What could you have done that was so bad that when someone tells you that you don’t deserve your child that you believe them? You can’t feel any connection to this child that you gave birth to and your attempts at soothing her are unsuccessful. Claire moves with her husband to his childhood town and gets nothing but grief from her mother-in-law. She also has suspicions about her husband due to all his lies and the time he is spending with a childhood friend. Claire finds comfort in her new friend Emma who has a baby just a month older than Claire’s daughter and they soon become inseparable. When Claire starts finding things out of place and finds a note under her door, she will have to decide who she can trust and face her demo s from the past. This book flowed so well. I couldn’t put it down. I can’t wait to read her next book!

The Mother's Mistake is a clever thriller that caught my attention from the first few pages and kept me guessing until the end. The story is well plotted and the characters developed, making me invested in their stories. Recommended!

This book has all the gripping, twisty-turny moments you want from a thriller. Aside from this, it also deals with post-partum depression, and Claire’s struggles as a new Mum, which I think was very well written. We learn very early on in the story that Claire witnessed something extremely tragic three years earlier, but I wasn’t sure how this was connected with the story – it’s very satisfying when it is all revealed. There are two main plots running through this book, and I think it was very well done. I really liked the character of Claire, and there was the recurring question throughout the book about whether mistakes should be forgiven.
The Mother’s Mistake is heartbreaking as well as thrilling, and I’d really recommend it.

Claire is a new mother who is having a really hard time. She’s finding it difficult to bond with her baby, Olivia, and she and her husband have just moved across the way from her difficult mother in law, Ruth. Not to mention the fact that her husband works long hours away from home setting up his new vet practice. In the new house, Claire feels she’s going insane. Things keep moving from where she put them and she’s sure someone has been in the house. Have they? Or is she just crazy like everyone thinks?
.
.
.
Review: I really enjoyed this book. It really was a great thriller that keeps you guessing! Once you get to the end, you can understand why the villain did what they did. I enjoy stories where even the worst characters are humanized. Only negative: Constant, and I do mean CONSTANT, breastfeeding references. Almost Every. Single. Page. I got tired of reading but about that. Overall though, enthralling thriller!

A thoroughly enjoyable book by Ruth Heald. Dealing into postnatal depression and past secrets, this book will keep you turning the pages eager to discover the mysteries of the individual characters. I couldn't decide which character was genuine so Ruth was especially good with developing complex characters. Well worth the read.

Although the narrative is told by more than one narrator it doesn't detract from the other plot which is well exectued and intelligent. I really loved it and will look out for more from this author.

This book starts off really strong, It quickly grabbed my attention and I was hooked. It’s a bit confusing with the unknown point of view switches. But it does make you want to find out what’s going on, why and to whom. It all wraps up in the end revealing all the answers it makes you ask along the way, so definitely worth sticking until the end, I ended up loving the book and do recommend for fans of psychological thriller drama books.

I received an Advanced Review Copy of this book via #NetGalley.

Thanks Netgalley, Publisher and the Author. What a great thrilling read which has you hooked right from the beginning. I would highly recommend

Wow what a book. I absolutely loved this book. I was drawn into the story from the beginning.
This book kept me guessing until the end. A great psychological thriller. The best book I have read in ages

this book is a must read has it all twisty addictive it pulls you in from page one Claire has what she wants but all is not what it seems in her life she moves back to her husbands hometown she got mother In law from hell this book gets in your head the house so creepy and things keep happening all is not what it seems will say no more its a must read

Perfect psychological thriller that gripped me from start to finish.
A thought provoking suspenseful plot narrating two story lines in parallel time lines that collide together into an amazing totally unexpected twist. Highly recommended.

Thanks #Netgalley, #Bookouture, and author Ruth Heald for a chance to read this wonderful book.

A great read!

Matt and his wife Claire are "starting anew" with their 3 month old daughter, Olivia. Matt's grandmother had passed away and his parents said that they could live in his grandmother's house. This, free of rent, since Matt is relocating his veterinarian practice from London. Claire and Matt are happy to be in the countryside.

It seems as if Matt's mother never cleaned anything out of the house, however. This becomes an issue. So does the fact that Matt hires an old flame, Sarah, to be his receptionist. Matt comes home late many times - he says the new practice needs a lot of attention. Claire is worried that Sarah is the one getting the "attention".

Claire and Emma become friends. Emma's baby, Lizzie, is 2 months old, so they have a lot in common. Emma helps Claire whenever needed. They take walks and go to the stores.

While cleaning out the pond, all of Matt's family, Sarah and Emma are there to help. Olivia's carrier drifts into the pond and they have trouble getting Olivia out of the water. Matt does CPR and once in the hospital ER Olivia is checked out and is fine. (Yet, Claire has a great fear of Olivia near water). Also, the doctor shows Claire two bruises on Olivia's thighs that seem to be indicative of some kind of abuse? She is told to watch closely anyone with whom Olivia comes in contact with.

Then the story really becomes unfurled. So as not to leave any spoilers, let me say that all is not as it seems and MORE!!!

This is another of the best books I have read this year! A fast-moving thriller that constantly has the reader in suspense!

Many Thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for a wonderful read!

Two separate stories running along parallel lines that converge in a stunning twist. The law of unintended consequences and a theme of should all mistakes be forgiven. Tight, tense and twisty psychological thriller.

Great book will be reading other books by this author.
Will also recommend this book to others.
Great read! 5***

WOW. I absolutely loved this story, I was drawn in from the first page. I had knots in my stomach throughout wondering what was going to happen next. A brilliant psychological thriller that I couldn't put down. One of my top reads this year.

I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley and Bookouture. All options expressed are my own.

Claire is struggling with motherhood and life in general. When weird things start to happen around the house Claire feels as if she's going crazy. Is she? Or is there's something more cynical going on?

This is one of those books I could not put down. I loved Claire's character. She has the mind of someone with anxiety. Constantly worrying and yes, being borderline paranoid. Although we later learn she has good reason. While she thinks maybe she doesn't love her daughter, we see that she does with her continual awareness of her daughters every need.

I don't want to say too much, but this book had me guessing at every twist and turn. And when I laid down at night I had to think happy thoughts to get it out of my head. No, it's not insanely scary, but it gets in your head. I will be first in line for this authors next book and I recommend it wholeheartedly!

The Mother's Mistake is a psychological thriller that will capture your interest from the start.

One of the premise's of the book is that everyone makes mistakes but does everyone deserve to be forgiven.

Claire , Matt and their baby daughter move to a cottage on his mother's property. Ruth isn't the nicest of mother -in-laws and things quickly begin to go wrong.

Claire is suffering from postpartum depression and makes some crazy decisions. At the same time , she is receiving notes, someone is gaslighting her and she begins to doubt herself.

There is something in her past that you know is a huge factor but it is unclear what it might be.

You feel sorry for Claire at the same time you are saying don't do that. She is like most new moms sleep deprived and everything is amplified.

Who should you trust in this story, her new friend Emma, her husband Matt, Sarah his ex girlfriend ?

The book draws you in and keeps you turning the pages because you want to see what will happen to Claire. Twists and turns though a bit predictable still a great read.

Good story, strong characters. I look forward to reading more by Ruth Heald.

Thanks to Net Galley and Bookouture (always a favourite publisher of mine) for the opportunity to read The Mother's Mistake.

The Mother's Mistake by Ruth Heald is a stunning debut that will have readers tearing through the pages in a desperate search for answers. Full of suspense, intrigue, and an unsettling trust of the narrative, this is one fun ride.

Claire and her husband Matt have moved out of London for a fresh start with their infant daughter, Olivia. Claire is struggling with postnatal depression and seems totally unable to form any type of bond with Olivia. Past experiences with mental health issues and alcoholism are alluded to, and the reader begins to question Claire's reliability as the narrator of her own accounting of events. When an ominous note arrives through the letterbox telling Claire that she does not deserve her daughter, everyone in her small circle becomes a suspect, from her mother-in-law to her newly acquired best friend.

The story is told almost exclusively from Claire's point of view, with the exception of the intermittent and recurring voice of a mysterious first person who has suffered horrific abuse at the hands of her husband, and who, like Claire, also has a young daughter.

This novel was one that I could not put down until the source of Claire's torment was finally revealed, and what a shocker! I cannot wait to read more from this exciting new author. Highly recommended.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for this wonderful ARC.

Although I guessed where this book was heading fairly early on I did thoroughly enjoy reading it as it kept my interest throughout. I look forward to reading more from this author in the near future.

The Mothers Mistake is well written and has suspense but it was predictable. If you've read ANY thriller it's easy to work out who the antagonist of the story is. I only finished this book because I was hoping there would be a big twists which proved my suspicions wrong.