Mel was abandoned as a baby and lived in foster home after foster home. She is now a single mom with a wonderful daughter, Kate. However, Mel’s work as a carer is not bringing in enough money to support her and Kate. Imagine Mel’s surprise when a letter from a lawyer gives her a way to make a new life for the two of them. Will this move be a new beginning, or will Meg once again find herself in trouble? Loved the story line and twists in this book!

Mel was abandoned as a baby and grew up in children's homes or fostered, she has a daughter Kate and when she receives a letter from a solicitor telling her she has an inheritance she is tempted to throw it in the bin. Encouraged by her best mate Micky she visits solicitor and discovers she's has inherited a hotel. Worried about her abusive ex partner she moves into the hotel and sets about renovating it. A woman at the hotel lives there but doesn't speak, a sinister find in hotel grounds. This book has lots of twists and turns and is a very good read.

What a way to start the new year with this brilliant thriller! So many twists and turns and a creepy dark storyline. Melanie has had it hard in life, abandoned as a baby she grew up in children's homes and temporary foster homes then has a baby to a violent bully who she manages to get sent to prison.
Out of the blue Melanie inherits a large amount of money and a run down hotel from a mysterious source and when she and her daughter move away to their new life things become more than a little strange. Fantastic book that is going on my favourites list.

EXCERPT: Mel turns to Tom,crouching down by the trench to see what he's looking at. She feels her heart hammering in her chest, as if it's pumping its way up her throat.

'Oh Christ!' Mel says, covering her mouth when she sees it. Her stomach churns. 'Is that...?' She can't bring herself to say the words.

ABOUT 'SINGLE MOTHER': I will do anything to protect my daughter. She’s all I’ve ever wanted and all I really have, but the moment I opened that letter and accepted the inheritance, I walked us right into a dangerous trap.

I know I should have got her to tell me who she’s been talking to on the phone late at night, and where she was the day I went to pick her up from school and couldn’t find her, but she’s not spoken a word since she found that little pile of bones buried in the garden.

And now she’s missing…

MY THOUGHTS: I think that I am reading far too many of this type of book because I found this, excluding the final twist, very obvious. I am also unsure why this is being promoted as a psychological thriller. The only psychological aspect to Single Mother is 'Miss Sarah's' mutism, and even then that's debatable.

There were a lot of things in this book that grated on my nerves. Among them were: Mel's frequent hysterical outbursts; the way she pussyfooted around her ten year old daughter, especially in regard to the spare phone; the silly assumptions she makes about the deceased Joyce (view spoiler) a couple of direct questions to the staff could have cleared up; that Mel doesn't think there is anything odd about a dead mouse folded neatly in her towel, curry in her cake or glass in her soup; the staff allude to things...'You mean you don't know?', then say things like, 'Best you don't ask.' and so Mel doesn't; but mostly the way she uses Michael, takes advantage of him, but never even thinks of repaying his many kindnesses. In case you're in any doubt, I didn't like Mel. I thought her self-centred and, dare I say it? Thick.

There's no real depth to any of the characters, and in places the dialogue made me wince. On the positive side it is a quick and easy read. And it was enjoyable in places. But suspenseful? No, not even when Kate went missing. Thrilling? No.

Single Mother is another example of a good idea that has failed to be fully developed. While I have long been wanting to read something by this author, I don't know that I will be reading more. A slightly better than average read.

⭐⭐.8

#SingleMother #NetGalley

THE AUTHOR: up in the Midlands with my parents and younger brother, stumbling through school in a very average way until I walked out in a fit of teenage angst aged 16. Still, I was picked up in a Ferrari, which made it seem much more rebellious than it probably was.

My parents divorced when I was young, with my mother's side of the family filled with creatives - so Monday to Friday my life was all starving, angst-ridden bohemian artists, a tiny, tumble-down cottage with every surface covered with tubes of paint and canvases, no heating and often not much money for food. The weekends were different, however, when I'd spend time with my dad, a successful businessman. Living the high-life in his grand house complete with butler, and flying off to Europe in his private plane or taking holidays on his Caribbean yacht was quite a contrast for a kid to deal with. It probably explains a lot.

So to make sense of it all, I wrote. I can't ever remember not wanting to be an author.

DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Bookouture via Netgalley for providing a digital ARC of Single Mother by Samantha Hayes for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.

For an explanation of my rating system please refer to my Goodreads.com profile page or the about page on sandysbookaday.wordpress.com

This review and others are also published on Twitter, Amazon, Instagram and my webpage

Single Mother is an enjoyable easy read, a book full of twists and turns with an interesting plot. I’ve read a few books by Samantha Hayes now and have always enjoyed them so I think it’s about time I made my way through the others I've got in my TBR pile by this author.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for a copy of this ebook in exchange for my honest review.

I am excited to be taking part in the #BooksOnTour #BlogTour for Samantha Hayes' compelling new thriller SINGLE MOTHER.

This is about the third Samantha Hayes book I've read and I've come to the conclusion she is a slow burn writer, building up the tension slowly and yet keeping it palpable throughout. While I am not a fan of slow burns myself, preferring to jump right in and being taken on a thrill ride right from the start, SINGLE MOTHER is still an enjoyable read that is both compelling and addictive.

The story opens with an intriguing prologue that leaves the reader guessing and pondering exactly what was in that bag the anonymous woman walked onto the train and left in the luggage rack. Of course, we don't discover its significance until we're well and truly into the story and trying to figure out how everything else fits as well.

Single mum Mel has not had an easy life. She was abandoned as a baby and went from one children's home to another in between foster families. Then she met Billy and was immediately attracted to him but despite his good looks and charm, Billy was bad news. When he was dealing drugs or taking them, he was beating Mel into submission. When her testimony sent him to prison, it was all she could do to protect her little girl Kate.

Several years later, Kate is now 12 and Billy has been released from prison...and Mel fears a reprisal. Having no family of her own, Mel confides all her thoughts and her fears in the one man she can trust - Michael, whom she met in the children's home where they sort of grew up together. Living hand to mouth financially, Mel lives in fear of Billy finding them...for what he might do to her and for the possibility that he might take Kate away from her. Michael is her conscience and he helps keep her sane.

One day Mel receives a letter from a solicitor's firm stating that she has an inheritance. But that can't be...Mel has no family. How could she inherit anything? But at Michael's urging, she seeks out the solicitor and learns that she has indeed come into an inheritance. A hotel on the coast near Lyme Regis in Dorset and a tidy sum in excess of £300,000!! Mel is skeptical at first...I mean, who wouldn't be? She's learnt not to take things at face value and that you don't get something for nothing in this world. And so she believes it to be a scam...

But then she hears that Billy is now out of prison and she suspects he may try and contact Kate, so with that in mind Mel accepts the inheritance. There are conditions - namely a long time resident of the hotel is to remain free of charge for life, some of the funds bequeathed is to go on much-needed renovations of the premises and that the mysterious benefactor would like to remain anonymous. So packing themselves up in her ancient car, Mel and Kate make the three hour long journey from Birmingham to Dorset.

Once there, it is clear that the Moreton Inn is indeed very much in need of a makeover as well as renovations which Mel doesn't hesitate to begin as soon as she's settled. They meet the mysterious Miss Sarah, the long time resident in Room 12, and soon discover that she does not speak. The woman must be at least in her fifties and no one there has ever heard her utter a word in all the years they've either worked at or frequented the pub. But it isn't long before Miss Sarah begins to give Mel the creeps. She often catches her looking at her strangely, or seemingly spying on her in the backyard overseeing the renovations. What is her deal? Mel endeavours to get to the bottom of it.

The move has done Kate the world of good, who was frequently bullied at her old school in Birmingham. It isn't long before she has made friends and has a bestie named Chloe.

Mel befriends Tom who assists her with the renovations and is soon acquainted with her staff of two - Nikki in the bar and Rose in the kitchen. Together they come up with new menus and drinks to wow the locals into frequenting the Moreton once again. Mel gets stuck in immediately, pulling up carpets and polishing floorboards, painting rooms and hanging curtains. Soon the old hotel has a new lease of life...and then skeletal remains are found around the foundations of their extension.

Suddenly things start going wrong. Building is halted. A journalist comes knocking, then a piece is published regarding the remains found. Someone turns up claiming to be Mel's brother and a man matching Billy's description is seen in the village. And then Kate disappears. And all at once, Mel's world begins to fall apart. Where is Kate? Has Billy taken her?

And the only one who can help them won't utter a single world.

I didn't really like Mel a whole lot. I thought she was a bit of a train wreck and prone to a lot of sniffling considering she was meant to be a hardened nut from having to fend for herself in the foster care system. The way she pandered a little too much to Kate grated on me like she didn't want to upset or trigger one of her mood swings. I mean come on...Mel's the adult here. Pander to a child like that and she will be prone to mood swings because she knows whimpering and whatnot will have mummy eating out of her hand. I did like Michael. He was a lot of fun. As was Tom. But Miss Sarah...she's the one I felt sorry for. I felt there was more of a story there where she was concerned, and it wasn't a happy one I suspected either.

An engaging and addictive story, SINGLE MOTHER is heartbreaking and heartwarming all at once. It is a slow burn, but it holds the reader's interest going just enough to keep them reading. And then the pace picks up around 50% and even moreso around 70% when things begin to unravel and fall into place all at once.

There are a few twists, including a big one at the end even I didn't see coming, in this slightly creepy and rather unsettling tale. I mean, a mute woman who does nothing but stare at you is pretty creepy...as well as the fact Mel was bequeathed this hotel and a tidy sum to boot with no idea who the benefactor was. The undercurrent is definitely creepy and somewhat atmospheric right up to the surprising end.

A thriller that's not really a thriller but is addictive in much the same way, SINGLE MOTHER is a compulsive page-turner that will keep you guessing right up to the end.

I would like to thank #SamanthaHayes, #NetGalley, #Bookouture for an ARC of #SingleMother in exchange for an honest review.

I was drawn to this one by the author’s name as she is rather famous and highly recommended within one of my favourite genres – psychological thrillers!

This book focuses on the character of Mel and her daughter. Mel will do anything to protect her daughter. She’s all Mel ever wanted and all she really has, but the moment opened that letter and accepted the inheritance, she walked right into a dangerous trap.

This book is a book of two halves. The first half is slower, sets the scene for the second half, developing the characters and building the eerie and creepy atmosphere.

I have really enjoyed getting to know Melanie. She is a likeable, down to earth and empathetic character who we trust, but who we can also see trusts others too easily. “Miss” Sarah is also an important character, playing a huge role in the development of the eerie atmosphere and plays a huge role in the mysterious essence of the plot, despite, or perhaps because of, her reluctance to speak. As readers you are thrown right into Mel’s situation, you become wary and unsure who to trust.

The second half is completely manic. There is a wild search for Mel’s missing daughter, and even the most reliable characters seem to have secrets or lies hidden…

This is a completely twisty and unpredictable tale that I have enjoyed from beginning to end. I look forward to reading more by this author in the future.

Wow.....just wow!

Single mum Mel had been abandoned as a baby and grew up in children’s homes and foster homes. As an adult she has a daughter she’d do anything for, but struggles to make ends meet. Until one day she receives an inheritance letter that changes her life......

This book was quite simply excellent and kept me completely hooked right from the first page to the very last word. Which is exactly what I want from a book.

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and of course the author for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Mel has had a tough life, growing up in foster homes and never having a family to call her own, she is understandably protective of her 12 year old daughter Kate.

As she struggles to make ends met, her only support is Michael, her dear, almost, brother like friend from her foster home days. Her ex husband Billy is in prison in charges of violence against Mel. Just when Mel thinks life cant get any more difficult, she is thrown out of her job as care-giver.
Miraculously, she learns of an inheritance, which she is reluctant to believe at first, but with no job, she decides to accept the anonymous windfall she has come across - a hotel and a lot of money.

Its here that she discovers her real family and finds love but not before some strange events manage to bring the truth of the whole inheritance out.

A good plot but too lengthy with way too many unrequired situations. Thank you Netgalley and Bookouture for the ARC

📣 Review 📣

⭐⭐⭐⭐

Wow! Its been a long time since a book has kept me awake!

'Single Mother' tells the story of Mel and her daughter Kate. Mel grew up with no family, found on a train as a baby. She works as a carer and her only family is her daughter Kate. Kate's father is in prison and Mel is terrified of when he is released.

Already struggling, Mel finds herself without a job, finds out Kate's father has been released early and everything is just going wrong. Until she received a letter, that she has inherited a hotel and a large sum of money from a mysterious benefactor and a lot of conditions. Mel has no other choice but to take the opportunity.

The hotel has a strange live in tennent who can't be evicted! The staff are cagey and everyone seems against her. Things cant possibly get worse. Then her daughter goes missing....

I felt that the first half of this book built a lot of the characters up, especially the relationship between Mel and Kate. It set up all the questions and brought everything to a climax. From about 60% onwards it was an absolute rollercoaster. Everytime you figured something out, something else would happen.

'Single Mother' is out on the 5th January and is priced at £1.99 on Kindle!

Thank you to @netgalley and @bookouture for my ARC of this book!

#netgalley #SingleMother

Mel is the single mom of Kate, and she is always having to find inventive ways to make ends meet. Her ex is in prison and she is terrified he will be out soon and try to contact her and Kate. When Mel receives a letter from a solicitor notifying her she won a huge inheritance that includes a small seaside hotel, it seems too good to be true. The only stipulation is that there is a permanent resident at the hotel who must be allowed to continue to live there. Mel and Kate pack everything up and make the move.....only to find out that there are some disturbing things going on at the hotel. The permanent resident. Miss Sarah, never speaks to anyone, human bones were found buried near the foundation of the hotel, and threatening messages are being left around the hotel. Mel has no idea where to turn, who to trust, or if anyone is really who they seem to be.
Let me start by saying I am a big fan of this author's previous books. This one started out a little slow for me but about halfway through really picked up speed and then it was non-stop suspense through the last chapter. I definitely recommend this suspenseful read.

This is a super twisty thriller, with red herrings and turns that you won't see coming! The lead character Mel, is a single mother, orphan and victim of domestic abuse. When out of the blue she inherits a seaside Inn she jumps at the very first break that she's ever had in her life. Unfortunately the Inn and the village itself holds many secrets. Who is the strange mute lady who lives in the hotel, and why does she form a bond with Mel's twelve year old daughter Kate? In a story in which nothing is as it seems, who can Mel trust?
This is a highly enjoyable page-turner. The only jarring note for me was the jumble of tenses, which at times was a bit distracting. Overall a great read.

Loved the twists and turns in this one. I enjoyed how the plot was unique and didn't feel overdone. The atmosphere of the hotel was exciting and perfect to read in the winter. I am sure many readers will enjoy.

I have always loved Samantha Hayes books and this one did not disappoint.
Mel lives with her daughter. They struggle financially but manage day to day.
Mel has had a troubles life being brought up in foster care and Kate's father is in prison. He is a bully and has physically attacked Mel.

Mel doesn't believe in good luck and when a solicitors letter arrives about an inheritance she is at first sceptical. She has been gifted a hotel, the proviso that she keeps it going as a working business and allows one long time guest to continue to stay.
Seeing this as a good opportunity to start a new life and escape Kate's father, Mel finally accepts the offer.

Some locals are far from pleased to see Mel and once renovations start, long lost secrets are uncovered.

Kate's life becomes endangered and it would appear her father is back on the scene.

A fast paced book with twists along the way, some I guessed but the ending I didn't.

Highly recommend and look forward to Samanthas future books.

Single Mother is a fantastic book which I could not put down. It tells the story of Mel, recently unemployed and worried about keeping a roof over her and her daughter Kate's heads, who inherits a hotel. It looks like her luck has changed but has it? This book had everything, twists and turns on practically every page and likeable main characters who sucked me in and I wanted to know what happened to them.
I really did not want this book to end as I was enjoying it so much and just when I thought it was over there was a massive twist that I did not see coming.
This was my first book by Samantha Hayes and it will not be my last.
I highly recommend Single Mother.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for my ARC.

I absolutely adore this author so instantly jumped at this blog tour! Wow, I haven't been disappointed. This book has been completely worth the wait. I have been so excited for this one I have devoured the entire book in just one sitting. 
This book has definitely given me all the feels. I have adored the characters that have been created and as always Hayes has kept me on the edge of my seat. The plot of this one is interesting and so many great twists are thrown in that it is impossible to put down.
I have definitely been kept interested in this book. The plot has been completely addictive and I know I will never be disappointed by this author. I cannot say anything negative. This is without a doubt a five star read and one which I highly recommend.

I’d like to thank Bookouture and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read ‘Single Mother’ by Samantha Hayes in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.

Single mum Mel has lost her job and doesn’t know how she’s going to care for herself and daughter Kate. She receives an unexpected letter from a solicitor stating that she’s been left an inheritance, Moreton Inn hotel and a large sum of money, from an unknown benefactor. As soon as they arrive to look over the hotel Mel believes that with a lot of hard work to bring it up-to-date she can make a new career and home for them both, but a grim discovery made when digging foundations for an extension causes Mel to doubt and mistrust everyone.

‘Single Mother’ started out as an engaging novel but as I continued reading it became slow and the story dragged and didn’t quite come up to my expectations. The characters were interesting as was the plot but it was no different to a lot of novels I’ve read and there was nothing that gripped me and made me want to keep reading. As I approached the last few chapters I expected the ending to be near and though there was a final and unexpected twist the story kept going despite my wanting it to finish. Generally, I found it to be an acceptable read but nothing special.

Where do I start with this book without giving anything away or repeating the blurb? I loved it!

Mel, the main character, will quickly draw you into the story and you will empathise, wanting to see what happens to her and her daughter Kate, after life continually deals them blow after blow. You will be anxious, alongside them, disbelieving of the events they face and astounded at how quickly and deviously the plot winds you in. Several times I thought I had got it and the story even moved towards what I had predicted. And then, off it goes, throwing in some turns I just hasn’t even considered.

Samantha’s writing is as cleverly descriptive as ever, giving me clear pictures of a flat in Birmingham, a care home and a rundown hotel in need of renovating, without me realising I have read any descriptions.

My mind was constantly puzzling, predicting and failing to solve the mysterious events and the twists keep coming, even when you think everything is sorted comfortably and you have a resolution - watch out!

4.5 stars rounded up to 5. I am a huge Samantha Hayes fan, and one of the things that I love about her books is that I always know that there is going to be a huge twist at the end and that, for the life of me, I will never figure it out. Single Mother was no different. I loved the family aspect, and could really picture the hotel and each of the employees. While I figured out some of the twists (although, hint, not EVERYONE was a bad guy, even though my brain framed each character at some point), I wasn’t able to figure out the the last one, which I always enjoy.

Not a bad book at all, but I feel like I have read the mystery inheritance trope so many times, I just couldn't get Interested.