There are 3 main characters in Call Me Mummy, there is Mummy, Kim, and Tonya. Mummy is rather stuck up, a bit posh I would say. She sees Tonya in a shop and feel she isn’t being watched as best she could, so decides to take her and run. She’s always wanted a child, and we find out more about this as the book delves into her past. Kim is young mother to 2 children, and has a baby on the way. She has a troubled past which has spread in different ways into her present life. Her boyfriend Steve is usually at his mates, or on his computer. She has Tonya and Darell to take care of, and sometimes needs to turn to her friend for help, who’s child has extra needs.Tonya is a cheeky little 5 year old, who takes crap from nobody. She reminds me of my niece to be honest, and I loved it.

This story centralises around Mummy kidnapping Tonya, and keeping her a secret at her house. I was shocked a few times throughout the book, and there is a big twist I didn’t see coming. And the ending was great. I loved Tonya, and was so worried for her throughout, but you get the feeling for only being 5, she is darn smart. She knows how to get away with certain things, and when to do what ‘Mummy’ tells her.

‘Mummy’ and Kim have more in common than they know, we are shown their backgrounds in flashbacks, their childhoods, and most of it isn’t great. It’s a scary, but a sad read deep down. I said a few days ago that the book is weird and fucked up, and Tina Baker agreed with me! So I must have nailed that one

Grab it and read it, you will not be disappointed, maybe a little freaked out.

Call Me Mummy is the debut novel from Tina Baker. The title conjures up an image of a fluffy, a “feel good” read, but don’t be fooled! This book is harrowing, disturbing, haunting and so many things in-between, and yet it made for a fantastic, compulsive read. “Mummy” is out shopping and spots five-year-old Tonya with her mother heavily pregnant mother Kim. “Mummy” watches Kim with interest, she’s glued to her phone and ignoring her eldest child in a busy shop,  as far as “mummy’s”  concerned Kim doesn’t deserve to be a mother, she knows she could do a far better job and snatches Tonya. The story is told through alternative POV of  “mummy”, Kim and occasionally Tonya. 

The characterisation in this book is breathtaking I got a genuine sense of who each character was, their weaknesses, strengths, and their hopes and fears. As I first started Call Me Mummy I instantly made assumptions about the two women, one appears to be the perfect mother, the other the worse kind of mother. Unfortunately for Kim The media doesn’t help the situation, Kim is demonised by the media as a ‘scummy mummy’, who deserves to lose Tonya. At first she gains sympathy from the public, but then the tide turns when her behaviour doesn’t fit that of a grieving mother. This becomes clear through social media and the dreaded keyboard warriors. Everyone feels they have a right to an opinion, right or wrong, good or bad. By incorporating social media snippets the author gives the read a modern day vibe, but it also gives weight to the difficulties Kim faces in trying to get her daughter back.

I wasn’t expecting to feel anything for the woman who took Tonya, how could I? after what she has done, but I was surprised that I found myself sympathising with “mummy”. Throughout the book I found myself torn between both women, both deserve the readers sympathy for different reasons, and as the author reveals more about their childhoods, you come to understand how events from the past have shaped them into the “mummy’s” they are today. It’s obvious that “mummy” is very disturbed. Does she deserve the reader’s sympathy? Is she Tonya’s Saviour? Or is she just desperate? Here’s where I say “you will just have to read the book and make up your own mind”. 

This is one of the darkest books I’ve had the pleasure to read this year, there’s an ominous sense of foreboding that radiates from the first page which only intensifies as the story unfolds. The author explores some tough subjects in Call Me Mummy, but she deals with them with sensitivity and understanding. Tina baker’s style of writing is blunt, but beautifully descriptive and although Call Me Mummy is is dark, raw,  and harrowing there are thankfully moments peppered with black humour that lighten the mood. I have a feeling this is going to be one of the most talked about books on its release in 2021. Highly recommended.

Wow.... I am still reeling from this book. Shock, anger and fear are thrust full force into your face. How attitudes of society towards people (woman) who are on the lower social circles when something terrifying as a kidnapping happens and how we as that society treat them with contempt and disgust and blame for something that could so easily happen to anyone.... but because it has happened to someone who we feel has “let” it happen we can comfort ourselves in the knowledge that we are fine and just she isn’t. This really makes you see the other side of the coin too, how the kidnapper is and what makes her act like that. And you also grow to see the child not only as a victim but a fighter too. This is a brilliant hard hitting and thought provoking novel and one which is so needed now.

A thriller that swans its way between the tentacles of social media and the way in which we judge people for their behaviours, this book has a lot of power behind it, but it didn't quite deliver for me. I found the characters just that bit too vague, and they were floating around in the ether of 'I didn't really get to know what you were like at all' and 'I didn't connect to your motivations'. I think the hardest thing for me especially was the fact that our main villain didn't manage to have a good enough motivation behind her to make her dislike-able enough, and she was just that bit too much engaged in a flight of fancy as opposed to having a concrete sob story behind her actions.

There is certainly an interesting tale here, inamongst all of the thriller, and there's some things that I think were really well done- such as the social commentary on the viability of 'bad parents'. I really enjoyed the fact as well that the author tries her utmost to put across a thrilling story, and it does pick up toward the very end of the book. However, in totality, this just wasn't the book for me, and I was left a little high and dry by the way in which the story meandered through until it got to the real climax.

Call me Mummy by Tina Baker

The blurb seemed very intriguing and I was thrilled to get an ARC from NetGalley for this book! However something didn’t quite grab me with this, and I didn’t feel the characters. Tonya at five years old is aware of white walkers? Found this a little strange as a mum of three as even I struggle with game of thrones! I found myself wanting to skim read some bits as it was quite repetitive in some areas and just didn’t hold my attention. Unfortunately this one just didn’t live up to my expectations from the blurb.

2/5 ⭐️

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If it were possible to rate this book any higher I would! 10/5 Stars for this breathtaking, heart pounding, exhilarating and horrifying read.

Hands up, I have a confession... I admit that once I requested this book I was putting off reading it. Not because it didn’t intrigue me, but more because I didn’t want to be let down. But I was wrong to doubt... so wrong!

This book is incredibly well written. Tina chooses to tell this book from the 1st person, flicking between MUMMY, KIM and TONYA and this just makes for such a compelling read. Focused entirely on these three females this book is so much more than a book of abduction. It’s about family and love... to me, this book says you can have everything and yet have nothing if you are incapable of love. Love for yourself, love for others, love for those you don’t even know.

MUMMY is not a nice person. She was, when she was a child but her childhood does not excuse her insanity and cruelty. Every time it was MUMMY’S turn in the spotlight I felt a rush of excitement as this was core to finding out if TONYA was okay. Over the course of the book I developed a slight Stockholm syndrome after spending so much time in her thoughts and memories. But it didn’t stop me feeling physically sick in her company. My own daughter would personally like to thank MUMMY for her aid in getting her so many snacks and treats over the past 24 hours!

KIM is openly is hated and vilified by everyone in the book. I never felt that instant hate when I met her but I can see how her actions really didn’t help her! I couldn’t help hurting for her, especially after learning why she is such a tough cookie. It was awful seeing her ‘fall’ and knowing there was no one who was noticing because her mask is so thick.

TONYA probably gets the least spotlight to sound her own voice in this book. But when she does her account of her time with MUMMY it doesn’t always add up to MUMMY’S at first I found this confusing but I think it’s because she’s only 5 and at that age their concept of time and reality is mixed up with fantasy.

This has to be one of the best books I’ve read all year (number 72 for 2020)!! So much so I’m genuinely considering flicking back to the beginning to read it all again.

For those who don’t read to the very last page. Even if you dislike Crime Fiction, even if you don’t want to read this book... YOU MUST BUY IT! 10% of all proceeds go to Action For Children. So there’s no reason not to buy this amazing read and if you somehow end up picking it up to find out what the fuss is about then you’ll be pleasantly surprised.

Huge thanks to NetGalley for my advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

Like watching something awful happen before your own eyes and unable to look away.
The tension in this book was almost unbearable at times,either from someone at rock bottom and struggling so very hard OR someone who thinks they're doing the right thing but is so far away from the truth its unbelievable.

I felt for Kim at every second of this book... to have a child taken and then blamed and abused by so many.

My jaw dropped at every action of "mummy" (which is as much as I can say to avoid spoilers)

A fantastic debut that is going to get praise at every turn I think.

Gripping stuff.

This is mainly the story of two women, one who is desperate with her whole being to be a mother, and is obsessed about it to the detriment of everything else, and the chance she has to steal a child from under the nose of the other main character, someone she decides is an unfit mother.

It happens in a flash, and the ensuing story flits between the birth mother, the kidnapping mother (who would never describe herself as a kidnapper, but as a rescuer) - the child herself, and various onlookers.

The story pulls you along, you want to find out what happens with each of the main characters. It was probably 1/4 too long for me, some of the story could have been streamlined a little, although it does all help to build up the background for the protagonists.

Wow... It's bleak but totally compelling and peppered with enough dark humour to get through the horror and sadness of it. Tense, twisted and totally unputdownable. The desperation of both Kim and the unnamed 'Mummy' leaks through the pages. Shocking and brilliant, and I adored the writing style.

I received this as an ARC on NetGalley

Good:
- connected characters with so much depth
- incredible, gripping storyline
- interesting pov use

Bad
- I found many elements triggering to my emetophobia
- Some elements seemed repetitive without a need for that

This is a dark and twisty story that gripped me from start to finish. The characters were so real and emotional and morally grey I couldn't help but understand them! I'm definitely considering buying this as a gift for friends who like true crime stories. It made me tear up a little after the emotional plot and forces you to empathize with the people.

I was on the edge of my seat from start to end... Shivers.

One thing I would say is: I found this book very triggering to phobias and mental issues, be careful!

I would recommend this book to everyone who has loved the true crime stories and podcasts, and wants to be utterly consumed by a gripping and terrifying story.

Overall: 7/10

This book is about a little girl who is abducted by a woman desperate for a child from a woman who she thinks doesn’t deserve her.

I only read about 25% of this book so my review is just based on that. The writing is good, I just couldn’t finish it because I didn’t really see where the story was going. Also, while I didn’t mind the story jumping between the abductor and the mother’s point of views, there were also tip lines and WhatsApp group point of views which I didn’t really think added much to the story and it just got a bit tedious to read.

I LOVE these kinds of thrillers that touch on mental health, dark deep secrets and harrowing, tormented characters. Call Me Mummy is a fast-paced thrilling read that is a little complicated to begin with. I struggled to get into the early chapters, but by half way everything clicks and it builds up to a spectacular ending.

Some of the content is predictable, but every now and then there are moments that make your hair stand on end.

For a debut this was great, and thank you to the author, the publisher and NetGalley for the review copy.

I received a free review copy from the publisher in exchange for my honest unedited feedback.
This book is definitely a page turner and from page one I was hooked. Completely drawn In to the book with 2 different mothers that also have so many similarities. And just when you think you've got it, it has more layers in the story and turns. Definitely would recommend

What a wonderfully written book. It explores a lot of mental health avenues and delivers the content well. It is highly engaging and nicely done. It is definitely a book to recommend to anyone who is suffering with such issues.

This was an intriguing read. Although at times I wasn't sure where it was going - I was expecting to be more of a "will they catch her/find her" read, I realised this was a real, enjoy the journey read, because that's where the story lies. The portrayal of the two women - Kim and Mummy - and how both their challenging and awful upbringings had results in two very traumatised women who react in very different ways to the situations they found themselves in.

It was a tough read, I won't lie, I had to keep cuddling my kids and making a mental note to practice stranger danger with them, but I really loved Kim's character in particular and theheartbreaking way in which the media and society were so keen to annihilate her based on assumptions and ignorance. Mothers are judged constantly and Kim was no exception to the rule. Whatever she did was wrong and so she was just herself, because how else could she be.

I have to confess I really hated Mummy. Despite her horrendous background, it was devastating reading the impact of the neglect on Tonya and I found it hard to have any empathy at all, especially the way the novel ended,

It was an interesting read and I'm intrigued to see more novels coming out featuring women dealing with the fall out of abuse in their childhoods like Girl A and Mirrorland and how this impacts their lives as they juggle life's expectations and the limits - or not - of their own hopes and dreams.

Firstly a big thank you to viper books for my copy to review on netgalley. Ive been eager to read this so was very excited to finally have the opportunity . Another great publication from viper!

A fantastic debut. The title the cover the striking colours are going to jump out to readers.

This jumps straight into action .

Tense ,thrilling and exciting

We get inside her head which is an experience! As a mum also its incredibly chilling!

Plotted and layered with expertise . This is destined to reel you in and have you hooked!

Guaranteed bestseller and one you will be hearing lots about! Im looking forward to seeing what comes next and wish her every success!

Published 25th February 2021.

Call Me Mummy holds no prisoners from the start, the prologue-esque first chapter gripped me and made me hold my breath as we are a fly on the wall watching our character 'Mummy' spotting a young girl who she feels deserves a more loving home. As a parent, isn't that the ultimate fear?! The beginning of Call Me Mummy, as well as some chapters throughout will make you feel like you've been drawn into a psychological thriller but you'll also be hypnotised by the literary fiction aspect that is also tied into the storyline.

Firstly, let's talk the characters - the plotline is mainly a dual one that flicks between Mummy and Kim, the mother whose child has been taken, with random interludes from Tonya, the five year old child. The two 'mothers' are the sides of motherhood, one that is accepted by society and then there's the one who is judged by the way she mothers - the organic raw meals vs the openly frustrated parent. I found that this parallel conception of motherhood opens up the reader to explore the meaning of what they define as being a mother while also uncovering their own prejudices towards those who don't necessarily 'do it' their way. It is this type of writing that edges the novel into the literary fiction genre, Tina has placed so many aspects underneath the microscope, allowing the reader to pull their own ideas from her given words. You've noticed that I've not used the terms protagonist and antagonist, you'd think that the individual who has taken a child would be an evil monster, but while reading through the chapters, you can't help but sympathise with 'Mummy', she is a woman of childbearing age who is desperate for her own child and although this is not an acceptable action, to take another woman's child, as her haunting childhood is spotlighted on, you can't help but understand on some level. Then we have the complete opposite in life of Mummy, we have Kim, who again has a past, one that has left her with all her walls up - even around her own children. When the reports begin that Tonya is missing, what Kim experiences from the public is not okay! If you take anything away from this book, I think it'll be the understanding to not judge another mother because you really don't know what is going on in her life. Why is she frustrated? Maybe ask if she is okay, or needs help instead of passing your judgement.

Okay, so that's the literary fiction elements touched upon! Although this book is emotive, raw and stunningly written, that doesn't mean that there is no psychological thriller squeezed into these pages because there is. When a child goes missing, you watch it on the news, you may even know the parents, or someone connected. It's a rippling explosion and even reading about it chilled me to the bone, the psychological impact of both women is shocking, gripping and at times quite haunting. It's the kind of psychological thriller that will bury underneath your skin, one that will have you attached with heart and mind. Call Me Mummy is a must read, you're all going to absolutely love it and be blown away that it is a debut! Phenomenal!

Brilliant book. Well developed characters and an addictive storyline.

I felt it got too repetitive around the middle of the book, and thought more could be said of what was happening with the child.

But very well written.

Thank you Netgalley and Publishers for the Arc

Harrowing Beautiful Tale.

The prose in this book is so gorgeous that it's almost like reading poetry.

The writing so pacey and taut that at times, whilst reading, I had to physically slow down and take a breath. You just can't help racing through it.

The writing style is beautifully descriptive yet blunt. There are some truly wonderful phrases.

The book portrays realistic characters, and there are no punches spared. I recognized a few people myself.

The main story focuses on two women, worlds apart socially, but both badly damaged by their pasts. And an innocent child who is taken.  It is horrific in parts but also stunningly brave. Other characters are dispersed throughout and they also have strong voices. The use of social media as a vehicle for demonisation was executed well.

Highly Recommended

Thank you NetGalley for this advanced copy. I'm going to rate this book middle of the line. It portrays alcohol use, mental health, preg etc pretty well, but parts were disturbing and too much for me. Can't imagine the trauma a poor girl would have after going through something like this.