The Perfect Mother by Caroline Mitchell is the first book I've read by this author, but it certainly won't be the last. In this standalone thriller, we meet Roz, a pregnant woman unable to keep her child. She enlists help from an elite adoption agency, who quickly finds a wealthy couple in NYC eager to adopt her baby. Roz leaves her Ireland hometown and moves into the couple's basement apartment to live out the duration of her pregnancy. Rather quickly, Roz discovers this powerhouse celebrity couple is hiding secrets--namely, the young girl who used to live in Roz's brand new, plush suite. Roz makes it her mission to discover the truth about the girl, this couple, and the events that led to her disappearance.

This was an intense, fun, deliciously thrilling ride! There are so many twists and turns; I simply couldn't keep up! That's what makes for a perfect thriller. I really enjoyed the characters, and I thought the author did a wonderful job developing them. The writing is strong, and the story is fast-paced, which is what I really enjoy in a suspense novel. I highly recommend this one!

I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley. This review is my honest, unbiased opinion.

I loved this book. I haven't read a thriller with a storyline like this one. Sometimes they seem to have similar concepts but this was different from the other thrillers I've read. It kept my attention and had many surprises in store. I would definitely recommend this book to other thriller lovers.

Stunned by an unexpected pregnancy, 20something Roz is left reeling. She desperately wants to do whats best for her baby, but sadly, she knows that isn't a life with her. She is determined that her child will grow up wanting for nothing - a childhood completely different to the one Roz had. So, when she hears of an elite adoption agency catering just to the rich and famous, she knows its what she, and her baby, needs, and it's no time at all before she's matched with superstars Daniel and Sheridan. But Roz soon begins to realise that something sinister is lurking in the shadows of their New York home, and that Sheridan might not be the perfect mother after all...

Oh. My. God. Ok, so as soon as I saw the summary of this, I knew I would love it. I mean, a thriller about a hollywood couple kidnapping a pregnant woman for nefarious purposes? Who doesn't want to read that?! And I wasn't disappointed in the slightest. The book is told from the POV of both Roz and Sheridan, which I will admit surprised me at first. I assumed having an insight into Sheridan's perspective might reduce the suspense a bit, but luckily I was wrong. Instead, you get a slow burn of a novel that grabs you by the neck and pulls you right in, and holds you there until you finally get to the bottom of what the hell is happening in that apartment.

Literally the only thing I wasn't keen on in this book was the focus on the identity of the babies father. Personally, I guessed it pretty early on - those red herrings just weren't strong enough! But I personally didn't think it was really that relevant to the plot, and the never-ending focus on it did dull the pace a tad to me. The reveal at the end was also a bit underwhelming - who would respond to news like that?!

Irrelevant of that though, it was definitely a very strong and well-written book, and I will eagerly read anything else that Mitchell's had written. Yes, there were some elements that could have been stronger, but it is still a very masterful example of creating intense suspense in a new and novel setting.

Oh, what a ride of a book!

Roz was broke and pregnant. She knew she couldn't provide the best for her child. So, she went online and tried to find the perfect parents who'd adopt her child for money. And it turned out to be a celebrity couple. Actors Daniel and Sheridan in America seemed to be the best choice, and talks with them made her feel Sheridan would be the perfect mother. But was she?

My second book by author Caroline Mitchell, and it was thrilling and so addictive. I couldn't stop reading it. The moment Roz landed on American soils, I knew there was something dark waiting for her. The characters played to my fears well. They were hiding something, and the need to know what broke down my walls of my patience.

The way the couple treated her at their home had me gasping. I remember screaming - Run, Roz, run away. Wow!! The author's writing built up the suspense with every word, I literally couldn't leave my kindle alone. Just a page more was the litany in my mind which led to me reading the entire book at one go. Tap... Tap... Tap...went my finger on my kindle until I reached the end.

I was asked by a fellow blogger to analyze the ending. I agreed with her observations. Roz's friend was shown worried and actively investigating, yet there was no discovery by her in America. That subplot could have been used well. Nevertheless, the father of Roz's baby was a downright shocker.

My midnight to early morning read. A few pages more became the entire book read. What a book to lose sleep over!! Fun!

With thanks to Netgalley and Amazon for this ARC in exchange for an open and honest review.

Twenty four year old Roz had been best friends Dympna since school. After leaving school the girls moved from their small town to live in Dublin together.

When Roz fell pregnant after a one night stand she decided to look into adopting the baby. Roz couldn't reveal the fathers name because it would destroy her friendship with Dympna. However Dympna was thrilled that Roz was pregnant and wanted them to raise the baby together.

Roz registered with an adoption agency in the U.S and was thrilled when a `diamond couple` (a wealthy celebrity or VIP) wanted to talk to her. Roz knew the couple would provide a good life for her baby, when they invited her to New York she readily accepted. Dympna was suspicious of the couples motives and begged her not to go.

In New York Roz found out there were Hollywood stars Sheridan Sinclair and Daniel Watson. Before Roz met them she was warned to keep her off the man in the house and keep quiet. After signing the adoption papers Roz moved into her own basement flat in Sheridan`s mansion. However she soon discovered she was imprisoned in the flat with no way upstairs let alone outside. Sheridan also took her mobile, leaf by Roz isolated in a foreign country. Meanwhile when Dympna failed to hear from Roz she decided to find out the identity of Roz`s diamond coupke.

I have read a number of Caroline Mitchell`s books but this her best book so far. The plot was compelling and I could easily have read the book in one sitting. The book was atmospheric and I could feel Roz`s worry and paranoia stuck in her luxury prison.

Sheridan was ruthless and would do anything to protect her family`s `brand`. Her determination to create the perfect photographic family was sad and a little chilling.

My favourite character was Roz`s first best friend Dympna.

I highly recommend this book.

This book began with a universally great concept - what to do about an unwanted and surprise pregnancy but when it ended... my jaw literally dropped. This book went into great detail about websites that are out there in the world catering to couples - rich or middle class - who want to “buy” babies from young, unwed pregnant mothers. This book is another testimony that money doesn't buy happiness and it for sure does not buy sanity! A complete thriller from beginning to end. I highly recommend this book to book clubs. definitely edge-of-your-seat, nail biting psychological thriller that will have any mother sweating with each turn of the page.

What a ride this book will take you on, a young girl finds herself pregnant with no money she feels she has no future with/for this child, joins an agency to find ‘the perfect mother’ who would you choose? Money? Fame? The twists and turns in this book kept me wanting more and gasping at the shocking revelations! A must read!

The Perfect Mother is a fast moving; page turning; excellent read from Caroline Mitchell.

The story is told from a number of viewpoints but the author is skilful enough to ensure that the story flies and isn't over-complicated.

Highly recommended

Another great read from Caroline Mitchell.
Roz is struggling to pay her rent and on discovering she’s pregnant realises she needs to get away.
She’s comes across a website that arranges for babies to be given to couples desperate for children and gets drawn in.
It seems too good to be true, and she soon realises she’s in over her head.
Sheridan is desperate for a baby girl and thinks Roz is perfect to give this to her. Unbeknownst to Roz, Sheridan has cancelled the agreement with the website and now has her own agenda.
Roz is living in the basement of their home but when she’s not allowed outside, and has no windows, she feels like a prisoner.
This is a real nail biter as I was desperate to know if Roz would get out of this alive. The final few chapters will have you on the edge of your seat.
This is a great psychological thriller that I can highly recommend.
Thanks to Amazon Publishing UK and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.

Thank you to Amazon Publishing UK and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Premise was intriguing, as was the beginning of this book - but it did not hold up, the story got very confused and the POV shifts from 1st to 3rd person didn't help. At a certain point, it felt very foreseeable, and certainly I didn't find the much-vaunted twist so very twisty at all. On the contrary, I got annoyed at the irrationality of the character's actions, they seemed one-dimensional and - in the case of the heroine - too naive for words.

"The Perfect Mother" is the story of Roz, a young Irish girl who finds herself pregnant, and decides to sign up to an exclusive adoption agency. When she is contacted by a celebrity couple from the States who want her to live in their luxurious home until the baby is born, it seems that Roz has landed on her feet. But the reality turns out to be very different than she expected. When Roz finds herself a virtual prisoner in an increasingly volatile situation, she starts to question everything she thought she knew: just who are Sheridan and Daniel really? And why did they choose her over all the other young mothers to be? 

While I liked this book, and there were some genuinely tense moments, I found it on the whole a little too over the top for me. Roz was almost unbelievably naive, and the whole set up with the celebrity power couple just didn't ring true. The author did a great job of building tension throughout, and there were some good twists, but this one was a little too American-soap-opera for my personal taste, although I'm sure many other readers will love it.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with a free ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Wow!! This is an entertaining and twisty read that will have you on the edge of your seat throughout! It’s a stand-alone psychological thriller from the fabulous Caroline Mitchell that had me hooked from the very first chapter. A pregnant woman in danger?! What could be more terrifying than that? Well, throw in a celebrity couple who aren’t what everyone thinks they are and a mysterious disappearance and you’ve got one of the most sinister pregnancies since Rosemarys Baby!

Roz is living away from home with her best friend but she has, at the age of 24, lost her job and is unexpectedly pregnant. Discovering a website where she can have her child adopted, she is overwhelmed when a celebrity couple get in touch and she jets off to New York to meet them. Yes, I know you have to suspend belief at some of the plot twists and turns but this is fiction and it’s highly addictive entertainment at its best! You won’t be the only one mentally screaming at Roz “what the hell are you doing?!” as she makes decisions that you and I know are going to lead to very bad consequences indeed. But Roz is a plucky heroine of the best kind and she’s determined not to be a victim but the closer she gets to her due date the worse her fears for herself and her unborn child become…because her baby’s birth may be the death of her dreams of a new life or worse.

Caroline Mitchell has written a fabulous rollercoaster ride of a book with characters you will love to hate and twists you just won’t see coming (well, some of them I did but others really shocked the hell out of me!). The Perfect Mother is compelling from start to finish and just a bloody good read! Loved it!

The Perfect Mother by Caroline Mitchell is an emotional and thrilling story about a young and pregnant Irish woman named Roz. Determined to give her child the perfect life that she will never be able to provide, Roz decides to give her baby to power couple in New York whom she met via an elite adoption service. At first, Roz can't believe her luck but soon after moving into their plush basement suite, she begins to realise that the couple don't only want her baby and she may never be able to leave just like the woman who was here before her. What happens after is a thrilling page-turning read as the clock ticks down to Roz's due date and secrets begin to unveil.

Really enjoyed reading this book, though Roz is a naive person nonetheless she is a likeable character and one could sympathize with her. I did predict a few twists in this story but overall it was a great psychological thriller that grabs the readers attention.

Thank you, NetGalley and the publisher for my ARC.

Having read and loved all of Caroline’s previous books I was excited to receive a Netgalley copy of this to read early.
In this story we meet Roz - a naive young girl from Ireland who finds herself pregnant. Having recently been made redundant and not having had the best of childhoods herself she decides she wants to find The Perfect Mother to bring up her baby and signs up to an adoption website. This is how she meets who she believes to be the perfect couple.
Introducing Sheridan and Daniel- Hollywood’s heartthrob celebrity couple. Roz decides to meet them and travels to America.
Before she leaves she confides in her best friend Dympna, who has her concerns
Will things go as Roz plans?
I enjoyed getting to know the characters and was keen to continue reading to discover how things would turn out. It was obvious things wouldn’t go well for Roz in America but would her and her child survive? What secrets are Sheridan and Daniel hiding? Could Dympna save her friend?
Unfortunately I found the ending to be a little too twee and not as good as Caroline’s previous books.
That said it is still a good read

What a surprise in this book.  It was different from what I am used to by Caroline Mitchell and definitely is one you will remember.

The story is great and I really like the plot that you see in the book.  Roz is a really interesting character who seems to have a lot of issues and is a cause of a lot of issues.

Dympna is not a character I really liked it seemed that she was just not for me.  Something about her just rubbed me the wrong way. 

I still am not sure what to think about the book. Did I like it yes but not sure how much I truly liked it as parts in the middle weren't as fast paced as I used to.

Great story though with a plot that really was spectacular.

Roz lives in Ireland and finds herself pregnant and she knows she need to give her baby up. She finds a website that matches her to an incredibly famous couple in America and thinks she has found the best home for her baby. From the second she gets off the plane in America, all is not what it seems and all bets are off.

I admit I did not see that twist coming at the end and enjoyed being surprised but I feel like the book dragged on for too long. It wasn’t bad but it wasn’t the best either.

Thank you to NetGalley and Amazon Publishing for the copy in exchange for my honest review.

The Perfect Mother was my first read of 2020 and it did not disappoint. I had to keep reading to find out what happened. The story about Roz a single and pregnant young woman who lives in Ireland. She decides to put her child up for adoption but in a more unconventional way. She travels to NYC where she meets the adoptive couple who are a celebrity couple. Everything seems perfect, Roz is able to leave Ireland, has a place to live while she is pregnant and will gets a lot of money. Things take many twists and turns and she quickly finds out this is not an ideal situation. Would definitely recommend this book!

Book 1: Roz, young, broke and pregnant in Ireland, looks to an elite adoption service in hopes of providing her unborn child a better life. When selected by an anonymous celebrity couple to come to NYC to move forward, Roz believes she’s hit the jackpot. That is, until she moves into the couples’ basement — without any contact to the outside world.

This book started out a bit slow to me, but based on the previous reviews I was determined to keep going. I’m glad I did! This novel will leave you hanging on the edge of your seat, with twists that you want see coming. Needless to say, after I got through the the first few chapters, I devoured this book in one sitting!

Thank you NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for this advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

It was a very insightful novel, with a strong cast of characters. I enjoyed the story line very much and would definitely recommend this book.

A slow burner as it takes 30% of this book before Roz even leaves Ireland to go and meet the famous couple to whom she wants to sell her baby. However once it gets going there's enough to keep the reader's interest. In contrast to the start the ending feels a little rushed however the middle is paced very well. Recommended.