'A good mother' by Sam Hepburn apart from being a thriller makes us think deeply about motherhood. What is it? Is it the process of giving birth or is it the bringing up of the child or is it the undying love for the child wherever the child is. To add to this a lot of thrill, suspense and intrigue and it makes the combination for a great story to read and enjoy

The story is about Nicci and her son Finn. Nicci is married to Ian a dental practitioner and she works in the same clinic as a receptionist. They have been married for sometime now and Nicci is convinced that Ian fell in love with her and proposed to her. Nicci has a past of growing up in the foster care system and now she wants to help other kids who are coming out of the system. So many things happening in the story, strange things start happening around her, when she starts questioning her sanity. To add to this a frind Donna from the past makes a visit and then her whole world turns topsy turvy.....What exactly is Donna wanting from her? What are the reasons for the strange occurrences? All these will keep you flipping through pages to get to know the story and the whys

The story goes between past and present giving the reader a glimpse into Nicci's character and the reader to make a judgement about her. Intricate plot with many parallel small stories and it all gets revealed in the most extraordinary sequence. The story kept me on the edge and curious till the end.
If you love stories with thrill, and enjoy the roller coaster of emotions then you should pick this book.
I thank Bookouture, Netgalley and the author for approving my request to read the story and the opinions expressed are mine alone.

This is a slow burner but I have stuck with it because I know that I LOVE Hepburn’s novels. As we read, the tension increases and builds. This is a gripping novel which I have devoured in one sitting with no regrets.

Hepburn has captured my attention and kept me hostage for the duration of this book and there is honestly nothing negative I can say about this one. The characters are extremely unlikeable, each are manipulative, cold and selfish.

I have definitely been kept guessing whilst reading this one and it has been an unpredictable rollercoaster read which has been a delight to engage in. I absolutely adore Sam Hepburn books and I can safely say this is a wonderful read that I highly recommend.

A Good Mother by Sam Hepburn is another win for this not to be missed author. A bit of a slow burn but with escalating tension, this is one you will want to read in a single session.

Nicola had a difficult childhood and, as a single mother to young Finn, she is thrilled when dentist Ian asks her to be his wife. Yet all is not as rosy as it would appear, and it becomes apparent that Ian is not the knight in shining armour that Nicola tries to believe. With secrets of her own, can she really afford to rock the boat?

This is another twisty and wholly satisfying read from Ms Hepburn, and I eagerly anticipate her next release.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for an ARC.

A slow burning thriller that shows the lengths one woman will go to protect the child that she loves.

Nicola had an awful childhood and always vowed that her own children would never go through anything like that. In order to protect her son, Finn, she married the perfect husband, Ian, and together they live in the perfect home.

But one day everything starts to crumble for Nicola. Little things start happening and she starts to feel unease and then a photo is delivered to her at work and her world starts to fall apart. Nicola soon realises that her past is very much in her present but what lengths will she go to to protect her son !!

This is a great psychological thriller which will keep you guessing, just as you think you have it all worked out ....... think again !!

Thank you to Bookouture and NetGalley for a digital copy of this book.

I was very much impressed with this domestic thriller focusing on the secrets a family keeps and their shocking consequences, to include the disappearance of a small boy.

Here’s another psych thriller that, while a good read, left me a bit confused.
I understand that a slow build up is often a good way to build tension, especially if the author is laying the groundwork for several twists and turns later in the book.
This one certainly takes a long time for the foundation to become clear. I had a difficult time determining what events were pivotal and which ones were just to move the story along…or were red herrings.
In that regard, the author did a good job of keeping me guessing. I was trying to map out the story, and I didn’t have a good handle on it at all.
Once the author starts using flashbacks for Nicci as a means of explaining her backstory, things started to become clearer. They were never jarring, and the pace of the plot continued to flow.
I will say that Nicola’s past was a surprise. It went much darker than I expected. I suppose that made the events in the present make more sense…to an extent.
In fact, it’s probably safe to say that some readers may have trouble with her past. There certainly was not a lot of good in it.
I thought that she was a sympathetic character for most of the book. It was obvious that someone was gaslighting her for some reason. I had my suspicions from the very first incident (I was right). But I still couldn’t figure out why until the author revealed it late in the book.
At a certain point, I thought the action went a little too incredible to be believed in the midst of the bigger plot. It made Nicola less sympathetic in my eyes, although I do understand why she went to the lengths that she did. They just weren’t entirely believable.
The twists that occurred in the latter half were decent. In fact, by the time I got to them, I had forgotten some of the beginning. It wasn’t until I was reviewing my notes that I realized the author had been dropping hints from the start. Well done on that.
All in all, it was a good read, and I would recommend it.

This was gripping!
Nicola had a rough childhood, growing up in foster care, making friends with one of the girls who joined her in care but led her into some awful situations. Now she is rebuilding her life, she is a dentist’s receptionist but also works for a charity helping kids just out of foster care, she doesn’t want kids to go through what she did. She is married and a mother.
She is putting the past into the past. But the past can’t stay buried forever and it isn’t long before it starts catching up with her.
From the first few pages I found myself absolutely loathing Ian her husband and feeling for Nicola, I was invested in her, even when secrets were revealed I was still rooting for her throughout.
There were several twists and turns along the way. The characters and story were completely believable, which made me feel even more strongly with the detesting of some of them. This can and does happen sadly.
Sam Hepburn wrote a compelling read that will reel you in from the moment you start the first page.

Emotions abounded at the situations of the past that spilled over into the present making it desperation and anger.

A complex situation that Nicci found herself in when the events abd people of the past threatened the safety of her son. The mother was ready to protect her child at all cost.

Author Sam Hepburn’s writing with layers in the plotline had me scurrying to get to the truth. I had an idea where the story would go, but it was fun to see all the dots connected precisely.

Couldn’t connect or like any of the characters, but that didn’t matter much as the subplots were dark and convoluted enough to keep me reading till I reached the end.

A mother’s love at being threatened was at the forefront in the book which proved that like her or hate her, she was A Good Mother to her son.

Wow! This author always delivers. This book was gut wrenching and packed a punch from start to finish. What a thrilling read. I just could not put it down. Do read this one. Warning - you will not get anything done until you have reached the end. A pageturning, suspenseful, amazing read.

I really enjoyed A Good Mother. The story is told through Nicola, married to Ian a dentist who is an absolute bullying shit of a husband. Telling her what to wear, who to see, when she works. But she has been putting up with it so her son has a life she didn’t have growing up.

What Ian doesn’t know is that Nicola’s past is shocking. Growing up in a care home, being dragged here and there by friend Donna, doing things she doesn’t want to do. But now Nicola’s past is catching up with her extremely fast and her dark secrets are coming back to haunt her. She’s digging herself in deeper and deeper as you read each page. But she is a good mother and will do anything and everything to protect her son.

Some of the things I was reading I couldn’t comprehend Nicola would do. The plot, the characters, the setting all 10/10! The book gains momentum all the time and then you are hit right in the face with the truth. It was like a slap as I didn’t see it coming! It’s what makes A Good Mother a fantastic edge of your seat read! I read it in 24 hours as I couldn’t put it down!

This book was a good read.

The characters and story flow well. There is scenes where you will be sitting on the edge of your seat and waiting to see what happens next.

I was surprised at how dark it was at times which I liked. The gritiness of all the characters is something that makes the story more readable.

I definitely will be reading more from this author!

Standalone psychological thriller A Good Mother is my second read of Sam Hepburn and cemented her as an author I will continue to look out for. Up front, there are potential triggers in controlling partners and underprivileged kids lost or struggling in the system for readers to be aware of. But if you’re up for a twisty thriller in which an everyday person digs herself deeper into trouble in every chapter, all for the love of her young son and care for kids who are struggling in the system that she knows too well from her youth, then this one might be for you. Nicola is newly married to a perfect husband and lives in a perfect home, now able to give her young son Finn a perfect life – the one she never had and the one she has always wanted to provide him. But we all know that nothing is ever perfect, right? Far from shutting the door on her past, among being wife, mother and part-time employee, Nicola also does voluntary work with kids whose next step will make or break them. Then things start to happen. They could be signs that Nicola hasn’t got herself together as well as she thought, except that they are triggering her, and she knows someone is coming for her. But who is behind it and what do they want? Just how far will she go to protect Finn, what will it cost? Hepburn loves to write in lots of twists, and though some are predictable, I kept flipping the pages and thoroughly enjoyed the way things played out. A Good Mother is out now. Advance review copy received with thanks from the publisher and Netgalley. #AGoodMother #NetGalley (4.5 stars)

My Review:

Fantastic, awesome, and great are just some of the words that I would use to describe this book. This author had me hooked with the very first word. I absolutely loved it and can’t wait to read more by her. This was my very first book by this author and what a wonderful job she did writing this book.

I want to start off by saying that I loved, loved, loved this book so much. I will shout this to to the moon and back. I can’t believe I waited this long to read this authors books. I will definitely be reading more of her books in the future. From start to finish I was so captivated by the story. I couldn’t wait for more as I turned each page. As the book progressed each chapter left you off craving more and more. It was like an addiction I couldn’t break and I loved every minute of it. I have to say though my favorite part of the book was the ending. It had so many twists and turns that I thought my head was going to explode. It was a total mind bender. This story will definitely stay with you for a long time. Kudos to Sam Hepburn.

Between the plot, characters and all the twists in this book it made it an easy and fast read. I would definitely recommend it and happily give it 5 Hearts❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

I think the author built up the tension well throughout this story. I liked the fact that the incidents that frighten Nicola are so random and quite insignificant at first, that it almost makes her appear paranoid and you do question if the threats are real or imagined. However, the use of the dual timeline of past and present, makes it clear that there is definitely reason to suspect a build up towards a more serious situation.

I have to confess I didn’t really like the main characters in this book. I found them to be cold, selfish and difficult to connect with. Despite Nicola’s past painful experiences, I really didn’t feel like I could have tolerated Ian in the way she does.

This had a slower pace than I was expecting and in the first section especially I found myself getting quite impatient to learn how the story progressed. However, it definitely ramped up and I was not disappointed when it did, especially due to the number of twists and unpredictable moments.

I think the writer chose an interesting topic to focus on here – motherhood and how your past influences your present, even in ways you didn’t intend it to.

I would definitely recommend this author to fans of the domestic and psychological fiction genre and specifically fans of Miranda Rijks, Arianne Richmonde and K L Slater.

BLOG TOUR REVIEW

Review for 'The Good Mother' by Sam Hepburn.

Read and reviewed via NetGalley for Sam Hepburn, Bookouture publishers and Bookouture anonymous

Publication date 26th May 2021.

This is the second book I have read by this author. I have previously read her previous book 'Gone Before' which I would highly recommend.

I was originally drawn to this book by its gorgeous eye catching cover and its intriguing synopsis and title. The synopsis stated 'A gripping and suspenseful thriller with a jaw-dropping twist, fans of Friend Request, The Wife Between Us and The Girl on the Train won’t be able to put this down.' . I am a huge fan of 'The Girl On The Train' so am looking forward to seeing if this lives up to this statement. I am also a huge fan of Sam and if this is half as good as 'Gone Before' it is sure to be a great read. I must admit I was also biased due to the publisher being Bookouture. I have yet to read a book published by Bookouture that I haven't enjoyed. Hopefully this won't be the first... Watch this space! (Written before I started reading the book).

This novel consists of a prologue and 52 chapters. The chapters are short to medium in length so possible to read 'just one more chapter' before bed...OK, I know yeah right, but still just in case!

This book is based in the UK 🇬🇧. The bonus for me of books that are partly or fully based in the UK is that I live in the UK and have sometimes visited places mentioned in the book which makes it easier to picture.

This book is written in first person perspective and the main protagonist is Nicci. The benefits of books written in first person perspective are as long as they are well written it makes you feel that you are being spoken to by the protagonist and it can create more of a bond between yourselves and them.


It is set over multiple time lines. When books show what has happened in the past and what is happening in the present I find it really helps the reader (if it is well done) understand why things are happening and what has lead to the present activities and decisions. It also shows the bigger picture

WOW!!! What an unexpected ending!!!! Well done Sam you have absolutely smashed it yet again with yet another fantastic page turning psychological thriller!!!!

This book is fantastically written with vivid descriptions that put you straight in the picture. The cover, title and synopsis suited the plot perfectly and I much prefer this cover to the original, very eye catching!! The storyline is scarily realistic and shows alot of the dark side of society that people so often turn their back on or pretend it doesn't exist. It is filled with suspense, twists, lies, shocks, secrets and everything that makes a psychological thriller unputdownable which is exactly what this book is. I was completely absorbed throughout and read it in one sitting. I would never have guessed what was going to happen so a huge congratulations to Sam. It is getting harder and harder to shock me as I have found it with the past few books I've read, due to reading so many crime thrillers but you had me hook, line and sinker. I was kept on the edge of my seat and biting my nails while my heart was in my throat. The ending was absolutely perfect and everything was wrapped up and explained nicely, I'm a stickler for loose ends!!

The characters were vivid, complex and realistically (unfortunate in some cases as there are many people out there like some of the horrid characters in this book). I really liked Nicci and felt quite a bond with her. However, at times I was absolutely shouting at the book for her allowing that scum Ian treat her the way he did, I could not stand him or his mother from the moment I met them. I really did feel sorry for Nicci though as it wasn't just them 2 she had a problem and trouble with but some other vile people, I won't say anymore as I don't want to spoil it for future readers but I'm sure they'll know who I mean after reading. I also felt sorry for Finn and God forbid anyone spoke to my kids the way Ian spoke to him. I am so proud of how he turned out in the end and showed his strength. I really liked Susy's character who was a really good friend to Nic. Another character who really stood out for me was Leon and I'm so happy for the way things went for him too.

Congratulations Sam on what promises to be a HUGE success and I hope your busy writing your next novel as I for one cannot wait!!! I would love to see this book turned into a movie and I can guarantee it will be a huge hit!!

Overall an unputdownable, nail biting, page turning psychological thriller with explosive twists


Genres covered in this book include Mystery, Suspense, Thriller, Psychological Fiction and Crime Fi amongst others.


I would recommend this book to the fans of the above as well as fans of 'The Girl On The Train' and anyone looking for a suspense packed page turner


343 pages.

This book is just £1.99 to purchase on kindle via Amazon which I think is an absolute bargain for this book!!!

Rated 5 /5 (I LOVED it ) on Goodreads, Instagram, Amazon UK and Amazon US and on over 30 Facebook pages plus my blog on Facebook.

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First, I should start by saying I recommend this book, it's great, but it's dark and disturbing, and intriguing and a page turner. So if you like that kind of book, it's definitely for you. The foster care experience isn't positive, as is often depicted in fiction, and as a foster carer, I found it sad, as I often do with fictional depictions of this but overall, the book was great. Great pace, fast moving, page turning.

Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture for giving me a free arc of this book in exchange for an honest review

Nicola might seem to be in an ideal marriage. Married to a successful dentist, Ian. A mother of a young son named Finn. But, before I go on, I must say that this book might trigger some readers. In all honesty, it triggered me. Ian was a controlling husband. I cringed at his level of control. Page after page kept me with a lump in my throat, and I considered putting this book down.

But, no, I kept on reading. I looked more at Nicci. I needed to see if she could fight back. For herself. For Finn. What ensued was a dramatic story of how she became married to Ian and some backstory about her less than ideal life, one spent in care after her mother's suicide. As a young mother she met Ian. However, before that, in the years in foster care, she befriended another girl named Donna.

Donna is in Nicci's past. Or had been. What brings her into the story as it unfolded? Well, as I mentioned, drama. Not only do we see the disturbing relationship between Nicci and Ian, we see Donna come back into the picture. When Donna returns what she presents to Nicci is something very ugly. The twists in this book come fast and hard and most certainly kept me riveted to the story, although some of the twists were rather shocking.

Not only is Nicci consistently gaslighted by Ian, other strange things begin happening to her, proof that someone is watching her, that she might indeed be threatened. All of this, what is happening between her and Ian, as well as what is happening now is due to the fact that Nicci has been hiding a secret for years. Secrets, however, have a way of being exposed. How that happens in this story is up to the reader. Get past the domestic abuse and what Sam Hepburn has delivered to readers is definitely a page-turner, one that led me to just having to know the outcome.

Many thanks to Bookouture and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

A Good Mother by Sam Hepburn is a slow burning thriller that tests the limits of one woman’s love for her child to see just how far she will go. The book introduces readers to Nicci who had lived a hard life spending her time growing up in the foster care system and not always making the best of choices.

Now Nicci has gotten her life on track not only for herself but for her young son. Working as a receptionist Nicci met her now husband who has treated her well and become the father her son needs. One day though out of the blue a woman from Nicci’s past comes back into her life and puts her perfect life at risk.

I seem to be on the outside with my rating for A Good Mother by Sam Hepburn as most have seemed to love this one. In my case the story started off rather slowly and as I read I just never really liked the main character in this one and felt a lot of her actions were over the top and unbelievable. The bones of the book were very appealing and probably would have rated higher if I had more of a connection to the characters but I would recommend trying this one for yourself since i am in the minority.

I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley

Another author, of which I was not familiar with, but after this book I definitely will look out for more of her books.

On the surface Nicola has the perfect life, a wonderful husband, a gorgeous little boy, a big house and after her troubled childhood it is well deserved. However suddenly one day her past and present collide and when secrets from her childhood start threatening to come out, how far will Nicola go to keep them under wraps and protect Finn her little boy.

I really enjoyed this book. I despised Ian from the start but any author that can provoke such feeling about a character in so few pages is a good one! The story was a little slow to start but at the same time it felt very ominous and threatening right from the beginning and I just had to keep reading. By half way through twists started occurring and at that point the speed of the story was racing and the pace carried on at that rate until the end of the book. I loved the ending and felt it was wrapped up very neatly.

I highly recommend this book for readers who enjoy psychological thrillers and I will be looking out for more of Sam Hepburns books. Brilliant.

Thank you to NetGalley, Bookouture and Sam Hepburn for my advanced reading copy. Due out 26th May 2021.

Oh lordie this one brought out a lot of feelings! Nicci survived the foster care system, is raising her son, and has married the man of her dreams. Life should be good, right? Well, he isn't quite so dreamy and that was the first thing that just irritated me, but not in a bad way. You aren't supposed to like him. He is overbearing and is pushing male toxicity on his stepson. He added to a well developed story as Nicci, dealing with him, her son, and her volunteer work, starts to receive hints that someone is bringing a frightening moment in her past back to light. The twists and stresses throughout the story kept me engaged and turning the pages.