantly surprised with this one! I started it a few months back and the first chapter just didn't catch my attention, so I set it down and came back to it later... I pushed myself through the first few chapters and then once it got going, it got going! There is no huge twist or anything - just an exciting thriller with a bunch of science stuff thrown in, and a solidly decent 4 star read.