The second mother was an entertaining read and the storyline was exciting at times. However, I found myself getting a little bored at times and the characters were not particularly likable. Some of them were a bit confusing, for example Peter. I am still not sure if I was supposed to like him or not. Overall I enjoyed it but I would have liked to see more character development.

TW - Child loss, alcoholism, suicide

I actually really enjoyed this book. It was full of twists; some predictable and some not so much. The story was well written and I found it a quick, easy read. I loved the main character, but I have to say I loved her dog even more. The two of them were the perfect duo and made me continue reading, hoping that all would be well in the end.

Thank you NetGalley for allowing my the opportunity to review this book.

I warmed up to it eventually, but the author kept doing this thing where she separated the main character and her dog, implying that the sweet beastie would be hurt (though, spoiler alert: He wasn't). I'm all for a good jump scare or a cliffhanger chapter ending, but this was a bridge too far.

I really enjoy Jenny Milchman's novels and I was really excited to get this ARC as it's been awhile since her last one came out. The Second Mother follows Julie, a former teacher who recently lost her little baby girl and is not coping well. After accepting a position as a teacher on a remote island in Maine, she realizes there is something not quite right on Mercy. This book was definitely a page turner. I couldn't hardly put it down. My only criticism is that the end was rather abrupt. I would have enjoyed an epilogue to tie up the story a little better. Otherwise it was a really great read.

This one was so creepy! Gah I am obsessed with it. Definitely threw me for a loop and was not expecting the ending! A must read!

I received an advanced readers copy in exchange for an honest review

This one was pretty twisty- some more obvious than others but still an enjoyable ride. You really do you fall in love with the main female character. Solid four

Yeap, we have another Switzerland book: that I didn’t adore but I don’t have any negative feelings about it so I decided to meet in the middle.

We have a promising coastal setting and intriguing start: Julie Weathers wants a fresh start after her loss of baby and divorce, moves to the remote island located in Maine, starts her teaching job (considering she is only teacher educate kindergartens to eight grades, she has so much work to do)

She meets with Ellie who afford to drink more wine than me and throughout her friendship she learns more about island history and menacing grandmother Hempstead’s family. ( I think that irritating woman is the only thrilling character makes your little hairs on your arms stand up!) She also meets with Peter who becomes regular intruder of her new home, a problematic teenage who needs urgent help.

And slowly some strange things start to happen throughout her stay. But the suspense part of the story is not sufficient enough. This book is mostly a dramatic adult fiction about suffer, grief, pain, learning to deal with your losses. It is slow burn, there is too much meandering, unnecessary repeating, parts about pranks have been pulled for Julie are taking too many pages and second half are mostly about Julie’s forming relationship with her students which are also emotional, dramatic but as you may imagine, there are still not enough mysterious part in this story.

As a fiction it was long, but the characterizations and back stories are easy to relate so I would give 4 for fiction but as a thriller, I gave it 2 stars because there is nothing dazzling, questioning and also riveting about the story.

Average: 3 solid stars. I happily declare this is good book as a fiction with it is interesting story-telling style but
I’m disappointed that I couldn’t find the eerie, blood freezing, exciting story that I hope to read. I wish it would be presented as adult fiction or women’s fiction because there are so many good parts about a mother’s grief and trying to keep her head above after her tragic loss. I think I have to read more books of the author because I enjoyed her talented and impressive way of story telling.

Special thanks to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for sharing this ARC in exchange my honest review.

** spoiler alert ** THE SECOND MOTHER
BY JENNY MILCHMAN

Julie Weathers accepts a new job at a new location on an Island off of the coast of Maine as the only teacher in grades kindergarten through grade eight. Right in the beginning the reader learns that her marriage is ending in divorce and her baby died. Her husband Dave and her have been drowning their sorrows in getting drunk on scotch. Julie ventures to Mercy Island with her appointed housing in one of the central character's old house an adolescent boy named Peter Hempstead. The Hempstead's, Julie learns are like Mercy Island royalty and leading the iconic family is the grandmother Maryanne Hempstead who I found to be sinister and menacing. I didn't like her right from the start. Julie thinks Peter is a troubled tween because he shows up uninvited into the house she has been given to live in while teaching. Julie finds out that he could be confused because that used to be his old house. One of the main non talking character's is Julie's dog Depot whose bark lets her know if Peter is in her house. She thinks a character named Ellie who drinks 2 or 3 bottles of wine and is really a pawn of Grandmother Hempstead's, is there to show her around the Island is her friend and in some ways she is. But mostly Ellie is there to fill Julie's head with the hierarchy of the Island which consists of lobstering.

I thought the premise of this book is promising having one mother whose lost a child relate to another set of parent's who have lost a child. The problems were this is something that takes place too late in the story. There is too much meandering around not getting to this a lot sooner instead of pranks being pulled on Julie. There isn't even a thread that follows through on Julie's whole purpose there to be a teacher. The novel had a spooky vibe to it about Julie's safety. I had the feeling while reading this while entertaining just was going off in too many directions. I did like Julie's character and would have liked to see more of her relationship with Callam developed. He was the only one she could trust on the Island besides Peter. I also think that the Grandmother, Maryanne Hempstead was not believable in how much power she held over the other Islander's was very believable and found it hard to believe that her husband let her rule over him in letting his daughter Melinda suffer without having physical custody over her biological son Peter. My closing thoughts on "The Second Mother," are you really have to suspend belief throughout reading this one. I really wish I would have liked this more.

Thank you to Net Galley, Jenny Milchman and Sourcebooks Publishing for providing me with my ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Publication Date: July 7, 2020

#TheSecondMother #JennyMilchman #NetGalley #Sourcebookspublishing


READING PROGRESS
Finished Reading Add a date
February 18, 2020 – Started Reading
February 25, 2020 – Shelved
February 25, 2020 – Shelved as: to-read
February 25, 2020 – Finished Reading

Post a comment »COMMENTS** spoiler alert ** THE SECOND MOTHER
BY JENNY MILCHMAN

Julie Weathers accepts a new job at a new location on an Island off of the coast of Maine as the only teacher in grades kindergarten through grade eight. Right in the beginning the reader learns that her marriage is ending in divorce and her baby died. Her husband Dave and her have been drowning their sorrows in getting drunk on scotch. Julie ventures to Mercy Island with her appointed housing in one of the central character's old house an adolescent boy named Peter Hempstead. The Hempstead's, Julie learns are like Mercy Island royalty and leading the iconic family is the grandmother Maryanne Hempstead who I found to be sinister and menacing. I didn't like her right from the start. Julie thinks Peter is a troubled tween because he shows up uninvited into the house she has been given to live in while teaching. Julie finds out that he could be confused because that used to be his old house. One of the main non talking character's is Julie's dog Depot whose bark lets her know if Peter is in her house. She thinks a character named Ellie who drinks 2 or 3 bottles of wine and is really a pawn of Grandmother Hempstead's, is there to show her around the Island is her friend and in some ways she is. But mostly Ellie is there to fill Julie's head with the hierarchy of the Island which consists of lobstering.

I thought the premise of this book is promising having one mother whose lost a child relate to another set of parent's who have lost a child. The problems were this is something that takes place too late in the story. There is too much meandering around not getting to this a lot sooner instead of pranks being pulled on Julie. There isn't even a thread that follows through on Julie's whole purpose there to be a teacher. The novel had a spooky vibe to it about Julie's safety. I had the feeling while reading this while entertaining just was going off in too many directions. I did like Julie's character and would have liked to see more of her relationship with Callam developed. He was the only one she could trust on the Island besides Peter. I also think that the Grandmother, Maryanne Hempstead was not believable in how much power she held over the other Islander's was very believable and found it hard to believe that her husband let her rule over him in letting his daughter Melinda suffer without having physical custody over her biological son Peter. My closing thoughts on "The Second Mother," are you really have to suspend belief throughout reading this one. I really wish I would have liked this more.

Thank you to Net Galley, Jenny Milchman and Sourcebooks Publishing for providing me with my ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Publication Date: July 7, 2020

#TheSecondMother #JennyMilchman #NetGalley #Sourcebookspublishing


READING PROGRESS
Finished Reading Add a date
February 18, 2020 – Started Reading
February 25, 2020 – Shelved
February 25, 2020 – Shelved as: to-read
February 25, 2020 – Finished Reading

Post a comment »COMMENTS** spoiler alert ** THE SECOND MOTHER
BY JENNY MILCHMAN

Julie Weathers accepts a new job at a new location on an Island off of the coast of Maine as the only teacher in grades kindergarten through grade eight. Right in the beginning the reader learns that her marriage is ending in divorce and her baby died. Her husband Dave and her have been drowning their sorrows in getting drunk on scotch. Julie ventures to Mercy Island with her appointed housing in one of the central character's old house an adolescent boy named Peter Hempstead. The Hempstead's, Julie learns are like Mercy Island royalty and leading the iconic family is the grandmother Maryanne Hempstead who I found to be sinister and menacing. I didn't like her right from the start. Julie thinks Peter is a troubled tween because he shows up uninvited into the house she has been given to live in while teaching. Julie finds out that he could be confused because that used to be his old house. One of the main non talking character's is Julie's dog Depot whose bark lets her know if Peter is in her house. She thinks a character named Ellie who drinks 2 or 3 bottles of wine and is really a pawn of Grandmother Hempstead's, is there to show her around the Island is her friend and in some ways she is. But mostly Ellie is there to fill Julie's head with the hierarchy of the Island which consists of lobstering.

I thought the premise of this book is promising having one mother whose lost a child relate to another set of parent's who have lost a child. The problems were this is something that takes place too late in the story. There is too much meandering around not getting to this a lot sooner instead of pranks being pulled on Julie. There isn't even a thread that follows through on Julie's whole purpose there to be a teacher. The novel had a spooky vibe to it about Julie's safety. I had the feeling while reading this while entertaining just was going off in too many directions. I did like Julie's character and would have liked to see more of her relationship with Callam developed. He was the only one she could trust on the Island besides Peter. I also think that the Grandmother, Maryanne Hempstead was not believable in how much power she held over the other Islander's was very believable and found it hard to believe that her husband let her rule over him in letting his daughter Melinda suffer without having physical custody over her biological son Peter. My closing thoughts on "The Second Mother," are you really have to suspend belief throughout reading this one. I really wish I would have liked this more.

Thank you to Net Galley, Jenny Milchman and Sourcebooks Publishing for providing me with my ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Publication Date: July 7, 2020

#TheSecondMother #JennyMilchman #NetGalley #Sourcebookspublishing


READING PROGRESS
Finished Reading Add a date
February 18, 2020 – Started Reading
February 25, 2020 – Shelved
February 25, 2020 – Shelved as: to-read
February 25, 2020 – Finished Reading

Post a comment »COMMENTS** spoiler alert ** THE SECOND MOTHER
BY JENNY MILCHMAN

Julie Weathers accepts a new job at a new location on an Island off of the coast of Maine as the only teacher in grades kindergarten through grade eight. Right in the beginning the reader learns that her marriage is ending in divorce and her baby died. Her husband Dave and her have been drowning their sorrows in getting drunk on scotch. Julie ventures to Mercy Island with her appointed housing in one of the central character's old house an adolescent boy named Peter Hempstead. The Hempstead's, Julie learns are like Mercy Island royalty and leading the iconic family is the grandmother Maryanne Hempstead who I found to be sinister and menacing. I didn't like her right from the start. Julie thinks Peter is a troubled tween because he shows up uninvited into the house she has been given to live in while teaching. Julie finds out that he could be confused because that used to be his old house. One of the main non talking character's is Julie's dog Depot whose bark lets her know if Peter is in her house. She thinks a character named Ellie who drinks 2 or 3 bottles of wine and is really a pawn of Grandmother Hempstead's, is there to show her around the Island is her friend and in some ways she is. But mostly Ellie is there to fill Julie's head with the hierarchy of the Island which consists of lobstering.

I thought the premise of this book is promising having one mother whose lost a child relate to another set of parent's who have lost a child. The problems were this is something that takes place too late in the story. There is too much meandering around not getting to this a lot sooner instead of pranks being pulled on Julie. There isn't even a thread that follows through on Julie's whole purpose there to be a teacher. The novel had a spooky vibe to it about Julie's safety. I had the feeling while reading this while entertaining just was going off in too many directions. I did like Julie's character and would have liked to see more of her relationship with Callam developed. He was the only one she could trust on the Island besides Peter. I also think that the Grandmother, Maryanne Hempstead was not believable in how much power she held over the other Islander's was very believable and found it hard to believe that her husband let her rule over him in letting his daughter Melinda suffer without having physical custody over her biological son Peter. My closing thoughts on "The Second Mother," are you really have to suspend belief throughout reading this one. I really wish I would have liked this more.

Thank you to Net Galley, Jenny Milchman and Sourcebooks Publishing for providing me with my ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Publication Date: July 7, 2020

#TheSecondMother #JennyMilchman #NetGalley #Sourcebookspublishing


READING PROGRESS
Finished Reading Add a date
February 18, 2020 – Started Reading
February 25, 2020 – Shelved
February 25, 2020 – Shelved as: to-read
February 25, 2020 – Finished Reading

Post a comment »COMMENTS

Absolutely awful. Wayyyyy too long, could have been shortened by 200 pages. Plot ridiculous characters inane. I started skimming halfway through the book. I should have called it quits after the first few chapters. One star is too high a rating.

I received an advanced reader copy of The Second Mother by Jenny Milchman in exchange for an honest review. The main character, Julie, is losing her marriage due the loss of their only child. On a whim, Julie applies and accepts a teaching position on a remote island that is "ruled" by the Hempstead family.
This writing focuses a lot on the description of the island and the ways of seafarers. The book moves along at a good pace for the most part, and the reader really questions Julie's mental state and who is trying to mess with her. Is Peter an innocent child or a devious monster? You'll have to read The Second Mother to find out.

The Second Mother is an atmospheric novel with many layers. And wonderfully creepy. Ms. Milchman knocks it out of the park - again.

I've enjoyed Milchman's books in the past, so I was excited to receive an advance copy from NetGalley. Milchman knows how to weave a story and keep the reader engaged. This one has an intriguing setting on a remote island in Maine and the characters and side stories of their lives are also interesting. Readers will be cheering for the main character and how she fights her own battles with herself and others.

The Second Mother by author Jenny Milchman is a dark and fun novel with mystery and thrill throughout! Being born and raised in Maine myself, I truly enjoyed the feels of Maine she described, spot on with a lot of things! Definitely recommend this book!

Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I loved this book. From the very beginning, I was immediately hooked. Stayed up all night to finish it and am glad I did!

Island life is different, especially if that island is off the coast of Maine, Summers may bring outsiders to visit, but winters are for the locals only. Julia Weathers is an outsider, but she’s taken a job on the island, teaching grades K-8. And while at first the job on location seem ideal, as time progresses, she begins to wonder if her new neighbors are as friendly as they seem. Island life is different and so are the people who live there. I really enjoyed this book because I am a Mainer and have visited our islands off season and they are very insular places, outsiders are not usually taken to, so the tension in this book was very real and palpable