This one was absolutely a worthy read! The story of Maeve, a woman who spent the first eight years of her life trapped in a domineering mother cult and the years since trying to re-center herself and her needs as a person, she's nevertheless haunted by those years- and the loss of her only relative an older girl named Andrea. Spending years trying to find her leads nowhere until her cousin's DNA test causes her to reach out on a website Maeve joined and the two begin to reform their bond. At first all goes well and the pair seem to be reconnecting (Andrea has grown up to be a successful business woman and married a man who suits her, a steep contrast to Maeve's own less ordered life as an editor with an uncommitted relationship) but somehow things don't add up. Maeve is about find out why.

I feel like this one recalls some classic novels of the fifties in some ways, it's a modern tale set in our time, but there's definitely an air of that age and the gothic mood you might find in a Shirley Jackson novel if it were centered in a more modern world where science, psychology, and destructive manipulation all come to take their due. Its also a book that confronts the way women's lifespans become centered on reproduction and motherhood while also neutering any traits that fall outside of those ideals even up to the exclusion of the men in their life. A healthy reminder that it's also women who believe in this toxicity who will fight to exist in it an use it to do harm to others. If I had any qualms with this one it was the feeling of being rushed through the final chapters of the book, resulting in an ending that works but feels a bit like it's missing some parts.

What a creepy thrilling read! This book drew me in from the very beginning. Some parts did drag a bit, but overall it was a quick suspenseful read.

When Maeve fled the cult she grew up in, she left her cousin Andrea behind. Reunited as adults, Maeve finds herself drawn into Andrea's world, even moving in to Andrea's home when her own world starts to fall apart. Andrea's focus is fertility, and the importance of women having children, a stance Maeve doesn't agree with, but she loves her cousin and owes her so much...

This book is terrifying. Absolutely terrifying. It is masterfully written and the suspense builds until it's cranked up to 11 and you can't look away no matter how scary things get. And that ending! I definitely recommend this book.

This was a well crafted and interesting story. You know something is off, but you are not sure what exactly. The author managed the story of the past and the present well and I couldn't stop reading.

Just Like Mother has some of the same sinister and unnerving elements that make stories like Rosemary’s Baby, The Invitation, and Westworld so good. When its sci-fi, gothic, and cult horror elements are working, they work well. But overall the book felt like it would be better suited as a short story, at least in its current form. Currently it's too slow paced, too much filler, and too many characters I can't connect with or really like.

This mystery was interesting and very creepy. The story alternates between two timelines - the present, and when Maeve and Andrea were still in the cult. It was intriguing to read about the cult itself, but otherwise I found the story to be very predictable and at times frustrating;; Maeve often did things that no rational person would do in her circumstances. It was unsettling, similar to A Handmaid’s Tale - I was uncomfortable through the whole reading. I don’t know if that makes me the target audience the author was trying to reach but this book was off the mark for me.

Creepy and atmospheric with a bit of a mystery thrown in for good measure. I read it in a day and the ending did not disappoint. Horror/mystery fans will eat this up!

“Just Like Mother” is a fast-paced psychological horror novel. “Just Like Mother” takes an interesting spin on motherhood using dolls. Now, dolls can be creepy. Then add artificial intelligence and you have entered fresh territory.

In. “Just Like Mother” we meet Mauve, who gains reader sympathy rather quickly. As a child, Mauve escaped from a cult called the Mother Collective. She keeps to herself, does not want kids, and shies away from relationships. Throughout the years, she has searched for her cousin Andrea, who was raised in the cult. Mauve reconnects with her cousin. Andres is super wealthy and intimidating. Mauve becomes closer to Andrea, but also becomes more isolated from her life, and creepiness begins to unfold.

The entire story is not about a cult. There are several layers to this storyline that work well to develop this book. The story is told from Muave’s perspective. The reader gets glimpses into her life and flashbacks from her childhood.

From the beginning, the book drew me in. As the book progressed, I asked questions. The need for answers and more details had me turning pages. Some might find the storyline predictable. I did not. The ending pleasantly surprised me.

Fans of cult stories should give this one a try.

This one started strong and really held my attention. But, as it went along I felt like the plot lost its edge and felt a little rushed to be honest.

As soon as the author introduced the life-like babies I knew I was hooked! As if the introduction to the cult the cousins grew up in and the creepy house with secret passages didn't already clue you in, this book was like a carnival ride in an eerie abandoned amusement park!

I love how Heltzel takes you into the mind of Andrea, the baby obsessed, fanatical founder of NewLife and plays her against Maeve, the cousin she grew up with who wants nothing to do with motherhood. I felt so sorry for Maeve, as all she wanted was to connect with family, to have someone to care for her. In believing she could recreate the connection she had with Andrea as a child, she is blinded to what is really happening around her.

Just Like Mother is a fascinating, disturbing, and creepy psychological horror book that you just can't look away from.

Thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan-Tor/Forge, Tor Nightfire for the opportunity to read this "fresh new voice in horror".

Enjoyment: 5
Total rating: 4.71

Maeve and Andrea were both part of the same cult as children. For the past 20 years, Maeve escaped and built a life distant from the cult and everyone else.

Andrea, now a renowned fertility doctor, seeks Maeve out and soon, they become as close as they were as children. But being immersed in Andrea's high society world comes at a price to Maeve, who starts to feel a disconnect from her own life as the bury memories from her past start to submerge. But facing these terrors may be what she needs to transcend the nightmare still to come.

I consumed Just Like Mother as if I was running out of time. It is as entertaining as it is unsettling - flashbacks to the past, when Andrea and Maeve were in the cult, brought me to tears. I really loved the contrast between both characters. Maeve's life is a mess, her autodestructive personality is unnerving, and she has the hallmarks of a character you'd hate, yet there is something so vulnerable and endearing about her; I felt very protective of and rooted for her without hesitation. You feel her pain when she mentions her past, and Heltzel's choice of monikers for the cult members was nothing short of impactful.

On the other hand, Andrea is beautiful, rich, charming and giving. The epitome of a character everyone would love. But something is menacing behind her demeanour, a slight edge that just made me feel unsettled and unable to connect to her.

Even with these contrasting characters that confuse the reader's feelings, Cassidy evoked a sense of paranoia that keeps us questioning our assumptions until the end. Just Like Mother reminded me of Rosemary's Baby in the atmosphere, but with a modern Law & Order SVU twist.


Even though I read it as an ARC, I bought a copy. Just Like Mother is a bookshelf-worthy debut.


Disclaimer: In exchange for an honest review, I am thankful to the publishers and NetGalley for providing a copy of Just Like Mother.

My initial thoughts after I finished this book, past my bedtime on a work night: I want to scream and throw up. Review to come.

Thank you to Tor Nightmare, Anne, and Netgalley for an arc of Just Like Mother.

I finished reading this book almost a month ago and my initial thoughts (I want to scream and throw up) still stand.

Maeve lives a quiet life, keeping mostly to herself and not opening up to anyone. She escaped a cult with her cousin when they were barely teenagers and since then has found it hard to trust. She also lost touch with her cousin that same night and has always wondered about how Andrea turned out...until Andrea pops back into her life after a match on a DNA website. They pick back up where they left off, still clicking just like they did as kids. The only weird thing is that Andrea does not seem to want to rehash any of the childhood trauma that they experienced together. Something that Maeve would love to do. Maeve discovers that Andrea is very put together despite what they went through, great career, great husband, good group of friends...everything that Maeve seems to lack. So when Maeve is invited to Andrea's new house upstate every weekend, she obliges. However, the more Maeve submerges herself into Andrea's world, the more she realizes there may be some lingering issues that haven't been dealt with on Andrea's side, despite the facade that everything is perfect.

That's really just the tip of the iceberg and in no way does it prepare you for the absolute fuckery that you're about to witness. Also, let me yell it from the rooftops - THIS IS A DEBUT. If this is Anne's idea of a debut, then I cannot wait to see what she comes up with next.

The story was expertly crafted, flowed at a great pace. The characters were engaging. I absolutely loved Maeve, flaws and all. Andrea was magnetic and alluring. Her friends and her world were captivating. Maeve was so easy to root for, I was so invested in her and I would definitely read more of her life, both pre- and post-Just Like Mother.

I really don't know what else to say other than I would like it very much for everyone who likes thrillers to read this book. I would put it partially into the horror category because the elements are definitely there, but I know that the word 'horror' is off-putting to some readers. It's not scary, per se, but horrifying is definitely a word that applies.

If you like creepy suspense and don't pick this up because of the cover, do you really like thrillers and horror? Just Like Mother follows two friends who were raised together in a female commune (aka cult) and lost touch after it was raided. They reconnect as adults though there are certainly some red flags. As their lives entwine the pace become intense and then spins out! Great read for lovers of the genre.

This book was creepy AF! I was immediately drawn to the cult aspect of the plot. Cults are my weaknesses and if a book out there is marketed as having a cult-type plotline, I'm sold. Mauve is born into a commune feminist type cult that teaches her to fear and hate men and exalts women and their ability to procreate. After escaping as a child, she goes into foster care and eventually reconnects with her long lost cousin. From there, her cousin begins to slowly manipulate and isolate her, which triggers memories that Mauve has long since suppressed.

This gothic thriller is creepy and filled with trauma and bizarre themes of motherhood. (Parts could be very triggering for some, so be aware that there are aspects of perinatal depression, plus sexual assault.)

The middle of the book dragged and was a bit boring for me. I was unsure where it was going and was frankly creeped out by the old mansion that Mauve's cousin lived in and the creepy doll company she ran. Then the last 20% hit and wow, I did not see that coming. Things got wild! And the last page still gives me the shivers....

Review of Just Like Mother by Anne Heltzel

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This one was super fun and unique. I loved the creepiness and the cult vibes but it also had elements of a regular thriller as well. I listened to the audio and quite enjoyed that. It started off slow for me but then picked right up and kept going. I loved the main character.

Quick synopsis: Maeve is living a mostly anonymous life in the city when she suddenly hears from her cousin Andrea. She hasn’t seen her since they escaped the cult they grew up in and she’s thrilled. Before she knows it she’s lost her job and moves to the Catskills with Andrea and her husband. But things don’t stay calm for long and she soon realizes she may not have escaped her past.

While this domestic thriller/cult read didn't completely disappoint I found it to be a slow build with some predictable twists.
I did enjoy the well written creep factor and horror yet I wasn't on the edge of my seat either. I am most definitely terrified of the idea of Andrea though lol!
The cover is awesomely creepy and lends well to the childhood cult background. I would recommend this book and look forward to discovering more by author.

5 stars. This was a pre-order and a 2022 release that did not let me down. I am absolutely BLOWN away by this debut from Anne Heltzel. It's a slow-build character analysis into Mauve and her reuniting with her cousin. As the story unfolds it becomes obvious that one of them escaped their terrible childhood while another is in the throws of it. The ending was so intense! I will say this needs a big warning for sexual assault and forced pregnancy and I would also not recommend reading this if you are pregnant or have had a traumatic pregnancy or are fearing your birthing process because this will not bring you peace at all. I loved this one. An absolutely remarkable look into motherhood and the desire to not be one in a world of women telling you it's the most important thing in the world. Plus, I love a good cult book and this one does it right. Full review to come.

I just completed my #12hourreadathon and only finished one of my two current reads and OMG what a great story and fantastic on audio! Maeve grows up in a cult that worships mothers and female children while men and male offspring are seen as disposable and are there if at all to serve. Maeve breaks away at 12, wildly driving a car & a tragedy occurs. She is soon adopted and taught by her adopted parents never to bring up the past. They try to shield her from the publicity of the cult's news even as it is reported as dismantled. Maeve is safe now. She grows up to be an editor, working in NYC and casually dating a bartender who is just one step above friends with benefits...as far as Maeve is concerned. She keeps people at arm's length. When her cousin (who she lived with in the commune of the cult) reaches out to her and befriends her, Maeve is so happy; she craves the closeness they shared as children and wants to break out of her shell. Her cousin and her husband live in a mansion in the Catskills & invite Maeve to stay with them. Maeve visits, but winds up leaving to go back to the city. But when everything is slowly but surely taken from Maeve, and she has nowhere to turn... damn if her cousin isnt right there to give her a place to stay. BUT AT WHAT COST???
I knew something wasnt right about that woman and omg things go reeeeallly crazy, creepy, and the ending put chills up my spine.
5 star thriller & so happy that I dug into this last night & was able to finish it todat because it had me biting my nails and freaking out. This just came out this week. Its fantastic @macmillan.audio thanks as always for approving me for fantastic stories told masterfully by amazing audiobook productions!!!
#justlikemother #anneheltzel
#macmillan #audiobookstagram
#thrillerreads @anneheltzel

Just Like Mother was a wild ride! This book was so twisted, but in the best ways. The cult of Mothers was intense and frightening to read about, yet I could see how this could be something that happens in real life. I felt so bad for the cards that were dealt to Maeve and her cousin, Andrea until you start putting pieces of the puzzle together of Andrea's messed up ideas. Which includes murder, kidnapping, lies, and pretending that a AI doll is a real baby. I can understand what grief can do to one person, however Andrea is messed up in more than one way. The ending was amazing and I loved that final twist on the last page.

I was super excited to get this book on Netgalley, and, yes, I realize I'm super late to the game, but life just happens sometimes. Anyway, this one was a real letdown for me. I just didn't really care for it at all, but I didn't absolutely hate it, so it's getting two stars. Plus, I did really enjoy the beginning.

My main problem with this book was Maeve's complete inability to put two and two together. Maybe I'm just naturally suspicious and have read way too many scary books, but I saw everything coming from a mile away, and that's just never fun as a reader. Also, I would not classify this as a horror novel at all. It's just not scary, like at all. Again, maybe I'm just a jaded reader, but this one just didn't do it for me.

Everyone else seems to be really loving this one, so definitely don't let my little ol' review stop you from reading. We all have different reading tastes. This one just wasn't for me.

A super big thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for giving me a free copy in exchange for an honest review. :)