Every book I have read by this author always offers some sort of mental illness involved. This book was no different. When Grace decides to have her mother move in with her, everything that was Grace’s life begins to fall apart. Grace has terrible nightmares, her dream world clashes with the waking world and she begins to see her new life deteriorate. As the pandemic continues and she deals with the virus personally, Grace begins to spiral. Her mother just wants her to admit to killing her twin and why she did it but Grace refuses to comply. As their relationship grows worse, Grace becomes even more unraveled going on to commit the unthinkable. The end did not solve the question asked by Grace’s mother and we see the therapist begin to become involved in the web. Excellent book with questions left unanswered.

Grace and her mother never had a great relationship, but at the beginning of the pandemic they decided to live in the same house to help and support each other. Grace likes her independence, but Jackie doesn't respect her daughter's space, and soon old wounds fester and new ones open. Grace's past and nightmares come back to haunt her, fueled by the fear of catching the virus that has already hurt many people she loves.

Mothered was a strange experience for me. It takes place at the beginning of the Covid19 pandemic and, even though it was two whole years ago, lockdown's claustrophobic feeling still hasn't left me. The main character Grace is also affected by it, plus the presence of her toxic mother is not good for her mental health: she starts having weird dreams and hallucinations, sometimes she can't tell the difference between what's real and what's not... and I have to say, I was very confused too. Because of this, I think the author did an amazing job in capturing the essence of the repressed trauma and pandemic anxiety and the escalation of domestic tension. Unfortunately, as I said, I was very confused by the vivid nightmares and I kinda wished the "real life" parts had more action, more fights between Grace and Jackie, more cruel honesty. It's like we stay on the surface of their relationship, of their feelings, and never really dive in, which is a shame because Mothered could have been brutally real.
The ending though was very dark and satisfying and I really liked it.
If you're in the mood for a creepy psychological thriller, this is the book for you.

* I'd like to thank Zoje Stage, Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley for providing this ARC in exchange for my honest review. * Mothered is out on March 1st, 2023.

I enjoyed the pandemic subplot and the creepy nature of this one.

I didn’t love the dream sequence aspect of the storytelling. I was left very confused which in turn frustrated me.

I think horror lovers will really enjoy this one if you don’t mind dream sequences.

My thanks to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for the opportunity to read and review this book.

Zoje Stage's latest book "Mothered" takes the Covid-19 pandemic and adds the stress of job loss, home ownership, guilt and moving back in with one's mother all in one book. It's a terrifying combination that is equal part enjoyable and horrifying.

Grace is half awake in her life. Now, when her mother moves in with her during the pandemic, she is forced to relearn how to live with someone, and that someone is the one person she can't deal with. She's avoided dealing with her twin sister's death for many years, living her life on the internet behind fake profiles as young men taking advantage of young women. Her best friend is a gay man who get Covid soon after her mother arrives.

Grace finds her nightmares return and she struggles to live in reality versus her nightmares world. She makes terrible choices and must live with the results in the end..... the terrible end.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the opportunity to read and review this book.

Grace has invited her recently widowed mom, Jackie, to live with her in the very early stages of covid. Their relationship has always been a bit rocky, but Grace is struggling with money and the extra help is needed. Unfortunately it's not long before old memories and events get brought up, and the already rough relationship takes a turn for the worse.
I admit that I going back to the initial stages of the pandemic was something I sure didn't want to do.. But this book took me back there. Remembering it, it's really not so hard to imagine the madness someone may go through in quarantine, dealing with the unknown, especially when there may be some longstanding mental health issues to begin with, and I certainly appreciated that insight and overall enjoyed the book.

Mothered is a standalone psychological thriller by author, Zoje Stage. I've seen the authors debut, Babyteeth recommended many times and highly praised so I was excited to grab a copy of this latest release by the same author.

The book is set during a pandemic, and written while one was actually going on which gives an interesting and unique concept that I've yet to see done before. I could related to our characters being in isolation and their fears about the impacts of an unknown virus. The story follows our main character Grace, who has a complex and strained relationship with her mother, Jackie since the death of her sister in childhood. When Jackie has to move in with Grace things between the two set to reach boiling point.

The author teases us that something terrible has happened in the opening but we will have to read along to find out exactly what. I found myself invested in the story and turning the pages to reach the conclusion and uncover the truth about this one. It's hard to say too much more about the plot without spoilers.

I can see why this author is so highly praised and recommended. I have added Babyteeth to my TBR list and am looking forward to read that one next.

Thank you to the author, publisher and Netgalley for the opportunity to read an ARC of this book.

Picture this: it's the middle of an ongoing viral pandemic. Not hard, right? Exactly - Mothered is set in present day This Earth reality. It is the middle of the COVID-19 Pandemic (aka the pandemic that will probably never end because we're a planet of morons).

Things have been going pretty well for Grace. She has a job at a salon she loves, she's just bought a new house, and her mom lives across the country. Everything is as it should be. But of course, the ol' pandy had to roll in and ruin EVERYTHING. Now Grace's job has shuttered, she's struggling to pay bills, and her mom is in the market for a new living situation following the death of her husband.

Now Grace finds herself living with Mom. Hooray (not).

Grace and Jackie have never seemed to get on all that well. Things have always been tense between them. Grace's disabled twin sister seemingly took up all of Jackie's time and energy, and after her death years before things have only gotten more strained. But she thinks that maybe having Jackie stay with her will give them the opportunity to bond - or at least to begin to heal some old wounds.

But, much like humanity as a whole, it seems that the relationship is set on a potentially irreversible doom spiral. As tensions continue to rise between the two, judgments and accusations begin to fly.

They can't really escape each other, so they're forced to bear the weight of each other's accusations. When repressed emotions meet cabin fever, things start to go horribly awry. Soon, it becomes difficult to tell what is reality, and what is just paranoid, sleep-deprived delusion.

When I started reading this in July of 2022 (I am SO SLOW getting these reviews written/uploaded, I know) I remember thinking to myself, "I wonder if this is going to be difficult to read due to taking place in the current, ongoing pandemic." Well, it was. It might be less so now that I'm another half-year jaded. So. Unbelievably. Jaded.

But I think it is kind of brilliant the way Stage uses the backdrop of the pandemic to both parallel and ratchet up the mounting tension and borderline insanity of Grace's home. I love that it prods at the terrible things that extended quarantining has done to those of us who bothered to listen to medical science and do so at any point (or were able to do so due to being deemed "non-essential" - no shade to those who weren't given the choice. I'm sorry our government/society nominated you to play the part of cannon fodder whether you were willing or not).

*this review goes live on my website Feb 1, 2023*

As Zoje Stage remarks in her acknowledgments, “Mothered is a batshit crazy book.”

“Cat. Fat cat. Cat with a rat. Hickory dickory f*ck, the mouse ran out of luck. The clock struck two, the mouse got the flu, hickory dickory f*ck.” 🤣

It’s the dreaded lockdown of 2020, and Grace just lost her job as a stylist at Barbara’s beauty salon. Never mind that she just moved into her first house the day lockdown began. How is she going to pay her bills? When her mother, Jackie, threatens to move in with her, Grace isn’t sure it is a good idea. However, Jackie agrees to pay rent and stay out of her way.

“Agreeing to this arrangement was something a Good Daughter would do. But was Grace a Good Daughter? For that matter, was Jackie a Good Mother?”

Will they survive Covid, the lockdown, and living with each other?

Mothered is the second book that I have read from Stage, and I’m still not sure what to think about her writing. It’s kind of like watching a car crash, you just can’t look away. She really captures the claustrophobic atmosphere, fears, and anxieties about Covid and the very dysfunctional relationship between Grace and Jackie. Didn’t we all go a little stir crazy too?

I wasn’t really sure where this plot was headed throughout most of the book, which kept me reading. However, the second half of the book became very repetitive and didn’t include any plot twists. Unfortunately, I was also left with a few lingering questions.

I’m sure this was a difficult book to write so soon after Stage’s own mother died from Covid-19.

Read this: If you are looking for a book about the Covid-19 pandemic
Skip this: If it’s still too soon for you

3.5/5 stars rounded down

Expected publication date: 3/1/23

Thank you to Thomas and Mercer publishing for the ARC of Mothered in exchange for an honest review.

Zoje has done it again. Another reality bending novel that leaves you questioning your sanity and the reality that surrounds it.

This story starts off relatively normal…In the midst of a new pandemic Grace has to deal with her estranged mother moving in. Quickly the story veers off into left field. The dreams blur into reality and you have to take a moment to decipher that you’ve just read.

What is truth and what is fiction or better yet a fever dream.

Mothered tells the story of a mother and daughter quarantined together during the pandemic. The forced lockdown together finally forces them to confront their toxic relationship. There were some really well done, creepy scenes but I didn’t like the dream sequences. It left me feeling confused and not sure what was real. Overall, Mothered was an entertaining read that fans of Stage’s previous work will enjoy.

ARC Review
It’s awful that I’ve already forgotten the fear of Covid. Weren’t we all scared? I haven’t read many books about the pandemic but I thought the author portrayed a good example of the early days. Having said that I was interested and engaged in the plot until I wasn’t. The back and forth was to much and what was real?
I found it confusing and disjointed and maybe that was the point. But it was just too crazy for me.
I’m giving this a 3⭐️. And what really happened here? Anybody?
Thanks Thomas & Mercer via NetGalley.

Sadly, I had to DNF this one after ~15% in. the premise was alluring, but ultimately, the build-up was too slow for my liking—since I'm reading shorter books at the moment, being impatient is 100% my fault.

Thank you so much to Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley for providing me with an e-ARC; it is greatly appreciated.

I have had this e-ARC since July, and since then I have seen this book everywhere. It seems to be on everyone's most anticipated list for the year, or at least it is in the horror community. There is definitely hype building for this book, but since this was my first read by this author I went in with no expectations, and an open mind.

Unfortunately, I was immediately confronted with something I don't wish to read about: the pandemic. There's actually an author's note stating how this did not start out as a pandemic book, and so that would not be a large part of the story. However, I'd have to argue that it is. Nothing in this book would have happened without the pandemic. It really seemed to be used as a plot point to put the characters in their appropriate places and mental states. The pandemic was prevalant throughout the entire story to where I'd say it was a character itself.

Most of the horror in this was subtle, which I've discovered recently is something I quite enjoy. That build up of tension, anger, and confusion is done well, and transfers as anxiety to the reader. Because of this I did not mind the slow plot, as I thought that the payoff, or "reveal", would bring everything happening into a satisfying conclusion. Unfortuantely, that didn't happen.

The last few chapters of the book felt incredibly rushed compared to the rest. We go from a slow, gradual build up, to entire personality changes overnight. I did not understand what was happening or why, and since we don't get any solid answers in the end, I finished this book feeling confused.

Overall, I'd say I enjoyed the first 80-90% of this book. It wasn't anything I hadn't seen before, but it was enjoyable and pretty quick to read. However, the last 10-20% just felt like a different book entirely and sucked my enjoyment out of reading it. If you are not a fan of dream sequences or reading about the pandemic, then I would pass on picking this up. If you enjoy a slow burn with little to no twists, and don't need answers to any questions, than give this a shot. I just don't think this author's style is for me.

Mothered is the second book I’ve read by author Zoje Stage. Just like the first, I’m not really sure what to think about this story. The author tends to write really creepy, eerie type reads. After finishing it, I’m still not sure if I understand it any more than I did when I started. It’s about Grace who was a twin. Her twin, Hope, was born with cerebral palsy. She is now dead. Grace believes she had a seizure and died but her mother is telling her that she smothered her. Who do you believe? This is a really messed up story written by a very clever and creative author. Zoje Stage must have a fantastic imagination. Although I did enjoy reading it, I was left puzzled as to what really happened and what to think of it all. I did like how the story takes place during the pandemic. It made it all the more real and relatable. Grace having her mom move in with her when they were never all that close to begin with was bound to cause conflict. But financially it would help them both during this strange time. But, was the mother out to drive her crazy? Although it left me somewhat confused, I’m sure many will really enjoy reading this. I’d like to thank NetGalley for the arc to read and review. I’m giving this a 4 star rating because it held my interest and the writing was really good. This is a book that I think would be very interesting to discuss in a book club to hear everyone’s take on the subject matter.

"Grace felt something tearing—her skin, unzippering from her neck down. When it was loose enough, she pulled her arms out of the skin sleeves. Freed each leg like she was peeling off a pair of itchy tights. She left the skin facade on the sidewalk, with its crumpled facial features and limbs like flesh-colored noodles. What did she look like now? Pink tissue and red blood and white bits of bone ?"

Set in the height of the COVID quarantine, Grace's mother Jackie asks her if she can come stay with her, and Grace reluctantly agrees. Their relationship is strained at best, full of pain after the loss of Grace's sister. But soon after her mother arrives Grace starts having very strange dreams, And then the dreams start blending in with reality and it's hard for both her and us reading it to know what's really happening. This is a story full of psychological horror. The tension build steadily throughout the whole story.

I really enjoyed the story. Thank you netgalley and Thomas & Mercer for giving me an advanced review copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you, Netgalley and Publisher, for this Arc!

Okay... prepare yourself! This is the post-pandemic book I've been waiting for. Thrilling. Covering many topics that I shared worry over, but making my trip through 2020 look like an all year spa vacation in comparison. But, importantly, highlighting where that year took many Americans and others mentally but with a horror/supernatural twist.

Grace has just bought a house when the pandemic begins. She is frustrated with work and even more so when her mom kind of forces her way into her home. Her mom seems to go between a manic overwhelming kindness, helping vibe, to being more sullen and hateful. Grace experiences some horrifying dreams during this time, all while once again facing her childhood past with her dead twin.

So, yeah, it's a hard read but it also kept my eyes glued to the pages with this need to figure out the puzzle of what is happening. Grace seems to be an unreliable narrator leaving me confused at times but riveted to the story.

Definitely recommend this as a dark thriller/horror!

Out March 1, 2023!

Mothered was a fun read and had me constantly questioning my own expectations of what was going to happen. After so many different takes on mother/daughter relationships in books and movies at the moment (Run came to mind on Netflix), I always like it when they all take a slightly different perspective.

I'm a fan of unreliable narrators but unfortunately the "is it/is it not a dream?" narrative was too played out for me in this novel - it took away from the true creepiness of the plot. The ending was fantastic though.

Thank you to Netgalley for providing me an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

This book gave me a visceral anxiety reaction everytime I picked it up! Not that anything was so overtly disturbing or grotesque but the way Stage writes just leaves me with an unease that is hard to replicate or explain. The characters are fully fleshed out and you aren’t sure what’s going on or what is going to happen, even WHILE it’s happening.

Highly recommend for fans of domestic claustrophobic thrillers!

I loved Zoje's Baby Teeth. Absolutely loved it. The weirdness between the daughter and mother was so appealing. MOTHERED also focuses on a daughter/mother relationship, but the focus, for me, was unfortunately elsewhere. The pandemic. COVID. A character on a ventilator. It's just too soon.

When I requested MOTHERED I was so excited because Zoje Stage was the author. I admit, I did not read the description carefully enough. I have a rule to not read any fictional books that mention lockdowns, the virus, restrictions, masks, hospitals... I am so fatigued from the real-world event the last thing I want to do is read about it, even in a fictional setting.

I tried to dismiss the references from the start. But when one of the character ends up on a ventilator it was skimming time. I was curious to see how the story ended, but I checked-out halfway through the book.

I also thought the plot started off so strong and then lost it's way. It became confusing and didn't make sense at times.

I still think Zoje is an amazing writer and I'll certainly read more of her books. It sounds like she was closely impacted by the pandemic, I absolutely understand why she wanted to write about it. But, for me, I'm still not ready to read anything pandemic-related in 2023.

Thank you Thomas & Mercer for an e-copy of MOTHERED to review.

I rate MOTHERED one out of five stars.

This was such a unique read, twisted , fast, and kept me guessing until the end. I have read this author before and think this was even better then Baby Teeth!